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It is slow in updating and really don't plan on putting anything adult-ish in it. However, I hope it will not keep you guys from giving it a read! I tried to make it an interesting story that I hope many will enjoy. Any way, I am not much of a writer, but I hope you can find some enjoyment out of it. It is still unfinished and other chapters are uploaded separately rather then just tacked onto this one. So if you are interested, Make sure to pop in bi-yearly or so for the next update when I get around to it again XD (this is meant to be a joke I hope to get to it sometime before the end of next year. Chapter 4 is already uploaded, or at least it will be soon after this one is) The setting is actually non other then the world created by Ian R; Soulfox, so all credit goes to him for the world in which Xan lives. I am trying to keep as close to his worlds mythology as I can, but if I mess up feel free to call me on it. As always, Leave your thoughts and responses as well as what you think I should do next below! =3", "description_bbcode_parsed": "This is a story that I have been working on off and on for the past several years now. It is slow in updating and really don't plan on putting anything adult-ish in it. However, I hope it will not keep you guys from giving it a read! I tried to make it an interesting story that I hope many will enjoy. Any way, I am not much of a writer, but I hope you can find some enjoyment out of it.  It is still unfinished and other chapters are uploaded separately rather then just tacked onto this one. So if you are interested, Make sure to pop in bi-yearly or so for the next update when I get around to it again XD (this is meant to be a joke I hope to get to it sometime before the end of next year. Chapter 4 is already uploaded, or at least it will be soon after this one is) The setting is actually non other then the world created by Ian R; Soulfox, so all credit goes to him for the world in which Xan lives. I am trying to keep as close to his worlds mythology as I can, but if I mess up feel free to call me on it. As always, Leave your thoughts and responses as well as what you think I should do next below! =3", "writing": "The History of Xan Crispien\n( working title ) \nWritten by: Michael Woodring (A.K.A Xan Crispien)\nSetting and locations by: Ian Rain Soulfox \n\n\n\n{Overseas continent of Han-Ma June 3088}\n\nIn the dead of night on the imperial docks of Han-ma’s capitol city, two hooded figures stood at the end of the western dock. At the end of the pier, hidden in shadow, a small fishing vessel was docked. The smaller hooded figure looked down into the cabin of the small vessel and spoke gently to someone unseen within. She was a female, her voice was urgent and shook with each word she spoke to the captain. \n\n\t“Please, take our son to the distant countries. Take him far away from here. Tell him not of where he comes from and give no word of such until he is older.” She then looked down at the bundle in her arms and a tear fell from within the hood and into the folds of cloth she held tightly to herself. The bundle stirred and from within the voice of an infant’s crying began. A furred paw rose from within and the mother reached over and grasped it in her own. \n\n\tIt wasn’t long, however, before the sound was heard by unwanted ears. A passing night guard heard the cries and looked over towards the dock. Spotting the two cloaked figures he yelled out to them. The parents of the child jumped in surprise and fear. The mother then clutched the child close to her bosom and turned quickly to the cabin and handed the child over to the captain and urgently cried. “Please, when he is older….tell him we loved him and that we would have given anything to see him grow strong.” \n\n\tA rather large otter reached out and took the child into his arms and held him tightly looking into the darkness of her hood. “That I will m’lady I’ll be sure inta getting him a good ole home.” The otter turned his head and reached for his dagger. “Now run, the both-a-ya. Them guards aint none to take to any excuses fer breakin curfew and trespassin on the port.” The parents nodded solemnly and embraced each other tightly. Upon hearing yelling from over the hill they turned with a start in the direction of the noises and whimpered at once. The father nodded to his wife and they both departed quickly into the nearby trees by the docks. Neither looked back for fear that the guards would catch up…but a keen eye would have seen the droplets of tears flitting through the air in their wake. \n\n\tThe otter bowed his head solemnly and set the young wolf cub down in a small hamper basket lined with cloth. Then, in one fell motion sliced the rope holding the vessel docked and pushed off with a foot paw. He then sheathed his dagger and jumped nimbly into the warm summer waters and swam to the back of the vessel. With the agility and strength of a born swimmer he pushed his vessel out into the ocean and away from the land of Han-ma and set a course for Arca and home. \n\n\tOnce a safe distance from the land the otter then climbed back aboard and used a sheet of cloth from a line to dry the short fur around his maw and looked back at the shore. He saw the regime of the moonlight guard spread out along the bank in a search party. He bowed his head in despair knowing that with the guard so close behind, the parents stood little chance of out running them. However, in his heart he hoped above hope that they had escaped. He said a silent prayer to the Goddess Ellysia and turned back to his cabin and looked within the basket where he had set the pup. He was sleeping and murred lightly with each breath. \n\n\t“a’righ there little one, getcha some rest. It’s a long trip to Arca an you’ll be needin it. Now, what should I be telling the folks who be lookin afta ya whatcher name be eh?” He looks down into the basket thoughtfully. As he does, it shifts just enough that a thin piece of leather appeared between the folds of cloth. Curiously, the otter reaches a paw into the basket and draws from within a small necklace with a silver key hanging from it. There is an engraving on it but in the light of the night it was impossible for him to make out. So he padded over to his desk and, carefully, with a flint and tinder lit a candle to take a closer look at the treasure. The engraving read, “Xan Crispien: Our dearest son. Our most treasured hope.” \n\n\tThe otter nodded saddly at the engraving and looked over towards the sleeping babe. “Yer parents were right good folk little Xan. It’s a shame…..that you won’t git to grow up knowin that.\n\n\n\n\n5 years later. Far East of Arca City 3094\n\n\n\t“Xan, it’s time for dinner!” a voice called out into the setting, evening sun. It was of a female fox though she had a rather fair build about her and a white apron over a well worn, yellow dress. She called again for the absent child and waited at the opening of a quaint little shack a few yards from Arca forest to the west. \n\n\tIt was here that the young wolf lay staring up at the sky and thinking on what he had read. A book lay open beside him and the breeze flipped the pages over lazily. His ears perked as he heard his name called by the female fox and sat up quickly looking back towards his home. “I’m coming mamma!” With that, the young 5 year old pup gathered his book and small wooden dagger he often played with and began running towards the house. Before he made it to the forests edge, he had a sudden feeling that he was being watched and stopped to look around curiously. Frightened he gripped his book and called out shakily, “h-hello?” He received no answer from the woods but another call from the female fox made him perk his ears and turn back towards his home. He whimpered lightly to himself and chanced a final look back into the darkening woods. After a moment longer he turned back around and began running home, quickly, forgetting the odd feeling he had.\n\n\tNow quiet with the absence of the pup, a dark hooded figure steped out from behind a tree and watched the pup as he ran home. He grinned to himself in the shadows of his cloak and nodded thoughtfully. Silently, he turned and began padding back into the darkness of the forest seeming to meld with the shadows as he disappears into the woods. \n\n\tXan then slows to a stop and pants lightly looking up at the female fox with a slight grin on his face. “I’m here mamma” The she-fox looked down a bit scornfully at the pup and made a “tut, tut” sound as she surveyed his clothing. “Now Xan, just look at the state your in. It’s dinner time and you’re filthy! You haven’t even washed your paws yet.” The pup whimpered lightly and his ears and muzzle drooped at the scolding. However, the fox merely smiled and kneeled down and placed a paw on his shoulder. Now hurry and go get cleaned up and put that book back in your fathers study. I made my special berry pie so if you hurry we all might be able to get a piece while it’s still warm after dinner.” With that the pup lit up and leaned forward giving her a small peck on the cheek and ran towards the wash room to begin cleaning up.\n\n\tThe female fox smiled warmly and padded into the kitchen to finish setting the plates for everyone. However a shadow quietly began creeping up behind her as she was cleaning a few of the dishes in a wash basin. The figure stood tall behind her, quickly reached forward, grabbed her around the waist, and With one arm behind her neck pulled her backwards. Too shocked to react, she yipped quickly before she was silenced by the muzzle of a male fox. The kiss was broken soon after and the male smiled down at her, noticeably holding back a chuckle. “How’s dinner Emily?” \n\nShe blinked once looking up into the males face and swatted at his arm holding her up. “Oh James, How many times have I told you not to frighten me like that!” he finally began to laugh heartily and smooched her again on her cheek before he set her up again and took a step back. “More times then I can count dear. Has Xan come back from playing yet?” he said as he took his usual seat at the dinning table. “Yes he has. He’s just cleaning up in the wash room, though I suspect he was doing more then just playing.”\n \n“Don’t tell me he was studying again.” He said exasperated. “The child is only 6; he won’t have to begin his studies until next year.” \n\n“I know dear, but he told me the other day he was studying on something to show you. Apparently he’s trying to impress you with what he is learning.” She said as she brought a platter of roast and placed it next to the other bowls and plates of assorted greens and even a few steamed grubs. “By the way where is the little tike? He should have been done washing by now.” Just then, a blue flash was seen coming from the other room and James watched with a bit of familiarity and confusion on his face. Then they heard the pup cry out suddenly; “Momma!” They both jumped up and ran to the next room where they found Xan weeping and sitting down on the floor.\n\n “Xan, what happened?” James asked looking around. He recognized the flash; it was similar to that of a spell he himself used often and began looking for the source. \nXan continued weeping and tried to answer them through each sob. “I-I-it’s m-my ta-tail.” At that they both looked behind the sobbing pup and what they saw frightened and astounded them. His tail had been frozen solid to the floor boards beneath it. What’s more the ice was a light, almost clear blue. James kneeled down and examined the ice curiously and obviously upset that someone would attack a child. “Xan who did this to you and where did they go?” the young pup shook a bit and swallowed from both cold and fear. “I-I did f-father. p-please don’t be mad.” \n\nJames looked down to the wolf pups face, surprise clearly evident on his muzzle. “You mean this is what you were studying all this time to show me?” Xan looked up at him somewhat startled and then to Emily and stopped crying a moment. “You didn’t tell him did you mamma? It was supposed to be a surprise!”\n \nJames laughed out heartily and looked down at him placing a paw on his shoulder. “No Xan, she didn’t tell me what you were doing, just that you wanted to do something for me. I had no idea you were trying to learn magic, and at your age? Even to manifest ice in any form at your age is an achievement.” He chuckled and placed a paw on the frozen tail and his paw began to glow a light red. Almost instantly the ice melted and began seeping into the floor boards. \n\nXan looked back at his tail and shook it back and forth testing it and shaking a bit of the water from it. The tail itself wasn’t harmed at all from the ice. “So, it doesn’t matter that I messed up father?” he looked up curiously at the older fox’s muzzle which only smiled back at him. “Not at all Xan, in fact I’m rather impressed. But lets talk more about this after dinner what do you say?” \n\nAt that, the young pup smiled and hopped up to his feet paws and his tail wagged behind him feeling proud of his achievement. Emily stood in the doorway of the kitchen and simply smiled at the both of them and then turned to sit at the table as they all began to eat and discuss what had happened.\n\n\nLater that night in James’ study\n\n\n\n\tJames had taken his normal seat in the rather large chair behind an old oak desk. The desk was well cluttered and topped full with many a book and a few parchments of paper, ink and quills. He was at present rifling through a few of the books there, every once in a while opening one to read a page or two of its contents before putting it down and moving to another. Xan, however, sat on a small stool in front of the desk and was munching on a small handful of the dried grubs Emily had prepared a few days earlier as a sort of simple trail mix. He sat there patiently swinging his legs back and forth as he munched wondering what in the world his father was looking for. After a short while the fox had found what he was looking for and smiled in triumph. \n\n\t“Alright then Xan, it seems you have an uncannily acute ability to control magic, and from what I can tell more specifically water and ice elemental magic. First of all I wanted to ask, how in the world you learned to do that at such an age. Did someone show you or did you see someone else do it?” \n\n\tThe wolf pup was a bit perplexed as he looked up at the older foxes muzzle and tilted his head a bit to the side. “I don’t know what you mean father. I was just reading through a bunch of your books in your study and thought the ones on magic looked really neat. Also, the pictures on the ones with the water and stuff looked cool. So, I thought I could try to learn some of it to impress you...seeing as I’m not that strong.” The pup looked down a bit with wilting ears as he mentioned that last comment. Last time he had tried to help his father in the garden he had tipped a full bucket of vegetable seeds because he couldn’t lift it. It took the both of them the rest of the day to clean it up. \n\n\tThe fox looked down at the pup and laughed “Well, I have noticed ever since Emily taught you how to read I’ve been hard pressed to find your nose out of any of my books. But really what you did was amazing! I’ve never heard of a child your age physically manifesting spiritual energy in the form of ice, or any other element for that matter, as you did.” Xan looked up at him slightly confused and the fox quickly rephrased. “Um, I mean no one at your age has made ice like that before that I know of.” Upon hearing this, the young pup was enthralled. His tail waged eagerly behind him and he smiled up at the older fox. “So, does that mean you are proud of me father?”\n \n\tThe older fox pushed himself away from the desk and walked around it and kneeled down next to the stool the pup was sitting on. He then leaned forward and hugged him close smiling all the while. Xan was stunned momentarily but then hugged him back eagerly his tail doing overtime behind him. “More then you know Xan. But, if you insist on learning magic you’ll need a tutor. Magic is a dangerous thing if not handled properly. You will need someone to teach you if you want to get really good. Now I know your schooling doesn’t start for another year, but how would you like to be my student? I could teach you more about what’s in all these books,” He held him at arms length and chuckled running one paw through the pups head fur “and maybe how not to freeze your tail to our living room floor”\n\n\tXan was beaming. He looked up at the older fox full of excitement; it was all he could do to keep from pouncing on the older fox. “Really?! Do you mean it?! When can we start? Where are we gonna practice? What time should I…” he was quickly cut off by a paw gently closing his muzzle and the fox laughed heartily. “Easy there pup. We can’t get started for at least a couple days yet. I have to prepare a few lessons for the both of us. It takes a little time to prepare. I have to figure out the answer to some of those questions my self actually. In the mean time you can read all you want in here. If you’re going to get good at magic it takes a whole lot of studying to get right. You think you’re up to it?” \n\n\tXan nodded quickly and hugged his father tightly “ of course!” the fox hugged him back and pecked him on the top of his head before making his way around to the other side of the table. “That’s just what I wanted to hear.” He then reached for one of the piles of books on his desk and grabbed three rather large volumes from the stack he had dug out earlier and sat them down in front of the pup. “These are volumes one through three on the basics of magic. The spell you attempted earlier is a rather high level spell, its no surprise it didn’t succeed. However it IS a surprise that you were able to get so far with it. Any way, I feel its best to start at the basics so that you can get a good feel for what we are going to be working on later and learn to control it a bit more. Which brings me to your first assignment, I want you to read and study these three books as much as possible. Now I understand it’s a lot but you can take your time with it. As I said, I need a little time to prepare if I am going to teach you. So, we will not begin your lessons until three weeks from now; how does that sound?” \n \n\tXan sat there listening intently and an excited grin spread across his muzzle and nodded after hearing his father’s words. His tail was still moving at high speed behind him. “Yes father, I’ll get to work on them as soon as I can. Is it alright if I take them to the woods with me when I go out?” the fox looked up for a moment in thought. He then nodded and set his sight back towards the pup. “Sure you can, but only under two conditions, you can only take one book at a time and you need to be very careful with them. These books are rather old you know.” The young folf nodded quickly and jumped up and hugged the fox around the waist tightly again. “Thank you very much father. I’ll be the best student ever.”\n\n\tJames smiled lightly and hugged the small folf to him. He then looked out the window at the rising moon and then back down to the pup. “Hey, you wouldn’t be much of a student if you can’t stay awake tomorrow. I think its time we all hit the sack don’t you?” all James got in response was a small yawn from the little one and a slight nod. He smiled and led, Xan back to his own small cot and tucked the pup in and kissed him lightly on the forehead. James smiled warmly looking down at the now sleeping folf who lay there murring lightly with each breath. He looked down to the small silver key around his neck and his memories went back to the night the young one had entered his and Emily’s lives.\n\t\nThree months after Xan left Han-Ma several leagues south of Arca city\n\n\n\tIt was raining. A lone otter was walking through the gale, a small bundle wrapped tightly against his chest. Every now and again, a bolt of lightning would light the skies and the path ahead of him. He was making his way from an abandoned southern port a good few leagues from Arca city. The freak storm had sent him way off course and he dared not brave the rough shoreline in this weather. So he was left to walk the rest of the way through the raging storm in unfamiliar territory. He knew not of the dangers of this area so he had with him his rapier at his side in easy reach. Little did he know that he was being watched from afar. \n\n\tOff in the distance, the night meant nothing to the eyes of a vampire. It had been three nights since his last feed, and he had found a target for his next meal. He followed the otter with hungry eyes piercing through the dead of the night seeing as if it were merely midday. His face was hidden by a hooded cloak but his muzzle protruded a bit from the opening; his fangs glistening with each flash of lightning from over head. As the otter made his way north the vampire made use of every piece of available cover he could find to trail the unknowing otter. He was waiting for the right time to attack.\n\n\tAfter many a league the otter had grown tired from his progress and spotted an old shed that had long sense decayed and all that was left was a weak roof, 2 walls, and the 4 corner beams holding the flimsy structure up in the wind. He decided it was better then being out in the open and made his way for it. Once inside it was relatively protected from the rain but the wind was still rather chilly. However, it was better then nothing and so he decided to settle himself against a small bail of hay that had been left there apparently for feed for some local rancher. He un-strapped the pup from his chest and wrapped him up a bit tighter to keep him warm. He lay there breathing slowly as he slept. The otter couldn’t help but crack a small grin at the sleeping babe.\n\n\tSuddenly he had the strange feeling that he was being watched and quickly reached for his rapier. Looking around quickly for whoever it may be. “Who’s there, be you friend of foe?” stated the otter in a loud voice. Receiving no answer he scanned the surrounding darkness swiftly looking for any sign of life. There was a flash of lightning in the sky and a dark form could be seen leaning against a tree just outside of the decayed barn. “Who are ya and what be yur business here?” the otter asked gruffly, he drew his rapier and raised it defensively. \n\n\tThe dark figure moved smoothly towards the otter keeping his hood raised. A small chuckled could be heard through the falling rain as he approached. “You go on and stay where ya are until I know why yur here.” The otter then raised and pointed the tip of his rapier at the hooded figure in front of him and it stopped moving. He then reached up and pulled his hood down revealing the face of a lean jackal, his fangs clearly visible in the dim light. “Now, is that any way to treat a diner guest?” the jackal spoke to the otter.\n “You, you’re a vampire eh? What business do you have with me?”\n\n\t“Well, as with all things I do need to feed you know and the people in these areas seem to have rather strong defenses; magical mostly. As you don’t seem to be from around here I assume you don’t have such defenses. I can sense your aura isn’t as strong in magical energies. Also, none around here are as foolish to wander around alone this time of night. ” The figure took a step towards him and the otter shook a bit in fright. “You can’t! I ‘ave a child wid me, I made a promise wid ‘is parents that I’d get ‘im to a good home. Please, if you ‘ave any sort-o-heart let me do this at least and ya can do what ya want wid me. Just don’ 'arm the child.”\n\n\tThe jackal took a few steps towards the young pup and looked down at him through the sheets and examined him. The otter took a quick step towards him and raised his sword again and yelled. “Git away from ‘im ya monster!” The jackal looked back towards the otter again with a mock look of surprise on his face. “Monster now is it? I’m hurt. However, I suppose you are somewhat right.” He took a few strides away from the child and faced the otter, a grin creeping on the side of his muzzle. “As soon as I am done with you I will take the child as well. I won’t kill him but if I turn him I’m sure I could teach him to be a great hunter. You said yourself he needs a good home. I’d be more then happy to oblige. I’m sure he would grow to be a valuable servant” The jackal laughed loudly and the otter growled as he faced the vampire never lowering his sword. “Yur sick, Ill be sure you die by my blade vermin! You’ll not be harmin an ‘air on ‘is head you got it? Have at ya beast!” \n\n\tSuddenly the otter launched himself toward the jackal quickly slashing his rapier in a dizzying array of motions before stabbing forward with it towards his heart. For all his work the otter might have been moving in slow motion to the jackal. He easily side stepped the blade, clenched a paw into a fist, and punched the otter square in the muzzle as hard as he could. The impact sent the otter flying backwards and slammed his back into a tree. In an instant it was over, and he was finished. His rapier fell from his now limp paw unable to hold it any longer. His back had been broken in many places. The pain was so severe that the shock prevented him from feeling the brunt of it but he knew he was done for. \n\n\t“What? Done already? I thought I was going to “die by your blade” huh, So that I wouldn’t, \"harm a hair on the child’s head\"? HAH! Well now I suppose the game is over for you, and dinner is served for me.” The jackal kneeled down next to the paralyzed otter and leaned in slowly, his fangs inches from the otter’s neck. Suddenly, out of the night a flash of blue different from the light of the lightning momentarily flooded through the surrounding area and a spike of clear blue ice shot quickly towards the jackal. The spike drove deeply into his shoulder and launched him forward a few yards past the otter. Another flash of the mysterious blue light, and three more spikes of clear blue ice shot towards the injured jackal. Now ready for such an attack he jumped up quickly and just barely avoided the attacks. He growled angrily, turned, and leapt into the darkness seeming to meld into the shadows and was gone.\n \n\tFrom the opposite direction a lone figure came running through the rain not a single droplet hitting him as it seemed an invisible force repelled the water around him so that he remained dry. His paws were glowing a light blue and he stood ready looking for any sign of a threat. Seeing none he relaxed and allowed the aura to fade from his paws. He made his way cautiously towards the injured otter and upon seeing his condition bowed his head sadly; he wasn’t going to make it. A soft moan made his ears perk and he leaned down quickly next to the dieing otter. “wh…where be the lil one? Is ‘e all right?” \n\n\tThe fox looked at him somewhat confused before it sunk in; there was a child near by. He stood and looked around a bit but he didn’t have to look long as the sound of a child’s crying got his attention. He turned and found the small bundle with the pup in it and picked him up gently calming him down until he lay there, quiet in his arms. He smiled at the young pup and carried him to the otter. “It’s fine sir. He’s right here there is no need to worry.” The otter smiled slightly though a small grimace of pain as a small tear rolled down his cheek to mingle with the rain water falling on him. “thas’ good. I need to ask you a favor. Please, look after ‘im fur me wouldja? And when he is old enough…tell ‘im his parents would ‘ave given anythin ta see ‘im grow up strong. Tell lil Xan tha fur me please?” \n\n\tThe fox looked down at the otter, tears falling down his cheeks feeling guilty that he wasn’t fast enough to save him. But he nodded steadily. “I will. I will take care of him as if he were my own. And I will give him that message.” The otter smiled hearing those words and closed his eyes. “thas good. Knowin that, I kin go real easy like now. Th….thank…you…..” \n\n\tAnd just as a strike of lightning flashed over head, the otter died. The fox wept silently at the passing of the stranger and looked down at the bundle in his arms. The pup was crying openly but he made no effort to stop him. This was a time for sadness. The fox stood and dried his eyes on the sleeve of his cloak and raised a lightly glowing paw at the ground beneath the otter. He made one quick motion and a quick blade of ice sliced the ground creating a deep hole just in front of the otter. The fox then gently slid the otter into the hole and using another simple spell moved the dirt back over and covered the hole entirely. He then looked at the wolf pup in his arms which had sense fallen asleep again and turned heading back to the main road and his transport leaving the tree as a marker for the otter.\n\n\tHe climbed into his transport vehicle which resembled an uncovered carriage though ran on its own magical power rather then the feral horses which were native to the area. He safely tucked the bundle against his shoulder and gave one last sad look at the tree and barn before spurring the Vehicle forward with a silent command and began moving towards Arca city carrying the little pup with him.\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\tComing soon....\n\t3094 3 weeks later: training begins.\n\n\n \t\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "The History of Xan Crispien
( working title )
Written by: Michael Woodring (A.K.A Xan Crispien)
Setting and locations by: Ian Rain Soulfox



{Overseas continent of Han-Ma June 3088}

In the dead of night on the imperial docks of Han-ma’s capitol city, two hooded figures stood at the end of the western dock. At the end of the pier, hidden in shadow, a small fishing vessel was docked. The smaller hooded figure looked down into the cabin of the small vessel and spoke gently to someone unseen within. She was a female, her voice was urgent and shook with each word she spoke to the captain.

\t“Please, take our son to the distant countries. Take him far away from here. Tell him not of where he comes from and give no word of such until he is older.” She then looked down at the bundle in her arms and a tear fell from within the hood and into the folds of cloth she held tightly to herself. The bundle stirred and from within the voice of an infant’s crying began. A furred paw rose from within and the mother reached over and grasped it in her own.

\tIt wasn’t long, however, before the sound was heard by unwanted ears. A passing night guard heard the cries and looked over towards the dock. Spotting the two cloaked figures he yelled out to them. The parents of the child jumped in surprise and fear. The mother then clutched the child close to her bosom and turned quickly to the cabin and handed the child over to the captain and urgently cried. “Please, when he is older….tell him we loved him and that we would have given anything to see him grow strong.”

\tA rather large otter reached out and took the child into his arms and held him tightly looking into the darkness of her hood. “That I will m’lady I’ll be sure inta getting him a good ole home.” The otter turned his head and reached for his dagger. “Now run, the both-a-ya. Them guards aint none to take to any excuses fer breakin curfew and trespassin on the port.” The parents nodded solemnly and embraced each other tightly. Upon hearing yelling from over the hill they turned with a start in the direction of the noises and whimpered at once. The father nodded to his wife and they both departed quickly into the nearby trees by the docks. Neither looked back for fear that the guards would catch up…but a keen eye would have seen the droplets of tears flitting through the air in their wake.

\tThe otter bowed his head solemnly and set the young wolf cub down in a small hamper basket lined with cloth. Then, in one fell motion sliced the rope holding the vessel docked and pushed off with a foot paw. He then sheathed his dagger and jumped nimbly into the warm summer waters and swam to the back of the vessel. With the agility and strength of a born swimmer he pushed his vessel out into the ocean and away from the land of Han-ma and set a course for Arca and home.

\tOnce a safe distance from the land the otter then climbed back aboard and used a sheet of cloth from a line to dry the short fur around his maw and looked back at the shore. He saw the regime of the moonlight guard spread out along the bank in a search party. He bowed his head in despair knowing that with the guard so close behind, the parents stood little chance of out running them. However, in his heart he hoped above hope that they had escaped. He said a silent prayer to the Goddess Ellysia and turned back to his cabin and looked within the basket where he had set the pup. He was sleeping and murred lightly with each breath.

\t“a’righ there little one, getcha some rest. It’s a long trip to Arca an you’ll be needin it. Now, what should I be telling the folks who be lookin afta ya whatcher name be eh?” He looks down into the basket thoughtfully. As he does, it shifts just enough that a thin piece of leather appeared between the folds of cloth. Curiously, the otter reaches a paw into the basket and draws from within a small necklace with a silver key hanging from it. There is an engraving on it but in the light of the night it was impossible for him to make out. So he padded over to his desk and, carefully, with a flint and tinder lit a candle to take a closer look at the treasure. The engraving read, “Xan Crispien: Our dearest son. Our most treasured hope.”

\tThe otter nodded saddly at the engraving and looked over towards the sleeping babe. “Yer parents were right good folk little Xan. It’s a shame…..that you won’t git to grow up knowin that.




5 years later. Far East of Arca City 3094


\t“Xan, it’s time for dinner!” a voice called out into the setting, evening sun. It was of a female fox though she had a rather fair build about her and a white apron over a well worn, yellow dress. She called again for the absent child and waited at the opening of a quaint little shack a few yards from Arca forest to the west.

\tIt was here that the young wolf lay staring up at the sky and thinking on what he had read. A book lay open beside him and the breeze flipped the pages over lazily. His ears perked as he heard his name called by the female fox and sat up quickly looking back towards his home. “I’m coming mamma!” With that, the young 5 year old pup gathered his book and small wooden dagger he often played with and began running towards the house. Before he made it to the forests edge, he had a sudden feeling that he was being watched and stopped to look around curiously. Frightened he gripped his book and called out shakily, “h-hello?” He received no answer from the woods but another call from the female fox made him perk his ears and turn back towards his home. He whimpered lightly to himself and chanced a final look back into the darkening woods. After a moment longer he turned back around and began running home, quickly, forgetting the odd feeling he had.

\tNow quiet with the absence of the pup, a dark hooded figure steped out from behind a tree and watched the pup as he ran home. He grinned to himself in the shadows of his cloak and nodded thoughtfully. Silently, he turned and began padding back into the darkness of the forest seeming to meld with the shadows as he disappears into the woods.

\tXan then slows to a stop and pants lightly looking up at the female fox with a slight grin on his face. “I’m here mamma” The she-fox looked down a bit scornfully at the pup and made a “tut, tut” sound as she surveyed his clothing. “Now Xan, just look at the state your in. It’s dinner time and you’re filthy! You haven’t even washed your paws yet.” The pup whimpered lightly and his ears and muzzle drooped at the scolding. However,  the fox merely smiled and kneeled down and placed a paw on his shoulder. Now hurry and go get cleaned up and put that book back in your fathers study. I made my special berry pie so if you hurry we all might be able to get a piece while it’s still warm after dinner.” With that the pup lit up and leaned forward giving her a small peck on the cheek and ran towards the wash room to begin cleaning up.

\tThe female fox smiled warmly and padded into the kitchen to finish setting the plates for everyone. However a shadow quietly began creeping up behind her as she was cleaning a few of the dishes in a wash basin. The figure stood tall behind her, quickly reached forward, grabbed her around the waist, and With one arm behind her neck pulled her backwards. Too shocked to react, she yipped quickly before she was silenced by the muzzle of a male fox. The kiss was broken soon after and the male smiled down at her, noticeably holding back a chuckle. “How’s dinner Emily?”

She blinked once looking up into the males face and swatted at his arm holding her up. “Oh James, How many times have I told you not to frighten me like that!” he finally began to laugh heartily and smooched her again on her cheek before he set her up again and took a step back. “More times then I can count dear. Has Xan come back from playing yet?” he said as he took his usual seat at the dinning table. “Yes he has. He’s just cleaning up in the wash room, though I suspect he was doing more then just playing.”
 
“Don’t tell me he was studying again.” He said exasperated. “The child is only 6; he won’t have to begin his studies until next year.”

“I know dear, but he told me the other day he was studying on something to show you. Apparently he’s trying to impress you with what he is learning.” She said as she brought a platter of roast and placed it next to the other bowls and plates of assorted greens and even a few steamed grubs. “By the way where is the little tike? He should have been done washing by now.” Just then, a blue flash was seen coming from the other room and James watched with a bit of familiarity and confusion on his face. Then they heard the pup cry out suddenly; “Momma!” They both jumped up and ran to the next room where they found Xan weeping and sitting down on the floor.

 “Xan, what happened?” James asked looking around. He recognized the flash; it was similar to that of a spell he himself used often and began looking for the source.
Xan continued weeping and tried to answer them through each sob. “I-I-it’s m-my ta-tail.” At that they both looked behind the sobbing pup and what they saw frightened and astounded them. His tail had been frozen solid to the floor boards beneath it. What’s more the ice was a light, almost clear blue. James kneeled down and examined the ice curiously and obviously upset that someone would attack a child. “Xan who did this to you and where did they go?” the young pup shook a bit and swallowed from both cold and fear. “I-I did f-father. p-please don’t be mad.”

James looked down to the wolf pups face, surprise clearly evident on his muzzle. “You mean this is what you were studying all this time to show me?” Xan looked up at him somewhat startled and then to Emily and stopped crying a moment. “You didn’t tell him did you mamma? It was supposed to be a surprise!”
 
James laughed out heartily and looked down at him placing a paw on his shoulder. “No Xan, she didn’t tell me what you were doing, just that you wanted to do something for me. I had no idea you were trying to learn magic, and at your age? Even to manifest ice in any form at your age is an achievement.” He chuckled and placed a paw on the frozen tail and his paw began to glow a light red. Almost instantly the ice melted and began seeping into the floor boards.

Xan looked back at his tail and shook it back and forth testing it and shaking a bit of the water from it. The tail itself wasn’t harmed at all from the ice. “So, it doesn’t matter that I messed up father?” he looked up curiously at the older fox’s muzzle which only smiled back at him. “Not at all Xan, in fact I’m rather impressed. But lets talk more about this after dinner what do you say?”

At that, the young pup smiled and hopped up to his feet paws and his tail wagged behind him feeling proud of his achievement. Emily stood in the doorway of the kitchen and simply smiled at the both of them and then turned to sit at the table as they all began to eat and discuss what had happened.


Later that night in James’ study



\tJames had taken his normal seat in the rather large chair behind an old oak desk. The desk was well cluttered and topped full with many a book and a few parchments of paper, ink and quills. He was at present rifling through a few of the books there, every once in a while opening one to read a page or two of its contents before putting it down and moving to another. Xan, however, sat on a small stool in front of the desk and was munching on a small handful of the dried grubs Emily had prepared a few days earlier as a sort of simple trail mix. He sat there patiently swinging his legs back and forth as he munched wondering what in the world his father was looking for. After a short while the fox had found what he was looking for and smiled in triumph.

\t“Alright then Xan, it seems you have an uncannily acute ability to control magic, and from what I can tell more specifically water and ice elemental magic. First of all I wanted to ask, how in the world you learned to do that at such an age. Did someone show you or did you see someone else do it?”

\tThe wolf pup was a bit perplexed as he looked up at the older foxes muzzle and tilted his head a bit to the side. “I don’t know what you mean father. I was just reading through a bunch of your books in your study and thought the ones on magic looked really neat. Also, the pictures on the ones with the water and stuff looked cool. So, I thought I could try to learn some of it to impress you...seeing as I’m not that strong.” The pup looked down a bit with wilting ears as he mentioned that last comment. Last time he had tried to help his father in the garden he had tipped a full bucket of vegetable seeds because he couldn’t lift it. It took the both of them the rest of the day to clean it up.

\tThe fox looked down at the pup and laughed “Well, I have noticed ever since Emily taught you how to read I’ve been hard pressed to find your nose out of any of my books. But really what you did was amazing! I’ve never heard of a child your age physically manifesting spiritual energy in the form of ice, or any other element for that matter, as you did.” Xan looked up at him slightly confused and the fox quickly rephrased. “Um, I mean no one at your age has made ice like that before that I know of.” Upon hearing this, the young pup was enthralled. His tail waged eagerly behind him and he smiled up at the older fox. “So, does that mean you are proud of me father?”
 
\tThe older fox pushed himself away from the desk and walked around it and kneeled down next to the stool the pup was sitting on. He then leaned forward and hugged him close smiling all the while. Xan was stunned momentarily but then hugged him back eagerly his tail doing overtime behind him. “More then you know Xan. But, if you insist on learning magic you’ll need a tutor. Magic is a dangerous thing if not handled properly. You will need someone to teach you if you want to get really good. Now I know your schooling doesn’t start for another year, but how would you like to be my student? I could teach you more about what’s in all these books,” He held him at arms length and chuckled running one paw through the pups head fur “and maybe how not to freeze your tail to our living room floor”

\tXan was beaming. He looked up at the older fox full of excitement; it was all he could do to keep from pouncing on the older fox. “Really?! Do you mean it?! When can we start? Where are we gonna practice? What time should I…” he was quickly cut off by a paw gently closing his muzzle and the fox laughed heartily. “Easy there pup. We can’t get started for at least a couple days yet. I have to prepare a few lessons for the both of us. It takes a little time to prepare. I have to figure out the answer to some of those questions my self actually. In the mean time you can read all you want in here. If you’re going to get good at magic it takes a whole lot of studying to get right. You think you’re up to it?”

\tXan nodded quickly and hugged his father tightly “ of course!” the fox hugged him back and pecked him on the top of his head before making his way around to the other side of the table. “That’s just what I wanted to hear.” He then reached for one of the piles of books on his desk and grabbed three rather large volumes from the stack he had dug out earlier and sat them down in front of the pup. “These are volumes one through three on the basics of magic. The spell you attempted earlier is a rather high level spell, its no surprise it didn’t succeed. However it IS a surprise that you were able to get so far with it. Any way, I feel its best to start at the basics so that you can get a good feel for what we are going to be working on later and learn to control it a bit more. Which brings me to your first assignment, I want you to read and study these three books as much as possible. Now I understand it’s a lot but you can take your time with it. As I said, I need a little time to prepare if I am going to teach you. So, we will not begin your lessons until three weeks from now; how does that sound?”
 
\tXan sat there listening intently and an excited grin spread across his muzzle and nodded after hearing his father’s words. His tail was still moving at high speed behind him. “Yes father, I’ll get to work on them as soon as I can. Is it alright if I take them to the woods with me when I go out?” the fox looked up for a moment in thought. He then nodded and set his sight back towards the pup. “Sure you can, but only under two conditions, you can only take one book at a time and you need to be very careful with them. These books are rather old you know.” The young folf nodded quickly and jumped up and hugged the fox around the waist tightly again. “Thank you very much father. I’ll be the best student ever.”

\tJames smiled lightly and hugged the small folf to him. He then looked out the window at the rising moon and then back down to the pup. “Hey, you wouldn’t be much of a student if you can’t stay awake tomorrow. I think its time we all hit the sack don’t you?” all James got in response was a small yawn from the little one  and a slight nod. He smiled and led, Xan back to his own small cot and tucked the pup in and kissed him lightly on the forehead. James smiled warmly looking down at the now sleeping folf who lay there murring lightly with each breath. He looked down to the small silver key around his neck and his memories went back to the night the young one had entered his and Emily’s lives.
\t
Three months after Xan left Han-Ma several leagues south of Arca city


\tIt was raining. A lone otter was walking through the gale, a small bundle wrapped tightly against his chest. Every now and again, a bolt of lightning would light the skies and the path ahead of him. He was making his way from an abandoned southern port a good few leagues from Arca city. The freak storm had sent him way off course and he dared not brave the rough shoreline in this weather. So he was left to walk the rest of the way through the raging storm in unfamiliar territory. He knew not of the dangers of this area so he had with him his rapier at his side in easy reach. Little did he know that he was being watched from afar.

\tOff in the distance, the night meant nothing to the eyes of a vampire. It had been three nights since his last feed, and he had found a target for his next meal. He followed the otter with hungry eyes piercing through the dead of the night seeing as if it were merely midday. His face was hidden by a hooded cloak but his muzzle protruded a bit from the opening; his fangs glistening with each flash of lightning from over head. As the otter made his way north the vampire made use of every piece of available cover he could find to trail the unknowing otter. He was waiting for the right time to attack.

\tAfter many a league the otter had grown tired from his progress and spotted an old shed that had long sense decayed and all that was left was a weak roof, 2 walls, and the 4 corner beams holding the flimsy structure up in the wind. He decided it was better then being out in the open and made his way for it. Once inside it was relatively protected from the rain but the wind was still rather chilly. However, it was better then nothing and so he decided to settle himself against a small bail of hay that had been left there apparently for feed for some local rancher. He un-strapped the pup from his chest and wrapped him up a bit tighter to keep him warm. He lay there breathing slowly as he slept. The otter couldn’t help but crack a small grin at the sleeping babe.

\tSuddenly he had the strange feeling that he was being watched and quickly reached for his rapier. Looking around quickly for whoever it may be. “Who’s there, be you friend of foe?” stated the otter in a loud voice. Receiving no answer he scanned the surrounding darkness swiftly looking for any sign of life. There was a flash of lightning in the sky and a dark form could be seen leaning against a tree just outside of the decayed barn. “Who are ya and what be yur business here?” the otter asked gruffly, he drew his rapier and raised it defensively.

\tThe dark figure moved smoothly towards the otter keeping his hood raised. A small chuckled could be heard through the falling rain as he approached. “You go on and stay where ya are until I know why yur here.” The otter then raised and pointed the tip of his rapier at the hooded figure in front of him and it stopped moving. He then reached up and pulled his hood down revealing the face of a lean jackal, his fangs clearly visible in the dim light. “Now, is that any way to treat a diner guest?” the jackal spoke to the otter.
 “You, you’re a vampire eh? What business do you have with me?”

\t“Well, as with all things I do need to feed you know and the people in these areas seem to have rather strong defenses; magical mostly. As you don’t seem to be from around here I assume you don’t have such defenses. I can sense your aura isn’t as strong in magical energies. Also, none around here are as foolish to wander around alone this time of night. ” The figure took a step towards him and the otter shook a bit in fright. “You can’t! I ‘ave a child wid me, I made a promise wid ‘is parents that I’d get ‘im to a good home. Please, if you ‘ave any sort-o-heart let me do this at least and ya can do what ya want wid me. Just don’ 'arm the child.”

\tThe jackal took a few steps towards the young pup and looked down at him through the sheets and examined him. The otter took a quick step towards him and raised his sword again and yelled. “Git away from ‘im ya monster!” The jackal looked back towards the otter again with a mock look of surprise on his face. “Monster now is it? I’m hurt. However, I suppose you are somewhat right.” He took a few strides away from the child and faced the otter, a grin creeping on the side of his muzzle. “As soon as I am done with you I will take the child as well. I won’t kill him but if I turn him I’m sure I could teach him to be a great hunter. You said yourself he needs a good home. I’d be more then happy to oblige. I’m sure he would grow to be a valuable servant” The jackal laughed loudly and the otter growled as he faced the vampire never lowering his sword. “Yur sick, Ill be sure you die by my blade vermin! You’ll not be harmin an ‘air on ‘is head you got it? Have at ya beast!”

\tSuddenly the otter launched himself toward the jackal quickly slashing his rapier in a dizzying array of motions before stabbing forward with it towards his heart. For all his work the otter might have been moving in slow motion to the jackal. He easily side stepped the blade, clenched a paw into a fist, and punched the otter square in the muzzle as hard as he could. The impact sent the otter flying backwards and slammed his back into a tree. In an instant it was over, and he was finished. His rapier fell from his now limp paw unable to hold it any longer. His back had been broken in many places. The pain was so severe that the shock prevented him from feeling the brunt of it but he knew he was done for.

\t“What? Done already? I thought I was going to “die by your blade” huh, So that I wouldn’t, "harm a hair on the child’s head"? HAH! Well now I suppose the game is over for you, and dinner is served for me.” The jackal kneeled down next to the paralyzed otter and leaned in slowly, his fangs inches from the otter’s neck. Suddenly, out of the night a flash of blue different from the light of the lightning momentarily flooded through the surrounding area and a spike of clear blue ice shot quickly towards the jackal. The spike drove deeply into his shoulder and launched him forward  a few yards  past the otter. Another flash of the mysterious blue light, and three more spikes of clear blue ice shot towards the injured jackal. Now ready for such an attack he jumped up quickly and just barely avoided the attacks. He growled angrily, turned, and leapt into the darkness seeming to meld into the shadows and was gone.
 
\tFrom the opposite direction a lone figure came running through the rain not a single droplet hitting him as it seemed an invisible force  repelled the water around him so that he remained dry. His paws were glowing a light blue and he stood ready looking for any sign of a threat. Seeing none he relaxed and allowed the aura to fade from his paws. He made his way cautiously towards the injured otter and upon seeing his condition bowed his head sadly; he wasn’t going to make it. A soft moan made his ears perk and he leaned down quickly next to the dieing otter. “wh…where be the lil one? Is ‘e all right?”

\tThe fox looked at him somewhat confused before it sunk in; there was a child near by. He stood and looked around a bit but he didn’t have to look long as the sound of a child’s crying got his attention. He turned and found the small bundle with the pup in it and picked him up gently calming him down until he lay there, quiet in his arms. He smiled at the young pup and carried him to the otter. “It’s fine sir. He’s right here there is no need to worry.” The otter smiled slightly though a small grimace of pain as a small tear rolled down his cheek to mingle with the rain water falling on him. “thas’ good. I need to ask you a favor. Please, look after ‘im fur me wouldja? And when he is old enough…tell ‘im his parents would ‘ave given anythin ta see ‘im grow up strong. Tell lil Xan tha fur me please?”

\tThe fox looked down at the otter, tears falling down his cheeks feeling guilty that he wasn’t fast enough to save him. But he nodded steadily. “I will. I will take care of him as if he were my own. And I will give him that message.” The otter smiled hearing those words and closed his eyes. “thas good. Knowin that, I kin go real easy like now. Th….thank…you…..”

\tAnd just as a strike of lightning flashed over head, the otter died. The fox wept silently at the passing of the stranger and looked down at the bundle in his arms. The pup was crying openly but he made no effort to stop him. This was a time for sadness. The fox stood and dried his eyes on the sleeve of his cloak and raised a lightly glowing paw at the ground beneath the otter. He made one quick motion and a quick blade of ice sliced the ground creating a deep hole just in front of the otter. The fox then gently slid the otter into the hole and using another simple spell moved the dirt back over and covered the hole entirely. He then looked at the wolf pup in his arms which had sense fallen asleep again and turned heading back to the main road and his transport leaving the tree as a marker for the otter.

\tHe climbed into his transport vehicle which resembled an uncovered carriage though ran on its own magical power rather then the feral horses which were native to the area. He safely tucked the bundle against his shoulder and gave one last sad look at the tree and barn before spurring the Vehicle forward with a silent command and began moving towards Arca city carrying the little pup with him.
\t\t\t\t\t







\tComing soon....
\t3094 3 weeks later: training begins.


 \t

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