A Hero’s Introduction

Kore and Lumine marched in front of me in a line. Kore with the ease of the ex-military officer she was. Lumine has a bit of a skip in his step. They chat quietly to each other. They gotten on well. The three of us were lone adventurers, but this particular quest required at least three people. They would probably go on to adventure together. I would go on to travel alone. A butterfly passes by. I try to catch it. I dive left then right on nimble feet. Kore leads the way down the hill. I go to catch the butterfly leaping into the air. Gravity pulls me down, and I let myself roll to the bottom of the hill. I laugh. The butterfly lands on my chest. 

“Hello there.” I say. I hold out a finger. It lands. 

“Hello. Hello!” She says. 

“I’m Feyryn.” I tell the blue butterfly. 

“Yes I know.” Butterfly’s do tend to be gossips. She sings a little tune. “Traveler of hope and woe, it’s a gift to see you so. Adorned in a circlet of leaves, daughter of crimes and thrives.” I think about the words. She must have heard my mother’s story. 

“Yeah that sounds about right.” I say. 

“Hurry. Hurry! For they will leave you behind, you’re already far from their mind.” She rhythms. What a weird little animal. Then I look up and see the rest of my squad is almost to town. I chase after them. 

“Hey wait up.” I shout. The butterfly waves goodbye. 

“We are not always what we seem, and hardly ever what we dream. - Peter S. Beagle (The Last Unicorn)” I’m running at full sprint, but turn back at that. The butterfly’s already far, and away. When I turn back again they’re already in town. I rush forward. Kore turns as I nearly run into her on the cobble stone streets. She raises an eyebrow. Then a small smile forms on her face. 

“What are you going to buy with your portion?” She asks. 

“Portion?” I repeat. Lumine ruffles my hair. Although I’m only two years younger they both seem determined to treat me like a kid. In battles they had me stand back as support. It was fine at first I’m still getting used to adventuring, but I honestly could have taken some of them out on my own if really tried. Now I’ll never know. “I’m doing this more for experience. My mom says that’s very important. Mom says nothing else can prepare you for battle other than the battle itself.” 

“Wise woman.” Kore says. 

“The wisest.” I say. 

“Was she also an adventurer?” Lumine asks. 

“Hmmm. Yeah.” Which is true, and I am a very good liar. A trait I get from my mother. Kore talks to the woman who works at the front desk of the Adventures Guild. Kanyth. Is the name of the woman. She smiles at me, and I blush. Kore passes me, and Lumine a small pouch. My keen fae eyes catch immediately that mine looks lighter. “You both have more.” I state in a matter of fact tone that stops Kore in her tracks. She looks caught off guard. I can see the serious expression on my face reflected in her eyes. I really do look so much like my mother. 

“Oh well me and Lumine were thinking-“ 

“It’s just you didn’t do as much this time.” Lumine says. 

“Here.” Kore hands me another quest. It’s in the woods nearby. It requires three people. A search for a monster. “We do this job, and we’ll spilt it fifty-fifty.” Lumine opens his mouth. “You know what I mean.” 

“Clearly they didn’t teach you math in military school.” Lumine mutters. Kore elbows him. I chuckle. My previous issue practically forgotten. I stare down at the sack of gold in my hand, and squeeze it.