Daughter Of Fort Dawn

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds came out to dance with the blushing sky. If you can stay awake to view this romantic setting, the old myth says it will grant you good luck. However, if you view the beautiful purple clouds with your lover, and make a wish together, that wish will come true.

“But, it’s just a story, right?” Serena asked aloud. Serena was an ordinary peasant woman from a noble village, fetching water from the lake for her mother and little brother. Serena’s long blond hair was tied in a fishtail style. Her silver eyes sparkled when the sun’s ray looks down upon her. Accompanying her was her friend, Ariel, with curly natural red orangish hair and green eyes who is also collecting her own pitch of water. The story of dreams coming true was an old tale for the hopeless romantics or grandmothers who would tell their granddaughters before bedtime. Both Serena and Ariel were no exception.

Ariel shrugged her shoulders, “I’m not sure. I would love to think that it does come true. I think it would make so many of the villagers live a better life.” “Of course, but there really are not many suitors we would be interested in.” The village Serena and Ariel resided in was called Morningside. It is hidden in the depths of the forest, away from war and tragedies that struck the region of Moon Night one hundred and fifty years ago. In addition, there was one other thing that was different than other regions - the region rulers are part of the Elvin clan called Goldenblade.

An evil emperor, Darc Nauc, despised all humankind. He brought war to the humans due to the hand down of the throne from the previous emperor, who wanted nothing more but peace and tranquility between the Elvin clans and the humans in Moon Night. However, the past down from the throne was bestowed to Darc Nauc’s younger brother, Atlas, because he demonstrated the hopes the previous ruler wanted for all of Moon Night.

Shortly after the coronation of Atlas, the new ruler suddenly disappeared. Not long when soldiers were cleared from the kingdom to search for the new emperor, the original emperor was assassinated. Currently, after so many years, over a century and a half, Darc Nauc is currently the new ruler of Moon Night.

However, one human, Figwood, a commoner, and husband, caught news of Darc Nauc’s supremacy and he, his family, and many other villagers and friends fled from Darc Nauc’s town and traveled endless days and sleepless nights to find sanctuary, away from war and destruction. They first feared the purple skies would reveal the group. Fortunately, it actually blanketed them from being spotted. Figwood believed there was another source of work that was protecting them. He dared not research the other source. Finally, they found it. On a misty morning after the rainfall, the morning sun shunned down on a secluded bank of the forest, too thick for giant creatures to wander through the forest.

Tyrer, the village head, dubbed the new home ‘Fort Dawn’ due to the hidden bank by the forest thanks to the marvelous thickness of the trees and when the area was discovered, it was around the time of dawn. Dawn was now a time of appreciation, a time to give thanks for being alive. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the people of Fort Dawn have to have a big banquet or celebration; just offer a small prayer.

Ariel and Serena finally received their water in a porcelain jar. The sun is just ready to fall toward the horizon. Both young women bid each other goodnight before returning home to the forest.

Serena was greeted by her mother, Sarabella, preparing for supper. The home was located inside the trees, so it’s safe to say they are living in a tree house, but it’s not built like today’s tree houses. The smell of cedar and oak filled Serena’s nostrils. Of course, with a few housing materials and some adjustments all thanks to magic, the interior has become livable with no worries of potential splinters. When going up the spiraled staircases, the second floor usually is nothing but bedrooms and study rooms. Some families were blessed to have enough room to have a balcony for those that can watch the villagers go about their businesses or watch the sun or moon rise and fall. For Serena, this would be the place to watch the lavender sky and purple clouds create their fluffy texture.

Serena placed the water next to the cooking pot while Sarabella continues to prepare supper. The older woman gave a tiring smile, “Thank you for fetching the water, Serena. I appreciate you doing this for me while I recover from the illness.” Sarabella caught chills and fever some time ago due to the sudden weather change. Fortunately, thanks to their actions of Serena, the young woman was able to create a potion to help her mother recover from the illness. Thankfully, it was only what modern-day civilians would call a ‘cold’. Sarabella is just currently tired and a tad slow, but every day, she is recovering. Sarabella’s curly and messy brunette hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her front curtain bangs sticking to Sarabella’s forehead due to the sweat.

Serena proceeds to assist her mother in the kitchen, assisting her to make dinner for her small family. “Mother, have you seen Allard?”

“He is off with Bernard and his father, learning the ways to become a soldier. He won’t be back until tomorrow evening. Dinner will just be you and me, dear.” The soldiers of Fort Dawn have been executing plans to train young boys to play while learning to fight with weaponry. Serena’s father disappeared; no foul play was suspected.

Rumors were spread around the town that he just couldn’t handle the responsibilities between being a husband and a father to two kids, despite the well-off finances he easily received thanks to his role as an alchemist. Others think he wandered off too far from Fort Dawn and just lost his way. Serena couldn’t bare to think of such thoughts, knowing full well that there are monsters outside of their village. What was ironic about Serena’s father’s disappearance - this just happened only a few months ago. Serena is an adult and Allard is old enough that can fend for himself, regarding his basic needs.

Allard, Serena’s brother, was only a few years younger than Serena, but he was in the age of thirteen to start learning combat moves with a sword. Serena was at the age of twenty-two, the age when she should’ve already become a mother and a wife. Fortunately for her, Fort Dawn had no motives to treat females as such. Macheal, the grandson of Tyrer and the current village head, supported the idea of females learning and becoming something of themselves before they settle down to have a family. Of course, it is all their choice; Macheal was for freedom. Just like his grandfather.

The evening has arrived and Sarabella decided to call it an early night, leaving Serena to once again be alone for the night. Serena hasn’t been bothered by this; this was the routine she had to get used to since her father disappeared. Lucky for her, she has her books to get lost to. At least, until the purple clouds come to greet Serena good night.

Without fail, the young woman has made it a nightly routine to gather her books of magic and study the spells while the natural winds brush her hair as she sits on the floor on the balcony. The view she had was spectacular. Her home was located just a few minutes before reaching the outskirts of Fort Dawn, allowing her to see the meadow hill that is home to the blossoming flowers, and white daisies, as she believed they are called. On a spring night, she is sometimes greeted by wild creatures such as a deer going on a nightly stroll or a fox looking to find something to eat. This is a privilege, Serena thought to herself.

Something Serena is not taking for granted, using this as her own motivation. In time, Serena would like to leave Fort Dawn and travel the region to assist those in need with her magic. Disappointment looms, however. She knew Sarabella would never let her leave the village due to whatever monsters are out in the world. Importantly, thanks to the war caused by the Elf Emperor.

As if the universe was watching Serena with curious eyes, the sky started to change colors. Serena gently placed her books down and stood on her feet and grabbed tightly to the balcony railing. Like a little kid, she gave small bounces, unable to contain her excitement to witness such a majestic sight, unknown to her why the purple clouds and sky blanketed the earth at the strike of midnight. The half-crescent moon is as high as it is, still being placed on display, but not the main attraction for a brief moment.

Something caught Serena’s attention from her peripheral vision. She noticed it walking on the hills, dressed in a black cloak, hiding physical details. Getting a complete view of the cloaked being, Serena’s eyes narrow trying to focus in as she has never seen such a being before. “That’s not father; this person is thinner. And Allard is in another town.”

Her heart started beating at a rapid pace, alert that this is a stranger, who is still heading Fort Dawn’s way. Serena wasted no time and headed toward the entrance of the village.

Not wasting any time, Serena made it through the thick trees panting from running to the entrance, attempting and successfully beating the stranger. “Do not move, stranger. This place is not welcoming to trespassers. Leave now and you will not be harmed.”

“You are a magic wielder, are you not?” The being spoke; it was a male’s rich honey voice. “I am in need of your assistance.” Serena made it clear not to reveal herself or her powers to anyone unless she is in the presence of her father or Macheal.

“I am no such thing.” She lied, trying to hide the bluff. “I am just someone who lives in this village. You best be on your way.” “Please, I am in need of assistance.” The stranger stops talking, Serena could hear him take an inhaling breath in through his nostrils, “I can smell magic on you.”

Serena’s eyes widen in shock. The being in front of her is not human - the exception to the rule to expose her magic. She made an elegant movement with her arms, like a dancer, before she places one arm in front of her chest while the other is stretched out as if her palm is facing the stranger. Blue and purple aura arise from the ground and circle Serena as if they are offering a form of protection.

“How dare you sniff me out, you non-human.” She said in a disbelief manner. “I am the sorceress of Fort Dawn if you must know. Be warned, I will not hesitate to kill you if you dare attack me.” The stranger raised his arms, to show Serena that he is unarmed or had no intention to attack her.

“Please, I have no means to harm you.” He took a step forward; that was the wrong move. Serena withdraws her arm and pushes her hand again, palm facing him - “Constrict!” The purple aura, like a serpent, launched itself and coiled around the stranger, trapping his arms as he fell to the ground, giving out an ‘oof’ sound from his lips.

While her arm remains in place, Serena carefully approached the captured being and uses her other hand, “Reveal,” to use the blue aura to take off the being’s hood and pull it off.

Serena’s eyes tremble in surprise. Lifting her hand, the blue aura assisted in sitting the handsome stranger up. His eyes are red like crimson rubies, pupils like a cat were staring in at Serena’s silver eyes. His tan skin was a dance floor to the purple sky and his long, white hair was blowing in the wind, revealing his elfin ears.

Serena gulped in silence, retreating back slowly, away from the elf. His face, however, didn’t show any frustration or anger. He understood her fear and duty to protect her home.

Before the stranger could speak, Serena beat him to the main point. “You. Those eyes, I am not mistaken. I know you from my books, from the Moon Night history.” Serena’s eyes, no matter how hard she tried, could not break away from his gaze. “You’re Atlas.” The elf nodded, confirming her words. “Yes, I am. And I need your help. Otherwise, Moon Night and all humanity that resides will be doomed forever.”