Chương 6

"I accept your quest!" I agreed happily, reaching out and shaking on the deal.

"Alright, but I expect a thorough weeding."

"The entire yard. Ms. Kal'Etor." I agreed. Then it was a quick flip of the sign, secure the Quest contract, and gathering my equipment. Sword and Board would do me no good here. Time for the Rogue equipment! I gathered up a trowel which was my dagger and a pair of work gloves and set off for the yard. I was super excited! It had been a while since someone had offered me an actual spell!

After the first splurge of minor spells no one really had little spells to trade anymore, so I'd been stuck trading or bartering for my Adventure Guild services. Honestly I'd considered stopping, but every once in a while someone would reveal some spell they had hidden as a family cantrip, or have gone into the Silvermoon and picked one up for something. No one had yet just picked up some spell book or something and started parsing out the spells one by one, to get me to do chores.

So I was lucky, and unlucky there. Either way I'd learned a bunch of random spells, most of them only causing my parents some minor hijinks. Not that Mama or Papa were complaining about the Banish Dust spell! Anymore… Sure, it had been a surprise to all of us. The dust was merely moved to a small enclosed space nearby, so poor Mama opening her flask had led to a poor result. But I learned from that! As I reached the yard I nodded. Ms. Kal'Etor was… A total slob! No wonder she'd come for an adventurer's touch.

I pulled out my dagger and got to work thrusting deep into the weak point of my enemy and pulling the vile monster out in one motion. Now only a thousand more, and this quest would be complete. Still not the worst WoW kill a certain number of enemy quests I've ever done. To think it had been a fun few years since I started the Adventurer Guild. Time passed by in idyllic peace. Not much changed. I grew bigger, but for the most part nothing really changed. I went to school.

Learned the basic Elf stuff, listened to Papa, did Enchanting stuff. And did some training. I was still just a kid so most of that got interrupted with just living my life. Kimi often pulled me away from training for silly elfling games, but… It was nice. To just be a kid running around playing tag, or kicking a ball around. Mama had started taking me out of the house to go camping, not that the Eversong wasn't the most calm forest ever designed. Cause it was designed.

She'd even taught me some hunting stuff which had given me a few levels to my Stealth skill, but not an actual level up. Glancing at my character sheet I took in the changes over the last few years. Alah'Dorah High Elf Level 1 Strength 10 Agility 11 Stamina 13 +1 Intellect 8 +30 Spirit 9 +6 Skills Known: [Swords Lv 2 8/20] [Shields Lv. 2 9/20] [Stealth 6/10] Spells Known: [Holy Light Lv. 6 1/60] [Conjure Refreshment Lv. 8 64/80] [Glyph Creation LV 5 37/50] [Mage Light LV 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect] [Sunwell Compass LV 10 Spell Mastered] +5 Spirit [Timer Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect] [Float Object Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect] [Hair Styling Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect] [Polishing Spell Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect] [Banish Dust Spell Lv 10 Spell Mastered] [Mastery Benefit +5 Intellect.] [Lock Spell Lv 6 1/60] [Unlock Spell 5 10/50] Profession Known: [Enchanting Lv. 12 1/120] [Apprentice] [Apprentice Enchanting: Reduce cost of Enchanting] [Tailoring Lv. 9 1/90] I'd earned a lot of Intellect mastering some of the minor cantrips I'd earned, and that had let me level even more of my spells. Holy Light was still an exponential bitch though.

"Haha!" I pulled out a particularly difficult weed proudly. None could stand against the Anti-weed Rogue!

"Backstab, Backstab, Backstab." I whispered to myself as I cut down my foe one after another!

"Dooooora!" I perked up at the shout and stood up, wiping some dirt off my knees as I looked over the fence.

"Kimiiii!" I called out waving and my friend's eyes lit up as she saw me and bounded over.

"Dora! There you are, I didn't see you at the Guild! Want to play?"

"I'm on an important quest!" I called out, thrusting my dagger into the air.

"You'll have to give me a bit."

"Awww." Kimi slumped pouting at me.

"You're always on quests."

"Only sometimes!"

"Fiiiine. Are you going to be done in time for the Magister?" I huffed, unimpressed. A Magister was coming through looking for mage potentials. If I was an idiot I'd be excited wanting to become a mage in Silvermoon. But I wasn't. Any potential taken by this Magister wouldn't be taught to become some noble magister. They'd be an apprentice, which basically just meant servant, using their magic to serve their master for centuries. Papa had explained it to me once in his blunt honest assessment.

"Don't trust random Magisters Kimi. They aren't good."

"Magisters are important Dora! Alright I'm gonna go play! Finish up soon okay?"

"Yeah." I waved goodbye and focused once more on my quest.

"Haha! Another foe slain!" —-- Finishing up the quest took some time, and by the time I was done, I was sweaty and a bit dirty, but thankfully my hair was still perfect. The Hair Styling spell acted like a barrier around my hair meaning it was always perfectly coiffed even when I was running around as an adventurer. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Frankly, it was a really good deal for the afternoons spent earning it.

A quick banish Dust spell on myself, and the dirt that I had gotten coated with was cleaned away, and I was ready! Returning to Kal'Etor I confirmed the quest completion, and off I went with a piece of paper with the spell I'd earned. Grinning happily, as I was going to spend the rest of the afternoon grinding-"There you are. Come on." A hand slapped on my shoulder and I grinned up at Mama as she had appeared beside me.

"Sneaky!"

"I'm a Ranger." She reminded me, and all I could do was grin as she led me off towards the town square, which made my happy smile, at Mama being back in town, shift into a frown.

"We aren't going to try and give me to some dumb Magister right?" I asked, almost surprised we were heading over there. Mama kept me far away from Magisters and their ilk. The dream of many young elves was to become a Magister, they were the heroes, and politicians, and the rich and powerful all wrapped in one. But not me. I knew politicians were evil, and Elf politicians were worse than the norm.

"No of course not, but we still have to show up. Don't worry if he shows any interest in you, I'll make him change his mind."

"Oh I can do that. I'll tell him he's stupid looking, and he should probabl-" A hand was slapped on my mouth.

"That… Is very funny, but let me handle it."

"Kay." Most of the town was gathered and we quickly found a spot as a red robed Elf stood in the center of the town. I noticed he had a few guards and they kept a wide circle from everyone and him. As if he was better than the rabble. A few of the elves of the town looked hopeful, but I doubt anyone would interest a Magister, none of the children were great mages or anything. He was setting up a small examination area. No doubt checking mana levels and such.

Papa could do that with half the equipment this guy was pulling out. I scoffed. He wasn't an enchanter at the least.

"What do you think? Will Alah'Dorah catch his eye?" I heard above me and looked. It was Ma'Rika who had siddled up to Mama.

"No. She won't be going with any Magister to Silvermoon. Not at her age."

"She's the right age for an apprenticeship. She's exceptionally talented."

"And they would ruin her." Mama hissed back, and Ma'Rika raised her hands in apology. It wasn't the first time I'd heard that question. While my Guild had caused some problems at first. Apparently a few people had taken it as a chance to call Mama and Papa pour, needing to make their daughter work. That had been the main theme, but in the end, I was making friends, people liked the Guild Service, and more importantly, I was learning spells.

If there was one thing that was respected in our society it was the capability of magic. Enchanting, spells, I was becoming well known for them both. Which was very unusual for such a young elfling. In the end, I didn't go through the Magisters tests, and of the few kids that did, none were selected. Snootily he packed up and disappeared.

"Come on Dora, we're going camping." Mama said afterwards, still irritated at some of the adults asking her if I would test. My future wasn't in Silvermoon. I knew that, and my parents thankfully agreed. The idea of me being a Magister was ludicrous. —--"Mama?" I asked curiously. She'd been acting strange for the entire camping trip. Which was really just the two of us walking out into the wilderness.

Between my fairly high Stamina for a kid, and Holy Light, I didn't even really get tired so I was able to keep up on the long hike through the Eversong. We were on day two of our trip. Having walked to the east far enough I could smell the ocean. The peaceful woods had turned into peaceful mountains.

"It's time for your real training to begin." Mama said, and I blinked. Real training? What was I doing up until now that wasn't real? I was actually a little offended, but then Mama pulled something out of her bag and I understood.

"A Bow and Quiver?"

"Yes. You are old enough to properly practice, like the Ranger Training of old, we are out here roughing it while you learn." Mama said proudly, and I realized I'd heard this story before. How her father had taken her out into the country when she was about my age and handed her a bow… And made her hunt for her meals… I pouted, but just sighed, letting out all the pieces of me that didn't want to do this, and sucked in air of a girl ready to accept any challenge.

"I'm Alah'Dorah, and there is no quest, no challenge on Azeroth I won't face!" I told her finger pointing and she smiled brightly as I played along.

"We'll see if you keep that feeling when you go hungry tonight." She handed the bow to me and I took the Quiver sliding it over my shoulder like she did, and tightened it to make sure it wouldn't move.

"But don't worry, this afternoon we'll start with some lessons. You will be able to shoot at least before I send you off."

"Okay Mama." I grumbled, besides it wasn't like I would actually go Hungry… I could always make… Muffins. I shuddered at the idea of eating those things.

"Okay what do I do?" I asked, because frankly I wasn't an archer, and had no real interest in it. I wanted to be a Paladin, or a Knight at least! Heavy armor and sword and board!

"See that." She pointed and I noticed something that made me still. In the clearing we had stopped in that Mama had been acting so strangely as she looked around, I realized what it was.

"This is where your father took you."

"Yes. This is where every member of our family is taken to learn archery. I was brought here. My father was brought here, and his mother." She said and I looked around, actually looking. That stump had been chopped by an elf, and more importantly, it had been slightly smoothed to act as a seat. There was even a pit there, that the grass had overrun., that no doubt was where the older member would wait. The hanging target Mama had pointed out to me was covered in stains.

And moss, and hundreds of small knicks from arrows. Okay that was kinda cool.

"So first, I'll guide you through to practice, then I'll set up camp, and then you use what you've learned to go hunting. No catch, no food."

"I have muffins."

"You can eat them if you want." Mama said flatly, and I shook my head. Nah. I'd rather starve.

"First, hold the bow like this, strong wrist. But flexible, you are going to control everything from here." She started, and I listened. Unlike with Sword, or Shield I hadn't actually been instructed with a weapon yet, so I was kinda curious yet nothing popped up as she guided me, and soon it was time to actually fire. I breathed in, drew my shot and loosed. Phew The arrow streak-No, it more lazily went wild and ended up nowhere near the target.

"Pfft."

"Don't laugh!"

"Sorry sorry! It's just… I have no idea how you did that. That's fun right! Just try again." Mama said, desperately holding back laughter. I pouted, but drew another arrow, nocked it slowly, breathed in, drew back and. Phew Once again the arrow sort of wobbled and went spiraling off. I could feel the tips of my ears heating up in embarrassment!

"Just try it again. You'll get it." Mama assured me. I hadn't actually gotten the skill yet, which was… Not good. Okay just shoot the bow. I'm sure if I hit the target, that would count as a success, and I'd get the skill… Right? —-- Phew"Oh come on!" I screamed another quiver empty!

"Just load up and try again! You'll Snrk You'll get it!" —-- Thunk"FINALLY! YES!" I screamed, probably scaring any of the game away for miles, but I'd finally gotten an arrow into the target. [Weapon Skill Learned: Bows] I exhaled in relief. A dozen weird little bits flowed into me… I'd been shifting my fingers wrong. Dangit.

"Hey you got one! Good job!" Mama called out from the crackling fire she'd set up in the time it had taken me.

"I'll get the next one too." I grumbled, she'd been super supportive but it was so embarrassing to be so bad. This is why I used Swords, Bows were… Dumb! I grabbed another arrow, adjusted myself, brought the bow up and the arrow missed the target, thumping into the tree next to it…

"Hey! That's a big improvement."

"Mmrgble." —--- I was hungry, but I'd leveled up the stupid bow. Mama had without even saying anything passed me some food when I finally called it enough training as the sun had long gone down.

"I thought I had to hunt my own?"

"You do, we're told we have to find food on the first day to make sure we take the training seriously. You can't expect to hike here, train, and hunt something in a single day. Eat up, it's your last guaranteed meal for a while." Mama said firmly and I nodded. So… [Bows 6/10] Not exactly great, but I was reliably hitting… Mostly the target now. I looked at the bow itself, it was a simple thing, made for a child my size. Inlaid into the wood was a simple word.

"Selama." I whispered the word. Justice.

"Hmm. All Rangers have to remember why we do this. Justice, peace. We are the guardians of our home Alah'Dorah. Taking up our weapons to protect what has been created. Many scoff at our duties, but when danger comes they all beg for us. We are justice against the evils that would come to our lands."

"I'll remember." I whispered. It was an old carving.

"Was this yours?"

"It was. Father made it for me for my training… I had to send a letter to ask for it. Thankfully it has no value outside of the memories it holds, so my Sister sent it." I blinked. Sister? Mama said nothing, added nothing. I knew Papa had left Silvermoon because of his reputation, that his family has basically disowned him because of it. I hadn't known Mama had family troubles. She'd never spoken of them… At all. I almost asked, but felt it was probably not right. So instead, I did the only thing I was sure of.

"Thank you. I'll treasure it."

"Don't do that, use it! It's a tool!" Mama demanded, but she smiled happily at my words anyways. Either way, I finished my meal and settled in for a quiet night, hopefully I would sleep well. I had a long day ahead of me. —--"Now, watch the grass." Mama whispered into my ear. Despite being larger, she moved so quietly behind me, it had only been my own actions that had scared away the game. Mama was literally stalking alongside me, slowly guiding me on my first hunts.

I'd tried twice so far, both times the animals I'd stalked had noticed and took off. At least it was good training. [Stealth 9/10] A rabbit this time. And this time I would make the shot. I continued moving ahead, watching the grass just like she had said. So I wouldn't ruffle it and alert the prey. Slowly creeping forward, my muscles tense, and loose all at the same time. I had it this time. I knew it!

The Rabbit shifted, and I stilled, motionless, my outline blurred mostly thanks to Mama's cloak that she had right behind me. It broke up our outlines making us just a blob in the grass, and the Rabbit eventually hopped a few more times eating more grass. I waited a little longer, finding the time as it looked away, ear twitching and I took another few steps. This was it. I adjusted myself, making sure I wouldn't make a sound as I rose the Bow up, arrow already knocked.

I breathed in quietly, and started to exhale, when something donked me right on top of my head, I jerked and my arrow went wide. I stared in shock as the rabbit blitzed.

"Wha?" I looked up. In the face of a squirrel that had just dropped an acorn on my head.

"A thousand curses on your species!" I yelled up at the little shit, as it darted away I grabbed a rock and threw it.

"Stupid SQUIRREL!"

"Pfft."

"Nuuu." I whined as Mama was desperately trying to keep from breaking, but she couldn't hold it in.

"Pwahahahaha!"

"It's not that funny." I grumbled, and reached up and rubbed at my head. Ow.