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Worthless?
“Hello? Anyone here? Please come out. I’m unarmed... I know you’re there. I will find you, elf.”
A shiver ran through Illiana, “Please don’t let him find me, I don’t want to go with him.” she prayed to every known and unknown god out there that might be listening.
“Sir, me and the men have searched everywhere and we can’t find her.” one of Tarth’arac‘s men reported.
“Oh, she’s here, and we will find her or I’ll want to know why. Has anyone checked that shed?” Tarth’arac asked impatiently.
Then she realized which ‘shed’ they were talking about, she was in trouble this time. As the footsteps sounded closer and closer she reached for bow and knocked an arrow to the string. Suddenly the door swung open as one of the man-at-arms no older then fifteen entered. His eyes widened as he met the sight of a loaded bow waiting for him, “Uh, guys...”
“Not a word,” she hissed through clenched teeth, “Just back out slowly with your hands where I can see them.”
“It’s funny,” Illiana thought as the boy began to back away, “One worthless half-blood can stop an army.”
“Did you find anything Nathaniel?” Tarth’arac asked as the boy slowly backed out into the sunlight, “Nathaniel I asked you a question...oh”
“I’ll give you back your guard if you just let me go,” Illiana requested diplomatically.
“Of course, whatever you want just let him go without holes,” Tarth’arac replied calmly.
Suddenly she shoved the boy at him and raced off toward the woods, “After her! She’s getting away!” he shouted.
Branches crashed behind her as the men-at-arms turned to follow; she ran at random into the forest then stopped to listen. Leaves crunched on her left, and she ran blindly to the right, straight into Tarth’arac’s waiting arms. He laughed at her curses as she struggled uselessly to be free. “Got you now you insolent elf,” he smiled smugly.
“Let go! Let GO!!!” she screamed thrashing in his arms, “What do you want me for I’m useless to you. I’ve already been thrown out by my own flesh and blood.”
“Why?” he asked, “I thought the elves valued family above all else.”
“You haven’t realized it yet, have you? I’m a half-blood! Why take care of a disgrace? Why love a blemish on the family tree? Why trust a freak, who doesn’t deserve to be alive? Huh? Why?” she asked vehemently, turning angrily to look at him, eyes full of hate and mistrust and broken dreams.
“I’m, I’m sorry...” he stuttered pity evident in his voice.
“You’re all sorry!” she screamed, rage filling every word to full capacity, “But, none of you knows what its like to be hated by the people who made you who you are! But wait, your kind does it all the time to your own children, throwing them out when you can no longer use them. You’re all the same. You hunt me down, then when you realize that you can’t use me to gain power over the elves you apologize as if that does anything! What I’d wish you realize is that I’d like to feel important for once in my life instead of feeling like a cast off rag!” Embarrassed she dashed the tears from her eyes and yanked her arm from his grasp. Turning she stalked off intent on returning to what was left of her home when she heard the thump of booted feet running up behind her. She turned slightly and was shocked to see two of his men bearing down, she couldn’t think of what they were doing. Without a word they grabbed her arms and brought her back before Tarth’arac, forcing her to kneel in front of their lord.
“Wha-what is the meaning of this?” she demanded.
“Just because I pity you doesn’t mean I’m letting you go...”
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