The Story of Nyla Starsong (Open to Comments and Suggestions! Please Read!)

[Naleia]

Hello Everyone!

Here is the beginning of my character's backstory! I wanted to post at least one chapter before Early Access started, so that my fellow roleplayers could get to know my character alittle . Please read and comment! Thank you!:moogle:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Story of Nyla Starsong

 

Timeline:approximately 1569, Sixth Astral Era; 3 years before the great Calamity

 

Chapter 1:

            Snap! The force of the Miqo’te hunter’s foot broke a withered branch in two. All the wildlife in the vicinity, their prey included, scattered in all directions.

 

“What in the seven hells just happened?” The hunter’s companion, who stood a few feet behind, rushed up to join his partner.

 

Nyla groaned, and lifted her foot off the cursed branch. She released the tension of the nocked arrow that rested on her bowstring. “Godsdamn, Zefh.” She said with flushed cheeks.

 

“Nyla?...” Zefh gazed down to see the culprit that frightened their dinner. “Ohh...” He let out a laugh that must have scared away what critters remained. “Don’t worry about it; we’ll turn you into a hunter…Sooner or later.”  He broke into another laugh.

 

Nyla pouted at him.She did not see the branch until it was too late. And now, it had cost them a wasted hunt. She took a few steps forward into a small clearing where their prey foraged for food amongst the moist soil. The tall and majestic trees of Gridania loomed over their heads with wide canopies, and covered the area with different shades of green. Nyla knelt down to inspect the creature’s footprints beneath her. A hoofed pattern was impressed upon the soil, and she ran her fingers around its edges; A deer. “I don’t know if I have what it takes to be a hunter, Zefh.” She looked up at him with liquid-filled eyes.

 

“Hey...” Zefh walked over to Nyla, and placed a gloved hand on her shoulder. “You’ll be fine. It takes a lot of practice.” His voice was gentle, and calm. “I’m sure you will get the hang of it soon, alright?” Zefh was a couple years older than Nyla, and was already one of their village’s greatest hunters. His expertise and tall stature intimidated the other males in the village. He took a step back and helped Nyla to her feet. “Now, let’s head back. We can at least get some squirrels on the way.” Zefh grinned.

 

                            ********************************************

The sun was low in the sky by the time they arrived at the village. Zefh hauled 5 squirrels in a canvas bag over his back as they made their way to Nyla’s home. The village was on the outskirts of the main city of Gridania. It took 2 days on foot to reach their isolated community. Females from the village ran out to greet the duo; more specifically, Zefh. None of the females seem to interest the hunter, though he still did not mind the attention.

 

“Nyla, you went hunting with Zefh again?” A brown-haired Miqo’te girl glared atNyla. 

“How come you’re theonly one he asks to go with him?”

 

“Yeah, you should take us with you next time, Zefh!” A short black-haired Miqo’te jumped in front of them.

 

“Yes! Me!” Another onesaid.

 

“Ladies, please let us through.” Nyla urged the crowd, though her words fell on deaf ears.

 

“Move,” Zefh growled.

 

The crowd began to disperse. Nyla felt the glare of all those females burn through the back of her skull as they walked further away from them. This occurred on a frequent basis in the village, and many of the females disregarded her when she went to the market or the healer’s shop for medicine. Regardless, Nyla continued to greet them with a smile wherever she went. They made their way around the back of the blacksmith’s shop and onto a small dirt road that led to her home. Nyla let out a sigh, now that they were out of sight she felt better.

 

Theon, Nyla’s stepfather, was outside of the home when they arrived. He smiled, and offered to take the squirrels that Zefh had brought in exchange for a quiver of arrows. “These are fine squirrels, Zefh. You and my daughter did a fine job hunting today.”

 

“Well, we almost had adeer. Buut, it got away...” Zefh scratched his head, and grinned at Nyla.

 

Nyla smirked, and gave him a shove. “We got something, ‘kay?”

 

“Nyla’s right.”Theon’s face was grim. “Those blasted Ixali are destroying the wildlife, and leaving very little for the rest of us.” He paused. Nyla’s mother appeared at the doorway to their home. “Senah, could you please prepare these squirrels for dinner? Nyla, why don’t you help your mother? I’ll have a chat with Zefh.” Theon's face was serious.

 

Senah motioned for Nyla to follow her into the house. “Come, Nyla, I want to hear about your hunting!” Mother and daughter entered the house, and left the pair of men outside.

 

Theon pointed to a place beyond the house, in the woods. “Let us talk out there, so that unwanted ears may not pry.” He took Zefh out into the woods till the house was out of sight; far enough where Nyla could not hear. “Zefh, I need you to be honest with me.” Theon turned to face him. “What are your intentions with my daughter?”

 

“We are just friends,Theon.” Zefh combed a hand through his jet-black hair. He crossed his arms in front of his chest.

 

“That’s Captain

Starsong to you, boy.” Theon jerked a finger at him. “Show more respect to a member of the God’s Quivers. You may be an initiate, but you are not a member just yet. You’re a good man, Zefh, a stronghunter, but Nyla is too young for you.”

 

“You are a Hyur, a Midlander…” Zefh spat back. “What do you know of Miqo’te tradit- ACK!” He felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if someone stabbed him with a red hot poker. An arrow protruded through his right shoulder; blood began to stain his tunic. He grabbed hold of the arrow and attempted to pull it out before he was dragged to the ground.

 

“Leave the arrow in.”Theon said as he knelt by Zefh’s side. “If you take it out, you’ll bleed out for sure.”  He checked the Miqo’te’s wound and inspected the arrowhead.  The pattern was familiar; saw-like, and made with crude tools. It must be the Ixali. Theon stood up, and hid behind a nearby tree. The darkness of night closed around them which made it hard to spot the attackers. He saw an orange haze in the distance; not too far, but bright enough to notice. Fire. It was in the direction of the village. Nyla…Senah! The attackers must have thought they had killed whoever they shot and moved onto their main target. Theon rushed to Zefh’s side. “Hey, stay with me. The Ixali are attacking the village! We have to move!!”

 

END OF CHAPTER 1

[Gideon Aryeh]

(I like where this is going, looking forward to reading the next part!)

[Skylar Steelheart]

(For one crazy moment, I thought Theon had driven an arrow into Zefh for his insolence, ha ha. I like the dynamic between them.

 

Interested in seeing where this goes!)

[Desmond Aryll]

Subscribed. You're a great writer and I'm looking forward to the next chapter!