The village of Seaside Arrow, aurelian Emerald Coast of the Yllendir Empire, March of 1901. 
At night's dawn.....

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	[b]"It's time to go, brother."[/b] said Vens to his brother, Caleb. His brother was quietly staring at the stars on the sky, as if they were whispering something in his head, but before long, he replied back "You're right, mother's probably going to tell the constabulary that we've been eaten by wolves...". The two got up and grapped their wooden fishing equiment, together with the small catch of the day, and went back home hastly. The stoned patch through the village seemed empty of life, if it wasn't for the calm, comfortable atmosphere inside the wooden houses. The start of the spring was still chilly enough, especially at night on a coastal village like this, so most houses were unleashing smoke trails into the sky from the stoned horns. 

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	Gentle lights from entrances and windows touched the eyes of the two brothers as they wandered back home. Time seems to obey the villagers, not around, it seems. Life here is simple, kind, boring at times even. [b]"You read the newspaper they keep bringing here each week? I gave the newsboy some fish yesterday and he gave me the newspaper without demanding money."[/b] said Vens, breaking the silence, before proceeding to continue [b]"This entire bicker for the emperor throne is affecting more and more nations. It's unsettling!"[/b] said Vens. [b]"I know what you're thinking...."[/b] replied Caleb, seemingly all-knowing. [b]"Of course you do! You're going to  reach 18 years old in a week, remember? You will soon be... conscripted."[/b] said Vens, eyeing his brother closely as they walk the stoned path. [b]"I know you care for me, but that's how it is...damn elves, we're fighthing in their war, and for what? It's not enough that they've been oppressing us for only the gods know how long...[/b] replied Caleb. You could see the hatred in his eyes, ever since childhood he's been holding that hatred for elves. Hatred which has been passed down from generation to generation, father to son. Certainly, most of the humans hated the elves, but Vens wasn't like Caleb in this regard.

	The two arrive at the wooden fence of their family's house, hearing a dialogue from inside. Before they could enter, two mysterious human men open the door and take their leave, without any gesture or words, hastly walking by the two brothers, ignoring them. Caleb and Vens look at eachother with confusion, then step inside the house as they are greeted by mother. They exchange the usual dialogue and proceed to hand over the catch of the day, ready to be prepared into a sweet fish soup by mother. After a while, the soup was ready, and the whole family was called to dinner. Nobody sat on the table before the leader of the household, the father, sat first. After he came, they all quietly take their seats, say the customary prayer before the dinner and then they start to eat. Oh, it was good and warm, definately only a mother's touch can make such fine food....but across the table, their old man sat, quietly staring into his bowl as he takes small sips with his wooden spoon. He was clearly nervous about something, something was on his mind. Had it any link with the two men that perviously rushed out of the door? He was troubled indeed, and it didn't take long for Caleb to notice.

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	[b]"Are you going to tell us what's wrong? Did the pointy ears demand even more grain again?!"[/b] said Caleb with his usual distain for elves. [b]"Watch your language at the table!"[/b] shouted his mother. Caleb just rolls his eyes and looks at his father, who was still silently looking down into the bowl. [b]"There's a storm brewing, my children. I just wish I wasn't alive to see it..." [/b] said the father, breaking the silence. The two children stopped eating for a brief moment, leaning closer to listen. [b]"Listen, there's not enough time. Caleb, you are the eldest child here, I need you to prepare yourself for what will come next for you, and for all of us."[/b] said the old man, as Caleb stopped eating completely and just sat there, listening. The father puts on the table a rolled manuscript, with the village's seal stamp on it. [b]"You will have to deliver this to...Aurelia and-.."[/b]  the father did not even get to finish his sentence before Vens replied with "What's that!?". The father gestures him to shut up and proceeds to continue [b]"Caleb, you have to deliver this to Aurelia! It is of utmost importance, do you understand? Deliver this to a man named Maverick, in the Gilweed Tavern, by the docks! You will find it. Do not ask any questions, for they will be answered in due time."[/b]The father finishes his soup and gets up from the table, further saying "You're leaving tonight.", leaving Caleb with no time to ask anything but to do as his father commanded him to do. The father gives Caleb a couple of fine clothes, certainly from the cities. Caleb never before adorned such clothes, made him look like one of those prestigious people from the city, and in haste, he left. 

	Riding the family's horse down into the night, carrying the manuscript, Caleb could only wander what awaits him, he had so many questions, his head could blow at any moment, but in a moment of silence, as he plunged his right hand into one of the suit's pocket, he grabbed what appears to be a small gun. A gun!? What for? Time seems to no longer hold the village in regard. As father put it: [i]"They were running out of time."[/i]