Elven Princess
The world of Telaria is home to many races, from dwarves to centaurs and even humans. On the western continent of Istred, two are dominant, elves and orcs. They have been at war for 255 years.
No-one on either side can truly remember the reason for the war beginning, but now the hatred and animosity between the two races is so deep-rooted that it could be no other way. Attempts at peace or reconciliation have long since passed, and the only way that either side can see the war ending is with the total defeat of the other.
The elves see the orcs as savages, brutish and war hungry, believing they must have started the war due to being unable to control their animalistic instincts. The orcs see the elves as haughty, elitist and imperialistic, looking down on everyone else from their golden towers.
Elves are short and slim, naturally lithe and quick on their feet. They are almost all pale skinned and blonde haired, with sharply pointed ears. They follow a strict monotheistic religion centred around the Goddess Tyra, the epitome of elven beauty and grace. She is often represented by the sun or light itself and is believed to be the source of elvish magic, a power that they solely possess.
In these times of unceasing war, elven men predominantly fill their front lines, carrying longbows and lightweight curved swords. Each is extremely skilled, able to put an arrow through a gap in orc armour at 200 paces and able to swing a sword faster than the eye can follow. An elven warrior is more than a match for a single orc, but there are far more orcs than elves. Elven women are usually kept away from battle, working as healers or runners far from the front lines. They can be just as skilled as their male counterparts, but a female elf slave is so highly coveted amongst orc society that the women are kept as far away from them as possible.
The exception to this rule are elven battle-mages. These exceptional women have been gifted powerful magic thanks to the blessing of their goddess. Unnaturally feminine and beautiful all, these women can summon far more magical energy than an average elf and have used it to turn the tide of many battles. They are so rare that only four are currently alive and have been nicknamed by the general population as the 'Princesses of Light'.
Orcs on the other hand, are vastly different. They are tall, muscular and powerful. They are green skinned and dark haired with tusks protruding up from their bottom lips. Orcs are pantheistic, with a god or goddess for all the different aspects of the world.
In battle, there is no difference made between an orc man or woman. All who are able to fight are expected to do so and many legendary warriors have come from both sexes. Whilst not as naturally talented as an elven warrior or as well equipped, they have the advantage of numbers, physical power and sheer ferocity. An orc in full bloodlust can fell many enemies, ignoring pain and wounds until they finally fall.
Whilst orcs are not truly savage, they do value personal strength and have a certain pack mentality. The strongest lead, and those weaker do as they are told. This has led to a fairly strict hierarchical society that does not frown on slavery. In the eyes of the orcs, if someone is weak enough to be captured and enslaved, then they are meant to be owned by someone stronger. With the nature of the ongoing war, and the fact that elves are physically weaker and smaller, enslaving an elf has become seen as a sign of great prestige. The strongest Chiefs will often have an elf leashed to their throne.
Slowly but surely, the orcs have been gaining ground and expanding their territory, owing much to their superior numbers. The elves have rallied around Elvanon, their ancestral home and the last and greatest of their cities. The war has stagnated here, the elves unable to route the orcs and push them back, and the orcs unable to breach the city. This is almost entirely due to the enormous magical barrier that surrounds the city. A shimmering golden wall that the elves can pass through unharmed but will scorch an orc to ashes upon contact.
This is where the story begins. When the third Princess of Light awakens the day before a momentous battle. One that will forever change the balance of power.
-
I awoke slowly, wrapping the white silk sheets tight around my naked body, not wanting to leave the safety and comfort of my bed and face the world. I could hear the temple bells pealing in the distance and knew that would soon mean the arrival of my handmaid, Lily.
The light tap on my door moments later confirmed my fears. I would need to get up.
"Are you presentable my lady? I'm coming in."
The door swung open and Lily stepped inside. I curled up even tighter, covering my head.
"Miss Aly! Really! You are not even out of bed."
I groaned and threw off the covers before standing up. I was naked, but it wasn't anything Lily hadn't seen many times before. She fussed around me, picking up discarded clothes and shooing me over to my dressing table where I sat down.
So this is me, I thought, staring into the large gilded mirror.
I'm Alyndra Faegwyn.
Aly to my friends.
"The Fae" to my enemies.
I'm 21 years old, the third of four of the so called 'Princesses of Light' having been gifted with powerful magic from an early age. I specialise in destructive magic, particularly the summoning of arcane fire.
I'm 5 foot 6, about average for an elf. I'm slim and toned, with ever perky c-cup breasts and a compact, heart shaped ass that I once overheard one of the soldiers describe as "tighter than a drum". I have long blonde hair that falls in shimmering waves down to my knees and I've been told I have an exceptionally beautiful face.
My whole life has been spent training for, or actually battling the orc hordes outside our city.
"There. Much more presentable."
My thoughts snap back to the present. Lily has finished dressing me and applying a light amount of makeup. I don't see the need for it, but I'll be appearing in public today so it has to be this way.
"Shall I go over today's schedule?"
I stand up and sigh, adjusting my ornate dress to something near comfortable.
"Let's hear it."
"First is morning prayer followed by a meeting with the Bishop. Then some public blessings and meeting your adoring fans before lunch. In the afternoon there's a briefing for tomorrows battle and then time for some private training before bed."
"Oh joy." I rolled my eyes. "I can't wait."
Lily stared at me as if I were a child. I swear she never understood sarcasm.
A short while later I found myself stood outside the grandest building in our city, the holy temple of Tyra, our goddess. This was just about the only part of the day I was really looking forward to. I enjoyed communing with her, feeling her warmth and recharging my mana. I walked the grounds for a while, enjoying the peace and solitude. I chose an unremarkable corner with a small and simple statue of our lady to pray before. I liked it here, out of the way.
I offered up a simple prayer and meditated, feeling a tingle throughout my body as her heavenly gift entered and empowered me. Feeling like a new woman, I made my way over to the Bishops quarters. Unfortunately, what came next I was definitely not looking forward to.
I knocked on the large wooden door.