Novel Treatments / Difference Between Us
Most people enjoyed the new world they lived in and showed immensely how much they loved the servant elves whom they didn’t have to pay to work for them. Other people despised having such slaves, but didn’t say a word for fear of the wrath of the people. Instead, they refused to buy an elf to work for them, only stating that they would rather not have the young-looking creatures touch their precious keepsakes and hard-earned property. In truth, the elves were entirely slaves in the humans’ eyes, called servants only so their hard labor sounded less harsh.
They’d been discovered living peacefully in the deepest part of the dank woods that lay just south of the castle town and were stumbled upon quite by accident some fifteen years before by a lost boy. Their youthfulness and cheeriness amazed the boy, but what captivated him the most was their unusual appearance; creamy milk skin, smooth as a newborn’s and soft as silk, pointed ears with some being more noticeable than others. Rare and beautiful eyes, colored of different gems of bright emeralds, innocent violets, cheery amethysts, beautiful ocean sapphires, and some even a light silver glowing like the full moon. Strange hairstyles, some that had strands growing as long as their knees, and ranging in a variety of colors decorated their heads. Elaborate and expensive looking clothing with rare jewelry giving a wealthy appearance graced each elf the boy saw. Most of them were childlike in their appearance and it was hard for the boy to tell age by their physical attributes alone. At his first glance it looked as if the entire population was made up mostly of children.
Fierce debates raged and frustration was rampant between the Elfin Elders as they decided what to do with the lost boy. (He’d been quite surprised the elders didn’t look a day over thirty.) Arguments arose about whether or not they should aid the boy in finding his way home or send him on his way without direction. When the woodland creatures finally agreed to escort the boy to the end of the woodlands the children were thrilled. With rosy cheeks and childish giddiness they ushered the boy from their woodsy home, leading the way with smiles. As soon as they reached the edge of the trees, however, they had vanished entirely from sight. The boy was wholly surprised, not expecting them to have left so abruptly, but pushed it away as being their nature and hurried home.
Upon arriving at his wealthy hometown he immediately ran straight home, ignoring the shouts of his neighbors as he bumped into them.
It was an olden place: the small city near the edge of the forest. The whole metropolis was surrounded by a high stone wall that had been built a few years before the elves had been discovered. Not far from the outside of the wall was a large pile of rubble that once belonged to the royal family that ruled over the city hundreds of years before. No one knew what had happened to the royal family or why they discontinued having a king to rule over the land. People knew the broken down castle had an important significance, but over the hundreds of years that the castle sat there people forgot that implication and only saw it as taking up land.
Inside the wall it was almost like looking at giant stairs. Shops and taverns were towards the front, short and easy to look over. As it went further back the buildings and houses got taller and wider. Towards the middle of the town was the town hall, a large clock embedded to the front of the high-standing building. Standing before the town hall was a fountain where many of the children tossed coins in and made wishes. Continuing on after the city’s centerpiece were the wealthier houses and expensive shops. Halfway hidden along one of the main alley’s a stable could also be found for travelers and townspeople alike to use.
When the boy returned to his home his parents were relieved to have him home, but after assuring he was okay they berated him for being gone so long. The boy, barely stopping to take a breath, told them what happened deep in the woods and they hurried him to the town hall in hopes of being rewarded at discovering such a feat. Along the way the boy stopped in front of the fountain and tossed a coin in, wishing that the elves that helped him would receive many good fortunes for being so kind to him.
The mayor of the wealthy town was indeed intrigued and a plan started brewing within his greedy mind. As soon as the boy had left he proposed to his people that the prosperity of the future of mankind was about to unfold before their very eyes. That night, all able men set out for the woods, torches burning like stars, hundreds of nets folded neatly, and lockable wagons pulled by the city’s strongest horses. That night, the peace and tranquility the elves had sustained for generations had ended, and, thus, the first elfin slaves came to be.
The moment the humans were spotted in the forests, panic spread among them, they hadn’t fought a battle in centuries! Elfin children were rallied deep into the forests, but not before many were taken. The parents screamed with rage and chased after them, using all the magic they could summon from the spirits of the forest. Trees suddenly came alive, birds and animals grew vicious, and vines sprouted from the grounds trapping many a men in the woods.
Torches were set blazing into the leaves of bushes and trees alike. As the forests burned the spirits grew weaker and elves were soon captured by the dozen. Bodies were strewn all over the once tranquil and beautiful forest, most still alive but too weak to move on. But as the forests burned the spirits grew weaker. In any direction one’s eyes looked it seemed not a single tree was without a man struggling with the ever tightening branches to break free. Screams could be heard as the once peaceful animals (the only source of protection the elves had left as the trees and plants burned) furiously assaulted the humans, enraged they had dared to harm children.
As the numerous horse-drawn wagons neared the forest’s edge it became clear to the elders they would not recover all their children in time. Ordering a retreat back into the forest, the elders swore an oath never to rest until there children were returned to them, whatever the cost. Even if it meant leaving the forests and destroying the humans then so be it. The ancient spirits would once again guide them, and grant them strength as they did so many centuries ago. They would give the trees time to rest and heal and soon they would be able to rescue their kin.
The forest home was left in shambles. Many of the elves left behind were injured, but they didn’t let their new handicap keep them from cursing the humans. This would be war until they rescued their children and showed the men they were not a force to be reckoned with.
When the elves were first brought into the town, only women were interested in buying the elves to help with around the house chores. It didn’t take long, however, for the men to get engrossed with them. When their popularity soared families went to the center of town where a stage had been set up in front of the fountain for the elves to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The local barkeeper was looking for an elf that day. Plenty of the elves that were stolen weren’t very old, or didn’t look it, but he didn’t want one that was so young it would tire easily, but not too old so it would have plenty of energy. As well as youth the barkeeper also wanted one that was attractive enough to have customers come in, but not so much that only people would come to see just the elf.
The man was fairly large, particularly around the middle with a beer belly. A grey-streaked brown, fuzzy beard with a mop of the same colors topped his chin and his head, nearly obscuring his eyes. He had gentle, blue eyes that gave the man a trusting demeanor. The people of Castle Town could easily recognize the man by the worn, moth-eaten black trench coat he wore.
The men of the town knew him the best, but the women also recognized him and conversed when they weren’t busy and happened to see him. Everyone knew he wasn’t married, but he wasn’t looking for a nice lady to settle down with either. He was carefree and claimed he had enough friends to have company enough with and hadn’t a need for a wife with his work keeping him busy all the time. He arrived at the stage just as a long and blue haired elfin girl was sold to one of the brothers that managed at a low-styled diner.
A young male was brought up next with bright blue eyes and spiky blond hair, longer pieces coming down the front to frame his face. Eyes of jade glared down at the humans as they scrutinized and bet their money on him. Looking him over he looked slightly too young to be much help. He merely watched as a single wife he knew who had twins bought the elf.
Next was a girl was brought up to the stage. She still looked young, maybe not much older than the last one, but there was something in the elf’s demeanor that said this one would be a nice pick. Her innocent, violet eyes were something to admire and wavy, dark red hair with blonde bangs framing her gentle face, pointed ears peaking out in the colorful strands, made her strangely eye-catching.
After listening to one of the mayor’s cronies talk like she was some animal that needed to be caged, the barkeeper raised his hand and once it was seen nobody dared bet against him. It was a silent, mutual agreement amongst the town that the wifeless barkeeper could have the elf he wanted first so he wouldn’t be so lonely during the days. She was sold for fifteen gold pieces: the initial price for female children.
The barkeeper was handed a bracelet that was crafted with his name on it and he clicked it on the girl’s thin, pale wrist. Afterwards, he led the girl to his bar and put the closed sign up for the rest of the day.
“Let’s get a few things straight first, girl,” the bartender started, turning on the elf as soon as everything was in place. “There will be no funny business around here. This is a place where I work and I value all my customers. I won’t have you scaring them off by any rudeness. Is that clear?”
The girl nodded. She stood like a gangly teenager that hadn’t quite grown into herself yet. Her clothes, like all of the elves, looked expensive and made of a soft, light material that shined in the light. Hers were made of a pastel lilac to match her eyes with the sleeves covering to half past her nimble fingers. A black miniskirt with ruffles around the edge of it and a silky, thin bow in the back matching the floor of the shirt hung over and reached her knees floated behind it wrapped around her waist and reached halfway down her thighs and boots of something related to leather on her feet. A blood red gemstone on a chain was around her neck and her hair, minus her bangs, was pulled back by a black ribbon working like a headband. Although her face was looking towards the large bartender the dazed look in her eyes proved she was looking past the older man rather than at him.
“Good, I have no intention of being cruel to you any more than is necessary. Do as you’re told and try what you can’t and you won’t be reprimanded. Now, you have a name, right?”
“Ridley, sir,” the elf answered quickly, quietly. Her voice was soft but still chocolate sweet to match the youthful appearance of her body.
Ridley….that’s definitely a strange name indeed. She’s already obedient though. Was she always like this or did those people do something to the elves to make them like this before people bought them?
“You may call me Justin. You won’t be doing anything tonight, and I suppose I’ll have to show you what you have to do before you can really work on anything so I’ll have to be closed tomorrow as well,” he said the last part more to himself than to Ridley. I’ll show you to the room you’ll be using.”
“Thank you, sir,” Ridley softly issued. Her eyes cast down now that she was longer being spoken to in a disciplinary sense. She followed the taller man from the room and into a back space with a straw bed with some covers already made up, a wooden chair in the far corner, and a small cupboard with a few holes in it, one of the doors tilted slightly off balance.
“This will be your room. The cupboard is for clothes, I won’t have you wearing the same thing all day long every day so I’ll take you out tomorrow to find something suitable.”
Ridley looked up with surprise at this, but just as quickly dropped her head back down before Justin even noticed it. Once more the elf nodded, even though she was sure the barkeeper hadn’t seen it.
“You will be allowed breaks every few hours so you won’t get too worn out, at least until you get used to your chores. If you fall asleep, however, I will come wake you. I won’t allow any laziness as well.”
“Yes, sir; I understand.”
“Good; I think we’ll get along just fine then.”
~
In Ridley’s situation, the elf was considered lucky. Justin was a truly kind person as long as you weren’t on his bad side. Most of the elves were treated horribly by the human owners. They were expected to have certain postures and submissiveness such as eyes looking down, unable to look at “their superiors”. They weren’t supposed to talk back to or complain and they only thing they could answer with was either, “Yes, sir,” or, “Yes, ma’am.”
~
A crimson-eyed, nineteen year old watched in silence as the crowd around the stage grew smaller and smaller as the elves in stock grew less and less. It disgusted him how people could act so uncivilized towards living creatures. Being who, or rather, what he was to the town he felt even worse. Looking down at himself, he blanched at the fancy dress pants and white-button down shirt, his black jacket laying across his lap.
“Kaden, what are you doing sitting in the dust with your nice clothes on,” the deep, irritatingly superior-sounding voice of one of his father’s coworkers asked with a snobby tone.
He’s such a babysitter Kaden sighed. He stood and brushed off his pants. He hated being his father’s son. He was one of the richest men in town and the mayor’s right hand man. Needless to say, he couldn’t protest against the elves being used as soulless beings with no free will to think of. He had to be the perfect son so he could be sited as a role model towards all other boys that saw him. The thought of it wanted to make him sick.
The gray-haired man glared at Kaden’s shirt and shook his head with disappointment. “What would your mother say if she saw you dressed like that? You’re supposed to be setting an example.”
Kaden glared back even as he raised his hands to button the first five buttons on his shirt. He’d unbuttoned them early when he sat down to watch the cruelty shown towards the elves as they were sold off to the townspeople like farm animals. “What are you doing out here anyway? Surely this type of festivity doesn’t interest you with my father’s money to occupy you day in and out.”
The older man sneered and looked like he wanted to argue, but turned on his shiny-tipped shoes and stalked away much like a child who didn’t get what he wanted at the candy store. Kaden watched the man’s childish act with amusement, though on the outside it wouldn’t look he enjoyed much of anything with his stoic demeanor. He was going to enjoy it only too much when the man moved to stay with his family.
The entire town knew who he was just as much as they knew who his father was and what he did. He was the owner of the largest factories outside the city and earned pretty pennies every day, which caused all business men greedy enough to flock his way. Kaden hated the attention he received from people who feared he would tell his father who was rude to him like a “daddy’s boy” where, in reality, he could care less about what people thought of him.
He was a loner who didn’t talk much to anybody and got kicks out of insulting his father’s partners, much like Ruther, who had just stalked away. He was the easiest to get a rise out of and Kaden picked on him the most because of it. He wasn’t sure why he himself acted so indifferent about everything and it was rare when he could feel some sort of emotion out of anything. For that reason alone it was why his father was getting so impatient with him. He couldn’t find any girl to interest him and his father was starting to accuse him of trying to ruin the family line.
The nineteen year old turned to look back to the stage tiredly, trying to forget everything about his home life at least for one afternoon. If that meant watching something as vile as watching living things sold off like pets than he would deal with it. With one last sigh, he followed slowly after the other man.
You need to log in to urbis or create an urbis account to review this writing.
Reviews
Sort Reviews by Newest | Oldest | Highest Quality | Lowest Quality | Newest Comments |
This 112 word review has not been unlocked.
This 7 word review has not been unlocked.
This 105 word review has not been unlocked.
This 119 word review has not been unlocked.
This 84 word review has not been unlocked.
This 137 word review has not been unlocked.
This 110 word review has not been unlocked.
This 55 word review has not been unlocked.
This 151 word review has not been unlocked.
Awesome story line. I like the idea and the way it is developing. However, I think that it would be far better if you made it a little harder for the “lost boy” to convince his elders that elves exist. In reality, adults would blame his ideas on a childish imagination. So, maybe if you could change it so that no one believes him… and then he wonders back into the woods and some how befriends one and convinces it to come to his town? Then, the boy could reveal the elf to his parents..and etc.
Also, watch your grammar…
“boy returned to his home his parents were relieved to have him home” that second “home doesnt need to be there. You do this a few times throughout, but it is nothing incredibly serious.
Great job, please, keep up the good work and keep on writing.
Good luck and God bless!
- add/view comments (0)
Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Review item
Add to faves
GENERAL
REVIEW QUEUE
Ratings & Rankings
