The Poisoned Fey

I remember a great many things. I remember the smell of the breeze on an autumn day in my village. There was a must to the swamp air teasing the dull, scentless cold of promised winter. I remember each and every one of my siblings – being one of the middle children allowed me this privilege.

I remember my first flight – my first true flight – where I spread my dragonfly like wings and leapt from the balcony of our tree carved home. The wind in my hair. The wind leaving me breathless. The catch rippling through my nerves and spine as I caught the draft and sored along the breeze. It was effortless – natural.

I remember when our Sana, the herbal chief of our Sprite village, came to my family and conveyed what we suspected for a few years now – I possessed no arcane abilities. The disappointment was crushing to my family and to me.

Sprites possess an innate magical ability. Many of us are spell casters and magic users for unbroken generations, bound by blood magic from parents to children. There are those cases, however, who beat the odds – and I was one of them.

Admittedly, I was angry in the beginning, but who could blame a child for such thoughts. Only being able to produce a small amount of flame in the palms of my hands while my siblings could grow trees and weave branches and plants on a whim was frustrating; but I persevered.

I dedicated myself to learning the herbs and plants my siblings played with. While they trained to fight for the defense of the village, I trained my mind to know the names of the plants. Where the best herbs grew. How to harvest them efficiently. What I could use them for. What they could be combined with.

I realized quickly, as did our Sana, that my talent resided not in magic but in intellect. I had an aptitude for memorization, experimentation, and concoction.

My seemingly innate talents could have been turned into pure medical use – helping and healing others; however, I felt as though my concoctions would serve better for the protection of my people.

I did learn how to heal, but that is not where I spent most of my time. On my tenth naming day, I selected the profession and the mentor which would decide my future and my fate – Master Poisoner.

I am Tal’el Stormborn – and this is my story.