Temic had given you a taste of humiliation and it is a flavor you want to avoid. Aside from dad, you now want to keep your identity from anyone else. A story was quickly concocting in your mind. With no idea if Harold would buy it or Temic would play along, you start to weave your tale.
"Yes, my name is Teiss and I am Teren's half-sister. Temic has kept me a secret from everyone, so you can not tell a soul."
Harold nods in understanding. Temic walks to stand beside you and claps a hand onto your shoulder. You cringe waiting for his reaction.
"Teiss here was born only a few years after you two. Teren's mother sadly passed too soon. A beautiful lady centaur came to me a few months after, like something out of a story. She helped me care for my son and land during a difficult time. She left once things were stable. She returned with a daughter I had not known about three years ago. They have been secretly living nearby ever since."
His level of detail and commitment was stunning. Harold looked shocked, perhaps even incredulous.
"I had no idea. Is that why Teren goes off to the woods so often?"
"Yes. He often comes to visit mother and I. You know the local traditions of not remarrying. We don't want to make father a pariah. But something happened today. A sorceress attacked us and kidnapped Teren. I must rescue him."
"What!? Why are we just sitting around here? We should go now!"
Harold had leaped to his feet ready for action.
"Calm down. Running off into the woods at twilight won't do anyone any good. Believe me when I say I'm confident Teren well be unharmed tonight. If you want to help me save him, come back tomorrow morning with anything you think might help us."
After a bit more discussion, Harold agrees to come back at first light well rested and equipped. The two of you can recover Teren. Temic barely manages to keep a straight face through all of this. He shows Harold to the door and steps out with him. The boisterous voice of your father carries a bit farther than he may have intended. Maybe he meant for you to hear the muffled advice he gave to Harold before sending him away.
"Listen, don't worry too much about Teren. He can take care of himself. But Teiss is even more stubborn than her brother. I am more worried she will never find a man to wed, than some two but sorcerer managing to hurt my boy. Even if she turns her nose up at you, keep at her. I honestly believe you two would be a great pair. You have my blessing to pester her into marriage during your quest."
This pisses you off. Bad enough dad was unable to take your plight with any seriousness. Now he was unwittingly dragging your friend into his jokes. You get up in a huff and slam the door to your room before he comes back in the house.
The slanted roof leaves you with little room to maneuver. No way you could fit on your bed either. Instead, you prop the pillow on the side of the bed and sprawl on the floor after laying down your blanket. Once you settle, you find it surprisingly comfortable and easily drift to sleep.
Copyright 2000 - 2025 21 x 20 Media All rights reserved. This site is property of 21 x 20 Media
All Writing.Com images are copyrighted and may not be copied / modified in any way. All other brand names & trademarks are owned by their respective companies.
Generated in 0.21 seconds at 12:28pm on Nov 02, 2025 via server WEBX1.
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author