A different kind of vision

He was running through an endless field of golden wheat rippling in the wind. Though he couldn't see himself, he knew he was smiling wide, laughter on his lips. Next to him ran Lethiliie, his unlikely love, smiling as widely and laughing as happily. A few steps ahead of them ran the source of their happiness, her shoulders barely high enough to be above the stalks, her red hair glowing in the sun, the tips of her pointy ears appearing and disappearing as it cascaded wildly with the movement and the wind. Her own laughter was much louder than that of her parents as they chased her through the field. It had that quality to it that the laughter of children sometimes has, where it becomes less laughter and more shrieks of genuine joy. As we grow up, we lose that somewhere along the way, but Vel was glad their little impossible ray of red sunshine hadn't done so yet.

That scene of endless delight faded, to be replaced by one far more serious. Vel stood atop a battlement, gazing out at the ocean. Out there, far beyond this seaside fortress, lay something he wanted. Something he needed. Around him stood a group of... Elves. Closest to him on either side were his wife, Lethiliie, and their beautiful now adult daughter. Where Vel was dressed almost entirely in black and dark blue, all the elves wore outfits of red in various shades. Mostly deep crimson, but some accents growing so bright and fiery that it bordered on orange. Their presence reassured him. They were living proof of his power, and that he was different than those who had come before. He was an heir unlike all other heirs. And when he had to cross the northern sea, he knew his Crimson Stags would be at his side.

That scene too faded, replaced by one yet more dire. It was a vision of war. Of brutal, unrestrained war. He was once again on a battlement, standing fearlessly in the open despite the hail of projectiles. None could touch him. Be they arrows or fireballs, none hit him. Next to him stood his beautiful daughter, the one that should have never been possible. Her red hair billowed magnificently in the breeze, and the fires burning down below lit her face with an otherworldly glow. There was a loud shriek or screech, like that of a bird of prey, but simply more. Vel and his daughter knew what that meant, and they looked up in unison. A massive gryphon, so large it had to be a very old gryphon sire, was swooping towards a group of their warriors. Before he could raise his hand to smite it down, his no longer very little girl had already drawn back the string of the master work elven longbow she wielded with blinding speed. “Don’t worry, Father. I’ve got this one.” And get it she did, her arrow flew true and caught the majestic beast right in its eye.

“She might have your hair, my love, but those are without a doubt my eyes she is shooting with.” The duo turned towards Lethiliie, who until now had been standing out of sight behind them. Husband and wife gave each other warm smiles, not even their war-torn surroundings preventing them from sharing a quick kiss. “Mom, Dad, we have an attack to repel!” The pair chuckled. “Don’t worry, Princess, reinforcements are coming.” As he said those words, Vel mentally sent out two commands. One to the commander of his personal guard, the other to someone else. “We wouldn’t need reinforcements if you would just-“ Lethiliie held up her hand, immediately silencing her daughter. “You know better than to question a decision your father has so firmly made. We should not reveal all our cards to the enemy.” Duly chastised looking, the pointy-eared beauty nodded. “You are right, Mother” She turned to Vel, inclining her head. “Apologies, Father.” Vel smiled indulgently at her, quickly placing a kiss on her cheek. “It’s okay, Sunshine. Now, look, you won’t want to miss this.” A second later, doom descended upon their foes.