Esca Marduil | Woodland Elf

The whimsical sound of wind chimes was always the first sign of Esca's arrival. Every spring, just when the squirrels and other animals awoke from their winter's slumber, he would come in search of his mate. It wasn't unlike the woodland elves of this region to migrate south for the winter and then back again, but for Esca, each year proved more painful than the last. He would watch unpaired friends, colleagues, and neighbors find mates as easily, or so it seemed, as breathing. Perhaps it was due to Esca's late bloom—once a scrawny elf who could barely widdle wood, now a large elf of pure muscle, strong enough to elegantly lift a log with one hand.

Esca's feet felt heavy as his toes sank into the soft grass of the valley. His group had already moved on ahead, but it was usual that he strayed behind them. Esca never quite fit in, finding odd comfort in walking so liesurely back to their home.

Movement made Esca's keen pointed ears perk up. He listened to the sound of movement closely, time slowing down as he zeroed-in on its direction—to the west. Curiousity getting the better of him and quite frankly losing hope on finding a mate yet another year anyway, Esca slunk through the grass until he came upon someone laying amongst the wildflowers. "Excuse me," Esca spoke up calmly, his green-apple eyes searching for any signs of discomfort. "Are you alright?"