Hardly a Whisper

Whillingham Murton Greenleaf.

He hated that name and it belonged to him. What was his mother thinking? Since the day he could talk he bothered her about it.

"I don't like it."

"Can I change it?"

"What does it mean?"

And on and on with the same questions.

Each time his mother would refuse to answer, responding with a "Shhhh." So he would just ask the same questions, only in a very hushed tone. Maybe that was how he got his nickname, one that he liked much better. At least started with the same three letters. "Whisper."

Crouched down in the thick shrubs outside the village, he was hoping to catch a glimpse of the half-elf that was rumored to be staying with Edge Wolfblade, the last of the legendary "Shades" of the ShadowElf race. Shades were renowned for their ability to blend in with their surroundings undetected, and their incredible skill with dual-blade weapons, generally a short sword for one hand and a dagger for the other. They were equally adept at using both hands and could kill an enemy in just a flash of time.

Supposedly the half-elf was some kind of hero and Whisper was extremely curious to see him. From the rumors he had heard, the man was of enormous height, towering over even most full blooded humans from which he took half of his lineage. Mykleos was his name, and he was said to have a black griffon as his steed and companion.

A griffon!!! The young elf would have been lucky to see either the half-elf OR the griffon as both were about as common as a four leaf clover.

Whisper had first heard about the Shade living outside the village in the nearby forest when he was quite young, and first discovered the small hut a couple months ago. Being twelve seasons of age now, his mother was less strict on what he did during his days as long as he stayed out of trouble and was home by dusk. Now, being as quiet as a mouse, he waited silently in the shrubs outside the Shade's home.

Just then the heavy wooden door to the cabin opened and out stepped the tallest elf he had ever seen in his life. It must be the half-elf!!! But before he could even get a good look he found himself in the grasp of a strong hand yanking him out of the bushes by the collar of his shirt, leaves flying everywhere.

"What have we here?" said his captor. Whisper had neither heard nor seen him coming!