Got two versions here, and I'd like some input.


Plan A:

-In this design, the maiden was born into a race of Guardians. Creatures who were gifted with divine magic and the power of flight. The young Guardian lived peacefully in her kingdom, deep within the mountains. Her family were members of the higher nobility here. But she wasn't content just sitting around all day learning from books, going to council meetings, and living the life of a pampered royal. She wanted to do something more with her life. So one day, she snuck out of her kingdom and took flight. For several days and nights she flew, until she spotted another town. A town of humans and lesser beings. Not wanting to frighten them with her wings, she tucked them close to her body and concealed them within a long dark cloak. Into town she strode, knowing exactly what she sought. Following her ears, she located the blacksmith and approached him. She kindly asked if he would forge her armor of the finest quality, but with one unique addition. To leave the back completely exposed. The smith was curious about her unique request, but when he saw the sack of gold she tossed upon his counter, he didn't care. SO to work he went, forging her the finest armor he had ever created. In a few days, the armor was completed and the maiden received it. But as she went to accept it from him, a man on a horse charged through town and raced passed her. His sword snagged on her cloak as he ran by, tearing it from her. Instinctively, she flared her wings, knocking over a nearby cart as well as a young woman who was shopping. The maiden went to help the woman back to her feet to apologize, but was instead met with a shrill scream. "Demon! Winged demon from the mountains!" She cried! The maiden tried to calm her, and explain that she meant no harm. But the woman refused to let her near her, and ran away. Within moments, armored guards brandishing gleaming weapons rushed over. They refused to listen as well, and so the young Guardian took to the sky. She flew back to her kingdom, but strangely she could not locate it. For weeks she searched every inch of the mountain where it had been, but it was as if the kingdom itself had vanished... Distraught, she flew to a small village a few days away, being sure to hide her wings once more. She asked the innkeeper there if he had ever heard of a kingdom of winged Guardians. He said he indeed did know of such a place, but he also knew the legend that went with it.
"Those who leave their mountain peak, shall never again find what they seek. For the stone shall hide from those who abandoned it..."
It was then she realized she had broken the most ancient rule of her people, and that she would never again be able to return home... The young Guardian decided she would try to make the most of her life, by becoming a sellsword. At least that way, she could still explore the world, hoping that maybe someday... She might be able to return home...

Plan B:

-The story behind this design is that an Elven warrior set out on a quest to slay an evil sorcerer. She was able to defeat him, but when she went to strike the final blow, he cast a spell on her that transformed her into a hawk. The sorcerer then fled, leaving the cursed maiden to her devices. She vowed to find him again, and force him to break the curse. But in her current form, she could never hope to beat him again. So she set out in search of a strong warrior to assist her. After years of searching, she had almost given up hope until she met a young knight, seeking to make a name for himself. The two became partners, and together they located and defeated the evil sorcerer. The maiden ordered him to change her back into her previous form, but as he cast the spell he was shot with an arrow from a bounty hunter, seeking to claim the bounty on him for themselves. As he died, his spell began to change the maiden back into her original form. But when his last breath left his body, his spell died along with him, stopping the change at the maiden's left arm. With the sorcerer dead, she would have no way to ever regain her arm. So she was forced to live out the rest of her life with a useless wing...