FSE

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The small village came alive with the rising of the first sun. The soft rustle of morning activity mingled with the braying of hungry pack animals and the chirping of birds to create a welcoming harmony. As the sounds drifted down into Taiyra's nightmare, they brought peace to the devastation. Her twitching limbs stilled and a soft smile graced her muzzle.

Rising from sleep, she opened her eyes slowly, in no hurry to begin her day. She turned her head to look at her lover beside her, and was surprised to find him not only awake but also watching her.

"Good morning." Tesio said softly, his contented smile matching her own. "Did you sleep well?"

Taiyra's smile widened and she stretched out her arms, one hand coming to rest lightly on his cheek. "I did, actually." She lied. "Why? Did I wake you?"

The jruu turned his head to nuzzle affectionately at her palm. "Not at all." He said. "I was just admiring a beautiful sunrise."

"Oh! Did I miss it already?" The druid asked while her thumb drew a slow line across her lover's cheek. "I love to watch the suns rise."

Tesio let out a soft chuckle and reached up to gently fondle one of the doe's ears. "Not at all. I'm watching it right now."

Taiyra scrunched her face slightly in her confusion and looked up at the walls. She didn't remember any windows cut in the small dwelling but she could have easily missed it. The only opening she could find to the sky, however, was the small hole in the ceiling meant to let in air. She turned her eyes back to the agwa beside her, whose gaze had never left her. Her mouth opened in a surprised "Oh." as understanding finally dawned.

Rolling onto her side, she pulled him closer for a kiss. "You spoil me." Taiyra muttered against his lips.

Tesio laughed softly into her mouth and then wrapped his long arms around her to pull her on top of him. His fingers spread out as his hands began to slide down her back, caressing her soft fur. "If you knew how happy you've made me in the short time since we met, you'd understand that I'm the one being spoiled here."

Taiyra murred and rested her cheek on his shoulder, lazily tracing one of the glowing runes on his skins with a fingertip. "I'm glad." She replied in a lazy voice. Her hooves settled on either side of his legs. "We don't have to get up yet, do we?" She asked. A mischievous grin tugged at her lips.

"We're on leave." Tesio said. "We can do or not do whatever we want." He stroked a fingertip along her spine. "Do you have anything in mind that you'd like to do or not do today?"

Instead of answering, Taiyra sat up and straddled his lap, resting her palms against her lover's chest.

Tesio grinned broadly. "I think I like this plan."

Both suns were high in the sky by the time the pair left the cottage. Fingers interlocked, they walked to the communal cook fire in the center of the village. Several carcasses and a large cauldron were tended to by the a handful of orks, who were busy preparing the food for the rest of the village. Sitting farther from the fire was a scattering of others that were familiar to the pair of healers.

The other were a mix of wood elves, orks, agwa and even a human who had also been given leave from the garrison. The group ignored each other as they ate their meals. Taiyra and Tesio were likewise ignored as they made their way to the fire to claim their own food. Taiyra accepted a bowl of mashed grains mixed with fruit while Tesio preferred some of the roasting meat. Settling among their companions, the pair ate in companionable silence.

Once the meal was finished and their dishes disposed of, they rose and walked toward the border of the village. Taiyra rested her head on Tesio's shoulder and swung their joined hands as they walked. "I can't believe we've been here for two months already."

"Two months?" Tesio replied. "We only got here yesterday."

Taiyra laughed and lifted her head to look at her companion, the small charms on her antler-shaped horns jingling softly. "No, not here_as in the village, here. I mean..._here." She swung her hand around to indicate the surrounding land. "Out here. Away from our homes. Trying to keep the ghouls at bay."

"Ah." Tesio replied. "Yeah, time does seem to pass a lot faster out here, doesn't it. And the fight itself feels endless. But this day is far too perfect and my present company is far too lovely to think about ghouls. What I'd rather think about is your-"

"What is that?" Taiyra interrupted. Her body stiffened as she craned her neck to see something in the distance. Tesio tried to see what she was looking at but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "They need help!" The druid cried. Suddenly Tesio felt his hand released and heard the flutter of wings as a large golden blur flew past him into the sky.

The large black lioness limped wearily along the road, an unconscious dwarf draped across her narrow back. Her usually glossy coat was matted with blood, some of it still dripping from fresh wounds. Her head was held low in her exhaustion and one of her hind legs dragged uselessly across the ground. She did not bother to look up as an eagle cried out far above her head and began to circle. The cry barely even registered in her mind as she continued hobbling forward mechanically, burning the last of her reserves.

The eagle swooped down, circling once more to get a better view of the pair, then landed in the lioness' path. Within moments the bird changed form and Taiyra rushed forward to touch the lioness on the forehead with the glowing hand. "You're safe now, sister." She said calmly. "Rest now. Just rest."

The words followed Matna down into the darkness.

Tesio ran as fast as he could along the dirt road, following the golden eagle as she flew above him. When he saw her dive out of the air, he increased his speed. When he reached the trio and saw the injured lioness and dwarf, he surrendered his intellect to instinct. Taiyra's hands rested on both of the injured parties, her hands glowing as she transferred healing life energy into them.

He rushed to the dwarf and placed both of his hands on the diminutive body. Unlike the green of druidic magic that surrounded Taiyra's hands, his own hands glowed gold, his magic complimenting that of his lover as he encouraged the dwarf's own body to speed up its own healing. The light surrounded the unconscious dwarf until his entire body glowed. Skin began to knit and bruises began to fade. Once the dwarf's life was no longer in danger, the glow began to fade away until it ceased entirely. "This guy will be fine." He said. "He'll be sore for a few days, but he'll live. How is his pet?"

Taiyra slowly lifted her hand from the large cat before turning to look at him. "I think she'll be alright, but she needs more healing than I can give her right now. I'm going to go get help so we can get them both back to the village."

Tesio nodded and moved to stand guard over their patients as Taiyra once again took on the form of a bird and flew away. He envied the usefulness of her shape shifting skill, imagining all the things he could accomplish if he could take on other forms. In all the time he waited for her to return, neither of the injured figures moved except for their chests as they took shallow breaths.

Taiyra finally returned with two orks in tow, pulling a cart. As gently and carefully as possible, the dwarf and lioness were loaded into the cart and driven back to the village. "Even on leave we can't get a break from work, can we." Tesio joked. Under the orders of the healers, the pair was brought to the vacant hut nearest to their own borrowed accommodations. With the jruu's help, Taiyra tirelessly cared for her newfound charges. Both lioness and dwarf were carefully wiped clean with wet cloths and fresh water was brought in constantly.

Kept in a magically-induced sleep, the patients were given two full days to recover before either was allowed to wake.

Matna groaned as she opened her eyes, the form of the lioness falling away like drops of water to expose her true form underneath. She had to blink her eyes several times before the sting of the light went away. "Where am I?" She asked groggily, her voice little more than a croak. Her throat felt like it was full of sand. "How did I get here?"

Taiyra smiled down at the other druid and placed a gentle hand on her forehead, sending calming energy into her charge. "It's alright sister. You and your companion are safe." She said in her best soothing tone. "You're in the village of Emberdusk."

"Emberdusk." Matna repeated softly, her eyes focusing on the ceiling. "Then I'm almost there." She closed her eyes and sighed wearily.

"Drink this." Taiyra said as she brought a cup to Matna's lips. "It will help with your throat."

Matna lifted her head and drank deeply of the offered liquid. As promised, it immediately soothed her parched throat and slaked her intense thirst. "Poproot tea." She said, her voice no longer raspy. "I hope you have a lot more." She then gestured to the still sleeping dwarf in the cot beside hers. "He's going to need it."

"Don't worry." Taiyra replied. "We've got more than plenty of everything we need."

"Except time off." Added Tesio as he entered the room, setting down a pail of fresh water. "I see somebody's awake."

Matna glanced at Tesio, then closed her eyes again. "I know that feeling well." She muttered softly. She then took in a deep breath and let it out lowly. "When the dwarf awakens, tell him I'll come back as soon as I'm able." She groaned as she attempted to sit up.

Taiyra put a restraining hand on her chest and pushed her gently back down again. "You'll be going nowhere yet, sister." She chided. "We've taken care of the worst of your injuries but you both still need more time to rest and recover."

"There's plenty of time to rest when I'm dead." She grumbled. She tried to shove the other druid's hand away but was surprised to find that she lacked the strength. The growl of her empty stomach interrupted the argument. "Well, I guess I can rest long enough to get something to eat."

"Wonderful!" Taiyra exclaimed with a clap of her hands. "I'll go fetch something tasty for both of you, in case your companion wakes up as well." Before anything else could be said, the eager druid darted out the door of the hut and disappeared from sight.

Matna turned to look at Tesio, who was removing the soiled bandages from her husband. "Is she always like that?"

The jruu looked up and smiled at her. "Yeah. She's pretty unique. But you couldn't ask for a better healer."

Matna scowled and shifted her gaze back to the ceiling. "If I hadn't been so distracted, we wouldn't need healers." She muttered. "I should have seen that ambush coming a mile away."

"Ambush?" Tesio echoed. "Is that what happened to you two?"

Matna nodded and again closed her eyes as weariness washed over her with an increasing pull. "A whole group of them. We killed a good number of them before the rest fled. Cowards."

"Ghouls?" Tesio asked, a note of worry entering his voice.

"No. Road bandits. And very much alive, I'm afraid. At least until I got ahold of them." Matna replied, shaking her head. "The only ghouls I've seen on this trip were of the MidKnight's making."

"MidKnight?" Taiyra said, suddenly appearing in the doorway. Matna opened her eyes again and shifted her gaze to the other druid, something in her voice drawing her attention. Taiyra approached slowly, holding two large steaming wooden bowls and a large hunk of bread. "Here you are. Sip this slowly, it's very hot. Did you say you encountered a MidKnight?"

Matna accepted the bowl and bread gratefully, allowing Tesio to assist her in sitting up. The stew smelled rich and hearty with large chunks of root vegetables bobbing around in the broth. She dipped a corner of the bread into the stew and nibbled at the mush before answering. "Yes. A tarin MidKnight. My husband and I stumbled across her by accident one night. You see, I was ill and we saw a fire. We approached it, hoping to find allies and a safe place to spend the night. We were quite surprised to find one of the Undead King's minions there instead."

Taiyra leaned in closer as the other druid spoke, her ears pulled forward to catch every word."You said it was a tarin. Was it a doe? Red fur?"

Matna nodded. "Yes on both counts. A red doe with black along her arms and legs."

The druid's eyes lit up with hope as she exchanged a glance with Tesio. "Was she with anyone?"

Matna hesitated, taking time to dip and then bite her bread. "No. I'm afraid she was completely alone. But... she did call for someone. Taymin, Tayna, maybe. And then she called out to me. Told me to show myself. I don't know how she could possibly have known I was there. We were both silent as we approached and kept out of the reach of the light."

Tesio watched both of the druids closely but offered no commentary. Taiyra leaned closer still, her voice barely above a whisper. "You said she called out a name. Could it have been Taiyra?"

Matna chewed thoughtfully for a moment before nodding. "Yes. Yes, I think that was it, actually."

"And this MidKnight you encountered," Taiyra continued. "Was her name Nadirah?" Matna turned her head to look at Taiyra and nodded, her eyes narrowing. "Nadirah Wolfcaller?" Matna nodded again. "Goodness. What a small world."

The wood elf knelt to examine the remains of the fire, tentatively reaching her fingers into the ashes. "Long cold." She said loud enough for her companion to hear. "But not very old. And judging by these tracks, I'd say we're no more than a day or two behind."

"If we hadn't been so delayed, maybe that fire would still be warm." Kai complained bitterly.

"At least the trail hasn't gone as cold as these ashes." Ryllae replied. She rose to her feet and brushed the ash from her hands. "Give me a moment to untangle this mess of prints and maybe I can figure out which way they went."

The human sighed and adjusted his seat on the saddle. "You know," He said wearily, "This little quest of ours is really giving me a distaste for cows in general."

"I'm sure they would be absolutely heart-broken to hear you say that, Kai." Ryllae replied distractedly, studying the ground.

From the shadows of a nearby clumping of trees came an odd chuckle. Both human and wood elf looked up at the sound, startled.

"That... didn't sound like a laughing cow, did it?" Kai asked nervously, hand drifting toward the hilt of his sword.

"We should probably check it out anyway." Ryllae replied, her hand also reaching toward her own weapon. "It could be hobgobs."

"Or it could just be a bird." Kai said. "Either way, it's not our target. Let's leave it be."

As if to challenge his order, the odd chuckle came again. Closer than before. The horse and kerstaug both began to shuffle nervously in place.

"I don't think it wants to be left alone." Ryllae observed. Snatching her weapon, she crouched down, readying herself for an attack.

Refusing to lose his mount again, Kai drew his sword while keeping a tight grip on his horse's reins. "That's no hobgoblin." He said. "I don't know what's laughing at us, but it doesn't sound like anything good. How fast can you find us that accursed trail?"

Ryllae's eyes shifted back and forth, reading the footprints between glances that sought the owner of the mysterious voice. "A bit longer than before this distraction." She said. "It's a little harder to concentrate right now."

"Focus on the tracks." Kai replied. "I'll keep watch."

Just as the wood elf began to study the numerous footprints in the grass, the chuckle came again, somehow closer still. They both looked toward the source of the sound, but no entity, friend or foe, made itself known.

"What is making that accursed noise?" Kai demanded.

Before Ryllae could offer an answer, a hyolf's head poked out from the wild underbrush and pinned them both with its malicious stare. The hyolf's fur was nearly white, decorated with grey smudges, and its eyes were a bright red that appeared to glow in the sunlight. It opened its jaws to show large, sharp teeth, and emitted the high-pitched cackle they'd been hearing.

"We're being hunted." Ryllae said with alarm. She turned to look at her companion and was shocked to find him wrestling with another hyolf that had knocked him from his horse. The second beast was misshapened, somehow holding a hatchet in its large paws. The fight ended as the creature pressed it's blade to the human's throat. "Yes." the odd hyolf replied. "You are."

Kai froze in place, his hands rising in surrender as he tried to comprehend what he was seeing. The hatchet-wielding hyolf's fur was just as mismatched as its body, with grey banded fur across its head while the rest of its body was covered in red and white patches, the fur of it's body much shorter than on its head. Its forelegs were vaguely humanoid while its crooked hind legs ended in cloven hooves.

As he saw a pair of thin tied cords at the top of the beast's throat, Kai's brain finally made sense of what he was seeing. He wasn't looking at a mutant hyolf but a tarin in disguise. "Who are you?" He demanded, momentarily forgetting the blade pressing into his neck. "And why are you bothering us?"

The beastlord's grin was instant and held all the threat of a growling animal. She pressed the blade harder against his skin, drawing a thin line of blood along the sharply honed edge. From somewhere out of his sight, he heard Ryllae give a small cry of pain. "I should be asking you the very same questions." The doe said. "What are a fleshie and a tree hopper doing together, and why are they sniffing around my camp?"

"This is your camp?" Ryllae asked before letting out another cry of discomfort. Kai tried to turn his head to see what was going on but the first movement of his neck caused the blade to cut deeper into his skin, freezing him in place.

"We ask your forgiveness." Kai said, returning his attention to the beastlord. "We honestly didn't mean to intrude. We have no qualms with you."

The beastlord's eyes narrowed behind her mask as she studied the nervous human intently. She slowly leaned closer until her nose was nearly touching his cheek. "Then who do you have qualms with, fleshie?"

"Well, I'm starting to have some with you now." Kai replied in a squeak.

"We were seeking someone else." Ryllae called out. We were tracking them and were led to your camp. Perhaps they passed by here as well? Seeking shelter, maybe?"

The beastlord lifted her head to look at the wood elf, her weight still pinning Kai to the ground. After several seconds of silence, she turned her attention back to Kai and pulled the hatchet away from his neck. "I see." She rose back up to her feet and took several steps backwards, keeping an eye of both of the invaders.

Kai lifted a protective hand to his throat as he sat up, the blood already drying on his shallow wound. He turned his head to look at Ryllae and was surprised to see the pale hyolf walking away from her to sit placidly beside the beastlord. The wood elf was on her hands and knees, but looked otherwise unharmed. He was even more surprised to see both of their mounts grazing just as placidly a few feet away.

"So..." The tarin said after giving them a moment to compose themselves. "You said you were tracking someone?"

Kai watched the beastlord and her pet nervously, moving to stand beside his companion. "We are seeking a few individuals, actually. We suspect they came this way. Two of them are tarous, like yourself, and one is a dwarf."

"The dwarf and druid are of only minor importance." Ryllae added, brushing an imaginary bit of dust from her front. "Our true objective is to find and retrieve the MidKnight."

The beastlord began to laugh, the hyolf adding his chuckle, both dying away simultaniously. "Nadirah, you sure know how to make friends, don't you."

Ryllae's head snapped up. "You know the Wolfcaller? The one we seek?"

"You could say that." The beastlord replied, her pointed gaze locked on the pair. "Are you with the druid then? Going to bring her to justice for all of her terrible crimes?"

"Not quite." Ryllae replied. "We are interested in the MidKnight, and those two are a means of finding her. But it's not for punishment."

"She's, how to put it," Kai interjected. "She's very important to someone who wants to see her again. So we were sent to find her and bring her back home."

The beastlord was silent for several moments before she began to laugh again, the hyolf cackling right along with her. "They may have to get in line, apparently."

Kai let out a sigh of annoyance. "But you've seen her? Recently? Do you know where she went?"

The beastlord's laughter faded away as she answered. "Yes."

Kai and Ryllae both waited expectantly for her to say more, but she offered no further explanation. "And?" Kai finally asked impatiently, his fingers absently stroking the stinging slice in his neck.

The beastlord and hyolf both tilted their heads simultaneously, as if they were attached with strings. "And what?"

"And what?" Kai repeated in disbelief. "And where did she go?"

"Away." The doe replied simply. "Which is all I cared about."

Human and wood elf exchanged looks of exasperation. "Thank you for your help, beastlord." Ryllae said. "Do you mind if we spend just a few more minutes in your territory while we figure out which direction she went....away?"

"Sure." The beastlord replied, her mouth stretching into a large, mischievous grin, the hyolf skin hood adding malice to the expression. "Figure away. As long as you follow her example as quickly as possible."

"Of course." Ryllae nodded and turned her attention immediately back to the ground around the campfire.

Kai watched her walk off and then looked back at the doe as she stood and watched them. "So, uh, before we go, can I ask one last question?"

The wood elf shot him a warning glance, but he ignored it. The beastlord took in the wordless exchange and grinned again. "Go ahead, fleshie. Ask your question."

Kai shuffled his feet a moment as he tried to select his words, then finally gave up and decided to be direct with his inquiry. "Why are you naked?"

As one, the beastlord and hyolf threw back their heads, their laughter echoing into the sky.

Sounds of life filled the small village with the rising of the first sun. Taiyra smiled to herself as she looked up to the sky, taking in the vibrant colors that were splashed across the clouds. The soft clang of a faraway blacksmith working his anvil competed with the songs of birds and the white noise of combined voices to reach the doe's ears.

In the peace of the morning, it was almost possible to forget that a war was raging just a few miles away. A war that would determine the fate of the entire world. Beside her on the grassy knoll, Tesio lay stretched out on his back. The doe's tail was draped lazily across his legs, the tufted tip tickling his ankle. Together, they enjoyed a comfortable silence.

"Taiyra! There you are!" Taiyra ducked her head into her shoulders as the peaceful silence was shattered. Matna hurried over to the pair as they turned to look at her. "You've been ducking me for the last two days, but I'm fine. I've healed enough. And now I want answers."

Tesio sighed and flopped back onto the grass, but Taiyra rose to her feet and turned to face the determined druid, offering her a reassuring smile. "I'm glad you're feeling better. Come sit with us and watch the sunrise."

"I care less about that sunrise than I do what the Undead King had for dinner last night." Matna snapped. She scowled angrily down at the other druid. "I want to know about your connection to the MidKnight and why you've been so reluctant to talk about it." Her eyes narrowed further. "What are you hiding?"

Taiyra giggled, infuriating Matna further. "You're so silly. Come watch the first sun rise. It will make you feel better." She reached out to gently grasp the other druid's hand, but Matna violently wrenched free of her grip.

"I'm not being silly! I'm being completely serious." She replied. "How do you know the MidKnight? Why did she call out your name when I came across her? Did you betray us too?" With each word spoken, her voice rose until she was yelling her questions in a fevered pitch.

Taiyra waited patiently until she was done, her smile never faltering. Behind her, Tesio sat up to watch them, ready to spring into action should the confrontation turn violent. "You know," Taiyra spoke softly, forcing Matna to lean closer to hear her. "You really shouldn't get yourself so worked up. It's only going to slow the process of healing. You took some rather nasty blows, you know."

"My health is no longer your concern." Matna seethed, squeezing the words through clenched teeth. "You can't hide behind your feeble excuses anymore."

"Maybe you could use some more rest, sister." Taiyra continued as if Matna hadn't spoke. "You still look a little tired. Would you like me to fetch you some breakfast? A water skin?"

"Don't call me sister." Matna growled. "You're not my sister just because we are both druids." Her sharp gaze fell to the jruu. "And you. You're-"

"Going to enjoy the rest of this lovely sunrise with me." Taiyra interrupted, her tone still cheerful. "Please join us." With that, she turned around and settled back down on the grass next to Tesio.

Matna shook her head and stared in disbelief at Taiyra's back. She shifted her gaze to Tesio, who still watched her nervously. "Is she a complete simpleton?" She asked him. The jruu just shook his head slowly before finally turning his attention back to the sky and lowered his head back to the grass. Thoroughly rebuffed, Matna turned and stormed away, her temper boiling.

"Bit of a mean one, isn't she." Tesio said when Matna was finally out of earshot.

"She's not mean." Taiyra replied softly. "She's just frustrated and hurt. Pain causes some to lash out, and if they can't reach the source of their pain, they'll go after the closest target instead." She reached out and rested her hand on his knee.

"Is that why you won't tell her about what she keeps asking you about?" Tesio asked.

Taiyra nodded. "Her words can't hurt me, so maybe if she has a way to drain some of her energy, it will make her feel better."

From a distance, Matna watched the pair with suspicious eyes. "Its obvious to me now." She said to her disinterested husband, who was busy eating his third morning meal. "That doe is an innocent. She's so simple minded that there wouldn't have been any sport in killing her. That's why the MidKnight let her live. But I'm not sure how that agua fits into all of this. I think he may be taking advantage of her. Possibly even controlling her, somehow."

The dwarf made a brief noncommittal grunt before slurping down the contents of his bowl.

Matna glared at him over her shoulder, upper lip curling in disgust. "Of course you don't give a care, you worthless waste of dwarf-flesh. It's only our very lives at stake. Maybe if it was your stomach under threat you'd be more concerned."

The dwarf gave another disinterested grunt and went to work stripping the last shreds of meat from a large bone.

"What wrong could I have committed that the ancestors of past had to bind me to you." Matna muttered tiredly. "I hope they forgive me soon enough." She turned her attention back to the pair and glared angrily. "Something rotten is going on here. I wonder what connection that agua has to Nadirah." Her eyes narrowed even further when she saw the pair join hands.

Matna glared at the jruu and doe as they headed for their cottage. Their joined hands swung between them, smiles plastered across both of their faces as they exchanged loving glances. "Well aren't they just a precious pair of little love birds." She growled to herself. "No doubt that's all his idea too. Ugh, those swamp dwellers have no morals do they."

As the pair disappeared inside and out of the druid's sight, she turned her scornful gaze to her husband. "And I suppose you still don't care, do you."

The dwarf was busy swallowing the contents of a large wooden mug. Heavy drops of liquid dripped into his thick beard and splashed across the floor. When he was finished, he let out a loud belch and dragged his other arm across his mouth. "Why do you care so much what they do?" He asked, his already heavy accent thickened further with inebriation. "They saved our lives and healed our wounds, asking nothing in return but a thank you. I say, if they want to have a little fun together, it's no hair off my-"

"That's what I thought." Matna sneered and turned away. "Why did I bother to ask. You never were good at seeing the bigger picture. If they ply you with enough food and ale you'd let them shave you bald and call you a gnome." Her eyes fell back to the cottage where the doe and jruu had disappeared. "But I see what's going on. And I'm going to save her from herself. Whether she likes it or not."

Taiyra sighed contentedly as she rested her cheek against Tesio's chest. One of his hands stroked her back while the other toyed with one of her horns. "I've been meaning to ask you," Tesio said. "What made you go with deer antlers?"

"To honor my teacher." She replied. "He was the honored antlered druid, a legend even before he became an ancestor passed. And I was his last student."

"Wow." Tesio said. His fingers began to slowly trace the length of her small horn to the base before sliding into her soft mane. "It must have been a real honor to learn under him then."

Taiyra smiled and nodded. "It was. He left me his staff and his legacy when my training was completed. I don't think I'll ever come near to matching his legacy, though. He was an archdruid."

Tesio's wandering hand slowly traced its way down the doe's neck to her shoulder, circling a few laps before making its way along her arm. "Don't sell yourself short. You could become an archdruid someday too. I've seen you at work. You're dedicated and absolutely fearless."

Taiyra giggled softly. "Even if that was true, it doesn't make me an archdruid. Really, it doesn't make me any different from any other druid, just doing what we're supposed to do." As she spoke, Tesio's hand finally made its way to her own and his slender fingers wove themselves between her much thicker ones. His arm rested atop her own.

"You're already different from every other druid." Tesio replied, squeezing her hand. "You're different from anyone I've ever met, in fact. In a good, no, in a great way. And if you ask me, that makes you pretty special."

Taiyra tilted her head to look up into her lover's eyes and smiled brightly. "You're pretty special too." She said. "I've never met anyone like you anywhere either. Agua or otherwise."

Tesio chuckled. "We're both a pair of special cases, aren't we." He smiled down at her, his thumb stroking the side of her hand while his other hand continued to stroke her back. "It must be fate that we found each other."

"Misfits in a normal world?" Taiyra giggled again.

"Come together at last." Tesio added. He pulled her closer and hugged her tightly. "If there be gods, may they smile on us fondly."

Taiyra stretched her neck to kiss his chin. "That's pretty."

Tesio ran his fingers along the base of her neck. "It's something we used to say in the order. I always thought it was a strange saying for a bunch of paladins, and I have no idea how the tradition started, but it's always stayed with me."

Taiyra laid her head back on his chest. "I like it. May the gods smile on us fondly."

Tesio nodded lazily and laid his head back again. "You know, an occasional smile wouldn't hurt that up-tight friend of yours, either."

"You mean Matna?" She asked. "She seems to have a lot on her mind. Hopefully another day or two out here will convince her to relax and enjoy the peace. There's enough hatred and violence for all of us just a few miles away."

"True that." Tesio replied. Suddenly, he rolled their bodies until he was on top of the doe, playfully pinning her beneath him. "But I don't want to think about the ugliness out there when I can concentrate on the beauty right here." He grinned as he slowly dragged his tusks along the sides of her throat, causing her to squirm in pleasure beneath him.

Taiyra giggled and tried to hold still but could not stop the twitches her body made while he tickled her. She reached up to grab him about the waist and pulled him tighter against her. She tried to wrap her legs around his own, but the jruu placed his knees against her thighs to hold her in place.

In no hurry, Tesio tilted his head. With careful placement of his long tusks, he was able to kiss and nibble his way down the doe's neck, causing her to writhe and moan beneath him. Her fingers pressed into his skin, attempting to pull him down closer. "Shhh." He whispered against her skin. "Relax and enjoy. We're in no hurry here."

"Tesio..." Taiyra whined as his mouth reached the crook of her shoulder.

"Yes?" He asked playfully, plucking gently at her skin with his pointed teeth.

"I... I need..." She gasped. "I need you to-"

"To?" He exhorted her while moving his attentions lower still. One of his hands began to stroke her side, slowly making its way down to caress the top of her leg

"To stop teasing me!" She demanded with a laugh.

Suddenly a loud pounding sounded at their door before it burst open, bright sunlight splashing into the room. The interrupted lovers looked to the figure standing in the doorway, surprised to find a panicked Matna. "It's- It's my husband!" She panted, bending over to lean against her knees as she fought to catch her breath. "He's... he needs help! Fast! Please!"

Tesio scrambled to his feet and ran to the stricken doe, placing a hand on her back. "What's wrong with him? Where is he?"

Matna stood back up, subtly stepping away and turning to free herself of the agua's touch. "I'll show you. Come on!"

Taiyra began to rise to follow, but Tesio waved her back down. "Wait here. I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll send Matna back if I need you." He gave her a wink, then turned to face the other druid again, his expression worried. "Ok. Lead the way."

"Do you... need to dress first?" Matna asked, pointing down at his unclothed body.

"If your husband is hurt enough for you to come crashing in unannounced, then there's no time to waste." He replied.

Matna nodded and swiftly led him away. Pulling the fur blanket around herself, Taiyra could only watch them go with a look of concern scrunching her features.

Matna ran fast, Tesio barely able to keep up even with his long-legged stride, but she made sure not to lose him as she bolted past the edge of the village. They kept running until they reached the edge of a plateau. Matna stopped several feet from the edge and again bent double to catch her breath. "There." She panted, pointing to the edge. "Over... the edge."

"What?!" Tesio exclaimed and rushed to the indicated spot. He knelt down to look over the edge, his head swaying back and forth as he sought out the dwarf's body. "Where? I don't see any sign of him." He said as he rose back to his feet and turned to look at the druid. "Hey! What is this?"

Matna sneered at him hatefully, pointing a wooden staff in his direction. "I think it's time we had a little talk."

Tesio raised his hands in surrender, his eyes narrowing as they focused on her face instead of her weapon. "Talk? Is that all you wanted? You could have just asked, you know."

"And given you the chance to hide behind Taiyra again?" The druid growled. "I don't think so." She lowered the staff threateningly, pointing it at the jruu's unprotected abdomen. "Now tell me what I want to know or learn how to fly."

"Hide behind- Now you wait just one minute here!" Tesio demanded, taking a step forward as his hands fell back to his sides.

Matna jerked the staff downward and sent a bolt of magic into the ground at his feet. From the ground burst thorny roots that swiftly coiled around his ankles and calves. Large thorns pierced his soft skin, drawing beads of blue blood. "Do not make me repeat myself, agwa." She warned.

Tesio winced and once more raised his hands in defeat, deciding not to struggle against the vines. "Fine." He said in resignation. "But leave Taiyra out of this. She's done nothing wrong."

Matna snorted derisively, her tail whipping behind her in agitation. "She's an over-grown milk calf. You're the one somehow controlling her, making her behave the way she does. I want to know why. And what is your connection to the MidKnight?"

.Tesio looked confused. "Me? Controlling her? MidKnight? Did those rovers hit your head too hard or something? You're not making any sense."

Matna snarled, lips pulling away from her teeth, and stepped closer until the tip of her staff was nearly touching the trapped agua. "Don't you dare try to lie to me! I don't want to kill you, but I will. Personally, though, I don't think you don't deserve such an easy fate, traitor."

Tesio stiffened, color draining from his already pale blue skin. "Look, I don't know what your problem here is," He said, "but maybe we can talk it out safely away from-" He then made a lunge for the staff, attempting to wrench it free from the druid's hands, but her grip was like iron.

Matna jerked the staff free and stumbled backwards while Tesio remained trapped by the vines. As she pointed it at the jruu, a stream of magic shot from the old wood. A golden shield of light surrounded Tesio just before he was struck, splitting the stream of magic in two and sending it off to either side of him. The druid screeched in frustration and poured more energy into the staff, sending it toward the protective shield.

Inside the protective bubble, Tesio held out his arms, pushing against the air as he held back an invisible force. His muscles strained and bulged, the thorns digging deeper into the tender skin of his ankles as he fought to hold his ground.

"Your master can not protect you forever, traitor!" Matna screamed, taking a step forward as she tried to break through the shield. The staff itself began to glow faintly as its outpouring of magic increased further still.

Tesio bared his teeth as he struggled to hold off the onslaught, his feet slipping further across the grass and toward the edge of the plateau. The vines began to fray and snap as he inched further from their grasp, the thorns tearing deep gashes in his skin as they were wrenched away. The light of the shield began to fade as it got weaker. "Can't... last... much longer." Tesio said through gritted teeth. "But... I must!"

As he was pushed further back, the vines finally gave way, tearing more deep rents in the flesh of his legs. Blood pooled beneath him, making the ground even more slippery. He felt the lip of the cliff face creeping up on his heel. He tried to dig his toes into the soft soil, doing his best to resist, but he was only growing weaker while the magic against him grew stronger. Muttering a soft prayer for his soul to find rest, he prepared for the end. His breath came in ragged gasps and his strained muscles threatened to give out. Unable to maintain his shield any longer, he threw his arms out to his sides, allowing the spell to dissipate.

Just as the last of his protections faded to nothing, a golden blur swooped between the battlers and the druid's magic was gone. The two stood face to face with only air between them, both looking befuddled. The staff was gone, and with it came an immediate cease to the druid's attack.

They both looked in the direction the blur had gone and saw the staff resting on the ground, tight in the grip of a large golden eagle. The eagle's sharp eyes studied them both closely before the animal let out an inquisitive chitter.

Matna stood rooted in place, looking dumbfounded at the eagle. The bird fluffed up its feathers before they began to melt and moments later Taiyra stood in its place, Matna's staff in her hand. "Sorry for interrupting." She said in her usual cheerful manner. "Your little dual looked like it was really heating up there, but I needed to let sister Matna know the good news." She approached slowly, the staff carried loosely but carefully. "I found your husband. He's perfectly safe and perfectly healthy. He was just asleep." She smiled broadly and walked between the two of them, looking from one face to the other.

"That's good to know." Matna said flatly, her own eyes falling to the staff in her hands.

"What are you doing here?" Tesio asked in a breathless pant. "Are you alright?" His body trembled, threatening to collapse under him.

"I'm fine, love." She looked down at his torn legs and frowned slightly. "Oh, let me take care of that for you." She knelt down and placed her free hand on his leg, sending healing life energy flowing into him until his wounds disappeared.

"If you don't mind," Matna said, stepping closer and reaching for the staff, "I'll just take that."

Taiyra rose back up and turned to face the other druid, her welcoming smile still plastered on her face, but the staff was subtly moved just out of reach. The movement was done so smoothly that Matna couldn't even be sure it was done on purpose. "Do you have any wounds that need attending, Sister Matna?" She asked cheerfully.

"No. No, I'm perfectly fine." She replied, again reaching for the staff, but again denied as the other druid stepped aside. "If you could just be so kind as to return my-"

"Well I'm glad you're both alright now." She interrupted. "I'm sure you're eager to go see your husband now that he's been found."

"Of course." Matna muttered. "But first I need my-"

"Oh, I'm sorry." Taiyra interrupted again. "You must be tired. I'm afraid I didn't bring anything to ride you back on."

"I don't need a ride." Matna snapped. "I need-"

"After all, you both look worn out after your...." Taiyra's smile faded slightly as she looked back and forth between the combatants. "Your, uh..."

"It was just a simple misunderstanding." Tesio answered, stepping up to stand next to Taiyra. "But I think we're alright now. Right, _sister_Matna?" Without waiting for her to reply he turned back to the his lover. "I have some things to take care of. And, uh, some pants to put back on. So I'll see you back at the village." He took her hand in his and raised it to his lips, then released it as he began walking back to the village in the distance.

Taiyra watched him walk away for a few moments, then turned her attention back to the other druid. Her smile only faded slightly, but it was enough for Matna to notice. A heavy silence settled over the pair but neither of them seemed willing to break it. Another glance over Taiyra's shoulder showed her that the agua was far out of hearing range. She turned back to Matna and smiled again. "So what happened?" Her voice was quiet and patient.

"You heard your master." Matna snapped. "A simple disagreement. Now give me back my staff so I can return be on my way as well."

Taiyra ignored the demand. She tilted her head as she walked to the torn ground where her lover had previously stood. The remains of the vines had already browned and withered away to dried husks. The grass was torn and flattened, blue blood splashed across some of the blades and pooling in small puddles on the soil. The silence was heavy with expectation as she turned her patient gaze back to the other druid.

"We were...discussing the war." Matna answered the unspoken question in the other druid's eyes. "I suppose things... got a little out of hand."

"Is there a reason you dislike Tesio so much? I know our people have never been on the most friendly of terms, but it must be more than that." She asked and took a step closer to the other doe. "Has he said or done something to upset you? I can talk to him if that's the case. Even mediate between you if need be."

Matna raised her chin and snorted. She began to wonder if the young doe was sharper than she had given her credit for. "Well, I may as well tell you." She said in a huff. "I believe him to be a traitor to us all."

Taiyra's eyes widened in surprise and her mouth opened to form an "O". "A traitor? What makes you say that?"

"He's hiding something, I just know it." Matna snarled. "It's a feeling I have, deep in my gut. He's working with the MidKnight somehow. And you're just too naive to see that he's using you for some... nasty plan of his."

The smile slowly returned to Taiyra's face. "We all have our secrets, sister." She spoke slowly, as if explaining a difficult concept to a young calf. "But he's never even met Nadirah. How could he help her?" She shook her head and walked over to Matna, offering the staff. "I think you need some more rest, sister. You're really not well." Turning her back on the other druid, she began to walk away.

"Stop calling me that!" Matna screamed at her retreating form. "You are not my felking sister! You're just some naive, lust-blinded, stupid little whore who is too busy fucking the enemy to recognize what's right in front of your face!"

Taiyra whirled around to face the other druid. Matna gripped her staff tightly and prepared to face the doe's indignation and rage. Her own fury boiled hotly, sending her heart racing. She was not ready for the look of pity that greeted her instead. "What's happened to you, sister Matna?" Taiyra asked, voice on the edge of breaking. Her eyes glistened wetly as tears began to gather. "What has been done to you that you seek your comfort from the darkness and your pleasures from inflicting pain on those who care about you?" She began to walk back toward the other doe. "You're so bitter. It radiates off of you like the heat of a fire, burning us all." As she reached the other druid, she hugged her without hesitation. Tears fell freely, soaking the fur of Matna's neck. "Whatever it is, I promise you're not alone. You don't have to suffer like this. Not alone."

Confusion held Matna tightly in its grip. She stood perfectly still as she was hugged, unsure of what to do. Her thoughts had become a tangled mess, whirling around in her head. "It's... just a part of me... I guess." She stuttered, struggling to form coherent thoughts. "I don't... I don't have any choice." The heat of her anger began to ebb, replaced by befuddlement. She sensed no animosity from the other druid. The druid that had, in truth, saved her life. The druid that had been nothing but kind to her and her own nontraditional partner.

Taiyra leaned back to look Matna in the eye, her own red rimmed and still wet. Her hands clung tightly to Matna's arms. "That's not true. There is always a choice. Always."

"What do you know about it." She replied bitterly. "My entire family is dead. I'm married to a dwarf that's disgusting even to his own people's standards. And thanks to that idiot who calls himself the king of undeath, the very land is becoming diseased and poisoned! It cries out in pain with every step I take! So don't you dare presume to lecture me about suffering and choice, sister." Matna spat out the last word as if it were bitter in her mouth.

Instead of offense, Taiyra's sympathy only deepened, her wet eyes becoming a mirror of Matna's own pain. "Sun." She whispered so softly that Matna could barely hear it. Quiet though it was, the single word, spoken in the tarous tongue, was heavy with deep regret and hints of knowledge best kept to the darkness of secrecy. "You are quite right." She spoke in a normal tone, all trace of mourning abandoned. "I will never know the true depths of your suffering. But if you'll let me, I'd like to help you carry your burden." She smiled again, her face full of hope and the offer of friendship.

Matna was dumbstruck. She realized she had completely misjudged the other doe. Taiyra was not simple at all, nor was she as innocent of the world's hardships as she had thought. She also realized that the other druid had to be just as sensitive to the ills of the soil as she was, if not moreso. "You know," She muttered softly. "I think I am still a little tired. I, uh... I think I'm going to go get some more rest."

Taiyra hugged her tightly again and Matna felt her anger melt away like snow in summer, leaving only the grief that she had been hiding below it for so long. "Rest well, sister. We will talk more when you feel better." She finally released the other druid from her embrace. "If you need anything, please feel welcome to come find me."

Matna opened and closed her mouth several times before she gave up on trying to speak. Turning away, she shifted to the form of a great black owl and flew off in the direction of the village. Taiyra watched her until she was out of sight, then sighed deeply. The smile slipped off of her face and she fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands. From her mouth came a loud bray of mourning, followed by great sobs that shook her body violently.

For several minutes the young druid cried until she was reduced to hiccups. Finally she rose back to her feet, wiped the tears from her unpainted face, and replaced her lost smile. She then turned in the direction of the village and began to walk back.

Tesio opened his eyes slowly as he felt Taiyra shifting against him. Trapped inside of her nightmare, she whimpered and curled up tightly against him as if seeking protection from him. "It's alright." He whispered in her ear. "You're safe now."

It had become their nightly ritual. When the terrors came, he would hold her tighter and tell her over and over that she was safe until she finally relaxed again. Tesio had no idea what the nightmare was about, she would always wake with a smile for him and claim to have no knowledge of any dreams.

"It's alright now." He repeated. "You're safe now, I promise." He curled his long arms protectively around her and pulled her tightly against his chest, willing away whatever monsters haunted her mind. "I won't let anything hurt you." His hands gently rubbed her back.

The small druid let out another soft cry and a single muffled word came from her lips. "Awa." It was spoken softly and rounded at the edges, as if said by a calf still learning their words. "Awaaaa." She said again.

Tesio had once asked her what the word meant, and she had said that it meant Sun in her language. "I'll even fight both of the suns if I have to." He whispered into her ear. "I won't let anything or anyone ever hurt you. I promise."

Finally the druid stilled. A smile curled her lips. She nuzzled against the agwa's chest and let out a sigh of contentment. Tesio kept his arms wrapped tightly around her and began to relax. It was over. He lifted one hand to gently stroke her mane, one finger trailing playfully along her ear. Her soft breath was warm against the skin of his chest. He hugged her tightly again, thankful that she had wandered into his life and wondering how he had ever survived without her. As the minutes passed, he came to a decision and his resolve grew firmer with every passing hour.

When the doe finally stirred again, Tesio loosened his grip and looked down at her. "Good morning, sleepy head." He said when she tilted her head to look up at him. "Sleep alright?"

Taiyra smiled up at him, her expression almost as bright as the sunshine itself. "It is a good morning, isn't it." She replied, tucking her head back against his chest. "A good morning to sleep in."

Tesio chuckled and rested his tusks on the back of her neck. "The sunrise is particularly beautiful today, isn't it." He felt her shake against him as she laughed. He smiled to himself and waited for her to calm before he spoke again. "So, I've been doing some thinking. And I know it's a little early, so I don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you at all or anything, I want you to take as much time as you want to figure out your answer."

Taiyra looked up at him, ears perked inquisitively. "Answer? About what?"

Tesio's expression softened as he looked into her eyes. Their blue depths were as bright and endless as the sky itself. He could easily lose himself in her gaze. "About whether or not you would agree," He paused to allow the tension of her curiosity to build, "To be my life mate."

"Of course I would." She replied without hesitation. Her tone held a soft chiding note, as if any other answer was unthinkable. After giving him a soft peck on the chin, she buried her head back against his chest. "After I get a little more sleep."

Tesio laughed heartily and hugged her tightly against himself. He couldn't remember ever feeling happier than at that moment. And with Taiyra at his side, he knew he would only grow happier.

A few short hours later and the pair were kneeling before each other. Taiyra selected a small section of her mane and braided it tightly. She then drew a small ceremonial dagger from its case and cut off the braid. Tesio remained as still as he could as she reached over and wove the soft braid into his own stiffer hair. The braid was attached just behind his ear and came to rest against the side of his neck.

Following suit, he twisted a lock of his own bristly mane into the best braid he could before taking the dagger from her. It took several passes to cut all of the thick strands, but eventually the lock came away and he was able to easily weave it into Taiyra's mane in a similar spot.

Once done, they both leaned back to admire their work. Tesio reached up to gently stroke the soft hair and smiled. He could not think of a time in his life when he had ever been happier..

"So... How is mated life treating you?" Taiyra joked.

Tesio grinned and reached out to stroke his mate's cheek. "Better than I ever could have imagined."

A knock on the door interrupted their bliss. Tesio groaned and hung his head. Taiyra smiled at his antics but turned her head toward the door. "Yes? What is it?"

"I'm sorry to bother you," came an unfamiliar voice. "But there's a human and a wood elf that just wandered into the village. Said they're looking for a tarin druid with an unusual companion. I assume they came from the fort, come to fetch you back early."

"Thank you for bringing us the news." Taiyra replied. "Tell them we will be there in a moment."

"It must be bad if they sent us escorts instead of just a messenger." Tesio said worriedly. "If our strongholds get over-run..."

"I suppose we'll find out when we talk to them." She calmly replied, rising to dress. Tesio watched her as she slipped into her decorative leather garments, then began to paint her face in the traditional manner. He slipped into his own trousers and tunic quickly, barely removing his eyes from the doe. "Is everything alright?" She finally asked him.

"Better than I ever could have imagined." He replied. She gave him a beaming smile and added the final symbol to her facial decorations before finally picking up a long wooden staff. The staff covered in decorative carvings. The bottom was cut into the shape of a deer's foot while the top had an elaborate carving of the top half of a leaping kerstaug. Tesio assumed it was the one she had inherited from her mentor.

Once suitably dressed, the pair gathered the rest of their meager possessions and joined hands, walking out of the cottage together. They were surprised to see a high elf waiting for them a few feet away. "This way, please." He said without introducing himself, and walked away in the expectation that they would follow. As they reached the communal fire in the middle of the village, Taiyra caught sight of the waiting human and wood elf. The pair chatted nervously to each other while occasionally throwing out glances around the village. They rose to their feet as they caught sight of the high elf leading them closer.

The high elf stopped when he was in front of them and held out his hand to indicate the human. "Kai." He moved his hand to point at the wood elf. "Ryllae." He then pointed to the druid. "Taiyra Sunmourn and companion." Introductions over, he walked away without further comment.

Kai looked Taiyra over a moment before speaking. "So... you're the druid?"

Taiyra nodded, causing the charms on her horns to clink softly. "I am. Are you from the fort?"

Both Kai and Ryllae looked at each other in surprise before turning their eyes back to the druid. "I suppose you could say that." Kai replied warily. He then turned his gaze onto Tesio, immediately spotting the cord of braided tarin mane. "Neither of you are quite what we expected."

"I get that a lot." Tesio joked.

"Yes... well..." Kai said, scratching the back of his neck as he tried to decide what to make of the strange pair. "Hopefully you'll be willing to help us. We've come a long way and we would appreciate any assistance you would be willing to lend. We heard about the fight."

"Oh. That was just a small misunderstanding." Taiyra replied. She gave her mate's hand a squeeze. "Everything is fine now."

Again, Kai and Ryllae exchanged worried looks. "Fine? What do you mean by that?"

Taiyra shared a look with Tesio before turning back to the other pair. "We worked everything out." She said. "She's been under a lot of stress and really just needed an outlet. But we're all friends now."

The wood elf stepped forward. "That's lovely and all, but we really need to take her back with us. Someone very important wants to see her, and is putting Kai and I through a lot of trouble to find her. So if you really are her friend, it would be in all of our best interests to help us find her."

"Find her?" Tesio asked. "Who wants her and why? Why all the trouble?"

"If sister Matna has caused any trouble, then I'm sure it was simply a misunderstanding. I'm sure it can be worked out peacefully." Taiyra added.

Human and wood elf exchanged another look. "Sister Matna? Who is that?" They asked in unison.

Confusion spread among the small group. "Isn't that who you're seeking?" Taiyra asked.

"No." Kai responded. "Wait, is that who- ok. I think we all need to get on the same page here."

"We are seeking the MidKnight, Nadirah Wolfcaller." Ryllae took over. "We were told you two were the last to see her. Although," She paused a moment to look over Tesio. "We were also told that he was a dwarf."

This time it was Taiyra and Tesio that exchanged knowing looks. "Matna." They said together.

Taiyra went to fetch the other druid while Tesio stayed behind. Several minutes of awkward silence passed before the trio came trotting over to join them. A look of relief washed over the faces of both Kai and Ryllae as they realized that they had finally found the correct druid. After brief introductions were made, Kai immediately asked for the location of the MidKnight.

Matna's ears drooped. "If I knew that, I would be there with her." The druid explained. "I was able to follow her for a time. I'd finally caught up with her after she escaped. But then some strange beastlord intervened and let her escape in the middle of the night. I looked, but I couldn't find any trace of her after that."

"Beastlord?" Kai repeated. "Naked? Wears a hide mask and has an albino hyolf for a pet?"

"Sounds like you ran into her as well." Matna said.

"Yes, something along those lines." Ryllae answered.

"And you're sure the MidKnight hasn't been seen since?" Kai added.

Matna shook her head. "Not even so much as a whisper."

Taiyra smiled slightly to herself and brought her mouth to Tesio's ear. "All of these people looking for Nadirah. All of them ending up here. What a small world this seems to be." The jruu nodded but kept his expression neutral.

Kai sighed and looked at the gathered group. "Well, it seems obvious that all four of you know this MidKnight in some way or other. So-"

"Um, pardon me." Tesio interrupted, raising his hand. "I, uh, do not actually know this MidKnight everyone keeps talking about. Never met her, so all I know is what I've heard."

Kai shot the jruu an angry glare. "Fine. It's obvious that at least more than one of you here are familiar with the MidKnight, Nadirah Wolfcaller. So, do any of you have any guesses about where she might be heading?"

"If she didn't come this way," Matna spoke up next. "Then there's only one other place someone that vile and evil could go to hide out." She fell silent as she stared angrily off into the distance.

"And that would be..." Kai prompted. The dwarf replied, but his accent was so thick that the human couldn't make any sense of the words. "What did he say?"

"Something about eilam pie, I think?" Tesio answered unhelpfully.

"Really? Because I thought I heard him say salt mines." Taiyra said.

"He said, the Ruined City." Matna finally spoke again. "And that's exactly where we're headed next."