It
had been raining all day and the wind was abnormally strong for this area of
Faydwer. Typically the extremely tall trees surrounding the city of
Kelethin kept the winds to a bare minimum, but it seemed as if the goddess of
nature, Tunare, the Great Mother herself were upset with the world today.
Rachel glanced up through the trees and cursed the rain as it dripped from the
high branches above and drenched her leather tunic. The weather was not helping
in her task today. Her brother had been hiding for nearly 15 minutes now and she
was close to losing the bet.
She brushed her wet hair aside, stood straight and still and slowed her
breathing…becoming one with nature, sensing all that was around her. That was
when she noticed it. A small tree in the corner of her eye that actually shook
itself dry. She smiled. He hated to be wet.
She carefully turned, not knowing if he could actually see her from this angle.
With the darkness that naturally came from this dense forest, her elven
infravision was a necessity. She took some small steps forward, trying not to
let the harsh weather give her away. With a small gesture of her hand, a crackle
was heard from the sky and a small lightning bolt sparked down and ignited the
base of the small tree.
"Ouch!" The tree was now bouncing in place, a small fire brewing at
its base. After a few moments the fire was out and the branches twisted and
shrunk back into the form of a wood-elf.
"I can't believe you actually set my boots on fire.” Zeoran snapped as he
sat down on a nearby rock, still rubbing his feet.
"You never said how I had to find you dear brother." Rachel
grinned as she once again brushed her wet hair from her face and stood in front
of him.
Zeoran stood and tried to find a dry place under a tree. "How'd you know it
was me? I just perfected that spell yesterday…even mom doesn't know I can do
it yet."
Rachel walked over and stood next to him. "Thank Tunare for rain big
brother. Although I don't know why mom seems to think you're some kind of
special servant of the Mother."
Zeoran shrugged, "Isn't that what mothers are supposed to think?"
"I don't know, I think she uses it as a defense against dad. He was pretty
upset when she challenged him on your training."
"We'd better get back before dinner."
"Don't forget, you're on cleanup for a month now!" Rachel beamed as
she broke into a quick run through the forest. He couldn't help but love his
sister, even when she was winning.
The rain had stopped by the time they reached their home high in the tree city
of Kelethin. Rachel, of course, had arrived first; using the shortcuts she
always seemed to know. She was definitely her father's daughter.
Their father, Robin Tillgreen, was a prominent member of the ranger guild
Faydark's Champions and an Elder Ranger. The Head Ranger, Maesyn Trueshot
himself had been over for dinner quite frequently over the years and their home
had even served as the council meeting place on more than one occasion.
Zeoran,
on the other hand, was his mother's son. Aleena Tillgreen, a priestess of
Tunare, had taught him all she knew in the ways of the Great Mother and the
protection of the forest. He had shown a tremendous aptitude for the magical
arts at a remarkably early age and Aleena had put her foot down when it came to
teaching him the druid skills. Robin had fought fiercely to have his son follow
in his footsteps and to one day pass on his Champion's badge to his son. But
Aleena won out in the end and Zeoran trained as a Soldier of Tunare, the druid
guild, learning the ways of nature and how to truly listen to the forest and
harness its power.
The evening's meal went well, and Rachel recited the day's activities including
her victory over her brother as he meekly cleaned the table, his scowl
signifying his awaiting revenge.
The night that followed was peaceful… entirely too peaceful. Zeoran crawled
out of bed and crouched in the corner, a dark, sinking feeling overtaking him.
Moments
later, his mother entered and crouched down beside him. In a voice barely above
a whisper she asked, "You feel it too?"
"What is it? What's wrong?" He pleaded quietly. "Something just
doesn't feel right."
"It's the presence of Innoruuk, my son. The Teir'Dal have arrived."