A/N Hey guys. I'm actually going to be reuploading all of these stories I have on here, and they will be infinitely better, I promise. The only catch it that it takes me a loooooooong time to edit/rewrite/get rid of the whole thing and start over on these chapters, so be patient my little readers, and the magic will come. SO sit back and enjoy the new and improved Druid! ^.^
Jademyn. That was the name given to me on the day of my birth, 22 years ago. It was a name that would bring honor and fortune to her people, a name that would carry weight in all kingdoms, it would strike fear into her enemies' hearts. A name that would belong to a legend. This is my story.
It all started 4 years ago, in a small village atop Red Cloud Mesa, known as Camp Narache. From a very young age, I was given a choice about what I wanted to become, a plated warrior, a totem-wielding shaman, or even a pet-commanding hunter, but ever since I was a youngling, barely old enough to walk, nature has spoken to me in ways unexplainable, and I made my mind up very early, I was going to be a druid. When the time came for me to put all of my years of training to the test, I passed with flying colors. My first quest was given to me by Grull Hawkwind, an honorable Tauren of my tribe and the Chief's son, and one who was like an older brother to me. He wanted me to prove my worth to the tribe; I was to bring some plainstrider meat back to the village because we were running dangerously low on food. "Yes, shteawa (A/N Means brother) I will return with meat for our camp" and I ran out into the open plains. The tall golden grass was waving around my waist in the wind, and the sounds of calling birds and blowing wind echoed throughout the plains. Moments later, I spot a large featherless bird, and immediately recognize it. This is a plainstrider. I attack the creature with full force, casting spells and channeling nature's Wrath through my body, and towards the large animal standing only yards away from me. The first blast hits the beast in the neck, causing it to become dazed for a few seconds, and once it regained its senses, it rushed me with horrifying speed and anger. I could see each muscle in the beautiful creature's body moving in harmony to propel the beast forward. I quickly regain my senses and before it can reach me, I cast another bout of Wrath at the beast and it falls. I walk over to the plainstrider and sadly collect the meat from its bones. "Shte hale al Por-ah" (A/N means Rest with the Earthmother) I bless the beast, gather the meat and talons I've managed to scavenge from the beautiful animal, and run back to camp.
I arrive back at camp, and begin looking around for my brother. I soon spot Grull just outside a large leather tent, and I jog over to him, retrieving the meat from my bags. I stand in front of my older "brother" and hold out the meat triumphantly in front of me. Grull laughs a hearty laugh and takes the meat from my hands. "Good work, kashu kee (A/N means young one), you've done well. I'm very impressed with the speed you were able to complete this quest. I'm proud to be your older brother." I smile happily and swish my tail from side to side as Grull pats the top of my head. "Thank you shteawa. I try my best to help the camp." "Loman (A/N means father) was looking for you, Jade, you may want to find him. He seemed rather put out." I nod and take my leave, immediately turning to the longhouse near the center of the camp. I poke my head in and look around, soon spotting Chief Hawkwind pacing in the left wing of the building. "Ai'ah (A/N means chief), are you well?" I say quietly, but just loud enough for him to hear me. "Oh, Jade, good afternoon. Kashu shush, (A/N means young druid) what brings you here?" He says, turning to me and smiling. "I heard that you were in distress, Ai'ah, and I was worried. Would you tell me what is on your mind, loman?" At these words, his face was clouded over by worry. His front of happiness and joy was replaced with sadness and concern, and as I met his eyes, I could feel the worry, and I began to worry as well. "Shush, (A/N means druid) Shtumanialo (A/N Means Greatmother) Hawkwind went out to retrieve water from the well just east of here. This isn't an uncommon event, however, this time she went alone, although she has been explicitly instructed not to leave the village without an escort. The ishne'alo (A/N means quilboars) have been aggressive this awak, (A/N means fall (The season)) more so than usual for the primal creatures. With them roaming around and encroaching upon our territory more and more every day, it becomes increasingly harder to keep those of us who leave the camp alone safe. I need you to find washte, (A/N means mother) shush, and bring her back here safely. Please, Jade. I couldn't stand the thought of her…" I nod silently at the Tauren, who took me in years ago when my parents were injured and captured in the last battle with the Alliance in Mulgore, and whom I respected more than anyone else I knew. "Yes, loman" I said, on one knee, and he immediately composed himself again, then saluted me and bowed, speaking, "You are dismissed," Chief Hawkwind says, as he turns back around and sits on his bed, head in his hands. I watch him for a moment, feeling worried about him, but then decide I need to leave. I stand, brushing the dirt and bugs off my pants, leave the longhouse, giving my eyes time to adjust to the bright sun, and run east, intent on finding Greatmother Hawkwind as soon as I could, so loman would not have to worry anymore.
The plains are bright, and hot as the fire that burns in the center of the camp every night. I can see the well far in the distance, warped and shifting from the intense heat. I can see a tall figure standing there, and I think that that it's moving, but it may just be the heat making me see things. I run as fast as I can to reach the well, hoping that it's the Greatmother, and if it was, that she was safe. On my way over, I'm not paying attention to anything around me, and out of nowhere I am thrown to the ground by something large and heavy. I look around, and see a Swoop, making a loop to come back around and attack again. Before it can reach me, I call down a beam from the heavens, and the animal is struck with a pillar of purple light, causing the bird to fall to the ground, still taking damage, and I take this as a chance to get my distance to cast Wrath and kill the animal, so I can get to the Greatmother. I get at least ten yards away, turn around and cast the spell as the bird gets up and begins to fly towards me at high speed. Right before the bird's beak makes contact with my face, my spell is unleashed, and it blasts the animal's wing, destroying it and killing the giant carrion bird. I gather what I can, any still good feathers, its immaculate beak, and its gizzard. I then begin to run towards the well gain, this time watching my back and making sure I don't get attacked again. I soon arrive at the large well. I see a Tauren's horn duck around the backside of the well cover, and I go over to see what it was. It is Greatmother Hawkwind, and she is injured. "Shtumanialo!" I call and run over to her as she collapses. "Shtumanialo! What happened? You're hurt, what attacked you? Was it the ishne'alo?" She looks up at me weakly and shakes her head slowly. "No, my dear neashushamen, (A/N means granddaughter) the ishne'alo are not to blame for this. I was jumped by some goblins just north of here, and they took my talisman. I do not want you to get hurt, let us go back to camp, and we will be safe. You must continue on your journey, I know you will be a great Neanok (A/N means Tauren)one day, Jademyn shush. But until that day, you must train and become stronger. Do it for your family, and for your camp." I nod, tears forming in the corners of my eyes as I lift her over my shoulder and carry her back to camp.
I dodge and outrun all of the Swoops and Savannah Prowlers chasing me, and only get stopped by a flock of Swoops, and I bob and weave between all of them, getting hit only a few times, and before I know it I'm back in camp. As I enter camp, Brave Running Wolf rushes over to us, and offers to take her from me. "This is my burden to bear. Let me do this!" I say, and dodge past him, into the spirit lounge and soon I spot my master. "Master Mistrunner! ShtumanialoHawkwind is injured and she needs medical attention!" I call out breathily, out of air from the run. "Jademyn, no abalo (A/N means my child), what is wrong?" I carefully place the Greatmother on the deer hide rug at my master's feet and look up at him, worried. "This is a grave situation indeed. Abalo (A/N means child), now is the time for you to learn how to channel the life force of nature into a being. I will teach you Rejuvenation." He walks forward and places his hand on one of my cuts, and I watch him carefully. He closes his eyes, and within moments I see a green light flow from his hands into my wound, and it is healed instantly. "Tanka chi, Aloaki (A/N means Thank you, Master). It feels better already. How can I do this spell? I don't understand how you have done this." He chuckles quietly and moves to stand in front of me, barely a head taller. "You must feel Por-ah's life force, and you must ask her if you can use it. If you ask correctly, she will grant you the power to use this spell as you wish," He places a large hand on my shoulder and continues "Sechalo (A/N means student), you have always been adept at speaking to nature. I have no doubt that Por-ah (A/N means Earthmother)will grant you control over a part of her being. I believe that Por-ah has seen all you have done to help your tribe members, and nature, and that she respects each and every one of us, and there is no reason for that to be untrue for any one of us. Especially you, abalo." I smile at my master, the one who has kept me safe these twelve years my parents have been gone, and the one who helped me to speak to nature, and to become closer to Por-ah, the Earthmother, our guardian, our deity as a people. I nod and slowly make my way over to the Greatmother, take a deep breath, and kneel next to her. I place my hands on her ribs, where the damage has been done, and I close my eyes.
I can see nothing but darkness for a few short seconds, but then…something bright, a long stream of…light. Just looking at it makes me feel safe, as though I belong in this world of darkness, and I follow it, wanting to know what it is and where it will lead me. After what seemed like hours, I find the end of this bright river of light, and this world of darkness explodes with light and color, and the first thing I see is a beautiful lake. The water is clear, and sparkling, and I can see fish swimming in it, even from yards away. The grass here is the most vibrant green I've ever experienced, and the sky was a beautiful shade of blue. As I take in my surroundings, I suddenly feel the aura of something…powerful coming from behind me. This power is not something to be afraid of, rather, quite the opposite, it makes me feel safe. As though I could never be hurt or scared again. It also emanated an intense feeling…what you would call "love," in all senses of the word. I felt cared for, and beloved by this being I have yet to see, and when I turn around I am greeted by the most beautiful being I have ever laid my eyes upon. She is tall, and slim. Her hair is made of vines, with flowers tied in, and her face dons the look of a mother looking upon her newborn child for the first time. She smells of fresh cut grass, and newly fallen cherry blossoms. Her eyes display a sort of unspeakable power, but it is not pressuring. It is welcoming, and lovely. Her robes are made of strips of tree bark on the top, much like a corset, and palm leaves make the skirt, all woven together into a masterpiece.
"Welcome, no abalo," The woman says, and there is an emotion in her voice that is unexplainable, like a mixture of love and…sadness? No, that's not quite it, more like…thoughtfulness. "My true name is Tivona, but you may know me as Por-ah. Your Earthmother." The moment she says her name, a gasp escapes my mouth and my eyes widen as I instantly drop to one knee, bowing my head in respect for my goddess. "What brings you here, abalo?" She says inquiringly, tilting her head to one side, her eyes, large and green with a faint light glowing within, carrying a look of confusion. With my head still down, I speak shakily, "Por-ah, I-I have c-come to ask for y-your permission to h-heal my s-shtumanialo. She h-has been greatly injured, Por-ah, and I have n-not the power to h-help her. I was t-told I could find that p-power within y-your life force." She laughs, a small, quiet sound, much like a chirping bird, and puts her finger underneath my chin, lifting my head to look at her. "I would appreciate it, abalo, if you would look at me when you spoke. We stand as equals here, so please, do not be frightened or nervous." I can see the joy in her eyes, and I feel like she is overjoyed to finally be able to meet another of her children. She spoke with sincerity, she truly wanted us to treat each other as equals. I stand, and she follows suit, towering at least two feet above me, as she clasps her hands in front of her and smiles happily, tilting her head to the side and letting out a small laugh. "Great. Now, shall we get to know each other?" She says happily, and in an instant, she is my size, her dress becoming fabric instead of plant life, and her hair becoming real, green as the vines it used to be, pulled back into a waist length braid, and a picnic blanket and basket full of food materializes out of nowhere.
She sits and opens the basket, setting the food out onto the blanket. She places a large jug of milk out, alongside a few bottles of Melon Juice. She adds a few loaves of Spice Bread and a few plates of Coyote Steaks. She straightens out the blanket, and then gently pats next to her and smiles up at me. "Here, take a seat and join me. I always enjoy getting to know my children." I shift uncomfortably, then walk carefully over to her and sit down. Her eyes light up with joy, literally, and she turns excitedly to me smiling brightly. "Jademyn, how is Abalo Mistrunner? It has been a while since he and I spoke." I turn to her and smile "He is well, Por-ah, and he is my teacher. He has taught me well, and I respect him for that. However, Por-ah, my shtumanialo is badly injured, and I must get back to heal her. I have been here much too long already." At these words, the light in her eyes dims a bit, and her face falls. "I promise I will visit again. But if I don't hurry, she may pass on. I apologize, but may I have permission to use Rejuvenation, and heal her injuries?" She nods quietly, and from her center, a green light appears and flows into me, as if going directly to my soul. The feeling is strange, my body is tingling where the light is entering, but also, the light seems to be warming my body up, the warmth radiating from my center to the outer reaches of my body. Once the energy transfer is done, the immense power of what just happened finally acts upon my body, sending me careening towards the ground, breathing heavily. I feel like someone has just punched me in the gut, but I also feel a surge of intense power resonating within my soul. "Go, abalo, and heal your precious shtumanialo, but do not forget your promise, because I will remember. Now please, save her. She is still one of my abalos and I would grieve her loss to the earth." I nod, thanking her, as she returns to her previous form, and suddenly I am back in the spirit lounge.
Everything is just as I left it. Master Mistrunner is still standing behind me, watching, and the Greatmother is still breathing, albeit a staggering, harsh one. "Sechalo, quickly, come on. Channel the life force, use Por-ah's gift." And at that moment I realize. No time has passed out here, it is as if I blinked my eyes, and it is now that I realize why Por-ah was so hurt when I told her I had to come back. I close my eyes, trying to contact her again, but nothing comes. I have hurt her without intention, and the thought of her sadness makes a tear fall from my eyes, and when I open them, I see that green light from before emanating from my palms, and Shtumanialo Hawkwind's wounds are healing rapidly, and in seconds she is completely healed. A look of shock adorns my Aloaki's face as he bends down to examine the wound. "Not a scratch left…amazing.." He says under his breath, not realizing I heard it. "Sechalo, I have never seen such a thorough healing done by a druid who has only learned the spell moments ago. How did your meeting with Por-ah go? I assume it went well, judging by the power of your spell. Was she well? It has been far too long since we had lunch in her realm…" I laugh quietly and nod "The meeting went well, Aloaki, and she was wondering about you as well. She seemed very happy to meet me, and everything about her made me feel…" "Loved. I know the feeling, Sechalo." Mistrunner says, interrupting me, smiling fondly, as if in memory, "Too long…" he says, once again under his breath, and once again, I hear it. I smile happily, and soon he breaks out of his trance, and he looks at me, all of a sudden urgently. "Sechalo, I almost forgot. Ai'ah Hawkwind was looking for you earlier, said he had a task for you after Shtumanialo was healed. You must go see him now. I will tend to her until she wakes." I nod, and walk slowly out the tent, the sunlight burning in my eyes, and start on my way towards the longhouse.