'Amidst the darkness there will be a light- a child born blessed of the keeper of nature- Tunare. She shall bear the name of holy fire, and live hidden among the faithful and the faithless until her spirit beckons her
forth from misery and pain. When that day comes hence, she shall stand
alone before the one darkness-the one evil-that time itself could not evade. Legend shall rise and darkness shall fall, lest the tides turn and
both see eye to eye in the end. '
Sacer' Adnexus Naturalis
"Let fate answer their call..."



Sweat dripped down the noble knights forehead as he knelt motionless
upon the blood slicked ground gasping nervously for air as he shook
wearily from battle. His sharp gray eyes pierced out from beneath his
silver-tarnished helm and glared with such intense hatred up and the
demons that stood before him and smirked at his lack of stamina. The
slightest flinch from his tired body would surrender the life of the
other knight held forcefully within their deadly grasps and that was
not a risk he was sure he was willing to take.

The woman smiled softly to the frightened boy and turned her hollow
red eyes to the other woman within the grasps of a giant, long-dead
corpse that hung upon her every move-every word- waiting for her next
command as he held his massive, bony fingers around the fragile neck
of his human victim. She slipped her dark indigo fingers through the
silky, blonde tresses of the frightened woman's hair and stained it
with the blood that still dripped from her hand. The woman pleaded
over and over for the decency of sparing her son the pain of watching
her failure and murder in a language that was not her own to keep the
knight before her from being able to understand the words that fell
from her mouth through tears of anguish. Yet her assailant just smiled
and turned her devilish gaze back to the mortified boy before her and
spoke to him with an accent unheard by his childlike ears.

"Tis' time for you to become a man." She said delicately as the
skeleton cackled hoarsely in the background over the horrendous
screams that echoed from the mouth of the woman he held. The grip
around the blonde woman's neck tightened and began to choke the icy
breath from her lungs and crack the bones under immense pressure. For
a few minutes she struggled violently- kicking forcefully and prying
at the gigantic, bony fingers with her puny hands.

Her son shouted through tears of pure hatred as he attempted to move
yet again to save the only companion he had ever known throughout his
life but found himself still like a stone statue unable to move, but
able to see and hear all. He succumbed to the fate that now laid
before him and released the tension in his muscles as he stopped
attempting to break the force that bound him to the very ground on
which he knelt. There was no use trying anymore- he had failed not
only his mother, but he had failed himself.

But, to his surprise, a low pounding echoed from behind him in
rhythmical beats similar to that of a steady drum. The pounding grew
louder and soon drowned out the cries of his dying mother and the
chaos around him. Time itself seem to slow as a gust of air sent a
chill up his spine and he glanced up to see a brilliant white steed
leaping over his head and an elf woman leap off it's majestic back and
onto the other demonic elf who stood dazed in shock. The two women
landed forcefully into the mud and lashed out at each other rapidly as
the horse reared up upon its hind legs and knocked the knights mother
free from the undead demons grasp.

The Tier' Dal woman kicked off her attacker and knocked the blade she
held far from her grasp. The other elf slipped in the mud as she
attempted to lift herself from the ground and evade the dagger wielded
by the indigo elf. Barely missing the strike, she managed to scoop up
her gleaming scimitar and spun around with her fist clenched tightly
as she swung hard for the woman's..........

The Merry Kelethin Life

"Ariana, watch what you're doing!" a man shouted quickly at the girl
who was enacting the scene beside him. Her eyes were shut tightly lost
in the bravery of the story as she too clenched her fist tightly
within her leather, fingerless gloves and swung around fully not
noticing the other man walking over to her side. Her armored knuckles
collided with full force at the bridge of the Wood-Elf's nose and sent
him tumbling to the wooden platform in pain. Upon feeling the
resistance, she opened her hazel eyes wide and closed her hand over
her widely opened mouth and gasped in horror.

"Oh, Tunare spite me!" she shouted as she quickly knelt down beside
the fallen man and attempted to help him off the ground. He quickly
shooed away her deadly hands and held his oil-covered fingers
underneath his bleeding nose as he stood from the ground and glared
harshly at the huddle of children that sat around Ariana and her other
companion giggling quietly under their breath. Noticing that their
laughs had been heard by the elder, they quickly quieted themselves
and slunk over to where the other man stood ready nearby the center
tree. "Maesyn, really, I am truly sorry. I 'ad no idea you were there,
honestly!"

Maesyn glared down angrily at Ariana as she bit her lower lip and
began to twist the long, brown locks of her ponytail nervously. She
shot quick glances over to the children and the other elf repeatedly
as she tried not to look into his scornful eyes. The elder grasped a
tight hold on her low-held chin and pulled it upwards so her eyes
locked with his as he began to reprimand her as he did time and time
before. The other man along the tree quickly placed his hand on the
hilt of his sword as he watched Maesyn's actions towards Ariana
closely.

"What in the name of Tunare do you think you are doing child? Swinging
your fists and swords around like that while there are civilians
roaming the ramps...do you know what would've happened if a guard
would've seen you acting as such?" he spat at her while still holding
a tight grasp on her slender chin. Her eyes glared back in return for
this public humiliation of her yet again being treated as a child.

"I would've explained to the guard that Mulidin and I were telling the
children a story like we always do when we come back from helping out
at the Orcish Lift. I bet they'd even sit down and have themselves a
listen too!" she sarcastically replied back to him as her temper
slowly began to build.

"I do not believe they would be so lenient on you, child, if you would
have happened to cut somebody's head off. I can't seem to get through
to you that this kind of action is not permitted. Story telling is one
thing, but acting like one of these children that sit before you now
during play does not come close to setting a good example for them,
now does it?"

Ariana shoved his hand away from her face and took two bold steps back
and crossed her arms in defiance as he stared at her with a shocked
look in his eye that was riddled with flaming anger.

"I am not a child! As a matter of fact, I believe I could be a far
better example to these children than you could considering one of us
seems to still have a little more power than the other. After all,
like everyone says.... it's awfully sad when a Druidess can out match
any man that has ever stepped foot into your guildhall you witless
buffoon!" Ariana's face flushed red with anger as she shouted back at
the Ranger guild-master for insulting her as he did. She was such a
tiny thing, Ariana was, but she had the fiery temper of equal to that
of even the mightiest of dragons.

"Ariana Blaze," Maesyn whispered from behind his clenched teeth, "It
seems as though you have forgotten your place in this society. See it
fit that you be within the quarters of the Heartwood Master within the
hour. I will make sure he has a few choice words with you..." He stormed
past Ariana with his shoulder-length chestnut hair blowing softly in
the breeze. As he left, Mulidin left his stance at the tree and
motioned for the children to leave, as Ariana remained standing with a
rosy flush still lingering in her cheeks and just above her wrinkled
brow.

"Did I mention I really wish that man were dead?" she asked without a
single flinch from anywhere but her lips. Mulidin shook his head,
smiled softly at her, and stared at her with his charming green eyes.

"Don't say that, Ari. One day it might actually happen, and then what
will you do?" he laughed back as he tugged gently on her arm to motion
for her to walk the high-rise platforms by his side. She calmed down
within an instant upon hearing the serenity of his voice as she always
had- a trait that most Bards carried with people.
"Well when that day comes, I hope it's by my sword alone! I'd make him
grovel for mercy though first...and I'd make him apologize for all the
things he's ruined for me!"

Mulidin paused her in her footsteps and placed a caring hand upon her
bare shoulder while looking deep into her eyes. "You know I dislike
him about as much as you do, but that decision he made so long ago
about your life wasn't his decision alone- the other elders had a say
in it too." Ariana rolled her eyes knowing that his reasons were
always going to come between her and her rants.

"Can't you for once just say 'I know, you're absolutely right, Ari!'
and just let out all your anger and everything like everyone else
does? I don't understand how you can always stay as collected as you
are." She fumbled through her pockets quietly and shuffled around a
few shiny, golden coins within the palm of her hand and placed them in
Mulidin's as she glanced up and over her shoulder at the numerous
ramps and bridges she had yet to climb up the trees to get to the
guildhall that she once used to call her home.
Mulidin quietly counted out the small coins and tucked them in a small
pouch on the side of his dusty backpack. "Countless blessings of
Erollisi, Ariana. The Goddess of Love sheds her light upon me so
graciously that I cannot help but spread it to others."
"Say, you better be heading on up there, shouldn't you?" he asked.
She nodded resentfully and turned to walk up into the tops of the
tall, evergreen trees. "Aye, I'll meet you at Heartwood Tavern as
usual. Could you grab me an ale or two so I have somethin' to sit down
to?"
Mulidin never answered but watched closely as she walked further and
further away. He sighed softly as if he were lost in a dream as every
move she made enticed him to watch her even more. There was a certain
chaotic beauty around her that no other woman he would ever lay eyes
on could ever dare possibly dream of matching. So carefree and
delightful was this young Wood-Elven girl he had taken to so long ago
that he couldn't help but love her. However, he also couldn't help but
hide it from her as well as he did. There was always that fear of
loosing what he had of her- even though he would've given everything
he ever had to have more. Though, if he lost her, he'd have nothing to
live for- no will to see another poetic sunrise or sunset. It was
better this way, he thought. He lived holding her love in his dreams.

Playfully, he tossed one of the pieces of gold up in the air and began
to hum to himself a giddy little song that uplifted his spirit and
magically enhanced his speed as he ran off to the tavern to wait for
Ariana's return.


Kelethin was a city hidden away from the pain and suffering on Norrath
by the canopies of tall, and majestic looking evergreens and pines
that towered high above the forest floor. Each tree was encircled by a
wide wooden platform and laced into a complex road map by sturdy, rope
bridges and long, wooden ramps that ascended and descended from tree
to tree. Traveling caravans gasped in awe once the first branches are
pushed past their eyes and the Elven city was no longer just a part of
their childhood imagination. The greens, browns, and hazels were
painted in elegant designs upon every tiny door as heavenly music and
carefree laughter carried by a breeze accented the atmosphere.

With each and every step she took, Ariana loved Kelethin more and
more. No one outmatched her love for this arboreal city, and she made
it known to everyone through the complacent smile that was always
perched upon her lips as she smiled at each merchant, guard, and
novice that was trying to find their true path in life. Some say it
was her Druidic sense that made her adore every dew drop that kissed
the pale green leaves that rustled in the cool wind and find the
perfect melody in a Meadowlarks simple song, but she did not feel the
same. This city and its people held such places in her heart because
they were the only home she swore she would ever know.

After a peaceful half an hours walk, Ariana finally arrived at the
doorstep of a rather massive building in elvish standards that had a
certain charm to its structure. The doors were large, thick, and
surrounded by elegant patterns drawn out in gold around the buildings
frame. Above the double doors, a small little sign connected to the
roof by chain links softly swayed back and forth with the cool breeze
that occasionally swept past the broad leaves of the trees. 'Soldiers
of Tunare,' it read- and gave Ariana a strong sense of pride and
patriotism just through reading the words quietly to herself before
she pulled open and quietly walked into the fire-lit room.
Across the front hall, another Elven woman knelt upon the ground with
a young boy sitting before her focusing intently upon the spell book
that he held close to his face with both shaking hands as he attempted
to read the words scribed on the tan pages. Ariana smiled at the two
remembering what it was like being in that same position so long ago
when she too was an apprentice Druid. She too remembered the woman who
helped the young boy; fore it also was the same person she sought
guidance from when Ariana was too worried to speak to another Elder's
ears about. Her face was slender and framed by thin, black hair that
was swept back in a low pony tail that was draped over her right
shoulder as she leaned forward to correct the boys pronunciation of
his incantations. Frustrated with being unable to pronounce the word
with the same fluency as his instructor, the young boy threw the book
aside and began to shout as if he wanted the entire guildhall to know
of his troubles.

"I don't know how anyone could even begin to cast this stupid spell! I 'aint going to need it anyways...I'll just forage my own food wherever I go!" he shouted as his ears flushed pink with anger. The woman quickly left his side to fetch and dust off his rather new-looking leather book that he so carelessly tossed aside. Ariana chuckled quietly within the shadow and walked over to the little elf to stand him up off the ground. She leaned forward and quietly whispered into his ears while reaching for one of his little hands. His tiny, pointed ears perked up slightly and his deep blue eyes grew wide as he opened the hand she held to find a warm little bread –cake resting upon his palm.

"It's delpa," Ariana laughed," Not delpia. It just takes time- I had the same problem myself when I was learning those 'ol spells." She tussled about the boys snowy white locks of hair and sent him scurrying along his way after he tucked his spell book into his worn backpack he inherited from the other elfish lady a few days before.

"Use your skills wisely, Master Sunsoar!" the elder shouted just as the young boy slammed the guild doors behind him. With a sweet smile she sighed and collected the boys forgotten parchments from the wooded floor.

"Treldias sure is growin' up fast, isn't he?" Ariana stated as she shook her head and began to unsnap the buckles upon her thick, leather chest-plate to remove it. It stuck to her only a little from sweating as she began to pull it off and set it down upon the ground next to where she stood. She aired out her olive-green tank that she wore underneath and fumbled around her neckline furiously until she was able to grasp hold of the charm she had been wearing since she was nothing more than a babe. The little trinket was beautiful, but practically antique- it was a small, golden leaf similar to that of a maple with a deep blue, star sapphire gleaming brightly in the center with tiny silver strands being laced in loops around it.
"Aye, he sure is." The other elf giggled at the thought of the young boy. "Yet, so have you, Ariana. It does not seem like it was too long ago that I was teaching you to cast the same spell." The black haired elf closed in close to Ariana and grasped a hold of the necklace she still bore around her neck for a closer look. "Not as shiny as it used to be...perhaps you should go have it polished up at the Sparkling Glass. I'm sure they'd have that thing looking beautiful in no time again."

Ariana grasped the charm of it back from the other woman and began to rub it raw between her rough thumb and middle finger. There was not a single moment where she remembered ever taking the pendent off, or even having the desire to. It was almost as if the trinket was a living part of her spirit that she could bear to be parted with. "No," she mumbled," No one sees it anyways, Aliafya, it's my good luck charm...I suppose."

"What brings you here so late in the afternoon, Ari? I would hope you didn't get yourself into too much trouble again like last time..." Aliafya laughed heartily as she led Ariana closer to the back of the guildhall. The merchants smiled sheepishly at her and bowed their heads slightly as her beauty graced past them. Ariana bit her lower lip slightly as Aliafya turned her cool green eyes upon her face and began to search for the answer. "Oh, Ari..." she mumbled through a long, airy sigh, "please tell me you had nothing to do with why Maesyn stormed in her not an hour ago requesting Master Heartwood."

"Well," Ariana whispered as she nervously began to play with the tiny, golden earring at the point of her miniature ears, "I somewhat punched him I suppose. As much as I loved doing it, you have to believe me it was on accident." Aliafya softly placed her hand above her own tanned lips to hide her smile from the rest of those around her.

"My, my, my, child. T'was no wonder that man was almost in tears...I suppose it was a good hit then, eh?" Aliafya chuckled as she pulled Ariana into the corner of the room where they had hoped to gain a little privacy so they could both speak their mind of the cynical, old man. Their merriment, however, was rather short lived when a clearing of the throat interrupted them by another elder within the room. He was a slightly taller man than Ariana with short, brown hair that was evenly laced with strands of gray to show signs of his aging. Within his right hand he held a thick and jagged staff that stood only a few inches shorter than him upon which he was beginning to hold his weight. The look in his dark eyes was stern, and the longer he stared at her with such coldness, the lower her ears sank in shame.

"Follow me, my child." He said. The Heartwood master had been well known for his deep and cheerful voice that usually calmed the souls of many when they entered his halls seeking his wisdom and guidance. This time he spoke without the slightest light of happiness within any of his words. Ariana grew worried by this as she turned her gaze back over her shoulder to Aliafya who had the same concerned fear in her eyes as she followed the Heartwood Master up the stairs.

The never-ending stairway was narrow and brightly lit as the torch flames sparkled off the gold designs that wound themselves along the finely polished, wooden walls. Ariana remembered such happy memories or running up and down this stairwell in the past, but they did not brighten her spirits anymore now. With each step she ascended, her feet grew heavier and became almost unbearable to lift from the last stair they pressed hard against. She did not know what it was exactly about her Master this day that made her so nervous, but a dark shadow lingered in her heart and whispered ill tidings that something was wrong.

At the top of the stairs was another set of the same, beautiful doors that were on the front of the guildhall. The elf pushed them open with the top of his wooden cane and let in a rush of the cool, evening air.

Outside, Ariana found herself above the treetops and underneath a perfect star-kissed sky. The quiet moon barely peaked it's luminous, crystal light above the shadowed mountain peeks that lingered mysteriously in the distance. She tilted back her head and gazed upward- connecting each star together to form imaginary pictures as gentle breezes slipped past her bare skin and chilled her mighty bones. There was one star in general she always found that always captivated her more than the other thousands of diamonds that were nestled upon the black nothingness behind it. This star she loved so much shined brighter than any other star within that same sky and made them envious of its heavenly beauty. The aqua colored star was named "Aaima'riox"-by Ariana when she was just a child beginning to learn the Elven language of old. "Aaima'riox" meant "divine hope" in Norrath's common tongue, and was a name, Ariana thought, was worthy enough of a perfect star.

"Ariana," the Heartwood Master shouted from another building across the way- breaking Ariana from her trance, "Do come in."

Ariana hurried forward across another of the cities rope-bridges and found herself within a very familiar building that warmed her heart the second she entered. It was small, and peaceful- lit only by a fire crackling in its tiny hearth.

Her Master shut the door quietly behind them, and smiled at Ariana who was searching the room to see if everything was still in the same place it had been years ago. Her big, beautiful eyes stared out happily as old memories raced through her mind wildly and made her worried frown fade away for only a moment. The Heartwood Master smiled faintly at Ariana, but his smile soon faded into dread and sorrow as he moved his was over to a large chair made out of thick, golden-colored twigs that were tied together by the strongest blades of dried grasses.

"Maesyn had quite the quarrel with you earlier...unless my ears deceived me." He said as Ariana sat herself down next to the warm fire close to his side. "I believe he said you viciously mauled him...in front of children none the less."

Ariana turned her gaze away from his and stared calmly into the fire. "I did not 'maul' him, My Lord, I accidentally hit him while Mulidin and I were telling the children a story. He practically walked himself into it, really."

"I also was informed that you were quiet disrespectful to him. Calling him a 'Witless Buffoon', and other such things?"

"Only because he called me a child, My Lord...as you can tell I am no longer one of those." She spat as her temper began to flare up yet again.

The Heartwood Master smirked quietly and continued to stare at his old pupil...his past daughter. He smiled at how the flames danced freely in her sparkling, hazel eyes-and remembered how she received that same name she was forced to bear now.

"Not all things have been changed with you, dear Ariana." He smiled," Tunare has graciously allowed you to maintain that inner fire of yours that sets off your temper so easily. 'Blaze' truly was a name meant only for you, my dear."

Ariana's eyes quickly grew solemn at the mention of her gained name. "It should never have come to that," she whispered," If it weren't for Maesyn, I would still be a Heartwood...I would still be your own." She followed his movements as he left his grand throne and walked over to the window to avoid her pained eyes.

"That choice was not his alone to make, my child...nor was this one." His voice softened to but a whisper as he looked out onto the enchanted forest in which his people harbored from harm.

"No punishment could be as cruel as to taking ones family from her. What ever it is, I will be able to over come." She triumphantly boasted as she stood up from her soot-covered step.

"Ariana Blaze," his voice shattered as tears began to swell up within his divine, loving eyes. "From this moment hence, you are no longer a child of the Soldiers of Tunare. You must leave..."

Ariana froze instantly as if a massive force had just rendered her useless. Life once again turned her back on her and let the shadows overwhelm her with ill tides that she was not ready to face. First it was being denied the only man she had ever known as a father, and now she was being exiled from the haven that sheltered her and provided her with everything she needed to get to where she was today.

"Maesyn has put you up to this, hasn't he? Father, please, if I must I will beg at his feet for forgiveness!" she shouted erratically as she turned his face ever so gently away from his trance towards hers to look into his deep eyes.

"It was my decision, Ariana. The Soldiers have nothing for you except cherished memories now...you have to leave."

"And where would you have me go? If my allegiance is no longer needed here, then please tell me where it is better off served?" she screamed through clenched teeth. Such hatred fumed once again within her veins as she attempted to free herself from this fate her Master had placed before her.

"Another man was in here naught more than a night ago asking me to aid him with the most respectable Druid taught by my own two hands. He spoke of such wonderful things- adventure, heroism, and a close-knit group of people that he himself commands. They call themselves, "The Honorable", and the things he mentioned seemed only fit for one person."

"You mean to tell me that you promised my services to a group of people that I have never met in my life?" she shouted," For all you know they could be anything but honorable!"

"Ariana, please, I implore you- calm yourself! The man traveled with three others by his side- one I know to be a member of the High Counsel of Erudin who sits at the side of Al' Kabor himself! You will learn far more things with these brave souls than you ever could here...this I know!"

"No, Master- you know nothing." She began as she stormed furiously to the same door through which she entered. Hesitantly, she paused and turned her eyes back to his frozen figure and just stared at him angrily as the speechless look lingered upon his wrinkling face. "I have devoted my life entirely to this...and yet I am so rudely pushed out the front door by all of you- knowing that no one would care if I possibly never came back again."

He motioned forward to comfort her as he whispered, "You know that is not true, Ariana."

"Isn't it? Tell me then, my lord, why has my fate always been against me? Why is it that everything that matters to me must be stripped away as such? Since you wish so strongly of me to leave then fine, so be it. I will no longer be your burden..." she mumbled with a quaky voice as she shut the door sharply behind her before he had the chance to respond.

Slowly, he walked back to the comfort of his own wooden chair, and sat himself down before the warmth of the fire. The coals blazed red and cackled loudly while he rubbed his wrinkled brown in frustration. Nothing hurt him more than seeing her unhappy...but it really was for her own good. Perhaps someday he could even convince himself of that reason.

"Burn brightly, my dear Ariana Blaze- fore I believe your fate shall bestow upon you more honor and glory than these forests could ever offer you." He whispered quietly as he stared intently into the enchanting fire that burned within his hearth.