A Ranger's Tale Chapter:
Seven: A Day of Life, A Day Of Death
Maylaie was thoroughly enjoying the back massage she was receiving from the strong male Vah shir. The fact that she was naked, and had no idea who the vah shir was, didn't really bother her at the moment. The two gentle hands moved their way forward to her chest and then.. " Wakey, wakey!" Someone screeched. Next thing Maylaie knew, she was flying across her bedroom and landing on the floor in a heap of wood elf and blankets.
After finally untangling enough of her blankets to poke her head out, Maylaie saw her older brother standing there, a mischeious grin on his face. " What's the big idea?! I was having a nice dream!" Maylaie growled. " More like a REALLY nice dream, from the smile you had on your face. It's time you wake up, you planning to stay in bed all day? Come on, up you come!" Terrain said, grabbing hold of the blankets and pulling. ' Sweet Tunare! He's strong for a bard.' Maylaie thought, trying to untangle herself from the moving blankets. " Terrain, get out!" Maylaie roared, gently placing her heel between her brother's eyes and firmly pushing him away. " Fine, I can tell when I'm unwanted.." Terrain said over dramatically, then left with a "humph!" Maylaie sighed and got herself out of her blanket and started to get dressed. Her brother, although wonderful with his sometimes-useful advice and endless ways of entraining, could be such a pain in the ass! Maylaie put on her sword belt and sword, something she felt almost naked without, and went into the kitchen. " Surprise!" a chorus of voice yelled. Maylaie rocked back on her heels to find a majority of her friends and family standing under a banner that read ' Happy Seventeen Seasons, Maylaie!' in letter that changed colours every few moments. " I totally forgot!" Maylaie said, still recovering from the shock. " Well it's good thing we sent Ter to wake you up." Tryen grinned, then hugged the younger ranger, " Happy birthday kiddo." " Enough yapping, more present opening, I wanna see whot everyone else got ye!" Jardora said. " Oh Jardora," Aitira said, rolling her eyes, " What am I going to do with you?" " Fill me with cake and beer and take me home to bed!" Jardora suggested with a grin.
***
Maylaie loved her birthday so far. It had been the first really good chance that her all friends had to get together and get to know each other, and the presents weren't bad either. Terrain had gotten her a book vah shir legends, since May was really interested in them, Healec had gotten her a fur lined cloak, for those cold nights hunting. Jardora had gotten her a metal polishing kit, Tinka had presented Maylaie with a ring that made Maylaie stronger when she wore it, Tryen had gotten her an oak compound bow, Soria gave Maylaie and book of poisons and their cures, Silspan gave her a pair of silver bracers and Aitira had given May a pair of earrings from her entire the family, one that strengthened Maylaie against disease and the other poisons. All that was left was her parents, Maylaie wasn't expecting much from them, and they had let her stay at home, without charging rent. " Here wood angel, happy birthday." Tanak said handing Maylaie a box. Maylaie carefully opened the box to find a finely made leather tunic and breeches. " Wow dad, their amazing." Maylaie said, running her fingers over the soft leather. "I made them, their water proof, and a human enchanter friend of ours enchanted them to keep you warm, and to deflect extreme amounts of heat." Eslain said. Maylaie hugged her parents tightly, " Thank you so much." " May, t-t-there is a-a-a fair going in Steamfont-t-t-t, wanna go?" Tinka asked. " Sure." Maylaie said, " Are any of you guys going?" " Yep, everyone but mom and dad, they want to stay here and keep up the business." Healec said. " Ok, hold up on sec, " Maylaie rushed in to her room, gently put her presents away and raced back to the kitchen, " Ok, lets go!"
***
Maylaie grinned, it had definitely been a good day. She had gone on all the rides several times, stuffed her face with fair food and won a couple of prizes at the games ( which she just gave away to some kids anyway.) Her friends were off dancing with some romantic partners, and Maylaie was ready to go home. " Seeya guys later." She called to her dancing friends. Aitira waved from Tryen's arms and Maylaie was off. " Care if we join you?" Healec asked, coming up behind her with Terrain.
" Sure." Maylaie smiled. The siblings walked towards Kelethin, laughing and talking, when somewhere between Felwithe and Kelethin, Maylaie heard a twig snap. " Guys, be slient for a second." Maylaie whispered. All was quite when a battle cry shattered the silence.
" Prepare to die wood elves!" a dark elf shouted jumping forward.
Maylaie, Healec and Terrain quickly jumped out of the way, and found
they were surrounded by nine other dark elves. " Shit." Healec hissed. Maylaie pulled her sword from its sheath, and went back to back with her siblings. The dark elves' lunged at the trio. Maylaie sliced one on the arm and another's leg, then came back up to get his throat. " Maylaie look out!" she heard Healec yell. Healec pushed Maylaie out of the way of a dark elf's spear, which found a home in Healec's chest. The rest of the fight was a bloody blur in Maylaie's memory, one thing she was aware of, out the ten dark elves, there was only three were left alive to run away. " Healec!" Maylaie rushed over to where her sister lay, gently propping her up, " Don't die ok?" " I don't think I have much choice in that sis." Healec chuckled. " It isn't funny! I still need you!" Maylaie cried. " Hey don't worry, you still got your friends, I won't be leaving you all by your lonesome." Healec said, then started coughing up blood. " Go get a healer!" Maylaie yelled at Terrain. Terrain nodded and ran off towards Felwithe singing a speed spell. Maylaie gently placed her sister back on the ground and frantically began casting her Minor Healing spell. " Maylaie stop, there's use, I'm too far gone." Healec croaked. " No your not!" Maylaie shouted. ' For the sake of all things good in this world Tunare, help my sister!' Maylaie prayed quietly. It's her time, young one. A divine voice spoke in her head. " Seeya around lil' sis." Healec whispered, then the light faded from her eyes. "Healec. No." Maylaie whispered, " NO!!!!!" she screamed up towards the heavens, then cried, as the sky cracked and Karana cried with her.
***
Aitira made her way to the clearing after the funeral. Healec had been well loved, members of the druid guild had spoken of her, her mother, her father. In fact almost everyone who could make it, whoever knew Healec had said a few words, expect for Terrain and Maylaie. They had been silent the whole time, standing next to each other. Terrain with his new death black eye patch, to cover his now ruined left eye. And Maylaie wore a bandage over the cut over her right eye. After the funeral, Aitira saw Maylaie leave, and she had a feeling she knew where she was going. And that's where Aitira was heading, with Jardora and Tinka in tow. " W-w-we shoulda gone with them, maybe."
" I doubt there was anything we could do. When the gods decide it's
time for someone to die, there's not much ye can do about it. No one
could have done a thing, especially Maylaie." Jardora said. " What the in the Great Realms are you talking about?!" Aitira demanded. " There was a lot of divine energy around Healec's body on that night, like she was touched by a god. It was her time, and I have a feelin' that it has somethin' ta do with Maylaie." " And what makes you say that?" " I've been having dreams. and I think you two have been having too." Aitira stopped in her tracks. How on did Jardora know about her dreams? " Do you mean t-t-t-the ones with an elf with a black bow?" Tinka inquired. " Aye that I do." Jardora nodded " I've been having them too. Lets not tell Maylaie about this, it may turn her off her religion, and I have never met a living antagonistic elf." Aitira said, and began to walk again, quickening her pace. They found Maylaie in the clearing, clutching her knees, back towards them. " Healec is the one who told me about this clearing." Maylaie said softly. " I thought so. Listen Maylaie, there was nothing you could do." Aitira began. " Don't you think I know that!" Maylaie said, getting up, and turning around, her eyes were red from crying, and channels of tears still flowed down her cheeks, " If I had spent more time training, or maybe dinged a few more times, I could have saved her!" " Lass, ye had no idea that ye and yer sibs were gonna get attacked by a bunch of stinking dark elves." " Well it'll never happen again. Those dark elves were too well trained, there was too many of them for them to be a bunch of muggers, someone had to have hired to attack us, and as Tunare as my witness, I'll not rest until I find the son of a bitch and kill him." Maylaie vowed.
*** " My Lady, I don't understand." Healec said to Tunare. Tunare had explained to Healec why it had been so important that she had died on that faithful night, three days ago. " If anything, my sister will hate dark elves even more." Healec said, clearly confused. Tunare smiled at her young student. " My dear daughter, when one's heart develops a casing, that is when it is at it's most vulnerable. Watch, you shall see." Tunare said, waving her hand over an emerald pool beside her, which rippled and revealed Maylaie while she was making her vow. " She has a problem with cussing doesn't she?" Tunare said.
** End Of Chapter Seven**
Author's Note:. Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I remember reviews are like food to us writers, review and we're less likely to bite your fingers off (. Oh, and I don't own Everquest, it owns me.
Maylaie was thoroughly enjoying the back massage she was receiving from the strong male Vah shir. The fact that she was naked, and had no idea who the vah shir was, didn't really bother her at the moment. The two gentle hands moved their way forward to her chest and then.. " Wakey, wakey!" Someone screeched. Next thing Maylaie knew, she was flying across her bedroom and landing on the floor in a heap of wood elf and blankets.
After finally untangling enough of her blankets to poke her head out, Maylaie saw her older brother standing there, a mischeious grin on his face. " What's the big idea?! I was having a nice dream!" Maylaie growled. " More like a REALLY nice dream, from the smile you had on your face. It's time you wake up, you planning to stay in bed all day? Come on, up you come!" Terrain said, grabbing hold of the blankets and pulling. ' Sweet Tunare! He's strong for a bard.' Maylaie thought, trying to untangle herself from the moving blankets. " Terrain, get out!" Maylaie roared, gently placing her heel between her brother's eyes and firmly pushing him away. " Fine, I can tell when I'm unwanted.." Terrain said over dramatically, then left with a "humph!" Maylaie sighed and got herself out of her blanket and started to get dressed. Her brother, although wonderful with his sometimes-useful advice and endless ways of entraining, could be such a pain in the ass! Maylaie put on her sword belt and sword, something she felt almost naked without, and went into the kitchen. " Surprise!" a chorus of voice yelled. Maylaie rocked back on her heels to find a majority of her friends and family standing under a banner that read ' Happy Seventeen Seasons, Maylaie!' in letter that changed colours every few moments. " I totally forgot!" Maylaie said, still recovering from the shock. " Well it's good thing we sent Ter to wake you up." Tryen grinned, then hugged the younger ranger, " Happy birthday kiddo." " Enough yapping, more present opening, I wanna see whot everyone else got ye!" Jardora said. " Oh Jardora," Aitira said, rolling her eyes, " What am I going to do with you?" " Fill me with cake and beer and take me home to bed!" Jardora suggested with a grin.
***
Maylaie loved her birthday so far. It had been the first really good chance that her all friends had to get together and get to know each other, and the presents weren't bad either. Terrain had gotten her a book vah shir legends, since May was really interested in them, Healec had gotten her a fur lined cloak, for those cold nights hunting. Jardora had gotten her a metal polishing kit, Tinka had presented Maylaie with a ring that made Maylaie stronger when she wore it, Tryen had gotten her an oak compound bow, Soria gave Maylaie and book of poisons and their cures, Silspan gave her a pair of silver bracers and Aitira had given May a pair of earrings from her entire the family, one that strengthened Maylaie against disease and the other poisons. All that was left was her parents, Maylaie wasn't expecting much from them, and they had let her stay at home, without charging rent. " Here wood angel, happy birthday." Tanak said handing Maylaie a box. Maylaie carefully opened the box to find a finely made leather tunic and breeches. " Wow dad, their amazing." Maylaie said, running her fingers over the soft leather. "I made them, their water proof, and a human enchanter friend of ours enchanted them to keep you warm, and to deflect extreme amounts of heat." Eslain said. Maylaie hugged her parents tightly, " Thank you so much." " May, t-t-there is a-a-a fair going in Steamfont-t-t-t, wanna go?" Tinka asked. " Sure." Maylaie said, " Are any of you guys going?" " Yep, everyone but mom and dad, they want to stay here and keep up the business." Healec said. " Ok, hold up on sec, " Maylaie rushed in to her room, gently put her presents away and raced back to the kitchen, " Ok, lets go!"
***
Maylaie grinned, it had definitely been a good day. She had gone on all the rides several times, stuffed her face with fair food and won a couple of prizes at the games ( which she just gave away to some kids anyway.) Her friends were off dancing with some romantic partners, and Maylaie was ready to go home. " Seeya guys later." She called to her dancing friends. Aitira waved from Tryen's arms and Maylaie was off. " Care if we join you?" Healec asked, coming up behind her with Terrain.
" Sure." Maylaie smiled. The siblings walked towards Kelethin, laughing and talking, when somewhere between Felwithe and Kelethin, Maylaie heard a twig snap. " Guys, be slient for a second." Maylaie whispered. All was quite when a battle cry shattered the silence.
" Prepare to die wood elves!" a dark elf shouted jumping forward.
Maylaie, Healec and Terrain quickly jumped out of the way, and found
they were surrounded by nine other dark elves. " Shit." Healec hissed. Maylaie pulled her sword from its sheath, and went back to back with her siblings. The dark elves' lunged at the trio. Maylaie sliced one on the arm and another's leg, then came back up to get his throat. " Maylaie look out!" she heard Healec yell. Healec pushed Maylaie out of the way of a dark elf's spear, which found a home in Healec's chest. The rest of the fight was a bloody blur in Maylaie's memory, one thing she was aware of, out the ten dark elves, there was only three were left alive to run away. " Healec!" Maylaie rushed over to where her sister lay, gently propping her up, " Don't die ok?" " I don't think I have much choice in that sis." Healec chuckled. " It isn't funny! I still need you!" Maylaie cried. " Hey don't worry, you still got your friends, I won't be leaving you all by your lonesome." Healec said, then started coughing up blood. " Go get a healer!" Maylaie yelled at Terrain. Terrain nodded and ran off towards Felwithe singing a speed spell. Maylaie gently placed her sister back on the ground and frantically began casting her Minor Healing spell. " Maylaie stop, there's use, I'm too far gone." Healec croaked. " No your not!" Maylaie shouted. ' For the sake of all things good in this world Tunare, help my sister!' Maylaie prayed quietly. It's her time, young one. A divine voice spoke in her head. " Seeya around lil' sis." Healec whispered, then the light faded from her eyes. "Healec. No." Maylaie whispered, " NO!!!!!" she screamed up towards the heavens, then cried, as the sky cracked and Karana cried with her.
***
Aitira made her way to the clearing after the funeral. Healec had been well loved, members of the druid guild had spoken of her, her mother, her father. In fact almost everyone who could make it, whoever knew Healec had said a few words, expect for Terrain and Maylaie. They had been silent the whole time, standing next to each other. Terrain with his new death black eye patch, to cover his now ruined left eye. And Maylaie wore a bandage over the cut over her right eye. After the funeral, Aitira saw Maylaie leave, and she had a feeling she knew where she was going. And that's where Aitira was heading, with Jardora and Tinka in tow. " W-w-we shoulda gone with them, maybe."
" I doubt there was anything we could do. When the gods decide it's
time for someone to die, there's not much ye can do about it. No one
could have done a thing, especially Maylaie." Jardora said. " What the in the Great Realms are you talking about?!" Aitira demanded. " There was a lot of divine energy around Healec's body on that night, like she was touched by a god. It was her time, and I have a feelin' that it has somethin' ta do with Maylaie." " And what makes you say that?" " I've been having dreams. and I think you two have been having too." Aitira stopped in her tracks. How on did Jardora know about her dreams? " Do you mean t-t-t-the ones with an elf with a black bow?" Tinka inquired. " Aye that I do." Jardora nodded " I've been having them too. Lets not tell Maylaie about this, it may turn her off her religion, and I have never met a living antagonistic elf." Aitira said, and began to walk again, quickening her pace. They found Maylaie in the clearing, clutching her knees, back towards them. " Healec is the one who told me about this clearing." Maylaie said softly. " I thought so. Listen Maylaie, there was nothing you could do." Aitira began. " Don't you think I know that!" Maylaie said, getting up, and turning around, her eyes were red from crying, and channels of tears still flowed down her cheeks, " If I had spent more time training, or maybe dinged a few more times, I could have saved her!" " Lass, ye had no idea that ye and yer sibs were gonna get attacked by a bunch of stinking dark elves." " Well it'll never happen again. Those dark elves were too well trained, there was too many of them for them to be a bunch of muggers, someone had to have hired to attack us, and as Tunare as my witness, I'll not rest until I find the son of a bitch and kill him." Maylaie vowed.
*** " My Lady, I don't understand." Healec said to Tunare. Tunare had explained to Healec why it had been so important that she had died on that faithful night, three days ago. " If anything, my sister will hate dark elves even more." Healec said, clearly confused. Tunare smiled at her young student. " My dear daughter, when one's heart develops a casing, that is when it is at it's most vulnerable. Watch, you shall see." Tunare said, waving her hand over an emerald pool beside her, which rippled and revealed Maylaie while she was making her vow. " She has a problem with cussing doesn't she?" Tunare said.
** End Of Chapter Seven**
Author's Note:. Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I remember reviews are like food to us writers, review and we're less likely to bite your fingers off (. Oh, and I don't own Everquest, it owns me.