Chapter three
The gathering

He was bored… He had spent the best part of the day taking down humanoids that looked pretty much human themselves, if not for the very stereotypical Viking look and being around ten feet tall. But they were very slow and an arrow between the eyes generally ended up with the unfortunate soul taking a couple of steps before his brain informed the poor sod that at this present moment in time he should be dead.

It was not all bad; he did like the outdoors, even if the cold was unwanted, but once you wrapped up in the correct clothing the landscapes of Northrend were very much worth the effect.

While taking aim at his prey, he peered to his side. Lowering his bow he turned around. Sounding a short whistle, he waited a few seconds; a huge Saber-toothed tiger detached itself from the shadows, the creature paced slowly forward.

Peering at the creature, he walked over to it and took a letter attached to its collar. He instantly noticed the seal of The Kirin Tor. Smiling he looked at the Tiger and nodded for it to follow.
'Ready for a little adventure?'
The Tiger purred at its master.

While studying the trees and the restless spirits that inhabited Crystalsong forest, Naralissa and Bella had tried untold times to commune with them. They had been asked by The Kirin Tor to try and find out the source of the magic that had crystallized the place. In the hope that they would be better able to channel the energies, and also to find out if this had occurred naturally or had been the source of some spell.

While for the most part, the living trees that walked the area seemed neutral, as soon as either of them tried to make contact with any of them, they immediately became hostile and would attack. The results with the spirits that walked the ruins of the area, was also similar, attacking both of them as soon as they stepped into any of the ruins around the place.

'If this keeps up there won't be any inhabitants left to talk too.' Bella told Naralissa. 'We can't keep trying in the hope one of them won't try and take are heads off!'
'I know, I know. But what else can we do?' Naralissa sighed.
As a paladin she hated having to take the life of any living thing. It was the same for Bella too. Druids reveled in life, not death.
'Well I was just thinking…' Bella was cut off before she could finish. A Hawk was circling over their heads, squawking.

They both looked at each other and nodded. They knew the call and they would answer.