Chapter 6

For what felt like an eternity, Karis waited for Remulos to say something, anything. Everything around them sounded so quiet, so still, as if they too were waiting on him to speak. The silence only helped Karis realise how much her heart was beating. She was so focused on her heart beat, that when Tylira spoke, it nearly made her jump out of her skin.

"Greetings, Keeper Remulos" she said, her voice sounding soft, but at the same time respectful. Turning her head slightly, Karis watched Tylira stand upright, smiling gently.

"Greetings, Sister Tylira" Remulos responded. His voice, Karis noted, seemed to have an almost whimsical nature to it, as if he was singing instead of speaking. As soon as he had spoken, everything around them seemed to return to its usual duties.

"It has been a long time since I have seen you amongst these trees" he continued, taking a few steps towards Tylira so that he was able to reach out and place a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I remember the times when you couldn't bare to be apart from these woods. I trust your journeys have been kind to you?"

"Yes, they certainly have" Tylira said with a nod and a smile, placing her hand on top of Remulos' gently, looking down at the ground as she did. They way that Tylira was regarding Remulos was a way that Karis had seen herself before. It was how the children she had grew up with acted around their fathers after spending the day away from them.

But he certainly isn't her dad… Karis thought to herself as she looked at the two of them, still down on her knees herself. As if only now just realising Karis' presence, Remulos looked to her, turning his head slowly in one fluid motion.

"And who are you, my child?" he asked her, motioning for her to stand up and talk to him. "You are one who certainly hasn't been in Moonglade before." Karis threw a nervous look to Tylira, wondering what she should do, who simply nodded with a warm smile.

"My name is Karis…" she responded, her voice quiet and muffled as she looked down at the ground. Remulos reached out and gently placed his fingers under Karis' chin, lifting her head up slightly so he could look at her.

"You have travelled far, for someone so young, Karis" he said slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips as he studied the young girl. "I have heard of your travels in Silithus and of what happened in Raynewood Retreat."

Karis took a step back, somewhat shocked and surprised at Remulos' comment. How would he have known about what had happened? Especially at the Retreat. The guards hadn't told anyone, and no one else there knew anything. As if sensing the confusion in her mind, Remulos let out a slight chuckle. To the side, Karis noted that Tylira was also slightly surprised by what was happening, but she also had a slight smile on her lips.

"Worry not, young Karis" Remulos said, walking closer and placing a gentle hand upon Karis' good shoulder. "The guards did not give you away, and you were not seen by any individual." With his free hand, Remulos waved out towards the trees.

"They are the ones that told me of what had happened. Although they could not give me the exact details, the trees always have been good at telling stories to one and other, and those that will listen."

Karis shook her head slightly as she tried to understand what she had just been told. She finally decided to just go with that Remulos could talk to the trees.

"So you know why I'm here?" Karis asked timidly, looking over to Tylira who now made her way to stand beside the young girl.

"As I said, they could not give me the exact details" Remulos repeated, shaking his head slightly before looking to Tylira. "Although, I imagine that Tylira would be able to tell me the reason." Tylira simply nodded and smiled in response, gently stroking Karis' back for reassurance.

"I have a question to ask of you, Remulos" she said, once again her voice sounding full of respect but also seriousness. Remulos himself slowly removed his hand from Karis' shoulder and nodded slightly as if to say go on.

"I would like your permission…no, your blessing to induct Karis into the Circle, and to train her as a Druid" Tylira said before bowing slightly, holding the position as she waited for a response.

Once again, the silence seemed to descend upon the area around them as Remulos regarded the two Night Elves in front of him. Karis waited quietly, trying not to look at Remulos, instead focusing intently on a leaf that had managed to get caught in a gentle breeze.

"She is very young" Remulos said slowly. "A lot younger than those that usually start their training."

"I know" Tylira said, looking back up at Remulos. "But I believe she is more than capable of doing this. How many twelve year olds do you know that would run into the heart of Silithus by themselves? Or into the crater of Un'goro without a second thought?"
Karis felt her cheeks darken as her past exploits were used as a way of defending her. She stole a quick glance at Tylira and Remulos, both of whom were staring at each other.

"Just because someone has a brave heart, does not mean they can tackle anything" Remulos responded, his voice remaining its usual soft self.

"She knows what will be asked of her, she knows what will be expected, and yet she still wants to try" Tylira said, looking over to Karis who quickly looked away, not wanting to get drawn into the discussion for fear of saying the wrong thing.

"Remulos…" Tylira said, her voice sounding impossible calm and soft as she reached out and placed a hand on Remulos' arm. "All I ask is that you let her try. You know the spirits better than most. You know they don't look at a person's outside when they decide if they want to allow them in, so why should we? Let her try, and if they are the ones to say no, then who are we to argue."

Remulos remained silent as he looked at Tylira before shaking his head slightly, letting out a sigh.

"You always have been good at arguing your point" he said, letting out a faint chuckle before looking to Karis. "Tell me, young one, do you understand how difficult this could be for you? There would be many challenges you would have to face. The spirits are not always kind masters."

Karis nodded slightly in response as she looked at Remulos. She had never actually asked Tylira what would be part of her training, but she knew it wouldn't be easy, she didn't expect it to be. But that wasn't going to stop her from trying.

"Very well then. Tylira, I give you my blessing to train Karis to become a druid" Remulos said, raising himself to his full height as he spoke, striking an impressive pose. Karis felt her heart skip a beat as Tylira smiled and nodded.

"But, she cannot join the Circle until she has attained her first form" Remulos continued. "If she can achieve this, then I shall induct her personally as proof of the achievement for someone as young as Karis."

"I understand" Tylira said with a polite bow, a smile still on her lips. Karis herself didn't understand why she had to have learnt her first form. She knew that others had joined in the past who were Druids, so why was she being singled out? She went to ask, but thought it best to wait until her and Tylira were alone.

"Go and speak with Loganaar. He can arrange some accommodations for you. Plus, I am sure he would be happy to see you again, if he hasn't already" Without leaving them time to respond, Remulos turned and walked away from them, leaving the two of them alone.

Taking hold of Karis' hand, Tylira led them both down the path, away from the small location and back onto the main path that led back up to Nighthaven.

"Why do I need to wait?" Karis asked once the two of them were far away. She hoped that she didn't sound ungrateful by asking. Karis was the exact opposite. She was overjoyed that she was allowed to be trained as a druid!

"Normally, it is only those who are above a certain age that can ask to join the Circle, unless they are a Druid." Tylira said in response, looking down at Karis with a small smile. "It doesn't mean they will automatically get in, though. In some cases, people who have achieved something special are permitted to join."

"So, if I achieve a form, I get in?" Karis asked, looking to the side to see a cat like creature stretching its paws out in front of it as it yawned.

"Yes, because achieving something like that at such a young age, it isn't common practice" Tylira said, also looking over to the creature, bowing her head slightly as she did.

For the rest of their trip back, Karis remained silent, the excitement inside her bubbling away in anticipation for what lie ahead of her.

As they walked up the hill to the entrance of Nighthaven, Loganaar was waiting for them, a basket in one of his hands. He smiled at them as they came close, offering a gentle wave.

"I saw you approaching, so I thought I would come and provide you with something to eat and drink" he said, reaching into the basket and pulling out some bread with what looked to be cheese in it.

Karis looked at the bread and felt her stomach growl at her, asking for food. She hadn't realised that it had actually been a little while since she had eaten, so she quite happily took the bread and munched away at it.

"Did Remulos give you the answer you wanted?" Loganaar asked Tylira as she took a small bite from the bread, followed by a sip of water as they walked through Nighthaven.

"Yes, he did. He has agreed to let me train Karis to be a Druid." Loganaar chocked slightly on the bread he was chewing and coughed before looking to Tylira who was trying not to laugh.

"Well, I guess that means you need a more permanent place to stay?" he said as he gulped down on some water, trying to help soothe his throat and deal with the food that had clogged it.

Tylira smiled and nodded as she took another bite from her bread, motioning for Loganaar to lead on. It didn't take him long to find them a place to call their own that was set up on the top floor of one of the buildings.

Like the rest of the buildings that surrounded it, it only had two walls that faced the buildings either side of it. Thanks to the moderate climate that was very much permanent in Moonglade, they were able to get away with not having to worry about the elements.

There were two beds in the room, separated by a simple screen that could be pulled back if needed. A table was set in the middle of the room with some small cushions dotted around it, along with a small wash basin and a couple of cupboards.

"I shall leave you to get yourself sorted" Loganaar said with a smile before bowing and walking away, heading down the ramp that connected their room to one of the walkways outside and below them.

Tylira sat down on one of the beds, opening her bag and letting Karis' pet raven out who let out a sleepy squawk before flying to the table and settling down again.
"So, when do we start!" Karis asked, standing in front of Tylira, trying her best not to bounce on the spot. Tylira let out a slight laugh and shook her head.

"Not yet. We need to relax and rest first, and then tomorrow, we will begin, if that's what you would like?" Tylira said, brushing some of her hair from her face.

Karis let out a slight "aww" but nodded. Tomorrow would be the best option for them. They would be well rested and have all their energy.

Leaving Tylira to unpack her things from her bag, Karis jumped onto her bed, laying on her back and stared at the roof. She giggled happily to herself as a large grin made its way across her face. It was going to happen! She was so excited, so much so that she could barely contain it! Tomorrow was going to be the best day of her life!