ELSEWHERE: There is a small shift in the flow of energy. Slowly it increases to where even those not well trained can sense it, but most push it away. The shift starts to take the shape of a man. It is not a solid shape, only an outline of a man. The shape looks around and you can see he is outside of the SylverShyne Inn and that Aidan has just entered. His thoughts are jumbled, but slowly they take shape and a name appears, Kagato. Suddenly two large, red, beasts come running up to the shape and sit on each side of him. He reaches down and pets them both, then looks up and speaks softly, the beasts nodding and remembering. "Aidan I know you can't hear me, but I need to talk to you. Hopefully my pets can carry my message to you. I am sorry I cannot give it to you myself, but I am unable to take shape in the physical world anymore. I shall return once I have finished elsewhere. Take care." Attaches a note to one of the beasts neck and vanishes.
BACK AT THE INN: He waving good bye to his sister, he has both children in each arm, giving the newborn Uriel, a testy look. Yelling at the beasts to stop slobbering Selena and ruining his shirt. Would never understand why the child liked them. He then notices a note attached to one setting Selena down and snatches it off to read it. "Well, well...looks like there is important business to take care of...I think I will help you with guild members Kagato." The smirk on his face looks pleased and feral at the same time. Picking Selena up he heads in the direction of the main city streets.
As Aidan's form went of view, the strange entity from before once again takes shape in front of Aiyana's inn, only solid gray eyes can be seen. He looks around and picks up a list left by the door. Looking it over her chuckles. "Well Jayleth is down and all that's left for now is Azeroth. I hope he's ready for a visit." He pulls a letter out of what seems to be nowhere and leaves it by the door, a strange seal on it that looks like the number 4. Then as quickly as he appeared he is gone.
Abigail
One Man
As the man moved on to his destination, the occupant in the Inn he was staring at felt odd, very odd. She swore she could feel an Ostellian near. Of course if it was one of the blood, she could not recognize who it was, the life patterns of this person were not known to her but yet they seemed so familiar, it haunted her. The streaks in her hair lit up in a light shimmering glow as she just makes light contact with the other to just discern race, gender and any other minor details without it tracing back to her pattern of identity.
Like a lover she honed in a light airy comfort that would not alarm or perhaps even would go unnoticed by her target. Carefully moving around the aura of personage she locked on the sex. MALE. Again the feeling of knowing him made her ache in discomfort, knowing she was prying. Aidan ever present in the back of her mind as is always with The Bond Guardian told her to press forward to look into the life strands. Immediately upon "looking" she knew he was mortal but not human because the strand was short and shaped almost identical to her own.
"He is ostellian" she heard Aidan say. "It's almost identical to yours but you're female...that means it's identical to mine."
Well which clan is which? Aidan had no answer, so she probed deeper which was dangerous, since she was fooling with a stranger's life essence and he would feel her presence. He wouldn't be able to identify her or Aidan since both had wards set to mask themselves. He might feel threatened and attack her for invading, though she meant no harm, she was completely and totally invading his very being and he had a right to feel violated.
She tenderly wove weaves to find the swirling color patterns. She found them dead on in vibrant shades of green, black and dull yellows. The greens identified his streaks and powers which she left alone. The black was his personalty, it moved chaotically, showing a withdrawn, confused but loving person trying to hide himself. The yellow at closer glance had a lil bit of orange in it and kept taking a shape of a large reptile then molding apart into a blob then back again. "Dragon.....Clan Dragon..." was Aidan's analysis. She let it etch in her memory as she carefully withdrew herself from the mesh of life strands and personalty weaves to return to her sanctioned mind. Streaks stop their humming glow, she yawns and douses the lighting, bathing the inn in darkness as she retires to bed for a restless night to come.
The moment Aiyana touches his inner being his whole body had shuddered. What was that? Such an odd feeling that swept through his body at that one moment. It wasn't a hateful or painful feeling. Those swirling green and yellow eyes darted about him. He searched for something, anything. They saw nothing. Even though he had seen nothing, he knew something was there. Hiding and fighting with his innerself. The part of him that locked his secret past away. Its true that he had seen someone to help him unlock it, and she had. She risked her life for him, and yet he did nothing for her. To top things off the door to his past hasn't opened fully. He knew what he was now. He knew his real name, not the name that the towns people had curly given him. But a REAL name. He knew what he was, nothing more. What ever else he did know was believed to be simply a dream that his mind had once created. He shook again as something touched deep with inside of him. It washed over him affecting his emotions. He cursed softly under his breath. He needed to know what it was. Those eyes seemed to glow with an indecent color. Lighting up like a spark from a match. Quickly it failed and he gave a shivering shrug. Those broad shoulders raising and that chest heaves slightly in a sigh. He would have to find out what that was. Such a deep and strange feeling that could simply come and go. He wondered if it had anything to do with who he was visiting.
In a different land...in a different world even...The night the man was violated, she saw a vision in the flame. A woman stood with white streaks, a child of darkness held gently in her arms. The Nameless One had been up all that night, the flames would not grant her peace. Her fire stained streaks glowed with radiance as the fire died out. Something about that woman...the child...What could it be? It was as though a puff of smoke had clouded her mind and brought the dreadful confusion. All her life she had lived in the Temple of Incarna. She was the blessed one born of the flames. Well, that was what she had always known. It was the high priestess of the temple that lifted her out of the flames and taught her the way. The thought of her teacher made her eyes water. A few nights ago the flames had engulfed Maya and left nothing but ashes.
"Tomorrow before the ceremony I shall look upon the flame of destiny and ask it to mark my way."
that was the last thought that slipped her mind. All will be decided on tomorrow. Her lids shut and she drifted to sleep.
MEANWHILE
On a plane not in this world a gate opens and something steps forward...leaving the place behind and somewhere in Rhy'Din From the dark corners a light appears and starts to swirl. Slowly it grows larger in size as it spins faster. Suddenly it splits open, to half circles of light spin around their new centers as a dark doorway appears between them. A gust of what feels like wind gushes out and stops. In what seems like forever the particles start to take shape as a flash of lightning is seen and thunder is heard. At first it is the feet and ankles of a man and like dust being brushed away by the wind more of him comes into view. His legs form, lean yet strong looking and having its fair share of scars. As his waist forms another noise can be heard, that of pain and suffering. It is not male but female and seems to be coming from far away. A sweet melody can be heard with it as his stomach forms. It is built, yet warn and a little flabby and his sides look worn. A bright flash of lightning sticks close to home, shattering a nearby window as a chest is formed. Lean, but covered in scars not noticeable alone, but clear when illuminated and together. Strong arms slowly drip down. They are lean yet you can tell powerful as the muscles contract and release as his fingers close into a fist and release. Suddenly the whole body tense and struggles, almost as if something is trying to pull it back. You feel the energy rise int he room to such high levels it seems unnatural and then a yell comes forth and the figure topples forward. A head being ripped out of the fabric of energy. His eyes solid gray orbs and his hair long and wavy. He falls to his hands and knees and gasps for breath, his naked chest heaving as he does so. Slowly he rises up and looks down at himself and grins. He walks to a familiar dresser and opens it, pulling out a robe made of a strange fabric and heads for the stairs, talking to himself as he does. "Finally I am back. Now it is time to set things straight with Aiyana and Selena. Hmmm maybe I should get my clothes back from her first, then say I am sorry." He disappears down the stairwell as the portal closes behind him, determined to set things right and see that end of creation doesn't come.
Hours later...inside that dark Inn, not a sound was made, but if someone were to creep upstairs, they would hear muffled noises of unrest, as the lady of secrets thrashes in linen bedsheets, moaning her discomfort as the same nightmare...night upon night since she entered this Realm called Rhy'Din, overtakes her sleep. Brief flashes of memory of her birth place reels her senses. Faces and persons are a blur, but it is the sounds, smells and feeling she remembers as a young child. The soft grass beneath bare feet, the sweet tang of fruit and spices..especially their prized flower that everyone adored. So intoxicating so delicious.
The song though was the most beautiful thing her ears would listen to. It resonated through everything..the trees, the buildings and every living creature. Sweet harmonics sounding like a gentle rumble of thousands upon thousands of voices. If you listened carefully, you could hear each voice individually and listen to the secrets they had to tell. How she loved to sit and listen to them. They were her special friends. Till she felt herself being grabbed and torn away.
As the nightmare began Darien let his feet carry him down the hall to Aiyana's room. Fingers gently rubbed his temples and he let out a very soft yawn. He blinked as if trying to awake himself getting closer to her door. His hands fall to his sides and he tenses. A soft muffled sound was heard by his keen ears. He raised a hand to the door and softly knocked against the wooden door. All day he could not keep his thoughts from straying to her. He tried to work on things that needed to get done, but really he could not wait till he could see her again and talk to her. She always seemed to know what to say to help fix his life. Plus he couldn't wait to learn how to make some mean cookies. He knocked once more worried about the muffled sounds he hears from the other side of the door.
Aiyana dreams The grass and flowers withered and died, the sweet fragrance drifted away and reeked of blood and death. The song faltered and the voices screeched and wailed. No longer did they whisper to her, they yelled and screamed her name in agony fear and hatred. She ran, struggled to ignore them, pushed to shut them out. The harder she tried the more louder they became. Some ranted about her death..others screamed in terror like a thing gone wild and the rest pleaded for her return. She didn't want to return, she heard her destiny and didn't want the burden and for that, they grew more angry, threatening to rip apart her very being and before they could, this poor soul would awaken bolting upright drenched in sweat in a tangle of bedsheets. The sobs racked a helpless tiny frame who broke the quiet night air with heartbreak.
Kagato's eyes darted open as he hears a distant knock. At first he tries to remember where he is as his mind goes back to last night. He sits up in the strange bed and remembers coming to Aiyana's inn to talk with her. She had let him stay the night in the guest room next to hers. He looked out the window and cursed himself, he had wanted to get up earlier to make breakfast for her, his self given fee for the room. He tossed the covers off himself and looked over to his clothes that lay where he threw them on the chair last night. As he lifted up his pants the clean scent from last night drifted to his nose and he smiled. Aiyana did him a great favor washing these. He slipped his pants and then grabbed his shirt, sliding it on but not buttoning it. He quickly ran his fingers through his hair, brushing it away from his face and smiles. So far his return had gone well. His clothes were clean, Aiyana wasn't mad at him, and he even got a kiss. He let out a small chuckle as he remembered the last item. "We better be careful" he thought. He walked to the door and stopped as his hand reached the doorknob. He sensed a new presence in the inn, a male. He wasn't sure of who or what his attentions were. Judging from their talk last night it didn't seem likely a lover, so he guessed it was just a good friend. He opened the door and headed for the stairs, catching a shadow in the corner of his eyes. He wasn't sure if it was a person or just a flower as he went down the stairs to the kitchen. Hoping to finish breakfast before she arouse, knowing how protective or her kitchen she could be.
Kagato As he left the inn took in a deep breath, letting the morning air flow through out him. A smile could be seen on his face. He had left the inn before making breakfast. He felt odd being there when another man was around. No matter how hard he tried to deny it he had feelings for her, but he knew he couldn't act on them. His and her goal were too important. Plus she could have anyone she wanted why would she want him? They were good friends and he was happy with that, but still he wondered about the man at her door. Who was he, what did he want? If it had been a year ago he would have guessed sex, but Aiyana had changed since he has known her. She has changed a lot. He sat down under a large oak tree and began to think even more. His feelings for her were strong, yes, but he also felt close to her daughter. Not wanting to ruin either of the friendships he knew he could not really follow through with an intimate relationship with her, so why did he feel angry at the man in the inn? He knew he would have to talk to him, in case Aiyana and the man were intimate, he had to let him know they did nothing other then talk. The last thing he needs to do is drive away something, no, someone who might be good for her. he began to rise, noticing that the sun was high by now when suddenly he felt a sharp poke in his back, like a weapon....
the small child held the object firmly to his back, her eyes full of mischief. Fweeze! She giggled when he said not to shoot, her hand poking the twig into his back softly. "mes no shoot mes poke yous to death!" Again another giggle. She had tracked Kagato from Aiyana's Inn. The small child was quite proud of herself. Now she had a new play toy. (No you sick muns, Abi is only a child, not that kind of play toy.) After a while of joking around, she placed him on her official nice people list, though Kat would argue that to be her list of victims, hehe. Anyways, after playing and joking around, things got a little serious and the little warrior almost cried. But before she shed a tear, something happened to her. She could not hear his voice and her eyes became transparent. Her body became unusually still as a scream of terror rang about them. The scream sounded real, one coming from a woman, not a child. There was none near them. All of this was coming from a source, but who? Breathing stopped for a moment, but then her mind seemed to drift and her eyes glowed. Out of her lips came the words of a woman. It was not her doing anymore. The mind that came into her thought in riddle and rhyme. Her words were clear, not a hint of a child in it. "we are all tied to our pasts, but to let it be our master is to loose all control." And so was the beginning of a wonderful friendship. To say more would reveal too much. The two went their separate ways, but not without a hug.
As Aiyana awakens from her nightmare, her Bond Guardian and brother felt the emotion that racked her wearied mind. He saw the nightmare with her, but felt nothing. How he so yearned to feel what was beyond his training...even to yearn was strange to him. Being linked to the "One" brought many surprises that he could not show in expression. She was so...passionate. It often times confused him. She was vibrant and so lively. Yet she was a mystery to even him. He always warned her that her compassion would be her undoing. Another nightmare bothered her, he felt the pang of her grief, the height of her fear and the measure of her torment and he still not understand why she acted this way.
She was destined for power and greatness, not that it at all appealed to him it didn't, but he has a duty to see that she achieves it for the sake of their people, homeland and every creatures future. He could not and perhaps never would understand why she refused to accept who and what she is, he did, and he has come far and ceased to care about trivial things. All that mattered was her. He had interest and his particular interest was this male that the One had detected.
Clan Dragon....why were they coming to Rhy'Din? It seemed one by one they were coming clan by clan and disappearing. We're they drawn to Aiyana then vanishing back to Tele'Quinn he had to know and find out. At dawn he would set out to find this male by tracking him. He was an excellent hunter....
Behind the Door Darien Knocked on, she awoke from the reoccurring nightmare to the sound of knocking on her bedroom door. It was still Dark. What would someone want before dawn? She hurried out of bed, threw on her transparent pink robe straighten her pink nighty, brushed her hair some and cooled off her face with a wet cloth to look decently presentable when she opened the door, expecting Kagato. When she did so to her shocked surprise it was Darien. What is HE doing here? Oh god, KAGATO was here too...but his door was open? Where is he? Her mind was frantic, nothing happened between her and Kagato, but it would be hard to explain another man here when she hadn't even told Darien yet. She excused herself, rushing downstairs leaving behind a confused and worried Darien. He was still no where to be found, holding in an irritated sigh wondering why she gets herself in these situations. She dashed into the kitchen finding it empty too but seeing a note on the counter in Kagato's handwriting explaining he slipped out and owed her breakfast. Sighing this time she trudged back upstairs, hugged him and guided him to the kitchen to talk about the previous night and her guest who spent the night. The conversation was talked over milk and waffles and exceeded well into the dawn.....
A Lil distance away...back at the Inn with Darien and Aiyana: He grinned happily to Aiyana. Gratefully shoveling in the waffles. When all the food was gone he stood up and helped by cleaning the dishes. Somehow all food tasted better when she made it. He was a bit jealous, but never would that be admitted. He has more respect for Aiyana then he has for anyone else he's ever met. Perhaps that's why he's been a happy member of her guild for almost a year. He shook his head and that golden brown hair fell to those crystal blue eyes. He pushed back the hair and frowned. Was that a scream he heard? His hearing is super keen, and right now he thought he heard a scream. He looked to Aiyana to see if she heard it too. That eyebrow arched up in a questioning look.
Kagato had a big smile on his face as he walked back towards Aiyana's Inn. He had just spent the last hour or so talking to an adorable little girl, Abi was her name, but sometimes it was princess. He chuckled as he thought back to her and the twig she tried to kill him with. Oh how he missed life when it was simple, unfortunately it could never go back that way for him, or her it seemed. She had seen to many things she shouldn't have. He hoped he would see her again and soon, she had an air about her that made him relax. He reached into the small pouch he kept at his side and pulled out a crystal container and from that removed a silver rose. he had told Abi that he owed Aiyana a breakfast, because he skipped out early and she had given this to him to help make up to her. Hopefully it would work and Aiyana wouldn't be mad at him leaving before he could make breakfast. He had a feeling she would anyway, but he felt that was too easy. As her inn came into view he stopped and looked at the building. It was still busy with activity so he decided to take a walk through the woods until it died down, not ready to meet many more people, plus he missed Boa and Garden and he knew they were in the woods.
Another person heading towards Aiyana's Inn, taking a different path than Kagato...The small child, Abi had much to do and so little time to do it. So with a few giggles, she set out to find the other person who was at Aiyana's Inn. On her way she lifted her handy dandy TWIG and set out tracking him. This child led a pretty simple life, or so that is what many tended to believe when they saw one of her age. None of them would guess the warrior that she was, nor the things she has experienced. Sure she was constantly up to something, mostly innocent things, but sometimes a simple prank or game did get out of hand and certain people have tried to kill her. Nonetheless this little gal is alive and kicking. Not so easy to rid yourself of Abi, Aiyana, Darien, Kagato, Kat, and many others could tell you that. So Abi went about searching for her next victim. Poor Darien.
At the Guild compound...He greeted the morning as any other, groggily going to the mirror, and looking at the haunted visage before him. The nightmares came every night, rebirthing the feelings of loss and despair, but last night was especially troubling-his nightmares had changed, had been haunted themselves by visions that now eluded his grasp. The only thing he could recall was the face of a woman he had just recently met: Aiyana. Who was she, that she could have broken into the haunting visions that had plagued him every night, never changing, the outcome always the same? Upon meeting her he had sensed something mystical about her, but many who wielded the magical arts had given him a similar sensation. But something about her was different, something that eluded him and set her apart somehow. He shook off the confusion for the moment, and set about. After bathing and gathering his few belongings, he checked out of his room and set about finding that very woman. Once outside, he looked to the sky and let the warmth of the sun wash the last vestiges of coldness from his heart. He relished in the hope that comes with a new dawn, the chance to start anew, to atone for his past and learn to live again. As he made his way to the inn that Aiyana was said to run, the visions of last night began to trouble his thoughts. Flashes came to him, but they made no sense. He was not the type to intrude upon people's private lives, but nonetheless he wished to know what it all meant. Perhaps in time he could come to know her enough to ask, but in the meantime he would have to let it pass. A chilly morning breeze picked up, and brought his thoughts back to the task at hand. He had heard that he might be able to find employment at the SylverShyne Inn, and a comfortable room to boot. It wasn't long until he heard the sounds of others scurrying about, and a building loomed ahead. Hoping it was the right place, he continued onward. As he approached, he noticed a shape of a man keeping to the treeline, thinking it odd behavior and wondering if he should be wary, for he had been set upon a time or two in his travels. But before he got close enough to really worry, the figure had retreated farther into the forest. Oh, well, probably nothing anyway, just his suspicions playing with him. He looked about the building and its grounds, impressed with the beauty of the area. A small girl was walking alone in the distance, swinging a stick and smiling brightly. He smiled to himself, thinking that this place indeed might appeal to him. He was looking for a place to start over, and he silently hoped this could be it. Well, enough dallying, he thought, in with you already. Besides, he was famished, and he heard Aiyana was a mean cook.
All the while..all these people were heading to her Inn, she had NOT heard the scream, her ears were not that keen...besides her mind was elsewhere. Another presence was felt, similar to the man she scried on. Not so stupid as to try a scrying now in front of Darien so she resumed cleaning the dishes and excused herself to go upstairs to change into decent clothing since she was still in her night gown.
Could be another one of her people? If so, why were so many leaving the Homeland? The tiny woman fought back panic as she stripped and wiped herself with a wet scented cloth since she had no time to shower. Her mind wondering as she quickly dressed, many fears came face to face with her. Many Ostellians have been coming here lately. Eldrac, Lothar even her own sister, now these two show up. Have they come to prepare her for the End of Days? NO she thought with anger and hot vehemence. There has to be another reason, there has to be....She laced up the bodice of her dress as she had her mind set on finding out who or what was the presence she felt. Inner will unfolding in layers one by one. As the last layer unfolded and she was ready to search for the life force over distance and time, her name was called and she snapped back to where she was with an irritable sigh. It will have to be done later, the morning had gone way past dawn and she was late for all her duties.
Again she let her mind drift to Kagato, curious as to where he could be, she sighed once more in thought of her daughter, making a mental note to ask Aidan about her recovery. Light agile feet carried her down the stairs a bright smile formed on pretty lips as she saw the forms of two people, one tall man and a little girl, both of whom she recognized. "Welcome to the SylverShyne Inn." Her manner was warm and welcoming, the air just seemed so cozy...a spell? Or Aiyana's presence itself? "We have many things here. Drinks, food, beds, gardens, books and people. Please make yourselves comfortable." And with that she grabbed an apron, put it on, and began her day.
While Aiyana worried about the men at her inn and the day a head another Ostellian was already beginning his day. At dawn before he tracks his target, he leaves the sick Selena in the care of a trusted wise woman. The weather was getting warmer and the small child who was his niece did show signs of recovery. He knew that would ease Aiyana's mind.
And off he sets to travel back to Rhy'Din, away from the paradise he found further south of the land to find the one he is searching for, hoping he will find answers.
The first thing he did was prepare his gear, this trip would involve hiking and climbing, and then he went "inside" himself to lock on the presence of his target. Found him a few miles from his sisters Inn at her friend Mai's house. He came out of his trance with a boyish grin and set off on his new adventure with a spring in his step.
During breakfast he approaches the inn, he waits for the young lass to catch up, then holds the door for her to enter, smiling down at her and asking her name. The hint of mischief in her smile and mannerisms does not go unnoticed, and it brings a smile to his own face as he remembers back to the time when he was her age, and how much of a terror he had been. A longing for those days of lightheartedness and freedom from the worries of the world pulled at his gut. Hurriedly he snaps out of it, coming back to the task at hand. Together they enter the inn, and the smell of freshly cooked food hits him, causing his stomach to growl loudly. He sheepishly smiles to the child, and they are soon greeted by the familiar smiling face of Lady Aiyana. An instantly overwhelming feeling of comfort, of being...home...washes over him. Silently he studies her, wondering yet again just what it is that makes her so special, that sets her apart and above the others he's met. Quickly composing himself, he smiles back. "A pleasure to see you again, M'lady". He drops his large travel bag on the nearest table. "As you can see, I would like to inquire about lodging, but first order of business would be a meal, for myself and the young lady if she would care to join me. Pancakes and bacon for me, if you happen to have them."
He smiles warmly at Aiyana, and takes a table nearby and pushes out a chair for the little lass. As he awaits his meal, his gaze wanders lazily about, searching for some insight into the woman who now prepared his food. His thoughts wandered again to the visions of last night, and still it made no sense. So he decided to take things one step further, hoping to gain some small clue. He closed his eyes and concentrated, tapping into the magical weave and sharpening his senses, expanding them to encompass the whole of his surroundings. Almost as abruptly as he began, he realized his mistake. Oh, he got results, but he once again overestimated his ability to cloud his scryings, and the mystical protections that came at him through the magical tapestry nearly overwhelmed him. And it seemed to come from more than one source. With a shudder and a sharp intake of breath, he snapped out of his arcane scryings and clutched at the table. A crimson flush came across his face, as he realized that whomever he had intruded upon would be sure to be upset. It was not his intention to pry into anyone's minds, only to seek out clues which the mundane eye could not see. But how could he explain, him being here but a short while and not having yet earned the trust of those around him. And for that matter, he didn't even have time to discover whom it was that he had unwittingly invaded. One came to mind for sure, the feel of power playing on her at all times for those who are attuned to such things: Aiyana. A feeling of despair wrenched at his gut, born of the fear that he may have already doomed his new chance at life amongst these people. Would she understand it was only a mistake, that his intentions here are truly honest? All his hopes now rest in this place and these people, everything he has been striving for lies before him, and he has chosen the place to make a stand against the darkness in his own soul. If that chance were to be taken away now by the whim of his mistake, the pain and guilt would surely send him into madness, and mayhaps oblivion. With terror gripping at his very being, he awaited the outcome.
As the man's mind locked in terror a portal of fire opened up. The portal led her to an abandoned temple. Eyes of emeralds looked about the place with curiosity. What was this place and why was she here? There was no time for questioning and no one to question but herself. The fire-stained streaks in her hair glowed brightly as someone or something tapped into her mind. It wasn't Aiyana's mind Shadowheart tapped into, but her own. A sharp pain encompassed her, she had not the will nor strength to fight it. All she managed to do was block him from the secrets that have been taught to her as a child. The ones that brought her to serve the goddess Incarna. Deep in her mind other memories were hidden, but not even she could unlock them. She sighed with relief as the source left her mind. Wondering if indeed her name is Dajaine and if it is...who gave it to her? Another sigh was heaved. She was too tired to think and too confused to reason. Tomorrow she will explore this land, but in the meantime she will sleep on the hard floor. Slowly she fell to her knees and settled herself on the ground, wrapping her cloak about her. Her eyes shut as her mind drifted. Exhausted she fell fast asleep.