it seems to be a great story, but I'd best enjoyed it on screen than on text..

CalciumB3 update nah, I am really enjoying this story.

Interesting update Enjoy other interesting stories on Tushstories via

www.tushstories.com

#Read!

Hey CalciumB, I got captivated by your story, I really love it, never knew such a writer like you exist.
If you can finish this story, I will rate you alongside with Apollux, Divepen, TheBlessedMan(more of a comic man), zubike, and other great fantasy authors.
Keep it up

happy new month guys
am sorry for the late update. I promise make it up to you next week

CalciumB3:
happy new month guys

am sorry for the late update. I promise make it up to you next week

Happy New month bro, hope everything is good? You just went AWOL

guys am back on track

"Well, This is it! See ya later" and with that Celeste vanished into the shadows.
Aly shrugged and quietly opened the door. The room was small and scantily decorated. A modest fire burned in the corner of the room. A large but simple bed was in the center. Her friend slumbering within it. His delicate features and pale skin resembled snow white in the coffin.
She couldn't find a chair or anything in the room so she sat on the bed beside him. Delicately placing rebellious silver strands of hair away from his face.
She watched him carefully. His breath was soft and slow. She picked up his hand and held it to her lips tenderly kissing it. She held his hand in her lap and stared at the fire. Lost in its mesmerizing dance.
I cannot lose him . She thought to herself. Despite his verbal jests, He was still kinder to her than she ever knew.
A small tear trickled down her cheek.
She recalled the night she was kidnapped. Despite her utter sense of terror, he made her feel safe. His casual air eased her fears enough to make her brave. He had single-handedly raised her self-esteem by training her to fight, to understand the world around her, and in some strange ways protecting her. It was his guidance and knowledge that allowed her to see there was more to her than the mouse Paul had molded her into. He brought who she was back from the brink of extinction.
A raspy cough broke her reverie. His body spasmed as he struggled to breath. She carefully touched his forehead and monitored his breathing until the coughing subsided. As he slipped back into an easy slumber her eyes wandered back to the fire. Imagining its reflection on her friend's face.
It took many nights of traveling but Baellnar finally told her what his role was in bringing her here.
He was her helpless guardian. He watched her grow in the caring arms of her adopted family. She watched the pain in his eyes as he relived the terror he felt as he watched Paul snake his way into her life, taking advantage vulnerability.
She remembered his eyes growing misty as he elaborated the heartache of helplessly watching Paul slam her body into walls holding her by the neck. She did not know why but somehow his empathy helped her heal. Helped her understand that what she suffered to was not meant to be. That she did not deserve the pain. The only thing that kept him sane was knowing that one day he could pull her out of her private hell.
Baellnar moaned lightly in pain. Breaking her daydream. She squeezed his hand. Her clothes damp with her silent tears.
She whispered gently to him. "You are not allowed to leave me. Not when you're finally here with me."
She remembered how he softened that day she revealed all of the things Paul had done to her. When she said Paul's words of "No one will care for you as I do." Baellnar cut her off and whispered, "I have more care for you in my left pinky than he ever could in his entire life."
She chuckled between her sobs recalling that the expression on his face was an ugly clash between murderous rampage and solemnity.
The memory caused her to look up and blink rapidly. She bit her lip fighting the fresh wave of fear at the thought of losing her closest friend.
Once again, she focused on the blaze. There was something soothing about it. She took several deep breaths fighting her own emotions. He did not need her to be weak now he needed her to be strong. P lease come back to me 'nar. Please, I cannot do this without you.
***
Baellnar slowly opened his eyes and he smiled. His heart warmed seeing his favorite charge perched on his bed side. How could he not? Though her position was a bit strange, she was gazing at the ceiling. He looked up nope nothing interesting. He looked back at her and smiled.

MidasTouche01

brainark am back ooo

welcome sir

He glanced around the room. It was familiar. Then after a more detailed examination, it was actually his from when he was training in the veil. He sent a prayer to the gods. Thank mother, Gaia, we made it.
Though how they got here was a mystery. He mentally took check of his body. Wincing as he realized the immense pain in his chest. Odd? I thought I hit my head.
He remembered falling from his horse then immense pain in his head. Then nothing. A sweet sea of blackness slowly creeping shutting down his mind.
There may have been yelling. Yes, there was! He again looked at the feisty little girl at the end of his bed. It was in that moment he realized she was crying.
He remembered absolute darkness then a white light. It was lovely warm and welcoming it had a song to it. A song that sounded very much like the voice of the girl sitting before him. He felt the light push back on the dark sea in his mind.
Then he recalled immense pain in his chest. He took another inventory of his body. His head was fine but his chest definitely was not fully healed. Bleep that hurts! If she was going to heal me couldn't she have done the whole thing without breaking my ribs?
His reverie was broken by the sound of gentle sobbing. He could not let her suffer anymore. Despite her methods, she had saved him and now she needed him. He somehow knew she wept for him but he did not fully understand why.
He sat up and gripped her hand just a little tighter.
Alyenna jumped a little. Probably surprised by his sudden movement. She turned to him. Baellnar reached his other hand up and gently stroked her cheek brushing a wisp of auburn hair away from her eyes.
Immediately she launched herself on top of him squeezing the remainder of his precious oxygen out of his chest. She buried her face in his shoulder and he winced at the immense pressure of her embrace.
he coughed loudly while simultaneously laughing at her zest. Alyenna quickly pushed herself off of her friend apologizing.
"Think nothing of it. He said eyeing her softly. He leaned a bit closer to her, gazing into her eyes meaningfully. "Yours is the only face I would ever want to wake up to."
She grinned sheepishly then spun away from him shuffling to the edge of the bed. He smiled realizing it was her awkward attempt at hiding a blush.
Baellnar chuckled trying to calm her he said. "Aagi is far too ugly I for sure would have died of fright if it was his face next to mine!"
Suddenly his cheek stung and his head spun to the side at the impact of a well-aimed slap. He continued to laugh.
She glared at him all fire and brimstone. Realizing she wasn't feeling very humorous at the moment he gently tried to pull her to him. "I am fine really."
She swatted at him and crossed her arms over her chest.
He smiled. Aly was ridiculous when it came to emotional moments. He knew that after a long time of traveling with her. He could see her face contort in a strange form of fury.
He wasn't sure why but that did not matter. She turned from him and glared at the fire it jumped in response. He raised an eyebrow. The element of fire does not normally respond to children of mother Gaia. He tried to gently turn her to him again.
"Aly, c'mon by some miracle I am actually fine" he soothed.
"Bleep you! and your miracles!" she said haughtily.
The infinitely patient Baellnar chuckled in a gentle amusement, "I am pretty sure that miracle was you. So is that an invitation?" He waggled and eyebrow at her suggestively. Humor was her safety zone this should work.
She lightly chuckled
Success! He thought to himself.
"You're not allowed to be funny right now!" She said attempting to maintain her ridiculous tantrum.
"Oh? And pray tell Alyzon what am I allowed to be?" A nickname he had been toying with calling her. He liked how it sounded as it left his lips.
"Alyzon?" she questioned meekly.
"Yeah. It suits you. You are like an Amazon warrior but you are you. Hence Alyzon."
Delicately she turned to him. Suspicion scrawled over her visage. "How do you know what an amazon is?"
"Aly, I spent over a hundred years observing you and your culture. I know what the Amazons are. I also know that it is one of your favorite superheroes because you are, as your culture calls it, a nerd. "
"Nerds are awesome," she said defensively.
He gently nodded in agreement. "If half of them are like you I would agree with that."
She turned to him smiling brightly. Her eyes still sparkling from tears. Her hair was a glorious mess draped around her shoulders. Mother Gaia, she is beautiful.
He thought to himself. Still hazy from the remaining concussion he leaned in. He closed his eyes inches from her face.
SLAM! The door to Baellnar's room burst open. The force of the action shattered a nearby vase. In strode, their favorite lava haired Mighty Mouse. He punched Baellnar lightly on the shoulder "boy it's good ta see those babeh blues!"
Baellnar was both angry and relieved that his kiss was interrupted. He could never let that weakness happen again. It would put his cherished heroine at risk. He had to protect his Alyzon at all costs. Her success was all that mattered. Having feelings for her put her in grave danger. He could not let it go further.
Aagi bounced onto the bed with the pair. He boisterously regaled Baellnar with the whole story of the battle with the Tyroslag. .The earthen demon whose soul had been shackled by Scelestra hundreds of years ago. He was not shy in sharing how he single-handedly saved them all and brought them to safety. He smiled letting his friend drone on and nodding when it mattered. But his eyes never left Aly especially as he heard about what she did to save him. He knew for sure in that. Alyenna was responsible for the warm white light that pushed the darkness away.
Maybe it is a power from mother Gaia?
He chuckled though. Even her healing was clumsy judging by the immense pain still in his chest. What mattered though was that she could and did. Even if she did utilize some crude mortal methods. She had saved him. All this time he thought it would be the other way around.

***Thank you for reading. Please don't forget to comment

Bross welcome sir, but you just keep person for suspense any way I am not reading this until it reaches up page 7

scelectra fall on aagi for interupting that kiss

BrainArk:
Bross welcome sir, but you just keep person for suspense any way I am not reading this until it reaches up page 7

thank you sir

"Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning."--William Arthur Ward

It did not take long for Aly's caretakers to discover she had wandered off from her recovery room not just to find Baellnar but on several other occasions. Which, as Baellnar put it, made her a formidable patient. Alyenna had suffered through several days of what she considered torture, though it is more commonly known as bed rest.
Aly was beside herself with anxiety. As someone who was accustomed to above average physical activity, having been confined to a monotonous and unmoving location was about as calming as listening to nails drag their cruel and unrelenting way through a chalkboard.
Finally after the fifth day of exhaustive poultice treatments, multiple bandages, and intense healing magic she was released from solitary confinement. There was a timid knock on her door to announce the arrival of one nervous elven escort. Who, unfortunately for him, was vastly unqualified to the task of keeping Aly contained. To make matters worse for him Alyenna had been given orders to move about to awaken the slumbering tendons and muscles that made up the infernal injury in her ankle.
Aly had a different agenda. By day five she was bouncing with extraneous energy and thereby determined to hide deal with any and all effects of her broken ankle. When she heard the delicate knock on the door, she launched herself from the bed as the door slowly opened. Much in a way you would observe a pet locked in a cage.
"Miss Alyenna it is time to start your physical therapy. We would like to start with a leisurely stroll--" his words disappeared into the wind behind Alyenna's fading form.
He did not even finish the sentence before she had rushed past him, vanished from the room, down the hallway, and then tumbled into fresh mint scented grass that carpeted the area around the infirmary. Alyenna delighted with her tiny victory, lay sprawled out toes twitching in the fresh grass.
She laid there for several minutes just taking in the sights and sounds of the peaceful outdoors. She rejoiced in watching colorful birds chasing each other in song and flight. A small tortoise munched his way through the grass. She called out to him, and he happily ignored her his task of lunch being much more pressing of a need. Her recess was rudely suspended by a long skinny shadow interrupting her interlude with the sun.
"Yes?" She asked of the shadow.
"Miss this is hardly proper." The frustrated elf panted.
"that hardly matters to her now does it?" Came a familiar airy voice.
She jumped up from her reclined position and in one graceful movement tackled her friend knocking him flat on his back. Perched proudly on his stomach she grinned down at him.
"hi!" she said gleefully "How ya doin!" she said making the 'doin' exorbitantly longer than necessary.
Baellnar gently pushed her off. "I am fine. I see you are succeeding at following doctor's orders." He commented reproachfully.
Not in the least bit bashful Aly remarked: "I am fine its all fuss for nothing."
He sighed. "Aly you broke your ankle."
"Yeah . . . well, you died, and here you are no escort and no one coaching you on manners." She glared at him.
"Yes Aly, but I did not break an ankle so moving around is not exactly a problem for me." Again extremely patient in his quest for her cooperation.
"I spent enough time not moving. I am fine!" She got up and danced to emphasize her "fineness." Of course, her ankle buckled under her, but she rolled in the grass to make it look like part of the show.

Nice Story, Though Still On The First Page.

Wow......
Am back guys, sorry for the late updates..


Continued from where we stopped.....

Baellnar rolled his eyes affectionately and picked himself up off the grass and dusted himself off. "Good luck with that one!" He said to the orderly and glided off toward a large, important looking structure.
The orderly sighed, brushed himself off, and pleaded silently to Baellnar to comeback with his eyes. Then he eyed Aly, now prone on the grass once more. "Miss, we are only supposed to walk half a mile today no more."
Aly said nothing. She just glared at the orderly unsatisfied with the amount of freedom he was proposing. This stare-down went on for several minutes. Finally the orderly just left her there in the grass. Mentioning something about more important things to do. As he strode off in a huff a maniacal grin of glee crossed Aly's face. Once he was completely out of sight, she broke off in a run.
It felt amazing, sure there was a twinge in her ankle, but she did not care. Her ankle would heal. She felt the rush that came with the rhythmic pumping of her legs. She was in a world filled with magic.
Someone would figure out how to fix it if something happened . Was her last consideration before she focused fully on the rush of In the fresh air blowing past her face and lacing its way through her hair. She felt wild and free. She ran fast, faster than she usually did she did not care about pacing herself just about her newfound freedom.
When she was finally winded, she caught herself against a white oak tree. Its smooth bark intertwined with honey and pearlescent colors. Its emerald leaves dancing under the guidance of the wind. She took a deep breath and took in the world around her. These beautiful oaks were everywhere. As far as she could see. Animals sang brightly into the forest in an orchestral cacophony.
She leaned against the tree and closed her eyes absorbing the sanctuary around her finally relaxing. As she inhaled absorbed the fresh minty smell of the grass, the deep oak flavors of the forest around her, and the fresh light lavender in a field nearby. This was heaven she thought it had to be.
Then a strange sound broke her reverie. She heard swords clashing. She opened one eye to the sound and then lazily another. Her head tilted toward the direction and then her body driven by curiosity followed. She slowly pulled herself up through the bushes and bramble and saw flashes of red and silver.
She picked her way through the last of the bushes and found herself on a hill overlooking the entire heart of the veil. Its houses and buildings were small and elegant. Each one a part of the forest and not overtaking it. To the left of the buildings was a great open space filled with flat, dusty brown squares. In the center of the closest square was a girl she met the other night and some elven combatant.
She walked toward the training area. She took in the clamor of intense swordplay. Her hands were itching to get back into the ring and to train again. Too long she had been bereft of the feeling of cold hard steel in her hand and the strength that came with it.
The girl, Celeste, was impeccably skilled and held the strength of a demi-god. Not that Aly subjected herself to the opinions of your average chauvinist, but Celeste appeared to be stronger than any woman Aly had ever met.
Aly also noted that in her desperation Aly had neglected to absorb just how large Celeste truly was. This fire-haired warrior could easily be around 6 feet in height. She observed that even over large distances she could see Celeste's arms and legs were made purely of corded and powerful muscle. Though for all of her bulk Celeste moved like a dancer. Her motions were graceful and true. Each strike calculated each party precise.
Aly was fascinated this woman's style was artistic and bold. She had no fear for her opponent and never hesitated. She wielded an incredibly large shield and deadly looking mace.
Her opponent was no less powerful or adept. This was an elven male. Easily a foot taller than Celeste and incredibly muscular. He was wielding a two-handed ax. His movements were terrifying shaking the ground as he swung. They fought with the intensity of a deadly brawl, but would then bow and shake hands then begin again.
Alyenna squeezed herself behind a tree and a bush so she could more closely observe the skirmish. Fascinated she closely watched their stances and how they moved.
She watched how they angled their feet allowing them to spring out of each other's way quickly but with a deep stance to allow stability during a strike. Her eyes started calculating when Celeste should parry, strike, or dodge.
Aly was so absorbed with her study that she failed to realize that she had been creeping ever closer to the sparring ring. Abruptly large bright emerald eyes swerved her direction, and then the enormous shield started flailing about in the air as she waved her over. Aly was in awe of how effortlessly she held aloft the shield that was about her height above her head.
Celeste sprang forward jogging lightly to Aly and thwacked her on the back. The blow nearly knocked her off her feet, but luckily she just tipped forward a bit.
Moderately winded Alyenna beamed at the jolly red-headed giant. "Hey," she said awkwardly rubbing her neck. "How ya doin?"
"I am doing just peachy! Showing this big lug over here a thing or two about the real battle!" Celeste said punching him in the shoulder. The enormous elf glared at Celeste as he gathered his things. He was intimidating and like all other elves strangely beautiful. He resembled some sort of bodybuilder elf hybrid, which since those two things did not seem to belong together, was momentarily fascinating to Aly.
"Actually, I thought you were both very good! I would love to keep watching you guys spar if you don't mind?" Aly said hopefully.
Before her partner could answer Celeste said "Hah! Only on the battlefield! He still needs a tune-up in bed!" Seeing her partner's anger, Celeste piped up. "I am only kidding! You're great in bed!"
Aly suddenly felt incredibly uncomfortable. She shuffled her feet looking for a way to change the conversation. Luckily this time the big elf got a chance to speak.
He shoved the fire-haired amazon out of the way and held out his hand to Aly. "Don't mind her Aly; she takes a bit of getting used to. My name is Gorothon; You can call me Thon for short."He said his hazel eyes were twinkling. Then he leaned into Aly's ear and whispered "Honest she's great. she's a bit of a handful; but, really great."
Celeste eyed Aly suspiciously "Aren't you supposed to have a wispy little shadow hovering around you?" Then she loudly whispered to Aly "Elves like to hover."
Thon chuckled and started to walk away. "you girls have fun!"
After he turned around Aly eyed Celeste's slightly pointed ears questioningly. Celeste touched the ears in question and smiled "Oh, I am only HALF Elf!" She said brightly "C'mon after traveling with those two goons you are probably dying for some girl time. Come with me I will show you the fun things about this stuffy little glen." With that Celeste grabbed Aly by the hand and dragged her away from the training ring. Aly struggled to keep up the pace with real-life Amazon and ended up having to jog just to stay alongside her.
"where are we going?" Alyenna asked panting.
"Only the best place ever!" Celeste said her eagerness speeding up their progress. Alyenna no longer had the breath to ask questions, so she just allowed Celeste to drag her down winding pathways to their destination.

[i] "Let your soul be built with a collection of moments. You won't realize it until much later. But these are the memories that make you."--Unknown.[\i]

Aly struggled to keep up with the 6-foot tall unrealistically fast Amazonian warrior. She was sprinting just to keep up with her enthusiastic gate. Celeste dragged her past mundane eleven cottages, fields of strange white elk, and finally into a very prominent looking building.
The building was beautiful in its natural simplicity. It was laced in and around the sacred forest. Not a single tree was cut down in its construction. Instead, it appeared as if the trees were manipulated to be a living building. Enormous trunks bent and stretched inter-twining together to form elegant archways and make way for enormous stained glass windows.
The interior was equally exotic. The floors were painted with the natural sunlight that poured through the stained glass windows. Smaller trees twined lovingly together to create Pointed Archways within the structure. As incredible and elegant as the building was Aly barely had time to take it all. She was panting as she was yanked past each artisanal window and archway in a blind chase of some exotic location. When she could have been perfectly happy absorbing the one she was in.
Celeste thundered through the hallways dragging Aly past important looking people and rooms. The pair bumped into several of those important people who huffed angrily at them as they passed. Aly would gasp an apology that often times missed its target because of the speed of their progress.
Abruptly Celeste stopped in front of a pair of double doors unremarkable in appearance or size. Aly, Unable to stop her forward momentum in time slammed hard into the red-headed hellion. Celeste tore open the double doors to the building and dragged a now exhausted Aly inside. Relieved to have arrived at wherever this place was Aly plopped down on the ground and began massaging her throbbing ankle. Secretly regretting her eagerness from earlier.
A loud clang as a silver and red object hit the floor in front of her. The terrible sound awoke Aly from her dazed reverie. Annoyed at first the emotion quickly evaporated and made way for relief and excitement.
In front of her was her sword. Her beautiful dragon hilt sword that she made on her first day in Tendaara. She picked it up and held it delicately like you would a small child. She traced the enchanted runes not caring that she did not know what they meant. She had not realized how precious this weapon had become to her. It was her symbol of freedom from a dark and tumultuous past.
"what's her name?" Celeste asked gently.
Startled by the intrusion Aly looked up at the fire-haired amazon. "I was told I am not to reveal her name. That the name of a sword is its power." She said protectively pushing her sword out of view.
"PFFFFT Celeste said. Names have power yes. But it is only a BAD thing if you tell your enemies. I am not your enemy I am your friend. If your friends know the name of your sword they can add to its power and aid you in battle."
Alyenna played with the concept in her mind. Usually, her friends took a little longer than a day to make it into her circle of trust. She eyed her new friend with great suspicion.
The ever-perceptive Celeste protested the suspicion."Hey! I earned that title! I helped you find lover boy! " The word lover was said with a gentle but noticeable tease that Aly did not in the least appreciate.
"He's NOT my lover" She protested vehemently. "He is my dear friend."
Celeste Cackled "Why are you so defensive! Baellnar is gorgeous any girl wouldn't mind a go at him if you know what I mean." She winked at Aly.

Aly got really quiet and glared at no one in particular. She was not sure why she was so upset by the comment; but, she did not like the insinuation of other women being with Baellnar. It was immensely uncomfortable for her to imagine. Her logical side argued back that she had no rights or claim to the man. So he could dally with whomever he chose. Yet she still hated it. Thus started an intensely emotional and battle that no one but Aly noticed.
"So how about it. What's the name of that beautiful piece of steel in your hands?" Celeste said.
Her forwardness aside it was hard for Aly not to feel at ease with Celeste. her effervescent and honest personality reminded her of another favorite red-headed friend of hers. He was significantly shorter but she could not help but notice the similarity. However, she still was not ready to extend that rank of 'friend' to Celeste just yet. That title had to be earned. Too many people in her life had abused that rank. So she held it very close to her heart. Aly gently shook her head and held her sword close to her chest. "No, I am sorry I can't"
"Whatever makes no difference from here nor there to me!" Celeste gave her a hearty smack on the shoulder. "No worries girlie, I know you've been through enough to make even a puppy suspicious." Celeste moved away from Aly and gestured toward the rest of the room.
Alyenna pushed herself off the floor and strapped her sword to her side. Feeling much more secure in her strange surroundings she decided to take Celeste's invitation to look around. Celeste was right, this was definitely the best place in the veil. It was the armory.
The room was lined with incredible weapons of all shapes and sizes from elegant jeweled daggers, to rusty long swords, and everything in between. Aly was positively giddy. To her, this was a vault of priceless treasures far more valuable than gold or jewels. These beautiful weapons held stories of great battles and heroic deeds. Each one unique in its story and history. Each one of value to anyone who had a chance to hold it. A necklace in the hand of a pauper could change his night. A sword in his hand could change their life. Each of these incredible weapons had a plaque. The plaque identified the name of the blade and the battles it was in.
Celeste observed Aly's excitement and was absolutely delighted in having such a strong common ground. She launched into full-blown tour guide mode. She led Aly around to each of her favorite weapons and told her how to use them and what great warriors had used them and their stories. Sometimes it was how it was made that made them special. Sometimes it was how they were used and even more rare was the combination of the two.
In-between the girls chatted happily learning a bit about each other's past. Aly still apprehensive was not forthcoming about her personal history. Luckily Celeste was more than happy to fill the conversational void with her own.
"When I was a young'in. Me, an' my Ma were in a slave camp. Ma was an elf. Best woman to ever exist. I would bet my life on it. She always put others first. It was a hard day when the illness took her. I was no more than nine.
I had a strong back for a nine-year-old and was a might bit bigger than some of the other kids my age. As you can tell." She winked. "'Round the time I started getting pretty, I decided it was best if I skedaddled from there. The drivers were taking a not so pleasant interest in my development." She explained needlessly, Aly already understood the seediest parts of the human mind.
Celeste cut off her own story eagerly to point out a rather deadly looking dagger. "That there belonged to Artemis of Enwyr! Nasty little assassin. He had many names among the nobility. Things like the poison shadow or the reaper. My lot loved him though, he liked to steal from those who were rich and selfish. The good nobility he left well enough alone. But the mean buggers they were fair game. Then he would turn over a good portion of his loot to the less fortunate. A Right true hero that one. My crowd and I all wanted to meet him, like some sort of celebrity. I was the only one of the bunch that actually did!"

You're really good. I'm also a writer. I would love to work with you if you want.

CalciumB3:
Prologue

[I]Baellnar watched, as he always did. The hope in his eyes
was polluted by sadness. In front of him was a swirling
glass mirage. Inside it was her image trapped within a
crystalline-barrier that would evaporate in the next few
moments. He and Aagi could finally remove her from the
isolated kingdom of Earth and bring her home.
Aagi looked at him, a deep well of understanding within his
eyes. Their knowing glance lasted for but a moment, until
their attention turned back to the mirror. The transparent
barrier that had isolated her from their protection. They
could do nothing when he found her. They had to watch as
he destroyed her family and stole her away from her
home. He was a trickster and a fiend.
He was Scelestra's 'dog', and did her biting and bidding
without question. He held out his hand to Alyenna with the
devil in his eyes as he offered her 'shelter' and 'love.' She
was young, naive, and bereft; so, she took his hand and
followed him to her thirteen-year isolation.
It was time. Baellnar and Aagi could finally set her free.
Baellnar's mouth twitched with pride as he watched her
flee, once again, from Paul's house. He waited with tension
writhing relentlessly in his veins, each second felt like a
millennium. Baellnar's anxiety silently squeezed his heart,
until finally, relief swept over him, Paul did not emerge
from the house.
The portal's image followed closely behind Alyenna as she
fled through the forest. As the portal weakened he had
been able to send more and more magic through to aid
her. Fresh air filled her lungs and the northeastern wind
pressed against her back. Pushing her forward and in the
direction of the landing zone. He smiled with relief. The
clarity of the picture brought him joy.
It had been a while since Baellnar had been able to get a
clear vision of Aly, but yesterday that had changed. He was
not entirely sure what had caused the change; but, he was
grateful it had happened. He also knew that she had
something to do with it; because, despite The monster's
constant neglect and abuse, her spirit never failed her.
Good, hold on to that Aly. You will need it here.
Aagi patted him on the back. He was always obnoxiously
observant of those around him. Baellnar would try to hide
his anxiety behind a stoic visage. A mask that Aagi never
failed to see straight through. Aagi eyed his friend
knowingly. "Not long now ya knife-eared mama's boy." The
gruffness of his voice only added to the humor of his
statement. Which in all actuality was a lame attempt to
drive laughter out of him, but it worked regardless.
Baellnar couldn't help the laughter that escaped him. The
tension in the room had been insufferable, and as always,
Aagi had a knack for ruining the serious nature of just
about any situation. That apparently, included this one.
Baellnar turned his attention back to the portal. The anxiety
in his soul only shown by the twitch of his fingertips. Which
he attributed to years of experience as a general for the
rebellion. Baellnar had adopted a principle he called 'duck
on water.' No matter how much he was working or how fast
he needed to be pedaling. On the surface, he was relaxed.
It was an art that gave his troops confidence when he had
none. He used this principle so much It had become second
nature to him.
His attention was still hyper-focused on Alyenna's flight.
"Come on girl, give us this one thing." The landing zone
was three miles from the house. It was as close as they
could get given the protections that Paul had somehow
woven around the building. Despite Earth being barren of
magic that trickster had managed to slip some through.
Her foster family had done their best to keep her a secret.
No one was naive enough to believe Scelestra had not
found a way to Earth outside of the main portal. They had
moved Aly around to different states, and school systems
every couple of years. They had even done their best to
keep her identity secret, even from her. They had
succeeded; until her sixteenth year.
The day she had begun to show her latent abilities was the
day everyone had been dreading. The opening of the portal
was still thirteen years away, and with magic being so rare
on Earth, it did not take Paul much to detect it. It was
impossible to keep magic hidden in the Earth Realm
because humans there had lost the ability to wield it
centuries ago.
When he finally found her foster family he destroyed them,
and then snaked his way into her life. Typical demon scum,
he cursed inwardly as he noticed the fresh bruises on her
visage.
He smiled again. "The fates are smiling on us, my friend."
Alyenna had no concept of how fortunate her timing was.
Baellnar and Aagi had one shot and an exorbitantly finite
period of time to bring her home. The portal would be
open for only thirty minutes and then seal itself for another
one hundred and fifty years and they would all be trapped
in the bland world of Earth, and Tendaara would truly be
lost.
He felt his heart flutter as the glass of the portal evaporated
and gave way to a dazzling mist. "It's time." He said softly.
His eyes never left his charge's face.
"Readeh or not Aly 'ere we come!" Aagi roared as he
barreled through the portal. Once again laughter seized
Baellnar as he ran after his friend.
"Charge!" Baellnar roared his voice filled with amused
sarcasm while he held his sword aloft and barreled through
the portal. He felt the unfamiliar tingle of the magic around
him for a split second and then he felt soft earth
underneath his boots. He steeled himself fighting a spell of
nausea that came with the transference and looked ahead.
She was there in the clearing. Completely unaware of their
arrival, a weathered book clutched tightly in her hands and
she was yelling about the ending, again. Baellnar scanned
the area. This moment had to be a perfect surprise.
She did not know what she was and frankly neither did he,
but she bested Paul frequently enough to make her
dangerous. The current plan was to kidnap her. So he
hoped for the best case scenario, that she did not see them
coming. The concept of battling an angsty Aly was an
alarming one.
Baellnar's fears were quickly abated when Aagi took
matters into his own much less delicate hands. The fiery-
haired dwarf was in the process of surreptitiously sneaking
up on her, the hilt of his ax at the ready. In one swift flick of
his wrist, he struck her with the pommel and she collapsed
on the ground. "Grab 'er!"[/i]

[A/N] Thank you for reading! I love feedback and
comments they make my day! Get ready for an epic
adventure filled with sword fights, demons, fairies,
dragons, humor, love, and heartbreak!

[This section was built in after the original story was
crafted. This story is not linear it is circular. So, please
note that there will be a lot of mystery and
unanswered questions in this chapter and the other
early parts of this story, but it is on purpose.
You will walk with Aly on this journey of self-discovery
so you will be told clues as read as to who and what
she really is as well as the other characters. You must
read forward to have your questions answered.]

nice story... following!

See who's here.. Happy New Month

Sezioha:
You're really good. I'm also a writer. I would love to work with you if you want.

It's a great privilege sir/ma

I won't run away this time...


"Your crowd?" Aly asked intrigued. "Yeah like I said I skedaddled from the slavin' camp. Dosed my drivers with a sleeping poultice and ran. Made my way to the closest city. My home, the city of Tristitia. Tristitia was well named the city of sadness in the old language. It is where the worst of the worst live. In the heart of the city is Scelestra's Castle. She had a nasty habit of coming out and picking on us street kids for experiments and things. Not sure how I escaped her clutches but I am glad I did. I lost many friends to her and her thugs.
As rough as that was street life was still a great deal better than slavin'. Best way to not get nabbed though was to travel in packs. So I got myself a gang of misfits big'uns small'uns and some in-betweeners. We all had our talents. With me bein' bigger than everyone, and a bit smarter I was the leader of the pack." She chuckled inwardly "Lord help any thug who touched one of my friends." She trailed off her eyes getting fiery.
"There was this one time. Where some big dudes had cornered Tika. She's was a pretty little thing no more than seven. They were going to do some horrid things to her. I just knew it, I could smell it on them." Her eyes flashed with anger then cooled. "I can do that you know? Smell evil."
"Evil doesn't have a smell. . . " Aly said out loud. She quickly caught her breath though. She feared her statement would be received as rude. Celeste, however, continued unmoved by Aly's verbal slight.
"Yeah, well you're right it's not a smell, per se. It's just how I describe it. It's more of a sense. I can tell if someone is claimed with or without the red eyes. They just reak of evil. Same with ordinary folk who are just bad news. I know it's not a smell but I have no better way of describing it to those without the perception.
Anyway, I got in the way of their little conquest. I armed myself with a trashcan lid and a rusty dagger and crud infested brain dead dick wads. They went running too! Oh, it was grand watching them run and scream like little sissies." She chuckled at the memory and got a little misty-eyed.
"Problem was though I was still only nine. Those dirtbags went and found some extra friends. Real manly ganging up on a nine-year-old girl don't ya think?" She shook her head her fist turning white as she gripped her own sword.
" Even I could only do so much you know at that age. Anyway, after the first scuffle, they decided I was a bit more valuable than a single nights gratification and threw me into the gladiator games." She paused for a while looking off in the distance.
"Wait there are Gladiator games in Tendaara?" Aly was shocked, had no recollection of her books mentioning them.
"Well the games only recently became popular, and only in the most sordid of circles. Only the lowest of the rectum sniffin' penis heads take part in hosting or watching the games." She spat in emphasis of her point.
The dickheads like taking us scrappy little street kids and pitting us against weak adults that were caught stealing or cheating. It's great fun for them. Anyway, I had a knack for the fighting. I loved it way better than street life or slavin' not saying it was a picnic, just better." Celeste's story trailed off as she found another interesting artifact.
It was at that moment that Aly noticed another particularly ornate sword. The broadsword was held high up on the wall. It was placed next to a portrait of a regal looking woman wearing silver and gold armor with golden hair. She looked very similar to how Aly had always pictured Eleanor. Meanwhile, was rambling about the great Ax of Conrad the Destroyer.
Alyenna lost track of Celeste's words, and the glorious epithet of Conrad's battles faded into the background of her mind. Aly's feet guided her mindlessly toward the elegant weapon. The hilt was gold and silver intertwined in the shape of a great oak. Roots melding with the blade and merging into complex patterns of black and silver roots. The roots stretched down the length of the blade to the tip of the sword. The golden plaque mounted next to the blade read.

In Memoriam
Here rests the sword of Queen Eleanor Hero of our people.

Aly was helpless to the urge of touching the sword. It grasped out for her very soul. She reached up to the blade tracing her fingers along the runes. Just as her fingers gently stroked the runes on the blade her vision blackened and her legs crumpled beneath her.
****
When her vision cleared. Aly was back in the training yard; but, it was different than it was this just 30 minutes ago. As she stood in the ring she glanced to her left and her right. All around her were hundreds of people. She looked down at herself. She tried to take a step as she realized her clothes were no longer her own. Suddenly she was wearing silver and gold armor. Strange, she thought to herself. Her legs began to move as by the hand of a puppeteer. She knew not where they were taking her. The scene though everything looked so familiar as if she was reliving a memory everything had an anomalous hazy feel to it. It was like she was seeing the world around her through a blind man's glasses.
She realized she had no control over her own body as her legs carried her forward to an unknown destination. The strangest part was though everything she was seeing was new to her it had this eerie feeling of deja vous. H ow could this be familiar? I have never been here before and where did all these people come from? The thoughts were unsettling.
Alyenna looked forward. In front of her, on a grand stage was someone she did recognize. The familiar hazel eyes and auburn hair settled her racing heart for a breath. It was Allabandar. She tried to wave but her arm refused to move. Next to him was a human gentleman she had never seen before. He had eyes like the Aegean sea and hair like a starless night. Her heart fluttered at the sight of him almost in a greeting of a long lost lover. how could this be? I have never seen that man before.
The handsome stranger returned her gaze with loving devotion. How could this man be looking at her like that she had never seen him before? She tried to speak but her lips were still sealed. A sickening feeling wormed its way through her body as she realized whatever happened next she had no control over. A couple strands of wavy blonde hair fluttered in front of her face. That is not mine! What is going on!
No panicked she desperately tried to shout, to grab at the hair that was so unfamiliar to her, to kick, and to scream but her legs carried her forward endlessly to the stage before her. Her body had betrayed her she was a hapless puppet in someone else's reality.
Once she reached the stage. She felt her hands reached for her hilt at her side. They unsheathed her sword. An elegant sword with a tree at the hilt and handed it to Allabandar. her legs then collapsed of their own volition and she kneeled before Allabandar with her head bowed. He took her sword from her in infinite grace and tapped her shoulders with the blade. Each one a calculated and delicate maneuver.
"Rise queen Eleanor savior of our people." Alyenna rose. Alright! She screamed into her own mind. E nough is enough what the hell is going on?!? Then her legs raised her back up and spun her around. She held her sword aloft and was greeted by a massive cheer.
Then the cheering faded into nothing and she was awakened by an abrupt wave of frigid water.
***
She woke up soaking wet and shivering. She was staring face to face with two fiery redheads and a pair of sapphire eyes.
"STOP DOING THAT!" She yelled
"Stop freaking us out!" Baellnar roared back.
"I am not doing it on purpose!" Aly declared derisively.
"You are a brat!" Baellnar stated in a huff.
"Yeah, well your a pointy-haired pompous windbag." Aly knew the comeback was lame but she was shivering, and still recovering from her out of body and into someone else's' body experience so its all she had.
"Oi' both ya need to zip it!" Aagi roared.
They both stared at Aagi, Aagi who sighed in frustration.
Celeste cut in. "Look, I don't know what is going between the two of you but right now we need to get miss Alyenna back to medical." Celeste checked Aly's forehead. "She gave me a right scare going all white-eyed and trembling. One minute we were chatting the next she was on the floor thrashing around. It was crazy and weird. I am wondering if there was some sort of poison on involved."
Aagi and Baellnar looked worriedly at Aly and immediately grabbed her to drag her back to the infirmary. She shook them off and stepped back.
"Look I am fine." She spun around and did a little dance. "Completely fine."
"Aly what just happened to you was not something that happens to someone who is fine". Baellnar argued.
"It was not poisoned!" She yelled back. "It was something else," Aly said trailing off of the sentence sheepishly realizing she had just made the situation worse. However, she had no interest in being pinned down and then probed to find out what sort of non-existent poison had entered her body. So she had to give them something. Her friends looked at her expectantly. "Look, I do not know what it was. It was not poison, honest."
"Aly, unless you can give me a clear explanation of what just happened you are going straight back to medical," Baellnar said sternly his hands on his hips.
" Nar" she sighed addressing Baellnar with her special nickname for him. "Truly I am fine. It was just one hell of a dream."
Baellnar stared at her for a long time. "Aly, dreams don't knock you off your feet in the middle of the day." He argued gently.
She looked around not knowing what to say. Finally, she settled on one thing the only thing that had stayed in her mind after the wave of cold water.
She turned to her friends and said: "I know the sword's name." She gestured at Queen Eleanor's sword. "Its name is Evangeline."
Thank you for reading! Please don't forget to comment.

BrainArk:
CalciumB3 update nah, I am really enjoying this story.

update has landed

In Memoriam
Here rests the sword of Queen Eleanor Hero of our people.

Aly was helpless to the urge of touching the sword. It grasped out for her very soul. She reached up to the blade tracing her fingers along the runes. Just as her fingers gently stroked the runes on the blade her vision blackened and her legs crumpled beneath her.
****
When her vision cleared. Aly was back in the training yard; but, it was different than it was this just 30 minutes ago. As she stood in the ring she glanced to her left and her right. All around her were hundreds of people. She looked down at herself. She tried to take a step as she realized her clothes were no longer her own. Suddenly she was wearing silver and gold armor. Strange, she thought to herself. Her legs began to move as by the hand of a puppeteer. She knew not where they were taking her. The scene though everything looked so familiar as if she was reliving a memory everything had an anomalous hazy feel to it. It was like she was seeing the world around her through a blind man's glasses.
She realized she had no control over her own body as her legs carried her forward to an unknown destination. The strangest part was though everything she was seeing was new to her it had this eerie feeling of deja vous. H ow could this be familiar? I have never been here before and where did all these people come from? The thoughts were unsettling.
Alyenna looked forward. In front of her, on a grand stage was someone she did recognize. The familiar hazel eyes and auburn hair settled her racing heart for a breath. It was Allabandar. She tried to wave but her arm refused to move. Next to him was a human gentleman she had never seen before. He had eyes like the Aegean sea and hair like a starless night. Her heart fluttered at the sight of him almost in a greeting of a long lost lover. how could this be? I have never seen that man before.
The handsome stranger returned her gaze with loving devotion. How could this man be looking at her like that she had never seen him before? She tried to speak but her lips were still sealed. A sickening feeling wormed its way through her body as she realized whatever happened next she had no control over. A couple strands of wavy blonde hair fluttered in front of her face. That is not mine! What is going on!
No panicked she desperately tried to shout, to grab at the hair that was so unfamiliar to her, to kick, and to scream but her legs carried her forward endlessly to the stage before her. Her body had betrayed her she was a hapless puppet in someone else's reality.
Once she reached the stage. She felt her hands reached for her hilt at her side. They unsheathed her sword. An elegant sword with a tree at the hilt and handed it to Allabandar. her legs then collapsed of their own volition and she kneeled before Allabandar with her head bowed. He took her sword from her in infinite grace and tapped her shoulders with the blade. Each one a calculated and delicate maneuver.
"Rise queen Eleanor savior of our people." Alyenna rose. Alright! She screamed into her own mind. E nough is enough what the hell is going on?!? Then her legs raised her back up and spun her around. She held her sword aloft and was greeted by a massive cheer.
Then the cheering faded into nothing and she was awakened by an abrupt wave of frigid water.
***
She woke up soaking wet and shivering. She was staring face to face with two fiery redheads and a pair of sapphire eyes.
"STOP DOING THAT!" She yelled
"Stop freaking us out!" Baellnar roared back.
"I am not doing it on purpose!" Aly declared derisively.
"You are a brat!" Baellnar stated in a huff.
"Yeah, well your a pointy-haired pompous windbag." Aly knew the comeback was lame but she was shivering, and still recovering from her out of body and into someone else's' body experience so its all she had.
"Oi' both ya need to zip it!" Aagi roared.
They both stared at Aagi, Aagi who sighed in frustration.
Celeste cut in. "Look, I don't know what is going between the two of you but right now we need to get miss Alyenna back to medical." Celeste checked Aly's forehead. "She gave me a right scare going all white-eyed and trembling. One minute we were chatting the next she was on the floor thrashing around. It was crazy and weird. I am wondering if there was some sort of poison on involved."
Aagi and Baellnar looked worriedly at Aly and immediately grabbed her to drag her back to the infirmary. She shook them off and stepped back.
"Look I am fine." She spun around and did a little dance. "Completely fine."
"Aly what just happened to you was not something that happens to someone who is fine". Baellnar argued.
"It was not poisoned!" She yelled back. "It was something else," Aly said trailing off of the sentence sheepishly realizing she had just made the situation worse. However, she had no interest in being pinned down and then probed to find out what sort of non-existent poison had entered her body. So she had to give them something. Her friends looked at her expectantly. "Look, I do not know what it was. It was not poison, honest."
"Aly, unless you can give me a clear explanation of what just happened you are going straight back to medical," Baellnar said sternly his hands on his hips.
" Nar" she sighed addressing Baellnar with her special nickname for him. "Truly I am fine. It was just one hell of a dream."
Baellnar stared at her for a long time. "Aly, dreams don't knock you off your feet in the middle of the day." He argued gently.
She looked around not knowing what to say. Finally, she settled on one thing the only thing that had stayed in her mind after the wave of cold water.
She turned to her friends and said: "I know the sword's name." She gestured at Queen Eleanor's sword. "Its name is Evangeline."
Thank you for reading! Please don't forget to comment.

Emmiekeyz:
nice story... following!

thanks bri

"I may not always be there with you, but I will always be there for you."--unknown.


After several long minutes of discussion, Alyenna revealed her out of body experience to her friends. As she described the coronation, Baellnar and Aagi turned a very unflattering shade of white. Baellnar's expression sunk as she described her involuntary reaction to the handsome stranger. He said nothing to her directly after her story. Instead, he insisted they speak to the high priest immediately.
Aly was lead, much slower this time, through the incredible Elven castle. She was brought to a more prominent looking room lined with pews with an incredible stained glass window in the front. The window must have been eight times Aly's size, and it displayed a great tree. Strange people and animals of all kinds were kneeling in praise of it.
The room had been painted by the rainbow light of several ornate stained glass windows. The effect of the lighting was enchanting, and the individual images were incredible. Some of the images were much simpler than the epic stories inlaid in the glass. From Alyenna's minimal experience she was able to ascertain that they displayed the personas of what prominent people in Elven culture. In front of the grandest of the stained glass windows was a figure in a white cloak. He was hunched over and mumbling in a language Alyenna did not recognize.
"Great Priest Umefiel, we must speak with you, and earn your wisdom on a matter of great importance." Celeste was the one that spoke. Her formality shocked Aly. She spoke with an elegance that Aly expected of Baellnar but after spending a day with her she not given the least bit of an inclination of formality until now. Baellnar at the time still looked like a ghost and was not willing to communicate with anyone.
The hunched figure slowly rose and turned to face the eclectic group. Celeste pushed Aly forward gently. "Miss Aly, please relay the story of your vision from the armory. Please use as much detail as you can." Aly once again explained her experience. The priest made her repeat herself several times.
After the third description of the stranger with dark hair and blue eyes evoking an emotional response, Baellnar excused himself mumbling something about another appointment. The priest probed her for even the smallest details. He asked about the weather, the day, what Allabandar was wearing. Even about some members of the crowd.
Since the whole thing was seen in a blur, it was excessively difficult to relay everything. The interrogation took several hours. When it was finally over Aly felt as if she would collapse. It took every bit of her willpower to stand her ground. She refused to show weakness in front of the strange man and his followers who had started to appear as she told her story. She realized this was some sort of show for them and she was not feeling like performing.
Of course in one of the moments she needed him most Baellnar had left. She understood that her want of his presence was selfish; but, did he have to leave? Her story seemed important to everyone but him.
She needed Baellnar's support as this out of body experience became more and more real. The strangers around her kept gasping and mumbling amongst themselves as she told specific details about the crowds and who was on the stage. What she had originally thought was a strange dream, was alarming everyone so much she thought it was much more prominent than anyone was telling her.
At what she hoped was the last telling of the story she plunked herself down on one of the pews. The priest sat beside her and tried to comfort her by wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "How could you have such a clear recollection of queen Eleanor's coronation when you were not even born a child yet?" His silver eyes were boring into her soul. She had to look away even his gaze felt invasive.

"I am not sure sir." She stuttered "All I did was touch the sword, and then that other world appeared to me." Aly whispered.
He nodded knowingly. Miss Aly, I think that is enough for now. I have to do some research. Find yourself something to eat, and I will find you when I am ready.
"Thank Mother Gaia! I am starvin'!" Celeste said happily. "Then covered her mouth wide-eyed as she realized she had just cursed in a holy room." Luckily for her, the priest just chuckled and walked away.
"Here here!" Aagi chorused.
Aagi helped Alyenna up off the pew and allowed her to use his shoulders for support. Her ankle was now throbbing with the efforts of the day. He guided her slowly to her room. Once they arrived, she crawled on top of her bed and bunched her knees deep into her chest. Lost in thought, she stared blankly out of the window. Thankfully this one was not stained glass. She was able to stare out at the white oaks and songbirds and for a few brief moments feel nothing but peace.
Celeste yelled for an elf who quickly came to the room. She spouted off a couple of foreign sounding items like she was reading a menu and then he left. Celeste and Aagi sat on either side of Aly, both trying to chatter at her to pull her mind away from today's trauma.
The elf quickly returned with a tray piled high with soft fluffy roles, steaming vegetable soup, and a couple amazing looking chocolate desserts. Aly's stomach rolled newly emboldened by the site of the feast. As the rolls and vegetable stew hit her stomach, she was finally able to relax and enjoy the company of her friends.
It did not take long to realize that Aagi and Celeste had an extraordinary rivalry. Almost like that of a brother and sister. They would jovially spout off insults at each other covering a range of topics from the way they fought to the integrity of their parenting. Celeste had the monopoly on insults involving Aagi's nether regions, and they were about matched in-jokes about their physical size.
Aly was laughing hysterically by the time a timid knock rapped on their door. It was the disgruntled orderly from before who quickly stood in the way of the door to thwart a non-existent escape attempt. The trio eyed him expectantly.
"Great priest Umefiel will see you now. Follow me" He said and turned about face then exited the room. The three friends sighed and slowly heaved themselves up from the bed. Recess was over.
They trailed after him. The sun was setting now which covered the hallways in faded orange and red hues. As the colors outside faded so did the colors on the stained glass windows. The glass became transparent as the sunset giving way to the shyer light of the moon and stars.
They exited the great building and made their way past sleepy houses and drowsy townsfolk. No matter what culture Aly encountered she realized they all had the same basic routine. Parents were calling in their children from play. The working members trudged their way home, enlivened only by their families joyous greeting as they arrived. Several others congregated around the local watering hole. Inside were sounds of music and ruckus laughter. As they exited to the outskirts of the main town, she heard crickets begin to call for their mates and watched as fireflies danced in the fading twilight. Mesmerized by the magic Aly did not notice that they had suddenly stopped.
When she finally did realize they had stopped, she looked up, and up, and up. Before she was a massive tree. Easily the height of a New York City skyscraper and equally as wide. The base of the tree was enormous. The roots that peaked up from the ground where the size of small cars. However, none of that mattered.
The tree called to Aly. It sang to her. She heard it in her bones and her soul. A soothing melody like a mother's lullaby to a child. She started stepping forward to the tree, and the song grew louder. Soon she lost track of the calls of her friends and just walked toward the tree. She felt a tug on her shoulder but shook it off and kept forward. Her movements like that of a zombie as she slowly shambled towards the enormous oak.

"ALY!" Baellnar shouted through the fog of her mind. She ignored him.
"Aly!" Her friends said in unison. Again she ignored them.
Celeste then grabbed her and picked her up. Aly hung there continuing to stare at the tree. She shook her a couple of times, but Aly was unblinking. Celeste put her down and watched as Aly's feet continued their trek forward. Finally, Aly touched the tree, and as her fingers contacted the tree, her whole body was enveloped in bright white light. The tree echoed the light, and it too glowed in greeting. Soon the forest came alive. All of the white oaks glowing and singing.
Aly began to rise off the floor. Her friends helplessly watched in the distance. The glow around her body pulsed and she began to shift. Her body slowly morphed between birds, elk, great cats, mystical horses, and other strange creatures. After several minutes her form became her own again, and she lowered to the ground.
Speechless her friends stared at her now slumbering form.
"What the hell just happened!?" Baellnar roared. He scrambled to Aly and scooped her up cradling her against his chest.
Great priest Umefiel stepped out from behind one of the great roots. "It is as I thought."
Baellnar glared at the holy man. "What is as you thought? What just happened? Why did you bring us here."
"Calm yourself, child. Look to your friend. She is sleeping peacefully, yes? See how she smiles." The great priest gestured toward Aly.
Baellnar uncaring of his reassurances unsheathed its sword and held it threateningly towards the priest. The priest stared at him unmoving. "Good, you should protect her. She is valuable beyond compare. She is the last of the children of Mother Gaia. She is a Dyrklo."
Celeste gasped and ran to Aly and held her hand looking up at the priest. "Great one it cannot be. The children of Gaia were hunted to extinction by Scelestra. It was foretold, a child of Gaia would be her undoing? Queen Eleanor was the last of her kind."
"It appears we were wrong." The priest smiled.
Baellnar picked up the sleeping Aly continuing to cradle her against him. "How is this possible."
"Child, I know a great deal many things. How a child of Gaia could stay hidden for over 150 years is a mystery to us all." The priest said. However, as the words escaped his mouth he stared pointedly at Aagi and Baellnar. "Unless there is something you would care to share."
Baellnar was resolved in keeping his mouth shut. His eyes unmoving from Aly. It was Aagi that spoke up this time.
"Mister 'olyness sir, Aly was sent through the Jade Portal 'bout 'undred an' fifty years ago. We jus' got 'er back an' been runnin' ever since."
The priest stared at them for a long time. "Tomorrow you must leave. Though we are blessed to have a child of mother Gaia with us, having a Dyrklo in our mist is incredibly dangerous. Scelestra has ways of tracking her kind, and you may have led her straight to the veil. You have endangered our sanctuary. When she wakes in the morning, you must go. We will see to it you are provided with ample supplies. Leave and do not return until the war has ended."
"One last question." This time from the very sullen Baellnar as he chose to speak finally. "What will happen to Aly. We have no means of training a Dyrklo."
"I believe you were a familiar of her ancestor?" The priest asked.
"Yes sir, we were very close," Baellnar said slowly.
"Excellent, then you also know Cameron. Her human lover." Baellnar balked, while Cameron was like a brother to him deep down he would never forgive him for what he had done to Eleanor. Whether it was his fault or not. Despite trying to assist in his recovery. Baellnar had helped him not out of love for Cameron but out of love for Eleanor. "Yes," he said simply his eyes starting to heat up frustration, and fear of the next command.
"Then you must take her to Cameron. Though he and you were present during her training, only Cameron is intimately aware of the ups and downs of the Dyrklo race. Only he can help you now."
"Forgive me, sir, we do not even know if he is alive." Baellnar objected.
"He resides deep in the Hakkar mountains. The only company he keeps is that of the forest and the snow. You will find him there, or he will find you. That is your destination, and that is how you will find the answers you seek."
Aly gently rolled in Baellnar's arms and moaned. The priest approached her slumbering form and caressed her head. "Sleep well child of the earthen mother. Your future is not an easy one." he leaned closer so no one could hear. "We've missed you."