MysidiaDrakkenbane

The next morning, Mysidia was up with the dawn, packing her things into various bags. Feja thought it time that she got registered with Willow Wood and got a place of her own. Not that she didn't take a strong liking to Mysidia, but the small house they had was large enough for just her and her family. It was getting cramped keeping Mysidia there.

Mysidia didn't take offense to it, either. She knew it was time. She was strong enough to fend for herself and it was time to actually start making a life in the new world she was in. If nothing else, she was resilient. Not that she didn't have much say in the matter…

Maya and Kay'je had taken to Mysidia and bonded to her. She enjoyed the cubs' company and expected tear filled eyes when it was her time to leave. Maya took it the hardest. The girl was picking apart Mysidia's brain with questions about being Druid.

Feja and Aust were never domineering on what path their children should take. They left it up to them to decide what profession they'd like to go into. Kay'je had taken an interest in being a monk. Maya, on the other hand, just seemed to be content being her, for a while. But when Mysidia woke, it seemed more than ever, that Maya's fate would walk down the Druid path.

Mysidia bent down and gave Kay'je a long hug and a kiss on the cheek. When she gave Maya the same hug, Maya's eyes were filled with tears.

"But, why do you have to go?", Maya asked, pleading her to stay.

"Because, it's time. It's not like I'm going very far. You guys can come and visit when ever you want.", she said wiping the tears off of Maya's furry face.

Maya sniffled and wiped her nose on the back of her hand. "Promise?", she asked, her voice shaking. Mysidia nodded to reassure her.

"I have something for the both of you.", she said and dug into her pack. She pulled out a book and handed it to Kay'je

"What's this?", he asked eyeing the intricately carved cover.

"This is a Vah'Shir story book. Your great-great-great grandmother, Belle, had one just like it. It has all the tribal stories that were passed down from generation to generation, in here.", she said and placed a gentle hand on his head. His eyes grew wide and he ran into the house to read it.

Both of the children knew Mysidia's past. They knew how old she was so her saying she knew Belle wasn't a huge surprise to them. In Kay'je's eyes, though, it was extremely cool that Mysidia knew Belle. If Belle were alive, she would have been extremely proud of how her family turned out. She was one of the first of the "Darkfury" Tribe and a powerful Beastlord. But like the race, that class also died out in Luclin's destruction.

Mysidia unclipped her Druid epic and bent down to hand it to Maya. She placed her furry hands on the hilt and handed it over. "This, my dear Maya, is for you."

"Wow…", she whispered, her eyes full of wonderment and surprise.

"One day, a few short years from now, when you've completed your training, your mother will hand you this. I hope one day you will make it shine again, like it used to. Young Maya, you have a gift for nature and a thirst for knowledge. Never lose it. Tunare rewards all Her children and never forgets them.", she said and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Mysidia mounted the horse Aust provided for her to borrow. Aust mounted up on one next to her. Mysidia drew up her reins and looked down at Feja. She gave her a warm smile.

"Thank you, for everything. Belle would have been proud. I know I am.", Mysidia said and grabbed Feja's hand.

Feja gave a knowing smile and backed away from the horses. Mysidia nudged hers into a trot and Aust wasn't far behind.

"You know, Maya will be talking about that for weeks.", Aust said trotting up to her.

"I wasn't joking. Your daughter has a rare gift. I have never seen a child pick up nature's workings as quickly as she has. Nurture it, Aust.", Mysidia said and they galloped towards South Qeynos.

Mysidia's lodgings were meager, but it was hers. She set up the few pieces of furniture she did get and looked around somewhat content. She mentioned something about it still needing a woman's touch and Aust knew better than to go into too deep. Something about women and their decorating sent them all into such a tangent on thorough description of why a mirror should be where it is. He didn't understand it and he wasn't about to start.


It was about mid-afternoon when they were on their way towards Graystone Yard. Mysidia kept the conversation going with various stories of what life was like before Luclin cracked. It was more for her benefit than his. She was extremely nervous about what she would find and this helped her keep her mind off the obvious.

Aust knew this, of course, and just let her talk. He enjoyed the stories greatly, anyway. When she got to the tale of her battle at Ill Omen, Aust shook his head hardly believing what he heard.

"I just can't put together the fact that I have an Empress in my company.", he said looking at her.

"Why is it so hard to swallow?", she asked with an amused smile on her face.

"It's just that…well.. you're here. Nothing about you even remotely gives away your secret.", he said and thought about his words, "…no offense."

"None taken. Empress. All it is, is a title and a word. My birthright gave me that title. It means little without the power behind it. Look at the High Elves. How many of them had the title Lord or Lady? And they had to start all over. Birthrights give men titles. Respect give men power. But why is it so different for me?", she asked.

"Because I've never met one in person.", Aust mused. Her words were right, however. Unless you had the kingdom and power behind it, Empress was only an empty word and title.

The entered through the large wooden gate and immediately, Mysidia knew herself to be in Barbarian and Dwarf country. She always had a particular fondness to Dwarves. It was all that attitude in a little package. She related to it, on some level.

Aust pointed out the sign towards the docks and they both nudged their horses in that direction. Various Barbarians were selling their wares and shouting out into the thick dim of the crowd of what was for sale. The stench of roasting fish and tanned leather clung thickly to the air as they passed through invisible clouds of aged swill.



They finally reached a Dwarf with a short temper and a long braided blonde beard. His face carried the lines of an older man but apparently with age did not come patience.



"Dismount yer horse. Ye givin' me a crick in th' neck lookin' up at ye.", he said in a cranky tone.



Mysidia dismounted and walked over to his crude wooden desk that was being destroyed by the harsh weather and salt water. He took out a small piece of charcoal and a form from one of the drawers.



He looked up her for a brief moment. "State yer name….Wait a minute. Yer not a Dwarf or Barbarian. Yer in the wrong place, lass. Willow Wood is on the other side o' town.", he said and began to dismiss them.



"No, Master Dwarf, I'm not here to register for the census. I'm here looking for my husband.", she said with pleading eyes.



Aust chimed in trying to put the situation as delicate as he could. "We believe he has passed on…", he said and hung his sentence out hoping the Dwarf would pick up the hint.



The Dwarf looked at Mysidia up and down for a moment and squinted his eyes before waving his hand. "Come on, then."



They handed their horse reins to a small Barbarian boy to tie to the posts, while the followed the Dwarf down the wooden pier and off on a trail that lead them towards several hills. With his short stubby hand, the Dwarf pointed at the narrow trail before them and instructed them where to go.



"When yer done there, come back ta see me. I have some paperwork for ye ta sign.", he said and left them.



Mysidia and Aust made their way down the trail and began to see a small wrought iron fence surrounding a large graveyard. The closer the two of them came to the graveyard, the more unreal the situation became.



Thousands, literally, thousands of gravestones dotted the hills before them and Mysidia's eyes were filled with horror. Mysidia placed a hand on the small fence and just stared at the graveyard. Her heart hung thickly in her chest. The hopes of finding her husband alive seemed bleak at best. The worst of her nightmares was starting to come to fruition.



"I'll…wait here.", Aust said not sure of what to say. He watched Mysidia numbly walk through the gates. She was completely overwhelmed by the entire situation. Where to start? It seemed her mind was ready to walk, but her feet couldn't move.



"Most of the graveyards here in Qeynos are by alphabetical order, starting with your last name.", Aust said hoping to get her moving. Mysidia looked over her shoulder and nodded.



"Gods… there are so many of them.", Mysidia said stunned.



She began to peruse up and down the isles looking at all the names. Many of them were foreign to her. Only a name here and there looked familiar, but even then the faces of her past began to meld into one another and she couldn't distinguish a "Whitewolf" with a "McCully."



It took her over an hour to walk through the graveyard. She stopped when she saw a familiar name. Aust watched her drop to her knees and hang her head. His heart ached seeing her fall. At least now, she could start the healing process and move on. He couldn't imagine losing his beloved Feja and tears began to come to his eyes when he tried to place himself in Mysidia's shoes.



He saw her making various hand gestures over the grave and figured she was doing some ancient Rydian ritual honoring the dead. It was about another hour that she had gotten up and wiped her face. She turned and walked out of the graveyard and her eyes betrayed on how much crying she really did.



"You found him then…", he asked placing a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and shook her head.



"No.. I found my brother, Kryimsson.", she said and quietly walked away.





Pergy had went about her day the same as she always had. She got up, washed up, got dressed, and headed down to the local market to see what the fishermen caught that morning.



She had cleaned up from the night's brawls and took inventory of what she would need from the local brewery. She locked up her tavern and walked out into the town before her. A few people waved to her and said their "good mornings". She walked down the pier and began to look over the fish when she noticed two strangers on horseback riding into town. She didn't pay the Kerran much thought as she had seen him around before, selling his furs and leather armor. The elf looking female, however, caught her interest.



She shrugged to herself and continued to shop for her fish and inquired over several of the larger ones when she watched the two follow the Quartermaster walk off into the distance with them. She paid the fisherman and placed the large fish in her basket then went on her way towards the brewery next door.



"Ah, Pergy! My favorite customer.", a large burly Barbarian said.



"That's because I'm your highest paying one, Marth.", she said sarcastically. She walked over to several bottles on the shelves and ran her finger down a few of the price tags.



"Ah…a new shipment just came in, Pergy. With some mighty fine…collectables.", Marth said delicately. She knew what that meant. He was back into the smuggling business and had some items he needed to get off his hands right quick. She decided to indulge and nodded for him to continue.



She followed him into the back and he took the burlap tarp over a large wooden crate. Several smaller and very delicate looking bottles were lined in the bottom and all of them were filled with a very dark purple looking liquid.



"What is it?", she asked picking one up.



Marth looked around to see if anyone was around. He leaned over to her ear and muttered "Rydian Ale."



"What?", she asked. She had never heard of it.



"Rydian Ale, Pergy. You've never heard of it? It's a very old and ancient recipe from a forgotten race. Rumor has it that the Iksar banned this from their lands, hundreds of years ago.", he said trying to intrigue her.



"So why are you acting like its such a big secret? Iksar lost their lands, remember?", she said shaking her head annoyed.



She watched another customer enter and saw Marth grow impatient. She waved her hand over and said "Fine. Sign me up for two bottles and make sure your delivery boys deliver it to the BACK this time? They nearly took out my door frame yesterday. Or do I have to tag that on to your tab as well?", she said grabbing one of the bottles and leaving the store.



Marth followed her out and she placed a couple of coins in his hand. Pergy shook her head. "I should just take this off your tab, with what you owe me..", she said. But he did have two little ones to raise so she did it for them.



Marth walked back inside when she noticed the two strangers talking to the Quartermaster again. She noticed the woman had been crying and the Kerran being sympathetic to her. She began to overhear their conversation.



"Is all of the dead buried here? There aren't anymore…lost?", she asked wiping her face.



"As far as I know, aye. Look, why don't ye come back inna 'bout a week or so? Th' Census Taker will be around then an' ye can ask him.", he said handing her a handkerchief for her face.



"Couldn't you check the books one more time? Please?", she asked begging him.



"Wha's th' name again?", he said annoyed.



"Drakkenbane. D-r-a-k-k…", she began to spell it out. Pergy ran up to the woman and looked at her.



"You don't mean Machene, do you?", she asked the two of them.





Mysidia flashed around at the smaller woman. She grabbed her shoulders and gravely looked at her. "Yes! Yes, that's my husband!"



"He was here a few weeks ago. He mentioned something about heading to Thundering Stepps to finish up a job he had. He should be back in about a month.", she said trying to calm Mysidia down.



"Tunare be praised!", Mysidia said and embraced the woman. "Tell me, what is your name."



"Perguita. But they call me Pergy around here.", she said feeling the elation coming off of Mysidia.



"Pergy, I need you to do me a favor.", she said and took off her wedding band. "I need you to give this to Machene when you see him and tell him I'm looking for him. He can find me here…", and she wrote down her address in Willow Wood.



Pergy looked at her wedding band and smiled deeply. "He still has his, you know."



Mysidia's eyes filled with tears as she smiled at Pergy. "Thank you.", she said and got on her horse. She looked down into the basket and noticed and recognized the bottle.



"What's that?", Mysidia asked looking at the purple liquid.



"This?", she picked it up and handed it to Mysidia. "Marth said it was Rydian Ale. He likes to get oddities from time to time. The men like it when there's something special on tap.", Pergy said and shrugged.



Mysidia opened up the bottle and smelled inside. She laughed and closed the bottle handing it back to her. "That’s not Rydian Ale. Your friend merely rebottled some old Elven wine and sold it at a higher price."



"Are you sure?", Pergy asked looking at the bottle confused.



"Believe me. I know Rydian Ale, and that isn't it.", Mysidia said and nudged her horse away.



Mysidia felt a large weight lifted from her shoulders. This was the worst day and best day of her life. She lost a brother but found out her husband still lived. So many emotions ran through her that she didn't think. She just grabbed her reins and kicked her heels up, running her horse out of Graystone Yard.



Aust cursed and grabbed his horse sending his into a thunderous gallop after her. It took him several minutes to catch up with the emotionally driven woman. He grabbed her reins and slowed her horse down.



"Whoa, whoa, just where do you think you're going?", Aust asked Mysidia who was too excited to really think straight.



"To find Machene. He's alive, and I'm going to find him.", Mysidia said and grabbed her reins from Aust.



"Are you kidding? You'll get killed out there. Thundering Stepps is no place for someone who's starting their lives over. Listen, you know he's alive and Pergy seems straight enough to deliver your message. You will see him again. But if you go and find him now, he'll be burying you before the week is out. That isn't something you want, is it?", Aust asked her looking into her disappointed face.



"No…", Mysidia said sadly.



"In the morning, you can come and help me hunt and I'll show you around. When you've got a handle on things now, you can gallop through Thundering Stepps to your heart's content. For now, though, it's better if you just hold up on it for a little while.", Aust said and gave her a smile.



He was right. She didn't know anything outside the walls of Qeynos or the dangers that now lurked there. The world was different and no doubt, the monsters were different too.



But that couldn't kill her mood. Machene was alive. Along with the tears of grief, she cried tears of joy. Her life wasn't in complete shambles. The one thing she was dreading didn't happen, and no matter what happened to her now, it would never completely destroy her spirits. Her love was alive and that's all she really needed.

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