MysidiaDrakkenbane

Mysidia laid still. She wasn’t entirely sure how long she had been still. She could distinctly feel the warm sun on her face, however, and it made her curious enough to open her eyes. She was taken aback. She was not expecting to be in the place she was.

Beautiful emerald grass gently blew around her in what appeared to be a warm spring breeze. Birds of magnificent colors burst into song around her. Golden sunlight seemed to pour thickly through the surrounding trees and bathe Mysidia in the place where she had slept. She knew exactly where was. Mysidia had made it to the Plane of Growth.

She lifted herself slowly and began to walk towards the sunlight in the distance. Several deer that were eating near by had lifted their head and blinked their dark round liquid eyes in Mysidia’s direction. They seemed to acknowledge her presence almost in reverence.

Mysidia had never seen a place more beautiful than where she was at that moment. Even in the youngest days of Rydia, they were nothing compared to the awesome beauty that Tunare had given the Plane of Growth.

Mysidia took out her braid and let her long hair hang, enjoying the breeze that seemed to play with it. She looked at her arms and side. Her wounds were non-existent but her tattoos still remained and almost seemed to glow with a divine luminescence all their own.

Something caught Mysidia’s eye. She turned to a leaf on a nearby tree. Sitting on the leaf, washing her hands in a dew drop, was a small woman with intricately colored wings. The woman turned to see Mysidia watching her and gave her a warm smile. Mysidia instantly recognized the creature as being a Sylph.

The Rydian heritage has long been shrouded in mystery and legend. The origins were widely whispered of a grove of Fae Nymphs that was blessed by Tunare. Fae is merely an umbrella term, encompassing several different species underneath it. Fae is to Nymph as what Elf is to Woodelf. There are several different kinds of Fae. Sylph would be among them. Species wise, Mysidia and the tiny winged creature were “cousins”.

“Mysidia.”, a woman’s voice called out. Mysidia turned her head to see Tunare standing before her. Mysidia’s eyes widen and she immediately fell to her knees, pressing her face hard to the ground.

“Heavenly Mother.”, Mysidia said in return.

Tunare gently bent down to Mysidia and lifted her up onto her feet. She lifted her chin so that Mysidia could look her in the face. The moment Mysidia soaked in Tunare’s beautiful appearance, tears stung her eyes.

“Am…Am I…?”, Mysidia asked looking around.

“Dead? No, but you are here in the Plane of Growth.”, Tunare said looking around.

“Why am I here if I am not dead?”, Mysidia asked confused.

“Rest assure yourself, Child of the Fallen, your task still has not been completed. I have summoned you here because I am concerned. Your faith has faltered since your awakening.”, Tunare said looking down at Mysidia.

Mysidia’s blood ran cold and she froze looking at her patron Goddess. “Oh Great Mother…”, she cried, “…I am so sorry…”

“For what, my child?”, Tunare said and laid a comforting hand on Mysidia’s shoulder.

“I’ve…failed you…”, Mysidia said, tears streaming down her face.

“How?”, Tunare asked giving her a comforting smile.

Mysidia sniffled and looked up at Tunare confused. “The Prophecy…”

Tunare nodded understanding her loving “child” and looked down. “Prophecies are dependant on Time and because of that, it has a strange behavior. Prophecy, like Fate, happens on it’s own time and not when you expect them to.”

“So, it can still happen?”, Mysidia asked. Tunare nodded. “How is that possible? Luclin destroyed most of Norrath. Most of the places that I used to travel to no longer exist.”, Mysidia asked confused.

Tunare waved her hand over a collecting pool of water. The water shimmered with a brilliant light and Mysidia could clearly see a land of sand and rock. As Mysidia viewed it further she began to recognize some of the rock formations and canyon walls.

“That is the Desert of Ro!”, Mysidia exclaimed. Tunare nodded again and the moment she did, the image in the pool changed. Mysidia began to see a land that was completely overgrown with thick vines and rich jungle foliage. She recognized several of the structures including the Druid Ring that was covered in moss and lichen. When she saw the lizardmen walking around, she knew it to be Ferrot. The pool shimmered again and this time, the image of large toadstools and thick glowing vines shone back. When Mysidia recognized the beautiful butterfly wings attached to a dragon, her eyes widen.

“Is that?...”, she began to ask.

“Yes. That is Greater Faydark.”, Tunare answered. “You see, my child, there are many places that still stand. Nature has merely adapted to the changes given to it. Your task is still before you. You simply must learn to change with everything around you before you can continue on your path.”, Tunare said.

“I didn’t see Rydia anywhere in there, Great Mother. What if Luclin has destroyed her completely?”, Mysidia asked and turned around. But Tunare had vanished and left Mysidia alone with her thoughts.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Secure th’ gate!”, Kryimsson shouted. Just as Machene predicted, the orcs did in fact retaliate. So much so, in fact, that Machene and Kryimsson found themselves at the front lines, fully decked out in their plate armor.

“Just like old times.”, Machene said and grinned.

“It’s time to show them exactly why Rydians are so feared in battle.”, Xerbius said behind them. Kryimsson turned to see his brother adorned in a brilliantly blue robe that seemed to glow with its own inner fire.

Feja stood in front of all of them and raised her furry paw like hands. She closed her eyes and muttered a few words under her breath. “Karana be with you all.”, she said finishing her Mystic blessing.

“Not joining us, my love?”, Aust asked from atop his horse.

“Not this time. You are short on healers and I must tend to the wounded as they come in.”, Feja said and she began to walk away.

“Don’t stray too far, Feja. We may need you.”, Machene said, mounting a large grey war horse.

Feja bowed respectively and said, “As you wish, my lord.”

“I really wish she would stop saying that.”, Machene said adjusting uncomfortably in his saddle.

“To her, your rank is noteworthy. You are the guardian of her ancestor’s Kin-Sha.”, Aust said.

Kin-Sha was a term given by the Vah’Shir that meant “Kindred One”. It meant that you were family in spirit and the bonds far greater than blood, could not sever. The spirits of the two intertwined souls were bound beyond the physical world. It was a great honor to be called this and Mysidia was Kin-Sha to Belle Darkfury; the very first Darkfury in Feja’s Tribe. It is as great an honor as to be called “Catta Thaeja”, in Rydian. In Feja’s eyes, Machene was to be revered for his title and for his task; if not for the fact he was Mysidia’s lifemate as well. Once a Kin-Sha to a tribe, always Kin-Sha no matter how many family members the tribe has or how long the person lives.

Machene nodded slightly, understanding the Kerran and Vah’Shir culture. He grabbed his reigns and nudged his horse towards the forming ranks in the front troops.

“Without the help of the priests, the odds look grim.”, one of the guards said. Machene got the attention of one of the Guard Captains.

“Have you any scout troops?”, Machene asked.

“Yes, but minimal. We were expecting a new shipment of supplies and troops the other day, but the storms at the sea have been delaying the ship. If the orcs had found out about the delay, I fear we would have been overrun by now.”, the captain said.

“Take your scouts and flank the road on either side. Have them hide in the trees and the crevices of the rocks. When the orcs come charging through, have them surround their back and close off the road, trapping them.”, Machene suggested. The captain nodded realizing it was an excellent tactic.

“But what about our front? We’re limited all around.”, the captain said worried.

“My two brothers and I will hold them off long enough for them to be completely surrounded.”, Machene said trying to ease the guard’s fear.

“You and two others?”, he laughed. “Are you mad?”

Machene grinned with a wild look in his eye. “Trust me.”

“I wouldn’t trust bloody Brell if he came up from down below and shoved his blessed Ale in my face and told me to relax. Two warriors and a wizard won’t be able to hold off their army. I don’t care how good you are. Without a healer with you, I might as well have your death shrouds waiting for you.”, the guard said.

“Ye let us worry ‘bout those greenies. Trust us.”, Kryimsson nodded and grinned.

The guard threw up his hands and muttered as he walked away. “Bleedin’ mad, the lot of them. Trust them, they say.”

Machene shook his head and turned his attention to Austforbeer who was waiting patiently for orders. Machene nodded in his direction. “You know what to do. When you’re ready to move into position, light one of your arrows and fire it into the air. Kryimsson, Xerbius, and I will press the line back and we’ll trap them in a fire wall. There should be enough dead wood around to do it.”

Aust nodded and galloped his steed away, leading the scouts towards the hills. Machene turned to Xerbius. “Have your mages ready when the signal comes. When it does, I want you all to blast anything that would remotely look flammable.”

Xerbius nodded and ran off to speak with the mages that were gathered around. The Guard Captain was right. Their numbers were small. They were going to have to give it their all and then some if they were to be victorious.

“Are you ready?”, Machene asked withdrawing his sword.

“I’m a warrior of Shaddaczarr*. Ye either born ready, or ye die.”, Kryimsson said and withdrew his two handed sword from his back sheath.

Machene dismounted and the two of them stood shoulder to shoulder. They could see the dust flying up in the distance as the orc masses began to edge closer. And as the moment of battle became imminent, fear never struck either one of their hearts. With Mysidia found and safe, both of them felt like they could conquer the world.

“It’s consid’erd a great honor ta die in bat’le where I’m from.”, Kryimsson said cracking his neck.

“Aye. In Halas as well.”, Machene said to his brother-in-law.

“Aye. I know. I think, howev’r, I’ll do tha’ another day.”, Kryimsson said and charged the line that fell upon them.

*Shaddaczarr is the name of the academy which all warriors, mages, and priests alike graduate. It is where Rydians learn of their heritage as well all of their battle secrets. To graduate and be considered a Shaddaczarrian Alumni is one of the greatest honors given, specifically because of the difficulty in attaining such a prestige. If you are called a Shaddaczarrian Warrior, you are among the most elite of the Rydian Royal Army.

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