MysidiaDrakkenbane

This is an ongoing tale that I had started for my EQ1 character, Mysidia. Now that I had retired her and started her in EQ2, it was time to start another story and another adventure with her. This story will use all of my alts as well as my husband's character. Feedback is most welcome...good or bad. I should also note that there is a smaller story going on within the Norrath EQ2 story. This will be explained at a later time.

Chapter 1

The world had long been ruined. The shredded lands that were torn from the shards of Luclin fractured an already racially torn world. Some had picked up whatever pieces they could manage and survived the harshest terms that Norrath had laid out for them. It wasn't enough that the world they knew was gone, but with Luclin destroyed, the gravity shift sent forth cruel seasons coupled by titanic tidal waves crashing into the bleeding land.

Those that did survive were never the same. They wrote down their stories and accounts for posterity, but ask anyone who was still alive today of what happened, and all of them tear up and turn their heads away. Their heart wrenching silence was enough to tell its own tale.

The Vah'Shir were no more. Whatever traces of them remained in the Kerran and it was they who told the stories of yesteryear. One particular Kerran, Feja, had an unusual job on her hands. This job was passed down from mother to daughter… and it was unlike any job any Kerran had seen.

A woman elf had survived the cataclysms and the destruction of Luclin, but she lay in a coma, frozen in the time passed. The Vah'Shir spoke of a forgotten kingdom in the realm of Kunark but with Luclin's blast, that too had been destroyed.

Not that there was much of it left. Feja had heard of a great battle between an ancient race called Rydians against the mighty Iksar. The war was never finished. The cataclysms happened before they could regain closure, one way or the other.

When Feja was a young cub, she remembered looking at the sleeping woman with a strange curiosity. Sure, the woman looked like she could pass for your common wood elf, but there was something unusual about her.

The woman's skin was paler. Her hair had a strange white streak in the front on the left side. She was taller than your average wood elf. It almost looked like she had High Elf in her…somewhere.

But years pass, as they always do, and Feja grew older and had cubs of her own. Still, she kept her promise to her family that she would be the caretaker of the wood elf. Honor and Duty above all else.

One of Feja's joys was to be out in the garden attending to her medicinal herbs. Her role as one of the tribe's Mystics allowed her to mix work with pleasure. Nature always appealed to the calm Kerran. Since her travel, with her family, from Refugee Island, her mother had begun instruction to her being a Mystic. And from day one of her teachings, Feja felt like this should have been her path all her life. It fit her, tremendously.

The only thing that gnawed at her was her inability to revive the sleeping wood elf. No medicinal herb, spell, or charm could awaken the sleeping woman.

And it was one day in the spring, that her cubs came running out to her.

"Momma! Momma! The lady is moving!!", her eldest said. She stopped and wiped her paw like hands on her apron, looking at them both perplexed.

"I told you two to stay out of her room and leave her be.", Feja said cross.

"We did, Momma. She started to make noise on her own and we went to go see…", the daughter said.

Maya and Kay'je were always getting into some sort of trouble. But that was expected of Darkfury cubs. Every last one of them, including Feja, were always curious and getting into mischief. That's why Feja isn't too hard on them when something does happen. Darkfury's are fiercely curious by nature, but they're just as fierce on the battlefield.

Feja carefully entered the wood elf's room and saw her lying peacefully on the bed. She closed the door behind her and walked over. The wood elf opened her eyes and looked at the cat-like woman with the disorientation that the coma brought.

The wood elf tried to speak, but years of not using her vocal chords, only thing that came out was air. She swallowed and tried again. Nothing.

"It's all right. You're safe.", Feja said walking over to her. She sat on the bed and felt her forehead and leaned over to hand her a small cup of an herbal tonic she made.

The woman lifted her head and took a sip. She wrinkled her nose as the bitter thick liquid hit her tongue.

"I know. Not very appetizing, but it will help you get your strength back."

Feja stared at the woman for a short while before putting back the cup on the table. Violet eyes? What wood elf has violet eyes??

The woman looked around and furled her brow in curiosity. Feja began to understand.

"You're in Nettleville Hovel.", Feja said patting her hand. "Get some rest. There will be plenty of time for questions later.

The woman struggled to speak and Feja heard her peep out a name.

"Machene.", she said before she fell into an exhaustive sleep.

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MysidiaDrakkenbane

Feja sat in her kitchen looking at a few items laid out before her, on her table. In her furry fingers, she held a very small but delicate ring. The ring itself, was beautiful. It was intricately woven into a rather unusual but eternal pattern. There was no end or beginning. On the thicker part of the band was in the inscription "Bound by eternity."

It had been several days since the woman had awakened and Feja learned her name to be Mysidia. Feja was sure the ring was hers. It was small enough to fit her wood elven fingers and delicate enough to be made by the elves. She deducted that it was her wedding band.

Mysidia had been asking questions. Far too many for Feja to really answer. She didn't want to frighten Mysidia with the news. Fact was, Mysidia had been asleep for a very, very long time. How do you tell someone to pick up the pieces of a life that is long gone? How do you break it to someone expecting to return to a life that isn't there, anymore?

Feja looked at her own wedding band and touched it with her finger. She couldn't imagine what she would have been like if it was her in Mysidia's situation. Feja decided that she should tell her. Closing her eyes, she got up from the table and carried Mysidia's things in her arms.

Mysidia sat out on the balcony with her eyes closed and her hands resting gently on her knees. It was early in the morning, just about the time that the Hovel was waking. It was quiet and a good time to meditate. Mysidia began to calm her mind and push it outward just as her training had taught her. She searched for that feral energy she always felt, in nature. She tried to become "attune" with it, once again, but found it to be resistant. Her eyebrow furled and she grew confused.

Nature had never behaved that way before. Something was…different, amiss. She closed her eyes, trying it again. She thought it was just her being in the coma for too long and she was just out of practice. She took in a soothing breath and let it out slowly, allowing the sun to warm her face. She pushed her mind outward again, finding that stable naturalistic energy, the green beacon within nature itself. …Nothing. Not even a shred of calm.

"You're meditating again. That's always a good sign…", Feja said walking towards the balcony. Mysidia got up and wiped her hands on her pants. She smiled trying to hide her confusion. She was going to have to work harder at this than she thought…

Maya came trouncing in after her mother with that carefree bounce children always have. Mysidia looked down at her and gave her a warm smile. The young Kerran looked back and smiled in return. Mysidia noticed the two small gold hoops adorning the child's ears.

"Well, don't these look pretty!", Mysidia exclaimed.

"Thank you. I turned 8 the other day and Momma said it was time for my first piercings.", she said proud.

"They're lovely.", Mysidia said and smiled. She looked over at Feja and saw the bundle she carried in her hands. "What's that?", she asked.

"These were with you when you were found…", Feja started to say. Mysidia's eyes lit up when she saw her epic scimitar peaking out of the cloth it was wrapped in. She carefully unwrapped it on the bed and ran her hand gently down the blade.

"Wow! What's that??", Maya asked.

"This is the Druid Epic sword.", Mysidia said proudly. She remembered the day she received her status symbol. She proudly held it to the sky and the guild she was with, triumphantly cheered with her. It was a long time waiting and she had worked very hard to get it.

Over the years, it had grew somewhat rusty and held the smudges of neglect along the blade. Mysidia wrinkled her nose a bit seeing it in this state. She carefully picked up and held it in her hand and closed her eyes, trying to focus her will in casting the effect the blade had.

She opened her eyes to see the blade sitting stone cold in her hand. No leaves of magic swirled around her. There was no green aura around the blade. It was as if the magic was gone. She looked up at Feja with such confusion and a worry. Before Mysidia could ask, Feja handed over the ring.

Mysidia froze. She looked at the ring gleaming in the sunlight and tears began to form in her eyes. A thick lump clenched the back of her throat and she found it difficult to swallow.

"I thought I had lost it…", the words fell out of her mouth. She placed the sword to the side and grabbed the ring to hold it in both hands.

"Your wedding band?", Feja asked.

Mysidia only nodded, feeling the tear fall off her cheek. She placed the ring on her left hand and held it out for her to see.

Maya was making sounds off to the side and the daze that Mysidia was in was broken and she looked at Maya playing with her sword.

"Maya, put that down! You'll hurt yourself!", Feja yelled.

Mysidia stared at the dull blade and then at her ring. She felt heaviness in her heart. Her blood ran cold. She began to place all the pieces together and panic began to creep into her mind. All of it, the lack of meditation, the lack of magic from her weapon, the subtleness in which Feja had been dodging her questions… She slowly looked over at Feja and began to read the message in her eyes.

"Feja, how long was I asleep?", Mysidia finally asked.

Feja sighed and sat down on the bed, patting a seat next to her. Mysidia slowly sat down and Feja began to fill Mysidia in on the 500 years she lost.





Pergy was a rather sassy wood elf. She found her living, after Refugee Island, working as a barmaid in the local pub in Graystone Yard. The racial tension between dwarves and elves had lessened since Luclin's destruction. Sweating the small things just wasn't important anymore and either race began to lose the reason why they didn't really like one another to begin with. And besides, the dwarves got along with Pergy. As long as she kept slipping them free beers here and there, she could stay.

Being a barmaid wasn't the life she really wanted for herself. She always pictured herself to be an adventurer seeing the distant lands that the patrons used to boast about. But the pay was good and she had rent to pay and her own mouth to feed. Adventuring was fun, but it rarely paid the bills. That was her mother talking. Practicality had to take precedence now. Norrath was a different place and different times called for different strategies.

And it was usually the same scene every night. The dwarves used to boast to the barbarians and vice versa. Usually a fight or two broke out, but nothing serious. They were usually too drunk at this point, to do any real damage. They couldn't even see straight, let alone, swing with a proper aim. But whatever the patrons destroyed, the always ended up paying for it. It was men being men, after all.

It was usually around the hours right after sun set that a rather quiet barbarian walked in. Pergy knew him. He always did the same thing, night after night. He'd drink himself into oblivion playing with the ring he always wore. It tore at her, really. No matter how much she had talked to him, she couldn't get him to shake this "ghost."

In their talkings, she had learned a great many things about the barbarian. She learned that he was older than anyone in that bar. And it was because he was placed with a special task. He was to protect a special child of Tunare and because of that, he was given longer life than a barbarian was normally given. It was his wife, from what Pergy gathered.

She picked up her tankards and walked over to his table in the corner. She put one tankard in front of him and sat down opposite of him.

"Sitting in the corner today, Mach? Trying something different for a change?", Pergy said and began to take a swig from the mug.

"You don't drink on the job, Pergy.", the man said and took two huge gulps from the tankard.

"Change is good.", Pergy said and let the topic drop. She watched him twirl the ring on his finger.

"She must have been a hell of a woman.", Pergy said and took another drink, not keeping her eyes off the ring.

"She was..", he said softly. He was larger than most barbarian men, but certainly not the largest Pergy had seen. His face was covered in woad of a dragon. His green eyes were somber as he eyed the ring. As he took another long swig from his tankard, the adornments of his goatee clanged against the mug. He was rather handsome for a barbarian. With the few times she saw him smile, she could tell that he could have been a very light hearted companion. But the demons and ghosts of his past kept him in a thick cloud. He ran his hand over his bald head, feeling uncomfortable under her gaze.

"You worship Tunare, yes?", he asked. She nodded. "Why does She keep me under Her torturous thumb?"

"Tunare doesn't work that way. She's not evil in any sense nor does She find joy in others pain. You made a promise to Her, right?", Pergy asked. He nodded. "Then She still has purpose for you. If your promise to Her was fulfilled to Her satisfaction, She would have released Her blessing on you and allowed you to pass on."

She watched him struggle and shift in his seat. "Instead of pissing your life away in a tankard, every night, trying to undo Her gift..", she said lifting his chin, "Why don't you find out the reason WHY She is keeping you alive…"

He took another swig from his tankard and nodded slowly, acknowledging her comments. She was right, after all. If Tunare did have another purpose for the barbarian, She would keep him alive until She was done with him. But why him? He didn't even worship Her!

"Ok, so the change might be too big, I understand. We'll start small.", Pergy said and snapped her fingers. She pointed to the table and a young boy brought two more tankards. She pushed one tankard towards him and kept the other to herself.

"Instead of wallowing in depression over ghosts, Mach… Tell me of the days of Mighty Halas. This round is on me."

His green eyes lit up and a wide grin spread over his face. And he began to tell his adventures that he and his wife met before the cataclysms tore the land apart.

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MysidiaDrakkenbane

Mysidia could have hardly believed her ears. Five hundred years, were simply, gone. She didn't know where to begin, on picking up the pieces to make a new life. There was so much to learn, so many things had changed. She was obsolete. "Druid" was merely an umbrella term, now. She had to make a decision of what she wanted to be, Warden or Fury.

Feja suggested visiting the Hierophant in North Qeynos for some direction. But even that was a task in of itself. Qeynos, as a city, had dramatically changed. Everything looked different, smelled different, and sounded different. And the moment Mysidia saw Trolls walking freely in the city, her eyes nearly jumped out of her skull.

Austforbeer, Feja's husband, had come home from his monthly excursions for trapping. When Feja told him that Mysidia had woken up, Aust decided to gently break her into the new Norrath. When he saw Mysidia's expression, he leaned over and explained that some races betrayed Freeport. It was just odd to consider a Troll…good.

"Tell me the Iksar don't have the same privileges…", Mysidia began to say. But the moment the words passed her lips, she saw one making his way past her on horseback. She felt her blood run cold and she quickly grabbed for her tarnished epic weapon. Aust quickly placed his paw hand over hers and shook his head.

"Things are different now, Mys. It's not what it used to be.", Aust said in a serious tone.

She simply couldn't believe it. She crisply remembered being on the barren wasteland that was Lake of Ill Omen with her army behind her and her scimitar brandished towards the heavens. She remembered the sound of horse hooves thundering around her and the smell of fear that clung thickly to the humid riddled air. She remembered the sound of metal clanging and the cries of her people around her. It was like yesterday for her.

And the race that had plagued hers, nearly made hers extinct due to religious sacrifices, oppression, and war, was allowed to walk freely in Qeynos? She couldn't begin to describe the feeling of betrayal that crawled into her heart. It took everything she had to simply let the hilt of her sword go.

"Aust, what happened to this place? Has the world gone mad?", Mysidia asked confused. Her violet eyes were filled with pain and confusion. She looked up into his cat like face searching for an answer, ANY answer to make sense of it all.

He sighed giving it some deep thought and considered it best to just bring her to the nearest scribe library for her to catch up. Feja summed up things well enough, but she wasn't 500 years old and couldn't give Mysidia the details she sought for.

"One thing at a time, Mysidia. Let's get you squared away with your profession, first. Then we'll head to the Elven grove for you to register…", Aust said coming up with a mental "to do" list.

"Register?... For what?", Mysidia asked.

"For the census. Antonia Bayle likes to keep an up to date record of who's come in from Refugee Island.", Aust said as they continued their walk.

Mysidia simply shrugged it off. There was entirely too much to learn in one sitting. Her head began to pound.

The rounded up a hill and Mysidia began to notice a wood elf sitting in a grove of trees talking to a small group of individuals. Mysidia gave a faint smile as she remembered her training early in her life and how the image before her reminded her of that very much.

The wood elf excused the small group, as though she were teaching a class. Everyone cleared out and Austforbeer approached the Hierophant who was still sitting on the ground.

"Ah, Austforbeer. What a wonderful surprise.", the High Priestess said.

Aust bowed in respect. "Hierophant Aldad, may I introduce to you, Mysidia Drakkenbane."

Mysidia bowed gracefully and deeply. "Revered Hierophant, it is an honor.", she said.

"Welcome, Mysidia. Well met. What is it I can do for you two, today?", she said giving them both a warm and genuine smile.

"Mysidia has come from a long journey and needs to brush up on some of her Druidic skills. I was hoping you would be kind enough to educate her and fill in some of the gaps…", Aust said delicately.

"Of course! I would be happy to teach Mysidia.", she said and patted the ground next to her. "Come, my child. Sit and let me help you."

"I will leave you two then and come and get you in a few hours, Mysidia. I have some hides I need to start tanning for crafting. Ladies.", he said and bowed again. Then he turned and left.

Mysidia took in a deep breath and sighed giving the Hierophant a nervous smile. She was about to have a crash course in Druidship.



About an hour or so before sunset, Austforbeer came back with his backpack full of tanned hides. The following day would be devoted to crafting leather armor to help pull in some money before the fall hunt. That was when his craft pulled in the most money but was also the most competition for his line of work. He figured he'd bring Mysidia with him so that she could learn the lay of the land and he had an extra set of hands helping him bring in the hide harvest. Two sets could work faster than one and he could kill two birds with one stone, figuratively speaking of course.

He came around the hill and saw Mysidia in a deep discussion with Aldad. When Mysidia caught Aust's eye, she gave a recognizing smile.

"Did we get some questions answered?", he asked the two of them.

"My, yes. Mysidia has a wealth of old world knowledge so it was rather easy to train her. She has decided the path of the Warden.", Aldad said and smiled.

"So many things are different, but the core of it is the same so it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.", Mysidia said and stood up. She began to gather her bags when Aldad saw the scimitar strapped to her side. Her eyes widen as she recognized the blade immediately.

"Is that what I think it is?", Aldad asked and looked up into Mysidia's eyes.

"Yes.", Mysidia said and handed the blade over to her.

"I've never seen one up close before. This is extraordinary! It's in such great condition. Surely, this must be a family heirloom.", Aldad said with an eagerness in her voice that was clearly reflected in her eyes.

"You could say that.", Mysidia said gently. "It certainly was passed down through the ages."

Aust held back the chuckle and reminded that they had best be going. Mysidia took back her sword and thanked Aldad graciously. Aldad sat there for a few moments trying to calculate Mysidia's words. She looked at Mysidia's appearance and gave her an odd look. She knew that sooner or later, Aldad would put two and two together…that was, if the Rydian stories were passed down through the ages, as well.

Mysidia didn't really have to be careful of her identity anymore. Any ties holding the Iksar to her, were buried along with whatever remained of her kingdom. While although it pained her to think the life she knew was over, she could freely walk around with her head held high and not have to worry about an Iksar recognizing her. The religious sacrifices were over and she took some small sadistic joy in knowing that the Iksar were homeless too. Now perhaps they'd know HER pain and feel what SHE felt when she was banished from her homeland.

That night, Mysidia lay awake in her bed. She began to twirl her wedding band around her finger and found herself lost looking up at the shattered Luclin. A quick breeze wisped into her bedroom and the faint smell of fall was in the air. And for a moment, just a brief moment, she caught the familiar scent of home.

She began to realize that Rydia wasn't destroyed, just lost and now, ultimately changed. Like so much of the rest of the world, it was fractured and contorted into something else. Something new. She embraced this thought. Nature always accepted change. Change was good. And out of the birth of new, Mysidia found a calm in her she hasn't felt in a very long time.

In the morning, she thought, she would start to look at where her linage had gone. If there was anything left from it, she would find it. She certainly was patient enough. She placed the ring back on her finger and decided that it was time to find out what happened with Machene. She prepared herself for the worst; finding his grave among the thousands that were more than likely there. Dead or alive, though, she would find him. Nothing would keep her from the truth. Even if it meant the forfeit of her own life.

With her silent vow in mind, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

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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.

__________________

MysidiaDrakkenbane

The first night in her apartment was a rough one. She wasn't used to the sounds or smells of the place and her bed wasn't as soft as the one she had in Feja's house. When she realized that trying to sleep was more of an effort, she got up.



It was a few hours before the sun rose and she found herself staring into the fireplace, watching the glowing embers of wood lull themselves into the eternal ashen slumber.



She allowed her mind to wander to times passed. It was right before the cataclysms hit. Her and her army had pushed back the Iksar from the site of her old castle and she was remarkably surprised they had rebuilt it. Of course, they added their own touches to it, replacing Rydian statues with theirs. But the architecture was the same and they even used the same materials, making the walls a glistening white that shimmered with silver bands.



She placed a hand along the cold marble with a loving touch. Xerbius, Mardock, Kryimsson, and Machene all walked into the large throne room hall. Machene looked up at the extremely high ceilings and whistled.



"Was this really yours?", Machene asked impressed by what he saw.



"Yes. Minus the Iksar statues, of course.", she mentioned.





Mysidia made her way towards the throne and turned around, slumping into it. She was greatly exhausted from the battles she had fought in the few quick weeks. She had pressed her troops as much as they could be and they all could have used a much needed rest.



"Send the troops on their leave.", Mysidia said and waved a hand. Xerbius walked up to her and gave her a smirk. He reached out and touched a few dirt smears on her face and noticed how dirty her hands were.



"Hmph", she muttered. "You could use a bath yourself, cousin."



The bards all came walking in and just like those before them, they all stared up at the impressive walls and ceilings. Everyone gave an approving smile, happy to see their home rebuilt.



As if in unison, they all looked at one another and nodded. The broke out their instruments and began to play the tunes of old, filling the halls with the haunting music. And while although the Iksar statues were standing silently in their mocking presence, nothing could have torn down the spirits of the Rydian people. They overlooked the stone sentinels and continued their haunting songs, their voices chanting and echoing off the walls.



Mysidia gave a soft and approving smile. Calm washed over her face and filled her eyes, a calm that Machene had never seen before. And while although he appreciated the look, he couldn't help but feel his heartstrings tug when he heard the voices sing in praise and unison. He began to see the remnants of what Mysidia had been telling him in the stories, when they traveled.



The tenor bards sang in their native tongue, their voices swelling, rising and falling, playing the acoustics of the hall as if that in itself was its own instrument. Gooseflesh began to rise on Mysidia's skin, as she felt each note deep within her heart.



Then, the women bards chimed in with their haunting voices singing in the Common Tongue. "…but believe there is a place….a place where we belong."



The song ended in a series of chants from all bards that delicately worked their haunting magic over the stone walls. The voices echoed and moved around them like a sensual velvet blanket that comforted your soul.



And like clockwork, as if Nature heard the song Herself, the sun began to set in the throne room, bathing the place in a warm angelic light. Kryimsson and Xerbius sucked in their breath at the beauty around them.



Mysidia couldn't keep the tears from falling off her face now. Machene walked over to her and wiped one from her cheek. "Was this what you were talking about? The song of praise?"



She could only nod. Indeed, a place where they belonged. For the first time in her life, that she could remember, peace entered her heart. She no longer feared what lurked around corners. She could lay her head down knowing that she was home. Her soul sighed in relief. She closed her eyes and two more tears fell.



"I am… home.", she said.



Her dream was quickly thwarted when she heard a fist pounding on her door. She cleared her throat and saw the sunlight pouring in. She surmised she must have fallen asleep while daydreaming.



She gave a stretch and grunt as the stiffness of sleeping in a chair quickly set in. She hobbled over to the door and opened it, seeing a very annoyed Aust looking impatiently at her.



"I told you that we were starting at dawn. You aren't even ready yet!", he said and threw his arms up.



"I was up, but I fell asleep again. Give me a minute.", she said and walked over to her changing room.



In a few moments, they were on the road. Aust noticed how quiet she was and looked down a tad guilty. "I'm sorry if I was harsh with you, before. It's just a pet peeve of mine when people are late."



"Huh?", Mysidia said and looked up. "Oh, it's not that. I had a rough night sleeping."



"Nightmares?", Aust asked and moved his horse next to hers.



She paused for a moment, trying to really think of something to say that would make him drop the topic. Talking about the past with Machene was painful enough. Realizing that her dreams would never be true again, was something else. She finally said, "Ghosts."



Aust saw the slight look of pain her eyes and discontinued the conversation. Instead, he changed the subject about the dangers that lay outside Qeynos gates. When he got to the topic of gnolls, Mysidia laughed.



"It's nice to know not everything has changed.", Mysidia said.



When they got outside of the gates, Mysidia's heart sank deep into her gut. Everything she had memorized had been completely rearranged. There wasn't much left that held some semblance of the world she knew. There were various scorch marks on the newly growing fields around them. The air smelled different. Even the birds and insects called out differently. Mysidia felt completely alien and alone.



Aust nudged his horse into a canter and Mysidia followed suit. They traveled over several hills. Mysidia began to notice the bushes and roots on the ground. Nothing struck her as familiar. When they rounded one of the guard towers, Aust told her that it was only another couple hundred yards towards the first forest and suggested that they rested there.



Mysidia thought it best to begin to learn the foliage and the things she could use for medicinal purposes versus the ones she couldn't. Some things began to become familiar to her as she placed varied pieces of produce in her bag.



Suddenly, her nature sense was tingling for her and she got the distinct impression she wasn't alone. She slowly turned around to see a wolf baring his teeth for her. She froze. Wolves aren't supposed to attack Druids. They were allied with us. What in the w-- Before she could finish her thought, he lunged for her, teeth snapping shut.



"Whoa!", she said and quickly got out of the way. "Wolf, you have it all wrong." But nothing was going to talk him down. His eyes were red and full of fury. Every ounce of anger and hatred he had came pouring out of him through thick lines of saliva drooling in an anticipation of his easy meal.



He lunged for her again. This time, nicking her thigh. She tumbled back grabbing the small wound, shocked. Her totem, the very spirit that encased her, had deserted her and turned against her. No…she couldn't believe it… She wouldn't.

The smell of her blood sent the animal into a foaming frenzy. He came at her again and bit her arm, this time, never letting go. The snarls and growls were enough to make her stomach turn.



She took the hilt of her dagger and jammed the end into his muzzle, causing him to yelp and stumble back off of her. She struggled to get onto her feet, feeling the blood rush down her arm and drip off her fingers. The animal was about to lunge at her again, when an arrow came flying through the air and found its mark in the wolf's lung. The animal fell out of the sky and rolled over on the ground, dead.



Aust ran over to her and helped her up. "Are you all right? You could have been nearly killed!"



"I only meant to harvest what was in the bush. I didn't know that wolves…", she said looking horrified at the animal.



"Yes, wolves..and bears too. And if you're not careful you'll end up being their supper.", Aust said pulling the wolf off to the side and getting out his skinning knife.



"Gods…has this whole world gone mad?", Mysidia asked, then she began to heal her arm.



Nature had turned Her back on the Druids. The proof was lying bleeding on the ground, being skinned by the ranger. It was no wonder she couldn't align herself with the energy within it. The energy had deserted her class. If wolves and bears had become chaotic, who knew what else the world of Norrath had in store for the kingdomless empress.



She shook her head disbelieving but decided for her own safety, her sword and shield would be coming out of her pack.

__________________

MysidiaDrakkenbane

They had gathered a few pelts during the afternoon, but Aust suggested that they'd be able to really get their numbers if they waited for nightfall. Aust, exhausted from tracking and skinning, rolled out a blanket and curled up comfortably on it. Mysidia gave a small smirk as she watched the sleeping cat man taking a nap in the afternoon sunlight.

Mysidia then turned her attention to the wound on her arm and she ran her fingers over it gently. She had used her magic to heal the wound closed, but placed a salve on it, she created, to minimalize scarring. Aust had watched her whip up a batch of this salve as though it were nothing. He suggested that she talk to Feja, when they got back, and give her some of this old world knowledge. Mysidia said she'd be happy to.

Wolves, bears, badgers, anything that spoke of the wild realm of nature, had all gone mad. Whatever energy the Luclin shards brought, plagued the animals' mind with some kind of blinding rage. None of the animals recognized her as a worshipper of nature. They either gave her strict indifference or wanted to tear her throat out. She felt abandoned by this thought. Everything she learned and knew, was wrong.

Growing bored with just adjusting herself to the new world, Mysidia decided that the only way to really learn about it was to be out and about in it. She figured an hour or two exploring wouldn't cause too much harm. To keep the attention from herself, she decided to shape shift into her beloved wolf form to get around.

Standing off to the side of their camp, she closed her eyes and began her spell to complete her morphing. When she opened her eyes, four white paws and a long bushy tail took her place. And like so many times before, the world opened up to her a new realm of smells and sounds. She had the distinct curiosity to explore every one of them, but she knew better.

She found out, however, that even in this current state, the animals knew better. They could recognize the illusion form she had but didn't recognize her as a Druid. Odd, she thought.

She padded her way down into the valley and over a hill, getting used to being on four legs. She had almost forgotten how much fun it was to just tear into the earth beneath her and run as fast and as far as she could. Wolves have incredible stamina. They could chase prey for miles before bringing it down. They drove it into exhaustion before doing so. This gift was given to her the moment she traded two feet for four paws.

She saw a large patch of boulders in the distance and decided to bound up them to get a better look. With little effort, she bounced from rock to rock until she reached the top. What she saw only furthered her alien feeling. Nothing was the same. There wasn't one tree, one rock, one landmark that had remained of the old world. She may have just as well walked through some kind of dimension door. The landscape showed no difference.

Her wet coal black nose twitched under the slightest breeze and her ears swiveled around to catch whatever sounds she could. She could hear various travelers on the streets nearby and whatever animals were foraging for food. She could also hear the distinct snarling of a pack of gnolls in the distance. Snorting in disgust, she climbed down the rocks and decided to investigate.

She had her fair share of gnolls in her life. Five hundred years didn't change much about them. They still stunk of dank fur and death and they still clung to the tribal life they had before. Their coats, at least, got some variation, she thought. There wasn't much variation from what she remembered. She figured it was due to inbreeding. It would have explained their intelligence…or lack there of.

Two perky ears and two violet eyes carefully peered over a small hill at a group of unsuspecting gnolls. The hair on her body began to stand on end and she held back the urge to just charge in there and take them all on. If the wolf she had encountered was the lighter end of what she would face here, in Norrath, she had to rethink her strategy on taking on anything at all.

Sitting on her haunches, she closed her eyes and slicked her ears back, deep in concentration. She began to chant the words of an existing spell and releasing energy into those words. When she opened her eyes and peered over the hill, thick choking vines had come up out of the ground and attached themselves to the bipedal gnolls. If she had the ability to smirk, she probably would have.

Trotting proudly down towards the small group, she sat on her haunches again and decided to chant, yet another spell. The smallest tinge of frost clung to the air as she began to finish her spell. When she looked up four huge ice bolts came shooting out of the sky and destroying the gnoll group with a devastating ice crash. Three lay dead and only three remained of the group.

She released her wolf form spell on her and stood with shield and sword ready. She released the vine spell and the three remaining charged her with a ferocious cry.

"You will pay for that, earth worshipper!", one of them snarled to her.

"Even after 500 years and you still spout the same words.", she said rolling her eyes.

One came around the side of her and tried to sweep her leg. Her arm flashed back and quickly made the gnoll think he should have gone another way. The blade met his furry arm and red blood began to immediately run down.

The remaining two charged her at once. One jumped up in the air and drew his dagger. The other charged at her front. Without thinking, she lifted her shield and pushed off the jumping gnoll to the side and came in low with her blade towards the other. The sickening sound of flesh giving away was heard and she heard the gnolls intestines drop to the ground. The gnoll yelped and fell over. His body gave a few spasms before death finally took him.

The one that drew his dagger charged at her again and the other from behind. It was your classic pincer attack and it appeared that Mysidia had taken on more than she could bargain for.

The gnoll swung the dagger, and his aim was true. A clean cut slice scraped down her shoulder and she fell to the side feeling the familiar pain of the blade pierce her senses and flesh. She took off her shield and flung it at the dagger carrying gnoll, causing his head to slice off from his body. The headless body twitched and fell and the head rolled down the small ridge.

With her shield gone, Mysidia placed both hands on the hilt of her blade. The gnoll grimaced at her and she noticed that the gnolls' incisors had grown considerably in 500 years.

The gnoll drew his sword and quickly swung it down. Mysidia was forced to one knee, but she held the blade above her head, stopping his sword from ever coming near her. She pushed off, causing the gnoll to stagger back.

He came at her low this time and she swung it to meet him. Sparks flew up as they battled one another.

"You fight well for a tree hugger.", the gnoll barked at her.

"I'm out of your league, dog.", she hissed back.

They went back and forth, swinging blades, and continuing their battling dance. No matter what she did to the gnoll, he countered and vice versa. Finally, what seemed like forever, the gnoll made a grave mistake and pushed forward. Mysidia stepped aside and slashed at his back. The gnoll fell to his knees and dropped his blade.

"Kill me quickly. I have no regrets.", he said knowing his fate.

Mysidia raised an eyebrow and granted him his request. With a swift movement, she sliced down, severing his head from his body.

Mysidia wiped the blood splatters off her face and looked around at the corpses around her. Aust came thundering down the hill with his bow in hand.

"You really have a death wish, don't you?", he said looking around.

"You worry too much.", Mysidia said and picked up her shield. Aust looked at the six bodies on the ground and watched dumbfoundedly as Mysidia walked towards her horse.

"What the hell was that?", Aust asked pointing at the group.

"Afternoon amusement?", Mysidia said and shrugged.

"I think perhaps your husband has rubbed off on you a little TOO much.", Aust said and walked towards his horse.

"That's not necessarily a bad thing.", she said and grinned. She wiped her blade off with a cloth and placed it back into her sheath.

"Let's get out of here. We have a lot of ground to cover and I'm bored.", Mysidia said and kicked her horse into a gallop.

"The world has gone mad, indeed. Druids pretending to be Warriors…What will happen next, Wizards pretending to be Rangers??", Aust said and followed suit.

__________________

MysidiaDrakkenbane

"Is that Blackburrow?", Mysidia asked as they came over top a hill. There was a rather dilapidated wooden entrance in the shape of a crude bestial mouth. The doors were held together by crossed over wooden pieces, which looked like scraps. It didn't seem like the door was very sturdy, which would explain the groups of gnolls that milled around on the outside.

"Yes.", Aust said quietly as he studied each gnoll carefully. The gnolls hadn't seen them yet so they both pressed on closer to the group. Gnolls relied on their sense of smell more than their eyesight. And since both Mysidia's and Aust's scent hadn't caught up on the breeze, the gnolls didn't even bother to look up from what they were doing.

"I can't believe after all these years, it still stands.", Mysidia said in a low murmur. She began to read Aust's movements and kept her voice barely above a whisper. In the years that she had been with Machene, she taught herself to read the body language of whomever she was hunting with. She could tell that she had to be on her guard now, coming this close to them.

Aust dismounted his horse and quickly retrieved his bow and arrows from his horse's pack. "You have the ability to meld into hide yourself in the shadows, yes?", Aust asked looking up at her.

She sighed frustrated, "I've been practicing. It's not currently done the way I remember.", she said and dismounted.

Aust went into his bag and took out a small carved statue. She looked at it for a moment and her eyebrows furled with great curiosity as she saw whips of colored light swirl over it, causing parts of it to blend into the colors around it. He turned around and handed it to her.

"Here. This totem I bought will help keep you hidden amongst them.", he said as his image slowly started to shimmer into nothingness.

Mysidia looked down at the totem confused. She shrugged and closed her eyes, trying to activate the magic she felt in it. She used her older methods that she remembered, to activate it. When she opened her eyes, nothing.

She sighed, frustrated, and tried again. This time she decided to go at it the same way she summoned the bolts of ice that killed some of the gnolls. When she opened her eyes, nothing. She could still see herself. She cursed under her breath. Aust was impressed with her colorful use of the Common Language. He surmised she could probably put many drunken barbarians to shame. More than likely, that's where she got it from.

She wiggled her entire body and pushed her lips tight, full of determination. She closed her eyes and focused on the magic of the item itself, instead of trying to manipulate the magic within it. She felt her skin get increasingly cold, almost to the point of pain. When she opened up her eyes, she didn't see anything. The image of her former self was gone. It worked.

"HA! HA!", she said and skipped around happily. She figured something out herself without having to ask a barrage of questions. She watched as the grass beneath her feet bent but nothing betrayed what bent the grass. She skipped happily around, not paying attention to where she was going or what she was doing. She also didn't see the rock in front of her and she tripped and fell square on her derriere.

Aust laughed outright. "So graceful, are the Rydian's.", he chided.

"Cut it, fur ball, or I'll smite you hip and thigh.", Mysidia said getting up completely embarrassed. She thanked the gods that the invisibility she placed on herself hid the 30 shades of red she had become from the embarrassment.

She lifted her chin and walked straight over towards the front door of Blackburrow. Aust shook his head as he followed his overly confident companion. They both made it in without incident, although a few times he had to make a small noise or two to remind Mysidia that now was not the time to attack or be brave.

Once inside, Aust shimmered into sight again and Mysidia waved her hand to release the spell on her. Aust turned to arm his bow and arrow and shook his head.

"Are you always this brash?", he asked slightly annoyed.

"Are you always this conservative? What… do you want to live forever?", Mysidia asked and winked.

Aust was about to answer when the simplicity of the question stopped him. She couldn't understand. She didn't have children to raise. Although living for the moment always appealed to him. And a little bravery never really hurt anyone…did it? Even if it hurt him, he had her. She could easily heal any wound inflicted by sheer bravery. Perhaps he should ..live a little.

He began to pluck out his arrows and the gnolls began to drop like flies. Each one he took aim on, Mysidia would concentrate to cast, but every time she'd get close to releasing the spell, the gnoll would fall over dead. Mysidia's jaw dropped. This ranger was single handedly taking out the entire gnoll camp.

"Where were you 500 years ago…?", Mysidia asked stunned. "Tunare's teeth, you could have won the war for us."

Aust gave a small chuckle and continued to take out a few more gnolls. When he saw the coast was clear, he continued to make his way in.

"What exactly are we doing here?", Mysidia asked.

"Some of the Qeynosians enjoy gnoll pelts.", Aust said getting down to skin one. He looked up at the confused woman. "Hey, I don't make the market, I just sell in it."

Mysidia began to kick at the ground looking for something to do. She could have at least had SOME entertainment helping to kill the gnolls, but Aust quickly disposed of them and Mysidia was left to her own devices.

"Don't wander too far. Gnolls don't exactly like you.", Aust said putting a hide in his bag.

"Gnolls don't like anyone.", Mysidia said and picked up a rock. She took aim and threw it at a large boulder. It bounced off and rolled down a carved corridor. Mysidia picked up another rock and did it again. She winced when she heard a rather loud crash the second time. She looked over at Aust who was still busy skinning away. Good, he didn't hear.

"Ouch! Would you MIND? It's strange, I know, but some people don't LIKE having a lumpy skull.", a small velvety voice said and echoed in the corridor. The voice held a small purr, but it wasn't a cat's purr. It was an animalistic reverberation, though. Mysidia immediately got her sword and shield ready, obviously taken off guard that anyone else was around.

Out of the darkness, a small figure began to make its way towards Mysidia. The figure wasn't any taller than your average dwarf but much thinner. Mysidia turned her head from side to side to get a better look.

"Oh put those down. I'm not going to attack you.", the voice said and came into the light. The figure that followed the small voice shocked Mysidia indeed. A small rat looking figure, dressed in a robe walked up to Mysidia. The rat had a pair of tinted glasses on and the look on his furry face wasn't exactly happy.

"What in the nine hells, are you?", Mysidia asked completely stunned and confused.

"Do you live under a rock or something, lady? You've never seen a Ratonga before?", the rat humanoid asked her.

She was about to answer when Aust came up beside her. "Ah, James! Well met.", Aust said and shook the little rat's hand.

Mysidia stood back and looked up at the large cat man and then at the small rat man. She shook her head and began to walk away. "I can't take much more of this. The insanity of nature is driving ME mad."

"What's eaten her?", James asked watching Mysidia walk away.

Aust took in a deep breath and sighed. "Nothing, yet. With her attitude, though, give her time."

__________________

MysidiaDrakkenbane

Mysidia, James, and Austforbeer remained in Blackburrow for most of the day. They had gained a few trinkets to sell on the market and Mysidia got some of the training experience she needed to help advance to Thundering Stepps. She was more determined now, than ever, to find her husband.

James was an unusual character. He was full of wit and sarcasm, but his tiny purring voice was a constant reminder of the human he was not. Still, he was good at his job and he seemed to take particular enjoyment in blowing things up. A little TOO much, Mysidia noticed.

She couldn't help but take some amusement in watching his nose twitch with anticipation and glee as he cast his spells on the gnolls they had crossed. Mysidia knew she was in good hands and she didn't have to work as hard killing those that opposed them. They knew their jobs and could do it well.

They had come to a large waterfall and Mysidia looked over the rickety crudely made wooden bridge into the depths of the collecting natural pool below. Spray from the waterfall dampened her face and began to curl her blond hair.

"That's a long drop.", Mysidia said looking down.

"Yep, sure is.", James said and stood on the rope of the bridge. He took a flying leap off of it and laughed going all the way down. Mysidia raised an eyebrow at Aust who looked at her.

"And you call me crazy?", Mysidia said and followed suit. She plunged feet first into the water and felt exhilarated as the cold water crashed against her skin. She shot up and gasped for breath, looking around for her new Ratonga friend. She swirled around in the water to look for him and found him backed up against the wall, out of the water.

She noticed the wary look on his face and she turned around to see a HUGE spider staring right at her with round black eyes.

She blinked at the rather large insect and sighed knowing what was about to come. The spider lifted his legs and snapped in to bite her. Using her legs, she shot herself back under water. She unsheathed her sword and swam back towards where James was.

"That…", she said breathing heavy, "..is a very large bug."

"Actually, spiders aren't bugs at all…", James began to say. The huge splash that Aust made caused them both to stop the conversation and look into the water. James leaned over to Mysidia and placed a hand on the side of his mouth.

"Two silver pieces says that Aust gets bit. He's a magnet for poisonous animals.", he said and watched the water. Mysidia chuckled.

"I don't think so.", Mysidia said and pointed to the edge of the water where two paw prints indented themselves into the dirt. Aust, knowing what was down here, used his stealth to keep the spiders at bay. It didn't stop the one from keeping his eye on Mysidia, though.

James noticed the angry spider and said, "You just spread joy everywhere you go, don't you?'

"You want to end up as fodder, rat?', Mysidia looked down at him annoyed. "I'm sure we can find a snake or two to appease."

James quickly bit his tongue as Aust made his way towards them. Aust motioned for them to use their invisibility abilities. Mysidia got the totem out of her pack and looked at it. The swirls of magic weren't on the totem anymore and she frowned looking at it.

James, curious as to why Mysidia had no idea about the item, took it from her hands and shook it. Sparkles of energy swirled around it as if it were charged up again. Mysidia's eyes widened a bit as sh