Fateful Meetings

From Spiritwood Wiki

== Childhood Wonder == Chapter 1 : 5 March 2003

Ellaedyn packed her horse, prepared for the day’s trip to Droighaid. It was a simple journey, carrying supplies for the town healers and the latest scouting reports to the leaders. Although her primary role for the Grove of Domnann was patrolling the forest nearby, she enjoyed these trips most of all.

The years had been kind to her since deciding to remain in Domnann and help the Sylvans protect their lands. Ellaedyn, or Elly as she liked to be called, had learned the ways of the Sylvan quickly, and now at the age of eighteen was one of their best forest scouts.

Elly thought back over the last five years, mostly filled with fond memories and battles won. The Sylvans had pushed back the corruption that threatened them, even though it was a tenuous stalemate. Although Elly could see the events as a victory, having lived in Domnann now and accepted the Sylvan’s oneness of nature, she understood why her parents still wanted her to return home. It disheartened her, both the fact that they could not see the good work being done, and that she could see it plainly as their “human” way of approaching the war results, equally.

Yet there was still something Elly searched for in this land, beyond a conclusion to the war now raging. For the past five years, Elly was haunted by the vision of the warrior angel she had encountered. The now older and wiser Elly believed perhaps her perceptions of that encounter were not quite so dramatic or fantastic, but she still wanted to find this person.

When she had been found that night, to the relief of her worried parents, she fumbled over the recounting, using phrases as “rays of light” and “angel” with a wide eyed childhood wonder. She didn’t really blame them for not believing her. Even the Sylvans just nodded and smiled.

But then the stories began trickling in.

A wayward merchant saved from fomorians by a lone warrior, who vanished as fast as she appeared. Trappers finding the bodies of corrupted animals and plants struck down with a ferocious onslaught, yet all the wounds from the same blades. The healers of Aalid Feie woke up to find sorely needed supplies left for them, barely spotting the retreating form of the stranger, aglow in the morning rays of the sunrise.

The “angel” of Hybrasil became a story, a beloved heroine of the troubled people of this land. But none really put much faith in the idea that this was truly one lone adventurer. It was more reasonable to simple place the label on any outsider who performed such benevolent acts of kindness, without seeking fame or fortune.

Elly still believed though.

Having witnessed the angel’s work five years ago, the recollections of that battle still confused her today. Even as a seasoned warrior herself, she wondered how a lone warrior could wield two blades so easily, in such harmony. And the eyes! How they burned deep inside with a passion, one she hoped to have one day herself when it came to protecting the weak and the defenseless.

She waved goodbye to her friends in Domnann, riding swiftly down the path towards Droighaid. She knew that Iesia the healer would be looking forward to the supplies she carried with her today.

The afternoon ride passed with little excitement, and Elly took the opportunity to enjoy the countryside as she rode. Even with the constant threat of the corrupted, the forests of Domnann were beautiful, much more lush than any of those she remembered back home in Connla.

Elly approached the bridge leading to Droighaid, a little regretful that she had not taken more time enjoying the land around her. She reminded herself that these supplies were important, though, so she straightened her course and aimed to cross the bridge leading to town.

As Elly’s horse trotted onto the bridge, she noticed that there were no guardians about patrolling. Although not unheard of, it did seem a bit odd. Elly stopped her horse, dismounting and looking around.

It was just out of the corner of her eye at first, but gone when she swung her head to look. Down, into the river below, she thought she had seen some movement. She continued to peer at the water’s surface. Just when she was about to admit it was nothing, a guardian’s body emerged from the water, only to be dragged back below, thrashing against whatever was under the water.

Elly grabbed her scythe, and leapt down to the water below. As soon as she resurfaced, she noticed the guardian’s body, dead for at least a week. In its place rose four vicious angler beasts, tossing the lure aside to sink to the river’s bed below.

== Found and Lost == Chapter 2 : 5 March 2003

It had been a long time since Elly truly felt outmatched. She had fought numerous battles against the sylvanshades and botonids that plagued the forests near Domnann, sometimes two to one.

However the four anglers facing her now were far stronger than anything she had faced before. Even as she swung her great scythe back and forth in front of her, she could see that these beasts were only toying with her, allowing her to grow tired, and slip beneath the water’s surface. Exactly where they wanted her to be.

Elly looked about for escape, finding none. She wondered if the guardians would return in time to find her.

She heard a shout from above. Looking up, her eyes just caught the form as it streaked past, sinking like a weight into the river below. She lowered her scythe unconsciously, as the angler beasts dived below the water’s surface.

The water remained still for a few moments, with Elly too surprised and scared to move. Suddenly, a beast broke the surface before her. Elly drew her scythe back to strike at it, before noticing the beast continue to rise, up and out of the water. Underneath it’s jaw were two blades, side by side, forcing the shinning silver up and into the creature’s skull. The beast fell back into the water, as two hands gripped the blades and viciously pulled them out of the dead body.

Even as she considered what she should be doing, a voice whispered in Elly’s ear. “I think you should make haste for the water’s edge, milady. We’ll secure your escape.”

Elly spun around, but the source of the words was already gone. Elly thought she heard a faint giggle as she looked around futilely for it’s owner, but did not waste any time thinking about it, instead heading for the water’s edge.

She collapsed on the shore, turning around to look back to the river where the battle continued. She thought she spotted two forms fighting within the water, but the movements were so fast, so elegant in their control, they appeared as little more than a blur.

They appeared as little more than a blur.

Elly gasped aloud, and she remembered. Now looking with more focus, the likeness was apparent. The twin blades rose and fell, dancing before her eyes. Even the spray of water leaving the swinging blades was beautiful.

Finally, the water stilled, with the last of the beasts vanquished. Elly stared at the woman now motionless in the water. Her focus was momentarily broken when a booming voice shouted out.

“Hey, you two okay down there?”

Elly glanced up to see what appeared to be a giant crouched down on the bridge looking down at the woman in the water. Although it had been some time since she had seen a firbolg, she remembered quickly.

The woman in the water glanced up, a smile beaming on her face that even Elly could see from the river’s shore.

“Only because of you, Sleiyn. Your healing of our wounds saved the day yet again!”

“Nonsense,” scoffed the druid, “the only wounds you two suffered were from that mad leap into the water!”

Elly’s head snapped around to the voice that rose from behind her, still soothing even though it was raised so that the firbolg and warrior could hear her.

“Only because Lady Tyl doesn’t know how to land safely into so much water,” giggled the elf now standing behind her, “although I fear the worst injuries may be this young woman’s here.”

Elly looked back to the warrior Tyl as she came out of the water towards her. The firbolg joined them on the shore side.

“It’s probably because you spooked her, Sylaria. Don’t act innocent, I heard you talking to her while hiding about the water. Disembodied voices tend to scare people, remember?” smirked the woman named Tyl.

The elven lady looked shocked, though by the look on Sleiyn’s face, it seemed this type of discussion happened all too frequently.

”You didn’t seem to complain about my assisting you. I just would hate to see your reputation tarnished; needing my help to handle four such beasts, it’s truly a sad day for the Fellowship,” she finished shaking her head, mockingly disheartened.

“Are you all right?” the druid Sleiyn asked Elly, bringing the two women back to focus.

“Ye..yes,” she managed, still glancing back at Tyl.

Sleiyn stood up, looking around, “Well, then no harm done. Regardless of how stylish you two insist on appearing.”

Sylaria was already shaking her head, pointing at Tyl, though Sleiyn just continued, hoping to avoid another “quarrel”.

“Tell us good lady, do you know of Jyrlan? I believe he is to reside in this town,” Sleiyn asked.

“Jyrlan? He lives in Necht,” Elly replied.

“Right,” nodded Sleiyn, “that is the name of this town, correct?”

Elly shook her head, “No, milord. Necht is farther to the west.”

Sleiyn and Sylaria both turned to look at Tyl, a teasing smile already playing on Sylaria’s face.

Tyl looked around, as if surveying the landmarks.

“Oh, Necht! Of course, that’s west of here,” Tyl nodded, “Besides, had we not come by, this woman might have been in serious peril. It all worked out anyway, right Sleiyn?”

Sleiyn nodded in support, but Sylaria’s face did not change. Before she could say anything, Tyl was already walking confidently towards the town. “I’ll just go ahead and secure us some horses to Necht.”

Sleiyn chuckled quietly as Sylaria just shook her head. They helped Elly up, and waved as they ran to catch up to Tyl.

Elly watched the three go wondering, thinking of the fighting style she knew she had seen before.

== Curiosity’s Siren Song == Chapter 3 : 13 April 2003

Elly watched the three adventures gathering their supplies near the stables. She led her horse towards Iesia, hoping to delivery the healer’s supplies and follow the three. But even her desires would not give way to fulfilling her duties.

Elly brought her horse around to the healer, Iesia. She dismounted her steed, and began unpacking the supplies. However her gaze was drawn back to the adventures time and time again, as they paid the stable hand and prepared to ride out, presumably to Necht.

Iesia noticed Elly’s gaze, commenting, “So many new adventures these days. Perhaps Hybrasil still has a chance.”

Elly turned over the last of the supplies and considered the healer. Lady Iesia was a sylvan trained in the healing arts by those who came from the main land. Perhaps she might know more about the stories of the Angel.

“Tell me, Healer Iesia, do you believe in the Angel?”

Iesia thought for a few moments before speaking, “Oh, I don’t know young girl. There have been many stories of the Angel’s exploits and generosity. But with so many new adventurers about the lands, who’s to say they aren’t simple exaggerations?”

Iesia noticed the frown on Elly’s face, continuing softly, “I know of your own experience dear, and I’m not questioning that in the slightest. Tis a high honor to hear the voice of Hybrasil. Many sylvans live their entire lives, longing to hear the motherland’s voice, yet they exit this world unfulfilled. To hear it once is a blessing. You should be content with that alone, instead of jumping at every rumor and story you hear.”

Elly sighed quietly, remembering the voice she heard that day. Even though she was but a small child, she could still distinctly recall its tone. It always filled her with a deep calmness.

Elly gave the healer a determined look, “But I want to hear the voice again. It’s why I became a valewalker, why I stayed to protect Domnann Grove.”

“Perhaps there is more to the stories and the legend of the Angel,” Iesia shrugged, “maybe one day you’ll find out. If not, maybe the good deeds being done in the Angel’s name are enough of a good thing by themselves.”

Elly nodded in agreement, turning to be alone with her thoughts. As she led her horse to the gates of Droighaid, she eyed the position of the sun. She still had a bit of daylight left.

Elly gazed off in the direction of Necht. Perhaps she could catch up with the adventurers yet. There was something about that woman that reminded her of the Angel. With her mind made up, Elly headed off towards Necht, confident that she would find out all she could of the Angel from these three adventurers.

Necht was a small fishing community on the beaches of Vigilant Rock. Though in its early days the town was little more than a few huts in a haphazard circle, a formidable wall now surrounded Necht. The forests nearby had been overrun with the spreading darkness; it’s effects twisting the normally docile creatures into vicious beasts that attacked immediately. The town had fought off many attacks, but was clearly struggling from its position far away from Hybrasil’s center.

Elly rode into town, watching with dismay as the sun began its decent over the forest to the west. Her mood was further soured as she wandered about inside: the adventurers were already gone. Elly returned to the entrance, and approached the stable master.

“Good day, sir. Would you happen to notice three adventurers; an elf, a firbolg, and a celtic woman; leaving your fair town today?”

The stable master thought for a moment, before pointing into the darkening forest, “They headed into the forest, towards the ruins.”

“The ruins?” Elly asked.

“Aye traveler. The sylvans once had a guard tower up that hillside. But it was long overrun by the corrupted creatures. Picked clean long ago by scavengers, there’s nothing left, but those three seemed rather interested in it,” the stable master said.

“My thanks!” Elly called out, already headed towards the tree line.

Elly entered the forest, the shadows already growing long as the sun lowered behind the mountains to the west. It did not take her long to find the ruined tower.

She entered carefully, her eyes drawn to the destruction. To think that such a grand guard tower had been given up so easily was disheartening, and a strong warning to the dangers that remained in this forest.

Elly stood in the center of the ruined tower, saddened by the devastation. A noise to her left brought her to a crouch, her hands tightening around her scythe. Her eyes scanned the shadows, as the figures entered into the light.

It was the three adventurers.

Elly relaxed, standing up with a smile on her face. She lowered her scythe, waving to the three companions, “Hello! I was hoping I could find you again.”

The giant firbolg grinned back to the young woman, a smile that warmed her heart. However, that face was quickly distorted into shock, as the druid yelled, “Watch out behind you!”

Elly spun around, confusion and fear overwhelming her as the savage bugbear raised its dirty sword above its head.

== No More Games == Chapter 4 : 13 April 2003

Elly stared into the face of the bugbear, the gleeful look on its face horrifying her. Before she could even raise her weapon, she was brushed aside.

Elly rolled over, sitting up on the forest floor, to see the blademaster, both blades gleaming in the rising moonlight standing between the bugbear and herself. The briefest of pauses passed, before the woman sprang forward, twin daggers leading.

To the beast’s credit, it lowered its blade and shield in a crude defensive posture. However it was no match for the blademaster’s perfect strike.

Tyl rolled her wrists, angling the blades underneath the defenses. Swiping wide, her twin blades forced the bugbears arms to go out wide to each side. The woman rolled back onto her heels, spinning the blades in a complete circle within her hands and realigning them for the strike, even as she fell forward, her momentum carrying her into a deadly thrust towards the beasts heart.

Tyl stumbled forward, her twin blades parried away unexpectedly. She caught herself before falling into the bugbears chest, regaining her footing and staring at the blade pointed directly at her from the bugbears body.

Elly watched in confusion, believing that both the bugbears arms were parried wide. So how could the beast respond so quickly, and stop the blademaster’s flawless strike?

Her answer came as the bugbear’s body slowly slid down the length of the blade, falling lifelessly to the ground at the blademaster’s feet. Standing before them, still holding the blade that pierced the beast from behind, was a cloaked figure. The figure’s armor reflected the starlight brightly, almost like a mirror, yet did not emit any noticeable light, instead absorbing it.

Elly nearly choked, catching the glint of the stranger’s eyes in the starlight. The fire of the Angel’s eyes simmered, burning within the hood of the cloak just as brightly as when she saw them as a child. The hands carried the twin blades that had glowed so fiercely in the battle with the cniocrags, catching the moonlight as if ablaze.

The Angel stood before her in all its glory.

The druid Sleiyn walked up to stand behind Tyl, a smile back on his face, “Well met stranger, and thank you for the-“

His voice trailed off, noticing that although both warriors had lowered their blades, neither had sheathed them yet as well. Tyl and the newcomer continued to stare at each other, the reclaimed quiet beginning to grow uneasy.

The warrior broke the silence, her voice both melodic and firm. It became clear to the companions, who had traveled many places and spoken to many inhabitants of Hibernia, that this warrior before them was clearly elven.

“Come forward, celtic-elf,” she taunted, “it’s clear you could hide better in the realms of man, and not in these woods.”

Elly glanced around, suddenly aware of the third companion beside the blademaster. The elven ranger Sylaria whispered to Tyl, “I watched her strike while at the side of the battle; twas as fast as a fall’s rain storm. Her stance resembles your own, dear friend. Be wary.”

Tyl nodded slightly, saying to the warrior before them, “Perhaps it would be best if you went on your way.”

The woman before them scoffed, “Why? So that you can get your companions and this young woman killed in these forests? Perhaps it would be best if you returned to your homeland, instead of playing games.”

Tyl stiffened, catching the emphasis on “homeland”. But before she could answer, the woman continued.

“How embarrassing, to be carrying around the master’s teachings in such a bastardized form. Like your celtic-elf friend, following the ways of man above your heritage. Look at you two, so proudly using such obscene weapons like those angled daggers,” the woman proclaimed, her own twin stilettos glowing brighter, as if in agreement.

Elly noticed that both women had steadied themselves, waiting for the first strike to occur.

Before Tyl could reply, the warrior before them pushed one more time.

“It’s a good thing master Vencklayne isn’t around to see what’s become of his student.”

Even as the sentence finished, Tyl sprang forward with a yell, her blades weaving before even reaching her foe. The warrior-angel was already prepared, calmly matching her initial attack routines with deft parries and evades. The stilettos danced in her hands, their shorter length and lighter weight pacing the two angled daggers Tyl used.

The warrior-angel quickly found her rhythm, first following Tyl’s attacks, and then leading into her own. Within moments, Tyl had quickly reverted to the defensive to keep up with the elf’s quickness. Tyl allowed the elf to dictate the pace, watching carefully to gauge her opponents preferred attacks.

She noticed a form of the same advanced elven fighting style that Saiioth used against her with his two falcattas. With practiced patience, she began to set herself for the same response attack.

Elly and the companions watched as Tyl locked blades in a four way parry, pulling with her advantageous strength and sending the four locked weapons flying into the air. Already spinning on her foot, she unsheathed her curved dagger, sending it flying before her as her twisting body brought her other arm to bear on its flight, to catch it mid strike.

Her left hand suddenly stopped, missing the dagger’s flight. Even as she looked down to find the elf’s hand locked on her wrist, her body was yanked forward by it.

Her forward momentum was stopped short by the elf’s other hand, closing tightly around her neck. Tyl fought hard to regain control, but was completely immobilized by the elf’s choking grasp.

The elf leaned forward, placing her face just before Tyl’s.

“The vulgarity of your fighting disgusts me,” she spat, “This isn’t a game that you’re playing. If you cannot take Vencklayne’s teaching seriously, you are worse than useless in the battle ahead.

“You’re a liability.”

The elf shoved Tyl to the ground forcibly. Sylaria and Sleiyn moved forward to protect her, but it was clear that the woman was unconcerned with the blademaster. She calmly walked over and retrieved her weapons, sheathing them with a snap of annoyance. She walked past the three companions without a second look at Tyl, instead stopping before Elly.

The elf led the girl’s glance to the companions, “Don’t allow their voices to lull you to sleep, child, or you will never find Hybrasil’s song in all of your days.”

The elf turned to regard Tyl once again, a look of displeasure on her face. Tyl locked eyes with her again, noticing within them something else.

Disappointment?

“Time for you to decide, blademaster,” she sneered, fully using the last word as one final insult, “if you wish to keep playing adventurer, or if you want to honor your master. Decide before crossing my path again, student of Vencklayne, for your choice will determine your fate:

“Your Day of Redemption, or your Day of Reckoning.”

And with that, the Angel of Hybrasil turned and left the forest.

== And we all fall down… == Chapter 5 : 19 April 2003

The companions watched Elly’s horse ride off on its way back to Domnann Grove, hoping that the young girl would return by night’s end. It had been an informative trip back to Necht, as Elly was more than willing to talk about the Angel of Hybrasil. Sleiyn and Sylaria asked thoughtful questions and remarked politely on the deeds that had been attributed to her, while Elly told them all that she knew and had heard.

Tyl led them on, silently weaving through the trees, keeping her own thoughts to herself.

With Elly safely on her way home, Tyl entered the town of Necht. Sylaria and Sleiyn stayed at the entrance for a moment, contemplating what had happened. A messenger approached them, handing over a note with news that their friends were on the way to meet them here. Sleiyn smiled as he read the names.

“Lady Twen will be joining us, hoping to see more of these lands by our side. Lady Lexi and Lady Bhanell as well. I’m sure Tyl will be happy to see such old friends again,” the druid said. “And Isli as well! Certainly seeing her sister again after all this time will be good for our friend!”

Sylaria nodded, though more of recognition of the names than complete agreement. “I think I’ll go see how Tyl is doing. She was rather quiet on the trip back to Necht.”

Sleiyn smiled, “I’ll await our friends here then.”

Sylaria made her way into the town, the gloom of nightfall providing the shadows she felt most comfortable in. She made her way through the merchant bazaar, many staying up late hoping for more travelers before turning in for the night. The moon escaped the clouds then, chasing Sylaria deeper into the shadows. She looked up to mark the moving clouds, and spotted Tyl standing alone on the ramparts, staring out at the ocean waves.

With practiced ease, she made her way up the ladder and onto the wall. She approached her friend, unconscious of the fact that she was still hiding within the darkness.

Tyl was looking down, reading a note clutched by trembling hands. As she looked up at the sky, the note disintegrated in her hands. Sylaria found herself frozen, unsure of whether she should approach and speak with her friend, or respect her friend’s privacy.

“I’ll find you yet,” whispered Tyl to the night air. “And when I do, then we’ll see…we’ll see…”

Tyl sighed, her shoulders slumping as she looked down to her hands, shaking slightly.

“But I need to get stronger.”

Sylaria backed away, concerned for her friend, but unsure of what to make of these words. Trusting Tyl’s strength of mind, she retreated quietly back to their awaiting friends.

A few moments later, Tyl made her way out of Necht.

“Sis!” cried out Isli, “It’s so good to be adventuring with you again!” As Isli ran up to hug Tyl, Sylaria noticed the brief sting cross Tyl’s face. Tyl returned her hug, a soft smile on her face.

“I need to travel to World’s End. There’s something there I must find out, though I am unsure of what may lay ahead,” Tyl said suddenly, pausing briefly as if choosing whether to continue on, “you are all welcome to join me, though I can not assure your safety, or what we will find.”

Sylaria’s concerned glance looked from Tyl to her friends gathering about, but it appeared that no one else was worried, or had noticed any change in their friend.

Perhaps it’s just me, Sylaria thought to herself.

They made their way, Bhanell’s beautiful music granting their tired legs the stamina to continue on into the dead of night. There was genuine camaraderie with these friends; even young Twen began to feel at ease with these well-traveled adventurers. However, Tyl remained quiet, offering a word of warning as they approached the wildlife, or relaying the direction that they were heading in.

They passed Krrzck village, giving it a wide berth in case the inhabitants took issue with their late night passing. Heading into the valley behind the village, it did not take long for them to find signs of inhabitance.

“Bugbears,” Tyl whispered back to the group. “Quite a few.”

Twen griped her bow, searching the surrounding trees and watching the group’s flank. Lexi and Sleiyn began mentally going over their spells, prepared to call forth destruction and protection in equal parts. Bhanell began a song of war; it’s first few bars building quietly as they stalked the area. Isli grinned excitedly, looking forward to the joys of battle and the slaying of evil creatures. Sylaria marked the passage of the bugbears, gauging distances and guessing which beasts would attack after the initial creature was engaged.

But all eyes kept Tyl within their view, ready to rush into battle at her movement. Tyl was never one for words during battle, striking foes down and quickly moving on to the next, retaining a controlled but deadly engagement.

The first beast died before even realizing it was being attacked.

Even as the beast was falling to the ground, Tyl was moving on, sprinting past it and directly into the next. And the next. And the next.

All without a sound.

Sylaria breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that perhaps if things remained this simple, Tyl would put the doubts behind her. As they ran deeper and deeper into the forest, a trail of bugbears left in their wake, it felt like old times.

Tyl slowed to a stop, staring before her as the companions caught up.

“No,” Tyl breathed. “Not again….”

They had entered a clearing, where apparently a sylvan village once stood. However all that remained was a burnt carcass of a tree house. The companions looked about the ruined village, trying to discern what had happened, and how long ago.

“Truly a sad affair has occurred here,” Sleiyn spoke, bowing his head in solemn reflection.

The others turned to agree with him, but were shaken from their thoughts by a loud voice.

“Foul beast! Come and drink deeply from my blades!”

All turned to regard Tyl, weapons drawn, defiantly staring down a giant of a bugbear, nearly twice the size of the firbolg Sleiyn. Stunned by Tyl’s outburst, they quickly drew their weapons as the giant’s guards rushed to attack.

Tyl leapt into the fray, swinging wildly at every bugbear that came into reach. Sylaria spun around the beast Tyl was fighting, to reach the bugbear behind the quick blademaster. As she stabbed, she found Tyl’s blades already there. Sylaria continued, helping Tyl dispatch the beast, but kept an eye on the blademaster.

Every beast was attacking Tyl, responding to the woman’s continued taunts. The blademaster shrugged off the blows, gritting her teeth and continued her wild attacks, striking each and every bugbear. Sylaria grimaced, aware after months of fighting by her friend’s side that Tyl was attacking with emotion and frustration, not the calculated precision she had come to expect out of the blademaster. Such attacks would work in this situation, so she was little concerned for their safety, but she knew if they were to find their match in strength, they would quickly be defeated.

The last of the guards fell, and the companions caught their breath. The giant bugbear, frozen by Bhanell’s entrancing melodies, paid little attention to them. Tyl walked before the beast, her body shaking with rage.

“Tell me what you’ve done here, beast!” she screamed, “Tell me what you’ve done to this village!”

Sleiyn and Sylaria exchanged glances, their concern growing for Tyl’s escalating aggression. It was clear to everyone that these bugbears were incapable of communication.

Tyl exploded into action, stabbing and slicing with abandon at the giant beast. Swords were aimed, arrows nocked and released, and spells flew; all aimed at and dropping the giant beast. Even as the creature’s cry of death echoed about the forest, Tyl’s blades continued slashing. The others lowered their weapons, slowly approaching the wildly swinging blademaster.

Her rage finally played out, Tyl lowered her weapons. The companions looked at each other, unsure of what to say. However, Tyl was already on the move again, and they turned to chase after her.

They caught up to Tyl at the base of the valley. The blademaster stood looking up towards the top, intent on seeing if anything was within sight. The companions nervously looked about, marking the continued passage of aggressive creatures.

“Look there!” cried Twen, pointing down into the forest below.

An ancient treant slowly made its way about the forest floor, heading back to the hillside they stood on. It’s body was weathered and aged; it appeared as if it had seen centuries pass. The treants were the peaceful inhabitants of the deeper forests of Hybrasil. They had little to fear from this creature.

Tyl turned to look at the regal giant, hoping to have her questions answered. It continued its march, up the side of the hill, on a direct path through where they stood, yet it did not seem as if it had noticed them yet. Suddenly, it stretched to its full height, swinging a huge branch and blasting young Twen to the side. Her body rolled down the hillside, coming to rest in a heap. The companions were unprepared for such a devastating attack, and fumbled for their weapons.

Tyl drew her blades, but lowered them just as quickly as she saw the creature’s face. Scars of chopped wood covered it completely, and it was clear that the ancient treant was blind, it’s eyes gorged out. Tyl stood still, unsure of how to respond, horrified as one by one her friends were struck down.

“Wait,” she cried, “please! We mean you no-“

The rest of her breath was forced from her lungs as the swinging branch lifted her body into the air, slamming into a tree a few feet away, the blademaster passing out before her body crumpled to the ground.

== Epilogue: Shalieltylaran == 19 April 2003

Tyl heard the sound of waves lapping quietly nearby. Rolling over, she opened her eyes to see the ocean.

She shook her head, trying to get rid of the remaining disorientation. She glanced down the coastline, spotting the trees of the forest she had just been in. But how did she get here?

“Awake? Good, it’s time we had a talk.”

Tyl spun around, her blades already in her hands, the dizziness gone. Her blades lowered slightly as the figure behind her stood with arms crossed, making no move for her blades.

The Angel of Hybrasil stared deep into Tyl’s eyes, face expressionless. Her cloak was thrown over her shoulders, displaying her armor and weapons clearly to Tyl in the morning light. Though her breastplate appeared to be made completely of metal, almost like scale armor, it had to be incredibly lightweight for the elf to move as quickly as she did in their last meeting. As the sun rose over the water behind Tyl, she watched the armor glow faintly, as if breathing in the morning rays. The dual stiletto’s hanging easily from the woman’s hips began to glimmer as well.

“Where are my friends?” Tyl asked immediately.

“They have been safely returned to the Domnann Grove. Our discussion does not concern them,” replied the elven woman. There was no mirth in the woman’s voice, only business.

“Then I will take my leave to go to them. Your words are certainly less important than my friends condition.”

The elf woman shook her head slowly, “I’m afraid this is more important than anything you have going on in your little adventuring livelihood. I told you when we meet again, it would be your day of reckoning. That day has arrived, so I can’t let you go anywhere without settling this.”

“Settling what? What does my life have to do with you?” Tyl said, annoyance creeping into her voice.

“With me? Nothing,” the woman said simply. “It has everything to do with what Master Vencklayne taught you.”

Tyl stood silent.

“Yes, I imagine you remember that little part of your life. A child of a family heritage, protecting her homeland and bringing peace to the land her family has looked after for centuries. So, what are you doing here, so far from home?”

“I’m protecting the people of this land. Their cause is just, and akin to the history my own land suffered. I could not turn away from their need.”

The elven woman nodded, but pressed on, “Yet, I see no acts of service, only self gain. Adventure, riches, fame; All these things you continue to claim for yourself and your friends, with little concern for that which happens around you, blind to the atrocities associated with this island.”

“That’s…that’s a lie! I help any and all that I come in contact with,” Tyl cried.

“And yet villages continue to die, the forest continues to be overcome with the curse, and the leader of the treants strikes you down. It appears that your service is both ineffectual and unwanted.”

Tyl lowered her head, cursing under her breath.

“And you could not even save your friends from falling at your side. You’re hardly a protector, are you?”

“I could not strike the treant,” Tyl shot back, “his anger was blind rage, I could not fault him for attacking any that entered his forest.”

“And had I not come to save your lives, you and your friends would be dead.”

Tyl frowned, muttering through clenched teeth, “Then you have my thanks, I am in your debt for my friends’ lives, and my own.”

The woman nodded curtly again, but fell silent, continuing to look at the blademaster before her.

“Why did you come here?” she asked suddenly.

Tyl blinked. “The note you left me in Necht said that I could find you here.”

“Well, yes. But you also knew that I might decide to kill you. What’s so important to you, and your adventuring life, that you would risk that?”

“You know something about Master Vencklayne. I want to know what it is,” Tyl said without pausing.

“I can’t tell you.”

“Can’t, or won’t?” Tyl asked, her blades inching upwards.

“Tyl, if your friends had died to the ancient treant, would you have returned to seek revenge?”

“No. Doing so would serve no purpose. As I said, I do not hold the treant responsible for it’s actions.”

“What if it was not your friends, but your master Vencklayne that had died?”

“Again, it was not at fault-“

“What if it wasn’t the treant, but a creature with malicious intent that slew him?”

“Then I would-“ Tyl stopped, narrowing her eyes, “What are you not telling me?”

“Then you would what?”

Tyl straightened, “Then I would do whatever it takes to slay the creature, and remove it from this land before-“

“Revenge, eh? Then I won’t tell-“ began the woman.

Tyl raised a hand to stop the woman, a smirk crossing her face.

“And remove it from this land before it could do the same thing again to someone else. Even if it had not been my master, or my friends, ridding this land of evil is a goal I would strive to uphold.”

The elf woman stood pondering the blademaster before her, before finally nodding.

“Perhaps I misjudged you, though I am not convinced of your intentions, or your dedication to the teachings of Master Vencklayne.”

Tyl bristled at the insinuation that she was less than serious, but her feelings gave way as the woman continued.

“It’s time you wake up and serve this land with the skills Master Vencklayne instilled in you. This land is indeed suffering from a curse, a disease, an infestation that threatens to devour Hybrasil itself. Sadly, there is little we can do about that fact. However, we can strike a blow to its plans, perhaps even delaying it enough for Hybrasil to rally back and have a chance of winning this war.”

The woman walked over to Tyl, sitting down and gazing out over the ocean. She motioned for Tyl to take a seat as well. Tyl sat down in the sand, regarding the woman. She was shocked to see a face fondly recollecting the past, though a tinge of sorrow clouded her eyes.

“However, the story does not begin there. The day this story begins for us is twenty years ago. Back to a peaceful time, when the curse had not taken hold, when sylvans and nature lived in complete harmony.

“Our story starts, when fleeing from his burning home twenty years ago, our Master Vencklayne first set foot on the island of Hybrasil.”