HEROIC REALMS

The passage of yet another very long day brought about another barrage of unanswered questions, and with them the weight of the world falling to rest on Laurelin's shoulders. So many seemingly grave bits and pieces of the details forming pieces to an enormous and elaborate puzzle that felt as if the elusive missing pieces were the keys to it all. Yet, everytime she thought she had one of those key pieces, it only opened this endless mystery to more questions. The answers being just beyond her grasp was beginning to take its toll upon the Druid.

She had been wandering the paths of the Stronghold for most of the day, so lost in her thoughts, she barely registered arriving in the Druid's circle. It was not until the tree ent uttered something that she even looked up to see where she was. Sharing a moment or two with the ent, she poured some of the fresh water from a skin she had into the soft earth at the ents roots. While the ent relished the cool fresh water, Laurelin took a seat on one of the rocks nearby.

Her gaze travelled about the circle, each place within it she looked upon seeming to trigger one memory or another. Quiet chats, rituals, prayer... Different faces, different creatures, different times... She sighed heavily. The recollection of her conversation with Duran, a mage she had hoped would remain in town, occurred to her. "The world is truly a cold & cruel place. Some day a reckoning will come to all who deal pain to the innocent & I will see to it personally that it will be paid in full!" She had not completely understood it when he had said it... but she lived and breathed it now.

He was another who she wondered after. He had hoped to return in a month or so... but almost five moons have come to pass since he left, and there was no word. Perhpas his path took him somewhere better than here. Perhaps he began to feel the same helplessness that had begun to settle over her.

Taking a deep breath she did her best to cast such despairing thoughts aside. Cupping her face in her hands, with her elbows propped on her knees, she stared unseeing into the circle. She had time and again considered summoning an Awthorn. She had come to miss the time she had spent amongst them in their peaceful glade, even if her memory of it all had become a little fuzzy. The peace and tranquility of their hidden groves, were unlike anywhere else in the wide world. Secluded far away from the troubles that plagued so many, the lush paradise was like a glimpse of what the world could be like. In that image alone she often found hope... but not today.

Once again she felt as if she had let them down. Another Awthorn had been struck down in the Stronghold itself just about a moon ago, and she was not there to protect him. He was the second to fall, and although he did not perrish, she felt the grief in her heart as if he did. They had done so much for her, for the people of the Stronghold. They honored her every plea for aid, accommodated her every request, bestowed their faith in her without question... but what had she -really- done to earn it? Given her last encounter with them, she wondered if she even still had their faith, or had they finally realized what she suspected all along? That she was not what they had hoped her to be.

A part of her wanted to call them, give back their sword, and ask them to find a worthy champion. One who could live up to their expectations and defend them from harm. Someone who would never let another of them fall. Someone...

Covering her face with her hands she shook her head. She was tired. Sleeping little and resting even less of late and still so much to be done. She just wanted a few moments of relief. She wanted for once to be able to speak with the Awthorns and not have a need for them or request... just... friendship and conversation. There was so much she could learn from them... So much they could teach her...Not just about the elements, but history... of life, of the peace and tranquility they have weaved. They had such vast wisdom... such an ageless grace... and yet she knew so little about them...

Sliding down the rock, she came to sit on the soft earth, her back now leaning against the large stone. Her eyes closed slightly as she yawned. Maybe just a few moments rest."

A few days had passed, and Laurelin returned to the circle, once again with a silver leaf in hand. She hesitated only a moment before placing it in its appointed spot, then whispered quietly to the tree ent. From there, she moved to the tree line and crouched down beside a tall oak and waited.