A soft breeze preludes the arrival of Aliweyr to the Wakening Lands. She lands softly on the ground and quickly looks around. In the distance, she can see the form of Woushi as the dragon patrols the Circle, the focus of teleportation in the new lands of Velious.
Catching Woushi’s eye, Aliweyr nods slowly at the dragon, who turns and looks at the wood elf intently. There is a small roar and from underneath Woushi, a bear cub comes running towards Aliweyr. She smiles; bending low with open hands as the cub runs up to her. A quick hug, some scratching behind the ears as the cub murmurs low in its throat, and a final roar from Woushi, and the cub departs running back to the dragon. Aliweyr stands and smiles at the cub and then looks over at Woushi, who still watches her. Then, with a nod and a small wink, Woushi returns to her patrol.
Hefting her shield and readying her staff, Aliweyr closes her eyes and listens to the song within. With ease born of long practice, she begins to twist the song and harness the magical power granted to her by Tunare. In a few seconds, Aliweyr metamorphs into the shape of a mist wolf. Pawing at the ground for a moment and sniffing the air, Aliweyr orientates herself and starts off across the dense jungle floor.
The way is dangerous. For although she has assumed the form of a wolf, the evil the giants bring to the shores of Tunare’s home have somehow corrupted some of the beasts native to this land. The air hums with the clashing power of Tunare and Rallos Zek and Aliweyr almost doesn’t notice a male Dark Elf step out of the brush in front of her, until she is almost on top of him.
Never breaking stride, Aliweyr runs swifty to the center of the jungle, whereupon she spies a lake. In the center of the lake, connected by a short bridge and guarded by two fauns, is a crumbling tower - her destination. As she circles the edge of the lake, the two fauns begin to draw their weapons. Then with a sniff of the air, and a feeling of the aura surounding the mist wolf, they return to their positions and pay no notice as the wolf runs past them and across the bridge.
Inside the tower, Aliweyr once more resumes her normal, wood elf, form, but does not give up the spirit of wolf just yet. She has a good journey ahead of her, and the beast will aid her in getting to the end quickly. Looking around, she climbs a ramp to her right, easily reaching the second level. There she spies another faun, standing in the corner, listening to the sounds of the jungle around them. Then, his eyes open, and a small smile crosses his face as he recognizes the visitor.
“Aliweyr. It’s good to see you,” he says, the smile growing wider.
“My Lord Phillip, it is indeed a pleasure to see you,” she says, bowing slowly at the waist.
Phillip Aghllsews laughs out loud.
“Now don’t give me that formal court speech. You know that I can see right through it,” he says, chucking to himself. “Aye. I know, Phillip.? She replies. ?You know me too well, aged one.?
?Aged One! Why I?ll show you!? he roars swiping playfully at her head. She ducks under his arm and begins to tickle him where she can beneath the thick fur coat.
?Mercy! Mercy, I say!? he cries out between guttural laughs.
The two step apart and as the laughter subsides, the air grows stiff as they both realize it?s time to proceed to the next step.
?Well, I?ll come with you. I haven?t seen the Great Mother in some time,? Phillip says as they begin to ascend the next ramp. Aliweyr releases the wolf?s spirit, realizing that Phillip wants to walk with her. Reaching the top of the tower, the both walk up to the gigantic rose growing on the tower?s roof.
?It?s more beautiful every time I see it.,? Aliweyr says looking up at the blood red petals, glistening in the dew and humidity of the jungle.
Phillip nods, ?That it is lass. That it is. Shall we?? Aliweyr nods quickly, straightening up and bringing herself to her full height. Then, she walks forward and caresses one of the rose?s petals.
There is a small breeze and she is gone.
Phillip sighs to himself, then he too reaches up and touches the rose petal.
***
Aliweyr materializes at the center of the Druid Circle, and waits patiently as the Protectors of Growth inspect her prescence. Although she cannot see them, she can feel them around her, feel them reaching out with their senses and judging her. She is not worried. She?s more at home here, than any other place on Norrath.
Phillip appears next to her and after a moment, the two begin to walk to the north, towards the home of Tunare, the Great Mother. As they walk, Aliweyr takes in the sounds and smells of the alternate plane. She listens to the gentle clop of the steeds, the guttural roar of the kodiaks, and the soft padding of the wolves. They walk in silence for a bit, and as they come to the river dividing the plane in two, Phillip speaks up.
?You give up much by offering yourself into the service of Tunare. You realize that don?t you?? he says.
?Aye. However, I have lost much in my travels and I grow weary of the adventure.? She replies.
Phillip nods. ?You still haven?t shaken that Barbarian mode of speech I see,? he says, smiling once more.
Aliweyr turns and looks at him. ?I don?t think I could if I tried,? she says. ?Nahmid was a powerful influence on me.?
?He wouldn?t agree with this you know.?
?No, I don?t know that. I know that he would have me follow my heart, no matter where it led.?
?I?m sorry. I don?t mean to bring up painful memories at a time like this.?
Aliweyr stops for a second and turns to face the faun.
?It used to hurt. It used to hurt a lot. Now? now I just accept that he?s gone.? She says in a low voice. ?We never did find his body, did you know that??
?No, I didn?t. That?s a shame.? Phillip replies.
?Sometimes, I think he planned it that way. He wasn?t ever one for much fuss when it came to himself.?
Phillip nods and they continue to walk.
?What of the others?? he asks.
Aliweyr sighs, knowing that Phillip will keep questioning her until he is sure she knows the answers herself. She thinks back and remembers the companions she traveled with most frequently: Ishiro, Jorum and Koricyn. She smiles to herself as they walk, letting her mind play over the memories of crawling through dungeons, tracking down ever elusive enemies and treasure, of the gatherings in the taverns and the laughter and merriment as they each learned about the world, each other and themselves.
?Jorum supports me. He has long known of my increasing dissatisfaction with the way that my life was headed. He was upset at first, but accepts it more with each passing day. I?m sure right now that he is out tormenting some other Druid with his wit. And I?m sure he is still killing every Dark Elf he runs across. He has promised to visit me, here, in Growth when he is able. Despite his patronage to Karana.? She grins.
?I haven?t spoken to Koricyn since she departed that one night in the thunder and rain. Tracking is difficult as it is under those conditions, but tracking a Ranger who does not want to be found, is another matter entirely. I do not know how she feels, since I am not able to talk to her.? Aliweyr says, her voice growing strained.
?Ishiro. Ishiro is the brother I never had. Although, when we first met, you could have sworn we were going to kill each other at any moment.? Aliweyr smiles, recalling the trip across the Karanas in the dead of night. ?Ishiro? understands.?
Phillip nods as they come to a rise and, upon cresting it, are given the first view of the home of Tunare. A massive oak, standing hundreds of feet tall, it is surrounded by a small group of treants, who circle the tree, endlessly chanting their prayers to the Great Mother. They start down the slope, and Aliweyr feels the song grow within her. The song, however, beings to change, becoming more layered and complex, richer and stronger, mixing with Tunare?s own song of power.
They arrive at the base of the tree and walk through the circle of treants, who part to grant them entry. Walking through a hole in one of the roots, they arrive at a chamber level with the open ground.
Phillip reaches out and gently takes hold of her arm. ?Are you familiar with the ritual?? he asks softly.
?Aye. I have seen it done before. Is Prince Thirneg ready to receive me??
?He is. Just enter through there and present yourself before him.?
Aliweyr walks through the opening as Phillip remains outside. Once inside, she walks around the center of the tree, and sees Prince Thirneg standing in the far back corner. Lifting her head and straightening her back, she walks forward, then drops to one knee, her eyes facing the floor.
?Rise, Aliweyr Draconisbane,? Prince Thirneg says. ?What business do you have with the Great Mother??
?I seek the Ritual of Nature?s Absolution, my Lord.? She replies.
?I see. What, may I ask, has caused you to seek out this particular ritual??
?My Lord, the song within me grows softer and more lamentable. I have served Tunare long and well. I have protected her interests and the natural world on every know part of Norrath. However, my time there is done. I have passed through Autumn, and now enter the Winter of my service.?
Prince Thirneg nods as she speaks.
?Yes child, you have served Tunare well. Better, in fact, than anyone but the Great Mother could have predicted. Especially, after the regrettable incidents in the Butcherblock Mountains. It?s written in your eyes child, you seek merely to complete the cycle of life. For that, I can only thank you for your service, and give you my blessing to see the Great Mother.?
?I thank you my Lord,? Aliweyr says, the tears beginning to well up in her eyes. She smiles at the Elder Faun nonetheless. Then she turns and departs from the chamber, once again seeing Phillip outside.
She walks up to him, and embraces him, hugging him tightly. He also hugs her back, and whispers in her ear, ?Of all Tunare?s Soldiers, you were always my favorite.?
Aliweyr begins to cry softly, and slowly pulls back away from the faun. She looks into his face and sees the tears welling in his eyes as well. She smiles one last time, then turns and begins the ascent into Tunare?s chambers.
As she walks, she hears the now familiar voice being to speak within her.
“Welcome child. What is thine wish?”
?I seek your Absolution, Mother.?
“That is among our power to give. Dost thou truly understand what price is paid to gain it?”
?I do Mother.?
“Very well. Thou wilt enter the chamber and present thineself before us. Then we shall grant our absolution.”
Aliweyr climbs the ramp, stepping higher and higher around the tree until she arrives at the entrance to Tunare?s chamber. Trembling slightly, she enters the chamber and walks to where Tunare waits, standing. Her eyes on the ground, she steps forward and kneels before Tunare. No sooner has she settled then she feels hands reaching down and taking her own, lifting her to her feet. The hands reach down and cup her chin, raising her eyes until she is looking into the face of the Great Mother herself. Aliweyr begins to weep openly at the beauty before her, understanding for the first time, every note and chorus of the song within her. Her heart begins to fill with joy and happiness and for a brief moment, Tunare smiles at her.
Then, taking Aliweyr into her arms, Tunare pulls her close and kisses her very gently on the lips. Aliweyr feels Tunare?s love coursing through her, filling every part of her body, the absolution cleansing her soul. The song within her reaches a crescendo, and then falls slient. At that moment, Aliweyr discorporates and a gust of wind fills the chamber. The treants below cease their chanting for a moment. Phillip Aghllsews looks to the stars overhead and smiles.
?So long lass. Although I cannot see you anymore, I can already feel you in the world around me. That will have to do.?
***
On the open plains of the Karanas, a mist wolf howls at the moon rising to the south. Others join it. Then it sets off towards the west, where the rest of the pack has gathered to hunt. They greet the newcomer warmly, and soon, the pack sets off in the search of new prey for the hunt.
