Firiona Vie Everquest

The Half-Elven Bard sat alone in the dark mulling over his thoughts. He knew he would have to tell her soon. The enchantment was still holding but would not last forever. It would be better if he told her before the enchantment wore off.

How long have they been travelling together now? Two or Three months?... He would have at the least one more month but he could not wait that long. He would reveal his secret this night when she returned...

Stormfollower's son with the horses, Stormfollower now with his wife, it was a time to rest. She trotted back toward the tribe, she had many to watch over, but her brother was safe, and so was the tribe. It was the perfect time for some rest. One last glance at the tribe, her wolf lips curl into a sort of smile as she watches them gather at the center fire.

She trotted off into the forest, planning to go just far enough to be able to hear the forest sounds rather than so many voices. Slowing to a walk she looks around the forest, absorbing the pleasant and familiar feel. Shaking her body releases the form of the wolf, a form most natural to her. Looking back in the direction she had left the tribe she trails her finger over the tribal tattoo by her eye that indicated her family heritage amongst them.

Turning around quiet steps take her deeper into the forest where she stumbles upon Zask. He seemed concerned about something, and considered he had done the same as she, taken a moment to recommune with the creations of The Mothers Mother. Trying not to disturb him she takes a step back, accidentally snapping a dried twig beneath her foot.

The sound of the twig breaking brings the young Half-Elf out of his thoughts. He looks up and sees her standing at the edge of the small clearing.

"M'Lady! It is well. You may join me if you wish." His emerald green eyes glow slightly from the magic of a tune he had been absentmindedly humming until now. His light brown hair moved slightly in the light breeze. The young bard quickly rose to his feet and motioned to the place next to him as he smiled.

She peeks up a shy smile and nods. Surely she had disturbed him in his thoughts, but she didn’t want to appear rude to leave him to them. And, even as close to The Mothers Mother as she was, did wish not to be alone at this moment.

Another shy glance and she nods once again walking with unsure steps toward him. “I pray I am not disturbing your thoughts.” she speaks softly to him. Her tiny body, smaller than even most Feir’Dal, settles to where he had gestured. He was so kind, not at all like the reputation she had heard of Bards. And with that she had placed a trust in him.

Pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them her eyes raise. The night sky was clear through the opening where they sat. Stars sparkled like diamonds and there was a calm only the forest could provide. Luclin sat high in the sky, providing a soft light that danced across leaves and laid a gentle glow to branches.

Never having been a good conversationalist, she blurts out something, anything, so she didn’t appear as inadequate as she felt, “Tunare must have used every bit of her imagination creating the heavens.”

"No worries my dear." The young bard sits back down after Mujbura has seated herself. "Funny that I always attributed the creation of the heavens to the Nameless One. Ahh well though it is still quite beautiful no matter who actually created it." The Half-Elf fidgets nervously a little before speaking again.

"We have been traveling together for some time now and I feel it is time that I revealed something about myself that you do not yet know."

A soft giggle slips from her lips before she can hush it. She nods speaking in her usual soft tone, "Well, yes, I suppose it doesn't really matter." She knew he was right, but as a child of The Mothers Mother, she just always attributed everything to her. Nature, and all it's surroundings and creatures, had always given her a happiness she just could never find anywhere else.

A peeked glance over at him pulls her lips up into a smile, it seemed he felt as inadequate as she. She had noticed this for the first time. He had always carried himself confidently, yet in a softness. Her smile turns to an expression of curiosity as she looks over at him, she wasn't sure what to say. She didn't want to appear nosey, but didn't want to push him to a revelation he didn't truly want to provide. Either way, he had said it and she just smiled and simply nodded, giving him opportunity to speak at his own time.

He hesitates for a few moments as the questions run through his mind...
What will she think of me?
Will she still want to be with me?

His words come slowly...

"I am not who you have come to know me as. Well my nature is the same just not my Identity..."

Her head tilts to the side curiously as she looks up at him with a smile. The gentle Zask, the vigilant Zask, the ever faithful. She wasn't sure what to prepare for, but braced herself none the less. The last time someone had told her this they changed into a form appearing most fierce. So there she sits, quietly, smiling gently, encouragingly.

The bard wills the enchantment away as he speaks again...

"My family has many enemies.." His brown hair slowly changes to a bright fiery red hue and he grows just a little taller. His facial features change to more closely resemble those of a certain Paladin whom she had seen at the battle on the sacred Isle. "They would trust no one else with the safekeeping of their best friend and his guardian." Once the transformation is complete, only the Half-Elf's emerald eyes are the same. "My name is not really Zask but it is Mirthan Shadowbane the son of Gilliadson and Sineliniel Shadowbane. Father was not too keen on the idea of this slight deception but Mother and I felt it to be in the best interest of you and Master Stormfollower. We did not wish our enemies to come upon you while he was still in such a vulnerable state. I do hope that you will forgive me."

As she listens her smile fades, but only slightly to an expression of confusion. After a few moments the smile slowly returns and she takes to her feet. She looked into his eyes, the eyes truly were the window to the soul. And, she felt she had known his. Her smile softens as she bows to him her voice but a whisper upon Tunare’s breeze. “Well met, Mirthan Shadowbane.”

As she rises, her soft, amber eyes squint in a smile. “I understand your parents protection, and I am sure that Stormy,,,, I mean, Stormfollower appreciates it. As do I. Forgiveness is not mine to give, when there hasn’t been an offense.” She was, of course, pleased that he didn’t turn into some horrible beast. “

Mirthan smiles brightly as he looks into Mujbura's eyes...

"I am relieved that you have accepted me as I am. I have come to grow quite fond of you during our travels.
I will have to depart in a few days to tend to the business of House Illumine but I shall not be gone long."

Her eyes meet his for only a breath of a moment before she lowers them with a shy smile. Playing with the blades of grass beside her, she hides a frown that something inside her had pulled to the surface. She had also grown fond of him, and his company was more than welcomed. However, she did understand that everyone has their duties. But, perhaps, hers was completed for now. Stormfollowers family was reunited, their people reunited, and she felt all was right in their worlds.

She summoned the courage to raise her eyes and look into Mirthan's. Still there, the gentleness, the kindness and perhaps more that she would learn about. A quick glance toward the ground and she summons the courage to return a warm gaze up at him and ask, "May I come with you? I understand if your family duties make that impossible." She pauses looking back at the blades of grass that her fingers wrapped themselves in, "But, I'd like that very much."

Mirthan smiles warmly as his emerald eyes brighten a little.
"I would be more than happy to have you accompany me. My sister will be most pleased to see you again I am sure. I know she was present at the battle on the sacred Isle along with my parents. I wish I could have been there but I was left to tend to the House. We have a couple of days before we depart so you can make sure things are good here."

Mirthan held her shoulders gently and gazed into her eyes for a few moments.

She managed to summon the courage to peek up a smile, she wanted to say more but simply said, "Yes, I remember them. I,,,, hope they remember me." A playful smile touches her lips with a warmth as she looked up at him. She realizes she was staring and quickly drops her eyes speaking with the insecurity she felt, "I'll, um, tell Stormfollower. He should know where I am in case he needs me."

With that she glanced a bright smile with a youthful twinkle that would surprise some, given her years. She stood looking around, and for some reason she had no idea which way to go for a moment. Peeking up an embarassed smile toward Mirthan, she speaks with the same insecurity, "I'll, um, go let him know." then wanders off in the direction she had last seen Stormfollower.

She had reached Stormfollower and explained. They exchanged tokens, not that any where needed, for again their bond was beyond anything earthly and their thoughts could meet in even the most obscure realms.

Returning to Mirthan she looked up at him with a shy smile saying, "I'm ready to go." The butterflies in her stomach only hinted at that which she felt.

"It would be best if we wait until morning before we depart M'Lady unless you really wish to depart these serene surroundings so soon." Mirthan smiles.