Chapter Two: Ambitions, Mothers, and Revelations

Talena sighed as she cleaned and dressed the cuts and scrapes adorning her daughter's body, using her healing magic's on the more vicious wounds. The young girl, merely 13 Summers of age, never flinched, and in fact, regaled her mother with her tale of what had led up to these injuries. The girl was elated, as though she were telling of how she had slain a dragon, even though the subject was nowhere near as grand.

"...so when he didn't quit kicking that poor cat, I jumped on him and started--" the energetic youth explained before her mother interrupted.

"Enough, Kiriani Greywynd!" her mother chastened softly, "How many times do I have to beg you to quit getting into fights with those boys? I know you want to be a ranger, but you can't go getting into fights every week."

Even in her soft voice her tone stung like tiny little daggers, and Kiri's eyes went to the floor of their home, high up in the Faydarks. Her mother was never pleased when Kiriani, her only child, came home bruised and battered. She abhorred violence, although she realized the necessity of defending ones self. The woman may be a formidable druid, a path she had hoped her daughter would choose, but even when an animal was suffering, violence was not always the answer. Although her daughter meant to serve Tunare well, she had fallen into the liking of the local rangers, Faydark's Champions. Many a time Kiri could be found somewhere near their guildhall pining for the day she too would be accepted as a ranger. Often, Talena felt dismay, as she knew this would take her daughter far from Kelethin, but at the same time, she hoped her daughter would accomplish many things she herself never did. If only, she hoped, the young wood-elf would learn to control her temper.

"I'm sorry, mother, but you know I can't sit back and do nothing" Kiri argued after a few moments of silence, "I'm gonna be a ranger, and--"

"And you need to learn to control yourself," Talena interrupted again, "Do you think Maesyn feels like training you how to fight properly when you can't even keep your head?"

Again, Kiri fell silent as a slight grin began to spread on Talena's lips.

Finished with her dressing, Talena stood up and smiled at her daughter. She shook her head lightly as Kiri continued to gaze at the floor, thinking about what her mother said. She always sat and thought after these incidents, it had gone on like this for years now. Sadly, it almost never seemed to change. Kiriani had a wild spirit and a spitfire temper. As much as her mother had tried to stifle it, it only grew. Oddly enough, though, the lovely, young girl's temper had kept her out of other troubles.

Since she was 6 summers old she had been a handful. Kiri was a beautiful girl by elven standards, although she was quite a tomboy. All wood elves were fond of nature, but Kiri took it to extremes at times. Talena had to put a stop to the swimming naked years ago, with much difficulty. Mostly this was to prevent even more fights, since she knew her daughter well, and knew young elven boys all too well. She was forever getting into fights, and had already encountered a pawn of the Crushbone Orcs, which was nearly fatal. Try as she might, Talena knew there was no slowing down Kiriani, and everyone in Kelethin knew it.

Kiriani knew she had to learn control-if for no other reason than her mother-and, for her, the thought of never being a ranger was the same as thinking of her death. In her mind though, those she got into scraps with well deserved it. She hated seeing animals hurt, unless it was necessary. She felt it right to stand up for her friends. She had also been known to deck several boys who thought that a little flirting lead to something even more. Sure, she may have overreacted at times, but it's all a learning experience, right? If not for her, for others. After pushing Devin Sundancer off of one of the lifts her never grabbed her in the wrong place again, and neither did many others.

Maybe, for the sake of her mother, she could try to tone it down. Besides, the threat of not training was unbearable.

"I'm quite tired, Kiri, I am going to go rest awhile" Talena said as she turned to walk away, "You'll be fine, just no more fights today, honey."

Kiri knew her mother had been feeling less than perfect lately, which made it even harder for her when she upset her so. Talena never really wished to discuss it, claiming it was simply she was out of shape. The girl knew better as her mother looked young and healthy still, even if she was an elf. She never pressed the matter, however, and just assumed that not everyone lives a completely healthy life.

Something else was on her mind though; something she had heard earlier. It bothered her, and she wondered if indeed it was why her mother was feeling "ill" more often. She heard it today when Telik's father cursed at her as he broke up her fight with the boy. That wasn't the very first time she heard it either. Telik himself was talking to some of the others about it, and indicated Kiri and her mother, which was the other reason for the fight.

"Mother...." Kiri spoke , stopping her mother, "There's something else that has me thinking."

Noting the somewhat troubled tone in her child's voice, Talena turned, and thinking the age-old question of Kiri's father was about to come up for the umpteen millionth time. She was not prepared for the question that came next.

"What's a Fyrelake?" Kiri asked as she looked to her mother's now surprised gaze, "Somebody was talking about it today...and they mentioned you. That was kinda...well...Telik's dad said 'Why you damn Fyrelakes stirrin up..."

The words after Fyrelake grew more distant and quiet to Talena's ears as thoughts from long ago came rushing back. It had been a long time since she had heard that name, the Fyrelake Elves. It had been decades since she had seen another member of that tribe--her tribe--who had left Kelethin centuries before. Perhaps it was time to explain this to her daughter, although she had reservations about filling her daughter's mind with even more thoughts of adventure. All she needed was for Kiriani to wander off and get killed in the Lavastorm Mountains.

She walked over to her daughter and sat beside her, taking her hands in hers. She though of the best way to tell her for a few long moments as she smiled faintly at Kiri, then began to speak.

"Let me tell you about your ancestors....."

And thus began an afternoon of telling and answering questions of the origin of the Fyrelake Elves, and how Kiriani was a descendant of that most ancient, but spread out, tribe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the proudest day of Kiriani's life, but soon it would become the saddest.

The youngest woman to ever join Faydark's Champions for as far back as anyone could remember, the 16-Summers old girl ran home with a grin from ear to ear. All her training and hard work had finally paid off. She had learned fast in the past three years, and really left an impression on the ranks of the ranger's guild. By elven standards she was still a child, but they recognized her potential and accepted her as one of their own, a ranger in the service of The Mother of All.

Thoughts raced through her mind of the past few summers. How she had worked hard to control her temper, and learned to fight more effectively. She had learned to keep her tongue in check--for the most part--and stayed out of trouble or fights that were not her own. Of course, she still gave the boys enough reason to think twice about stealing a kiss from her, and there were a few incidents involving some know-it-alls from Felwithe. For the most part though, she had matured as much as and 16-year old could.

She had all but forgotten about her mother telling her about Fyrelake several summers past, as it was part of her motivation to "straighten out" originally. She had big plans for such a young woman. She was going to discover the lands of the Fyrelake Elves, and drive out the evils that had chased them away. Little did she know that over the years her plans for fame and fortune would turn into something different, something noble.

Her news was so great, and her new tunic with the emblem of the rangers so boldly emblazoned, that surely this would cheer her ailing mother up--at least for a little while. Her mother had been sick for quite some time, and now was bed-ridden. Some said it was some new disease, others said she had fallen out of favor with Tunare, and even others claimed it a poison from the Teir'Dal. Her mother's friends who had begun to visit her now and then never mentioned what was wrong, merely that they were doing what they could. Most, though, knew little of what ailed her, let alone if it were divine, poison, magical, or just bad luck. She bound across the rope bridge that led to their hut in the trees with an energy and enthusiasm unmatched--until she saw the gathering.

She stopped dead in her tracks as fear washed over her, her heart now racing from fear than adrenaline. The people gathered about their hut looked saddened and concerned, and instantly Kiri's thoughts jumped to her mother.

No....she couldn't be.... she thought as she spurred herself into motion, running for the door.

As Kiriani pushed her way past the others and into her mother's room her fears increased exponentially with each face that gazed upon her. These were many of her mother's friends: many druids from all over Norrath as well as many she had never seen before.

At her mother's bed, a High-elven cleric knelt over her mother, muttering a prayer to Tunare. The holy man looked up swiftly as Kiri, with tears streaming down her face and gasping for breath, burst through the door, nearly falling over when she tried to stop instantly. His expression was grim as he looked to the lifeless shell in the bed, then back to Kiriani as a tear began to form in his eye. Talena had passed mere moments before, unable to hang on long enough to hear the results of her daughter's tests, or even see her smiling face one final time.

Kiri's mind went numb. She felt ill, and at the same time she began to cry harder than she had ever cried in her life. She dropped to her knees and laid her head in her mother's chest, hiding her tears and sobs from those still in the room. Out of respect, all but one person left the room: a blonde haired druid with a skull-topped staff. He knelt beside her and placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder as if to say something comforting, only to be met with an explosion of rage from the tiny girl.

"You could have healed her!!" she screamed, throwing his arm to the side and sending his staff to the floor loudly, "You could have kept her alive!!"

"Kiriani, we tried-" he stammered, trying to calm her, "It was the will of Tunare-"

Naturally, Talena's friends had done everything they could to no avail, but Kiri felt she needed to blame someone, and that someone was knelt before her. He had led the "branch" guild that Talena belonged to.

In the brief moments that followed, the Elder tried to clam Kiriani, while Kiriani cursed the man. It ended when she stormed from the home as fast as her legs would carry her. She ran for the closest rope to the ground, and kept on running until Kelethin was out of sight and she collapsed. She was surprisingly close to her waterfall, but lacked the care to see it. She had no desire to proclaim about Tunare's wonders this day, as Tunare had taken her only family from her.

There she lay, sobbing, pounding the ground with her fist, and lamenting the loss of her mother. She did this until she fell asleep.

**************

Talena's friends and guild mates had understood the girl's anger, her sadness, and did not chase her, save for one. She had followed merely to keep an eye on her from a distance, just as she had watched what transpired at the hut from a distance. While the others paid their respects and made plans for a proper sending of the body back to the earth, this one was more concerned with the young girl's safety, and that eve she did keep every roaming orc, brownie, wasp, and pixie away from the young ranger.

She would talk to the girl later, when she was willing to listen more.

It was nigh on Midnight when Kiriani awoke, her eyes still sore and puffy from the draining of all her tears. She was a little disoriented at first, but soon she remembered the events that led to this moment. She sat up and leaned against a grand tree, her knees tucked to her chin as she thought on what to do next. What would she do? Where could she go? She had offended her mother's friends for sure. In one fell swoop all the family she had ever known had passed away. She was alone now.

"The loss of a loved one is very painful, child" a soft elegant voice rang out from the darkness, "but it is a pain that you grow from."

Kiri jumped to her feet and looked about franticly trying to focus on where the voice was coming from. She reached to her side and quickly realized her sword lay at the hut still, where she cast it off as she ran to her mother's side. She nearly fainted when a tap came at her shoulder, spinning to see nobody there. She turned at the sound of a melodious chuckle to see the most regal and beautiful woman she had ever seen before, wearing the garb of a ranger.

The woman's smile seemed to radiate a light and warmth in the cold, misty night, and her blue eyes gleamed like the stars. Her long golden hair was adorned with several leaves and flowers, all arranged perfectly, and it fell well below her belt, tied together with ivy at intervals. Her green armor was etched with many objects of nature, most surrounded by Ivy. At her hip rested a sword unlike any Kiri had ever seen, and in the woman's hand was the most elegant bow ever to be crafted: one that would make Maesyn Trueshot green with envy. This was obviously a great hero of the rangers, perhaps even the legendary Firiona Vie herself!

"Milady," Kiri spoke softly as she knelt before her, "forgive me for my actions earlier"

"Stand, child" the woman chuckled, "you are not in trouble and there is nothing to forgive. I should beg your forgiveness for my intrusion, but I could not resist my own temptations. You seemed in pain, I thought to comfort you."

Kiri rose with a puzzled expression. She opened her mouth to introduce herself, but the powerful ranger cut her off.

"Kiriani Greywynd," she said softly, her voice almost sounding like a chorus of nature, "This day will long be the greatest and saddest of you life, but time will heal your wounds. I am sorry for your loss, but it was truly your mother's time to return to the earth. Tunare had her reasons for calling your mother home, just as she has plans for you. Her time upon Norrath was well spent, she served her goddess well. You should be proud Talena lived a long and bountiful life. She brought light and love to a place where no other dared at one time. The effects of that action alone continue to developed and spread. Mourn not for her loss, but be happy she has passed on to a better world where she will continue to serve the Mother of All."

The young ranger stood speechless. She didn't know what to say, which was almost a first for her. Who was this woman? How did she know so much about her and her mother?

The woman put her arm around Kiri's shoulder and began to slowly walk her back to Kelethin as she continued to speak.

"I see you have many questions--that is normal. Who I am is of no consequence, but for your sake I'll let you call me...Tunia.

"I have known you for your whole life, child, and your mother hers. I know more about you than you know yourself. You are going to be one fine ranger as you grow. It's not going to be easy, and there will be hardships--some much like this one as you see friends and family fall--but I see you will overcome them well. But that is another matter for another discussion.

"I wish to talk to you on the matter at hand. Don't worry, those gathered at your home are not offended. There are some things you should know, however. Those people there will always treat you as one of their own. They loved your mother dearly, and they will love you just as much. After all, you share the same heritage. Don't ever forget that. You are not without family. There is one now, who watched over you this night."

Kiri looked in the direction Tunia had indicated and saw there was another elven woman sleeping with her back rested against a tree. Kiri couldn't see her eyes, but was amazed at how similar they looked, and that obviously she was a ranger too by her gear. But if she were protecting the young Kiriani, why was she sleeping? The girl's thoughts didn't linger on the elf long as Tunia continued.

"As for your mother, I was not merely talking her up when I said she had shown light and love in a place others dared not. You see, she had fallen in love with a young man who stood for everything she despised, and he for her. They spent nigh on a summer together before it became impossible, as his people and hers were mortal enemies."

Tunia paused long enough to glance sidelong at Kiriani's expression, and noting the girl was listening--albeit shocked and overwhelmed--she continued with her tale.

"You see, he was a Teir'Dal Shadow knight, one of the most evil beings you could ever encounter. But the light and love she held cracked through their hatred of each other's kind, and she did settle with him for a summer. It was when their respective peoples had begun to pry into their life that they regrettably separated and went to their respective homelands. He to Neriak, and she to, well, here, although we both know she was a Fyrelake elf."

Her the ranger paused and released Kiriani. She stood a few steps behind Kiri as the young girl tried to process all this at once in her mind. Tunia continued on with her tale with a mischievous grin.

"There was one thing, though, that nobody has ever known, not even her closest of friends. When she rejoined her people she had a daughter not more than a few months old in her arms--that would be you. She told nobody of your father, the Teir'Dal Shadow knight Taalwynn, or of the dark elven daughter he carried through the gates of Neriak. You see, their daughter Kyllilli, was your twin sister."

Kiri whirled to speak at Tunia, unsure of whether she was angered by these accusations or amazed. Unfortunately, Tunia was nowhere in sight, and even Kiri's elven infravision picked up no trace of another person in any direction.

"You will find your sister one day, Kiriani Greywynd," Tunia's voice rang from seemingly nowhere, But first you must focus on becoming a great ranger and serve your goddess well..."

Kiri continued to try and track the woman, but apparently it was useless. Tunia was apparently excellent at covering her tracks better than most anyone. The most she had found was the trail of the other ranger, who had apparently awoken and moved on.

She continued to Kelethin, dismissing the notion she could have been born of a dark elf, or even that she had a sister. The idea was preposterous. Talena had been loving, but no Feir'dal would mate with a Teir'Dal unless they were forced. Obviously that ranger had gone mad.

Regardless, Kiri had to make peace with the fact her mother had passed and that she was now alone in the world, with only her rangers as family.