Michael

Michael awoke to the warmth of the new day�s sun, and the familiar smell of Mother Earth. She had again provided him the most comfortable willow tree in the land as a haven from the cold night. His thoughts took him back to the days when he would watch his mother, Susan the Whisperer, play with the animals, in the morning, while making breakfast for him. She had been talking and caring for the animals since he could remember and had taught him the ways of the forest. She knew a small amount of magic that she taught him, and showed him how to 'whisper' to the creatures. He never knew his real father, although Susan spoke of him once in a great while.

As Michael lay in the sun thinking of those beautiful days with his mother, he was playfully interrupted by his most trusted friend, Atticus. Atticus was still quite young and playful for a Grey wolf, but at times had the seriousness of an old veteran warrior. They had met several years prior when Michael was in the forest near a large, sweeping river that separated the new world from the old. Michael was studying 'good' magic, and practicing his archery skills with a powerful wood elf named Bisscus. Michael had been talking to a lone cedar tree, and was trying to coax it into returning some of his arrows that had strayed from the nearby target. Atticus appeared from behind a set of bushes nearby, and told Michael that one of the arrows had narrowly missed him, and to be more careful. Michael apologized to Atticus and invited him to share some of the food that Bisscus had packed for himself. Michael and Atticus had been like brothers ever since.

Michael now thought back on how far and long he had travelled to get to Britannia. He missed the creatures that he had grown up with back home, but was excited about seeing a new land, and making new friends here. It had been a long hard journey he had traveled, but well worth what was awaiting him in Vesper.

While walking in town one day, Michael was seeking assistance, without looking like he wanted something for nothing. Tired and without much success he saw a woman sitting alone on a horse near the bank. He had the feeling that this was not a chance encounter, but that she had been sent for him to speak to. Upon walking closer to her, he saw that she had the most regal aura about her, yet a simpleness that made her easy to approach. She smiled, and spoke to him in a voice that was soft, and warm like that of his mother�s. The kind of voice that when heard sounds like a whisper, even when it is not. Her name was Queen Sheiba.

When Queen Sheiba asked him what he was doing, he admitted that he was new to the area, and was not having much luck fitting in, since he had no friends in the land he had ventured to. She smiled at him, making him feel at ease. He explained that he had been spending his time trying not to get lost, and helping other people who were newer to the land than he. They talked for quite a long time, and she showed him the grand castle where she and members of her kingdom lived. He felt like he was back home again, and could not wait to tell Atticus about the new friend that he had found. Soon Michael was invited by the Queen to become part of the kingdom, and help her Alliance in it�s strive for greatness. Michael eagerly agreed, and returned to Atticus to share the joyful news. Atticus told Michael that he liked the idea and they fell asleep thinking of all of the new adventures to come.