I hope you will forgive that I do not write anew what I wrote last year for my temple. My past has not changed.
My first memories were of Gack the Oog-ra and a cave we called home on an island to the far north the Humans called Anbarra. Gack never could, or would, tell me exactly how we came to be together. Just that he found me and brought me home. Eventualy I remembered the truth, but I get ahead of myself.
I won't go into details of that life. Suffice it to say that I was content and reasonably happy. It ended one day in my late teens when Gack led us a little too far into Fir Elf territory and a few young elves poked Gack full of holes with their sharp arrows. When I regained consciousness after the shock, I was in the Temple of Elindale in Mountainhome, the Fir Elf city. They had recognized my race and knew I was no threat. So I was spared and, once they brought someone who understood Oog-ra and I explained my circumstances, they kindly offered a home to replace the one I lost.
Years passed. I felt drawn to Elindale and dedicated my life to Her and became a Monk. I was taught Secti and improved my Common enough to get by (though those who knew me when I arrived in Spur know that it was only barely adequate). We were about to get to learning Firian when a traveling merchant came to town and saw the amber bear pendant I wore, the only thing I'd had all my life. He told me he'd only seen them made in Treehaven, far to the south of Anbarra. Learning that, I felt an urge to go there, with a hope that I'd find out how I came to be living alone with an Oog-ra. The temple gave me the funds for ship passage and their blessing.
All new arrivals must go through the Academy, and so did I. I went through wonder and surprise, over and over, as I learned of my race. And of Dragons. Dragons were little more than stories in Anbarra. Meeting one was a thrill ... and something more. Especially a certain Draco named Relawen who, soon after I arrived in Spur, was mourning the death of her Chosen.
Disappointment followed my visits to Treehaven at that time. No one could tell me of Secian parents who may have lost a child. But everyone was kind and helpful, so disappointment soon turned to acceptance. More, I had found a new home. Pluck was especially helpful during this time, being my mentor and friend.
Life went on. Elindale's temples, one by one, fell and Her peoples came to Treehaven. Relawen and I became Chosen as she moved past her grief. I finally went to the Barrister in Spur to learn my native tongue, Secian. And with the learning, a floodgate of memories gushed forth ...
I remembered Secian and some of Secia. I remembered my parents, traveling Clerics of Elindale who, when passing through Treehaven along the way, had bought a delightfully sparkling amber bear pendant for me. I remembered that they were called to the north to deal with an undead thing the locals couldn't handle. And I remembered how an Oog-ra jumped from a rock, killing and eating my parents. Gack. Who, I now suppose, took my unconscious body home to eat later, but instead made a pet of me. He always did think I was some kind of smart animal. Now it made sense.
The language tutor, somewhat disgruntled that I suddenly knew my language, instructed me on the finer points of the adult Secian tongue then added tutoring in Common to make up the fee I had paid. To the relief of those who hear me speak Common, I'm sure.
Since then:
One morning a month or so before Treehaven's betrayal, Martello found me in a daze out on the limb outside the old temple. I told him I had a vivid dream of the Lady calling out for more to devote themselves to healing. In the dream I stepped forward and accepted Her call. Now I was awake and feeling different. Martello took me to the temple trainers and I soon found out that I was no longer a Monk, but a Heart of the Lady ...
The burning of Treehaven which shall forever be etched into my memory. ...
A week after, to my everlasting joy, Relawen transformed into greater beauty. The brightest Amethyst Drake in Aradath ...
Recently Muralis, High Prioress of Elindale, placed the burden and honor of being a Druid upon me, to my great surprise ...
And now, I strive to learn. To serve. To aid and teach, as I can. I pray Elindale will give me the strength, for I feel daunted and inadequate to the task.
Written August 1st, 2002 as Elves count time, by Chip Faraway
Bond of Relawen, Druid of Elindale
