Fighting Your Past - Finding Your Future (AU)

[robotguru]

Name: Fighting Your Past - Finding Your Future
Setting: AU (Faerûn)
Classification: PG for now, not likely to be forever. Will update as necesarry
Feedback: Don't make me beg - either here or robotguru2000@yahoo.com
Distribution: Sure thing, let me know here though, only polite.
Notes: This is set in the Forgotten Realms world of Faerûn, a D&D setting. I am relatively new to this world myself, if anyone spots a glaring mistake, that is what feedback is for. I do not have a module book to run off, apart from the world itself, this is coming from me and my muse

Links:

It is not vital that you read these but if there is something you do not understand in the story, it is likely that you will find it among the links.

http://www.d20srd.org
http://www.crystalkeep.com
http://realmshelps.dandello.net/datafind/index.shtml

The top link i use mainly for spells for the different classes. Crystalkeep is a good place to find equipment, spells and feats, realmshelps has a bit of everything including the different regions and deities of Faerûn.

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber ... ities.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fo ... ms_deities

Those are good sites for information on the deities, the top one i included because it also has pictures of the particular deities' symbols. Deities mentioned so far: Chauntea, Talona, Lliira, Eldath, Mielikki, Shaundakul, Sharess, Elistraee, Tempus.

http://faerunmap.tripod.com/full_size_map.htm

Finally, a map of Faerûn. Two Stars is near the top right, between the Forest of Lethyr and Thay, Dalelands is near the Sea of Fallen Stars

If you're still with me...well done Many thanks to the chat kitties that have read through this and helped me with ideas, etc. One last note on updates, i'm a good way through Chapter One of this fic and Chapter Eleven of Cats and Bats, they should hopefully be sorted out soon. Here is the prologue.



Prologue

Eagle and dog quickly ate up the distance as they flew over and ran through the forest. Trade caravans were rare here, the forest path was hardly suitable for the large lumbering wooden carts and the teams of horses needed to pull them, in many places, there wasn’t a clear path for anything much larger than the black Labrador who seemed to curiously follow the bird.

The fact that the pair were moving about twice the speed of any normal animal should have cleared up any confusion arising from this, however, druids and their animal companions were hardly a rarity in most any part of Faerûn.

The eagle swooped groundwards, resting for a moment on a branch as the dog caught up with it. It stayed there for a while longer, watching as the dog looked up and wagged its tail. The eagle flew from the branch and dived towards the ground, pulling itself up at the last split moment before perching on a log. It stayed there, its head cocked to one side for a moment before its form began to shift, wings grew and became arms, feathers made way for the brown robes of a Chauntean Druidess and vivid red hair. The eyes changed their shape, though they retained their deep emerald green. What sat on the log now was a young woman, a haversack on her shoulders. She reached out to the dog and patted him on the head, taking a piece of dry jerky from within the folds of her robe to give to him, “Good boy.”

The woman shrugged the pack from her shoulders and opened it, rummaging around for food, as she did, the meeting with Lady Gallidy was still fresh in her mind.



Lady Gallidy had watched as Willow, Sam, her dog, in tow, had entered her chambers. What she saw in front of her was proof to the adage that an enemy turned is of more use than an enemy dead. Those couple of years ago, Willow, disarmed and contrite as she was, had not exactly been in these chambers under the friendliest of conditions.

A group of Gallidy’s Elite had patrolled the long trade routes leading South West of Two Stars. It had been fairly routine until they had come across a horde of orcs that had decimated caravans belonging to the Shadowmasters. There had been a spate of these attacks recently, they were far too well planned for the orc parties to be behind them. The fight had been easy, some fifteen orcs against six of the best warriors that Two Stars had to offer, the odds were heavily on the side of the few. Two orcs had survived the battle, that being because those fighting them were also smart enough to know that dead enemies do not give information.

The little information they had been able to learn before an assassin had seen to it that there would be no traitors told the party that the orcs were under the orders of a Talonlar Blightlord. At the ruined Fort Nardar, the party had met the servitor of the Lady of Poisons in battle. It had been one of the toughest that either side had ever fought, the end of it brought Willow, her blood boiling inside of her, to her knees with no option but to stutter through flaming lips ‘I surrender’.

There is no true prison for a druid short of her death, but Willow had helped those that had been her captors since then, there was also more to her story than Lady Gallidy knew or was sure that she wanted to. Under the group’s suggestion, Willow had served her sentence amongst them.




Lady Gallidy smiled at the young woman as she dropped to one knee in front of her, two years later, there was a healthy glow to her cheeks, she had certainly looked happier with life every time she had seen her, it was hard to imagine the dirty, almost painfully drawn face that had once gazed at her. “Rise, young one, there is little need for that.”

Willow made it to her feet and gave Lady Gallidy a bright smile. The old pain was still behind her eyes, even now, but it did not look so raw, “What would you have with me, my Lady?”

“We have had word from our allies in the Dalelands.” Willow had been quickly to the point and Lady Gallidy knew that she would need time to prepare for what she was going to ask her to do, so she would return the favour. There was a little sadness behind her eyes now, she knew that this would be hard, especially for this young lady. “The news is grave, I am afraid. From what they said in the Sending spell, their forests are being heavily poisoned. The attackers have mostly managed to remain unseen, but one that was disabled with an arrow, he had the insignia linking him to Talona.”

Willows eyes widened a touch, but she nodded her head, “If I can help, I will.”

Sadness crept into Lady Galliday’s eyes, from what little she did know, she knew that this would hurt the most, “When the druid was questioned, he told them that the Rotting Man was soon to arrive personally.”

Willow quickly paled and she began to shake, “I th-thought…I’ve never seen him outside Rawlinswood, how…” She trailed off and bit her bottom lip, she nodded her head once as her face set, “I cannot leave happen to others what he and his did to me, my Lady.”

Lady Gallidy smiled again, “I knew you would say that.”

“Will the others be coming with me?”

Lady Gallidy shook her head, “We are still having trouble with the Thayans, even with the rising numbers of the Nentyar to help us, we have very few that we can spare. I believe that Ta’asestra has contacted others of her allies, however, I would not send you there alone, and of course, the Dalelands have their own that can fight.”

Willow nodded her head, “When do I need to go?”

“You will have time to gather supplies and make your preparations, and tonight to say farewell to your friends, of course, but the way is long and they need you there as soon as possible.”

Willow nodded her head, “I’ll leave at sunup. May Chauntea keep Two Stars growing strong in my absence.”

Lady Gallidy nodded her head, “We will be ok, Willow, take care of yourself, you of all people should know the danger you face.”



Willow’s first thought had been to go to the Chauntean temple to see her mentor, Elsbetha. She was one of two people to know the full extent of what she had done in the time she had strayed from the path and it had been she that had guided Willow’s recovery. It had been a long road, Willow had atoned, at least she could feel that she was on the right path in the eyes of her deity, the fact that she could feel the warmth from the Faith token around her neck showed that. But in her own eyes, she would spend the rest of her life making right that she had damaged.

Shaking this thought away, Willow, Sam sniffing around her heels, walked towards the temple. She walked past the hedges, gently taking a couple of berries for her pouch, to a druid, a berry could serve as a meal with a simple spell, should she fall low on supplies. The shadows of the nearest of the trees in the orchid nearby fell across Willow’s face and she lingered for a brief moment. She then walked towards the threshold of the temple, walking through. She nodded her head to one of the priestesses that was lecturing a couple of adepts, the soft light from the windows of the north wall enhanced with lightglobes, the flames sending flickering shadows against the walls. Willow walked towards the back door towards the stairs to the roof of the temple.

The roof was low and flat with a layer of soil that was home to grass and flowers, the coloured petals of the latter bright in the noontide sun. As always when she came up here, Willow closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of a meadow, this was the one place in the city that did not smell like it. In the centre of the roof was a circle of gravel with two pillows opposite each other, this being the place that most Chauntean rituals here were performed. When she was in Two Stars. This was Willow’s favourite place, the smells and the nature around her would always calm her if she were upset. Towards the corner of the temple roof knelt an aging woman with darkened skin. She smoothed down the soil around the roots of a plant she had just laid down.

Willow walked towards Elsbetha, stopping a small way from her. Elsbetha smiled as Willow’s shadow fell over her, “Good morrow, my child.” Elsbetha rubbed her hands on her apron, adding to the numerous such stains on it and stood, her joints creaking slightly with age. She sighed happily, regarding the plant she had just set in place, “A plant cannot stay in one place for too long and be healthy, as it grows in time, it must find more room. So it is with all who live.” She turned to Willow, a smile dancing behind her eyes, “What do you need of me, my child?”

Willow sighed, she would not show it in front of Lady Gallidy, but what she had asked of her had her worried, the Rotting Man and his followers had broken her once…“Lady Gallidy has asked me to…” Willow tailed off, not quite sure how to put into words what she felt.

Elsbetha walked towards her and put a gentle hand on her shoulder, “You are not usually so worried about serving Two Stars and I can see that worry behind your eyes.”

Willow sighed, “She wants me to go to the Dalelands, there’s been…the forest has been growing ill.”

Elsbetha saw the look in Willow’s eyes and didn’t need to ask, “Poison.” Willow nodded her head, “They serve your former mistress.” Again, Willow nodded, “But that alone would not cause you to feel like this.”

Willow sighed, a haunted look drifting behind her eyes, “It’s…it’s him.”

“Ah.” Elsbetha knew who ‘he’ was. Elsbetha and Ryanna had been as mother and sister to Willow, she still had not found the courage to return home and face her own family, there were still things that she needed to get over, she did not feel that she ever could. She had been pushed, she had to be the best…and she had fallen.

“What if…he broke me once, I…I couldn’t stand being…”

Elsbetha drew Willow into a close hug, squeezing her shoulders tightly as Willow clutched onto her like a lost child, she spoke softly, “I saw you here not three years ago, you were drifting and poorly. I have seen you set root and become the woman you are, my child. You are not the girl that met him all that time ago.” She pointed out an oak tree, “The oak is solid and will stand to anything the elements throw at it, but once, it was a small acorn, vulnerable to the world. With the care of a loving hand, it was able to grow. The Great Mother watches over her children and will lend them strength in their time of need.” Willow drew back and nodded her head, “There comes a time when a child must take part of her journey away from those she knows and she feels so alone, but her mother’s eye will always be over her. Chauntea will not leave you and she will bring you back to me, do you understand?”

Willow nodded her head and Elsbetha kissed her on the forehead, Willow drew back, the hurt and the fear was still behind her eyes, but stronger now was a look of determination, of resolve. “Thank you.”

Willow and Elsbetha spoke about anything and everything for some hours before Willow eventually left the temple and walked towards the Crossroads Inn, spending her last night with her friends.



Willow sighed and shook her head. Everyone seemed to think that she was so strong, that she had overcome so much, but here and now, on the trail alone, she didn’t know how she could believe them. She ate a quick meal and rustled up some cold meat for Sam. Ryanna had brought him for her the first time she had came to Two Stars, visiting her with him in her cell and she had fallen in love with him in an instant. She had been worried about making him her animal companion, the normal dangers aside, those she had called to her under Talona’s service had died and risen blightspawned, under Talona’s command. She had watched him, worried, over the first couple of days, but he was still with her.

Willow packed up her bag, settled it on her shoulders and looked through the forest. They were not far from Ta’asestra’s territory, it would be but a quick walk and then she would find out exactly what was happening. Dog and druidess continued their trek through the forest.



The half elf sat on the bough of the tree near her home in the Dalelands, she had come home two tendays ago, when the forest first began to fall poorly. She strummed softly at a lute as her sharp eyes watched over the southern path, looking comfortable in her brightly coloured robes. These, at the least, fully covered her, in the taverns, the young bard, Tara, would wear robes split down the front, held in place by the focuses that tied her to Lliira and Eldath. Joy and Peace, that suited the young girl to the ground.

A large black cat, a leopard, padded over to the tree. Not knowing that there should be enough space should Jasmine want to join her, Tara took one look over the forest, noting the redhead that traversed the forests so easily, she must be the Druidess they were to expect from Two Stars, and slung her lute over her shoulder by its strap. Tara descended the tree with the ease of one that has done so many times before, her hands and feet touching the trunk enough only to assure that she did not hit the ground too hard, she bent her knees as she landed, turned and sat with her back against the tree, the leopard quickly resting her head on Tara’s lap.

Tara had saved Jasmine in these forests a couple of years ago when poachers had started to harm the large cats, Jasmine was a cub then and the poachers’ next victim, that was one of the few times the dagger set at the end of the whip on her hip had tasted blood, had she not wanted them to serve as a warning to those that she and her friends did not catch, those wounds would have been fatal, she would happily have left their carcasses for the animals they had wounded.

Jasmine had been an orphan and in very bad shape, not just physically but mentally, when her wounds were cured, Tara had been the only person she would let within five foot of her. Tara petted the leopard. She had made an interesting story, one that Tara used to warn against those that would harm animals of the forest, with many of those here worshiping Mielikki, the Huntress, those who would do so would have to be stupid or approaching insanity.

Tara looked up as a shadow fell across her, “Good evening, mother.”

The fair skinned elf looked down at her daughter, “Good eve, my child, is there any news?”

Tara nodded her head, “She that our allies from Two Stars have sent is not far down the path. The others, we may expect tomorrow at sundown.”

Ta’asestra nodded her head, “That is good to hear.” She sat down by her daughter and patted her feline companion on her head, her mind preoccupied, “Are you sure that you want to do this?”

Tara nodded her head, “I know the situation of those we have called upon for help better than most. If these cities have sent one of their best, then I owe it to them to guide them through our lands and help them if it comes to a fight, as loaning us one of their better warriors will have left many one short which could be dangerous in these times when they need every capable hand they can get. If they have sent just anyone merely to fulfil our request, then it is likely that my aid shall be needed all the more, to them and to our home.”

“We have hunters that…”

“I am perfectly capable, mother.” An edge crept into Tara’s voice, “Just because I am less inclined to fight does not mean I cannot look after myself and others if I need to.”

Ta’aestra sighed, “I did not say that you were not capable, my child, just that it is hard to see one’s only daughter walk into danger.”

Tara nodded her head, “I apologise.”

Her mother waved this away, “I must make ready for our guest, you will greet her?” Towards her daughter, this was a question, towards any other, it may not have been. Tara nodded her head and Ta’asestra stood, dusting off her emerald green robes, “Then I will see the pair of you at our evening meal.”

Tara nodded her head and her eyes drifted back to the forest path.

[spells42]

Robotguru
This is really different to the majority of stories here. I like the fantasy feeling I get from reading it. You've introduced the essential ingredients - Willow and Tara - very nicely: I really like the images of them.

Looking forward to more.
Anne

[viximon]

Mmmm that's a interesting start. I will be waiting to read next chapter.
I like the idea of halfelf Tara and druidess Willow (and our redhead can transform on eagle, so cool...trough I'm really curious about her dark past) plus companions.
Keep it up, good work

[robotguru]

Anne: I love the Forgotten Realms setting, it was one of the appeals behind writing this fic and the only one I was going to add a third active fic for. I’m glad that you like the start to it, believe me, there is more to come.

Viximon: Heh, Willow can turn into more than an eagle…:p The dark past is expanded on a little in this chapter, we won’t know the full extent of what Willow did for a while yet, but there’s a little more on it here.



Chapter One

Willow saw the beginnings of a city long before she approached the leafy wren that served as gates, far, far in the distance, she could see the beginnings of what, unless it were stopped, would soon become a blightland. Seeing anything even approaching that she had once herself caused brought a lump to her throat, but she knew that this would not be easy. Lady Gallidy would have known that also, Willow could take that as a compliment that she had asked her to do this. Willow’s face set into a resolved line, she had not been brought up around easy and whining about it was not going to help.

Willow gave a shrill whistle and called for Sam who had bounded somewhat ahead, only to come to her heel once he had heard her. It was not often that Willow had to be firm with Sam, spending time with him alone in her cell before she had been allowed out provided it was with company had given her time to train him early, the fact that he was a naturally quick learner and eager to please as a puppy had helped all the more. Sitting at the trunk of a tree, just inside the boundary of what Willow mentally termed her territory, she saw a blonde half elf, apparently fairly attached to a black leopard. Sam walked closely to her heel like a good little animal companion and the two walked to the gates. The blonde stood up as she noticed the two, the large cat that had been resting its knee on her lap stood also, walking gracefully towards the visitors.

Willow heard a curt command, or rather a command that had sounded curt in a dialect she was not the master of, and a name, Jasmine. The leopard stopped in its tracks for a moment, clearly sizing Willow and Sam up, deciding whether they were threats or friends. Willow and Sam stood still also and eventually, Jasmine walked towards the pair, prowling around them as the girl walked towards the three. Sniffing, and apparently satisfied of their harmlessness, or at least harmlessness to her master, the leopard walked back towards the girl, walking around the back of her legs and brushing her with her body before coming to a stop.

The girl’s voice took on the gruff tones of the Druidic dialect, “Would you be Willow of Two Stars?”

Willow nodded her head, giving an ascent in the same tongue. Tara spoke in a different language, earning a none-plussed look from Willow before her voice took on the soft rolling lilt of Sylvan. “I welcome you, friend Willow, my name is Tara.”

Willow nodded her head, again responding in the tongue she had been addressed with, “I am pleased to meet you, though I would that it were under happier circumstance. Lady Gallidy sends her well wishes.”

Tara nodded her head, “I must apologise for just now, but mother does not speak Druidic, it was necessary to find a language that you and she share in common if possible.”

Willow nodded her head, “Maintaining a conversation in tradespeak is not my idea of a good time either.”

Tara nodded in reply, “You are the first here, the others we are expecting tomorrow around evensong. Ta’asestra extends her invitation to you to spend the time we wait among our home.”

Willow held her hand out, “I humbly accept the offer of Ta’asestra’s hospitality and hope that I may be proved worthy of the task she has set before me.”

Tara took Willow’s hand, more or less a sign to those keeping guard that she was here under invitation, those that are fully human were rare here and often with ill intent. The two had been necessarily almost stiflingly formal for this reason, Tara knowing first hand and Willow having done a little research into customs here before setting off. Willow took in the scene around her, her eyes carefully noting details and filing them away. The lush vegetation around her was well tended and would produce a bountiful harvest. Willow needed to do this, partially because she needed the happy memories, she had worked over the past three years at trying to replace those of her enforced servitude. She also needed to know exactly what she was fighting for.

Tara watched Willow as they walked, seeing how much detail she was trying to take in, Not many humans would be this meticulous, Tara knew that well enough. Noting where her eyes flickered, Tara would almost credit Willow with eyesight as good as hers in the daytime, better than some other half elves she knew as well if the look in her eye when she gazed across the expanse of the forest was anything to go by. Willow turned her head and emerald green eyes met ocean blue. Both girls took each other in properly for the first time, gazing into and behind each other’s eyes until Tara turned away, ducking her head so that her hair fell over her face. “We shall be there soon.” There was something about Willow that reminded her of a story the bards sing, something less than savoury. She left that thought aside for now, she would not soon forget the look in Willow’s eyes. There was a tight line around them, and behind that intense, calculating gaze, there was pain, real pain as something haunted her, ghosts of the past drifting behind her eyes. One so young should not have been through anything to bring that about.



All homes, whomever inhabited them, were around the same. Those of the Dalelands appreciated the nature around them rather than material splendour. Besides the neatly kept plots for vegetables, the plant-life had been allowed to grow wild, almost having, and in the case of the treant, actually having a life of its own.

Ta’aestra’s home was to the far East of her territory, surrounded by trees of the forest. She had been content here, having moved from Silvery Moon when her daughter could not find acceptance amongst the full elves that resided there. As Willow walked in, Tara walked to her mother, “Willow of Two Stars has arrived, mother.”

Ta’asestra nodded her head, “Would you see if evening meal is ready, Tara?”

Tara nodded her head and disappeared back into the house. Ta’asestra regarded Willow with a measuring glance before gesturing to a side door that lead towards the gardens. Willow followed Ta’asestra and walked out into the garden, stopping short of the Lady of these lands as she herself came to a stop. Ta’asestra turned to Willow, “Welcome, Willow of Two Stars.”

Willow bowed her head, “Well met, my Lady. Lady Gallidy sends her best wishes.”

Ta’asestra kept her keen gaze on Willow for a moment, looking as if she was making a decision, “I will be to the point. As much as she could in twenty-five words, Lady Gallidy told me why this might be more difficult for you than for others she may have sent, she also said that it was for that same reason that she sent you.” Willow nodded her head, she had gathered this much already, she also heard the slight inflection on that phrase, perhaps the lilt of an unasked question. “I have not shared this information with many, only those whose council I value the most. With your history, there are those not happy that you have been allowed his far and are less so that you may be allowed further into our forests.”

Willow nodded her head, “I appreciate the difficulty that my past actions have placed upon you, but all I can do is to do what I can to atone for those mistakes. To answer your unasked question, why I am here when others might have been sent, sometimes the hard path must be taken. I know that the Rotting Man was mentioned and I do not like the thought of meeting him, but I know more about him than anyone else that might have made this journey.”

Ta’asestra was silent for a moment, almost rolling this answer around her mind, “Lady Gallidy has been one of my closest allies for many years, I know that she would not knowingly send someone that would harm my lands, but I see a Faith token around your neck, perhaps you could do something for me that only one truly serving the Great Mother could do. That way, I may smooth over any doubts that others may have.”

Willow nodded her head. Only one that worshipped the deity of whom a Faith token was devoted to could use one, mere possession would never be enough. Willow took a wooden staff that had been leaning against the wall, after a quick check to make sure that it was not magical, she lifted it above her head and smashed it against the solid trunk of a tree, breaking it cleanly in half. She took her Devine focus from her robes and placed that out of reach so that it could not be questioned as to whether she had used a spell she had prepared. She took the token, a medallion with an ear of corn engraved on the surface, in one hand and joined the two pieces of wood together with the other, closing her eyes as she did. Softly, Willow whispered a small prayer to Chauntea and felt a warm caress along her skin and inside of her in reply. Outwardly, there was nothing happening, but when Willow opened her hand, there was no sign that the staff had ever been broken.

Willow handed the staff to Ta’asestra who looked at it for a moment and gave a small smile at what she saw, “Thank you, friend, and thank you for the way in which you handled this.”

Willow nodded her head at the thanks as she picked up her holy symbol and clipped it to her robe once more, “Many have doubted that I have turned from my old ways in the past couple of years. Whereas you made it easier than most, I have found that complaining about the suspicion does not help matters, it is easier to just show through that small demonstration.”

“Well spoken. I knew that evening meal was ready when I sent Tara and they will be waiting for us now.”

Willow nodded her head, waiting for Ta’asestra to take the lead before walking in herself.



The three sat around the table, eating their simple fair. On Willow and Ta’asestra’s plates were slices cut from a cooked rabbit that, alas, had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Vegetables from the surrounding gardens garnished the meat, leeks, parsnips, potatos and carrots that might well have been the poor rabbit’s next dinner. On Tara’s was merely a larger portion of the vegetables, she choosing not to eat meat. She would never ask someone to do something that she would not, she would never harm an animal unless it was trying to harm another (or quite equally, a human, of course), so she did not expect someone to kill for her to eat.

As she ate, Tara’s gaze took in Willow, her easy movements and chatter, there was no sign of what she had seen behind Willow’s eyes in her outer body, it was almost as if it were background noise to her by now, that she was able to ignore it and put on a show of there being nothing wrong, but Tara could tell from that unguarded glance she had stolen that whatever Willow was doing, she had not fully dealt with her problem. Being as insufferably curious as any bard is wont to be, Tara wondered just what it was that their guest had lived with for so long.

Willow could feel the curious gaze upon her at times, but she was used to the attention and this one, at least, didn’t seem overtly hostile. Eventually, she brought the conversation herself towards the business at hand, “When are we set to leave for the deeper forests?”

Ta’aestra replied, “The others we have sent aid for are due to arrive before fulldark tomorrow, the best guess that we have is about evensong. Then, it is up to you all as a whole as to whether you set off in the night or wait until the morning.”

Willow nodded her head, quiet for a moment. “Are there any planar portals that you know of, it is rare that one such as the Rotting Man would leave his main home when there are others that can do his will outside.”

Tara tilted her head to her side, “How would you know so much about him?” Willow heard Ta’asestra bark out something in the original dialect she had heard upon ariving here, clearly a reprimand even through the language barrier. Tara nodded her head, “You’re right mother, that is no concern of mine. I am sorry, Willow.” Tara had noticed the slight reaction, however, but knew that it was unwise to push it, even without her mother’s remonstration.

Ta’asestra turned Willow’s question over in her mind, “There are none that we know of but then our field of knowledge does not run towards the other planes, even in regards to our own forests.” At this, she raised a questioning eyebrow at Tara and received a shake of the head in reply, “And evidently, Tara has not heard anything as she has exchanged tales. I believe that one of the Gallidys is a priest of Shaundakul, yes? Maybe he would know better how to answer that question than I.”

“If you have a Sending scroll lying around, I can ask him.” She gave a rueful shake of her head, “I should have thought to before I left, really.” The pause was slightly longer this time, but there was something that Willow felt that she needed to do, “Would you mind if I saw the focus that you took from he that you disabled?”

Ta’asestra looked at Willow for a long moment and nodded her head at Tara. Tara stood and walked into a back room, coming back some time later, a slightly drawn look on her face. She carefully placed the gem on the table, her face relaxing as she relinquished her contact with the unholy symbol. It was very much like any other focus, this one had upon it a purple triangle, within that, three teardrops, orange at the top and turning to a vile darker shade and finally purple at the bottom of each. Willow put her hand towards it and paused for a moment, the malevolent energies from the focus she could feel from there. Her hand suddenly darted forwards, taking the gem in a quick movement. When she touched the focus she now wore as she cast, she often felt a warmth spread throughout her body, it was one that was always there around her, now in her hand she felt a blazing heat, almost the oppressive burn that rested over the Barrens of Doom and Despair. As well as this that she had associated with using that she had destroyed, she felt a coldness so frozen that it burned like a whiplash across her brain. Panic started to fill her body but she could feel closely the quiet but firm warmth that had wrapped itself around her for the last three years, she felt it envelop her and then heard an almost audible ‘Mine!’ that sounded in her head alone.

Her hand shaking, Willow dropped the focus on the table and took a deep breath, fighting back the momentary urge to be sick. She saw a glass of water that she had not noticed being placed before her and took a grateful sip. She calmed herself down, slightly quicker than she might have expected, hearing a soft song almost below audible level coming from Tara’s direction, before speaking in a carefully level voice, “If there isn’t some higher power you need to show that to, I would recommend the fire.”

Ta’asestra nodded her head, she had kept it this long only because she had felt that Willow might make this request, she had been uncomfortable keeping something of such dripping malevolence in her home. “I believe that those that follow the Great Mother meditate in the time between late after the noon and fulldark, yes?” Willow nodded her head, “Then come and share this time with us, we could do with all the aid that we may be given, that much I can feel.”



After each had shared their time opening their links with their particular deity – Willow feeling much better for having done so, Willow and Tara exercised their companions, Willow having one wildshape left before rest to take on the form of a dog and chase Sam around the forests. Tara laughed as she watched for a moment. Unable yet to turn into anything so big as to challenge Jasmine in the way she saw Willow and Sam’s particular brand of rough and tumble, she took on the form of a small cat, darting beneath the paws of Jasmine, batting at her nose in when she fell behind to the smaller shape slightly better adapted at dealing with the trees.

She mulled over what she had seen in Willow’s eyes as she had taken the token. At first, very much the discomfort that she herself had felt, but then something had shifted behind those green orbs, those ghosts behind her eyes had grown stronger, had risen to the surface. As Tara had poured the cool water and used a little Prestdigitation to chill it a few degrees before placing it before her. In that last moment, there had been panic, pure panic. Then it had left her almost as quickly as it had taken her, but before Willow had been able to put her guards in place, there had been an almost shattered vulnerability behind her eyes and in the line of her face, one that had reached out to Tara and touched something inside of her. Earlier, she had felt that Willow needed to face whatever it was that haunted her so, to find peace within herself, but now she could see that whatever it was, she needed to face it on her own terms when she was ready.

There were also certain ideas that had come to mind from that incident but she wasn’t quite so sure on them yet and then it wasn’t her business anyway. The two lead their companions, thoroughly worn out, back through the forests and towards the home.



As they arrived, shifting back into what society would call their normal forms, Willow and Tara petted their companions, making sure that they had water in Sam’s case and milk in Jasmine’s. It had become fulldark not half an hour ago and was approaching time when they would have to think of rest, and in Willow’s case from the journey and her ordeal, recuperation. Tara, the look she had seen on Willow’s face after evening meal, touched her shoulder gently as they made for the stairs, “We do not often prepare rooms for those that come from outside, we are a little out of the way. There is a spare bed in my room that only needs the sheets if you would like.”

Willow nodded her head as Sam brushed past her legs and up the stairs, looking down at the two girls as they spoke, Willow would have usually said that that doesn’t matter, but after that…after what she had felt, she didn’t like the thought of being alone.

There was no much to say between the two and there would likely be a day for each to get to know the other before their other companions arrived, so they did not force conversation for conversation’s sake, instead settling down, Sam on the foot of Willow’s bed, and soon fell into the darkness of sleep.

[viximon]

Awwwwwww. Tara is so sweet all fixed on Willow already. I think is cute.
Sadly seems Willow is yet to focused on her ghosts she isn't paying that much atention to the halfelf. But I hope this will change with time.
Great update, keep it up. I like it very much

[robotguru]

Viximon: At the moment, it's more that Tara can see that someone is hurting and she doesn't quite understand why, though there might be a little something As for Willow, it is hard to say too much without giving a fair bit away, let's just say that rebuilding her life is taking a little longer than the three years in which it splintered.

Anyway...thanks to my marvelous betas for putting up with me, here is Chapter Two.



Chapter Two

Tara awoke slowly as the sun started to peek through her window. Soon enough, there would be chores around the city that would need doing, a trade caravan was due, ironically enough as she looked over Willow’s prone form, from Two Stars, it must have set out at least a couple of tendays before she, Tara wondered why she had not travelled the last of the way with familiar faces. Regardless, the stall owners would need help setting up and would need accommodating for likely a couple of nights, all of this took energy, effort and time.

But for now, all outside was silent and Tara watched the guest, a curious look on her face. Willow’s eyelids were flickering in the way they do when someone is in a dream state and her hair was sleep tousled, as if she had tossed and turned a lot over the night, she murmured slightly when the sun fell across her face and Tara stood to hook a rug across the window. Willow turned to her side, her breathing becoming erratic, Tara was about to move across to her when Sam, disturbed by Willow’s turning over, stood and walked up the bed, lying down and curling up in the curve of her body. This seemed to do what he had intended it to, the warmth and contact of her animal companion drew Willow away from whatever it had been that was bothering her, a sigh escaped her lips as Tara saw her mother at the door.

Ta’asestra motioned Tara out of the room and she followed her mother’s lead was they walked down the stairs. This was around the time all in the Everdales rose to get ready for the day ahead, but for Willow to be here so soon after the time it had been confirmed that it was she coming, she must have travelled hard, there had also been that incident last night.

Mother and daughter sat around the table as the food was brought in. Ta’asestra did not spend time in idle chat with her servants as she normally might do, she had seen that certain look in her daughter’s eye. Tara looked up as she speared a segment of egg with her fork, “There is something you did not tell me about her.”

Ta’asestra looked into ther daughter’s blue eyes, “Because it is not up to me to tell.”

“Then let me guess and you can stop me when I am wrong.” Tara paused for but a moment, not long enough for her mother to tell her that she was not going to play this game, not by a longshot, “She knows the Rotting Man, knows him, what she said was not second hand knowledge. That means she has either fought him in the past or she has worked with or at least under him, the look I saw in her eyes, especially when she held the focus, suggests the latter.” Ta’asestra sighed and nodded her head, “Which then means that she was once a Talontari, I say once because I doubt that neither would you have allowed one this close to our home nor would Lady Gallidy have sent her if she felt that she meant us harm.” Again, there was a nod of the head and this time her mother looked just a little relieved, “So then she is the Blightlord of Narfell? I heard tell that it was a young Druidess that helped the Rotting One gain his stronghold in the Rawlingswood.”

Ta’asestra gracefully shrugged her shoulders, “I cannot tell you specifics, there is only so much information one can fit into twenty-five words. I do know that the main reason she was considered is that she of all at Two Stars knows of the Rotting One the most.”

“Have either of you asked yourselves if she is ready to face him again?”

Ta’asestra’s head snapped up at the edge in her daughter’s voice and her own voice became a touch harsher, her very form and voice haughty, “She came of her own will.”

“Yes, yes, she came. She came because her Lady asked her to, she came, perhaps, because she feels herself that she does know more of him than others, that does not mean that she is ready to do this.”

“I would invite you to remember who it is you are talking to, my child.”

Tara softened her tone, “Let me tell you what I saw last night, mother. I saw raw wounds that have never fully healed ripped open. If she comes across the Rotting Man, or any under him that harmed her, she will either attack him with a frenzy or she shall freeze, either way, she puts herself in danger.”

Ta’asestra was silent for a long moment and then she sighed, “It may be that you are correct. Be that as it may, the final choice in the matter does not belong to you or to I, it belongs to Willow.” Ta’asestra stood and walked around the table, softly touching her daughter’s cheek, “You have a good heart, Tara, and I know why you bring up these concerns, with others, I might wonder if it is their own safety that they are worried for, you I know think of her, a relative stranger. You say that the child needs to heal, it may be that she will find that she will if she sees this through.”

“It puts her at risk, when you put someone in a make or break position, you have to remember that they are equally as likely to break before the task at hand.”

Any further conversation was cut short as a black dog bounded into the room and looked around somewhat expectantly. Tara laughed, “I think someone needs to be let outside.” The dog’s ears perked up at the word out and he spun around in a circle.

“Do make sure he doesn’t answer nature’s call upon Eilisona, it won’t be pleasant for either of them.”

Tara winced, remembering what had happened to the last animal that had tried to follow its urges against the grumpy treant’s trunk. As she stood to move towards the door, Willow’s footsteps could be heard. These were soon followed by the owner, her eyes scrunched up against the light, they focussed on Sam briefly, “He isn’t being an annoyance, is he?”

Tara smiled and shook her head, “No, I need to see to Jasmine anyway. Did we wake you?”

Willow shook her head, “I was half awake when you left the room.” If Willow had understood any of the argument, she didn’t let on, Sylvan and Elvan were fairly close, though not close enough that she would get the full gist of the conversation unless she had been around elves a lot recently.

Tara led Willow and Sam, Jasmine quickly at her heel as she walked, to the back exit, closer to the path that would need to be taken when the little party had all been assembled. The forest was thicker here, there were no homes as such that made clearing out a niche necessary.

The two walked amongst the trees, silent for a while as their companions ran ahead of them, jostling and tumbling over one another in something that could almost be seen as half testing the other’s limits, half play. Both had been brought up well and were hardier than they might look at first glance, there was nothing malicious in what they were doing, no teeth or claws passed between the two and their mistresses were not quick to call them back. Tara eventually broke the silence, “Why are you here?”

Willow walked in silence for a moment, considering her answer, “My Lady’s ally needed aid and it was I she chose to ask.”

“Were there no others that she could have sent? Tales of her elite stretch over the length and breadth of Faerûn.”

“I am as capable as any other for my age.”

Tara nodded her head, “Of course, you have come across the Rotting One before?”

Willow’s face and voice was carefully blank which in itself told the bard everything she needed to know, “Our paths have crossed, as have the paths of his minions crossed mine and my friends.”

There was a slight inflection on Willow’s tone when she spoke the last, one that Tara picked up on and stored away, there was something there, a lot can happen in three years. “It is just that you seemed to know a lot about him.”

Willow turned sad green eyes upon Tara and what Tara saw in those eyes made her wish that she had not pushed the issue as Willow’s tone had clearly asked her not to do, “Too much.”

The songs varied when they spoke of the Blightlord of Narfell, some insisted that she died in Lethyr Forest, killed among a number of other Talontari by the Nentyar Hunters, it had been the known last battle of the cruel and much feared Rasach. Other songs insisted that she fell far south of the forest, at the ruined Fort Nardar near Thesk, though there were few if any true firsthand accounts of the battle that took place there. Some insisted that she had not died but was still roaming the lands, in a sense, Tara could see that two of the three stories were true and two were false.

Willow stared distantly at the forest before her gaze fell upon the leopard and dog ahead of her, she smiled as she watched their innocent play, it had been the first genuine smile that Tara, looking at her, had seen on her lips. “Relaxed is a good look for you.”

Willow turned to look at Tara, her eyes softening for a moment, this time the memory behind them one that matched the smile, “That I have heard more than once.” The two continued to walk in silence for a moment before Willow spoke up, “I am here on my Lady’s request, but you are correct that the Rotting One is known to me…a little more than he would be to others.” She sighed and looked away for a moment, “I really don’t like talking about it.” Tara nodded her head and the two walked on in silence for a moment before Willow looked back at the animals, “How did you come across Jasmine?”

It was Tara’s turn to take a slightly sad look behind her eyes, though it was quickly there and gone, “I had been away from home for five years, travelling with a troupe, performing over much of Faerûn, as far East as Two Stars some years ago, in fact. When I returned home, I was met with grim news, that poachers had been harming the wildcats within the forests. I came across a pair and Jasmine, the poor cub had caught her paw in a noose and one of the poachers was leading her in a circle with one around her neck while the other stabbed into her side. To cut the story short, we battled, they fled and Jasmine’s mother…” Tara let the sentence hang in the air for a moment, “I brought Jasmine back to the village to be healed and for a long time after, she wouldn’t leave me, wouldn’t go near anyone else. We ended up bonding not long after I found her.” Tara watched after her for a moment, “She’s a sweet little thing, but she’s not going to be hurt like that again.” There was a quiet firmness that had crept into Tara’s voice that could leave little doubt about that, though with the sleek grace in which the black leopard prowled, she did not look at all vulnerable herself.

The two walked on for a moment, keeping their peace as they allowed the sounds of the forest to wash over them, Tara soon turned to Willow, “Do you think that you are capable of what you have been asked to do?”

“I am as capable in my duties as anyone else.”

“That’s not what I meant, you have a history with the people we are dealing with, I could see that much last night.”

Willow shrugged her shoulders, “Are you worried that I might be drawn back into my old ways?”

Tara flinched at the rebuke in Willow’s voice before softening her own, “No, if Lady Gallidy of Two Stars has sent you, then I have faith that you would not so easily fall again.”

“Then you ask if I will be able to fight them when we meet, not because of loyalty but because of fear.” Tara gave a slight incline of her head, “I know what the Talontari do to people, Tara, I’ve seen it happen as it has happened to me, I cannot let that happen to others if I can help it. I also know that there are certain people that would love to have me back in their hands, I came here knowing all of this, Tara and I will fight them knowing this, do you understand?”

Tara nodded her head, there was little mistaking the sincerity of her words, she would fight if she needed to, in fact, Tara was sure of this, because she heard something else behind those words, a burning hatred, that anyone could hate that much scared her a little. “How did you know…”

“That I knew you know of me?” Willow shrugged her shoulders, “I caught a little of your argument this morning, my knowledge of Elvan is patchy, but enough of it I could distinguish.” Willow gazed upon Tara, tilting her head as was her habit while taking on the form of the eagle she had spent much time of the last Tenday as. “Most people are shocked when they hear of me and you should know more than many would.”

“Anyone that is willing to look can find peace, whatever they have done in the past or been forced to do, if you seek that path and have been guided upon it for the past few years, then what have I to worry about?”

Willow sighed, “You would do well to be careful with that trust, it is easier to fall a second time and I have seen that happen.” She herself had barely escaped doing so and only with the close support she had been given, but she was not going to go out of her way to place herself under suspicion.

“Some are not strong enough to walk the harder path once they are used to their underhanded ways, those that do fall usually do so within months, they do not have the strength for years.” Tara left it at that for the moment, her home was coming back into view and Willow’s last words gave the impression that she would rather not stay on this topic for much longer. She gave a shrill whistle, one that Willow echoed and their companions were soon back at their heels as they approached the edge of the forest.



There was not much time to rest, at least not for Tara, her role within the city quickly taking her away from the home and Willow, by choice after a plain breakfast, kept herself busy with the crops in the morning, working with the farmers and later bolstering the crops with a couple of Plant Growth spells that she had prepared in thanks for the hospitality that she had been afforded, the effects of which would be seen over time. Before lunchtime, the carts that Willow had passed half a tenday ago had arrived within the city boundaries and the two would meet again. Willow soon came upon Tara as she welcomed the drivers of the caravans and pointed out the areas that had been cleared for them within the market, as such as it could be called with many residents of the Dalelands that had something to sell doing so from their homes.

Willow had hung back for a while as they had prepared to set up, why she didn’t interact with those also from Two Stars, some of whom at least she would have come into contact with at home, still puzzled Tara somewhat, but then she had no idea of the situation there and she knew this well enough not to see anything overly suspicious in the behaviour. As the workers did break for lunch, however, Willow and Tara did sit amongst those they had been helping and Tara did notice that while Willow did receive a few warm smiles and a few more indifferent nods, there were those among the Two Stars residents that held a certain coldness towards her which the woman seemed to allow to wash over her.

After the meal and the other hour it took to get the stalls set in place, Tara found herself alone with Willow, “Was it just me or did some of those not overly appreciate your company?”

Willow wiped sweat from her brow, “Other than Shaundakul, the patron of travellers, Chauntea’s is the main temple within the city, some of those that know my past better are less trusting than you seem to be. Leopards and spots and all that.” She seemed indifferent to this, and the easy shrug of her shoulders showed nonchalance that Tara was sure she did not feel, but she knew well enough when she was going to get no more on a subject than she had. Willow looked at her for a moment, “It seems I have done a lot of talking about myself but have been so rude as to not allow you the same favour.”

It was Tara’s turn to shrug, “I’ve only recently come home for this, and when I say home, I mean that fairly loosely. I spent my early childhood in Silvery Moon, my half father and older brothers seemed to accept me only marginally more than the other full elves there so mother and I moved here when I was around five.” It had been Tara’s voice this time that held a slight edge when she had spoke of her half relatives and Willow had sense enough not to push for details, especially seeing as Ta’asestra did not strike Willow as one that would commit a willing infidelity. “Other than that, well, I have been as far East as Two Stars, though I do not remember your face so I assume you were elsewhere then, and to the far West among the jungles of Chult though that was hardly a planned stop.”

Willow laughed, “’Hardly planned’? I shouldn’t think a Bard would plan any location far in advance.”

“We don’t usually plan for shipwrecks either, Chult isn’t a place I am keen to return to, though I am sure that others have faced worse, at least so the songs would have you believe.” Tara gave a dry laugh, knowing as well as any other that songs can be and often are somewhat exaggerated. Changing the subject, Tara gestured towards the caravans, “If we stay the night, there will likely be a dance, I should probably perform, I would be honoured if you would join the festivities.”

Willow shrugged her shoulders, “It would be rude not to accept such an invitation.”

The two were cut off as a girl walked towards the two, smiling shyly at Tara before speaking to Willow, a laugh behind her voice, “Creik ses to get on over an’ collect yer breastplate afore ’e sells it.”

Willow laughed, “Did he now? Kindly tell him, my dear Susan, that I shall be over soon enough and if I see anyone else wearing a darkwood breastplate, I might not be so happy.”

The girl, Susan, curtsied to Willow and turned, dashing off back towards the traders and Willow shook her head before grinning at Tara, “Creik isn’t so bad, I managed to convince him to keep my armour on the cart when I passed by, I probably should go relieve him of it.”

Tara laughed, calling after Willow as she stood to leave, “Have you got anything to wear for tonight? Brown may be good for kneeling in the mud but it leaves a lot to be desired when attending a party.”

Willow shrugged, “I can probably buy something, I’m pretty sure I saw the tailor most people like at Two Stars.”

“I know better than to leave a druid to buy her own wardrobe for such an event, allow me to buy something for you?”

Willow laughed, shaking her head wryly, “You seem determined to see me dressed up, my Lady.” She put her hands within her robes and drew out a money pouch, throwing it over, “That or you want an excuse to see the stalls.” The twinkle in Tara’s eye suggested that it was mostly the latter, mostly.

Tara smiled as Willow walked away to collect her things. The girl was odd, it seemed that she had more sides than any other person Tara had seen, there were times where she could smile easily, others where her past clearly haunted her, though those times she kept well hidden to those that didn’t get close enough to study her eyes. Amongst those that disliked her, she showed indifference, but when Tara had shown an easy trust of her, Willow had cautioned her about such trust. It was hard for her to figure out exactly who the real Willow was, why she wanted to, she didn’t exactly know, but from a pratical point of view, if she was going to spend this time with her and have to fight alongside her, it seemed wise enough.



The sun was just starting to caress the tallest trees in the distance before a lookout’s sharp eyes spotted two forms walking down the path. Tara, her mother and Willow had soon made their way towards the city limits and not long after they had arrived there, not one hundred yards from the boundary, the air seemed to distort around itself for a moment before the form of a young woman, a raven on her shoulder, was soon to be made out.

The woman’s blonde hair fell in waves to the base of her neck, her lips were painted the same red that was etched in the shape of a feminine pair of lips upon her wizarding robes. She carried herself confidently, her step more a graceful prowl than anything else. Jasmine walked up to and around the woman, sniffing at her. Giving an almost confused purr, she rubbed herself against the woman’s legs. Tara looked at this, confused for a moment before noticing the crest, a lady of Sharess, the Mother of Cats and every bit as hedonistic as the felines she holds power over. Tara called out to Jasmine and the cat shook her head as a human might when half awake before walking back to her mistress, the woman had the grace, at least, to shoot Tara an apologetic look. She walked forward in that graceful gait and nodded her head at Ta’asestra, “Anya of Mettledale, my Lady, I am pleased to meet you.” She turned to Willow and looked her over, “King Tikar also asked me to send his regards to Willow of Two Stars, he surmised that it might be you that Lady Galliday would send.”

Willow nodded her head, “How fares the Laird?”

Anya gave a pearly laugh, “I was told that he worships Tymora, the luck that man has, anyone would think that he had wooed her as he does any woman on this plane.”

Willow laughed as Anya mentioned the goddess of good fortune, “The rest of us were wondering that when we travelled the trail with him.” Willow shook her head, “Are the ladies of Mettledale safe or is he yet to calm down somewhat?”

“Oh, he’s a perfect gentleman…now.” There was a twinkle behind Anya’s eyes, “Anyway, I should introduce my familiar, Xander.”

The raven bobbed his head and spoke in perfect Sylvan, “She did call me Alexander, but I beat her down to Xander.”

Anya rolled her eyes, “He wouldn’t shut up until I gave him a shorter name.” Anya tilted her head towards the raven as he whispered in her ear, “But I believe we can get better…acquainted later, I believe those two behind us await your attention.”

The two women that had been seen up the path can be seen clearer now, one, the small lithe blonde with a flaming sword upon a red shield etched upon her mithral breastplate, denoting her to be a follower of Tempus, the god of war. She carried the great sword slung over her shoulder with ease, a slight notch upon her crest showed her to be a cleric of her order. Her eyes were appraising as they took in those at the gate.

The other kept mainly to the shadows, though one could make out her dark hair and the sword upon sun crest that showed her to follow the drow deity, Elistraee, the one kindly disposed of the deities among her race. This seemed to be the one outward sign that drow blood might run through her veins in any way, her skin the pale hue of the moon elf and her dark hair completely hiding her pointed ears. She wore a leather shirt and her pants looked almost as if it were liquid. Two daggers could be seen on the inside of her shirt, and though she was watched the whole time, as she kept to the shadows, one could almost lose sight of her.

The two walked up to the group together and Tara walked towards the other half elf, embracing her with her hands placed on the other woman’s elbows, “Welcome, Faith of Sembia.” The greeting had obviously been more for the others’ benefit than Faith’s, Sembia being close enough to the Dalelands that they would likely run across each other every now and again.

Faith gave her a small smile, though there was a brittleness behind it, “Yo T.” Faith looked to be one that felt uncomfortable with the formal address she had been given, “Pity we always seem to meet when there is nastiness to be dealt with.”

Ta’asestra hung back, allowing Tara to meet the new arrivals as she had met her friend already, Tara nodded her head and turned to the other woman, tilting her head slightly in a questioning manner, “They call me Buffy that speak of me, hailing from Damara. Who will I have the pleasure of travelling with.”

“I am Tara, these lands are my home, Faith you know?” Buffy nodded, they would have met on the trail, Tara pointed to the other two, “Anya of Mettledale in the East and finally, Willow of Two Stars.”

Buffy’s eyes narrowed and darkened, anger dancing behind them, when she spoke, her voice was low and deadly and her hand almost under its own volition reached for her blade, “The last I heard…it was Willow of the Rawlinswood.”

[Willowtree252]

This is wonderful can,t wait for more please