A Call from the Wild

"NO!" Evermist screamed running for the inferno. Wisedove grabbed her around the shoulders and held her back "No! No! Please Wisedove! Let me go! My mother’s in there! I have to find her!"

"'Mist! Look at the flames!" Wisedove tried to make her friend understand. "Even the stone is burning!" Evermist finally collapsed in despair, giving in to the hopelessness of the situation. Nothing could be alive in there.

Wisedove sat beside her sister in all but blood, and held her as she cried on the counselor's shoulder. Wisedove only stared, watching their life burn away before her. After this blaze, there would be nothing left of Nightshade Keep. How could such a terrible fire begin so suddenly? ‘No matter how great the blaze, most of the tribe must have escaped to safety.’ Wisedove thought to herself. Closing her eyes, the snow-haired elf attempted an open send to find the survivors. Her eyes flew open and she gave a sharp intake of air at the results of her attempt.

"Evermist," she said shakily, "there is something very wrong here. Something is blocking my ability to send!" There was a moment's silence as Evermist tested her own sending only to find the same thing true for herself.

"How can it be?" Evermist asked confused, tears still freely running from her eyes. She suddenly brightened. "Perhaps this means the others are still alive, but we just can't reach them. They probably all went to the human's camp! That’s the only place they could have gone!"

Suddenly, Evermist was on her feet pulling Wisedove behind her "Come sister! We must reach the Meadow of Stones!" With that, the two were off.

** **

The two elves were greeted by screams of agony followed by cheers as they approached the grassy field dotted with huge boulders that gave the area its name. There was a huge fire blazing in the middle of the camp with what looked like a line of stakes in front of it. From their vantage point on a rise near the village, Evermist and Wisedove saw that there were figures tied to each post and that some posts held no captive but were blackened and burned. Both elves immediately understood what was happening, and each shuddered in revulsion at the thought.

With her keen eyes, Evermist noticed first. She grabbed Wisedove's arm painfully and pointed. The snow-haired elf's already near transparent features paled even more as she saw what Evermist was so stricken by. Surethrow, Quickspear, Daybreak, Cleareyes, Gail; all were tied to the stakes and for the first time, Wisedove noticed the small figure walking down the line of posts. The elf wore red and white with hair the color of ash and a white head band upon his brow. He steeped to Surethrow and placed his hand on the gray-haired hunter's chest. The mighty warrior faced his doom with stoic passiveness, and never flinched at the fire-shaper’s gaze, but even this mighty elf could not hold back a tortured scream of agony as his body burst into flames. Evermist and Wisedove watched in horror as the flesh blackened and melted away. Milky eye matter dripped down a charred exposed skull, and bone blackened and crumbled to ash. All of this happened in a few heartbeats.

Wisedove's entire body had gone numb. She barely noticed Evermist's violent wrenching as her body emptied itself into a near-by bush. Through a confused fury of emotion, Wisedove vaguely heard the screams of Quickspear, Surethrow's lifemate. Somewhere in the dark recesses of Wisedove's mind, she knew that she could do something. She could stop this some how.

"No! NO!! STOP! PLEASE!!!!!!" Evermist's frantic cries brought the councilor back to reality. Wisedove gasped as all eyes were suddenly turned towards the rise the two were hiding on. There was a moment of silence, then the cruel spectators promptly returned their gaze to the execution taking place before them; they didn’t even care! The fire-shaper had reached Daybreak, gentle, lovely Daybreak whom Wisedove had grown up with and love as dearly as her own mother. I can use my magic, Wisedove suddenly realized. She closed her eyes to focus then suddenly opened them again. She had forgotten how to use her magic. She couldn't remember how to use her tree shaping ability. The strange elf was approaching Cleareyes now. Wisedove prepared to dive for 'Mist to keep her from dashing down the slope to her mother and the same fate as the others, but she found that she could not move. A sharp glance at Evermist shoved that she was having similar difficulties.

"NO! MOTHER! MOTHER!! GET AWAY FROM HER!" 'Mist clawed at the ground trying to force her legs to cooperate, but as her upper body fought valiantly, the lower half stayed stubbornly glued in place. Evermist's hands were bleeding freely from cuts caused by thorns and pebbles, but the elf maiden ignored her pain, futilely attempting to reach her doomed mother, but it was too late.

Twin screams of anguish exploded from both mother and daughter as Cleareye's body ignited, and her spirit returned to the skies.

Wisedove observed all of this madness in confused panic. This couldn't be happening. It didn’t make any sense. Why weren’t the humans coming after them? How could elves be killing other elves? Why couldn’t she or Evermist move? It made no sense! She looked to her mother, the last victim of this dark elf and, tried to comprehend what was going on. Wisedove felt as though she was a young kitling again. She knew that all she need do was look to her mother and all would be well. Gail looked up at Wisedove, her eyes sparkling with more love and pride than even sending could communicate, then in a brilliant blaze of flame, she was gone, her screams echoing through the night.

When Wisedove's mind cleared again, she was doubled over in the grass. Her lungs were burning from lack of air. Why couldn't she breathe? What had just happened? Everything suddenly rushed back to her in a heart tearing wave of memory. She sat gasping for air, staring at the blackened stakes where her tribe had once stood, then there was laughter. Dark laughter that permeated her very soul, making it quiver in revision and fear. She looked atop the highest boulder in the field and saw a figure cloaked in black. Its features were hidden by shadow but two things were obvious, it was female, and an elf. Emerald green eyes flashed in the firelight as the elf continued laughing menacingly, and they were staring directly at Wisedove. The snow-haired elf could feel the creature's dark presence in her mind, then Evermist was sending to her.

**Cala! What's happening?!**

**Cala,** an alien mind sent to her. An overwhelming sense of foreboding struck Wisedove as she realized it was the elf on the boulder who was sending to her.

‘She knows my soul name! 'Dove thought to herself in a panic.

**That is correct, Cala** The dark elf lock-sent to her, **My name is Jade! Remember it well!**

This was the last thing to register in Wisedove's mind as green eyes flared with energy and Wisedove’s mind caught fire, or at least that's what seemed to happen. Brilliant white light flashed behind her eyes, then she was drowning in a sea of blackness. She clutched her head as tight as she could knowing that if she did not, it would explode. She felt her own nails biting into her flesh, a tiny drop of blood running past her temple, then nothing; a darkness deeper than the spaces between stars. In this state she could somehow sense the presence of others like herself in the forest. She was seeing through her spirit’s eye. She began to feel herself being pulled down into the darkness. She gave in to it having no will or reason to fight it.

**Cala! Cala!** Evermist was lock sending to her. **Answer me sister! You can't leave me too!** Wisedove struggled against the vacuum for a moment gathering the last of her strength for a final message.

**Teean** she sent weakly, **Follow moss-side. Get help.** With that, Wisedove succumbed to the blackness swirling around her.

** **

"Wisedove?" Evermist shook her fallen friend a little trying to rouse her. She did not move. 'Mist lay her head on Wisedove’s shoulder and wept. Wept for herself, wept for her friends, wept for her mother, and for Nightshade Keep; the happy home and happy life that nothing could ever replace. Evermist knew that she would never be the same again.

** **

Far away at a place called the Black Mountains, Lady Jade stood in the presence of her Dark Queen, Ash to her right, standing silently with his head bowed.

"Is it done?" A voice dark as a moon-less night asked from the shadows of the throne room.

"Yes, mother," Jade answered in a hissing voice, "I have collected every magic user in Nightshade Keep and destroyed all others." She placed a hand on Ashes shoulder indicating his involvement in the matter.

"All, my daughter?" The queen asked knowingly.

"All but four have been accounted for, two have revealed themselves, and the others should be returning shortly."

"Two have revealed themselves yet four still walk free. Why were these others spared?" The queen inquired. Jade's eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement.

"There is one mother, a tree shaper I think, she is... ... amusing. Oh! It was wonderful!" Jade threw up her arms and did a spin in the ecstasy of her memory, " The two crept from the forest seeking aid...from humans! I wish you could have seen their faces when they saw their beloved companions burning for the pleasure of those savages." She gave a wistful sigh, "And when I disabled them just enough to allow them to watch the 'ceremony' without having any power to stop it, mmmmmmm, I knew they would shatter; I wanted them to shatter, and one nearly did. A pathetic excuse for an elf who sat blubbering like a human child the entire time." Her dark laughter filled the chamber. "But the other! This one was very interesting to behold. She watched her entire life burn before her eyes, and not one tear did she shed, nor one word did she utter! What fun to be able to break someone so... so... untouchable. Strength of mind, yet weakness of spirit... or perhaps it’s the other way around--"

"You still have not explained why they were spared, Jade," the queen interrupted. A devious smile formed on the Lady's lips.

"It’s been a while since we’ve had a tree-shaper in out ranks, has it not mother? She could aid in hiding our forest camps, as well as aid in the capture and conversion of others. This one has a solid surface, but she hides secret pain. I could use this, I can bring her to you. Already her soul name is mine, and her father was captured from the holt. Corruption should be a simple matter." Jade went to her queen, sat at her feet and lay her head in her "mother's" lap like a child.

"Let me have her mother. She will be the one who will bring to you the child of Stormsinger." There was a moment of silence as the queen made her decision.

"Very well, child." The Queen's spidery fingers stroked Jade's hair, "Have your fun, test your method, and bring her to me. Her strength will add to our own." Jade gave a soft moan of delight.

"Thank you mother!" She stepped down from the throne. "Come Ash!" Said the Dark Lady "Our prey awaits!" With that, the two figures vanished into the darkness.

** **

Evermist had been traveling for eight eights of days through the dense forest in the direction Wisedove had indicated, stopping each day to send out a plea for help. The loneliness was getting to her. She had lost her entire life in a matter of moments, and even though her friend had survived, she was slipping away more and more each day she stayed in this never ending sleep. 'Mist did her best to give Wisedove the food and water she needed, but it was almost impossible to feed a person who is unconscious. Evermist was forced to watch as the only person she had left in the world slowly died before her eyes. She could take no more. She fell to her knees and sent out with a force she never knew she had.

**HEALER!! I NEED HELP!! PLEASE! HELP ME!!!**

** **

"Smokeweaver! Are you alright?" Duskwhisper came running up to her best friend.

"I'm fine," Smokeweaver answered confused.

"Where's Longrunner?"

"Here, Duskwhisper. What's going on?" The other Plainsrunner asked stepping from behind a tree. Duskwhisper surveyed the area. Everyone in their small group was accounted for.

"I don't understand," Duskwhisper began, putting a hand on her head. "If all of you are here, who was sending for a healer?"

"I don't remember anyone sending for a healer." Twittersong said holding Crystal in her arms.

**HEALER!! PLEASE, ANSWER!!!**

This time they all received the open sending.

"High Ones!" Twittersong breathed, "Who is that?"

"I don't know," answered the healer, "but I aim to find out." She closed her eyes and sent.

** **

**Stranger, I am here. I am a healer.**

Evermist was startled out of her tears by the sending. Someone had heard her after all.

**Healer, I need help! My friend is dying!** she sent quickly.

**Can your friend be moved?** Came the healer's inquiry.

**Yes, I am doing so now** Relief flooded Evermist's senses. They really were going to survive.

**Then I will guide you here** The healer's words sang through 'Mist's mind, **Follow the sendings.**

** **

"Smokeweaver, Longrunner. Come with me. We'll move towards the sendings and meet halfway. We may not have much time." The trio gathered their equipment and set out into the forest.

** **

Wisedove could feel her consciousness raising to the surface. It had been buried so long! How long ago was it that Jade had black sent her into this oblivion? No matter, it seemed that Evermist had come through. She had found a healer. The warm magic energy flowing through her was taking hold of Jade's icy mental talons and prying them off of her being. She saw deep violet which lightened with every passing moment to blue, then green, yellow that deepened to orange until finally, she could see the crimson of light passing through her closed eye lids. The first thing she noticed was the pain. Her head was pounding with every throb of her life beat. Then came the since of overwhelming fatigue and hunger. It seemed so much easier just to slip back into the numb, lifeless darkness where she could hide forever, but no. Evermist needed her. She had to survive if only for her soul sister.

Struggling with every fiber of her being, Wisedove slowly, painfully opened her eyes. At first, she was blinded by the pure white sunlight that shone through the trees, but soon her vision began to clear, and she looked up into a pair of emerald eyes, sparkling in the sunlight just so. All rational thought left her mind, she knew only that she was in danger.

Duskwhisper was relieved to see the snow-haired elf's lavender eyes flutter open. She was about to speak when suddenly, the elf maiden gasped in terror and kicked out with one slender leg effectively sending Duskwhisper to the ground. The deceivingly weak looking elf began backing away from the healer pushing with hands and feet until she hit a tree and finally paused to look around her.

Wisedove surveyed the area in confusion, noticing the two others helping a lovely fire-haired elf maiden from the ground. Not Jade. Evermist was by the tree-shaper’s side, tears of joy running down her face.

"Wisedove, are you alright?" All that Wisedove could do was nod as her eyes closed and her head slumped to her friend's shoulder.

"Wisedove?" Evermist looked at her friend in concern, then back to the healer who was now on her feet.

"She just needs to regain her energy." Duskwhisper assured her, "She'll be fine." She wiped sweat from her brow favoring the sore spot in her leg where Wisedove had kicked her wondering how much more energy the other could regain.

"You look like you could use some rest yourself, blue-hair," Smokeweaver said with a smile. "Our camp isn't far from here, will you be alright to travel a little further today?"

Evermist sighed deeply and nodded. The others had helped Wisedove and herself without question, and now were welcoming them into their home without question. ‘Home.’ she thought, a dull pain growing in her heart. Perhaps she had found it again. Longrunner had moved to lift Wisedove in his arms.

"Your friend is light as a glider." He said good-naturedly, "I fear she may crumble in my arms."

"She’s a lot stronger than she looks," Evermist said with a smile. "and my name is Ever..." she caught herself short. That name no longer belonged to her. Evermist no longer existed; she had burned with the others back at Nightshade Keep. "Teean." She said finally. "My name is Teean."

Duskwhisper could tell that something significant had just happened. Perhaps she would ask about it some day, but for now, it seemed like her small group of friends had just gained two new members. We keep finding each other, the healer thought to herself. Just a bunch of finders. She smiled at that, listening to the conversation of the others who were just ahead of her.

"Plainsrunners?" Teean was saying, "But you live in the forest...." Duskwhisper hurried to catch up.

** **

TBC…