Composed by Cerrapine Shadowswift
My name is Cerraphine from the house of Talow. My family is quite huge... I have more brothers and sisters than I can count, I don't even know half of them. All of them live in Surefall glade where I myself was born and raised
until around the age of 10. After that I spent most of my time meeting with my "cousin" Diefenbaker. Well you see he's not really my cousin. I think he's something like my mother's cousin's son. We get along so we consider ourselves to be as close as brother and sister - which everyone else finds really strange being that he's a Barbarian and I myself am a Half Elf. *shrug* Dief is a really strong guy. He's taught me so much about combat, but I still kept in touch with my Druid roots. I used a combination of both my spells and the teachings of Dief which works out very well.
We spent several years talking and fighting and what not. After a while he vanished... just kind of disappeared I guess. I went to Halas to check on his family and they themselves had not seen him in a while. I decided to stay there and train so I could search for him. I always liked his family better.. he is an only child so they do treat me as his sister.
Soon I realized that I still wasn't as strong as I needed to be. I purchased som new magics and decided I could not just fight my way to find him... I would have to be on the defense. I went off in to the caverns of the Black Burrows in fear the gnolls had gotten to him. As I was walking through dangerous territory my camoflauge gave way. I soon myself staring into the face of a drooling, snarling, dirty gnoll. He hesitated a moment and struck me down. I immediately went limp and thought I was doomed. With a shriek the *gnoll* fell over as it was encased in frost. I saw a very tall and well built female barbarian take him down with ease. After that she did not hesitate and healed my wounds until I was able to rise. She introduced herself as Tendaru and I told her my name as she helped me out of there. I told her of my search and she explained that she had been all through the caverns and not seen anyone by the name of Diefenbaker. After some talks she escorted me back to Dief's home and showed me where she lived.
Well as I entered the door I saw Diefenbaker sitting in a chair. I quickly ran over to him and hugged him nearly crying. I felt the strength of his muscles pushing against the now worn down armor he wore. I then realized that his parents were standing ... looking ashen. So was Dief. He explained to me his intentions of leaving home to build up his strength. I stopped and took a look at him and noticed his eye. It was hurt. He had been hurt. I asked what had happened and he told me a story of getting lost and attacked. He told me of a man who saved his life and had been training he had undergone. His mother was very sad. I know they didn't get along the best but you know they all still loved each other. I felt myself become weak. Diefenbaker said he was sorry and that he promised to visit and write - but it wasn't anything I wanted to hear. I could only wish him luck as he walked out the door.
I spent the next few days keeping his parents company. Then I decided it's becoming my time to grow up too. I stopped by and visited Tendaru. She welcomed me and we talked some more about what Diefenbaker and what I needed to do now. She agreed to help me out. Since then we've been great friends as I grew in power she taught me how to use my magic more effectively. With her teachings of how to use my magic and Diefenbaker's combined - it didn't take long for me to advance my skills to the fullest.
All the while Dief kept his promise. He talked to me nearly everyday. He told me of his new companions. One man in particular intrigued me - his name was Cudget. It took a while for Diefenbaker to really trust him being that he is a Rogue but he told me how Cudget had saved his life on countless occassions, was very nice, and most importantly - pretty quiet. I tire of men talking of themselves constantly. Diefenbaker said Cudget's about as modest as they come. Soon I found myself asking more about Cudget than Dief in the letters. I don't think I could help it.. I was really intrigued and couldn't wait for the day to meet Cudget and become re-united with Diefenbaker.
Well one day, I left. Just out of the blue. I asked Tendaru to follow me but she said she doesn't see a point. She doesn't trust Cudget and she had plans of traveling elsewhere for the time being. She wished my safety as I headed through to Freeport. You wouldn't believe my shock when I found Diefenbaker himself at the gates. He was wearing much better armor and looked really muscular. But he was drunk... and wearing the skull of a polar bear on his head!!! Imagine coming all the way and to see your brother/cousin/ whatever acting so foolishly!!! I spent my hellos yelling at him as he looked down in guilt.
After I was done, he looked up at me, smiled and gave me a hug. It was good to see him again. We didn't talk. He just pointed me in the direction of where he last saw Cudget head. He smiled and said it was good to see me as I walked around tall buildings and found myself looking straight at a man with two small daggers in his side belt and foraging metal. After a while of watching I tapped him on his shoulder to get his attention. He turned to me looking curiously. I introduced myself and he took a long look at me again. He said that he has heard about me... but not of my beauty. I grew red in the face and warned him that he best be not referring to my lack of clothing and armor. He replied that he was thinking about how he could actually remedy that situtation.
I think I fell in love at that very second. He took me out to his favorite spot in freeport and gave me some food and ale. We just talked briefly -- he mainly listened. After several hours he told me that he knows the innkeeper and he would set up room for me here in Freeport. He had to do some work with Diefenbaker and their friend Napallo but he promised his return.
And he kept it. He made several promises to me after that and kept every single one.... including one to make me his wife.
