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   An elf sits at a desk, sipping something from a cup; steam rising from it. As they lean back in their chair to rest their feet upon the table, there is a knock at the door.

   "Enter," they call out lazily.

   Through the door enters another elf, longbow in hand. Saluting the reclining elf, they speak: "Sir, I come about the woman: the one who has been meditating."

   "Oh?" he hums, clearly not concerned. "She has risen, seeking food again? You know there's no need to ask: she is free to join us for meals."

   "Actually sir," the ranger interrupts, "That is the problem: she hasn't. Every couple of days since she arrived last year she has risen to eat, then wander about the forest, before returning to the temple. The last time she joined us for food was over a week ago: several of us are worried, but cannot seem to snap her out of it."

   "A week you say?" he questions, as he stands up, "She'll die! Go and wake Brother Meres and ask him to meet me in the sanctuary: hopefully he can do something."

   Saluting his commander, the ranger stepped out and closed the door behind him.

   Inside small the Temple of Kala on Grans Island, a female elf in a tattered-blue dress sits in meditation. Not moving, not making a sound, there is no way to even know if she is alive or dead. Her golden locks flow down her back, and dance briefly as a door opens. The captain of the temple-guards enters the room, and stops in front of the woman; on bended knee, he looks at her face, wondering to himself whether she is alive or dead. Startled by another gust of wind, he turns to see another figure walk in: a balding human in snowy robes, and a friendly, wrinkled face. As the human approaches the elves, the captain stands to speak to him.

   "Thank you for coming, Brother Meres," he begins, "The men are concerned for the wellbeing of this little one: she has not risen from her meditation for food or water. Can you not do something?"

   "Truly, Captain Khuyt?" he interjected with much concern in his voice. "She really is committed to this. Born blind, she is hopeful that the Lady of Light will grant her vision: I have told her many times her afliction is likely to some purpose, but she is determined - Kala bless her heart. I shall see what I can do, though if she is not responding to others, I am not sure what I could do."

   Sitting beside the elf-maiden, he places an arm around her shoulders and begins to whisper gently: "Sweet child, you need to rise: as much as Kala must appreciate your dedication, she does not want you to go hungry. Come, please join us."

   The two men look at each other, but sigh when there is no reaction from the woman. Clutching his medalion, the druid offers a short prayer to Kala, asking she watch over her child in need. Then, once finished, he turns back to the woman beside him.

   "Tuya," he whispers once more, "by the kindness of Kala, please rise from your meditation: we need you to join us."

   "Br...brother?" the woman asks with a raspy voice, turning to the man by her side, "Brother, how long has it been?"

   "Too long," he responded joyfully, "but now you are back, you can join us for the food and water you need - Kala will not mind you leaving your meditation for a short while."

   "I..." she started, her head moving about erraticly, though her eyes still closed, "I do not need to: my prayers have been answered. You were right, brother: I do not need sight, because there is a reason. I cannot see, but I now...know what is happening around me."

   "Know, child?" the man inquires, "What do you mean?"

   "I cannot explain," she replied, "I still cannot see, yet I know that the good captain is before me, his sword hand over his knee."

   "By Kala!" explaimed the captain, falling over in his surprise.

   Rising with the woman in his arms, the druid starts to leave her to the door out of the temple. As he helps her to walk, he speaks: "Truly this is a miracle, and I am sure you have much to tell us, but I suspect you are too weak to: let us get you a large cup of sweet wine, and a feast to make up for all your missed meals - you can tell us once you have your strength back."

   After much eating and drinking, the elf-maiden turns her face towards the druid and meets his smile. Taking one final sip from her cup, she clears her throat and speaks in a joyous voice, as sweet as song.

   "While I meditated," she began, "I came to realise that I did not have the use of my eyes, but I could focus my mind to make up for it. By focusing so fully upon myself, in deep meditation, I hoped that I would learn to percieve my surroundings: I succeeded. However, I sense that I am not only percieving them, but they are somehow actually in my mind: as if I can 'hold' things with thought, or otherwise interact with them."

   "Your new 'sight' is a great blessing, child," he began gently, "perhaps you have indeed been given other gifts. If your meditation opened this to you, I suggest you focus on what you need to do, and perhaps in time, it too shall happen. No need to rush things: you are still young. However, you should rejoce for now: your deepest desire has been fulfilled, albeit in a way no one could have expected, and we should now give thanks to the great Lady."

   "I do, brother," she added sweetly, "but now I would like to wander the forest again, that I can 'see' it: there was such beauty before, I cannot imagine how lovely it would be to see."

   With a giggle, she walks to the door and lets herself out of the room.

   "May Kala watch over you, child," Brother Meres said as she was closing the door.

   Wandering the forest in awe, Tuya drank in all she sensed around her: from the great trees, to the smallest of leaves upon the ground. So engrosed in the new sensations, she payed no heed to the sounds around her. A twig snapped, then another; the elf-maiden did not react. Two men in chain mail approach her, one from either side: it is not until they come out from behind the trees that their presance is noted.

   "Wh...who are you?" she asked nervously.

   "It matters not, girly," was the gruff reply, "come quietly, and we'll sell you to a buyer who is not known for cruelty."

   "Slavers! Stay back, creatures of Biin!" she commanded, weekly.

   Though some distance from the two men, she swipes with one of her hands instinctively. Suddenly, one of them raises a hand to his cheek, looks at the woman, then shakes his head before advancing upon her.

   "He felt it," she muttered to herself.

   Somewhat stunned by the reaction of the man she surely could not have hit, Tuya wondered if perhaps she had struck out with more than just her hand. Remembering the words of the druid, she resolved to focus her mind: focus on hitting the advancing human. 'Feeling' herself strike out, Tuya takes a step back in shock: he was no longer advancing, rather he was doubling over, holding his side as he roared with pain - a grimace spreads across his face.

   Seeing her chance, the elf-maiden came to a crouch as she stretches out her hand towards the whip. Like a serpant, it slithers along the ground to her, before leaping up into her hand, which clasped around it tightly. Quickly rising to her feet, Tuya cracks the whip in the air before speaking again.

   "Begone, foul slavers: return to your nation!" she commanded. "I pray Kala deliver you to the justice of Grans, Prah or even Noot before you make it home. Leave me be!"

   Sharing glances of utter amazement, the two men begin to back away slowly, then lose their nerve and run off screaming into the night.

   The commander of the temple guard was again reclining in his chair when there was a knock upon his door. When Tuya entered, he was rather surprised, and quickly places his feet on the ground as he politely rises to greet her.

   "Fair lady, it is good to see you are well again," he stammered nervously, "how may I assist you?"

   "Good captain," she cooed, "I need to leave here, but I cannot travel in these tattered rags: would there be a spare uniform around here I could have?"

   "Of cause," he quickly responded, "We keep penty of spares: surely there shall be something about which could fit you. Tell Mannebo to outfit you: he would be in the mess hall about now. May Kala watch you on your journey!"

   "Thank you, good captain. Oh, and there are slavers from Biin near the temple: you should tell your men to keep an eye out for them."

   Before Captain Khuyt could respond, she was closing the door behind her with a grin upon her face, then carefully she makes her way through the gardens towards the ranger's mess.

   The sun shines brightly over Grans Island, as a new day dawns. Temple guards wander the grounds contented, gardeners tend to the plants, and the smell of freshly prepared food permiates through the wind. Standing in the center of the garden of the Temple of Kala on Grans Island is the elf Tuya. Wearing the heavy brown trousers, leather boots and gloves and light leather jerkin of the temple guards, with a Kalan sunburst etched above the left breast, she ties the whip she used the previous night to her belt, and breathes deeply: this place had become her home, but now she needed to leave. Touching her hair, she does not seem too sure with what she had done the night before: having taken a knive to her golden locks, they now only hung as far as her shoulders. As she already said her goodbyes, Tuya steps out of the temple gates, and begins her journey east.

   As she travels along the road to the port of Qis, her mind wanders to what her purpose is: why is she on Temmarendil? Why would she be born on Grans Island? Why would she be born blind, and now 'see'? As for this urge to travel, what could the reason behind it be? Tuya felt as if something was pulling her towards some predefined destiny, an ultimate fate, but where this may lie she could not tell. More importantly, where did she need to go? She felt drawn towards Lyndret, but she knew it to be a large place - her destiny may lie anywhere there. A shadow was creeping through her mind, a nameless fear; something that must be met before her destiny can be revealed, yet something she would rather never know. That demon shall be met in the future: for now, she knew she had to work out how to get to Lyndret.

   The only way off the Island was to take a boat, and the only port is the old city of Qis: she would have to find her passage there, somehow. Walking the road as the thought about the future, she hardly noticed the day progressing: before she knew it, afternoon had rolled around, and Qis was a short distance in front of her. Already the strong smell of fish was overpowering, and turned the elf's stomache, as she was unused to it. Walking through the stone arch that made the city gate, her mouth hung open as she percieved the buildings. A maze of streets, lined with large buildings constructed in all manner of off designs, it was like nothing she could ever imagine, having grown up in a small village.

   Wandering the streets without any real idea where she should be heading, or even where she was, her senses were buzzing: all manner of smells she did not recognise, the taste of salt on the air, a constant hum of sounds - from people, animals, carts, and an eerie wind whistling through the older buildings. Then there were 'sights' beyond her wildest dreams; she could sense more people around her at any time as she walked than she had ever met at once before in her life. Children ran through the streets playing, merchants haggled with customers, sailors swaggered to their favourite tavern; and one figure, a human man, hung in the background, trying to not be seen.

   Focusing on this figure, Tuya began to get worries: what sort of person would act in this way? Was she safe? Should she hide? As she pondered this, he drew closer, ever closer. As her heart crept up to her throat, he passed. Sighing in relief, she soon drew back again in shock as he drew a knife. Sneaking up to a man haggling with a spice merchant, he quickly cut the man's purse strings, scooped the full pouch into the palm of his hand, and began to walk away.

   With an almighty crack, everyone stopped what they were doing, and looked at the sight in the center of the street: an elf-maiden held a whip out before her, the other end wrapped around the wrist of a human man, who was suddenly sweating, despire the coolness of the day. Reacting to the sound, a couple of the town guard came rushing down the street, spears at the ready, calling for the croud to part. When she could sense them near her, Tuya spoke.

   "Iye'i meh hotep," she greeted, "good guards, this man has been stealing. Look in his hand: he has a purse that belongs to the man in the large hat."

   Upon these words, the man dropped the purse from his hand, which chimed upon hitting the ground. No sooner did a few golden coins drop out of it than another man cried out.

   "Thief!" he screamed as he stepped out from the croud, "the elf speaks the truth: that is my purse!"

   Retrieving his stolen money, the man nodded for the guards to take the theif away. Taking off his hat, he then gave Tuya a gentle bow as she wound her whip back up. In thanks for her assistance, he places a few coins in her free hand as he speaks to her.

   "Thank you for your help," he begins, "you must be seeking passage on a ship: that is the only reason elves come to Qis these days. If you follow this road, you'll find the docks. May Mesalae watch over you!"

   With that, he bowed again, replaced his hat upon his head, and went back about his business. Taking the man's advice, Tuya followed the streets to the docks, then walked to the fatherest boat on the advice of the harbour master. Handing the captain the coins she had been given earlier, she ensured her safe passage: once the tides were right, the boat sailed off, around the island, then northwesterly; to Azuron.

   The winds were favourable as the boat sailed across the sea of Azuron to the Forgotten Fortress, though Tuya was quite unaware of this as as she spent her time meditating; for two whole days she sat by herself, thinking about her journey, not sure what would await her. Breaking her fast in the morning of the third day, she stood on the deck, waiting for the ship to dock. Once they were secured to the port, she carefully made her way back to land, before entering the city proper. If Qis was impressive, this bussling metropolis is beyond description. Even the smallest street has more people in it than the the major roads of the smaller port, and the ever prominent structure of the Fortress itself towers to the north of the city.

   As she was exploring the vast expances of the eastern quarters of the city, finding smells and 'sights' she could not comprehend, Tuya realises that people constantly watched her: as if there were something strange about her. Sure that she cannot be that foriegn to the people of this port town, she resolves to get to the bottom of this. As she entered the large open square in the center of the city, she noticed an armoured man standing at the edge of the markets. Assuming he must be of the city guard, she speaks to him.

   "Iye'i meh hotep," she politely greets, "good sir, could a stranger to these shores trouble you with a question?"

   "Most certainly, young lady," he replies soothingly.

   "I have noticed people keep staring at me," Tuya observes, "what is it about me that makes me so unusual?"

   "That is quite simple," he chuckles, "there are no elves native to Azuron. Indeed, the only elf they could possably have seen any time recently would be Lord Elric - he passed through the city on his way out yesterday."

   "Elric...Elkarson?" She inquires.

   "Yes, do you perhaps know him?" The man queries.

   "Oh, not personally, but I did not know Mormeshah was here," the elf replies shyly.

   "Mor Mesha? I am not familiar with that," he mutters as he shuffles his feet cautiously.

   "It means the commander of the army: it is his title by birth. He is also Im'chey: revered one - the Champion," she lectures, as if teachning a small child about something they should already have known.

   Visably relaxing, the man continues: "Clearly you are one of his people. If you wish to see him, I would imagine he would welcome news from home when he returns."

   "No," she quickly replies, "I could not speak with Mormeshah: I am a simple village girl, and would not know how to act. I feel like I should be somewhere else now anyway: thank you for your help, good sir. I must be off."

   "Honour and respect," he calls to Tuya, with his right hand clenched over his left breast, as she nervously wanders into the croud; it is not until this unusual salute that she begins to wonder if she had just been speaking to one of the Knights of the Forgotten Order she had heard defend Azuron.

   At about midday, Tuya finds herself at the south gate from the city, and starts to wander along the road, hoping to find a clue as to where she should be heading. Walking as if in a trance as she was thinking about where she should go, she barely notices the time go, and is taken aback when she sees the sun setting. Looking about, she spots a small forest not far down the road. Making haste for it, she wanders, seeking a safe place to stay the night.

   "It is rare for anyone to enter my home," calls a voice, "let alone another elf."

   As if appearing from nowhere, a tall male elf strides forth to greet Tuya. Kissing her upon the hand, he invites her to see the night out in the safety of his hut. Knowing deep down that she would be safe with this stranger, she accepts. Following him through the forest, she observes that the trees here are exceptionally healty: as strong as the trees at the heart of the Great Forest of Nefer. Flowers of all descriptions line the path they follow, and as the hut draws closer there was a steady increase in fruit-bearing plants. Collecting a basket of fruit from a table outside of the hut, the man welcomes Tuya to his home, and invites her to take a seat.

   As the night draws on, Tuya is amazed to find herself speaking to this stranger as if he were a old friend. She tells him of her blindness, of her time in the temple and how the learned to percieve her surroundings. She explained her ability to make things happen with thought, and how she felt drawn to a distant land.

   "The problem is," she sighs, "that I have no idea where I need to go. In my bones, I feel I should seek this land, but Lyndret is a large place."

   Chuckling to some private joke, the man replies: "Seek you say? Why not try the land of seekers? Ystradd, in the south-west of Lyndret, is protected by The Seekers. I know that may seem silly, but what do you have to lose? You have to cross the continent just to get there, and if you will ever know when you find what you seek, you may feel that on the road; if not, and Ystradd is not where you need to be...well at least you've narrowed it down a lot."

   "How would I find my way to Ystradd?" She asks, after contemplating the stranger's opinion.

   "If you follow the road by this forest southwest, you'll soon come to a village: many merchant caravans leave there for Khanduras - I shall give you money to pay for your journey. In Khanduras, someone shall surely be able to give you directions to Ystradd: I do not know the way well enough to direct you better."

   As he places some heavy coins in her hand, Tuya finds herself barely able to stammer her thanks.

   As the sun rises, the man offers to help Tuya find her way to the road again. Gladly accepting, he asks her to tell him about her island home as they walk. More than happy to do him this small favour, she tells all the news she can, though she quickly realises how little she knows of events away from her village home and the temple. When they again reach the road, he removes his hat and gives his best wishes.

   "Ankh, wedj', seneb," he whispers.

   Standing there stunned, she was unable to respond. Again he kisses her on the hand, then returns to the forest as he replaces his hat. Just before he completely vanishes, Tuya finds the breath to utter a single word: "Mormeshah!"