Part Two: Into the Ruined Lands

[-1warrior]

As the companions traveled along, they began to hear a faint noise behind them. It slowly grew louder. Finally the companions turned about, to see a man striding towards them, humming a tune. "Well hello travelers" she said in a friendly tone "my name is Rolf."

(Jered, you're on)

[Metroknight]

Tuk steps behind Caesar's leg and peers out around the knee to look at the stranger. With a nod of his head, Tuk speaks softly

"The goodness of the sea be yours
The goodness of the air be yours
The goodness of the earth be yours
The goodness of the heaven be yours
May the Goddess bless you and yours"

while looking the human up and down.

[Jered Taikith]

Rolf looks for a moment at the silent man then looks at the Halfling and nods.

"This is a grim land...and dangerous. Only a moment ago I crossed paths with a wounded cougar. Did you...perhaps encounter it?"

[Metroknight]

A sigh escapes Tuk's lips as he leans his head against the back of Caesar's leg. A faint crying sound is heard coming from behind that leg and a moment later

"Goddess, make me brave for life: oh, braver than this.
Let me straighten after pain, as a tree straightens after the rain,
Shining and lovely again.
Goddess, make me brave for life; much braver than this.
As the blown grass lifts, let me rise
From sorrow with quiet eyes,
Knowing Thy way is wise.
Goddess, make me brave, life brings
Such blinding things.
Help me to keep my sight;
Help me to see aright
That out of dark comes light."

then arms wrap around Caesar's leg as sobbing is heard.

[Jered Taikith]

Rolf looks around a moment and then calls, "Raven! I'm over here!"

After a moment a slender woman with long black hair and gray eyes shows up and joins wolf. Her features are grim yet kindly. "Yes?"

Rolf says to the companions, "Might I ask a boon of you?" In my...journeys...I recently found Raven here traveling by herself. I agreed to escort her for a short time but I must return to my own duties. I know it is much to ask but...could you let her join you? I know that I am a stranger to you but I give you my word of honor that Raven is a worthy and true companion? What say you? Will you allow her to join your company?"

[Nightwulf]

"Of course we will let Raven join us on our travels"Caesar says to Rolf.He turns to Raven"That couger killed one of our group.We buried her this morning.Please do not speak of the animal."

[Jered Taikith]

Raven smiles at Caesar and says, "Thank you. I had no idea how dangerous this land was. I am truly sorry about your companion. Your grief is still about you."

Raven sinks to one knee and smiles kindly at Tuk. "I can't replace your companion gentle one but perhaps I can prove myself...in time. I would be in your debt if you were to accept me in your party."

[Jered Taikith]

Than Raven looks down for a moment and in a very soft yet clear voice she sings:

"We all come from the Goddess
And to her we shall return
Like a drop of rain
Flowing to the ocean..."

Raven pauses, then says to Tuk, "You are never alone."

[Metroknight]

Pulling face out of the back of Caesar's leg, Tuk looks around the armored knee to reveal a mud smeared face that has tracks of tears streaking his cheeks "You follow the Goddess? I don't blame the cougar for it was following it's instincts that the Goddess placed in it" then stutters "I miss my Sen" before sniffling and wiping his nose with his sleeve "If you wish to join us then the Goddess will bless our travels for she put you on our path for a reason".

[Jered Taikith]

Replying to Tuk's question, Raven says, "The Goddess is in all things that live and we are all woven together in Her."