Isiltelpë shone brightly, looking at it's reflection in the pure lake Aelin. The gray clouds were drawing near the moon, threating loss of light for a short period of time. Black wind howled through the forest, scattering dry leaves which was laying on the ground. If you listened carefully, you could hear someone approaching. The wind howled, making it's way between the naked trees. Sound of leaves rustling under someone's feet was rather disturbing. All alone in the dark woods and you can only hear a scary sound of...something. Softly, a white paw stood on a stick, which under the weight of the animal, broke in two halves.

A female white lupine, stood there peacefully, observing the lake. Piercing black eyes observed the lake slowly, like they're looking at every inch of the lake. The lupine closed her eyes and howled, raising her head a bit. She was slowly opening her eyes, when her ears moved, listening carefully. Far away, somewhere deep in the forest a wolf responded to her message. He was saying "This is territory of the Kyros clan. You are not welcome in here." Lupine just smiled to herself and walked closer to the lake. Her white fur danced on the wind while her black eyes looked suspiciously at the water. In her left paw you could see an old oak staff. It had some kind of runes written at the top. It was just her name carved in the wood. Tyrande.

Tyrande Starseeker, that was her name. The name which all the tree and all the birds in forests of Ered Annon knew. She has wandered those forests many times, always helping animals in need and talking to lonely trees. Talking with trees and animals brought her nothing but good. She learned how to speak Entish, how to become a healer, she learned a lot about humans and other races. Many people would be astonished with the knowledge trees posses. One day, a crow brought her a sad news. Her two adult sons, were killed by humans. She never liked human race and this has just increased her hate for the human race. Good in her heart, careful to all living beings, except humans. Her two beloved sons, Lycaon and Rylane, were trapped and killed. The humans, wanting to repel other wolves hang their dead bodies over the fence at the village entrance. But they couldn't evade revenge of a furious mother. As they would say, eye for an eye. Tyrande has gone berserker. She murdered two of the villagers and hang their bodies over the fence. She buried her sons beneath an oak tree, her favourite tree. She spent fifteen days in solitude. Deciding to go in the world, she said goodbye to all of her friends and walked into a new adventure.

Tyrande grabbed water into her paw and took a sip. Water was cold, but pure and Tyrande felt refreshed. She put her staff besides her and started drinking the water. But then, she heard a voice. "Tyrande...Tyrande..." The voice called. It sound like some old person was calling her, but the voice sounded familiar to her. She slowly stood up and picked up her staff. She turned around swiftly, watching in direction where the voice came from. When she moved, her gray cloak flew around her and she called through the night. "Who goes there? Reveal yourself!". The moon hid behind the clouds and a voice from the darkness sighed "She doesn't even recognize the voice of her old friend..." Tyrande remembered. A big, honest smile appear on her face. She rushed into the woods and suddenly stopped. She harked waiting for the voice. The moon appeared again. A ray of light lighten up a tree before her. She smiled and said "So here you are Bregalad." The tree before her slowly opened it's brown eyes. "How did you know I am here?" Bregalad forced a smile, even tough after 10 years of silence it was quite difficult. Tyrande sat on the ground, causing many leaves rustling beneath the weight of her body. "You've always liked bright and sunny places."

The moon hid behind the clouds again. Tyrande and Bregalad talked until sunrise, when Tyrande got hungry. The sun was already high on the sky, calling the birds to sing, to welcome a new day. "Farewell my old friend. May leaves of your life tree never turn brown." She said, smiling kindly to Bregalad. Bregaland moved his branhces, he was standing in this position for hours. "You mean, my leaves. Farewell my dear friend." Tyrande walked slowly to lake Aelin again, leaving Bregalan. Bregalan stood there while watching her and after she was out of his sight, he slowly closed his eyes again and began dreaming the eternal dream.

A refreshing breeze blew from the north. Tyrande sensed taste of salt in the air, she looked at the lake and saw her reflection. She could see a middle-aged Lupine, with piercing black eyes and thick white fur. Tyrande did not like what she see. She wasn't happy anymore. She used to smile all the time, but now...she now didn't have nothing to smile for. She gazed into the sky, thinking where she could go. Her fur danced at the wind while she sadly gazed into the sky.

[ Finally some inspiration! This post isn't one of the best but still ^_^; I am sorry if there are many mistakes it is past midnight here so I am really tired. The topic title isn't one of the greatest, couldn't think of someting better XD ]

Arthur had been hunting this deer for half the day mostly because of the thinkness of the forest if he hadb een in his other form the hunt would have been over the second it started but he wanted hunt in his regular form. The deer stopped at the lake taking a drink. HE slowly approached his sword in his hand read to slice the deers neck. Then the deer looked around and bolted away in fright. Arthur jumped after it but it was long gone. HE turned around to what scared it an dhe saw a white wolf he cursed and said," Blasted wolf scared away my it's lucky I'm still in a good mood". He sighed and took a long drink from the Lake and looked up the wolf was still there this tiem looking directly at him and he said," What you want eat me or somethin if you try it will be the last thign you ever do on this earth". HE chcukled slightly and he said," The blasted thing doesn't understand you Arthur its an animal it can't understand the language of humans". He looked at and said," SHoo go back to your pack I got better things to do today besides being bothered by a wolf".

Tyrande heard someone approaching. Her eyes glanced at the other side of the lake. She saw a brown deer which was lowering its head and trying to drink the water from the lake. Tyrande smiled and talked to the deer in his language. The deer raised its head and stared at Tyrande. Then it just whispered 'I'm in danger.' and started bolted besides her, so the leaves on the ground started swirling in the air. Tyrande frowned and lowered her head to drink from the lake. She heard a rustling noise coming from the east. She slowly opened her eyes, grabbed her staff and stared at the woods.

A male human jumped out of the woods. The wind blew and her cloak started dancing on the wind. She frowned while she looked at the man. Trying to calm herself, she blinked and set her eyes on the horizon. She could hear the man mumbling something, but she wasn't even trying to understand it. But then, the man said something she could not ignore " SHoo go back to your pack I got better things to do today besides being bothered by a wolf".. She frowned and showed her sharp teeth to him. Tyrande growled "How dare you?! Who are you to speak to me like that? And I am not a wolf. I am a Lupine! ever saw a wolf walking on two legs, stupid human?" she stepped back, still showing her teeth.

She wasn't sure if the man is going to attack her. Tyrande didn't want to fight the human. She wasn't bloodthirsty, but still, the hate raged through her. A lupine from her pack said to her after Lycaon and Rylane were killed "Tyrande, there is no need to seek revenge. Everybody has to die, it was going to happen, sooner or later." When the voice told her that, she turned around to saw who was it. It was Rikun or how she called him "human-lover". Rikun often visited humans and admired them. Tyrande replied "You do not know how I feel. You cannot know how big is mothers love for her children. You cannot judge me nor tell me what could happen. I will tend to control my rage for humans. But my wild soul cannot be controlled forever." With those words, Tyrande created a new chapter of her life.

Tyrande growled at the human, waiting for his move. She was ready to defend herself, if he attacks. The wind blew once more and the dry leaves began dancing in the air.

[ Sorry it took so long to post XD ]

Arthur was suprised when the the wolf said she was a Kupine and he said," Forgive me I had no idea, I htought you couldn't understand me well because I thought you were just an animal forgive my assumption". He looked at her a little and then looked around and said," Iam Arthur my dear lupine I mean you no harm I only attack in self defense so no need to worry". He laughed a little and then said," Man I really meet some strange things in this world, vampire healers, angels, Half-Elves, and now a Lupine, what am I go run into next I wonder".

Takezo was wandering as he did most of his time, he chose to travel through the dense forests of the newly discovered realm of Arda, he had no map of the place and asked for no directions around even if he had encountered several human settlements around. Wandering aimlessly was way more interesting, he didn’t know what to expect ahead of him and also he would encounter new, strange, and even challenging things. He was on a constant quest of learning and the essence of his long journeys was nothing more and nothing less than learning, he learned from the ruffling leaves of the trees, from the whispering wind, learned from the blazing fire and all around which surrounded him. By studying the nature and the creatures living in nature he could improve his fighting skills and develop an unique, own fighting style. And above those all, the nature offered the best of the places where he could meditate without being interrupted, educate his spirit in the process, and get at peace with himself, how could one battle to one’s full potential if they are not at harmony with every bit of himself?

Dressed with his traditional clothes, very unusual for those parts of the world; with the katana at his side, he traveled through the forest, guided by a fresh breeze of air coming from a lake. If it was a lake, perhaps it could offer him food and water, he had nothing better to do than go to investigate the opening, and its lake.

Big was his surprise when he saw a man chasing a deer and trying to kill it with a sword, the man looked human, but wasn’t a hunter either, he didn’t manage to get the deer killed, and the way he was trying to do it just brought an offense to the whole forest. The ‘hunter’ was heading towards the lake too as it seemed, so Takezo decided to follow him, but remaining at a safe distance from where he could watch everything without being spotted, and jump into a hiding place if he needed to.
The sight of the lake would soon reveal before his eyes into the distance, along with the man who had lost the deer, no doubt that he was not a hunter, and probably the nature had frowned upon him already. What surprised him even more was the other creature who seemed to be already at the lake, it looked like a large bipedal wolf and she had the ability to talk. Takezo was simply in awe, he never ever encountered a creature like that before and missed to read tomes or books about this particular race.

He approached cautiously, by the way the lupine female sounded she seemed to have a certain hate for humans, he was a human himself and hoped that will not end up fighting with this creature.

“You have brought an offense to the nature! I do not think it is the right place to be right now, sir!” Takezo spoke out loud, for the first time, coming into sight, both the lupine and the human male could see him now, with his left hand holding the sheath of his sword closer to his hip. He was dressed in a skirt-like pants of a very extravagant color, a dark shade of orange not fit for blending with the nature very well during summer or spring, he could take his chances during falls, not like he was some sort of ranger or a thing of sorts. He approached anything directly, stealth and striking from behind wasn’t something to his liking and went against his code of conduct.

A soft nod was given to the lupine female as in acknowledgement of her presence there, if he could he would like to have a conversation later with this interesting creature. He didn’t look like meant any harm.

Arthur turned around as the man sopke his sword spinning in his hand. He did not smile because the man said he had offened nature but he said in a calm but deadly tone," Watch your tongue in these woods stranger, I offend no one by huntign with the sword because if I hunted in my dragon from then I would offend nature because one who is not a dragon should not hunt as one unless starving or near death". He did not lower his sword the man had kindled an anger he tried to never let surface but he ehld it that flame oh that bright flame called to him.

Tyrande growled at Arthur. "You don't seem to posses great knowledge of Nature, do you? There are no white wolves carrying a staff and walking around on two legs." She looked the man with disgust. If you don't know something you should ask or at least not talk about it. A raven flew up high in the sky and looked down while spreading it's wings and floating on the breeze. It looked down and saw a white lupine standing opposite of some human. But there was something else that caught his eye. There was a man in strange robes not far away from the lupine. He looked like he was just watching and meant no harm. He was in a great position, lupine couldn't see him even if she moved few steps. Raven flapped his black wings and cried so the lupine could hear it. "There is a another human watching you, gaa-gaa, farewell my friend, gaa-gaa." With that, the raven flapped his wings once more and continued gliding on the breeze.

Tyrande was still staring at the human, she still didn't believe him. He stated who he is and Tyrande looked like she was calming down. "It is better for you that you're not planning to attack. I don't know what I can do in a state like this. My name is Tyrande and I belong to the Starseeker clan." She wondered if the man is even going to know that lupines are organized into packs called "clans". This clan wore the name of her great-great-grandfather. He was famous for hunting and was very agile and quick. The Starseeker clan lived through many years, but then the humans banished them to the Ered Annon mountain trail. Her cloak waved in the breeze and she was still holding her oak staff in her hands ready to defense herself if needed.

Her eyes looked up, she saw a black raven, maybe one year old which was probably looking for a mate. The raven cried and Tyrande's ears perked in curiosity. She frowned when she heard there is another man hiding near her. Tyrande looked at her left, to the woods near Arthur. Her eyes observed every bush, every tree carefully, trying not to miss anything. Her eyes flew to Arthur, she raised her nose and smelled the air carefully. The breeze blew from Arthur to her, north - south, and she could only smell the stench of Arthur. It was lucky for the man that the wind didn't blew from east to west.

Arthur was saying something, but she payed no attention, she was worried 'bout the man the raven told her. 'Maybe the raven was lying. No, animals are too noble to lie. And what for?' This was worrying her, she never fought an equipped human before and she wasn't sure how she feels at the moment. Suddenly, a voice interrupted her daydreaming “You have brought an offense to the nature! I do not think it is the right place to be right now, sir!”

Tyrande growled at the human and looked at him carefully. He wasn't a villager. Nor a citizen. He wore strange robes, dark orange and he had a strange looking sword next to his hip. Tyrande has seen only longswords. He looked like he meant no harm, but Tyrande never trusted anyone. She looked at the human, observing him more carefully, he had athletic built and long black hair waved on the breeze. His brown eyes look at her. They seemed so pure and Tyrande was now sure this man meant no harm. He gave her a soft nod. She nodded him back and you could see a slight smile appearing on her lips.

But then, Arthur spoke. Tyrande looked at him suspiciously. She didn't get a feeling that Arthur was a trustworthy man. When he finished with threatening to the man in orange robes Tyrande growled at him. "Silence, human! This man looks peaceful to me and you have no right to talk to him on this way. I agree with you, you can't forgive defilers of the forest, they who desecrate the forest peace should be punished! If you do not behave, I can bite your head off to silence you."

Of course, Tyrande was just trying to scare Arthur. But he didn't know that. She found something interesting about the man in the orange robes, tough she couldn't figure out what. Maybe it was his clothes? Or the look in his eyes? Either way, she wanted to talk a little more with this man and know him and his kind a little better.

She was absolutely enjoying the breeze that was in the air that morning. The warmth of the sun was breath-taking, almost hypnotizing, and you could sense it`s magic especially good if you were - flying.

Annai was making her way through the clouds without making a sound. Her huge, blue wings allowed her to move imperceptibly through the air. However, the dragon kept observing the area beneath her carefully. No, she wasn`t hunting, but she certainly was looking for some company.

Suddendly, just as she was passing by the Lake Aelin, Annai spotted an interesting group of creatures. From what she was able to notice, there were two humans and a white wolf. No... Actually, it wasn`t a wolf. As she alighted a bit, the dragon understood it was actually a lupine. However, Annai was still flying high enough so they wouldn`t notice her. "You never know who`s your friend and who isn`t." she thought.

The dragon`s intentions were to just keep on flying around, but something told Annai she should land down and see what was going on. It wasn`t quite usual to see this kind of group so early in the morning, and besides, she naturally was a curious creature.

Annai started flying towards the ground, so it was possible the group down there already noticed her. Finally, she landed down on the lake`s shore and sent everyone a kind of threatening, but at the same time a curious look. "I have to say I`m slightly surprised to see this kind of group in these hours..." she said.

Arthru shook his head and said," As I have said I desecrate nothing one should not hunt as something they are not Iam in human form therefore should hunt as one besides I have no arrows or bow with which to hunt so how shall I eat but without the sword". Just the Arthurs dragon senses kick in as he felt a Dragon approaching but as he got ready the dragon landed. Arthru fell down and said," Blood and Bloody Ashes name hunting and the thing you hunt comes straight to you, Goddes of Light shelter me from stupidity and arrogance". He looked at the dragon and coudl tell it was ice but he drew his sword anyway. The dragon said something and Arthur answered in Dragons Tongue," We are no group mighty ice dragon these people I have only just met one scared my supper and the other dared to insult that I desecrated the forest, Iam not a descrater but a person who needs food and what should a person hunt with if he has not but a sword". He then said in regular tongue," Dear Ice dragon you are very bold to come in to a place such as this among people that may slay you on site, I myself would as Iam a dragon slayer, but I made an oath only to kill evil dragons so I cannot slay you until I know that you are either evil or good".

Annai turned her attention to the man as he spoke, her blue eyes glancing at his sword. She smirked in annoyance. "I think the best thing for you to do would be to put that sword down. I have not come here to attack... Unless I`m attacked first." she said. She could have expected this; men were always suspicios about something. But then again, maybe this one was just trying to prove he was brave, skilled or whatnot. Annai definately didn`t plan wasting her time on such people.

She smirked slightly. "Bold?" she laughed. "I do not fear people nor their swords. I do not fear dragon slayers... I`ve met many of them in the past but as much as you can see, I`m still pretty alive." Annai replied. The dragon`s eyes flashed as the men she was talking to said he was one of them, and then started laughing as he asked if she was evil or good. "Evil, good, evil, good... What difference does it make?" she smirked. "Both evil and good creatures murder and steal, they all act as if they own this whole place." she said, milling the ground with her huge, strong tail. Annai`s eyes flashed once again. "They`re all the same. And just to let you know, you couldn`t kill me even if you wanted to."

Arthru laughed a little and said," I am sorry dear ice dragon but it is a promise I made so I must keep it I can't kill you since you do not seem to be evil it was a promise I made to the Lord of the Dragons as such I always keep a promise when I make it". He bowed to the ice dragon and said," Iam known as Arthur Pendragon among humans and as Nar'Vaeg by dragons. Iam son of Dar'Vaeg may I ask the pleasure of your name great one".

Takezo perked a brow slowly at the reactions of Arthur towards him, unfortunately he could not understand this man, what he was, what he was trying to prove or what exactly was he talking about. He shook his head slightly, a few locks of hair playing before his face, though he caught the sudden change in the lupine’s facial expression, and also her smile with the corner of his eyes, as his vision was still mostly focused on this man. He blinked a few times, as he was harder and harder trying to understand the man before him, Arthur addressed him in a not so appropriate way, he did not insult him and expected not to be insulted in return either. “If you wish to measure your sword with mine in a battle then say so, but I won’t accept you insulting me.” Said Takezo, a small frown displaying before onto his face, but it soon disappeared as he was trying to maintain himself calm and collected, and not cloud his mind with anger, that would do him no good, and also he fought better while calm. His train of thoughts and words would be soon interrupted as another creature made her presence known into the area, it was a dragon, like Takezo had never seen before. This certain ice dragon was nothing close to any of the dragons which wander the empire of Rokugan. He couldn’t help but gaze at her for a few seconds, before his eyes would focus once more on this man who called himself Arthur, he opened his mouth again, and again Takezo couldn’t understand the sense he was trying to make, and why did he like to threaten anyone that came close to him. Now he was threatening the dragon, claiming to be a dragon slayer, the next second he was bowing to the creature and acting completely different.

Takezo was literary speechless for the time being, he further continued to assist the conversation between the dragon and the other man, and to her last words he nodded in agreement. He shared the thoughts of the dragon entirely, she did look like a wise one nevertheless.

His left hand stroked the hilt of his katana a few times, it was a habit of his just to make sure the sword was still to his side, and if Arthur wanted to shut his mouth himself, then a useless duel would occur. Takezo was not one to run from the fights, so he would stand and face him, if he had to.

Annai kept up looking at the man with disgust. What was he playing at? First threatening, yet now bowing in front of her and introducing himself. So pathetic. "My name is Annai." she said and turned her attention to the Lupine and the other man. "Excuse me for this outburst of mine. I hope I`m not interrupting or something, I`ve just been passing by." she said with a slight smile. Annai nodded towards the Lupine and the other man there in a friendly way.

She had always been a kind of adventurous and curious dragon. Annai would usually just fly around Arda and enjoy meeting new creatures. She has spent half of her life alone, with no family.

Annai still remembered the day her mother was killed. They were just lying there, in their nest, when a group of people came up. Her mother was afraid they were going to hurt Annai, so she instinctively attacked them. Of course, it resulted with the dragon`s death, so Annai was left alone to take care of herself.

She escaped that day, but there had been a huge amount of hate towards humans inside her ever since. Annai knew the reason for hating them wasn`t exactly sufficient, but she couldn`t help it. However, the dragon had been trying to control these feelings and act towards others as normally as possible. But, when Arthur threatened her so directly, the day her mother was killed came back into her memory.

However, Annai shrugged off those thoughts and looked back at the creatures she was surrounded by. The Lupine and the other man seemed to be friendly, and she didn`t care much for Arthur. If he doesn`t attack her first, she will do no moves. But, Annai was so able and ready to defend hereself in case the man tried to do something. So it would be better for him not to.

Arthru said," Forgiev of my rudeness I often forget my manners in places where people are rarely seen, I did not expect people in these woods so that woudl expalin my rudeness, forgive me and accept my humbel aplogy". He the looekd at the dragon and said," It is ncie to meet you Annai I must say you are by far the prettiest dragon I have met and I have met many a pretty dragon". He laughed a little and bowed and then turned to the other man and said," Forgive my insult if I did I did not mean it I often let my tongue leave me, I try to be honorable but my tongue and ego get in the way I fear, Iam becoming more like the the evil that I hunt than I want to become, it happens to everyone we foten becoem like the things we hate or hunt, Iam sorry you will have to forgive me, I am only who Iam, I can be no more, I can be no less".

[ No offense Arthur, but you really need to work on your spelling and grammar. ]

Tyrande stabbed her staff slowly into the ground. The staff sinked softly into the ground. Tyrande still wasn't feeling safe completely. She was sure Takezo won't harm her, but Arthur on the other hand. He said that he didn't desecrate the forest, that he was in his human form...Tyrande blinked, slightly confused. Human form? Is there a possibility that one can change forms? She has heard of creatures called "shapeshifters". They could change their appearance, but she wasn't sure if they strength or speed would increase. Tyrande tried to listen what Arthur was saying, but she couldn't. She would hear him saying, but it seemed his words weren't reaching her. Tyrande calmed down. Still ready to defense herself, but she didn't feel the rage she was feeling few moments ago. She just couldn't control her feelings. The loss of her sons was devastating for her, she couldn't believe she had no family, once again.

Tyrande smelled the air. She felt a new creature approaching. It seemed it was a dragon. Second later, a dragon landed near Arthur. Tyrande's eyes flew observing the newcomer. The dragon sent her a threating but at the same time curious look and Tyrande looked deep into dragon's eyes. This dragon maybe was old in human years, but it was still a young dragon. The dragon spoke and Tyrande was now sure it meant no harm. Tyrande wanted to introduce herself, but then Arthur started talking on some strange language. Tyrande has never met a dragon in person, she has seen dragons, but every time she would ran away because the dragon had no knowledge of Adunaic, Sindarin nor any other language she could understand. Arthur then threatened to the dragon on common tongue. Tyrande frowned, but decided not to interfere. The dragon's response was calm but still harsh. When dragon talked about good and evil people, Tyrande nodded in agreement. She never thought of anyone as good or evil. There is a bit of malice in goodness and a bit of good in malevolence. Tyrande tend to grow her good sides while trying to control the malice in herself. But often, she couldn't hold the rage she felt on that day, 3 years ago, when her sons were killed. She will never forgive that to human race, but her rage might decrease in time. As said, 'Time heals all wounds.'

Tyrande was now more confused how Arthur acted. A minute ago he was threatening to the dragon and now he was bowing to her and apologizing for his behaviour. The dragon's name was Annai and she kindly apologized for her outburst. Annai smiled to Tyrande and you could notice a smile at the corner of Tyrande's mouth. Arthur apologized once more and started talking again. Tyrande couldn't make sense from the words he was saying. She sat down on the ground and if she haven't had a cloak you could say she was an ordinary wolf. Her cloak was now touching the ground and her oaken staff was laying in front of her. She smiled to everyone and said in her normal voice, which was very deep and seemed like it echoed through the forest. "I am sorry for my behaviour before. You see, humans have done to me something that can't be forgiven." she let herself a soft sigh and her eyes gazed to the lake. She could saw her reflection in the lake, big black eyes filled with sadness, white fur fluttering on the breeze. She could see her two sons standing next to her. They were smiling to her and reaching to her with their paws. Tyrande softly touched the water with her paw and the picture in the lake became blurred and slowly disappeared.

"I am called Tyrande Starseeker and I come from deep forests beneath Ered Annon's mountain trail." she let a soft smile appear on her mouth.

Annai shook her head at Arthur`s words. "Doesn`t matter." she said and then turned back to the Lupine. The dragon could sense the sorrow Tyrande felt; it could have been seen in her eyes. She sighed at the Lupine's words; humans have hurt her as well. Annai was wondering how many other creatures have been harmed by humans, and she felt the rage inside of her rising. "Control it, Annai, control..." she thought to herself.

She didn`t want to be nosey and ask what happened to Tyrande, so the dragon just sighed one more time. "It`s a pleasure to meet you, Tyrande. I come from the Ered Mountains as well... But it seems we haven`t met there before." Annai sais with a small, barely noticable smile. Her piercing blue eyes glanced over the area once again; the water was calm, completely calm, considering there was no breeze anymore. Annai could hear the birds sing louder and louder as the weather was getting warmer. The sun was already quite high on the sky and it seemed this day will be particularly sunny and warm.

Annai glanced at the man in the corner. He seemed to be of human race as well, but she truly hoped he meant no harm. He didn`t speak ever since she joined them, but however, the dragon didn`t want to push it. Annai sighed again and stretched her wings a bit, waiting for someone to speak.

Takezo maintained the same silence that had installed over him for awhile now, continuing to watch everything which was displaying before him, his light brown eyes wandering from a creature to another, now that Arthur didn’t seem a threat anymore, he relaxed a little. He came to the conclusion that this man was one of those who weren’t so wise and threw groundless threats at everyone’s direction, just to try and prove something as if in how great or powerful they were. For a second Takezo closed his eyes and sighed softly, he truly pitied Arthur, but still he couldn’t understand a thing from his behavior or from what he was saying, it seemed as if he was talking in an unknown language, or probably he just had a strange way of arranging his words in a speech. Soon, Takezo was studying once more the three creatures before him, from them all he felt to be the most simple of all, or better said the most common, one claimed to be able to change forms, the other was a lupine, and last but not least Annai was a dragon.

Then the dragon spoke, addressing to him and the lupine apparently, and she would be given a nod in return from the ronin as he said.“You are not interrupting anything, mighty dragon, you are free to be in my company for as much as you would like.” He only spoke for himself, as he couldn’t possibly know what the lupine female thought about that. Soon as he was done talking to the dragon, Takezo turned to Arthur who apologized to him, the apologies have been accepted though no words escaped his lips, and lastly his gaze turned to the furry form of Tyrande, he would have mistaken her for a wolf if she didn’t have that cloak and staff. From the look in her eyes and facial expression it seemed that he was not the only one who could not understand what Arthur was actually trying to say, that was a relief somewhat.

<<Annai and Tyrande>>, the two names were quickly imprinted into his memory before he realized that he was the only one left who didn’t say his name.

“My name is Takezo Miyagi, from the Rokugan Empire. It is a pleasure to meet you all.” He didn’t say anything about his affiliation with the Phoenix clan as it didn’t seem so important for the time being. It was really sad how humans were, and indeed Takezo could not deny the fact they caused so many troubles and destroyed the very world in which they live. Humans don’t know how to live in harmony with the nature and other creatures, he could feel the sorrow of Tyrande and also Annai seemed to share the same hate for humans, there was no doubt that humans had wronged to them. Takezo felt ashamed of his own race, and shook his head at the very feeling of his thoughts, perhaps he will be attacked by one or both of these two creatures, the dragon and the lupine just because he was a human, or he will be treated differently. But for the time being they showed no hostility and for that he was grateful. A good example of pure ignorance and arrogance was Arthur there, he shared the same traits with most other humans.

( Yeah I type to quickly and forget the grammar rules)

Arthur said nothing as he listned to the others speak and he wondered what he should do he could show them that he was Half-Dragon but that would be dangerous for him it could be construed as an attack so he just sat there and listned to them. He then said," Errod Mountains I was born their also under stranger circumstances than most, but still I was born their". He smield and said," It is not important though".

Tyrande snapped from her daydreaming when Annai spoke. Tyrande was trying to remember any dragon she saw while talking to the forests. Red dragon flying above her, white dragon flapping it's wings next to mountain's peek, yellow dragon trying to reach the sun, a crow telling her about her sons...All of these memories suddenly came rushing back to her. Tyrande tried to suppress these memories, but she couldn't. She looked at the lake once more and then frowned at her own reflect. "You need to be stronger Tyrande." her father used to say to her. That sentence carved into her mind, hearing it everyday, Tyrande started to loathe her own father. 'Why am I remembering you now, father?' she thought to herself. Then she shook her head and the memory of her father withdrew somewhere inside her mind.

"We haven't met, moreover, I haven't met any ice Urulókies while living in the forests. Maybe you saw someone from my clan. Have you seen any white or gray lupines around your area? Or maybe a red lupine...?" Tyrande asked the last question filled with hope, she looked at Annai eyes wide opened, eagerly awaiting her response. 'Maybe she saw him...no, she could not possibly...he left Ered Annon after that night...' She sighed to herself. Tyrande wanted to see him so much, even though he left her, without saying goodbye. He just sent her a message. She never hold a grudge for him because of that, she knew he couldn't left after seeing the look on her face.

Tyrande's eyes moved from Annai to the samurai, observing him carefully. He was talking fluently, without pauses or stutters like Tyrande. Tyrande learned human language from a pigeon Loma. Loma used to fly all the way to Lomedor, there he would inhabit in a park in search for food. When he flew to Ered Annon, Tyrande caught him and prepared for having her dinner when Loma spoke. He said something on human tongue, tongue Tyrande couldn't understand. She let him go and in return he learned her Adunaic. The man said he comes from Rokugan Empire. Tyrande gave Takezo a confused look. "I am honored to meet you human...Forgive me asking, but what is this 'Rokugan Empire' of yours?' Tyrande hoped she pronounced it correctly. Human language always seemed funny to her and she had problems with pronunciation. She smiled to Takezo, hoping she hadn't offended him, he seemed a good man, calm and stable. Either he was skillfully hiding his feeling or he was this calm, but Tyrande couldn't feel no anger nor fear nor any other feeling.

Tyrande looked at Arthur suspiciously and listened to what he was saying. Arthur, on the other hand, wasn't talking fluently like Takezo. He stuttered and talked different words than they were. Tyrande put her front legs down, so now she was laying on the ground, sweeping the ground with her tail. "It seems that we share the same birthplace. Ered Annon Mountain trail is famous for dragon nests and lupine clans. It is also known for beautiful pure forest, untouched by human race. But lately, I heard humans desecrating the forest. And that I shall not forgive them." She gazed to the sky. She saw the sun high in the sky, which shone brightly, saying that the day will be warm and bright. The birds on nearby trees were singing and talking between each other. A squirrel on a tree next to Tyrande was angry because someone took her nuts, a sparrow was flying to it's nest and feeding hungry children. There was no breeze, but still you could feel saltness in the air. Tyrande closed her eyes for a moment and then slowly opened them, giving Takezo a friendly look awaiting for his reponse.

Arthru smiled and said," I would not know what goes on in the mountains for I have not been there in a long timw, but you are right humans are desecraters, but they can be no mroe they can be no less, I fear that soon the human race shall take everything and the only ones with the sense to stop it have not the thing to stop it with, the only way to tame a human is with the sword".

He did not laugh this time and said," I fear humans have all gone down hill they were once civilized and had the same respect of nature as wolves and dragons did, but that tiem is long past". He sighed and said," Oh why did the Line of Pendragon fail why did the invaders have to come the world would have been so diffrent if the Line of Pendragon still ruled if King Arthur still lived to rule the world would have been a better and diffrent place for us all".

It was interesting how the three of them, Arthur, Tyrande and Annai all shared the same birthplace, what would the chances be, the Erred Annon Mountain. And again Takezo felt like an outsider, but the feeling didn’t mind him too much. Well from what he remembered he never visited that place before, and a sudden curiosity sparkled within him, but it soon disappeared as the man began to focus on other things, such as what the lupine female was saying. He didn’t know how those of her kind were called, but wouldn’t ask either, he might offend her and didn’t want that in any way, she already held a grudge and a strong hate for the human race and Takezo didn’t want that spilled out at him. His eyes continued to wander discreetly from a creature to another, mainly between the dragon and the lupine.

A soft smile crossed his thin lips as a reaction to Tyrande’s words, and he slowly nodded, she seemed like an honorable creature, one worthy of his respect, she lived in nature and knew how to communicate with it better than anyone, as if she was some sort of druid. Only if he could do that… for some reason he felt a strong call to nature, it offered him the best places in which he could clear his thoughts and prepare for a battle, if he had to.

The Rokugan Empire… When the female lupine asked about his place, a few bunch of images of his home realm began to display into his mind. Tyrande pronounced it pretty well, not one hundred percent correctly but was good for a first try, also taking in consideration that the Human tongue was not her native one. And no, he was not offended at all by the question. She talked about her birth place so why wouldn’t he do as well? Hearing of those mountains and he instantly felt like he should, at least once he visit it, figuring it wouldn’t be too far from here, perhaps his next destination will be the Erred Annon Mountain itself, he will head that way as soon as he will get some directions. But for the time being he wanted to linger more in the presence of these three creatures, and later maybe he will have the chance to know them better, and even learn more about them.

“The Rokugan Empire is situated very far away from these places, everything there is different, different creatures, different people, different laws and different views over life. Even dragons look differently there, nothing close to those from these parts.” With his last statement, his gaze switched from Tyrande to Annai, briefly trying to compare her with the dragons he had seen while he was still in his home realm.

Arthur spoke once more, talking about his family and legacy and about an unknown king to Takezo, he couldn’t actually believe a thing of what he was saying, a single man was not able to rule THE World as Arthur stated, and above all, the name of this king or his domination never reached the Rokugan Empire.

(( Arthur, what do you say about a little bit of punctuation? xD ))

Annai`s eyes were focused on the Lupine as she spoke. For the second time that day, the dragon could sense Tyrande lost someone of big importance to her, and she knew what if feels like. Unfortunately, the dragon never spotted the lupine Tyrande described, but however, Annai still could promise next time she flies up in the air, she will observe the area more carefully. "I am sorry to dissappoint you, my dear Lupine, but my eyes haven`t noticed the being you have described to me." she said with a sigh. "But I will look more carefully from now on.. If you wish."

She streched her huge, blue wings a little bit, and looked at Takezo. She smiled slightly. "Yes indeed, Tyrande, Arthur and me seem to be from the same part of Arda." Annai replied. Ered Annon Mountains... Such an exciting place. She absolutely loved it and felt extremely lucky to live there, even though a lot of people considered it dangerous. The dragon nodded at Tyrande`s words about people destroying the woods; she saw what they have done. And it made her feel even more angry with them. However, Annai looked at Takezo with a curious look on her face as he mentioned The Rokugan Empire; this was the first time Annai heard of it.

"Hm... Interesting. I`ve never been there." she spoke. "Seems like I`ve got another place to explore, and I honestly can`t wait to do that." the dragon winked. Having wings really was an advantage; you could see so many places without spending too much time. Even though flying was an exhausting thing to do, Annai thought it was much more easier than walking. She felt kinda pityful for all those who didn`t have wings, but then again, they must have gotten used to waking. However, Annai was still thankful she could fly.

Tyrande's set on Annai in eagerness. She hoped Annai saw him, then she would be sure that he was alive even though he left her. Unfortunately, she hasn't seen him. But Tyrande still firmly believed her beloved one was alive and safe, away from humans living his solitary life. Tyrande smiled when Annai kindly offered to look out for him. "I would appreciate that, my dear Annai. It would brighten my hope of him being safe." She didn't want to reveal who the lupine was, but this was the chance to ask if someone has seen him. Tyrande granted one soft smile to Annai, on that way thanking her for the offer.

Tyrande looked at Arthur in wonder. She could finally understand what he was saying. For a moment, Arthur seemed like he wasn't like other humans, but then he said something which made her laugh. "Human race will soon take over everything?!" Tyrande laughed. Her laugh was similiar to her voice, deep and rough. Her face become all curved up in anger. "They already have! On every path that nature made, stands a city! By every forests grove, stands a village! The desecrated sacred forests, and of its trees they made small houses and pitiful cottages! You see what lupines and dragons have done! They have retreated into the safeness of mountains, forests and other nature havens!" She showed her teeth again, looking at the ground while stabbing her claws deep in the ground and making a diagonal line.

Few minutes past and Tyrande's anger decreased. Tyrande's eyes switched to Takezo. He was smiling to her, maybe because she asked a funny question or something. He could see he was thinking about something intensively, probably about his hometown. Tyrande remembered the green woods where she spent most of her time, it was a little woods which she called "Taur"*. On sindarin, Taur meant "Great Forest". The forest wasn't big, but it was pure, peaceful and quiet. He spoke about his hometown. "Rokugan Empire? I like the sound of it. It sounds so...mysterious and secretive." Tyrande let a small smile cross her mouth. "Unfortunately, I have never heard of this Empire of yours. It seems like a really interesting land." Tyrande smiled to Takezo. She never heard of this land and she would like to visit it in near future. Annai also expressed desire to visit Takezo's hometown. Tyrande looked at her large wings, she was probably much, much more faster when traveling than her. Even though, Tyrande never got tired easily, Annai would probably already be on the goal.

Arthur spoke again. Tyrande calmed and tried to control her anger, she was sorry for the outburst of hers. He talked again about humans, particularly about the line of Pendragons, his family, and some human called "King Arthur" who ruled the world. 'How could a human rule the whole world? His name has not reached Ered Annon, I have never heard of him.' Tyrande thought, looking at Arthur, slightly confused. She tried to calm her anger, Arthur believed that a human ruled the whole world, which at the same time was making her angry and making her laugh. Tyrande smiled to Arthur as he was grieving for this "king". 'What a pathetic human. I pity you.' Tyrande thought, and that thought echoed in her mind for a second or two. Tyrande looked at Arthur, thinking about where he was raised and what kind of life he had to make him this stupid as she thought of him.

[ *I looked in a Sindarin dictionary "Taur" means "Great woods, forest", if it doesn't mean that, forgive me I trully didn't know. I am not a Sindarin nor Quenya nor Tolkien expert ^_^; ]

( I know I type to quickly and don't check for punctuation)

Arthru sighed and said," My dear lupine humans have not taken everything there are places that even humans fear to tread". He then looked at the strange man and said," I have never heard of this Empire you speak of ,but then again I have never left Arda though I may know of a few people who have".

He sighed and looked around and said," Its getting late are any of you hungry I can cook some nice fish for you I at least have the materials for that".

((@Arthur: You could review your writtings before posting them, it wouldn't be too hard since they are not so long))

Takezo had nothing else to do than listen the conversation between the others located there at the lake, he seemed to be a little out of the topic, they talked about humans and how they were ‘plaguing’ the nature. He didn’t know what to say or how to react anymore, he was a human, that fact he could not change, but what should he do? He shook his head softly, disconnecting from reality for a few seconds, falling in deep thinking stance, while Annai and Tyrande spoke to each other, it looked like a private conversation so he had no reason why he should interfere. The lupine seemed to look for another one of her kind, one with red fur, but Takezo himself couldn’t help her, he couldn’t give her any information as she was the very fist lupine he had seen in his whole life, and hopefully not the last.

A soft nod was given by the man to the words of both Annai and Tyrande which concerned his home realm. “Yes, it is a very nice place, one worth exploring no doubt, but I am afraid is very far and hard to reach. It will probably take you months, or even years.” He was very far from his home, he traveled for a few years before reaching Arda, choosing not to stay there and follow whatever his father was doing, and his grandfather before him and so on. They were a well-known family of samurais which balanced through centuries between being one of the most powerful families situated in the council of the empire, or in the services of a greater lord. His father was sentenced to death by his own lord after getting into a fight and killing the wrong person, he was forced to commit suicide, in the most dramatic and painful way. Takezo was still a child back then and had the bad luck of seeing his father die before his eyes, that day is one of the most remarkable days of his life and every time he remembered it still brought him painful memories. Since he was a child he used to do he always dreamed of becoming an adventurer and explore the whole world if possible, the reason why he embraced the rough path of a wandering warrior.

Thankfully, Arthur was starting to make sense, now Takezo was able to understand what he was saying. He felt eyes upon him, and instantly he turned his gaze to face the one of the other man; he didn’t expect any to of them to know anything at all about the Rokugan Empire and doubted than any of Arthur’s friends did, so it was all fine. Then Arthur said that he could cook for any of them in case they were hungry. To that Takezo wanted to laugh, he would really like to see how he was going to feed a dragon, probably with a whole lake of fishes, but he managed to control himself, so he would not cause more embarrassment to Arthur than he already caused himself. "No, I am fine, thank you!"

Tyrande sighed and looked into the sky. She was feeling a little sleepy. Talking all night long with Bregalan and now, instead of sleeping, she was leading not so interesting conversation. She just couldn't thought of anything to talk about with these creatures. Conversation with birds, bears and other forest animals were distressful, but during this conversation she felt insecure. She didn't know why though, she was now sure that Takezo and Annai didn't mean any harm. While her conversation with Annai, she glanced at Takezo, he looked like he was in deep thoughts. Tyrande was curious, what kind of thoughts are bothering him, but then Annai answered and their conversation resumed.

Takezo gave a soft nod to her and Annai. He then told that his hometown is very far from Arda and it would take a lot of time to travel to it. "I see." Tyrande looked to the ground. She was a little discouraged by Takezo's words but she still wanted to visit Rokugan Empire. From the moment she saw him, Takezo's clothes was interesting to her. "I have seen one of your kind...or someone told me about a man who was dressed like you. Some female villager addressed him as `samurai´. Now I am wondering. And I hope this one offend you, it is my last wish to make you feel angry or offended. Are you one of them? I heard that `samurai´'s are usually very bloodthirsty, revengeful and...evil." Tyrande spoke about the like they were a group. She smiled softly, while looking at Takezo, wondering if she has offended him on any way. She then turned to Arthur and said "Thanks for your offer, but no thanks." Tyrande wasn't really hungry.

Takezo was the first human Tyrande liked. He was balanced, calmed and he looked like he was connected to nature on some way. His bright colored robes reminded her of Dolphus. Dolphus was the red Lupine she asked about. He was her beloved one and also the father of her sons. He left her after he heard that his all family was murdered. Tyrande gave birth few days later. She sent all of her friends to search for him, but they haven't found him. Tyrande just wanted to know he was alive and safe. Dolphus was very mysterious, impassioned and spirited. She admired the strength of his will and the devotion to his family and beloved ones. Dolphus promised he we'll come back, but Tyrande was worried something happened to him or he didn't want to return to her after he heard about his sons death.

These memories made Tyrande look into the ground, hiding her sorrow. She sighed to herself and then raised her head. She looked into the sun and thought 'It is better for you to be okay Dolphus.' Tyrande then put her paw into the lake, around her paw, small waves began to form, which amused her for a short time.