Mendra rose before dawn with a feeling of dread. After her conversation with Amuril, she went straight to her room to pack the things she needed. She didn’t own much except for clothing and other necessities. Extra things such as books were always kept in her library. But one thing she could not bear to leave was the only thing she had to remember her mother.

Sitting upon her bed, she looked down at the silver ring in the center of her open palm, vines intertwining into a perfect circle. Mendra never wore it, afraid it would be lost or stolen, so she kept it in a locked silver box that she hid in a small compartment in her dresser drawer. Today was the first time in years that she had taken it from its hiding place. She needed her mother’s strength with her during the journey. Though she hardly knew Violia except for a few blurry memories when she was a baby, Mendra knew her mother was watching over her as she grew older, guiding her down the right path.

A knock upon her door pulled her out of her thoughts. Letting out a soft sigh she curled her fingers over the tiny ring and closed her eyes wanting it all to just disappear. Perhaps it was all a dream and she was still asleep in her cozy bed, waiting to wake up to another day of studies. Another knock sounded followed by a voice.

"Mendra? Are you awake?"

The voice brought a smile to Mendra’s lips. Opening her eyes, she slipped the ring upon her middle finger and rose. Today, she wore a simple dark blue robe with silver threading along the edges. The sleeves, more fashionable compared to other simple robes, billowed at the elbow as the excess material hung at her sides. Circling her waist was a simple leather belt. "Yes, Molaya."

As the door slowly opened, a young girl looking to be around the same age as Mendra, perhaps younger, poked her head inside. She looked quite solemn, though she tried to hide it with a smile. She eased into the room, pressing the palms of her hands against the door to shut it. Her brown curls hung over her shoulders, the shorter sides framing her heart shaped face. Mendra was never one to care for beauty knowing that she was already pleasant to look upon, and according to many others, she was indeed as beautiful as her mother. She would have loved to have Molaya’s fair looks. She looked more innocent than the temptress that Mendra appeared to be. At the moment, Molaya looked more lost than ever.

"Amuril told us the news. Do you really have to go?"

Mendra frowned sadly, raising her hands to her middle as she fiddled with the ring upon her finger. If only she didn’t have to go. But it was her duty. "Yes, Molaya, I must go."

The girl let out a sob and ran forward, her arms going around Mendra. She was a little shorter making it easier for Mendra to rest her head upon the top Molaya’s as she cried. She had loved this girl for so long, caring for her like a sister she never had but always wanted. Molaya always came to her when she had a problem, and any advice Mendra gave, she took without question.

"Promise you’ll come back? You will won’t you?" Molaya lifted her head, her wide golden eyes full of trust as they searched Mendra's.

The corners of Mendra’s lips lifted into a smile as she nodded, brushing away the tears from her friend’s cheek. "Of course I will come back. Don’t fret, Laya."

The girl hugged Mendra tightly, afraid of losing someone that meant so much to her. She made a small sound, rubbing her cheek against Mendra’s shoulder, her arms tightening. "I can’t help it. I love you and could not bare to lose you to death."

Mendra placed her hands upon Molaya’s shoulders and held her at arms length. Molaya let go, her eyes already beginning to become puffy from her tears and her cheeks moist. She wanted to make her understand. "Laya, stop this. Death will not take me. It is a simple task and I will have Ralith to protect me as well as Amuril. They wouldn’t let anything happen to me." If only it were that simple, she thought silently, but she could not tell Molaya that. It would only worry her more to know the true danger.

Molaya nodded, lowering her eyes, feeling as if she was just being scolded as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hands.

"You must be strong, Laya, be strong for me. I will return and when I do, I will tell you all of my adventures."

The young girl calmed at this. "You promise?"

"Would I tell you so if I did not?"

Molaya smiled, shaking her head as she embraced Mendra. "No Mendra, you don’t lie."

For a while, they did nothing but stand there in each other’s arms, both afraid of what was to come. Finally, they were pulled apart by another knock. "Lady Mendra?"

"Come in, Ralith."

The door swung open to reveal the tall young man. His blonde hair was cut short for the purpose of keeping it from his eyes and from letting the enemy grasp it’s strands when in close combat. Mendra knew he had matured quite fast during his training as a fighter. She remembered when he was even thinner than she, though he was still tall. She loved the wide blue eyed boy then and she loved him now. He was as much like a brother to her as Molaya was a sister.

"Amuril is ready for you to come to his quarters, Mendra." He spoke low, his eyes lowered to the floor. He felt honored at the task given to him to protect Mendra, but he wished it had been someone else. Ralith knew what lay ahead of them. He did not care to see his the woman he had loved since he was a mere child to be put in such peril.

"Thank you, Ralith. You will escort me?"

"Of course."

Mendra turned her attention back to Molaya and smiled tenderly. "Go in search of your father. Ask him if could be as kind as to take my things to the ground below and await us." She placed a light kiss upon the girl’s brow. "Take care, Laya."

The girl could do nothing but nod as Mendra made her way to Ralith leaving her in the room alone for the time being until she was to find her father.

As Mendra passed, Ralith followed closely behind her, the tips of his golden wings brushing the floorboards. They walked the wide planks around the tree village and across a bridge before they came to Amuril’s study, which was higher than most of the small houses. The sky was still dark; most of the village still slept soundly. Nothing was heard except the music of the forest.

Ralith stepped ahead of her and lifted his fist to knock upon the wooden door, but before it could touch, the door flew open. Amuril sat as his desk, beckoning them in.

"Come in, both of you."

When they entered, Amuril waved a hand and door closed with quietly. He shuffled through a few papers and scrolls before he rose, holding an old sheet of parchment in his hand. "I can not tell you all that awaits you, for I do not even know myself, but I will give you something to help."

He held a paper out to Ralith. The young man glanced down then accepted it He studied the different trails and sketches before lifting his gaze back to the elder. "A map of Talikar."

"Yes, my boy. You will be heading here," Amuril tapped on the map toward the bottom. "The Somber Forest."

Mendra sucked in a breath upon hearing that, bringing Amuril’s attention to her. "But that forest is cursed. You’ve surely heard the tales from the past. So many have entered, but they were never seen again. Are you sure the book is there?"

He turned his back to them, glancing about the cluttered room. "Sadly, it is. Do not worry, Mendra, all will be fine." He frowned, closing his eyes. There was silence for what seemed eternity before he was able to turn back to them, his hands pressed together. Amuril’s lips moved, no words coming out, but gradually, they began to hear his muttering. The words grew louder. As the volume increased, light emitted from his palms. Slowly, he drew his hands apart. A swirl of white light danced in the center. The light grew brighter Mendra and Ralith squinted as they shielded eyes. Forming in the center of the ball light was a necklace, the white light framing the delicate craft.

"This is for you Mendra."

Mendra watched Amuril’s power in awe. Shaking her head, almost as coming out of a trance, she stepped forward and reached for the necklace. Her hand slipped into the light, sending a chill up her spine. She curled her fingers over the necklace and withdrew it, the light instantly dying. Amuril took the necklace from her hands and stepped behind her. Holding both ends, he placed it over her head until it rested upon her collarbone, clipping it together. He lifted her hair over the necklace gently then walked back to his desk.

Tilting her chin down, Mendra studied the fine piece, her fingers slightly touching the amulet. "It’s beautiful."

"It will help you, but be warned, if you use it, it will drain life from you. When this happens, find shelter to rest at once so you may gain your strength back."

Mendra nodded, her head tilting to the side as she studied the elven runes carved into the tiny beads. After her inspection, she released the strand, her arms falling to her sides as she looked to Ralith then back to Amuril. "What will it do?"

"Anything you wish it to. An earthquake, a wind storm, it will be your command. Only hold it within your hand and think of what you wish it to do. Imagine it and it will happen."

This touched Mendra. She rarely received gifts and this was the first that Amuril had given her. She knew it was for her protection, but it meant so much more to her. It also frightened her that this magical necklace would do good as well as harm her in the process.

"Now then Ralith. On that map, I have marked the trail, which would be easiest to travel. Some places may not as easy to pass as others, but this is not a simple task I am asking of you both. You will have troubles along the way, some harder than others, so I want you prepared. There are chances of ambushes."

Ralith nodded, tucking the map away. "I will do my best to protect Mendra."

"I am sure you will." Amuril turned to Mendra, his eyes softening as he stepped forward to embrace her. "Remember all that I taught you. Don’t rely only on that amulet, but use the nature around you. You may not be as powerful as myself, but you are powerful. Never doubt yourself. You have the gift Mendra, use it well."

"I will try, Amuril." She exhaled loudly then pulled back, smiling to the older man before turning to Ralith, "Ready?"

Ralith nodded and turned to the door, opening it for Mendra. "After you."

Mendra smiled to Amuril, hating to leave when things were just beginning to really start for her. It was as if she had a real family and she looked forward to coming back to them. If she came back.

"Take care, my dears."

"I will." She composed herself then made her way out of the room, Ralith close on her heels. As she stepped to the edge of the platform, she spread her large wings, the under feathers shining a deep violet with the light of the torches which lined the edge.

Before Mendra could jump, Ralith took hold of her arm. She turned to him, startled as she looked at him with wide eyes. "Something wrong, Ralith?"

Ralith hesitated. He could not come to tell her how he felt just yet, no matter how much he wanted too. "You have everything, Mendra?"

Her head tilted to one side, "Of course. Everything I need was packed last night, ready for the journey."

He let go of her with a nod, watching as she leaped down. His eyes remained on her form as she floated down, only to turn away when her dark coloring faded with the shadows. With a sigh, he followed suit.

Below stood a very tall man, one who drastically resembled his daughter. Brown locks tumbled down to his shoulders and he looked upon them with eyes of a hawk, though gentle as he looked at Mendra. "Everything is ready?"

Mendra nodded, "It is."

He smiled gratefully at the young woman, "I wish to take this time now to thank you for all you have done for Molaya. She is dear to me and it brings me joy to see her happy."

Ralith stepped away, giving them their privacy to speak. So many people loved Mendra, but was she blind to the love he had for her? It pained him deeply. She was the kindest person he had ever known. Even as children, she had taken care of him though he was older by at least ten years. It was now his turn to care of her, and he would for the rest of her life, if she allowed him or not.

"You are welcome, Rizzik, though there was no need to thank me. I love Molaya like a sister and would gladly do anything for her." Mendra folded her hands in front of her, not used to so much attention and feeling a little shy.

Rizzik stepped forward, placing a hand upon her shoulder. "If you are ever in need of anything, anything at all, you only need to ask."

Mendra smiled. "Thank you."

"Safe journey, Mendra." He raised his head to look at Ralith, "And to you, Ralith. Come home soon."

"Thank you, Sir. We will try." Ralith replied, lifting small pouches and tying them to his hip.

Rizzik smiled then leaped into the air to return to the platform. Mendra watched him until he disappeared then made her way to Ralith. Snatching up some of the same pouches as Ralith, she tied them to her belt as well. Lifting her traveling pack, she slipped her arm into the strap.