Kale+escorts+Wren+to+the+Palace+of+Myth+Coramanth,+Wren+acquires+Cirdan

Wren’s mother, Raven, entrusted her with a very private journal to deliver to Lady Lionspaw. Very hush, hush, it had to do with research that Raven was doing on a relic for her. When a guard harassed Wren about approaching the palace, Kale moved in to take her arm. “No, no, she’s with me,” he assured the guard as he took her arm. Surprised by his sudden appearance, Wren smiled at him, her gratitude shining in her eyes. He escorted her the rest of the way.

"As you can see…the servants of Rillifane have preserved both the original forest that was here when Myth Coramanth arrived, as well as our sacred trees. Not an easy feat considering how much cooler the climate is here..." Kale smiled down at the lovely young elf, helping Wren up into the large wicker basket beside one of the great pines of old Rawlinswood, now the new Myth Coramanth. Inali, Wren's fox familiar, leapt off her shoulders and skirted along the edge of the sturdy basket, as if testing it's safety as Wren felt the basket slowly lift up off the ground. She heard the creaking of fine elven rope as the basket slowly rose, pulled up to the walkways above, before it slid to a stop coming up through the floor of one of the platforms. "Magnificent, is it not?" Kale took her arm once more as she surveyed the upper city. Built among the pines and great oaks were wooden walkways, some massive, and some narrow and slender, which connected all of the trees in a maze of paths. Buildings...which almost seemed like extensions of the trees themselves curled up around the trunks. The bridges, many of which were woven together with flowering vines had wisps of magical light floating slowly between them to provide illumination when the sun set. "Amazing..." Wren whispered...she had always conducted business with Kale and the other elves in the lower city, where most of the cities humans and even some dwarves dwelt. Buildings built in the more normal fashion on the ground, but still beautiful. She could see why many preferred to conduct business below. The height up here was a little…dizzying. "Steady now..." Kale's grip on her arm grew a bit firmer and she blushed slightly. He escorted her along the walkways towards the palace, stopping along the way to show her some of the more interesting sites. The towers of sorcery where the mages practiced their craft, as well as some of the temples. All the while, talking to her in a low, familiar voice. It seemed less like a tour...and more like a date. Wren shook her head as Inali leapt back up on her shoulder...it wasn't like that at all, she was just here to see Lady Lionspaw, not...flirt with the handsome young guard. She clutched the journal under her arm more tightly...but she had to admit, he was handsome!

Kale laughed heartily as Wren gingerly tried one of the delicate confectioneries that the guard had bought for her in the merchants district as they passed through on the way to the palace. It was so...sweet Wren had never tasted anything like it. Generally, in living out in the wilderness she had a more simpler fare. "It's...good!" She smiled back at him as they continued their stroll across the walkways. Wren felt a little...unsettled at all of the eyes on the couple and started when she heard a high pitched female elven voice shout out nearby. "Kale! Sweetie! There you are! I've been looking all over for you!" Wren turned her head and sighed at the sight of the sorceress, Aspen, who looked like she'd just come running from the tower of magic. Dressed in a red silken robe that showed far too much cleavage, she latched on to his other arm, pressing her body against his side. "Who's this your with? Oh...it's little Wrennie. Left the nest again hmm?" "Aspen...she's an honored guest of Lady Lionspaw on an important mission, I have to escort her to the palace." Kale explained, exasperated. Wren could feel him try to pull away from the mage but she apparently had a death grip on him. "Well hmph!" Aspen raised her nose "It's not hard to find, it's right here..." She pointed at a large building built up around the most magnificent ancient oak Wren had ever seen. Guards dressed in fine silvery armor engraved with leaves bowed as Kale led Wren and Aspen into the entry hall. "And here we are mi’lady Wren. I hope that didn't take too long. One of the palace guards will take you in to see Lady Lionspaw." He bowed, his eyes smiling.

"Thank you... Kale," She replied, it really had been fun, up until Aspen had to make a nuisance of herself. She ignored Aspen entirely and a palace guard escorted her inside the great hall where various noble elves chatted among themselves, no doubt waiting for their turn with Lady Lionspaw. She walked down the path alongside the guard and looked back over her shoulder for a moment, catching Kale watching her walking as Aspen tugged him and continued to chat, Wren winked and smiled at him before going in. She felt a little out of place among so many people until a woman dressed in armor approached. She could almost feel...the aura of goodness and light seeping out of her. The symbols of the great elven god Corellion adorned her armor. "Mi'lady!" Wren bowed. <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Wren... Raven's daughter... thank you for coming." Lady Lionspaw's voice was firm and melodic "Do you...the research? The High mage Attalicus is most eager to study your mothers work!" <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Yes mi'lady!" She handed her the tome, wondering what it contained. <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Thank you...you have performed your duty excellently. Give your mother my thanks as well. I would give you another gift though, of a more personal nature. In return for your service to the kingdom. Both in the past...and the future." She spoke a word in elvish and a large raven flew from the windowsill where it had been perched. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"This is Cirdan...the high mage has enchanted this raven to help you in your <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">journeys  <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">. He is...more intelligent than most of his kind. He can deliver messages and such...as well as this..." Lionspaw smiled. "Hold out your hand..." <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren held out her hand and Cirdan alighted on her wrist. Lionspaw spoke another word and the raven exploded in a shower of black feathers which swirled about Wren until coalescing in her hand in the form of a black feathered bow. It felt...perfectly balanced...and deadly. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">"Wield him well in the service of your sisters... <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">...and for Myth Coramanth..." <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Lionspaw <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> bowed her head, waiting for the young witch’s response...

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.5;">Wren bowed low and gracefully before Lady Lionspaw. She ran her hand gently along the length of the bow, letting the feathers slide softly against her fingers. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Cirdan," she repeated the name as she touched it. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Truly such a beautiful gift," she spoke with deep gratitude as she bowed again before Lady Lionspaw, "I am deeply honored, m'lady. Thank you. I look forward to seeing what we can do with an arrow together. I hope I can do better than your expectations for the future. Do you have any other messages for my mother? And is there anything else I can do for you at this time?"