<a class="postlink" href="https://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/1a/6a/fd/1a6afdb8330bafbacb6186ca8ff453b0.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>"You cannot be serious, Enlightener. We hate humans far more than the wayward elves of the villages and cities of the forest" Chief Skylong proclaimed to the tribe's Mystic. "While I don't approve of needless bloodshed, the destruction of Way's End was actually cleansing to the forest. Perhaps now we can finally regain parts of our home."<br/><br/>The Mystic called 'The Enlightened One' was part of a tribe of elves that considered themselves followers of the old way. Before humans came and destroyed society with their modern buildings and infrastructures, and before 'modern' elves compromised in treaties with these humans - Skylong's tribe would ride around the forest on wolves and make the trees their home. Now, their tribe was reduced to perhaps a little more than two dozen elves. People mistook this tribe, however, for the wolves themselves. While the wolves and Skylong's tribe were friends -- when Skylong howled - it was not to the moon. It was to the mystical city of the sky that, one day, he and his tribe hoped would appear in the atmosphere and become a haven and refuge for his ancient people. The modern elves could not partake, they abandoned the old way … at least according to Skylong. The Enlightener continued, "You are mistaken, my son. The hope of your tribe and your people can only be found among this particular woman." Pretending to open a drape, a vision of a human female looking steadfastly into the eyes of a gryphon filled the air. The features of both creatures were particularly accented, but Skylong turned away.<br/><br/>"I don't like your tricks, wise mystic. You know our people have no involvement with gryphons."<br/><br/>"Why not? Don't you wish to live in the cities of the sky when they appear? How else did you propose to go there?"<br/><br/>Skylong shook his head. "I suppose I thought …"<br/><br/>"Skylong; your tribe is dying. The old ways should be preserved; but it should co-exist with the ways of others. Any way that cannot co-exist with others will go extinct. How many times have you snubbed the council of elves in the city when they reached out to you? How many times do you disdain the ancient texts that humans and elves will live in the beautiful city in the sky? How long has hatred for humans coursed through your body?"<br/><br/>Skylong didn't like hearing the truth about himself, that he harbored many biases of the citizenry of Ríkölla. He turned, the long white hair covering his visage, but his eyes piercing through like a knife. "I was there when the humans killed my sister; I was there when they cut down the trees of the forest; I was there when we fought them at Rebellion's Pass. Some of them even rode … those creatures you showed me in yonder vision. My sister was the sweetest elf in this world; no other being like her" Skylong mourned. The mystic touched Skylong's forehead. "She would not want bitterness to rule your life. But come, Skylong. What is the real reason why you are here?"<br/><br/>Skylong recomposed himself. "Like I said, I just want to know why the forest has been acting strangely lately; why it even seems trees are slowly dying off. Creatures hiding more often; wolves staying solitary rather than moving in packs."<br/><br/>The Enlightened One repeated the beginning of his response: "You need to talk to the human; she will help you." Skylong was not getting anywhere with the old fool. But he knew in his heart he was not an old fool, he was a wise fool who sometimes aggravated him. "What is her name?"<br/><br/>The Mystic raised his hands - "Now, if I told you that, you would have nothing to talk to her about" he gently chided while handing a single orb to the chieftain. Holding it in his hand, he stared into the small orb and saw the face of the human he would have to meet. "How do I find her?"<br/><br/>"Look among the gryphons; you'll find her there." "But, I don't know anything about gryphons."<br/><br/>"But the wolves do know about them; they can help you. You will meet with her for the first time tonight; she will tell you what to do." Puzzled, Skylong blurted out "but I don't know where to look." The Enlightener repeated, "Still, you will meet with her for the first time tonight; she will tell you what to do."<br/><br/>Skylong pondered for a moment; he had a question. "Why can't you give me an orb like this with my sister's spirit?" The Enlightened One just looked at him and smiled. "Your sister is free now; she cannot be confined to orbs or this rough magic." Skylong was very annoyed, but he decided not to pursue it. "You anger me, mystic. My superstitions is the only reason why you are still alive." But the mystic just ended, before disappearing into the night, "No, the reason why I am still alive is because you will meet with the human woman tonight."