<span style="font-style: italic">It was the same dream that she always had. </span><br/><br/>She was standing in the smoldering ruins of a woodland village.  She wasn't sure, but she guessed that this was her village. She was ten when the Tiberian officer brought her to the Orphanage of the Graceful sisters. The sisters had questioned her for hours trying to ascertain what had happened to her, but she didn't remember a thing. Even seven years later she didn't remember anything; not the faces of her family, what had happened to them or even her real name. The platoon captain said that it was most likely roving criminals. The war produced quite a few of these bands of outlaws.She she found herself in the remains of what she guess was her family's home. Dead bodies were everywhere. If this was her house then those bodies must have belonged her family. The bodies were mutilated beyond recognition, so she couldn't make out if there was a family resemblance.<br/><br/>“Those are not your family.Your family is not dead.” She looked up. There was the bird perched up in the tree, just like he always was. She didn't know if a raven could look smug, but this one did.<br/><br/>“Bull.” She shouted up at him. “Who could survive this?” Said said motioning towards the destruction.<br/><br/>The Raven ignored her  and began to pick at himself with his beak. He then pulled a large black feather from his wing and let it drop by her feet. “You father that his who.” He answered. The raven then leaped out of the tree and flew away. She leaned over and picked up the feather and ran her finger over it, feeling the fine black fibers.<span style="font-style: italic">What did the stupid bird mean that her family is still alive?</span><br/><br/>-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0<br/><br/>“Nyla Elecian!” Yelled a gruff voice.<br/><br/>Nyla. That is what the sisters had named her since she couldn't remember her name. It sure enough sounded elven, but Nyla was sure it wasn't a real elven name. For one thing the Sisters had never met a elf beyond her. Nyla  didn't feel like an elf anyway. She wasn't regal or honorable. Her pale blond hair was a variety of colors and was cut short. While the elves in the stories carried long bows and sharp sliver swords, she carried small throwing knives that she had hidden all over her baggy dirty clothes.<br/><br/>Nyla's eyes fluttered open. She was sitting on the dirt floor of a crowded jail cell. Her fellow prisoners stank of emotions and body odor. Sister Cole, one of the graceful sisters who ran the orphanage where Nyla lived, stood at the cell door with the guard. She did not look happy at all. The guard motioned for her to come. Nyla stood up and smirked at the other prisoners as she stepped out of the cell and into freedom. As an empath she could feel the annoyance directed at her. As she walked out with the sister, Nyla could feel the anger and frustration emanating off of Sister Cole. You didn't even need to be an empath to feel it.  “Nyla this is the last straw!” The sister yelled as they came outside. “The Graceful Sisters cannot keep saving you. The city guard almost didn't let you out. The only reason they let you go is because, for some reason, the Commander of the Universus wants you."<br/><br/>“What does that mean?”<br/><br/>The Sister shook her head. “ That means that you are to report to the old abandoned mill at the edge of town; immediately.” She patted Nyla's shoulder and handed back her throwing knives. “Good luck child.” With that sister left.<br/><br/>Nyla had heard rumors about the Universus. It was some sort of criminal fighting team that the Tiberians were putting together.  Why would they want her? Nyla had never been good at... not breaking the law. She always seemed to be in trouble, whether it was picking pockets or setting up scams. The thought of running for it crossed Nyla's mind, but she pushed it away. From the outside it might not have looked like it, but she was eternally grateful to the Sisters. However, there was never enough. Most days if Nyla didn't steal she and many of the other children wouldn't eat. Working for Universus would mean she would be making actual coin for once in her life. That means no more having to steal or swindle her fellow citizens.. Another though hit her mind. She could also use the Universus resources to find her family.<br/><br/>She was late to the mill. She hid in the doorway and watched as the meeting broke. A variety of creatures mingled and chatted with Tiberian soldiers. Fear instantly filled Nyla at the sight of all of the other members of the Universus. She couldn't do this. She would never make it in the Universus. She wanted to run away, but Nyla didn't move. She just stood there and watched the others. Then Craw Maghar caught her eye. Having lived in the city she had of course heard the Great Ravens, but she never had the pleasure of meeting one. Upon seeing Craw Maghar she immediately knew that that was the raven in her dream. He was just  much much larger. Nyla shook her head. She had made up her mind she wasn't doing this. Nyla  turned around to leave. However, before she could get anywhere something pushed her from behind almost knocking her over.Turning back around she came face to face to the Great Raven who  was now standing in the doorway eyeing her with his beady black eyes.<br/><br/>“Where do you think you are going?” Asked the Raven.<br/><br/>Nyla dropped her head. “Nowhere.”