[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Having ridden deep into the forest, Arlyth finally found a clearing, and with a smile, turned to his steed, Atraeal. Gently, he whispered, "You've borne me well, faithful one. You deserve a rest, and I would rather be alone, this night." dismounting, he affectionately stroked his stallion's neck, whispering praise into his ear, his soft elvish soothing and pleasing to the horse. Smiling, he unloaded what he would need, then spoke gently to Atraeal again, instructing him, and then stood back, and cast dimension door...

The stallion obediently stepped through, and ended up back in the stables at the castle. Arlyth would cast dimension door the next morning, and the stallion would step through again, but at least Atraeal would spend a night in the warmth.

Now alone, Arlyth sighed, and set some of his things down, his eyes searching around for any signs of hostility. Finding none, he sighed, and un-strapped his weapons from him... He quickly prepared camp, gathering dead fire wood for a fire, and rather then using a flint and steel, he used burning hands to light it. Arlyth was like that sometimes; he'd rather do mundane tasks with magic then with mundane means. Once that had been done, he set out his bedroll, and stowed his gear neatly, and setting his katana beside the fire, he sank to his knees, his head bowed. Within his mind, he sent out a silent plea for help, to his father's deity. As always, when he delved deep within his mind, he felt the raw gash within his soul; the tear that was there, that had never healed. A constant source of pain. Pain which threatened to overwhelm him. With a feral roar, the young elf unconsciously slipped into his draconic form, shadowy wings of black extending from his back, his skin becoming darker, shadow-like, his forearms extending into talons and claws... With a cry of pain that split the night air, Arlyth whimpered, and pain took him. He felt gentle hands touch his mind, soothing and calming him; the pain gone. Returning to his elven form, he slipped into unconsciousness.

In a dreamless sleep, the young elf felt only darkness. The void. Nothing. No pain, no hurt, no feeling, no emotion... then he felt a presence. An alien presence within his mind. Familiar fingers gently probed his mind, drawing out his consciousness. In the minds eye, a figure appeared in Arlyth's dream. An elf, more beautiful then any mortal. His father's and aunt's deity stood before him. His mind's self appeared, and Arlyth knelt before the goddess. Awestruck, the young elf trembled. With gentle hands, the goddess smoothed the boy's hair, and whispered in his mind. "Yes My child, why did you call Me?" Arlyth trembled, and whispered back, "You already know, Mistress...". The deity smiled, and gentle fingers lifted his jaw, her voice soft in his mind, Arlyth felt no power from it, only soft comfort. "Yes My child, I know, but do you." She seemed somewhat amused. Arlyth wordlessly shook his head. The deity smiled again, and kissed his brow. "You cried out to Me in pain. I know of your pain, My child. I also know of your craving for guidance, and the fury within your heart. You call Me 'Mistress'; yet you have not accepted Me as your father and your aunt have... I will not interfere until you do; nor will I draw you into My embrace until you do." the goddess paused, "But My child, I will offer you guidance when you ask for it." Arlyth could feel the goddess's sadness, "I feel your grief, Arlyth, and know that you are not alone in this. I grief also. I will not ask you turn to Me child, that decision is yours, and yours alone; you are not your father, nor is anyone asking you to be him. Yet you share his blood." She paused, allowing Arlyth to speak, which he did, his voice anguished, "My soul, it is torn in two. I feel so alone; so empty. I could hear his thoughts; we were linked, my brother and I! He was taken from me... and I am alone!" he wailed, grief-stricken. "I know, My dear child, I know." came the reply, and soft arms wrapped around the young elf, pulling him close. Cradling him in her arms, the goddess kissed his brow again, and continued, "I know your pain, and I know that your hatred will turn your heart, and you will become no better then Alliene. You may as well be drow if you allow you hatred and lust for revenge to consume you." She sighed, continuing to rock him, "You remember your dream... going to your aunt is sheer folly, child. I cannot comfort you if you choose that path, and there is no going back until you have reached it's end; and once you have... you would spend the rest of your life atoning for it; if you saw reason. Please believe me on this; I have no desire to see you begin to treat down the path your father did... he realised what was happening, and stopped himself, but the damage was done. Alliene will no longer speak to him; and I do not wish to see history repeat itself; yet it is your choice, My child." Arlyth swallowed, and looked up at the deity, and whispered, "You would accept me as you did my father?" he asked, his tone soft. "Yes Arlyth, I would." came the reply. Arlyth nodded, and whispered, "Then take me for Your own... I am willing to serve You, Mistress." he whispered. The goddess chided him gently, "If you are to serve Me, then you shall not address Me as 'Mistress'; you are a child, and if you wish to be one of Mine; you would be one of My children... and as a child, you would address Me." Arlyth swallowed, "Mother, then." he whispered softly, "Will you accept me?" The goddess smiled, and shook her head. "No dear one, not yet. Not entirely. You must discover answers for yourself, and rid yourself of the darkness within your heart. But, I will aid you, should you ask it of Me; but do not expect Me to directly interfere, for that I will not do. I have limitations Myself, and We are forbidden to perform certain things; but I can aid you indirectly, guide and nurture you, My dear child. I will accept your loyalty and your obedience and love for now; and you may call upon Me, and address Me as a child would... but it is not yet time for you to pledge yourself fully to Me. You will know when it is time, My child. Now rest, and be at peace." Arlyth nodded, and with a final squeeze, the goddess released him from her embrace, and disappeared, leaving Arlyth to his dreams. He slept peacefully, the nightmares that plagued him each night, at bay. For the first time in a long while, he felt relaxed, calm and at ease.