Prologe

Hidden away in a forest of emotions; and physically walking through one, Eliut Eddsson was walking the mounting trails he knew so well from youth, thinking about life. He had many thoughts to ponder, so he walked to his thinking cave. A cave from his youth that still held mysteries, as well still mystified him. He couldn't help but think of it as a cave of power. Always it had soothed him when he was worried or in pain from hunting gone wrong. He came here to think and be alone. 1

As Eliut was about one hundred sickles from the cave's clearing, he heard a great thumping, booming, and rhythm coming from above that sent vibrations throughout his body. He looked up in time to see a dark deep green wing shaped body, fly past and dive into the cave.2

Without thinking Eliut took out his bow and loaded an arrow as he took off at a dead run. In the last few sickles he slowed to a trot, then to a walk. Catching his breath he slowly entered the clearing thinking what to do. Stopping in the middle of the clearing, he spoke in a deep loud voice he used for commanding soldiers.3

"Be ye beast or intelligent creature, I mean ye no harm. I only wish to see your majestic beauty up close. I mean no harm." He said with caution.4

"Intelligent creature, and harm I mean yee not. But nor can I come out to greet ye as of right now." A voice of pictures and music played in his head. "Bad men are chasing me, and I can't let them find me. They wish me harm for an innocent crime. I ate their cows not knowing they were owned. Or I would not have taken without payment." the creature said with truth ringing its words.5

"What are ye?" Eliut asked with wonder6

"I am an ancient creature that has been here since before the birth of men. I am one of the first intelligent creatures the Creature made. I am what ancient humans called Draconis Dragonious or Dragon for short. But time runs low, they approach." with that he didn't feel her presence anymore. Shocked that he could feel her presence let alone that he could feel it was a she, with a fading echoed voice she said, "Be wary, one among them wields the power."7

Eliut quickly went about setting up camp and preparing for the men. By the time he heard their approach it was getting close to moons time. The men entered the clearing to Eliut smoking his hashish pipe. Standing, he said in a cheery voice "Be welcome fellow hunters and feel the warmth of my fire for a while. And share in my whiskey, hash and story." As was custom among hunters, almost ritual for true hunters. "I would offer some of a fine Dkeere the forest gave me today, but a mighty green beast swooped in and snatched it up."8

"Yeah, that’s what we are chasing! Which way did it go?!?!" A man in back yelled9

A man up front that Eliut had picked as leader turned and glared at the man who quickly disappeared, before facing Eliut again and responding with the ritual.10

"Thank ye for the offer of your fire's warmth, and the pleasure of your story and pipe, but we are on the hunt and have vowed to not take pleasure until we are satisfied with this hunts blood." At this a few men looked disappointed. "Which way did this evil beast go; we shall find it and extract from its hide what it owes us. ... and yee." he said after a minute11

Eliut spoke quickly and thought faster. "Fellow hunter I beg of yee as a protector to stay your course, enjoy my fire and be on your way. What ye seek will only lead in your own bloodshed. I beg of yee, turn back. I cannot let ye pass." He said this as he stood up straighter and drew his staffe. "I wish none harm, but those that will willingly turn back I will pay for the cattle lost, and I will pay for your journey so far. But those that wish to continue on I can't let ye pass." He said this as he looked each man in the eye.12

The leaders gaze held his longest before the man broke it off. He looked around at his men. “Any that wish to turn back can do so. Meet back in town and I'll make sure ye get the pay." Then turning his gaze back to Eliut He said "Well are there any that want to go?" A little more than half his men said they wanted to go back; "Well than what are ye waiting for, get going!" He barked. They were gone shortly, leaving the man with eight hunters. Looking around and counting men, "How do ye plan on stopping us, when so badly outnumbered?" he said with a mirth in his voice 13

"By invoking the hunters’ law of stick and fiste." Eliut said with the same deep voice he used before with the creature... Dragon. "I evoke the right of the bear to let ye use weapons. I give yee your choice on what ye use. I choose my Walking Staffe. Chose your best fighter and his weapon, let us end this."14

The man studied him for a long time before bursting into laughter. Which his men soon followed suit. When he calmed himself and his men he asked "What be your name boy? Who are ye? You have great courage to challenge me, or great stupidity." he said with laughter in his eyes.15

Eliut drew himself to his full height and looked the man squarely in the eye and replied. Speaking in his deepest authority voice " I am no more a boy than ye an old veteran. My given name is Eliut Eddsson I am a hunter of this land and I am a protector of the weak and innocent, defender of the righteous and enforcer of the just. My years may not be many, but I have sent more men to the Keeper than many veterans have. I have lost more than ye have gained, and my teacher has taught me things ye couldn't even begin to imagine. I Be Eliut, protector of the many, who be Yee?" He finished with the end of his breath.16

The man looked at him with a new light in his eyes. "I am Blade Jinnsson, I am a leader of hunters, and many pelts warm my family and my heart. I am a BearClaw of honor and have saved many lives from wicked beasts. I have three sons to take up my legacy when I go to the keeper, and three beautiful daughters, to wed to suitors. My wife is sister of the badger, and great is my wealth. My choice of weapon will be long sword, and I will be your stick and fiste, for I am the better of these men. Let us begin." Blade finished with a bow and stood holding his weapon of choice.17

"You honor me, Bearclaw Blade. Let us end this." He said with a bow himself, than rising with his Staffe in the Tangled Vine, a defensive stance.18

Blade studied him for a second, before beginning the Dance Of The spirits, a low to high sweeping attack. It wasn't a beginner move and yet it wasn't a master’s attack. But was executed with excellent precision. Eliut easily countered with Jak's Hand Horn. And followed with Rivers Embrace, which was a master’s move. The attack was six swings of the blade and a handle thrust, but it was blocked by Blighters Light, and followed with Rains Delight.19

Back and forth it went like this for a long time. Finally Eliut’s' Dragon's Claw broke through Blades' Jumping Mustang and hit him in the stomach which doubled him over, than followed with whack to the back of his head which knocked him to the ground. Leaning on his Staffe, Eliut remembered the other men and quickly performed Cornered Dragon, another defensive stance. But the men weren't charging him, they stood there dumb struck.20

"He defeated Blade...” someone whispered21

"No one has ever done that..." another said22

"Le... Let’s get out here!" One finally said before running23

The rest soon followed. Relaxing again he focused on the man lying on the ground. At first he thought he was crying, and then soon realized he was laughing. When he recovered he sat up and wiped dirt from himself and studied Eliut once more. Speaking finally he said, "Eliut Eddsson, protector of many ...” he said with laughter in his voice and eyes, "I grant yee your victory and I will end my hunt for now. But when the beast strikes again, I will be there to hunt it down." He said this with all seriousness. "Never before have I been bested in stick and fiste, but today yee showed me that can we all fall. You are a worthy adversary, and would next like to fight by your side."24

"And we can all get back up with a helping hand." Eliut said as he extended his hand to Blade25

"Aye, that we can" he said with a smile accepting Eliut's hand up. “I am known as BearClaw Blade, but my friends call me Dirk." Dirk said as he finished dusting off.26

"I am known as Commander Eddsson, Protector of the Dragon Queens creatures. Those that aren’t under my command and those that calls themselves my friend... Call me Eliut, or Eli for short." Again he extended his hand, but this time in greeting. "How about we enjoy the fires warmth, and a bowl of hashish?" Eli said with a gin27

"I would like to accept, but I must go back and stop my men from dragging the queen’s army down here to get yee. I must be off, but leave here knowing we will meet again. Until next time 'Commander," he said with a bow and flourish of his hat.28

"Until next time, Sergeant Blade."29

* * *30

Weird dreams and weird Awakenings31

After Blade left, Eli entered the cave and instantly felt the release of his tension and weariness from dueling with the sergeant. As always when he entered, he thanked the cave's spirits and gave dried fruits as his offerings of thanks for the use of the cave. For a long time he sat there with his head bowed, soaking in the cave's comfort and magic. He had always known the cave was magic. Even before he had the knowledge of what magic was. He had found this cave when nothing more than a scrawny boy on the hunt of manhood. Closing his eyes, he remembered that day as if it were not twenty years gone.32

* * *33

Dirty and exhausted, young Eliut stalked the biggest bear he had ever seen. A sign surely from the creature that he was meant for greatness. But Eli felt a different way entirely. He felt as this beast dinner, or after meal snack. But turn back he did not, he was going to prove to the elders, and to himself, that he was worthy of the title to given him. Protector of the Dragon Queen. A role his father started off at, as did his father, and his father. Back to the start of the Dragon Empress and her tribe The Dragon teeth.34

Crouching in an oak tree hollow, Eli watched the bear, while trying to formulate a plan to overcome this beast and come out on top. Not much courage came from his oak child’s Staf, and Oak Childs Bow. Each made by himself. A hunter made his tools from what the earth provided. They may have been children’s tools but they were the best of them. Eli had a skill for singing the Wood and used it often. 35

Without realizing it the bear had outmaneuvered Eli, the beast was now downwind and just picked up his sent. Enraged that he was being stalked the bear charged, leaving Eli little choice but to run. So that he did, leaving the oak for a deer trail. But the bear was right behind him. No matter what he did, he couldn't shake the bear. Close to his last breaths Eli made a rash decision and changed paths heading to a pitfall he had set up the first day out. It wouldn't stop the bear, but would slow it down.36

After a couple more minuets he closed on the sinkhole, and he sped up using the last of his energy to jump over the trap. Following to close to realize the trap, it fell into the sinkhole with a startled cry. After a few minutes of catching his breath, he got up and walked to the hole. Slowly he edged his way to look over into the hole. Inside the beast paced back and forth, clearly angry from the looks and growls he gave Eliut. But it was calming down and accepting he had been beaten.37

Eliut whooped, be had done it. He had beaten the beast the forest gave without killing it. In his delight he didn't notice the man that walked into the clearing until he spoke.38

"Good, the beast is trapped. Now kill it, and prove you’re a man of strength. Bring back the head of this beast of a bear to your Elders. They will see that yee are a man of worth and all the boys will envy yee. You will be a champion among idi..." the man tailed off as he saw Eliut’s face.39

"No, No. No! How dare yee speak at me of these atrocities! Leave my sight and go your own way, 'Fallen. How dare yee try to taint my victory with lust and greed? Be gone before this beast escapes and tears your hide for the evil within. Be gone before I throw yee in the pit with the bear." Eli finished practically yelling. "Be gone foul beast!"40

Something on the man’s face changed at e last remark, and he charged screaming as he drew his rusty cruel looking sword. Attacking with a frenzy Eli had never before seen. He tried parrying but was no match and took several cuts from that rusty blade. The man knocked Eli flying with a backswing, landing him hanging inches over the sinkhole the bear was in. Tired, filthy, and wounded, Eli rolled over and saw the bear was gone. Before he could look around the crazed man kicked him in the ribs and he felt two breaks from the blow. The kick had flipped him over so he was staring into the man's eyes when the bear made reappearance and took the man's head with a swipe of its paw. The man's body dropped limply.41

Certain the bear would now gobble him up, because the blood that leaked from the cuts all over is body. But to his surprise the bear just looked at him with a weird look and his head tilted sideways as if listening to someone talk to it, but that was nonsense. Bears didn't think logically nor did they stop once angered until what angered them was dead. But the bear didn't attack; instead it just stared at him as if waiting for something.42

"If you’re not going to eat me, than go away so I can die in peace!" Eli finally said in frustration. And just like that the bear turned and started walking away. It looked at Eli over its shoulder one last time before disappearing into the forest.43

Painfully getting to his feet Eli started out for a cave he had seen a little ways back on the trail. He had little strength and knew he was close to death. If only he could make it to the cave, he could lie down in the depths of the peaceful darkness forever. Entering the caves clearing he spotted the cave and limped to it. But several steps he fell, and didn't have the strength to get up again. As he lay there, he knew he was close to death, because he was hearing voices in his head.44

"Help ... Me... Please..." Eli barely crocked out before collapsing from his wounds and exhaustion from the last three days. Closing his eyes he thought he heard a voice saying,45

"What is this? This is not an offering? It is but a child!" the voice said46

"He is marked" another hissed47

"He is the chosen one” A third voice said "Bring him in, let the cave heal him. His time has not come yet. He must be strong for when it does. It will cost him greatly."48

That was the last thing Eliut heard before blackness overcame him.49

When Eliut finally awoke, he felt as if great time had passed. Surprised he could move without pain, he looked out the caves' entrance, and saw it was only morning. Standing up and stretching he was surprised to find he didn't hurt at all. "It must have been a weird dream from exhaustion." Eli thought. But to his shock he found scars where the man had hit him with that rusty sword. Not fully sure he knew what really happened Eli started leave the cave, but just before he was out of it a voice whispered in the back of his head, "You will be called one day. And when that day comes yee will have to make a choice. You must prepare yourself physically and mentally. One day yee will be called to make a choice, Hunter or protector” And then it was gone. Eliut had stopped cold with the first whispered word. He turned around looking for the source of the voice. That when he saw the glowing runes all over the cavern walls. Each rune was different and each was its own bizarre color. Walking to a wall of the cave, he reached out to touch the rune. But before he could they all flared then vanished, leaving the cave in total darkness, except for the entrance, which the morning sun glowed through.50

Eliut took off running he had to tell the Elders about what had happened. Before he left the clearing he heard the voice one last time, "You will be called, and will yee be ready?"51

"I will be." He vowed to the voice and himself. "I will be ready for this choice."52

By the time young Eliut had reached the village it was moons time, and the village was quiet. Eliut walked quietly through the village, wondering where everyone was. N candles burned in the windows, no animals called out in the night. It was as if a blanket of silence covered the village. When he got to the elders hut, he found it empty and cold. No one had been there for some time. Something was wrong, but Eliut didn't know what.53

Running back through the village he spotted something he didn't see before. What looked to be a pile of cloth in front of the Creatures prayer stick. When the bundle moved he realized it was a person. Approaching slowly he heard the sound of a woman sobbing, coming from the bundle.54

"What is wrong? Why do yee cry? Where is everyone?" Eliut asked the bundle55

"The spirits have taken my child!" The bundle wailed, "I told the elders he wasn't old enough, but did they listen? No of course not, because they know all! A week they left him out there before I could get them to send a search for him. But it was too late! The spirits had tad him; they didn't even leave his body for his family to bury. My boy is gone and it's their entire fault. He left three weeks gone. There is no way he is alive. If he was he would have been hommmmmmmmmme!" the bundled women wailed. The voice of the women sounded a lot like his own mother. He felt sorry for this woman, but thought she might be a little crazy. 56

He was the first to leave on the hunt this year, and he had only been gone four suns times. He didn't understand most of what the women mumbled, but what she said next stopped his heart cold.57

"O my baby, my poor baby. Why did the spirits take my Eli? What did I ever do to anger them? O please brings My Eli home!" She said this last bit staring into Eliut's eyes.58

"I am home," Eliut said as he too started crying, "Momma I'm right here. I am safe."59

The women looked at his face for a long time before replying "No yee can't be my baby, yee are too old. Eliut had no hair on his face. His hair was short and clean. And he was inches shorter than yee." at this she wailed again and covered her face with what he now realized to be her morning dress.60

"Where are the elders? Where is EVERYONE?" He asked61

"They are gone, gone into the forest looking for my baby!" She wailed62

"I am right here momma, It's me, Eliut, Your oldest child. I'm home momma. But I am not your baby any more. I am a man now. A hunter and a protector of the queen. I am not dead." he told her soothingly. "Look into my eyes and tell me what yee see.63

She looked. For a long time she stared into his eyes before finally saying "I see his eyes, the light they held for the joy of life. I see his eyes looking back at me, but from a strangers face. I see his eyes but not him." 64

"I am your Eliut, I am your son. Something happened out there and I have no idea what it was. It is important that I speak to the Elders as soon as possible. How were yee supposed to call them if I showed up?" he asked. Sobbing she pointed to a tower that hadn’t been there when he had left. "How?" 65

"Ring the bell at the top, keep ringing it until they get here." she said66

Eli took off running for the tower. He had to talk to the elders about what was going on. He got to the tower and took the rickety steps two at a time. When at the top, he didn't stop to catch his breath. But grabbed the bell cord and rang it like crazy. He didn't know how long he was up there but he never stopped even, when it felt as if his arm would fall off. Suns time came long before anyone else did. But finally he saw a big crowd emerging from the forest led by the elders. When Eli pried his fingers off the cord he collapsed from exhaustion, and once again darkness took over.67

* * *68

It had taken many weeks to get everything straightened out. Eli had told everything that happened, (except about the voices and what they had said) so many times he could say it asleep. Years had come and gone, during which time Eli trained his mind and body for everything he could get the elders to teach him. And things he learned elsewhere, that the elders had no clue about. Every morning he ran and exercised before his chores. Every day he put his body through everything it could take. And bought every kind of puzzle he could get his hands on.69

By the time he earned his journey Staff and bow, he was the strongest and best fighter in town. Once a week he held a challenge to all the men of the village to dual of stick and fiste. Never did he lose. Each time he would offer a grand prize if any could best him, but none could. He even opened the challenge to surrounding villages, which sent their hunters to try and beat the mighty Eli. None ever did.70

His mother taught him about being a husband and taught him how he will have to provide for his family. She taught him how to cook, and how garden. Also she taught him about herbs for healing and salts for soaking. Also she taught him how to dance, telling him "Every man should be able to sweep his woman off her feet with dance. He learned much from his mother. As well his father taught many things.71

His father taught him to hunt like a cheetah, to fight like the bear, and to love like a dragon. He taught him how to swim with water, to fly with the wind. And how to sing with the birds. His father taught him the responsibilities of being the eldest child. Told him one day he would sit in his father's place on the elder’s council. And he taught him about loving a woman.72

He taught him everything he knew about being a protector of the Dragon Queen. 73

He proudly watched as his eldest son made his first masters' Staffe at the young age of 15 winters. A few more years passed before Eli brought his chosen home to meet his parents. At 20 winters Eli was married to Destry Emilysdaughter and had a beautiful little girl nine moons later. Nothing could have been better. He was a proud father and happy husband. He didn't have a care in the world.74

At 23 winters his daughter became very ill. They fought to keep her with for many moons. But lost her to the keepere after so long of a battle. Devastated his wife didn't take care of herself and died two moons later. 75

Broken, and bone weary, he walked into the woods to find peace in the keepere's hold. He wandered the woods for many moon times, before he came across the cave of his youth. He found, sitting in the caves' mouth. The same beast of a bear that he had faced as a child. And as when child it held the same look on its face as it did then. Almost as if it wasn't sure what Eli was. Not caring if anything happened, Eli started yelling at the beast.76

"What do yee want? Why are yee here? Why do yee look at me like that? Go! I don't have time to play games with silly bears. Get out of here. Leave me alone!" And it did. Just like that it got up and walked into the forest. 77

Eli went to the cave mouth, as about to enter when he noticed he was holding berries from a bush he didn't remember grabbing. Dropping them in the mouth of the cave he muttered a prayer to any listening spirits and walked on. In the middle of the cave he collapsed in tears. He stayed like for a long time, crying and asking why they took her away from him. Screaming at them for doing so. For three days he stayed in the cave.78

As last time he left the cave he came out a different man. A whispered voice reminded him that he would be called, and it would be sooner than he thought it would be.79

It took him a few weeks to get back into routine, but he did. Exercising and doing extra labor. Those months trying to save his baby than his wife had taken a lot out of him. Seldom did he laugh anymore, or go out for sport hunts with the other men. He went to the cave as often as he could, trying to learn as much as he could about it.80

Six winters came and went before he found himself lost in thought walking to his thinking cave. Many adventures had found him and many battles too. But never again did he look for love. That had died with her. So he believed at least. Words echoing from the past brought him to the present.81

"You will be called one day. And when that day comes yee will have to make a choice. You must prepare yourself physically and mentally. One day yee will be called to make a choice, Are yee ready to make that choice Eliut Eddsson, Protector of many? Are yee ready to choose your path? If so come deeper into the cave and learn the truth about who yee are82

.Be warned, a trial of test is about to begin. Choose your path wisely, each holds failure if unwatchful of your step. But yet Victory also lies upon each as well if yee watch where yee step, do not anger the wrong powers.83

There lies true greatness in yee, either way yee go. If you fall into shadow, you will be feared by all in the land. By the good and the evil. But if yee fight in the light yee will be greatly honored, and very powerful. Feared by dark and loved by the light. Either way yee go yee will great power, wither yee want it or not. ....84

Journey of truth and consequence85

Eli stood and stretched his cramped legs, from sitting so long. He stood there was thinking for a while, it just came to him that the voice and his head, sounded a lot like the dragons voice earlier. It spoke with music and pictures that he understood as words. He decided he was ready so he started walking tour to back to the cave.86

That darkness grew greater as he walked farther and farther. Only the glowing runes that led the way gave any light. The voice had said there would be trials Eli had to overcome. As well as many paths that he could take, and that each held power. Eli didn't want power. Or greatness.87

He wanted adventure, excitement, and companions to enjoy it with. He didn't care about the glory, or the riches of being a hero. He wanted to bring peace to his troubled land. He wanted his wife and kid back. But he would see them again. The runes vanished and a different voice spoke, one he hadn't heard before.88

"Your trial starts with me. What is your given name?89

Eliut Vander Eddsson' 90

"What is your chosen name?"91

Eli BearPaw Eddsson92

"What is your given title?''93

Commander Protector of the Dragon Queens creatures94

"What is our chosen title?"95

Commander Protector of All that’s good96

"You have been, yee will be, yee are. Eliut Vander Eddsson, Commander Protector of the dragon Queens creatures you are no More!"97

With this Eli felt something leave him, making him feel weak and transparent.98

You have been, yee will be, yee are. Eli BearPaw Eddsson, Commander Protector of All that’s good you are now born99

At this Eli felt strength flow back into him. More it seemed than that which had left him. Now he felt strong and healthy.100

"You have been called. And a path yee have started, where will yee go next? What choice will yee choose then? Will it be the right path? We shall have to wait and find out.101

With that the presence was gone, and the runes were back. Only there were two trails. One led toward the right and the other to the left. The one to the left, a bright green. The right a deep dark green.102

Eli thought about his years of training his body and mind for this moment. So this part was about the mind.103

Without moving one step he examined everything closely. The trails were exactly opposite, light to dark, left to right. Small too big. He thought about everything the voice (if you could call it that) had said. Only the part about the right path really stuck out. Finally he chose the left path.104

He walked on for an unknown time, until again the runes disappeared and another presence spoke to him105

"Why did you choose this path?"106

Because it was brighter 107

"But yet more narrow, surely the harder of the two paths?"108

Also why I chose this path109

"Pease do explain your reasoning."110

Through life I have found the easy path lies through shadow111

"But the lighter path may lead you to a narrow trail along a high mountain."112

But the view would be worth it, no?113

"Your right at that. Eli BearPaw. You have been, you will be, you are.114

You have chosen a path, a hard trek lies ahead. Are you ready? Your next trial waits. Choose well...115

And the presence was gone and one trail of runes appeared. A bright green trail thinner than ever. He started walking and shortly encountered brush and forest growth along the trail. Before long it was a forest like that outside the cave. He knew he was still in the cave for the cavern roof peeked through the canopy. 116

After about a quarter mile he heard sounds of fighting. Wondering what was going on he followed a trail toward the noise. What he say when he got there surprised him. Two burly men were trying to stab with spears at the beast of a bear from his youth. The bear was letting out a mighty roar at the men charging it. 117

It barely ducked a thrust at its head and that’s when he saw her cub. Without thinking Eli let out a roar of his own and drew his Staffe. "HEY!!!! What are you doing to that poor bear? What has she done to you other than scare you? Do you not see the cub she is protecting?" at that the men turned towards Eli and he realized talking wasn't going to work this time.118

Both of the men had a blank expression of rage on their face. Eli could tell something was wrong immediately. But didn't have time to guess for they came charging him with the same look as the man from his hunt. Eli quickly squeezed the weasel followed by dragon roar, followed by dragon’s breath. Jumping away and landing in cornered dragon, 119

Both men were down, but not for long. They both sprung up and charged. Again Eli pressed his attack and fell back when they went down. Only to get back up and charge again. Over and over and over. By the time he managed to break one of their necks, making the man crumple to the ground and stay down. Eli was exhausted, but the second man didn't wear down at all. Again the man charged, this time Eli made quick move he hadn't used yet. Tiger lillys' staffe hit the man so hard it ripped his head off. But not a drop of blood spayed from the wound, as it spun through the air landing at the bears feet.120

"Where were you through all of that?" Eli said as he sheathed his Staffe. "I could have used some help back there. What in the nine Hells were those things?" he asked the bear not expecting it to respond. 121

The mother bear stood to her full height, (an amazing 15ft) and she let out a long and mighty Roar. Amazing as it was, he understood what she was saying. Looking down at the base of the trunk, he saw three more huge cubs. All bigger than the one climbing down the tree, the one he had seen earlier. 122

The mother bear was known as simply "Mother Bear". Her cubs, where Scoute; which meant watcher, of all that’s good. A dark brown male, at eight foot tall. Carried himself with confidence and pride. A fearsome beast to be up against. But Eli had no fear, he was trusted.123

Lilia; who meant healer of all creatures big and small. Came to her older bothers shoulder at a good six foot. She was a tint lighter shade of brown as well. Unlike her brother she was sleek and beautiful. Built not for strength but for speed and stamina. Her eyes where a dark green that pierced his heart. At first it hurt, so much he cried out and fell to his knees in tears. and the as quickly as it had come the pain was gone. All of it, every ounce from the loss of his family. No longer was there a hole, eating away at his heart.124

Liyliak; which meant hunter of evil. Stood at a scary 11ft, was a male almost as pitch black as the cave before. Like his older brother he was built for power. But like his sister he was sleek and capable for speed as well. But unlike them he was built for stealth. His eyes a dark, almost black that made him shiver looking into them. Eli Never Wanted to face him on the hunt.125

And finally making an appearance was, Serenity; which meant guidance of the BearPaw, A pale, light brown female, stared him squarely in the eyes as he looked her over. Still immature to tell which attributes she would take one of her siblings, she well muscled with an even tone. Her attitude was that of one who knew a lot, but was bored waiting to explain what was going on, and so she started to, talking in music and pictures of emotion.126

"She did nothing to help you because it was not her trial. As for what those things where, they are myths. Their minds have been rotted out with ill usage of the power. So they are controlled by darkness and beings evil and strong enough to control them. The only way to stop them is sever the spinacle cordularous."127

"The What?" He ask dumb founded128

"Their necks. You have to break their necks, or rip off their head. Once severed their body loses its power to function and dies.'' She said with disgust "But enough talk, you have passed this trial and earned your name Eli BearPaw. You have earned, The Protectors Staff. Let it help you on our chosen path, and guide you in the dark. Your trials come to an end but are not yet done. You have seen, you will see, you see. 129

Again a power coursed through him and he closed his eyes, and took in its strength and warmth. It filled him to the brink of overpowered, before it slowly faded. When it was done he opened his eyes to find himself standing alone in the clearing holding a White Oak Staff. Reaching back to his master’s staffe to find it gone, he was not surprised. He had no need of it now. Replacing it with the Protectors staff he started walking out of the clearing. Before he left he heard Serenity whisper one last thing.130

"No matter how it may seem, you are never truly alone. I will be watching you Eli BearPaw..."131

He soon found himself through the brush and back into the dark cave. Following a wide bright yellow rune trail, he whistled pleasantly to himself as he walked along, waiting for the next trial. Another of brawn? Or of Mind? Or something different? He would find out shortly.132

* * *133

The color of hearts134

The caves darkened once more, and the trail disappeared. Once more a presence spoke to him. But unlike all the others, he felt a connection to this one. A deep feeling of trust, and friendship oozed from the back of his memory.135

"Yee have lived, yee have died, yee are born." A voice of music and pictures said. For a strange reason the feminine voice reminded him of his mothers. "Eli BearPaw, you have chosen. Are you satisfied with your decision? If you may find yourself on the wrong trail, it is never too late to choose the better course. 136

Because of your power, many with will try to sway you from the light. But fear not for friends will help pull you through. Trust few though, someone close will betray you. When all seems lost, trust in your faith and perseverance. The strength of numbers, can win the fight. Just as the strength of a leader, can win the battle. One day you will be called to make a choice. It will not be an easy choice. No matter what path yee choose you will lose something dear.”137