“I remember when I’d spend my days in the woodlands. Now the only trees I see are this one and those,” Dervila Greenbow, leader of the Masters of the Yuirwood, bemoaned, staring out the wall of glass doors in the Master’s Hall, a structure both grown from and built around a massive tree, overlooking a broad balcony and the forest beyond. She hadn’t even glanced up when they entered, hunching over a table sized three-dimensional map of Aglarond with a raft of parchment reports in her hands. Now, she finally turned an appraising eye on them, and stated; “I’m aware of your part in the rescue of those people… and your service to the Yuir.” Moving to a side table, she opened a small chest and presented three, finely crafted Yuir style daggers to them, as she continued; “These are Twilight Blades… they’re formidable weapons… and they link their wielders by means of a sending spell usable once a day. The sending can be focused on one other wielder or all of them at once. I carry one myself… as do a few of my most trusted Masters. But be warned, no one knows how many survive… or who has them all!” Talice was the first to step forward and take one, then Courynn took the other two, passing one to Nymara, who addressed Dervila respectfully; “My sister is lost somewhere in the Yuirwood. She came here after hearing me speak of the wonders I saw here, but never returned to Sildeyuir and I must find her. We’ve heard she’s been seen in the company of the one you call the Ancient.” “I’ve heard reports of this,” the senior Master stated with more than a little apprehension in her voice. “Few have ever encountered the Ancient and survived to tell of it… and never before has he taken another into his company. But, from what I’ve been told, it’s unclear whether he is holding her against her will or not. In any case, the last report I have puts them in the area of the camp that was attacked days ago… which I assume is why you were there. We’ll be returning the people back to their campsite at first-light three days from now… you’re welcome to travel with them… and should I hear any further reports of your sister I’ll let you know.” Although it would only take them about the same time to cover that distance on foot, having the Masters convey them there by means of the menhir would allow them time to replenish their supplies before they left, so Courynn nodded in acceptance of her offer before they turned to leave. As Talice escorted them from the Master’s Hall, Nymara remarked, with no small measure of wit; “Clever of her to reward us with a means to task us for her needs.” “If she where to call upon you… would you serve?” Talice questioned, specifically looking to Courynn. She’d heard of his efforts to help those in need over the years. But he’d always kept to himself. Not that he was in anyway welcomed by the half-elven Yuir… being human. “Doesn’t he always,” Nymara snarked in reply. She’d seen Courynn come to aid of a number of the forest denizens since arriving in the Yuirwood, only to be rebuffed more than thanked. But it wasn’t until they came to Relkath’s Foot that she was exposed to the amount of prejudice he endured. Yet she knew he’d help anyone in need without hesitation… it was his nature. “It my path to the light within,” he stated with quite conviction, affixing the Twilight Blade to his belt.