The Search

((Still a work in progress, this is as far as I am at the moment.))

In which Nouala recieves a mysterious summons, a mother is found and certain revelations regarding a gem.

As Nouala read the letter in the soft spring breeze her brows rose in puzzlement. "Gone?" she said to herself. After reading the letter a second time, she made her way to the house of Elizabetha and Richeron where she had been staying. After a short while, she left the house dressed in full armor and made her way to the Cathedral Square.

She found Elizabetha standing outside the Cathedral. By the look of her face, Elizabetha could sense something was wrong. "What is the matter, Nouala?" she asked. "My mother has disappeared from the room she locked herself in, right under the eyes of the Sentinels." Nouala explained. "I have to go and look for her. I do not know how long I will be, but I expect to find her at the Ruins of Ravenwind." Elizabetha sighed, "I wish I could come with you..." Elizabetha pulled Nouala into a friendly hug. "Ashal'thelal" said Elizabetha. "I will go then, for Kalimdor" said Nouala as she started to leave reluctantly.

As Nouala made her way to the Gryphons, she heard Elizabethas voice ring out across the square "You will find her Nouala!". Nouala smiled, and felt a lot better about her search.

The journey to Kalimdor was quiet and uneventful. At the family house in Auberdine, Nouala confirmed her suspiscions; her mother has left in the form of a cat, but there seemed to be something - odd about it. "The trail leads south..."

Nouala followed the trail to the south, finally stopping at the ruins of her ancestral home. "Ravenwind, I knew I would find her here." she said to her Frostsaber Kirfalah. "She must be somewhere nearby." "Looking for me daughter?" said her mothers voice behind her. Nouala turned with a start. Her mother was standing behind her in her druidic robes, unadorned except for a necklace with a darkly colored gem that somehow seemed familiar to Nouala. "How did you get there?" she asked. Her mother shrugged "I am a Druid" she answered, "Why did you follow me here?" Nouala looked at her mother; "You left Auberdine without a word after..." "After having locked myself up, and wallowed in my own misery for several months" interrupted her mother coldly, "is that what you are going to say?"

Nouala was taken aback by her mothers abrubtness; "No, I was..." "Worried about me" said her mother nastily, "how sweet." "But you can forget asking me to return home. I left as a cat, and a cat I'll stay. I have had enough of this life, I will spend the remainder of my time as a cat." her mothers voice left no room for discussion. Nouala knew from experience, that there was no talking to her when she was in this state and decided to let the matter rest - for now. She would be back later, and she would make her mother listen to her.

"And what has my wayward daugther been doing with the humans?" asked her mother, changing the subject. "I have been making friends, my best friend is a Elizabetha, a human paladin." said Nouala defiantly. "Friends! With humans!", her mother sounded shocked. "And you realize, that even if they get to live a long life by their reckoning, they will be dead and gone in a mere moment for you?" she asked. Nouala smiled peacefully "Yes, I know, and I do not care. The joy I gain from our friendship will be with me always." Her mother looked at her strangely, trying to see if she was serious; "And that is the truth?" "Yes mother. I would not be without her friendship. This is my choice!" said Nouala. Her mother gave her a long glance and then, she smiled, "I am proud of you."