The road to Myra's Cove took the trio well south of the Scarlands, but was long and often wound through the high hills and ravines found so close to the sea.

After traveling for eight days without incident, on the morning of the ninth, Marren came running down the road, waving his arms above his head signaling them to stop.  "Wonder what's  'appenin'", Petra said to Cailin, "seems like Marren has spotted somethin'."   As Marren came to a halt beside the wagon, slightly winded, Cailin looked down at the man and asked, "something wrong Marren, is there trouble ahead?"

"No, it doesn't appear to be anything troublesome, just strange", Marren replied.  "Strange?  Strange how, lad?", Petra inquired.

"There's a woman squatting beside the road about a mile ahead", Marren said, still slightly winded from the run.  "What's so strange about that?  There are farms and small villages all around here, maybe she's from one of them.",  Cailin  stated.

"It's the woman herself,", Marren continued, "I've never seen anybody like her... her clothes, her hair, her skin... she's definitely not from these parts.  And I watched her for over an hour, didn't move an inch.  Did a little more scouting around the area to see if there was anybody else with her, no, she's alone.  That took me over an hour and when I returned, still in the exact same position, like she was made of stone."

"That does sound strange.  Hmmmm... well, we're heading down the road any way, might as well check out this mystery woman of yours, Marren," Cailin replied, " but let's be cautious and keep an eye out for any trouble."  "Sounds good to me", Petra quipped, "how 'bout it, Marren?  Mind leading the way?"  "Why not, I'm just itching to find out what's going on.  OK, ladies, follow me please," Marren chuckled, "let the adventure begin!"

As the trio pulled the wagon beside the woman and dismounted, Petra spoke, "I can see why yer perplexed lad, ye be right, she doesn't come from this area.  She be M'buri, they be from the islands far out in the southern sea."  "M'buri?", both Cailin and Marren replied in unison.  "Aye, her people are quite unique.  They have a born affinity to Aeranor itself... some to the elements, earth, water, fire and air... others to nature, the living things.  All are said to be gifted with uncanny knowledge of past, present and some say, even the future.."

Suddenly, the woman rose to her feet and speaking to the dwarf, "I see you know quite a bit about my people, Petra Ironbeard, where did you aquire this insight?"  "Me father knew one of your people and fought beside him at the Blood Gates, he told me much about... wait a moment... how in the name of The Light did you know me name?', Petra sputtered.

"The spirits tell me everything... you are Petra Ironbeard, master smith, master craftsman and master warrior.  Daughter of Clan Ironbeard and former captain of the Whitecap Mountaineers," then turning to Marren, "and you are Marren Jorann, hunter, tracker and former scout elite of The King's Royal Infantry."  Finally looking at Cailin, the woman slightly bowed her head and said, "and you dear child are Cailin Brightstar, daughter of human father Lomar Brightstar, Paladin of The Light and high elf Selana Windsoarer, Priestess of Araluna.  Child of Araluna, Guardian of The Sacred Moonblade of Araluna."

"How... how do you know these things?", Cailin asked in amazement.  "Besides my parent's and my name, but also my lineage and the blade?  How is this possible, I've never seen you in my entire life!"

"As I told you, the spirits tell me all and they tell me I am to go with you", the woman replied,  " I am called Lyranda and as Petra stated, my affinity is to nature, I am known to my people as a druid.  We druids are both healers and warriors, the spirits tell me you will be needing my talents in the times ahead, I will be accompanying you from this day forward."

Lyranda contiued, "now, a mighty storm is brewing and the road ahead is prone to flash flooding.  Your day's travels have come to an end.  There is a cave not far from here that we can stay the night.  It is dry, well sheltered and large enough for us, the animals and your wagon.  Quickly, follow me before we are caught out in it."

As Lyranda began to walk toward where the sheltering cave was located, Marren quipped toward Calin and Petra, "I see she's not too keen on clothing."  Peering over her shoulder to Marren, Lyranda replied, "among my people, Marren, I am considered quite modest, some even call me prudish.  Most of our women wear much less."  Once again with just a hint of a light laugh, she turned in the direction of the cave, leaving Marren to ponder about 'much less'.
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