As the group followed Lyranda to the cave she spoke of, the first rains began to lightly fall.  Moments after entering however, the light rain suddenly heightened into a torrential downpour accompanied by near cyclonic winds.

Once inside the cave, Petra and Marren unhitched the horses and took them to a small chamber off the main room to corral them for the night.  While the duo were seeing to the horses, Lyranda quickly made a fire while Cailin began preparing a simple, but hearty meal of boiled dried venison and potatoes.  After the meal was done, the group sat around the fire,  Petra poured herself and Marren a tankard of stout, Cailin wanted the redberry cider and Lyranda was satisfied with a small cup of water.

As lightning lit up the sky and the thunder crashed outside the cave entrance, Petra turned and spoke, "By the Light, I 'aven't seen weather like that since that cyclone hit Southport over fifteen years ago... good thing our new friend came along or we'd be out in that".  Also staring at the horrific weather, Marren replied, " you got that right, had we'd been out there, we probably would have lost everything, possibly even our lives.  But as you said, looks like we have our new friend here to thank for our good fortune".

Turning to Lyranda, Cailin addressed their newest companion, "thank you Lyranda for bringing us here, seems we owe you a great debt".  Turning her head toward Cailin, Lyranda replied, "you are most welcome young one, but there was also a little of bit of self-preservation involved", then adding with a slight smile,  "I too prefer warm and dry over cold and wet." 

Slightly laughing at Lyranda's words, Cailin continued, "so Lyranda, you seem to know many things about us, but other than what Petra has told us, we know nothing about you.  You said the spirits tell you everything, what are these spirits?  You also called yourself a druid, what exactly is a druid?  And your people, again, other than what we've heard from Petra, we know nothing about you or them.  Please, I mean no offense, but if you really mean to join us as these spirits are telling you to do, we need to get to know you a little better".

That is only right and fair, there is no offense taken," replied Lyranda.  "The spirits are just that, spirits.  They are everywhere in the universe... the earth, the sky, the stars, all things living, all things passed, the fire that warms us, the wood the fire consumes, the stones around the fire, everywhere.  And all one needs to do is but truly listen and their voices can be heard.  They know the past, the present and the future,,, though they do hesitate about revealing the latter unless absolutely necessary.  But they did tell me this storm will abate in a couple of hours and we'll be able to continue in the morning."

"That's good news and I understand for the most part about these spirits," Cailin said, "do you worship these spirits?"

"Oh no, but we do revere them", Lyranda continued, "while your people call us the M'buri, we call ourselves M'buri kada Kakiruu which means Children of the Creator... you refer to this being as The Light.  The Creator is who we worship and as the name implies, It, because it is neither male or female, is the omnipotent one that created everything".

"I see, so our peoples do have at least one thing in common, the belief in an all powerful and knowing being, but you also spoke of Araluna.  How do you know of her?, Cailin inquired.

"Ah, you see, it was her son, Cenaari, that taught some of our people druidism.", Lyranda replied,   "It was he that came to our lands thousands of years ago and began teaching the M'buri the ways of harnessing the powers of nature to heal and to fight.  While all of his students were taught the restorative powers of nature's healing, the strongest and biggest were taught how to use the aspect of the mighty bear to fight, but those who lacked the great strength and size, such as myself, learned to use the stealth and cunning of the great cat to battle our foes."

"Thank you, Lyranda for giving all of us a better insight to you and your people.  I think I can speak for us all and say you are most welcome to our little troupe.", Cailin said as both Petra and Marren both also said "aye" in unison to her remark. "Well, it's getting late and we should get some rest, We have an extra cot in the wagon you're welcome to use Lyranda."  "I've slept on the ground, next to nature all my life, I will be fine lying here next to the fire Cailin, but I thank you for the generous offer," Lyranda replied.

As the group slept, Lyranda was awakened by a feeling that something or someone had been spying on them.  Drawing her daggers from their scabbard, she quietly slipped from the cave to investigate.

"What in the bloody 'ells was that?", Petra shouted as she and the others were violently awakened by the sounds of bestial growls and horrified screams.  "I don't know!", Marren, also shaken by the sounds coming from outside the cave, responded.  Looking around, Cailin blurted out, "where's Lyranda?  Oh no, that might have been her!  Quick you two, grab your weapons, we need to go find her!  She might be hurt!"
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