"All right, you're an angel", Cailin said to Alani in resignation, "why am I here?  From what I understand, angels don't make it a normal habit to talk to us mortals."

Sitting next to Cailin, Alani leaned over, "you're right, we usually don't make it a habit to contact the mortal realm, unless... to answer your question as to why you are here, there is something very important we need to tell you."

"Something important?   I'm just a simple farm girl, what's so important about me?" ,Cailin asked, "I'm no great figure, I've done nothing of importance to merit this."

With a smile, Alani responded," that's what I love about this job, how the person hasn't the slightest idea about who or what they really are.  Cailin, you may not realize it, but you are special.  Now my turn to ask a question... why are you on this journey?"

"I thought angels were supposed to know everything," Cailin replied, "you should know what my friends and I are doing."

"I do, but I want to hear it in your own words," Alani said, "I want to know what you think is going on, why you are doing this.  Your thoughts and feelings about things."

Beginning with the death of her father and her decision to leave the farm.  Cailin told Alani of her first stop in Stoneport, where she met Petra and had her make a blade for her.  She went on to describe how mysterious runes appeared on the blade and how she and Petra joined together to travel to see the High Priestess of  Araluna to have the runes translated.  Further describing her travels, Cailin told her of the circumstances that lead to the assembly of her entourage. 

"Tell me, Alani," Cailin asked the angel, "do you know what the runes say?"

Getting up from her seat, Alani walked over and leaned against one of the columns, turning back to face Cailin she replied, "I do, but before you ask, I must tell you that I cannot reveal their meaning to you.  To do so would change everything that could happen.  You see, dear child, your contact with the High Priestess is only a part of your journey.  There is more to be done and it is you alone, that must make the choices of the future events."

"Is there anything you can tell me?" ,Cailin queried,  "surely you didn't go to all this trouble just to say hello and tease me with vague words."

Back at camp...

"What's happening, did you find any hidden wounds?",  Marren asked Lilith as she exited the tent.

Sensing the man's concern, Lilith replied in a soothing voice, "there were no wounds that we could find, Marren.  Lyranda says she cannot sense any pain or discomfort from Cailin."   Reaching out to take Marren's hand in hers, Lilith continued, "it's as if she's in a deep dream state.  Lyranda and Petra are looking after her, you should try to rest,"  then added, "you really are worried about her, are you sure there's nothing I can do for you?"

"I just want her to get better, I lo... ... ..., I care about her very much.  She's my friend and it pains me to see her like this", Marren replied as he bowed his head.

Though he had cut his words short, they did not escape Lilith, but she thought better than to press the subject.  Standing on her tip-toes, Lilith gave the man a small kiss on the forehead as she told him,  "you're a good man, Marren Jorann.  Cailin couldn't have asked for a better friend than you.  I too, am glad to call you my friend."  Returning to her feet, Lilith once again spoke to the man, "come, let's go help Hikaru with dinner.  When Cailin wakes up, she's going to be hungry and we'll have a good, hearty meal ready for her."

Taking the woman's arm in his, Marren and Lilith began walking to where Hikaru had set up the makeshift kitchen.  Turning his head back toward the tent, then back to Lilith, he said in slightly choked voice, "you're right, she hasn't eaten all day, she's going to be very hungry."

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Cailin's Journey - - An Adventure In The Making
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