“Luna” Raven shouted as she shot up right. Looking around she knew she was within the medical hut.
“So the little hunter is finally awake.” said a voice just to the side of her bed. Raven turned to see that Tidas was sitting in the chair.
“How long have I been out?” asked Raven moving so she was propped against the back of the bed.
“About a week.” said Tidas standing. He walked to the water basin to gather a cup for Raven.
“How’s Luna?” asked Raven watching Tidas closely.
“I wouldn’t know. The centaurs went after them, but we found them dead the next day. There’s no sign of Luna.”
“Very well.” Raven said getting out of the bed.
“What are you doing?” asked Tidas moving to bloke Raven’s path.
“I’m going after her. Where’s my bow?” said Raven moving around Tidas to the chest at the end of her bed.
“You’re crazy. You just woke up after a week, and now you’re planning on going after Luna when the set a straight path for the territories.” said Tidas once again trying to get Raven into the bed.
“I may be many things, but I am not crazy to go after my friend.” said Raven pushing Tidas onto the next bed.
“Fine, but if you’re going so am I.” said Tidas moving to now help Raven.
“No you’re not. This is bad enough with one elf, and now you’re planning on going. Not to mention you know Nibbers is going to want to go as well, and he can’t because he’s banished.” said Raven in a flurry
“He would if he could but he can’t” said Tidas looking away.
“What do you mean?” asked Raven moving so she could see Tidas’s face. Tidas had the look of a mad man ready to kill or cry.
“He was taken too.” said Tidas turning again to hide his face.
“I’m surprised you haven’t already left to go get him then.” said Raven placing her hand on his shoulder.
“Yeah right. I knew you would want to rescue Luna, and the same thieves took Nibbers. I have never been out of the forbidden forest and you have. Me leaving without you would be as good as digging my own grave.” said Tidas turning.
“So you knew I was leaving before I even said anything” said Raven now a bit mad.
“Yeah, like you said you are many things, including a good friend. Luna would come after you if you were taken, and you know that. So now you’re going after her.” said Tidas taking Raven bow from its hiding place.
“Fine, but I’m in charge. As you said I’ve been to the territories and I know that the people there hate us.” said Raven taking the bow. “We need to go back to my house so I can pack.”
“Do I actually get to see the inside this time?” asked Tidas with a smirk.
“Whatever.” said Raven leaving the clinic.
“Raven you should go back in there and lay down.” said Claris the village healer.
“I’m fine really. After a week’s sleep you get pretty energized.” lied Raven as she moved down the street.
“Very well, take it easy though.” shouted Claris as Raven and Tidas darted around the corner. A short run and Raven was climbing the tree to get to her little home in the trees.
“How come you chose a house so high off the ground.” asked Tidas struggling to get up the tree. Using you as an example if you had a choice of attacking a house on the ground, or climbing a tree to attack, which would you chose?” asked Raven already at the top.
“All right you got me there. But shouldn’t you have a rope ladder for guests?” asked Tidas making the half way point.
“I do. I was expecting you to wait at the bottom so I could throw it down but your already half way.” said Raven smiling down at Tidas.
“You what!” shouted Tidas. Through the truth Tidas lost his concentration on holding on and feel twelve feet landing on his back.
“I’ll get the rope” said Raven laughing as she climbed in the window. Sending down the ladder, Raven got to work on packing only the essentials. A moderate level spell book, bottles filled with potions from Healing solutions to acid ready to melt through the toughest armor.
“I’d thought your house would be cleaner” said Tidas looking inside Raven’s house for the first time.
“It would be, but when I clean I put stuff places and I can’t remember where I put them, but when it’s a mess as you say like this, I know exactly where everything is.” said Raven Putting some rope in her leather bag.
“Ok, can we stop by my place next so I can grab some last minute things? asked Tidas still out on the branch.
“Sure. Where did I put my bracers?” Raven mumbled as she searched for her leather arm guards.
“I thought you knew where everything is.” said Tidas with a smirk.
“Oh ha, ha, threw them off to the side when I heard a scream from the town.” Raven said finding her bracers in the corner.
“Do you think, well find them” Tidas said looking towards the northern boundaries.
“If we don’t have faith what do we have?” Raven asked finishing off her pack. “Let’s get to your house now.”
Raven jumped from the opposite window and landed gracefully. Tidas also jumped from the tree, but landed with a thud.
Tidas and Raven took off into a run back into town.

Tidas was born in town and still lived close to his parents. His home was large and spacious due to his connections through his parents to the town carpenters. Walking through the front door was walking into another world. The outside was kept at high standards. The inside was a demolition zone. Clothes, bottles, books, and other objects lay around in piles.
“And you say my house is a mess.” Raven said looking around at the mess.
“Whatever.” said Tidas picking up an already packed bag.
“We need to visit Marlow.” Raven said heading back into the waiting sun light.
“Why?” asked Tidas whining at the thought.
“Because.” Raven said running south to the mountain forest.
“She’s old, smells weird, and thinks I’m a squirrel.” Said Tidas keeping pace as the duo ran through town.
“Yes, and because she’s old, she has many years of wisdom, she smells a bit off because she’s always mixing potions, and anyone could mistake you for a squirrel.” Raven laughed launching into a front flip to avoid Tidas’s smack.
“Still, we could visit any old person, why do we have to visit Marlow, Sandy just as old and makes really good cookies.” said Tidas.
“Yes, but did she care for me when I was kicked out of my parents home?” Raven said with acid in her voice.
“I didn’t know that.” said Tidas trying to apologize.
“Yeah well, I didn’t see the need to you.” said Raven speeding up, officially ending the conversation.



Madam Marlow was an elder dwarf, and was the best in the art of potion making. She owns a small bit of land that is filled with everything a potion maker could need. A large tent dominated the southern edge of the field, while tables covered in herbs filled the rest of the space. Herbs hung from strings tied to the trees, and you had to duck under them just to enter the field.
“Hello Madam Marlow” said Raven ducking under some hanging Sage.
“Hello Raven, one moment dear. Alexia, where’s the Rosemary I asked you to get me.” shouted Madam Marlow turning her back on Raven and Tidas. A fairy exited the tent holding a basket of what appeared to be Rosemary. She wore a long tan dress like shirt, with brown pants covering her legs. Twigs and leaves stuck out from her brown hair that nearly covered her orange eyes. She also wore a bright orange pendant that hung from her neck. She froze at the sight of Raven and Tidas, but continued to follow Madam Marlow’s request.
“So what brings you and your squirrel friend to visit me.” said Madam Marlow turning to her small mixing bowl.
“I thought I say good-bye” said Raven turning to look at Lila closely.
“Uh, Alexia go inside and study” said Madam Marlow
“But, I’ve been studying for the last 3 days. I got that potion book memorized.” said Alexia.
“As my apprentice you will do as I say, or I’ll give you an obedience potion” said Madam Marlow fiercely. Alexia stomped off to the tent mumbling whatever.
“I didn’t know you accepted a new apprentice.” said Raven looking at the tent.
“She’s not new” said Madam Marlow turning to the bowl again.
“First time I’ve seen her” said Raven. Tidas was looking at all the oddly shaped bottles that Madam Marlow kept her wide variety of potions in.
“Normally when you come around she’s off running through the woods collecting herbs.” said Madam Marlow. “Now you were talking about leaving.”
“Yes, me and Squirrel boy are going for a trip through the territories.” said Raven glancing back at Tidas. Sure enough he gave her a nasty look but went back to looking at the bottles.
“Might I ask why you’re taking the squirrel and not Luna?” asked Madam Marlow. The news of the attack must not have penetrated this deep into the forest.
“That is the reason we are going. There were some Demon thieves that took Luna, and his friend Nibbers. We decided to go after them.” said Raven. A small movement of the tent flap led Raven to believe that Alexia was listening.
“I will not let you go.” said Madam Marlow turning to point her clawed walking stick at Raven. “Even with the squirrel’s help it will be too dangerous.”
“I’ve gone on plenty more dangerous missions then this, and every time you wished me luck, gave me a few of your best potions, and sent me on my way. Why can’t this be any different.” said Raven looking Madam Marlow in the eye. Raven’s silver eyes gave you the feeling she was looking at you soul rather then your eyes.
“I can not let the prophecy be about you.” said Madam Marlow turning away in defeat.
“What prophecy?” asked Raven looking at the old dwarf in front of her.
“Come my child, we have much to talk about. Bring the squirrel too. He needs to hear what I say as well.” said Madam Marlow. She walked from the table to the tent flap. Madam Marlow moved the tent flap aside to reveal an eavesdropping fairy with her eyes closed. Madam Marlow cleared her throat and startled the fairy.
“Oh um, Madam Marlow. I was just checking to see if you were done talking to our guest” said Alexia looking embarrassed to be caught.
“UmHm” Madam Marlow sighed looking at Alexia with un-amusement. Alexia moved farther into the tent with Madam Marlow following. Raven followed as well pushing Tidas in.