The Young Hunter's Tale - Ban'ethel Barrow Den.

The Druidess wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her forearm.

The dark cave was lit only by occasional torches in holders along the wall. In front of her upon the stone floor was the body of a Gnarlpine Defender, lay sprawled in death. She crouched, searching the body for any items of use.

She had been moving in circles in this maze of darkness for an hour now; she searched for the fourth and final Relic of Awakening- the Sapphire of Sky- to bring back to Athridas Bearmantle in Dolanaar. The fetid air, the foul monsters guarding the cave, most of all the oppresive gloom- all weighed upon her spirit.

She stood, gripping her staff resolutely, and whirled around in a half-crouch, ready to swing- she had heard a small sound behind her.

An old Nightsaber cat came up the corridor behind her, its left ear shredded with an old wound, its eyes showing that it was friendly to her and no threat. Following it was a Hunter, bow held at the ready, arrow on the cord; a young Night Elf, looking as tense as she was.

"Blessed Elune", the Druidess said softly, and cast the Mark of the Wild upon the Hunter and his cat. He bowed to her, and they spoke words of greeting.

"I am seeking to release the Druids held in the Emeral Dream, and only lack the Sapphire that is hidden within this maze." Being fiercely independent, she would not ask for aid, though in truth this barrow was oppressive...she had always been strong, and proud.

The Hunter nodded slowly, stroking the fur on the back of his great cat, who looked uneasily around the darkened surroundings. He spoke.

"I have heard of the Emerald Dream. None should have to spend eternity here..." His voice lowered. "The Gnarlpines have claimed this den for their own for too long."

She told him she was seeking a small cavern where the Relic should be found. It was unspoken, the fact that they would both seek it. The Nightsaber cat nuzzled her hand, and she scratched behind its one good ear. She felt confident now.

They moved along the darkened corridor; the cat prowling ahead, them behind. It seemed like an hour before the cat came back to the Hunter and gave a low growl in its throat. The Hunter nodded silently to her, and nocked his arrow once more.

They stepped out of the corridor into a wide cavern, dim smoky torchlight showing a foot-bridge leading over a chasm to another cave. Two Gnarlpines paced back and forth at the far end of the bridge. The Druidess nodded to the Hunter, indicating she would take the right-hand creature.

The eerie green fire of the bolt of nature magic called Fury struck the Gnarlpine, and a split second later, an arrow buried itself into the shoulder of the other guard. The creatures rushed over the bridge; the Druidess shouted a Word of Power, and the harsh white glow of Moonfire leapt from her target like a shaft of vengeance up to the top of the cave; as the cat tore at the other guard, and the Hunter thrust a large knife into its body, the Druidess slammed her staff into her weakened foe thrice, and then all was still.

They walked over the bridge slowly. As they neared the opening in the cave wall, three Gnarlpine Shamen appeared at the entrance, chanting alien words of sorcery. They were caught in a field of energy; the Druidess called upon Elune in a clear loud voice, and the spell was broken, and the fight was hard but brief, staves and knives and teeth flashing in the death struggle, ending with the death of the Shamen, one throwing himself off the edge of the chasm before oblivion took him.

The Druidess bent down, entering the small doorway into a round chamber. A totem stone glowed in the corner, illuminating a sturdy metal box upon the floor. As she opened it and gazed down at the gem, she smiled for the first time in two days.

Afterward, when she stood triumphantly in front of Athridas Bearmantle with the Relics, she realized that the young Hunter that she had parted ways with as they left the Barrow Den had never told her his name.