Kysara sat cross-legged on her bed, a single candle barely lighting her corner of the dark room. A few feet away her niece slept soundly, curled into a ball under a mountain of blankets and pillows. Coiled beside her was a small blue hawk, letting out the tiniest squawk of a snore every so often.

The ranger ran her finger along the small wooden box that sat before her. She took one last glance at the younger girl before flipping the metal latch and slowly opening the lid. Inside sat a small cloth pouch, some neatly folded letters, a black pearl, a green leather-bound journal, a darkmoon flower and a small crystal shard. She let out a small sigh and removed the pearl, rolling it between her fingers. The mage's letter still fresh in her mind.

Would you be just another wild goose chase? she thought to herself, looking down at the jewel. Would I spend weeks walking a line only to come to a dead end once again? I thought I had a lead... but it sends me to Suncrown's doorstep. I still think they'd sooner put a knife in my back than help. Especially if they knew who you belonged to.

She let the pearl fall into the palm of her hand as the other opened the small pouch, revealing a number of black pearls. These belonged to Roanna. Maybe she was the one to send you. That would be the obvious answer, right? But then I remember the envoy, and her speaking of a mission. Was she searching for someone too? She sighed. I tried to bury you with the others, to give some closure... and maybe, in some strange way, some peace. I was tired then. So tired of fighting. But I still couldn't.

She tucked the pouch away and set the pearl back into the box. Her focus shifted to the shard as she lifted it from the cloth wrapping. The ranger turned the small crystal between her fingers, letting the candlelight shimmer and dance along its surface. And you... she thought, closing her hand around it. I think its time I paid someone a visit.