As people were led by servants to their respective rooms for the night Lonett inquired of her own designated guide where she might find the castle stables as she wanted to visit with Divna first, before retiring for the night. Divna was already poking her owlbear head out of the farthest, most remote stall in the stables having sensed the approach of her partner, and the moment Lonett came into range a sharp beak clonked her on the head.

	"Ow, Gods!" The ranger rubbed her head vigorously. "I'm sorry, okay. I know I said it wouldn't take long, but you know how it is when libraries need to be perused." Lonett scratched Divna's neck to placate the irate beast of an animal. The hulking owlbear grunted in acceptance and in a rare gesture of affection, one that would not be displayed never ever in public, she rubbed her head against Lonett. "I know, ol' girl." The monster huntress buried her head in Divna's soft feather-fur. "We'll be together on the road tomorrow morning. Sleep now. Rest. We have a challenging foe to face soon enough." Lonett stepped back and peered into Divna's yellow eyes. They shone with fierce readiness.

[hr]
	After checking up on Divna Lonett was led to her room and left on her own. The guest room was lush and luxurious compared to what she was used to. As a frequent traveler, she generally camped out in the woods, in valleys, mountains, caves. Occasionally she would be invited into the modest house of a villager. This, to her this was overindulgence if anything else. She could never live like this, high up in a stone tower of sorts, away from the earth and the land. Away from nature and its denizens. She flashed back on her childhood, spent among the trees, hunting, exploring and literally frolicking with her sister. At the memory of Nanett a dark cloud descended upon the ranger. Her expression sobered, her hands clenched into fists. Lonett dumped her equipment near the bed and sat down burying her face in her hands. Maybe this new quest would bring her a step closer to tracking down Yeenoghu and justice for her sister. There was something about this whole Ghoul Empire thing that just felt off, regardless of the fact that an Empire of ghouls was already horrifying enough. No, there was something more subtle, a string that could be pulled to uncover the treasure. But that one string was beyond elusive.

	For now all she could do was rest and get ready for the task ahead of her. Destroying evil was always a boon for her especially when it was this high level. Because it meant a lot of innocent casualties if not thwarted. She rummaged through her bag of holding for her woodcarver tools and that piece of driftwood she'd picked during her travels. It would be perfect for what she had in mind. She'd seen the sigil on enough places around the castle for the short time she was here and knew it to be the symbol of house Mavros. She set her cloak on the floor and got to work. Before long a regal wolf's head appeared in the wood framed by a banner. Lonett spent a good two hours working on the carving until she was satisfied with the final result. It was one of her best pieces yet. Fitting, as she planned to offer it as a gift to Duke Vincente for the hospitality and for the opportunity to help people by defeating evil.

	With the carving finished Lonett set it aside and cleaned up after herself. She took off her scale mail, but put her cloak back on and lay on the soft bed in her clothes, taking care to remove her boots. She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

	She was immediately transported to that fateful night when her life had changed forever. When she wasn't yet strong enough to help her people, her sister, or even herself. When the best she was capable of was barely enough to keep the skin on her bones. And yet she'd fought tooth and nail, demonstrating if nothing else strength of character, refusing to give up. To bow down. To accept defeat and had instead lifted herself up and elevated herself into this champion for the weak and defenseless. Lonett observed her life as if from the outside. All the years studying, training, traveling, broadening her horizons. Discovering new ways to fight, to track, to gain information. Growing and maturing. And as she observed herself from above, she realized she was not alone. Someone else was also watching her with intent eyes.

	"[i]Yes, child![/i]" A voice boomed in her head. "[i]You have been watched. I have observed your life's journey. And I have been pleased. You possess strength indeed. Both of will and of body. No one can deny your bravery and valor. You may not seek renown but you do have it amongst the most innocent of all audiences - the children. Yes. Kord is pleased. I shall walk beside you child. From here onwards, should you need my help call upon my name and pray upon my symbol.[/i]" Lonett watched dismayed as a sigil etched itself upon her shield.

	The ranger woke up with a start. She was in the soft bad, in the luxurious guest room of the castle of the Twin Dukes. And sure enough, there, in the center of her shield glowed the sigil of Kord, the storm god and lord of battle. Lonett lay back in bed, her head filled with questions and her heart full of excited palpitation. [i]What could all this mean?[/i] She wondered as sleep once again took her.