Shandalar Valmaris's Escape

Ironhand 8660

Shandalar was deep into the woods before she stopped running. The strange woman who saved her was long gone, but she was thankful to be given a second chance, even if it meant starting like this. Taking stock of her surroundings, she estimated she was still 3 days travel from human lands. That's right, she would have to leave the North. As much as it pained her, the woman was right. The North wouldn't be safe for her for a long time. Centuries at least.

Thinking about where she should go, she continued to walk. The woods were pitch black, but she always felt safe in them, even now. Nature was always safe for an elf, after all. She listened to the spirits as she walked, and they told her the grim truth. Her entire family was gone, down to the last. She was possibly one of 2 survivors of the Valmaris family. Her sister's husband Tarron was struck down at the Palace Gates. But then they told her of Syndra's escape.

"They blew up the palace?" Shandalar asked.

"To smithereens." The spirits whispered. "The Rangers covered her escape, more than 50 died."

"I wish I got to say goodbye to her." Shandalar said quietly, as she continued south. The spirits remained silent at this thought.

In the days that followed, Shandalar didn't encounter a single soul elf or otherwise in her journey south. At times it felt like she was the last person left on Karand as she continued south. The all too silent woods gave her lots of time to reflect on what she should do. She hated that she would never see these woods again, so she wanted to go somewhere similar.

"Northern Karand, the forests aren't the same, but they're close enough." She said quietly. "It'll never be the same, but maybe it'll be close enough."