Thisalee

Kalei slept soundly all day. When he got out of bed the following night, the White Lady was already hanging in the sky. Her cool moonlight spilled through the window, draping the floor in a veil of silver.

Kalei got dressed, washed up, and went into the living room. Matt Hardwood had already prepared dinner and was waiting for him.

The table was laden with simple fare: freshly baked bread, cheese, fruit, and a pot of flower tea.

As usual, the two ate while discussing their plans.

Matt asked, "Did you get some good rest?"

"I did, Teacher. What did the council say?"

"I've already discussed it with Dalaen. She also thinks the place you mentioned needs a thorough investigation. She's written to Astranaar, and I'm sure they'll send a senior member to assist you soon."

"That's great! With a senior member helping, the investigation will go much more smoothly."

Matt smiled. "And that's not all the good news." He took a pale green, round badge out of his Magic Backpack and handed it to Kalei. "The council's official appointment has come through. From now on, you're an official member of the Cenarion Circle. Put this on."

The badge was made from some kind of special wood. A full moon was carved into the front, symbolizing the light of Elune, the Moon Goddess. On the back was a profile of Malorne, the strongest of the Wild Demigods, the great white stag. It symbolized the power of the Druids and nature.

Delicate vine patterns edged the badge, and a tiny emerald set in its center gave off a faint glow of natural energy.

Kalei quickly took the badge and pinned it on with care.

"You have discovered a Cenarion Circle badge."

The Cenarion Circle badge had no special function in itself; it was simply proof of membership. It marked Kalei's elevated status and entitled him to the privileges granted by the Cenarion Circle, while also obliging him to fulfill certain duties on a regular basis.

Once Kalei had pinned it on, Matt nodded in satisfaction, then pointed to a wooden chest in the corner of the living room. "Besides that, the council's reward for you has arrived. It's in that chest. Go have a look. I don't think you'll be disappointed."

Kalei followed his gaze. A chest about waist-high sat against the wall, the Cenarion Circle's emblem carved into its surface.

"Thanks, Teacher." Kalei quickly finished his meal, set down his utensils, and went over to inspect the chest.

Inside lay a finely crafted robe that gave off a faint blue glow.

Kalei lifted it out and slowly unfolded it.

"You have discovered a Druid Robe."

Name: Cenarion Circle Standard Robe

Quality: Fine

Ordinary Effect 1: Increases magic recovery speed by 20%.

Ordinary Effect 2: Increases physical defense by 50%.

Ordinary Effect 3: Increases magic resistance by 10%.

Special Effect: None

Description: A standard robe made by the Cenarion Circle. Embroidered with a fine Cenarion emblem, it is supple to the touch and carries the scent of the forest.

Kalei's eyes lit up. It was a piece of fine-quality equipment!

He immediately took off his shabby old robe and put on the new one. A surge of pure natural energy seemed to swirl around him, greatly bolstering his defense and giving him a welcome boost to his recovery as well.

He walked a few steps around the living room, waved his arms, and tried a few casting gestures. The robe was light and flexible, and didn't hinder him in a fight at all.

Night Elf equipment was undeniably distinctive. It was comfortable and attractive to wear, and could even adjust its temperature and clean off dirt automatically. It was the perfect robe for travel—or for just staying at home.

The robe might not boost Kalei's strength by a full fifty percent, but it would certainly give him a thirty percent increase. He felt much more confident about the mission ahead.

Watching Kalei in his new robe, Matt couldn't help reminiscing. He still remembered how he'd served the council for a full century and completed more than fifty missions before finally earning one of these robes himself.

Kalei had earned his with a single contribution during the Furbolg crisis. He had to admit that his student's luck and talent far surpassed his own at the same age.

After dinner, the two drank tea and chatted while waiting for news from Astranaar.

Near noon, a sudden cawing came from outside the window.

Kalei turned to look and saw a huge black bird flying in through the window.

Its wings spanned nearly two meters, its feathers gleamed, and its talons were as sharp as iron hooks.

The bird picked up one of the pastries on Kalei's plate with its talons, as if it were human, and tossed it into its mouth.

Kalei was just about to curse the black raven that had barged in.

The bird glanced at him and said, "Tastes good. Got any more?" Her voice was clear and resonant—unmistakably a woman's.

"Are you a Druid?" Kalei asked in surprise.

The black bird laughed. "What, can't you tell? I hear you're the most promising Druid the council has seen in centuries. Heh, you don't seem like much to me."

Matt chuckled. "Lady Crow, don't tease my student. Even some Archdruids couldn't spot the flaws in your shapeshifting without a close look. How could a young man who's only just joined the council possibly see through it?"

The black bird looked delighted. She cocked a talon and cleared her throat. "All right, enough chit-chat. I'm Thisalee Crow. The council sent me to help you investigate that place, Fel Fire Valley. Who's in charge on your end, and when are we leaving?"

Thisalee Crow—the raven who followed the Archdruid!

After being in Azeroth for so long, Kalei had finally met someone famous.

He checked her strength. She had only trained in Druidism, but she was already level 59, almost at the threshold of heroism.

He hurried to his feet and smiled. "Hello, Lady Crow. My name is Kalei Nightdew. I found the clues about Fel Fire Valley, so I'm in charge of the investigation. I'm glad to work with you."

"Is that so? Then let's go." As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and soared into the sky. In moments, she was no more than a speck before disappearing into the night.

"Hey, wait..." Kalei stared after Thisalee, dumbfounded. It looked like she'd been this impulsive from the start.

Matt laughed heartily. "Don't worry, Kalei. That's just how she is. She's a little impatient, but she'll be back soon."

Sure enough, before long, the huge black bird dropped from the sky like a cannonball, then landed neatly on the windowsill. She tilted her head at Kalei and asked in a loud voice, "Why aren't you coming?"

Kalei shrugged. "I'm afraid I haven't learned shapeshifting yet, Lady Crow. I can't fly like you. I'll have to ride my Saber there."

Only then did Thisalee realize what was going on. "What a bother," she muttered. A flash of light passed over her bird-shaped body, and in the blink of an eye she had become a strong, sleek white tiger with sharp eyes.

In the game, Druids could transform into specific forms, such as a cat, a bear, a Moonkin, or a bird. The real world was different.

As far as Kalei knew, shapeshifting in the real world was a rare spell that could change both the body and the soul. As long as the caster had enough mana and understood the animal they wanted to transform into, they could theoretically become any animal.

The great white tiger stretched her powerful body, then looked at Kalei. Her meaning was clear: hurry up and stop wasting time.

Kalei hadn't expected to meet a Night Elf even more impatient than himself. He quickly gathered his things, put on his new Druid Robe, picked up his Crescent Staff, and climbed onto Big Black. With Thisalee along, he left Maestra and headed toward Fel Fire Valley.

Kalei rode Big Black at the front, while Thisalee, in her great white tiger form, followed at an easy pace.

They had not gone far from Maestra when Thisalee said, "Your cat is too slow. It's practically strolling. Can't you go faster?"

"Sorry. He's been eating too much lately and hasn't been getting enough exercise. He's put on quite a bit of weight. There's not much I can do."

Big Black heard both Thisalee and Kalei call him slow. He growled in protest and quickened his pace, trying to leave the great white tiger behind.

Unfortunately, Kalei's weight made Big Black much heavier. Even at full speed, he could barely maintain his pace. Thisalee's tiger form, on the other hand, moved with effortless ease. She caught up in just a few strides and stayed close behind him, as if toying with him.

Big Black could only complain to Kalei in frustration, then abandon his attempt to prove himself.

Kalei couldn't help laughing at his predicament. "All right, all right. You haven't run any long distances in ages. A run will do you good. Think of it as exercise."

Big Black panted a few times with his mouth open, then said nothing.

With Thisalee hurrying them along, the man and the saber ran down the road for over an hour before reaching a fork.

Kalei called to Thisalee. "Lady Crow, the road ahead leads to Moonshadow Village. We need to take the right-hand fork."

Thisalee stopped and came back to Kalei, then looked up at the right-hand path. The entire trail was hidden beneath towering trees, and she couldn't see a thing.

The lands where the Night Elves lived were covered in towering ancient trees, whether in the mountains, valleys, or plains. Once you were among them, getting a clear view was impossible.

"Can we reach Fel Fire Valley this way?" Thisalee asked.

"I checked the map. There's no direct road in that direction, but we can cross the valley. It'll be a shorter route."

Thisalee didn't object. She and Kalei were both Druids and could draw on natural energy to travel over the land, so crossing mountains and valleys was no trouble. As for Big Black, she didn't consider him at all.

"Fine. You lead the way."