The path that leads . . .

[DeadDreamGirl]

The man was frantic , waving his arms, and calling out for help , almost lost amid the din of travelers , and revelers in the Friendly Arms.
"Bandits! ", he shouted, "They've killed several guards out on the road... Just right out there... Oh my gods...This has never happened ... Never!"
"Well ye kinnay say tha naymoor .", came the calm response from the barbarian elf, as she stood observing the scene, feeling distant from it all.
Theresa, standing majestic in her shining mithral plate, suddenly took an interest in the man's desperate pleading.
Horatio took notice also.
Dawn Ray had traveled far on her quest to learn thd ways of the world, in hopes and for the purpose of becoming prepared for clericacy. Grey Elder of her clan back in the high forest had counciled her and sent her forth, with many ideals in her head... Yet, she had no idea, that she was moments away from a lesson of life changing proportion.
Her journey, so far had been mostly meeting people of other cultures, trying to learn their ways... Interesting perhaps, but nothing as profound as what lay ahead.
The concerned voice of Theresa , who had introduced herself as Protector of Selune, spoke out that she would step in, to help protect those in need, and stop the wicked from hurting any others.
Horatio nodded in agreement, and readied himself for the task... But then it happened... That moment when the choice of a split second sets a life on a new path... One of no return...
"Dawn...", came the voice of Theresa, "are you comming with us?". Horatio looked on for an answer.
 How very unexpected this was... Certainly she would help them, but, clearly , fighting bandits was nowhere in her teachings... Fighting people , was far from hunting that she had done for the last 127 years. Willing to help and learn, she offered this response, " Ye haff me healing, but nay me sword."
Hours later, her mind endlessly replayed the scenes that had followed. Over and over, she saw the bandits drawing weapons and flinging arrows. In slow motion, her mind replayed taking aim with her heavy crude crossbow, and the bolts vanishing in  the air... Only to be betrayed from a glint of light , heading to their targets... People.
 How bizzare it all seemed now. She could still see their faces as the bolts landed, anguish, pain and rage... then hopelessness , as they fell, the terror of death upon them ... Those images played over and over.
  No, this was nothing like hunting, nothing at all.
 Back in Moonshaes, she had learned affection from both a man and a woman, and now, she had killed one of each. A deep ache twisted inside.
   Now, as words of comfort passed her ears from a deeply concerned Theresa, the struggle inside was a raging storm of emotions.
  Yes, true, every effort had been made to allow each bandit to surrender, and true, stopping them was the only way to protect the innocent and the weak...
  Yet still, a life ended, is the very end. No more chances to change could be had. What ever god they served would be coming for their souls, and this world would see them no more.
  The path had been taken, the line crossed, and destiny set... 'Dawn Ray' was a name of the morning sun, cutting like a blade through endless darkness, which can not hold it back... This day, she had become as was foreseen by Grey Elder , who had named her 127 years ago.
  From the very beginning , it was the path that leads ...