"So," Imoen asked cheerfully as she and her sister walked side-by-side through the thick wilderness towards the druid grove. "How many tattoos have you got now? I don't think I ever asked ya 'bout 'em."

"Ten," Laska said. "Well, actually eleven," she considered, "if you don't count the eye tats as a set."

"Whatcha got now?" Imoen said while cheerfully skipping around the walking elf.

"Well," Laska said. "There's the dragon, the..."

"Oh, I know about those already, get to the new ones!" Imoen giggled.

"Okay, okay, impatient little brat," Laska chuckled. "Too bad I'm armored, though... There's the moonblade on my right arm... There's the little rising sun on my shoulder blade which both I and Viconia had done, there..."

"Really?" Imoen laughed. "Viconia has a tattoo? How'd you swindle her into getting one of those? Heh, I'll have to ask her about that..."

"Are you finished?" Laska said.

"Sure, go on already, geez slowpoke," Imoen retorted.

"Rrright," Laska said. "Well, then there's the left wrist," she said while showing Imoen her most complicated tattoo, the sigils of swirling blue patterns covering the back of her hand and wrist towards her elbow. "And then there's the vine on my left thigh, to celebrate my new connection to nature and the world..."

"And I bet I know what that red rose on your boob stands for," Imoen grinned.

"Well, erm..."

"Don't those tattoos hurt like hell? They are poking a hot needle through your skin after all," Imoen continued while glancing about the forest. Apparently, being surrounded by green really lifted Imoen's spirits.

"There is that," Laska said. "Some places hurt more than others, though... and the result is always worth the brief pain."

"And you have to get naked in front of some strange tattoo-artist," Imoen said.

"They're professionals, Imoen, there's nothing to be scared about," Laska said. "Besides, they've all seen it before."

"I think I want a tattoo too, two tattoos, to do tattoos for two, because two tattoos are like two for tea and tea for two!" Imoen giggled.

"I can't believe," Laska said sincerely, "that you just said that without getting tongue-tied."

"Still, I want a tattoo! Like, a pink sun on my belly. Or a pink lion on my ankle. Or a giant pink bunny on my butt!"

"Sure make fun if you wish," Laska chuckled. "But, as much as I hate the 'my body is my canvas'-cliche, I love my tattoos. Whenever I get a new one, I feel more whole, more complete, you know?"

"Planning any more?"

"Well, I've been designing this pattern, you see, to put on the right side of my abdomen," Laska said. "When its done, it will be my second biggest."

"Say, what's your favorite tattoo?" Imoen asked while offering Laska a knowing smile.

"My first one, my dragon..." Laska smiled blissfully and closed her eyes.

"Your biggest," Imoen added.

"Oh, yes," Laska said. "Waking up and suddenly finding that blue dragon tattooed on my lower back was one of the best experiences in my life."

"Well, em, Las?" Imoen gulped.

"What?"

"Ah, well, um... The dragon's my fault, I think."

"Come again?"

"You know, in Nashkel, after we cleared out the minds, you got so incredibly drunk?"

"If I don't remember the party, I know I was loaded, Im," Laska chuckled.

"Well, Big-ears, I was about to lead you back to the inn, when I spotted this tattoo-artist setting up show in the back of the tavern and I said 'Hey, look! There's a tattoo-artist' and, whoops, there you went... And you know how you get when you have an idea in your head," Imoen laughed a little uneasily.

"So you're to blame for starting my fascination with body-art?" Laska asked, and, without warning, snaked an arm across Imoen's waist and pulled the girl towards her to kiss the top of her head before releasing her again. "Thanks, sis!"

As Imoen giggled, Laska smiled inwardly. It seemed her sister had calmed down again. It's been a long time since Laska had seen Imoen so giddy. She thought nature was to thank for it. Imoen had always loved the forest and being outside. She considered that Imoen never really seemed to be happy in crowded cities, even though she often snuck away to pick some pockets or conveniently 'drop' a few coins in the pockets of a beggar, a child or simply someone whom she liked.

Laska only hoped it would last.

"Viconia..."

"Keldorn..."

"Can I speak with you for a moment?" the paladin asked.

"You already are," Viconia smirked.

"Ah, yes... I, well," Keldorn started.

"Spit it out, male!" Viconia snorted.

"Well, I've been meaning to ask you how you are handling your change of deity," Keldorn asked. "And, if I may say, you do seem a bit happier than you were before."

"My life is my own, Keldorn," Viconia said. "I shall deal with change on my own terms. Still, I find it... pleasant that I can worship my goddess in a relationship that is much more closer. And, yes, I do feel more content."

"There is still more guidance that I might give you, Viconia," Keldorn offered. "The world is still a hostile place for your kind."

"So, you are saying that I should prove myself to the world? HAH!" Viconia chuckled. "After what I've gone through on the surface, the world has plenty to prove to me first! I welcome our conversations, Keldorn, but do not force a change on my that I don't want or one which I will achieve on my own terms."

"I think you are already changing, Viconia," Keldorn smiled. "Whether it will be for the better or for the worse, we shall see."

"When the surroundings change, so do those living in it," Viconia said enigmatically. "But I refuse to change so that I'd better fit the limited view of the surfacers."

They travelled further in silence. Keldorn's work was not yet finished.

The grove... Laska closed her eyes, took a deep breath... and revelled. Nature's presence was strong here, and the land was wild and untamed, allowed to grow without being forced to submit to any outside forces. Yet, even though it seemed peaceful and serene, the thick underbrush and high trees barely hid a sign of underlying conflict.

At the edge of the large grove, Viconia had already called Khittix from the statue. The spider was happy to get to work and sniffed around, skittering about in circles. Eventually the spider offered an apologetic look at Viconia.

"Damn," Viconia sighed. "Too much life and scents in the neighborhood. It's throwing off Khittix' senses."

"Great," Dynaheir said. "What do we do now?"

"Ach, I say we torch the place!" Korgan roared. "Wait till wind be right and problem be solved."

"No, no, we can't do that!" Minsc said. "Trees can't run away from the fire, nosir!"

"Nature's presence is pretty big here," Laska said. "I might try..."

"Try what?" Keldorn asked, but Laska had already closed her eyes and thrown her head back. A little fearful at first, Laska felt the lifeforce of everything surrounding her permeate her body. In an instant, she knew everything about all the life, from the druids of the grove, to the smallest insect and plants. She felt she was floating above the forest, being everywhere at once, seeing all. For only an instance, Laska floated in, above, under and over the large lake in the middle of the grove, seeing, feeling and hearing the fish chatting with the frogs, and the spider taunting the flies. Though she did not hear any words, she briefly understood their being... her spirit temporarily encompassed the entire grove, and as her mind tried to assimilate the knowledge, she saw the druids... the invasion force...

A grand total of about five hundred charmed animals, lions, tigers, bears, wolves and dogs were being readied for what was to be undoubtedly the 'big push' towards Trademeet. The most perplexing was that the packs were being led by powerful shapeshifted druids, while their ranks were augmented by cadres of trolls. Then she noticed nature was not well... In fact, the spirit of the grove was wailing, wailing in pain. The waves and waves of agony carved into her own spirit. Suddenly, she found herself being physically touched on the shoulder.

Immediately, her warrior-instincts kicked in, even before she broke her extended connection with nature's dwelling. Her fist swung out towards her assailant, and, too late, she saw it was headed right towards Imoen's face. Horrified, she tried to flex her body so that she could not hit Imoen. The momentum, however, caused that Laska lost her footing and slammed into the ground, ending up lying at the feet of a rather bemused Imoen.

"You get sillier all the time, don't you?" Imoen chuckled.

"Don't DO that!" Laska hissed as she got up. "I'm new at this elven concentration-stuff, you know?! I could have broken your nose and send the bone right up your brain!"

"But you didn't," Imoen said. "Besides, Viconia can resurrect me."

"It's not that easy, Imoen," Viconia started.

"Oh, don't worry, Laska can only do a sucker-punch," Imoen said.

"Enough nonsense," Keldorn broke in. "What did you see, Laska?"

"An invasion force of charmed animals," Laska said. "We'll never get in through the front door. We'll get torn to pieces."

"Ach, I say we be sendin' these lions an' tigers an' bears straight to ta abbatoir! HAR!" Korgan roared.

"Say it is not so!" Minsc added. "Minsc and Boo will not kill animals!"

"We don't have to," Laska smiled. "I've seen a second path, leading to the back of the fond, where we can confront the archdruids. The path is only guarded by four druids, we could take them easily."

That said, they started on their path towards the confrontation with the druids. Still, Laska knew something was really wrong, when she still felt the dull ache of the grove's agony deep within her spirit.

'I will never, EVER again underestimate druids!' Laska cursed herself. The battle with the four master-druids had not been going well. Aside from being physically strong and well-versed in weaponcraft, they were expert spellcasters.

Green vines protruded from the ground, grasping out at everyone who dared to get near. Already, Keldorn was completely and helplessly wound into vines as if he was a green mummy, while Carsomyr hung limply from his hand. Laska could sense Keldorn's frustration from here. But Keldorn wasn't the only disabled fighter.

Like a particularly vicious looking garden-gnome, Korgan stood paralyzed during his initial charge of the druids. His silent roar was etched on his face, as was the axe raised above his head. Even his waving beard was as if turned to stone.

Between them stood Viconia, her red dragon armor clashing violently with the green surroundings. Her armor offered excellent protection, but even her amazing speed and dexterity could not prevent her from being forced on the defensive by a single druid who never allowed her the time needed to cast the spell to free both Keldorn and Korgan.

Imoen and Jan stood behind Laska, on a grassy hillock, offering the party with cover-fire. Imoen's slightly muscular arm flexed as she stretched her bow. Immediately, a magic arrow appeared and shot towards one of the druids. Her giddy expression made way for one of frustration as the druid deftly deflected the arrow with her staff... time and again.

In the meantime, it was Dynaheir who made the first kill. The air crackled with electricity as she released her magic, and a column of lightning shot from her hands to hit one of the druids square in the chest. Maintaining the flow of magic, Dynaheir raised her hands and, with it, the druid. A few seconds later, she ended the flow, and the charbroiled druid slammed into the ground.

But the victory did not last long. Dynaheir shrieked as a swarm of insects completely engulfed her. As she was being stung and bitten, she dropped her staff, and her normally strong resolve crumbled. She ran, flailing her arms and legs until she jumped into a muddy pond in a desperate attempt to get rid of her small assailants.

Of course, this little escapade sent Minsc right over the top. The huge ranger roared in anger and took Lilarcor with both hands, swinging him around wildly. "YEEEEEEE-HAAWWWWW", the sword shouted as Minsc approached the smug druid with had dared to attack Dynaheir. Soon enough, the smug druid was beheaded with one foul blow. So forceful it was, that his head flew across the clearing and landed in the lake with a surprised expression on its face, right into the eager mouth of a hungry crocodile.

Room-service, Laska chuckled to herself, while she was fighting a female druid, armed with a staff. Laska was frustrated. Despite her use of super-fast elven blade-singer combat-moves, twirling her blades, every single move she made was countered by the super-human speed of the female human druid. Laska knew that these druids' power was augmented by some outside force... she could see it from looking into her opponent's eyes... her dead eyes.

To make matters worse, the druid's skin had turned into tough bark. Normally, this was not much of a problem, if not for Ipsiya constantly recoiling from hitting the druid's skin, often deflecting at the last moment shouting out 'Eeeeeew, bark!'. Laska hissed in frustration as the little opportunities she was allowed to actually break through the druid's defenses were limited enough as it was. Suddenly, the druid had managed to slip through Laska's twirling blades and slammed her staff right into Laska's cheek.

The tattooed elf felt a dull, throbbing pain in the right side of her face. It would not be the first bruise she'd obtain today, and certainly not the last. Prideful of her abilities as she was, Laska was getting more and more frustrated at being pushed back by this measly druid, who wasn't even wearing any form or armor. And the druid used Laska's frustration of her advantage... To the elf's utter embarrassment, the druid managed to slip her staff between Laska's legs and hooked it behind her knee so that Laska took a bad tumble, hitting her head on a rock as she fell.

Feeling warm blood seep down her neck, Laska regained her resolve as her anger intensified. In one quick move, Laska was on her feet again, tapping into her anger to twirl her blades even quicker. Raining sword-blow after sword-blow onto the druid, she managed to push her back completely, but it would be Viconia who would make the biggest difference. A ball of magic shot over Laska's shoulder and hit the druid. Instantly her skin turned to normal, and while she looked at herself, wondering what had happened, her heart was pieced by an eager moonblade. Laska didn't hesitate, and wrenched Ipsiya downward through her right side, carving her chest in two, while Imoen's arrows and Jan's bolts slammed into her body. The druid fell back, shuddering violently while her blood mixed with the soil of the earth.

Satisfied, Laska grinned at the dying druid, mocking her one last time... Just in time to hear Viconia's yell. Turning around, she saw the last remaining druid had knocked Viconia over the head while she had cast her spell. The Drow fell unconscious to the ground, while the druid turned to face the archers. Instantly, the druid... altered, slowly taking the shape of a black panther. A big, snarling black panther. A big, snarling black panther heading straight towards Imoen with fangs bared!

Imoen tried to raise her bow but she knew she'd never make it. When Imoen shrieked in fear and tried to protect herself by raising her arms in front of her face, the panther had already jumped... It would have gotten her, if a speedy Laska hadn't collided with the panther in mid-air. Elf and beast rolled over the forest-floor while they punched and clawed at each other.

In the end, the heavier panther had Laska pinned under its paws, and Laska found that both her swords were out of reach. The panther, in the meantime, snarled and made a bite for her face. Laska tried to twist away as far as she could, so instead of her face, the panther's teeth bit down on her right shoulder. Its razor-sharp teeth went right through her chainmail and sank deep into her flesh. The elf cried out in agony as she felt warm blood... her blood, splattered onto her neck and face.

Though the pain was blinding, she knew the panther had left her an opening. Ignoring the massive pain, Laska snaked her right arm around the panther's neck and took it into a tight lock, while fishing a throwing dagger from her belt. Even as she was about to strike, she felt the panther's claws rend through her armor and dig into her right leg. Hissing in pain, she violently drove the dagger right into the panther's brain through his eye.

Kicking the corpse of the already changing panther away, she painfully, very painfully stood up. Already she could feel the blood from her ugly shoulder-wound seep down her armor... and if there was something she hated, it was blood sloshing about in her armor.

"Laska! Are you okay?" Imoen said while wrapping her arms around Laska's neck, making the elf hiss in pain as her sister grazed her wounds. "Oh, sorry, sis, I..."

"It's okay," Laska said. "I've had worse... Dammit, we haven't been so knocked around since the fight with Sarevok... Oh, well, I guess it keeps us on our toes."

"Sis?" Imoen said while holding Laska around the waist. "Thanks for coming through for me, Big-ears..."

"Hey," Laska said while wiping away some pink hair and kissing Imoen's forehead and tried to keep from wincing at the pain. "I couldn't let my little sister get mauled, now could I?"

"I'd better go wake Viconia," Imoen said and tore away from the embrace.

Laska looked over her scattered party. Dynaheir cover in mud, Viconia was unconscious. Keldorn and Korgan were still incapacitated, and she herself was covered with bruises and some smaller and bigger cuts and wounds. Laska considered that if this were only the minor druids, the archdruids would be quite the challenge.

The second thing Laska considered was that her ravaged shoulder really, really, really started to hurt.