The sun shone gently through the trees as a slight figure made her way through the many plants and shrubs of the forest. She breathed the clean springtime air deeply and sighed softly to herself, enjoying every minute of her existence in this beautiful place. After a few more minutes of walking, she stopped and gently parted the branches that obscured her path. She peaked to make sure she wasn't disturbing any of the forest creatures, then entered the small clearing by the stream.

      Urei smiled to herself as she lay by the stream, stretching like a cat and putting her hands behind her head. She felt more at home here in the clearing by the stream, surrounded by the wildflowers and wildlife of the forest, than she did in her own home. The problems of the world, and even the problems of her own life, didn't seem to reach her out here.

      Urei's eyes lazily followed a brightly colored butterfly dancing in the air, but soon she began to fall asleep, lulled by the gentle murmuring of the stream.

      Suddenly, Urei's peaceful daydreaming was interrupted by the sound of a voice. Startled, she leapt to her feet and hid behind a large rock near the edge of the clearing. She already had her dagger out, ready for whoever it might be, whether bandits, traveling merchants, or even Qualinesti patrolmen. Urei waited, and was confused when no one appeared. "I know I heard someone," she muttered softly to herself. Just then, she heard the voice again, but more clearly. "Urei," it said. Now angry, Urei shouted,"Whoever you are, come out now. I don't like these childish games!"

      Near the stream, something seemed to be happening. At first, Urei thought it was just a beam of light shining through the trees. But when she looked again, she knew it was no ordinary light. It shone with a radiance all it's own, and whatever it was, it was magic. When a figure stepped through the light, Urei dropped her dagger in shock. The figure was a woman, slightly taller than Urei herself. The shocking thing was, the woman seemed to be a mirror image of Urei. She found herself drawn closer and closer to the woman, who's smile became wider and wider as Urei approached.

      As she got closer to her, Urei began to notice small differences. The woman's eyes were violet, unlike Urei's own, which were usually blue. Also, the woman was definitely older than Urei, even though she appeared quite young. Her clothing didn't seem to be made of any sort of fabric, but some kind of misty looking substance, which flowed about the woman as if it had a will of it's own. The woman's face grew serious and sad as she said in a soft voice,"You've grown so much Urei."

      Not knowing what else to say, Urei just asked the obvious. "Who are you?" she asked wonderingly. The woman smiled once again, but it was the saddest smile Urei had ever seen. "I am your mother, Urei," the woman replied.