Snowy nods and curls up against you. "Please?" You growl softly, "It was a very long time ago... and I have not before told the story.. so if I pause or miss parts, forgive me." Snowy nods and listens closely. Mist strokes your back gently and smiles at you, the lifts his head and looks forward, beyond you. You growl softly, "Many, many years ago.. I was the captain of a small army, serving in the kingdom of Anwolek..." Snowy looks up at you as she listens. Mist is very hesitant.. the story has been kept to himself for so long.. Mist looks upward. "We were a peaceful kingdom.. we had a good ruler, good people. We got along with our neighbors, and we had enough to go around. Mist almost smiles. "My work was not very difficult." Snowy nods as she listens. You growl softly, "We heard rumours of trouble in the south, but it seemed nothing could touch us, none felt threatened. When the rumours got closer, I began training my troops.. but most people, the King included, saw it at little more than games. Perhaps, because of that, I encouraged it to be more towards games than work.." Snowy closes her eyes and nods. You growl softly, "We were hit before dawn.. the first amongst our neighbors.. for some reason I was not surprised... I had been uneasy. My troops were on the defense quickly, and they did their jobs well." Snowy listens silently now. Mist looks downward. "The battle did not go well. Such creatures I have not seen the like of, before or since... save maybe once, but I cannot recall if that was real or a dream. Nightmares from the Inferno itself.. You growl softly, "We fought hard.. though we were falling back... the Nightmares didn't care what they hit... they took down anything near to them.. buildings, troops, trees, even.. their destruction was absolute." Snowy reaches to take your hand again. Mist looks troubled, and stares forward. "They broke through my troops... a young cub was defening his sister with a pitchfork... I could not get there.." His eyes close. Mist frowns. "I called to my troops to fight harder.. whether they heard me, I do not know.. but we seemed to progress into the tide... and I saw him.. Snowy gives your hand a gentle squeeze and whispers, "It's alright. You don't have to go on if you don't want to." Mist blinks several times, but his expression is set. "It may do me good to finish... perhaps it may help me." Snowy nods and quiets again to listen. You growl softly, "The... 'man'... I know not what else to call him, though he stood much taller than any man should.. was striding forward in the midst of the Nightmares.. looking smug and secure... as if he owned the world." You growl softly, "I charged him.. my sword flying.. thinking if I could stop him.. all would be well.. I was hit many times.. but I got there..." Snowy closes her eyes again. Mist sighs. "It was so simple for him... I got but a single glance. He pointed at me and whispered... yet through the battle I heard it clear as day.. 'Fool'.. was all he said." Mist frowns and looks down, embarrassed... "The word burns me to this day..." Snowy sighs. "I wish there was something I could do, Mist..." You growl softly, "I was no longer on my feet... I no longer had feet... he had dissolved me.. I did not know then, but I know now, into the cloud that you have seen me become." You growl softly, "I was conscious... I could see and hear... but I had no control.. and I was carried off on the wind. I could only watch our kingdom fall until it was too far to see... and even then I still heard his laughter." Snowy hugs you gently. Mist growls unconsciously, his face angry. "I vowed my revenge on him.. that one day he would regret not killing me. It has taken me many, many years to learn to acheive solid form... I have been helped on my way by a few. Snowy looks up at you. "Mist... With but a touch of my finger I can help you achieve it." Mist smiles, and hugs you gently, then sits back a bit. "For now, M'Lady, this form has become an advantage over the problem it once was.. for I have learned other forms to aid my quest." Snowy smiles softly. "The offer is open, should you ever need it. I can change your forms the same way, Mist." Mist smiles. "Thank you, M'Lady... perhaps, once my quest is complete." Snowy smiles and nods. Mist sighs softly and sits back a bit, looking down. "Stories of war are not good conversation.. but I thank you for listening."