It had been a long two years, Kazola reflected as she wearily made her way home to Yew. Two years of searching Britannia for any scrap of information regarding her long lost parents and family. Two years.. and nothing.

It was nearly sunset, and Kazola coaxed her horse to go a little faster, anxious to get to Yew before nightfall. She had decided early that morning, while still lying in bed in a run-down Minoc inn, that it was time to go home. She knew her friends in Yew were worried about her, and even though Kazola wrote them regularly, they did not like the idea of her wandering Britannia alone.

Two years.. and absolutely nothing to show for it.

Kazola's spirits picked up as she saw a Yew tree in the distance. The enormous trees were only found in Yew, and it was a sure sign that she was nearly home. She loved the Yew trees; loved everything about Yew. It held a sense of peace that could be found nowhere else.

But what to do now that she was going home? Kazola wasn't quite sure. She didn't think she could simply resume her duties at Empath Abbey; travelling all over Britannia had shown her that there were all sorts of people and sights in the world to see. Simply working at the Abbey the rest of her life would not satisfy her. She wanted to stay in Yew, yet she still wanted to feel a part of the larger world as well.

Kazola shook her head and smiled. Here she was nearly home, and she was already thinking about the rest of the world again. The Yew tree, now much closer, was already towering high, covering much of the sky.

Finally, she reached Empath Abbey. She smiled at Elijah, a scribe who was sitting on a bench outside the Abbey, and waved hello.

"Kazola!" he cried out happily, quickly standing up and rushing over to her horse. "You've finally come home!"

"Aye, Elijah, I'm home. And for good this time," she grinned at him.

"That is good to hear," he smiled. He carefully studied her face. "But you didn't find anything, did you?"

Kazola sighed. "No, I didn't. I found absolutely nothing. Even the Royal Library in Britain had no records containing my name."

Elijah nodded sadly. "Ah, child, perhaps it's for the better. You know your true family is here at the Abbey."

Kazola smiled at him. "Aye, I know."

"You must have had amazing adventures, child. You will have to tell them to me over dinner!" Elijah always enjoyed hearing of the outside world, and had shared this love with Kazola when she was a child. They had become the best of friends, Elijah becoming somewhat of a father to her when Kazola had been left at the Abbey as a very small child.

"Well, nothing I'd call amazing.. more like tiring, Elijah," she laughed. "But I have a tale or two that I think you'll enjoy hearing."

"Well, let's get your horse in the stables and get cleaned up for dinner, and then you can share them with me."

The next day, Kazola rose early, determined to start making plans for her future in Yew. After breakfast, she wandered into the banking area of the Abbey, where she could hear many voices speaking excitedly.

A well-dressed man stood in the middle of the room, talking passionately to a group of people standing about. "As mayor, I will insure our citizens are protected from the foul orcs, ettins and other monsters that border our lands! We must form a militia that will patrol Yew so that all of our people can be safe!"

Mayor? Kazola wondered. I don't remember Yew having a mayor. She decided to stop and listen for a bit. She soon found herself nodding to many things this Mayor said. After he finished speaking and the crowd began to disperse, she decided to introduce herself to him.

"Mayor? My name is Kazola, and it's good to meet you. I wasn't aware Yew even had a Mayor!"

"Ah yes.. many changes are afoot in Yew. It's time we became part of the larger world and insure our village's concerns are heard by Lord British and his council!" He smiled at her, and offered his hand. "Enshu Ponfar, at your service, m'lady."

Kazola was intrigued by his enthusiasm, and they spent a few moments talking about Yew. She mentioned her recent travels, and his eyes lit up.

"How exciting your journey must have been", he exclaimed. "Did you get a chance to visit Britain?"

"Aye, that was the first place I went to. I visited the Royal Library there."

"The Royal Library, eh? I've been there a few times in the past. It's shameful how few books there are about Yew there." he said sadly. "I mean to see that changed, if at all possible. We must find ways to entice Britannians from all over to visit our village so that we may increase our influence in the Royal Council. I doubt most Britannians even know our village exists, except when there's a trial held here."

Kazola nodded thoughtfully. Having outsiders visit the village would be a good thing for Yew, and it certainly would make life in Yew more interesting. But how to do this? She spoke a few more words to the Mayor, and then excused herself. She walked back to her room slowly, deep in thought.

A few days later, Kazola decided to take her horse riding and see what other changes had come to Yew in her absence. She soon discovered the new Yew Militia practicing outside their new headquarters. One of these men was resting on the steps.

"Hello, girl," said the man. "Come to join our Militia?"

Kazola blinked in surprise. "The Militia? This must be yet another new thing in Yew."

"Aye, 'tis Ponfar's doings. We're going to start patrolling all around Yew and its outskirts in the next few days. Ponfar's hoping this will bring newcomers to our village, as we will be making sure the roads are safe."

Kazola smiled. This was good news indeed. She had been fortunate on her way home, and had not encountered any trouble, but this was definitely not the norm around here. "That's excellent news."

"Aye," the man said. "Name's Sixx Moka.. and you are?"

"My name is Kazola. I live at the abbey.. for now, anyways."

"Nice to meet you, girl. Ah, the abbey.. they serve good wine there, but I'd kill for a good ale right about now," Sixx sighed. "Yew needs a place where we working men can enjoy our evenings, somewhere where there aren't a bunch of monks frowning at you every time you fill your glass." Sixx muttered under his breath.

"You mean, a tavern?" Kazola inquired.

"Aye.. just like the ones they have in Britain.. heck, even Skara Brae and Minoc have one. Why can't we?"

Kazola nodded slowly. Why not, indeed? With the new Yew Militia guarding the roads, business in Yew would be picking up. And travellers needed somewhere to stay, right? Kazola began to smile as an idea started to form in her head.