Aerandis thanks Nerisella for her advice and the gift of ironwood.  Although his task for her is done, he still feels the need to aid the companions and friends he has made during his adventuring.  The larger questions of their quest still nag at him: We Jas is involved (perhaps the main instigator), but how? [We always kill the people before they can rant about what's going on.]  What did the mage's guild do to offend anyone?  As well as the issues Nerisella brought up.  It seems as if a larger scheme is coming out from the party's investigations.  It is all somewhat confusing for Aerandis, who never had considered such grand schemes in the forests of his home.  He hopes that when the party comes together they can all figure out what is going on.

On the way back to meet the party, Aerandis considers the process by which one creates an enchanted bow.  He needs to carve the bow, needs particular components, and needs someone to perform the ritual.  Perhaps Dayereth would know how to do this?  Aerandis considers the shape of the wood and resolves to begin working on it during his resting periods.

Finally, Aerandis has felt his reflexes becoming sharper with the frequency of battle in the past few weeks.  As his friendship has grown with his companions, he has determined to do more in support of their defense whenever he can. [Skill: disruptive strike, interrupt an enemy blow on another party member]

During the Journey to the well of souls Aerandis can sense a growing silence in natural spiritual activity. Since his experience with the druids he is able to discern and to commune with local spirits. As they get closer to the temple, natural spirits become less prevalent and those that appear seem agitated.  Another reality shows itself and Aerandis can see  the occasional forgotten soul traveling on pilgrimage to the well. After passing some choose to linger on the material plane and become Ancestral spirits, others simply cannot find the pathway to the afterlife. The Well of souls serves as a second chance for spirits to pass on into the realms of the gods. All spirits thrust into the well are pulled through the astral sea to face judgment by We Jas. Primal spirits have nothing to fear from this though the tortured souls in the dagger carried by Nadarresh may not wish to hear their destination and know which deity if any claims them. Any Eldarian  souls might not relish missing the opportunity to serve their clan as ancestral spirits.  Still there seems little choice, In time the dagger would covert the souls to necrotic energy consuming them. The well seems to be the only honorable alternative. Still the enchantment in the dagger would remain. Perhaps he could convince Dayereth to disenchant the item and use the Residuum  to defray the cost of enchanting his bow. Nadarresh might be willing to give up the item if  the repercussions of its function could be explained to him.

Aerandis knows that he will have to move quickly to catch up with his companions, if only to make sure they don't die without his arrows to drive back their foes.  However, he appreciates having gained at least some knowledge during his spirit communion, confusing though as it may be.  The box must refer to what the amulet was contained in, he thinks.  The other party members may be able to make sense of the information.
Aerandis gathers his supplies, his quiver and bow and departs the glade.  He knows the general direction the party went, and in any case, how hard can it be to track the only humanoid in the land with dragon shaped feet?

While somewhat uncomfortable in city dwelling the winter winds make the walls of the inn a fair argument for compromise.  Stories of caravan travelers bring news from afar.

One tale of interest is the story of a cowherd who learned from a Sheppard that a caravan master encountered a fire-cloud dragon in the Long wood. Apparently the beast some 80 hands tall had demanded tribute to pass the woods and then ate the oxen pulling the cart after tribute was dully paid!

The story brought a smile to Aerandis.  80 hands would almost have to  be an ancient  and Ancients would know better than to travel so close to Eytherash'ana and would not settle for Oxen in any case.  20 hands I could believe. Still the Athem’eliat (Green dragon) have not been far enough  west in the woods to harass caravans in a tree’s age.

Well, I enjoyed contemplating the technical detail (probably more Eberron-ish than Wyverndale-ish though).  So no actual acid bow exists, so I figure (if permitted) that the bow would duplicate the level 3 Flameburst +1 bow (Player's Handbook 1 pg. 234.), just substitute 'acid' for 'fire':

Daily, Minor Action. The next ranged basic attack you make with this weapon before the end of your turn becomes a burst 1 centered on the target. Use your normal attack bonus for the basic attack, but against Reflex. Instead of normal damage, each target hit takes ongoing 5 fire acid damage (save ends).
You pull a special arrow with an empty reservoir at its tip, and let it fill with acid.  Upon impact with the target, the reservoir bursts, spraying acid on nearby foes.

While in the Feyfeilds, Aerandis asks Nerisella if she has heard anything about the rumors of the dragon.  Specifically, he wants to know if the dragon has approached the areas where his family lives, and how the fight may go.

"It is a bold dragon indeed that would venture that far into our territory if the rumors are true!  I wouldn't want to leave my family unaided if it was more than they could handle by themselves."

((Flashback))

Nerisella places her hand on on Aerandis's shoulder.

"I am sorry for your friend. Looking at his wounds he walked a harsh road in life. The plague is no pleasant way to die perhaps it is best that he rest now. "

She gauges his expression of doubt "I know..of course you wish to do what is right. I will attempt to recall his spirit though I will need many components, the first of which is a jar of spiritual essence. A friend of the grove Garum will have some on hand. As you visit him I will research what else is needed."

"Remember to commune with the spirits, their guidance can help you maintain balance."