Jich looked at each of them with cold eyes, almost the colour of onyx. He seemed exceptionally tall; his wiry form accentuating his height.

"You hail from Calgoneth and Calgorath, eh?"

Joenek was surprised at the deep, rumbling voice that emanated from the elf.

"Indeed, we do. Chaos had befallen us, as I'm sure you can tell by Fendrith, there."

Torben gestured toward Marrik, who – though standing – was being supported on either side by Celik and Arun, a small beading of sweat upon his brow.

"In fact, we really must set to loading him up, that we may be on our way."

"Oh? And where will you be going?"

"We heard tell that many refugees are taking the High Road from Filne-Semmit to Villelle en Orv Lorrlen. We hope to meet my brother in Filne-Semmit and make the journey to the great city of the Southern Region."

Torben had rattled off the information so perfectly that Joenek almost felt he could believe the hannorim, despite knowing that much of what he had said was false.

The glowering elf stared at Torben for a moment, before nodding his head. He seemed to have accepted the story as truth.

"Then I insist as that you join our numbers. We, too, make fer Filne-Semmit and the roads be a might dangerous these days. There is strength in numbers, and I shouldn't like to think of you on yer own; 'specially with one of you bein' wounded an' all. We've only some small things to finish an' we'll be on our way."

"What a fine offer...may I call you Jich? Yes? Ah, what a fine offer from a fine elf such as yourself, Jich. Indeed, we shall certainly accept."

With a curt nod, Jich stepped away and moved to help one of his companions. Not once had the half-scowl left his face, and his eyes still held no hint of kindness. Joenek thought him even colder of countenance than Edileth.

The Ferlians moved with haste, attaching the disguised litter to the equally disguised Lupak. After making sure that Marrik was settled comfortably on the litter, Torben moved to speak with Jich, once more.

As he did so, a young elvish lad inched toward the Ferlians. His gaze was one of open curiosity. A small portion of his blonde hair had been chopped short, so that it covered his brow and hung into his eyes. The rest of his locks had been pulled back into what had, at one time, been an intricate braid, but was now a knotted mess that hung nearly to the middle of his back. His eyes were a blue so deep that they very nearly appeared violet.

Joenek smiled and moved toward the young elf.

"What's your name?"

The young male shifted back a bit, before glancing up at Joenek.

"Haven't got one. Everyone just calls me Sheem."

"Sheem, huh? Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Aemic, but Enári over there calls me all sorts of things; I'll answer to most anything."

Sheem glanced at Edileth, before averting his gaze.

"You don't need to be frightened of us, you know. We're really friendly; all but Enári, of course."

Joenek gave a hearty pat on the quiet elf's back.

"I've gotta go; need to finish getting ready."

With one long gaze in the direction of Marrik and the Lupak, Sheem scampered off.

At some form of signal, everyone began making for the entrance of the stables. As the Ferlians stepped out into the gradually brightening morning, Jich – now mounted upon a solid-black horse – began speaking.

"Attention, all; we're nearly ready to leave. But first, a reminder of the rules. We got to stay together; don't want no one wanderin' off. If someone leaves the main group, I expect 'em to be with no less'n two others. We need to watch out for one another; we're all we've got. There won't be no one to help us should we run into trouble.

"Furthermore, I want everyone to be 'ware. Watch the horizon an' always be prepared to defend yerselves. We've made it this far, but it ain't been without incident."

There were murmurs of unease, as Jich hinted at what had befallen his group before arriving in Gallimna.

"We'll be addin' a small number of elves to our own. Anthr and his family'll be joining us on our journey to Filne-Semmit."

Again, whispers filled the air as many pairs of eyes turned to gaze at the Ferlian group. Torben stepped forward to address the larger collection of elves.

"I know you are discomfited by our presence, and with good reason. It is difficult to know exactly who to trust in times such as these. However, Jich was kind enough to offer us passage among your company and we have gratefully accepted. I'm sure as we journey on, we shall know each other better and come to get along sensationally."

With his same stone-cold expression, Jich nodded at Torben. Then, in a somewhat showy display of prancing, he circled his impatient mount.

"Let us be off."

And with that, the group of twenty-or-so elves set out on their journey to Filne-Semmit.

Jich took the lead, while the two elves mounted on the remaining horses took positions toward the back. The draft mule had been hitched to a small wagon filled with the heavier supplies that could not be born upon the backs of the elves, various food items and materials for shelter.

Joenek plodded along silently for a brief time. His mind turned to the events of the past ten days and he pondered how different things were now, compared to when he had been in La'el. Could it have only been ten days? In some small way, it felt like a lifetime had passed since Joenek had brought the Gredhe to Arun and, later, unwittingly set himself against the obstinate Edileth.

Now, here he was traipsing across the Fdhellin Plains, making for one of the greater cities of the Western Region.

The pace which Jich had set for them was a good deal less rigorous than the pace that the Ferlian elves had been keeping in the days prior. What would have taken the Ferlians one hour, took this larger group of elves more than double. For this, Joenek was grateful. However, it was nearing mid-day and they had only made it approximately eight kilometers.

A small chuckle of amusement bubbled from within, as the young male imagined Edileth stomping about, seething at the "sluggish" pace. Thinking of the blonde, Joenek glanced around for her.

Edileth had made it toward the front of the gathering soon after their departure from Gallimna. Now she seemed to be – if possible – pacing and standing still, all at once. While the other elves continued walking at their somewhat casual pace, Edileth would walk hastily, then stop – only to take a few tentative steps to either side – before setting off again. She reminded Joenek of Jich's black gelding, just before they had left Gallimna.

He trotted toward the front to join the impatient she-elf.

As he drew up beside her, Joenek draped his arm over her shoulder in a nonchalant manner.

"So, cousin of mine, how are you feeling about this nice, easy pace?"

She tilted her head toward him and gazed at him from under lifted brows, before rolling her eyes and allowing her head to all but flop back into place.

"Dear cousin, I cannot abide this leisurely stroll. At any moment, something dreadful could happen, once more. And I simply could not bear it if there was another incident like..." Edileth paused, as though fighting for control of her emotions. After a quivering sigh, she continued. "...like in Calgoneth. I lost my beloved parents and we very nearly lost my brother-in-law-to-be in Calgorath. I couldn't stand to lose what's left of my family."

Joenek almost cringed at her words. It stung, to hear her speak of her "betrothed". He knew it was all a farce; and yet he could not help the hint of jealousy that appeared every time he thought of Edileth and Celik together.

Feeling vaguely foolish, Joenek gave a sad smile, as though he pitied her tragic circumstances. He gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze before letting his arm drop from them.

"Poor Enári; I cannot imagine how hard all this must be for you."

"Mmm...Yes it has all been rather trying."

Much to Joenek's surprise, Edileth looped her arm in his and leaned her head against his shoulder for a short moment.

"But at least I have all of you to look out for me. Your support these last few days has meant more to me than I could ever express, cousin."

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, Joenek took a small risk and rested a hand atop the one that Edileth had ensnared his arm with. At once, he felt her body stiffen, though the change was subtle. The roth cleared his throat.

"Well, you will always have our love and support. I hope you know that."

Joenek mentally cringed.

What in Naine Mithale was that? Now she's going to think I'm trying to...to...I don't know. What am I trying to do, exactly?

Though she was still slightly tense, as Joenek looked down at Edileth she smiled quite prettily and even gave the smallest batting of her eyes.

"Thank you, dear Aemic. I do know that I shall always have the love and support that I need from my family. But it is ever so good to hear you say such things."

Joenek was quite baffled by this new version of Edileth. She was not child-like – as she had been after the Bekhron attack – but she was decidedly far less severe than she tended to be. He found himself grinning uncontrollably. Likewise, he could not seem to take his eyes off this new rothnak standing beside him.

"Ahem. Aemic, dear, if you don't stop staring at me, you may very well give these other elves the wrong impression. I know, of course, that there is nothing romantic between us, as I am betrothed to Benorelt, and we are closely related by blood. However, for the sake of these good elves that do not know such things, perhaps you could look at me with a gaze that seems a little less hungry?"

She spoke the last few words in a whisper, giving him a very pointed stare, all while keeping the lovely smile plastered to her face. However, Joenek could see the near-loathing that shone in her gray-blue eyes. He let out a nervous laugh.

"Of course, cousin. Sorry, but I admire your strength so much. To go through everything that you've been through and still be able to smile and laugh...You're an inspiration."

With that, he patted her head and promptly turned around and moved back toward the end of the gathering of elves. He needed to get away from Edileth so he could think straight.

What is wrong with me? She's supposed to be engaged; I can't be staring at her like we're lovers or something.

Joenek sighed.

Roughly three quarters of an hour later, Jich called a halt, that they might eat their noon-day meal. There were murmurs and moans from the larger group of elves as they un-shouldered their burdens.

Joenek almost smirked, as he moved to find the members of his own group. These other elves were quite weak, when compared with his companions. They were only halfway through the day's journey, they were travelling relatively slow, and on top of it all, there had been a few short breaks along the way.

If these elves had had to travel as the Ferlians had been – eight hours each day with only one break at mid-day and covering approximately forty kilometers in that time – they would not be complaining so much.

There was a sudden outburst from directly in front of him. Imagining the worst, Joenek crouched into a ready position, preparing for an attack. However, he soon realized that the racket was not quite as threatening as an attack on the group.

Two elves stood near the supply wagon, holding fast to a smallish female figure. She struggled violently as they yanked her from the bed of the wagon. There was hollering all around; exclamations of surprise, anger, and – from the young, captive – fear.

Jich loped toward the commotion, his face even harsher than usual. Before his mount had come to a complete stop, the stern elf had bounded from his position atop the horse's back and strode toward the three elves.

"What's this? Kidh, Lemnor; what's goin' on, here?"

"Jich, we found this girl hiding amongst our supplies."

"A stowaway, eh?" Jich glared down at the distressed she-elf. "What were you doin', hidin' in that wagon, girl?"

"If it please you, sir, I was only hopin' to leave Gallimna an' I heard that you were makin' for Filne-Semmit. I don't want any trouble, sir; honest, I don't."

Joenek had drawn closer, as had all the other elves. As he looked upon the girl's face, Joenek realized he had seen her before. She had been the one that served the Ferlian group at Rastivelle's tavern.

"So, you thought as that you'd sneak in among our number an' join us without hindrance, stealin' food fer yerself from our scant supplies? That it, then?"

The girl kept her head down, staring at the ground. But Joenek could see the tears pooling in her eyes, and the quivering of her lower lip.

With great suddenness, Jich gave the girl a firm back-handed slap.

"Answer me when I speak to you, thief."

His words were more frightening for the hushed tone in which they were spoken.

She gave a yelp of pain and slouched rather awkwardly in the grips of Kidh and Lemnor. Swallowing her sobs, the young she-elf looked up at Jich; a bruise already beginning to form on her swollen cheek.

"I meant no harm, sir. I only wanted to escape an' find a new life in a new place."

Joenek felt pity stirring within him. He also felt anger beginning to flare up at Jich's poor treatment of the young elf. The other elves surrounding the scene bore mixed expressions of sorrow and fear. Yet none moved to aid the girl.

Lemnor looked askance at Kidh, before clearing his throat and speaking.

"What do you want us do with her, Jich?"

The emotionless elf stared at Lemnor for a long moment. After a time, he gave a slight wave of his hand, as though shooing a pest away.

"If she wants a new life, she's welcome to one. But I ain't havin' her here to eat up our supplies. Send her on her way."