Joenek departed Repind's home and meandered through the different rings of La'el until he came to the local ale house; he needed some measure of fortitude before informing his family of the rash decision he had made. Chatter filled the open space, everyone eating their noon meals while recounting the bizarre appearance of elaborathin. Joenek caught the eye of the owner and sank into a chair.

"A little early for drinking, don't you think?" The owner placed Joenek's usual order on the table and sat astride one of the other chairs.

"I think I've just done something foolish. And don't tell me it's not uncommon; I had my intellect battered plenty this morning."

"You have always been a mite impulsive. But things've always worked out in your favour in the end. I'm sure you'll be fine, whatever it is you've dragged yourself into."

"I appreciate your confidence." Joenek laughed and finally took a swig of ale.

"How's your ma?"

"She's been well, lately; though I suspect that will change when she hears what I've done."

"Your problem doesn't have something to do with the attack, does it?"

"It does." Joenek downed the remainder of his drink and stood, grinning. "Well, I'd better break the news to them. Serve an extra drink at my wake if Hildain kills me."

He jogged along emptying paths, passing the market-street, where elves still cleaned the wreckage, and arrived at the home shared by his mother and elder brother. He opened the door and stepped into his mother's embrace.

"Joen!" She pulled away, searching his face – for what, he did not know. "Praise Feridh, you're safe."

"Don't fret over him, ma; his head's thick enough." Hildain pushed Joenek's head. "But Arun visited and said you might have news. You haven't been causing trouble again, have you?"

Joenek took his mother's hand and guided her to the small sitting area. His gaze lingered on the corner filled with books, maps, and intricate bronze instruments, the space perfectly preserved. His mother had kept it spotless for ages, hoping, he knew, that someday its owner would return. The sight had a sobering effect, despite the hum of the ale.

"Ma." He felt her hand tighten around his and he forced himself to look her in the eye. "I'm leaving La'el."

His mother's face paled, her hand trembled. "Not you, too. Please, Joen, don't leave. I know you loved your da – you always did take after him – but I couldn't bear losing you, too."

"It won't be for long." Liar; he had no notion of when he'd return, or if he would.

"How selfish are you?" Hildain's eyes were ablaze.

"Repind thought I should do this."

"Don't bring that old fanatic into things. He's always seeing Feridh's hand in things. I know you don't believe in all that nonsense, so don't try using it to manipulate ma."

"I'm not–"

"After everything, you can't even try to be responsible?"

"Please, stop; stop arguing." Tears shone in his mother's eyes.

"I'm sorry, ma. But I've already decided. Who knows, maybe I'll get word of da's whereabouts." He kissed his mother's brow and stood with his back to her.

"You're leaving so soon?"

Joenek winced at the tremour in her voice, but faced her with a smile. "I need to pack for the journey. I'll visit again in the morning, before I leave – if you like."

"I would like that very much."

In the morning, after a strained farewell, Joenek went to La'el's most-skilled healer. There, he found Edileth and Thandorin standing beside the cot where their injured comrade lay. As he came upon the three, Joenek heard them discussing what was to be done.

"Nonsense," Edileth said, "you shall remain here with Kaen. We were to part ways in the Drezkens; doing so one day sooner will not be a hindrance."

"What of him?" Thandorin nodded his head in Joenek's direction.

Edileth turned and let her eyes travel down his body and back to his face. "He is of little concern to me."

A small smile appeared on Kaen's face, and Joenek heard him speak for the first time; a deep, baritone voice. "I've no doubt she can manage to keep him at bay. You'll recall, Thandorin, she has bested you in a dozen matches."

Thandorin frowned. "It doesn't sit well with me, Captain. I still think I ought to join you."

"Are you giving me orders now, Thandorin?" Edileth's brow arched.

Thandorin's face reddened and he looked away.

A quiet laugh rose from Kaen. "Face it, Thand, this is one battle you will not win. Our dear captain is the most stubborn rothnak I've ever met. Best not to invoke her wrath with insubordination; you might find yourself out of an occupation."

Edileth shifted her gaze to Kaen, who quickly erased the smile from his face. He could not, however, hide the gleam of humour in his eyes.

"Recover quickly," she said. "And may Feridh protect you both upon your return journey."

She brushed past Joenek, and he rushed to follow.

"Keep up, if you can," she called over her shoulder.

Approximately two hours later, they were travelling through the forest of Vel Siron and nearing its borders.

Birds twittered and warbled and squawked, taking flight as Edileth and Joenek trudged through the undergrowth. Insects clacked and droned and let out whining hums. The forest was filled with the hum of life. Joenek inhaled the scents of the earth, the rich, musky scent of decaying plant-life reminding him of autumn's fast approach. Joenek found comfort in the soft crunching of needles and leaves underfoot. Edileth, however, marched on, unaffected by the sights around her.

Eventually, the trees thinned enough for Joenek to reveal a vast expanse stretching beyond the forest. They halted at its edge and scanned the horizon.

To the north, the grasslands continued far into the distance. Directly ahead, beyond the grasslands, was a lake; a dark smear on the far shore suggested a large forest. South of the lake was a collection of mountains – the Drezkens, as Edileth had called them, their first key landmark.

"Are you finished gawking?" Edileth drew close, planting a fist on one of her hips. "We have but a few hours more to travel. Let us not tarry."

"Of course, Your Majesty." Joenek gave an exaggerated bow.

Edileth turned with an exasperated sigh. Joenek rushed to keep up with her pace.

They set up camp down in the slopes of the hills, shaded in a circle of stunted trees. Edileth set down her pack. "Stay here and prepare for the evening. I shall scout the area and ensure we have not been followed."

Edileth left without another word. Joenek eased his pack from his shoulder and collected what few twigs and branches littered the ground. Captain or no, he tired of her treating him like a common errand boy; yet he was following her every command. How had she managed that?

Joenek dumped the collection of wood into a pile. Our mighty Captain Edileth can light her own blasted fire.

He turned, instead, and sought a flat piece of land amid the exposed roots of a tree. He unfurled his bedroll, brushing off a few errant gnats, when a tingling ran down his neck.

Goose flesh rose on his arms and legs. Something was watching him.

Joenek spun and searched the surrounding brush. Nothing moved. No wild animal, no elaborathin. Not even Edileth's arrogant face glaring back at him.

A warm breeze brushed against his skin, yet the grass remained still, the trees did not sway, the leaves on the bushes did not even rustle. Perhaps the influx of strange events had addled him; now he was feeling things that weren't there.

There was a crunching, approaching from his left. Joenek crouched, leaning into the tree, watching, waiting. A section of grass parted before him with a gentle whisper, as if walked upon. It came closer and closer before stopping at the edge of camp.

Joenek drew his blade and took half a step closer to the unseen visitor.

"What in Naine Mithale are you doing?"

Joenek jumped at the sound of Edileth's voice. He shushed her with a wave, eyes still on the grass. "Someone is here."

"I just scouted the entire area. No one is here."

Joenek pointed with the tip of his sword. "There, in the grass."

Edileth came to stand beside him and studied the place he had indicated. "It would seem Repind has sent me off with a loon."

"You can't see it, but there is something there. I heard footsteps, and I saw the grass move, like someone was walking through it."

Edileth squinted. She strode to the edge of their camp, one hand resting on her scabbard. Joenek followed close behind.

"Something was here." Edileth's voice held a note of surprise. Her gaze was fixed on the tamped grass, two imprints clear even in the fading light.

They stood for a long moment, listening and sweeping the space with their eyes. Neither saw further evidence of an intruder.

After a long silence, Edileth turned back toward her pack. "We'll set a tripwire around the premises. Get that fire going, will you? It may deter anything else from approaching."

Joenek was not convinced, but there was little else to be done. He worked on getting the fire started while Edileth pulled some food out of her satchel.

"I shall take the first watch. Let us eat first."

Joenek took a square of vaile from Edileth's extended hands, despite the churning in his gut. Elven bread was soft and sweet, but it stuck like a glob in his throat.

Leaves rustled and this time a true wind blew, sending warmth from the small flames licking his face.

'Joenek.' A voice whispered inches from the nape of his neck.

He slashed his blade instinctively, slicing the air behind him.

"Are you going to eat? Or are you going to continue attacking invisible foes?"

Joenek sheathed his blade. Something was wrong, that much he knew, but Edileth was right. It did no good jumping at shadows and imagined voices. He needed to keep his wits about him, and that was easier done with food in one's stomach.

He forced another piece of vaile down his throat.

'Joenek.'

It came again. This time he ignored it. Only a flinch belied the fact he had even heard it.

Joenek offered Edileth a strained smile in response to her quizzical glance. Wherever the voice came from, at least it was speaking to him. If it intended to harm them, it would have done so already.

Edileth rose. "Get some rest. I'll wake you for your watch."

Joenek leaned against the tree, too wary for sleep. He drummed a rhythm on his leg.

A figure flickered into existence. It crouched before him, glowing in the faint light of the moon like an apparition. Was it an elf? It looked like one, though Joenek was not certain.

"Be at peace." The figure extended a hand and touched Joenek's forehead.

Warmth spread from its place of contact, bringing with it an intense weariness. Joenek's eyes grew heavy. He tried blinking the weight away, to remain alert, but it became more difficult to keep them open with every blink.

The same voice resonated, this time deep in his mind. 'Much tragedy is to come.'

Joenek fought his sudden exhaustion. It was no use. He sagged against the tree, the voice a gentle lullaby.

'But fear not; you shall persevere.'