Author's note: Rewrite of Chapter One (2021-08-11)

Edileth leapt from a sunlit ridge, a blind leap across the chasm. She tensed her muscles for landing and grunted upon impact. A call drew her attention to a small path where two elves were running to meet her. She faced them, hands on her hips.

"Captain," Thandorin said between breaths, standing before her.

"What is it, this time? Was your pride caught up in the wind? Trampled underfoot, perhaps?"

Thandorin scowled. If he intended to speak, his chance was lost when Kaen approached and answered for him. "Forgive him, Captain, he speaks from concern. If I may, why in Naine Mithale must you always choose the reckless course? One of these days, you're going to join the remains of the Lifted down there."

He glanced into the chasm's depths and grimaced.

"Oh, come; where's your sense of adventure?" Edileth smiled and started up the path without waiting for a response from her third- and fourth in command. It did not prevent Kaen from questioning her while he followed.

"Adventure? We spent a fortnight traipsing all over the mountains, training new recruits. How much more adventure do you need?"

"Those recruits; they're the cause." Edileth slowed her pace. "If you wish me to keep my sanity, you'll afford me these small moments of peril."

"I don't suppose you'll allow me to inform Lord Veshmón about your failing sanity."

Edileth shot a quick glare over her shoulder; it was long enough to see the smug grin on Kaen's face. "If you dare bring that up again, I'll throw you into the Lifted's Gorge myself."

"The whole keep's abuzz about your impending engagement."

Edileth spun on the dark-haired elf; he skidded to a halt. "I'm warning you, Kaen."

"She's been friends with the Baron since they were children; it's only natural they'd be close. Doesn't mean they'll wed." Thandorin placed a hand on Kaen's head. "Take your own advice and start using your brain."

They continued single-file up the path, until it crested a low ridge and widened. Kaen came alongside Edileth.

"Thandorin's right. But that won't stop tongues from wagging. Be careful, Captain; there are greater dangers in Naine Mithale than the perils in these mountains."

"More sage advice? I do wonder if you've chosen the wrong occupation." Her next words never left her lips. Thandorin shushed Edileth, gripping her sleeve. She readied her stance. Edileth followed the line of his gaze and relaxed, a smirk creeping onto her face. "You've seen oleadh before. They tend to keep to themselves; I don't think you need fear an attack."

"You would know, I suppose," Thandorin mumbled. "Seems I always run into one when you're around. You know, if you're going to attract animals, couldn't they be something less...eerie?"

"You need to be less timid. I've known you to miss the entire warm-up session because Feldrin's hound was sleeping in the hall nearest the training grounds. Now let's be on our way; I'm craving some lennwridh and rín." Edileth stepped forward, intending to pass the oldeadh. Thandorin gripped her sleeve tighter. On her other side, Kaen was silent. That's odd.

"It's coming."

The oleadh strode from the brush, its slender legs stepping with grace, its cloven hooves making no sound on the needled ground. Golden eyes stared from a stag-like face. The oleadh's coat shimmered, like the distant twinkling of starlight.

Edileth held her breath; the creature was no more than a stone's throw away and still closing the gap. None had come so near; not since she was a frightened girl fleeing the aftermath of her curse.

"What do we do?" Thandorin whispered, ready to bolt.

Her heart pounded. It won't charge, surely.

Still the oleadh neared until Edileth was certain she could reach out and touch its pinkish nose.

"Captain?" Kaen's voice, though barely audible, held a distinct note of concern.

"Wait. No sudden movement."

The oleadh kept its gaze fixed on Edileth, ensnaring her, rendering her immobile. Why did it pay no heed to her companions? Instead, its intelligent eyes stared into the depths of her being, kept her rooted to the earth below. She could almost believe it would open its mouth and speak.

A whisper sounded to her right. She tilted her head, tried to focus on the words, and found the voice did not belong to Thandorin. For that matter, it did not belong to Kaen, either. It spoke in a strange tongue, the words soft and rounded, almost melancholic. It rang with a certain familiarity and then Edileth realized it was Sélidhan, or very nearly. One phrase repeated, like the beat of a drum; over and over it sounded in her mind, seeming to stop time with its hypnotic rhythm.

'Edelár, híen en Feridelle; lamódh. Lamódh. Lamódh!'

The oldeadh exhaled a warm breath on Edileth's face, releasing the spell. It turned and took a leaping bound to a ledge above the elves. A final glimmer of white flashed before the creature disappeared.

Thandorin's knees gave out and he crouched low to the ground. Kaen released a nervous laugh. Edileth barely noticed.

Something shifted inside her; a sense of excitement tainted by foreboding. Her chest tightened, her throat went dry, and then before she could retreat, she lurched forward, spilling the contents of her stomach. Someone patted her back and, when she had finished, Thandorin handed her a cloth. Edileth wiped her mouth and staggered up the next slope.

"Perhaps we ought to inform Lord Veshmón, after all; you don't look so well."

"I'm fine."

"Oh, yes, quite. You only spewed this morning's meal all over my boot." Kaen lifted his foot for emphasis.

"My apologies." Edileth glanced over her shoulder. "Let's not delay."

She strode down the path, Kaen and Thandorin quick to follow. They marched through the wooded hills and ridges until they arrived on a ledge overlooking a small valley, whose rocky walls were lined with cascading waterfalls.

Kerindh was nestled in the mountains at Gael-Narenth's northern border. Edileth had explored every peak and crevasse surrounding the small city from her youth. It should have brought her a sense of peace to behold the citadel after weeks in the wilderness. But as they neared the keep, Edileth only felt her anxiety increase. She heard the whispers she had long fought to keep out of her mind.

Not this, again. Edileth massaged her temple, ignoring Kaen's questions and Thandorin's look of concern.

They were met at the border by one of the Guard who, after informing them that the new recruits had stumbled in not long prior, waved them through with an amused grin. After leaving her belongings in the barracks, Edileth made for the dining hall. The whispers became a dull roar. She gritted her teeth and shoved down the rising unease. The voices would quiet eventually; they always did.

She collected a few pieces of food and sat at one of the long tables. Instead of decreasing, the pressure in her mind grew, an ache that started between her eyes and trailed its way to the base of her skull. Edileth squinted, tried to focus on the meal before her, and finally closed her eyes.

It's never been this bad.

"Excuse me, Captain." A timid, young elf approached. "Lord Veshmón is looking for you."

"Of course, he is."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing, nothing." Edileth stood, glancing at the untouched food. "See that this is delivered to Diathra's charge."

The messenger gave a firm nod and Edileth made her way to the baron's anteroom. The further Edileth moved from the hum of the keep's lower sections, the less severe her headache became. While she was not looking forward to a conversation with the baron at present, she was glad to be removed from the busier sections of Merrím Villelle. Edileth rounded a corner, her footfalls sounding remarkably loud in the quiet halls, breaking through even the murmurs in her mind.

"Ah! There you are." Lord Veshmón sat in an alcove opposite his antechamber. His face lit up with a cheeky grin, erasing the lines of worry and giving him a boyish appearance.

Despite her resolve, Edileth smiled. "Were you laying a trap?"

"Nothing of the sort, my friend. The room was too stuffy, so I came out here to clear my head." Veshmón massaged his thigh for a moment and struggled into a standing position. "I'm feeling much better, now. Come, let us speak a moment."

He shuffled into the anteroom. A lone desk stood on one wall, overflowing with papers and inkwells. Veshmón moved to a small stool and removed a cloth from a food-laden tray. "Seeing as how you arrived with such haste, I doubt you've had the chance to eat. You must be famished."

Edileth thanked Lord Veshmón and took a bite of lennwridh, unable to enjoy its earthy flavour for anticipation of what the baron might say. She barely managed to swallow it. Veshmón watched her, warmth emanating from his green eyes. At last, he explained the summons.

"I'm sure you've heard that Torbedhnik's Tomes have been reclaimed." At her nod, he continued. "The Order are gathering some of their most clever members to bring the Tomes to Filne-Semmit. I received a letter two nights ago; the Elders are requesting your assistance."

"They...That is not the reason they have called me, is it?"

"It is the reason they gave. But I also suspect it has more to do with your Gift, than with the Tomes."

"And your response?" The pressure was building in her mind, and with it her unease.

A sad smile flickered across Veshmón's face. "My father protected you from the greed of the Fíthni and, for my part, I have striven to do likewise. Were it within my power, I would refuse. But–"

"We wouldn't want to ruin all that he has worked for, would we, little wretch?"

"Mother!" Veshmón cringed. "Why have you come?"

Lady Westrienda swept into the room, silken robes rippling like a forest brook. She held her head high and glared down at Edileth. "I needed to be certain this sorceress wasn't working any of her wickedness on you."