She walked down the wide corridor – her muscles gradually relaxing more as she used them – in search of the baths. She had not walked long when she arrived at a large chamber with a large, steaming pool of water in its center.

The inhabitants of the town had created a form of shaft for light, and the water danced in this light, splashing its reflection on the walls. Stone benches rested against the walls of the chamber, interrupted only by two smaller halls and the occasional frame of shelf-like stone. Realization dawned on Edileth.

This was a communal bath. And those two passages lead to separate baths, I shouldn't wonder: one for rothni and the other for rothnash and children.

Edileth moved toward the right-hand hall, following its short passage to another, slightly smaller chamber. This one was lit in the same way the other one had been. Just as she had thought, another pool of naturally heated water lay in the center of the chamber.

Glancing over her shoulder, Edileth removed her clothing and enjoyed a good soak in the hot water. Yena had given her a clumped 'block' of lye that had been made with plant fat.

"It has olive oil in it, and a course-grained salt for exfoliation." Yena had said. She also added that it contained sage extract, as if it were something Edileth should be exceedingly pleased about.

She laughed to herself. Yena – ever the mothering sort – did not recall, perhaps, that Edielth was accustomed to nights out in the mountain forests and many of her 'companions' were male.

However silly it may have seemed to her, Edileth did admit – even if only to herself – that the special lye Yena had given her felt wonderful on her sore muscles. She then scrubbed at her hair and worked a small comb through the tangles.

Though the warmth of the water had helped soothe the ache in her body, Edileth felt weariness creeping into her bones. When she had wrapped her ribs again – ensuring that she had followed Yena's strict orders of securing it loosely – she dressed and departed the baths.

When she had arrived at the little alcove, Edileth thanked Yena for cleaning and mending her garments. She settled into her place and began pulling her hair into a loose braid. Edileth glanced up and saw that Joenek had turned from the conversation that Yena and Rikku were having. He seemed to be studying Edileth.

Edileth dropped her brows and scowled at him. In turn, he gave a crooked grin and turned to face the other two elves.

Finishing her braid, Edileth retrieved a book from her pack. Veshmón had it made for Edileth when she was promoted to Captain of the Guard. He had been excited to share with her how the book had been made.

Its cover was bound in a supple, ruddy plant material; the same material Eldhurian elves used for their saddles, boots, straps on armour, or any number of other items. A braided cord was wrapped around the book and, when she unlashed it, the book opened to cream-coloured pages made with linen thread.

Veshmón had been especially pleased with the pages of the book. He had informed Edileth that, because they were made of thread, the pages would be able to expand in humidity; this prevented them from tearing. He also shared that the pages had been coated in beeswax, which would further protect them from damp conditions.

With a small smile, Edileth flipped through the pages, looking for a specific passage. The volume – a collection of sacred writings from various elves of the First Age – was called Aór Mírnen. In Sélidhan – the old tongue – it meant 'The Book'.

After Edileth found the page she wanted, she read the short sentence over and over, until she could recall it without seeing the words.

A fool hastens toward anger in his spirit, and in his bosom anger resides.

She searched then for a different passage and repeated her method of memorization.

Let each elf be swift to hear, let him consider his words and be slow to wrath; for such wrath does not produce the righteousness of Feridh.

Yet again, when this had been memorized, she moved on to another.

One lacking wisdom seeks out foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing well the strife they bring. Yet a servant of Feridh must not quarrel, choosing instead to show gentleness, a willingness to teach, and exhibiting patience.

Edileth stared at these final words and sighed.

Gentleness? Patience? This is what Yena was trying to tell me. Yet these are the very things I lack.

She stared down at the words for a long moment. In frustration, Edileth snapped the book closed and stuffed it in her pack. She turned toward the others.

"Have we any idea of who was to arrive next? Rikku, have any of your animals given word of our missing members?"

Rikku looked puzzled, her head tilted to the side. She was slow to answer.

"Zey are not my animals. But to answer you question, I 'ave 'eard little. Zere does not seem to be many birds near 'ere."

Edileth frowned.

"Marrik was meant to have arrived yesterday, as I recall." Yena set down the fabric she was mending and looked to Edileth. "And, of course, Torben should have arrived two days ago. My heart is troubled; this does not bode well for the coming journey."

"Are either of them the Kenim Naduhl?" Joenek asked.

"No," answered Yena. "Celik is our stoic master ranger. Marrik is the inventor I spoke of, and Torben is the scholar – a well-learned historian."

"And 'e is an 'annorim." Rikku grinned.

Joenek's brows rose at the mention of a hannorim. Indeed, Edileth had felt just as awed when she first met Torben. The gift of hannolle – the ability to alter one's surroundings and bend nature to one's will – was uncommon among elfkind. Tales of old told of a time when all elves possessed hannolle, but those days had long since passed. And no one seemed to know what change had occurred to cause the loss of hannolle.

"Your skill must be healing, then," said Joenek.

"Aye, that is true." Yena smiled. "And, as you know, Rikku is able to communicate with all creatures."

Joenek nodded. He turned, then, to face Edileth. "And what of you?"

Edileth felt her face warm under his scrutiny. She glared at him for a moment, before responding.

"I'm a mighty warrior, of course."

He lifted his brow, as though he did not quite believe her. Edileth averted her gaze, grumbling that it was none of his business why the Fíthni had selected her.

Yena laughed. "I imagine it has something to do with that fiery temper and fierce determination."

"You don't know?" Joenek's voice rose in surprise.

"I was not told why Edileth was selected. However, her reputation as a strong-willed and capable swordmaiden is well-known among those in the Ferlian Order."

On the following day – near mid-day – Torben arrived, at last.

He was just as tall and lean as Edileth had remembered. His deep-set, gray eyes shone with merriment and faint wrinkles deepened around them as Torben laughed when Yena scrambled up from where she sat. An attractive, hawkish nose sat above a thin pair of lips.

Yena moved into his embrace.

"Oh, my dearest," said she. "What was the cause of your delay? Are you yet unharmed?"

Torben held Yena away from him and smiled down at her. He brushed his lips against her brow and took one of her hands in his.

"I am quite alright, my love. And I shall share what news I have. But first, I should like to meet this young lad who stares at me as though I were an apparition."

Edileth turned to Joenek and nearly laughed at his open-mouthed expression of bewilderment.

"Oh," Yena said, "did I fail to mention that Torben was my husband?"

Joenek laughed and rose from his place. He moved to Torben and Yena, introducing himself. Torben nodded his head and replied.

"And how did you manage to get tangled up in this business?"

When Joenek had recounted the tale of the elaborathin attack and Repind's advice, Torben smiled.

"It sounds as though Feridh has provided us with another fine warrior."

Edileth shook her head. Hardly a warrior.

"And how does our dear Edileth feel about your presence?" Torben had increased his volume, stressing her name to ensure she was listening.

"I could care less about the maggot."

With her arms crossed, Edileth returned to her place and sat down. Torben arched a brow at her comment but said no more on the matter.

"Come, let us all be seated. I have much to tell." Once everyone was settled – save for Rikku, who had left in search of answers from any nearby birds – Torben shared what news he had. "I was in Yyrem Villelle, speaking with the King's Council. These are, indeed, troubling times. All throughout the Western Region of Gael-Narendh, towns and villages are falling prey to the beasts coming from Si-ol.

"The most troubling news, however, comes from Fekklorn. It would seem Akkheron's grip on the high country has tightened. Our scouts have reported an army of close to ten legions and nearly eight thousand head of lerecht near the borders of Gael-Narenth."

Edileth's stomach churned at the news.

When compared to the whole of Gael-Narenth's military forces, fifty thousand soldiers were not a serious threat. Yet it was not so much the numbers that concerned her as their purpose for being so near her country. They were preparing for something dreadful.

"Do we 'ave any idea why zey 'ave gadzered?" Rikku stood in the entryway.

"Ah, Rikku," said Torben, "you are here after all. I was not aware that you had arrived."

"You have my apologies, Írin 'annorim," said Rikku, using the term for those hannorim that rely upon Feridh for the power to enchant. She moved into the room and sat, before explaining her tardiness. "I was asking zee birds for any information zat might tell us why zee odzers 'ave been delayed."

She went on to explain that a sparrow had told her of an elaborathin raid on the city of Sae-an, approximately one day's journey from the Drezkens. The elaborathin had burned the forest around the city, trapping many of the inhabitants.

"Zat was all ze sparrow could tell, for dzeir memories are a bit small. 'e could recall zat much only because it 'appened dzis very morn. I fear worse tings 'ave occurred in Sae-an."

"These raids are becoming more prevalent in the Northern Region, now." Torben's jovial features had hardened into a frown. "I am certain word has spread that the Hibh en Gredhe was lost by the elaborathin in La'el. It is certain they will be combing these areas in search of it.

"Whence we depart from here we shall need to tread with caution. If Akkheron is sending legions of elaborathin from his training grounds, you can be certain he has also sent out any number of his experiments. Only Feridh knows what troubles we shall encounter with those vermin swarming the whole of Gael-Narenth."

Edileth felt realization dawn on her. "That would explain the bekhron."

"What's this?" Torben turned to her.

"When we had nearly arrived here, there was a group of bekhron that blocked the entrance. We were forced to fight them to avoid a significant loss of time. Initially, I was bewildered by their presence so far from Si-ol. Yet, if Akkheron truly is sending his creatures to thwart us, it answers many questions I had."

"By the mercy of Feridh, child," Torben nearly shouted. His face was a mixture of exuberance and fatherly concern. "Why, 'tis a miracle you yet live. I cannot believe it."

"She very nearly didn't." Yena's quiet voice sobered her husband. "She was poisoned by the blood and caught fever."

Edileth waved off their concern.

"It's hardly anything to get excited over. What I am more concerned over is why the bekhron were here."

The others stared at her, clearly not understanding her.

"It seems odd to me that they appeared in these mountains, near the entrance of the place we were to meet at. Does it not seem too precise to be coincidence?"

"You think we have a traitor in our midst." Torben's eyes glowed with something akin to pride.

"Perhaps not a traitor," she said with caution. "But certainly, information has been leaked. What else could explain it?"

Torben pinched the tip of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, "It is something to ponder, indeed."

Author's note: This chapter has undergone drastic revision (as of 2021-01-04). Future chapters may not reflect some of these changes. Your patience and understanding are so appreciated.