The morning dawned, chilly and overcast. In the gradually strengthening breeze, the dying grasses of the plains blended together, looking like rolling waves on a golden ocean. The large collection of elves had already been travelling for nearly an hour.

Yena had assigned Edileth the task of watching over Marrik, as a form of discipline for her rash behavior on the day prior. While the lupak plodded along – following the Ferlians by instruction of Rikku – Edileth strolled beside Marrik. She pushed aside a sense of anxiety over the slower gait and forced herself to focus on keeping the pace that had been set for the lupak.

Edileth had made no attempt to start a conversation with Marrik; choosing, instead, to walk in silence. However, now – as the sun strained to sneak through the dense cloud-cover – the roth awoke from a brief doze. He glanced about, bleary-eyed, and then his gaze rested on Edileth.

"So, you're still here." His voice held less accent than usual. The scholar was making great effort to speak as a Narendhian would, to match Celik's pronunciation.

"Yes, this is the punishment for my foolish outburst."

Marrik feigned a look of injury.

"Is that any was to speak with your brother-in-law-to-be?"

Edileth sighed.

"Hmm...I see. I'm not your beloved Benorelt, so you can't be bothered."

"That is not true, at all, Fendrith. I love you dearly as though you truly were my brother. I feel anxious; that is all."

"Oh?"

The simple word held all manner of meaning. Leaning over with a display of confidence that she was far from feeling, Edileth laid her hand atop Marrik's.

"Can you really blame me? I'm surprised that you should be without worry, after your...incident."

"Why should I worry; I am a child of Feridh, aren't I? He shall protect me. And if I die, I go to Faedhmíl."

Edileth nearly sneered at the pointed look that Marrik gave her.

"Yes, yes; I know."

They settled into quiet for a time, as the grasslands slowly passed by. The breeze was rapidly becoming a stiff, gusting wind. Edileth clutched the cloak tightly about her frame. With the slightest shiver, she moved close to the disguised litter.

"Are you comfortable? Do you need another blanket?"

Without waiting for a response, the female began tucking the blanket closer about Marrik's quivering form. She then swung her pack off one shoulder so that she could pull it to her side. Edileth unlashed the cords that tethered her bedding to the pack. Unfurling the fabric with a couple flapping shakes, she spread her blanket over the injured male. He lifted one dark brow, the hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

"So nurturing."

"What?"

"I've never seen you behave so...feminine. And you've never been so kind to me."

Edileth blinked in surprise.

Feminine?

The rothnak glanced at the woolen dress that was so different from her usual attire.

"Why do you dislike me so much?"

Marrik's question caught her off-guard.

"Erm...I don't...not like you..."

"Oh, of course not," he scoffed. "You've only been avoiding me at all cost."

Shame washed over Edileth and she suddenly felt the need to justify her actions.

"You had frightened me. In Gallimna, that is."

"In Gallimna?"

Marrik's expression was one of complete surprise.

"I know, now, that you were only behaving odd due to the remnants of shock from your injury. And, I suppose, I was still affected by the, er...'Elabora-thing'. But you truly gave me a fright."

"Did I–? What did I do? Or..."

Something in the scholar's tone made Edileth turn from what lay ahead and focus her attention on him.

He seems...concerned?

As Edileth continued giving him a quizzical look, Marrik gave a foolish sort of grin. The rothnak stumbled over her words a bit, before forming a coherent sentence.

"Well, I – uh – um...you only gave me a rather peculiar look. It unnerved me so. But as I said, I know it was folly on my part to become bothered by it."

"Hmm, yes; if an odd look is all it takes to earn your hatred, I can see why Aemic always receives your disapproval." Marrik's brows arched, playfully; Edileth blushed. "However, as I recall, you never much cared for me even prior to Gallimna."

Now Edileth felt insulted and, subsequently, agitated.

"I never knew you, properly. Unlike some, I do not feel the need to talk incessantly. If my being silent means that I hate you, then so be it."

Unable to leave Marrik's side, Edileth flung the hood of the cloak over her head and re-crossed her arms. Marrik snickered.

He is nearly as bad as Joenek.

As she tended to do, Edielth turned her thoughts to the interaction and reviewed all that was said. In so doing, she realized that she had spoken in a way that could have given away their cover.

She glanced about, now feeling grateful for the fact that they were at the back of the group. Kidh, who rode one of the three horses and had taken up the rear position, was a short distance away and did not seem to have heard any of the argument.

Feeling a sense of relief, Edileth looked ahead, once more; squinting against the wind that was now blowing dust into the traveler's faces. Giving another small shiver, she pulled the hood farther down, over her eyes.

While doing so, Edileth scanned the elves ahead. As her eyes touched upon the supply wagon, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

Sitting, with arms wrapped around folded legs, and chin resting atop knees was the indigo-eyed boy. Just as before, he stared directly at Edileth; almost seeming to ensnare her in his gaze.

His expression never changed; he simply watched with a scrutiny both curious and knowing.

For a long time, they stayed that way; staring at one another as though by some unspoken challenge. A low rumble of thunder ended the match, as Edileth glanced into the sky.

Thick, dark clouds were coming swiftly from the West, laden with rain. A sullen sense of resignation filled Edileth. Before long everyone would be drenched to the bone.

When she lowered her gaze back to the wagon, the boy was gone. Startled, Edileth's eyes darted about, in search of the fair-haired lad.

Much to her surprise, a quiet voice came from behind her.

"Why do you travel with such a strange beast? And why does no one else see it?"

Edileth whirled around, only to nearly collide with the strange boy.

"You!" Edileth snatched the boy's arm and pulled him along beside her. "Who are you?"

"Sheem; or, at least, that's what they called me."

The boy nodded toward Jich's elves.

"Sheem? They call you after a mix-breed hound?"

Sheem shrugged.

"Well, what are you; what do you want?"

What are you?

Edileth gave a yelp of fright.

With eyes wide, Edileth turned her face toward Sheem. His expression showed only calm.

I know you can mind-speak; your mental aura is incredibly powerful. Why do you not respond to me?

Edileth's body was shaking, but it was not from the biting wind.

"Enári, is everything well?"

Edileth turned to Marrik. He bore a look of suspicion.

"I'm quite fine. I only hit my toe on a rock that I hadn't seen."

Turning back to Sheem, without waiting for a response, Edileth growled under her breath.

"What are you playing at?"

We can speak more privately if we do so mentally.

"No."

Very well; I will not answer your questions, then.

"Don't be so impertinent."

You are drawing attention to yourself.

Sheem's tone was snide. Edielth turned and found Marrik watching her.

"Are you certain you're quite well? You seem to be talking to yourself."

"Yes, well, I do that sometimes." Edileth paused, trying to think of the best course of action to take. "Will you be well enough on your own for one moment, Fendrith? I must needs speak with Benorelt."

"As long as you will be speaking with an elf and not thin air, I shall be fine. Although, I don't know that Siál will be too pleased with you."

Edileth ignored Marrik's jests and dragged Sheem along with her. After scanning the elves ahead, Edileth quickly found Celik.

You are making things more difficult than they need be.

"Hush."

As they neared her "betrothed", Edileth called out.

"Benorelt."

Celik, Sheem whispered in her mind. Edileth glared at the boy.

"My love, what troubles you?" Celik glanced from Edileth to Sheem, a growing look of concern upon his features.

"We have a slight problem." Edileth gave Sheem an accusatory glance.

"What is it?"

Celik stood beside her, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders, and looking to the boy with a stern expression.

I should say you have a rather serious problem on your hands. You are not in love with one another.

Edileth felt Celik tense up.

Yes, I can mind-speak. And you can both hear me. Celik, if you push your thoughts to the spot where you feel my mind's presence, both Edileth and I will hear your words. My mental aura is nowhere near as powerful as Edileth's, but I can act as relay for the three of us.

"No, I'll not do it."

"Edi–nári...please, let us hear what he has to say. He could help you. In fact, he may be able to explain why you've been mind-speaking in your sleep."

Edileth released a small moan of frustration.

You have been mind-speaking in your sleep?

"Yes." Her reply was petulant.

She is so stubborn; why can't she just accept the boy's help?

The female turned to Celik with an agitated expression. Seeming slightly confused and startled the Kenim Naduhl looked between the two mind-speakers.

"Did...did you hear that?"

Edileth heard Sheem's laughter in her mind. Glancing at the boy, she saw a wide smile and a shimmering glint of humor in his eyes.

Do not worry, Celik. It happens to all renthlorak when they first gain access to a mind-speaker's mental aura.

Renthlorak? Celik repeated the term.

It is what mind-speakers call those without the Gift.

Celik gave Edileth a purposeful glance at the word 'Gift'.

"Oh, don't you start," she snapped at the Kenim Naduhl.

But going back to your unintentional mind-speaking; Edileth, I think it is because you refuse to use the Gift. You have not had any training, have you?

"No; I don't even want the 'Gift', so why would I devote any of my time to mastering it?"

Because if you do not, you will only continue with the mental outbursts. It will get worse and worse, until – at some point – you will nearly be shouting your thoughts into the minds of all those around you.

Edileth felt a sickening sense of panic wash over her.

If you truly wish to rid yourself of the problems that come with the Gift, Sheem continued, then you must master it. Only then will you know how to keep your níadh – that is, your mental aura – properly contained.

Edileth.

Celik paused, turning to stand before her. He rested his hands atop her shoulders with affection – keeping to the role of her beloved. The rothnak realized that she no longer held Sheem's arm in her hand; she did not remember letting go. With trepidation, Edileth forced herself to look into Celik's eyes.

You must do this, Edileth. He cupped her face in his hand and looked down at her with an almost-convincing expression of love and adoration. You will be much less frightened of mind-speaking if you understand it. And it may even change your opinion of your 'curse'. Please, say that you will accept his guidance.

The rothnak let out a long sigh.

Fine.