"Why you travelling with such a strange beast?"

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

"You!" She snatched his arm and pulled him along beside her. "Who are you?"

"Sheem's what they call me." He nodded toward Jich's elves.

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

Sheem shrugged. Edileth pursed her lips and glared.

"What are you?" she asked. "What do you want?"

'What are you?'

Edileth yelped, her fingers digging deeper into the boy's arm. With widened eyes, she fixed her gaze upon Sheem. Though his arm must ache, he showed no outward signs of discomfort.

'I know you can mind-speak; your níadh is powerful – very powerful. Why don't you answer?'

Edileth's body shook. It was not from the biting wind.

"Enári?" Marrik's voice broke into her thoughts. "You are well?"

"Quite." Her voice sounded strangled. She then lowered her tone so only Sheem would hear her. "What game do you play at?"

'Mind-speaking is more private.'

"That is not an option."

'Then I ain't answering your questions.'

"Don't be so impertinent."

'You're drawing attention.'

Edileth turned and found that Marrik was studying her. His head was tilted to the side and one brow was lifted. "You certain you are well? Seems you're talking to yourself."

"Yes, yes, it's not uncommon." She paused, glancing to the boy. Returning her gaze to Marrik, Edileth continued. "You are well on your own for a moment? I must needs speak with Benorelt."

"So long as you aren't speaking to thin air, I shall be fine."

Ignoring Marrik's jest, Edileth dragged Sheem away from the hannolled creature and litter. Despite her efforts to keep her expression neutral, she felt a frown forming on her face, and her brows were lowered in a fierce glare. She was not pleased with her options, but Celik was the only one to whom she could present such a predicament.

As they neared the Kenim Naduhl, Edileth called to him. "Benorelt."

'Celik.'

Edileth turned a withering gaze on the boy.

"Trouble?" Celik moved to stand beside her. He glanced at Sheem but kept his focus on Edileth. His hand brushed against her shoulder in a display of affection.

'I should think so,' replied Sheem. 'Neither of you is in love with the other.'

Celik tensed, the full weight of his hand pressing against Edileth's shoulder, as if to draw her away from the strange boy. She felt an odd shift in her mind and somehow, she knew that Celik now had access to her thoughts, as well. Edileth heard Sheem's laughter in her mind.

'Yes, I can mind-speak. I ain't as powerful as Edileth, but I'm decent enough. I can act as relay for us three, so no one else listens in on our conversation.'

"I don't trust you and I've no desire for you to root around in my mind."

'Seems to me like you haven't had no training.'

"It seems to me that you never learnt proper grammar. Perhaps, you should delve into a book or two, rather than intrude on the minds of others."

Edileth crossed her arms, clenching her jaw. She glared at the boy, who seemed none too affected by her retort.

'If you don't practice, bad things'll start happening.'

"Enough of your empty threats. Ce–Benorelt and I must decide what's to be done about you."

'Stubborn, as usual.'

Edileth whipped her head to the side, ensnaring Celik in her fierce gaze. He blinked and lifted his brows.

"You heard?"

Sheem laughed aloud. 'Don't worry; happens to all renthlorak the first time.'

'Renthlorak?' Celik's voice echoed in Edileth's mind. It seemed to be, if possible, deeper and richer than his spoken voice. Shaking her head, Edileth returned her attention to what was being said.

'It's what mind-speakers call elves without the Gift.'

"Gift, indeed." Edileth could not keep the bitterness from her voice.

"What 'bad things' will happen?" Celik looked past Edileth to study Sheem.

'If you're fortunate, it'll just be mind-speaking by accident. Someone'll hear you speaking into their mind. But there's always the danger of someone like me comin' along and causing real trouble.'

"You only wish to frighten me." Edileth grumbled, retreating from her mental contact with Sheem and Celik. She didn't want them to know that Sheem's words had served his intended purpose.

'You should be. All your power won't do you any good if it ain't trained. Someone could trap you in your mind; I've seen it done. Or worse, they could use your níadhe for something that'd kill you.'

'Edileth.' Celik's voice spoke into her mind. The grave tone he used caused her to study his features. He stopped walking for a moment, turning to face her. Celik swept his gaze over their surroundings and then whispered. "This is more serious than I realized. Seek aid."

Edileth's jaw went slack. Coming to her senses, she pursed her lips and groused. "I still don't fully trust you, and you're suggesting I request aid from this disheveled urchin?"

Celik's brow twitched upward. He turned and resumed walking. Edileth bristled.

You would walk away amid a conversation? Edileth stomped after him, Sheem forgotten for a moment. Come back, you sneaking lump of emotionless flesh.

'I can still hear you.'

Celik halted and Edileth nearly collided with him. He turned and Edileth felt herself blush at his piercing gaze. She had forgotten to remove herself from the mental connection that Sheem had provided. She berated herself for her folly and tried to think of a response. Before she could concoct something adequate, Celik spoke.

"It's Si-ol." At her head-tilt, he elaborated. "The reason you distrust me. It's because I spent time in Si-ol."

Shame kept her silent. He was confronting her about last night's outburst,and she had no desire to face the uncertainty he stirred within her. When she refused to meet his gaze, Celik touched her shoulder. She lifted her chin, hoping to convey a confidence she was far from feeling. As their eyes met, all thought of speaking left her. Though she saw no signs of it in his features, Edileth felt a wave of emotion from Celik's mind. There were undercurrents of hurt and agitation. But above it all, she felt – to her surprise – sympathy and affection.

Regret deflated her pride, and Edileth averted her gaze. She muttered an apology.

"I understand." Celik removed his hand from her shoulder. "You can teach her?"

Sheem had followed them and now stood at their side. As the three started walking, once more, he replied. "I can."

"You will accept?" Celik returned his gaze to her.

"We cannot be certain of his motives. And he has yet to tell me how he knew the true nature of the lorthen."

"Oh, that," replied Sheem. "That's easy to explain. I have two Gifts."

Edileth arched her brow. "Is it not rare to have a Gift?"

"Uncommon, more like. But having two Gifts, that is rare. My true Gift lies in hannolle."

Nodding her head, Edileth murmured under her breath. "That would explain it, then."

"Explain what?" Celik's tilted head and gathered brows caught Edileth off guard and she laughed.

Just as she started to explain that mind-speaking was said to have a close relation to hannolle, Yena swept into view and chastised her.

"Are you not responsible for tending Fendrith, today?"

"Forgive me. I simply–"

"I needn't hear every detail. Return to the task to which you were assigned."

Edileth started to protest but was silenced by Yena's stern gaze. Celik gave a slow nod and placed his hand on Sheem's shoulder, guiding the lad to walk ahead. Resisting the urge to grumble her complaints, Edileth retreated to Marrik's side.

"Finally returning to look after the ailing brother, then?"

She cast a glance to Marrik but chose not to respond. He, on the other hand, seemed determined to stir up some form of response from her.

"I've always envied Benorelt. You've only ever had eyes for him. It seemed I could never hold your attention long. He is better of feature, I suppose. But I had always wished that you would spare some affection for me."

"What in Naine Mithale are you on about?"

"I thought it was obvious. I'm confessing my undying love for you."

Despite her lingering frustration, Edileth laughed. The idea of Marrik being in love with her was so absurd that she could do nothing else for a moment. When she had regained her composure and dared to look to Marrik, he revealed a smile.

"You're in high spirits, at last." He pulled his arm out from under the blanket and gestured for Edileth to move closer. "Benorelt is too quiet and brooding. Wouldn't suit him to wed a tem-pest-u-ous rothnak."

A small smile lifted the corners of Edileth's mouth as Marrik took his time to pronounce the word correctly. "Yes, brother. I shall strive to be less myself to satisfy your wishes."

"Glad we've come to an agreement." Marrik's laughter came as a throaty bark.

Another gust of wind buffeted Edileth. With a shiver, she drew nearer to Marrik and helped him re-tuck the blanket. They soon fell into silence, allowing Edileth's mind to wander. She looked ahead and saw that Sheem still walked beside Celik, though the Kenim Naduhl had removed his hand from the boy's shoulder.

Precisely what are they discussing?

'If you must know, we're talkin' about you.' Sheem's voice echoed in her mind and she flinched.

How long have you been rummaging in my thoughts, you uncivil whelp?

'I'm only responding to you. You're the one what entered my mind. Which is why you need to train. Before too long, everyone'll be hearing your thoughts.'

'I agree with the boy, Edileth.' Celik's voice held a tone of gravity.

I never requested your input.

'You can trust him, you know.' There was amusement in Sheem's voice. 'I sense goodness from his níadh.'

What, pray, is a níadh?

'It's your mental aura. Usually, renthlorak are not able to conceal secrets in their minds; only those with the Gift.'

How can I be expected to believe your words? If what you say is true, you could be hiding an evil intent. And I have not the skill to detect falsehoods in your níadh.

'You can't lie when you're mindspeaking. Tell me how excited you are to marry your betrothed.'

After a moment's hesitation, Edileth decided to test Sheem's claim.

I long to w-w-

Try though she might, Edileth could not finish the thought. She had no desire to wed the Kenim Naduhl, and her mind would not allow her to speak anything but the truth.

'Do you believe me, now?'

Very well, I concede.

'You ain't one to get overly excited, are you?' Sheem laughed. 'Your lessons begin to-night.'

Edileth made certain she had pulled her níadh back to her own mind before sorting through her complaints. It seemed The Order would get their desire after all. She would be trained in mind-speaking. How pleased the Fíthni would be when she arrived in Filne-Semmit with the work already begun. What they desired to use her for, Edileth did not know, but she feared their grand schemes all the same.

A sigh left her lips as the first heavy drops of rain began to fall.

Author's note: This chapter has been edited/altered (as of 2021-05-10)