The water lapped against the sides of the boat and a steady cadence rose as the oars dipped in and out of the river's gentle current. The six vessels moved up-river, transporting the wounded and some of the heavier supplies that had been stored within the caverns for just such a circumstance.

The elves breathed heavily, submerging their oars into the water, and pushing them with what strength they had remaining. They paddled in unison – with precision – along the Uliedh River.

As of yet, none of the Si-olian forces had made an attempt to capture the Narenthians. Struggling against the waters, the elves tried to put as much distance as they could between themselves and the enemy.

Edileth had joined the remainder of the elves on the banks opposite Filne-Semmit. They plodded along, weary yet alert. Some of the weaker elves were mounted upon the two dozen horses that had been brought through the caverns before them.

By mid day, the Narenthians had made it to the start of a small ravine that would gradually wind its way up into the moderately-sized mountains south-east of Filne-Semmit. Here, the elves were forced to unload the boats and begin the slow trek into the mountains. The elves had not gone far, when an area was found that could be defended well. Here, there was a call to stop and rest.

Edileth found a quiet, somewhat-secluded spot and sat herself down in a rather awkward fashion. She longed to remove the armor she had donned two days prior but dared not. Instead, she shifted a bit until she found the most comfortable position. The blonde stared at nothing, fealing exhausted, but too worried to sleep. A shadow fell over her, and the rothnak glanced up.

"Drink. You must stay hydrated."

Edileth felt her face flush as Celik proffered a waterskin. When she made no move to retrieve the water, the Kenim Naduhl crouched before her.

"Edileth."

She dared not look the roth in the eyes. When she felt his hand take hold of her own, the mind-speaker nearly leapt in surprise. Celik placed the waterskin in her hand. When she pulled away from his touch, he released his grip.

"I know something happened while I was gone."

Edileth found that she could not hold the tears back any longer. She leaned forward and rested her arms on her knees, laying her head upon her arms to hide her face from Celik's scrutiny. She felt a reassuring hand upon her shoulder.

"You must speak with someone. If you keep it within, this problem will eat away at you. When you feel ready, you should find someone you trust and share your situation with them."

"I...can't. I...d-don't want to...t-think about it...at all. I wish I had never...l-listened to him."

Edileth could hardly breathe between her sobs; her odd positioning did nothing to help.

"What did Joenek do to you?"

Edileth was so surprised by the severity of Celik's voice that she looked up at the roth. His face was clouded over, and anger seemed to sharpen his features. The blonde had never seen the Kenim Naduhl display such a strong expression of emotion. His countenance was usually placid and unreadable.

"I...he...we..."

Edileth couldn't think straight.

What am I doing? He is the last elf I want finding out about the things I have done.

The Kenim Naduhl stood with abruptness. He clenched his jaw and looked about, as if searching for someone. Edileth felt panicked, knowing precisely who he was looking for.

"No, Celik. Please, don't do anything."

He looked down at Edileth. All the anger that had shown in his features dissipated. He knelt before the blonde, once more. In his eyes was a sorrowful sort of understanding. Celik placed his hand upon her shoulder.

"I'm sorry you've had to endure this. Do not allow your shame to suffocate you, Edileth. Learn what lessons you can from this experience and return your gaze to Feridh. He shall forgive you and guide you on the true path."

Tears came anew, at the Kenim Naduhl's gentle words.

"Now, be sure to drink some water. And try to get some rest. There are plenty able-bodied elves to keep watch for danger. You need some sleep, or you'll only slow us down."

Celik gave a small smile to ensure she knew his last words were meant in jest. He stood, giving her a long look before turning around and heading back in the direction from which he had come.

Edileth took a few sips of water and ate a small piece of Vaile. Once she had eaten, the blonde took another sip of water. She had barely closed the waterskin before sinking back against the outcropping of stone behind her. Hearing the gentle murmur of conversation, Edileth closed her eyes and fell quickly into a deep slumber.

"What can we do? They'll all be slaughtered."

Edileth felt grief fill her heart. Celik had discovered that roughly one thousand lerecht-mounted Elaborathin had departed from the main forces. Upon his scouting, he determined that they had taken the main road. The Kenim Naduhl had informed Torbedhnik of his findings, including his supposition that the creatures meant to attack those who had left Filne-Semmit four days prior.

The hannorim nodded his head gravely. Torbedhnik looked to Lord Rettinne and his advisors. Standing from the boulder he had been perched on, the ancient elf spoke to those who had gathered near.

"The enemy grows bolder with each passing day. He believes he has the advantage; that we shall bow down with fear and trembling. I shall not bow to him. This day, I leave to do battle with the Si-olians who have determined in their hearts to destroy the defenseless. Who shall join me in rescuing our fellow Narenthians?"

Edileth felt her heart swell at the courage of the elves around her. A chorus of agreement coursed through the crowds and many of those who were not severely injured offered to aid Torbedhnik. The blonde joined in their proclamation.

"How are we to save them? The Si-olians are one day's journey ahead of us. Even if, by the grace of Feridh, we catch up to them, we may be too late to save our kin."

Torbedhnik smiled as he turned to face one of Lord Rettinne's advisors.

"Never fear, lad. With Feridh, all things are possible."

The hannorim stood a little straighter, looking into the mountains that rose above their current location. He then bowed his head, seeming to mutter something under his breath. When he finished, Torbedhnik gave a little nod and seated himself upon the stone, once more.

For a long while, nothing happened. Everyone looked about, expecting something to occur, though uncertain what it was they were waiting for.

"Look, there on the ridge!"

Edileth turned her gaze and beheld an oleadh. Shock and wonder filled the elves around her. Having dwelt among plains and small hills, she doubted many of them had ever seen such a creature.

The oleadh lept from the ridge, seeming almost to float as it neared an outcropping of rock farther down the mountain. It gave one more leap into the air, landing on a rim near the elves' temporary encampment. It stood with an heir of regality, its head aloft. Its soft brown eyes swept the crowd, until they landed upon Torbedhnik. The stag-like creature seemed to bow its head then.

"Greetings, Rore-lellin."

Edileth flinched as she heard Torbedhnik's words in her mind as well as aloud. More startling still was the voice that answered the hannorim's.

The need must be great, indeed, for you to call upon me, Ancient One. And who is this child of the Feridelle that accompanies you?

Edielth shuddered. She knew that the oleadh spoke of her. The rothnak had only heard the term Feridelle one other time; when her mind-speaking abilities had first been discovered.

Rore-lellin turned his gaze to Edileth. His eyes seemed to look directly into her soul.

"Thy words art true, my friend; the hour grows late. My companions have need of thy assistance. If it please thee, the speed of thy kind would greatly aid our cause."

If you ask it, we shall serve in what way we are able. Only promise us Edelár.

When her time comes, she shall seek you.

The oleadh nodded its head, once more. Lifting it, then, Rore-lellin let loose a bugle. Hundreds of its kind appeared on the ridges surrounding the elves. With the same grace as Rore-lellin, the beasts leapt from rim to rim. The coats of the oleadh ranged from milky white to dusty grey.

One oleadh, however, caught Edileth's attention. Its coat was a charcoal grey, its eyes a brilliant, frosty blue. As it came to land near Rore-lellin, its cloven hooves came together, and its slender forelegs seemed to form an  arrow.

Torbedhnik turned to face the elves around him.

"The oleadh have graciously agreed to aid us. Those who will join, please gather what you need, and let us be on our way. The oleadh shall choose whom they desire to partner with; be certain to show proper respect."

Rore-lellin stepped toward Torbedhnik. The two seemed to be in conversation for a moment, and then the hannorim faced Edileth. He beckoned her over. Feeling great discomfort, she obeyed.

As she drew near, the oleadh fixed his gaze upon her.

Greetings, young one.

Feeling unsure, Edileth bowed her head. The creature's words still worried her; she was not sure what he wanted with her.

You have nothing to fear, daughter of Fyndarr.

Edileth's head shot up. She had heard the name long ago; on the same night she had been referred to as a child of the Feridelle.

Who...are you?

Your father was a good elf; a dear friend to the oleadh.

My father?

Indeed, child. When the time is right, you shall learn of your lineage. But this is not that time. My son, Virrélinam, shall serve as your companion in this battle. Protect one another.

The dark oleadh stepped forward, nodding his head to Edileth. The blonde glanced back to Torbedhnik and Rore-lellin.

The hannorim placed his hand upon the muscled neck of the oleadh. After a moment, Rore-lellin extended his snout and exhaled on the Torbedhnik's face.

Edileth thought it would be best to follow suit. She mimicked Torbedhnik's motions. As her hand touched the soft coat, she felt the thrumming sensation of hannolle.

Greetings to you, child of Feridelle.

And to you, Virrélinam.

The oleadh breathed upon her face. There was a sweetness in his breath. Edileth shivered as she felt a current of hannolle course through her veins.

Come. We must save your friends.

Edileth leapt onto the creature's back, feeling far lighter and far stronger than she had only moments ago. Her body seemed to hum, and a sense of wonder filled her. Before she could quite get accustomed to the feeling, Virrélinam took a leaping bound.

The rothnak gasped. With one upward surge, the dark oleadh seemed to soar across the river and onto the opposite ridge. Edileth found that – despite the momentum with which Virrélinam moved – little effort was required, on her part, to remain astride the creature.

In this way, the small army of oleadh and elves traversed over the mountains, until they reached the grasslands on the northern edges. Once they had reached the open terrain, the oleadh charged forth at a steady clip.

The oleadh traveled well into the night, aided by the light of the nearly-full moon. Celik had led the pursuit to track down the Si-olians – enlisting the aid of a few well-trained scouts. Having come upon the Elaborathin forces somewhere near the middle of the night, the Narenthians paused at a fair distance to regroup and form a strategy.

After much deliberation, it was decided that it would be best for the Narenthians to attack the Elaborathin and lerecht while they still had the advantage of surprise. Much debate had risen concerning the dangers of nighttime warfare. However, Rore-lellin had helped put these concerns to rest.

The oleadh had assured the elves, through Torbedhnik, that his kin possessed a keen eyesight that was unhindered by the night. As long as they had the light of the moon, the oleadh would have no difficulty seeing their surroundings.

In addition, Rore-lellin explained that the coat of an oleadh reacts to the phase of the moon in such a way that – when the moon is full – an oleadh can traverse virtually unseen. Many elves had expressed great approval at the moon's current phase.

Though the Si-olian forces were nearly double that of the Narenthians who had left the mountains, the oleadh felt certain of victory. Edileth had a sense they were not revealing the entirety of their abilities. The thought was equal parts intriguing and frightening.

Rimm, the elf in charge of the soldiers of Filne-Semmit, had ordered everyone to eat while the plans were made. Now – after having been given their orders – the elves gathered their supplies once more and mounted the oleadh.

As Edileth sat upon Virrélinam, she took a steadying breath, trying not to think over-much of the chaos to come. The oleadh sensed her unease.

Fear not, Edelár. The victory is ours.

How can you be so certain?

Virrélinam did not answer, but the mind-speaker sensed amusement coming from him. Now she felt certain that the oleadh were hiding something.