Author's note: This chapter has been published ahead of others temporarily, due to entry in a contest. If you have completed all available chapters prior to this, I highly recommend waiting until the gap chapters have been posted, for the best reading experience. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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 nigthtime 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.

Moving silently over the grasslands, the oleadh charged into the center of the Si-olian forces. Growls of dismay and shrieks of agony erupted throughout the camp. The Narenthians swung their weapons from their places upon the backs of the oleadh, slicing and stabbing and smashing the enemy in whatever way they were able. The oleadh tucked their heads, ensnaring the bestial half-elves in their antlers and tossing them to the side, or trampling them underfoot.

The advantage of surprise gave the Narenthians a boost of confidence. Yet, it was not long before the lerecht rose to meet them. The canine-like beasts leapt into the fray, snapping at the heels of the oleadh, and pouncing upon the elves riding them.

For what seemed an eternity, bedlam broke loose and Edileth could hardly keep up with the flurry of attackers. Then – just as suddenly as the Elaborathin and lerecht had risen to meet the attack – the Si-olian forces stopped fighting and stood as if in a daze.

Edileth could feel currents of hannolle in the very air. Her body gave an odd little shiver, and the blonde felt her heart pound with something akin to excitement. The Narenthians stared in shock for a moment, not quite understanding what had happened, nor what they ought to do.

Now is your chance, Edelár. My kin shall keep them stupefied, but it shan't last long; attack while they are yet hindered.

Leaping from Virrélinam's back, Edileth swung her sword at one of the lerecht closest to her. It slumped to the earth, barely releasing a sound. As she heard the other elves around her begin felling the enemy, a sense of horror washed over the mind-speaker. Her body trembled, and she nearly lost hold of her sword.

A quiet grunt sounded behind her. Edileth turned and saw a shadow move closer. It was not until he was nearly upon her that Edileth was able to decipher the entire form of Virrélinam. His pale eyes glinted in the moonlight as he gazed at her.

The fighting shan't last long now. Come, I shall bear you some distance until this is over.

Edileth wanted to protest. Yet there almost seemed to be a warning in the oleadh's eyes. He lowered his head and rested it against Edileth's. She felt an odd sort of warmth fill her.

Your heart is burdened by great troubles. Your time for fighting Si-ol will come. Yet before you do that, you must fight the darkness within.

The blonde found that tears had fallen from her eyes. She reached out and placed her hands on either side of Virrélinam's face. There was an odd whirling sensation, and Edileth felt a rush of hannolle caress her body. When she looked about, shock and wonder filled her.

Where previously a battle had raged around her, now stood shimmering, translucent trees. An other-worldly breeze moved through the branches, and they swayed, creating no sound. Little flecks of starlight seemed to be nestled in the tree boughs, dancing and glimmering with the slightest movement.

Edileth returned her gaze to Virrélinam. Her eyes widened, as another surprise greeted her. The oleadh's coat had transformed, almost appearing to have been painted in moonlight. It glistened in pale, silver hues.

As she studied him closer, she noted that a peculiar mist seemed to hover on one side, streaming out as if pushed along by the breeze. The appearance reminded her of dust blown in the wind.

"What is this place?"

Edileth's voice nigh trembled in awe. There was an odd echoing sound that accompanied her words.

It is a safe haven; a world between worlds.

"What of my companions?"

Fear not, Edelár; they shall triumph.

Edileth recalled the stupefied state of the Si-olian forces. Shuddering, she looked into Virrélinam's eyes. She sensed that he understood her distress.

What did you do to them?

We shrouded their minds in a haze. The effect only lasts a short time, but it is enough to give your companions the upper hand.

Is it not...cruel? They are not even able to resist.

Oleadh can see the hearts of elven kind. Every one of the Elaborathin was full of wickedness.

"How can you see such things?"

It is a gift bestowed upon my kind by Feridh. You, too, possess the gift. As a child of the Feridelle, you have the ability within you. You shall learn the ways on the day that has been set.

Edileth puzzled over his words. Several questions rose within her mind. Curiosity filled her.

'To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Faedhmíl.' You shall learn that which you desire to know. But now is not the time. In fact, the fighting has neared its end; let us rejoin your companions.

The gentle breeze strengthened, becoming a stiff gust. Edileth braced herself, buffeted by the wind. Just as quickly as it had increased, the gale ceased altogether.

Looking about, the blonde found herself back in the grasslands to the east of Filne-Semmit. A sense of wonder filled her once more. She scanned her surroundings, taking in the carnage. The corpses of the Elaborathin and lerecht stood out as a darkened stain upon the ground.

Shuddering, Edileth searched the area for her companions. Unable to see them, she turned her gaze to Virrélinam. The oleadh had ceased to shimmer, having returned to his shadowed state.

They left to seek shelter in the mountains, once more.

How long were we in the other place? It did not seem to be long, but they have already defeated the enemy and departed.

An odd, breathy sort of sound came from the creature and - after a moment of confusion – Edileth realized that he was laughing.

Yes, time in the ether world progresses in a different manner than in Naine Mithale. Now, come; your friends are waiting for you.

Edileth leapt onto Virrélinam's back and the two made their way south. The blonde marveled anew at the distance they were able to cover and the ease with which she rode.

After nearly two hours, the duo neared the base of the mountains. The elves that Edileth had traveled with from the Drezkens were seated upon a small hill. As he neared the group, Virrélinam slowed.

When the oleadh had halted before the elves, Edileth slipped from his back. She looked about, wondering at the whereabouts of the elves from Filne-Semmit and the remaining oleadh.

"There you are, Edileth." Torbedhnik stood. "I trust you looked after her well, Virrélinam."

Indeed, Írin Hannorim.

The oleadh dropped his head. Upon lifting it, Virrélinam turned his pale eyes to Edileth. She returned his gaze, feeling a stronger stirring of hannolle in her veins.

I must rejoin my kin. May Feridh's grace and peace be upon you, Edelár. Follow His path and guard yourself well until the time that has been set.

Virrélinam breathed on the mind-speaker's face, once more. Edileth closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. Releasing a sigh, she opened her eyes. The oleadh gave a slow nod, before bounding across the hilly area and up into the mountains. Edileth stared at the shadowed rise of the earth for a time. At last, she tore her gaze away, and looked to her companions.

"Where have the other elves gone?"

"They retreated into the mountains to care for the injured. The oleadh promised to return them to the gorge near the Uliedh River."

"And what of us?" she asked.

Everyone looked to Torbedhnik, anticipating his answer. The hannorim nodded his head a few times.

"The priority is to retrieve the Hibh en Gredhe." He turned to face the Kenim Naduhl. "I entrust the task of tracking it to you, Celik. If my memory serves me, a village lies some ten kilometers west of our present location. There, thou shalt have the opportunity to purchase a horse to aid in thy journey."

Celik nodded with a grim expression.

"The rest of us shall travel to Villelle en Orv Lorrlen. I shall speak with King Diabol, and we shall discuss what is to be done. We must needs consider a great many things.

"For what remains of these dark hours, though, we should rest. Whence morning comes, we shall depart."

As everyone began settling into a gulley on the eastern side of the slope, Celik moved to Torbedhnik and spoke quietly. She watched with curiosity. The hannorim nodded and then the two embraced. Edileth barely heard his words.

"Feridh protect and guide you, my brother. Know that our hearts go with you."

Edileth felt a dread and deep sorrow wash over her. Tears pooled in her eyes as Celik turned to face her. In the moonlight, she saw a small, somber sort of smile upon his face.

"Take heart, Edileth." Celik placed a hand upon her shoulder. "I am certain Feridh has a plan for you; He shall carry you through this. Remember to share your burden with someone, lest you drive yourself mad."

Overwhelmed by a strong foreboding, Edileth took a step forward and embraced Celik. He stood still for a moment, and Edileth sensed shock from his níadh. She had surprised herself, but she continued holding Celik.

At last, he patted her upper back, releasing a breathy laugh.

"Oh, Edileth," he sighed.

After a moment, he leaned back and placed his hands upon Edileth's shoulders. She removed her arms from around Celik's torso and looked up at him.

"Where I go, my Maker follows," said he. "Do not fear for me, dear one."

Swallowing her grief, Edileth stood a little straighter and nodded at the roth. He smiled, then, and said a farewell to the others. After shouldering his pack, Celik trotted to the west, quickly disappearing into the landscape.

Edileth stood at the top of the hill, staring into the darkness for some time. When she felt a gentle hand upon her upper back, she flinched. Turning, she beheld Joenek's somber expression.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

She felt a new wave of emotions rise within her. Seeing Joenek made her uncomfortable, yet she also found that she longed to be near him. His touch made her tremble.

When she made no response, Joenek spoke again.

"These past few days have been difficult; especially finding out about Marrik. I think we are all a little exhausted. And I understand that you are close to Celik. I know you're worried about him leaving on his own, but he's a Kenim Naduhl; he is smart and capable."

He turned to face Edileth. She looked up at him as he placed his hands on her upper arms. Though his face was shadowed, the mind-speaker could sense his concern from his níadh.

"I'm sorry, Edileth. I know I have made some mistakes. You have every right to be mad at me."

Weariness overtaking her, Edileth sat upon the grassy knoll. Joenek crouched beside her.

"Are you well? You're not injured, are you?"

"I am unharmed."

"Where were you? Torbedhnik told us you were safe and told us you would return. But you vanished. No one knew where you had gone."

"I'm still not certain. But Virrélinam told me it was a sort of...world between worlds."

"Virrélinam?"

"The oleadh," said she.

"It spoke to you?"

Edileth looked up at the sound of surprise in Joenek's voice. A dumbfounded expression crossed his face and – in her exhaustion – she found herself laughing. "Yes, in a way, he did."

"That's incredible."

The two sat in silence for a time. Edileth's thoughts returned to Celik's departure.

Please protect him, Feridh; I have come to rely on his counsel, and to cherish his friendship. Safeguard him from the enemy.

"I sometimes wonder what I'll do once this is over."

Edileth glanced to Joenek. It was the first time she had heard him speak with such solemnity.

"What do you mean?"

"Assuming I don't get hacked into lerecht meat by an elaborathin or some other nasty creature, I'll have to find somewhere to go after all this. Should I return to La'el and help them rebuild? Or should I start a new life somewhere else? I'm not certain."

Edileth smiled. "You will know when the time comes."

"What about you?" Joenek leaned closer as he spoke. "What will you do if we get the Gredhe again?"

"I don't think this is about the Gredhe, alone."

"What makes you say that?"

Edileth turned to her right, looking past Joenek. On the other side of the slope lay the other members of their group.

"Torbedhnik wrote the tomes and – we have always believed – they hold the secrets of the Gredhe, as well as Akkheron's rise to power. I think there is something more; some form of knowledge that has long been lost to elven kind."

She dared not share how she had come to this conclusion. The few times she had been in contact with Torbedhnik's níadh, Edileth had sensed a deep knowledge and understanding of the Hibh en Gredhe. Yet, in addition to this, she had sensed that the hannorim was concerned about locating something more; as if the Gredhe was only a small piece of the puzzle, and there was more at play in the dance between light and dark.

"And tomorrow we leave for the southern palace." Joenek stretched, yawning. "Do you think Torbedhnik will tell us what he knows?"

"I imagine he will. Though he may not share the details straightaway."

Joenek smirked. Pinching his nose as Torbedhnik often did, he mimicked the hannorim's voice. "All in due time, child."

Edileth chortled.

She gazed out over the moonlit plains. Though her body ached with fatigue, her mind was a flurry of thought. Edileth found it difficult to believe all that had transpired in a little over one-month's time; particularly the last few weeks of travel with Joenek and the other Ferlians.

What lay ahead, she could not fathom. She was terrified, yet she also sensed the stir of excitement. She found that she was thrilled by the unknown, the possibilities that awaited her.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new journey.

Author's note: Thus ends the final chapter of The Warrior from Kerindh. I know it has been a long journey, and I thank you for persevering to the end. The story continues in book two of The Ferlian Warrior Chronicles (coming soon)!