"Marrik!"

Edileth stared in horror, as the scholar faced the same sort of creature she had been tormented by in Gallimna. She shuddered from the memory of its mind invading her own.

Marrik turned toward her. His shoulders seemed to droop, and his head tilted downward while shaking. Taking a sigh, the roth looked back to Edileth.

"Save your energy, Edileth."

Confusion filled the rothnak. She noted the creature standing with his large, chopping blade pointed at Marrik, who was unarmed. Despite the situation, the scholar seemed unaffected by the danger. A sinking feeling washed over Edileth.

"W-what do you mean? Marrik, come quickly."

"Oh, Edileth. You are such a fool. You all were."

A voice behind the blonde startled her.

"Marrik, what are you doing?"

Joenek held his own sword at the ready; Arun stood beside him, mace in hand. The rothni looked just as bewildered as Edileth felt. She turned back toward Marrik. The scholar crossed his arms.

"I lied. And now I'm returning the Hibh en Gredhe to its rightful owner."

He turned, then, as if to leave. Edileth barely had time to register the flash of movement that darted past her. It was not until she saw Rikku rushing toward Marrik that Edileth realized what was happening. A sense of dread washed over her, and the blonde felt her body lunge forward.

"Marrik, get back!"

Rikku unsheathed her single-handed sword, urging the scholar to flee. As Edileth drew near to save Rikku from imminent danger, she thought she saw a look of guilt cross Marrik's face. The Si-olian creature raised his weapon, preparing to strike the animal keeper.

"Stay back! Rikku, stay back, I say!" Marrik held his hands out.

Edileth watched in horror as the small rothnak halted too late. The enemy's arm swung in a downward arch, aiming for Rikku's throat. Without thought, Edileth found herself tackling the animal keeper, realizing as she landed on the hard stone, that the screaming sound that had rung in her ears was from her own lips.

Trying to catch her breath from the fall, Edileth looked up, certain that her life was in peril. However, chaos had broken out, and kept her safe for a moment. Joenek and Arun must have followed on her heels, and a number of Elaborathin had come from some secret hiding place.

Glancing to Rikku, who lay still upon the ground, the mind-speaker felt dread rising within. Edileth rolled over and leaned over the animal keeper.

The blonde let loose a sigh of relief when she saw that the other rothnak was still breathing. She looked over Rikku's body, looking for any obvious signs of injury.

A shadow fell over the rothnash. Edileth looked up. Marrik's face was pale. He stretched out his hand, as if to touch Rikku. Filled with anger, Edileth leapt up, shoving the scholar.

"Stay away!"

"I-I...didn't mean for this to happen."

Marrik looked ill. He swallowed, staring at Rikku. Edileth found that she was shaking in rage. She felt someone pull her away from the scholar. Feeling out of control, Edileth found herself shouting and fighting against the elf who had grabbed her arm.

"Edileth!"

She felt her body whip around, and she stood face to face with Joenek. He gripped her shoulders, giving her a good shake. When she looked into his eyes, the roth spoke.

"Take Rikku somewhere safe, and get out of here, ----."

Edileth flinched. Taking a deep breath, the rothnak turned to find that Rikku had awoke, and now struggled to stand in the midst of a fray. Edileth barely had time to notice that other elves had entered the fight, as she turned her attention back to the animal keeper.

Before the blonde was able to reach her, Rikku was met by Marrik. He knelt beside her, helping her stand. He pulled her away from the danger of the skirmish, and Edileth darted after them. She noticed that the creature was also moving toward the two elves.

"...with me."

Edileth caught the tail end of what Marrik was telling the animal keeper. Rikku looked pained; less from the blow she had taken upon landing than from heartache.

"I cannot. Why...why did you betray us?"

"Stay away from him, Rikku. He's a servant of the Evil One."

"No...no, that isn't true. I only mea-"

The Elaborathin-like creature neared.

"Vekkhan rochk, Raava. Shír tovv nirek mal khírtahl tovven krrímen ta neshták."

Marrik gazed at Rikku for a long moment. His features hardened and – without a word – the scholar turned and strode to the secret tunnel. The creature followed closely, blade in hand. Edileth felt Rikku's body tremble as Marrik disappeared into the shadows. Glancing at the animal keeper, Edileth saw tears in her eyes.

"Come, Rikku."

The two rothnash left the mayhem of the fighting behind, seeking shelter elsewhere.

Finding a quiet location, Edileth helped Rikku sit. The animal keeper seemed to be in a daze.

"Are you unharmed? Were you injured anywhere?"

"No."

"Do you think you can make it back to the inner keep, alone?"

"Yes."

Edileth studied Rikku for a moment. Feeling awkward, the blonde leaned in and embraced the other rothnak. She felt the animal keeper shake with silent sobbing. Patting Rikku's back, Edileth tried to give some comfort.

"I truly am sorry. If you ever need anything, I shall try my best to be of help."

"Zank you. Now, go, 'elp ze odzers. I will find Yena and give 'er what aid I can."

Edileth wiped the sweat from her brow. Panting in exhaustion, the blonde looked at her companions. They were all covered in the blood and grime of battle; each appearing just as drained as she felt.

Everyone had gathered at the southern-most end of the inner keep. The enemy forces had quickly turned the tide of the battle, and those defending Filne-Semmit had to make a hasty retreat. Lord Rettinne had told of a secret passage that would lead them far below the citadel.

Now, they prepared to descend into the caverns beneath the city. The elves moved with haste; gathering what few supplies they could, before plunging into the dimly lit hall that led to their escape route.

Yena had had the foresight to collect the belongings of the group that had travelled together. Rikku had joined her, and the two rothnash dispersed the packs. Edileth spoke a word of gratitude as Yena placed the blonde's belongings in her hands.

Shouldering her pack, the mind-speaker followed the small crowd of elves down into the depths.

They moved with haste; the underground halls echoing the plodding of feet and the clinking of armor. Few words were spoken, as they marched farther into the caverns.

Hours passed, yet still they pressed on. Edileth felt weariness seep into her muscles and joints. There was a steady decline, and occasionally the path would wind back and forth. She had the sense that they were traveling along switchbacks.

After what felt like ages – so long had they traversed the underground halls in weariness and quietude, that Edileth had lost all sense of time – someone called for a halt. Everyone stood still for a moment. Then, the rothnak saw the crowds of elves moving through a large archway.

She followed suit and, as she passed through the opening, Edileth beheld a massive chamber. Hundreds of elves had dropped to the ground wherever they stood, too tired to move farther. Edileth made her way toward the outer edge of the grand hall, taking care not to step on any of those who had collapsed in her path.

"Edileth."

Yena gestured for the younger rothnak to join her. Edileth nodded, changing her course only slightly. As she drew near, the mind-speaker noted that Rikku was also with the healer.

"Come, sit. Do you have any injuries that need tending?"

"Nothing serious, I think."

Edileth sank to the floor, releasing a sigh of contentment. Rikku observed the elves surrounding them, before turning her gaze back to Yena and Edileth.

"Zey say we 'ave travelled for nigh six 'ours. Dzis is ze 'alfway point. Once we complete ze remainder of ze descent, we shall come out at ze base of ze cliff, near ze Ulies River."

"And we are safe to rest here? What of those pursuing us?"

"Torben – no...that is, Torbedhnik has taken care of it. He concealed the entrance with hannolle. They shouldn't be able to locate it for another hour or two. It will give us a sufficient head start."

Edileth looked at the healer. She wondered how Yena was handling the news of her husband's identity. It had been shocking enough for the rest of the Ferlians. Yet Yena was wed to the ancient hannorim.

Without quite realizing it, the blonde reached out and took hold of the elder rothnak's hand. Yena looked up and gave a tired smile. She patted Edileth's hand and leaned back against the wall.