At last, Celik sighed and turned to face Edileth again. He took half a step, paused, and then crossed the short distance between them. The roth sat upon the bench at an angle, to face her better. He leaned forward and inhaled as though about to speak. After a slight hesitation, Celik finally broke the silence.

"I imagine you are worried over what happened earlier and wondering what you forced upon me by mistake. I also suspect you will feel distress when you are made aware of how much I know. Yet, I feel it would be a disservice to you if I were not fully honest."

Celik paused, looking out to the darkened landscape. He then shifted his gaze to rest on the rothnak, once more. She swallowed, ducking her head as if to deflect what Celik was about to tell her.

"I know what transpired after last eve's council. I will freely admit my surprise upon learning what Joenek had done. I am more than a little dismayed by his behavior toward you."

Something in his tone made Edileth glance up at the roth. Celik was leaning forward with his elbow resting upon his knee. He rubbed his forehead, as though to ease a headache. A lengthy sigh was released as he tilted his head back to gaze at the countless stars which had appeared in the darkening sky. Finally, he turned back to Edileth.

"But I speak no more on the matter. My final words are these: Although you are an extraordinary, capable elf, there will come a time when you may need protection and aid. When that time comes, you need but call upon me, and I will do everything in my power to provide such things."

Taken aback, Edileth shifted and looked away from the Kenim Naduhl. She felt warmth flood her face; she could not fathom the roth's kindness.

"Why?" Her voice came out as a whisper.

"What's that?" Celik leaned closer.

Again, Edileth found herself shifting to her right, ever so slightly. She cleared her throat, before repeating her question.

"W-why are you so kind to me?"

Edileth peeked at the roth from the corner of her eye. He cocked his head, studying her. After a moment, the faintest of smiles crept onto his face, and he tilted his head downward.

"It isn't me, Edileth. It is everyone; Torben, Yena, Rikku...we all care about you, though I will admit to feeling very protective of you. I suspect that is because, in some small way, you remind me of my sister."

Edileth flinched. It was the first time she had heard anything so personal about the Kenim Naduhl. He had divulged little enough about himself, and the only other information she had concerning the roth had come from the gossiping lips of infatuated maidens.

The she-elf looked to Celik. He was looking in her direction, though not at her. His line of sight went just beyond where she sat, into the small hills past the city's eastern walls. He seemed to notice her watching him, and the roth shifted his gaze the slightest bit so that he looked into her eyes.

"You have a sister?"

Celik gave a sad smile and nodded.

"I do; although I've not seen her for ten summers."

"Did...something happen?" Edileth almost dreaded the answer but felt she must ask.

"Mmm." Celik grunted a confirmation. "I became part of the Kenim Naduhlni."

"Then...it's true?"

"What?"

"I heard tell that the Kenim Naduhlni must cut themselves off from their family and never wed."

"Hmm. While it is not required, many of us do choose such a life. It is far simpler – when one considers the dangers that the Kenim Nadhulna face – to remain distant from family. Of course, it also helps us focus on Feridh and whatever task is before us, without distraction.

"I admit that there have been times I have faltered – in my weaker moments. However, I have confidence that I made the proper decision, the only rational choice to my way of thinking. I would find it a difficult burden to bear if I caused harm to befall any of them."

"That's..." She halted, thinking of how best to word her thoughts.

"Absurd?" Celik snickered.

"No, it's not that. Only...I admire your decision. I do not know that I could do such a thing."

Celik smiled and placed a hand upon her shoulder.

"You would be surprised what you can do when Feridh is your all and guides your steps. Though, if it is Feridh's will, I should like to think of you surrounded by your loved ones."

Edileth considered what Celik had shared, feeling a warmth fill her at witnessing this new side of the Kenim Naduhl. The two elves sat in comfortable silence for a time, listening to the surrounding plant-life rustle in the breeze.

Celik stood, stretching as he did so.

"If only the Tomes weren't enchanted. It would certainly make things simpler."

"Sometimes it feels as though Feridh is simply watching us struggle. It seems like He...doesn't care."

Edileth sighed. After a moment of silence, she felt shame wash over her, and she scrambled to hide her doubts.

"That is–"

"Edileth, you need not apologize for your honesty. Instead, remember to look at the facts. We can read of this truth in Aór Mírnen. Even when He is silent, Feridh is still watching over us. He will conquer all evil in the end. And that is one hope we can look forward to; to say nothing of spending eternity in His presence."

"Mmm...yes."

"You do not sound convinced."

Edileth smiled.

Tolbetnihk.

The young rothnak flinched at the sound of the strange voice in her mind. It was the same voice she had heard earlier.

Tilihl Tolbetnihk. Tetiht Tolbetnihk nakeshaiye hetne.

Though Edileth did not understand the words, she sensed the urgency behind them. She extended her níadh but, just as before, the voice had no substantial form within her mind.

Oohíb!

In her mind's eye, Edileth saw the Tomes of Torbedhnik lying open upon a desk. She was soon made aware of a presence moving frantically behind her. The she-elf was unable to move and was, therefore, unable to see the source of the noise. Instead, she stared forward, into the gloom. Dusty light filtered in from some crevice in the far-right corner, providing just enough illumination with which to view the cramped room. A hand shot forward, just to her right, and tossed a half-filled pack onto the cluttered desk.

Without warning, the door in the left-hand wall was torn from its hinges by an invisible force and sent flying into the opposite wall. An eerie, dark mist churned through the opening, followed by a hooded figure. With each step the tall form took in the vapor, a muted blue-green glow flickered through the dense mist. The effect reminded Edileth of the flash of lightening being reflected on storm clouds.

"Akkheron," a voice nearly growled behind her. Though there was a fierceness to the voice, Edileth felt certain she had heard it before.

Ere she could think further on the matter, Akkheron turned to face whoever it was that had spoken. A shiver of fear trickled down her back and her heart leapt into her throat, as pale, golden eyes glimmered from within the hood.

With a dramatic flair, the evil elf dropped the covering from his head and took two steps to face his opponent head-on. The sorcerer's hair shimmered in the unnatural light and his refined features assumed a sinister look. Just as Akkheron prepared to leap forward, a flash of white light filled the single-room building. As the light dissipated, the scene started fading away. Before the vision dimmed entirely, Edileth noted that the Tomes had disappeared. A howl of rage erupted from Akkheron, gradually lessoning into silence.

Her vision shifted to the Tomes, again. The rothnak saw them lying on the round table of the room where their meetings had been held. From the book came the unusual voice. The only difference was that, in the "vision," the voice spoke in the Common Tongue.

Torbedhnik, it said. Only Torbedhnik can access the knowledge I possess.

But...Torbedhnik was born even before the War of the Sadhril. He died thousands of years ago!

He yet lives.

How?

As if waking from a dream, the vision of the Tomes blurred and her sight was restored, along with her other senses.

"Edileth!"

Celik was looking at the rothnak with deep concern etched in his features. Stars glimmered behind him and the moon's glow gave a faint light to their surroundings. Edileth blinked a few times as she realized that she was no longer seated on the bench, but rather, being held by the roth. She lifted a hand to her swimming head.

"W-what happened?"

"One moment you were sitting and smiling, and in the next you had collapsed. Are you certain that you are not feeling unwell?"

As he asked the question, Celik placed a hand on her forehead.

"Er...yes; that is, I'm not ill. I had...well, it was not a vision, exactly, but I saw the Tomes of Torbedhnik. A voice came from them. I...they – the voice – said that only Torbedhnik can open the Tomes."

As she was speaking, Edileth had raised herself to a sitting position and now started to stand.

"Then I suppose we had better search for answers elsewhere."

"The odd thing is...the voice told me that Torbedhnik yet lives. I don't know how such a thing could be, unless..."

"Unless?"

"I do not know. But I get the sense that the Tomes want to be opened. So, there must be a way."

There was a moment of silence as both elves pondered the situation.

"Perhaps," Celik started, "and this is but a thought, but what if the voice spoke of Torbedhnik's descendants?"

"I suppose it is possible. Torben would know; let us go and speak with him."

They moved toward the archway that led indoors. Edileth had barely moved when she felt a tug on the skirting of her dress. In rapid succession, the rothnak continued moving and then – hearing the crackling sound of strained stitching – she attempted to stop. To Edileth's dismay, as she turned to see what was holding her captive, she lost her balance and found herself taking a rather painful seat upon the path.

Hearing her muffled harrumph, Celik turned toward her. Upon seeing Edileth seated in a heap on the ground, he moved close.

"What in Naine-Mithale are you doing down there?" the roth chortled as he crouched beside Edileth.

"My dress was caught on something."

"So, you threw yourself to the ground, did you?"

Edileth smiled at Celik's light-hearted teasing. Without answering, the rothnak looked to where her dress had snagged on the branch that she had been so careful to avoid earlier. In her nervousness, she must have shifted close enough to catch a portion of delicate fabric on the sturdy limb. When she fell from the seat, it must have further captured the skirt of her gown. After losing her balance and falling for the second time, the seam had torn. Inspecting the tear further, she noted that her dress had been rent from its place of ensnarement a small distance above her knee, to a place just above her ankle.

Celik had started detaching her dress from the branch. As soon as he had finished, Edileth adjusted the folds of fabric so her legs weren't bare. The roth stood and offered his hand. When Edileth made no move to clasp it, he crouched beside her again.

"Is something the matter?"

"The dress is torn."

"I saw there was a small tear in the seam. I am certain that all..." Celik seemed to realize that it was more than a "small" tear. "How bad is it?"

Edileth pointed to the height of the ripped seam.

"I shall turn around and, once you are standing, I shall walk at your side. We can stop at your chambers, so you may change before we speak with Torben."

They did as Celik had suggested and were soon making their way down the halls. As they rounded the final corner, Edileth saw Joenek standing before her door. He shifted his weight and raised a hand, as though to knock. However, he hesitated and, seeming to lose his nerve, lowered his hand. He turned to leave but halted when he saw Edileth and Celik. A slight flush rose to his cheeks, and he looked like he wanted to run.