The Tree let out a laugh that was the farthest thing from mocking as possible, “It seems I have confused you. My apologies Ridahne. I did not mean your current assignment. I meant your first.” The Tree continued to explain, “How was it, leading the lost souls in the Dune Sea to safety?”

Maybe that would shock the young Azurien, but just about everything good in Asrra was inspired by The Tree. Young Darin had been right. The Tree could not cause good directly. It couldn’t. The Tree could only inspire good in others. Sometimes Its influence was subtle. Other times it was like being hit with a huge brick. Leading Ridahne to recusing missions in the Dune Sea had been on of The Tree’s quieter moments. Leading the so-called traitor to betray her people had been less quiet, and The Tree had to practically shout to get Ridahne to Darin. It was tired. The Tree knew that it was dying. Hopefully It would live long enough to see the start of something glorious.

The Tree continued, “You’re so easy to Speak to Ridahne. Though you don’t always pay attention in the end you always listen.” The Tree sighed, “It’s always so hard to find people that are genuinely good.” It gestured at the body it was inhabiting, “People like you and people like Darin.” The Tree sighed, “You know, The Gardener wanted to bring her here, to be a Worker. She had the temperament for it. She would have been loved. Yet nothing would have brought her here. She values family too highly. So we didn’t try.” The Tree was looking at the horizon but now looked back at Ridahne, “And now she is here, with you, two of my favorite Astrians, destined to save the people.” The Tree shook their head, “But enough about that. Tell me; rescuing people from the Dune Sea. How did you feel about that?”

Though The Roots of The Tree Darin found her way home. She couldn’t see her little village the way she was used to, but she was sensing them the way that The Tree did. She was able to sense induvial people. The human knew that The Tree could put names to ever soul in Astra, but she could only name the people that she knew. She ‘looked’ from the ground to see Thomas talking to Milla as they finished their evening activities. It didn’t take Darin long to figure out that they were heading to her farm. They were most likely checking in on her mother. She ached a happy sort of ache to see them keeping their promise. Darin moved to ‘look’ in after her mother. The woman looked well. Darin couldn’t physically smile, but The Leaves on The Tree rustled in a manner that could only be described as happy. Her mother hadn’t fallen into the same type of illness she had when Martin left. Then again, a child leaving was not the same as a lover leaving.

With that thought Darin thought of another pair of separated lovers. It was easy enough to travel along The Roots to Azurei. Once there Darin reliezed that she had no idea how to find who she was looking for. She couldn’t find Ajoran. She had no idea what he looked like. Then again, didn’t Ridahne have a brother? Darin ‘looked’ for Azurians with tattoos similar to Ridahne’s. She didn’t know a lot about the ojih, but she might know enough to find Ridahne’s family. She knew they were fishers, so she kept to the coasts. As she looked Darin studied each face closely. She would not miss him by going too fast. Then she found him. She couldn’t remember his name, but there he was. He looked almost exactly like Ridahne, well not exactly, but Darin didn’t need the ojih to confirm the familial link. The tattoos just provided a nice confirmation.

She spoke, though the odds of him hearing her were practically nothing, “Like your sister, you are beautiful.”

Ridahne was usually quick to react in general, so she nearly interrupted the Tree when she said, "My first--what?" What was it talking about? She thought briefly that it had to have meant her murder of the Sol and the other two people she killed, though that hadn't really felt like an assignment, not like finding Darin had. But the Tree continued. And Ridahne wasn't really sure she heard it correctly.

That? That hadn't been an assignment. It just sort of...happened. She was a girl, and her mother was in the last stages of her illness and hadn't been able to work for some time. Hadian was old enough to work the boats, so he and their father would be busy earning a living at sea. Ridahne never had the aptitude for it like Hadian did, so during the hot hours of the afternoon she would stay near shore and dive for clams, oysters, and large, colorful shellfish called abalone, which the Azurei both ate and used the shells for ornamentation. They were hard to get since they lived down on the ocean floor and it took a skilled diver to harvest them, so they sold for a good price. In that way she provided money for her family, but they also needed meat (and it was nice not to eat fish all the time) and hides for leather. Even bones could be used, so in late evenings Ridahne would come back from diving, store her catch in a water filled bucket, and take her hunting cat and her neighbor's horse (who often loaned out the animal to the community) out into the Dust Sea to hunt.

Hunting was hard out there. There wasn't much life, not like the forests of the North, but the cats always knew where to look, and a skilled handler could learn from their instinct and expertise to hunt. It had been a zero-yield day and Ridahne knew to head back well before her water supply got low, but on the way she spotted a dark figure in the red sand. A man, a human merchant by the looks of him, and he'd been out there for a long time. Days. He had foolishly removed his shirt and his goods had been abandoned long ago. He was blistered, burned from the sun, weak from insufficient food, and severely dehydrated. Ridahne knew what to do. Every Azurei child knew how to treat heat-related illnesses and injuries on a basic level at least. She made a thick mud of the fine, dusty sand and covered his skin with it, gave the delirious man some water, and (after a lot of struggle) got him on her horse and brought him back to Atakhara. When the man recovered days later, he asked if she would help guide him back home since she knew how to handle and navigate the shifting landscapes of the Dust Sea. He paid her.

"That? I...I didn't. I didn't feel anything about it. It just...I happened to be there in the right place at the right time. And I got good at it, I made some money. That's all it was, it just sort of..." she shrugged, though she kept her hand on the tree's smooth bark. "Happened? I don't know. That was...your doing?"

--

Hadian was easy to identify. He was tall, even taller than the people standing around him. He had the narrow, slim face that Ridahne had and the same honey eyes. Though he was slim in build, he had the body of a worker and generally gave off a strong-back vibe. His hands were calloused from rough ropes, his skin was lightly crusted with dried salt in some places, and he bore a few scars, though not like Ridahne's, which were clearly from combat. Where Ridahne exuded loud intensity, Hadian carried himself more softly, quietly, though not less intensely. He was more relaxed than his sister, but his eyes were thoughtful, keen. Unlike his sister, his tattoos were more simple. They had some similar ones near the jawline, but his patterns deviated from hers in their simplicity. Ridahne's showed she had a long, complicated story to tell. Hadian's were much more straightforward. His hair was tied in a short ponytail and he wore a slightly different cut version of the uri, the knee length, sarong-like garment Ridahne wore. His was weathered, sunbleached, and obviously worked in, and instead of a silk sash around his waist like Ridahne had, he had a strip of faded green linen. It had a regular steel pin, not a silver one with a sigil like Ridahne's.

The elf was hunched over a fire with an iron pot over it. Darin spoke, and though Hadian could not clearly perceive the words, he felt some tickle of sensation, some twitch of another sense that made him look up from his cookpot. He looked north and sighed. A woman came up behind him and gently traced her fingernails across his bare shoulders. She sat beside him. "What is it?" she asked. She spoke Azurian, but the Tree, and thus Darin, knew all languages while she was one with it.
"Did you ever meet my sister?" He asked in return.
"I did, remember? She scared me half to death with that sword of hers!" She laughed. A silence fell between them as they silently acknowledged what that sword accomplished. "Do you think she's alright out there? Wherever she is? What did you say she was doing again?"
"I didn't, love. She made me swear to secrecy. But you'll find out someday." He kissed the woman on the forehead. "She's alright. The world beyond the mountains would have to be horrifying indeed to get the best of her. I just hope I see her again. I always felt responsible for her after Da died. But that's silly, no one can really keep her in check, no one but Ajoran." He laughed. "I don't know how he does it, but I bless him for it. He is good for her." And silently, just to himself, Hadian wondered if Ridahne had found the Seed-Bearer she'd gone off to find, and how that was going. He hoped it was going well; she deserved a bit of good fortune for once.

The Tree laughed, “Ridahne. I know Darin told you the truth. I cannot directly cause good. I can only encourage others to do good.” It looked up at Its Leaves as they considered, “I know every soul in Astra. I know the paths they walk and why they walk them.” The Tree looked back down at Ridahne, “And so, I know you. I also know Jacob Teganson. He’s a good man, though not very bright. He got lost but did not deserve to die. I whispered to dozens of people; urging them to go look for them. Some listened but did not hear. Some didn’t hear me at all.” The Tree was errnest, “You did. You looked up right as I told you to, in just the right direction. The rest was all you.” The Tree laughed, “So no Ridahne. I did not make you rescue those people. I just gave you a push. You did the rest all on your own. It was your doing.” The Tree looked Ridahne dead in the eye, “Though that is the way for most good people. They need just one whisper to point them in the right direction. They do the rest themselves. Like you.” The Tree put a borrowed hand over a borrowed heart, “Like Darin. Like my glorious wonderful Darin.” The Tree smiled broadly, “My glorious clumsy directionally challenged Darin. Who else could I have protect her than my wonderful courageous finding warrior? Who else but the one woman that found everyone I sent her after? Who else but the one woman strong enough to murder a monster despite knowing the consequences? Tell me Seed-Chained; who else could I have protect my Seed-Bearer but my wonderful stunning Ridahne Torzinei? And yet I find you want to leave her because you think you are not good enough. Because you think I think you are not good enough. How could you think that I would be disappointed in you when I am the one that sent you after the false Sol? Who damaged your soul badly? Tell me so I may sic my Seed-Bearer on them. Tell me so that way my vindictive Darin, filled with misplaced righteous anger, may take her wrath out on them. You have seen her spit fire to defend those she loves. Do you not know that, despite you fighting, you are very dear to her heart? That though she does not know you she wants to understand you. Tell me Ridahne Torzinei, why did she had to Chain you to get you to stay? Explain it to me! I know that you have explained it to Ravi. Now explain it to me. You never once failed to listen to my whispers. Why do you not listen now?”

--

Darin left Ridahne’s brother and went ‘looking’ for a way to see if she could find Ajoran. She had liked the little she had ‘seen’ of the fisherman and then woman she assumed was his wife. They lived a much simpler life than Ridahne had lived. That much was clear. It looked like the type of life Darin would have liked if she had been born an Azurian. Then again, there was no point in wondering about what ifs or maybes. The life she had been given was the only life she had. It was up to her to make the best of it. Darin searched the country for places she thought Sols might live in. She knew that Ajoran was a Taja and that Tajas were warriors that served the Sols. She also knew that Sols were kind of like princesses. So, she was ‘looking’ for palaces or castles. She wasn’t sure what either looked like. She was really just ‘looking’ for really big buildings. That was kind of vague, but she couldn’t just ‘watch’ one person the entire time The Tree talked to Ridahne. That would be creepy. Darin wasn’t really ‘looking.’ She was really just wandering. Occasonially she would ‘hear’ bits and pieces of conversations that would distract her. She let herself be distracted. There was no harm in that. Then she found something even more interesting than a palace.

It was the Dust Sea. It had to be. This was where Ridahne’s adventure had started. The warrior had rescued so many people from the heat and sand. That had called the attention of many people much more powerful than a fisherman’s daughter. It was what started the whole chain of events that lead the Elf to the Seed-Bearer. This was where Ridahne first made the choices that crafted her into the woman she was now; the woman that Darin had a hard time connecting with. It was hard to believe that something so small had lead to something so big.

Without really thinking about it, and forgetting about her desire to find Ajoran, Darin moved across Astra to find someone. This someone was not a person. It was a dog; a dog named Max. The dog once belonged to a man in her little village. The man was a drunk and the poor creature was his victim. The elders did not care, but someone had to do something. It was surprisingly easy for Thomas to convince the other young adults his age, including Darin, to do something. They got the dog to a trader who came to Lively once a year. The merchant had promised the dog would find a good home. He had sworn on The Tree so they all believe him. When accused of the theft Thomas had been prepared to take the fall. Darin didn’t give him the chance. The punishment for theft in her village meant her hand had been run though with a hot poker. She didn’t regret it; not one little bit.

Finding Max was easy. He was in a town much bigger than even Greyrock. Darin knew him at once. His brown and brown coat and missing leg gave him away easily enough. He was walking next to a human child that couldn’t be older than ten. It was evening so it was clear then were heading home. Darin ‘watched’ and was not surprised when Max stopped at turned to ‘look’ at her. He barked happily at her. Darin stayed just long wave and hear the child ask Max what he was barking at be for traveling away again. This was her chance to see parts of Astra she never had before. It would be a shame to waste it.

"Jacob..." she breathed. It had been ages ago, but she still remembered his name. "All this time it..." The thought was dizzying, and she even put her free hand to her forehead. She'd always known about the influence of the tree. But the whole idea of it was so abstract, so huge, that she never really came to terms with it in a real and tangible way. She never really had the chance to. She did now. It came at her like a wave, strong and powerful but not crushing, not bad. Just...immense. What else had been influenced by the tree?

She was trying hard just to breathe. There was so much to take in, and so many emotions to sort through... "I've always been wrong," she explained. "Too unwieldy. Too dirty, too rough, too outspoken, too quick to anger, too poor. And every time I'd get a leg up, every time something good would happen it would get...ruined by something else. I wanted to leave Atahkara, and so I became an eija. I was a law keeper and that was honorable. But I was too good at it. So I became Eija-Alihn. And I killed people. Not all of them were bad people. Not all of them were guilty. And so I found a way to fix that too. In return I got branded a traitor, my ojih is stained with the blood I have spilled and I have lost the home I love. I had to leave the man I love, I had to protect him. If they thought he was involved they might have killed him too, they would have ruined him! I couldn't let them do that. Not to him. I got this vision to come find Darin and they let me live for it, but I spent the last four months in exile, never knowing if I would find her or ever see home or--" She clamped her mouth shut. She knew who had damaged her. Her life had always been a struggle but those things did not damage her. Khaltira did.

An anger rose within her, a kind of fist-clenching, teeth-grinding rage that only comes with long rooted bitterness. "She took me in! She treated me well, fed me, housed me, she was part of the reason I met Ajoran. She earned my trust, my unwavering, unfailing trust and she betrayed all of it. She betrayed me. And when I begged her to see reason she struck me and sent me away like a dog. She ruined everything I ever worked for, everything I held dear. I want to see her grave. I want to spit on it. Khaltira damaged me in a way I can never forgive."

She took a few breaths to calm herself, though she wasn't exactly calm. She was emotional, though she was trying to let go of some of the anger and frustration she felt. It wasn't directed at the Tree anyway. "With all respect, Great Tree, my Sol, You've got it wrong. I didn't WANT to leave Darin. The only thing I ever wanted was for this to go well. But I had so much shame. I thought that no one who is good and pure could forgive and love a creature as wretched as me. I offered to leave because I Thought she would cast me out anyway, and I thought to at least go with dignity. But I never wanted to go. If I thought she might keep me I never would have even considered betraying the vow I made to protect her. I simply could not see any other option. My judgement was poor, I know that now. I regret that night. More than I regret the death of Khaltira, Innyise, and Takhun. More than anything in the world, Sol, I do not wish to disappoint you."

The Tree sighed, “All you managed to do, Ridahne, was confirm to Darin that everyone she cares for will eventually leave. You yourself made assumptions so you cannot blame her for making this one. Her father left. While she did not leave physically her mother’s mind left. Darin thought that perhaps you wouldn’t. Then you did because you were afraid of the actions of a woman you barely knew. You must learn not to make rash judgements. And you must learn to not make choices for other people.” The Tree stepped towards the Elf and cupped her face in her hands, “Do you understand my wonderful Ridahne? Do you know what lesson you need to take from being Seed-Chained?”

Meanwhile Darin had traveled to the coasts of Astra and beyond, to the very tips of The Roots. She strained to see past them but the ‘sight’ she got from The Tree was different than her normal sight. She couldn’t see past the scope of The Tree’s domain. It was hard to believe that one day she would see beyond Astra with her own two eyes. It was hard to realize that there was truly no other path. She had told the truth to Ridahne and was not sure that the warrior had understood. Any farmer would had known in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, Darin couldn’t be any clearer than she already had been. This was not a truth that she could afford to let the population of Astra know just yet. Panicking would be inevitable, and war would surely follow. That will kill The Tree that much faster. Darin mentally shook her head before retreating back to the island of Astra. She wanted to end this night on a good note; not a melancholy one.

Darin ‘watched’ the Sirens as they prepared for their end of day. It wasn’t quite the same time of day on this side of Astra as it was on the other side. Astra was so large that as the sun traveled across the sky its light hit different parts of Astra at different times. Darin was getting a better sense of just how long this type of trip was going to take. When she had left home, she naively thought that she would be back home in maybe a year. Now it was looking like she was going to be walking and riding across Astra for maybe 3 years; if she did nothing but walk. That couldn’t be though. She had to stop and meet people. She had to stop and make friends. She wasn’t sure how easy that would be. It was exhausting just thinking about it.

Speaking of exhaustion Darin was tired. It had been a long day and she wanted to get an early start tomorrow. She couldn’t spend all her time at The Farm. Darin slowly made her way back though The Roots and towards The Tree. Once there she curled her spirit into The Trunk. She could rest her mind while she waited for The Tree and Ridahne to be done speaking. She had no desire to rush the two of them, but she was tired. She was going to rest her mind while she waited for them to be done. She hoped they were being nice to each other. They were two of the most important souls in her life. It was desperately important to Darin that they got along.

She did feel shame then. Her cheeks went red and she could not look at either the bark of the Tree or Darin's body, as both seemed to be The Tree. She would not have it said of her that she was faithless, and that anyone had even a half of a cause to call her that made her burn. That wasn't her. She would do better. Darin's body--The Tree--came over and took her face in her hands. It was an extremely intimate gesture in Azurei, but then again, this was an extremely intimate moment between her and the spirit of all Astra. It was difficult for her to hear all these wonderful adjectives pointed at her; most people didn't say those kinds of things about her. Even Ajoran, though she knew he thought those things, didn't verbalize them too much because he knew it made her feel uncomfortable. He showed it instead.

"I...think so. Don't worry, Sol. I will keep your Darin safe. To whatever end." She paused and took a few breaths before somewhat timidly asking, "Sol? Can I ask something of you? You have no obligation to your humble servant, Sol, but please, I ask a boon. I don't know if you can, but if possible...can you make sure Ajoran is okay? Can you tell him we will meet again someday? I miss him so much it hurts..."

That was true. She'd never admit it to anyone else but the Tree, but she ached to see him again. And if she couldn't, she wanted to know he was alright. If for some reason she never made it back home, if she died in the line of duty, perhaps, she hoped he would move on in time. Probably not. But she hoped all the same. She just wanted him to have a good life, a full life. Preferably with her, but baring that, she hoped he would be happy. Her vision while speaking with Ravi gave her some hope though. Hope that she hadn't seen in months.

The Tree did laugh as It dropped Its hands from Ridahne’s face, “Your Ajoran is fine. Darin went looking for him but got distracted. I See him regularly, as I See all the Children of Astra. He is well. He waits to see you again. He yearns to see you again. He knows, perhaps better than you do, that the two of you will be reunited. It is inevitable that such a reunion will happen. Darin wants to meet him. She did find your brother while she was out wandering Astra. She thinks she likes him. She wants to meet him as well. She also wishes to meet the Solta-Sol though for very different reasons. I do not think that meeting will go the way the Solta-Sol expect it to.” The Tree grinned mischievously, “Though I bet you can guess how such a meeting will go. You should start preparing now which side you will take.” There was a voice of warning in The Tree’s voice, “I suggest you pick carefully; not for your sake, but for Darin’s.” The Tree then abruptly changed the subject, “Speaking of Darin what do you think of her? She certainly knows how to spit fire does she not. She truly upset her mother on more than one occasion. She speaks her mind and does not like social constructs get in the way of doing what’s right.”

The Tree, in Darin’s body moved a way from Ridahne to create some space. Slowly The Tree bent at the waist until both hands were on the ground. Slowly Darin’s feet came off the ground until The Tree was doing a perfect handstand. At the same pace The Tree lowered the legs in opposite direction that they came up in; causing the body They were in to do a slow flip. The Tree then turned to look back at Ridahne. The Tree was showing off on Darin’s behalf. That much was clearly obvious.e

The Tree continued, “She wants to impress you without showing off or bragging. That’s one of the reasons she agreed to the combat training even though she’s worried that it will go very, very badly. She is clumsier than you have had the chance to truly see yet and you found her dangling from a cliff. She’s convinced that she’s going to lose an arm or a leg or something.” A note of worry entered The Tree’s voice, “You’re not going to let that happen are you Ridahne? You will keep your promise to protect her, won’t you? Even from herself?”

It was a huge relief to know that Ajoran and Hadian were alright. She guessed she didn't have reason to believe they wouldn't be, but it still felt good to know beyond doubt that they were. She couldn't help a small smile. Something within her stirred, some drive that made her resolve that when she did see Ajoran again, she was going to become his, and make him hers, customs be damned. She wasn't sure who would marry them considering that she was still technically an outlaw and an exile and he was still Taja to one of the Sols. But then...an idea struck her. Darin could do it. She would have to teach her the words to say and the traditions of the ceremony, but as Seed Bearer, she could do it. And they could marry in secret with just their family in attendance. She'd have to ask Darin about it later and see if she was willing.

Ridahne gave a small laugh, though the mention of 'sides' unnerved her. What was that supposed to mean? "I don't know how the meeting with the Sols will go. For one thing, there's probably by now a new Sol I know nothing about to replace Khaltira, and maybe she's picked a successor, I don't know. But Sota-Sol Amaiera is just. A bit of a hard-ass, maybe, but she is just and has proven to be wise. She's run Azurei for something like four hundred years. And I know Darin has sort of a bad opinion of her and the others after all that happened with me. But they aren't like Khaltira. Don't let her be too angry at them, if you can help it," Ridahne chuckled, "They did what they had to do, like I did. I don't blame them for it and they were kinder to me than they could have been. No, my anger, and Darin's, should be directed at Khaltira instead." Some really, evil, wicked part of her thought for the briefest flash that Ridahne should have cut the woman's face before she killed her. According to Azurei belief, if an ojih is severely marred, falsified, or otherwise permanently obscured, the person could not pass into the next life and would remain as a lost spirit between two worlds. But even in Ridahne's intense anger, she shuddered and shied away from that thought. No, that was too cruel a fate for anyone, even her. Ridahne smiled. "I am looking forward to the expressions on their faces when they see me come walking in with the Seed Bearer at my side. I don't think anyone ever really thought I'd find her, even me."

Ridahne watched Darin's body perform acrobatics the human girl wouldn't attempt on her own, and some part of her wondered if the girl was clumsy and uncoordinated not because her body was lacking, but because she lacked confidence. Maybe she'd change that. Though Ridahne smiled, her tone was serious. "I would never hand her a blade in training prematurely. I recognize she will have to have one in case things go very wrong out there, but when it comes to training, we will not start with blades until I know she is ready. Besides, the art of swordplay begins with the body, not with the weapon--you must know what to do with the weapon when it is given to you, or you will hurt yourself. I would like to think, Great Tree, that I will be a better teacher than mine was. A kinder one. A more patient one."

The Tree smiled lightly as It softly shook Its head, “I cannot change her mind. I cannot change your mind. I cannot change any one’s mind. The best I can do is inspire the Children of Astra to change their own minds for the better. Sometimes I am successful.” The Tree sighed again as they looked off into the distance, “Sometimes I am not. My power grows weaker Daughter of the Night Sky. It grows weaker by the day. Ravi is doing all he can to keep me alive just a little bit longer, but it won’t be long before there is nothing even my darling Overseer can do.” The Tree’s tired expression suddenly quirked into a mischievous smile, “Though, as my power grows smaller, hers goes larger. Darin, Daughter of the Fields, is growing so much faster than my expectations that it is astounding. The Seed she carries is learning so quickly because it has such a good teacher, or rather the right teacher. That’s the trick you know; to be the right teacher. Your teacher was not a bad one. They were right for you. They would not be right for Darin. You do not need to be a better teacher; just the right one for your student. It is surprising how well a person will do with the correct instructor when compared to having the wrong instructor.” The Tree stepped impossibly close to Ridahne, “Remember that Ridahne Torzinei Seed-Chained.” It placed a hand on top of the Elf’s, “For now though I must let you go. Darin will be exhausted when she gets back to you. Make sure she gets some rest. You get rest as well. You both have an early and long day tomorrow.” The Tree pressed Its forehead against Ridahne’s, “You are doing wonderfully. I am so proud of you. No matter what happens always remember that.” The Tree lift Ridhane’s hand from Its Trunk, “I am always proud of you.”

Darin! It’s time for you to go.

I’m sleepy. I’ll just stay here to sleep.

Haha. If you sleep here, you’ll regret it in the morning. You need a bed.

Sleepy!

Come now. Back to your body.

Okay. If I must.

You must. Remember that I love you.

Darin returned to her body and promptly stumbled and groaned. It took her all of two seconds to realize that she was impossible close to Ridahne. With half a shout she leapt backwards only to land ungracefully on her rear. There was more groaning. Her limbs felt impossibly heavy; like she had been swimming all day and had just now gotten out of the water except way worse. She wasn’t sure how to describe the feeling. Darin just knew that she ached all over and felt like there was a terrible weight on her body. The Seed burned against her thigh. That wasn’t pleasant but it wasn’t unpleasant either. Darin fell to her back as she stared up at The Leaves. She wasn’t sure that she ever wanted to do that again. It had been nice to travel all of Astra but coming back to her body left much to be desired. Darin wasn’t even sure it was her body. She slowly lifted a shaky hand above her head to look at it. It looked like her hand. She was tired beyond anything she had ever felt before. She just wanted to collapse even though she was already flat on her back.

As she dropped her hand she spoke, “Isn’t The Tree amazing? Unsettling; but a amazing.” She rolled to her side to look at Ridahne, “Are you alright? I know it can be a bit much to handle.”

I am always proud of you.

Her hand lifted from the trunk of the Great Tree and she felt a part of her cut off, like the awareness she had gained with the Tree had always been hers, and she was now brought to something less, when in reality she was just back to herself. It wasn't unpleasant, not an empty, unwhole feeling, but sort of...numb. Like running for miles and then suddenly laying down perfectly still.

But her mind wasn't on that. Her mind was on those last words. Those words she'd always secretly wanted to hear from anyone, but especially from the Tree. As she knelt there, and as Darin came back to herself with a bit of surprise at being so close, Ridahne's lower lip trembled and some tears spilled from her eyes. Not anguished, bitter tears. Just relief. Like she'd been holding onto a thorn for so long and could finally let it go. Her body language was somewhat withdrawn and for a moment she just knelt there, taking a moment. But when Darin spoke Ridahne looked up. Her inked face was wet but herlips were twisted into an odd, quivering smile.

"Um..." her voice was shaky but not necessarily upset. She gained a little more control over herself and very slowly and clearly (so that Darin could follow) said, "Talei-da. Thank you." Her eyes were bright in the moonlight and something about her seemed a little less heavy than ever before. Ridahne stepped over and reached a hand down to help Darin up, but when the girl did get up, Ridahne suddenly wrapped her long arms around the human in a very heartfelt, rather intense hug. It wasn't a back-breaking kind of squeeze, though it was tight and strong, but her long fingers curled around the fabric of Darin's shirt. For someone who was generally standoffish like Ridahne, it was a rather strong gesture.

"Yes," she finally answered her question as she let go. "I am alright. For the first time in a long time." She wiped her face, then suddenly realized something. "Ai! I have something to ask you! You can say no and I won't be offended, promise, but well, I had this thought and it's kind of crazy but I'd be honored if you'd--well you see, I don't know if, you know, when I go home, if anyone there with any kind of authority would marry Ajoran and I, not with my current status. It's sort of a security risk," She laughed, then continued speaking at a wild, excited pace. "But I had this wild idea, and maybe it's stupid and maybe he won't agree to it but maybe Ajoran and I could marry sort of in secret and you, as Seed Bearer, you could, I mean, if you wanted to, you could be the one to do the honor and see us married? I can teach you the customs and give you the words so you can practice them and everything! What do you say? It's a long way from now but, you know, when we get there... would you do us the honor?"

Darin was frankly surprised at Ridahne’s actions. Well, she wasn’t surprised that the Elf helped her up. However, the hug caught her completely of guard. For a moment she just stood there like a log before suddenly returning the hig with just as much strength as Ridahne; the muscles in her arms and back betraying the years of field work she had done. She pressed her face into the crook of Ridahne’s neck and did her best not to cry. When Ridahne pulled away Darin went with great reluctance. In her opinion the hug was over way to soon.

Darin was about to make a suggestion to go back to the Main Farmhouse to get some rest when Ridahne asked that favor of her. Darin was caught completely off guard. How in all of Astra was she supposed to answer that one? What had even possessed the Elf to ask that in the first place? Okay, that one was easy to answer. She was The Seed-Bearer. There was a reason to ask her to marry them. Still, what did Darin know about marrying anyone. She never personally knew anyone that was married. She knew that people in Lively got married. It had something to do with taxes or something like that. People in Darin’s village just promised to love and support each other. She guessed that was kind of like marriage, but Darin had a feeling that Ridahne had something a little grander in mind. Then there was another problem. Why would it have to be done in secret? Okay, Ridahne was an exile. Darin got that, justice and what not. That had left her free to become The Seed-Bearer’s Gaudian. Would Ajoran be proud to be married to The Guardian? If he wasn’t, he wasn’t good enough. That was that.

Darin shrugged as she gave the best answer she could, “I’ll be honest Ridahne, I’ll have to think about it. There are a lot of factors that are still up in the air. Besides, we would have to aske Ajoran about it. He might not want to be married in secret. He may want someone who actually understands the importance of marriage to do the ceremony.” She went on to explain, “Because I don’t understand it one bit. People don’t get married in my little village. They just agree to spend their lives together. There’s no formal ceremony. They just move in together and start a family.” Darin shrugged, “But if he’s okay with it I don’t see why not.” She waved in the vague direction of the Main Farmhouse, “For now we should get some rest.”

With that being said Darin started walking back in the direction of where her bed currently was. She made it about ten feet before collapsing in a heap. Her muscles felt like limp noodles or like she didn’t know how to get them to do what she wanted. She felt like she should be firmly planted. Moving was not something she was supposed to do except when there was a wind. She had been a part of The Tree for too long. She hoped she remembered how to be a person and soon.

Ridahne smiled, obviously trying to hold back some giddy burst of excitement at even the possibility of it. She tried to sort of hide it, but even she couldn't, and the attempt alone made it fairly obvious. "Of course, he'll have to agree to it. And I'd like Hadian to be there and Ajoran's parents--both of them still live. But it doesn't have to be this big thing. There are rituals--we are a people of rituals, which is probably why we have ceremonies at all--but none of those have to be public. I will write down the words you would say, you know, so you can practice them. It would be in Azurian, but don't worry, I'll help you, and it's not a lot of words. Do you read? I'm not sure I ever asked before. I was told not many humans read because they choose to spend their time working instead. We, obviously, have much more time and so we put more importance on that sort of thing, but mostly just because we can." Ridahne shrugged. If Darin didn't, maybe she could teach her to read as well as fight.

Darin collapsed as she attempted to head back; Ridahne couldn't help but laugh. She felt bad for it, but she did. She knew she wasn't hurt and could guess as to why she'd fallen. Ridahne bounded to her side as gracefully as Mitaja and extended a hand to her companion to help her up. "A good night's rest and you'll be feeling more...'you' in no time." Ridahne started to help her walk back to the farmhouse, though as she did, the elf hummed softly. It was a song she'd known since childhood--everyone from Azurei knew it. It was a simple tune about the birth of the mountains, and how the rock spirits grew jealous of the tree spirits that got to reach so high into the sky, so they stacked themselves together over centuries to form the mountain range that gave Azurei its northern border. She was in good spirits tonight, like some great and weary burden had finally been lifted from herald each step had purpose and drive.

Darin couldn’t remember much of the walk back to the Main Farmhouse. She sort of remembered Ridahne humming as the Elf helped her walk. She vaguely recalled Talbot nudging her shoulder as they passed the horse. She had a cloudy recollection of falling into the bed she had been given. That was about it. The next thing she could remember clearly was waking up to the roosters crowing feeling sore all over. Darin woke up suddenly as she looked around the room. For a brief moment she didn’t know where she was. Then she remembered and slowly left the bed to change out of the Worker’s outfit she had fallen asleep in and into one of the outfits Ridahne had stripped from the horse thieves. One of the Workers had gotten of hold of it, so it was clean and fit with a belt around her waist. The belt was new and included a spot for her scythe and waterskin. As such she put them where they belonged.

After that Darin quickly got ready to go. It was a bright morning, so it was easy to repack her bag with her fiddle at the bottom. Once that was done, she headed done to the kitchen. She planned to fill the rest of her bag with supplies only to have an already packed bag practically shoved into her arms by a motherly looking Siren. Darin was smart enough to protest. As such she just took her bag and headed towards the stables. Talbot was waiting for her. Darin instantly felt guilty. She hadn’t been taking care of the stallion the way she should have been.

She reached up to scratch his nose, “I’m sorry Talbot. I’ve left you in the hands of strangers.” She smiled, “Good hearted strangers but still strangers.” She sighed, “I’m sorry.” Talbot pushed his nose against her shoulder causing her to laugh, “I guess that means I’m forgiven then.”

Talbot nodded as Darin moved to tack Talbot up as much as he would allow. That meant no saddle and no bit, but he did let Darin tie her bags to his withers. Then she took ahold of the reins and led him outside and towards the little hut were Taja was still, hopefully resting. It wasn’t long before they got there to her the hawk screeching loud enough to prompt Darin to break into a run. When she got there it was to see a Worker trying to get Taja into a traveling basket.

Darin’s eyes were wide, “What is going on?”

The Worker quickly turned to look at Darin, “Seed-Bearer! I was just trying to get the hawk ready for travel. It did eat breakfast, so I was hoping.”

Darin didn’t give them a chance to answer before shooing them off as she flapped her hands, “Go! Go! Go! I’ll take care of Taja.” The Worker didn’t hesitate as Darin turned to her bird, “That was rude Taja!” Darin carefully extended her hand, “Let’s have a look at that wing.”

Taja eyed the human warily, but still let Darin see that the wing was still set. Darin was then left with the fact that she really did need to get Taja in the traveling basket. She didn’t seem to be doing well and gave up when the hawk flapped his one good wing to land on her shoulder. Luckily it was the shoulder without stitches. Unluckily his talons pierced both her shirt and her skin. Ridahne was going to love that. Seriously, how long could she go without being injured. Not very long it seemed. Still, it meant they could take Taja with them without too much fuss. Darin did grab the travel basket. She could try again later.

She stepped out to see Talbot had joined them, “Come on boys.” She started a slow walk towards The Tree, “One last stop and then We can be on our way.” She sighed as she ran a hand though her short hair, “Let’s go say goodbye.”

That night, Ridahne slept hard. She was usually a light sleeper in general, and years of being trained and expected to be ready for service at a moments notice had only reinforced that habit. But that night she fell into bed and dropped immediately into sleep, and she barely even stirred when Mitaja snuck in and snuggled up beside her. The cat had been keeping Tsura company mostly, but she felt the need to visit her handler.

Ridahne awoke the next morning with disheveled hair, rumpled clothes, and a kind of dazed look on her face. She really had slept deeply. But she got up anyway and after changing into her traveling clothes consisting of slim trousers, boots, and a loose sleeveless blue shirt that despite being cleaned thoroughly by Workers, was quite travel stained and much mended. She went to the kitchens first, and found a few people lounging about drinking a strong, black beverage she knew the aroma of immediately. The humans called it coffee, but in Azurei where it grew in the more northern reaches of the mountains, they called it alik. The people drinking it were about half Azurei, and the rest were a mix of elf, siren, and human. Not everyone liked coffee, as it was strong and sometimes bitter, but it was practically the national beverage of Azurei so shew wasn't surprised to see many of them there. They poured her a hot cup and offered her a seat beside them.

"Tell us, where do you plan to go from here?" A human asked.
Ridahne shrugged. "Neither of us really know for sure. We don't have a destination in mind, though I thought we might start by heading south into Eluri, wandering around there, and then eventually sweeping southwest to Azurei, Orosi, and then back up north towards Siren lands. We'll sort of travel all of Astra until we find a place. The place."
They all nodded, understanding. One, an Eluri woman with hair almost as short as Darin's, said, "Take care on your road south. I've hear rumors that letters are going astray, and merchants waylaid. I thought little of it--such things happen on occasion--but I have not heard from my sister who lives in Illishye, and she is prompt with her letters. I suspect hers has gone missing, too."
Ridahne nodded gravely, her eyes sharpening a little. "Bandits?"
The woman shrugged. "Maybe. Perhaps there's trouble with the road itself, and travelers are opting for less tame routes? I don't know. But protect her, and yourself, Guardian." There was a soft noise of agreement from the others.
"Aye. I will. Just in case..." she thought silently to herself for a second, then continued, "pass word around the Farm that people should not tell anyone of our passing through. I'd like to keep our movements as much a secret as we can, at least until we reach Azurei, and then..."
One of the other Azurei at the table gave a soft, sympathetic laugh. They were familiar with the customs surrounding traitors like Ridahne and knew that trying to sneak about would only cause more trouble. They needed to declare themselves to the Sols before anything else, and even after her presence would certainly be noticed. There would be no secrecy in Azurei.

Ridahne finished her cup of coffee and excused herself to go and get her things together. Her bag had been re-packed already with fresh supplies, and she got her hands on some leather and thick waxed thread for Darin to make falconry gear for her and Taja. Tsura seemed to be enjoying his leisure time and getting fattened up on abundant hay and apples, but by the time she had him saddled, he was ready to be off again. She mounted and with Mitaja beside her, Ridahne went out to the fields in search of Darin.

She didn't really need to search. She knew where to find her without even really thinking about it, so she headed to the Tree. She no longer felt nervous going to see it, it felt like meeting a familiar loved one now. Ridahne guided Tsura up behind Darin but stopped him a small distance away and she sat back in her saddle, the leather creaking slightly. "The next time you see The Great Tree of Astra, it will be very, very little." Ridahne smiled. "I'm ready when you are."

Darin walked towards The Tree briskly. She didn’t really have time to waste, but she needed to say goodbye to The Tree. If all went well Darin planned on never being this close to The Tree again. This would be the last time Darin had a chance to speak directly to The Tree. That didn’t mean that she was being abandoned. She knew more about how The Tree worked. She knew how to listen and knew that The Tree would come to visit her in her dreams. That was already more than she could ask for Darin. Still Darin wanted to touch The Tree one last time. The Seed-Bearer did not think that was too much to ask for. At least she hoped it wasn’t.

The moment she crossed The Barrier The Tree called out “’Darin! You brought Taja to meet me!”

Darin continued heading towards The Tree, “Yes. And to say goodbye.” She moved to sit with her back against The Tree’s Trunk, “We will never be together like this again.”

“But I will always be with you.”

“That’s not true. You’ll only be with me as long as I am in Astra.”

“You’ll be here for a little while longer yet. I wouldn’t say a final goodbye right now.”

Darin sighed, “I will never see you again. Probably, if I don’t have to come and drag Workers with me.”

Darin got the impression that The Tree was laughing, “Some will come. Some will stay.” And it seemed like The Tree was heartbroken, “And some we will lose.”

There was a moment of silence before Darin spoke again, “In the end we can’t make anyone’s choices for them. We can only ask them to choose what’s right.”

The Tree agreed, “That has always been true. For everyone, everywhere.”

Darin just sat for a few minutes under The Branches of The Tree in order to watch them sway in the wind. In was funny how even The Tree followed the natural order of things. It could sway contrary to the wind if it wanted to, but it chose not to for the most part. There was no reason to break rules put in place by nature itself. Darin knew that she could do a lot of things contrary to nature; things she couldn’t do before that first conversation with The Tree. She didn’t see a reason to do them just because she could. She would have to need a good reason. Thankfully protecting The Seed was a good reason.

Finally, The Tree spoke again, “It’s time for you to go. Ridahne looks for you, and Ravi would speak to the two of you.”

Darin stood and brushed off the back of her pants, “I best be going then.”

The Tree commanded, “Hold out your hand.” Darin did so and an Apple fell into it, “A parting gift my glorious Darin. It is all the tongues the Children of Astra speak. This should help you make friends. It will take practice to use them, but you will know them.”

Darin nodded solemnly, “Thank you.” Then she turned to hug The Tree as best she could, “I will do my best. I promise.”

The Tree laughed again, “That is all I can ask any of my Children to do. Now off you go and go with my blessing.”

Darin nodded and then walked off. As she walked, she studied the fruit in her hand. It looked like a normal apple but knew it was much more. Most of the Apples were essentially normal. Only when The Tree chose to make them more did they become more. Still each Apple was of great importance. It was almost a metaphor for people. Most people were normal and average even though not one was unimportant. Then occasionally, like her or Ridahne, a person became vastly important to all the people of Astra. Eventually Darin rubbed the fruit off on her shirt and took a bite out of it. It tasted like an apple; sweet and just a little tart. She ate it all, including the seeds. It wouldn’t kill her, but she knew she had to take even the bad parts of the words of Astra. She was finishing up as she, Talbot, and Taja joined Ridahne,

She nodded, “Yes we should go.” Talbot bent his knees and Taja was smart enough to hold still as she climbed up on the horse, “First we need to find Ravi or maybe let him find us. For while we don’t agree on many things, he is still more experienced than the both of us combined. We can at least listen to any parting wisdom he may have. It won’t hurt. That much is for sure.”

Ridahne watched Darin mount Talbot and smiled lightly. "You're getting better at that. We'll make a horseman out of you yet, Darin." She didn't say it outright, but it was clear she was proud of her companion and the progress she'd made. Darin might never be a world-class rider or a renowned warrior, but she would no longer be the girl caught in a vine by the ankle on the side of the road, not on Ridahne's watch.

"Aye, we should go and see him. I expect the rest of the Workers will want to see us off anyway." They guided their horses through the fields between neatly planted rows of vegetables, herbs, or flowers there simply to give the bees something to make honey from. Now that she wasn't thundering down a hill to save Darin from what looked to be an angry horde of strangers, Ridahne took much more care to avoid trampling the flora with Tsura's hooves. "I got you some leather and waxed thread to make some falconry gear for Taja to avoid tearing up your arm all the time. They will be stiff at first but wear them long enough and you barely noice them. My blade harness has just become a part of me now. I've slept in it ever since it was made for me, and now I feel naked without it." She chuckled. "Speaking of your arm, I hope it's not too painful? And that shoulder of yours?"

They rode back to the farmhouse, where people had seen them coming and many had gathered already to see them off. To be honest, she'd never really had a group of people gather to say goodbye to her if she left. Individuals, of course, but no one had ever come to 'see her off' in a group like it meant something. When she'd left Azurei, she was led to the stables with all stealth to avoid an uproar in case word got out already that she was the one who killed Khaltira, and the only people to watch her ride away were Ajoran, Amaiera-Sol, and later, Hadian. Ridahne was just glad there wasn't a big procession or anything, or else she might have tried to crawl out of her own skin. They just gathered without any formality.

Darin pointed at Ridahne as the Elf mentioned the leather, “Good! He got my other shoulder. If I don’t do something soon then Taja will rip at least one arm off. Maybe even both of them!” Taja let out a screech and Darin scowled at him, “You hush! I like my arms! It would be like if you lost a wing. Which, by the way, I can’t fix if I’m missing an arm.”

Taja looked at the human with a baleful eye. Then he let out a screech before fluttering towards the travel basket that was currently on her lap. Darin let out a small hiss of pain as his claws left her skin. This was not going to be a pleasant six weeks. Darin supposed it might not take that long, but that was a good estimate. Darin reached over to make sure that Taja was in the basket comfortably. When that was taken care of, she looked at her shoulder. The injuries were not wide, but they were deep. In addition, her new shirt was already ruined. Darin resisted the urge to sigh. It certainly wouldn’t help. She studied her shoulder until Talbot stopped. Darin looked up to see that Ravi was standing smiling at her.

Darin smiled back, “Goodbye Overseer Ravi.” She laughed lightly, “Despite our differences it was an honor to meet you.”

Ravi reached out with a hand that Darin gladly took, “It was an honor to meet you Seed-Bearer.” He was being surprisingly serious, “You take all of the hope of Astra with you. It is grand task, but I have faith in you.” He looked at her dead in the eyes, “If you learn nothing else learn to have that same faith in yourself. You are simply marvelous. You must learn to believe that.”

Darin chuckled nervously, “I guess I can try.”

Ravi’s laugh was much more genuine, “In the end that’s all any of us can do. But if we try with all our hearts and all our strength, we may just do instead of just try.” He then turned his attention to Ridahne, “You have been called to a grand task young Guardian. You too must learn to have faith in who you are rather than what your face claims you are.” Ravi held out his free hand for Ridahne to take, “Darin my carry our hope, but you protect it. This is not a job for the faint of heart. Go with courage. Go with determination. Go with every ounce of strength you have and then find some more. Darin will not succeed without you, so do not think that you can be used as a sacrifice.”

Well Darin agreed with that one. She didn’t think that she would get very far without the Azurei. She didn’t want to even fathom trying. It had still been less than a week since she meet Ridahne, yet she already couldn’t not imagine doing this without her. In the end she didn’t think she and Ravi were actually that different. They just had different ways to see the world. That did not make either one of them wrong, and if the Overseer was willing to agree that Ridahne was someone that couldn’t just be thrown away Darin supposed that she could at least try to understand him better.

When Ridahne and Ravi was done speaking Darin sat up straight and looked at the gathered Workers, “And we are off! Thank you so much for your hospitality. May The Tree Bless you. Until we meet again whenever and wherever that may be.” She looked over to Ridahne with a smile on her face, “Are we ready to go? The day is still early. We should be able to cover a fair distance before the sun begins to set.”

Ridahne made a face and sort of halfheartedly shook her finger at Taja. "Don't you rip up my Seed-Bearer, Taja, you owe her. You'll test my field-medic skills for sure if that keeps up." She chuckled. Some people were accident prone but Darin was something else. The tree hadn't been joking. Still, she kind of liked the idea of having a bird around. They were good animals and could form deep bonds with their handlers.

Ravi spoke to Darin first, and as he did, a worker was subtly checking out the horses to make sure they were outfitted properly and in good shape. Ridahne had seen to Tsura thoroughly, as her life had more than once depended on his good health, but she appreciated the little gesture.

Ridahne looked up as Ravi spoke to her this time, and she took his hand in hers. They were different people and had different perspectives on how to handle things, but there was no ill will between them at all. She nodded, though something about his last statement caught and stuck inside of her.

Do not think you can be used as a sacrifice.

Ridahne had't exactly thought this out plainly, not with words, though she had promised to give her life if that's what it took to see their task through. But on some level Ravi's words cut to the core of her. She had not planned to die--no, she hoped to get a few hundred years under her belt before that ever happened--but maybe that vision she had, the second part, made her think more about it. She'd seen herself broken, dying. And she hadn't been sure of what to make of that except that she was willing if it meant keeping Darin safe. And on some other level, too, Ridahne had always seen herself as disposable in some small way. Not like refuse--nothing so base or unwanted. But like a finite thing with a purpose that could be spent. Her family needed extra income and food to get by while her mother was sick? She would brave the dangerous Dust Sea by herself at whatever cost. Her Sol was a corrupt murderer and a liar? Ridahne would remove her. At whatever cost. And if Darin had not accepted her as guardian, or if she had sent her away after learning the truth of her exile? Ridahne would have gone home and met her fate. At whatever cost.

She'd never thought too much about it, never admitted it until now, but she had thought of herself as a sacrifice to be given for some greater cause. She made no sign of this sudden and uncomfortable revelation and said nothing about it, just nodded gravely and gripped Ravi's hand a little tighter in farewell. "I am honored to know you, Kheli'satauri." Which, now that Darin had eaten the apple given to her by the Tree, she would now know meant 'sighted one'. Ridahne lifted one slim hand to the workers in parting, and turned Tsura towards the road.

"Yes, let's go." And as they finally made their way off The Farm, Ridahne said, "they spoke to me of trouble on the road ahead. They did not know what sort it was, but we should take watches during the night...which means actually sleeping near each other." She turned and gave a little smile; she meant it as playful riffing and nothing more. Neither of them had said it, but Ridahne knew that things were not the same between them now as they had been. They were stronger together now, and felt that for her part at least she understood her partner better now. And she felt more understood, herself.

Talbot nodded as Ridahne mentioned keeping together at night as Darin scowled at him. She knew perfectly well that it was safer to keep together. It was just sometimes she didn’t want to and felt that it was wiser for both their mental and physical stability to spend some time apart. She didn’t need the warrior telling her that, and she didn’t need her horse agreeing with her. Still, she wouldn’t complain out loud. That would just start another argument, and she didn’t need one of those this close, or this soon from leaving, The Farm. She was trying to be better. She had to be better. Despite what Ravi said she wasn’t magnificent. She had a hard time believing that she ever would be.

Darin just nodded at Ridahne, “Of course, safety first.”

Though Darin rather suspect that it was a moot point. If they continued her training odds were that she would be too exhausted to storm off after. She wasn’t sure, but she was still willing to bet that it was true. Besides, if she really needed to get away from Ridahne she could probably climb a tree. She wondered of the warrior knew how to climb trees. Darin knew that the Elf had grown up in a desert, but she had seen a few trees in Azurei. Not many, and they didn’t look the same as pines and oaks, but Darin still saw them when she had been part of The Tree. Darin wasn’t sure and she wasn’t going to ask either.

Instead she said, “If you wouldn’t mind talking to me in Azurein. The Tree gave me a gift as we were leaving, but it will still take practice to learn how to use. So, I would like to practice while we travel; if that’s alright with you.”

Darin didn’t see how it would be a problem though she was still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she had understood Ridahne when she used the Azurein word to refer to Ravi as “Sighted One.” She had picked up on the fact that it was a different language which caught her off guard. She had imagined that it would all sound the same and she would have to practice telling the difference between languages. That hadn’t been right at all. Instead she knew it had been Azurein, and she had been left scrambling to mentally translate for a moment. She figured that meant she needed to practice knowing what had been said and mentally processing the words. Darin also thought she might have to practice speaking the various tongues as well.

So, she took her time to see if she could make her request in Azurein, “I will have to speak to many, many people on this trip.” She was saying the words, but she could tell that she was butchering the cadence, tone, and pronunciation/ It made her cringe, “So, I need as much practice as possible if you can help. Please and thank you.”

Darin asked Ridahne to speak to her in Azurian and the elf very nearly checked Tsura to stop and stare at her. She didn't, but she did turn around in her saddle to look at the human as best she could. The elf's face was bright and ecstatic, not to mention very surprised. She looked like Darin could have made no better request in all of Astra as the sun caught her amber eyes and made them seem even brighter and sharper than usual.

"Really? You mean it? I mean, I'll have to teach you, and I might not be the best language teacher but I'll--"

Darin spoke again, but this time in Azurian. It wasn't flawless, but Ridahne knew that she hadn't taught the human those words and her mouth dropped. So that's what she meant by gift. Darin hadn't exactly specified, though Ridahne guessed it had something to do with language. But she hadn't expected that. "The Tree gave you the gift of languages? Darin, that's incredible!" She spoke in Azurian now, though hers was far more heavily accented and fast. "Yes! Yes, we will speak Azurei from now on! I can't help you with any of the Siren tongues, but I know the speech of the other elves too, or at least some." She switched to Eluri, then to Orosi, and back to Azurei as she spoke, just to test her. Her mastery over the other two was much less, and her Azurei accent flowed through even her Astran, but she did know the words. The three languages were very similar in some ways, but they were distinct in their own right, too.

"I will teach you all about pronunciation--true pronunciation, not just saying the words and inflection and maybe even some Idioms when they come up. And this will be good because when we are around others, we can speak privately, as few outside of Azurei know our speech. We don't teach it to many. Darin this is amazing!" Ridahne was practically beaming. To her, language was culture, and she had always wanted to share Azurei culture with Darin. "A little piece of advice..." she said, a wicked little grin sprouting on her lips. "When we are brought before the Sols, don't reveal right away that you can speak Azurian. You might learn some things that way, and they will be greatly humbled to know that you indeed can understand what they say." Ridahne spoke faster when using her native tongue, and a little less drily.