Darin sighed, “There’s just so much Ridahne. It’s hard to believe that I’ll ever be ready. I’m not even sure what it means to be ready.”

Darin fought a yawn and was the loser of that battle. She let her eyes slip close. She supposed that some sleep was better than no sleep even if it wasn’t much. She figured she should move from where she was sitting to return to her own bed, but she was just so comfortable right now. She would regret it when her back ached in the morning though. With that in mind she forced her eyes open and then forced herself to stand. She felt like it was the hardest thing she had every done even though she knew that couldn’t be true at all. It was still no fun to cross the room.

As she practically collapsed on the bed, she told Ridahne, “I told Mrixie to go away and to take Ulice with him. He said he would be back later tomorrow, or rather today now, I guess. I still figure we’ll have the morning free of him. We should try to get some sleep though so we can make the best use of our unsupervised time.” She yawned again, “I’m going to bed. Good night.”

Darin slept, but if she dreamed, she didn’t remember any of them. It felt late when she woke up, but there was no sunshine coming from the window for her to judge the time. How did people live in this ever-present twilight? She was ready to be on the way from Lihaelin, but The Seed wasn’t, and she didn’t think the trees of the forest were ready for her to depart either. Besides there were still things that needed to be done. She still needed to get her boots resoled. They might still need to gather supplies. Darin wasn’t so sure about that one. She knew Ridahne had gotten supplies the first day they were in the city, but she didn’t know if that was enough to get them to their next destination.

Darin rolled out of the bed and landed on the ground, “Owe.”

It was a soft sound that was followed with a ground as she desperately tried to get herself untangled from the blankets and rise to a vertical position. This process involved lots of cursing in both Common and the language of home. Once she was vertical, she made the bed. It was an easy enough task. That was followed by pulling on her boots and making her way down to the tavern on the first floor. She was starving. The last food she had had that she had managed to keep down were the dumplings yesterday morning. That had been more than 24 hours ago.

Though she was nervous Darin managed to ask the person running the inn at the moment for breakfast. She was brought a bowl of something that Darin thought looked like boiled wheat mixed with milk or cream. She supposed that was a standard breakfast anywhere. When she tasted it, she decided it wasn’t wheat but barley. She supposed boiled grain mixed with milk or dairy was a good standard breakfast anywhere. Back home it was wheat because that’s what she grew. She wouldn’t be surprised if different grains were used across Astra. This bowl tasted like it had just a pinch of salt and hint of sweetness. She decided she liked it and finished it quickly.

Ridahne shrugged gently with only one shoulder so as not to disturb Darin's head. "I don't know. I think readiness is an expectation but rarely a reality. But you'll look back and suddenly realize you've done all this before, or something like it, or that you at least know what you want to do about it. And suddenly the future seems less dark. You'll never escape uncertainty--that's just the nature of life. But I think it will get easier without you realizing it."

The warrior sighed, though the exact tone of the expression was unreadable and mixed. "Well, that's something. Thank you." Fidgeting with her long fingers, she said, "It's not like I don't want either of them around, especially Mrixe. He's a decent man. And if you'd like his company, it doesn't upset me. Not if you wanted it. But when it turned from having a local guide to having a night watch I...well it...It made me feel like they didn't trust me, and I don't mean because I'm a killer. That's fine, I've expected that much. But it felt like they didn't trust me to look after you, and protect you, and...well, if I'm a bad Guardian, then there's not much else for me to be, honestly. And tools without purpose aren't generally worth keeping around. I'm the kind of person that needs a sense of purpose to feel....right. I know you don't think that about me, I know you," she said gently, patting Darin's arm. "But those are my fears in my heart of hearts."

Ridahne let Darin sleep then, and frankly she was glad to follow. She did not sleep entirely well on account of her face, but she did get some sleep and that was better than nothing. She awoke later than usual for her, and some time after Darin rose. Her whole face ached, but as she peeled away the crusty bandages, she decided it was worth it. When she eventually came down to the common room, the warrior had evidently spent a bit of time preening, because her black, wavy hair was silky, combed, and freshly tied in a half ponytail. She'd opted to wear her more traditional Azurei garb--an uri fastened at the waist with a deep iron red silk sash, and a cropped, fitted top that only covered down to her ribs and was trimmed with bone beads--while her other sets of road clothing got cleaned and hung to dry. Instead of new bandages, she simply applied a new coating of salve to her fresh ink. Despite her slightly more done-up appearance, her face was a grim, puffy mask of painful swelling on one side, and it made her look somewhat disfigured. The innkeeper tried to hide his double take, but he did a poor job of it.

Ridahne sat beside Darin and tilted her chin upward, catching the new ink in the light. "Well, what do you think?" Along the left side of her hairline were a series of lines that, upon study and reflection, were almost vine like in their pattern. Branching off it were two distinct marks. One was black, curved, rimmed by precise little dots, and crested with something that looked vaguely starlike. The other was inked also in black, and was a simple outline in an almost teardrop shape. Ridahne pointed to the different elements, explaining the significance of each. "And when my task is complete, this one here will be filled in with white, but in my case the black outline will remain, a badge of honor to reflect the whole of my story, and not just its ending." At some points as she spoke, the words came out a little slurred because her face was too swollen for her lips to form the exact shape, and the resulting sound was a little off.

Darin looked at the tattoo with something akin to awe. It was gorgeous and looked right on Ridahne’s face. She wasn’t sure she liked the red puffy state of he face, but Darin knew that it would heal quickly enough. Darin felt the corner of her lips twist upwards in almost grim satisfaction. Now everyone, well at least everyone that could read Oijh, would know that Ridahne Torenzi was something that Astra had never seen before or would see again. That was the best news Darin had gotten since this wholed thing had started and she had had a part, a very small part yes, but still a part in making it happen. Now any Azurei that saw the traitor’s mark would had to at least wonder what the new mark meant.

Her voice was a cross between a harsh sound of satisfaction and a hiss of pleasure, “Yes. Perfect. My Ridahne Torenzi Seed-Chained.” She let out a laugh that was nothing but a good sound, “Today is the first day of the rest of our lives.”

It was a phase that Darin thought had meant nothing for the longest time. The elders used it to try to encourage people to do something with their lives or make a change that the elders wanted them to make. It had never made sense to Darin. Everyday was the first day of the rest of her life. That was just how time worked. Yet that was the point. Yesterday was over. The past was something that would be left in the past. While past actions would influence thoughts, it was gone and done Darin could do nothing about it. The choices that Darin made today that would shape the rest of her future. She could only hope to make the right ones.

She held out a foot to show off her boot, “I need to find a cobbler to resole my boots. If I do too much more walking my toes will pop out.” She looked up from her boot to Ridahne’s face, “Do you think we can do that after you finish breakfast? We woke up late and I don’t want to waste much more of the day. There’s a lot to do before we leave Lihaelen and now that we are done with the Archives we should start getting ready to move on. There’s lots to see and lots to do.”

Darin could think of more than a few things. Ridahne had purchased supplies the first day they were in the city, but was it enough? Darin needed to resole her boots and get a new waterskin. A hair cut would not go amiss either. She also needed a chance to talk to regular people even if she wasn’t one hundred percent how to do so. She just knew that she needed to. She knew nothing about city life and she needed to know about as much of Astra and the Children of Astra as possible. There was more than just farming to any functioning society and Darin could only hope that one day she would have the understanding of it necessary to comprehend it all. She had left The Farm to seek a better understanding of culture and walks of life and to do that she needed to talk to regular people and learn from them.

Ridahne could see the satisfaction and approval on Darin's expression and her heart bloomed with it. She was proud of it, of course, but that Darin liked it too made her very happy indeed, and even more assured that she'd chosen her marks well. The gravity of that swirled in her head for a moment, as it sometimes did. She'd just created new ojih marks. She'd altered the fabric of Azurei culture. In a good way, but still...her one act would have a ripple effect that would spread over her whole nation, and even beyond in some ways. Not all of the marks, after all, were just for ojih.

The elf had to laugh. "I can only imagine the looks on people's faces when they see me--people that can read it, anyway. They might think I've gone absolutely mad!" Another roll of laughter overcame her, and there was that same grimly satisfied tone that was in Darin's voice, too. "Good. Let them wonder. It might keep people from screaming at me or throwing stones at me...that's...a thing that might happen when we do get to Azurei..." she admitted with a bit of a cringe. But this new set of marks really would give them all pause, so that was something. But she didn't dwell on that, and simply smiled and made a quick twisting gesture with her slim hand, as if flicking something upward. The exact meaning wasn't obvious, though the general vibe of it was like some kind of salute, or perhaps a toast without a drink. "Here's to the future," she said.

Ridahne nodded through a mouthful of warm porridge and fruit. "Aye, we can get your boots resoled. Mine could probably use some repair, too. It'll be worth going to an herbalist, too. The forest gets thicker for a while as we move south, and so does the wildlife. Mostly the bugs," she said with a disdainful curl of her upper lip. "They aren't deadly or anything--not most of them--but they do have venom, and their effects range from irritating to very painful. And then there's stinging nettles...they're common down south, at least on the Eluri side of the mountains. If you're careful, you can actually brew a tea with them that's alright, but if you brush up against them, they sting and itch and throb something awful. It will be good to have a few remedies on hand for things like that. And anything else you need replaced or think would be useful, we'll get it. Now's the best time for it, since Lihaelen is a trade hub and you'll find almost anything you need here."

Ridahne was a little slower than usual in eating breakfast, as she had to take smaller bites to avoid causing herself too much pain from moving any part of her face. But eventually she finished and the innkeeper took away her scraped-empty bowl. "Well, where to first?" Ridahne asked.

Darin looked in the direction they had come. This was the last night that they were spending in Orosi. Tomorrow they would enter Azurei. Darin was both looking forward to it and dreading it. She had heard stories of Ridahne’s homeland for close to 15 months, ever since time at the cliff where the Guardian had introduced herself as Veerkari'e, Ghost in the Sands. Well, tomorrow, or soon thereafter, Darin would finally see the sands. Soon she would meet the Sols and the Solta-Sol. She would finally get the chance to meet the women who had almost literally changed the course of history.

Right now, Darin was standing overlooking the sea. The small little group was currently camped in the southeasternmost part of Astra where Azurei, Orosi, and the Sea meet. It was not the first time she had seen the ocean. Darin’s lips twisted up in a smile as she remembered that. She had stood in shock as she watched the water crash against the Eluri shore. Ridahne had to literally drag her away. Even then she had snuck away later that night to stand in the waves. A strange sort of calm had come over her and she had to resist the urge to run headlong into the waves and past The Roots that made the Barrier. She had stood there all night, letting the serenity of a world older than even The Tree and The Gardener combined wash over her. It was a cycle. Sometimes the cycle was broken. Yet, the world was bigger than the cycle. If she failed the world would recover. For the first time she had felt peace with being The Seed-Bearer. Ridahne had found her the next morning adding her own salt water to the endless waves. When the Guardian came up in concern The Seed-Bearer had suddenly started laughing as she kicked at the water in a sort of manic dance. Darin had not regretted spending the night submerged to her hips even though she had a fever for three days. She now understood that as long as she did her best no mistake, no matter how big, was unforgivable. Being The Seed-Bearer wasn’t just some sort of title Darin was carrying. She was The Seed-Bearer and just by being herself she was doing an incredible job.

That night had begun a process of growing for Darin. Slowly but surely, she went from being a nervous wreck to a strong confident woman that made decisions that she was proud to make, that she wouldn’t question. She threw herself into learning about people and customs and society. More often than not She would introduce herself to new people before Ridahne got a chance to. She spent many sleepless nights asking people about their lives, their hopes, their dreams, their fears. The days not spent restocking, or recovering, or traveling, were spent helping people with whatever they needed help with. She listened more than she talked. She tried foods she had never dreamed of. She tried to dance dances she had no hope of mastering. She played every instrument pressed into her hands without fear or apprehension. She played with children and animals alike. She gained better control of her temper and while she learned to listen, she also learned to make herself heard without snapping. She was still a person of passion, determination, and an unwillingness to compromise on doing the right things.

This meant that she had made new friends and even made a few new Seed-Friends. The total was currently six. Jack was the human that had insisted on her taking Talbot with her. That wasn’t official, but it was close enough hat it counted. Harris was the Eluri farmer who saw her stop the rains that first time. HE was also the first official Seed-Friend. Mrixie as the first to choose to swear to The Seed. He had given Ridahne the space she needed and help Darin find a book on controlling her emotions that she could actually understand. Jules, an Orosi, betrayed the Red Hand, the only family she had ever known for The Seed and the hope that brought the Children of Astra. She died mere moments after Darin had named her Seed-Chained. Even thinking about it broke the human’s heart. Umi, a shipbuilder and a Deepblood, a type of Siren that lived close to the Barrier, had saved chosen to save a child rather than Darin at the risk of his life at her order. He had been pulled aside for a private word after he had proven his worth. He had taken one look at Darin’s rough designs, swore himself to secrecy, and promised to figure it out. She had been unable to tell Ridahne that secret as it was connected to being The Seed-Bearer. Sarah was the human merchant that had taken one look at Darin, known she was a girl, and was the first to teach Darin about dressing feminine while still being practical in her attire. For the first time in her entire life Darin had felt pretty.

Of course, it wasn’t all friendship and happy memories. The Red Hand had increased their efforts to kill Darin. She had lost track of the number of times she had almost lost her life. She could count the number of lives she had taken, eight. She could still remember their eyes and when even if she knew none of their names. She knew Ridahne believed it was better that way, but she still hated herself for it. She also had Cursed one man in Orosi. He had preyed on boys, young boys, in the worse matter possible. Ridahne had been injured and he was getting away to escape to a new hunting ground. Darin had screamed to sky and Astra Listened. I Curse you! The Seed Curses you! Let all of Astra know! You are cursed! Let no one know you! Be banished in a land you may never leave. May the Sky storm down upon you! May the Sea rise up against you! May the Stone quake under you! The plants and the animals hate you forever! Let no Child of Astra see you again! I am Darin Seed-Bearer! And I Curse you! Be Seed-Cursed till the day you die! Darin couldn’t regret that. She wouldn’t regret that. The man was a monster, not a Child of Astra. She was unconscious for a week due to the amount of power she had used, but it her harsh justice had been worth it. She only hated that she hadn’t caught him sooner.

Her skills at wielding her sickle in battle only increased under Ridahne’s tutelage. The Elf had managed to train some of the clumsiness out of her as well. Darin would never be as graceful as the Eija-Alihn, but she couldn’t call herself just a farm girl anymore. She rode Talbot like she had been riding most of her life. She could climb just about anything and run without tripping. Her skill at setting up and taking down camp had improved. While Ridahne’s grace was almost lithe and most certainly deadly Darin had earned a grace that, for lack of better words, blunt and stocky.

Skills, knowledge, and self-assurance weren’t the only thing that had changed since she had left home. Darin’s physical appearance had changed as well. She still gave the name Martin Lively to strangers, but she couldn’t’ remember when she had stopped traveling as a boy. It had just kind of happened as she grew more confidant in herself. Under Sarah’s tutelage Darin had learned what it meant to like what she saw in her reflection. Her hair had grown and using her meager skill in braiding Darin plaited in in a braid that ran down the center of her skull and ended right at the nap of her neck. This showed off the sharp angles of her cheeks and nose hat Sarah said were her best features. She had also let the merchant update her wardrobe. Right now, she wore shirts without sleeves that left her shoulders bare, with high collars that wrapped around her neck. One shoulder and arm had her falconry gear. The other arm had a leather bracer with two loops around her index and middle fingers. Her pants were much the same as they always were, but her boots were knee high riding and hugged her legs over her pants. Around her waist was a wide belt to show off what little curves she had. Her cloak was still the same one her mother had made with care, but due the heat it was currently in her pack. The scars from Taja’s talons were visible. The knife mark from one encounter with the Red Hand on her back peaked out from behind her shirt. Her eyes, once boring brown, had slowly, so slowly Darin didn’t realize it had happened until it was done, turned apple green. (Now that she thought about it, The Gardener’s eyes had been red, the same color as The Apples on his Tree. Darin wondered what that said about her Tree.) She would never be beautiful, but she definitely didn’t blend into the back ground any more.

Right now, The Seed-Bearer watched the waves as she thought about how far she had come and how far she still had to go. Tomorrow they entered Azurei. To be honest Darin was glad it had taken so long to get her. She would not have been ready for this a year ago. She lost her temper too quickly then. Now, well now she still lost her temper, but she managed to not let it get the better of her. A year ago, she was lost, sacred and confused, a child playing at being a grown up. Now she was still young, but she knew who she was, she knew what she was, and she wasn’t afraid of it anymore. She was a force to be reckoned with. The Sols best look out for her.

Because she was The Seed-Bearer. When she spoke, Astra listened. After countless hours of practice at controlling the Sea, the Stone, the Sky, after hours of learning to control her emotions rather than letting them control her she could wield her strange power as The Seed-Bearer with almost ridiculous ease. She tried to be careful how she used it. She knew it was changing her into something … else when she did, but sometimes it was unavoidable. The Tree was slightly alarmed by how natural it came to her. At this point in his journey The Gardener was still struggling to speak to the Sea, of the three the easiest to speak to. From time to time Darin would be distracted as she had conversations with all of Astra. Of course, The Gardener had been a different person from Darin with a different personality type. That was another thing Darin had come to accept. She would never be able to do this the way any of past Gardeners had. She had to do it her way, and that was okay.

She carefully directed her thoughts away from both the past and the future to the here and the now. She had told Ridahne she had needed a few minutes to just think. Darin had done her best at doing as the Azurei had requested in Lihaelen and had gone to the warrior when she normally had run. It was a difficult habit to break at first, but Darin learned to at least say she needed to be alone. Tonight, she had asked for a few minutes to give Ridahne a few minutes as well. Tomorrow was the first time Ridahne would be home in over a year. Darin had no desire to crowd her close and dearest friend. They could both use some peace before the storm that would come tomorrow. Now, however, she had no desire to be alone tonight. She wanted the companionship of her strange, mostly animal, misfit family.

It had been a long year. Ridahne, despite all her experience, had officially never traveled so far and so much in her life. She'd been to Orosi and Eluri before, of course, but there was still so much of both of the elf tribe lands that she had not explored until she'd done it with Darin. Many were places she would not have gone to ordinarily, like small little villages in northwestern Orosi where the primary staple of the economy was the coffee trade. It was a different type of farming than what Darin was used to, and yet still farming all the same. The locals were very pleased to show Darin all about the plants and their bright red fruit, and how the seeds inside were extracted, dried, roasted, and brewed. Ridahne got to learn more about it than she ever thought possible--about how different ways of brewing, or different types of soil or ways of drying the crop all made dramatic differences in the final flavor of the beverage. Some were small communities that shared all their food and resources communally. They had excellent bonfires each night. In one of the larger Orosian cities, Ridahne traded small finger tattoos with an old Orosi inkmaster who had to be at least six hundred years old, with hair like white marble that contrasted his dark skin like a splash of paint.

But there had been hardship, too. The Red Hand was ever a threat, and Ridahne was thoroughly tested against them. Once, she captured one alive and interrogated him for twenty straight hours. He'd been so resistant to cooperating and swore he'd never speak, but after Ridahne tied him up by his ankles and hung him in a tree like a grim spider hangs her prize, spinning him occasionally, and after she'd employed a few other methods, some subtle and some not, he'd broken and told her the location of his comrade's hiding place. Ridahne had snuck in during the night and burned it down. One encounter was especially bad. It had been short, and she had not come away as badly injured as she had near the border of north Eluri so long ago. And still somehow Ridahne felt worse for it. The fight had been short and grim, but during it, one of the women very intentionally swung her knife at Ridahne's face. The tip barely caught the end of her nose, blessedly in a place where there was no ink. And after the fight had been won, the traumatized warrior cried for three days. Death was a path they all must take in their own time, but no one deserved to lose their soul, Ridahne explained.

The Ridahne that sat in the sand of the southern coast of Orosi was a more relaxed one than the Ridahne Darin met on the roadside. This wasn't to say she was lax in her vigilance--that had only increased, and she was even more wary of strangers. But with Darin, she was wholly herself. Unfiltered, unabashed, unashamed. This Ridahne told more jokes, taught Darin sailing songs, and sometimes helped braid Darin's hair while she was getting the hang of it, or would occasionally braid and tie it in the Azurei fashion just for fun while they sat by the evening fire. This Ridahne cried openly when she had occasional nightmares, and laughed more, sang more, told folk stories more. She trusted Darin wholly and without question, even when her friend gave her praise or compliments. That took a long time, but it finally clicked. And truly, she loved Darin like the human had always been her younger sister. This Ridahne had become increasingly more bold and perhaps even proud of her own history, however ugly it might have been. This Ridahne laughed at the few Azurei they encountered that jeered at her, and cursed at her. She saved words and explanations for those she thought might actually hear them, but did not waste them on anyone else.

As they ventured further and further south, and further east, and as the dusty earth shifted from a dun beige color to a deep, rusty red, there was a small change in Ridahne, however. It was like the days leading up to their approach to The Tree, where she'd gone more quiet and more withdrawn. Except now, she was not trying to hide from Darin. She told her so one night, and explained that if she was more quiet than usual, it was simply because she was still trying to sort out her own feelings about her homecoming. It was some mix of anticipation, built up over the last year, and excitement, and worry, and a wistfulness. And grief, too. She talked about it with Darin whenever she could actually find the words for any of it. Azurei, after all, represented everything she used to be--the good and the bad--and for her it held an inner demon that, though it no longer haunted her, still belonged to her and needed to be addressed. Mostly, she was excited though.

That excitement had really surfaced when she got to show Darin the ocean for the first time. It wasn't the same beaches she grew up on, but it still somehow felt like showing Darin a piece of her. The sea was her heritage, her family's livelihood, and also its undoing. Ridahne told Darin of how her father had drowned at sea while trying to save another crew member in a storm, but also would swim out and dive deep for crabs and clams for their dinner, and would bring back broken bits of long-dead coral to show Darin. She showed her how to build and sculpt moist sand into tiny little fortresses that crumbled at the first wave of high tide. She told her of the tides, too, and how they corresponded with the moon, and ocean currents, and how those currents affected animal migration. She'd even, though bitter experience, taught Darin about the little pale jellyfish that sometimes got swept up in the waves. Ridahne had howled when it stung her, but the pain faded the next day.

Ridahne sat with her back to the fire and a little ways away from it, staring out at the dim points of deeper shadow on the eastern horizon. Distant mountains that formed the outer edges of the Dust Sea. She knew, even without the light of the sun that those mountains were red, red like carnelian or jasper. Mitaja's russet coat often blended in with the iron-rich earth if the lighting was right. She held a bundle of cloth in her lap and was absently fingering its tasseled edges. Two weeks ago, at a small mining village, Ridahne had commissioned a standard from a local tailor. She'd insisted on the best materials, and though the man had charged a substantial but reasonable price for his work, Ridahne had paid him a small fortune. "It needs to be your best work, and we won't be here very long," she'd explained. After she'd handed him a little cloth sack of coins, he was eager to do so. It really was beautiful. It would be an heirloom for her house, and it bore her new, modified sigil. It was still a seahorse, its head raised high, but it also incorporated her guardian mark she'd created for herself. It did not obviously mark Darin as the Seed-Bearer, but it was hers and her people would come to know it. It wasn't something she wanted to travel with--she'd leave it with Ajoran or Hadian for the time being--but since she could not slip into Azurei unnoticed, well...she was going to make an entrance.

It was one of the nights where she was more withdrawn, still trying to articulate her own feelings. Darin also seemed to need space to probably do the same and Ridahne was alright with that. She just kept picturing how the meeting with the Sols would go--had they picked a new one to replace Khaltira? Surely by now... Ridahne wondered who she might be, and what kind of person she was. As she was contemplating this, the noticed a shimmer of reflected moonlight in the distance that had not been there before. It was a dim sort of reflection, not the bright glint of white light against water. But instead a faint mist of silvery pale darkness that separated itself from the dark landscape around it.

Dust. From a horse's hooves.

Ridahne rose suddenly. "Darin," she said loudly, sharply. By now, Ridahne did not have to explain further what that tone meant, nor what they needed to do to prepare. Someone was coming directly at them. The elf carefully stashed her new banner in her saddlebags and drew her sword, letting the smooth metal glint off the light of the mostly full moon. The rider came closer, riding hard. Ridahne stood her ground, sword at the ready, when finally the rider drew close enough to see clearly in the moonlight. He checked his brown horse to a stop and dismounted, but hesitated. Ridahne didn't, though.

"Hadian!" She dropped her sword and rushed him as she gasped the word, nearly knocking him over as she wrapped her arms around him. "Hadian!" she choked out again, immediately starting to cry. He squeezed her just as hard, then pulled back to get a look at her.
"Ridahne!" he was crying a little too, but also laughing. "It's you! It's really you! I had a vision that you'd be here and I...I..." his face wrinkled, his own ojih distorting a little as he studied hers. He blinked. "Ridahne, what...is this? I can't read it..."
"That's because I made it. They're new marks. People will learn them in time."
His eyes went wide. "You...made them?" His tone was awed. That was a story he wanted to hear, but he wouldn't ask just yet. "Ridahne I...you...you look so..." He was going to say hard, like a once smooth hand that through long labor, formed callouses. But that felt like it would spoil the moment, so he said, "Different. Older, somehow. I still can't believe you're alive and you're here, and..."

Hadian's breath caught as he seemed to remember why exactly Ridahne had gone away. At the time, the notion seemed fantastical, unrealistic, and a little crazy. But then even he started to hear rumors of a Seed Bearer. His honey gaze slid over to Darin and his mouth dropped open. "Can it be...?" he breathed, taking a step closer. He looked so much like Ridahne, and if it weren't for the inexplicably older, more mature look to him, one might almost guess he was her male twin. But it was clear, too, they had lived different lives. He had calloused hands and wrinkles were just beginning to form at the corners of his eyes--a product of a life spent on the sea and under the relentless ire of the sun. His ojih was simpler and covered less of his face. His demeanor was...softer, too. Physically, he was just as hard and weathered as Ridahne, but his eyes were a little gentler. He was the kind of man who saw much, listened often, and spoke little. If Ridahne was fire, he was the sea. Placid and cool, yet hiding an inexorable will underneath the surface.

Hadian dropped to one knee and breathed, "Astra-Sol!" as he began to bow, but Ridahne caught his shoulder.
"Don't," she said gently, teasingly, knowing Darin would rather not be hailed as royalty. "Stop gaping and get up. I'd...like to introduce you to Darin, though to anyone else, she's Martin Lively and don't forget it. But..." Ridahne drew in a nervous breath and said, "Hadian, this is Darin. Darin, this is my brother."

Hadian eyed Ridahne, reading something in her expression that hadn't quite been said. He was always so good at that. And, gathering from this that he should do away with formalities, he turned back to Darin, closed the gap between them in a couple swift steps, and wrapped her in an iron hug so strong that only a laborer could really achieve it. "Thank you for bringing my sister back to me."

As Darin slowly walked back to the fire she found her thoughts drifting backwards though time again. This time they were about the person she could see at the fire. Ridahne Torenzi Seed-Chained had changed just as much as she had over the past year, if not more. She was still subdued and wary, but it was so nice to know that the warrior considered the human family. Darin had learned so much from her; sailing songs, how to build sandcastles, how to swim on the waves of salt water, how to build fires that would last all night, how to defend herself. Darin could only hope to return the favor one day. Even though the coming days promised to be stressful Darin had never seen Ridahne freer, mentally and emotionally, then the last few weeks.

Darin may have been lost in thought, but she still heard the tone of Ridahne’s voice. Without thinking she quickly hurried over to stand behind the warrior. Her hand reached behind her to hold on to the handle of her sickle, but unlike Ridahne she didn’t draw it immediately. Talbot stood nearby. Sometimes it was better for Darin to flee and sometimes it was better for her to fight. She wasn’t sure which one it was yet. Though the next few minutes revealed that their would be no fight at all and Darin couldn’t help the large smile that etched on to her face as the identity of the person who had come to see them was made clear.

It was Hadian Torenzi. While Darin had never seen him with her own eyes before she had seen him once via The Tree on that night so long ago when The Tree had spoken to Ridahne and she had been left to wander Astra. Even if she hadn’t gone on that journey the human would still know who it was, not only buy Ridahne’s actions but by his looks as well. He was so clearly Ridahne’s sibling even if his Oijh was simpler and there were more lines on his face, but he was still her family. Seeing her Ridahne so happy made Darin want to laugh from pure joy.

For a moment her smile faltered as he started to bow Luckily Ridahne stopped him, but the hug that followed caught her completely off guard. She could barely remember the last time she had been hugged like this. Hugging Ridahne was nice and Darin lost count of how many times that had happened, but those always seemed desperate as they each searched for confirmation that the other was alive and well and safe. This was tight and firm and loving. For a reasons Darin couldn’t explain it felt like coming home. She quickly got a hold of herself and returned the hug in kind. Hadian may have been a stranger to her, but she could easily see herself falling in love with him the same way she had fallen in love with Ridahne, not the same way Ridahne loved Ajoran, or the way her mother loved her father, or the way that she thought Thomas and Milla might love each other, but still love, like family, like home, like peace.

She couldn’t contain herself any longer and she started to laugh as she finally pulled away, “Hadian Torenzi! It is so [i[good[/i] to meet you at last. I have heard nothing but good things.” Her cheeks hurt from how widely she was smiling, “I am Darin, daughter of Martin by Talia, Seed-Bearer of Astra.” She took his hand and pulled him close to the fire so they could all sit, “Come, sit. Tell me of Azurei. My Guardian.” Darin flashed Ridahne a gleeful look as she reached out to lightly touch the mark that confused the newcomer, “Has told me some but I love hearing of new places from many different people. Tell me of your life, your family, your work. Your sister tells me you are a fisherman. What is that like? You’ll have to teach me the basics at some point.”

Darin’s full attention was on the man in front of her with an intensity that she hadn’t known she could possess a year ago. Yet it had come to the surface more and more as the days had passed. Hadain was not the first person to be on the other end of Darin’s piercing gaze as she sought to learn and to know. She would practically hang of his every word as she asked question after question. She was no longer afraid that he questions would make her look like a fool. Being a fool was the first step to wisdom after all. She could be a bit intense and she hoped she didn’t make him uncomfortable. It’s just this was Ridahne’s family. She wanted to know him not just because he was a Child of Astra, but because he was the family of one of her favorite people in the whole world. Tonight promised to be one of those sleepless night that no one could regret because they were well spent.

It was really hard not to bow. Hadian wanted to, and he couldn't yet understand why his sister had instructed him not to. But he could see that not bowing was the right thing to do, apparently. It felt very backwards. She was so high and honored and yet...there was something simple about her. Something...relatable, he thought after an effort. Though she was arrayed for travel and hard roads, she sort of had the look of a laborer, if he were to guess. And, well, those were his people. Her gaze was intense, but after all, his sister was Ridahne. He was used to intense, and it did not unnerve him. Hadian wiped away a fresh surge of tears and, grinning, said, "No, you are Darin Torzinei!" He barely knew her, but in that moment he was overcome with love for her. Maybe it was because she saved the life of the last of his family. Maybe because Ridahne loved her and therefore, so did he. Ridahne had a lot of faults, but choosing her circle of people was not one of them. The gesture of calling her Torzinei meant more than he said. It was not diminishing of her titles, yet it proclaimed that she was family now.

He blinked at the word 'guardian', absolutely catching the meaning that one of her tattoos indicated this. He looked at his sister with a new perspective and shook his head in utter disbelief. When she said she needed to go help the Seed-Bearer, this wasn't what he'd pictured. In fact, he thought she was merely facing exile. Where Ridahne might have paced and vocalized her shock and surprise and joy, Hadian just stood quietly, very still, amber eyes darting between the two women. For a while, it seemed like he wouldn't say anything, but then he murmured softly, "Ma and Da would be so proud of you, Ridahne. I'm--"
Ridahne choked out a sudden, violent sob, followed by a laugh. "Oh Hadian, don't!" It was too overwhelming for her to hear in words, but she knew Hadian meant it, and that was everything to her. "You'll ruin my hard, crusty exterior like that. Come, sit! sit!"

Hadian did, still unsure of whether or not to stare at his sister, or the Seed Bearer of Astra. Belatedly, he remembered that she'd asked him questions. He had so many of his own, but he wasn't sure what to do with the information he'd already been given, so he would wait before asking more. "I...fishing is...hard work. I spend a lot of time away from home but it's worth it. It's honest work. And it...it makes me feel close to Jaisih, our father. I...I would be honored to teach you, Astra-Sol--" Ridahne nudged him with her elbow and he corrected, "Darin." He had the ability to read Ridahne like very few could. "I live in Atakhara, it's a humble place..."
"You can say it--it's poor."
Hadian snorted. "Aye, it is. I inherited our family home and I live there with my wife--"
Ridahne gasped, physically turning his face to look again at his ojih. "You married Nyyvai! Did she take your clan name, or did you take hers?"
Hadian smiled a little, almost bashfully. "I tried to convince her to let me take her name." There was an unspoken, briefly awkward note of 'because of everything that happened with you' that faded into the dust as soon as he continued, "but she wanted to be a Torzinei."
Ridahne nodded, a question she was hesitant to ask slowly bubbling to the surface. "How's Ajoran?"
Hadian nodded too. "He's as fine as ever. Misses you terribly." Seeing the look in her eyes, he added, "He doesn't know you're here. No one does. I had a vision in the middle of the night, and not even Nyyvai knows exactly what I'm up to. I had it, and I simply said it was about you, and she told me to go. But even she doesn't know about you," he said to Darin. He still couldn't believe she was even real.

"So...there's a Seed after all...Have you seen the Tree? Do you know where you'll plant it? Or..." he looked between them, then decided, "That's what you've been up to, hasn't it? All this time? Ah! But you'll have to tell me, where do you come from? You are human, I see." Just then, Mitaja materialized from whatever shadows she'd been lurking in and almost knocked Hadian over with the force of her greeting. When she'd licked the dust off his face, she sat beside him, happily rumbling and purring as he stroked her silky fur.

For a brief moment Darin felt like an outsider as Mitaja came to knock Hadian to the ground. This was a reunion for Ridahne, Hadian, Mitaja, Tsura, not for her. Despite what Hadian had called her Darin Torzinei she wasn’t actually their family. She was an outsider and her family was roads away from here. Then Taja, who did not like being left out, especially when his person was not paying attention to him and him alone, swooped over to land on Mitaja and peck questioningly at Hadian’s earing that matched Ridahne’s. Darin let out a laugh as she gently brushed at the bird.

She switched from Azurei to the language of her home as Taja responded better to that tongue for some reason, “Taja! Enough of that! Hadian is our guest.” She held out a hand to the hawk, “Come on.” As Taja hopped to land on her shoulder she switched back to Azurei, “You’ll have to forgive Taja. He’s a bit wary of strangers.” She gestured in vaguely the right direction, “We are currently as southeasterly as we can get in Astra. I live just about as far northwesterly in human lands as is possible.” She held out her hands for the man’s consideration, “My village has no name. It is probably just as humble as Atakhara, but we never considered ourselves poor as we wanted for very little. I was a farmer. I worked the land to help things like wheat and barley grow. I am not meant for roads or danger.” Her smile had returned full force as she looked the man dead in the eye, “I am Tree-Blessed to have literally fallen into Ridahne Torzinei.” She shook her head slowly, “I have not met many others who wear the name Torzinei, but I assure you that your wife is right.” She spoke with such confidence and surety that only a fool would question her, “There is no shame, whatsoever, in that name. You offer it to me, and it is a gift I would be willing to take whole heartily.” It was her turn to lightly tug at the earring that proclaimed him a Torzenei, “I think I’ll skip this though. It is gorgeous, but it is not the human way.”

That didn’t mean she was earring free. In fact, Taja was currently tugging at the silver cuff that was clamped around her upper ear. Jules had been wearing something similar as she lay dying. It had some sort of symbol on it, but Darin’s was unadorned. It was simple and plain, like her. Yet it held a power than not many truly knew, again, just like her. Darin still had no tattoos. She wasn’t sure that would change anytime soon. She just couldn’t think of any that she wanted to get. Maybe that would change in Azurei. She knew she wouldn’t get any on her face though. It wouldn’t be right. She had learned and studied culture after culture. She bowed to the Eluri in their way and danced in the Orosi way and played Siren instruments, but she had not changed her appearance in anyway that was not human. She had to be true to her roots.

She dropped her hand from the earring and moved it to stroke at Taja’s chest, “But enough about me. My life is fairly boring. I am confident that yours is much more interesting. Tell me about Atakhara. Tell me about your wedding. Tell me about your wife. What are your days like? What’s your favorite food. Smell? Sights? Are you expecting children? What will you name a child when it comes? Any details you can think of. I want to know Hadian Torzenei. Not just because you are my friend’s brother, but because you are a Child of the Night Sky, a Child of Sky, a Child of Astra, and that is so much more different than a Child of Stone. Any detail, no detail is too small, I want to know.”

She wasn’t usually so direct. Usually she took the information she was given and they poked and prodded in the same direction until the person she was bothering grew bored with that subject and switched it. She let the teacher lead the conversation. It was how she had learned about coffee farming, mining, both metal and stones, sailing, investing money into goods, ship building, carpentry, dog breeding, tailoring, whatever people wanted to teach her. Yet there was so much to learn. She had a whole world to learn and know. She was getting better. She knew more now than she ever knew existed. Her knowledge with languages had improved with leaps and bounds, as has her reading and writing. She couldn’t honestly say she was just a farmer anymore. She was a student, and an overeager on at that.

Hadian was relatively unbothered by the hawk in and of itself; he knew the falconry gear Darin was wearing and guessed the raptor belonged to her. It was his name that caught him off guard. "Taja?" He couldn't get the image of Ajoran or another Taja out of his head: big burly men with engraved silver plates that hung over their sternum and chest like an extravagant collar, black silk sashes, and very polished weapons. "Arm?" He blinked, looking at Ridahne as if for confirmation. "Did that translate right?"
Ridahne nodded. "Aye, she knows all about what it means. Trust me, it fits."

Hadian hung on Darin's every word, absolutely fascinated to learn what kind of person would be chosen to be the Seed Bearer of Astra. The farmer bit didn't really surprise him much, not when he considered it. A seed needed to be planted, nurtured. Who would know better how to do that than a farmer? But the comparison of her home to Atakhara made his brows knit together--just slightly. There wasn't such a thing as a rich farmer as far as he knew, but...well it felt wrong somehow for the Seed Bearer to come from such a humble place. But then, maybe that was the point. Who better to understand the poor masses of Astra than one of its own? He did begin to understand why exactly Ridahne had her vision, and why she specifically needed to find Darin. If Darin was not suited for the road, or for fighting, well...he could think of no one else better to partner her with. It had taken her some time to really figure this out, but Hadian seemed to know it the moment Darin revealed that part about her.

Once more, he studied his sister with newfound awe. Honored? Clearly, if she was Darin's Guardian. But his eyes wandered to the traitor mark, and though he knew what steps had brought her to that grim night, it still pained him to see. He knew better than most what really happened, and perhaps that's why it grieved him as much as it did. He didn't really think she deserved it.

While Hadian was still lost in thought, Ridahne suggested, "You know, we could make you a ku'o, but you could wear it as a necklace. Like this one." She lifted the carnelian one Ajoran had carved for her and, as if remembering it for the first time in a long time she said conspiratorially to Hadian, "I'm finally going to marry him. He doesn't know it yet, but...assuming nothing's changed..."
Hadian laughed, unsurprised by this revelation. Though he remembered how she was the last time he saw her; she'd thought it was best to cut ties with him to protect him from her own shame. And now... "It hasn't, I assure you. Can...can you do that?"
Ridahne lifted her chin, speaking with an authority that nearly floored Hadian. "I am Ridahne Torzinei, Seed-Chained, Seed Guardian, Sol Slayer, and Oathbreaker. I will do what I please." She did not have the same kind of power that Darin did when the Seed Bearer made declarations, but there was...something. Whether it was her own confidence, or some other force at play, Hadian felt a prickle at the back of his neck as she spoke. It was a very 'her' thing to say--she'd always done her own thing regardless of what others said she ought to. But there was something about her that had changed. As he looked her over, he could see the long road had made her lean and muscled, but she had scars, too. The worst of which was a ropy line across her side that looked to be about a year old and, from what he knew of scars, had to have been a severe wound. Her experiences had hardened her, evidently.

"Well damn," he said after a moment of silence, chuckling. "I guess you will." He then had a moment to consider all of the other, trivial things that Darin wanted to know, and he had to laugh at the idea that her life was less interesting than his. Quite the opposite, he imagined. "Hardly! I go to sea, I fish, I haul lines and nets and then I come home and drink and go to market and make money for my wife and I. She does all the hunting--I got her an urala kitten for her wedding gift since Ridahne took Mitaja, she named him Asvei. When she isn't hunting, she's a potter. I helped her build a kiln behind the house, and on nights where I'm away at sea, she will stay up all night and tend the fires. We have some of the nicest clay jars in the neighborhood," he said with a measure of pride. "We're not expecting children, not for several years. But sometimes we watch one of the neighbor boys while his parents are busy. He's a bit too young to hang with the pack of street rats Ridahne and I are all too familiar with," he said with a wink, "so he needs looking after. But it won't be long before he finds his way into the pack. That's enough for us for now, we want to be a little more established before we start having any children."

Hadian thought of his favorite smells and subconsciously drew in a deep breath of air through his pierced nose. "My favorite smell is woodsmoke," he said after a moment's consideration. "It makes me think of all things comfortable--of warmth and of home and of curry in the pot and of the night air. I met Nyyvai by a communal bonfire, actually. I can't wait for you to meet her, Darin." He tried to think of any more information worth sharing and came up rather short. His life was so...normal. He'd fallen into the role of fisherman at an early age, just like his father and his father's mother had before him. It was Ridahne who, for better or worse, had all the adventures. "I don't know, my life has been pretty uneventful except...well, that time I was actually summoned to the palace by the Sota-Sol herself..."

Ridahne's gaze sharpened. "She what?"
Hadian's own eyes widened as he said, "Oh! You wouldn't have known, I forgot! After you left, there was a lot of turmoil. People...the public wanted to see you publicly hanged, and when you weren't, there was national outrage. I had one group of people--just citizens--bust into the house at night to search it, thinking they'd find you hiding there. Apparently the same thing happened to Ajoran, but those people didn't come out of it as well as the group who harassed me." Ajoran, after all, was nearly as deadly as Ridahne was. He could see outrage boiling up in Ridahne, so he quickly pressed on. "Anyway, the incident sort of put me on the map, so to speak. The Sols didn't know you had a brother until then, but shortly after, I got an invitation from the Sota-Sol herself, delivered by Ajoran. They brought me into a smaller room--not the throne room--and offered me all kinds of drinks and food, and I finally understood what you were talking about when you said it was overwhelming to have all that food put in front of you. But they grilled me with questions about you, and about what I knew." He shuddered visibly. "I think humans have an expression, being caught between a rock and a...another rock?"
"Rock and a hard place," Ridahne supplied.
"Aye, that. That's what it felt like to have the four of them bend their attention on me."
"And??" Ridahne's eyes were wide, wild, intense. If they'd mistreated Hadian in any way, she would add a few more reasons to be called dishonored.
"And I told them everything. I didn't know about the actual incident that caused you to...to...you know, but I knew about the past couple years. And I told them about Nailih." Hearing the name of the man who had first suggested Khaltira was crooked, the man she later slaughtered, made Ridahne cringe openly. "They apparently did the same to Ajoran, and I guess we must have said enough of the same things for them to take what we said seriously. They did a full investigation into Takhun, and Khaltira-Sol--"
"Khaltira," Ridahne corrected sharply, dropping the honorific.
Hadian frowned grimly, and--was that anger in his eyes?--he nodded. "Khaltira." Ridahne's anger was a force, but it was quick to surface and quick to fade. The ire of a patient man like Hadian, however, was almost worse for its rarity. "This was right about the time that a woman and her husband started talking about how the Sol-Slayer had actually saved her life to just about anyone who would listen. It's my understanding they were also questioned extensively. And between all of us, the Sols learned what you never really got to explain in full. You're not pardoned, absolutely not. I imagine that's wrapped up in..." He motioned to Darin vaguely. "This. But when Eija Salei, her apprentice, and her partner showed up from abroad and started spreading news about this Red Hand, I do know that a national decree went out declaring that anyone found to be associated with the Red Hand would be immediately executed. They were vague on telling the public why, but I gleaned from Ajoran that Eija Salei had seen you, and this Red Hand was after you and your companion, which only Ajoran and I, and I expect the Sols, could guess was you, Darin. The two of us started to put things together and guessed they're after..." He dared not name it, even, but he looked at Darin as he spoke. "There's been ten executions since the decree. Not all were public, but the bodies were put on display as a warning. It seemed to do some good, too, because activity on that front seemed to die down after that. I know your relationship with the Sols is...awkward at best, Ridahne, but it seems like they've been helping you in what way they can."

Ridahne was both surprised and not surprised by this news. It made sense that they would want her to succeed in her mission, which they knew was of utmost importance. But actual support? She wasn't sure what that would mean for her future exactly, but it changed things a little, or at least clarified them a bit. "Thank you for the news," Ridahne said, still processing it all a bit. She looked at Darin. "We'll start early tomorrow so we can travel in the cooler part of the day, I'm hoping we'll pass through Atakhara by noonish, but we'll have to make it to Tasen before we can really stop. That's the capital, and it's not too far from Atakhara. Once we meet with the Sols, we'll actually be able to go back to Atakhara and you can see where I grew up. And," She smiled, "Like I'd hoped, we made it in time for the fall equinox festival. Summer here is brutal, so we celebrate its end with bonfires and food and dancing and music and storytelling. I could think of no better time to show you Azurei than now."

Darin considered Ridahne’s offer. It wasn’t a bad one, and the human found herself wanting to agree to it. Except it couldn’t happen now. Darin vaguely understood that there was a difference between the one in Ridahne’s ear and the one around her neck. They both had the same symbol on them, the Torzenei symbol, but the material was different because of where the person who had carved it had come from. It told others where the person was from. Darin didn’t mind being part of Ridahne’s family, but she was still her mother’s child. Suddenly, she remembered the apple tree where she had picked the apples for every apple pie she had ever made. Maybe, one day, she would let Ridahne make her a ku’o from the wood of that tree. That was still a long way off. There was still plenty of time to think about it.

Still, the young woman couldn’t help but whisper to herself so quietly that the two Elves talking of marriage wouldn’t hear her, “Darin Torenzei, daughter of Martin by Talia, Seed-Bearer of Astra.”

The siblings may not have heard her, but Astra did. A loud crack filled the air as a crash of lightning appeared in the otherwise cloudless sky. The Seed-Bearer’s attention was immediately grabbed by the out of place phenomena. Without even thinking she was on her feet in a moment. She kept her eyes on the sky as she took a few steps away from the fire. Suddenly a tendril of Sea snapped out of the ocean to wrap around her wrist. A feeling rightness filled her as The Seed burned in approval against her thigh. Taja had taken flight to land on Ridahne’s head to run his beak though her hair. (He was inclined to do that whenever Astra reacted to The Seed-Bearer. Darin still wasn’t 100 percent sure what it meant, if it meant anything) However, the message from Astra and The Seed was clear. They liked the name change and thinking of Hadian with the Sea wrapped around her wrist like this only cause the Sea to chitter happily. Without even thinking Darin flicked the trapped wrist towards the newcomer.

The saltwater circled the Elf in a manner that almost mimicked the way Mitaja said hello as Darin laughed, “You’ve made an impression. The Sea knows you. The Sea likes you, at least as well as it likes any Child of Sky.” She flicked her wrist back towards the ocean, “However Ridahne is right. We have an early start tomorrow so now we must rest” Her voice took a tone that almost sounded like a scolding parent, “And it is time for feisty ocean waters to at least pretend to sleep.”

The waters, now that they had been reminded, flowed back to the ocean so the only movements were the soft waves of natural currents. It was odd that both the Sea and the Sky were so … apparent in the message they were trying to send. Oh, they could almost always be vocal, speaking a language that only certain people could muddle through and The Seed-Bearer could understand as well as she understood Astran. Sometimes they were so loud, at least to her, that her head hurt from their demands. It appeared that the Torzenei siblings were well loved by Astra and they wanted the two of them to know.

She turned her attention to Ridahne, “Still, there are two things left to discuss,” She held up a finger, “One, I understand the need to go to the Sols to get the nimarih, but I don’t like it, and I want you to know that.” She continued to gesture with her hands, “We should zigzag like we did in Eluri and Osori, stopping in the towns and villages and cities for at least a day, no longer than a week. I didn’t let the leaders of either determine my path and I don’t plan on letting the Sols have any say either. Plus going back to Atakhara means wasting time we may not have. I rather spend a week there and then go to Tasen. I understand the need to go to Tasen first, and I know you are excited to be home, but they are just stops. Please remember that.” She didn’t wait before holding up two fingers in a v shape, “Second.” Her flat palm came out to point at the other guest, “I have yet to be introduced to our final guest. I forgot. Which was rude of me.” She slowly walked over to Hadian’s horse and bowed slightly, “Please forgive me. I meant no disrespect.”

Ridahne had...a feeling. It was never something she could put her finger on, nor was it usually something she could accurately identify as it happened. If pressed, she would describe it as an electricity to the air, a faint change in the air pressure, or maybe just the odd tension felt in a muscle in response to the feeling of another presence close to the skin. But when Taja landed on her head and preened through her hair, and when the crack of thunder slapped across an otherwise relaxed sky, she did not flinch. And only after the fact did she know beyond doubt that Astra was listening to Darin, though what was being whispered to the universe, she would never know. Her attention sharpened, though. As a cool thrill washed through her, she watched both in awe and with an assessing eye, trying to figure out what exactly was happening.

Hadian, on the other hand, was a different story.

The man had just been about to open his mouth to speak, a breath primed and ready to be pushed through his vocal cords, when the sudden thunder squeezed it out of him in a startled yelp. He jumped, craning his neck to the sky. He'd thought the clouds had been thin and sparse, not storming? And while he was still puzzling that out, he watched as the ocean rose to meet Darin in a fluid arm, like the firm handshake of a long time friend. He'd been on his feet, but he dropped to his knees then, face straight into the red sand with such fervency that his forehead left an impression. The sailor in him saw the water and gasped, "Istaerih, Spirit of the Sea, have mercy!" The belief in the entity ran as firmly in sailors as their love for strong drinks. Said to occasionally take the shape of a siren when benevolent, and of dark, alien creatures when she was angry, elvish sailors from each of the three tribes believed she was the very spirit of the sea, and without her, the ocean would be as flat and still as a mirror pond.

Ridahne smiled, practically beaming. "No, not Istaerih. The Seed Bearer of Astra."
Hadian looked up, still in a prostrate position in the sand. "What...?" His tone held awe and wonder, but also a little disbelief, too.
"When Darin speaks, Astra listens."
Hadian straightened a little, though he was still on his knees. He reached one timid, uncertain hand out to touch the stream of water that curled around him. "Ai..." he breathed. He'd heard the Gardener had some mystical powers but...well...he never expected any of those to be true. "Darin that's...incredible. Is this...normal for the two of you?" Ridahne's lack of reaction did not entirely escape him, now that he thought about it.
Ridahne smiled, almost teasingly. "You get used to it." That was only a half truth. She didn't get used to it like one got used to and desensitized to the beauty of the ocean, or the vastness of the stars. But rather, it did not grip her and shake her as it used to, mostly because she could almost feel it coming. Still, it never ceased to fill her with wonder every time.

Both siblings got very quiet after Darin amended the plan. Each of them sort of grimaced, and though the expression was so alike on both their faces, Ridahne was unerringly the more expressive one. She was quiet as her face twisted through a quick repertoire of mixed, tangled emotions ranging from acceptance, to frustration, to disappointment, to fear. She kept trying to rein them in and failed, which ended up with her making a face like she'd bitten into a bitter lime peel. After the initial grimace, Hadian was studiously quiet and still, except to introduce his horse as Halyih, and she dipped her head and lifted one foreleg in greeting to Darin.

"I understand," Ridahne finally said, her tone controlled. And then, a little more honestly and genuinely in her tone she added, "it's just...as much as I don't want to give the Sols my time, it's...well, the nimarih is like a free pass, so to speak. It doesn't cover up my ojih, and especially not the mark, but it's sort of symbolic of...of...well, of everything you have come to understand about that night, and about me and how this all happened and it's not real forgiveness but it's amnesty and without it...well I'd hoped...I'd hoped for...some measure of peace." The last part was barely breathed, as if it had been wrung out of her. She dipped her head in acknowledgement as some of her prior anxiety from earlier in the night crept back into her chest. "But I understand. I will do as you ask." Ridahne would defend herself or Darin if it ever came down to it. And Ridahne just hoped she wouldn't have to cut the hands off of anyone she personally knew.

There had been a misunderstanding somewhere. Darin wasn’t sure where it had happened. She wasn’t surprised. She and Ridahne were close, but they still couldn’t read each other’s mind. There was no such thing as mind reading after all. The Tree was pretty adamant about that. Communication involved two people, talking, and listening, a lot of listening. With one last bow to Halyih, Darin returned to the fire. This time she sat down to Ridahne instead of her brother. This was a conversation that Hadian would get to listen too but wouldn’t really be a part of. She liked the sailor. The warrior was still her favorite Torzenei.

She smiled as she bumped her shoulder against Ridahne’s, “You know, your brother is right. Istaerih is another name for The Sea, and the Sea was speaking just as much as I was. When I speak Astra listens and my mother, and I’m sure you parents as well, taught that if some one listens to you, you should listen to them. I speak to Astra and then Astra speaks back. Istaerih likes Hadian. It thinks he’s cute. The same way we think a cat or dog is cute.” She grew solemn for a moment, “The Sea liked your father as well, but death is death. A life was due that day. He gave his. And Istaerih loves him for it. A life for a life.” There was a human phase that didn’t sound quite the same in Azurei so she switched to Astran as she bumped her friend’s shoulder again, “The apple doesn’t fall from the tree.” She switched back to Azurei, “Torzenei’s are good stock, sacrificing their entire futures to save at least one life. Who else could come to save me but the banished daughter of Jaisih Torzenei? He listened to The Sea in a way few could and was beloved by Istaerih for it. You listen to The Tree the way few choose to.” She was firm, authoritative, and left no room for question, “I will not let you, you who is beloved by The Tree, travel in your home as if you are some sort of thrice cursed stranger. That is why, even though I don’t like it, we travel to Tasen, where we will meet with the Sols, you will be granted the nimarih, and I will meet Ajoran Teleisun to decide if he is worthy of you. Then we will travel to Atakhara where I can learn about you and where you came from. Then we will zigzag, but we will skip Tasen since we were already there unless we need to resupply. You will feed me coconut, I will try my hand at climbing these trees you speak of that have no branches, and then we will travel north and out of this seasonless heat trap.”

Once, a long time ago, Ridahne had complained about missing heat. Now Darin knew how Ridahne felt, except she felt that way about cold. It was almost time for harvest. The air should be turning crisp and she should be wearing shirts with sleeves, not this sleeveless tunic with not even a cloak. She had a feeling she wouldn’t be seeing snow for a long time. Darin knew that there was beauty in all of Astra and she had seen it in most places. It was just extremely difficult when the winds blew hot in autumn! It was time to start making cider and warm milk. It was time to prepare butter for winter baking. It was time to pull out scarves and hats and gloves. This heat was slowly killing her. If this was fall Darin thanked The Tree that they hadn’t gotten here as spring turned into summer. The heat must be unbearable then. Personally, and privately she would never ever say it out loud, Darin thought Ridahne was lucky to get banish. No one was meant to live like this. How did people stand it? She barely managed not to complain every single day.

Hadian blinked, frowning in confusion as Darin informed him Istaerih thought he was cute. Like a kitten. "...Cute...?" There were men in Astra who might have found this an insult to their manliness or toughness, but not Hadian. Anyone who wanted to question his would have to hoist sails and nets all day before he'd give their opinion on the matter any sway. Instead he was mostly confused. He'd never thought of Istaerih like that. A fickle mistress, yes, both a tempest and the cool caress of a woman's touch, but he never imagined anything seemed cute to her. Such things always seemed beneath her might and power. But he supposed he was honored anyway. It was a good thing to be liked by the sea when you took from her bounty. He understood keenly, too, that just because Jaisih had died did not mean that Istaerih was displeased with him. Darin had that right. When a life was owed to the sea, a blood price to be paid for the livelihood they made in the waves, she would get her due. All sailors knew this.

Ridahne knew this too, as she'd spent enough time on the sea in her younger years to understand its ways. But the mention of their father spoken of in such high honor got both the siblings emotional. As always, Hadian was a little more stoic about it as he studied the ground, and Ridahne openly wiped away a tear or two. Their mother, at least, they had time to prepare for. They had all known she was dying for some time and got to say their goodbyes. The death of Jaisih felt like something being ripped away from their souls, suddenly and painfully. They missed them both terribly.

A huge release of tension eased the subtle clench in Ridahne's shoulders as she let out a breath she'd been holding. She looked so relieved as Darin clarified her plan. Ridahne didn't say it in words, but she gave her partner a look that said, 'you'd do this for me?' But then, of course she would. She was Darin Torzinei, and she had shown time and time again that Ridahne was loved. "Thank you," she said softly. It was going to be a whirlwind, these next several days. It was good to know her partner was there to support her along the way.

At the comment about a "seasonless heat trap", Ridahne guffawed and gave Darin a playful shove. "Oh come now! It's not so bad! Especially at night, it cools down a lot. We'd call it cold, but I'm sure since you've seen snow before, you have a different understanding of cold. Deserts don't hold a lot of heat, see. They get scorching hot in the daytime, but at night when the sun is gone, they keep almost none of that heat." She laughed. "Why else do you think we're called Children of the Night Sky? In the summer we almost turn nocturnal. Not exactly I guess, but we do very little in the middle of the day when it's hottest. And even in the winter, we are not exactly quiet at night, not like the North. We stay up much later. Speaking of, we should probably sleep. We'll want an early start tomorrow before it gets too hot, and if we get a good pace, we can reach Tasen by nightfall. We'll have our meeting, I'll introduce you to Ajoran, and I'll see if we can get into the palace bathhouse. It sounds frilly and excessive, but trust me, after the ride we're going to have tomorrow, you'll want it. And it's the only honest bath you'll get here in the south. It's different in the mountains, but on the coast, we don't have much fresh water, and we spare very little for bathing. Most 'baths' are a quick scrub with some soap and a jug of water dumped over you for a rinse." Ridahne buried the fire since the night was reasonably warm on its own and the moon was bright enough to see by. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, but finally, finally, she was ready.

Darin scowled at Ridahne as she got up, “This is not cold. I pity anyone who thinks this is cold. I did not see snow last winter. I doubt I will see snow this year. This is a seasonless heat trap and you know that when we finally see snow that you will complain about the cold as well.”

She then stuck her tongue out at Ridahne, but it was playful, with no ire behind it. As the warrior moved to put out the fire Taja finally flew off of her head. And over to land on the t shaped post that Darin had planted in the sand for him earlier. While her bird was getting ready for bed, the human did the same. She pulled out her bed roll and tossed in out on the sand. There was no need for a blanket. It was far too warm to require a blanket. She gave her head a shake as she rolled over to sleep. It was hardly worth complaining about.
--

“Darin Torzenei, daughter of Martin by Talia, Seed-Bearer of Astra! I like that! I like that a lot!”

Darin opened her eyes to look at the stars above her head only to see Hadian standing above her, dressed like Ridahne, speaking with Talia’s voice. It was The Tree and this was a dream of some sort. Darin looked around to see that she didn’t know where she was, though she was dressed in the outfit she had been wearing. All of these factors, what she would be wearing, how The Tree would look, where they were, were mutable when The Tree choose to speak to The Seed-Bearer via a dream.

Darin sat up as she rubbed at her eyes “You shouldn’t be here, and you know it.” She smiled at The Tree, “Though it is good to see You and to know that you approve of the name change.”

The Tree sat next to Darin, “Of course I approve. It the words of a very wise person who I love dearly, “Torzenei’s are good stock.” Why would I regret you being a Torzenei?” The Tree smiled craftily at the human, “Plus it will be sure to upset the Sols and the Solta-Sol.”

Darin’s eyes narrowed as she thought, “Is it wrong of me to look forward to what is about to happen?”

The Tree shook Its head, “No.” It questioned, “Why are you worried?”

Darin sighed as she looked off into the distance, “I find myself wanting to abuse my power as The Seed-Bearer against them.”

The Tree sighed as It wrapped an arm around the girl, “I know you know that every Gardener in the past abused their power, on purpose, for either personal pleasure or personal gain at least once. Gardeners and Seed-Bearers are still flawed people. You have yet to do either one on purpose. It’s a heady rush knowing that all you need to do is ask and The Sea, The Stone, and The Sky will destroy Astra for you.”

Darin interjected, “That would break the cycle.”

The Tree nodded, “I know. But you are powerful. You very rarely act on that power, but for the first time since you have started on this journey you are heading into a place where you know that the leaders and the people know who you are. There will be no hiding behind the name Martin Lively in Azurei. If you must publicly be The Seed-Bearer, you should use that to your advantage.”

Darin shook her head, “I’m not even sure how to do that.”

The Tree nodded, “I can understand that.” It sighed as it grew quiet for a moment, and then smiled, “Just be sassy confidant Darin, defending your friend! They will make suggestions. Brush them off if they do not suit your plans. Do what you want when you want. Maybe it will unsettle them. Maybe they will adapt. Either way you will have let them know that you do not care for the way they do things. Defend your sister. Go where you will.”

Darin raised an eyebrow, “So, just keep doing what I’ve been doing under the name Darin rather than the name Martin?”

The Tree nodded, “Yep!” It sighed, “I have to go.”

Darin was quick to interrupt, “I love you.”

The Tree laughed as It wrapped both arms around Darin, “And I love you.” It kissed the top of Darin’s forehead, “Dearly.” It looked her dead in the eye as It faded away, “Remember that.”
--

The next morning, as they were breaking camp, Darin made a request of her sister, “Ridahne? Will you let me introduce myself to the Sols? It would mean a great deal to me.”

Hadian was not as familiar with the routine that Ridahne and Darin had fallen into when it came to breaking camp (they'd gotten very efficient at it) but he was a good hand at figuring out how to be helpful, when to stay out of the way, and how to manage horses. He even took a moment to introduce himself to Talbot as he studied the plow horse. Certainly different than the quick, sleek Azurei breeds, he noted. But a good temperament. It was good to see Tsura again too. He was never really Hadian's, though he'd ridden him plenty of times. He had always worked best under Ridahne's hand, because they were of similar cloth, as the Azurei saying went, and understood one another.

Ridahne looked up from her own saddle straps to flash Darin a wicked grin. Her expression was knowing, as if she had an idea or two about why Darin had asked to introduce herself to the Sols. Evidently, it pleased her in some grim, deeply justified kind of way. "It would be an absolute thrill to watch that interaction. Yes, please do..." She laughed a little, perhaps a bit darkly, as she checked the final saddle strap.

Halyih did not wear a saddle, but instead was draped with a soft blanket with shell-beaded tassels, dyed a reddish orange color like the hue of the sands, so Hadian was waiting for them when they finished. "I'd sort of...wanted to see that too, if I'm honest. The Sols are a force to be reckoned with, but..." he looked between the two women and snorted a little, shaking his head. "If the palace does not crumble in the wake of your verbal storm, I'll call it a victory." He was teasing, but good naturedly. "But I think I'll leave you two as we pass Atakhara. My wife will hang me out to dry if I don't give her some warning that she's going to be hosting the Seed Bearer of Astra. We'll keep your presence here a secret, though. It will probably come out anyway," he said with a resigned sigh, "But it won't be because of me."

The trio mounted and rode along the seaside until a flag, whipping in the coastal wind, appeared on the horizon. Ridahne explained that roads--paved with stones or densely packed and maintained dirt paths--were rare in Azurei. "It's hard to follow a road if the wind blows sand all over it," she explained. "We post flags to mark the way instead." And when they passed it, Ridahne explained how to read the symbols that were woven into it. If one was familiar with Ojih, it would be easy to then determine without explanation that the symbols were distinctly Azurian. They were not the same symbols, but like handwriting, it carried a certain signature that made it easy to identify.

It was a difficult ride. Ridahne insisted on a slightly slower pace than they might have pressed up north, and as the sun rose higher in the sky, it became quickly evident why. The sun pressed down on the land with an intensity not found in the north, and the wind felt more like dragon's breath than a cool breeze. She also stopped and let the horses graze if there was any vegetation along the way that would be good for them to eat. There were cactuses too, and varieties that were not found on the Orosi side of the desert. One of these, Ridahne dismounted to inspect, slicing off a bulbous yellow growth from one plant. Both the plant and the fruit were prickly, but Ridahne knocked off the spines of the fruit with the edge of her blade and a skill born of many years practice.

"Don't eat this," she told Darin. "But if you peel open the thick skin, its gooey inside. Squeeze that out and rub it on your skin, especially your face and shoulders. It will help keep them from burning."

Along the way, Hadian pointed out rip tides and told Darin about how to avoid them, or what to do if she was caught in one. The siblings told her the names of small lizards or rodents that peeked out at them from their sandy burrows, and shied away at the sight of Mitaja. They did pass Atakhara sometime in the afternoon. At that time of day, it was oddly still and quiet, and most people were inside or lurking under tattered awnings. The village itself was truly humble. Homes were made of mud bricks and layered palm fronds, with cloth hangings for doors or windows, and were very, very small. Everyone's kitchens seemed to be outside rather than inside the house, and every pot and jar had to have a tight fitting lid to keep out the ever present haze of dust that hung in the air as people moved about, or as the wind blew through. The dust gave everything a monochrome, washed out sort of look. The village blended into the seaport, which was slightly busier than the residential area but still quiet for a port in daylight. A thriving market, filled with colorful stalls and wafting scents of fresh fish, pungent spices, and roasting meats lay at the edge of the seaport. Hadian split off to return home to his wife, but Ridahne skirted around the whole town rather than traveling directly through it. She would reveal herself soon, but not yet.

The sun was low and reddening by the time the palace came into view. There was one little village between Atakhara and Tasen, though it seemed much the same as Atakhara. Dusty, poor, and dilapidated. Ridahne avoided it too. Tasen was more lively though, and evidently more prosperous. The city had easier access to fresh water, which meant its residents had to spend less time fetching it and more time being productive. Tasen was a center for art and music, both of which pervaded the streets like the reach of the wind, flowing and ever present. Still, the palace could not quite be considered opulent by human standards, at least when it came to royalty. Of course, the marble structure was huge in comparison to everything else, and the craftsmanship put into its arched doorway was eloquent and superb. But it lacked the kind of overflowing sense of excess usually found in the palaces of human royalty. Yet, when one considered the context of the land it was placed upon, and the relative display of wealth and importance it showed in contrast to the homes of the nearby citizens, it was stately and magnificent in its own way.

It did not take long before the pair was accosted by two pairs of taja, who came at them with weapons drawn. Their demeanor was aggressive immediately, but they did allow Ridahne to speak. They stood as firm as carved statues, though just before entering Tasen, Ridahne had at last revealed the banner she'd commissioned in Orosi. Her own standard. The fabric rippled in the wind, and each of them subtly kept trying to sneak glances at it, studying it. There was a long, tense moment as they studied her Ojih, too. They'd expected the mark between her brows, but the others....? They couldn't read them. And while they tried to puzzle out what this meant, Ridahne said with a confidence that would shake mountains and still the sea, "I am Ridahne Torzinei, Sol-Slayer, eija-alihn, Oathbreaker, Traitor. I seek the Sols."
"Come to finish the job, Sol-Slayer?" One snarled coldly.
Ridahne lifted her chin. "They know of my purpose. They will want to see us."

The us made each of them flick their attention to Darin. They did not know outright who Darin was, but more than one of them had a decent guess. They nodded slowly. "You will come." It was not a request. The four of them surrounded the pair, two in front and two in back. They were as much an escort to the Sols as a visible warning to those milling around nearby (who were now staring or openly jeering at Ridahne) to mind their own business. When they reached the stairs of the palace, one taja said, "You will dismount and leave your horses here." Two more taja and a pack of eija had joined the group, but Ridahne gave a small nod to Darin as if to tell her it was safe to leave the horses. The animals were immediately brought water. The Azurei, after all, loved and valued horses dearly. "Make no mistake," the man said to Ridahne. "You will be watched. One sudden move, one flash of steel--"
"I did not come to kill anyone, Taja-Uvaru." Her confidence and the use of his name silenced him, like he'd forgotten that once they'd dined together.

The palace was abuzz. There was a formidable pack of warriors forming around the pair, all of them with their weapons either drawn or hands resting on their hilts. But outside that throng there were others moving about, conveying messages, flitting in and out of lengthening shadows. What training Ridahne had, evidently they all received a similar sort. Ridahne took in a long, slow breath and looked to the arched doorway. "I'm ready," she said to both herself and to Darin. And so, flanked by a dozen warriors, the pair headed inside.

The marble and granite floor showed signs of heavy wear over the ages in high-traffic areas; just before the five thrones was a very smooth, slight depression where countless feet had scuffed and knees had knelt and worn away even the stone. Carved stone pillars stood like frozen white trees on either side of the wide hall. At the end of the hall was a small dais, a mere raised platform on which sat five carved wooden chairs with indigo cushions. Directly in front of the dais was a shallow pool lined with a mosaic of blue ceramic tiles; Ridahne approached this immediately and stooping down, she cupped water in her slender hands and cleaned her face with it. A moment before she finished, a young page was at her side to offer out a small hand towel to even her, the most notorious criminal in Azurei. The ritual itself was sacred as well as practical. After travel, it was customary to wash ones ojih before seeking an audience with the Sols, so that the true nature of their life story and their souls could be bared for the world to see. Ridahne stepped back and finally lifted her eyes to the five figures seated in those chairs. Four she recognized, but one she did not. So, they've replaced Khaltira... The younger successors of each Sol stood like elegant statues behind their respective mentor, but the youngest Sol did not have one, not yet. Ridahne did not deign to speak first, though for a while, neither did the Sols. However, Ridahne realized that they were studying the two of them, and their expressions shifted from deeply grave to a veiled reverence.

It was not hard to tell who the Sota-Sol was. None of them wore crowns, and all their clothing was equally fine and well made. But one gray haired woman had an unmistakeable air of command above even the other four. She spoke, and her tone was lofty. "Ridahne Torzinei. I banished you from Azurei on pain of death, except if you fulfilled the task you set out to do. The task which you were spared to complete." There was almost a warning here, but it faded as she looked more fully at Darin. Her gaze was the weight of mountains and the heat of the sun, the tempest of the sea. Unflappable, unshakeable, cold, though not unkind. And wise, too. The others, though lesser than she, had a similar effect, and it was easy to see why people spoke of them with some mixture of reverence, respect, love, and fear. The youngest one, the one who replaced Khaltira, leaned forward in her chair a little as she squinted at Ridahne's ojih. Tilting her head as if in some understanding and some curiosity, she sat back. The Sota-Sol spoke again. "You were not unwise enough to walk back through these doors without reason." It was both a statement and a question, but Ridahne did not speak. The elderly woman's cold, stately gaze was still fixed on Darin. Was that a flicker of disbelief in her ochre eyes? "Child," she began. Darin was no child, but to an elf so ancient as the Sota-Sol of Azurei, most everyone was in her eyes. "Are you the Seed-Bearer of Astra we have heard rumor of?" How very Azurian to be so direct so quickly. Despite this bluntness, there was an air of reservation about all five of them, like they had yet to decide how they judged the entire situation and Ridahne's place in the world.

Darin enjoyed the journey to Atakhara. She enjoyed Hadian’s company. She soaked up the knowledge he had like a patch of parched ground soaked up water. She drank it up and still found herself wanting more. She wanted to know everything and anything. She asked question after question. (It did serve a dual purpose. While she was busy asking questions and learning she was distracted from the heat.) She found she liked learning about the world. She hadn’t cared to know when she had just been farming at home. She hadn’t needed to know about the world then. Now that she did, she enjoyed it almost as much as getting her hands int the dirt to help things grow. She supposed it was a good thing that she was so passionate about the things she needed to do. That was a gift a few people had. Darin was sad to see Hadian veer off towards home even if she understood why.

The journey from Atakhara to Tasen was less informative as Ridahne took care to avoid towns. As she watched the sun dip below its apex Darin privately hoped they arrived at Tasen soon. The goo from the plant was starting to dry at and flake. It made her skin itchy. Back home they use a paste made from oat flour and wide brimmed hats to protect against the heat of the sun. Darin had lost her hat long before she met Ridahne and there had never been a time to replace it. Darin missed it now. She wanted a chance to get into the shade and to rub most of the natural ointment off her skin. That wouldn’t be until after they had meet with the Sols so the sooner that happened the better.

Then, as the day shifted towards evening, the tone and inflection of the Sea’s voice changed. Darin rightly assumed that meant they had reached Tasen. From a distance it looked like many of the cities that Darin had seen in the past while on her travels. That was not what bothered her. The fact that Ridahne had finally unveiled her banner, which Darin had been waiting for since she had discovered it’s existence, didn’t bother her either. What bothered her was the looks the Azurei were given her Ridahne. If they weren’t scowling at her traitor’s mark, they were puzzling over her Guardian mark. The human was also not pleased with the fact that four Tajas were deemed necessary to greet them. On one hand she didn’t think they needed an escort. On the other hand, she wanted to laugh. There was no way that a mere four warriors were a threat to her warrior. She also wanted to berate Ridahne for not using all of her titles and only picked the ones that demonized her.

Still The Seed-Bearer kept silent as they made their way though the building. She scowled at each inclusion of another warrior. Ridahne wasn’t a threat. She wasn’t a demon. She wasn’t even a traitor, not really, not to Astra. On the other hand, Darin’s grin grew wider as she listened to the Stone of the building chatter excitedly to each other. The marble and granite spoke excitedly to each other in what could only be described as whispers as they gossiped about the visitors. For once, the main part of the chatter of Astra was not about Darin. Yes, they were excited to see her, but Ridahne Torzenei, they called her the Balancer, the one to do what needed to be done, had finally, finally, come home! The Azurei people may not fully comprehend the truth, but the Stone, the Sea, and the Sky were better at listening to The Tree. They knew what needed to be done and were glad to see she who had done it.

However, Darin’s scowl became deeper as they were told to dismount. Despite Ridahne’s assurance that it was alright, she didn’t like the thought of living part of her family behind. She was surprised when Talbot bent his lower legs to decrease the dismount height. Darin had become a much better rider over the past year, but since Talbot had always been too big for her, mounting and dismounting had always been difficult. She basically had to climb the plow house to get on and getting off could only be described as a controlled fall. Neither were graceful. It didn’t surprise Darin that Talbot understand the importance of what was going on. It surprised her that he was willing to help her not make a fool of herself. Taja had no such concerns. When Ridahne named Taja-Uvaru the bird looked around as if the Elf was speaking to him. When the hawk realized that wasn’t the case her shrieked right in Darin’s ear causing her to wince. Then he took flight to circle over the group.

He landed back on Darin’s shoulder as they entered the room they had been heading to. Darin took one look at the Sols and the Sota-Sol before turning her attention back to the room and the Stone that was still chittering. It wasn’t just whispering anymore. It was closer to shouting even if The Seed-Bearer was the only one that heard them. From the corner of her eye Darin watched Ridahne wash her face but made no move to mimic the moves. The once farmgirl was who she was, dirt, grime, dust, and all. The Sota-Sol spoke to Ridahne, yet Ridahne respected Darin’s wishes and did not speak back. When it was clear that the Guardian was not going to speak the woman worn with age and experience turned her attention to Darin.

The human wanted to scoff and pretended that her attention was still caught by the way the building was constructed. Absently she raised a hand to brush a wayward strand of hair back behind her ear. She gave no indication that she had heard the woman. Darin supposed that to the woman that who was closer to Ravi’s age than hers everyone looked like a child, yet she wasn’t a child by any human marker. She did not require the support of her parents to survive. She could do sums, read, and write. She knew a trade. She had reached two decades of life. She supposed that since she was an unmarried woman, she could be considered a child, but not even the elders of her home considered her a child. When she had been fifteen and just starting to take care of the farm herself, she had been a child who didn’t know what was best. By the time she was eighteen, long before The Gardener arrived, she had no longer been a child and needed to stop acting so childishly. Darin was an adult, she was entitled to a certain level of respect due to that fact.

Suddenly, after a few minutes, she startled as if she realized something, “Oh!” She turned towards the Sota-Sol, “You were talking to me.” There was a wide, not really genuine smile on her face as she gave her head a slow shake, “I wasn’t sure. You see, I am not a child.” The smile faded as she did nod once, “But yes. I am Darin Torzenei, daughter of Martin by Talia, Seed-Bearer of Astra.”

That got a reaction, at least from Taja. The hawk let out a screech that echo though the room as he extended his wings their full span behind Darin’s head. The water in the pool Ridahne had used to wash her face suddenly rose up in excitement. Darin smile was tight as it splashed on to the stone leaving the pool empty. There was a crack of thunder, though no one in room would have been able to see the lightning that raced across the sky The Seed-Bearer knew it was there. The building shook to the left once before settling back into place. This was the first time in all her journeys that Darin entered a place and immediately told people who she was. Astra was responding.

Her voice was cold as she locked eyes with the woman who spoke to her, “Now I have a question for the Sota-Sol.” She took once step forward, a threat that honestly no one save Ridahne had the ability to combat, “There was a monster in Azurei. The Tree spoke in desperation to so many people using any method possible to destroy the monster. Yet no one The Tree spoke to, you included, did anything. No one listened.” Suddenly her voice was a lot warmer as a true smile graced her features, “No one but Ridahne Torzenei Seed-Chained.” Darin took a step back to practically bounce around the woman in question, “Guardian of Astra.” Then in a blatant disregard for Azurei culture and sensibilities Darin pressed a soft kiss to her sister’s newest Oijh mark, “Listened.” Taja took the chance to hop from Darin’s shoulder to Ridahne’s head as Darin’s rage returned, this time fire rather than cold, “And I want to know why!” Her head flipped around to glare daggers at the women in question, “I want to know why not one of you listened! I want to know why that evil was allowed to continue! I want to know why when the one person who listened took care of the issue in the one way, she could she was sentenced to death! I want to know why honor was deemed more important that what was right!”

She wasn’t yelling but she was raging. Thankfully, Astra knew better than to react. There was a strange calm in the air as Darin snapped her arms out every time the word why left her mouth. Suddenly she stopped in her erratic jerky motions to stare at the woman who dare sentence Ridahne to death, who dare called her a child, who dare assume she had a right to dictate their presence here, who dare assume she was the most powerful person in the room. Darin wanted to do something, anything, she wasn’t sure what was it The Tree had called it? She wanted to abuse her power for her own personal gain at least once, here and now. She wanted to shock the Sota-Sol in a way that couldn’t be ignored. She just wasn’t sure how.

Then Astra spoke, Darin listened, and her arm snapped out towards the subject of her ire. The water that splashed to the floor followed the motion to create a pointed streamer pointed right at the Sota-Sol’s Oijh. The air in the room drastically decreased in temperature in order to allow the water to freeze in almost an instant. Darin let out a slow breath that appeared in the air as a puff of vapor. This was a threat, pure and simple. Everyone in this room was at The Seed-Bearer’s mercy, and Darin wasn’t feeling particularly merciful. Darin had known, intellectually, just how powerful she was, but this was the first time she knew it. It was a heady rush. It scared the young human. It excited her as well. It was a conflict she wasn’t sure she minded one little bit.

Somehow her voice was colder than the air as her arm remained extended, “And I want to know why you seem to think your authority is higher than the authority of The Tree of Astra.”

There were a lot of people in the room, and all but the Sols started to murmur as Darin introduced herself as Torzinei. It was obvious they were not related by blood in any way, but that she had been adopted into the clan had not been missed by anyone. Obviously, those who did not know Ridahne's purpose now knew who Darin was and they could make some guesses now as to why Ridahne had been released after her crime. And all of them wanted to know about the new Seed Bearer of Astra. The reactions to Darin's outrage and attitude and disrespect of their queens was...oddly mixed. Absolutely no one wanted to go against the Seed Bearer. They genuinely held her in high regard, but they were also uncomfortable with her disrespecting their Sol. And the youngest Sol openly wore a smirk on her face, though what it meant wasn't clear. No one moved, however, until Darin brought the water up in a point of ice in front of the Sol's face.

Immediately, one Taja moved behind the Sol and physically pulled her back while five others stood between her and the ice spike, weapons drawn. No one would dare move against the Seed Bearer of Astra, but they would defend their Sol with their lives. The Sol herself looked impassive, unafraid, and as majestic and unchanging as a mountain. Ridahne, however, went from a composed, confident warrior, to gripping Darin's arm and looking at her with wide, pleading eyes.
"Darin, don't, please I'm begging you...please stand down..." There was something deeply shaken about her tone, about her body language, about the force of the grip she had on Darin's arm. This wasn't about politics and royalty anymore. The fear in her eyes said so. "You remember the Red Hand, how one of them tried to cut my face, you remember how I was after. You remember this." She was speaking in a hushed whisper, but at a rapid pace. "Please, I never want anyone to feel what I felt in that moment. Never. Please Darin I'm begging you, don't do this it's not worth it..." She really was quite emotional about it and hoped that Darin would at least do it for her sake if not anyone else's.

But Amaiera-Sol, high queen of Azurei, was not so shaken. "Peace," she said, raising one slow hand as she straightened and gave a nod of thanks to the taja who had pulled her away. "You are upset, Astra-Sol," she said, using the same title Hadian had used when he first met Darin. It didn't exactly mean queen of Astra, because 'queen' inherently implied some measure of rule and control over Astra, and the Gardener was less a ruler and more of a cultivator--someone who tended buds and pulled weeds from the world. It was more a way of signifying Darin was the most noble of all of Astra, a person to be respected over all others. There was something sacred about the term, and with it she openly put herself beneath Darin. "No doubt because we have a tenuous history, and she is yours. I take that to mean she has performed well and has been satisfactory. Good. I would be ashamed to send forth anything less than excellence." She made a slow, graceful movement that was somehow a more elevated, eloquent shrug. "If the Great Tree sees fit to remove me from this world, then it must be because I have lived the full length of my life. And if you must destroy my ojih, then it must be because my soul is not worth preserving. Kill me if you came here to do so, and let none stand in her way. But if that's not what you came here to do, do not threaten me. I too, have things to say. Be angry, Astra-Sol, but threatening me will not serve either of us. We are beyond such things."

As if she'd merely slipped rather than had been threatened, Amaiera-Sol picked up her fallen chair, smoothed her silk robe, and sat as gracefully as a cat. Then, as if the air had now been cleared, she spoke in a matter-of-fact tone to answer Darin's questions and accusations.

She turned her attention to a still somewhat shaken Ridahne, though she would occasionally look to Darin as well as if to show she might be speaking about and somewhat to Ridahne, but she was answering Darin. "We have learned much since we last spoke, Torzinei. It was well that you confided in your brother and your partner, because they were able to tell us more of what led you to that night. There are things we know now that we did not know, or could not confirm that night. And I, Amaiera-Sol, owe you something of an apology."
Ridahne couldn't breathe. A what?
"You had been nothing but honest, but we did not yet believe you. Khaltira-Sol was close to us, to me, and we did not want to believe that we had been so wrong about her. And we were angry. That night you made me not only face the grief for the loss of someone I loved, but the anguish in knowing I had given such love and respect to the wrong person. But you know this anger, because you felt it with Takhun, did you not?"
It was true. Ridahne didn't like being seen through quite like that, but it was true. "Yes, Sol. I do."

Amaiera-Sol's attention fixed a little more heavily on Darin, speaking more to her now. "In some ways, I acted in that anger that night. However, your Guardian put me in a difficult position. Whatever I did, it had to be swift, or I'd have the entirety of this nation burst into riot and uproar at the loss of their ruler. Those people did not know Khaltira-Sol or her crimes, and so they loved her. If I let her murderer walk free, not only would she receive a knife in the back some dark night, countless others would die in the chaos, livelihoods would be destroyed, harbors would burn, and the tenuous grasp Azurei has on prosperity and comfort would shatter. I am older than I look, and with these eyes I have seen the devastation of war with my own eyes. It would not have been war, but I have seen suffering on such a scale and it would have been terrible. I am tasked with caring for the whole of this nation, and I could not let it suffer and wither for the sake of one killer, however justified. The fact remains that Ridahne Torzinei broke the law when there were other ways she could have put an end to Khaltira-Sol's reign. Had I known she was abusing her station as she had been, I would have cast her out and chosen a new Sol myself. Yet..." her tone, which had a slight edge to it thus far, softened a little. "You spoke another wisdom that night that took me time to understand, Torzinei. You said that you were what we made you, and you merely performed you duties. I admit, we did hand you a sword, teach you how to use it, and on what sorts of people. Blood was the language we taught you and so blood was the language you spoke. I understand that now.

My regret that night was not holding you longer, and questioning you further, and taking the time to explore the facts before making my verdict. You would still have your mark, you know this." Ridahne nodded solemnly, knowingly. "Laws are still laws. I could not allow you to return home, and yet I should not have so quickly sentenced you to death. I should have instead exiled you and spirited you out of the borders before anyone could try to kill you themselves. Thankfully, the Tree intervened. We of Azurei hold the Tree of Astra to be the most sacred of spirits, and essential to the wellbeing of not just Azurei, but the whole of Astra. I would sooner cast myself into the sea than do harm to the Tree, and by extension, you. Anyone who attempts to hinder you within my borders, Astra-Sol, will suffer immediate death," she added as if swearing an oath. The Red Hand had been a pain to deal with and she would not have it said of her that she allowed soulless fiends to destroy the hope of Astra.

"Torzinei told me of her vision and I did not ignore it. I could not. To do so would be folly. And so it was that your Guardian was spared, and given a justice I could not myself dispense. I have the Tree to thank for giving me a way to avoid national unrest and chaos while still doing justice to an albeit guilty but perhaps the most honest servant of Azurei I have yet seen."

A murmur went around at that. It was no small thing to say, and Ridahne could not believe she was hearing it. This isn't at all how she expected this exchange to go. She'd been prepared for their cold loftiness--she knew it well. But Amaiera-Sol was outright honoring her. It wasn't a perfect honor--it came with darkness and guilt and grim deeds--but it would not be truth without those things, either. Ridahne was determined to keep her fortitude amid so high of company, and so though her face was still and her lip did not tremble, her eyes still flooded with tears.

"I know you are angry that one of us did not hear the call of the Tree before Ridahne did. But then, if we had, you would not have your guardian. Fate works in strange ways, and we must often pass through darkest night to see through to the dawn." She rose from her chair, and with the grace of wind she stepped down from the dais to stand before Ridahne. She extended one cool, wrinkled hand to touch Ridahne's traitor mark with all the force of a feather in the breeze. "Ridahne Torzinei, Seed Chained, Guardian of Astra, Ghost of the Sands, Daughter of the Night Sky..." Notably, she did not use any of Ridahne's other, less favorable titles. "Your task is not yet finished. There will come a day, I think, when Astra stands with you in your victory as you Mark the completion of this chapter of your life. But until that day, let Azurei know your story is not yet finished." She lifted a hand as if expecting someone to put something in it, and quickly one of the palace servants disappeared and quickly returned with a thin, black leather circlet that curved down to a gentle point. At the crest of that point, the circlet was studded with a faceted opal and surrounded by embroidered designs stitched in silver thread. Amaiera-Sol took this and placed it over Ridahne's head, and the point touched the top of Ridahne's traitor mark.

Amaiera-Sol took her seat once more, and the tense, hostile air from the warriors around them seemed to lift a little. "There. Let none hinder you either, Guardian. Do you wish anything else of me?"
"Actually..." Ridahne's voice was not as steady as she would have liked but...well...she was frankly impressed she was as composed as she was at the moment. She'd cry of joy and relief and maybe a little bewilderment into Darin's shoulder later. "I have a boon to ask of you, Ailinde-Sol..." She looked to Amaiera-Sol's right to a relatively short (for an elf) woman with dark hair that framed her head in tight ringlets. The Sol shifted a little, inclining her head as if silently instructing her to go on. "There is a Taja that belongs to you that is dear to me."
"Ah, yes...Taja Ajoran Teleisun."
"Yes, Sol. I would ask that he be relieved from duty for the duration of my stay in Atakhara, and when we move on I will return him to you."
The woman barely considered before coolly and aloofly answering, "Granted." Was that a tiny smile in her eyes?
"Thank you, Sol. One more thing...there are new marks that must be added to the ojih records. I have diagrams that can be given to an archivist." Ridahne explained the significance of each of her newest marks and, holding up her banner added, "My sigil has changed, too. Let the records reflect this."
A different white-haired sol, who sat with her fingers steepled as she watched the proceedings, asked, "You require a new sash pin. One will be made for you before you depart." It was stated, though really it was more of a question, an assumption.
"Yes...actually, I need five made. Only two need be rushed. Taja Ajoran should receive one, Hadian Torzinei should receive one, and his wife, Nyyvai Torzinei. But the two for me and Darin, we will need before we go. All those of my house should bear my sigil with pride." It had already been established that Darin was an adopted Torzinei now, but Ajoran was still a Teleisun, which meant only one thing. Ridahne had just openly declared her intention to marry Ajoran, and no one was going to stop her.

Ridahne looked to Darin. She was finished here and had spoken her piece, though she wanted Darin to have the opportunity to say more if she wished. As soon as this meeting was over, she was going to find Ajoran and bring Darin to the bathhouse. It was getting late, and it made the most sense to stay overnight at the palace with Ajoran before heading back to Atakhara at the first light of dawn.

The moment she felt Ridahne’s hand on her arm Darin dropped the streamer of ice. She did not raise the temperature of the air in the room and as such the ice shattered when it hit the ground. For Ridahne there wasn’t much she wouldn’t do. Darin slowly turned her head towards Ridahne to look at her as the Sota-Sol spoke. To be honest Darin didn’t care what was said as long as what was said was the truth. She was more concerned to the warrior’s reaction to the words that were said. She wanted to make sure Ridahne would be okay. This was a room of her demons and the human would fight them all if necessary.

Finally, when all was said and done, when it was clear that the Sols and Ridahne were done talking, when it was clear that while she wasn’t being forgiven quite just yet, Ridahne would be shamed no further. When it was clear that she would be unhindered in their journey Darin finally reacted. Her hand rose up to touch the opal present in the circle of leather that rested on Ridahne’s brow. This was what they had come to Tasen for. This is what she wanted to have happen. They came to retrieve the nimarih. The came so the Sols could see what Ridahne truly was. Yet, Darin felt unfilled, unsettled, like something was missing. There was so much that she wanted to say, so may directions to take what the Sota-Sol had said. Darin wasn’t sure what to do now. Then Taja took flight to land on Darin’s shoulder and press himself against his person’s cheek.

Darin laughed at the attempt at comfort as she switched from near perfect Azurei to her native tongue, “Taja! And here I thought you liked Ridahne best.” She reached up to brush at his chest feathers, “Life is confusing Taja. Sometimes I fear I will never understand it.” Then she took a deep breath as she switched back to Azurei, “You say you owe Ridahne an apology, yet I have not heard one cross your lips. You say you have seen war, but no one in Astra is that old. You may have seen the results of a skirmish, of bloodshed, of battle, but I promise you, you have not seen war.” Her voice was surprising;y calm as she looked at Taja, “I do have one more question.” She finally looked at the Sota-Sol again, “I want to know why you didn’t listen to The Tree. It spoke to you. It spoke to multiple people in this room.” She pointed to four of the women sitting, “Including the four of you.” He pointed to the one who was smirking, “I do not know about her, but if I was her, I would stop smirking. I do not know what she thinks she knows, but I honestly doubt she is right.” She gave her head a shake to refocus, “I would know why you choose to ignore The Tree. I will be in Tasen for a week. I require no escort beyond that of Ridahne Torzinei Seed-Chained, and will hear your explanation before I leave the city.” She sighed as the temperature in the room slowly returned to normal, “For now, I am tired. The two of us will take our leave.” She laced her hand with Ridahne’s, “Let’s go. I no longer wish to be in this room, and we have an early start tomorrow so you can show me around Tasen.: She looked over her shoulder at the woman Ridahne had addressed concerning Ajoran, “I am going to check on the rest of my family. Send Ajoran Telisun there, immediately.”

With that being said Darin paid no one in the room any more mind. She did keep her fingers interlaced with Ridahne’s as she tugged her sister out of the room. The stone doors opened of their own accord and Taja took flight to lead the way back they came. Darin hadn’t been paying attention to the path they took to get to that room and didn’t know where the stables were. Luckily Taja was smarter than her. The hawk led the two women to the stables were Talbot, Tsura, and Mitaja were settled in. Luck was on her side and the building was empty of people. Finally, Darin dropped her warrior’s hand as her arms came up to wrap around her abdomen. Taja flew back down to press against Darin’s cheek again.

Her voice was impossibly quiet, “She reminds me of the elders back home, so convinced of her wisdom, of her experience, or her age, that she does not listen to the opinions of those who’s life she seeks to meddle in. So sure that she is right, that even when she proven wrong she seeks to find excuses for her poor actions. I don’t ever want to be like that, unprepared and unwilling to listen to those younger than me, just because they are younger. So set in my ways that I attempt to brush aside another’s person’s feelings just because I think I know better.”

The Sol who'd been wearing a smirk on her face full-on smiled as Darin pointed to her. She seemed older than Ridahne, though not by much. It was hard to tell, except for a general air of an additional helping of a sedate confidence that came only with age. Still, remarkably young for a Sol. The successors, each of them standing by their respective Sols as they took in the situation, learning from the wisdom and folly of those who came before them, ranged from Ridahne's age to as old as one or two of the Sols themselves. Unlike the rule of kings, the line of succession was not determined by blood, but by an early choice and centuries of training. Promising individuals were either brought before the Sols, or were found by scouts and observed for a few years before being brought on in an official capacity. This new Sol did not have one just yet, as she herself had barely (in the reckoning of the elves) been selected for her position as Sol. She lacked a cold loftiness that all the others seemed to have either adopted, grown into, or had from the start. Her posture was very...relaxed, too. Very civilian, Ridahne thought.

This woman shook her head softly, silver beads clinking in her braids done in a style similar to Ridahne's. "Don't speak too quickly now. It's not at all about what I know, or think I know." She chuckled. "It's about what I see. But forgive me, I'm new to this." And more privately but still out loud, she said to the Sota-Sol, "Evidently, Amaiera-Sol, she does not like you...I'm not so sure you'll win her over."
Amaiera-Sol sighed, briefly lamenting to herself the other woman's brevity before she looked up to consider, her, then Ridahne, and then Darin. She nodded once, slowly. "Perhaps not. We will speak later, Astra-Sol. I would not deprive you of your answers."

Ridahne sort of numbly followed behind Darin, though not so numbly that she forgot to stand up straight, hold her banner high, and flick her hair back away from her face to better show off her ojih. Inside, she might be a jumbled mess of emotions, but on the outside, she would have each of them remember her pride and dignity. But once they were at the stables and seeing to their animal companions (who had been given cool water, fresh hay, and a white sliver of shelled coconut as a treat) she loosened up a little and let her feelings surface. She kept touching the nimarih, and more than once she admired her reflection in the polished surface of a buckle. She felt...free. Almost. There was one more demon here she needed to face. But the bulk of her anxiety had melted away...until she caught sight of Darin's expression.

Ridahne thought the exchange had gone remarkably well, but Darin seemed to feel otherwise. And in that moment, for the first time ever she felt caught between her homeland and its traditions and ways and her identity there, and Darin. The pent-up joy and relief she'd been feeling melted away in an instant and Ridahne sighed, sounding defeated. "On this one...I think I disagree with you. Or rather, your assessment. Knowing what I know of how they are, and how WE are, I'd say that was a remarkable and noteworthy exchange. I...actually thought it went well. I know you've never been fond of them, and you don't have to love them. But maybe I've villainized them too much, I don't know, because it feels...well did you hear what she said back there? Not only did they take what I'd told them seriously and do an investigation and also some serious introspection, but they outright admitted they'd done wrong--publicly, mind--and called me 'the most honest servant of Azurei'. I don't think you realize the gravity of that statement alone. You might call what she said 'excuses' but...first of all, I would have done the same in her position, to a degree. And she might not know real war, but a riot would be just as devastating to us. Azurei's survival in this land has always been tenuous and it doesn't take much to tip that out of balance. I would have killed me too, if it would prevent that. But she's got a point. If things hadn't happened the way they did, you wouldn't have me. Yes, I got hurt in the process. But it won't be the last time I am hurt for Astra's sake. For your sake." She said this softly, kindly, like it was a gift she was eager to give. "That is my place in this world and I will not lament it, and neither should you."

The door opened and Ridahne turned, expectant, but she released her held breath when a woman in white silk entered. It was Khaltira's replacement, and she strode right up to the pair of them without pretense or preamble. She bowed. "Hanasha-Sol. We never got properly introduced."
Ridahne's eyes narrowed, trying to decipher her intentions. "What do you want?"
Hanasha-Sol tilted her head a little, a faint hint of that smirk showing up again. "Aren't I technically your Sol? You are of Atakhara, correct?"
Ridahne, who stood taller than the other woman, merely answered, "I killed my Sol." It was a cold threat. I do not answer to you. Ridahne had really been thrilled by the meeting earlier, but she'd be a liar if she said she didn't harbor some level of mistrust, there. And so, despite defending them moments before, she had an edge to her tone now.
Hanasha-Sol chuckled. "That you did, that you did. I suppose I have you to thank for my current position. I'm still getting used to it. I'm still getting used to the food. It's not at all like Atakhara."
"Are you from there?"
"Yes. They thought it would be best if the next Sol did not come from a wealthy family--someone who knew the life of her own people."
"Mmm." It was noncommittal, but Ridahne did approve of that decision. Sols were not necessarily always chosen from wealthy families--the qualities they looked for had little to do with money or resources. But most of Azurei's poor were too busy scratching out a living from the land or the sea to give much thought or inclination towards leadership.
Hanasha-Sol bowed specifically to Darin. "Apologies, Astra-Sol. I think you and I got off on the wrong foot, as they say. I'm sorry if I offended you, but I assure you, I meant no disrespect. Actually, quite the opposite. I've heard many tales and legends about both of you, and I was eager to see how you lived up to the stories. I couldn't have hoped for better. I was smiling because I liked what I saw, and also because it's refreshing to have someone come before us and not melt into a puddle of politeness and circuitous pleasantries. I think this palace could use a few more of your sort around here. Speaking of, Ridahne, have you given thought to what you'll do...later?"
"Sort of," Ridahne answered, her tone clipped. Truthfully, she hadn't thought about it enough and had no answers for even herself, and didn't like admitting it.
And with a casualness and bluntness much like Ridahne herself, Hanasha-Sol asked, "Want to be my successor to the throne?"

Ridahne actually coughed. "Excuse me?"
"This place needs more people who are willing to set aside tradition and do what needs to be done. I have the right to choose my successor as I please, and none may tell me otherwise. But only if you're willing."
"No," Ridahne practically blurted, bewildered. "No, I'll have no part in..." she gestured around her, indicating the whole of the palace. "This. I don't blame the Sols for my path in life--not anymore. But I don't want to be one of them."
Hanasha-Sol shrugged, sighing. "I guessed as much, but I had to try. I want to surround myself with people who would rather see me dead than let me poison Azurei. You seem to have a good handle on what's right and wrong, and what's really going on under the surface, and what is best for Azurei. So I thought..." she shrugged again. "I could make you a Taja, you know."
Ridahne blinked. "You can't make me a Taja, there are no women Taja."
"Yet." Was all Hanasha-Sol said with a smirk.

She was right though. It was unheard of, but possible. Male Taja had been the tradition for so long, but there was no good reason she could not be the first female. And if a Sol wanted her to be, she could be. But did she want to be? Really, she didn't know. Part of her wanted to wash her hands of all of this and never be a tool again. But then again, she would not be a hand, she would be an arm, a shield. To defend and protect and occasionally advise. And what was she supposed to do, get back into fishing?

"My duty is to Darin and Astra first. None other." There was an unspoken I'm not going to deal with this right now undertone to her words.
Hanasha-Sol nodded knowingly. "Of course. Well, think about it, Ridahne. Pardon my intrusion, Astra-Sol. I will leave you both. Safe travels." And with that, Hanasha-Sol left the stables, leaving behind a somewhat more exhausted Ridahne than before.