[IC] The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

[LadyAnnaLee]

Well, that hadn’t been what Darin had been planning at all. She certainly hadn’t expected Ridahne’s question to Ajoran or his answer. Had they really forgotten Khaltira? How had they forgotten her name? Had Darin done that? If so, how had she done that. She hadn’t meant to do that. She hadn’t known that she could do that. She honestly just expected the false Sol’s name to be forgotten over the years. She hadn’t expected a grand dismissal from everyone’s mind. Was it everyone’s mind? Or was it just Ridahne’s and Ajoran’s? Was there a way to find out? Darin was biting her lip in worry as her sister came over to hug her. She quickly smoothed all signs of her worry away to accept the hug. When the Azurei pressed their foreheads together Darin actually smiled. She could worry about this strange occurrence later, much later.

She shook her head, “No, I need to speak to Istaerih. The Sea has been rowdy since I got to Azurei.” She cast a look towards the port beyond the market. I need to figure out it It’s just excited I am here or if something else is going on. People have livelihoods, that can’t be meet if The Sea responds to everything I say and do.” She bit her lip in confusion, “I don’t understand it. Usually Istaerih is much better behaved.” She smiled at Ridhane as she linked her arms with her sister, “Come along. Just know that I will probably be distracted as we walk though the market.” She linked her other arm with Ajoran as she turned to him, “It’s a failing of mine, “If something interests me, I just stop and start asking far more questions than I probably should. Ridahne knows this. I have yet to figure out if she’s annoyed by this or not.” She laughed as she tugged them towards the market and the port beyond, “Not that it matters. I do what I want.”

With that being said she let go of both of them to begin her hurry towards the market. Taja let out a screech as he appeared from wherever her had been hiding to take his place on her shoulder. As she got to the market, she realized that people were whispering about what The Sea had been doing this morning. People didn’t look at her beyond noting that she wasn’t Azurei, so despite the rumors that The Seed-Bearer was in Astra, it didn’t seem like people had connected her to that position of power. That was alright. Darin wasn’t going to call attention to herself. She wouldn’t lie when asked about it, but she didn’t want to be suddenly noticed. She found herself flitting when stall to stall to look at the different vendors. She found herself asking the woman selling pottery how she got just that shade of blue. The fishmonger was worried about how the strange storm earlier in the day would affect business. There was a pair with a collection of leather gloves and vest that seemed concerned about it as well. Darin was in the middle of asking the leatherworkers about the stitching on a vest when she felt a tugging on her pant leg. She turned to see a child who was a little taller than her knees.

That was odd, but didn’t stop Darin from crouching down and asking, “Yes?” She made sure to smile, “Can I help you?”

The girl looked at her with awe in her face as she pushed something into Darin’s hand; her voice was barely a whisper, “For you Astra-Sol.”

With that the girl was gone, running into the market, and being lost to sight. Darin back up as she watcher the girl scurry away. Darin wasn’t completely worried. Ridahne had told her how Azurei children would band together to form little gangs and roam while their parents worked. Darin had to assume that it was relatively safe. She took a moment to look at the object she had been given. It was a black stone that Darin didn’t recognize but there was a curling carving in it. It took her a moment to realize that the child had carved a simple expression of a crashing wave. Darin looked back in the direction the girl had run off in as she considered. Once again, she had been called Astra-Sol, by a child no less. Darin wasn’t sure that she wanted that, but she was becoming less sure that she could stop it.

She turned back to the leatherworkers as she pocketed the small treasure, “What does the world Sol mean to you?”

The first one responded immediately, “A woman of honor and power.” If he was caught of guard by the sudden change of conversation, he didn’t let it show, “She is charged with the care and the protection of her people.”

Darin let out a noise of question, “Now, I am an outsider, but didn’t Azurei just have problems with one of their Sols recently.”

The other leatherworker scoffed as the first one turned to spit on the ground, “That woman.” He paused for a moment as he thought, “What was her name?” He gave he head a shake, “No matter. She was not an imposter.” His brow wrinkled in confusion for a moment, “The humans had a phrase … snake in sheep’s clothing?”

Darin corrected, “A wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

He nodded, “Yes, that is her. A wolf, not the best example of a Sol. She serves only as a warning as what not to do.”

The other mentioned, “Hanasa-Sol is doing much better. She seems to be learning form her predecessor’s mistakes.” It was his turned to be confused, “What was her name?

Darin shook her head as her hand came to run her fingers across the small stone in her pocket, “It doesn’t matter.” She pointed at the stiches, “The stitching?”

They returned to the previous conversation and it wasn’t long before Darin was making her farewells. She wasn’t inclined to go to another stall and found herself standing in the middle of collection of stalls. It seemed that Ridahne and Ajoran weren’t the only ones that had forgotten Khaltira. She wondered what that meant. She also needed to figure out what she was going to do about the people calling her Astra-Sol. She might not be able to stop it. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to stop it. It seemed like a lot of work for a petty reason. She fished the stone out of her pocket to look at it. Besides, what did it even mean to be a Sol, a proper Sol. Darin wasn’t sure she had the best examples. She wasn’t sure what to do. This was the first time she had been addressed my a title other than Seed-Bearer.

Another child, this one was about the height of Darin’s waist, ran up to her. He bowed clumsily as he thrust something out at her, “For you Astra-Sol.”

She took the stone and he hurried off. This one was red, almost the same color as the disk Ridahne wore around her neck. It looked like a flower was carved into it. The human was suddenly reminded of the mayor of Lively’s mother. She was older and her health was shaking. She only left the house at festivals. When that happened the children of Lively would press flowers into her hands and scurry off as quickly as possible. Was this the Azurei version? Darin wasn’t sure. The human had never heard of the tradition in other places. She needed to ask Ridahne.

She quickly found her sister and dropped both stones into her hands, “Two children, they were young, I think, gave me these. What are they supposed to be? Am I supposed to do something with them?”

[Blackfridayrule]

Ajoran laughed as they walked, still a little shaken from the whole experience. He'd never seen anything like it before and was still reeling. "I'd have a hard time believing it doesn't annoy her...my Isfahan is not exactly patient..." Ridahne jestingly glared at him and tried to swipe at him with one hand, but the man danced away skillfully. Both of them wanted to duel again, they just hadn't found the right time to do it yet. Darin had seen Ridahne in action, but that was always in anger, in the rage of real battle where blood was on the line. She had yet to see poetry in motion, the delicate dance between sparring partners who were well-matched and well-trained. She couldn't wait to show her.
"I've gotten used to it," Ridahne admitted with a sigh and a small smirk.

As they left the palace, a group of eija posted out front dipped their heads at the trio as they passed. Had the situation been different, the Sols would have insisted Darin be accompanied by a contingent of guards. But considering her current company was a taja, and the seed guardian, who was a highly trained member of their own order, it wasn't necessary. But security was tight around the palace anyway--tighter than usual. The road to the market was busy with people passing by in every direction holding baskets, crates of goods like ink pigments or neatly folded nets, clay pots and jars, and fish wrapped in palm leaves. The Tasen market was a common place for foreigners to come, so Darin's presence wasn't entirely unusual. Ridahne was noticed, though.

People seemed to immediately identify her as eija from a black tattoo around her left bicep. And she might have been somewhat avoided, even if only to give her a respectful amount of space, had it not been for the silver circlet around her forehead. In a culture that was accustomed to looking at people's faces, the thin metal band was instantly noticeable, and it gave many people pause. Someone wearing a nimarih must be important, indeed. And then they'd see her ojih, and a quick shift of emotions would cross their faces. Horror, confusion, bewilderment, and sometimes anger. A significant portion of people seemed to understand from these clues just who she was, though due to the nimarih, no one confronted her. She still felt their stares, though. And the sneers and glares. If they had any idea...

While Darin perused the wares, Ridahne would occasionally whisper in her ear and explain an item, or would tell her if the price was too high, but she let Darin explore. She gathered bits of news from traders, too. But mostly, she strode shoulder to shoulder with Ajoran, following behind Darin. She was just glad to be with him. Ridahne did note, with some interest, that the people they talked to did not remember Khaltira's name either, and it was generally agreed that Hanasa-Sol was doing well and had the favor of the people. For that, Ridahne was glad. For all that she had been burned by the Sol, she still believed in them and their importance, and in the good that they could do if they did their jobs well.

Darin asked about the children, and Ridahne laughed. "Did they now? Give them here, let's see..." She took the black one between her slim fingertips and held it up to the sunlight. The little chunk of polished onyx had a translucent quality under strong sunlight, though it could not quite be seen through. Ridahne handed it back. "They're just gifts. Small offerings. Many of their parents are probably stone carvers, and they will often take the little bits that cannot be otherwise used. Children trade them like tokens sometimes. Most of those children likely don't have much to offer anyone, either. I never did. So this is what they have. Stones, bones, shells, maybe carved bits of wood. Do what you like with them. If you want, they can be strung onto a necklace or bracelet. But it seems the children of Azurei like you, and I suspect they know who you are somehow. If they do, word will get around. Everyone knows street kids are a reliable source of information, and they can be easily bought. We'll just have to hope nobody too heinous finds out...I don't feel like bloodying my sword today, if I can help it."

They made their way further in, and closer to the port. As they did, the wares became less clothing and baubles and more spices, fruits, meats, and fish. The people milling around had a different look to them, too. Though they wore different clothing than humans might, usually uri, it was not hard for even a foreigner to see that these people were working class laborers. Their ojih were usually more simple, like Hadian's, and their hands were rough and strong.
"If you want to speak to Istaerih, I might suggest getting at least a dinghy to row out into the bay. I'm sure if we ask nicely" Ridahne said, rubbing two coins together, "someone will let us borrow one."

[LadyAnnaLee]

Darin reclaimed the stones from Ridahne as she thought about that. It didn’t surprise her that the children knew. Children tended to be better listeners than people gave them credit for, and they certainly listened to The Tree better than adults seemed to. It wasn’t the first time that a child had realized that she was more than she claimed to be. Thankfully that hadn’t led to gifts like it was here. If the gifts kept coming it wouldn’t be long before an adult saw it and bribed the child with a treat or something to tell them why they had given that foreigner a gift. What happened next depended on what the child told them. It might also depend on what happened during her conversation with The Sea.

Now that she was standing by the port proper Darin could see the choppy waves that were keeping some of the sailors in port. She couldn’t blame them. Istaerih’s actions early today were in no way something that The Sea normally did. No one wanted to fall to an early grave when the warning signs had been clear. There were a few ships that looked that they were getting ready to head out. They looked like outsiders or younger Azurei, people who hadn’t had the time to learn the lessons that the older sailors knew by heart. It looked like a few younger sailors were heading the words of their elders. Darin didn’t think anyone would come to harm today but wasn’t sure and the ships preparing to set out were making her nervous.

She did laugh at Ridahne’s definition of nicely, “Yes. I suppose you are right.” She linked arms with Ajoran, “Why don’t you see if you can find someone to ask very nicely? Someone older who will need the business today. Ajoran and I will stay here. It will give me time to see if I want my sister to marry him.” She smiled brightly at the Taja, “It’s a human tradition to toughly examine your siblings’ potential partners. It’s one I did not think I would take part of. I am an only child, but not that I have a sort of sister I plan to interrogate you severely.” She winked at Ridahne, “Don’t worry sister. I won’t scare him off too badly.” Once Ridahne had gone to inquire about boats to rent she turned to Ajoran, “Tell me Taja Teleisun. Do you love Taja Torzinei? And if you do, what are your intentions towards her?”

She had used the title Taja for Ridahne on purpose. If she was to be Astra-Sol then that would make her guardian a Taja, if Darin understood it correctly. She wasn’t sure that she wanted to be Astra-Sol, but to be honest, Hanasha-Sol’s attempts to seduce Ridahne to her side right in front of Darin, did not sit well with Darin. Ridahne was her Seed-Chained. One day, sooner or later, Ridahne would be her Seed-Honored. Yes, that meant that Ridahne would be free to make her own choices again, but her first loyalty would have to be to The Seed, and by extension, The Seed-Bearer. Darin was selfish enough to not want to share with another, especially a woman who smirked at her. It was petty of her and Darin knew that, and her pettiness made her insides squirm uncomfortable, but she didn’t know what else to do about it.

She spoke again, “She won’t be able to stay after the two of you get married. She has a responsibility to The Seed, to see to its safety. You have responsibilities here. Are you okay with her leaving, this time by choice?”

As she was speaking another child came up. Darin accepted the small token with a smile and a ruffle of the boy’s curls. He giggled as he hurried off. This time it looked like a piece of small driftwood that had been carved into a rough heart shape. Darin couldn’t help but run her fingers over the grain smoothed by its time in the ocean. She could see the rough tool marks and could only assume that the child had done the heart himself. Looking up Darin saw a woman who looked older than Ridahne looking at her with question in her eyes. When she realized Darin had caught her looking, she hurried looked away. Well, it seemed that her identity wouldn’t be a mystery for much longer. Darin was surprisingly okay with that.

[Blackfridayrule]

Ridahne smiled at Darin. "Don't worry. He's not so prickly and sharp as me, but he is made of steel just the same. You'll see." She kissed Ajoran's forehead and went off in search of a good vessel and, more importantly, the kind of person she could convince to take them out. They wouldn't have to go far, but she needed to make it worth a captain's while. A younger, more inexperienced captain would not deign to take orders from her, no matter what her perceived rank in society. But an older one, she might bargain with. After walking down the wharf a bit, she found two men seated on some crates and hunched over mugs of coffee. Must have been spice traders, not fishermen, she thought.

"Good morning. Which vessel is yours?" Ridahne grew up around ships and knew it was polite to ask about a captain's ship, first, before anything else. This was not commonly known, even among the Azurei, and the question immediately marked her as someone who knew the ways of sailors.
The men studied her, looking first at her face and then at the rest of her, as if they hoped that would give her more clues as to who this person was. "This one." The elder of the two gestured at a slim boat built for carrying cargo, bobbing up and down in the waves just beyond them. "Sun among Rain, she's called. You ever seen sun shine through a rainstorm?"
"Aye, I have. Tell me, Rheisun," she said, looking at his blue stone ku'o in his ear, "Are you voyaging today?"
"Voyaging!" The second man said--he likely was the first mate. He snorted and laughed bitterly. "And here I had a guess you knew what you were talking about, maiden! Ain't you seen the waters? I don't trust it. My cargo is too valuable to risk getting dashed among the waves, not to mention my crew!"
The first man, who Ridahne took to be the captain, shook his head slowly. "Aye, I don't think we'll be setting sail today, Torzinei. Why'd you ask?"
"Because," Ridahne said, as if this information seemed obvious. "I want to book passage on your ship."

The captain's eyes narrowed at her. "We don't take passengers, Torzinei."
"Not usually. But today, I'm asking you to. I don't need to go far, just the mouth of the bay."
That made both of them look at her with hard expressions, wondering what sort of business she had going to the mouth of the bay and back... And then Ridahne saw something click, the revelation showing on their weathered faces. But they were older men, though their dark hair did not yet show gray like Amaiera-Sol's. And they knew how to navigate troubled waters. "Who are you?"
Ridahne leaned in close, her tone gaining an edge. "Someone who should not be ignored."

The younger of the two cowered a little, but the elder stayed firm and kept studying her ojih. Finally, he said, "You're her, ain't you? The one they talk about. The Sol-Slayer?"
Ridahne allowed a small smile. "And so much more..."
"I ought to turn you over to the Sols..."
"A lot of good that would do. I've spoken to them already. Where do you think this came from?" She pointed to the nimarih on her brow.
"What do you want, Betrayer?" The captain asked, unable to argue with her and yet unwilling to cooperate just yet.
"As I said. Take me and my two companions to the mouth of the bay, and when we have conducted our business, we return here. I can offer you a small sum in exchange..." She put a few gold coins down on one of the crates between them.
The captain frowned. "My soul can't be bought. Can you say the same, Torzinei?"
Ridahne just sighed and scooped up the coins. She tossed her dark hair and said with a sigh, "Well, that's fine. You looked like you could use the business today. And it's not every day you get to aid Astra-Sol and her Guardian...but evidently you have no desire to do business with the likes of me, so perhaps I'll find someone who--"
"Wait...did you say Astra-Sol?" he spoke the words quietly, almost a whisper so no one else could hear. "You're...her...?"
"Guardian, yes." Ridahne waved a dismissive hand. "I did tell you I was not one to be ignored..." Normally Ridahne would not reveal that kind of information to just anyone, and not without Darin's permission. But they'd surely find out as soon as they went out, anyway, so Ridahne saw no harm in telling them. Sailors were a superstitious lot anyway, so it was best to prepare them for what was to come.

The captain knew no servant of the Tree could be wicked. It was hard for him to reconcile the image of the Betrayer with a servant of the Tree, much less her. But then, it did add up. Why else would the Sol's spare her, and near pardon her? "My apologies, Guardian. I seem to be...lacking in the details of your story." He eyed her ojih again, specifically the newer markings he was unfamiliar with. He decided she must be a person of great destiny if she had penned new marks in the Book. He made a mental note to find out what they meant as soon as he was able.
"Yes, you and most people. No matter." She offered up the coins again. "What say you?"
"I would be honored to serve the needs of Astra-Sol."
Ridahne smirked. "That's what I thought."

--

"Taja Torzinei!" He chuckled as his eyebrows shot up, wrinkling his ojih. "Ah, but I suppose you're right. If you are Astra-Sol, then she is taja. Though I hope you understand the significance of those three words. She is taja. She'd be the first." He seemed to be chewing that over for a moment in his head before a soft smile touched his lips and he repeated, "Taja Torzinei...yes. Yes, that fits. And soon you'll have two of those!" He ribbed her lightly with his elbow. Soon they would both be Taja Torzinei, and he would no longer be Taja Teleisun.

"Do I love her?" Ajoran laughed. "Oh boy...what a question." He smiled at her. "I could tell you yes, and it would be an honest answer, but it would not do the full answer justice. Ah, have you ever stood out in a really nasty storm? And just let the rain pelt your face and the wind whip your loose hair, and there's a crack of thunder some ways off and you realize the world is so much bigger than you? And you just feel alive, standing there in the middle of Astra's fury?" He sighed, almost dreamily. "She is my storm, Darin. And I am a small ship, helpless in its wake...Yes, I love her. I'd give her the moon, if that was possible. And I intend to spend my long life by her side. I know she'll have to go when you do, and she'll be gone again for some time, still. I've understood this since she came. But I am content. To know that she loves me enough to make me hers is enough for my heart until the day she returns to me. And if she cannot return someday for some reason? Then I shall track her down and follow wherever she goes. There was once a time when she tried to push me away to try and distance me from her sins, and would not relent no matter how much I protested--and oh, I did. But she couldn't keep me away. Not really." He smiled. "I am very proud to know that my Isfahan will be off serving Astra, and you also. It's more than I could have hoped for."

[LadyAnnaLee]

Darin had been smiling as Ajoran began his answer. Slowly though the smile fell as look that was a cross between concern and contemplation overtook her face. She had heard words like that before. She hadn’t realized that others said them. Well, they hadn’t been exactly the same, but the man’s words reminded her of her mother speaking of Martin. Suddenly, and without really wanting to, Darin remembered why she had Chained Ridahne to The Seed in the first place. She had thought her like Martin, abandoning Ajoran the way he had abandoned Talia. It hadn’t been long after that that Ridahne had decided that she was going to marry the Taja. Yet now, listening to him, Darin couldn’t help but be struck by how much like Talia Ajoran sounded. Still, Ajoran hadn’t given up like the human woman. He seemed sure that Ridahne would always return to him. Was that the difference? Darin wasn’t sure. She didn’t understand the whole love thing. Well, she didn’t understand the romance thing. Love was different. She thought, she wasn’t sure.

That didn’t keep her from letting a small smile grace her fingers as she told Ajoran, “Good.” She softly kissed his cheek, “If she makes you that happy, and I know you make her happy, I suppose I can allow the marriage.” She let go of his arm as she moved away, “Just treat her right.” She turned her attention to where Ridahne was taking to what looked like a captain, “Taja Torzinei! Have you found us a ship?” After receiving confirmation Darin bowed slightly to the captain, “Thank you for lending us your boat Captain Rheisun.” She entered the boat with a slight step as she pointed out towards the mouth of the harbor, “I need to get out that way. If you wouldn’t mind.”

It wasn’t long before the boat was in motion. Darin use the time to take off her boots and roll up her pant legs. She also shrugged her shoulder to convince Taja to take flight. He flew off and was lost to view as he hurried off to look for a snack or mischief on dry land. Darin waved goodbye with a bright smile as she moved to pull of her leathers. She didn’t know if she would be able to have this conversation with just her legs in the water or if The Sea was going to want her dive down deep. Darin believed in conversing with Astra, not just bossing Astra around. There had been Seed-Bearers that had done that in the past. Those Turns of the Cycle didn’t last very long at all. Darin had been given a head start by both The Gardener and The Tree. She wasn’t going to waste it. Her Turn would last a long time, almost as long as the last Gardener, if not longer.

When they got to a good spot Darin happily called out, “Here’s good!” She took in a deep breath as she moved to the edge of the boat, “It’s perfect.” Sitting on the edge she realized that her toes would barely graze the water so she turned to Ridahne with the smile still on her face as she handed her the trinkets from the children for safe keeping, “I’m going to have to dive in Taja Torzinei! I’ll be back soon.” She laughed, “Well as soon as I can.”

With another laugh Darin took in a deep breath as her eyes slipped closed. The Sky knew what was happening and for a moment The Seed-Bearer seemed to be breathing in light instead of air. She exhaled the light before taking an even deeper breath of yet more light. Then Darin pushed off the side of the boat in fell into The Sea. She kicked down a little bit before turning and opening her eyes. The corners of her eyes wrinkled as she smiled without letting her mouth opening and letting all the air our of her lungs. Darin was always amazing by how wonderful the world looked under water. She nodded as she turned back to kicked herself deeper under the waves. When she was at what she felt was an acceptable depth she let The Sea carry her to where It wanted her to be. Then, they started to talk.

It wasn’t a conversation with words. For one thing Darin couldn’t talk with releasing the air, or rather, light, in her lungs. For another it wasn’t like The Sea spoke common. That didn’t mean The Seed-Bear couldn’t ask The Sea what It thought it was doing by being all excitable and keeping people from an honest day’s work. The Sea responded with amusement and asked The Seed-Bearer how she thought It shouldn’t be excited. The Seed-Bearer wasn’t in hiding. Not that hiding was a bad thing. Safety was good. But now The Seed-Bearer was known! This was incredible! It needed to be celebrated! The Seed-Bearer laughed in response. Alight, fine, being excited was understandable, but not at the expense of good people’s living. The Sea had to reluctantly concur, but still wanted to dance and sing. Well, could The Sea at least give The Seed-Bearer some warning next time so she could warn people? Well, that was fair. In fact, The Sea could give her plenty of warning, a day’s worth. At least, but It would get to plan something big! Something grand! Something with The Sky and The Stone. Something that would be talked about and sung about for ages. The Seed-Bearer took a moment to call out to The Sky and The Stone. They were agreement, One more grand moment! They would give The Seed-Bearer a day’s notice. A solem promise. The Seed-Bearer laughed in agreement, but not the day of the wedding. Oh no! Of course, not the day of the wedding! It would before they left Tasen. The Seed-Bearer nodded once. The discussion was concluded just in time. The Sea seemed to pull back for a moment and the human braced herself.

Darin was practically flung out of the water and into the air on a geyser of water. She exhaled with a laugh as the water dropped down, leaving her high enough in the air that the boat that Ridahne was on seemed small. She laughed again as The Sky took over for The Sea. Darin dropped down in a spiral of air that simultaneously dried her off and guided her to the boat. She landed with a gentle thump and a twirl that brought her face to face to with her sister. There was no way that most of Tasen hadn’t seen that stunning display of her exiting the water, but Darin really couldn’t care. She felt so alive. She always did after taking to Astra. That was her job, well, at least an important part.

She smiled at Ridahne before turning back to the Captain, “Thank you Captain. Let’s head back to shore.” She turned back to the warrior, “It’s time to spread the word that it’s safe to sail, at least for now.” She looked up at the sun, “I was under the waves for longer than I thought, “An hour, and we still have so much to do today.” She linked arms with her partner, “Isn’t that right Taja Torzinei?”

[Blackfridayrule]

Ridahne nearly lost her composure at 'Taja Torzinei'. They'd sort of discussed how she more or less was one before, so it wasn't completely out of the blue. But to hear her called that in public was a real shock. It was to the sailors, too, who looked to Ajoran, who seemed quite obviously to be an off-duty taja anyway. But when Darin clearly addressed the tall, sharp-edged woman, their mouths opened a little. Was such a thing possible...? And then the realization dawned on them that Darin, this young human woman was the Seed Bearer of Astra, and their mouths hung open even more.

"Yes," Ridahne said after a brief hitch as she regained her composure. "This is Captain Rheisun and his first mate. He's so kindly agreed to brave the waters for us. Don't stare, and you'll fill your mouths with dust if you keep them open like that," she said to the sailors. "Step lively, sailors," she admonished, and the men jumped up and out of their stupor to get the boat ready.

It was a small vessel, and while it was a handful to manage with three people (Ridahne offered help manning the vessel) it was doable. The water was rough and turbulent, and the sailors remarked that there were currents where there ought not to be, and they swirled together in a spiraling confluence to create little whirlpools. they were too small to be treacherous, but the sailors avoided them all the same.

Darin called for a halt and the two men lowered the anchor. Out here, the waters were relatively shallow in comparison to the long, deep abyss of the open ocean.
"Now uh, Astra-Sol, what would you like us to--" Both men gasped in slight confusion as Darin leaped overboard.
Ridahne, however, was not in the least bit surprised and simply and dutifully shouted, "Man o'erboard!" as she was trained to do from a young age whenever a seaman got in the water.
The men looked at her. "Torzinei...?"
"Astra has her. She has no more reason to fear the ocean than you do on a flat, waveless day."
"Ain't you worried?"
"No. Not in the slightest." She spoke with an authority that made the men believe her. That is, until time passed, and the men knew not even Azurei free-divers could hold their breath that long.
"Torzinei...with all due respect...I think she..." they didn't even want to say it, considering who she was.
"No. She's fine, I know it. Trust me." she could sense the sailor were on edge, so she leaned against the railing and said, "So, Rheisun, what are you called?"
"Edal. Edal Rheisun. You?"
"Ridahne. This is my fiance" she said with some glee, "Taja Ajoran Teleisun-Torzinei."
"Ah, so he'll be taking your name. If I'm honest, that might have perplexed me until..." he looked over the edge toward where Darin had jumped in. To Ajoran, he said, "I suppose she's got more prestige now, considering. Quite the lofty pair you are."
"Not that lofty," Ridahne laughed. "I grew up in Atakhara. My brother's boat is the Tempest."
"Under captain Helark? Erm...that'd make him...Hadian, eh? Damn, you're Hadian's little sister?? Don't know the lad well, but I know him. Never thought..."

It got quiet among them as the subject of Ridahne's betrayal was danced around once more. The captain could not hold back his curiosity any longer. "What happened, exactly? Gotta be quite the story if you're..."
"Taja," Ajoran cut in, and Ridahne blushed sharply.
"It is quite the story..." she said softly. "The..." she tripped over the missing name, "Former Sol was more corrupt than people ever knew. I knew. I did only my job. Exceptionally well. And saved lives in the process."
"You were eija-alihn?"
"...once." Ridahne had mixed feelings about her past job. On one hand, it was supposed to be good. It was a high honor, and a testament to her skill. She was supposed to keep the people safe, and she had no doubt that many times she did. But the position had been twisted by the former Sol, and it felt ruined and tainted now.
Both sailors whistled in appreciation. The story was more complicated than they knew, after all. "Y'know, I heard some story on the wharf once. 'Bout a woman who claimed a rogue eija killed the disgraced Sol before the Sol could kill the woman. Said the rogue saved her life. Thought it was just a rumor--you know how it is. But ah...that you?"
"Aye. The Tree spoke, and I listened. I was rewarded accordingly." She let a little smile through. "Ajoran, you asked me that night if I regretted what I did. I still don't."
"Knew you'd say that." It was the same thing he'd said to her then. The two stole a quick but quite passionate kiss before remembering their present company and pulling away.

It was a long time before there was any sign of Darin, but when the sea launched her back out, Ridahne only laughed. The other three jumped at the sudden noise and movement, but she could almost...feel something would happen before it did. She couldn't have identified what, but she could feel a confluence and flex of Astra's power, and Darin's. The human landed gracefully on the deck as the wind whipped their hair about, and then stilled. The sea had a pent energy but was still. Ridahne seemed to freeze for a moment.

"That's the second time you've called me Taja Torzinei...it's not something you say if you don't mean it...do you...do you mean it? Are you giving this title to me?"
Ajoran smiled. "I think she's pretty set on it, Rhi."
Ridahne dropped to her knees. "I know you aren't one for formality, Darin, but you'll have to humor me this once. For me." With an air of ritual, she said, "If this is your will, Sol, then I accept. From this day forth, I will be Taja Torzinei until my Sol release me. This, I willingly give." Ridahne stood and wiped a few tears from her face, then added, "I'll ah...have to make a few changes to the uniform..."
Ajoran chuckled low and wickedly. "I think the current one would be great on you..."
Ridahne slapped his chest hard enough to make an audible crack. "Ajoran! We're in public..." Ridahne cleared her throat. "What more did you have in mind for today, dear sister?"

[LadyAnnaLee]

Darin put up with the formality as much as she could, but when Ridahne stood back up she wrapped her arms around the taller woman’s neck and let out a shriek of laughter. Darin had laughed a lot today, but she felt inclined to do so, especially after the events of this morning. She pulled away from the warrior to look at the now calmer waters. People may not get a full day’s work, but they would get some. Absently reached her hands up to undo the braid that was currently a mess after her dive into the salt water. In fact, she was coated in salt. The human could even taste it on her lips. She almost regretted the bath last night as she wasn’t likely to get one tonight. Ah well, she had survived worse than being coated in salt.

She worked on redoing her braid as she turned her attention back to the docks, “I believe there is more of the market to discover, not to mention the trees without branches, and I suspect there is much gossip and plenty of rumors taking flight in Tasen right about now.” Darin finished tying her hair back, “We should put some of them to rest. I doubt we will be able to do much about all of them though.” She gestured to the docks, “So Captain Rheisun! Please return us to the docks.”

As they journeyed back towards land Darin pulled her boots and leathers back on. On good thing about being The Seed-Bearer was that she didn’t have to wait to dry off. The Sky was more than happy to toss her around and in return she was dry in moments. Darin had to admit that The Sea had a point. It was nice to talk to Astra, to The Sky, The Sea, The Stone, without having to worry about the results of her conversations being spotted. It was nice to see what she was capable of asking for. It was nice to know that she didn’t have to worry about holding back. It was nice to play and to laugh and to have fun with Astra. Still, people have lives and she couldn’t be selfish enough to prevent them from trying to make a living.

The closer they got to the dock the more Darin could spot people either gathering at the water’s edge or watching warily. She wasn’t sure how many people spotted her being thrown out of the ocean or how many had seen the wind slow her descent, but it appeared to be enough that people had managed to figure out which boat she was on. Darin couldn’t see for sure, but she thought she the beginning of a crowd. She didn’t feel uneasy about the crowd, but she did feel apprehensive. The people weren’t hiding anything. She didn’t think the Red Hand was going to take advantage of the crowd to try something. It was just a little more than slightly unsettling to realize that all these people were gathered for her.

Darin found herself taking a step back form the boat’s railing where she had been leaning. She supposed that was the con of having people know that she was The Seed-Bearer. The last time she had been recognized was thanks to an Eluri prophecy and then the Eluri mostly understood that she didn’t want to be known and respect that. The last time she had been lauded in public was at The Farm and there they knew that she was really just one of them. Here? Darin wasn’t sure. Would any of the Azurei even realize what she meant when she said she was just a humble farmer? Was that even really true? How would they react to her once she left the [i]Sun among Rain[i]? Was she allowed to be nervous?

She whispered to Ridahne, “I find myself wanting to tell the captain to just moor his boat here, so I don’t have to deal with the fact that people know what I am.” She looked at her sister with her slight fear plain in her eyes, “What do I do? What do I say? I’m not really just a farmgirl anymore, am I? I am Ri'atal, Hope of Many, and I don’t even know what that means.”

[Blackfridayrule]

"You mean to dispel some rumors yourself, then? Does this mean you intend to make yourself known to the public? To the Court is one thing, but the public is something else. I'm not advising you against it or anything, but I think you know how the public can be when they know you're around and who you are. If you're ready to deal with that, then by all means. I will stand by you regardless. Though...I've got a feeling people are going to start figuring it out..." Ridahne glanced towards the shore, where there seemed to be a larger than normal cluster of people. "Don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. But I do worry what the Red Hand is planning. They've been quiet."
"It's for good reason, Ajoran said. "Any of them that have shown their faces around here in Tasen...? Well, their faces are now adorning the pointy ends of some pikes. I know an eija who had to break up a fight in a tavern because he overheard a group of people accusing a suspicious man of being Red Hand. He was captured and questioned extensively, but was not found to be one of them. People are on the lookout for them here. Its the smaller towns you'll have to worry about, I think."

Ridahne nodded, thinking over that a bit as they pulled into Port. Darin was nervous, though. Ridahne only smiled at her. "You are, and you are not. You are both Ri'atal, and you are the stubborn farm girl who proved to her village a woman could run a farm near singlehandedly. And you are Darin Torzinei. You will do as you please, and say as you please. And the world can only watch. But if you want my opinion?" She smirked. "Ignore them for the moment. They will shout and approach you and clamor to meet you, but Ajoran and I will see to it they do not get too close without your leave. Ignore them, and come prove to me you are a worthy tree-climber of the coconut bearing trees." Her expression was impish and playful. "Let them watch! It will serve to demystify you a bit, which will be good, I think, when it comes to the common folk. They will know you are like them."

The ship docked, and Rheisun busied himself tying up his boat as the three of them disembarked. A couple people came forward at an excited run, but they stopped short as Ridahne and Ajoran touched their weapons in unison. They did not need to draw them. The people knew a taja--even an off-duty one--and an eija by sight and none of them were the sort to have delusions of tangling with them. The people kept their distance after that, but there were many whispers of "Astra-Sol" and "Ri'atal" from some of the older folk.

[LadyAnnaLee]

Ridahne’s suggestion was sound, but Darin found herself saying, “Children.” She smiled as she reclaimed the trinkets, “They can come closer.” She indicated a place just about her chest, “The ones that are this height. Well I suppose that height is a bad indication. So maybe no older than about to start an apprenticeship.” She smiled at Ajoran, “I’m not sure how old that would be. In humans it would about 13, 14, 15.” She smiled, “It still surprises me how much older Ridahne is than me. Just talking to her I would assume she was at most a few years older than me.” She whispered as imparting a deep secret, “I’m only 20.”

That was the end of that conversation as they reached the shore. Darin forced a smile to her face as they disembarked. Her attention was grabbed by the sound of Taja announcing his presence. The hawk circled over the three of them for a moment before coming in. Darin held out her arm and bent her knees to help disperse the momentum his swift dive created. Darin heard the shocked gasps at the bird’s display, but the human didn’t care. Her smile was certainly less forced and more genuine as Taja flapped his wings again. Darin tossed her arm upwards to help him take flight. He circled again before disappearing again. He left a few feathers behind that Darin ignored.

Then she told Ridahne, “Coconut trees. I would like to see them.”

The human followed Ajoran and Ridahne to their destination. She couldn’t do anything about the crowd that was following her, so she took her sister’s advice and ignored them. Darin wanted to see these trees without branches and try her hand at climbing them. Based on how Ridahne had described them she was imagining something similar to spring poles used for dancing back home. She didn’t think that climbing them would be easy, but hopefully her belt would go all the way around. If so, she had a plan. If her belt did not go all the way around, she might be in trouble.

Occasionally a child would make it pass the guard set by Ridahne and Ajoran. Darin took the trinkets as she ruffled hair and laughed with them. A boy with closely shorn hair handed her a grey stone shot though with streaks of white which had what Darin knew was the symbol for Astra on it. A girl that only came up to Darin’s waist handed her a carefully done wood carving of a star. A boy with dark solemn eyes held out a sheet of blue stone so thin that when she held it up to the light, she could almost see though it. Darin was worried about what would happen if she dropped it. A set of near identical girls came with a circle woven out of some sort of leaf that Darin didn’t know. She solemnly knelt to let them place in on her head. It was slightly too big and tilted to one side. Before they could get too upset about it, Darin swept them up. They giggled as she spun them around before running off when she put them down. It was shortly after they left that they stopped before a tree. It was mostly branchless, but the trunk lent towards the ocean. She could see leaves up above and knew what her circlet was made of now.

Knowing she was being watched she made sure to speak only to Ridahne, “I didn’t think you were lying, but I’m not sue I believe that there were trees without branches until this moment.” She hopped around on one foot as she removed her boots, “This may be tricky.”

She exclaimed as she almost tumbled over from the bouncing on one foot. She started to laugh as she regained her balance by suddenly grabbing Ridahne’s arm. Soon, for the second time that day, Darin was barefoot. She removed her belt and tossed it around the trunk. It just reached with just enough space for her to grip the ends. Darin would have liked a little more room, but it would be alright. She started to grin. This may not be bad at all. Tossing the belt up to a little above her head she braced her feet a little way up the trunk and started her climb.

It was not an easy climb. She basically tossed the belt up while resting her weight on the balls of her feet. She would then hop a little further up the trunk. It gave her arms a workout, but if she could push a plow and swing a sickle she could and would do this. Darin slipped once about halfway up and then again towards the top. Each time she had a brief moment of panic. Then she recovered before continuing her adventure. At one point her circle of leaves fell off and she could only hope that someone caught it for her. She wasn’t sure how long it had taken but soon enough she was where the leaves meet the trunk. There were circular fruit Darin could only assume were coconuts.

She called down, “Hey Ridahne!” She carefully readjusted her grip, “How do I tell if the coconuts are ripe and ready for picking?” She careful pressed against the trunk to tie herself to it with the belt as she muttered to herself, “I really should have asked that before coming up here.”

[Blackfridayrule]

Darin instructed the pair of taja to allow children through their guard, so they nodded and wordlessly waved a few children, who had stopped short when the pair had initially moved to touch their weapons, to come forward. They mostly grinned, though a few were a little shy and bashful, and would skitter away after they'd proffered their tokens to Darin. Most of the children were poor or from a family of middling status; There was very little traditional grandeur and wealth to be found in Azurei as a whole, as desert life did not lend itself to excess. It said something of Ridahne's temperament, too. She and her people had to work very hard for a living, and most of them were a little hardened and weather-worn for the experience.

Ridahne led Darin to one of the leaning, branchless trees and gave no advice as she watched. Not only did Darin not need much advice, but the young dust-rat of the streets came out in Ridahne as she adhered to the childhood tradition of letting newcomers struggle with the trees at least once before aiding them. The elf laughed. "The darker green ones!" she called, pointing. As Darin cut one down, Ridahne spun on the ball of her bare foot and, with a flourish, caught the falling fruit with one of her knives. She intentionally dropped the blade down a little as it hit, slowing the momentum of the coconut so her blade didn't slice clean through. She pried her blade out of the green husk and after a few practiced strikes, she peeled away the fibrous outer husk. "Come down, now it is time to taste the spoils of your climb! And then I will show you how we climb them." Ridahne hacked once at the shell with her blade and twisted it, prying the two halves apart. She did this carefully so as not to spill the milky liquid inside, and distributed the water between the two halves.

This was the flavor of her childhood. This, and fish. She remembered many a hot day when she and a few other children would scale the trees and retrieve a few coconuts to pry open, drink, and then eat the flesh inside. Most visitors didn't like raw coconut--they said it required more chewing than they were willing to put up with--but most of them enjoyed it when it was used in a recipe. And coconut was used a lot in azurei cooking. It was found in curries, desserts, as a breading for some seafood, and even mixed into rice. It was enjoyed by the poor and the wealthy alike.

[LadyAnnaLee]

Darin pulled loose one of the ones that looked ripe according to what Ridahne told her and drop it down. Then she undid the belt tying her to the tree and was about to climb down when she felt a gust of wind play with her hair. With a grin on her face Darin let go of the tree to jump down. A stronger gust of wind dropped her to the ground, so she landed gently. For a moment her clumsiness returned and got the best of her and her landing was less than graceful as she bounced from foot to foot. Soon enough she regained her balance. She laughed as she found her footing. She was in too a good a mood to let too much get the better of her.

Her smile widened as Ajoran held out her circlet, “Thank you!” She placed it back on her head only for it to tilt to the left, “I would have hated to lose this.” She turned to Ridahne as her sister handed her half the coconut, “Let’s see what this taste like.”

She took a drink of the liquid before she could lose it. Darin thought it was good. It was better than coffee. That was for sure. She could see why coconut would be so important in a desert near a body of salt water. The juice inside was more like water and could be used to keep hydrated. That had to be important. Darin practically guzzled the liquid. She hadn’t realized how thirsty she was until she started. Swimming in the ocean and all the walking would do that to a person. Once she was done, she considered the rest of the fruit. If she understood the stories Ridahne had told her the white part was edible. With a little bit of effort, she cracked her half of the sphere, so she had a way to scape at the fruit with her teeth. It tasted the same way the water did but she didn’t get much with her teeth. This was going to take a while. Luckily she thought she could do it while walking.

She considered the piece of coconut she was working on as she asked Ridahne, “What now? I want to learn all that I can about Tasen and Azurei.” She shrugged, “Basically the same thing that we have been doing, but now we appear to have an audience.” She scraped her teeth over her treat before pulling out and looking at it, “I like this. I like this a lot.” She smiled at Ridahne, “I’m glad I did this.” Her smile became soft as she looked over towards The Sea, “Today has been a good day. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a day like this.”

That was the truth. They were practically always moving. Even when they got to villages, they only spent time to learn about people’s lives while resupplying. This was sort of the same thing. Darin was learning about Tasen, but she was also having fun. Today it didn’t feel like such a chore. Maybe it was because she didn’t need to worry about keeping secrets. There was one less thing to stress about. She could do without the stares, but at least Ridahne and Ajoran were keeping them away. She would take what she could. Besides the coconut tasted really good. That was certainly helping her good mood.

[Blackfridayrule]

Ridahne smiled and sipped at her half of the coconut, which she handed back to share with Ajoran. "I'm glad you like it. It brings me joy to see you happy in my home." she said, though really that was an understatement. Somehow, it felt different showing her Azurei than the rest of Astra. It was...personal. And Ridahne subconsciously feared that if Darin did not like it, it would be like not liking a piece of her. A silly notion, but she couldn't shake it. So it was a great joy to see Darin was enjoying herself. Weirdly, Ridahne couldn't wait to show Darin Atakhara. Tasen was neat, and the palace was grand and the markets here were spectacular, but Atakhara was still Ridahne's home, in all its shabby, dusty glory. And she had a feeling Darin would fall in love with its simple pragmatism, and its hard working people. Atakhara would have to wait, though. For now, they were in Tasen, and there was still much to see.

"Well you have to see the markets," Ridahne told her. "We won't need to buy supplies, I've got a feeling the palace will supply us with anything we'd need. But if you wanted some new clothing, or any treats or baubles, it's the place to go. In fact, there's a drink you must try! It's technically alcoholic, but not by much. It has such a small amount, we let our children drink it. It's called i'ose, and it's made from coconut water, lemons, and the fruit of those big tall cactuses I showed you on the way here. It's fermented just a little until it gets kind of bubbly like beer. They keep it nice and cool so it's very refreshing. Come! I'll show you."

Ridahne led them away from the docks and into an area densely packed with stalls, people, and carts. It started out as a fish market, and Ridahne pointed out some of the stranger looking fish and shellfish, like oysters and octopus to Darin. The fish stalls blended into other food wares, including spice vendors with huge piled sacks of bright red and yellow and brown powders. Many of these spices were mixed with a tiny bit of animal fat and then pressed into little bricks that were then wrapped up and sold as different curry bases. There were butchers, nomadic goat herders selling fresh goat milk and cheeses, and fruit vendors. Ridahne stopped at one of these and bought a yellowy, star-shaped fruit, and another one with dark purple skin and gooey yellow insides with crunchy black seeds, both of which she insisted Darin try. Coconut was a common ingredient in a lot of the snacks being sold, including the roasted almonds that had a crunchy layer of caramelized sugar, shredded coconut, and cinnamon stuck to them. She also got each of them some pinkish-red i'ose, which was sweet and crisp and tart all at once. Beyond the food stalls, craftsmen plied their wares, ranging from woven baskets and glazed pottery to jewelers and clothiers selling silk sashes and brightly dyed uri.

The group didn't garner much attention at first, as crowds were a constant thing in the marketplace. But soon people started to notice, and it didn't take them long to figure out who Darin was. Not everyone reacted very kindly to Ridahne, and some people either turned away from her or would openly sneer as she passed, but most seemed to accept the nimarih as a sign that whatever had gone on with her and the Sols, she was not to be harassed. Already, merchants shouted and waved their goods in passerby's faces, but this increased as soon as they figured out who Darin was. They all seemed to want the Seed Bearer to choose their silk, or their pottery.

Ridahne smiled back at Darin. "Well? What do you think? Does it live up to its reputation?"

[LadyAnnaLee]

Darin’s smile fell from her face she hurried after the warrior, “Ridahne! I can’t hold my alcohol! You know this!” She urgently told Ajoran, “Every so often we both forget that and I drink why too much, which for me is like half a serving, and the next thing I know I wake up with a headache and no memory of the last night.” She exclaimed again, “Ridahne!”

In the end it didn’t matter. Ridahne took to showing Darin Tasen with vigor and enthusiasm. It wasn’t long before Darin forgot about the upcoming alcohol as her pervious good mood returned. She tried ever snack Ridahne pushed into her hands. The fruit was yummy. The sweetened almond was amazing. The smells were incredible. Darin looked over pottery and fish and scarves. Children came up at random times to give her trinkets that Darin couldn’t help but love. In the end she had to have Ridahne and Ajoran pick out a box to carry the sheer number of them. She didn’t know what she was going to do with them all. She couldn’t take them with her, but she couldn’t just tell the kids no. She tried the drink Ridahne pushed into her hands and sputtered at the bubbles and tangy sweetness but drank the whole thing, which was probably a mistake, but she didn’t care. She was in far too good a mood.

Though when Ridahne asked her opinion on the market Darin had to pause for a moment to look around. In all honesty it was just another market. Darin had been in so many over the past year. People should things to make a living. The only real difference was the amount of attention she had been getting. She had acted the same why otherwise. She ate all the delicious food and even some that didn’t look quite as yummy. She looked, but didn’t buy unless it strictly necessary, like the box for the children’s gifts. She had considered a scarf the color of a dawning’s purple or to realize she didn’t need it. It was the same for a uri that almost matched the one Ridahne wore most days. She did find a visiting Eluri cobbler to leave her boots to be resoled only to discover that she needed a new pair. It was easy enough find a new pair that reached her knees with thick soles that fit. She sat still just long enough to have a willing Azurei woman cut the dead ends of her hair and let the woman’s children braid flowers into her hair. She had clapped along with the crowd as she watched a group of street performers dance and sing. In short, for her, Tasen was just another market. One of her favorites yes, but there were few markets she disliked. She got both Ridahne and Ajoran to teach her more about Azurei dancing.

Darin didn’t want to ruin Ridahne’s good mood by implying that her home was just the same as everywhere else. So, she closed her eyes and tried to imagine what it would be like when they finally got to Lively. She would take Ridahne to the bakery with the amazing scones. She would insist and showing her sister the festival pole. She would show Ridahne the home where you could always find a dog or cat to adopt to take to your own home. If the merchants were in town she would take her to the tents to show her the jeweler that everyone knew was cheating them but his stones were so pretty and the pieces so well made and the stories that came with them were so fantastical that no one really cared. Darin would show her the place that sold fine silks for weddings and fleece so soft Darin saved and saved and saved her coins for just one scarf of it only to be set on this adventure. They would visit the candy shop with caramel so smooth that it practically melted on a person’s tongue. Darin would be so excited to show Ridahne this hub that wasn’t home but was close enough that it might as well be. She had to imagine that was how the Azurei felt right now, and she had to imagine that how the human felt now would be how Ridahne would feel when they finally made it to Lively. She didn’t want to say anything that downplayed Ridahne’s excitement.

Darin finally opened her eyes, “It’s beautiful. I can see how living here helped shape you into the woman you are today. I can’t wait to see Atakhara, to see the place that gave birth to my amazing Guardian.”

[Blackfridayrule]

Ajoran smiled reassuringly at her and waved a hand. "No need to worry about this one. When we say it has very little alcohol, we mean very little indeed. In fact, I'm not sure you can get drunk off it." He shrugged. "We let children drink it, here. You'll be fine, c'mon!" And though he had beckoned her, he did not move until Darin did. He'd never said it, or made any obvious indication of it, but the whole time he'd been walking just slightly behind the two women. Ridahne noticed, of course. He was taking up the rear guard. The tall elf couldn't help but feel a rush of joy when she thought about this, about him. He still loved her after all this time, and after all she'd done. She barely felt like she deserved it. And yet, there he was, instinctively standing guard over her sister because...well, that's what he did.

Ridahne was chewing on a piece of delicate fried fish. "I'm glad you like it," she told Darin. "There's part of me that's excited to show you Atakhara, but only because it's...well, mine. It's not very special, to be honest. Don't want you to get your hopes up," she chuckled. "It's mostly a lot of dust and little huts, but it's my dust, and it is as much a part of me as my own blood, for better or worse. Someday, when we get to it, I'll have to show you Ajoran's home too, but it's further east, at the foothills of the mountains."
"It's almost as bare as Atakhara...but at least I've seen snow before."
Ridahne made a groan of longing. "I have never seen snow, but I keep hearing about it. I can't imagine the air being so cold it freezes rain..." Probably too cold for her, honestly.

At the same moment, both Ridahne and Ajoran's gazes shifted from one another to a swiveling scan of the area nearby. Ridahne's brows creased just slightly in that way they always did when she was searching for a scent in the air, or straining to hear some soft wilderness sound.
"Do you feel like...?"
"We're being watched? Absolutely," Ajoran answered, unconsciously taking a half step closer to Darin. Neither of them meant the gawkers that had been beleaguering them all day--they were quite obviously watching them (or rather, Darin) and yet had been harmless onlookers. Ridahne couldn't tell if what she was feeling was due to her training and perhaps even a sense of paranoia, or if it was what little connection she had to the seed, though she guessed if Ajoran was sensing it too, training sure had something to do with it. Still, it did not escape either of them that they felt the same itch at the same moment.

"Should we go?" Ajoran asked.
"No...not necessarily." There was an edge to Ridahne's tone, a bite that hinted at anger. "This is my home. I'll give no ground. If someone is out there following us, just let them show themselves, and they'll taste steel..." She looked to Darin. "If you want to stay, we will stay. If you'd rather go, we will go."

[LadyAnnaLee]

Darin could see how Ridahne and Ajoran worked as a unit as they walked though the market. It was little eerie to have more than one set of eyes on the look out for danger. Well, Darin knew the obvious signs, but she rarely devoted herself to being on the lookout for it. Ridahne was more than willing to do that which left her time to learn and to grow. Absently she wondered if just once she could return the favor to let Ridahne learn while she kept lookout. It wouldn’t be in Azurei. There would be no point, but maybe once they got to land Darin was familiar with, like Lively and home. It was funny as she kept thinking about home now that she had been further from home then she had ever been. Could she get further from home? She didn’t think so.

Darin looked up from the red clay jar she had been looking at as Ridahne directed her comments to the human, “What? Oh! Leaving.” She looked up at the sun, “It is getting late. Perhaps we should head back.” She placed the jar back down, “I am getting tired.”

As she said it she realized it was true. She was exhausted. She supposed that it was to be expected. She had done two major things with Astra’s help today. While she no longer collapsed from holding the rain talking with Astra still taxed her energy. While the creation of a pillar and the discussion with The Sea weren’t too exhausting, she had been talking to Astra all day as The Sky sent winds to dance playfully around her ankles and hair. The Stone had been vibrating against her feet and though her bones in a way Darin could only describe as similar to a way a cat purred. She could hear The Sea beat against the shore with gentle waves. The Seed-Bearer laughed back with stunning ease, but she could still use a nap.

Darin was starving as well. She hadn’t expected that. Ridahne had been pushing treats into her hands all day and food vendors seemed more than eager to provide The Seed-Bearer with samples all day. Most of it had been good, but more than one child laughed as her face screwed up at certain things she just didn’t like. Still, Darin felt like she could eat an actual meal. She wanted to eat, clean up, and rest. It was about time for that anyways. The sun was kissing the horizon. The human had been awake as the sun peeked above the horizon. From dawn to dusk was how most of her days went if they didn’t go longer. Still, the market would be here tomorrow. She might as well try to get some rest.

She linked arms with Ridahne, “Come along. I can here the seductive call of my bed calling my name, and I need to check on Talbot before too much longer. He’s probably upset I ignored him for so long.” She reached out to Ajoran, “So let’s return to our lodgings. Perhaps I can wash the salt off my arms and face.”

[Blackfridayrule]

Ridahne nodded, arm in arm with Darin as if she were escorting her own mother, both with a love and reverence and with a familiarity born of months spent together in close quarters. They really did look like sisters, like they'd grown up together their whole lives despite being of two different races. Ajoran followed, his heart full. He and Ridahne were both on alert, still, but not even that could dampen the joy he felt at watching his future wife and her adopted sister. She'd lived a complicated life, and it pleased him to see her finally gain some simple joys and stability in her life. And he thought he rather approved of this Darin person, coming into her life. He couldn't help a tiny smile.

Ridahne couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, all the way back to the palace. It was getting late, and the brutal sun had at last begun to slip below the distant mountains, allowing the arid land to cool. People, in response, were out in droves, and it was easy to see why the Azurei had been deemed Children of the Night Sky. In other places of Astra, people would be settling in this time of night. But Azurei simply came alive.

"We can request food be sent to our rooms, or we can go to the common room with the rest of the staff. I'll leave the choice to you. I'm going to have a meeting tonight with the master archivist and get my new ojih marks recorded." That was a priority that had been weighing on her since they arrived. If her marks were deemed illegitimate in any way, it would be damning for her, though she had no reason to suspect that would happen. Still, she'd feel better when it was official and done. And anyway, she did feel a sense of pride in knowing she of all people contributed to the great tomes of ojih marks. "It's funny," she mused, "When I was young, I wanted to be a tattooer. I was scouting out masters to see if any might take me, but they all said I never had the required patience." Ridahne shrugged. "And here I am, adding marks of my own to the great tomes...Unbelievable to think about, really..."

They arrived at the palace, and several eija nodded solemnly to the three of them, and otherwise stood as statues along the stairway to the entrance. As they passed, Ajoran hung back a moment to speak with one of them, his voice low.
"Keep your eyes and your blades sharp tonight...I think we were followed today."
"You drew quite the crowd of onlookers, we hear.."
"Yes, all well-behaved. But there was something else...Ridahne and I both felt it. I've got a feeling we might be seeing the Red Hand soon..."
The eija nodded grimly, and Ajoran trotted off to catch up with Ridahne and Darin.

"Also," Ridahne began, "Feel free to ask a member of the serving staff to draw a bath for you in your room again, as often as you like. Might as well take advantage of the luxury. And they'll bring you scented oils if you'd like, just ask."

[LadyAnnaLee]

Darin paused for a moment when Ajoran did and turned, slightly pulling Ridahne with her to watch. She couldn’t hear what the Taja said to the Eija, but she did catch the words Red Hand. The Seed-Bearer narrowed her eyes as she looked back towards the market. It wouldn’t surprise her if the Red Hand was here. If they were here, they had a description of her now. She wouldn’t even be surprised if they had a picture of her as well. If they did decide to cause trouble, they wouldn’t risk everyone. How long would it be before every member of the Red Hand knew they were looking for a human girl that looked ordinary except for the eyes which were greener than green and the fact that she wore pants rather than skirts. There was no longer a point to traveling in secret. They would now have to travel with discretion instead. If that was the case Darin had things to do to make things right.

Darin turned back to walking towards the building, “I would like to come with you to see this archivist. We need to record the marks for Seed-Honored and Seed-Friend at the same time. So, let’s check on Talbot and Tsura, grab something quick to eat, and then go see them.” She sighed as she continued to make plans, “Tomorrow I will need to write a letter to Ravi at The Farm. I plan to include a letter for my mother with the one to Ravi and I would like her to know has my face has changed. Is there someone that can do a small colored portrait of me?” She was directing her questions to both Ridahne and Ajoran, “I will also need someone to carry my letters to The Farm, will I be able to arrange that?” She sighed again, “Also, I rather suspect that I will bawl while writing my letters I will need somewhere a little more secluded than my room where I will not be disturbed. Do either of you have any suggestions.”

Once upon a time Darin had told a boy that just wanted to grieve that she wouldn’t let him. She had kept him from traveling to her home to preserve her anonymity. He had not been happy with that answer, yet he had accepted it. Now that she was shifting from secretiveness to discretion, he had a right to the same option. She had no idea if he would take it, but she had to give him the chance. Then, if she was allowing people from The Farm to her home one of them might as well take a message to her mother and to Thomas and to Milla and to others for her. She had no idea how long it would take for the letters to get to her home. Darin was just anxious for one small connection to home. The sooner she sent the letters off the sooner they would get to where they needed to be. She just hoped that the Sols helped make it happen, discretely of course.

[Blackfridayrule]

Ridahne nodded, navigating the palace with instinctive ease. She even knew which corners to take wide to avoid bumping into serving staff or other eija bustling down halls. It felt so strange to be back in this place that felt somewhat like home, and yet like a lion's den. She was both native and outsider and she wasn't yet sure how to feel about that. Ridahne resolved, though, that she'd just act like this place was as much her home as Atakhara. In a lot of ways, it was.

Both Ridahne and Ajoran, in response to Darin's inquiry about the best place to come unraveled in private, simultaneously answered, "The roof." By their quick answer, it seemed obvious that this was a well-known fact among those who lived or worked in the palace, and that both of them had once utilized the remote perch for such a purpose. Both of them said it with something of a smile, though. It was not a miserable spot laden with the tears of many. It was a peaceful spot to get away from everything.
"Couriers can take your letters home," Ridahne assured. "They have a network of outposts and hawks like our dear Taja that carry letters quickly." Ridahne smirked. "Let me know if you want to use my house seal. I can just imagine your friends back home looking at that and being quite baffled, and maybe a little jealous." She laughed, though she suspected Darin would either want to make her own mark on the seal or leave it plain, knowing her. But the elf wanted to offer anyway, as it was Darin's right to use it as a now official member of house Torzinei.

"We'll get something to eat, and then I'll find you a portrait artist. They'll be with the tattooers, and are often the same people half the time. Come, you should experience the dining hall at evening meal..." Ridahne chuckled. "It's much more lively than breakfast."

They went into the large hall set with a long, low table and bench seats. Food was always set out in plenty along this table, and those who sat at it simply plucked what they wanted off of large ceramic platters. Unlike breakfast, which was relatively simple, the evening meal was set with a large variety, as well as several types of beverages and desserts. Ridahne pointed out the different pitchers of liquid and told her which ones had no alcohol, which ones had small amounts, and which ones just to only have a tasting sip of. There was curry on the table of course, but also smoked meats, bright fruits, and flatbreads. There were a few pastries filled with sweet almond paste, and some forms of dried and spiced coconut chips. As they took their seats, the general commotion quieted a bit--not entirely, but the noise notably softened as more and more people noticed them. Ridahne felt like they didn't know which of them to stare at.

Ja'heil found them though, and eagerly got up and moved to sit across from them. He smiled. "Hello, Astra-Sol, Torzinei, Taja-Teleisun."
"That's Taja-Torzinei now, Hama-Saraai. If I remember correctly, you're called Ja'heil?"
The apprentice's eyes widened. "Taja-Torzinei....I....y-yes, that's my name. You look...well, you look better than the last time I saw you. I doubted you were going to make it, Taja-Torzinei."
"You and me both. Ridahne will do, though, Ja'heil. Did your master permit you to leave your seat?" The smirk on her face suggested she was teasing him, as eija often teased apprentices that were not their own. It was a rite of passage they'd all been through, after all.
"Ridahne, right." He nodded and turned to Darin. "So you saw the city today? And I hear you caused quite a stir with the sea...was it you who held up the rain in that town?"

[LadyAnnaLee]

Darin shook her head as rubbed at her eyes, “I’m tired Ridahne, bone deep tired. I’ve been up since dawn and it got hot today, and I did two workings with Astra’s help.” She counted off on her fingers, “I want to eat, I want a cool bath, and I want to sleep. I will work on my letters and my portrait tomorrow. You are more than welcome to stay up. I know you say a lot of business happens at night, but I literally feel like I’m about to drop.”

A voice filled the Seed-Bearer’s mind, “Darin! Darin! We are going to flood the market not tomorrow but the next day and it will rain all that day as well. Not a heavy rain and the flooding won’t be bad enough to hurt anyone or anything, but it will be just enough to play! Yes? Do you approve?”

Darin knew instantly what type of rain and circumstances The Sea and The Sky wanted to create. She heard The Stone hum in approval as well. It was like when the forest of Lihaelen had bent to show her the stars. The part of Astra that was Tasen wanting to make her feel just a little bit more like home. The sky would be gray. The misty rain would cut the heat as it cooled the air. The water from the harbor would come up just enough to soak the ground and create puddles to splash in. If something like this happened at home farmers would be grateful for the moisture for their crops while children would splash in puddles. Darin wasn’t sure how the people of Azurei would react to the unfamiliar weather pattern, but she would be out in the market to splash and play. She had told The Sea that It could create one more grand gesture as long as it gave her warning. It had done so, so she would not stop it. The Sky exclaimed in triumph as Darin mentally approved. Now all the Seed-Bearer had to do was relay the warning.

She stopped in front of an Eija she didn’t know, “Can I give you a message to give to the Sota-Sol?” As the man nodded, she told him, “I would speak to her and the other Sols when I am done in the dining hall. I do not know how long I will be, but I will make my way to their audience chamber when I am done.”

The Eija nodded and accepted the message. So, Darin felt comfortable returning to Ridahne to continue the journey towards dinner. Once there she did her best to avoid the gazes of the people staring at her. It seemed like news of their adventures in the market spread quickly. She didn’t care, or at least she was telling herself that she didn’t care. To be honest, now that the energy of the day was wearing off Darin didn’t like the attention as much as she had. She still found herself smiling as Ja'heil cam to sit across from them. She had wanted to speak to him again, and now she got the chance to do so.

Darin nodded as she answered the question, “Yes. It was me. I speak and Astra listens. Astra speaks and I listen.” She flapped a hand at him, “But enough about me, and my name is Darin, tell me about you. What is it like to be an apprentice Eija? Tell me about your travels. What do you like about your life? What do you not like? What is the one thing that peoples get wrong about it? Tell me about you.”

That was what Darin did. It was how she learned about all the different people of Astra and their lives and their cultures and their hopes and dreams. It was her duty to learn all about Astra and its Children before it was far too late. Learning about others was more interesting anyways. She would question everyone in this room as long as they were willing to tell her. Hopefully, the fact that they knew who she was wouldn’t hinder them or make them shy or reluctant to do so. Absently, she realized that she was making the Sols wait on her whim, but she just didn’t care. She still didn’t like most of them, and she had a job to do. At least that was how she was justifying it to herself.