Ravi did not look at who he was speaking to as he continued, “You do know that the story you have just told me parallels with our dear Seed-Bearer’s rather closely correct? She may not be an orphan as you are, but she did lose one parent to heartbreak and another for reasons unknown at age fifteen. She was considered unladylike and disruptive by those who oversaw her life. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a personage of high power and honor came to thrust her into a life of high honor and prestige that she is simply not prepared for. Tell me that does not sound familiar and I will laugh you to scorn.” He turned to smile at the warrior, “Perhaps you should stop looking at the differences betwixt you two and start looking at what is the same. Perhaps then you can discover a way for the two of you to start a friendship.”

Ravi was not trying to make Ridahne feel bad for not seeing the similarities even if they were painfully obvious to him. The two girls were simply to close to see clearly. The humans had a phase, “cannot see the forest for the tree,” that came to mind. He was also will to wager that the two of them were stuck in the circle of their own thoughts and couldn’t find a way out on their own. What Ridahne implied was correct; it would not be easy to travel together if they loathed each other. They would have to at least make peace between themselves if they ever wanted to move forward.

Ravi continued, “As for your sorrow, you are correct, it does define you. That does not mean you should let it consume you or you will drown in it. I doubt that is something you, though to be painfully blunt, you are coming dangerously close to it. It will not do to always let your emotions get the best of you; especially if you are traveling with someone who keeps her emotions so tightly wound up that she does not know what to do when when yours overwhelm her.” Ravi knelt down to take the young Elf’s hands in his, “You were chosen for this task for a reason. That reason is to help Darin; not just as the Seed-Bearer, but as Darin as well. The Seed-Bearer is not a title or office like being Eija or Overseer. To be The Seed-Bearer is to be a person and you must treat her as such. To be The Seed-Bearer is to have the potential to become a person beyond doubt and question. To be The Seed-Bearer is to be able to grow into pure magnificence; to grow to be The Gardener. She is not there yet Ridahne, and that is your job; to help that seed of potential grow into the stunning tree it can be. That will not happen if you cannot learn to see beyond yourself the way she is struggling to do. You need to be better than what you are. You need to be you. It won’t be easy, but it will be good.” He softly traced the black mark that marred the Azurei’s face, “You need to stop thinking that you are this, and remember,” His hand moved from her face to her heart, “that you are this. That is all she is trying to see. But she will not see it if you do not live it. Do you understand Ridahne Torzinei?”
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Darin looked up as Talbot paused. She was curious as to why they stopped. Then she saw Ridahne on the ground. It looked like Ravi was comforting her. The young human wanted to make sure that her traveling companion was alright, but it looked like a private conversation. Slowly the animals pulled a way to go back to their lives. The butterfly stayed on Darin’s nose, but she hardly noticed. She was more concerned with Ridahne. She was desperately hoping that Ravi was scolding her because of the things that she had told him. That wouldn’t be fair at all. Darin absently waved at Mitaja in order to send the hunting cat to the warrior. Who knew if that would work?