Suddenly, without warning, Darin slammed the lid of her case closed. In an effort to remain calm she took several deep breathes. The human was unsuccessful. Suddenly, without warning, Darin had grabbed a cup of something and sent it hurling across the room. Thankfully the girl was uncoordinated, had terrible aim, and wasn’t really aiming at anyone in particular to begin with. Everybody in the way managed to get out of the say to have the cup bounce off the floor to chatter as it hit the way. There were pieces of ceramic everywhere. The Workers all stared at The Seed Bearer in pure shock; alarmed that she could even get that angry.

Ravi started, “Well, you girls, have had a long couple of days, perhaps,”

Darin’s voice was cold, “No.” Her voice was not elevated, just cold and relentless, “This time I don’t run. This time we settle this.” She turned to look Ridahne dead in the eye, “I can recall saying I know you meant me no insult. Do you recall that?” It was rhetorical and the human continued without waiting for an answer, “As for one person damaging the word, I count five!” Her hand was up to count. Her thumb went up, “One who abused her power for selfish and evil reasons, and.” The rest of her fingers came up, “Four who would have killed you for doing the right thing simply because it was dishonorable! And the fact that you were willing to die for doing it is more telling than you know! It means a whole culture chooses honor over what’s right.” She was earnest, “There was evil in Azurei, and The Tree.”

Ravi tried to cut in, “Darin you shouldn’t.”

For the first time Darin yelled as her head snapped around to glare at the Overseer, “NO!” Her voice returned to being cold, “I made a mistake. I Chained Ridahne to The Seed and that was a mistake; a mistake I cannot undo! So, I will tell her this truth, even if I never tell her what else I have learned today!” 

Darin turned her gaze back to Ridahne. In a few swift steps she was in front of where the Elf was sitting. In another movement she was kneeling to look up to make eye contact with eh warrior. Her hands reached up to take her companion’s. Her voice went from cold to earnest.

Darin spoke and everyone somehow knew it was true, “There was evil in Azurei. The Tree, The Tree cannot actively fight against evil. It never could. The Tree can only encourage good thoughts and send inspiration to encourage righteous choices. Its influence is lessening as it dies, but that’s all it could ever do. No one in power was listening to The Tree’s subtle suggestions. No one, that is, except you. Your power was limited. Who would listen to you when it was your word against a Sol’s? So, you did what you could, and successfully got rid of the evil. Then, instead of admitting there was a stain in their courts, they took the easy route, and sentenced you to die; citing dishonor. Four of them came together to uphold the honor of a dead evil. So, The Tree sent you to me. And while we don’t really get along, I am so glad it’s someone who understands that honor means nothing when compared to doing what’s right. Because I swear to you now; this task never was and never will be about honor. So, please, I beg you Ridahne Torzinei Seed-Chained, do not seek to honor me when I know for fact that you value doing what is right more than honor.” She paused and shook her head once, “And please, do not be afraid to speak you mind. Just because I don’t agree with you doesn’t mean what you have to say is wrong.” She looked down as her hands slowly started to fall, “I make mistakes as well.”

Darin fell silent. She was unaware that the Workers were frozen in place; unsure if they should leave or not. Against Darin’s thigh The Seed burned. In the distance The Tree rustled contrary to the wind. If the human had been paying attention, she might have felt a sense of amused pride coming from The Seed. As it was, she was silent; waiting for Ridahne to speak her mind. They were never going to make it anywhere if they kept fighting with each other or remained silent in fear they offended the other. They were stuck with each other for a long time; longer if Darin truly succeeded. They needed to learn to talk with each other. The sooner the better.