Ridahne climbed up onto Tsura and scratched his neck lovingly. "Aye, I hope we aren't too harassed. Not by anything I can't handle. What happened back there in the woods with those [I]rats[/I]," she hissed the word angrily, "was sort of a new experience for me. I've taken on capable people. I've taken on multiple people. But not the combination of the two, not like that. I hope that moving forward, we won't have so much trouble." Darin knew that Ridahne had flirted with death that night, but the danger she knew of was of bleeding out. Darin also knew she'd been strangled, as the purple handprint on her throat was only now just beginning to fade. And though Darin might guess, Ridahne did not want to tell her the full details of what that moment was like, or just how close that man was to killing her right there and then. If Mitaja had not eviscerated the second man holding her down, their leader would have succeeded that night. Darin didn't need to know that. 

"That particular lot was waiting for us, and had been waiting for some time. It's why they were here, and why Salei and her team were called in weeks ago. I expect that if there are any more operatives on our path in Eluri, they'll also know something of our coming. Visions are strange in how they work--sometimes you get a clear, overwhelming picture of what's going to happen, when, and to whom. Sometimes you just see a face or a location. Sometimes you can work out the context and other times you don't know until the moment actually happens in real life, and you suddenly realize you've seen it before. For Eluri, they get them often enough that sometimes they never understand the things they see. In the capital, they've devoted an entire archive to the recording and study of visions. I've never actually been, but I hear its worth seeing. Someday I ought to add my own vision to the records for the sake of history, but not yet. Not with things as they are. Secrecy is still our ally, even in Eluri lands. Even if they know who we are, or simply know we're important but don't know why, secrecy will serve us well." 

Ridahne nodded. "I figured we'd wander Eluri lands for a while before we ever made it to Azurei. Even if you were ready to go now, I'd advise to wait a bit. The Sols might know my purpose, but they're still not thrilled with me, like Salei. Not angry enough slay me on sight, but not friendly either. And then there's the public..." she sighed deeply. She didn't dread going back home quite so much as she did before they visited the Tree, but it was still going to be difficult. "A little time between my return and my crimes would do us all some good." 

Ridahne pulled out her map and scanned over the Eluri portion of it. "Well, do you have any thoughts about a direction you might want to go? We can continue due south, or we can deviate southwest a bit and make a loop back around when we're ready to head towards Azurei. Keep in mind, too, how far south we go will determine our route into Azurei. You don't just...walk in to Azurei like we did to Eluri. The entire Western side, and most of the northern edge is rimmed by mountains, and beyond that is the Dust Sea. It's a hard road but I'm not worried about it--I'm an excellent Sea guide and there are plenty of clans that live up in the mountains that could help us resupply...theoretically. If we went much further south, all the way to the coast, we could actually barter passage on a ship to the capital. I'll leave the choice to you, and simply guide you on the best path whichever direction you choose." 

---


The morning in Azurei was already starting to get hot, and Ajoran was looking forward to a good nap and a dip in the pool, as he'd been on duty all night. He kicked off his sandals and removed the chest plate of his office--less armor and more adornment, as the thin polished steel only went from his collarbone to midway down his pectorals and was painted with black and blue designs. It fit like an oversized necklace, and had an ornate tasseled counterweight on the back to keep balanced on his shoulders. He was just about to remove his blue silk sash from his shoulder when a young girl came to the door of the bath house and knocked on its frame. "Taja Ajoran, a message for you," the young paige announced. 

Ajoran sighed, going to take the rolled up piece of paper, likely flown in by hawk or raven. He nodded and the girl scampered off. He wondered tiredly who'd send him a message. Honestly, he was afraid to open it. In the last four months, he'd received a lot of attention as the lover of the infamous Sol-Killer, and he wanted none of it. Some people begged for insider information, others demanded that a public execution should have taken place, and others questioned whether or not there was one. Ridahne had done her best to insulate him from the fallout, but even her efforts couldn't do it completely. It was brave of her to do that. And yet, if she'd asked him to, he would have stood with her to the end. But she wouldn't ask. Moon and stars, he missed her.

Ajoran slipped off his sash first, slinging it over a wooden peg on the wall before cracking the unmarked seal and unrolling the small piece of paper with a tired sigh. But his breath caught halfway out of his lips as he saw the sigil scrawled at the bottom of the page, and the single word written above it.

[I]Soon.[/I]

It was her. She was alive and, he guessed, successful in her mission to find the Seed Bearer. If she'd found the girl, then he wasn't sure what her objective was next, but whether she intended to bring the Seed Bearer to Azurei, or if she'd already completed whatever duty she was called to, Ajoran knew at least that she was on her way home. To him. His heart was so full he thought it might burst, and though he wanted to keep the letter, he knew that if anyone found it, there'd be rumors. They didn't need any more of those, so he found a nearby candle and burned it. The only other person who needed to know this information was Hadian, and he would be sure her brother knew. 

Ajoran disrobed and slipped into the pool, enjoying the cool water. He wondered who the Seed Bearer was, and if he'd get to meet her. Whoever she was, Ajoran was sure of one thing: she was no warrior, or else Ridahne would not be needed. But he did not know if the future Gardener was human, elf, or siren, or how old she was, or where she came from. But he knew his Ridahne would protect her, and his heart swelled with pride knowing his fiancee had such an honor.