Ridahne's dreams strayed somewhere over cool waters and splashing in the waves with her brother as children. She slept harder and more peacefully than she had in a long time, though that did not abate her natural watchfulness. Tsara, her mentor, taught her to have awareness while she slept, and would sneak into her room and, if Ridahne did not catch her, would slap her awake until she learned. Ridahne did learn. And though she was peacefully and soundly asleep when Darin awoke, all it took was the sound of the door opening to rouse her. She couldn't help a small cry as she jolted upright, whipping one of her knives out from behind her back where it sat in its sheath. 

The room was empty besides herself, but she thought she caught what she assumed to be Darin leaving the room and rushing down the hall. Ridahne could feel something, like an electric tingle in the air she did not understand but was keenly aware of. Something was happening, something profound and related to the Seed, like when she'd had a dream about what Darin did in the fields in the rain. Ridahne pulled out her other knife and followed out into the hall after her. Outside, she looked up and saw the trees strangely warped, and though she could not sense what Darin was clearly sensing, Ridahne knew enough to know something was happening. People were terrified, such a thing had never been seen before and could possibly be seen as some kind of ill omen. She did not sheathe her blades. 

The trees relented, straightening to their usual shape with a gentle hiss and swish of branches and leaves as if they'd been stirred by a powerful but fading wind. The murmuring immediately began. The residents of Lihaelen were trying to sort out what ad happened when an omnipresent voice echoed from the surrounding forest, announcing with unbridled glee the presence of the Seed Bearer, like an excited dog barking and baying at the sight of his loving master. Ridahne's heart skipped a beat. There was some chance that this would all be fine, that no harm would come of it. But Ridahne was not trained to expect that kind of optimism. People started looking around. Their eyes fell on the bewildered human and the panicked Azurei with her knives in hand. They all stared. Ridahne was at Darin's side instantly, and she gave a loud, sharp whistle. Moments later, Mitaja appeared from the nearby stables. She'd been sleeping, but she knew her master's call when she heard it. Ridahne spoke to her hurriedly in Azurian, instructing her to "take the rear". Mitaja was well trained, and whenever Ridahne moved, Mitaja mirrored her. Together, the two stood on either side of Darin like two orbiting sentinels. Anyone wanting to speak to Darin would have to get through her first. That said, she was aware that not everyone would want to hurt Darin. Most people would be overjoyed and honored, though they in their eagerness might crowd Darin, and neither of them needed that. 

"Darin," Ridahne hissed, trying to keep her voice down. "What just happened? Do you...know?" Ridahne realized Darin didn't always understand what happened around her. But clearly the elf had missed something.