Faylen's View

"Faylen, I do not wish to let you go out there alone," Thydune said as I approached the gate. "The last time you went out to gather was with your mother."

"I remember, Thydune. But I will not be alone. Desmond will be there to protect me." He gave me a look that said he was not amused and I felt a small smile curl my lips. "I am not unarmed. Both of my swords are on my sides."

"I would rather you let me go with to protect you. You will be out there for a week while you harvest. Here, Desmond is surrounded by elves that will lay their life down for you. Out there, he is not."

"Are you implying that I would not kill him if he attempted anything?"

"No. Of course not." He stayed quiet for a moment before sighing. "Perhaps. He did swear a life vow to you and he knows that the only way out of it is death. If he is still true to the human king, he would prefer death and be trying to find a way out of the life vow. He also knows that you would kill him for attempting to harm you so he has no reason not to try harming you if it will get him out of his life vow."

"And there are oaths in his life vow that will take his life should I get harmed. I will be fine, Thydune. Stay and protect our people. This is where you are needed most. If he truly wanted to try harming me, he would have tried to do so on the way to Tebury. Do not worry for me. I need you in the training grounds tomorrow. Collen may bring some of the humans over to learn how to aid us in battle, and I want one of my best trainers there." He nodded and headed off as Desmond approached with bags to carry our harvest in. "Did Tsarra tell you what she needs most?"

"She said she needs all the ingredients for Aldovice, Quixidomide, Tacronuma, and Caffetaxime. She said that you would know what ingredients to collect." I nodded and looked at the bags he had over his shoulder. "She said whatever we can fit in the bags will be enough to keep the health stores from being empty." I nodded again and we set off out the south gate.

"Luckily everything she needs is in the same direction, but we will have to go off the trail for everything."

"Will we be able to find the trail again to return safely?"

"We will be fine. This way." I stepped off the trail and started heading east, deeper into Dragon's Veil. As the sky grew darker and the moon rose, we stopped to make camp. "We will stop here and start again when the sun rises." Desmond nodded and set the bags down as he started gathering small twigs for a fire.

"How much further do we need to travel for these ingredients, Faylen?"

"Two more days travel. We can shorten that time by travelling all through tomorrow and the next night, but we will need the extra strength to harvest these ingredients. Some are high up in the trees, others have roots that run deep." Desmond nodded and got the fire going before standing four sticks on end with a stone on top of them. "What are you building?" I asked as I kneeled across from him.

"A campsite stove," he said as he glanced up at me. "It'll let us cook food without setting it directly in the fire and possibly burning it. It's something I learned when I was running messages for the human king."

"How does it work?" Desmond looked up at me with a curious look on his face but smiled.

"You really want to know?" I nodded and his smile got bigger. "Basically, the fire warms the stone from underneath and the heat then moves to whatever we set on top of the stone. Depending on how hot the stone is, it can be used to make a hot broth, cook raw meat, or warm a cold liquid. Given enough time and wood for the fire to burn, it can even melt ice."

"Interesting. And it works well?" I asked as some Kukawks began their nightly song.

"Very well. I'll make us something hot for dinner when it's ready so you can see how it works."

"Thank you." I sat and studied the campsite stove for a while longer, memorizing how to set one up should I ever need a way to heat something without risking burning it. As Desmond sat across from me and began putting things in a small wooden bucket, I stood and walked around the borders of our little campsite to ensure that we were alone. My thoughts drifted to the responsibilities that I had to my people and I decided to try figuring out whom I would bond with. I thought of the name of all the eligible male elves in Gulonde. The only one that brought any feelings to mind was Thydune, but my problem was that they were brotherly feelings instead of romantic. I let out a sigh and pressed my back against a tree, looking up as I wondered what I was going to do. I saw a Mattuci skitter along a branch above me, then watched as a Kukawk dropped onto it from above, before flitting back up into the darkness.

"Faylen? Dinner's ready," came Desmond's voice from our campsite. I shook the thoughts from my mind and headed back to the fire, reaching with my mind to finish ensuring we were alone. Once I was certain we were safe, I sat across from Desmond again and took the bowl he offered me. "Everything alright? You don't seem as happy as you normally are."

"I am fine, Desmond. Simply thinking of my upcoming responsibilities." He nodded and motioned at the bowl in my hands.

"I hope it's hot enough for you." I couldn't feel any heat coming through the wooden bowl, but I felt heat wash over my face as I pulled the bowl of broth closer. We enjoyed the hot broth for dinner and Desmond fell asleep a little while later, letting me go back to my thoughts as I stayed up to ensure we were not discovered throughout the night.

None of my people bring romantic feelings to me when I think of them. The only one that comes close is Thydune, but I have grown up seeing him as my brother. The thought of romance with him does not sit right in my stomach. As I got back to our little campsite, I glanced at Desmond to make sure he was still sleeping and felt my curiosity about him grow. I reached out with my mind to make sure no one around, sensing nothing but Kukawks, Mauttuci, and Flamifoutu. Satisfied, I reached for Desmond's mind and did a little light exploring so I wouldn't wake him, and discovered that he had a strong sense of what was right and wrong, much like my people. Unable to get Thydune's caution from my mind, I shifted through Desmond's memories to see if he was loyal to the human king at any point. Through his memories, I learned that he had feared the human king the moment he saw him, had hated him from the moment he was taken, and had given the human king false information at times that kept harm from coming to Gulonde. I left his mind and sat back in thought, shocked that Desmond had helped my people before ever meeting us. I am impressed at the strength of his sense of right and wrong, and that he knew those events would cause harm to us. He was never loyal to the human king. If he had ever been loyal to him, he would not have kept us safe when he was with him. I sat in our little campsite for a while longer, listening to the chirping of the Flamitfoutu as they flitted around the tree tops, and looking into the fire as I let my mind relax a bit.

Movement on the other side of the dying fire caught my attention and my head jerked up as my gaze focused on Desmond and the land around him. I reached with my mind to make sure no one was near us, but felt nothing other than Desmond and the small animals nearby. I studied Desmond for a moment and noticed his face was twisted a bit. I touched his mind and sensed his fear, although I didn't know why he was fearful. I reached to his mind again and spoke softly to him. "All is fine, Desmond. Rest your mind and body. There is no need for the fear you feel." I felt his fear disappear as a sigh escaped his lips and his face relaxed, making me smile.

Over the next two days of travel I kept my mind focused on our task, but when we settled down at a campsite for the night, I would make sure we were alone and then let my thoughts drift to Desmond and why I was so curious about him. After we had finished harvesting the ingredients for the items that Tsarra needed, we started to head home with all eight bags filled to the top. "Faylen, if you want to make our return trip as quick as possible, we can continue through the night. You know I can keep up with you," Desmond said as we stopped.

"We do not need to hurry. It is more important that we arrive safely rather than quickly." He nodded and settled down, starting on our fire for the night as I went to check around our campsite to ensure our safety as my thoughts began to drift again.

Desmond's View

I watched Faylen pacing around the boundaries of our encampment for a while as I got our dinner heated up. I wonder if she’ll open up and talk to me out here. “Faylen, why have you been so sad lately? Please talk to me. I'll keep anything you say secret even after my death. Just confide in me.” She sighed and sat down beside the fire, but across from me. A few strands of her hair was falling out of her braid and her eyes looked sad, but the rest of her face said that she was lost in thought.

“I do not know whether I should follow my heart to love or follow my head and the law.” She was speaking softer than normal although there was no one around.

“What do you mean?” I asked as I stirred the broth for the night.

“Elven law states that I may only bond with an elf, but there are no elves that I like on a romantic level. And to make matters worse, we are the only clan left.”

“Is there a person at all that you have romantic feelings for?” Faylen looked up at me, a reflection of the fire dancing in her eyes.

“Yes, but they are not an elf. If I make my feelings known, I will end up imprisoned, the person would be killed, and no one will be left to lead my people when my father dies. This puts my choices at bonding with an elf I am not romantically interested in, or going to prison but bonding with a human that I love just before they are killed.” She looked back down at the fire between us and I saw a spot glistening on her cheek.

There’s no way, I thought. She’s gotta mean a different guy. Elves live for 700 years so I’m sure she’s met plenty of other men in her life. There’s no way that Faylen loves me. Quit hoping for her heart, Desmond. “That’s a tough choice,” I said softly. “Is there a way to tell the person or bond with them without getting yourself in trouble?”

“I can tell them, but I would never be able to bond with them unless I wanted to be imprisoned while they are killed.”

“Not even in secret?”

“No. Once I become queen I would be pressured to bond with an elf to produce an heir so that my people have a leader after I die. If I refuse to bond with an elf, my feelings will be made known as we only bond ourselves to one in our lifetime.”

“Wow. That’s a really tough choice to make, Faylen,” I said. She nodded again. "Which would make you happier, following your head and elven law or following your heart?" I asked as I pulled the small bucket of broth off the stone and poured it into a couple bowls for us to share.

"Neither pathway leads to true happiness for long," she said as I handed her bowl to her. "If I follow my heart, I am happy until the person I love is killed. If we somehow manage to create an heir before he is killed, the heir would be killed as well as it was the product of a false bond. If I follow elven law and my head, I am bonded to one that I do not truly love and forced to watch the one I do love be with another, but I do not lose whom I love to an untimely death."

“Would you tell me who the lucky man is that has your heart?” She looked up at me again and didn’t need to say anything. Her eyes confirmed what I heard in my mind, and my jaw fell open. “Really?” I asked as some Wisteria Quail started chirping and chattering to each other.

“You know my dilemma, Desmond. You know what my choices are. I have to choose my mate between the end of the war and my father’s death. I will have to provide an heir to lead my people or go to prison.”

“Can’t they just exile you?” She shook her head, sadly.

“No. Exile is not punishment enough as it would let me be happy with the human I chose. Seeing the end of my clan, of my race, is the punishment for choosing a human over my own people.” I saw another spot start to glisten on her cheek and moved closer to her, reaching over and wiping away the tear for her.

“Perhaps a half-elf to lead your people? It would unite the two races of the world,” I murmured.

“And that would mean choosing a human and prison over my own race.”

“Yes but hear me out. After the war ends, there will still be humans that continue to support King Betyn. Those humans will only respect a human’s word and will only kneel to a human. At that moment, you would be forced to choose between letting them select their own king or queen, or killing them. Another human king or queen could lead to this same war being repeated, and killing humans for refusing to kneel to an elf would be replacing the human king with an elven king or queen. Neither pathway is good for the world. However, King Betyn’s supporters may be willing to accept a ruler that is half-human and half-elf as they would see that child as being more understanding of a human’s needs and problems than a full elf.”

“I understand what you mean, Desmond, and it may be a possibility, but I would still have to make the right choice according to my people as well.” She sighed and slouched just the slightest bit. “Perhaps the time of elves is coming to an end altogether.”

“You can’t believe that, Faylen. You all have so much to offer Inyarel.” She gave me a smile and I wiped another tear from her cheek.

“Actually I do. We may have so much to offer the world, but we are the only clan left and there are only 500 of us. With the choice before me of whom I will bond with and my choices being a human I love or an elf that I do not, there is little reason to believe that the elven race will live much longer after I die, regardless of whom I choose.”

“Then perhaps your best choice is to follow your heart so that your people live on in some measure.”

“My people may not see it that way though.” I took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

“You don’t have to decide who to bond with tonight, Faylen. The war isn't even close to being over. Your people cannot expect you to bond and produce an heir in the middle of a war. This isn’t the right time for something like that. Just hold off on your decision until after the war. More elves may see things the way you do when that occurs, or something else may come into account so that you have more or better choices.” She nodded but gently tugged her hand from my grasp.

“Perhaps, but if my father dies before the war ends, I will begin getting pressured to bond. This is why I must begin thinking of this choice now. Just keep this knowledge to yourself, Desmond, and act as though you do not know anything of my feelings for you. If it was even a suspicion that I have romantic feelings to a human rather than an elf, I would be in trouble.” I nodded and we went back to our silence, just watching the fire.

Faylen's View

"Faylen, come with me," my father said as he appeared in my doorway, one week later. I looked up from my maps and planning our next attack.

"Where are we going?"

"The south gate." I walked around the table as my father looked behind me and spoke up. "You are not needed, Desmond."

"He stays by my side while in the city, Father. There is no discussion on this." My father didn't look happy, but he rarely was these days. We headed out of the castle and down to the south gate as my curiosity built. "What is at the south gate that you should need me to accompany you?"

"Humans from Defalls. I want you beside me as both protection and as my second in command. They claim to come in peace but humans never tell the truth."

"I did," came Desmond's mutter in my mind.

"Yes, you did." I glanced back at him and he gave me a smile. Looking back ahead of us I saw the south gate coming closer and realized I didn't have a sword on me. "Desmond, go get my swords from the training grounds, please. Hurry. Be at the gate before we arrive there." He took off running and his speed caught my attention for a moment. "Father..."

"I see. How long has he had elven speed?" my father asked as he stopped to watch Desmond run.

"He was able to keep pace with me when the Tebury humans arrived." My father looked at me in concern. "On his last trip to Baste River he got lost trying to avoid some soldiers. I found him and told him that if he kept pace with me he would not have another punishment for getting lost. He kept pace with me and stayed awake all four days that it took to get back here. At least, he kept pace until he ran into a tree."

"That's why his name is Tree Hugger," my father muttered. "Hmm. Elven speed and stamina in a human. Interesting news. I will look over some records to see what I can find." I nodded and we started off toward the gate again. "And how long has he been able to speak with his mind?"

"He has spoken in your head?" I asked, trying to cover what Desmond was able to do.

"I heard his comment before you sent him for your swords. I knew he was not speaking to me so I said nothing, but he does not know how to direct his thoughts. Any around him will hear them and if they are meant to be private, he needs to learn how to direct them. Work with him on it." I nodded. "So how long has he had that ability?"

"We discovered that the same time as when we discovered his speed and endurance." My father nodded as we reached the gate just as Desmond approached.

"Your swords, Faylen." I gave him a nod and sheathed them as the gate opened, revealing two humans on a couple Lechore with Thydune, Vinali, and Ilyana surrounding them. I motioned with my hand and the three of them moved a couple steps back from the humans.

"You must be the leader of the elves," said the male as he looked at me.

"That is still my position and it will remain that way until I die," said my father.

"Father, perhaps I should speak with them. They may be telling the truth about coming in peace." He looked at me and nodded, but before I could open my mouth to speak Desmond spoke as he stepped up to my left side.

"This is King Delsaran of Gulonde and Princess Faylen of Gewood, the general of the elves."

"And you're the messenger of King Betyn. Are you a traitor to your king or are you a traitor of the elves?" asked the woman. I held my hand in front of Desmond and spoke, silencing his voice before he could speak.

"The presence of Desmond Timms is none of your concern. You have business here with the elves?" I asked.

"Yes, Princess Faylen," said the man as he narrowed his eyes at the woman. "My apologies for my companion. She often doesn't think about what she says before letting it leave her mouth."

"Your apology is appreciated but to be proper it should come from the offender. Either way, let us leave that in the past for now. Your business?"

"I come on behalf of the families in Defalls. We wish to leave the ruling of King Betyn and have heard that you helped the families of Tebury do that. We were wondering if there was any chance you might be willing to help us leave too."

"What could you offer the elves in return for our aid?" asked my father rudely, interrupting me as I opened my mouth to respond.

"Father, I handled this fine in Tebury and am willing to do so again now. Perhaps you should return to the castle. I know Lanquar had mentioned plenty that required your attention today."

"If you allow them entrance and they cause a problem, you will hold all blame," he said in my mind before he left, having Thydune move to stand in his place.

"It seems we both have apologies that are improper. I hope you will forgive my father. His temper often gets the better of him as of late."

"I understand, Princess Faylen," the man said.

"Just Faylen is fine. May I know your name to make our conversation easier?"

"Garreth, and my companion here is my sister, Amelia." I nodded. "In answer to your father's question, we can offer to bring food, metal, stone, and some weapons with us if we're allowed to come here. Other than that, we can help wherever needed."

"We still need more troops. Do any have experience fighting?" Thydune asked in my mind.

"Does anyone have experience in battles?"

"Unfortunately, no. King Betyn took all of our fighters, but we can learn and will give our all."

"Does anyone have experience in healing, cooking, or smithing?"

"We have one healer, but she only knows basic healing salves. I'm sure she would love to expand her knowledge and help your healers. Cooks and smiths we have plenty of, though." I thought for a moment.

"How can you assure me that your intentions are true?"

"Excuse me?" Garreth said, looking a little upset at me.

"May I explain?" Desmond asked, taking a step forward. Garreth looked at him as I gave a nod, knowing that I'd been misunderstood. "Most of the humans the elves encounter are soldiers for King Betyn or blatantly lie to the elves. She only wants to know that you're being completely truthful and not going to send King Betyn's soldiers in under the guise of being your citizens," Desmond said. "It wasn't meant as an offense or accusation, however it is wartime and certain precautions must be taken."

"I understand. Thank you." Garreth looked back at me and stuck his hand out.

"I know of the human custom to show trust, but you have not yet earned my trust and it is not trust that I want. I want certainty of honesty. Perhaps something a bit more natural to my people?" He looked back at Desmond.

"Would you blindly put trust in a stranger during wartime?"

"What do you have in mind to show my honesty then?"

"A vow in Faejesh," I said with finality.

"We don't know any Faejesh," they both said.

"It's an easy phrase that I can teach you if I have Faylen's permission," Desmond said. Garreth nodded and Desmond looked at me.

"Vinali, ensure the words are spoken correctly and aid Desmond if he needs it. Ilyana, protect Desmond. Desmond, you have until the sun reaches the wall. I will return then. Thydune, come with me." I walked in the gate with Thydune close behind me, then headed to the human area. "Do you believe they are telling the truth, Thydune? Could they truly want to leave the rule of the human king and give us aid?"

"I did not speak with them while we were waiting for you to arrive, but I did touch their minds. They felt clouded with worry and fear. Even for a human's mind, that is an odd feeling. I have not felt that from any other humans I have encountered. The human king must be getting worse in his rulings to cause such emotion in his people."

"He must be, but it does give humans a reason to trust us more. If enough of them seek safety with us and offer to aid us in return, then we will be able to rebuild our army and perhaps retake more of our cities." We wandered the area that housed the Tebury humans as we counted empty houses, eventually running into Collen with Cloud by his side.

"Hello, Faylen. Hello, Thydune. How are you both doing today?" he said, giving me a bow.

"Hello, Collen. We are doing well. And how are you and Aviryll?" I asked, trying to ignore Cloud.

"We're great."

"Good. And the rest of your people?"

"There's some that are still nervous about living with the elves, but they're slowly coming around with Gisena's help as an example."

"Wonderful. With your guidance, I am sure they will be fine in no time."

"Me too, but I'm not sure it's my guidance that's helping. I think Gisena's more to thank for that," he said with a chuckle. "Is there something I can help you with or did you just come over to see us?" I gave a brief smile.

"Actually, you may be able to help me. How many homes here are left unoccupied?"

"We've taken only a handful of what was supplied, so if I had to guess there's still around 700 or so homes that are available. Is something wrong?" he asked as a look of concern crossed his face.

"Not with us or your people, but the people of Defalls are wanting to leave the human king's rule and have come to us for aid. I was going to place them over here with you if there are enough open homes."

"We can combine our families as well if more room is needed," Collen suggested.

"That will not be necessary. I promised you all the home of your choice and I will not take that back. Thank you for the offer though."

"You're welcome." He walked us over to a quieter section away from the rest of the humans to keep our conversation private, Cloud following a couple steps back and sniffing at our legs. "May I ask how you know that the people of Defalls want to leave Betyn's rule?"

"There are two of them at the south gate. A brother and sister."

"Their names?"

"Garreth and Amelia. I do not know their family name."

"Harwelth," Thydune said.

"Garreth Harwelth. That name sounds familiar to me." We stood in silence as Collen looked up at the sky and I looked at Thydune.

"I learned it when I touched their minds." A small smile curled my lips and I shook my head. "I had to make sure I knew who I was looking for if they tried to cause harm and managed to escape. I did not know your father was going to bring you with him."

"That's where I know it from. He came to Tebury not too long ago, looking to do some direct trading with us. He wanted to trade some of their metal for some of our crops. We accepted the trade, but I didn't think he'd make it back to Defalls since he had to travel through Giwic Keep. I'm glad he did."

"Do you trust his word that they are indeed wanting to leave the human king's rule?"

"For him to travel through Giwic Keep and risk imprisonment for trading Betyn's goods with another city, I'm almost certain he's being truthful that they want an escape from the hardships Betyn's creating."

"Would your people be able to live with them peacefully? I want no complications between our people and any others that arrive." Collen nodded.

"We'll be fine. We had no issues when he arrived in Tebury. If we're united in the same city and on the same side, there will be no issues between us. Is there anything I can help you with concerning those from Defalls?"

"At the moment, no. However, I need to return to the gate," I said as I noticed the sun approaching the wall. "You would stand for their honesty and claim them to be trustworthy?" He nodded.

"I would." I nodded in acceptance, happy enough with Collen's claim for them, but still wanting their vow in Faejesh.

"If he is being truthful, I will find you as the sun rises and have you help me open the doors to all available homes." Collen nodded again.

"I'll get a few opened on my way home to Aviryll just in case. Hopefully I'll see you again in the morning, Faylen." We parted ways and Thydune followed me back to the south gate which opened as we arrived. I gave a nod to the guards in the tower and looked at Desmond. Garreth and Amelia were off their Lechores now and standing next to him while Vinali held their ropes a short distance away, letting them graze.

"They know the vow, but it won't be spoken with elven fluency, Faylen. They didn't learn as quick as I thought they would."

"As long as it is close enough to be recognized, it will be fine as Collen said he would stand for their honesty as well. Thank you, Desmond." I looked at Garreth and Amelia. "You may say the vow one at a time or at the same time."

"We vow that those we send to Gulonde will be cities of Defalls and none will be harm or danger to city elves," they said at the same time in Faejesh.

"Barely spoken correctly. These humans are not as intelligent as I would like," Thydune said in my mind.

"There are some corrections that could be made, but close enough to be recognized. Thank you. Given your vow and the stand of Collen Timms on your behalf, I will allow you and those of your city to join us here in Gulonde. You will be in the homes next to the humans from Tebury. I request that you voice any issues with them calmly before taking to weapons as some have already been training with us. In addition, trust them to help you make friends with the elves inside. All in this city have had the last month to make friends and all have done so quite easily. If you show a willingness to learn our names and customs, we will show the same courtesy to you." They nodded and Amelia went to gather the ropes for their Lechores as Garreth spoke up.

"Thank you, Faylen. To avoid detection, we will have to travel in multiple groups. It will take us six weeks to return to Defalls, and we will begin sending people then."

"You could all travel at once if you wanted, but you would have to trust me on the path I send you along," Desmond said.

"We can't all travel through Giwic Keep at the same time," Amelia said with tired frustration in her voice.

"I'm not going to suggest that route." Garreth held up his hand in front of Amelia as she opened her mouth.

"Amelia, we've been over this numerous times already. Think before you speak. Desmond would've taken different routes depending on the urgency of the message he needed to deliver. Hear him out and keep quiet." Huffing out a breath, he turned back to look at Desmond. "My apologies. Please, continue."

"From Defalls, follow the Fallen Spires to the north for two weeks and you'll reach a road. Once there, put the mountains at your back and follow the road east for another two and a half weeks. You'll reach Gulonde by then."

"How do you know this path will only take us five weeks?" Amelia asked.

"I know the roads of Inyarel well. Better than most, unfortunately. I also know that Defalls is a two week trip from the mountain pass. When I had to bring you messages from King Betyn and return quickly, that's the path I would take."

"We'll take that path home so that we may lead the rest as safely as possible," Garreth said.

"Then when you get back to the main road, follow it north toward Madun and turn south at the hills around the Fallen Spires. That will take you back to Defalls," Desmond said, getting a nod from Garreth.

"What are the chances there will be soldiers on this path?" I asked.

"Very little chance, Faylen. Betyn would not willingly send his troops through the mountain pass if they weren't transporting food or health stores. Those that are traveling through the mountains would be more concerned about their safety and supplies than finding people on the road. And those they did find on the road would be ignored." I nodded.

"You have food to last until you return to Defalls?" I asked, getting a nod in return. "Very well. Travel safely and swiftly, Garreth and Amelia. And may no harm find you. We will see you in ten weeks."

"Thank you for helping us, Faylen. I hope we can be of as much help to you and the elves as you are to us now." They headed back toward the road and I watched as they disappeared around the corner, before I turned and headed back into Gulonde with Desmond right beside me.

"How many still live in Defalls after the human king took those that could fight?"

"There's still 700 in the city, but that's everyone from the youngest of children to the oldest of adults."

"How many homes will they need?"

"No more than 400. The parents like to live with their children and their children's children." I nodded.

"Any Monitigos?" He seemed confused for a moment, but answered.

"You mean Quetzal Jackals, the creatures like those from Tebury?" I nodded. "Yes. They have them. Gulonde is the only city I know of that doesn't have them. Well, didn't have them. And the people from Defalls know them as Quartz Kingbear." I sighed, frustrated that I had to learn another name for the Monitingo.

"At least that name appears to compliment them. Thank you. Let us go for dinner. Surely, my father will wish to speak with me about this." Desmond chuckled. "I will need your help in getting the humans to cooperate with the elves. Those from Tebury I was able to gain cooperation from alone, but the ones from Defalls seem different. I know nothing of their background except that they are human and were loyal to the human king."

"I'm not sure how much help I will be with them, but I'll do my best to show them that humans and elves can live together. I'm sure those from Tebury will help be examples as well." I nodded as we walked in the castle.

"Faylen. Desmond," Lanquar said with a nod as he saw us. "Faylen, your father is waiting in the dining room for you. Desmond, you may wish to wait out here with me." I glanced at the door to the dining room then looked back at Lanquar.

"How mad is he?"

"He is quite mad that the princess ordered the king to return to the castle." I sighed.

"I did not order him to return. I merely suggested it and said that he would not be needed at the south gate." Lanquar raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"The way he was speaking, I would have thought that you commanded his silent return." A small smile curled one side of my mouth.

"The princess knows she has no authority over the king. Even if she is also the general."

"Good luck, Faylen," he said as he motioned for me to go in. I gave a nod and headed in the dining room, seeing my father sitting at the head of the table.

"How dare you send the king back to the castle in front of citizens and humans! What makes you think you have authority to command anything from the king?! You may be the general, but you are first and foremost the princess! Princesses do not give orders to their king; they follow orders given!" He smacked a plate off the table and it flew to the wall next to me, breaking in half and clattering to the ground.

"I did not give you an order, King Delsaran. I know that I am the princess and have no right to give you any commands. I had requested that you return here as I felt that I could handle the situation better without your presence," I said as I knelt down and picked up the broken plate. "I would never assume the right to command anything of my king."

"Hmph," he said before looking away. I walked to the table and set the plate pieces down next to him.

"Father, your temper is getting worse by the day. Do you not understand that dealing with humans requires patience that you no longer have?" I asked softly, kneeling beside him and setting a gentle hand on his arm. He looked back at me and set his hand atop mine.

"You become more like your mother every day. Just as beautiful, kind, intelligent, and calm. It is soothing to an old elf like myself."

"You are not old, Father. You are getting old, but not old yet." He smiled and cupped my cheek, pulling a smile from me as well.

"Have they been allowed to enter?" I nodded as I gave my response.

"They will be living in the remaining houses next to the Tebury humans when they return in ten weeks." He nodded.

"The Tebury humans have become a clan within our clan. I expect those from Defalls to cause no issues with any of our clan."

"They will not. I have Desmond's word that he will help them forge a strong alliance and friendships with us." My father gave a nod and I stood, getting another plate ready for him. I set it in front of him and motioned at Desmond that it would be safe for him to enter the dining room, seeing Lanquar leave to go home to his family. We all ate quietly and went to our rooms. As I sat at the table in my room, Desmond looked at me as he sat across from me.

"Is everything alright, Faylen?" I nodded but remained silent. "I can feel your worry. Please talk to me," he murmured.

"Father's mind is beginning to fail," I whispered. "He is losing his patience and temper faster than when you arrived. I am unsure of how much longer he will be able to wisely rule our people, and I do not want to take over ruling our people until his death."

"Is there no medicine he can take to smooth his temper or increase his patience?" I shook my head.

"I know of no recipe that will help ones temper or patience. We can heal minds, but not those aspects. It is a sign of old age, and the older he gets the worse his temper and shorter his patience will be."

"A recipe for medicine is just like a recipe for a meal," Desmond said after a few moments. I looked at him, completely confused on what he meant. "Both require certain ingredients and specific amounts for the correct result, right?" I nodded. "How would you create a new dish that you have no recipe for?"

"I would estimate the amounts and ingredients that should compile the dish."

"Exactly. So how would you create a new medicine?"

"It is too risky to create a medicine with only estimations. And then there is the uncertainty that the medicine will give the desired result. If the wrong ingredient or too much of any ingredient is placed in the recipe, it could create a poison rather than one for healing."

"I understand that, Faylen, but I've also learned a lot about the elves in my time here. I know that you excel in battle tactics which is why you were made the general even though you know cooking, healing, ruling, and building methods as well. Your healers excel in making broths and salves even though they at least understand cooking, battle tactics, and building methods. Your people know something for almost every aspect needed for survival, but you do what you excel at. Speak with your healers. Tsarra or Adrella may have thoughts on how much of what ingredients to use. It's at least worth looking into. Your father may be getting old, but there's no reason why it should be painful for either of you." I sat back and thought in silence for a bit as a Kukawk landed in my window and started its nightly song.

It may be possible to ease his temper if the right healer creates the recipe. I would love to entrust this to Tsarra, but Adrella is the more experienced between the two. "Very well. I will speak with Adrella about it when the sun rises. Hopefully she has some knowledge on what may be used and the amounts that would be required."

"In the morning, I'll go get her for you and bring her here since I'm sure you want to keep this as private as possible." I nodded. "Let's go to bed, Faylen. You need to rest after the day you've had." I gave a light smile, but stood and headed to bed, thinking of what ingredients might be useful in the recipe. I woke as the sun rose and saw that Demond was just beginning to stir as well, so I slipped behind my barrier wall and readied myself for the day. Stepping back out, I went to my table and looked at the map, trying to think if it would be wise to send some people to gather food and healing supplies in the grasslands just beyond Dragon's Veil. "Good morning, Faylen," came Desmond's voice as he appeared on the other side of the table.

"Good morning, Desmond."

"Would you like to go have breakfast first, or would you like me to go get Adrella for you?"

"Adrella, please. That is more important to me than breakfast." He nodded and vanished from the table.

"Faylen?" Adrella said as she appeared in the doorway moments later. I looked up from blankly staring at my table and motioned for her to come in. "Desmond said you wanted to see me about creating a medicine. Was that correct?"

"Yes, take a seat." Desmond looked in the doorway from behind her. "You may come in Desmond. Close the door behind you." Adrella had a seat at the table across from me, but gave me a curious look. "I know you have my mother's notes on the medicines that she was working on, but I do not remember if there were any that concerned the ease of temper or increase of patience. Have you discovered any?"

"There are some notes in the far back of her books that I have not paid any attention to yet as they are far too eccentric. She had added ingredients to the recipe for Aldovice and even increased the amount of the harder to access ingredient."

"Which ingredient is that?" I asked curiously.

"Bay Tickleweed."

"Bay Tickleweed? I do not recall that plant from my teachings. Can you describe its features, uses, and location?"

"It is responsible for the calmness that comes from Aldovice, but it is only used in small amounts since it is so hard to obtain and can be made into a poison. Briefly, it is a fungus that grows on the underside of the leaves at the top of Bay trees, but only the ones in full shade. Your mother's notes suggest tripling the amount used could result in calming ones temper."

"Ah, I remember that one now. I always thought it odd as light normally aids in growth, but would kill this ingredient." Adrella nodded. "If I can get you the ingredients needed, as well as additional Bay Tickleweed, could you make the medicine?"

"I could, but there is no true knowledge of what would happen if the broth was given. I know your mother was a skilled healer, even beyond what I have accomplished, but suggestions and theories are not the same as tested and proven. Is there a reason you are so adamant on the creation of this medicine?"

"My father's temper is becoming worse by the day. I am hoping to find something that will at least calm his temper or increase his patience a bit. Do you have any other opinions on what might be used to do either of these?"

"How bad has he gotten?" she asked, giving me a curious look.

"He broke a plate at dinner as he was yelling at me." Adrella's eyes widened briefly and she looked off in thought for a moment.

"I wish I had known his mental deterioration had gone this far already. As the eldest healer in the clan, I cannot condone the use of an untested medicine on the king, even if it is requested by the princess. No other would be allowed to create the medicine, either. Only the king's personal request would change my response on that." I nodded but remained silent. "However, I know of no other options. Aldovice would come close, but it will not last long and it cannot be taken often enough to have a true effect on his temper. The health stores could always use the additional supplies, so I will happily take any that you bring and will ensure that you receive a list of the ingredients your mother added to the recipe in case you have the chance to gather those. I will also speak with Lanquar for his opinion and views on the king's health and I will request to speak with King Delsaran to check his health and speak with him about your request, but if he refuses to take the medicine I will not make it and the ingredients would be useless." I nodded.

"I understand, Adrella. Thank you for giving me hope that his temper may be eased a bit. A raised temper means that he does not fully think through his rulings and he needs to fully think through those to rule us wisely." She nodded and gave me a smile.

"Your love and respect for him is the reason of your request and is quite admirable, Faylen. I will do all I can to obtain his approval for the medicine, but I cannot assure you that I will be able to make it. You do understand that old age and death is a part of life though, do you not?"

"I do. But old age should not be painful to those around it. And think of your son's son. If there was a medicine you could take as you got older that would ease your temper or increase your patience, would you take it to be calmer around him?" She gave me another smile.

"I would. You truly are wise beyond your years. I hope to live long enough to see a small part of your rule. I know my son and his son will be well cared for when you become queen."

"Thank you, Adrella. Your compliment is very kind, but I truly want the end of my father's rule to be far in the future."

"No child wants to lose their parent, but-"

"It is a part of life," I said with a nod and smile. "I will let you return to what you were doing. Thank you for coming to see me about this. I trust Tsarra's capabilities, but as the eldest healer, she would have had to ask you for permission and to watch over as she made it."

"She would not have had access to the recipe. Your mother's books and notes will only be passed to her upon my death." I smiled and nodded, and Adrella stood from the table. "Desmond, if you will come with me, I will give you the list of ingredients for Faylen." He looked at me and I nodded, watching as he followed her out the door, leaving me to go back to my thoughts.