Warrior Of Light [Complete/Editing]

Chapter Twenty-One - Part Two

"You're so different."

Edileth glanced up at Joenek.

"Oh?"

"Uh...you just look different..."

Edileth sensed that there was more to his first statement than her appearance, alone but chose to say nothing of it.

"The same could be said of you."

She gave a pointed look at his silver-green garments. The roth looked down and then shrugged.

"Well, yah; but you really look different."

"So does Adhraena...and Varrin, er, Sheem, as well."

The female looked to the boy on her right. His hair had been washed, and someone had taken care to create two smallish braids, each starting near the temple and coming together at the back of his head. His clothing fit him properly, unlike the ratty things he had worn when she first met him. He now wore a doublet of midnight blue with star-like, crystalline beads set at the top, growing fewer as they cascaded down his chest. Even Sheem's features seemed more refined and mature, somehow.

"Don't mind 'is pestering, Ediles; you look absolutely lovely."

The blonde ducked her head and glanced past Celik to where Rikku sat.

"As do you," she nearly whispered.

The animal-keeper truly did look exquisite. Her gown was of a rich, emerald green. Dainty white blossoms adorned her hair, as well as two pure white peafowl feathers.

The Ferlians completed the rest of their meal in relative quiet. After they finished, the elves remained seated, chatting with one another until they were informed that the elders would see them.

As they moved down the halls, everyone grew relatively quiet. Edileth felt her nerves humming in anticipation of the audience with the Fíthni. Having heard Elder Raemille chide Torben and call him careless had so shocked her that the blonde had almost failed to notice the hannorim's weakened condition.

In short order, the Ferlians gathered once more into the council chambers. Upon entering, Edileth noted that another elder had been added to the mix.

Sitting in a relaxed manner, with a bright smile upon his face was Elder Hruban. Edileth had only met him once before, at a semi-annual banquet for The Order. The elder was a generous roth, with a heart that burned with the love of Feridh. He now wore a simple tunic of ochre and rather plain sandals upon feet that had traveled across numerous countries.

As soon as all the Ferlians had moved into the chamber, Hruban leapt from his chair.

"How art mine Brothers and Sisters?" He moved directly toward the hannorim and embraced him, before speaking. "How dost thou fare, Torben, Rildelle en Ifthaeum?"

From the somewhat limited amount of the Sélidhan that Edileth knew, she guessed at what Hruban's final words were. She loosely translated them as being like to "Vessel of Wisdom". While the young rothnak puzzled over the meaning behind such words, the hannorim returned the Elder's embrace and replied.

"I am well, Hruban Hekkirison."

"I heard thou hadst taken ill."

"Ah! 'Twas simply a short spell of exhaustion." Torben waved away the topic. "Thou shoudst be expecting some few elves in search of knowledge of Feridh in the coming days."

"Thine fellow travelers did waste no time and have already approached me."

"Truly? What joyous news, indeed."