“Dreamy.” Eldana scoffed.
“You are the being of Balance and Chaos,” Fraweyni said gently. “The child marked by chaos. You were raised to revere Camin and Lowus, and you started to dislike the idea that you were being reared for slaughter. Somehow, you become self-aware and escape. Then the world begins to descend into chaos. Because the amount of energy that is supposed to go from you to Camin and Lowus, so they could keep chaos at bay, is still within you. The world is crumbling. Chaos is returning. People have died because of your decision. To think that all you have to do for the world to have calm and peace is to sacrifice your life, and yet you run, in search of another path. Would that not be termed as selfishness?”
Eldana grew sad, and sorrowful as Fraweyni’s words settled. She knew there was truth to what Fraweyni said.
All this is my fault, she told herself. The displacements, the deaths, even Meko’s brother, all my fault.
“And you forsook your destined path, for a path that none of you yet know. What better way to define a dream?”
Siem noticed Eldana begin to sink into herself, and placed a palm on her hand and squeezed comfortingly.
“You are wrong.” She told Fraweyni. “Just because we do not yet see what we desire does not mean it does not exist. That is why there are hope and optimism. Sadly, I fear the elves have lived so long they have forgotten what those feel like. Everything is systemic, planned, and factual for you now.”
Fraweyni smiled indulgingly.
“Another misconception of the elves,” she said. “Everyone dreams, Siem. Imagination is key. The elves are not exempt from that. Everything first starts with imagination, a dream. Even the gods who formed this world, first conceived of it as a dream.” She lightly chuckled and smiled. “Don’t you forget the stories of Toas and the first particle. Every child in Toas learns it, don’t you?”
Both nodded.
“You see, nothing is always given, nothing is set. You can change your destiny.”
“Why are you then making this look like it is all futile?” Siem asked. “Does Eldana not deserve her life? An opportunity to live? Don’t we all?”
“Yes, we do. However, I think it would be lackadaisical of you to ignore the repercussions of your actions. Having them in mind fosters responsibility, sharpens focus, and makes sure that you give your all, even your life, to make your dream real.”
Fraweyni gazed at the young woman sitting in front of her.
“Cheer up.” She told them. “Your journey is going to be difficult, but it does not mean that what you search for cannot be found.”
Eldana looked up at her like she was just hearing her for the first time.
“What?” she asked.
“You were right in thinking that there is another way. There very rarely is none. When it comes to fate, the world is full of forks, a myriad of paths branching out from one major road. But believe me when I tell you that you are not ready yet. None of you is.”
“What?” Siem and Eldana questioned at the same time, gazing at Fraweyni like she did not know what she was saying.
“You are gifted magicians. All of you in your company. But if you want to reknit fate’s yarn, you are going to need more than just gifts.” Fraweyni said.
“That would not be the case,” Siem said. “If the elves decided to get involved in things. Again.”
Fraweyni grew thoughtful. “We may not involve ourselves directly.” She said after a while. “Not yet. But we can indirectly.”
Both traded uncertain glances.
“You see, the three of you are a source of intrigue for us. We may be able to help the world reshape itself if we help you.”
Eldana’s eyes brightened.
“You mean you are going to teach us?” she asked, incredulously.
“Yes, Eldana. We are going to teach you three what we know. But you are most especially. Siem here has had training as a Kajewil in the school of Magic. Whereas you ran from your teachers even before your training was complete. Too much is at stake though, the fate of the world and all that lives upon it. You will be trying to learn pieces of magic that takes decades to learn in only a few days that you will be staying with us...that is if you agree to this.”
Eldana gave Siem an eager look.
“Of course, we agree.”
Fraweyni nodded and smiled.
“I will arrange for you and Kochob to meet. In this fight, telepathy is something you want to gain considerable skill in,” she said. “Now,” she sat up from her seat, “I believe a visit to the infirmary is in store. One of your friends and one of my commanders tested their limits during training, and I fear they got the better of each other.”
“I can bet you anything that it is D’rmas.” Eldana said.
Siem chuckled.
“Who else would it be?” she asked rhetorically.
Fraweyni led them through the forest. As she walked, flowers bloomed. Both of them followed behind, and their eyes admiring the magic Fraweyni created effortlessly.
“Can you imagine?” Eldana whispered to Siem. “Being taught by elves.”
“Yeah,” she whispered back. “I feel strongly that we are going to be successful, now. Plus staying here will give us the secrecy we desperately need at the moment. When we continue our journey, things will have worsened for sure, but we will be ready, and maybe Sinto, Lord Taboon, and the King’s search for us will have died down.”
The infirmary was a large white tent, decked by curtains of flowering vines. They met Meko by the entrance speaking with a male elf. They both turned and bowed their heads acknowledging Fraweyni’s presence.
“How are the patients doing?” Fraweyni asked.
“They are back on their feet already,” Meko replied.
“Their wounds were not too severe, I hope?”
“No, mother.”
“I thought there were things in place to prevent something like this happening?”
“The blades were blunted,” the elf Meko had been speaking with said, “but they can still hurt!”
“Well, whatever
