Eldana smiled and said:
“Perhaps, if all this blows over, and we are still alive, I would be free then, and have almost all the time to learn anything.”
“Perhaps,” Meko said. “You and your friends,” she cast her eyes on Siem, and Hermon who nodded as their eyes met, “will always be welcome among the elves of Ciroc. I am sure my mother feels this way too.”
Eldana, Siem, and Hermon conveyed their thanks at the honor.
“I should leave you all to get prepared for your departure,” Meko said.
They bade him good night and then watched him walk out of the infirmary, and the friends were silent for a while until Hermon spoke.
“I cannot believe that we are finally getting back on the road.” He said. His voice was low, as the prospect of continuing on their journey was daunting.
“Same here,” Siem said after a while.
Hermon chuckled, “We have spent so much time here that I have forgotten what it feels like to be on the run, and sleeping out in the open. This place has almost become…”
“Home.” Eldana completed. It had been almost five moons since they first intruded on the elves, she realized. “This place is a home.”
Siem and Hermon looked at her and sighed. They were all saddened at having to leave the beauty and elegance of elf life. At the same time, they were apprehensive at facing the rest of Toas again. They did not know what it was going to be like, but they knew they would not meet it the same way they had left it.
“What time have you all decided to leave?” a voice said, interrupting their silence.
Eldana, Siem, and Hermon turned to see Fraweyni walking towards them. She had a smile on her face, and the light seemed to have returned to her.
“We…Wh… Uhm…” Eldana stuttered.
“Meko told you we were leaving?” Siem asked.
“No,” Fraweyni replied with a smile. “You just did.”
Eldana, Siem, and Hermon laughed.
“Well, if it helps,” Fraweyni said, “you did not entirely tell me everything. The other half I conjectured for myself. I have spent to long in this world, and I am about the wealthiest person alive when it comes to experience and knowledge. With what had just occurred, I knew you would be blaming yourselves and would want to leave immediately to prevent something like what happened today from happening again.”
“Exactly,” Eldana replied. “But we would not have left without telling you. We just did not know if it was feasible to approach you after…”
“Yes.” Fraweyni said, nodding understandably, “After my temper. I am sorry you all had to see that. Call it a cup I had been storing for ages, now gone full.”
“We understand,” Siem said. “And I hope you understand why we must leave?”
“Yes, I do. But not for some of the reasons you have.”
The three of them gave Fraweyni puzzled looks. She smiled.
“Let me put things succinctly. First, those orcs might have come here looking for you, Eldana, but it was not your fault that elves had to die for it. You heard the mage. It was always bound to happen. Elves have been killed in like manner in the past. So, leave the guilt from the reasons why you are leaving us. But, if you are leaving because the world is rapidly falling apart, and you need to fix it before it falls beyond repair, then I understand. Though Kochob argues that you, Eldana, are not fully trained, yet.”
Eldana nodded, thanking the Elf Queen for her understanding. “What about you?” she asked.
“What about me?” Fraweyni enquired.
“Well, Kochob says I am not ready yet. But what do you think?”
“I think, there is no time for any of us to get fully ready. The way the world is unravelling does not allow for that. We can only equip ourselves with what is necessary, and hope to gain more on our way to battle.”
Eldana nodded respectfully. “Thank you,” she told Fraweyni.
Fraweyni nodded, “There is someone though you have to meet before you can have a chance at restoring order and balance without dying.”
“Who is that?” Eldana asked. “Another teacher?”
“Something like that. You will learn a few things from her. Things that may turn out to be fundamental to your victory.”
“Where is she, and who?” Siem wondered.
“Well, as for where she is at Piece Island.”
“Piece Island?!” They all chorused in unison.
“That is exactly what I said,” Fraweyni said. “Piece Island.”
“But that would warrant us exposing ourselves to the main roads and cities. And in doing that we risk capture.” Siem protested.
“All that has been put into consideration, and that is why you all will be going by sea,” Fraweyni said with calm authority.
“What an adventure,” Eldana said drily.
“An adventure indeed,” Fraweyni said.
“I do not think any of us have any experience steering a ship.” Siem expressed.
Fraweyni smiled. “There will be no need for that.” She said mysteriously. “The ship was a gift from a family of Technocons. They were helpful to us during our stay in Kleas.”
The Technocons wanted peace and progress, Eldana understood. At times, they behaved like they were the father of all the races. It was easy to relate with the elves who were equally as peace-loving as the technocons.
“So you are saying, we would not need to steer her?” Hermon enquired.
“No. The ship steers itself. It seems to have a recollection of all locations in Toas. All you need to do is select your intended location and it takes you there. There are provisions though, for the ship to be controlled manually, too.”
Eldana, Siem, and Hermon conveyed their gratitude and appreciation for everything to Fraweyni. Fraweyni merely smiled.
“I do hope this is not the end for all of us. It would be nice to have you, all of you, here again. Well, I have said enough. You all should get some rest. You have a long voyage ahead of you. And speaking of
