Karigan awoke early to the warmth of the sun streaming onto her skin. She stretched luxuriously as the feather soft quilt rustled against her skin. What a night. She lay for a while longer processing her arrival and marvelling at the incredible things she had witnessed so far. I mean, she ate dinner with the Elt folk of her childhood and told them that their best meal was an oat cake! She was meant to be a diplomat! The laughter on her lips died down as this new thought brought on a range of apprehensions she had been stewing on for a fortnight. Clearly the Eletians wanted her here for a reason. Why? What was she meant to do here? Could she trust anyone? How would she protect herself and Condor? What was happening with the king's armies? The same ream of questions flowed through her mind uninterrupted until a soft knock on the door brought her to the present moment. She sat up and swung herself out of the bed with a muffled groan, gripping the roots that had cradled her for support. She hobbled over to the door to meet her visitor.
"Good morning Galadheon," greeted Somara with a smile. "I have brought you breakfast."
She held a wooden tray that was laden with fresh juice, a tea that smelt like the forest itself had been steeped in the brew, steaming oat cakes with honey, cherries and loquats. Karigan realised how hungry she was as soon as the scents wafted under her nose. Her stomach growled to her chagrin.
"Good morning. That is so nice of you, thank you, I didn't realise how hungry I was. By the way, if you like you can just call me Karigan."
Somara acknowledged her last statement. "I am happy to do so. You have been referred to as the Galadheon amongst our folk for a very long time and I suspect there are those that forget this is not your first born name."
Karigan blinked. What does she mean, a very long time? What had they been saying? She thought now was not the time to question Somara as the Eletian gracefully laid the tray on the floor by the window and pulled a pillow from the wall to make a seat for Karigan. Karigan walked forwards and sat on her makeshift chair.
"Would you care to join me, Somara?"
The Eletian dropped into her seat in a single fluid move. "I have already eaten thank you, but I will join you so we can discuss your plans for today."
Karigan bit into the oat cake, closing her eyes momentarily as the sweet and salty flavours hit her mouth. Mmmmmmmmmm. She finished the cake in four gulps even though she was trying to eat daintily like the court ladies. She sipped her tea and sighed with satisfaction. Samara's eyes crinkled.
"I am glad you are here. To be honest, Somial and I never talked about what was expected of me once I had arrived. I would be lying if I didn't say I wasn't a little worried. I am just a human in the midst of…Eletians," Karigan finished lamely, cringing on the inside.
"Do not fear your time with us Karigan. You are welcome here, and we were expecting a human and your behaviours." Although others might have construed this as rude, Karigan found this simple statement oddly comforting. "This is a place for you to rest and heal. Although I do not know the specifics, we are aware that you carry great wounds as I saw myself yesterday. Your time here to recover is our way of giving thanks to you for saving those of our kind at the Great Lady's behest. Whilst you are here, all that is required of you is to sleep deeply, eat well and meditate amongst the beauty of nature so that your mind might also rest. Somial will continue to provide you with restorative sessions. That is all. If you wish, once you have gained your strength back, we do have the skills to retrain you in the fighting arts, in a manner most suited to someone with limited movement."
Karigan hungrily latched on to the last sentence. Right there. In the back of her mind a powerful desire came rushing forth, one she had kept locked away since it briefly emerged when Somial first offered her this journey. Could she possibly learn to fight again? If she could anywhere, it would be here.
Somara saw her posture stiffen as she leaned in impulsively. Her smile widened and she patted Karigan's hand. "I can see this suggestion is not repulsive to you. It may be some time yet but we will arrange training in due course."
"Thank you," Karigan whispered fervently. She kept her eyes averted so Somara wouldn't see them swimming with tears and finished her breakfast in a comfortable silence. A thought came to her suddenly.
"So Somara, what skills are you putting to use at present?" she asked, mindful of what Teladriah had explained about Eletian 'jobs'. She hoped to see Teladriah soon; it felt strange not to after spending two weeks on the road together.
Somara widened her arms. "I am young and am yet to hear the calling of what most makes my heart sing. I am fingolomide; one who is journeying through the tasks that binds our world together in search of that which pleases me most and thus will serve those with whom I live."
Karigan considered this with some admiration. She thought about all the people she knew in Corsa who lived their lives with unhappiness at the lot that befell them each day. She thought of her fellow Riders, all of whom were called to service, and the earnest depth of loyalty, courage and hard work they displayed, regardless of their colourful backgrounds. There was a certain amount of sense in having the community around you engaged in work that spoke most to their interests.
Karigan smiled and replied quietly. "Well, I hope you are able to find skills that bring you joy. Whilst being a Green Rider is in many ways very difficult, I would not swap it for the world. I listened to the call; well, eventually I listened to it, and as much as it has brought me grief and sadness it has also given me great friendship and many interesting tales. I have always felt honoured to serve my king."
Somara smiled to her and rose to her feet. "I would be most pleased to hear some of those stories one day. Now, should we see to your bath and then head to the forest?"
Karigan assented and tried to pick up her tray but Somara gently shooed her away. After another delightful bath Karigan was this time clothed in a green gown, the colour of oak leaves. She admired the extraordinary fabric again with the careful eyes of a merchant and then somewhat reluctantly followed Somara below, feeling slightly apprehensive about meeting new people. As she descended she considered what an odd mission this was turning out to be and yet how natural it felt. She knew that diplomatic missions generally involved rigid schedules and a flurry of business and social meetings. Eletia was not like that. This felt more like slotting into the daily life of Eletians and to be honest, she thought that was a major improvement over the traditional routine. Definitely something the king needs to work on, she thought with a smirk.
It was early and bright as they walked the forest path towards a small pond near one of the trees. Several Eletians were seated around the water, motionless. They were clearly in communion with the forest and Karigan turned a questioning gaze towards Somara. Somara smiled without speaking and gestured to a bed roll lying prostrate beside a clump of reeds. Clearly it was time to meditate.
Karigan lay down on her front gingerly as Somara settled beside her. She craned her neck surreptitiously but it appeared that her tranquil companions were in their own world and not paying her attention. Karigan closed her eyes and let her ears attune to the whisper of wind that gently shook the branches of trees, and the soft ripples that's formed every time a duck kicked its legs in the pond. Between that and the warmth of the sun beaming onto her spine she found herself drowsy and walking to the meadow within minutes.
Seastaria was waiting for her and now that Karigan was in Eletia she was surprised to find how remarkably similar the quality of this clearing was. Maybe her senses were just heightened but it seemed to have the same intense, ethereal beauty that she had noticed once she crossed the border. Karigan walked towards Seastaria and joined her as the mare began walking along the field. She enjoyed the soft noises of the meadow and was content to be in the company of this magnificent horse. All of a sudden they came to a stop next to a lake. Karigan noticed Seastaria looking across and followed her line of sight. She flinched, startled to see that directly across the water lay an all expansive whiteness. Her heart leapt and she licked her lips nervously. Ugh no, she thought.
"So," she said cautiously to the goddess. "I can't say I'm overly fond of that place. I'm really hoping this is as close as we are going to get."
Seastaria turned to look at her and Karigan was caught in her eyes, a thousand threads of the future shining through them at a dizzying speed. She blinked and it was gone. As was the white world, so it appeared. Karigan leaned against the goddess and frowned, wondering what that glimpse was supposed to mean. She stayed for a while longer and then retraced her steps back through the meadow into her consciousness, grimacing as the stiffness in her body alerted her to how long she had been lying down. She made her way up and stretched, puzzling over why Seastaria would choose to bring the white world into their meadow. It's pointless figuring out what the gods want, she told herself. You never know until you are smack in the middle of some situation you don't want to be in.
Her stomach rumbled and she was surprised to see that the sun was shining in a mid-west direction. She had never meditated for so long before. It must be something in the water. Somara opened her eyes and gracefully rose to her feet, beckoning for Karigan to join her as they gained the path.
"It is a beautiful day for stillness. I hope you found your experience refreshing."
Karigan considered her reply and decided not to speak of her concerns just yet. "I do feel very calm I admit. It is a wonderful place. The sounds of the pond make it very easy to drop in."
Somara inclined her head in acknowledgement. "That is true, although as you can see one could spend all day there and it certainly builds the appetite. Shall we adjourn to the dining area?"
Karigan nodded and could feel her stomach tighten slightly as she thought about entering an area with lots of Eletians she didn't know, which in itself was a ridiculous thought. They visited a different tree this time, with the roots elevated out of the ground at a massive height, providing plenty of space for light to shine in. The air was cool inside and was a welcome respite from the suns heat. A central table was layered with wide tree leaves upon which sat plates and plates of food. Karigan was surprised to see such a substantial meal and said as much to Somara.
"Eletian culture places emphasis on eating according to the season, whether that means the hour of the day or the month of the year. We eat our largest meal when the sun is at its zenith as that is when we require the most sustenance and when we have the most energy for proper digestion. Light meals at night allow us to expend our energy on socialising instead."
Karigan considered this. It made an awful amount of sense and she recalled the many nights she had fallen into her bed in a stupor after eating a heavy meal on a winter's night. This was something to jot down for the future.
Karigan looked at the dishes and at Samara's suggestion chose fingers of compressed grain with a vegetable layer on top, wild cherries, and a vegetable soup. She admired how vibrant the food was, both in colour, texture, taste and smell and how it always seemed to be the perfect temperature. It was artistically arranged and little flowers and herbs decoratively adorned each dish. The Eletians clearly valued the inherent beauty of food and eating such fare filled Karigan with a keen sense of pleasure.
Much like last night, the folk who wandered in and out acknowledged both of them before re-joining their groups. Karigan felt the knot in her stomach loosen and she was secretly happy that she was somewhat being ignored. It seemed that the Elt mostly chose to treat her politely yet indifferently, which she was just fine with. A few stopped to talk with her further and ask her questions on her homeland but the conversations rarely went for more than 10 minutes or so. After they were done eating the wonderful food and warm herbal teas, Somara suggested they continue their tour.
They walked onwards between the trees and Karigan was fascinated to see the patterning of the roots and how this had led to the organic formation of different living areas. She had already visited the two open dining areas but there were closely knitted tree bases that served for eating on rainy nights, and places for meditation and lounging. In one of the largest trees there was an indoor community space where dancing could occur on the darkest of nights. Eletians clearly enjoyed being out in nature the most as each space between and around the trees also served a purpose, with benches dotted around and stone patterns in the ground. There was beauty and grace in each design and Karigan couldn't believe what an impact it had on her feeling of well-being.
"I notice that there doesn't seem to be any school areas," Karigan commented to Somara. Somara looked at her puzzled.
"Why would you need an area for school?" she asked. Karigan explained.
"Well, in my home there is a place for students to visit so that a teacher can show them the basics of how to read and write, how to sew and woodwork. You know, a place of learning."
Somara looked at her solemnly. "We have very few young in our people at any given time and they have much to learn during their juvenility. It would not make sense to confine them to one area for learning when learning occurs in every place one walks."
Karigan considered her answer and nodded in agreement. "That does make more sense than the way we teach our young."
They continued on their journey until they reached the majestic tree in the centre of the copse. Windows were carved in beautiful, winding patterns up the trunk whilst the roots aerated themselves to provide the most spacious area Karigan had seen yet. At the end facing east was a magnificent chair formed of intricate roots, vines and leaves. Karigan looked on in awe as she realised she was looking at something no human had ever witnessed.
"Is that the throne of King Santanara?" she whispered. Somara smiled at her.
"It is, although his son, our great prince, currently leads our people whilst our great king sleeps."
"He was very nice to me," Karigan complimented. Samara's eyes widened slightly.
"But of course, you met him when you brought our sleeping Elt here during the ruin of Argenthyne. Strange, I have not thought of that in many a moon."
Karigan nodded although her mind was far away. The mention of Argenthyne immediately brought back the worry she had for her friends, her fellow soldiers, her country and her king. She fretted about the state of things outside the forest of the Elt before remembering it had been barely two weeks since her arrival and it was doubtful any of the real fighting had begun. Hope flared within her. She tried to shove it down, not willing to admit to herself that her strong desire to come to Eletia had been in no small part because she desperately wanted to heal enough to be able to fight. She thought her back had improved slightly due to Somial's frequent attention although she was not even a hundredth of the way through her journey, if it even could be done. She shook her head and tried to concentrate on what Somara was saying.
"Our people gather here to discuss important events with their prince. It is always a most wondrous affair to listen to our elder's converse, given their history within our community as well as the larger world. There are many things to learn from them."
Karigan smiled at her enthusiasm and commented, "I can only imagine what that must be like. It's certainly an interesting affair when my aunts and father discuss our family business!"
She wandered around the meeting place a while longer, feeling the echo of history and the enormity of what must pass here sink into her bones. She felt small and it was rather a nice feeling; to think that there were many other important things discussed that she was too unimportant to be privy too, and would burden the shoulders of others and keep hers free. She shivered.
They passed into the warmth of the sun and Karigan followed Somara to a tree third to the left of the one her room belonged to. They climbed the stairs and Karigan admired the beauty of the sunset out of the staircase window as she continued winding upwards. At the end of the staircase, Somara opened the door and gestured for her to enter first. Karigan did so and drew a breath in. The entire west facing of the circular room was a giant window. Only a thin tendril of vine across the open space acted as a very discrete barrier to prevent falls. She kept a good few metres away from the edge although she could barely take her eyes off the top of the golden light tinged tree canopy, it was so breathtaking.
"Good evening, Karigan. Welcome to my home." Somial entered from a side chamber and greeted her with a warm smile.
"I cannot believe you live here. It's incredible. Aren't you scared you will fall out?" Karigan blurted out her words, too flabbergasted by the height and incredible architecture to worry too much about how she sounded.
"An Eletian could not fall from a tree he wishes to inhabit," replied Somial mysteriously. That really clears it up, thought Karigan with more than hint of sarcasm.
Despite the expansive space, the only accoutrements in the room were several pillows, and a low bench holding tea things and a collection of objects from the natural world. Karigan thought she could see a long iridescent blue feather, a piece of limestone rock and a sprig of bayberries, amongst other things. She smiled in fond memory of the Berry sisters and thought how much they would have loved to be with her right now.
"I would ask of you Karigan to join me each night as the sun begins to rest to begin your healing journey, if it pleases you."
Karigan nodded fervently. It was all she wanted.
"Excellent. Let us begin."
Somara settled herself into a cushion in the corner and closed her eyes in meditation. Karigan was glad as she didn't love the idea of being watched by someone in a corner, even if that someone was lovely. Somial settled Karigan on a cushion in front of him, taking care to ensure she was nowhere near the empty drop. He placed his hands on her scalp and performed his ritualistic healing. She opened her eyes once completed and thanked him.
"Whilst I will say you are welcome, we have barely started and I would ask you to remain seated. You are aware that I have a tendency towards the healing arts. Outside of the borders of Eletia this is significantly weakened, and I can perform even less assistance on the road. However in my own home with the bounty of the woods at my disposal, there are more potent activities we can try if you would submit to the healing program I have designed."
"Of course Somial, I would be more than grateful to you for anything you can do to help me."
Somial nodded and asked Somara to help de-robe her torso and assist her to lie down on the cushions with her back bowed over. After a minute or so she felt the warmth of a cloth soaked in strongly scented medicinal oils being draped over the back. She relaxed at the instant soothing sensation she felt as soon as her tight, ruined skin began to soften. He placed his hands gently and methodically over each part, singing in the tongue of the Elt as he did. Karigan was asleep within seconds.
She awoke to birds singing in the evening twilight as Somial removed the wraps from her back.
"Well youngling. It seems you did not find this to be a painful treatment," he said to her with a smile.
"Ummmmm," was all she could manage to get out. She felt so foggy and relaxed.
"We are not done yet. When you are ready sit up and face the window with your back to me. Take it slowly."
She did as he instructed felling a little self-conscious and sat on a cushion. Somara placed a steaming cup of honey scented tea in front of her and she drank greedily. Once she had sated her thirst and placed her arms at her sides, she heard Somial sing behind her again as he very gently rubbed a balm onto her skin. She definitely gritted her teeth in parts but was amazed to find that the pain was minimal compared to what she was expecting. Was he a miracle worker?
Somial finished and Somara helped Karigan to her feet and into her clothes as he packed up. Karigan still felt dazed, warm and cosy. She smiled at him beatifically and he chuckled.
"Somara, would you please fetch the food I requested earlier for Karigan?" She assented and left them alone.
"Now for the final ceremony. Remove your eye patch, please."
Karigan did as she was instructed and opened her eyes. Power flowed into her as she stared through her unseeing eye. He looked deeply at her entire eye socket before placing his hands on her head.
"We are going to finish with the normal healing spell however now that we are alone I wish your eyes to remain open. Do not block the feeling of power flowing through you. Take special note on anything you may see."
Karigan licked her lips nervously as she felt the pressure build in her eye. Somial's power flowed easily into her as it did every other night but this time she felt something different. A sensation, almost like a web, formed around the power that the mirror eye images created and for the first time ever it felt contained. She could look out into the silver glassiness of her eye and felt no pain. Or at least, she could feel the pain was there, simmering underneath, but held at bay out of her reach by Somial's power. The shimmery grey continued for eternity. Strangely she couldn't see any pictures at all. Usually she would have been assaulted ten times over by now and gasping on the ground but…- wait, was that? No, it couldn't be.
Despite her denials she squinted hard and a speck appeared. It grew larger rapidly. It was the white world! What was that doing in her vision? Her visions had always been for other people but no-one she knew had ever been into the white world except for her. The all-encompassing whiteness loomed large in her vision until she felt like she was being sucked into it. Then she felt Somial begin to withdraw his power and she returned to her senses, rapidly blinking her eye and shutting it tightly. Somial removed his bands and she fumbled for the special eye patch, placing it over her eye socket and breathing a sigh of relief.
He led her to the cushion in front of the window and calmly faced her.
"So Galadheon, tonight we have completed your first healing. And how do you feel?"
Karigan considered her back for a moment as she squirmed in her seat. "You know Somial this is the first time since before I left to go north that I have felt a semblance of my old self. I am not a fool; I know I can't ever return to that person I was before. But I feel lighter and the pain has definitely lessoned. There is more ease in my muscles and the skin, well the scars feel less puckered, if you know what I mean. It's like the stony weight on my whole body, on my mind, has shed a few pebbles. That's the best I can come up with."
Somial chuckled. "It sounds like it was a success."
Karigan nodded and hesitated before adding. "Somial, I have had two experiences today that I want to share with you. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disturbed."
He gestured for her to continue. She took a sip of tea to order her thoughts.
"Earlier, Somara led me to the meditation pond and I went to the meadow like Enver taught me to meet my guide, Seastaria. Normally we sort of just hang out in the meadow but this time, she beckoned me to a lake and opposite us was the white world. I have never seen it before in this place, there is only ever meadow. And just now, when your hands were on me, I could feel you almost trapping the power of the mirror eye and containing it so for the first time I was able to control the images coming through. Actually control probably isn't the right word. More like I wasn't assaulted with pictures and so distinctive ones could appear to me. And again, the white world just enlarged in my vision to the point that I thought I was being absorbed. It wasn't until I felt your hands shift that I was able to back out of the vision and return to normal."
Karigan finished and waited for Somial to reply. He was very still and stared out of the window and over the tree canopy. Eventually she wriggled; despite his magical healing she still couldn't sit for long. He returned his unfathomable gaze to her.
"Interesting. I must consider this more. This white world, tell me more about it."
Karigan then began to explain the times she had entered the white world, first with Shawdell, which was a bit awkward as she explained how she essentially murdered his fellow Eletian, followed by her shepherding of the sleeper Eletians. She finished as Somara returned with their food and she sat to join them.
"Karigan, one day when you have been with us for a while I would be most interested in spending some time listening to your past. I understand you have had several adventures in your life." Story of my life, muttered Karigan to herself. "I would be most pleased to document them," finished Somara.
Somial smiled at the younger Elt gently. "Our Somara is quite the historian. I do not know where her talents lie over the course of time but I would be surprised if it did not involve story given how beautifully she weaves it."
Somara dipped her head in thanks. They ate companionably as Somial changed topics and spoke to Karigan of the animals of the forest, the birds who would visit his home and the badger family that lived close by. The mood was light and she enjoyed a most excellent meal. As they finished their tea, Somial instructed Karigan on bathing requirements and an extended sleep. Karigan had no idea what time it was, Eletians seemed to run on the feel of the day rather than specific times. All Karigan knew was that she was exhausted, and when Somara helped her sink into the bath in her new home, and then wake her to assist her into bed, she felt the happiest she had felt in an age.