Faris looked around the white walls of the medical room he was in. The healers had finished their work and had done a good job, he looked down and saw the locations he had been burned looked good as new. Though closer inspection revealed a distinct lack of body hair. He glanced at the supply closet in the corner of the room, ajar just slightly. He shook his head, lying back down as he thanked whatever higher power looked over him for letting him be reborn in a place with magic. He heard stirring next to him and turned to his left. The next cot over sat Morgan, he was rubbing his eyes as if waking up from a long slumber.

"Oh! You're up I see!" He stretched his limbs and let out a loud yawn. Faris stifled his own as he looked around. "Enjoying the décor?" Morgan added jokingly, "It's like they thought just pure white would be visually stimulating, anyways you're lucky."

"I am?" Faris asked. "How so?"

"The duel had ended, so the feature to quickly get one to the healers deactivated. The elf ambassador personally came down to pick you up and bring you here, people were talking about it." Morgan smiled excitedly, "My Grandfather came in here! He congratulated me! Told me I made him proud. He never, and I mean never, says that normally! Thank you! Even that short training was helpful!"

Faris nodded his head, smiling lightly as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I take it you all received your stones back?"

"Yes, unfortunately the reserves inside them all had been drained dry, which in itself is also an amazing feat given that we had been in a huge disadvantage." Morgan leaned against the wall, twiddling his fingers as he turned to his friend. "Faris? How had you known and anticipated all those things?"

Faris closed his eyes and leaned back.

"When you told me about the second-years, I decided to do a little digging, no one paid attention to me, assuming I was pretty weak, so I was able to catch bits of gossip over the week. They rumored that the previously highest ranked student started a relationship with a second-year. I heard also that those second-years formed relationships with students known for having high levels of magical stamina, then betraying them for top ranking students, If the trend was to follow, then I would have had to suspect Namor, Namor has two lackies worth mentioning, Jaxon, who has a pretty tough body but terrible mental combat abilities, and a boy by the name of Warren, warren is currently an unaffiliated Mage, and his most used magic was invisibility and footstep removal." He smiled as he looked at Morgan wide-eyed.

"How'd you get that information?" He asked, shocked.

"I told Bartholomew I'd give him ¼ of the energy I gathered from winning." Faris winked. "Anyways, once I saw Jaxon, I knew Warren would be there as well, if you remember, we had gotten out Jaxon and one more mage before Venka made it rain with holy fire." His face turned serious as he held up his ten fingers before folding two. "Let's pretend it's Mira, girl one and girl two, Namor, Jaxon, Warren, and lackies one through four, for a total of ten combatants. Those two folded fingers were Jaxon and lacky one." He folded five more fingers. "We only saw five lights representing expelled mages." Morgan widened his eyes as Faris wiggled his three fingers. "I couldn't be sure that the third mage was Warren, but all evidence pointed to that, he likely couldn't safely fight while the golems were there. And if he attacked any of us while our wards were still at max, we could likely have outed him, so he waited until he was sure we were all exhausted."

Morgan breathed out in awe. "So that's why you kept the alarm spell on?!" He shook his head, smiling. "In order to find him if and when he attacked."

"Yes and no, the game rules require you to have a ward on, mana left, and stamina. A ward that simple barely drained me when I was at my weakest, as all it really does is let me know if the air is disturbed by a sufficiently large being in my immediate area. As long as I could keep the mages on the other team from thinking to use on target abilities like commanding the ancient language to set me on fire, I would be okay."

"Actually, I'm curious, how did you keep them from doing that?" Morgan looked at his hand, "Normally wards block it, but I know a spell like that would take a larger chunk of your wards than you'd be comfortable with, in fact because of crystals, the disparity between the weaker and stronger mages has increased dramatically."

"Trade secret sir, and I doubt you'd be able to learn it anytime soon, just imagine that I'd be winning more mental duels if I didn't have to worry about keeping the enemy from thinking to use or accessing magical attacks that would target me on person." Faris replied. "Though, I guess a hint wouldn't hurt. Also, the rest of you can come out now." He glared at the supply closet in the corner of the room. Within seconds the door opened and Venka, Katya, and Nya came tumbling out, all looking as healthy as before the battle even started.

"I'm glad you're awake." Katya began, "The Protectors of Life would have been shamed if a patient of ours didn't recover from simple burns."

"Gee thanks for caring." Faris smiled even as he said that, he was starting to warm up to these goofballs it seemed. "Anyways why'd you guys hide there while I was giving out secrets, you wanted to keep yours under wraps?"

Nya looked down a bit, "Well, I kind of wanted to trade for those odd hand-to-hand combat techniques."

Katya smiled, "Your owl was free of lice and ticks and other parasites from what I saw when you set it down, maybe healing tips for other healing tips?"

Morgan chucked, "I apologize dear rival, when they beseeched me to ask of you how you fought with such elegant mental fortitude, I could not resist their plaintive faces."

"Et tu Venka? Hast thou betrayed me?" Faris asked in mock hurt.

"Well, I kind of want to get back to that Kung Fu and Tai Chi stuff you were teaching me, and when you were assessing everyone's capacity to duel mentally, you were trouncing us. And now you're telling me that it's handicapped?!" Venka shook her head. "That's no fair."

"Well actually I told Morgan it's handicapped, you all decided to listen in, anyways sure, I'll teach you, on two conditions from each of you." Faris turned to each of the three.

"One, I want any guide books or skill and or theory books on each of your respective schools and their techniques."

The three looked at each other then back at Faris, nodding, "It'll take a bit but each of us have a bit of sway in our respective guilds, especially after this battle, and if we say that it's in order to get into your good graces, they would be much more willing to hand out such things." Nya completed, but then hastily shook her head while stuttering out "O-of course! We aren't actually trying to get in your good graces or anything or bribe you! Or take advantage or anything anymore!"

"Nya, it's alright, I'm not even mad. I know what you meant." Faris chuckled before clearing his throat. "Anyway, if we're going to do it, we'll go to the forest outside Ilrea, I sensed I was being scryed on last time, but I have ways of stopping that in the forest. I'm sharing these secrets with you, and no one else, so I want you all to promise in the ancient language that unless I give you permission, you cannot share what you've learned with anyone other than yourselves, nor put yourself in a situation that allows over hearing." Faris expected some arguments but looked in surprise as his team mates swore in the ancient language quickly.

"What?" Morgan said as he smiled. "We trust you, and you've proven to be a good deal more honorable that the average person."

"Have you not seen me fight?" Faris asked incredulously.

"Honor in combat is winning in a correct way, I don't remember you surrendering then hitting the opponent when they would otherwise not expect fighting. And besides, that energy was stolen from me in the first place, that's not dishonorable, that's just karmic justice. I quite like that word, karma, where is it from?"

Faris smiled, "I can't answer that, but I can tell you what it means…"

Lord Jay and the rest of the thirteen opened the door to the main patient room to find Faris, Venka, Morgan, Nya, and Katya all in the same odd poses he had observed Faris and Venka take when they had scryed on them the first time. He raised his eye brows at the display, and did his best to hold in any humorous thoughts as he turned to face three of his compatriots, Celica looked at the display with confusion, Sona smiled at the entire thing, and Rakus was flabbergasted

"W-w-what is this ridiculous display! Young man, are you trying to lead my grandson into some sort of disgusting ritual?!"

"Grandpa!" Morgan yelled embarrassedly, "It's a training technique to help my balance and stamina!"

"Oh!" Rakus looked down and coughed in his hand a bit. "I see." He turned around. "Carry on then."

"Magister Rakus?" Another council member asked, a Desert Tribe Surdan native with several precisions stone-studded piercings.

"I said carry on then!" Everyone remained silent as Rakus faced away. "I need to gather my thoughts and revise a spell formula I had been working on."

He's embarrassed, ran through the thoughts of the council members, who returned to looking at the First-Year Pearls. They had all stood attention, all except for Faris, who was stretching his legs to the side. Many of the thirteen stifled groans. While the first years looked at Faris bug-eyed, they knew he said he hated the thirteen, and they understood that on some level he was being truthful, but to so openly antagonize them? Lord Jaya rolled his eyes at Faris's cool smile, he solemnly walked forward.

"Commendable work out there in the arena young Faris, that goes to all of you, you made the thirteen proud, your family members especially." He turned to Morgan, smiling. "You should have seen it, your grandfather leapt with the excitement of a young child as he witnessed your masterful control of lightning."

Morgan's smile strained as the room erupted into stifled giggles and snorts of laughter held back, like a storm in the bottle waiting to break open the winds of laughter.

"Thank you, Lord Jaya." Faris replied, "May I ask why you wish to speak to me?"

"Of course you may young one, if you remember I had requested that if your team won, I would respectfully ask that you join me in meeting our ambassadors from the elven kingdom, they have even expressed an interest in meeting you, I am sure you must have heard that the lead ambassador personally took you here to be recuperated, and that he was truly impressed with all of the performances, yours especially when he was made aware of your disposition."

Faris smiled. "I remember that, and so may I make two requests?"

Lord Jaya's smiled faltered before he stretched it again, but the first-years flinched when they saw his eyes.

"…Of course, you can, but I ask that they be completed after the meeting, and that you do not delay it much longer, Vanir, like most elves are known for their patience, but we are in soon to be trying times with a war down south, I do not wish to insult our allies."

Faris nodded. "They are simple enough requests sir…"

Lord Jaya walked down the hall, glancing to his right he saw Faris, the boy wore a light smile, almost matching his own. Did I overestimate him? He thought to himself as he observed the boy in the corner of his eye, his dark shoulder length hair bouncing and shining with an uncharacteristically healthy gloss one would expect on a noblewoman. Those requests he made, they were too simplistic, too… does he not strive to become stronger? His will to live is decent enough but without that overwhelming drive to improve no great talent would ever be useful. Faris noticed Jaya's gaze and turned up to him quizzically.

"Getting cold feet?"

"No, I am merely wondering what my daughter sees in you." Lord Jaya said.

Faris's dark face colored as he turned forward. Lord Jaya smirked, happy he was able to say something without the boy being able to respond with his trademark retorts.

"Could you tell her that Seithr oil and dark root are not flattering flavors, also can you tell her to at least buy a drink for a poor fella next time, it's unbecoming."

There it is, humph how does the boy have the time to come up with these? "Well I guess next time." Lord Jaya muttered.

"What?" Faris asked. He shrugged and faced forward when no reply came for some time.

Venka looked at the two with a mix of apprehension, worry, and a bit of jealousy. What was he doing with Jaya's daughter? She resolved she'd ask him about it later. She glanced at the two women between her. She remembered Celica as the mage who had had the outburst when they first met the thirteen. She knew Celica was Nya's older sister, some of Nya's worse habits were easily traced back to her elder sister it seemed. Sona on the other hand looked like a very calm and collected lady, Venka hazarded a guess that Katya inherited her hot tempered and violent nature from her time with Nya.

"I enjoyed how you gave that girl a thrashing." Sona laughed, "It reminded me of my younger days."

Then again, Venka thought, apples don't fall far from trees.

"Thank you, Lady Sona,"

"Please, just Sona is fine, I wish to try and reconcile our terrible first meeting. I am also thankful you made friends with my daughter, she spoke of you last night."

Venka smiled politely, then stifled a giggle as she heard Katya voice out an embarrassed protest.

"Hmph, should have done more in my opinion." Celica frowned. "I would have broken her arm for even thinking to touch my crystal."

"Celica…" Sona began, "Do you want me to share all of the trouble you got into with your little sister?"

Nya perked up. "Please do"

Celica stared daggers as Sona, who simply smiled at the younger woman. "The best part," she began, turning to the girls, "Is that it won't get better for her until she becomes an old woman."

"You wouldn't dare…" Celica began menacingly.

"Or what?"

"I'll tell everyone your real age."

Now it was Katya's turn to perk up. "Mom?"

"Don't listen to her honey, she's just being silly." It was now Sona's turn to look at Celica menacingly, who merely replied with a fierce grin.

Before the epic battle could commence, they made it to the end of the long hallway, which opened up to a beautiful garden. Faris could not help must admire the botany, whoever tended the garden was as caring as they were skilled.

"Do you like it? I used to tend to it myself, but I've left it to my daughter." Lord Jaya stated.

Then again, it could be better.

Lord Jaya was surprised to see that there was no retort. He turned to face his thirteen and the children, "I and the thirteen will leave you to speak with the ambassador, we have already had our meetings with them, and I hope you enjoy the exciting times to come in this school year." As he turned to leave, he looked back at the kids, "Remember, you are representative of the Broddring Kingdom and humans in general the second you walk into that room to speak to them." He looked at Faris as he spoke, "Take care to not offend them."

The children waited until the sound of footsteps faltered before releasing held breaths and tension. They turned to face the simple wooden door at the end of the greenhouse garden. Eventually Venka took the lead, walking up to and opening the door.

The first thing the children noticed was the cool breeze, they were outside now, overlooking the city's heart. The trains moved even now, and the hubbub of the city could be heard even from the height. It was raining lightly, and the clouds covered the moon, but things were still visible due to all the lights littering the city. For their part a soft yellow light illuminated the room with its gentle pulsing glow. Under this light they could see three elves.

Faris could immediately tell it was Vanir from Anya's memories. The other two he assumed were the elven children, though he wondered why they were not older, they looked almost his age, and they had been said to be around 12 in the book, so they should have been in their late 20's, either elves began to age more in-between 30 and 60 or something, or they were different elves, or…

Faris shook his head. He turned to his companions who were staring at the two elven children, he couldn't really blame them. They were beautiful. They had thin angelic faces, perfectly symmetrical features all the way down to a gently tapered chin. Faris wouldn't believe anyone could look like them in real life back on earth without dramatic surgery and a lot of makeup and even then, they'd need digital after-affects. And that didn't even cover the more, supernatural attributes. Their hair was glowing silver, and their skin radiated a light gold sheen underneath their skin. Their eyelashes long a beautiful, a size and shape any woman would envy, and their irises were a warm iridescent gold with flecks of blue that seemed to swim on the inside of the iris, disappearing under the pupils and popping back, making even looking at their eyes mesmerizing.

Wait why can I see that close? Faris flinched and landed butt first on the floor, he hadn't noticed the elf child run over to him. He looked at the child in wonder and awe, then snapped back as he noticed the owl on her shoulder.

"Hey… I said that was my bird."

Morgan clamped his mouth shut. "Forgive my friend your grace!" He stuttered, looking away. "His brain must have been severely damaged from the fall!" He turned to Faris and whispered. "Don't get us in trouble please…"

"Oh no!" A musical voice that made everyone quiver sounded out. The first-years' heads turned to look at the beautiful elven girl who had spoken. "I am so sorry! I had not meant to startle you or hurt you. The owl must have been trying to get to you during the windstorm earlier today!"

Faris struggled to keep his face straight as he replied, "It is alright, I'm not hurt." Shaking off Morgan's grip they scrambled up, bowing.

Vanir, who had been watching them with solemn eyes smiled. The humans had been enamored by the children's grace, but had ultimately spoken. He was then though surprised when the youngest human, the boy Faris, stepped forward and touched two fingers to his lips.

"Atra esterni ono thelduin..." (May good fortune rule over you)

Vanir widened his eyes in surprise, along with the humans. The elven children smiled at the display, and returned the gesture, replying in turn.

"Atra du evarínya ono varda!" (May the stars watch over you!)

Vanir, conscious of his accidental slight touched his lips, mouthing the words as well. The children enthusiastic to finally meet a non-elf who could do their greeting fluently.

Faris smiled at their enthusiasm, their happiness was extremely infectious as he finished his greeting.

"Un atra mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr." (And may peace live in your heart)

Vanir turned to the elven children, who's smiles and laughter to Faris's politeness seemed to open the floodgates as the children all began to converse. The children took the opportunity to satisfy their most pressing questions.

"Your city is so pretty!" The girl began. "What are those metal carriages? How do they move? What's in them?"

"You all fought with such superb movements! Did you learn the true nature of lightning!?" The boy belted out his questions in rapid-fire to Morgan, who was still slack jawed as he stared at the girl before Faris jabbed him in the side and he turned his attention to boy and did his best to give adequate replies.

For every question they answered the elven kids seemed to have five more ready to fly off. Vanir looked on with a bemused but satisfied smile, the children had been somewhat discouraged by the lack of contact with people, the few they attempted to speak to normally remained silent and wary, and they hadn't been able to meet with any human children because of this wariness. After a few more minutes he politely cleared his throat. Everyone jumped to attention.

Faris blushed, he had allowed himself to be swept up by their excitement. He took comfort that he wasn't alone in this as he took stock of his friends' embarrassed looks.

"Sorry Vanir-Elda" The male elf said embarrassedly as he and the girl returned to Vanir's side.

The older elf smiled at the human youths as he spoke. "We were most impressed with your display of skill in combat, especially against opponents who were many more both in raw energy and numbers. Humans continue to surprise me, and I can see that these trials put up pose greater importance than one may give it merit to."

"Thank you for your kind words Vanir-Elda." Faris bowed, the others followed suit.

Vanir nodded. "I was quite surprised you knew the proper elvish greeting, even amongst the nobility and highest echelons in human society, I have yet to see more than a handful be able to speak the ancient language and begin the conversation with such fluidity and accuracy, I would have assumed you were an elf!"

Faris laughed, "You flatter me kind sir, but I'm just a student."

"Yes, you may be, but also much more, I've heard many good things about you, many good things about all of you for that matter." He turned to the elven children, "These two were excited and happy to meet fellow children, so much so that they forgot to introduce themselves."

"Ah!" The girl gasped, blushing slightly she bowed, "My apologies, I was so excited to meet you I forgot! My name is Alanna, this is my twin brother Dusan."

As everyone went around introducing themselves Faris looked on curiously at the two. Those were the names of the elven children Eragon met, unless Alanna and Dusan were the Bob and Max of elven names, these were the same elves. But why are they still so young?

Vanir looked out at the city. "Dwarves have finely carved homes and buildings cut expertly from the stone, elven homes are formed from the still living trees, Urgals carve into the sides of the Spine mountain faces, and were able to connect the majority of the various caverns across the spines. Even with all of that… I must say human ingenuity may have matched or even surpassed us all in these fifteen short years. If Galbatorix could be accused for anymore crimes than what he already did, it would perhaps be in stifling your advancement. This city is safe and secure, enough that I could trust my Queen to be safe here, so I can trust my charges here."

"Sir?" Faris asked.

"Yes, as a show of the relationships between the Elves and Humans, two of our people would come to live amongst you, and two of your people would come to live amongst us, already two children should be within the Forest of Du Weldenvarden on the way to Ellesméra."

"That sounds like great news. But I am confused, why are you telling us?"

"After much deliberation the safest location in all of Alagaesia other than Ellesméra would be Ilrea, unfortunately Surda couldn't be considered due to the incursions of the southern lands and people, who had flourished in the time of Galbatorix while fighting against each other, news of his death galvanized them, and they partnered with the remnants of the Priests of Helgrind and the Black Hand, who have dubbed themselves the Scarlett Heart under the lead of a being known as Jahat. Not much is known of this individual, except that they are a powerful mage who seems able to prevent their followers from being capable of revealing their identities in any way."

Faris felt a twinge of apprehension as he remembered Seya revealing Jahat in his mind.

"The dwarves are slow to move, after Orik's choice to allow their race to be amended into the pact of riders he was almost dethroned, but the increase in harvests and decrease in mortality rates of children amongst the kingdom, alongside a slight increase in magically inclined dwarves gave the dwarves enough reason to avoid the impeachment. Even then Orik is on shaky ground and cannot devote too many troops. And he cannot use only his clan as it would be seen as inappropriate."

Faris remembered that Orik has said that the amendment would have cost him his crown, it was though very interesting to consider that the first two new riders were a dwarf and an Urgal.

"In order to show a level of solidarity between humans and elves, it was agreed that such a diplomatic exchange would occur. It was after much argument over who that these two requested that they be chosen. It was a hard choice, but the fervor of their pleas convinced our elders to allow it. They will for the remainder of this year be considered students of the school. While we had asked for a test to be given for fairness sake the council of thirteen governing this school alongside Queen Nasuada and Headmistress Trianna chose to expediate them to the Pearl Ranking."

Oh well that's nice. Faris thought dryly.

"We had still been apprehensive over students they could interact with and be near to help them get acclimated to this environment, and so it was suggested that students both powerful and knowledgeable in the ancient language should be the ones to guide them around and help them attend their classes. In that regard they recommended the two of you Faris and Venka."

Vanir looked at both of them for a moment. "You are the closest in ages to Alanna and Dusan, and as you've already demonstrated Faris, knowledgeable in the ancient language and in at least a bit of elven customs, for that reason we ask then that you help them learn more about the human world." He smiled expectantly.

Faris switched to the ancient language as he gave his reply. "It is quite an honor that you would consider us for this task Vanir-Elda, I do not know if we fully deserve such a responsibility but I promise that Venka and I will do our best to help Alanna and Dusan enjoy their time in our place of learning." He turned to the twins. "It is a pleasure to meet you two." All the while his mind was racing, what was the council's endgame? Setting them with the diplomats? He couldn't fathom that it was strictly out of goodwill or the belief that they would become fast friends or anything so sappy. Regardless of his apprehension, the elves likely weren't malicious, and while he remembered that elven bureaucracy was a fickle act, Vanir had demonstrated a respect for humans after meeting Eragon, and despite appearing much more mature in manner of speech and demeanor Vanir didn't strike him as the conniving type.

Alanna smiled, Ventus nuzzled her and she giggled, a noise that made the mere mortals in her presence struggle to keep their knees strong, except for Faris, he was quite jealous. Traitor! He thought as he saw Ventus giving her so much attention.

"Excellent! With that done then I will walk with you to find your room."

"Room?" Faris asked.

"Yes Faris- finiarel! Your room, you see, I heard privy that you and Venka stay in your own room together, and that that is apparently an unusual occurrence as you are unrelated and of different sexes, I asked of the nature of your relationship. Seeing that it is more or less akin to a familial relationship I was then comfortable with having Alanna and Dusan inhabit the same living space, as they also are loathed to be separate, though your room was too small for the four of you."

Faris stared as the elf continued to obliviously continue on about the logistics of the new room. Venka had a weird strained smile as her face grew red, and the other first-years began to stifle giggles. At least they aren't nervous. Faris thought soberly.

"Did I say something odd?" Vanir stared at the group wide-eyed.

"Erm, Vanir-Elda" Venka began, "normally going into another's room, even the room of children, while not entirely forbidden, is a little rude, especially given the… items of importance one may have."

"Ah you mean your pink lace undergarments? Our servants transported them safely to the other room. Though they put them in a dresser as opposed to how they were arranged in your room."

This is fantastic. Faris held back his laugh as Venka's face twisted a bit more.

"I believe you've embarrassed her Lord Vanir." Katya lightly remarked.

"Oh! I beg your pardon then, some human customs are still unbeknownst to me, even after these fifteen years."

"Do women not care about their privacy in Du Weldenvarden?" Nya asked.

"Well yes they…" Vanir grew silent. "My humblest apologies I had no idea that-!"

"It's alright Vanir-Elda, Venka should have cleaned it up anyway." Faris kept his eyes from Venka, who he could feel glaring at him as he continued to speak. "Thank you for the consideration regardless, I hope I am not feeling too forward when I ask if we may return then to rest?"

"Oh yes of course, I was just about done. Ah! Wait…" He turned to the other first-years. "While they will be staying with Venka and Faris, to the rest of you I also ask if you would be willing to make their times more comfortable. The world would do better with more vinr älfakyn."

They happily swore in the ancient language to help out and support Alanna and Dusan.

Are you sure you should be making so many oaths in the ancient language? You are bound to them? He sent each message individually to each of them, and he got mixed answers.

Well… they seem harmless, and that boy is so cute! Faris smirked at Venka's answer.

A noble always protects her friends, and I don't trust the pigs in the academy to treat them as kindly as they should. That was textbook Nya.

It's a learning experience, I'd love to make more friends, especially with ones as different as elves!

Okay then Katya, what about you Morgan, Morgan?! MORGAN!?

Oh, what's that? Oh! Sorry, I, her eyes are really golden.

Oh brother. Faris shook his head. This was going to be a complicated year.

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Afterword:

My goodness I almost forgot the afterword, that's quite irresponsible, sorry about that! One big thing of note is that I have finals to barely complete so my upload will be slow these next weeks, by slow I mean you'll see maybe two a week as opposed to the 3-5 we've been having, unless I finish studying early. Thanks for reading everyone! I was actually a little scared, for about a few days I saw no views on my newest chapters and thought I had somehow frightened everyone. Be sure to leave a review to comment any questions you have or what you think so far! I promise I read them all. What ends up happening alot is that I put in a new chapter before I can fully comprehend the reviews. I'm glad you've taken interest in the quirkiness of the different characters. And I promise, the council of thirteen still fall under the side of generally unlikeable, they just have their human parts to them, though I have to say that other than Bergan, who's an all around generally decent if lackadaisical guy, Rakus and his elderly mania is something I look forward to writing more. I also hope you took the way I handled the elf children well. While it doesn't explicitly state them as twins I assume from the way their introduction was worded in Eldest that they were at the least related, if not born on the same day from the same parents. Elven children were said to be born with power and grace greater than even the best of adults, which gives me the impression their magic is similar in a way to how dragons utilize their wild magic at times. The backstory I settled with for their lack of aging was that they childishly interfered with nature in order to keep the hope their parents instilled in them when they promised they would return after the war. And while the intervension of spirits and the eldunari to tear the veil between life and death for a short time could be seen as a cop-out/ deus ex-machina, which it ultimately kinda is, if you remember, I stated in the previous chapter that they had tried 5 years after the end of the war, and that it failed to bring back their parents, but that 10 years after that time it brought back their parents for a short time. You know what happened after the first five years of the war's end? Damien died and was reborn as Faris.

Did I blow your mind?!