Gelvian laid down on his back staring at the ceiling. He is sitting on his bed leaning against the cool wall. The winter was starting to ramp up. The new year was nearly upon Cainyorf.

So much has happened. The months of being pretty much besieged. He always noticed his parents were a bit on edge, his mother missing for a few weeks also added to the tension at home. His father double checking if anything is needed before he was heading outside the house. Sometimes he was out for a few weeks at the time. Ravia took over caring for us with neighbors checking in. Gelvian overheard them say something about "Caring for elven children should be only done by elves only." The racial tension quickly simmered down when his mother returned. This made Gelvian think about the implication of racism. The old feeling of his past life just feels as if he was drained by that.

After a bit of relaxation, the Awakening Ritual and the assault or the "raid" on our Ritual site happened. 'Site of Awakening people call it. Most major settlements have those. The fighting and the death and pain dealt to us that day, must have been massive.' Gelvian thought.

A week had passed since his Master, Ravia had talked with Gelvians parents. Gelvian and Levia used their remaining time inside the town speaking to their classmates or more precisely to Levia friends. Gelvian was a bit of a loner.

'Hard to connect or have fun with young elven children when everything inside me is weird and confusing. Even more after the Awakening.'

The dreams he had after the Awakening were not a single occurrence. No, it was a repeated affair to Gelvian plight.

Gelvian was haunted by his dreams. In truth, it was just one dream. Each night it repeated but not one to one. Sometimes his adult self turned to him. Or grabbed him. Asking to help "them". The Lightborn. Sometimes it or he himself begged for help. That was until today. He did not have a repeat of the dream. No. It was a different dream.

He felt something heavy metallic resting in his arms. He saw a family crying standing a bit away from him. On the left was a man. Early 30s. One to the right of him was a little boy. Barely 8-9 years old. Next to the boy was a girl. 13 years. Next to her. Was a woman. Her mother. The cries for mercy and help echo around the empty grey hall. He heard a commanding shout. His arms moved mechanically. He now noticed next to his left and right were other men. All of them were pointing a metallic stick at the family. Before could realize what he was about to do, recoil racked his arms. His mind flashed the dead faces of the dead family. He felt himself fall.

Gelvian woke up drenched in sweat. The dream faded from his mind as quickly as it formed.

"Another memory? I was a Soldier again... but was I such a horrible one? I... I was a monster?" Gelvian asked himself with a weak hushed voice. Tears ran down his cheeks. He didn't get up until past midday.

The week was spent telling goodbyes. His father had returned on the second day after the talks with the council. He looked visibly drained. He said something about the council not being agreeable. Master Ravia filled him in on the details.

"Well, we got the okay on moving most of the children... but... not all." Ravia said.

"Not all? Why wouldn't you move all to safety?"

Ravia sighed. "Only children with talents... and certain bloodlines are allowed to go. So that means only a dozen will go. From the low talents to the high talents, only those who have a guild invitation are allowed to go with the first wave. Later the other will be sent in another wave. Everyone over the age of 16 must stay and fight. The council made it clear. This is about not showing weakness. Be it to their allies or their enemies. Well, they didn't say it more hinted at it."

"And an invitation from the guild masks the true reason of the departure of us. Smart and efficient." Gelvian said thinking.

"Correct. Little Gelvian. You are smart and efficient, too." She simply smiled. Her beauty and hair had returned to their more pristine form after a few days of rest.

"But didn't they ask to send us to the Kingdoms? I mean father made you make a promise."

"Oh yes. But it would only be on the condition... should Cainyorf fall. The... survivors are then to rally at Derviu and then lead all the children to the Kingdoms. All that your father wanted from me."

"That sounds like a good plan?" Gelvian asked unsurely his lack of knowledge about this world annoying him right now.

"If it only were so. Not all have a Master of strong talent to escort their offspring back to their homelands. I would lead you both back. With little problems. But monsters. Bandits. The weather are factors that can end a journey and leave the party stranded." Ravia explained. 'This plan is way too risky to work for large groups. A large group of elven refugees with their children in tow, on their way to their homelands. Driven from their home? That is an invitation to any criminal or slaver worth their salt. The first few attacks will be driven back by discipline and martial might but the third or fourth? That is when cracks form. When cracks form. You break. You break, you rout.' Ravia thought.

"You shouldn't worry about what ifs. Focus on the here and now, little Gelvian. I hope you have packed for tomorrow. The weeks of travel will not be easy. This evening we have the funeral and then tomorrow we are off towards Derviu." Ravia added pushing the darker thought deeper in the back of her mind.

"Okay." Gelvian answered.

Gelvian thoughts went to the town. To Cainyorf. His hometown. 'The entire atmosphere feels just so oppressingly sad. I feel and see what my father and mother told me a few years ago. Always look into the positives of life. Like good food, family, the recent successes you had. Time is on our side. And can't forget Father's motto. Always remember. "Stress was poison. Death was an arrow. Love was the cure but like any cure, it can become a poison all the same.".' Gelvian sighed.

As he walked along the paved street. He noticed a few elves sitting near a bench just hugging each other. Whispering good nothings into each other ears. Another was cooking on the outside and talking to people. A sweet smell hit his nose. 'The smell... It was caramel? No... It is thicked grape juice!' The cook, well the baker glazed them over a line of walnuts kept together by a thin thread.

The baker beckoned for him to come closer, gave him a stick around a foot-long. The taste was sweet and the nuts gave it a good crunch. Remembering his father's words and his manners. He smiled and said "Thank you. These a great."

The cook in return smiled back. "No problemo. I hope to conjure a few more smiles with my sweets!"

The word summoned a few children from the buildings.

Before Gelvian could respond a distinct neigh of a stressed horse behind him forced him to dash to the side. As he turned he saw an Outrider. Clad in fine chainmail with his arms covered in scalelike plates and a wrapped spear resting horizontally on his saddle pouch.

The baker looked very judgingly.

"Can't control your horse?" The baker added.

"Sorry! My horse is a bit... distracted by other horses today. I am leading him back to stables. He wants to go fast today." The outsider laughed awkwardly. The baker offered him also a stick of glazed walnuts.

"Save travels."

The rider leaned over, thanked him with a smile.

Gelvian returned shortly home after that encounter with the rider. Resting and waiting for his mother to return. She said she is getting his clothes ready for this evening. The funeral. When his mother returned. Night already had covered Cainyorf. She gave him a black and blue tunic covered with old elven words for their goddess of the afterlife. Alereen. The elven goddess of death. The words engraved and various titles of the goddess stitched into the fabric.

Alereen the Empress of Night, Master of death, Mistress of life, Eminence of the deceased. Up to 99 names decorated the tunic. A black shoulder cloak was then strapped over his right arm. Hiding the splint that Gelvian wore quite well. Through the entire ordeal, his mother was deathly silent. As a finish, she pulled a hat out of a box. A flat fluffy hat. 'A tudor hat?' Gelvian noted. The hat had markings of stars and moons. Everything he is wearing right now feels very expensive but in contrast to his past life where sometimes expensive clothing was fragile. This clothing was sturdy. Not sturdy enough to go on a mountain trek but enough to just keep him insulated and safe from the elements. For shoes, his mother just pointed him to wear winter soles and do the binding as usual. Flat wooden sole beneath the foot. Two crosses over the foot, three flat over the ankle, and then pulled up to the knee then bound in a tight knot. His mother then sent him outside.

He now stood outside. Snow was falling softly on the ground. A few cats sought refuge and were warm between Gelvian legs. He saw other elves also readying themselves for the funeral. Another boy his age stood outside. Waiting alone. He thought to maybe go over and talk but his mother signaled him to wait outside.

After a while, his father came through the front door. He wore similar clothing to him. The black and blue were replaced by black and white. The shoulder cloak is still a solid black. Over the tunic, he wore a silver ornate breastplate. With the old elven words "The Kings of elven blood ever-present at the dawn of our time. Blessed be Alereen and Regur".

His father walked next to him and stood there facing their home. Silent. Waiting.

Gelvian turned to their neighbors. He saw a repeat of what happened before him. The silent steps. The black cloak's ruffling through the cold breeze.

A full minute in the snow. They stood. It was unnerving for Gelvian for how still his father was. The door of their home opened. A blond bundle of hair called Levia walked outside. His twin. Usually clothed in simple brown or red colors. Now, clothed in a tunic in yellow and red. The tunic is decorated in the name of Regur. The god of life. Master of Nature. Guardian of birth. Patron of midwives. Skyfather. The Lover of Alereen. He too has 99 titles in total. The shoulder cloak is an angry red in contrast to their black cloaks. She also wore a tudor hat. A more fluffier one and not as flat as Gelvians. A red hat. The stars and the sun were depicted on hers.

Their mother joined them shortly after. Her tunic. A bright red and white. Again, inscribed were the names of the God Regur. She wore a red cap, too. It depicted the Sun and stars. Her cloak is an angry red as well.

All four are in front of their home. Another minute passed. Ravia left through their door. She wore no special clothing. But she wore her druidic outfit. She wore a dark green tunic. New lush green leaves decorated her entire torso. Two leafs formed a V shape covering her boots. Her hair was tied into a ponytail with a braid running through from ear to ear. Followed by what Gelvian could guess was Fang. He was packed with thick clothing from head to claw. He looked like a weird flabby monster that a young venom drake. An improvement some in the town would say.

Fang expressed interest to attend the funeral. Him being Levia and Gelvians savior they could not refuse even if outsiders were not wanted. He should be seen as an animal but the argument Fang being their savior made it okay to bring him.

Ravia took her place behind the family. Fang walked up to him and with a huff, he demanded to be carried.

"The cold is harsh. Can you carry me?" He asked in an oddly soft voice.

"Sure. Got to pay you back somehow." Gelvian answered he smirked. He felt his talent channel through his throat quite clearly and naturally. He picked Fang and carried him in his arms. It was hard for him to carry so his mother took him from him.

Another minute passed.

"We may walk." His father said coldly. "Next time. Son. Stay silent. Until everyone has left the home and count a minute. Then we may talk." Darius scolded him.

Gelvian swallowed his spit, he never had his father talk in such a cold voice to him before. It must have been a taboo that he had broken.

The entire family turned towards the mountain and walked forward. Towards the graveyard Gelvian assumed. But as he knew there was no such place in Cainyorf.

He observed the other families walking. All had clothing of similar quality. The children wore either black and blue or red and yellow depending if they were boys or girls. The parents wore black and white or red and white. All walked slowly and in measured steps. He saw a few outriders and Guards patrolling the walls and streets. They just wore the black or red shoulder cloak but the cloak was only bound by a single thin rope. Thick enough to hold it in place and thin enough to break it in one move if needed. 'Can't take any chances' Gelvian thought.

As Gelvian and his family moved closer towards the mountainside of the town. He saw where they were headed. A massive crowd formed near the east wall. Facing the mountain. All elven families stand there in their funeral clothes. The black, blue and red, yellow. Forming a weird mass of clothes and colors. Combined with the snow on the ground the snow falling down. It looks as if one is in a completely different world. Everything is somber, quiet. Deathly quiet. His family moves towards the front. Gelvian notices multiple man-high smooth stone cones with names written on them. As they move further to the front. He spots a massive cone with a small stage. This stone cone is very large, large as a two-story building. The bottom is oddly smooth. There are names at the top. Gelvian also sees a massive stone plate. On close inspection their names there too.

"You both wait here." His father said to him and his sister. "Your mother and I need to go up there we will be back shortly."

His father Darius, and his Mother Elisia walked up to the small stage. His mother dropped Fang into his arms. Trian the older elf awaited them there. After a few murmurs, Trian turned to the massive crowd full of traditionally clothed elves.

"My brothers. My sisters. My children. My friends. My kind." Trian almost sang those words but his tone was full of grief.

"A week ago we were beset by spineless attackers. Their goal? To weaken us. To murder us. To take our kind from us. Separate us from those we hold dear. Today we mourn those lost. Lost for good. They are on their journey to our beloved gods. Regur, blessed their hearts. Alereen blessed their journey. Both blessed their souls."

A minute of complete silence followed. Not one dared say a peep, feeling the thick tension in the air. It is as something holy was happening. The veil of death and life became thin. So thin you could see it. Feel it.

Gelvian saw something at the corner of his eyes but it vanished before he could make it out. He focuses, trying to eye them without looking at them with his eyes. He could feel their silhouettes become more tangible more solid. Standing in the crowd were elves with an ethereal veil covering them. Their faces covered by shadow. More and more appeared. Gelvian couldn't take it. He turned his head. They vanished. He sighed.

Gelvian some spotted familiar. Elrian. Bandages still covered most of his body. But his eyes. Elrian's eyes shone a deep yellow. He clasped his hands together and started praying furiously. He seems to see the silhouettes more clearly if his staring into the air is an indicator for that.

A new sensation overcame Gelvian. 'What is this. This feels weird.' Gelvian thought. As he felt his arms tingle. As if something was brushing it softly. He turned to his mind. He felt his mind palace ripple. His fine garden was humming. Something or someone was here with them. With all of them.

Then the minute ended. And the pressure lifted as if it was never there. The humming ceased. His father in his proud garments stood there on top of the stage and took a step forward towards the crowd. He began to speak.

"While we mourn. We do not rest. Do not succumb to the challenges life has put before us. It is a dishonor to our families. To our friends to have them face those challenges alone." Darius said in a voice that felt hopeful. "I know we took a strong blow. A week ago. 103 Elves died. We have been separated from 20 elven brothers and sisters and countless guests but this is only the beginning. Not. The end. We will not rest."

"We will search for them. We will find them. We will bring them back. As you may have heard from rumors. We think a war... Is approaching. We do not know who. It can be the usual opponent. Nosbara. Or Someone else but what we know. We are under attack!" Darius put his hand over his heart akin to a salute. "We, the council have taken steps to ensure Cainyorf does not fall. That our most prized, stay away from those who greed after it. The Elven Kingdoms will know of what happened here. A party has already been sent today. We will not be alone. We will stand here. We will stay here. As this is elven land. Not some barbarians home! Elven soul, Elven blood, Elven honor."

The crowd erupted in cheers. Repeating the last words of Darius in a chant.

"Elven soul! Elven blood! Elven honor!" the crowd chanted while stomping in unison.

It took a while to calm down.

"Now. My wife. Please do the honors and add the names of the fallen to our remembrance spire."

His mother walked towards the stone plate. She touched the stone with her right hand. She closed her eyes for a heartbeat before they softly glowed blue. With that, she raised the plate as if they were strung up by invisible strings. She put the plate at the base of the stone kegel. What followed made Gelvian jaw drop. The stone plate melted into the stone but the names were still inscribed. They were now visible on the kegel. The names then flowed to the top. As if a river was flowing up the names dragged behind as if a piece of driftwood on a river until they vanished at the top.

His mother was still concentrating the entire time she was going through motion with her hands and murmuring a quiet chant. Ravia to his right was impressed as well.

"Is this the first time seeing this, too, Master Ravia?" Gelvian asked.

"Just call me Ravia here, little Gelvian. But yes. I was there for small funerals but I never saw such a massive spire used for names. Your mother is impressive in the arcane arts."

"Could I do something like that too? In the future?"

"Certainly? It depends on the effects and magical properties tied to the spell but we can mold into the earth and wood. So I think it should be possible."

"Good to know." Gelvian beamed, to know that his talent was flexible is a soothing thought.

When his mother finished the crowd began to applaud. People already broke out in tears. Some wailing in grief. Then a line formed. People walked towards the spire. A few were in front of Gelvian. He saw people whisper something. Then a name appeared. It lingered until a new person came and whisper another name. Step by step the line moved closer. Before his family got their turn, his Father and Mother joined them.

Elisia, his mother walked close to the spire and said the name "Theos Coldsteel."

The name appeared on the stone surface. Elisia and Darius put a hand on the name and closed their eyes.

He noticed there were multiple lines. Multiple families had their turn at the same time, mourning at the stone spire.

As he touched the stone. He felt a similar feeling when the silhouettes at the corner of his eyes formed. He saw a white-clothed elven man with an orchid emblem on his chest from the corner of his eyes standing proud with a smile.

"This is impressive." Fang commented. He put his claw on the stone.

'I haven't seen Mister Reddalt for a while...' Gelvian thought to himself.

"Mr. Reddalt?" He asked putting his hand on the stone. There were some motions beneath his hand and when he pulled it away. There was nothing written. He put his hand again. Maybe he needs to think about him. So he thought to the most recent encounter with the guard. The day of the Awakening when he lets them past the checkpoint at the plaza.

"Reddalt," Gelvian repeated more firmly. Again something shifted but this time.

'Not inscribed.' was written in stone.

"Huh. So that is how that works?" Gelvian said.

"Su Lanfen." He heard Fang mutter beneath him.

"Not inscribed?" Fang said out loud in confusion. Gelvian felt his green flow through his ears the moment Fang said his first word. He directed a part of the flow to his throat.

"It seems if they are not inscribed in stone before... You can't summon their names. I am sorry." Gelvian said speculating.

Fang just breathed out his nostrils sharply. He is annoyed.

After a while, they all moved together. Away from the stone. Those who already went to the stone talked silently with each other.

Tears flowed, sorrow echoed and grief spilled. The ceremony for the elven dead took nearly an hour. Some families refused to move from the stone. Some are still in denial about the death of a loved one. A few fought their loved ones when they tried to pull them away from the stone.

"We were so lucky." His mother said. "Again, Ravia. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for saving my children." Elisia's eyes teared up. Relief and gratitude were clear in her voice.

Ravia turned to his mother. Politely nodded. "I... It was... Your welcome. Thank you in return for helping me recover from my wounds faster."

"It is the least I should I have done. I should have helped you more." Elisia said.

"Oh no. You were busy saving other lives. Please. I was safe I rather spend a day or more recovering before letting any more die." Ravia said.

Darius stood a bit to the side speaking to other elven council members.

"So... Early at dawn. Hm?" Trian asked his father. The other council members moved away to give more privacy to Darius and Trian.

"Yes. The merchant caravan is ready and instructed on what to do. A few guild leaders who stayed will leave with them. Ravia and Uther will go with them. They will arrive at Derviu in two or three weeks. We will hear the news a week after they arrived. Hopefully."

"I still think this is a bad idea," Trian said. "That Ravia convinced the council is a small miracle in my eyes. We never should give Derviu a chance to sink their teeth into our young." Trian said with a frown.

"Isn't this what we are doing with Derviu's nobility?" Darius asked.

Trian's frown became even harder. "You know-"

"I... Agree I mean. I know what we are doing over there." Darius added.

"I still dislike the idea of sending them to Derviu but sometimes... I can only repeat what I said before. When you are placed between something you want to do and something you need to do. You choose that which will protect your family and friends." Darius said.

"Even if you are against it?" Trian asked.

"Even when I am against it." Darius nodded. "Because deep down I know it is the right way."

"What if you are wrong." Trian countered.

"Then I was wrong but keeping them here. That paints a target. That pretty much guarantees something bad will happen. We can protect and fight at the same time. This time our enemies have shocked us. They tore us in two. I noticed it while fighting. Most wanted run to the plaza. I did too." Darius sighed. "We have strong enemies but we have strong allies as well even if they are sometimes annoying. They would think twice to pull that in Derviu-" Darius said.

"Derviu has more options and can force them in multiple ways. Trade, blood, war. Yes, I know the humans and their dreams of mighty Kingdoms and Empires. I have had yet to see a single-family or empire rule for millennia!"

"Good thing we have some of our blood in there, right?" Darius added with an awkward laugh.

"For some good. For some bad. I dislike giving our blood as a form of currency. Be it in ties of marriage or in from of battle." Trian said frowning running a hand through his goat beard.

"It has served us well." Darius added.

"For the kingdoms for sure but even now Derviu delays their action. I do not like that one bit. As much as that Half-blood."

Darius bristled at that clear disrespect aimed at Ravia. "While yes, she is an outsider to our customs. She is a member of our society. She risked neck and limb to save elven lives. She has earned her-"

"Yes, yes you already had said your points days ago. I am sorry for bringing this back up I wanted to hear your real thoughts. Not what your honor demands."

"...No harm done. Let us pray for a better tomorrow."

"But one short thing," Trian said.

"Yes?"

"I want Ravia to listen... listen intently. Our blood is loyal but oddly silent in Derviu. It seems that something is brewing over there. Something dangerous and we are blind to it."

"You want me to ask Ravia to spy for us?"

"Yes. She has elven blood, no? It should be her duty to help us and should she refuse?"

"You can not mean..."

"I do. She has no choice. It is either this or she is no elf longer."

"Trian. You can not do this. We would stomp on her sacrifice with both boots and spit on it the same time!" Darius was shocked.

"And a part of my family is missing! What do you want to do? Play hero until maybe we-"

"Both of you, silence! We are in the presence of the gods and you both bicker like children. Have you no shame!" An elven woman scolded.

"We let our temper and grief get the better of us." Trian said bowing respectfully.

"I think we both a sorry," Darius added. "Let us discuss this later."

"Tomorrow?" Trian asked.

"If you must." Darius said dreading the conversation already.