"I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself." - Oscar Wilde

Elorhim's voice drones on in the surrounding silence of the forest. His incessant bragging and complaining are like that of a mosquito that keeps you up on a hot summer's night. If only I could swat him into a pulp! He has been lecturing us about running off non-stop. Faolan tried to silence him by telling him that we just came into adulthood and were allowed a few minor transgressions. That silenced him for only a few hours before he started a dull one-sided conversation about anything he could think of, yet still not saying anything of significance. Faolan would occasionally state something more interesting, but Elorhim would soon dominate the conversation again.

Elorhim's voice somehow raises above the sounds of hundreds of hooves clopping against the cobbled road upon which we are advancing. The Connecting Road allows our horses to travel more easily. The shabby road is a patchwork of grey stone, dark moss, and green weeds breaking through the crevices. The roads are rarely used as travellers prefer using the forest paths when moving between cities and the Order only use them once a decade. They were built and previously used by the ArBrae Army, but the Army has not conscripted in millennia. The last time our army assembled was during the lifetimes of our ancestors – Aedan and Faolan Elderlight, sons of Dubhan Darkwood the Great.

The ancient moss on the stones has been uprooted by the company's horses at the lead.

Faolan and Aedan had forfeited their position at the head of the Order, for tradition and safety sake. There is no danger to Faolan's life here in the forest, but the decoy at the front might prove useful in unfamiliar territory. One of our ancestors had been assassinated while leading his army home.

The road leads us to Telkinom City nine days after our departure. Telkinom city is the biggest city in ArBrae. Only Alachna City ranks above it in wealth and importance, and only because my family lives there. I have never visited it before, as we usually travelled south when visiting the neighbouring cities. There has also never been an urgent need for us to enforce our rule or inspect the rule of the Swiftfoots of Telkinom City. They were very adept in ensuring their city continued to prosper.

I am immediately intrigued by the differences between Telkinom City and Alachna City. The city emerging from the mountain ahead of us is a blend of marble, stone and wood. Vines hanging across the spaces of empty walls provide just enough privacy yet maintaining our tradition of absent walls. The outskirts of the city have been filled by Telkinomians of the Second Order who will be joining us for the rest of the journey.

Telkinom River snakes past opposite sides of the city and is then distally joined by the road that leads to Ardam and Raven's Peak.

"Elorhim, Laelia, and Aedan, we'll be spending the night at the Swiftfoot Palace," Faolan announces to us and shares a last command with the Order.

I'm quite surprised when we don't dismount, but rather ride through the city to the Swiftfoot palace with Elorhim taking the lead. The four-storey palace is the crown of the city and has an impressive marble façade depicting the forest. The walls are overgrown with ivies and other creepers in full bloom.

Three young ladies await us at the entrance. I can immediately see their resemblance to Elorhim Strongwind in their angular jaws and prominent cheekbones. Two have platinum hair similar to Elorhim's and the third has sandy hair in a tight ponytail.

"Faolan! How long has it been since we last saw each other!" The oldest looking blonde shrieks and embraces him with joy.

After greeting him she turns to us and tucks a strand of hair behind her pointed ear: "May the sun rise brightly on you! I am Marabel Swiftfoot also of the Family Strongwind, heir to Telkinom, and cousin to Elorhim Strongwind. You must be Aedan. The resemblance is uncanny! And from Elorhim's descriptions, you can only be Laelia! Upon Dubhan Darkwood, I swear it is truly an honour to meet you."

Marabel Swiftfoot indicates to one of her companions: "This is my sister Marguerin Swiftfoot, second heir and Thought-Taker of Telkinom. She cares little for her duties and would rather marvel in pretty things the whole day, but she is loyal to a fault. The poor thing still also five long years to wait until her Millennium. "

True to Marabel's description, Marguerin is dressed in an exquisite flowery gown with flowers woven into her hair. Her human-like elf-child ears and neck are adorned with golden jewellery. She blushes in embarrassment, but she doesn't contradict her sister.

"And the last one with the face permanently looking like she has stepped into bear dung and then walked into a hive of bees, is Sisse Swiftfoot, also of the family Strongwind, but she is a cousin to both us and Elorhim Elves-heir Strongwind. She is heir to Kelkeva City of the family Bearsbane, as they have no Bearsbane blood to inherit the city and her mother's mother was a distant cousin of Bekan Bearsbane."

Sisse Bearsdung with her sandy hair has freckles scattered on her face with an upturned nose and a scowl rivalling my own. She gives us each a glance over and a curt nod.

"Do excuse her, she really isn't trying to be rude. It's her Bearsbane blood. Do you know the stories of how utterly decrepit Bekan Bearsbane was? He would refuse shelter and hospitality even to those who begged it from him in the language before ours!"

Sisse's mouth's left corner lifts up slightly: "I don't need to ever say anything, because you are chattering like a drunk mouse."

That elicits laughter from all of us.

"At least Sisse inherited the good Bearsbane qualities too. She is a Silver Speaker," Marabel offers in redemption.

"A Silver Tongue! The families of Darkwood and Elderlight have no Talent of Tongues," Aedan says admiringly.

"Enough chirping! Let's go speak to Telkinom's Elders so we can be on our way. Sisse's silver tongue will only help us to get the horses over the pass, and we yet have to journey there," Faolan says and wraps his arms around Marabel and Sisse's shoulders.

Marabel immediately starts to chatter to Faolan. Elorhim embraces his remaining cousin and they follow the leading party. Aedan and I drag behind as we enter Telkinom Palace.

We are greeted by a party of dignified Elders in their blue attire. A round of greetings are showered upon us, and we return the goodwill with a tide of blessings. I recognise Marabel and Marguerin's mother, Damianne Strongwind, and Kemayn Dawnriser and his daughter Duleia among the welcoming party.

The foyer is impressive with a large oval pool in its centre. The four tiers stretching into the sky collaborate with the help of five staircases that seem to emerge from the pool. A table, burdened with snacks and delicacies, between two of the staircases immediately grabs Faolan's attention, but he forces himself to remain engaged in his current conversation. Aedan and I make our way to the table. I grab a plate for Faolan as well and then join him in his current conversation with Damianne.

"The most important thing for you to remember is that Ardam is not as river rich as we are. You might have difficulty getting water for the horses as you approach Vaubadon land. The land is harsh and similar to the Ash Plains. The Ash Plains are of course more austere due to Lake Fyra-Huatr and the rivers of fire, but do not for one decade think that the trek to Raven's Peak will be kind on you," she advises solemnly.

"At least Sisse has travelled there a few times even when she was but a child. Her ability to whisper the horses into calm obedience at those horrid mountains is most astounding! I do not know of anyone alive in ArBrae able to do likewise. She will offer valuable insight into your journey. Who else is joining you that has been to the Mountains before?"

"Sisse excluded, none of those who are heirs have been there. There are a few from the minor families that have been there, but as you know most prefer to complete their compulsory decade and then never return to the Ligt-Darke Border again," Faolan answers diplomatically.

"Oh yes, that was the most miserable decade of my life! Even though the Darkelanders attempted crossing frequently, there was nothing else to do. I felt like a dwarf holed up in the depths of Folki's land. The lack of sun and life is extremely despairing. I would never choose to go back."

The Elders continue to shower us with advice until sunset when we disperse to the rooms provided to us for the night. The cushiony mattress ensures that I wake with renewed energy.

The next morning we depart prior to sunrise. Aedan and Faolan also seem to have appreciated the break from our sleeping mats. Even Elorhim is slightly more pleasant. I speculate about how we will persevere through the two-month journey with only sleeping mats.

We follow Telkinom River for three days until we near a dilapidated marble building that has since been reclaimed by the forest. It has the remnants of a high dome with walls, occasionally some slits with plants protruding through them and was octagonal in shape.

"We'll be spending a rest day here, as it is the last available place to do so for a month's journey," Faolan explains to us.

Aedan and I dismount and decide to explore the bygone building. Wrinkled skeleton leaves are fragmented across the floor. Their autumn colours of death are incongruent with the surrounding animated forest. Bunks filled with spider webs and critters are carved into the walls.

Millennia past the Forest Forts marked the edge of the forest and had to be manned to safeguard the forest against the countless threats of that time. These threats have long ceased to exist and Dubhan Darkwood and the Lord of Water's negotiations allowed the forest to spread its borders and absorb the once crucial forts.

On both sides of the fort are well-hidden clearings where the horses could graze. I think it is queer that the forest allowed the grass to grow here and hasn't claimed it back with thick vegetation. I study one of the trees and see that it has proper holds on its body. On a hunch, I start to clamber up the tree.

I discover that some of the sturdy branches have been hollowed out providing a niche big enough to sleep in. My suspicions are confirmed when I see some of the other elves clambering up trees in the area.

Aedan joins me with our packs.

The Order settles into blissful content as we watch the sunset after dinner and I fall asleep before the first star starts to smile.

The crunch of a branch falling to the ground followed by an agonised howl jolts me from my peaceful sleep.