Chapter 11
“The Mumbwe never get lost,” Romessee said.
“Then you know where we are,” Mia said.
“The Mumbwe never get lost,” Finnegaff said, “because they don't care where they are.”
“As long as it's warm,” Romessee said. “It's the Mumbwe way.”
“We could wander for weeks before we find a way out of here,” Mia repeated. “Isn’t that what you said?”
“Well, yes and no,” Finnegaff said.
“I really wish you wouldn’t do that!” Mia snapped.
“Do what?”
“That...that...never mind!” Mia slapped her palms on her thighs. “This really sucks!”
Finnegaff continued. “If the elves wished it, we could wander for much longer.”
“If the elves wished it?”
“Well, yes. The protective magic of Abaradell can trap unwanted visitors in Elfwood until they can be properly dealt with.”
“Oh, great!” Mia shot both hands above her head then dropped them to her side. “Can’t you use Saa or something?”
“No, no. Saa can't penetrate the Elven shield. It...” Finnegaff was interrupted by the familiar sound of a hummingbird’s wing beat.
“Great day, friend wizard!” Belemeriath rocketed to each of them in turn. “Great day, Romessee! Great day, Miagaff! Hey!” he hovered beside Mia. She glared at him. “Oh! You don’t look so well.” He held a tiny hand to his frowning mouth. “Do you need me to find some motherberries for you? I’ll get six. Or even eight!”
“What I need you to find is how we’re supposed to get to wherever it is we’re going,” she snapped.
“Abaradell?” Belemeriath puzzled. “Nobody knows except the elves! Just the elves! We need to go to the place of meeting. It’s that way.” The little fairy pointed north. Then his face took a worried expression. “But we need to go that way,” he pointed east, “’cause we really shouldn’t be here,” he said.
“Hmmm,” Finnegaff said, stroking his beard. “I was afraid of that.”
“What?” Mia demanded. “Afraid of what?”
“We’ve stumbled into the Halfwood Forest,” Finnegaff remarked.
“This is not good,” Romessee said, scanning the woods. “We need to leave this place.”
“What?!” Mia said. “What’s with this Halfwood place?”
“It's a forest inhabited by trees that can move,” Finnegaff explained. “Halftrees. And they don't care for intruders. I didn’t think we’d come this far west.”
“Are they dangerous?” Mia asked. A creaking sound, like wood being placed under stress, came from deep within the forest. “What was that?” Mia gasped.
“They don't like fire,” Finnegaff said. Mia looked at their small campfire. Finnegaff began covering the embers with dirt. “I believe we have offended them,” he said. Branches in the forest snapped and bent. Mia looked through the thick trees, but saw nothing.
“Get the horses,” Finnegaff said, gathering up belongings. “We need to leave. Quickly.”
“We can’t leave,” Belemeriath said.
“Why not?” Mia asked. She stopped wadding up her bedroll.
“The trees won’t let us!”
Finnegaff strode a few yards to the crest of a small knoll. “Great Saa!” he exclaimed. Mia and Romessee came to his side. Blocking the path they’d only yesterday come down was a row of trees, branches intertwined, allowing no passage. Dirt was upturned everywhere from where the trees had uprooted themselves and relocated to their defensive position.
One of the trees moved. It pulled itself from the ground with the groan of bending wood; it was the same sound Mia had heard coming from the forest. Up it stood upon fanned, writhing roots, then undulated across the meadow like an octopus. It moved fast, as fast as a person running.
“It’s coming right at us!” Mia exclaimed.
“To the horses,” Finnegaff ordered. As they turned to retrieve their mounts, the tree stopped. Its roots clawed and twisted into the soil until it was firmly anchored. The party stopped and watched the fifty-foot tree fan its canopy.
“Don't come within reach of the branches,” Finnegaff told them.
“Can they grab with them?’ Mia asked.
“Yes,” Finnegaff said. “And much more.”
“Well, can’t you talk to them?” Mia suggested. “You talk to trees!”
“Yeah, but these aren't trees. They’re halftrees. They're not as friendly.”
“I talked to them,” Belemeriath said. “They’re not real happy with us.”
“Did you tell them we mean no harm?” Finnegaff said.
“Yeah! I told them! I told them!” Belemeriath circled Finnegaff’s head. “They said fire is a big risk for them. They’re really mad!”
“Can we invoke Saa?” Mia asked. “Change them into toads or something?”
“Saa doesn't work on halftrees,” Finnegaff explained. “You see, they were created by the elves of old and obey different laws of magic.”
“I told them we’re Carrying the Book of Life,” Belemeriath said. “They acted like they didn’t even know what I was talking about!”
“No. It wouldn't hold any weight with them,” Finnegaff said. “They're not a very intelligent race, and don't understand the significance of the Book of Life.” He sighed. “Perhaps I should try to talk with them.”
“I’ll go tell him you want to talk to him,” Belemeriath said. “I’ll tell him you’re sylph.”
“Yes,” Finnegaff agreed. “I think a forewarning would be best.”
Off flew the fairy, into the branches of the halftree that had moved toward them. Mia could barely see him through the leaves. He hugged the trunk, two thirds of the way up, and returned after a few moments.
“His name is Grelriken. He said he’ll talk to you, but you have to go alone.” Belemeriath flew to Mia and Romessee. “That means you girls can’t go. But don’t worry. Finnegaff knows what he’s doing! He knows!”
Finnegaff eyed his little friend, shook his head and took a deep breath. “Wait here,” he told the others. Donning his staff, he paced through the low grasses to the base of the halftree.
The wizard slowed once within the reaches of Grelriken’s branches. The halftree moved not at all when he approached the trunk. He laid his hand on the rough bark and dropped his eyes to the ground. It seemed to Mia that it was taking an extraordinary amount of time.
“What’s he doing?” she asked Belemeriath.
“He’s talking to that halftree,” he replied.
“Yeah, I know that! What’s taking him so long?”
Belemeriath held his chin in his hand and winked at the sky. “Maybe they have a lot to talk about.”
“Halftrees are known for keeping few friends,” Romessee said. “I've never seen one before now because they live in only a small region.” She sat on a fallen log. “Mumbwe stands avoid them. They're considered dangerous.”
Mia could only guess about how they might be dangerous.
“Here he comes!” Belemeriath pointed, hovering between the girls.
Finnegaff had removed his hand and walked away. He was almost beyond the reach of the halftree. Fast, faster than imaginable, the branches had him. The rope-like twigs whipped about him and lifted him into the air. Finnegaff yelled out in agony and dropped his staff.
“FINNEGAFF!” Mia yelled. She snatched up Dielielle and ran to his aid.
“NO! MIAGAFF!” Romessee called after her.
Mia stopped just short of the halftree's reaches. “LET HIM GO!” she screamed.
The halftree uprooted itself and began to advance. Its long branches reached for her.
She held Dielielle skyward with both hands. Saa rushed through her. “Ralafas!” (Fire!) she commanded. Upon her invocation, a ten-foot torrent of flame shot from the head of her staff, blazing with a roar like a blowtorch.
Grelriken the halftree let out a deafening crack as he reeled backward. Finnegaff fell to the ground feet away
from Mia. She waved the torch at the retreating halftree, then came to Finnegaff’s side. He lay motionless.
Other halftrees uprooted, creaking and grinding in retreat. She stood over Finnegaff, but held her eyes on her enemies.
“Finnegaff!” she called. He grunted and rolled to his side.
Belemeriath flew to her side. “Miagaff!” he cried. “What are you doing?!”
“I’m getting us outa here!”
Romessee ran to them, horses in tow.
“Get him on a horse,” Mia said. She continued her advance on the retreating halftrees. Dielielle blazed a hot, blue flame.
Romessee helped Finnegaff to his feet. He clutched his side, unable to stand straight. Belemeriath grabbed the wizard by the back of his tunic and lifted with all his might. Together they managed to get him on Grinnolle. He lay slumped forward.
Finnegaff grunted out his words. “Lebethtro Larra. Strawk.” (Lebethtro Larra. Come.) He held out a hand. His staff, which lay some yards to the left, sprung to life, lifted into the air and shot across the meadow and, with a loud slap, planted firmly in the wizard’s free hand.
The halftrees nearly tripped over one another in attempt to clear a path for Mia’s fearful flame. It was becoming difficult for her to sustain the invocation. Sweat beaded on her forehead; her arms shook. Romessee rode her horse and led the other two. They walked through the middle of the retreating halftrees.
“I can’t do this much longer,” she announced. “Get ready to run for it!”
They were nearly past the crowd of halftrees when the flame began to spark and sizzle. With a final sputter, the flame died. Mia froze. She hoped the halftrees would continue backing off. They didn’t. As soon as the fire went out, they attacked.
“RUN!” she called. Finnegaff and Romessee spurred their horses to a full run. Mia grabbed her saddle horn with her free hand, intent on swinging into the saddle. Weakened from the intensity of the invocation, she slipped and fell to the ground on her back.
On came the angry halftrees, creaking and snapping, branches extended.
Mia jumped to her feet and gripped the saddle horn. She tried to pull herself up with every ounce of strength she had left. Something grabbed her by the back of her tunic and lifted her into the air. She struggled wildly against the grip. The unseen hand released her and dropped her into the saddle.
Belemeriath flew from behind her. “RUN, MIAGAFF! FAST! HURRY!”
She paused but for a second to look up. Down came a branch toward her. She lay against the horse and spurred as hard as she could. Rosielle shot forward just as strong branches scratched Mia's back.
Finnegaff and Romessee were in the lead, clear of the angry halftrees. Mia was a hundred yards behind, halftrees closing in on both sides ahead of her.
“Run, Rosielle!” she panted under her breath. The mare laid her ears back and poured on the steam. Through an archway of snagging branches they ran, the attacking branches missing by mere inches. In moments they were clear of their adversaries.
Belemeriath was flying backward in front of the three running horses. “You can stop now!” he yelled in is little, loud voice. “We’re out of the forest!”
All reigned in their horses. Mia and Romessee came to Finnegaff’s side.
“Are you okay?” Mia asked the hunched wizard.
“Wow, Miagaff!” Belemeriath circled her at a dizzying speed. “You were great! You just...”
“Hold on,” Mia interrupted, a hand in the air. “Finnegaff? You okay?”
Finnegaff moaned. “I think so,” he reported, forcing himself upright. He winced when he pressed on his side. “Nothing broken, I believe.” He was sweating profusely. “Miagaff, what...” he grunted, stalling in mid sentence. “What did you...Oooh!” He buckled and clenched his ribs.
Romessee dismounted. “We must get you off your horse and look at your injuries,” she said. Finnegaff allowed her to aid his dismount. She sat him against a tree.
Mia anticipated where he was going with his question. “Look,” she said. “That halftree wanted to kill you. I had to.”
Romessee helped him out of his tunic. His left side had the start of a large bruise. “No,” he grunted as the tunic came over his head. “Not that. And I...I thank you. But Saa shouldn't have worked.”
“I didn’t use it on the halftrees,” she reminded him. “I just used it against them.”
“No,” he gasped. Romessee pressed on his wound, feeling for fractures. “Ow! No. Saa should not have invoked at all. Not in...not in the Halfwood Forest.” He took a few deep breaths. “You continue to amaze me, young Miagaff.”
Romessee determined that Finnegaff was indeed correct: there was nothing broken. After an hour of difficult travel for the old wizard, Mia and Romessee decided to halt for the night, though it was hardly past midday. Finnegaff raised no protest.
“It’s that way,” Belemeriath said, pointing to the north. “The Elven place of meeting is that way!”
“Finnegaff said it’s that way,” Mia pointed south, “and Romessee said it's that way.” She pointed west.
“Oh, no!” He flew in figure eight’s without turning his back to Mia. He jabbed a finger to the north. “It’s that way, all right!”
“How would you know?”
“Because,” he again hovered, “I was born here. And I know all about Elfwood. Except for Abaradell.”
Mia looked at Finnegaff and poked a thumb at Belemeriath. “Did you know that Belemeriath knows how to find this place?”
“Well, yes.” He scooped a generous portion of the vegetable meat stew Romessee had made into a wooden bowl. “Belemeriath knows Elfwood better that anyone. Except, of course, the elves.”
Mia slouched into a sitting position and threw her arms into the air in frustration. “Okay, then!” She dropped her arms. “Why don’t we just go north?”
Shortly before noon of the next day, deep in the woods and somewhere to the north of the Halfwood Forest, the party came upon a clearing in the trees. The clearing was a perfect circle of towering pines about forty feet in diameter, with short grass and flowers of many colors abounding. Red mushrooms the size of softballs dotted with brilliant yellow spots sprouted in groups about the meadow. Sunbeams sliced through the towering trees in brilliant sheets, and the air was musty with the smell of wet forest. Belemeriath announced the spot as the Elven Place of Meeting. One was to call upon the ever-watching elves, and should they answer, they would then take their callers to Abaradell. And they did have the option to not answer, for if they believed the intent of their visitors one of malice, they simply would not reply.
Finnegaff strode to the center of the small shaded clearing and held his arms out. “Fair elves! I, Finnegaff the Sorcerer, along with my worthy party, have come in peace. We ask passage to your sacred city, and audience with her majesty Queen Ronnameth. We beg you heed our call and grace us with your presence!” Immediately from amongst the trees emerged three elves, dressed in green robes and carrying long bows. The first of them spoke.
“Great day, Lord Finnegaff! Welcome to Abaradell! I am Temestrielle. We shall be honored to guide you and your party to the city! This way.” He motioned for them to follow.
Belemeriath, who seemed to know just about everybody on Morrah, greeted his friend. “Great day, Temestrielle!” he said, flying to the elf’s side once the okay to follow was given.
“Great day, cousin Belemeriath! I see you’re in good company again!”
“Yes, I am!” He looked at the two girls.
“Belemeriath,” the elf whispered so that no others could hear, “why does Finnegaff always have to be so formal?”
“Because,” Belemeriath whispered back, “he's Finnegaff!” Temestrielle nodded his head as if Belemeriath had given him a completely acceptable answer, an answer that satisfied his question. And perhaps it had.
One of the elves had introduced himself as Carameth. He was truly the most handsome being Mia had ever seen. He was medium tall with long blond ha
ir, somewhat thin yet muscular, had a complexion that could have been an after picture for an acne cream commercial. His eyes were a beautiful deep blue, his warm smile friendly, his gait confident, his stature proud. Mia had trouble keeping her eyes from him. She found that when she did look in his direction, he was often looking at her. She asked Romessee if she knew him. She said she did: Carameth was Queen Ronnameth’s son; he was the Prince of the Elves. She characterized him as a very good elf that was full of charm. Romessee added that he was not betrothed. When Mia asked what that meant, Romessee told her that it meant he had no girlfriend. Mia nearly fell off her horse while squirming from the embarrassment. Romessee smiled. She enlightened Mia on her Pirasaa, the gift of judgment. Pirasaa, the ability to feel other's emotions, meant that she could read people very, very well. Romessee said that, just for a matter of record, Carameth was as fine as they come. This Mia didn’t have to be told.
In a matter of hours they were at the Elven City of Abaradell. A river ran through the center of the forested city forming a long, narrow, winding pond of crystal clear water, bridged by many ornate wooden walkways. A paddle wheel turned off the side of a building next to where the river took a man’s height drop in splashing waterfall. Sunlight poked through mostly shaded grounds. Birds were flying about, singing happily. The mossy trees, some bigger around than a house, bore countless green streamers of hanging vines and held many of the buildings making up the city. Most of the structures were of wood, green, living wood, with branches growing from the walls. The roofs of the structures were mostly thatch and some were small logs. A few houses on the ground were of stone. Flagstone paths surrounded by moss ran their courses between trees and houses as they wound about the gentle hills of the landscape. The damp, musty air was cool, fresh, and sweet with a hint of fungal growth. Belemeriath flew off, as he usually did when they arrived at a new place, straight into one of the houses nearby. Mia could hear him happily zipping off a string of words from the opened window. "...And I helped cure her hangover, too!"
"Fairy!" she muttered under her breath
The horses were taken by one of the elves that had escorted them to the city. Finnegaff, Romessee and Mia, accompanied by Carameth and Temestrielle, walked down the winding path to the largest of the city’s structures. Queen Ronnameth’s palace was huge. It was built right into three immense trees that reached heights of a hundred feet or more. Carameth led them inside to a large hardwood-floored room decorated with red tapestries. There sat a man and a woman. The man poured over an open book into which he was writing. The woman was nothing short of beautiful. Mia immediately knew her to be Queen Ronnameth, as Carameth’s resemblance to her was uncanny. The way the man was dressed could have passed him for Robin Hood, except for the wizard’s hat he wore.
The woman looked up. The motion bounced her light red waist-length hair. Her green eyes brightened when she noticed the small party. “Great day, Lord Finnegaff!” She bowed her head slightly. “And Romessee! What a pleasant surprise!” Queen Ronnameth’s sweet voice was full of emotion, emphasizing everything she said.
“Great day, good Queen Ronnameth!” Romessee returned the bow.
“How fares your mother, dear?” Queen Ronnameth had been a friend to Romessee’s mother for a long, long time.
“She does well, and sends her regards.”
“Delightful!” The Queen’s slender, feminine hands clasped together. “And you would be Miagaff, Carrier of the Book of Life! Welcome to Abaradell!”
Wow, Mia thought. News travels fast here! “Great day, Queen Ronnameth! An honor to meet you!” Mia bowed as Romessee had.
“Contrary, my dear. It is my honor to meet you. And this,” she motioned to the man standing by her side, “is my beloved husband, King Normangaff.” She turned to Finnegaff and held both of the wizard’s forearms with her hands. “Kind Finnegaff! You look well!”
“I’ve looked this way for two thousand years! Being a wizard has its advantages, you know.” They both laughed.
“Do accompany us to the garden, would you? Dinner will be served in an hour or so and we would be honored to have you!” Without waiting to see if they had accepted her invitation, she walked toward a door that opened into a garden. Obviously she was accustomed to neither following nor being refused.
What a splendid garden it was into which the queen led them! The fragrance of the air was like walking into a florist's shop. Flowers of unthinkable numbers adorned every patch of the acre of ground that was not path or seating area. Trellises harbored grapes and wisteria and clematis; roses abound. Birdbaths were alive with small finches; full size marble statues of deer and elves were about. Near the palace was a table ready for a feast, set in fine silver, with frequent baskets of fruits and nuts. As soon as they were seated at the table, a serving girl about Mia’s age attended them. She poured hot cider for them all.
“Thank you,” Mia said to the serving girl when handed a silver goblet.
“You’re quite welcome, my Lady!” She did the standard slight bow. “My name is Mallararielle! Pleased to meet you!”
“Oh! I’m Miagaff!” And Mia, for the first time, presented herself as a sorceress.
“The honor is truly mine, Miagaff, to have met the Carrier of the Book of Life!”
“Does everybody know who I am?”
The girl laughed. She spoke freely. “We were forewarned of your coming by our scouts.”
“From when we were at the meeting place?”
“The day before we met the Mumbwe,” Finnegaff said.
“You knew we were here then?”
“As soon as you entered Elfwood,” the queen said.
“Wow!” Mia said.
Mia visited with the bright serving girl, who proved to be entertaining, very kind, and full of life. She sat on the stone bench with Mia and told her about her role in Abaradell, and Mia exchanged stories of her home on Earth. Mia asked if she knew Aaramerielle.
“Aaramerielle? Yes! Of course! She’s a wonderful friend!”
“And she is my niece,” Queen Ronnameth said. Mia knew what question was coming next. Her mind raced trying to find a tactful way to inform the queen that Aaramerielle had undertaken a potentially dangerous mission on her behalf. “How is she doing?” the queen asked.
“Well...she's a historian, and knows Saa...and loves to run. We used to run together a lot.”
“Yes, dear. These things I know. How is she?”
Mia looked at Finnegaff. He nodded once.
“She’s with Marigaff right now,” she said, “pretending to be me, acting as a decoy so the dark sorceress won’t find us too soon.” There. It was out.
All of the elves looked on in surprise. The queen spoke first. “A decoy? Why, what a wonderful idea, Finnegaff!”
“It wasn't my idea, your majesty,” he said. “It was Miagaff’s!”
“Miagaff! That is ingenious!” Ronnameth clasped her hands together. She did that a lot. “Imagine! Our own Aaramerielle with a role in the Carrying of the Book of Life! What honor!”
Mia was relieved that the queen wasn’t upset that Aaramerielle was in such a dangerous predicament. She was even more relieved that Aaramerielle was Carameth's cousin.
Carameth had spoken little since their arrival in Elfwood. Mia caught him looking at her often, and wondered if it was because of who she was. Maybe he would visit with her later, maybe when nobody was around. Her heart fluttered at the thought.
Dinner was promptly served: various appetizers preceded a meal of roast duck, chicken, vegetables in a sauce new to her, muffins and fruit pastries. Mia found it hard not to overeat.
Later, after dinner, as the king was visiting with Finnegaff, the queen talked with Romessee about her mother. Mia sat quietly upon an ornately carved stone bench and took in the spectacular hues as dusk colored the stunning landscape with dimming purple shades intermixed with light pink sunbeams. She breathed deep of the fresh air and closed her eyes for just a moment, tilted her head back and stretched her s
ore muscles. She was startled when she opened her eyes, for there sat Carameth, no more than two feet away. Mia hadn't even heard him approach! He looked at her with what Mia later called his ‘killer smile.’ She felt herself blush, yet hid her surprise consciously with the sweetest smile she could create.
Neither of them said a word for what seemed to be a long, long time. Carameth broke the ice. “It is an honor to meet you, Miagaff!” He called her Gaff!
“Uh, me, too.” Her pulse raced; she tried to control her breathing.
“Tell me about yourself, won't you?” The young prince laid a hand on hers. She tingled from head to toe.
“Well, there isn’t much to tell,” she said. He waited patiently. “I...uh...I’m not from here. I was at Marigaff’s Farm for a while.”
“And you know Aaramerielle?” he asked.
“Yes, I do.” She nodded. “Aaramerielle and I are good friends.”
“She’s a wonderful elf.” He laughed and he released her hand. She would rather he hadn’t let go, and almost reached to get the hand back. She stopped herself before making any discernible movement. “I could never keep up with her!”
“Do you mean like running?”
“That and anything else!” he said. “She’s so alive! She’s always doing something. She seems to never rest!”
“Yeah! I know!” Mia said. "She was my roommate. She and I would run and when we were done, I was beat, and she wasn't even out of breath!" Just then Mia felt something, a presence, like she was being watched. Compelled, she looked around the perimeter of the garden. There, seated on a bench some distance off, was Finnegaff, in the company of King Normangaff. Finnegaff was looking in their general direction. Mia kept an eye on them, maybe too much of an eye, for in a few moments Carameth followed the direction of Mia's glances.
Carameth soon caught on to Mia’s concern. "Shall I show you the palace?" He stood and motioned toward the entrance to the kitchen. Mia followed him, delighted that he had rescued her from a potentially embarrassing situation. Not that she had anything to be embarrassed about. She and Carameth weren’t doing anything to be ashamed of, right? They were just talking, right? As they entered the palace, she looked over her shoulder to see if Finnegaff was still watching her.
He was. So was Normangaff.
The tour Carameth gave Mia of the spectacular palace took quite some time. The rest of their company had congregated in the courtyard, and had been joined by many elves. Entertainers played stringdrum while two sang to the soft stringed instrument. Others served drinks, some carried vegetable trays, and they admirably took turns doing so with others that were mingling or dancing. Paper lanterns with a soft, green glow adorned bent poles placed everywhere. Queen Ronnameth was near the musicians, seated on the edge of her chair, her head rested on the palm of one hand, elbow on knee. She stared at the elf lady musician, entranced by the song. Belemeriath was dancing; at least Mia guessed that would be what his rhythmic flying movements were, with one of the girls from a circle of youngsters gathered underneath a flowered archway. Romessee was among them, happily talking in three directions at once.
In a most gentlemanly fashion, Carameth seated Mia near the queen as they attended the finality of the somber song. The song was about an Elven woman who had lost her husband in war.
"Tho' she came and she'd wait by the river,
Where they'd come many times before,
She'd sit and she'd wait by the river
But she knew she would see him no more."
By the time the song was concluded, it was all Mia could do to fight the lump in her throat. Ronnameth's tears flowed freely. The queen applauded gently for the performance as did Carameth, his eyes welled up, too. Mia wiped her eyes, and so moved was she by the truly spellbinding music of the elves that she was compelled to clap but softly. Even Belemeriath, who had joined the audience, showed movement by the song.
"Oh, Isella, Shafristerelle,” the queen complimented the trio. “Such beautiful voices! I have forever held the Ballad of Fallen Love dear to my heart! Vierriellah, your hand to the string is magnificent!"
"Thank you, good Queen Ronnameth! It is our pleasure!" Isella said. The others answered with a slight bow.
The queen loved the dramatic, and leaned heavily toward the romantic side of life. She looked at Mia with a dreamy smile, then to Carameth. "My dear son! I see you're being a proper host!" Mia wondered how many others had seen them together. A hundred things ran through her mind at the same time. Yet Ronnameth seemed anything but worried.
While the stringdrummer played another song, an upbeat melody about dancing, Mia was thinking about the inevitable: soon she would have to choose the next companion for their journey. She seriously thought about picking Carameth without opening to Saa, just saying that Saa picked Carameth. Against her worse judgment, (and this she knew), she opened her mind to Saa. Instantaneously a picture of Carameth was in her mind. She jumped a little at the shock of the suddenness of the revelation. She had startled like this each time she'd consulted Saa when she chose a representative for the Carrying. She considered that it might not be Saa, since Carameth was so recent on her mind. She waited for the next song to nearly finish before she tried again. She had the same result. Carameth it was.
Mia decided that there was no better time than the present. She rose to her feet and clasped her hands in front of her in mock humility, though in fact she was fighting nervousness. This time she’d rehearsed what she was going to say. She spoke in a loud, clear voice, trying her best to sound authoritative. "Good Queen Ronnameth!" Upon hearing her, all fell quiet. Every eye was on her. "I have been with Saa, and Saa has given me vision to the elf prince I am to select for the Carrying of the Book of Life!" She blew it! It was supposed to come out elf friend, not elf prince! She held her ground and looked at the elves, Carameth among them. A dead silence fell over them. They froze and stared at her in unbelief.