Aerelle and Mica walked through the "city," and came near the shore. It was here where the sick were treated, and novice clerics that had survived the Fall of La'adia were taught. Children - both La'adian and Kelsanite - were given lessons on numbers, letters, and courtesy. As Aerelle and Mica passed the mess of tents, eager children rushed to see their rulers. They stayed a safe distance. Their teachers - healers and the two remaining priests other than Grery and five priestesses - held them back. Stinkfeet and his commandos were a good enough reason to stay away, and then there was Aerelle in her armor.

The children bowed respectfully, and chanted: "Verthandi has blest us; Verthandi has healed us; Verthandi has set us free." Mica's eyebrow raised, and Aerelle got the impression that she had never heard the prayer before. Looking at the children, many of them were Kelsanites. They looked to Verthandi with a sense of love, but then looked at Aerelle and were in awe. Perhaps they were afraid. Aerelle wore the red armor of the Scarlet Knights, and had helped in the razing of Kelsan. She was no leader to be loved. Respected, yes, but it was Verthandi who was loved. It was Verthandi who would be able to ask these people something and get it done out of love. If Aerelle asked, it would be done out of fear.

They continued on, and Weyo led them to the shore of the nameless lake. Once they reached the shore, Aerelle and Mica asked their guards to stand back. The Magestor led his troupe to a nearby tree to rest in the shade, and Phoeld and his men stood dutifully a pacet or so away. Weyo kneeled down, and put her hands, palms down, in the water.

"Please wait. It may take a moment."

No sooner had she spoken than magic blue ripples radiated from her hands. Then something bulged up from the water, close to the priestess' hands. Aerelle squinted at the thing, and noticed that it was merely water, shaped by some invisible mold. Then the bulge rose higher, until it was a bit shorter than Mica and Aerelle. The column of water was about as round as Aerelle, and soon features began to arise. A parody of a female face and form took shape, and Weyo stood, backing up behind Aerelle and Mica. The thing had no legs; everything below what its torso would be was a column of water that was one with the lake.

"What is it?" Mica asked.

"A nymph," Weyo responded. "She lives in the lake, and I spoke to her just a while ago, before I came to get you. She wished to speak with you."

"I thought they were myths . . . " Mica whispered. Aerelle decided not to offend the nature-spirit, and so addressed her.

"What can we do to aid you, water nymph? I am Throne Aerelle of the Wizards of Fire, and this is Queen Verthandi of La'adia."

The voice that came from the creature was neither masculine nor feminine, and the words echoed in Aerelle's mind as the nymph spoke. "You have brought humans and elves to the land. This land remembers a time when humans came. They destroyed the forest, and created evil magic. You are here now, and nature fears you. Your path here is well marked by powerful and chaotic magic. We wish for you to leave."

Aerelle shivered at the nymph's request. It was not a request however. The nymph demanded it.

"We cannot leave," said Mica. "Our homes have been destroyed, and we have no where to go. We need to rest and rebuild. We mean no harm."

"Intention is not action. Already the wildlife is getting scarce. They have been either killed or have run away. Our land is being polluted by wastes already. The trees and vegetation have been cut and burned and altered. I fear for this lake."

Aerelle knew the nymph's plea. The echo in her mind relayed the spirit's emotions. She knew that there would be harm to the land if Aerelle and Mica stayed, whether they meant harm or not. Aerelle was unsure if the nymph would be able to stop them, but Aerelle did not know what magic this creature had.

"What can we do to lessen your worries?" Mica asked.

"Leave."

"Is there anything we can do to compensate for us being here?"

"No. Leave."

The nymph was as stubborn as Skora. "We have nowhere to go," Aerelle began. "Our homes have been destroyed by evil magic and undead. The land has been tainted, but we stopped the threat. In return for our efforts, our cities and towns have fallen to dust. We have people - men, women, children - who have no home, and no hope. This place brings them peace and joy. They have hope now. We rely on you and the land. We do not want to destroy it, because it is all we have."

The nymph did not respond immediately. It did not immediately insist that Aerelle and Mica leave. "The land is all we have. This land is all. It may be just a resource to you, but to us, it is all. We are the land. The land is us. We cannot give it to you, or we would sell ourselves into slavery."

"We do not want slaves. We want a place to live," insisted Aerelle. "We want a home."

"We want a place for ourselves. We have been here for eternity, and we will not give it up. You are not welcome here, humans. You must leave."

There was no more to the conversation. The nymph lost all features, and the water splashed back into the lake. Rings of ripples spread from where the nymph had fallen, and not until the water was serene did anyone speak. It was Weyo who made the first comment.

"The nymph can hear us. Anything we say is known to the land."

"We have another problem to deal with," Aerelle said.

"We have another obstacle to overcome," Verthandi corrected. "Let us go, Aerelle. We will return to our daily duties. One of us will think of some way to come to terms with the water nymph."

"Of course you two will," Weyo assured. "I will be here with the others until you need me. I think it would be best that I don't call the nymph to me again until you are ready to speak with her. And I'll keep this matter to myself. No need to upset others."

"Agreed, Priestess Weyo," Aerelle responded. " I am glad to see that you and the others are helping the children. Our people will be a great nation some day."

Mica and Aerelle backed up from the lake and were surrounded by their guards once again. Weyo bowed to both of the women, and they walked back into Nakalryn City. They parted as they reached Aerelle's tent, and Mica continued on to her tent, closer to the Castle. Night would soon fall, and all but Khen, who was still with soldiers somewhere, were at the tent. Aerelle's tent was a decent size, considering it housed all six fire wizards. It was bigger than Mica's, but, then again, Skora had insisted Verthandi have a small, private tent because custom called for it.

Each of her friends greeted her with a hug, and Aerelle climbed out of her armor and put on a simple brown robe like the other wizards. A red belt was tied around her waist as a sign of authority. Keyla insisted that Aerelle sit in her own chair, and Aerelle gladly sat down.

"Demra told us about the elves," Keyla said.

"There are certainly a lot of them," Lea added. "They can be seen from afar."

Aerelle nodded. "There's too many, but Verthandi has offered them a place with us."

"We know," Lea said. "You don't seem thrilled with the idea."

"We have trouble enough with the people we have," Aerelle did not bother to mention the nymph to them. No point to having them worry about it. "More will only present more problems. Not that we cannot solve the problems we have, but why do we need more?"

Everyone knew the question was rhetorical, and so Keyla changed the topic. "This place is so peaceful. Do you agree, Aerelle? Is this what you have been waiting for? This place?"

Aerelle smiled. "It is. Once this thing with the elves is settled, there will be peace. Soon we will have word from our ambassadors who were sent out. Peace will be secured with any surrounding villages and trading posts, and we will finally be able to build. This lake has rivers branching from it. We are bound to be successful."

"Such a change from Montear," Demra said. "A good change. We have become different people, and now call for different needs." The others had informed Demra of what had happened, and how they no longer that the Fire Moon would rise again. Demra had been uneasy with the information, and Aerelle suspected she still hoped for its existence, if only for a belief to hold on to. The La'adians had Verthandi, Demra had the Fire Moon, but Aerelle, the Kelsanites, and goblins had nothing. Aerelle was unsure of the Scarlet Knights. She did not think they worshipped the Scarlet Star, and she knew not much more of them. They were quiet, and she let them remain so.

"I think I will retire early tonight," Aerelle announced. "It's been a long day. If anyone calls for me, please wake me."

"Of course, Aerelle," Keyla replied.

The next two days slipped by. Aerelle did not give much thought to the water nymph, though she spent hours worrying about what to do with the elves. Mica remained composed as always, and since the meeting had been held without her, Skora was now always at Mica's side. She would not be excluded again. Aerelle thought that perhaps Skora would be able to convince the nymph that they should stay, out-argue it, or get it to allow them to stay by sheer force of stubbornness.

It was on the third morning since the elves arrived that a messenger came. Aerelle and Mica were talking idly in the Castle, and Skora tended to some mending. She had taken up sewing the day they arrived at Nakalryn, and now Mica had a detailed band of green and white around her wrist, made by Skora. A guard knocked on the wooden post outside the door, and Aerelle told him to enter.

"One of the elves are here, and the only thing he could say was 'Verthandi.' I believe he wishes to speak with you, my Queen," the guard announced.

"A pity you didn't teach him to say at least Queen Verthandi, my Lady," Skora said from her stool.

"Oh, it's alright, Skora. Let him in, Phoeld."

"Yes, Most Gracious."

Phoeld, armored in a steel breastplate, gestured outside the tent for the other two guards to escort the elf in. The elf wore a green and brown tunic, and carried no weapon. He had black hair, connected at the nape of his neck with a cloth band. His pale skin, lithe form, and pointed ears were all odd to Mica and Aerelle, but they accepted the difference. Aerelle stood next to Verthandi, and Skora stood slightly behind the two, to Mica's left. The two guards and Phoeld remained, until Mica waved them off. They closed the tent flap behind them.

Aerelle's magic flames immediately brightened the tent, and the elf looked around warily. "How may we help you?" Mica asked in High Elven.

Aerelle did not understand what the elf said, but Mica did. "The Elders have decided that it would be beneficial to join your people, so long as they have the authority that was promised them." Mica translated the elf's message for both Aerelle and Skora.

"We most graciously accept the She'lak elves into our encampment. However, only one of your Elders may share a seat with Throne Aerelle and myself when matters must be discussed. He may speak for your people, but only the three of us will have high authority." Again, Mica translated for Aerelle's and Skora's sake, and continued her conversation with the elf, translating each time for Aerelle and Skora. "Will your Elders accept me and Throne Aerelle into their camp, so that we may discuss details?"

"You are welcome, Queen Verthandi, and you too, Throne Aerelle." He looked at Aerelle during his last few words and she knew he spoke to her.

Mica nodded. "We will go right away, if that would be acceptable."

"I would be honored to lead you, Queen Verthandi."

"What, if I may ask, is your name?"

"Daryn, Queen Verthandi."

Skora was the first to the guards outside once Mica translated and ordered horses. Mica told her that only she and Aerelle, and the cavalry guard, led by General Krick would be going. "You will remain here to tell the people. Please also send someone to find the General. He will come with us. Trust my judgement, Skora, and please do not sulk."

Skora's eyebrows raised at Verthandi's request, but she curtsied and slid out of the tent. Aerelle braced herself for a long day, and they soon found themselves on horseback. The elven messenger, Daryn, refused a horse, and he jogged ahead of the procession. Aerelle admired his endurance, and hoped his patience matched his physical abilities once the elves moved into Nakalryn City.

They came to the elven camp, which was not much. There were not many shelters, but there were cook fires and areas blocked off by sticks and vines. There were a few tents made of animal hide and leaves, and Aerelle supposed they were the Elders'. She was right. Mica and Daryn spoke, and they dismounted in front of the largest of the tents. Daryn walked in, and soon came back out. Mica translated that he wanted them to go in. Aerelle, Mica, and Krick walked into the tent.

Lithamn was the first memory that came to Aerelle's mind. Elven Elders lined the circular walls of the tent, and the flap was closed behind them. Daryn had left, and now it was Aerelle, Krick, Mica, and the Elders. No, Aerelle corrected herself, Verthandi and the Elders. In the tradition of elders, these elves were no exception. They all wore robes of green, and each held a staff that they leaned on ever so slightly. Some were tall in the manner of elves, while others were bent over and even short. Aerelle expected the booming voice of the druids of Lithamn, but all she got was one voice from one of the elders directly in front of them. Mica translated whenever the Elder gave her a pause to do so.

"Welcome to our camp Queen Verthandi, Throne Aerelle, and General. We have decided to join with you. Young Daryn has told us that only one among us may act as Eldest. In that case, I, Elder Telimorin, will rule with you. We accept our responsibilities as members of your people. We hope that our language barrier may be breached."

"We will devise something, Elder Telimorin. This with us is General Krick, General of the Order of Roden. Now that our people are allied,, our army and people include peoples from La'adia, Kelsan, the Burning Sands, and She'lak. We are human, goblin, and elven. Our people are diverse, but we hope to bring peace to the land. Already, an empire invades my former homeland. We wish to go back and make peace with them. We wish to restore the She'lak to you if it is within our power. We do not wish to war with others, and so build our land here, out of Kilan and Gowwilan territory."

"It is interesting that you mention the land. One of our forest priests spoke with a nature spirit from the lake. It was reluctant to agree, but, in the end, allowed us to stay here." Aerelle allowed a tight smile to cross her lips as Mica told her that the nymph had agreed with the She'lak. If the nymph could have done any harm, it was now a nonexistent threat.

In the following hours, the details were worked out. The elves, the following morning, would join Mica and Aerelle in their camp and the elven troops would be split between Krick, Vern, Tesmar, and an elven warrior. Once the military decisions were made, the elven general, Belivor, was brought in, and simple signals were worked out between Krick and the elf, with Mica's help. Aerelle was left out once again. She was no warrior, and she could not speak High Elven. She was a sorceress, and magic was hardly discussed.

The joining of the two groups was a mess. Tents had to be moved, and things had to be rearranged. Mica was stressed beyond belief, and Skora was always there trying to soothe her. The La'adians were just as confused as the Kelsanites, and the goblins couldn't care less. The Knights of the Scarlet Star rode through the chaos, and just their fearsome presence kept people in line.

The day after that involved a mass training of hand signals. Mica trained her people, and the Elders trained the elves. It would take days to get it right, but simple phrases were worked out. The central "square" of Nakalryn was rearranged, and the Elders erected their tents there along with Aerelle's and Mica's. Skora was forced to move in with Mica, and, of course, she protested.

"By tradition, her Most Generous needs her own chamber to meditate and think."

"Tradition has already been overstepped, Skora. The La'adians were ruled by myself, then two women, and now a combination of Aerelle, myself, and the Elder Telimorin. We must adapt to the situation."

"The elf does not have to have as much power as you, my Queen! Simple manipulation is perfectly fine."

Mica smiled. "Skora, please listen, and try to understand. Aerelle and myself rule our people for the good of the people. Our Goddess will not mind if we do what is needed. The elves are now a huge addition to the group. They cannot be treated as less than our other people. I know you do not like it, but, in the end, all will turn out."

Skora had not complained since then. Mica had taken her stand on the subject, and, even though Mica was younger, she was the Avatar of Verthandi, and Skora would not push her patience. While Skora was just as reluctant to ally with the elves as Aerelle was, Demra was another matter.

Aerelle and Mica both knew that there would have to be an easier way to communicate with the elves. Demra was enthusiastic to learn. Daryn, the elven messenger that had brought the Elders' news to Aerelle and Mica, had been designated by the Elders to learn the human language. Mica had met with Daryn and Demra, and began the "lesson." Once each of them could speak a few key words and phrases, such as "Hello," "How are you," "I am fine," "I need help," "Follow me," and a few others, Mica left them to translate for others to help with the combining of the camps.

Demra and Daryn both exhibited extreme patience in their learning. They used drawings and gestures to convey their meanings, and from what Aerelle could tell, were making great progress. Daryn was still required to run messages from the Elders to other elves, and Demra would go with him. Demra still had to go around each night and help rejuvenate the magic fires, and Daryn would accompany her. Most of their free time was spent together, and progress could be seen. Demra constantly spoke to the elves, stumbling over words most of the time, and Daryn to the humans, to the best of their respective abilities.

While Daryn and Demra accepted each other, and learned each other's cultures, others were not so open-minded. Many of the elves were afraid of Aerelle and the fire mages for the potential of their destructive magic, as told by the Kelsanites and La'adians. Others were not afraid, but despised the Wizards of Fire and their supposed "hatred for nature." Nothing came of these opinions, and Aerelle and Mica both hoped that the elves' views would soon change.

One of the more popular talks of the camp was the elves inability to work with or touch metal. Strict rules - Skora told the people they were laws - kept the elves safe. Training, when elves trained with the other soldiers, would be done with wooden practice weapons. The elves had their own leather armor, which seemed to allow for better movement. Their weapons were stone and wood, but She'lak trees were tough and powerful. Aerelle and Mica were both surprised to see young humans and elves - no more than ten years of age - running around together. Language would not be a barrier to their fun, and they would run and hide from each other and laugh all the while.

Aerelle had also noticed that Vern had his own contacts among the people. Those revolutionary leaders who had led the people against the vampires during the Equinox were now Vern's eyes and ears. Just as Aerelle had the fire mages and Mica had Skora, so Vern had a complex network. The man wasn't stupid, but Aerelle suspected that the other revolutionary leaders arranged the network. Though Montear never had a complex ruling system, Aerelle knew that the Order of Roden was gaining one. She had no problem with it, but she hoped that some day soon one person's information would be another's.

The elves had just added to that problem. The fact that they could not speak the human language bothered Aerelle, and she suspected some problems would arise because of it. The hand signals would not be enough, and Mica would wear herself out running back and forth across Nakalryn City to translate. Translating for Aerelle would be bad enough when Aerelle, Verthandi, and Elder Telimorin would meet. They would have to start learning the other's language, if Mica figured out how she said what she did. Demra and Daryn were just a start, and it would take a long time to get others to learn. Mica had no extra time to teach Aerelle, she was too busy. Aerelle had picked up a few simple phrases from Demra, but nothing that would help in discussions with Telimorin.

The first wave of "ambassadors" that had been sent to the surrounding towns had returned, and Skora sent more out. Her spy network had followed them, and it was mostly they who left on the diplomacy missions, along with a small guard of three or so men and a Priest or Priestess of Verthandi. There had been no problems, so long as Aerelle and Mica wouldn't take over the rivers flowing from what the villagers called the Heart - the lake that Nakalryn City rested on the shores of. Two major rivers flowed from the Heart, and more branched off of those. The city and empire of Hejlia, positioned on fertile ground in the southern Sands, sent goods up the rivers. If those rivers remained open for free trade, the cities did not mind. Until Nakalryn grew powerful, of course, but that was not mentioned.

Six days after the She'lak elves joined the Order of Roden and once everything was basically settled, a banquet was thrown. Berries and pheasant and fish and deer and vegetables were served. A huge clearing at the edge of the Heart was set with torches lit by the wizard's magical fires. Low tables were filled with wooden plates of food. Some of the people swam, while others stood around to chat. This was the greatest time of relaxation and no worries that Aerelle could remember.

The elves got in groups and sang and danced, and some La'adians and Kelsanites joined them. When the elves were done, the humans would sing and dance, and the elves would join them. Night came, and the song and dance and talking continued. Language was not important to anyone - everyone enjoyed music. A few elves took out wooden instruments and began to play. A few Kelsanites found some extra canvas and created drums. Everyone was satisfied and content.

Everyone except Mica. Mica walked with Elder Telimorin and was constantly translating and speaking with other elves. She was surrounded by Phoeld and his guards, and Skora was close by. The Queen had to be seen with her advisor and guards. Just because Queen Verthandi was not inside her Silver Castle and protected by the Blessed Walls did not mean she did not need protection and need not look regal. Mica, Aerelle, Elder Telimorin, and their advisors were in a separate part of the camp, away from their people. Best wishes were said and handshakes and nods of approval were made. They restrained from handshakes in fear that someone would forget to remove a ring or bracelet.

Aerelle had never been to a royal ball, but she assumed that this is what they must be like. The people enjoyed themselves while those in power spoke and bored each other to sleep. One of the few positive notes of the celebration was that Aerelle wore a simple brown robe instead of her armor. The night dragged on, and Aerelle spoke with Keyla, Lea and the others. Demra spoke with them for a bit, with Daryn close by. Vern was also there, along with two other Kelsanites. Aerelle suspected only one of them were one of his top contacts. The other was just a fake. Kelsan politics were in play, but Aerelle knew nothing would come of it. To be true Kelsan politics, vampires would be needed, and the Order of Roden had none.

Aerelle had not seen Mica for a while, and assumed she was speaking with the elven Elders. Aerelle should be there, too, but it would only complicate matters. It was perhaps a few hours before dawn when the Scarlet Soldier rode into the area where the Elders, wizards, and priests and priestesses were. The elves jumped away in surprise, and the others back away slowly. Aerelle stayed in the open so the Soldier would see her.

She did not know his name, nor any of the others', just their titles. She knew it was the Soldier by the huge sword at his waist with rubies on the hilt. He also lacked the cape of the Advisor, General and Wizard. The Scout had no visible weapon, while the Colonel, Captain, Lieutenant and Guard were mainly distinguished by the certain coloration of their armor and weapons. All of them had black steeds in armor, and they all could cast magic. Aerelle had not expected them here now, they were to be out patrolling. There must be a problem.

The Soldier dismounted, and came to Aerelle. He bowed his head, and then spoke. "Aerelle, there are strangers outside the camp. We have captured them, but they insist they mean no harm. They say they need help and wish to speak with our leader."

Mica and Skora were at Aerelle's side by now, and caught the last of the Soldier's report. Aerelle replied first. "I am spent for the night. I couldn't speak with them. Can you watch them until morning?"

"Knight of the Scarlet Star," Mica said, "please tell them that Throne Aerelle, Queen Verthandi, and Elder Telimorin will meet with them in the morning."

The Soldier turned his helmeted head to Aerelle, waiting for her response. "Yes, please do tell them we will meet with them in the morning. You can bring them food if they need it. Make them comfortable, and send them our apologies that we cannot see them right away."

"Yes, Throne Aerelle," the Soldier replied. Aerelle rubbed her eyes with her palms as the Soldier rode back to the other Scarlet Knights. She needed some sleep before the meeting tomorrow.