After weeks on the road, the group had earned a moment of respite. Henric, now wearing his tunic, stared intently at the map spread before him. The silver streaks in his hair and beard shimmered under the gentle glow of the luminescent flowers, now freed from his half-ponytail. With a quill in hand, he marked potential routes back, should they require reinforcements. Venturing deeper into the forest posed no challenge; the real concern was finding their way out. Getting lost in enemy territory was a risk they couldn't afford to take, especially with monsters lurking about.

Talia sat next to him, also dressed in her sleeping tunic. Without removing his eyes from the map, Henric opened his left hand, and Talia silently placed her hand atop his outstretched palm. Henric kept studying the forest without saying a word, still holding her hand tightly.

Meanwhile, Daniel sat cross-legged on his bedroll, meticulously mending his armor. A soft tune escaped his lips as he stitched the leather lining, his gaze fixed on the tear.

Cordelia lay on her bedroll, staring at the wooden ceiling thoughtfully. She had no idea what was awaiting her tomorrow morning when they would venture deep into the forest. What kind of monsters lurked in there? What if they were ambushed and overnumbered before they could even ask for backup? What if her summoning issues put them in great danger?

Cordelia lay on her side as these thoughts swirled in her mind and her anxiety tightened like a knot in her stomach.

She knew Commander Talia and Henric would never put them in danger, but her concerns continued to plague her thoughts.

What weighed on her even more was the realization that this would soon be her life—endless fighting, survival, and teaching these harsh realities to children who, like her, had no say in their own futures. A life bound by fate, unwillingly in service to a goddess until the end of days…

Suddenly, a chorus of singing echoed through the forest, causing Cordelia to sit up abruptly. The room was filled with a collective startle from everyone present.

The elves were praying, their voices rising in harmonious unison. Rather than a cacophony of loud voices, their singing carried a haunting beauty, tinged with an underlying sorrow.

Everyone hurried outside to witness the captivating scene unfolding before them. The haunting melody persisted, and fireflies emerged, fluttering through the forest in perfect harmony with the song. It was as if the entire forest had joined in their singing and prayer.

Silann’e mia’lin, Jurian,

Trenna mia’lin Tyh’e

Trenna, Jurian, liliva’lini siorra’e,

Lithna levna’lini lor

Sanorwynell’i

Daniel cast a curious glance at Cordelia. "What are they saying?"

Cordelia shook her head, her eyes still fixed on the dancing fireflies. "I'm not sure, but they're praying to Jûrian, asking for guidance for their souls and hoping to meet him in the Void."

Talia's smile was warm. "I have to admit, that is truly beautiful."

As the haunting melody gradually faded, the fireflies continued their mesmerizing dance, their lights casting a soft glow across the forest. Cordelia stood and extended her palm, inviting a firefly to land. It settled briefly, its tiny wings shimmering, before taking flight again, joining its companions in their luminous ballet.

Henric leaned against the balcony railing with a gentle smile on his face. "Let's head to bed. We'll need to have an early start tomorrow. And who knows," he added, glancing at the still-active fireflies, "perhaps Jûrian will guide our path as well.”

Everyone went inside and got ready for sleep. Now in the dead silence, even the luminescent flowers slowly dimmed their lights as they awaited the next morning. Even if everyone was slowly nestling inside their bedrolls comfortably, Cordelia still had a meeting waiting for her.

***

As hours slipped by, Cordelia waited until the soft sounds of sleep filled the guest house before slipping out, her sword quietly secured at her side. Doubts tugged at her as she stepped into the night. Could she trust Meira? The matching scarves suggested she could, yet caution told her to stay alert.

Her footsteps whispered on the forest floor, the crunch of autumn leaves echoing softly in the stillness. Each step felt like a question and each rustle of leaves increased her anxiety.

Soon, she reached the settlement's heart, where the giant tree stood like a sentinel. There, Meira awaited her, her hazel eyes softly glowing green in the moonlit darkness.

"What's the sword for?" Meira's voice cut through the silence.

“Can't be too careful. I don't always get asked to meet someone in the middle of the night.” Cordelia replied, shrugging slightly.

Meira chuckled softly. "Don't worry. I mean no harm. Well... unless you threaten the clan."

“I won't.” Cordelia assured her, her voice steady.

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Meira nodded with a slight sigh of relief in her voice, “Good.”

Drawing closer, Cordelia raised her hand slightly. "I have questions."

Meira glanced behind her, then nodded. “I know. But not here. Let's go somewhere more private.”

With that, Meira gently took Cordelia's wrist, leading her deeper into the forest's embrace.

As they ventured deeper into the darkness, Cordelia's unease grew. The forest was a mix of moonlit glades and inky blackness, with towering trees standing like silent giants and nocturnal creatures adding their soft rustles to the night's symphony.

Meira moved with a grace in the dark, her eyes picking up on subtle shifts and glimmers that Cordelia couldn't even see. Unlike Cordelia, Meira navigated the forest with ease. Most elves had the ability to see in low light, a trait honed over generations of living close to nature, with the exception of Sun Elves, whose powers came from light itself. Although their magical abilities made up for that limitation.

The only sounds breaking the silence were their footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves. It felt like Meira was saving their conversation for a quieter moment, leaving Cordelia to grapple with her swirling thoughts and emotions as they walked.

After what felt like an eternity to Cordelia, Meira released her wrist, and Cordelia finally took in their surroundings. The soft murmur of flowing water hinted at a nearby stream or pond, while the graceful silhouettes of wisteria trees swayed gently in the night breeze. Even in the dim light, the scene was enchanting. The wisteria trees seemed to shimmer with a soft glow, their lavender blooms standing out against the dark backdrop. The air was filled with the sweet scent of wisteria flowers, mingling with the earthy aroma of the nearby lake.

The scents and sounds transported Cordelia back to her first experience in the Void—a vast green field bathed in sunlight, filled with the sweet scent of flowers and ancient ruins waiting to be explored. Standing here now, surrounded by the scent of wisteria and moss, Cordelia felt a longing for that illusion. All she needed was a glimpse of ancient weathered stones, crumbling archways and she was good to go.

Meira settled gently on a flat stone near the lake, patting the spot beside her in invitation. Cordelia hesitated for a moment before joining her, her eyes meeting Meira's as she settled onto the stone.

“I love this place. It is my refuge when I need to get away from everything.” Meira said softly, her gaze fixed on the gentle ripples of the water.

Cordelia nodded, her eyes tracing the reflections dancing on the water's surface, “It really is beautiful.”

They sat in silence, soaking in the serenity of the place. Eventually, Meira's gaze shifted to Cordelia, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and nostalgia.

Taking a deep breath, Meira began, “I lost my mother to an Embral attack when I was just a child. My Aunt Eleanora raised me after that. We would often come here; she would sit beneath the wisteria trees, embroidering scarves, while I played in the lake, naming tadpoles and chasing after frogs and salamanders.” She chuckled softly, “She used to scold me for picking up bugs and lizards with my hands.”

Cordelia smiled. She remembered how much her mother hated lizards and reptiles. Ironic how she was now summoning the biggest and scariest lizard of them all. She wondered what her mother would do if she saw her dragon.

Meira straightened, turning to face Cordelia more fully. “My grandfather arranged Aunt Eleanora's marriage to the Faerondals. After the wedding, she left the clan.”

Cordelia blinked in surprise. “Wait. My parents had an arranged marriage? I never knew.”

Meira shrugged, her eyes softening with fondness. “It was one of those rare arranged marriages that just... worked. They seemed perfect for each other. Lucky, huh?” She paused, taking a deep breath before standing up and staring into the water with a distant, sorrowful look.

Cordelia stood up and moved closer to her.

“Do you know anything about me? Anything at all?”

Meira shook her head, her expression apologetic. “I don't know much. What I do know is that you were found near this very river, far to the north. When Aunt Eleanora found you, you were nearly frozen, your skin turning purple.” She sighed deeply, her eyes clouded with pain. “When the other clan rejected her for taking you in, she returned here. I pleaded with my father to let her stay. Their blind prejudice caused them to cast her out even from her own family… Just because you were human.”

Cordelia sighed, crossing her arms tightly around herself. “I wish she had never found me…”

Meira smiled gently, placing a comforting hand on Cordelia's shoulder. “Fate works in mysterious ways, Cordelia. My aunt found you after losing her own baby... And now, here you are as a Dragon Knight, returning full circle to the place where destiny first brought you.” She removed her hand, curiosity shining in her eyes. “Speaking of destiny, how did you become a Dragon Knight?”

Cordelia shrugged, a shadow crossing her face. “In short? A dragon attacked our village. My commanders rescued me, and I've been with them ever since.”

Meira rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “And Aethon Faerondal? What became of him?”

“He never returned to his people, if that's what you mean. He moved to Granaria.” Cordelia replied.

Meira sighed, her gaze drifting back to the wisteria trees. “After everything they've been through... it's understandable.” She turned her attention back to Cordelia, her eyes serious. “I'm sorry I can't give you the answers you seek about your origins, but I can tell you one thing,” Meira said, her voice soft yet firm. “Humans don't have a habit of abandoning their children coming all the way here to a Wood Elven forest. You could be the first in many, many centuries. There might be something in your bloodline that made them want to be rid of you as far as they could.”

Cordelia's chest tightened with so many emotions. Her silver hair and pale, icy blue-gray eyes had always set her apart, even among humans. Whispers and stares had marked her as different her entire life. Hearing Meira say her own thoughts out loud made the weight of her doubts even harder to bear.

“If you're trying to make me feel better, it's not really working, Meira.” she said, her voice flat.

Meira chuckled softly, “Who knows? Maybe you're cursed. Or maybe you're destined for something greater. Fate goes deeper than tree roots. Maybe it is your destiny to find out.”

Cordelia nodded, her smile tinged with sadness, “Maybe…”

Suddenly, Meira moved gracefully towards a delicate wisteria raceme, carefully plucking it from the tree. She approached Cordelia and gently placed the cluster of small purple flowers in her palm.

“Here,” Meira said softly, her voice imbued with warmth. “A little piece of reminder of where you came from. May it bring you luck and guidance as you seek to uncover your future.” She closed Cordelia's fingers around the wisteria, sealing it in.

Cordelia looked down at the wisteria, its blossoms exuding a sweet, intoxicating fragrance. She took a deep breath, letting the scent envelop her senses.

“Thank you.” she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.

Meira nodded, “You're very welcome. Now let's return you to your bed. We don't want you facing any monsters with a tired head.”