Feyrith had no idea what to think. On one hand, these people had taken his magic. He shouldn't even be listening to them, let alone be around them, and yet he'd been talking to the elf called Wyn, and what the man had said so far was difficult not to find some logic in, no matter how awful his methods were.

Wyn must have been the man who had been present when Feyrith's magic had been stolen. The one who had apologized for his terrible crime even as he'd committed it. And Feyrith was also certain the woman who had mocked Wyn then, the one who had attacked and captured Feyrith, was the one who had argued with him earlier. She unnerved Feyrith, much more than Wyn himself, but that was mostly because she'd attacked him. Not to mention that she kept glaring his way.

"I wish I knew that there was another way at the time," Wyn continued, keeping his eyes trained on the back of his quasir's head. There was genuine regret in his voice, but Feyrith wouldn't let that sway him. Though the other elf had seemed very sad ever since Edwyr had called him a liar. It just seemed...too genuine to fake. But Feyrith was still not too good at being able to tell that he was being lied to.

He needed to have a word with Edwyr, also.

"I truly hope that this is the way forward. I've already hurt far too many elves."

Feyrith wrinkled his nose. He still didn't like that these elves were intending to ignore the Goddess' will and give themselves magic, no matter their Curse. And the worst part was that it clearly worked if Edwyr was any proof. It was simply wrong. Feyrith wouldn't be convinced otherwise. He didn't disagree with Wyn on Aendor needing a change of leadership—he'd lost all faith in the Council after their absolute disregard of what had happened to him—but to do it this way? It made Feyrith sick.

But he knew he could do nothing to change this. There was nothing he could do to stop these elves. And as much as he hated it, he wanted his magic back, so in a way, he did want them to find whatever device Wyn and the others were looking for. But he was supposed to have magic, these elves didn't.

"How many have you stolen magic from?"

Wyn's face somehow fell further as he dragged his eyes over to meet Feyrith's. "The elves with us, the ones who can use magic. Aside from Genrith and myself."

Feyrith looked around, trying to remember which elves had been using magic when his group had found them. But there had been around ten, including Wyn and Genrith. So that meant eight elves who had lost magic. And while that number wasn't as high as he'd feared, it did make him feel sick.

And yet the way Wyn had stated that fact made him pause from expressing judgment. Being regretful, perhaps even ashamed made none of this okay, but it certainly made it more difficult to be as harsh as Feyrith wanted to be. And he had every right to. It didn't matter if Wyn truly would restore Feyrith's magic, it wouldn't make what he'd done right. It never would.

But if it were possible, Feyrith longed to get it back.

"And what have you done to the elves you took magic from? Kill them?"

Wyn turned his head fully to Feyrith then, his eyes bulging out. "W-what? No, of course not." Then he sighed, bowing his head again. "We wiped their memories and made sure they would find their way to a human settlement. I didn't want anyone to die, but I couldn't let them go either. They would report what happened to the Council."

Feyrith set his jaw. He didn't know how to feel about this. He wanted to be angry, truly, and yet he could understand Wyn's logic, no matter how crooked it was. "So they would go on with life thinking they are Cursed. Like you wanted to do to me."

Feyrith expected Wyn's expression to harden, but if anything, his eyes turned even more haunted. "Yes. Genrith was supposed to.... Well, you know."

"Threaten me and my human companions to get me to contact the Council before wiping my memory?" Feyrith was almost shocked at how bitter his tone came out sounding, but he immediately didn't regret it one bit. Because no matter how strange it still was to not hold back his feelings, he was bitter. And he had reason to be. This elf had taken everything from him, and no matter how much the Council had failed him, Feyrith couldn't let go of feeling like he'd been denied his destiny.

"Threaten?" Wyn's face was pinched in confusion as if he had no idea what Feyrith was talking about. "She threatened...? That is not what she was supposed to do. She was supposed to wipe your memories and bring you to a safe location."

As Wyn turned his head to look at Genrith, Feyrith wondered if the elf was lying to make himself look better or if he was truly, genuinely surprised at this turn of events. But whichever option it was, Feyrith didn't much care right now. He cared about getting answers much more than about Wyn dealing with insubordination. Or however these elves operated.

And so before Wyn could go to Genrith to likely argue with her, Feyrith spoke again, his tone icy.

"Well, I got away, thanks to Lanna and Arbane."

Wyn looked back at Feyrith, pain flashing in his eyes. "Yes, um, Edwyr's acquaintances."

Feyrith knew that Wyn was aware of exactly who he was talking about, given that Arbane and Wyn had spoken for quite a while before Feyrith was given a turn to demand answers. Feyrith hadn't listened in, but he was fairly certain he'd heard Wyn say something about Arbane being a half-elf. As if such a thing were possible. It would be a logical explanation, but it didn't make sense, so hearing Wyn just agree that was the clear answer had been very strange.

"Yes, and I told the Council."

Wyn's strange, yellow eyes grew wide, and yet not as shocked or horrified as Feyrith would have assumed. But then, of course he'd gone to the Council. What else would have Feyrith done? It was the logical assumption to make.

"That...is not ideal. But completely understandable, of course. I assume they banished you?"

There was a surprising amount of empathy in Wyn's voice, his gaze sad and tired. Feyrith had wondered if Wyn himself had been exiled, given what he was doing, and he was almost certain now.

Feyrith lowered his gaze, sighing before he answered. "They did. And they did not listen to a word I said before doing so."

This time Wyn's eyes widened much more. "Oh." Then his expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he threw a rather hateful look at the trees around them. "Of course, they didn't. Their arrogance truly knows no bounds."

Wyn then turned his gaze straight to Feyrith, his intense stare almost making Feyrith look away. But he resisted the urge. He wouldn't appear weak to this elf, no matter how easily Wyn could kill him if he wanted to. To maintain a shield of the size Wyn had done...that had to be done using phenomenal magical power. In fact, Feyrith didn't think even some of the Councilors would be able to manage it, certainly not for very long.

"I am sorry for what I did to you. But despite the unfortunate way it happened, I am glad it helped you realize the truth about the Council. They do not deserve your loyalty, Feyrith."

Feyrith glared at Wyn, not liking at all where this conversation was going. "And you do?"

The elf looked away. "That is not what I said. I simply wish to help you regain your magic."

Feyrith truly wanted to remind Wyn once more that he was the one who had taken his magic in the first place, but he didn't want to keep going in circles. Besides, something was nagging at him much more right now. "What will the Goddess think?"

Wyn shook his head. Feyrith wanted to snap at him for being dismissive of something so important, but the elf spoke before he could say anything. "This crime against our Goddess is my doing, and therefore I will bear the punishment for it, whatever that may be." Then he lowered his voice, muttering under his breath. "If she even exists."

Feyrith stared at Wyn, in disbelief that this elf was doubting the Goddess' existence. He'd never heard of anyone even thinking of doing that. But despite his shock, he said nothing. It was none of his business if Wyn wanted to be a blasphemer, as Ralis had called him. And Feyrith wasn't interested in trying to convince him otherwise, either. He didn't want to be involved with either him or his group.

Whatever else might have been said between them was put an end to by a flash of blue light in the distance. Feyrith frowned, trying to make it out between the thick trunks of trees that they were currently going around. At first, he thought the light was blinking, but it was actually constant, only interrupted by the many trees and flora all around them, so thick in places that they obscured the light completely. But it was there, nonetheless, and they were approaching it fast, no matter their relatively slow pace due to the difficult terrain.

And then finally Feyrith saw the source of the light. And it almost made him gasp. A dark blue liquid was running between the trees, taller and thicker than the others, cutting through the ground beneath massive roots before disappearing into the ground not far away from them now. Even though it looked like nothing Feyrith had been imagining, this must have been the river the creature had talked about. He just knew it was.

The river zig-zagged between the trees, leading deeper into the forest, but it couldn't have gone on for too long as the light radiating off it seemed to disappear in the darkness. A river was a very strong word to describe this, perhaps a stream would have been better. But what even was this liquid? Looking at it made a shiver run down Feyrith's spine. Something about it was wrong. Like he hadn't been meant to see it.

Next to him, Wyn jumped off his quasir, approaching the river almost casually. As if he wasn't bothered by it in the slightest. This elf was far too odd for him to understand, Feyrith thought.

"Yes, this must be it," Wyn said, turning to face all the elves who had gathered in the area now. Feyrith looked over his shoulder, trying to find Ralis or Enaryl. But they were nowhere to be seen. He hoped they were simply staying out of sight, and nothing had happened to them. But then, this area did seem to be completely devoid of life. At least no beasts should harm them here.

His eyes drifted over to Ayd who was just behind him, and he couldn't help but return the smile the other elf was giving him. But his smile couldn't hide the concern in Ayd's eyes, along with something Feyrith couldn't quite place. He wondered if Ayd was considering getting magic for himself. He'd said he wouldn't, but that was when he'd thought the only way to do so was through taking it from someone else.

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Ayd walked up to him just as he thought this, jumping off his quasir, and Feyrith followed suit. There was no reason to keep riding around on their mounts since they'd reached their goal, and the quasir deserved rest. Feyrith's legs were unsteady and shaky, but he didn't think it was just from the long ride.

"This glowing stuff is supposed to give these elves magic?" Ayd asked, loudly enough that Feyrith could hear him easily, but not so loud that anyone else would. He sounded skeptical. And while Feyrith was having his doubts about this for a completely different reason, he agreed. This didn't seem safe, or right, not to mention it went again the Goddess' wishes. Cursed elves shouldn't have magic, that wasn't how things were supposed to be.

And yet Wyn had given them magic, times and times again. And the Goddess had done nothing. But perhaps that was all part of her plan somehow. It certainly didn't prove she didn't exist like Wyn seemed to think.

"I am more concerned with how the earthquakes relate to this river."

Feyrith had had so much to think about since coming across Wyn's group of elves, but a chill now spread through him as he remembered what the creature had said. A woman was doing something with this river that was causing the beasts to scatter. There was silence now, no disturbances at all, but if the creature hadn't been lying, then interacting with the river was what caused those earthquakes. So what would twenty elves taking magic from it cause?

"Yeah, I wonder." Ayd patted his quasir's head as it started to lie down, stretching out its legs behind it. Feyrith's joined in, squeezing close to Ayd's and nuzzling, even as the other animal flicked its ear in annoyance. The calming spell that Ralis had cast on their mounts was truly impressive to have them be this relaxed in such a dangerous, unsettling environment, especially considering the glowing river just a dozen feet away from them

For a moment they just watched as the elves around them surveyed the stream, inching close to it. Feyrith didn't understand how they weren't afraid of it. He'd never seen anything like this. Who knew what the glowing waters could do to anyone who came in contact with them? And where was whatever device Wyn had mentioned? He hadn't spoken about any river.

Looking around, Feyrith quickly found the elf now on the other side of the stream. He wasn't sure how Wyn had managed to get there, likely using a levitation spell, but that wasn't what Feyrith was thinking about right now. He frowned at Wyn's surroundings, noticing some kind of structure near the glowing river. It was enveloped in ivy, obscured by ferns and bushes, but now that Feyrith had noticed it, he couldn't miss the ruined walls of what must have long ago been some kind of building. It looked almost identical to the ruins they'd seen earlier. Feyrith hoped there would be no portals to be found here, though.

There was another elf with Wyn there, also, Feyrith realized once he tore his eyes away for a moment. A woman he'd seen talking to Edwyr, riding with him until Arbane and Lanna had joined him. Was this ruin where the device was to be located?

"Want to follow them?" Ayd whispered to him, almost making Feyrith flinch. He hadn't thought his thoughts were this obvious, but then Ayd usually seemed to know what he was thinking in times like these.

"I...I am not sure." He truly wasn't sure. About almost anything. "We should focus on finding the source of the disturbance. What these elves do is not our concern."

"I'd like to see what all this magic-giving is about."

Oh. Yes, of course he'd be interested in that. Feyrith himself should be more interested, also. But he didn't want to trust these people after what they'd done. Even if Wyn had told him the truth, that still meant that he'd ruined the lives of ten elves. Feyrith wondered how many years it had taken for the Council not to think anything of it. The loss of even one elf was always a tragedy given their small numbers.

"You would like to be rid of your Curse."

Ayd snorted, waking his hand. "No, I want to see how this works. There has to be a catch."

Feyrith didn't agree, nor did he understand how Ayd, a Cursed elf, could push away an opportunity to receive magic despite the Goddess' will. But he said nothing. It was not his issue to think about. And if he wanted to get his magic back, perhaps finding out how it worked would help him understand and either convince him this was the right choice or the wrong one.

Feyrith sighed. Maybe Ayd was right. He wasn't even sure where to start their investigation of how those earthquakes were being created. There was nothing here aside from the glowing water and the ruin. "Very well. Do you wish to go ask Wyn about it?"

Ayd shook his head, setting off slowly toward the stream. Feyrith followed behind him. "No, he stole your magic. I don't trust him to tell me the truth. But I do want to listen in on whatever he and that other elf are talking about."

The idea of eavesdropping made Feyrith uncomfortable. It was dishonorable and invasive, and yet he couldn't help but agree with Ayd. The best way to get the truth was to listen in on Wyn talking to an associate of his. Or perhaps to Genrith. She seemed much less approachable and friendly, and she seemed to do things not even Wyn was aware of.

"Now how do we get across? I don't think touching this stuff would be good for us," Ayd said, glaring down at the river. Feyrith stared deep into the rushing liquid, unable not to feel disturbed by its unnatural color. Water appeared blue, but only in large amounts. This however was a deep blue, one that he didn't doubt would retain its color if it were siphoned off into a glass. Somehow, instinctively he knew that if he touched it, though, it would have grave consequences. It could only be fear driving him to stay away, of course, but it somehow felt deeper. As if the Goddess herself was trying to sway him away.

Without saying anything else, Ayd started to walk upstream, keeping his eyes trained on the opposite bank of the river, looking for a place to cross. Feyrith silently followed him, not sure how he felt about this. The stream wasn't too wide, three feet at most, but there were large roots everywhere around it. Certainly not ideal conditions for a stable landing.

As they went, Feyrith tried very hard not to look anyone in the eye. He knew the others standing around the river were watching them, that he and Ayd were intruders and not trusted in the least, but he hoped no one would start any kind of fight with them. Wyn's people had an overwhelming advantage in numbers and magical power, after all, and Wyn himself had told his people not to start trouble with Feyrith or his companions.

"This looks...good," Ayd said, though his voice wavered, clearly not so sure of it himself. Feyrith narrowed his eyes, studying the place he'd chosen once he caught up. The stream was very narrow here, but there were also many thick roots jutting out of the dirt it carved its way through. And the roots looked wet and slippery, glinting in the glow of the river. He truly wasn't sure about this.

But Ayd didn't seem to have as many concerns because the next moment, he took a few steps back before bolting and jumping over the stream, somehow avoiding the roots enough to plant his feet on the nearest plot of dirt. As Ayd turned around and moved away from the spot, giving him an easy smile, Feyrith wrinkled his nose. He truly didn't want to attempt this, but he supposed he would have to if he wanted to get across.

Letting out a breath through his nose, Feyrith walked back a few feet before turning back around, running before he gave himself enough time to properly think this through and get nervous. He almost grinned when he jumped, flying through the air toward the spot Ayd had landed on, but whatever feeling of triumph he felt fizzled out, replaced by panic when one of his feet planted itself a little off from where he'd intended for it to go. And the next second he was slipping on a root. Crying out, he expected to fall into the glowing river to his death, or perhaps something worse, but then Ayd's hand clamped itself around his wrist, keeping him from falling.

The other elf quickly pulled Feyrith toward him, away from the river and to safety.

"Dammit. You okay?"

Feyrith nodded, his heart still hammering away, his cheeks heating up at the fact that he hadn't managed a jump like this. He could do with some elven training again. The humans were much less likely to work themselves quite that hard, and he was clearly losing his touch. Perhaps he and Ayd could train if the other elf was interested.

"All right. Let's approach quietly," Ayd said, keeping his voice down. Feyrith only nodded again, shaking out his arms and feet. He couldn't see the ruined building Wyn had disappeared into from here, but he simply followed Ayd, assuming that the other elf knew where they were going. And indeed he was as after a moment the structure came into view again.

They crept toward it soundlessly, itching closer and closer until they were close enough to touch one of the tall, stone walls. They were so eroded and broken up that he couldn't help but wonder how large the structure was originally. It was clear that large chunks of it were missing, namely whatever roof there used to be, but the wide, rectangular shape was still very recognizable, no matter the layers of vines wrapping around it like snakes.

He could hear voices, but he couldn't yet make out what they were saying from here, and so they went even closer, approaching the entrance. Feyrith was almost about to tap Ayd's shoulder, tell him that they shouldn't go closer, when the other elf stopped, crouching down behind a tall fern. Feyrith did the same, pressing his back against the moss-covered wall.

"—should be working within an hour, I think. Even teleportation should," came a woman's voice, which must have been Wyn's associate. "It looks like someone made sure to disconnect the Infuser from its magic source."

"That is very concerning. Thank you, Orenis." Wyn's voice seemed even more listless than when he'd been talking to Feyrith. As if he didn't truly care about anything he was saying.

"Why didn't you tell him?"

There was a moment of silence before Wyn cleared his throat. "Can we not talk about this right now? Please."

"No, we will talk about this right now because we finally have the time for it," came the woman's, Orenis', voice, biting and annoyed. Feyrith wasn't entirely certain what they were talking about, but he supposed it didn't matter because this seemed very personal. He was more interested in anything concerning how the magic transfer worked, or how the glowing river factored into this. "You promised you would tell him."

Wyn sighed loudly enough for it to reach Feyrith's ears. "I...I tried. I wanted to."

A sudden rustle coming from his left brought Feyrith's attention away from the conversation to the jungle. He expected to see one of Wyn's people, about to expose them for eavesdropping on their leader, but the reality was much different, making his eyes grow wide.

Ralis was approaching the structure from the other side along with Enaryl, both quietly making their way to the entrance, hiding behind trees as they did. And given that Ralis had her staff in hand, Feyrith highly doubted she and Enaryl were interested in simply spying on Wyn.

Nudging Ayd, Feyrith pointed at the two female elves before the other elf could ask what was wrong. Ayd's mouth immediately curved down into a frown as he now watched them too, but he said nothing. And Feyrith had no idea what to do. If Ralis wanted to attack Wyn and likely kill him, Feyrith had no idea where he stood on the issue. Should he let it happen or stop it?

He certainly didn't owe Wyn anything, and yet, the elf had seemed so sincere when he'd offered to restore Feyrith's magic. But Feyrith also wanted revenge, to make sure no one else had to suffer the same fate as him. It was polarizing.

But it seemed Ayd had no such moral dilemma as he sprung to his feet and marched over to Ralis. Feyrith hurried after him, having no idea what else to do. He didn't think Ralis would ever hurt Ayd, but he wanted to be there anyway in case something else went wrong.

"Ayd," she greeted him quietly as she stopped, the elf blocking her way. She looked over at Feyrith when he caught up, giving him a nod before turning to Ayd again. "So these traitors haven't killed you yet."

"They aren't going to. You look like you might kill someone, though," Ayd pointed out, nodding to Ralis' readied staff.

Ralis huffed, her grip on the staff tightening. "They cannot be allowed to give magic to the Cursed."

"Murdering elves cannot be the answer, Rali," Enaryl cut in, her eyes pleading. She seemed a little desperate even, as if she'd already tried to explain this many times before. "Maybe their leader can be reasoned with."

Feyrith wanted to join in and agree, say that Wyn seemed to be willing to listen and have a discussion, even though he doubted the elf would agree not to give magic to his people. It was why they'd come here in the first place, after all. But Ralis spoke before he could manage it.

"So not even you will take my side?" Ralis asked as she looked at Enaryl, her gaze so openly sad and disappointed that it took Feyrith by surprise.

Enaryl bowed her head, turning away from Ralis. "I'm sorry. I can't. We should not kill elves."

"Yes, not to mention that I'm not so sure you can kill this one," Ayd added, folding his arms. Ralis' head snapped to him, her previous sadness gone, replaced with anger. She advanced on him, narrowing her eyes and glaring.

"Are you, a Cursed elf, doubting my magical aptitude?"

Ayd glared back. "No, but I do think you are underestimating his."

Ralis opened her mouth to snap something back, but whatever would have been said was interrupted by a chuckle from behind Ralis and Enaryl. Feyrith quickly looked beyond them as the two elves turned around, swallowing thickly when he saw who it was.

Genrith was standing there, just a bit away from them so she must have heard everything. And her staff was aimed right at them.