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also dawned on him that they were cloaked with a magic that would camouflage them with their surroundings and muffle their voices to an almost inaudible level. How do I know that?  More intrigued by who they were, he focused his gift with all he had so as not to miss anything. Sweat began to bead at his brow but he couldn’t relax yet. He couldn’t miss anything they said.   
    “Do the others know?” the first Elder asked.
    “No, I don’t think so, but we still need to be careful,” replied the second Elder. “We tell no one unless you forfeit your life! Our fate could be that of the king and queen’s son if we were found with the knowledge of the one that committed the crime and to whom it was committed upon. We must be wise with our information and await the proper time for justice. We do not need all of Alandria in an uproar—at least not yet. For now we are safe, as he has not been seen or heard from in a very long time, but the one the prophecy foretold is coming. Remember your oath, brother.”
    They secured the cloaks that were shrouding their heads and turned in toward one another, bowed, then disappeared with a flash of light like lightning, and Daegan was left staring at an empty clearing.
     
    ✾✾✾
     
    During breakfast, Daegan recounted to Halister what he had secretly witnessed the previous night. Afterwards, they went out to sleuth about the town to see if they could learn anything regarding the Sol-lumieth, their actual reason for being there, although now there seemed to be another. Hal was intrigued and baffled by what Daegan had shared and offered to help with their new mystery. Hal was always the lighthearted one, playful, not taking something like this too seriously. Daegan sometimes wondered how Hal had actually made it through training while being so nonchalant, but truth be told Hal was a fierce warrior and outperformed most in their division, which was why Daegan trusted him with his life. Halister could handle the fights, but he could also always be counted on to keep perspective.
    Appreciating his help, Daegan graciously accepted, also knowing that Hal was there for his own frivolity as well. They would head into the heart of Adettlyn, the center city, together as it was more dangerous, but only after they scoured the village of Anise if need be. Deciding to split up then meet back at The Drunken Boar by the inn for lunch, they went their separate ways. Hal headed toward the center of the village, but Daegan retraced his steps back toward the forest and the edge of Anise to see if he could find any more Elders.  
    Nothing. He walked for miles and all for nothing. What a waste of time! Grumbling his way back to The Drunken Boar, he caught sight of Hal across the street leaning close to a girl, too close. She was a Faerie, but there was something different about her, and they were definitely being friendly. Rolling his eyes, not feeling very hungry yet at this point, Daegan headed around the side of the old brick building that housed the tavern. Even with its old broken sign hanging above the door and shutters barely hanging on by their hinges, it was one of the better places to grab some food. They had the best homemade soups served in those bowls made out of bread. Maybe he was hungry after all, or at least he could good get some fine ale, but not yet. 
    Around the back, he found refuge under the canopy of an enormous old tree. It was one of the NaNai—the ancient oaks—he judged by the amount of energy it was giving off. He positioned himself between some very large roots that had escaped their home in the earth. Hal was bound to be a little while longer with the girl he was currently in “conversation” with. Daegan started to doze off then was startled awake as he heard some very distant whispers. But when he opened his eyes he couldn’t decipher from which direction they were coming. Subtly looking around so as not to draw attention, he saw no one. Strange. The only