— Chapter Thirty-Three —
Suspicious Circumstances
Something was going on with Saviadro; Daroandir was sure of it. The younger elf was away from Melavalion more often than not, off on his solitary journeys. Daroandir had tried to talk to him about it. Not only was Saviadro evasive, but he also seemed to sense when Daroandir was looking for him, making himself scarce. It had become a strange game of cat and mouse.
Daroandir would hear news that Saviadro was back in the wood and go to the other elf’s hut with food and drink to wait. By the time he got there, Saviadro had usually come and gone. If he did manage to get there before Saviadro, Saviadro would simply not come home. Where he was hiding, Daroandir did not know.
How long had this been going on? Daroandir wasn’t sure. Right after the elves had migrated to the new forest he had been distracted by Iadrawyn’s pregnancy. Since then, he had been absorbed in being Andirlynia’s uncle, a role he enjoyed. He had tried to keep an eye on the orphan he had taken under his wing, but Saviadro had always been secretive. What was he hiding?
This time, Daroandir would corner him. He had taken no chances. Voicing his concerns to Iadrawyn, he had begged her to use the Quenya to look for Saviadro. He had felt guilty doing so. He knew Saviadro wouldn’t approve if he found out. He valued his privacy fiercely.
It had also been a bad experience for Iadrawyn. Although she had grown powerful in her use of the Quenya, her visions did not always come willingly. Tracking Saviadro proved particularly difficult. For some reason, his connection to the Quenya was not clearly visible to her from afar as it was for other elves. It only existed on a deep, private level. By the time she had located him, Iadrawyn was wan and drained, making Daroandir feel even worse. The only good to come out of it was that he had learned Saviadro was approaching Melavalion.
Daroandir watched the entrance of Saviadro’s hut from his hiding place in the bushes. The other elf’s home was far apart from the other huts of the village. He silently cursed himself for allowing it to come to this. If he had been paying attention, he would have noticed Saviadro’s strange behavior long before, when Saviadro was still coming to him to talk.
Daroandir had been so preoccupied with Andirlynia. The girl was such a joy to have near, he spent as much time with her as possible. He suspected this had made Saviadro hurt and perhaps even jealous, driving him away from the one person with whom he shared a connection. Saviadro had formed no bonds with any other elves since his parents’ death. These frequent journeys beyond the borders of the wood were not a good sign.
Daroandir was distracted from such thoughts by the sound of light footsteps. Saviadro was coming. He ducked even deeper into the bushes and waited, peering through the leaves.
The younger elf appeared deep in thought as he approached. He had become even leaner than Daroandir remembered. There didn’t appear to be a single ounce of fat on his wiry frame. His golden skin was burnished by the sun. And his eyes… His eyes were full of secrets—ones Daroandir wasn’t certain he wanted to know.
Confronting him suddenly seemed like a bad idea. Still, he knew it needed to be done. Saviadro entered his hut. Steeling himself, Daroandir withdrew from his hiding place and knocked on the door.
Silence.
Daroandir forced himself to knock again. “Saviadro, I know you’re in there. It’s Daroandir. May I speak with you?”
There was no answer.
“Saviadro!” Daroandir knocked again.
After a few moments, the door opened.
“Hello, Daroandir. What is it?” Saviadro’s smooth voice held an impatient undertone.
“May I come in, or shall I speak to you from out here?”
Saviadro sighed and stepped aside. “Very well. Come in.”
The interior of the hut was musty with disuse. Clearly, Saviadro did not stay here often. A heavy pack sat on a table in the corner. Daroandir made himself comfortable on the cushioned floor. Saviadro frowned at him for a moment before doing the same.
“Saviadro, I want to apologize.” Daroandir knew he would have to tread softly here now that he had tracked the other elf down. “I realize I have not been here for you as I should. I have been absorbed in helping with Andirlynia.” He avoided speaking Valanandir and Iadrawyn’s names, knowing they agitated Saviadro.
“Thank you for your concern, but I have been fine without you.” Saviadro’s voice was flat.
“I have been worried about you though. You have made your home on the outside edge of the village, and even then, you are never here. You are always off somewhere else by yourself. No one ever sees you. I never see you, and I have missed your company.”
“You needn’t worry about me. I have simply been wandering the lands.”
“Alone? You know that is not safe.”
“What are you worried about? Drakhalu? If we would just use the Quenya against them, they would not be a concern.”
“That old argument?” Daroandir was startled.
“You may not see the merit in it, but I refuse to be a prisoner here with everyone else.”
“I have never considered Melavalion a prison.” Daroandir shook his head. “Then at least will you settle down for a while? You can tell me of all your adventures.”
“Perhaps I shall. I was just thinking I might rest for a time.” Saviadro’s expression became unreadable.
Daroandir made an effort not to let his relief show. “I’m happy to hear it. Now, I’ve brought a meal, if you’re hungry. Why don’t we start catching up?”
Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0) Page 59