The raven haired elf rounded the last curve in the path, finally approaching the opening to the top of the cliffs, looking into the setting sun.

He turned slowly, looking for someone, before finally spotting the gleam of the dying sunlight reflecting off of a piece of jewelry. He walked over the broken ground slowly, opposite the brilliant sun, before approaching the figure sitting with his legs dangling off of a cliff face.

He gazed over the top of the head of his friend, out into the darkening stronghold of Dhora Kerendar. The mystic lights had already begun to awaken, providing points of light throughout the port city, even as the sun blazed in its last strength of the day up here in the cliffs.

Knowing Tolaryian had heard him, he waited several minutes, watching the creeping darkness burst around the multitude of colored lights drifting in the water and among the currents of the towers.

Finally, out of patience after the long, unexpected hike, he spoke, “I thought we were going to meet at the Kalorian waterfall for the evening meal and to celebrate your news.”

The younger elf sighed painfully, before replying tersely, “I am no longer hungry, and it is no celebration.”

Celynd slid gracefully behind the other elf, sitting upon the rocky ground before wrapping his arms around Tolaryian from behind and whispering, “Tell me.”

“I didn’t get the Sea Wind. I got Sea Crawler, came the muted reply.

Knowing why, but asking anyway, “And that is no cause for celebration?”

“Of course not,” Tolaryian twisted angrily from his grasp, before moving away from the cliff face. ” Sea Crawler is the smallest of the independent sea vessels in the clan. . . and . . . . and, Sea Wind travels the route to Dhar as-Fanajan at least half a dozen times a year. And, and…..Loricare is…….” before shutting his mouth suddenly.

“Just say it, Tolaryian. He is Ar’imgole.”

“Yes,” he murmured, shamefacedly in reply.

Celynd sat there a few moments before finally responding, “Sometimes, you are so blind, it’s a gift of the fates that you don’t fall into the sea walking through the desert.”

Tolaryian’s head snapped up, “What? How dare you….”

“Just be silent and listen for a moment, just for once. Yes, the Sea Wind goes to the furthest ports of real trade to the east, but you have been there before, quite often actually. You have served or sailed with family on many of the port ships. But where does the Sea Crawler go?

“Nowhere! That’s my point!”

“Think for once,  and use the brain the Fates have given you! What an opportunity this is!”

“I have no idea what you are talking about Celynd. It goes nowhere.”

“I suppose I will have to drag you to the beach like a broken masted schooner then,’ replied the slightly older elf.

“The Sea Crawler scours the seas, looking for the next trove of fish, the next grounds for the clan, the next everything. And Loricare does it without a Windmaster! Without any magic of his own! And, the other captains TRUST him to do it.”

“So?”

“I am beginning to think the Fates of the Sea left you behind the day they gave away thoughts! It means that Loricare has to know the sea itself, and how to Sail!” Without waiting for his friend to respond, he added, “Besides, I heard today that both your parents sailed with him at different times long ago. And they are both captains!”

Slowly, awareness finally spread across Tolaryian’s face, brightening the darkness like the sun breaking through a storm at sea. Smiling widely, he said, “I’ll race you back to the falls – we can dive into the pool to celebrate,” before leaping across the broken ground like a playful deer.

Ceylind sat there a moment, watching the beautiful elf race along the quickly darkening path before sighing, “Guess its not the only thing you can’t see.” Then he jumped to his feet and ran after the one he loved.