"Prince Thalon."
Thalon turned, as a woman's voice called out, he was relieved when he saw it was Debrone's youngest daughter and not one of the younger women.
"Yes, Lady Salea?"
"Father would like to see you, at your earliest convenience."
"Let us go then," suggested Thalon, Salea smiled ruefully.
"I am sure you know the way, I have a mob of unruly nieces, nephews and cousins to mind."
She nodded goodbye and left, Thalon released Fraka into the woods and made his way to the school.
"Come in Thalon, I hope you weren't interupted?"
"No, I wasn't, what can i do for you?"
"I just wanted to inform you that your lessons with student Jhenna have been put on hold."
"Why?"
"She is not here, it has happened before - no need for concern."
"I wanted to ask you, why am I still her teacher - she certainly doesn't want to be taught."
"It was worth a try anyway. Congratulations, Prince Thalon, you are now a fully qualified Teacher."
"I already knew, my mother told me."
"Do you have any recommendations regarding your former student?"
Thalon could think of a few things but he didn't say them.
"No, she is a wild one for our people, but if we were to try I would say she needs more than one teacher at once."
"An interesting idea, if only we had some way to contact her people, but alas the border remains closed. No matter, when Jhenna returns I will speak with her. That was all I wanted to talk to you about, I will see you at Court."
"Yes, I will see you there," replied Thalon, leavng the office, then the school grounds themselves.
Jhenna's bare feet made no noise as she padded through the forest. She was fairly far away from bith school and city, not expecting to see anyone. A sudden screech caused her to look up then dive quickly into the underbrush when she realised the falcon was about to dive at her.
Thalon heard Fraka screech as he approached his home, he knew the bird only made that particular sound when its territory was being invaded.
"Who's there?" he shouted, a green and red blur bolted across the path, followed by the bird.
"Jhenna... Call off the bird!"
"Fraka, come here," called Thalon, the bird obeyed landing on the arm he raised and walking to his shoulder, Jhenna cautiously stepped out of the undergrowth.
"I guess I got too close," she said, by way of an apology.
"Yes, you did. What are you doing out here?"
Thalon was annoyed by what he perceived as an invasion of his privacy.
"I didn't realise that anyone lived this far between cities."
"I hate city life, so I live out here."
"Fair enough," agreed Jhenna. "Good day to you, Prince, I'll make sure to go around you house."
"Why are you out here, Jhenna?" asked Thalon, realising that as a Teacher he was partly responsible for her.
"I'm... walking."
"I can see that, why are you walking?"
"I don't like staying in the same place for too long."
"Nor do I," agreed Thalon, "but you have to tell people where you are going!"
"Why?... It's not like they care!"
"It might not look like it, but Debrone cares and I care."
"Of course, Master Debrone is a dear man, but that is not a good enough reason to stay. As for you... to be blunt, your highness, your opinion of me matters as little to me as that of a human would. Now I bid you Good Day, I was in a hurry."
"You are too much like me when I was your age," said Thalon, shaking his head sadly.
"I beg to differ, Prince Thalon," she replied venomously, "I am nothing like you or any other Forest Elf!"
"Yes, and no, because I understand how you feel."
Jhenna laughed mockingly and faded into the shadowy undergrowth of the forest.
"Goodbye, Prince Thalon."
"Well Fraka, now you know what a fullblooded Wild Elf is like."
Thalon continued walking, when they got closer to house, Fraka launched herself into the air and dived at a figure standig at the base of Thalon's Tree-house.
"Blessed Lady!" exclaimed the blue robed messenger, ducking under a low branch. "Message for you, Prince."
"I see, what is it?" asked Thalon, calling Fraka back to him.
"The Council has been called by the Queen."
"I will be there soon."
"By sunset, if you please," said the messenger, leaving very hastily and not taking his eyes off the falcon.