In fact, it is several days before Lheora Yhanni returns to the beach. When she arrives she walks across the rocks and waits, knowing that Ani'ca will check, sooner or later.
Sure enough, the Dhija maid breaks the surface of the water near the rocks.
"Greetings this morn, Ani'ca L'key," says Lheora Yhanni, Ani'ca is surprised to be addressed in Elven, instead of the common human language.
"And Greetings to you, Lheora Yhanni," she replies in the same language.
"I have promised you a Tale, I am here to complete it, will you listen?"
"I will listen," replies Ani'ca, acknowledging the formality of the situation. It seems to her that Lheora Yhanni has retreated into typical Elven reticence in order to remain calm enough to finish speaking.
"I will continue."
When I woke again, I found Galeorhin seated next to me. I was not sure how much time had passed but I was feeling a little bit calmer.
"Lheora Yhanni, are you fit to stand?" he asked, sounding concerned.
"Yes, I think so," I replied, hesitantly attempting to stand up, Galeorhin helped me to my feet.
"We should leave or we'll be late for the meeting."
"I'm not sure if I can stand there and proclaim my allegiance after learning what you have told me."
"Simply say 'the True Gods', you will know in your heart who you mean, and the others will assume you speak of the Five."
"Yes, I think I can manage that, I notice you do not ask me if I am willing to lie."
"Naturally you can or you would be serving multiple sentences of punishment for blasphemy," he replied, pointing to my bare feet.
"Hmmph."
"Well are we going?" I started walking. "Where are we going?" I added sheepishly.
"East, towards the mountains."
(Elven Lands are boredered East and West by mountains, east leads towards the desert, west to the ocean. - AL)
I nodded and followed him through the forest, sometime later we reached the clearing.
"Greetings, Sister, and High Priest," said Lord Rhialhin formally.
"Greetings, Brother High Priest," replied Galeorhin.
"Greetings, Lord High Priest," I replied, with a curtsey.
"Greetings, Brothers and Sisters," said Lord Rhialhin, gesturing rather grandly to the gathering at large.
"Greetings, Lord High Priest," we replied in unison.
'At least they're more lively than other elves,' I thought mentally rolling my eyes, as this 'ceremony of Greeting' continued.
I probably would have been more genuinely interested if Galeorhin had not just shared those revelations about the true nature of the Divine. Still I was outwardly, and convincingly, interested which was good enough for them.
"We have a new member among us, who has been accepted by the Gods themselves, this night we Welcome Lheora Yhanni Nikaria to our number."
They chorused a formal welcome, and I curtseyed in acknowledgment.
"I am pleased to be welcomed by you all," I said graciously, "may I ask what we do now?"
Lord Rhialhin smiled condescendingly, although I think it was intended to be supportive or fatherly or something...
"Now we will teach you about the True Gods."
I won't bore anyone with the details of the evening, if anyone is really interested in the Ritual Worship of the Five Gods they can attend one of the Humans services, they are identical.
(Or read the record, it's about the same. - AL)
After the Ritual concluded, the fifty or so people who had attended seperated into smaller groups, Galeorhin beckoned me to join him and Lord Rhialhin.
"My Lords."
"Are you ready to begin studying?" asked Lord Rhialhin.
"Studying, my Lord?"
"Magic," he clarified.
"Yes, my Lord."
"Lord Galeorhin Galues will be your main instructor," he informed me in his superior manner.
Lord Rhialhin was one of the oldest elves and his views about the 'proper place for women' reflected that, even though fully half of the group were women.
"As you say, my Lord," I replied, making a great effort to be polite, not an easy task when you are being spoken to like you're simple.
"I'll take her to my work rooms," offered Galeorhin.
"A very good idea, Lord Galeorhin, we wouldn't want her making a mistake in an unshielded area."
"Excuse me, My Lords," I began, Galeorhin turned and gave me a warning look. "I am ready when you are," I finished.
"Very well, Lheora Yhanni," said Lord Rhialhin, "we are finished here, Go in Peace and serve the True Gods well."
"I will, my Lord, I will," I replied in amused irony, a tone I know he interpreted as youthful eagerness.
"Time to go, Lheora Yhanni," said Galeorhin as he all but dragged me out of the clearing.
"What was that?" he asked me, as soon as we were out of sight and hearing range.
"The biggest farce I have ever seen, equal with the Elven Gods ceremonies." Thoughtfully I added, "or do you mean my reaction to it?"
"I realise that Rhialhin has his blind spots."
"Blatant prejudices, I'd call it."
"But he is still the high Priest."
"I'm sorry, Galeorhin, he just rubs me the wrong way. Here I am converting because I think it offers a better future for me and he treats me like everyone else does, except you I mean, you seem to have grasped the fact that I have my own ideas and opinions."
"Much to my occassional dismay."
"Do you want me to apologise for having a personality?"
"No, Lheora Yhanni, but I do think you need to learn some self-restraint in the expression of your opinions."
"Don't worry, I've had lots of practice at that," I replied emphatically, "I know Lord Rhialhin said you should start teaching me tonight, but if I'm not home soon my Cousin will lecture me." 'Again!' I added silently.
"As you wish, is there some way I can send you a message?"
"Leave it at the Temple, near the west mountains."
"Very well, can you find your own way home?"
"Of course, you are not so distracting that I can't watch where I'm going while you talk!"
Galeorhin smiled at me in reply.
"Until next time then, but it must be before the next meeting."
"Until then," I agreed, walking back into the forest, most fortunately I did not get lost on the way home,it seems that even in stressful situations our sense of direction works.