"Well I was just sitting against a tree and I saw her.." I say, digging into my food "and what do you want to know about me?"

"Anything in general really. I just want to know more of the person little Ece is so fond of," Mayumi said with a smile, "I firmly believe that a friend of one family member should make an effort to befriend the other members of the family. A family friend is, in itself, a good thing to be and have as they are respected and more widly trusted among the family they are befriended to."

"True..." I say and rip off some meat "well, I like to hunt and laugh and things like that... Ece is one of my only friends, nine of them trust me, they... they think I killed my family" I say softly and hug my self, suddenly trembling.

"That's rather unfoturnate. Your 'friends' must not be true friends if they are so willing to thrust such a terrible thing on you," Mayumi said,  looking down and clising her eyes briefly, "I understand how you feel though. This morning, I was blamed for Frost's death, and I was almost put to death for it. If it was not for Moonlight and Goldenscale, I would not be here now. Along with saving my life, they cut down the part of the council that had been too stuborn to see the truth in my words to them. The cave will be better off without them. Now, if you don't mind, why don't you tell me what happened? The best medicine for such bad feelings is to talk it out."

"I will talk with Tieral about it then." she said.

"At least she's in caring hands. You may be younger than the recomended age for taking care of children, but you've been through more than anyone else in this cave has," Rhidik said, nodding, "I would like to make a request to you though. Kasa and i have decided that we want to bring the teachings of nature back to the cave, but we need help. We know you'll be leaving at the end of the week for a very important journey, but you can be a great help in what time you do have. All we ask is that you spread the tales and wonders of nature through the cave whenever you can."

"Maybe during the lunch hour I can set up some chairs in front of the willow tree here in the cave and I can tell these stories.  It would be great to tell these stories." she said with a smile.

"Don't worry about your shift for the Council's booth, we've decided to close it for the rest of the festival," he said, standing up to walk around the table and handing Goldenscale one of Frost's ice blue crystals as a tear rolled down his face, "We have a lot on our plates, and we'll be giving our moments of silence this way. If you make it to the afternoon meeting later today, tell them I'm staying home for the evening and tomarow."

"A-alright..." she said, her voice almost giving way as tears began to well up in her eyes from holding Frost's crystal.  "Have his enforcers been released from thier position?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, they've been sent back to the academy to await a second chance at the job," he said, hold a second crystal that was around his neck, "I lost a good friend today, I just want some time to morne the loss and a day to honor his memory."

"I'll come back at another time then, Rhidik.  It has been a hard day for all of us." she said as she stood up.

"We've enjoyed your time here. Maybe next time it wont be after such bad happening," he said, closing his eyes as Kasra, Tinna, and Dains stood to take their dishes  back into the kitchen, "I'm sorry for how the council acted this morning. There are some bad people out there that only show when the time is perfect for them it seems."

"It was a pleasure having you here. I'll probably see you later today since I'm going to the orphanage to tell a few of the nature stories before they head off to bed tonight," he said, fallowing Goldenscale to the door and watching as she left, "If you see Mayumi, give her one of the two crystals I gave you. She deserves to at least have one of his eight crystals."