The mist was beginning to rise, with the dawn, from the forest floor of the Order's compound under the canopy of golden leaves. Dressed in a thread-of-gold robe, the Order's grandmaster nearly blended into the surroundings as she walked through the mallorn trees. Alkawen was looking for one of her more unique and beautiful messengers.
Earlier that morning, before the sun began creeping up the horizon, the Hiril had been sitting near the main building when her confidant and friend, Lindovor the Elder, wandered toward her. Though the Iaurmenel expressed surprise to see her trusted adviser at that early hour, in truth, she had been expecting him. Over the years, their friendship had forged that type of unspoken communication, even over distances, that can happen between true friends.
"Lindovor, I have decided I wish to make a journey, would you accompany me?" the elf asked, already knowing the answer to her question. Alkawen spoke of a recent conversation with an old friend from their days in the West, Dwimmer. She explained to Lindovor that their friend, the dwarf, was searching for his missing daughter and Alkawen had offered all the resources of the Order, should he require them.
The Adviser was in agreement with the offer of the Order's help and suggested that Master Dwimmer might be useful to Alkawen's upcoming journey. Lindovor suggested a message be sent to their friend, the Dwarf and she agreed. "I will send my swiftest messenger. Hopefully he is not afraid of feather nor beaks," the elf chortled very softly. "We leave the day after tomorrow, my friend," she said to Lindovor and he acknowledged he would be ready.
Near the stream that ran between the Septarian's and Templar's buildings, one of the tallest of the mallorn trees reached high above the rest and there Alkawen spotted her messenger. She lifted her fingers as a perch and the swift landed silently on her slender hand. The grandmaster carefully slipped a soft cuff around the black and white bird's leg which contained within, her message. Alkawen whispered something then the bird took flight. She then returned to her home, also located on the grounds, to begin to make ready for the journey. If there was to be a reply, the swift would find her, where ever she might be.
