Evening was falling over Celondim. The light was like sweet red clover honey pouring over trees and buildings. Cobblestone paths and walkways looked like they had been brushed with the purest of copal. Alkawen stood on a quiet, rocky outcrop above the falls enjoying the change from day to evening. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a sleek onyx raven circling above the golden trees, then land on a branch nearby. Lifting one hand, extending her index finger, the bird hopped off the branch and glided to the proffered perch.
Attached to the inky bird's leg was a small cobalt blue glass vial with a cork in the top, a message container. Removing the vial, Alkawen opened it and pulled out a tightly rolled strip of parchment. It read:
My Lady,
If it would suit you, my friend, Hoggstari Stonehewn, an outfitter and trader located near Thorin's Halls, has recently come into possession of some very rare vermillion coloured silk. If you would like to inspect this silk, please send word with my raven. We await your reply.
At your service,
The Iaurmenel guided the inky black bird to her shoulder then descended the rocks. She strode quickly and with purpose to her guest room and penned a reply. Rolling her message carefully, she placed it into the dark glass vial, replaced the cork then opened a window. With a gentle hands, Alkawen lifted the bird into the night air and set it on wing.
Closing the window, she left her room and went straight away to where she had last seen Lindovor the Elder, who had travelled to Celondim with her earlier in the month. He was sleeping in his room, peacefully. "Echuio, mellon, aphado nin. Gwaem Hir Lindovor." The elder man and friend signed, "Prestad?" to which Alkawen replied simply, "É, Vermillion."
The Man arose, still slightly disoriented from being roused from sleep. They discussed the destination, Thorin's Halls and would leave immediately, before the night turned back into day. Dwimmer had sent the secret code word, "Vermillion" in a message. It could mean a variety of things but one thing it surely meant was that something was vitally important to the Order and Alkawen.
Loosely Translated:
"Echuio, mellon, aphado nin. Gwaem Hir Lindovor." Awaken, friend, come with me. Let's go, my lord Lindovor.
The elder man and friend signed, "Prestad?" to which Alkawen replied simply, "É, Vermillion." The elder man and friend signed, "Trouble?" to which Alkawen replied simply, "Indeed, Vermillion."
