Rane roamed Silyra after preparing himself for the journey. The city’s sunset painted the sky a deep red as he walked, and the view from the high district warmed his soul with a tiny tinge of nora. Amid the fighting, the manhunt and the struggles, he’d never taken a moment to appreciate it like this. He huffed, letting his backpack slide down to his palms before hefting it to his other shoulder. The books Mord had chosen were heavy, about half a dozen tomes full of symbols from different eras and schools of magic.

People moved slow in these hazy afternoons. He had seen them from the windows of the arena, high above, and now he felt part of them. He felt a person. Slowly, his walking matched the rhythm, lazy and relaxed as they chattered the day’s concerns away.

That’s what Rane wanted as well. Before the journey began, he would rid himself of any lingering feelings. Mord, Seoltrin, Avrid and Miria he had already visited. Of course, he didn’t say he was leaving –he knew not to– just that he would spend time in research. It was common among recently sparked mages.

His final stop before departing came into view, a tiny house surrounded by the rocky palisades that were governmental buildings. Inconspicuous, Ellin had said, just like Loric liked. Rane laughed inwardly. If anything, the plain old stone drew the eye. He knocked once and the door swung open, offering no resistance. Loric never locked the cabin’s door. It seemed the habit had followed him here. Rane debated telling him that it wasn’t safe –he himself was almost paranoid after everything he’d been through– but there’d be no point. Not if Loric agreed to join in the journey. Rane stepped inside and the warmness that permeated the house greeted him. The fragrance of Loric’s favourite dish lured him in.

The Lanar glanced in his direction. He tried to hide it, but Rane saw the slight grin that formed on his face. “Take a seat,” Loric said, struggling to reach one of the higher selves. “The plukat will be done soon.”

“I missed your cooking,” Rane said as he squeezed between a chair and the table.

“And you’ll miss it some more,” Loric replied, lifting the pot from the stove and placing it in front of Rane. “Salt’s ruined the meat all the way down here, and the herbs only come in ‘dried.’”

“I’m sure it’s wonderful.” The scent that hit him as he lifted the lid proved him right, but something drew his attention away from the scrumptious dish. He looked up at the man’s roughed up face. “You still haven’t told me what happened. Did the Nost attack you?”

“I was stupid, that’s what happened.” Loric chuckled. “Ellin’s guards came to the north. They had been tasked with annulling my Oath on his behalf, to allow me to return. Silyra’s colors have changed during my time away, it seems… Not to mention I expected a different kind of visitor. The misunderstanding got solved quickly, at least.” He dipped the ladle into the pot and dropped a big chunk of steaming meat on Rane’s plate.

Rane relaxed, falling back in his seat and eyeing the meat. If things had gone differently, he wouldn’t be here to taste it. Or perhaps Loric would be gone. They had been lucky.

“Soft and concerned as ever, aren’t you, boy?” Loric distracted him from his thoughts. “But you’ve changed a little. Can’t quite put my finger on it.”

“I suppose so.” Rane cut the meat in half so that it’d cool faster. He had been forced to change. The days of slavery and abuse felt so far away, yet he often caught himself thinking what he could have done different back then.

Loric served himself as well and set the pot aside. They ate in silence. It was almost like a ritual back in the cabin, and it had followed them here. Even if it tasted a little bland, Rane enjoyed it thoroughly. Loric gave him a rare smile and began gathering the table with a satisfied hum. He seemed strangely at peace scrubbing the cutlery and plates clean.

“I’m leaving tonight.” Rane cut to the chase. “I’m going to Danira, my birthplace, and I want you to come with me.”

“And why would you want me along?” Loric asked without turning. “I’ve taught you all I could. You don’t need my protection any more.”

“It’s not your protection I want, but your friendship.” Rane shook his head. “I can’t leave you behind again.”

Loric’s head dipped forward, hiding behind his back. “Ellin put you up to this, didn’t he?”

“Well– I–” Rane stammered. He hadn’t even mentioned the King’s visit. “Ellin told me... about your family. I’m sorry. But even if he hadn’t, I was planning to ask you.”

Loric exhaled loudly. “Then you should know to leave me alone, boy. I’ve been through enough pains for a lifetime. No wisdom in seeking new ones.”

“So you are content, huh?” Rane’s voice turned bitter. “Does staying here and waiting for an Oath to end you beat coming with me?”

“Yes!” Loric snapped and the plate cracked in his hands. “There’s nothing left for me out there! I have no more reason to fight. Go enjoy your own life. Go find your family.”

Rane stayed silent. Anger and grief rung in his ears, a cacophony of sounds. A wound so deep would never close and he knew it. The best he could do was draw attention away from it, but even that seemed doubtful now.

Loric sighed, throwing away the broken ceramic pieces. “I’ll be here when you return,” he said as he turned, making for the couch. “Bring booze next time you’re over.” He let himself fall backwards onto the soft leather and picked up a book he had left open.

“I can’t force you to come.” Rane followed after him. There was one more method he had to try. He knew now that Loric didn’t care for his own life any more, but part of him still cared for others. In a way, they were alike. Rane could sense it. “But before I leave, I just want you to know that you’re wrong.”

“Oh yeah?” Loric raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

“There are plenty of things you can teach me still.” Rane focused, wrapping himself in magic and walking to the front door. A few normal seconds for him passed in the blink of an eye for Loric. “In fact, you’re the only one who can.”

“You– What–” Loric’s jaw dropped and the book left his hand. “Impossible,” he mumbled. “There is no way.”

“Who else could help me learn this power?” Rane didn’t relent. “Who else but you?” If he couldn’t convince Loric to come along as a companion, he’d poke at the man’s pride and have him come along as a teacher. It was selfish and insensitive, but if it meant Loric would stop languishing in his past, Rane would do it.

Loric covered his face with both hands and mumbled a curse under his breath. “Why… Why did you have to awaken to the same power as me?” He lowered his hands and gazed at Rane. “You’re gonna get yourself killed if you don’t handle it properly.” Soft gray haze surrounded him, the color Rane had come to recognize as worry.

“Most likely, yeah.” Rane pursed his lips in approval.

“Blights...” Loric rubbed his forehead for quite some time. “One journey,” he relented. “To Danira and back. Just so I can teach you the basics.”

“Thank you.” Rane clenched the hand hidden in his pocket.

“Wipe that shitty grin from your face!” Loric grunted as he stood. “I’m only coming with you to teach you. Don’t expect me to involve myself in anything else.”

“That is all I ask.” Rane didn’t push his luck. A chance to make it up to Loric was all he wanted. No one ought to suffer through such hardship and loneliness. Rane peered outside. The streets had emptied, and glowing stone replaced the sun’s natural light. “They should be here soon.”

“Already?” Loric grimaced as he looked out the window. It stood a little too high for him. Probably not built with Lanars in mind. “Aren’t you a valued mage of the court now? Tell them to come tomorrow.”

Rane shook his head. “I’m travelling undercover this time. Caelus is still at large. The ones we’re travelling with are infantrymen, familiar with the journey, the most of them. Ellin thought it’d be best to join a party already prepared to head out.”

“Ellin and his ideas. I don’t even have clothes ready.” Loric threw a fur coat over his shoulders, too thick for Silyra’s weather. “Look at you, rushing an old man without warning.”

Rane chuckled. Even if the man tried to appear grumpy, he could tell what sort of emotions ran underneath. Well, there was definitely a lot of irritation, but also what seemed like the beginnings of excitement and anticipation. “I’m not worried,” Rane said. A large carriage led by two men wearing Silyra’s colors rounded the corner. The horses neighed to a stop right outside the door. “You’re the fastest old man I know.”