Blake sat silently on the bed, eyes glazed over after hearing Rane’s experiences. Not that he blamed the man. Anyone would have a hard time believing everything Rane had been through. Even if he had skipped over a lot of details that would be dangerous to reveal –like the killing he was forced to do, his origin magic and Ravenlock’s journal– it was still a lot to process.

“Are you alright?” Rane placed a hand on Blake’s shoulder.

“Just trying to understand.” Blake brought his fingers up to his lips. “So before Leylin held you captive in the dungeon, you don’t remember anything?”

“There is a dream that won’t leave me.” Rane softly brushed the hair out of Liera’s face. “I think it’s a memory. Mother dragging me out into the forest by the hand, freezing me in place. Then…” Rane’s voice trailed off.

“She dies,” Blake continued.

“You knew?”

“One of Drayton’s men found her body some days later. The parts the animals hadn’t eaten, at least.” Blake turned to him with hope in his gaze, shining a brilliant white. “Did you see who did it? In your dream?”

“Only his eyes.” The details were cloudy, but Rane remembered it had been a man. “Silver eyes, full of magic.”

“Leylin?” Blake asked.

“No,” Rane replied. “Leylin’s eyes were pure black, like his nora. I thought you met him.”

“I was a little preoccupied with trying to figure out what he was at the time,” Blake exhaled. “Didn’t exactly have the opportunity to romance him.” He pondered for a moment. “Do you have any idea who it might be?”

“I was hoping you would.” After a bit of thinking, Rane shook his head. “I’ve never met any caster with silver nora.”

“That’s a good lead though!” Blake gave him a heavy pat on the back. “Just one last question, if you think you can stomach it. What’s your oath? You never mentioned.”

“Most people ask sooner.” The scar on his forehead stung a little when he touched it. “The truth is I don’t remember any of it. I didn’t have enough nora for the Oath to leave a mark, so it must have been shortly after my memory got tampered with. Leylin claimed not to know either, so I don’t think it’s his doing. He was… strangely forthcoming with all his other plans.”

“What matters is that you’re back. We’re gonna figure everything else out eventually.” Blake held his palm once more.

“I still can’t believe it.” There was something warm about his brother’s smile, some sort of happiness that went beyond his powers and reached deep inside. “I’m a little bit lost. What am I supposed to do now?”

“First, I think you should meet father,” Blake said. “Even if he’s not in his right mind right now, he deserves to know.”

“My father… I don’t remember him at all.” Rane’s lip trembled. “He’s alive? What’s wrong with him?”

“Alive and kicking,” Blake replied, “though he’s supposedly too busy to even bother with her…” He glanced at Liera over his shoulder. “Look, you can draw your own conclusions about him. I don’t care anymore. All I want is for Liera to be safe. I can’t find a sibling after all these years only to lose another one.”

“I’ve done everything I could. Her life is no longer in danger. The rest though… The rest is up to her.” Rane touched the back of his hand against her forehead. A little bit of fever still, but it had gone down. “I have high hopes she’ll wake up soon. Asah has taken good care of her.”

“I forgot about Asah!” Blake jumped to his feet. “I have to tell her!”

Rane tilted his head. “Tell her what?”

“Tell me what?” Asah showed her face from behind a curtain.

“What– You–” Blake stammered. “Were you eavesdropping?”

“For some time,” Asah giggled as she stepped closer. “I didn’t want to ruin the moment.”

“It was personal! What if–” Blake protested, then shook his head. “We have no time for this. Sasha… My friend just had her Oath annulled! Her father…” Blake’s voice wavered. “Caelus is dead. There was no limit set to her conditions, she was old enough to remember all of them. That can only mean Caelus has died.”

It was Rane’s turn to doubt his ears. “What?” Today brought on one surprise after the other. He clenched his fist in silent victory. Atinas had succeeded. Finally, the man had paid for his sins, and Rane felt only a glimmer of guilt for celebrating.

Asah nodded. “I was just in contact with Veradin and he informed me of the same. The chances that Caelus is dead are very high, but it isn’t something we want made public yet. It will be hard to contain the spread of information from the ones he had sworn an Oath with, but we should do it regardless, until the king is ready to address the issue. All in all, this is good news...” She let the last words hang in the air.

“But?” Rane asked.

“Our presence is needed at the capital,” Asah sighed. “Order came from the king himself.”

“There’s no way we can move Liera,” Rane replied. “Not in this condition.”

“I know, which is why I’m agonising over it. We simply cannot refuse an order from the king.”

“There is something we could do,” Rane interjected. “When I left, Ellin– The king had already sent Seoltrin here to investigate the disease. I trust that he could take care of Liera until she wakes up better than we ever could.”

“Who is this person?” Blake questioned. “Can we trust him?”

“Blindly,” Asah replied instead. “I’ve known him for years. If there’s anyone I’d entrust Liera to, it’d be him.”

“I still don’t like it.” The bedsheet wrinkled as Blake shifted closer to Liera to touch her hand. “But if you two agree on it, I will relent.”

“Don’t worry.” Rane placed a hand on Blake’s back to calm him. The bond between the two of them, the bond he was now part of again nearly brought him to tears. “He might even figure out a way to wake her up.”

“I can only hope…” The regret and worry overtook Blake’s voice, a low storm’s soft rumbling.

“I’ll contact Seoltrin and arrange for your accommodations in the capital.” Asah took her place on the stool beside Liera’s bed. “In the meantime, you should prepare yourselves for the trip. Damien should be here two days from now.” She paused briefly. “I hope.”

“We’re getting portalled again?” The colour drained from Blake’s face.

“It’s called shunting,” Rane chuckled. “Look, it’s nice to reunite and all that, but if you’re the vomiting type you’re standing on the opposite end of that glyph.”

“Wow.” Blake narrowed his eyes in mock contempt. “I don’t remember you this quick-witted.”

Rane shrugged. “I don’t remember you at all.”

Blake laughed out loud. “Then tonight we will remedy that! There’s a lot to celebrate after all.”

~~

“Give it up old man,” Blake huffed, face more red than the desert sand. “You won’t win!”

“You– Brat!” The effort and pressure wrinkled up Loric’s face. His arm trembled from the strain of keeping Blake at bay.

With a chuckle, Rane dragged his chair a little further away. What had started as friendly banter turned into an arm wrestling competition between the two of them, and neither side seemed willing to back down. He debated helping Loric with magic a little, but he’d never hear the end of it. The man leaned forward and gave one last push, before his hand slammed against the wooden table under Blake’s.

“Yes!” Blake raised his fist in celebration as he panted.

“Being brass runs in the family I see.” Loric rubbed his palm with a sour expression, then stroked his beard. “How about our lefts? Want another go?”

“No, he doesn’t!” Sasha yelled from the kitchen. “I want that table!”

“Yes dear.” Blake settled down, seeming almost guilty.

Rane would never have guessed that there’d be someone who could keep his rowdy brother in check. It was almost uncanny, how well the two of them seemed to fit.

“Ah, young love,” Loric leaned on his palm and downed another cup of ale. Perhaps some of the redness on his face could be attributed to the drink, and not just arm wrestling. “Have you sexed your lady up yet?”

“Your friend’s teasing me way too much!” Blake complained half jokingly. “Don’t make me regret bringing you here.”

“He’ll stay quiet,” Rane elbowed Loric hard, earning a low grunt. “Won’t you?”

The man gave him a sideway glance. “Fine,” he murmured, words meshing together. “Not like I even said anything.”

Rane shook his head. Talk about a poor first impression. They hadn’t even gotten to the food yet, and Loric was already piss drunk. “So, I’ve been meaning to ask.” Rane turned to his brother with a slight smile. “How long have you two known each other?” He lowered his voice. “Should I remember her?” Sasha already knew about his lost memories, but he’d still feel a little rude.

“Don’t worry, this is the first time you two have met.” Blake took a sip from his cup. “As for us, it was the war that brought us together. After the previous Danira fell, a village near the new borders took up the mantle. Sasha was simply one of the few people who lived there originally.”

“I see!” Rane listened on with interest. A faint pink glow wrapped around Blake whenever he talked about her. “And was it love at first sight?”

“No way!” Sasha pushed the door open with her boot as she came out of the kitchen, steaming pot of soup in her gloved hands. “We hated each other’s guts at first!” She set it on the table and sat besides Blake, giving him a long kiss on the lips. “Stupid, arrogant kid, thinking he could order me around.” She stared deep into his eyes, and Blake returned her loving gaze.

“Backward village girl, always causing the soldiers trouble.” He touched her nose briefly and she blushed.

“Honestly,” Rane laughed to himself, “that was adorable.”

“So, uhm,” Sasha turned to him, perhaps in an attempt to steer the conversation away. “Your brother and sister have told me a lot about you. Feels a bit weird meeting you in person.”

Rane raised an eyebrow. “Only good things, I hope.”

“Yes, yes of course! They really cared and worried for you,” she said, testing the edges of the pot and jerking her finger away. “Damn, too hot still. Seems we’ll have to wait a little longer.”

“That’s fine.” Rane glanced at the scar behind her hair subtly. It was already starting to heal, somewhat, despite it being only one day since her Oath was broken. A small part of him was jealous. “We can use the time… There’s something I want to ask.”

“It’s about Caelus, isn’t it?”

“Sasha,” Blake touched her arm. “I don’t think–”

“I’m ready now.” Her hand gently pushed his away. “I’ve spent my whole life silenced, and now I can finally speak.” She turned to Rane again. “Ask me anything you want.”

Rane gave her a moment. No matter how well she hid it, the low rumble of regret and bitterness reached his ears. Even still, he admired her resolve and courage. It was her fight, and he wouldn’t keep her from it. “What was your Oath?”

“A way for my family to make sure I wouldn’t bring them shame. If a child of Nost birth turns fourteen and hasn’t displayed an innate talent for magic, they are given a choice. Swear an oath never to speak of what they’ve seen and to never have offsprings… or be killed.” Sasha paused, eyes glazing over briefly. “Well, for someone with no nora, the Oath could mean death as well. A much more agonizing kind. You’d be surprised how many choose to simply die.”

“But… Why?” Rane asked. “I don’t understand.”

“That’s a good sign.” Sasha poured herself some ale. “To put it simply, it is meant to protect the family’s prestige.” She spat out the word. “Non-mages do nothing but damage their image and spread their so-called dirty blood around.”

“I can see why a powerful family would go to great lengths to protect their reputation,” Rane replied, “but bloodline has very little to do with someone’s magic abilities.”

“Ah, but there’s merit to having people think otherwise,” Sasha said. “Even back then, when I was a part of that horrid place, the Nost were the largest family in Silyra. Have you wondered why?”

“The influence of an Archmage?”

Sasha shook her head. “There’s other families led by Archmages. If I had to guess… the true driving force behind Nost’s success is certainty.”

Blake tilted his head. “Meaning?”

“These are dark times we’re living through.” Sasha sighed. “You should know it better than anyone. People want to feel safe and protected without putting in effort themselves. The Nost put a roof over their heads, blinded them with monuments of greatness and lies of superiority, and in return enlisted the power of the unknowing every day people.”

“How do you know so much?” Blake asked, stealing the words from Rane’s lips.

“Even if I couldn’t talk of the Nost, I spent my childhood as one of their members.” Sasha shrugged a little. “Though I don’t know how much things have changed since I left.”

“I’m guessing there’s gonna be some drastic changes,” Rane replied, “with Caelus gone.”

“Hopefully for the better.” Sasha leaned back on her chair a little and pressed her knuckle to her lips, seeming deep in thought for a few moments. “From what little I’ve been told, you and my fa– Caelus were enemies?”

“He did try to have me killed on multiple occasions,” Rane stifled a laugh, “so yeah, I’d say so.”

“Then I guess I have to thank you,” Sasha gave him a half smile. “For giving the rotten bastard a rough time.”

“That was mostly my master, but I’ll be sure to extend your thanks once I see him again.”

“Oh, right. You study under an archmage now, huh?” Blake reached over the table and gave him a little tap. “That’s my little brother! Told you he was a natural, Sasha!”

Rane rubbed his arm and laughed it off. “Don’t know if that’s the reason, but I’ll take the compliment.”

“When did ya get so humble, boy?” Loric hiccuped as he ruffled Rane’s hair. “You’ll make your teachers embarrassed if you’re– humble…” His head swooned a little, before flopping onto the wood.

“I like your friend,” Sasha giggled. “Not afraid to enjoy himself.”

“Oh, you can keep him if you want!” Rane laughed and gave Loric a slight slap on the cheek. “Food, old man. Weren’t you complaining about being hungry on the way here?”

“Oh damnations,” Loric lifted himself up and blinked a couple of times. “That’s true.”

“Should be good now.” Sasha stirred it with her ladle, before filling their bowls up. “Hope you enjoy it!”

“I’m sure it’s gonna be delicious,” Rane said, bringing a big spoonful up to his mouth. The smell of whatever was in the soup kicked in a little too late for him to stop. The bitterness spread like a wildfire in his mouth. His left eye shut involuntarily as he pushed himself to swallow and his hand reached for another swig of ale. There was silence for a few moments as everyone contemplated the soup in front of them.

Sasha stifled a cough. “I ugh… am better with a hammer.”

“More drink it is.” Loric poured himself another cup and raised it with a shaky hand. “To freedom and love!”

“You rude drunkard!” Rane chuckled but raised his cup as well. “To freedom then, and love.”

Blake and Sasha joined in the toast. The space pulsed with a warm and vibrant orange light, born of emotions Rane never thought he’d see again. He let himself sink a bit deeper into his chair, slightly woozy, but always smiling.

“Blake, sweety, there’s some cheese and cured meat in the kitchen. Why don’t you go fetch some?”

“Of course, dear.” Blake gave her a quick peck on the lips before standing.

Sasha watched him leave, then leaned forward on the table and whispered. “Thank you. You coming back… Blake really needed it.”

Rane simply smiled and observed her, grasping at the slight manifestation of her emotions. Ever since he sparked, he could look past base emotions like happiness, anger or fear and sense the finer, more complex ones. In this case, what he felt was honest, genuine gratitude. “I think it was you that helped him the most,” Rane whispered back.

“I found these!” Blake returned to the room carrying half a wheel of cheese and some dried up meat.

“They will do.” Sasha leaned back, blushing slightly. “Better than travelling on an empty stomach, right?”

“For you, maybe!” Loric rubbed his temple. “I ain’t going anywhere.”

Rane turned to look at him. “You aren’t coming back with us? The king asked for you too, you know.”

“Bollocks, you tell him!” Loric waved a finger around. “I’m not Ellin’s puppet, to be thrown around wherever he feels like. I like it here and I’ve decided to stay. You go on ahead.”

“But–”

“I’ve decided!” Loric growled a little. “People look up to me here… I’m useful.” He tilted his chair to the side, wrapping an arm around Rane and pulling him closer. “You’re the one that told me not to sit around waiting for an Oath’s end, and you were right. Besides, I’ve promised to find Smallie a home.”

Rane hesitated. Loric finding new purpose was good news, so why was he trying to think up an excuse to get the man to stay?

“I’ll still visit you at times,” Loric said, pouring Rane some ale. “Besides, you have your family to care for now. You can’t follow after an old man.”

“Loric… thank you.” Rane found himself tearing up. “You’re my best friend.”

“No more wallowing! Tonight is a night of celebration!” Loric slammed a palm against the table and raised his cup. “To friends!”

Three more cups were raised in unison, spilling the golden drink in the air. “To friends!”