10

Family Secrets

A twig snapped under Aviana’s foot as she scrounged the underbrush for the right plants. So far she and Terrance been successful in finding everything on her list, but this last item eluded her. She had a small dried batch of it stored in her medicinal pouch, but it wouldn’t be enough for the tonic she had to create.

What surprised her during this foraging expedition, was how quiet Terrance was. She thought he had some sort of ulterior reason for accompanying her, but he focused on collecting and offered little conversation. It’s not the first time I’ve read someone wrong, but it’s not a regular occurrence…

Terrance stood up straight from his hunched over state and stretched. “I’m getting too old for this.”

Aviana chuckled. “Is this where I find out you’re some seven hundred years old or something.”

“Actually, I don’t remember how old I am.”

She gave him a quizzical glance. “That old, huh?”

He rocked his head back and forth. “Perhaps. Or perhaps it’s one too many potions exploding in my face over the years.”

Aviana’s head flew back as she laughed.

“Had any potions backfire on you, Aviana?” he asked.

She grunted and went back to searching. “I couldn’t rightfully call myself an alchemist if I hadn’t.”

“True, true. How many would you say?”

A green fern caught Aviana’s eye. Not what she needed, but ferns made for good disinfectant, so she picked it. “I stopped counting after five. Figured there wouldn’t be much of a point to keep track. That was a long time ago though. So you could probably surmise a good guess.”

“If you had one every year, you’d have at least sixty. Based on the guess you didn’t start your path in alchemy until you were ten, and you’re about seventy now, yes?”

Aviana’s foraging ceased and she turned to look at him. He’d made his way closer, his posture not threatening, though his eyes intent on her. An uneasy sensation fell over her. “That’s right.”

“The summer solstice is coming.” He smiled. “That should be when you age up a year. No, wait, you were born early, so a little sooner than that.”

A muscle tightened in Aviana’s neck. “How do you know that?” She doubted her mother would tell this man those types of details. No one needed to know that.

Terrance’s approach stopped, his eyes… sad. “She really didn’t tell you about me, did she?”

Aviana didn’t respond and he sighed. “Yivira said she would when you were ready to know. Based on how she talked about you, I thought you were plenty ready, but it appears she disagreed.”

Silence filled the space between them. Aviana wasn’t sure what to do with this man. What was he getting at with her?

“Our sister is quite the interesting young woman.”

Everything inside Aviana stopped. “Our?”

Terrance slid one of his long robe sleeves up, revealing a patch of blue scales all along his forearm. “That’s right. At first, I thought maybe she might be a daughter of yours. But I’m well aware of the harshness of the world and our clan in its current state. Not many out there are capable of accepting what we are.”

Our clan? He didn’t have the Shikala symbol on him. But even still, there was something about his words that resonated with Aviana. There was truth there. Somewhere.

She took several cautious steps forward, ready for some sort of surprise or catch. Terrance remained still, his arm still extended. Aviana reached out, and lightly touched the scale pattern on his forearm. Her touch increased in pressure when he didn’t stop her, and she explored this feature of his.

Aviana had never seen this before. She had many half-brothers, most half-dragon like her, but none of them ever wanted to be around her. Something having to do with how their father treated her and her mother compared to the rest of them—or something like that.

Cryson and Bryson were really the only brothers to remain kind and helpful, but as full dragons, they didn’t understand some of the hardships she went through. Or had gone through some of the more unique physical and mental changes.

“You’re coming to the age of great change, Aviana,” Terrance said. She looked up at him. “As you know, our draconic blood changes how we develop in our early years. Your senses are much different than the elves in the clan, or any other half-elf you meet outside. But it comes into play later in our lives as well, when we reach out twentieth year and seventieth.”

He reached out and brushed his fingers against the corner of her right eye, touching her scales past her illusion spell. “This change is the smallest. The one you will go through this year will be much more. What will happen to you, I can’t say, as it’s different for each individual. I can only recommend you practice this skill you present now so you are ready when that moment comes.”

Aviana already knew this. Half-dragons used to be common when the clan hadn’t been so torn apart. And they were respected—special—regardless of color. As such, her family archives had enough information about what could possibly happen to her over the years.

Aviana reached out to his right eye, but when her hand made contact with his skin, she felt no scales. Her brow furrowed and reached for the other eye, only to receive the same result. Her lip twisted and she reached for his forehead. Terrance didn’t stop her.

Her fingers touched his wrinkled brow, and where she should have felt possible hidden gems, or the magical power of the ink used for the clan’s symbol, she felt nothing. “How—”

He gave her a wan smile and pulled her hand away. “Alchemy is a powerful tool, Aviana. I may prefer tricks and experimental concoctions, but I do know how to make something stable and useful.”

“Why don’t you live in Starglade?” she asked.

“I ran.” He frowned. “I ran and never looked back.”

Aviana nodded. Given his age, the time he would have come from when their father wasn’t his kindest, she could understand why.

He then smiled again. “I’m so glad I had that annoying whelp send you to me.”

Words failed her for a moment. Aviana blinked and finally managed to formulate a sentence. “W-what? Are you saying this was a setup?”

Her old brother chuckled. “Yes and no. I told Xalanath I wanted to meet you the next time you came to Windshire. So, he arranged for you to come here and sent me a magical message when you were on your way.”

Aviana pursed her lips. “That jackass! He told me you were missing. That you broke some magical—”

“Tracker?” He belted out a hearty laugh. “Oh, that was no lie. That good-for-nothing sorcerer did try to keep tabs on me. But even though I’m no spring owlcat anymore, I can still out whit that whelp. Breaking his tracker wasn’t even a challenge.”

Aviana cocked her head. “So, are you really expected in Natamere then?”

Terrance chuckled. “Oh yes. But I like giving the golden one a run for his coin purse. Makes my life more interesting. And Xalanath gets his kicks by sending those paladins on wild goose chases. So win-win.” He shrugged. “Besides, these kids need help, and they’re too stubborn to accept it from anyone they don’t trust.”

Aviana shook her head. He certainly fit the bill to be called her brother. And she suspected this was only the surface to his personality.

Terrance reached for a bag tied to his hip. “Now, shall we head back? I collected this plant a while ago. I just wanted to ensure we got to chat a bit first.”

Aviana’s jaw fell open. “Really? You made me do all that searching for nothing?”

He winked and handed it to her. Arg! Brothers…

The two headed back for the settlement, the clouds above darkening and swirling with the threat of rain, and Terrance continuing to strike up conversation. “I’d like to ask you something. It’s in regards to your open presence.”

Aviana’s brow rose. “What’s on your mind?”

“I can’t imagine Raileth would allow you to be here,” he said. “But—”

Aviana held up her hand. “I know what you’re going to say. I had this conversation with Xalanath already. Though, hopefully this will go better with you than with him.”

Terrance snorted. “That parlor trick boy has no manners. I may be a crazy old man, but I still haven’t lost those.”

“Father isn’t the same man he once was.” Aviana’s lips twisted. “I know he’s done terrible things in the past. I will never excuse those actions or try to justify them. But he isn’t the same. Because of my time previous times spent visiting Windshire in secret, I learned many things. I use that to work on opening our borders for trade over the last few decades. I’ve secured several farther North. And because of this, I’ve learned so much about the cultures beyond our borders.”

She looked at Terrance. “Father allowed me to take Temperance out to see this world so she could learn and grow. He barely batted and eye at my request, merely made sure I had a plan and asked what I’d need to remain comfortable during the trip. He’s not perfect, Terrance, but he’s not the dragon you knew him to be.”

Terrance gazed up at the sky, his eyes thoughtful. “You’ll have to forgive me for being skeptical. The things I saw, were not of a being who could ever do something right.” He chuckled. “But then again, your mother was quite the woman. I knew how close she put herself to Raileth. I saw it with the way she worked with Siverath. He tried to hide it, but that brute of a dragon was completely smitten with her. That woman had a plan, and if this is the result of what she attempted before she died, then maybe she had succeeded in some way.”

He glanced to her. “And you have merely been finishing her work.”

Was she? Aviana wasn’t sure these days. Sure, she’d come to Windshire originally because Akorith, but she’d been far from successful with winning both Siverath and Xalanath over. A partial success at best, maybe, but even Aviana knew she would never be able to convince Siverath and her father to stand in the same area as each other without ripping at each other’s throat. It’d be nice though…

A tiny rain drop splashed onto Aviana’s shoulder. “My mother isn’t dead.”

“Oh?” He didn’t hide his disbelief.

Aviana nodded, her eyes intent. “It was the way the elders told me. It’s the way father refuses to discuss the topic or look me in the eye when she comes up in conversation. They’re lying. I know more than they realize, thanks to things I’ve seen. She’s out there, somewhere, and I’m going to prove it.”

“Things you’ve seen, eh?” Terrance sounded more curious than dismissive, which was good. “There’s more to why you’re traveling, isn’t there, Aviana?”

She pressed her lips together. He may be her brother, but she didn’t know the extent of his knowledge about her family line.

Terrance placed a hand on her shoulder. “You can trust me, dear. I know how important your family is to our clan. I’m old, not ignorant. So tell me, what task did Akorith give you?” Aviana wasn’t sure how to handle this. She’d never had anyone bring up conversations like this with her. She’d never known anyone to understand what she dealt with and accept it. This was all so knew. Should she trust him and see if he could offer help in some way? Or should she keep it secret, just to be safe?

She decided the risk was worth it right now. “I have to find Candara.”

Terrance belted out a hearty laugh. She expected that response. It was a rather ludicrous idea after all. He quieted when he realized she was serious. “This isn’t a joke…”

Aviana shook her head.

Terrance’s brow furrowed. “Aviana, no one has seen that city since in over two thousand years, after it flew away to escape the war that followed us to this continent, when we first arrived five thousand years ago at the start of the Era of Divergence. There’s no proof the city even exists anymore.”

“Do you doubt Akorith?” Aviana asked.

Her brother hesitated. “Well, no.”

“Then trust me when I say this is the task he set me on. Candara is out there. And so is my mother. He promised.”

Terrance’s eyes bugged out. “Akorith told you she was alive?”

“Not in those certain words, no. But I asked him, when he gave me my first task the first week I was a recognized adult in the clan, and he told me as long as I follow the path he set to fix the clan, I’d get the answer.” She smiled. “And it was the way he looked at me as he spoke, that told me I was right about my suspicion.”

“Well, I hope you’re right. I miss her dearly.” A melancholy smile appeared on his face. “She was a good friend. We had many laughs and adventures together. And the gods knew she was one of the few to ever make a great rival in alchemy.”

Aviana’s lips tightened. “She had a gift.”

Terrance’s eyes cut to her. “I’m looking forward to seeing you in action. I suspect, even more self-taught than anything, you pose for an impressive alchemist.”

A smile slipped up half of Aviana’s face. “Sometime trial and error are our best teachers.”

“That is true.” Terrance looked up to the dark sky, the raining falling harder now. A wicked grin formed on his lips. His hand darted out and shoved Aviana to the side, and he took off down the road. “Think you can keep up?”

Aviana righted herself and picked up her pace. “Wouldn’t be much of a win against an old man.”

Terrance chuckled and rushed away with surprising speed. Aviana pushed faster, excitement racing through her. No way would she allow some old man to outrun her.

♦ ♦ ♦

Rain hammered the earth by the time Aviana and Terrance made it back to the settlement. Terrance pulled ahead of Aviana and reached the village line first. She let out a heavy breath while resting her hands on her thighs, Terrance cheering and doing a victory dance. Rain beat down on her back, but it was a welcome relief. Spring here in the Karma Wilds could get rather warm, even in the grasslands. Once the rain stopped, it would get miserable, but right now, Aviana loved it.

Terrance’s exuberance was short-lived when the sound of Roderick shouting caught both of their ears. The two passed each other a confused looked before running to the main building.

When they rounded the corner, they came to a sight of Temperance jumping around in puddles, many of the smaller children playing along with her. Roderick stood in the doorway of the main building, a nasty scowl on his face.

He looked their way. “Oh good. Maybe you can talk some sense into all of them. They need to get out of the rain.”

Aviana looked at the children and took in the amount of joy radiating off of them. Life had been too cruel. It threatened to take away what it meant to be a child, much like it had done to her. And Aviana refused to encourage that darkness. “No, they’re fine.”

Roderick’s mouth fell open. “Are you mad? They’ll get sick too at this rate.”

Aviana shook her head and slipped inside. “Let them be kids, Roderick. Their lives are tough enough as it is. It’s going to be all right.”

“They’ll get sick!”

His care for the others touched her. Aviana went over to the now dead fireplace and created a fire using her magic. Children gasped around her.

“How did you do that, lady?” one of the younger boys asked before coughing.

She smiled at him. “With magic.”

His eyes went wide. “I wanna do magic.”

Aviana left the fireplace and tucked him back into his makeshift bed. “With dedication, one day you can. But right now, we need to get you better. So rest.”

The young boy grumbled and snuggled into his blanket. Aviana went back to drying herself by the fire. Terrance had already helped himself to a spot.

“Avi!” Temperance called.

Aviana turned to see her sister skipping inside, soaked from head to toe, with all the little ones following. “Done having fun?”

“For now.” She smiled. “We got everything you asked for! And I helped Henry with the dandelions. He knows a lot of stuff!”

“That’s great to hear, Temperance. Thank you.”

Roderick ushered some of the smaller children toward the fire. “Alright, all of you over here to dry off before you get sick as well.”

“Oh, you don’t need to do that,” Temperance said.

Roderick’s brow rose and then furrowed when Temperance dried off each child one by one with her magic. He looked to Aviana who gave him an “I told you so” smile.

Aviana and Terrance were last to get the treatment. “There, now everyone won’t get sick!”

Terrance looked himself over. “Impressive, little one.”

Temperance’s nose scrunched. “I’m not little.”

“Yes, right, my apologies.” He looked to Aviana. “I have a makeshift lab upstairs. Why don’t we get to work?”

Aviana nodded. “Yes, the sooner the better.” She looked around. “Where is Henry?”

Roderick tossed his head toward the door. “Checking on the other kids. I’ll go get him if you need him.”

“Please do,” Aviana said. “I’d like for him to learn how to make this curative in case this sickness returns.”

Roderick’s eyes flashed with a tinge of worry and ran off into the rain. Not long after, he returned with Henry, both soaked, but only for a moment, as Temperance took care of them. Roderick muttered something about needing to learn the spell and Temperance smiled wide.

Aviana gestured to Henry. “Come. I’m going to show you how to make this cure.”

Henry’s pale blue eyes lit up. “Really?”

She nodded. “I want to ensure all of you are equipped to living on your own. That means someone needs to know healing of some sort, and you’re in luck, because healing medicinally and alchemically is something I know a great deal about.”

His eyes shone. “I’ll do my best to learn everything I can.”

Aviana dismissed the fire she’d created and looked to Temperance. “I need you to take over and keep it warm in here.”

Temperance gasped. “You mean I can use the spell now?”

Aviana nodded. Her sister squealed and ran over to the fireplace. She took a deep, concentrated breath, and muttered the incantation while making the quick hand motions required for the spell. Fire leapt from her fingers and a new flame replaced Aviana’s previous one. It wasn’t as large, but that’d come with practice.

“Very good,” Aviana praised. “Now that you’ve successfully used the spell, make sure you note it in your spellbook I had you start, in case you need a reminder.”

Temperance pointed to her head. “I don’t need a reminder like that, Avi, I already told you that. I can remember it just fine. My mind is like a steel trap!” She held up Kyanite. “Even ask Kyanite. He’ll vouch for me.”

Terrance passed Aviana an amused look. Even as a non-caster, he knew those were famous last words as she learned new spells, and experienced many new things on her adventure.

He then ushered her and Henry upstairs. Beds filled the main room of the upper level, more children lying down. This unsettled Aviana. She hadn’t realized there were more. She prayed there was enough for the cure.

The three slipped into a side room. A long table with various alchemy tools and supplies filled it. Aviana pulled out all the collected herbal supplies, and went to work milling down the plants. Henry helped, as did Terrance, in a way. Instead of milling, he switched to a mentor role, kindly guiding them if they used too little or too much force. Terrance’s mutters of encouragement pushed her in a positive way she hadn’t experienced in some time.

Aviana showed Henry how to combine the various components into a potion, and utilize the byproduct into a salve for the rashes. He was a quick study, and his eager nature made it easy for her to teach. These children would be in good hands with this boy.

With all this help, Aviana finished the cure in record time, as well as producing far more than she would have without out Terrance’s instruction. Aviana did well making potions, for someone who was predominantly self-taught, but there was a benefit to learning from someone with experience.

Aviana called for the older children to help administer the cure to all the sick, and then to those who were healthy as a precaution. Temperance offered to keep the youngest children busy with more play, which Aviana and Roderick were both grateful for.

When Aviana was sure Terrance and the young adults had things under control, she excused herself to go about writing some notes for Henry. Not only did she write medicinal notes, but she also added in some potions, and how to flavor them and other curatives to encourage children to take it easier.

Aviana looked up when someone entered the room, and smiled at Roderick. “All done?”

He nodded. “Now we wait for them to improve like you said.”

She smiled. “Should only be a day, two at the most before you see improvement.” Aviana completed her notes, and placed her family seal on the parchments. Made them look official and all.

Aviana realized Roderick hadn’t moved. He watched her with an unusual intensity. She cocked her head. “Something the matter?”

Roderick studied her, his brow furrowing. “You’ve got a hardness to your eyes that is much like ours, but also different. You’ve seen hardships, but somehow still stay open and positive. How?”

Moonlight filtered through the window in her workshop. Pungent smells filled the air as the newest test brew boiled over a controlled fire in a vial. Aviana flipped through her book, making sure she didn’t miss a step.

The floor behind her creaked. She turned to see what owlcat was trying to sneak up on her. Her eyes widened and she screamed as a dagger sliced through the air at her.

Aviana jumped back to the present and banished the memory. A sympathetic smile crossed Aviana’s lips. “You’re right. I’ve seen many dark and horrible things. I’ve experienced many types of losses and pains. But I’ve also experiences great joys too.”

She left the table, taking the parchment with her, and motioned him to follow her. She gestured to a young girl now relaxing in her bed. “Look at her and take in her beautiful smile.” She moved to a window and pointed out where Temperance played with the children. “Listen to their carefree joy.”

Aviana took him by the hand and pulled him downstairs and outside. “Close your eyes and listen to the world around you. Hear the peacefulness that is nature. Feel the warmth of the sun’s caress on your skin.”

She turned to face him, finding his eyes closed and listening to her words. There was none of the former tightness to his face—all that walls temporarily gone. After a moment he opened his eyes to look at her.

Aviana continued. “There is light within the darkness. And darkness within the light. It’s not something that can exist without the other. Not even we can exist without both. This is how I can smile. This is why I’ve chosen not to allow my pain to consume me.”

She kept her expression light and understanding. “It’s okay to not trust others. Skepticism keeps you safe. And just because I’m friendly, does not mean I am trusting. But altering your approach to life, will help improve it. For you and for the others here who look to you for guidance.”

Aviana patted him on the shoulder. “It’s not easy being in a position of power. There’s a lot of responsibility. But you’re the right man for that.”

Moisture rimmed Roderick’s eyes, but he did his best to hold it back. “Thank you.”

The two turned when Terrance emerged from the building and went to playing with the children alongside Temperance. He tossed around potions with colorful liquids with all types of effects, creating a strange spectacle, like a poorly planned magic trick. The children giggled and cheered. He had a good heart. She still wasn’t sure what to make of him, but least he had that.

Aviana looked up to the clouded sky, the sun trying to peak through. It was getting late. “We should be going to report in and let the paladins know they’ll have to meet you here before you all head to Natamere.”

Temperance stopped playing and looked as though she were going to protest, until something caught her mind. “And tell Gerrad!”

“Gerrad? Did you say Gerrad?” Terrance’s eyes widened. “You will tell him no such thing, young lady.”

Aviana and Temperance shared a glance. “Why not, Mister Terrance?” Temperance asked. “He said he was your student and was looking for you.”

Terrance shook his head. “That boy is no student of mine. A stalker he is. Crazy lad; obsessed with my work.”

Aviana gave Temperance an I told you so look. Her eyes bugged out. “No. that can’t be true!”

“It is girl, and you will not tell him where I am. He cannot know.”

“But… but…” She looked at her hands, counting and playing with her fingers. “That can’t be right. We found out about this job because of him. He was going to give me a kiss as a reward for finding you.”

Terrance’s eyes filled with sympathy. “I’m sorry, dear. But I tell you the truth.”

Her lips twisted as she wrangled with her reality. Aviana noticed Roderick’s focus on Temperance change. It looked thoughtful. What is he up to?

He walked over to Temperance and leaned over, pecking her on the cheek. “For bringing your sister here. Without her, the other kids would be in a lot of trouble.”

Temperance’s cheeks reddened and she touched her cheek with a light hand, a meek smile spreading across her lips. The need to protect Temperance tugged Aviana hard, but she quieted it. It was well within what was allowed, since Aviana was here to chaperone, and it was innocent enough.

Aviana joined Temperance’s side and placed a hand on her sister’s back. “Let’s get going. It’s a long walk.”

“Okay.”

Terrance held up a hand. “Aviana, before you go. Will you by chance be near Natamere anytime this year?”

Aviana nodded. “That’s one of the planned stops on our trip.”

He smiled. “Excellent. I would like for you to come see me when you do. I’d love to teach you a few things.”

Her eyes widened. “Really? I mean, are you sure you want to pick me?”

Terrance nodded. “You show great potential. It’d be quite an honor to take you as an apprentice.”

An apprentice for a master alchemist? Aviana never thought in a million years she’d be allowed to train under one. Not after her mother’s disappearance. “No, that honor is mine. I’d love to learn alchemy from you.”

He grinned, his eyes glinting. “Wonderful. And as a first task, please give the little gecko these for me?” He handed her two slips of parchment, one red, one black. “This will be proof you found me.”

Aviana check the colored parchments, finding no writing on them. She suspected they’d been dipped in a potion and sealed.

Temperance cocked her head. “Little gecko?”

“That’s a nickname for Xalanath,” Aviana said.

Temperance’s nose scrunched. “Oh, that’s a weird name to give your beau.”

Terrance’s brow rose. “What?”

Aviana sighed. “For the last time, I am not courting him. I wouldn’t court someone so… insensitive.”

Terrance scrutinized her with a keen eye. “What’s the worse prank he’s pulled?”

Aviana shrugged. “They happen so often I’ve never bothered to rank them. They’re never funny or good for a laugh after the fact. The one I hated the most was a gift for my birthday. A box of dead roaches and wilted flowers.”

She didn’t mind bugs, most she rather liked, but a box full of dead one had just irked her bad. Her only consolation prize, when she threw the box at him, the carcasses fell out onto him and some got into his clothes. Had she not been so mad, she would have laughed at him as he danced around trying to get them all out.

Terrance’s lips spread into a thin line. “Yes, I could see the ill taste in such a prank. But to be fair, his father was no better for timing. Many decades ago, for my own birthday, he gave me a box of live fire ants!”

Aviana’s brow rose. “Siverath did that? Mister no fun. Mister high and mighty stick in the mud?”

Terrance’s eyes glittered, a delighted smile on his face. “Your mother had quite the effect on him. In fact, you should have seen when your mother gave him a potion that turned parts of his skin ink black for five days. The potion had been so potent, it couldn’t be dispelled.”

Aviana laughed, picturing the large, proud man walking around with in his pristine armor and ink-stained skin. “Sounds like her. I do feel as though I never got the chance to see that side of her enough, but my grandfather was a prankster. So it would be no surprise she’d take after him.”

Terrance wagged his finger at her. “Well enough to corrupted Xalanath.”

Her brow spiked. “Xalanath? He’s always been a self-centered jerk who causes other’s misfortune for his own amusement.”

The old man chuckled. “Oh, how little you know. When Xalanath was younger, he was a near spitting image of his father—fully devout to Akorith to a fault. Then your mother showed up and corrupted him, or Siverath liked to claim. I personally find this a better path, though he could stand to dial back a bit on some of his antics.”

Aviana reflected. “Makes sense now that I think about it. Mother never cared for Natamere’s clergy. She said they were no better than those they claimed were enemies due to their own extremes.”

She tucked the two pieces of parchment into her top. “Nevertheless, Xalanath and I will never go anywhere.”

Terrance gave her an incredulous look but let it go. Instead, he procured a small vial with purple liquid. Temperance’s eyes went wide at the sight of that. “What’s that’s Mister Terrance?”

He smiled and handed it to her. “Something special for you. My own way of making up for Gerrad’s deception.”

A gleeful squeal erupted from her and she happily took the vial. “What does it do?”

“It’ll turn a lock of hair purple for a full day.”

Temperance’s eyes went wide and then her face light up. “Best potion ever!” She went to drink it but froze. “Wait, if I only took small sips, could I make the potion last longer? Or would it not work?”

Good, she’s learning. Aviana tried to teach her sister about potions and their different effects, including possible outcomes for partial consumption.

Terrance nodded and she squealed with delight, taking a sip of her potion. Before their eyes, a lock of Temperance’s hair changed to purple. Temperance's giggling and twirling of the lock of different hair. She then smelled her hair and sighed. “Roses… my favorite.”

Terrance stroked his beard. “That’s odd. There shouldn’t be a side effect with that potion.”

Temperance ignored the man and Aviana chuckled. “I don’t think that’s an issue. Not for her or for anyone else who would use it. It acts as a nice perfume.”

“True enough. Now I shouldn’t stall you anymore. Safe journey, you two.”

The two sisters said goodbye to everyone and then made the long trek back to town.

♦ ♦ ♦

Bright light from the twin moons shone down on Windshire as Aviana and Temperance traversed the cobble streets, a fire atop Aviana’s staff guiding their way. Waves crashed on the beach and ships rocked against their docks. Three patrolling paladins passed them, but one stopped and turned their way. “Lady Aviana?”

Aviana turned to see Wyatt. She smiled. “Wyatt, just the man I needed to see.”

The three paladins approached. Wyatt spoke again. “I came by the tavern to speak with you earlier, but I was informed you’d headed out of town on a job. I hope it was a successful endeavor.”

“Yes it was,” Aviana said. “In fact it was in regards to Terrance.”

The three paladins looked at each other. Excitement and concern flashing across their faces.

“I located him for all of you. He’s taken of residence in a small settlement to the northeast.”

“Yeah he’s helping some kids rebuild the place!” Temperance said.

Relief washed off Wyatt and the other paladins. “Thank you, m’lady. That makes our job a little easier.”

“And it means we can finally go home,” one of the paladins grumbled.

Aviana laughed. She suspected a few would want to be home in a more temperate climate. “I do have something for you, Wyatt.” She scrounged through her satchel and procured the letter she wrote earlier. “As promised, the letter.”

He smiled. “Thank you very much, m’lady.”

She winked at him. “Be sure you’ll be the one to deliver it to Siverath personally.”

He nodded, words catching on his tongue.

“Well, I shouldn’t keep you from your patrol.” She placed a hand on Temperance and turned away. “Have a good night.”

Wyatt reached out for her. “Uh, Aviana, wait.”

She turned and looked at him expectantly. Wyatt hesitated and his fellow paladin nudged him forward. “It’s just… uh… I wanted to thank you for all your assistance these last two days. It’s been invaluable.”

The other paladin with him not to subtly smacked his forehead. It amused Aviana. “You’re welcome. I’m always happy to lend a hand when I can.”

He nodded, still hesitating with something. Then, before she could think to react, he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Uh, goodnight.”

He rushed off, his paladin buddies heckling him for nearly chickening out. A smile formed on Aviana’s lips as she touched her cheek.

“Avi, I think he likes you,” Temperance said.

“He might.” In the very least, her flirting hadn’t exactly failed.

Her sister gazed up at her. “If he does, who are you going to pick, him or Xalanath?

Her choice was neither, since neither could love what she was, but she could pretend for a moment there was nothing off-putting about her. “Well, I don’t really have to choose unless they ask me to.”

Temperance pursed her lips. “How does that work?”

Aviana placed a hand on her sister’s back, ushering her toward the Dragonwallow Inn and explaining to her what multi-partner relationships were and how they worked. She also made sure to stress whatever kind of partner she was to take, if she were to take any, they’d have to be Shikala, else she’d have to denounce their ways, and she had no intention of doing so.

By the time they made it to the inn, Temperance understood the basic, but struggled to comprehend how it all worked out. You’ll understand one of these days. I hope.

She pulled open the front door of the tavern and Temperance skipped in. Erik greeted them. “Welcome back you two. I think I can safely guess your excursion was a success?”

Aviana nodded. “Yes. We found Terrance in the ruined settlement Northeast of here. He’s helping some children rebuild it.”

Erik let out a hard sigh. “Those stubborn kids. They’d be better off living here where it’s safer.”

She slipped onto the barstool. “What can you tell me about them?”

“They’re all that’s left of that town after they were not only attacked once but twice by slavers.”

Aviana’s brow wrinkled. Temperance looked at her with wide eyes. Slavery had been outlawed all across Alaria long before the Third Era started. But that didn’t stop some from being horrible and engaging in the practice. “Slavers? We’ve only ever had one issue with that, and they were dealt with—”

Erik nodded. “When Xalanath and Tar’kash worked together to deal with them three decades ago. Yes, I figured you’d remember that time.”

Aviana’s eyes darkened. “How could I not?”

Tar’kash, a half-orc, was the father of Krax and his sister, Lara. A member of the Thunderblood clan, at some point he met Lydia, a wild, barbarian of a woman and settled down with her in Windshire, since non-orcs couldn’t be full members of the clan. She had taken up the position Krax now held in this tavern while Tar’kash took up mercenary work. He had managed to befriend Xalanath and the two worked together on several jobs. One of those jobs led him to an issue with slavers snatching people in the nearby areas, children in particular. Tar’kash and Xalanath took care of the issue, but at a heavy cost—Tar’kash’s life.

His loss took a toll on everyone. He’d been a good friend of Aviana’s. So much so, he’d learned her true nature, and was the only one to accept her for it. It was the first time she felt like there could be a chance she’d eventually find acceptance somewhere. But in the wake of his death, Aviana struggled with that resolve.

Xalanath had also taken the loss hard. Even with her increased rocky relationship with him around that time, she did what she could to reach out to him and offer him council if he would accept it. He didn’t want to talk to anyone. Didn’t even want to repeat the events that lead up to Tar’kash’s death. But in time, she found out exactly what happened, and how Xalanath had been so overcome with anger and grief he mercilessly slaughtered any slaver in the vicinity.

“I thought Xalanath had gotten rid of all of them. Or is this a different group?”

Erik frowned. “Apparently there were survivors. They hid in the shadows and built themselves back up. That town Tar’kash and Xalanath had freed came under siege again and fell. Those children are all that remain, but they’re too stubborn to leave. Xalanath goes out there frequently to make sure they’re okay, but they don’t want him around and the slavers are much better at covering their tracks.”

Aviana’s hands clench. “They didn’t tell me this was still an issue when I was there. Had I known, I would have helped them.”

“I would have helped too!” Temperance claimed.

“Don’t worry,” Erik said. “We have some good men and women out there scouring the wilds for these slavers. Everything will work out.”

“I hope so. I don’t want anything happening to those kids.”

Erik’s expression softened. “You have a good heart, Aviana. Don’t let the darkness of this land change that. You too, Temperance.”

Temperance smiled wide and Aviana nodded but her mind went back to the children.

“Don’t worry, Shark Bait, I’ll make sure the paladins help out before taking Terrance to Natamere,” Xalanath’s voice rang out.

Everyone looked up to the second floor mezzanine, where Xalanath leaned on the railing. He waved Aviana and Temperance up. “Meet me in my room. You can give me a rundown of how the job went.”

Aviana agreed and she encouraged Temperance to follow up stairs. She did, but lagged a bit. Aviana analyzed her sister’s sudden behavior, finding her taking in the other patrons in the tavern. She knew that look. Temperance was gauging the drunks to see how easy it would be to get her sticky fingers on their valuables. We’re going to have to talk after this. It wouldn’t be easy to get her sister to understand after all these years of allowing it. She may have to come up with a compromise. It wasn’t like Aviana could fully enforce the stance when her moral compass wasn’t ideal.

The two of the made it to the second floor, Xalanath already gone to his room. When they made it to the upstairs common room, a new door existed where a plain wall had previously been. It was obvious to anyone this was new, as instead of a basic wood, this one had ornate precious metal trimmings.

Temperance scrunched her nose. “That’s ugly.”

The door swung open and Xalanath stood on the other side, stairs leading up to another level that didn’t exist for the tavern behind him. “Excuse you, it is not.”

“Yeah huh.” Temperance stuck her tongue out. “Even a peacock has prettier coloring than this door.”

Xalanath’s pursed his lips and snapped his fingers, the door becoming even gaudier with peacock feather colors, down to the eyes. “There.”

She shook her head. “Nope. Peacocks do it better.”

Xalanath sighed, looking to Aviana. “There’s no pleasing her, is there?”

Aviana’s brows rose. “Sounds like someone else I know.”

He sighed again and shook his head before waving them to follow up the stairs. “Let’s get this over with.”

At the top of the stairs, another door barred their path, designed the same as the one before Xalanath used his magic. He snapped his fingers and the door swung open to a large room filled with arcane devices, statues, painting, and even some odd piles of gold. An ornately decorated large bed stood at the far wall with a dark wood nightstand next to it.

Temperance’s eyes went wide and she wandered around the room, ogling anything shiny or dragon related.

Xalanath focused on Aviana. “So, you say you found Terrance. While I want to believe you, since this is an official job I need some proof.”

“Well, besides the fact I know you set this all up with him, I also happen to have the proof you’re asking for.” Aviana dipped her hand into her top for the strips of parchment.

Xalanath averted his gaze. “Must you?”

“Hold on, it’s in here.”

He still refused to look at her. “Why didn’t you put it in a more logical place?”

“Because I know it wouldn’t get lost here.” She snatched up the papers and then handed them to him. “Here we go.”

It took Xalanath a moment to risk taking a peek at her. He relaxed when he realized he wasn’t pulling a fast one on him. Amusement rippled through Aviana.

She offered him the parchments, though as he lifted his hand to take them, it bolted out beside him and grabbed Temperance’s wrist. Apparently, she was trying her hand at sneaking into his possible pockets.

Xalanath glanced down at her. “Can I help you, Cuttlefish?”

Temperance’s nose scrunched. “I was just trying to feel your robe. The material isn’t like Starcloth, or anyone else’s clothes here.”

Aviana saw right through that lie, as did Xalanath. “I’m sure.”

Temperance pouted and crossed her arms when he let her go. He focused back on the parchment Aviana still held up. “Did he tell you what these are?”

She shook her head. “Only told me to give them to you.”

Xalanath’s brow spiked. “And you didn’t take a peek?”

“Nope.”

His eyes narrowed, but unfolded the red parchment none-the-less. His eyes scanned the parchment, as if he could read something invisible. Before her eyes, Xalanath’s skin turned an unnatural shade of orange. Aviana bit her lip and tried to keep herself under control. Temperance, on the other hand, giggled away. Xalanath sighed when he finished reading. “That’s definitely Terrance’s work. Did you really know?”

Aviana shook her head, having a hard time looking at him. “I told the truth. I didn’t even know there was anything to read on that one.”

“It was meant only for me, so that would explain that.” He dispelled the skin changing enchantment and glanced at the black parchment in Aviana’s hands. “I suppose I might as well see what he’s done with this one.”

Aviana handed it over. Xalanath opened the parchment and studied it. This time it didn’t look as though he were reading. Rather, he searched for words or some sort of indication of what this next enchantment. His eyes went wide suddenly and he tried to speak. No sound came out of him.

He tried again, and Temperance cocked her head trying to understand what was going on. Xalanath’s eyes flashed and his faced reddened as anger overcame him. He snapped his fingers and Aviana and Temperance found themselves in the common room. The door to Xalanath’s now gone and the promised infinity satchel in Aviana’s hands.

“Uh, Avi, what happened?” Temperance asked.

A black strip of parchment at Aviana’s feet caught her eye. She bent over and picked it up, finding it to be the strip Xalanath had looked at. Neat handwriting in golden ink was now scrawled over it.

Try to dispel that one, whelp. Oh wait, because you can’t speak, you can’t. Have fun not using magic. Except one last spell, so make it count.

Aviana laughed. “Terrance placed a silencing spell on Xalanath. He used his last magic use to eject us from his room so we wouldn’t see him in such a state. At least we got our pay.”

Temperance bounced. “I want mine!”

Aviana headed for their room. “Well, then let’s go divvy it up.”

Once the two settled into their room, Aviana placed the satchel on the table. Temperance touched the bag all over, taking it in. She even pulled out Kyanite to show him. She then looked to Aviana. “So, where is the other part of the reward? Your beloved promised gold and a pretty gem.”

This had been the only thing in Aviana’s hands so she guessed he may have placed them in the bag. Might as well check. Aviana flipped open the satchel and peered in, a void of darkness meeting her eyes. This is a strong satchel. Aviana didn’t know a lot about the enchantment to make these, but she knew, the stronger the enchantment, the less the interior appeared like a normal bag. Some lesser enchantments would even allow you to see the contents of the bag, which had its pros and cons.

Aviana reached into the satchel, her hand disappearing into the void. No strange sensations fell over her. Her hand merely vanished inside. She thought about the blue kyanite gem Xalanath promised and a moment later her hand wrapped around a hard object. She withdrew. Clutched inside was the promised gem.

Temperance squealed and snatched it. She looked it over, letting the light from the candles in the room glisten off its surfaces. Normally Aviana would scold her sister for being so rude, but she’d let it slide this time.

Aviana reached into the satchel again in search of the promised gold. She thought of the amount Xalanath promised, but nothing came to her hand. She thought of a lower amount and still nothing. Aviana thought just of gold, copper, and then silver, and still nothing. Her brow furrowed. He had better not have left that out.

She made one final attempt by thinking of a bag of gold, and this time, her hand clamped around a large leather bag. Aviana pulled it out and opened the bag, the gold coins spilling out across the table. Temperance’s eyes glowed at the sight.

“Help me split this up, would you?” Aviana asked.

Her sister nodded with all the enthusiasm she could muster and gave Aviana a hand. She even tried to get Kyanite to help, but as expected, he wasn’t useful in this.

Once the gold was all accounted for and divvied, Temperance grabbed her travel bag to store her prize. In her haste, some gems fell out onto the table. Aviana’s brow spiked. Temperance didn’t have those when they’d left Starglade. “Tempy, what’s that?”

Temperance dragged the stones across the table, her eyes not meeting Aviana’s. “Nothing.”

Aviana gave her sister a hard look and she sighed. “I snatched them from some of the annoying merchants yesterday. I’m not gonna give them back. You can’t make me.”

Aviana pressed her lips together. She should have known. “Well, I could make you, but at the same time I doubt you remember who you even stole them from.” She leaned forward on the table. “So instead, we’re going to discuss this. I’ve not been the greatest influence on you back home. I encouraged this behavior when I shouldn’t have because of my feelings about individuals in Starglade.” And because you’re Dragkala, but I can’t tell you that yet.

Temperance’s brow knitted. “I don’t understand, Avi. Are you saying magic is bad?”

“Magic” was the term Aviana had created to reference the klepto habits back home. That was why Temperance tended to call real magic “magicy-magic.”

Aviana nodded. “Technically, yes. Taking anything that isn’t yours and belongs to someone else is bad.”

Temperance licked her lips, her eyes thoughtful. “If I stole from bad peoples, is it still bad?”

Laughter threatened to ruin Aviana’s attempt at keeping this serious. Her sister’s way of rationalizing always amused her. But what added to it, was the fact Aviana had been thinking of proposing this. Sure, she could tell her sister to stop outright, but Aviana didn’t feel she could do so without being a hypocrite. And she knew the dragon instinct to steal was sometimes impossible for a dragon to ignore, so setting such high expectations would be pointless.

“Technically it is.” How was she supposed to put it?

Temperance giggled. “But you’re going to okay it because they’re bad people, aren’t you?”

Conflict raged inside Aviana. She should say it was off limits. But she knew she couldn’t. “That’s right.”

Dammit. Oh well. She really didn’t feel she was the right person to tell her sister to stop.

Temperance smiled wide. “You’re the best.”

Was she? Aviana wasn’t so sure. “Just be careful. Like with Xalanath earlier, some people are sharper than others. You could get into a lot of trouble if you’re not careful.”

Temperance nodded. “I’m already working on how to get better! Don’t worry, Avi, soon I’ll be so good, you’ll have all the pretty blue items you could ever want. Except kyanite. That’s mine.”

Aviana chuckled. Seeing her sister’s excitement swayed her a little too much. It made it difficult to be a good person her sister should look up to.

“So, Avi, what are we going to use the satchel for?” Temperance asked.

She shrugged. “Anything we want. This one has a strong enchantment, so we should create a list of any items we add or remove. This way we don’t forget and lose them forever.”

Temperance’s eyes glowed. “That’s a great idea! Can I write the list?”

“Sure.”

Her sister jumped up and danced around. “I’ll do that after I go do magic on drunk persons.”

Aviana’s lips twisted. “What did we just talk about?”

“We said I couldn’t steal from good peoples. Aren’t drunks bad peoples?”

“Well, no. They just don’t make good decisions.”

“So, it’s not really bad, because it’s a consequence of being drunk.”

Aviana wanted to groan. This wasn’t working, and really, Aviana didn’t care if her sister stole from drunk people. It was bad to admit, she knew that, but it wasn’t like she ever tried to paint herself as a perfect good person. “You know what, you have fun. Just be careful and understand if you get caught, you’re on your own.”

Temperance giggled with glee and set Kyanite on the bed, telling him to behave while she was gone. She then skipped to the door, stopping just as she reached it. “Hey, Avi?”

Aviana’s brow lifted. “Hmm?”

“Do you know that bronze dragon that helped us?”

That was a random thing for her to think about. “Why do you ask?”

“Because you weren’t surprised to see him, and knew he’d be fine when those pirates attacked him.”

Aviana had to word herself carefully here. She didn’t think Temperance was ready to know the entire truth just yet. “I’ve talked to him before, yes.”

“Is he nice?”

Her lips twisted. “Sometimes.”

Temperance turned to face her. “Do you think if that dragon had been another color they would have helped us? Like, maybe a blue or a red?”

Aviana leaned back in her chair. “I don’t know. No matter if someone claims a color is good or evil, they’re all individuals like us. They can choose to help those in need or turn a blind eye.”

“Do you think some colors are evil?”

“Why do you ask that?”

Her sister’s lips twisted a moment. “Because you’re always talking about dragons differently than everyone back home. You said once that all the dragons used to get along until something ripped them apart. Did they start to fight because some turned evil?”

Aviana took a moment to word her response. “It’s true the dragons war because of something that happened a long time ago, but I don’t think any dragon is evil or good based on their color. They used to get along, and how they acted back then were much the same as now. I think, just like you and me, it’s the actions they choose to make that put them in those sides.” She stepped closer to her sister, stroking her head. “I think they’re all lost and need help finding their way back.”

Temperance looked up at her with big blue eyes. “Can we help them?”

“I think we might be able to figure out how on this adventure of ours.”

A wide smile spread across her younger sister’s face and she hugged Aviana. “That would make me really happy. I want so many dragon friends! And I want them to get along without issue.”

“I hope that one day, that will be our reality.” It’d be a long shot for them, but Aviana would try. She wasn’t ready to give up on that dream. She had dragon’s blood coursing through her veins. That made her proud and stubborn. She wouldn’t give up without a fight. No matter what got in her way.