"You're mad. Absolutely… cracked."

Zef grinned at his brother. "You've always known that."

Gail sighed. He sounded clear of mucous for once, to Zef’s relief, even if he had to still pause for a breath mid-sentence.

"I have. But I didn't… realize how bad it was."

It was the afternoon of the next day, and the aura Zef had fetched had quickly done its work. Gail was sitting up in his cot, smiling and joking as usual. He'd even walked himself out back to relieve himself that morning.

His swift recovery only made Zef more determined to convince him of his plan.

Gail eyed him for a long moment. His eyes were as blue as the Mirror Sea when sun hit the bay, contrasting Zef's own dark blue, more like the storm clouds of a furystorm. His dirty blonde hair was mussed from days of uneasy reclining. Not that Zef looked much better. His own mop hung in salty dark tresses nearly into his eyes from how much he sweat the day before.

"So you'll find… a skyscribe… then convince him to take you up."

"And you. We're a wing, you and me." Zef grinned and nudged Gail with an elbow.

His brother only rolled his eyes. "Even you're not… that good a talker."

"You haven't seen me with the librarian."

In truth, he barely spoke with Miss Juli. Their conversations took place by sympathetic nods and knowing looks. Zef had first encountered her two years before when he'd attempted to steal books for Gail to give him something to do during his sicker moments. When she caught him, then summarily let him go, he'd felt guilt enough to later return the books. So their silent agreement had continued ever since.

Gail knew this as well as Zef, but he only shook his head.

"What about with… the alchemist? Not so quick-tongued… then."

It was Zef's turn to grimace. The failed theft of Foundation’s own aural alchemist had been one of his first attempts after their parents died. He'd been caught stealing crystals that were to be used in the man’s latest inventions and nearly found a new home in the cell under the town hall. No amount of words had helped him then — only swift feet carried him back to his brother.

"This is different," he insisted. "I have a plan."

"A plan to trick… a windcaller?"

"What else? It'll work, Gail. When have I ever let you down?"

His brother smiled. "Never."

Zef grinned back. It didn't matter that it was untrue. Deep down, some part of his brother really believed it.

As quickly as it had come, Gail's smile faded. "But Zef… I'm asking you not to. It's not worth… the risk. If you get caught… that's at least a cell. Maybe worse."

Zef had to stop himself from swallowing. He knew the consequences. But he had only to look around to see they couldn't keep going the way they had. They lived in the room above a smithy, the forger being an old friend of their parents. He'd taken pity on them two years before when their circumstances changed, but had too many mouths to feed to give them more. Zef, only twelve years old, had taken it upon himself to care for them both, and they'd eked their way by.

But Gail's condition had failed to improve in the past two years; in fact, it worsened with every storm. Zef might be able to provide food, but he couldn't breathe for his brother.

He needed healing, real healing. And there was only one way to get it.

Zef sighed, then did something he'd promised he wouldn't ever do. He lied to his brother.

"Fine, you win. I won't do it. But if you die, that's on you."

Gail started to laugh, but it quickly turned into a fit of coughing. Zef's guilt melted away before it.

He would save his brother. Even if he didn't want to be saved.