Ellie's reflection grinned back at her as she admired the airy, cerulean dress she'd adorned for the graduation ceremony. It was as practical as it was lovely, just as she preferred, with a hem that reached halfway down her calves and pockets at either hip. After Vena finished tidying up her daughter's braids, she rested her hands on her shoulders and brushed her cheek against Ellie's, the pair gazing into the mirror.

"I have to admit; the style suits you."

"It's a nice change of pace from my boring old tail," Ellie said as she touched one lightly. "But I'll take a ribbon with me in case it gets too warm."

"Good idea." With her hands on her hips, Vena spun to face Lillian laying on her stomach on her bed, watching the two of them. "You start getting ready, too."

"I don't have to wear something nice, do I?" she whined.

"You're thirteen and can decide that for yourself." Vena approached the dresser and pulled open the second drawer before motioning Lillian over. "But if you pick out something bizarre, I will never, ever let you live it down."

Lillian rolled to the edge of the bed with an exasperated sigh, thudded her feet loudly on the floor, and marched over to the dresser.

"I'll leave you to it," Ellie snickered. "Please bring my bag with you when you set out. I don't wanna worry about it during the ceremony."

She closed the door after receiving an idle reply from her sister and a reassuring nod from her mother. On the first floor, seated at the dining table and sipping tea as he waited to greet her, was Bram. Ellie stopped just a few feet short of him and turned slowly in a complete circle to show off her dress.

"Well, what do you think?" Ellie clacked her heel proudly at the end of her turn. "I know it's the same dress I wore for my eighteenth birthday, but what good is a garment you can't use more than once, right?"

"You look wonderful, sweetie," Bram beamed. "Perfect for the summer heat and not so formal that you'd stand out at the festival."

"Precisely. And it, uh, hides this pretty well." She pointed to the hidden wound, and her awkward smile morphed into a frown. "It's a shame that you and Mum can't join us this year. Just won't be the same without you there."

"Oh, you three'll be fine. You're an adult, Irwin is smart, and Lillian doesn't have to do much just to scare someone off."

"True, but I'm also worried about how you've been feeling."

"Don't worry, Ellie, I just overdid it the past few days. Wouldn't be the first time." He winked and gripped his cup tightly as he forced a smile. "Besides, your mum is backlogged on work. She could use the day to catch up."

Ellie sighed. "Both of which are my fault, really."

"Now, don't start thinking that way." Bram wagged his finger at her. "There's always next year. Just enjoy yourself and spend some quality time with your siblings."

"I will." Ellie rested her hands at her sides and glanced around the large room that made up most of the first floor. "Speaking of which; where's Irwin? Did he go on without me?"

"No no, he's waiting for you out front."

"Good, he promised he'd wait." Ellie circled the table and wrapped her arms around Bram from behind for a hug. "I love you, Dad. I'll see you later." She planted a quick kiss on his cheek, which he returned.

"Have twice as much fun out there, for me and your mum."

Sunlight flooded the combined kitchen, dining, and family room as Ellie stepped through the front door with one last wave to her father. Outside she was embraced by nostalgia from the pleasant aroma of the flowers lining the path. After all, it was the first time Ellie had set foot outside since she'd woken from her coma. Dramatically, Ellie worried that if she'd been cooped up inside much longer, the layout of the entire yard would have become an unfamiliar maze.

Having betrayed her expectation of standing beside the gate, Ellie's search for Irwin took her partially down the path to the workshop—enough to see he wasn't there—then back around the corner of the house. There she found him, sitting on the bench and completely entranced with his book.

"Ready to go?" she called.

Irwin had truly been so invested in his literature that he never once heard Ellie step outside and was startled by her voice.

"Oh, yes, of course!" He placed a ribbon between the pages and jogged to his sister.

"You look great." Ellie gestured up and down at the comely outfit her brother had donned for the ceremony.

"Thanks, you too," he said and tucked a loose strand of hair behind one ear.

The siblings started down the quiet, all-too-familiar road past their neighbor's orchard. With her change of heart for her apprenticeship, Ellie wondered just how many more times she'd mar this path with her soles. That was, of course, assuming that her professor approved of the idea.

"Are you nervous?" Ellie asked, noticing Irwin turning the book over and over in his hand.

"Obvious, is it? I can't stop thinking what will happen if I do it all wrong."

"There's nothing to do wrong," she laughed. "Just take deep breaths and it'll be fine."

"That's what you think."

Ellie rolled her eyes playfully and looked at the book, deciding that conversation might help ease her brother's tensions. "What've you been reading there?"

"Oh, this?" Irwin presented it to her. "It's the history of Leyia Academy."

"Wow, really? That sounds pretty boring," Ellie joked.

"You think so?" Irwin chuckled. "Well, did you know that the academy was built in 1723 EC—that's roughly two hundred years before the United Calendar came into place—and that the Honor of Graduation speech is still the same one we use today?" He took a gulp of air to swallow further tangents. "Truthfully, I still haven't memorized it—it's in the back of the book here. But that's what I'm worried about."

She waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, you're giving it too much thought. All the other students' voices are going to carry over yours, anyway, so just move your mouth to make it look like you're following along. That's what I did when I graduated from Secondary."

"You did?" Irwin asked, stunned. "I never knew this!"

"I'm doing it again today, too." Ellie thrust her finger at the book. "You're crazy if you think I'm gonna memorize that boring, page-and-a-half long speech."

"Unbelievable." He swept back his bangs with a chortle. "Well, it's certainly not my style, but I'll remember that if I choke."

The mile-long walk to the academy grounds went by quickly as the pair bantered on. There they found the yard filled with professors and both Secondary and College graduates, all talking among themselves and enjoying the shade of the trees. The students of Leyia Academy were a mixed lot, yet even the most affluent had only a fraction of the wealth of those attending the other seven Sister Academies. But those students flaunted it through their chosen ceremony outfits, making Ellie and Irwin feel underdressed in their festival-ready garb.

"So, what'll you do while I'm off enduring the college ceremony?" Ellie asked.

Irwin held up the book with a nervous grin. "Probably rehearse this speech some more. Maybe I'll even read some more history portions. What about you once mine starts?"

"Lillian should be here by then, so we'll just sit and chat until you're done. Then it's off to the festival!"

The bell tower rang, indicating to the college students that it was time to gather in the amphitheater. Ellie gave her brother a quick wave farewell, then jogged over to join her classmates as they made their way to the backside of the academy. Much to her disappointment, Ellie was not deaf to a choice few conversations springing up around her. While most students were too preoccupied to notice her attendance, a few that had were now gossiping about Ellie's short-term 'disappearing act'. This stung her, especially when not a single one of them approached Ellie to express their relief that she was all right.

Ellie followed the line of graduates into the tiny amphitheater hugging the woods. She was fortunate to find herself seated just beside the stairs, in case the ceremony meant less to her than escaping her classmates' dreadful commentary.

"Do you think it was just a tantrum?" one student muttered, purposefully loud enough for Ellie to hear from one row forward and two seats away. "Getting away from that crippled father and freakish sister of hers?"

"Maybe," another replied. "But I heard that one elf family was involved. Remember that weirdie she was involved with, Aliwyn? Probably just coming back for what's—"

"—My, how time flies." A familiar voice spoke above the gossiping students, and the owner gave one a light backhand to the arm. "Hardly feels like five years ago you all started college, but look at you now."

Ellie glanced over just as Emmett placed his hand on her shoulder and leaned down.

"Don't listen to them. The professors are all glad you're safe and sound, Eleanor," he whispered. "Now, don't stray too far after the ceremony. I believe we have something to discuss."

Ellie smiled and gave her professor a quick nod before he descended the stairs to join his fellow staff and the headmaster on the stage. All were dressed in classy academic robes that looked none too comfortable for the weather.

The amphitheater hushed into silence with the raise of the headmaster's hand, and thus began his speech about the oncoming trials of adulthood and the prospect of success after apprenticeship. Such tedious delivery was made worse by the fact that the man seemed only to speak at three quarters the speed of the average person. Despite Ellie's best efforts, she fell into a daze and absently followed the shadows of leaves cast over her lap as they traveled eastward with the sun's slow ascent toward noon.

All she could think about were her classmates' venomous comments. How unfortunate, Ellie felt, that her class in particular had just one too many snobbish, wealthy students that were none too shy to berate those outside their circle. Who were they to gossip when they never even tried to get to know her in the first place? Were they truly so incapable of social grace that they couldn't even pretend they gave a damn that she'd returned home safely? And how dare they speak ill of her father and sister, or the only person she'd truly considered a friend during her time at the academy. They knew nothing about the circumstances that drew them apart.

All the other students raised to a stand, snapping Ellie from her thoughts as she quickly followed. The time had come for the Honor of Graduation speech, of which she hadn't memorized more than the line 'On this, our day of graduation'. True to her word, Ellie did her best to mouth the speech as she heard it from the students beside her. Her only reassurance was that she surely couldn't have been the only one doing so, and that at least her sister would be proud of her.

The speech ended a few minutes later, and the students gave the headmaster and professors a respectful bow before parting from the amphitheater in an orderly fashion. Ellie took the first opportunity she could to take off at a jog, give Irwin a quick wave as he chatted with classmates, and make her way to the furthest end of the courtyard, where she met with Lillian.

Her sister grinned and held out the bag for Ellie, then retracted it slightly when she took note of the worried expression painting her face.

"Everything all right?" she asked, then relinquished the bag to her elder sister.

"Yeah. Everything's fine."

"No, it's not."

"Lillian," Ellie whined. They exchanged stares and she shook her head and dropped her chin to her chest. "Fine. Some students had their own thoughts about my disappearance that they 'kindly' delivered to my back. I tried not to let it bother me, but I guess it does."

"Who were they?" Lillian peered behind her sister to the college graduates conversing in front of the academy. "I'll shove them over and kick them until they say they're sorry and mean it."

"Lillian! No, just... leave it, please." Ellie looked over her sister, who had turned to the road with an obvious pout. "What in the hells are you wearing? All black, in summer?"

"It's fine, it's a jacket." She pulled the sleeve away just far enough to show the airy tunic beneath, even though it too was black. "Got short trousers under the skirt, too." She reached for the hem to lift it up and show her, but Ellie slapped her hands down before she gave someone the wrong impression.

"I'm shocked Mum didn't try and stop you."

"Oh, she tried, but then she threw up her hands and said, 'You've got five years until you're an adult, so enjoy your bullshit now!' Then she said something about how if I roast, it'll be a valuable life lesson."

"Well, you better hope the clouds stay and the breeze keeps up, then."

"Eleanor!" From the academy came Emmett, who greeted her with a smile and gave a serious, acknowledging nod to her sister. "Lillian."

"Evan." She cringed when Ellie gave her a backhand slap on the shoulder for her disrespect.

"Enjoying your summer reading lessons to make up for your poor marks?" he asked.

"I haven't started yet."

"Excuse me—summer lessons?" Ellie craned her neck toward her sister. "And why haven't I heard about this?"

"You've got more important things to worry about than little old me," Lillian chuckled.

"For once, I agree with you, Lillian." Emmett turned his attention to Ellie. "The matter I wished to discuss with you in the little time I have available; your apprenticeship."

"Please tell me the offer is still available."

He furrowed his brow briefly. "Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?"

"I'm—well, I'm not quite sure. I just worried it wouldn't, for some reason."

"Let me preface this by saying that you are by no means obliged to give me your answer now. I know you've been through a tremendous ordeal the past week."

"No, it's all right, I have an answer. But it's not what you're expecting." Ellie gave the skirt of her dress a small twist. "I'll take the apprenticeship, but I had an idea; what about instead of teaching at the academy, I taught at one of the smaller schools in the outlying towns? They don't get as much attention as the academies but they deserve to learn all the same material."

"Well, that's certainly not what I was expecting. Thankfully, the apprenticeship would still cover such an endeavor, but your term would be shorter than the full five years." He placed his finger over his lips and lowered his voice. "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but a significant fraction of the apprenticeship is studying the politics. Take that out and you have a term that's just over half as long."

"Somehow I'm not surprised," Ellie laughed.

The bell tower rang out, signaling the start of the next ceremony.

"Ah, but it seems it's time I part," Emmett said, looking back over his shoulder as the next set of graduates made for the amphitheater. "Shall we discuss this further at the banquet?"

"The banquet!" Ellie touched her forehead. "I'd nearly forgotten. Yes, of course."

"Excellent. Then please meet me here in the courtyard at five 'o clock tomorrow evening. The carriage will only come this far, I'm afraid." He turned and started toward the academy. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must endure the same speech yet again for the twelfth summer in a row."

Ellie bid him farewell, then placed her hands on her hips and spun in close to her sister. "Now then; summer lessons?"

Lillian's lips curled inward and she scratched her ear.

"How many do you have?" Ellie asked.

"Seven."

"There are eight classes in your curriculum, Lillian! Which one was so lucky that you didn't get a summer lesson for it?"

"Athletics." With a groan, she slapped her arms to her sides. "Come on. It's not like I'm failing any of my classes. I'm just barely passing, is all." Lillian glared fiercely at Ellie when she shook her head. "Hey! You don't get perfect marks, either!"

"No, but at least my lowest are just average. Sometimes slightly below average..."

A smirk curled on Lillian's face. "Well, we can't all be an Irwin."

"Even he doesn't pass everything with flying colors. Like Athletics." Ellie dramatically gripped her sister's shoulders. "But everything will be fine, dearest sister. I'll be happy even if you just barely scrape by graduation in two years."

"Oh, give me a break," she snickered. "But yeah, so will I. And I promise I will."

"Good. Now then, let us tour the grounds while we wait for our beloved brother."

"Only if you talk normal again."

Ellie's shoulders sagged. "Fine."

The sisters waited out the ceremony by wandering the academy courtyard and chatting about summer, the festival, Ellie's apprenticeship, and a turtle that Lillian found crossing the road. It wasn't terribly long before students began emerging from the amphitheater, with Irwin spotting his sisters almost instantly and trotting toward them with arms spread wide.

"I am officially graduated! Now, on to college!"

"Save some excitement for the rest of us," Lillian scoffed playfully.

He ignored his younger sister and pointed to the sky and the distant Shard that he'd become momentarily enraptured with. "Just think of all that there is yet for me to learn."

"Maybe you should set your sights on something a little more local, first," Ellie chuckled. She then wedged herself between her siblings and linked arms with both of them. "All right, now that all the boring stuff is over with, let's get our keesters to that festival!"

"Yes!" Lillian cried. "We gotta catch a public carriage before it leaves us behind. Oh, we should watch the joust! We didn't get to last year."

Ellie led her siblings down the eastbound road, away from the academy and toward the city. "We'll certainly try, but you know how quickly the seats fill up. If we miss this one, we'll try again on Friday."

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

A loud crash from within the house tore Vena from the garden with a dash. Inside she found Bram kneeling on the floor and reaching his shaking hands for the fractured shards of his cup.

She rushed to check his forehead for a fever. "Are you all right? What happened?"

"You heard that all the way from the workshop, eh?" he chuckled nervously.

"I was just in the garden." Vena helped her husband into his seat, where he slumped down and breathed a raspy, exasperated breath as she snapped up the remaining pieces from the floor.

"I told Ellie I'd join for the festival next year, but... Triad be good, I think last year's was it."

"Don't worry, love." Vena dropped the pieces on the table and took Bram's trembling hands in her own. "I'll think of something. You'll have your strength back in no time."

"I'm so sorry, Vena." Bram choked back his tears, letting his hands slip from hers as he leaned against the table and rested his face in his palm. "I try to stay strong, if not for myself, then for you and our children. But I'm really starting to feel the toll on my body, and that terrifies me. I don't say much because I don't want to burden any of you, but..." A sob broke through when he felt his wife's delicate touch on his shoulder. "Gods, please, I don't want to die. There's still so much I want to do, but my body just won't let me."

"Bram." Vena wrapped her arms around him. "Not once have you been a burden, and never will you be."

His tears fell freely as he buried his face in her shoulder.

"I'm not gonna let you die." Tears rolled down Vena's cheeks as she held Bram close. "Don't forget the promise I made when we were children; I'm gonna take you on the grandest adventure we could possibly imagine, better than all the ones we heard about from those adventurers. I don't care if I have to travel to the hells and back to keep that promise."

Bram tightened his embrace, prompting his wife to do the same. "I want to see all of Enmyda with you. I want to go beyond Phiana and its outskirts for once in my forty years."

"And we will. No matter what, we will. There's a way to cure you, I promise. Just do your best to stay strong until I can find it."

"I will," he sobbed. "I love you, Vena."

"I love you, too, Bram." She clenched her teeth against the tears threatening to drown out even her husband's. "I always will."