Morgan listened, irritated by all the tangents coming up, while the council bickered, ranted, and, at least to some nominal degree, discussed the issues facing First Landing. He was itching to get back to his tower to explore, with Olivia, the possibility of opening a portal to Fainhallow Academy. He was anxious to finish the quest to fully take charge of his home, vanquishing the final guardian. He was excited to get back with Issa and to ask her about her latest appointment with Dr. Cho. These thoughts battled for his concentration, and he found himself tuning out much of what was said around the table.

“So, we’re agreed?” Arthur said, jerking Morgan out of his reverie. “We’ll issue a statement urging citizens to remain with the colony, warning them of the dangers of binding Energy contracts, and offering a legal review of all contracts for those citizens tempted by Captain Gella’s offer?”

“Yes, I can make a copy of the relevant pages in my text. I’m sure we have plenty of people familiar with contract law, and the relevant legalize that would take up quests if the council authorized them at the Town Stone. Also, I’ll draft a pamphlet describing the dangers of revealing one’s affinities, especially their general Energy affinity. At the very least, I’ll explain that the people of this world keep such information rather closely guarded,” Olivia said.

“I have a proposal I’d like to bring before the council,” Tanya Delgado said, filling the silence as people considered Olivia’s words.

“Go ahead,” Arthur said.

“It seems we’re always down a council member or three. I propose we have a special election so that we can fill a standing alternate position. In other words, we’ll have a tenth member that only serves to break ties in the event we have absent members. For instance, today, we have eight members present. If we had a tie vote on something, what would we do? Wait for Bronwyn to return before we can make a decision?”

“I have Bronwyn’s proxy,” Olivia reminded her.

“Still, I think it’d be a good idea in the event that wasn’t the case,” Tanya pressed.

“That’s a fairly standard practice on boards, and I wouldn’t be opposed to it,” Dr. Kerns said.

“Any objections?” Arthur asked.

“Will the position be open to any citizen?” Olivia asked. At first, Morgan thought she was looking at him, but he realized her eyes were staring over his shoulder toward Issa. Did Issa want to run for council? As far as he was concerned, she could have his seat.

“Yes, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be,” Tanya said, looking around at the assembled faces. No one objected.

“Very good. I’ll schedule the election later today. Tanya and Maria, will you walk to the stone with me after the meeting?” Arthur asked, and both women agreed. “Any other business?”

“I have a piece of business,” Morgan said. “Kind of strange business, but I promised Bronwyn I’d bring it up when we got back to First Landing.”

“Go on, Morgan,” Alec said, nodding encouragingly.

“Well, this issue goes back to the very first day we arrived in the solar system. You’re all aware that the Noah unit woke me up to troubleshoot the scanners, right?” He glanced around the table, meeting everyone’s eyes as they nodded or otherwise affirmed his statement. “Well, the System noticed that I was awake and sent me into the Crucible. You all know that. What I never mentioned is that it also gave me a title. I think I didn’t mention it because it’s kind of embarrassing; I mean, it’s so pretentious sounding. Anyway, it labeled me, ‘Human Champion.’”

“Oh?” Alec asked with a chuckle. Olivia raised her eyebrow from across the table.

“Yeah, and it’s a pretty significant boost—it increases my Energy use efficacy by fifty percent. What it boils down to is that my spells and abilities are a lot stronger than they would be without that title.”

“That’s great and lucky for you, but why bring it up to the council, Morgan?” Maria Rios asked.

“Because it’s a ‘transient’ title—it can be moved to different people somehow, probably at the Town Stone.”

“And you’re worried you don’t deserve it?” Olivia asked, a half-smirk on her face.

“Well, more like I think it’s presumptuous for me to hang onto it. I mean, do you all think the populace should have a say in who holds the title? That’s kind of what Bronwyn and I concluded.”

“You helped save us from the Urghat! You found us our closest allies! Shit, man, you just dove through a portal to try to save some innocent folks,” Rene Bisset said, then looked at Olivia and added, “Not that you’re the only one, but I sure don’t have a problem with you holding that title.”

“Nor do I, Morgan,” Olivia added, smiling at Rene.

“I move to have Morgan hang onto his title for now and that this matter be revisited in one year,” Alec said.

“Seconded,” Arthur said immediately. “All in favor?” The table resounded with people saying “aye,” and Morgan sat back with a warm flush in his chest.

“Any other business? I’ve got ribs in the smoker,” Alec said, pushing his chair back slightly. No one had anything else to bring up, so Morgan stood, turning to find Issa already walking toward him.

“That went well,” she said as she reached out a hand for him to take. They walked out of the building and stood to the side under a flowering, purple-leafed tree in a brick planter surrounded by little shrubs. Morgan watched the people leaving the building for Olivia, and when he caught sight of her, he called her over. She strode over the cobbled courtyard to Morgan and Issa, her lengthy, black hair iridescent in the sunlight.

“What a meeting, huh?” she asked, blowing out a big breath.

“Yeah, I’m not sorry to have missed so many while we’ve been gone,” Morgan said.

“You two should be more enthusiastic about the chance to govern yourselves! The same families have dominated the council in Tarn’s Crossing for generations, and nothing ever changes. I wish we had open elections like you do.”

“You don’t?” Morgan asked, surprised.

“Not really. Candidates have to be approved by the council, and newly elected officials are held on probation for years, with their votes only counting as half a normal vote. It’s very difficult to affect change because, even with the backing of the people, by the time a new council member gains full voting rights, their driving issues might have been forgotten or lost momentum.”

“Yeah, I don’t like the sound of that,” Olivia said, shaking her head.

“Exactly! Do you think I would stand a chance if I try to run for the new alternate position?” Issa asked, looking from Olivia to Morgan.

“Hell yes,” Morgan said automatically.

“I think you have a good chance, Issa. My only concern is that people might think your being with Morgan puts you two into a conflict of interest.”

“Then I’ll step down.” Morgan shrugged.

“You’ve been itching to get off this council from day one,” Olivia laughed.

“Can you blame me?”

“Come on! You hear, Issa. We need to appreciate our civic privileges.”

“Well, seriously, I know Issa would be twice the council member that I am. If it comes down to it, I’ll step down if people have a problem with you running.”

“It might not be an issue. I mean, I know, for a fact, married couples are serving on the same boards and town councils back on Earth. There is precedent! I mean, you guys aren’t even married, at least not yet,” Olivia said, grinning at Morgan’s red face. Issa didn’t say anything, just stared at Morgan with a big, sweet smile, and he stuttered for a moment before he could form any words. Issa bailed him out, turning to Olivia.

“I have some news that we haven’t told anyone. Can I tell her, Morgan?”

“Um, sure. I’d like to tell everyone in the world, so, yeah.” He reached an arm around Issa’s shoulders while she reached forward to take Olivia’s hand in both of hers.

“I’m pregnant, Olivia! Morgan and I will be parents!”

“Oh my God! Seriously? Issa!” Olivia pulled her into a hug, lifting the smaller woman into the air and pulling her away from Morgan. “This is fantastic! Do you know what this means? We must share common ancestors! The Fae, maybe? This means we can stop worrying about our population so much, Morgan! We’re not going to die out!”

“Yeah, I wanted to say that when Kerns accused me of being racist. I’m not trying to keep humans ‘pure’ or some bullshit; I just don’t want us to lose sight of our history, our roots, you know?”

“Yeah, I know. I don’t know who Kerns was trying to impress with that little line but trust me; no one thinks you’re racist, Morgan.” Olivia reached out and squeezed Morgan’s shoulder. “Do you guys know what you're having? I bet it’s a little girl!”

“No, but we’re having twins!” Issa’s grin was so wide that Morgan could have counted all of her teeth.

“Oh, wow! You’re kidding! I can’t wait to tell Bronwyn. I can tell her, right?”

“Yes, of course. I hope you’ll both have a part in our children's lives,” Issa said, still clasping Olivia’s hand.

“I’m at a loss! I can’t even think of what I was going to do right now. All I can think about are cute little pale blue babies,” Olivia said, tears welling in her eyes.

“Oh, God.” Morgan shoved a hand through his hair and looked away. “Really? Let’s not get all teared up, alright?”

“Oh, hush!” Issa said, “They’re going to be so cute, Olivia! I can’t wait!”

“Yeah, yeah. They’re going to be the talk of the town, for sure. Come on, I know what you need to do now, Olivia—we need to go over how the portal stones work with Tiladia because I really want to set up a permanent connection to Fainhallow.”

“That would be so great! I’d love for my friends to come to visit, and if we have a portal, we could come every weekend! I could see Bronwyn all the time. Well, and you guys, of course!”

“And the twins!” Issa said, gripping Olivia’s hand and pulling her along the cobbled walkway toward town. “Let’s stop for a snack on the way back?”

“Yes! I’m starved!” Olivia replied, walking along briskly. Morgan stood there, in the shade of the flowering tree, watching them leave, and realized they’d completely forgotten him. He sighed loudly and started after them. He could grouse and complain about being bored in a council meeting, but, really, he had it very good. Issa was happy, healthy, and making good, solid connections with the people in his life. He’d almost cleared his tower of guardians, and the only existential threat to the town seemed to be a slightly overzealous recruiter. Things could be worse.

He stretched his wings, fluttering them lightly in the sunlight. They’d grown cramped sitting in the council chamber for hours, and the air and light felt terrific. The feathers were like hair—they didn’t have sensation—but where they sprouted from the skin of his wings was very sensitive, and as the breeze fluttered them, it made him want to flap them and take off. “Why not?” He laughed, and his wings cracked as he flapped them, launching himself into the air.

At the apex of his upward momentum, he flapped again and really rocketed up. It was thrilling, and the wind whistling by his ears and through his hair and feathers was like a drug—he wanted more. He opened his wings, angling his body so that they caught the air, slowing his progress, and he tilted to the right, banking into a slow, wide spiral, looking down at the cobbled path and Issa and Olivia. They’d stopped and were watching him, and Issa raised a hand to wave. Morgan waved back, then tucked his wings and dove toward the ground.

As he came near, he opened his wings, slowing his descent and angling into a curve so that he zoomed by, parallel to the ground, then back up into the air. He flapped a few times and was suddenly much higher than he’d ever flown. Morgan laughed, enjoying the feeling of ultimate freedom as he explored the sky above First Landing. As he slowly made his way toward his tower, happy to let Issa and Olivia have a little time together, his eyes drifted toward the enormous airship docked at the northern edge of town, and he wondered if he should pay it a visit or just wait for his dinner appointment the next day.