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Chapter 4

A Quiet Afternoon

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Selene!
Kaze!
Later That Afternoon...
You made it!
Was there ever any doubt?
Listen, I’m almost finished here.
After that, we can get something to eat.
I want to hear everything.
Is there anything I can help with?
You can wait inside.
I just need to put these herbs away.
Feels like forever since I’ve been in here...
Actually...
Then the memory came back.
When Kaze was six years old, he was helping at his grandfather’s forge.
Then a burst of energy leapt from his hands, igniting the forge.
The clinic. The burn. The pain he tried not to cry through. And the healer’s hands, gentle as falling rain.
But what frightened his mother wasn’t the burn. It was what had caused it.
Magic was rare in Eos, but no one doubted it was real. Those born with it were called blessed.
Kaze had never been sure that word fit him.
If Kaze truly was blessed, there was only one place he could go. The Wind Temple.
Across Eos, six temples stood watch over the elements: Wind, Earth, Ice, Water, Fire and Lightning
Without training, the gift could turn inward. Power became pain. Pain became madness.
Those who survived became something else...
Kaze?
Oh—Selene.
Yeah. Sorry. I was just... thinking.
You looked far away for a second.
Then come on.
Just old memories.
I know a place with better ones.
The Gilded Bear Tavern
So... what was it really like up there?
It’s...
quieter than this.
Except for the bells. And the wind chimes.
Bells?
Yeah.
They hang along the ridges.
Small ones.
Hundreds.
When the wind blows...
you hear it before you feel it.
So you learn to listen.
And what did you learn from all that?
Patience.
Control.
The gift only listens if you do.
You make it look easy.
It’s not.
The first time I tried it, I cleared the whole training yard.
Every pupil was left on their backs, stunned by what had just happened.
I would’ve paid good coin to see that.
Anythin’ t’eat for ye, loves?
I’ll have the stew of the day, please.
And you, hungry lad?
I could eat just about anything.
What do you have?
We’ve thick root stew, pan-fried fish, an’ meat pies.
Reckon a growin’ lad like you could manage a few pies, aye?
Yeah. That sounds perfect.
Aye, thought so.
I’ll bring ‘em round—don’t go starvin’ on me now.
So what about you?
What’s life been like here?
I’ve been helping at the clinic more. Training, mostly.
Your mother must be teaching you a lot.
But?
She is, and I’m grateful...
It’s just... everyone already talks like it’s decided.
My mother says I’ll be the village healer one day.
And I want to be worthy of that.
You’ll be a great healer, Selene.
I know it.
Thanks...
The next morning.
You maintain the herb garden yourself?
Most days.
I studied herbology at the temple.
Extensively.
Did you, now?
If assistance is needed, I am... available.
Then maybe you can help me with the silverleaf.
It's been struggling; the leaves are thinning.
Ah...
yes.
Classic silverleaf fatigue.
Is that so?
Mhmm.
It occurs when the, uh...
Root structure becomes...
Improper.
Improper?
Careful...
There. The roots have been reminded.
You've done this before?
Many times.
Does it always look like that?
It's a plant.
Right.
You don’t have to pretend.
I wasn't pretending.
Much.
If you want to help...
Start by sorting these.
The darker stems go to the left.
That I can do.
Define darker.
Meanwhile...
Darius is never late...
Guess something more important came up.
Fine. I’ll start without him.
You're late.
Where were you?
I was helping with something.
It doesn’t matter.
You said sunrise.
Then I'll catch up.
Unless you finished without me.
Not yet.
They settle into the only language they both understand.
Where were you last night?
I stopped by your place.
Your mother said you were out.
I was...
busy.
Busy.
I didn’t realize you had obligations outside training.
Not everything needs reporting.
Then why are you asking me?
Must have been some night.
Focus
You’re distracted.
You’re not even trying to spar anymore.
Then keep up.
No.
This isn’t about training.
What are you talking about?
Selene.
You look at her like you’re afraid someone else will.
...Yeah.
I do.
Good.
So do I.
Then what now?
We end it before it poisons everything.
Say it.
We settle it.
Properly.
A duel.
Not here...
Up in the mountains.
No holding back.
And the loser?
Steps aside.
For good.
Fine.
At dawn.
Tomorrow.