Black Steel: A Tale of Fire and Mind

Everyone in the room held their breath as the Keeper approached Seraphina and Maxwell, who’d taken an involuntary step forward. Reggie and Vivienne exchanged glances, unsure of what they should do, and opted to stay put. Knowing she’d hear, Reggie thought to her. “Read on. Their mother as well. You never know…” She nodded and watched the scene playing out in front of them.

The Keeper had her hands outstretched and kept looking between the twins’ faces. Seraphina leaned into her mother’s palm on her cheek, while Maxwell stood petrified. “It is really you…” The change in her posture was so swift, it caught many off guard. She turned to the men and women seated behind her on their wooden benches. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe you assured me the empire had claimed the lives of my family…”

One woman, among the more aged in the crowd, stood and tried to come close. “Lyn, we gave it our best efforts. They didn't find them anywhere.”

Lyn continued as if the woman hadn't spoken. “…yet, here are my children. Grown, healthy adults. Care to tell me how that is?”

A weary old man was the one to answer. “I was personally part of the squad we’d sent in Larcbust. We more or so ransacked the town and found no traces of them. They weren’t in our hideout as you suggested and no one extracted them.”

Lyn could only rub her forehead. “Get out. All of you. I need time alone with them.” The older peers wanted to protest, but the younger ones prevented them. “Dissolve the mist, my children are no threat to me.” The cloaked man who’d brought them in nodded and exited. One way or the other, the room became empty but Lyn and the newcomers. That was when she wrapped her arms around both twins. “For all these years… I thought I’d lost you…”

“So did we, mom.” Seraphina replied clinging onto her. “Though, some of us considered you dead.”. While he couldn't see her face, he could tell she was rolling her eyes.

Lyn laughed and pulled back, only to squeeze Maxwell’s cheeks. “Always one to despair, my lovely boy.” With a kiss on each of their cheeks, she checked them over. “I hardly recognized you, all grown up. The necklace…” Lyn continued and touched the heirloom around Seraphina neck. “…you still have it.”

“She almost never takes it off, always tucked away under her shirt.” Maxwell added and swept up her up swirling around.

Reggie deviated his attention from the family reunion and stood next to Vivienne who had a wide smile across her face. He leaned in to whisper into her ear. “All good?”

“Where Lyn’s considered, yeah. Her friends, not so much, but they won’t stand up against her, she’s highly respected among them, she’s their Keeper.” Vivienne explained and touched his shoulder. “Relax, Reggie. I’m on the look-out constantly and they seem to know nothing about Aetherals, so they’re open books to me…” She paused to wink at him and motioned to the elated family before them. “…which is why I know we’re about to have a good laugh. Just wait till she starts explaining who these people are.”

Reggie straightened up, perplexed by her words. He looked up just in time to see Cloud sheepishly approaching Seraphina and rubbing his nose against her leg. It made her turn around and only then did she seem to acknowledge them. “Don’t just stand there, come closer.”

Vivienne shrugged and walked to them, so Reggie could do nothing but follow suit. She went forth with her arm extended. Lyn took it with an easy smile playing on her lips, but there was a curious glint in her amber eyes. Seraphina had inherited not only the colour, but the glance as well.

“Your… partners, I presume?” Lyn guessed addressing Maxwell and Seraphina, then looked down at Cloud. “…and your dogs? A bit large, aren't they?”

“Wolves…” Seraphina corrected and went to Reggie’s side. “…and yes. This is Reginald.”

While he wanted to add that he was no longer simply her partner, with difficulty he swallowed up his remark and shook Lyn’s hand as well, before taking a half-bow. “A pleasure.”

Before she had a chance to reply, Maxwell took his turn to introduce Vivienne. “Mom, this is Vivienne. My better half.”

“Oh, aren’t you cute, Max?” Vivienne replied with a laugh. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. Quite the settlement you have established here. The blower-induced mist is a wonderful touch to the unawares.”

Lyn laughed. “The Keeper before me was a Blower and started using it before I arrived here. We’ve been short on blowers though. Until recently that is.” She looked between Vivienne and Reggie and continued. “Are you Elementals as well?”

“I’m not. Former imperial.” Reggie replied. She scowled and her jaw clenched.

“Me?” Vivienne wondered and they all continued together with a conspiratorial smirk. “Sort of…”

To avoid any further questions, Seraphina locked arms with Lyn and pulled her towards the benches. “Mom, how can this be? What’s this place? These people?”

Reggie noticed Vivienne could hardly contain her laughter, despite the seriousness and gloom radiating from Lyn. She pushed Seraphina’s hair behind her ear with a loving glance and spoke. “You were too young to remember, but you had an uncle, on your dad’s side, who claimed to be part of something bigger…”

“Barkley and the League, yeah, we know.” Seraphina cut in baffled. Maxwell and Reggie were equally confused. “What does he have anything to do with these people?”

“You know about him? Is your dad… still alive? He told you about Barkley?” There was a faint intake of breath when she referred to Brenton.

Maxwell interrupted her. “Uncle Barkley raised us, mom. He and his wife Mirabell. At the League’s base. Well, one of them as it turns out, but anyway, I'm rambling. Dad’s alive and well too. He’s joined and so did we, years ago.” He’d have kept on talking if Lyn hadn’t put her hand on his arm.

Vivienne leaned in to whisper in Reggie’s ear. “Waaait for it…”

Lyn’s mouth was agape. “But he couldn’t have. You couldn't have. Barkley died shortly before we parted. This resistance he spoke of to your father... it’s not great, it’s not ideal. It hides in these mountains. We hide in these mountains. Decrepit, simply surviving.”

Seraphina seemed even more puzzled. “Not sure what these people told you, but it's not true. Uncle Barkley is not dead and the resistance is definitely not decrepit. On the contrary. Shepherds roam the land. Guilds are everywhere. There’s a magnificent city beneath the mountains of the east hosting refuges all around. Dad and Uncle Barkley are even gathering people. We even have…”

“Ahem…” Vivienne cleared her throat a bit too obviously. All eyes locked on her, while she pointed behind her, that time more inconspicuously. “Sorry, something got stuck in my throat.”

Reggie didn’t glance behind, but the sudden change in Seraphina’s stance was enough to warn him. Maxwell remained nonchalant, but those were his ways, even in battle, he smiled until the very last moment. Then he’d roar.

Lyn shooed off whoever had tried to enter the room. Only then did everyone calm. “As Sera was saying, now we have you back.” Maxwell continued as if nothing happened and avoided the subject of Vivienne. “We can go back to dad and go on from there.”

Lyn looked between her children. It must’ve been the first time she saw any menace in Seraphina, as she used to be different, an innocent child, unaware of blood, death, war and struggle. So Maxwell claimed at least. Reggie, himself, could hardly imagine her any other way.

“League? Shepherds?” She spread her arms. “This is the so-called resistance. Was I such a fool?” Lyn seemed to be in denial. “I can’t have spent years in the wrong place, wrong crowd. Grieving, longing for the rest of my family so unnecessarily…”

Raine cut her off growling just as Vivienne gasped. Reggie glanced behind and watched the wolfess approach the wall. He had no doubt in her nostrils and, true enough, once he went close, he saw there was an opening on the rocks. “Someone’s eavesdropping.” He thought to Vivienne.

“She knows. She asked her spymaster to do what he does best.” She replied and looked at Lyn in a new light. “I just didn’t think he’d be like me. Clever.”

“What?” Seraphina exclaimed and got up. “Wasn’t it you?” She turned towards Lyn. “Mom… don’t you trust us?”

Lyn didn’t answer. Instead she stared at Vivienne, apparently awaiting something. Vivienne took point. “I can confirm she did it before we stepped foot here. She’d forgotten about him until Raine growled.”

“I’m so used to Roderick’s touch, I didn’t even realize it wasn’t coming from him.” Lyn whispered mostly to herself. “You are like him.”

Maxwell held onto her hands. “They’re Aetherals.” He explained and Reggie tried in vain to remember the last time he looked so blissful. “Just like the Emperor. They can counter him. Get close enough to eliminate him.”

Roderick walked into the room then, with the wolves watching him closely. Brawn and Cloud were mimicking their mother, teeth bared and snarls built up deep within their chests. That was until Seraphina whistled and the pups went to her side, while Raine kept close to Reggie.

Roderick stared openly at Vivienne. His eyes reflected an eerie fascination. “I can’t hear you. I could for a moment, but no longer than that.”

“I have a mentor. A man with vast knowledge of and experience in our affinity. The things he taught me… I could never have figured them out myself. Shielding my mind is the most important one.” Vivienne announced with a flair of pride, yet humility. It was a hard feat to combine the two, but she made it seem effortless.

Roderick nodded and returned his gaze to his Keeper. “They speak truth. They do come from such a place. This League... It’s a true resistance. They’re...”

“They’re my children, Roderick, I don’t need your confirmation.” Lyn said with a sigh. “You can go, but inform the rest to make sleeping arrangements for them. Two rooms, I’m guessing?”

“Yes, and the wolves stay with us.” Reggie answered and the rest nodded.

Lyn gave a nod of her own and spoke to Roderick. “See to it. Try to give them a house for themselves, preferably close to the fields.”

Leaving was the last thing the man wanted, but he could do nothing short of obeying. “Of course, Keeper.”

The moment he was out, both Seraphina and Maxwell moved away from Lyn and went to Reggie and Vivienne. Seraphina was the one to speak. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, as much as we’ve been apart, but mom, you’re really making it difficult. You put an Aetheral to spy on us?”

“I know little of this… Aetherals, you speak of. I asked a spy to watch over things before I knew it was you. Your friend here confirmed as much.” Lyn tried to defend herself.

It wasn’t working. “Maybe you forgot about him, but Vivienne’s touch must've reminded you.” Maxwell countered and looked back to their group with a stern expression. “We need to talk.”

Seraphina nodded. “You will need to excuse us, mom.”

It was difficult to distinguish who seemed more devastated. Seraphina or Lyn. “If that really is your wish. Follow me.” Without another word, she led them out. With the mist cleared up, they could finally see where they were.

“Woah…” Reggie breathed involuntarily. They had indeed come out of a temple. It was unlike any other he’d seen across the empire, but that was hardly uncommon. There were multiple religions throughout the land. Reggie had personally heard of at least three different customs. The Emperor cared little for what the people believed in. It was the only liberty he allowed.

The temple, circular as it was, explained the amphitheatric seating structure inside. The outside was decorated with various signs and inscriptions. The four elements of nature were dominant, showing the affiliation of Lyn’s people to the Elementals. Maybe more were hidden in their ranks. More than the anonymous blower, the Aetheral spymaster and Lyn, the douser Keeper.

Despite the beauty in the designs, it wasn’t the temple that took Reggie’s breath away. It was the skywalk leading to a magnificent pylon and the valley below. At the center of the pylon, steel gates held the rest of the world back, while at the cornice, over twenty brackets were ready to hoist archers in case of an attack, though how anyone could find the secluded area, Reggie could not guess.

Waterfalls on either side of the pylon led straight into underside rivers and they spread into flowing creeks and manmade canals delivered fresh water to the farming fields. And they were many. So many that even from more than three hundred feet up, they could spot dozens workers plowing and reaping the fields.

When it came to buildings, the temple stood grand on the crest of the hill, but an entire city stretched down below. Small in size, it could probably accommodate a couple hundred citizens, while there was no comparison to the likes of the eight cities answering to Dawnfield, it sure was substantial in stature.

“You should add railings.” Seraphina remarked standing close to the edge. Across the skywalk there were vast stairs leading to the valley below.

“I agree. I’ve suggested it many times, but they’re being thickheads about it.” Lyn gave a sigh. “You’ll find the accommodations just as you enter the city. We’ll have to ask Roderick about what's available.”

“Doesn’t look that decrepit.” Seraphina continued.

Lyn laughed. “Ohh, it is. The buildings may stand tall, but the people… they only care about merely surviving. Here, away from their homes. They care little of the innocents outside. Not as ideal as your uncle had painted it.”

Reggie couldn’t help himself. “Sorry, ma’am, but we’ve already told you. This isn’t what Barkley told you about. The real resistance gathers information, sabotages, gives their lives in the fight against the Empire.”

“Says the imperial.” Lyn bitterly countered.

Reggie held Seraphina's hand despite the low fire slowly building. She didn’t like her mother's tone. It was his touch that made it die down. “And now one of our experts on how to deal with the imperial army, when the time comes.” She stopped walking and turned to her mother. “I think we can take it from here. Do we simply ask for Roderick?”

Lyn nodded, paying no mind to Seraphina’s bitterness. “Yes. He’ll show you to your accommodations. My own home is the one in blue, further into the housing district. Feel free to ask anyone for directions, I’ll inform them.”

“Sure you will, mom.” Seraphina said with a fake smile, though Lyn could mistake it for a real one. “Viv, can you find him?”

“Already have. They'll soon be dusting off the living room of a storage house and lighting a fire in the hearth.” Vivienne was quick to answer. “Follow me.”

“We’ll talk… later.” Maxwell told Lyn and they started descending. The wolves were first, inspecting everything in their path, even if there was no one on the wide staircase.

It turned out that Roderick had noticed their need for privacy and made hasty preparations for a small cottage on the outskirts of the city. There was no one around but the people who cleaned up the cottage a bit. Maxwell and Reggie helped move some boxes around, so they could have room to sit around the low table by the heart. Soon afterwards, the newcomers were left alone. Only when Vivienne assured them, the maids and Roderick were out of earshot, did Reggie speak. “I’m guessing I’m not the only one to get a weird vibe off your mother?”

“Definitely not. That may be the woman who gave birth to us, but she’s different.” Maxwell said rubbing his forehead.

She’d been standing for way longer than he would’ve liked, so Reggie pulled Seraphina to the sofa, where once they sat, she started nodding. “Agreed. She’s… aligned with these people.”

“Why’s that bad? Their approach may be passive, but they’re against the empire, I can tell you that much.” Vivienne reasoned. “Not to mention she’s been around them for years. Of course, she’s aligned with them."

Reggie agreed, but he was wary still. "Just like you two are with the Shepherds.”

“At least, they’re doing something against the empire. They don’t hide like cowards. Like you did in woods.” Maxwell shot back. His temper was getting off hand. A rarity.

Reggie didn’t back down from the challenge. “If the Shepherds weren’t so secretive, I would’ve found them sooner and you wouldn’t have lost your mother. The two groups coexisted in Larcbust. These people went looking for you in their hideout, the ‘resistance’ hideout as your mother called it. How could they find you when she sent them to the wrong place?”

Seraphina gave a whistle and they looked at her. She was glaring at Maxwell. “Get a hold of your emotions, kid. He has a point.” Maxwell was taken aback. She turned around to face Reggie. “…and you. You can see neither of us can be objective here. Be a little more careful. That goes to you too, Viv.”

“I know. I’m telling you, though, even if you hadn’t just reunited with your mother, this place, these people, this community, it’s good news.” Vivienne rationalized. Maxwell grunted and she rolled her eyes at whatever he thought. “You were five. For all you know, she acted all sweet around her children. We can’t take your own memories into account, only Brenton’s.”

“She could have a whole new family for all we know.” Maxwell said bitterly. It had crossed Reggie’s mind as well. The way Roderick seemed to worship her. “Ohh, you think she’s going to leave them and come running back to us?”

“When we mentioned dad’s fine, she changed. It’s when the denial kicked in.” Seraphina reminded him. “Just like him, I doubt she moved on.”

“I can confirm that. Good thing there’s a mind-reader here, huh?” Vivienne tried to lighten the mood. “Guys, really, I don’t see us having a problem. If anything, we’re at a better standing than this morning. There’s another Aetheral.”

“Speaking of that, how didn’t you notice?” Reggie asked a little worried. They’d learn to count on Vivienne a lot for detection purposes.

She went red. “Well, I did notice him lurking, which is why I coughed but I’ve told you before, I can’t decipher if someone’s an Elemental or not, unless I look into them and their aura. And I’m not good with auras…”

“Did he read much?” Seraphina asked annoyed. It’d taken her a lot of time to accept even Vivienne’s intrusions.

She shook her head. “No. Nothing really. You were feeling me the entire time, until Raine’s growl. He’s not that good a reader.”

“Not that attune?” Maxwell inquired and seemed interested. “Or it could be he’s better at something else.”

“True, but don’t get your hopes up. I’m still the best chance we have. I have both the lectures and my legs…” Her answer made him frown further. Just as she averted her attention from him, Seraphina stood. “Sure, Sera, a short walk would be nice. Let’s go.” She answered the unspoken request.

Alarm bells rang in Reggie’s mind. “All good?”

“Mmhmm. I just can’t deal with his mood swings right now.” She touched her lips to his cheek and went on to whisper in his ear. “Don’t rattle him too much. Mom’s a touchy subject.”

He nodded his agreement and the women walked out, leaving the door open. He rubbed Raine’s head as she looked up at him. “Go with them.” He signaled her on and she followed Seraphina and Vivienne out.

Their manner and exit seemed to work as an extinguisher. “That’s a first. She didn’t even yell.” Maxwell’s mood changed from angry and edgy to concerned. They sat in awkward silence for a long while. Reggie wanted nothing more than to go outside, but knew he had to stay put, so Maxwell would as well. “Think she’s mad?”

Reggie shrugged. “I’m sure she’s trying not to be. We’re making it hard with the bickering though.” Maxwell nodded and sighed. “I’d be more careful with Viv. She has no reason to stay calm… I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not get humiliated by your girlfriend around these people.”

“True. It’s not like we’ll ever see her coming, stealthy as she is.” Maxwell agreed. “Sorry, about the snarky ‘woods’ thing. It was unfair.”

“It bugs your sister, not me. Apologize to her.” Reggie replied sternly. He was hardly ever upset by such comments and during their stay in Briohall, there were many due to his imperial past. Seraphina on the other hand always got aggravated. “But please, keep those to the minimum. She has enough as it is.”

“Nah, don’t fret. She’s used to my ways, just like I’m used to hers.” Maxwell thought that’d be reassuring.

He’d held himself back many times. It was Seraphina’s wish to withhold the news, but in that moment, his concern overpowered her wish. The more Maxwell’s true thoughts slipped out, the more stress she and the baby were under. Knowing she need only lift her shirt to reveal the truth, he couldn’t stop the laugh. “You know, for someone so smart, I honestly have no idea how you haven’t figured it out. I didn’t believe Sera and Viv when they said it won’t ever cross your mind.”

The calmness dissolved in Maxwell. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“There’s a reason she hasn’t sparred with anyone other than me and Vivienne.” At Reggie’s words, Maxwell’s eyebrows shot up. “Seraphina’s pregnant.”

“The more stressed I get, the more fire calls to me. Do you know how hard it is to keep myself away from it?” Seraphina uttered when they’d walked far away, enough so they weren’t heard. So that Maxwell wouldn’t hear. Her small outbursts were becoming more and more usual an occurrence, often amplified when she felt sick or she ached. “I’m really not cut out for this.”

“You’re doing just fine.” Vivienne cooed and just kept rubbing her shoulders, while also subtly using her element to alleviate some of the backpain and stress. Then she hastily changed the subject. “Your mom’s alive. You were right, huh? Once again.”

Seraphina smiled. “Yep. Takes a lot of times being right to become this obnoxious, Viv. It can’t happen overnight, but needs to be cultivated.”

“I’m sure.” They shared a laugh just as Raine joined them on the low grass. Upon seeing her, Seraphina noticed Vivienne take on a troubled expression. She needed not wait long to hear why. “Um, Sera…”

“Yeah…?” Seraphina urged her on, looking back. When Vivienne didn’t continue, she added. “Come on, Viv. I don’t bite.” She winked trying to lighten her up. That was the only way she’d let out whatever was bothering her. Previous experience had showed Vivienne didn’t disclose her troubles to others unless she felt at ease, sure she wouldn’t get negative feedback.

There came a sigh. “You know how I was reading everyone when we were up in that temple.” She started and waited for some kind of confirmation it was okay to continue.

“Ahh, that’s why you’re being weird.” Seraphina thought to herself, well aware her mind was her own in that moment. “Go on. What’s your question?”

“It’s not a question. I know you were only calculating odds and outcomes.It’s about Reggie… your introduction of him vexed him. A lot.” Vivienne replied cautiously.

Seraphina looked up puzzled and turned around. “I don’t see why. I always use his full name in introductions. Sounds cardinal, worthy of some respect. His imperial past can be a problem, so I...”

She’d have kept on her ramble, had Vivienne not interrupted her. “That’s not his problem. He cares little about the name. You…you didn’t correct Lyn. He’s not your partner anymore, Sera.”

Although she was surprised and doubted it was true at first thought, Vivienne’s serious expression gave her pause. “I didn’t?” Vivienne shook her head sadly. Seraphina nodded. No matter her doubts, she knew Vivienne wouldn’t make that up. “Right… I’ll need to talk to him. You know all our minds and insecurities...”

“Yeah, sorry for that, comes with the element.” She nodded holding onto Seraphina’s hand. "Speak with Lyn as well."

Seraphina took the opportunity to discuss a point Maxwell had made the night before. “Speaking of our love life, why did you reject Maxwell?”

Vivienne’s rosy cheeks became flushed. “There… are reasons.”

“Oh? Do tell, because from what I remember, you both want nothing more than to get this done and live your lives. Together.” Seraphina chastised. “Unless that’s changed.”

“No, that hasn’t changed, but we’re not done with this, are we?” Vivienne said with a weak smile. “I simply stand a chance against Damien. A chance. It doesn’t mean I’ll survive long enough to reach him. Then I have to fight him.”

Seraphina just stared at her with a blank expression. “I hate to break it to you…” she leaned in and drew her close. “… but unless you haven’t noticed, we’re gathering forces. Soon, we’re going to war. Against the empire. Probably against that little army we saw. There’s no guarantee any of us will survive.”

“You need to. You have Reggie, Max, your parents…” Vivienne paused to check behind her. “…the baby. You have to live.”

“Everyone you mentioned will be fighting on alongside you and me. Everyone, but the little one.” Seraphina replied rubbing her stomach.

From the very first moment she found out, after she stopped freaking out, she and Reggie were trying to figure out how to keep the child safe. “It’s not about who we trust for safekeeping, Sera, it’s the where. Where do we plead with Mirabelle to go?” Reggie would often say. They’d both agreed early on, Seraphina’s aunt, Mirabelle, was the only one they could trust with such a task and would agree to stay out of any trouble. Where she’d be safe still eluded them though.

Seraphina shook her head, willing her unresolved thoughts away. “Don’t be a fool, Vivienne. Our lives are hard right now, we may not even get a chance at an easy time, but that doesn’t mean you should cut yourself short. We’re Elementals under the rule of a psychotic mass murderer who has a very special place in his heart for our kind. Our odds have been bad since the day we were born.”

“Um… I’ll need to think about it…” Vivienne huffed. “You know, you could make your points in a lighter tone. I don’t feel any better.”

Seraphina couldn’t stop the laugh “I leave all positive and inspirational speeches to you and Reggie. It’s not my thing.” The screeching snarls of Raine’s pups alarmed all three of them. “What the…?”

The sentence was left unfinished as Reggie and Maxwell came tumbling out, swinging punches at each other. Maxwell’s dealt a lot more damage than Reggie’s, since even from a distance, Seraphina could see his face was already bloodied. “Reggie told him.” Vivienne winced when Maxwell tackled Reggie and they went to the ground, grappling.

“I figured.” Seraphina scrunched her eyebrows. “Tell me, Viv. How can an erratic scorcher like myself keep her nerves in check around these idiots and not burn anything?”

“Deep breaths and let me handle it?” Vivienne suggested and they got up. The pups were already running their way howling.

“Maybe you can put Max in his place, but not Reggie. I can do both. One’s my brother, the other my husband.” Seraphina replied shaking her head. Vivienne wanted to hurry to them, but she had no such intention. “They feel like being immature brats throwing tantrums? Let them.”

“How does it teach Max a lesson? Reggie has hardly touched him.” Vivienne asked anxious. She really didn’t like seeing her own hurt and she considered Reggie her own.

“Oh, if Reggie’s successful, my little brother will soon faint. Look closer.” Seraphina urged her.

Due to her anxiety, she failed to notice that Reggie had allowed Maxwell to tackle him. Sure it probably hurt, but he used Maxwell’s momentum to get the upper hand. Just like Seraphina had many times done to him, Reggie used Maxwell’s own weight against him. Slowly, he twisted his legs and clasped them around Maxwell’s neck while keeping one of his arms locked.

Maxwell was no fool. He knew he needed to get out of the headlock. With his greater strength, he lifted both up and tried to slam Reggie down on the ground, but just before he did, Reggie pulled on the locked arm. Maxwell, in great pain, fell on his back. Reggie used that opportunity to get him into a chokehold. Reggie held on for dear life as Maxwell struggled to get a breath and the women approached with the wolves.

The howling had drawn the attention of the people in the city, who seemed to approach both curiously and cautiously. Lyn was among them, first in line. But little did that matter to Seraphina.

“When did you teach him that?” Vivienne asked surprised.

“I didn’t. It seems he took notes of how I defeat him or Max. Or maybe he observed us when I trained you.” Seraphina replied and looked at her. Maxwell was still conscious and struggling, but Reggie didn’t let go. “I may have anger issues, but you still let anxiety cloud your judgement. You use those techniques yourself, you should’ve seen it coming.”

“You’re right...” Vivienne said behind her.

It took fifty-seven strides to reach them after the tackle. Seraphina counted each one. A few moments into the chocking, they stood over them. The veins on Maxwell’s forehead were becoming more prominent and his eyes glassy. Seraphina had to hold Vivienne back so she wouldn’t try separating them.

“That’s enough.” Seraphina said quite calmly. The only indication of her mind’s true state was the trembling of her clenched fist. When Reggie didn’t let go, she pushed Vivienne and the wolves back, before creating a vortex of fire around the fallen men. “I said… Enough!”

She could hear wows in close distance, but she disregarded them and focused on the men before her. Reggie let go and rolled away coughing due to the lack of air, while Maxwell grabbed on his neck and coughed as well. The fire slowly died down, but not before Seraphina touched it with her hand. No effect of Vivienne’s Element could compare to the feeling of fire. Not for a scorcher.

While she was letting the flames lace her fingers, Maxwell got to his feet and approached her, fingers to his throat. “Sis…”

She slapped him with her newly-extinguished hand and he went to his knees, his head hunched. “Look at him.” When he didn’t, she grabbed his chin and turned him to see Reggie. “Look. At. Him.”

“He…” Maxwell tried to say, but she stopped him.

“I said look. Look and listen to me carefully, kid.” She ordered. “You have no right to treat him this way.”

“He was so smug about what he did to you!” Maxwell uttered still enraged.

“What he did to me?” Seraphina looked him dead in the eye. “He’s going to be a father. Why shouldn’t he be happy? Smug even.” She shook her head. “But even that doesn’t even matter. He’s my choice. My own choice. What happened to our pact? I behaved, why can’t you?”

“I’ve behaved. For a long time, but this is different. You weren’t even married.” He breathed scowling at Reggie.

Seraphina knew that was what bothered him most. It was why she hadn’t wanted to tell him, though things changed when Reggie proposed. While Maxwell would never said it aloud, when it came to her, he had some pretty strict, even prude, views.

“Ahh, finally, you admit it.” She thought shaking her head. She knelt too and stared into his eyes, amber like hers. “I had prepared a whole speech about your prudish thoughts when it comes to me, but it would make no difference now. He asked, I accepted, that’s that. Instead of being happy you’re gonna be an uncle, you go on to beat my child’s father bloody.” She straightened up and looked down on him. “You disappoint me, kid.”

Those last words were a low blow. Maxwell could handle the cussing, the outrage, but the pitiful disappointment he could not. He was ashamed and stayed down. “I’m sorry…”

“You should be.” She concurred and went to kneel by Reggie’s side. Vivienne was already there, tending to his wounds. At first glance, his nose looked broken, bleeding furiously still, and his eye was already darkening. “You’re no better. I told you he’d tussle. You just had to fight back, didn’t you?”

“He punched first. Then, things just….” Reggie winced when Vivienne touched his nose to set it straight. “…escalated.”

“That’s an understatement.” Seraphina replied grabbing his hand. Raine was licking his other hand. “We should just let you, fools, heal on your own. That would teach you something.”

“Sera, I don’t think it’ll be any help.” Vivienne contested.

“I said ‘should’, Viv. Not that we will. Heal the idiots while I deal with the spectators.” Seraphina directed and strolled over to Lyn and her people, mostly youngsters accompanied her. “Hi again… Sorry for that little show. And the fire. Well, I hardly burned anything.”

“Um, it’s okay, but are you? We heard the howls.” Lyn asked and looked at Maxwell concerned.

“We’re fine. My brother and husband felt like honing their wrestling skills. Again, I apologize for the racket.” Seraphina said as pleasantly as she good muster.

At the word ‘husband’, Lyn’s gaze flew to Seraphina’s hand, who purposely flashed her wedding band, but her soft expression stayed. “It’s… no trouble, since no field got burned.” She glanced behind Seraphina. “Are you sure they’re okay? Reginald… seems quite beaten.”

“He is. Vivienne’s patching him up though.” Seeing them puzzled, she continued. “An Aetheral can heal, but I guess your spymaster didn’t know that, huh?”

Lyn shook her head, maintaining her serious expression, with no signs of surprise across her face. “If he does, he hasn’t told me.” She turned to face the people gathering close. “There’s no danger, you can move along now, back to your day-to-day affairs.” Most of the adults took their leave, but several children and the more curious ones lingered. She looked back at Seraphina with an apologetic smile. “They have never seen a Fire Elemental…”

Despite the tough exterior, Seraphina adored youngsters. In Briohall, they hadn’t had any interactions with children and in Embersummit she was overcome with her inability to walk, but back in Bandville, she’d often put on a whole show with mainly fireworks for them, taking advantage of her nature, but also careful not to expose herself since besides the Elementals, no one else knew.

Seeing the mesmerized children, standing cautiously behind Lyn, she smiled and knelt before the one closest to her. The little girl stared as Seraphina held out her hand. Sparks, then embers and last flames danced above her palm making the girl giggle. Seraphina blew and the flames dispersed among the rest of the children. They joined in the giggles. She was careful not hurt any of them. “I could show you a few more tricks later…” she said winking, “…but now I have to talk to your Keeper.”

Still giggling, they started running towards the city and the few adults who’d stayed went after them, shaking their heads with smiles playing at their lips. One man’s gazed lingered, but he otherwise followed. She turned to Lyn, who was grinning. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know, but there’s something… intoxicating about those little laughs.” Seraphina replied standing up.

“Yeah… I wish I could’ve heard all of yours.” Lyn trailed off sighing. Behind them, Maxwell still knelt where Seraphina had left him, ashamed and defeated. Reggie was barely sitting as Vivienne worked on him. “You’ve fully come into your Element, I see.”

It brought Seraphina’s attention back to her mother. “Yeah. I had good teachers.” She replied thinking back to her exhausting lectures with Brenton and other scorchers of Bandville. She’d been burned more often than not back then. Until she mastered Fire. “Max got his own affinity. Water, like you.”

It surprised her, but she didn’t comment on it. Maxwell wasn’t a subject Seraphina wanted to discuss then and Lyn understood. “Married, huh? You didn’t mention that.”

“Vivienne brought it to my attention.” She replied a little embarrassed. “It’s something new...”

Lyn touched Seraphina’s cheek and gave her a smile a woman gave only to her children. Warm, without judgement. “I’d be careful, little scarlet. Men tend to be offended by such omissions. Makes them believe you think little of them.”

Little scarlet. A nickname Lyn had come up with because Seraphina loved strawberries and would forever get smeared with their juices whenever they had some. There had been countless times Lyn had to use her elemental skills to clean her up. After the first time she’d sparked up a candle, the name had seemed even more appropriate and stuck, but no one had called her that since Lyn’s disappearance. They knew it’d hurt.

It brought tears to her eyes and before she knew it, she was hugging Lyn. “I’ve missed you…”

“Mmhmm, me too.” Lyn breathed into Seraphina’s hair. Pulling back, she brushed the teardrops away. “What happened back there?” She cooed.

“Thaaat would be my fault, ma’am.” Reggie announced coming closer with a hand to his face.

“Oh? So my son lies there ashamed because of something you did? I somehow doubt that.” Lyn said without releasing Seraphina.

“I ran my mouth when I should’ve have. Please, accept my apologies.” He insisted, but Lyn shook her head, not buying into it.

“Max is a bit of a prig, when it comes to me.” Seraphina explained, but it wasn’t enough. Lyn pulled back and subtly nudged her towards Reggie. Seraphina took the hint and wrapped an arm around Reggie’s waist. Meanwhile, Lyn kept staring at them, baffled. “Reggie told him I’m pregnant.”

A smile spread across Lyn’s face. It was as genuine and contagious as Vivienne’s when she realized Seraphina’s condition. Seraphina found herself grinning, momentarily forgetting Maxwell’s overreaction. Lyn swooping in for a crushing embrace played its part. “I get my twins back and learn I’m grandmother to be… What a day. Congratulations!” She stared behind them, probably in Maxwell’s direction, before stepping back. “When you said the marriage is fresh, you meant…?”

Reggie’s surprise was confined to only a raise of his eyebrows. Seraphina urged him on to answer. “A few of days.”

“I see…” Lyn trailed off and Seraphina noticed the man who’d lingered behind earlier still standing on the edge of the city. Her curious gaze didn’t go unnoticed by Lyn, who looked back and beckoned him closer. He began approaching and Lyn turned to them apologetically. “Reggie, scarlet, I cannot say I don’t find some merit in Max’s view. The viciousness was definitely an extreme, but I can see why he wouldn’t like this and I happen to be at fault here. I drilled it into him when you were little.”

Seraphina scoffed. “Come on, mom. You didn’t make him think me a virgin damsel who needs protection of her virtue.” She said and turned back. “Even if you had, he knows damn well I’m not.”

“Well…” Lyn started embarrassed. “…I may not have used those words exactly, but I'm the prude behind this. I always told him to be your guardian.”

“He’s the reckless idiot who needs protection.” Seraphina replied a little too loud. She intended Maxwell to hear. From the cringe he gave, he sure did. “Good.”

Vivienne was behind him, arms wrapped around him, and scowled shaking her head. Just as she tried to drag him up and towards Seraphina, Reggie and Lyn, Lyn made her refocus on her. “While I’d love you to make up right here and now, I get you’re angry at him. Both of you.” Seraphina was ready to tell her exactly how much, but she held her hand up. “I really need you to put it aside for a moment.”

“I suggest you listen to her.” Vivienne said from beside Seraphina. She’d managed to bring Maxwell along and he stood on the other side of her. She turned to him and continued. “You too.”

Something in her tone alarmed Seraphina. She turned to Lyn and the anxiety only increased. Lyn was nervous. So nervous, her hands trembled. If she were a fire Elemental, there would be sparks coming off her fingers. Much like how it was happening to Seraphina then.

The tense atmosphere didn’t dissipate when the man Lyn had called forth reached them. “Keeper, you have business to attend to.” He said after a quick bow.

“Ahh, a lackey. Why’s mom nervous then?” Seraphina wondered.

Lyn dismissed his claim and interlocked their arms. “There are more important affairs than those of this community, Griffin.” She kept glancing between Seraphina and Maxwell, nerves crackling. “Like these two. Right here, right now.”

Seraphina herself removed her stare from Lyn’s and Griffin’s locked arms, unable to make sense of it without losing it. “No, my mother would never…”

Lyn pointed at her children and spoke. “Griffin, this is Max and Sera. The twins you’ve heard so much about.”

“Come back from the dead, haven’t you?” He inclined his head at each of them. The easy smile seemed familiar.

The first thing Seraphina noticed was his youth. Surely her mother wouldn’t go for a boy. Lyn was saint. So unlike the women in the high ranks of the empire, using youthful men for their own pleasure and promising them gifts and special treatment. It always disgusted Seraphina, but it’d worked in her favor multiple times in the past. Those boys knew too much and were easy to break, through either force or charm.

“Hush, now. It’s not funny.” Lyn told him slapping his arm, before she cocked her head at Seraphina and Maxwell. “Seeing your horrified expressions, I’m guessing you don’t remember... Of course not, you were too young to understand.” She said shaking her head. “Um, Griffin here is your little brother.” Maxwell and Seraphina looked at each other shocked. “Born after we parted.”

“Julian claims it was at the end of the summer she came here. Mom was… a little out of it back then.” Griffin offered.

With that new information, Seraphina, then relieved, looked more closely at the boy. While youthful, he looked old enough to be a little over twenty-two, matching their claims. The easy smile and those laughing blue eyes, they were familiar. Taken out of a distant memory, back when they were simply a family living in Larcbust. The blonde, shaggy mop on the boy’s head, so similar to Brenton’s before his hair started receding and he cut it. The resemblance was undeniable.

Seraphina was the first to move. With her head cocked to the side, she took the few steps needed to close the distance and touched his cheeks, staring deep into his eyes, while Lyn moved to the side. “Hmm, hard to digest, but… you’re definitely ours.” She said and Griffin chuckled. She pointed a finger to his face and very seriously continued. “You better be smarter than our brother. There’s only so much a woman can handle.”

“I’ll try my best.” His chuckles turned into laughing.

Unlike Maxwell and Brenton, Griffin wasn’t as tall, making it easier for Seraphina to wrap her arms around him and pull him into a hug. “We have some serious catching up to do.” She glanced to the side at Lyn. “I don’t know what you told him about us, but I assure you, not even a sliver of what you remember is the same.”

“We have time for that, Sera.” Lyn replied with tears in her eyes. “I still can’t believe you’re here, all grown up. The three of you, together…”

“Oh, wait till you see dad. That’ll be fun.” Seraphina told them and pulled back from Griffin.

He didn’t let her step away though. “He’s alive too?” It was like she held on a hopeful child, waiting to hear about a miracle. In truth, for Griffin, it actually was one.

“Alive, kicking and getting on our nerves as much as possible.” She replied stroking his cheek. “You look a lot like him, kid.”

“Mom never fails to point that out.” Griffin grumbled rather childishly as Lyn came to ruffle his hair. “Apparently, I act more like you, though.”

“Oh I very much doubt that, Griffin. You’re too cheerful and smile too much.” Vivienne came up behind Seraphina and playfully nudged her.

“That… is accurate enough.” Seraphina agreed nodding. She then pulled him down to supposedly whisper in his ear, though everyone could hear. “I’d be careful around this one, Griffin. Much like your little spymaster, Vivienne’s constantly snooping into our minds.”

Vivienne gasped in mock surprise. “Eh, I do not!”

“Sure, you don’t.” She replied and winked at Griffin, who chuckled further. She extended a hand back to Reggie, beckoning him closer. “Griffin, this is Reggie, my husband.” She took the time to introduce him, make up for earlier. They shook arms nodding at each other.

Vivienne again interrupted their moment. “That’s all good, but how about we go in and you sit down, maybe eat something?”

“I hadn’t noticed I’m starving. Thanks, Viv.” Seraphina grumbled in her thoughts, but Vivienne only smiled. “Food sounds good right now.”

Lyn and Griffin were the center of attention. If anyone noticed Maxwell moving away towards a wheat field, they didn’t acknowledge it. Even after he watched them walk inside the house Roderick had provided. He couldn’t blame them. His reaction was uncalled for.

Maxwell didn’t trust Reggie. It wasn’t that he was a former soldier of the empire. Many had converted in the past. Slowly Maxwell had learned to accept that, but it all crumbled down when Reggie and Seraphina revealed to him, since Vivienne knew from the very start by reading his mind, that Reggie was the illegitimate son of a noblewoman in Dawnfield. It was why he’d wanted to enlist. At first, he’d said. Then it all became about the people. Maxwell didn’t buy that.

From that day on, whatever trust for him Maxwell had built up melted away and he became apprehensive about the man. He still managed to behave himself, for a long time, but hearing the news from a smug imperial threw him off. He punched the guy and the guy didn’t back down. Maxwell hadn’t expected anything less, for Seraphina wouldn’t choose a man who would shy away from a challenge. What he hadn’t anticipated was it would enrage him as much as it did. Nor did he expect to be outsmarted.

While Maxwell was pondering how he would get on Seraphina’s good graces again, he sensed Vivienne looking for him. For just a moment, he considered leading her elsewhere, then decided against it. It didn’t take her long to find him. Soon she was sitting next to him and joined him in his silence.

She didn’t even attempt to touch him. She merely sat next to him. It was Maxwell to make a move and pull her down close to him. “How long have you known?”

He needed not say anything more. She understood. “Early winter.” She whispered against his chest. “Lucian pointed it out when he was trying to teach me about auras. Hers is… muddled of a sort. Bright and laced in foreign colors.”

He whistled. “She’s that far along, huh?”

“Well, longer. That’s how long I’ve known and kept an eye on her.” Vivienne corrected him.

Another long silence. Through the wheat stacks, they were hardly visible, nor were they able to see through. Birds flew over them, though they couldn’t see them, only watch the shadows they cast.

Again, it was Maxwell to interrupt the peace. “I’ve messed up.” It wasn’t a question. She didn’t answer and he kept on. “I just can’t accept he’s trapped her like this. Of course she said yes to his proposal. Now it makes sense.”

Vivienne lifted herself up on her elbow. There was a soft expression on her face, almost full of pity. “You can lie to them. You can even lie to yourself. But you can’t lie to me, Max. I know you only allowed him to propose to her because you thought she’d reject him and we’d be rid of him.” He would’ve protested, had she allowed him to. “I don’t know how you made that deduction really, but I can assure you, baby or no baby, Sera would’ve accepted. If anything, her pregnancy gave her pause, thinking he only proposed because of it.”

“He’ll betray us, Viv.” He said, certain of it. “I’ll give you the courtesy of saying it’ll be inadvertently, but he will. Unless you honestly think he’ll kill his family when it comes to it.”

“You mean the mother who abandoned him? Part of the empire that allowed the slaughter of his brother’s entire family? Yeah, I’m sure he’ll hesitate.” Vivienne stared him down mockingly.

“We can’t leave it to chance.” He murmured looking away.

His thoughts were elsewhere and Vivienne needed not her gift to see through him. “Seraphina didn’t get captured and hurt because we left something to chance. She was stupid to linger. A man three times her size passed through the entire line of men without so much as a second glance.”

His hand trembled and he huffed. “I don’t trust him.”

“You don’t like his past and the circumstances Seraphina met him under.” She corrected him. He didn’t object. There was little he could say to someone who literally knew every dark corner of his mind. “Now that you know about Sera, I have a confession to make.”

He grumbled. “Another secret? Don’t you think I’ve had enough revelations for one day?”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not a secret, my sweet brute. It’s an explanation. Do you not wish to hear it?” Vivienne asked and stared at him, unwilling to continue till he answered.

Maxwell huffed and obliged. “I do. Tell me?”

Vivienne nodded and took a breath. “I’m leaving.”

That startled him. He rose to his knees. “You’re what? You can’t be serious.” When she didn’t confirm it, his hands went to his head. “You are. Why? My overreaction?”

“It’s nothing to do with you, Max. In fact, I’m kinda hoping you’d join me.” Vivienne replied and started shaking her head. “At least, I was. Until we told you of Reggie’s mother and you freaked out. I doubt you’ll leave Sera’s side now. Or your mother, your little brother.”

Maxwell couldn’t deny leaving his family at that time was at the bottom of his to-do list. “Why? You haven’t answer that.” He insisted grabbing her hands.

“Sera.” Vivienne answered seriously. “For her family’s sake, she has to step back, but she’ll never do it on her own.”

Maxwell snorted loudly. “So? The imperial will ask her to and she’s so infatuated with him, she’ll do anything he asks.”

She brought their hands to her lips and smiled. “He won’t ever ask. He knows her better than that. Max, they’re actually coming up with a plan to send the baby away with Mirabelle, so they can follow me to Dawnfield and Damien. I can’t let that happen, so I’ve decided to leave.”

“You’ve been planning this…” Maxwell trailed off and brought to mind her recent behavior. “It makes sense now.”

Since she’d made the decision to join the resistance, more than two cycles prior, there had been very few days Vivienne missed a chance to train. Whether it was physical combat, weapons training or simply learning about the empire and its inner ways, Vivienne kept advancing one way or the other. But lately, Maxwell couldn’t pinpoint since when exactly, she had been relentless. Pushing herself. Testing and even surpassing her limits. She thought he was asleep the many a night she visited Lucian to alleviate the aches in her body. He wasn’t. He’d woken up several times, but had made no comments on any instance. Her confession shone light to her inexplicable attitude.

“It’s been playing on my mind since I found out.” She gave a shy smile. “Once I decided it, well, I have to take advantage of your sister’s knowledge while I’m around, don’t you think?”

Maxwell reluctantly nodded. “When were you planning on telling me?”

“Honestly?” She huffed, took a deep breath and continued. “When we touched base at Hollow Grove. They’ll be safe and sound within the forest. Among friends, associates. It’s the only way my mind will be at ease and I can do my part.”

“Your part?” An absurd laugh escaped his lips. “You wanna go up against the empire? All by yourself? That’s insane.”

“I won’t be alone. With the united Shepherds against them, Damien and his army will be busy. Just like we’ve been saying. You three simply won’t be with me, but with everyone else.” She countered frowning. “You’re a smart man, Max. You know it needs to happen. Even if Sera wasn’t with child, she shouldn’t be anywhere near me in the capital. Not when he thinks she’s the Aetheral one. She draws too much attention. One wrong move and I’ll never get close undetected.”

He knew she was right. He’d thought their plan of infiltrating the Keep along with Seraphina was a flawed one. All it’d take would be a single glance at her by the wrong person and everything would go south. “You have a point. Sera needs to stay behind.”

“Thank you.” Vivienne exhaled in relief. “For understanding, I mean. Can I ask for a favor though?” She waited for his nod before she continued. “Help me slip out when the times comes?”

“We’ll think of something.” He said and reached for her. She melted into his arms as he kissed her head. “When we kill him and get back, Sera will roast us.”

Vivienne pulled back and looked up to him. “We?”

“We. I don’t want to leave my family with that imperial, but I’m not letting you leave me.” He gave her a mischievous smile. “You promised you’ll marry me when the emperor is dead, remember? I can’t go much longer without my honor restored. What will people say if we keep going like this?”

“You goof…” Her eyes filled with tears, whether amusement or affection he could discern, and she clutched onto him. “You, goof. You never fail to surprise me…” She breathed into his chest.

“Definitely the right choice.” He thought smiling, even though his heart gave a tug. “Now I just have to live with it.”

“I cannot believe it. How could I have been so blind?” Lyn said for yet another time. As Seraphina spun the tale of her life since they’d parted, Lyn would not stop blaming herself for being clueless all that time. She’d thrown several fits already. It was a side of her mother Seraphina had never seen before. Or at least didn’t remember…

“Yeah, well, you didn’t really know anything about the resistance...” Seraphina explained and seeing Griffin ready to cut her off, she continued. “...the one we’re part of. The real one, the Shepherds.” She turned to her mother and smiled. “You just knew uncle Barkley was one of them. No one can blame you, mom.”

Reggie stepped into the small cabin then, tray in hand. Since he already knew most about her life, with Griffin’s instructions, he’d gone into the kitchens to retrieve some food. “There you go.” He said and she took a plate off the tray, as he sat down next to her. “Did I miss anything?”

“Just your mother-in-law being absurd.” Griffin mocked.

“Watch it young man..." Lyn warned glaring and Griffin lifted his hands up in feign defense. "In retrospect, there were clues. No one here knew Barkley had a brother. That alone... I never described to them either, must’ve been another with the same name..." She mumbled and shook her head.

"Mom, really. You were sliiightly out of it when they brought you here..." Griffin added touching his thumb and forefinger together. "Slightly."

Lyn glared at him once more. "It's no excuse. The three of you grew up one parent short. It's not right."

"Life's neither right, nor fair." Seraphina said between bites. "We've still managed to make something out of it. It may have come through hardships, sweat and blood, but it is what it is. All we can do is take it on from here on out."

There was silence until Lyn reluctantly nodded. "A fair point, but don't you want to know what happened to me? What all this is?"

She shook her head. "Max needs to hear this too. It can wait till he becomes reasonable again." Lyn nodded and went outside, probably to check if Maxwell and Vivienne were near and call them.

"Our journey can't, though." Reggie said and while she knew he was right, it still bothered her. "Briohall should send messengers back soon, if they haven't already. If we linger and fail to show up, there's no end to your father's scolding."

Seraphina puffed. “He’ll have plenty to rave about, but my concern lies with morale.”

“Morale?” Griffin asked confused. “Whose morale?”

Seraphina turned to him and smirked. “We’re gathering. Not sure about the numbers yet as we’ve been preoccupied in Briohall and the numbers may not be as significant a force as the enemy’s, but with the right planning and deception they’ll do.” She answered and urged Reggie to continue. “I told them of our lives before this point. Haven’t got to the part of the fight we’re getting into. Left out some things too. About my...standing with the League.”

“What’s this about a fight?” Lyn asked when she came back inside and sat beside Seraphina.

“We’re gathering to go up against the empire.” Reggie replied and before he could say another word, Lyn shoot up from her seat.

“Absolutely not!” She exclaimed. “It’s suicide. Do you even know what you’re getting into? The horrors the emperor’s responsible for? What they do to captives?”

“As a matter of fact…” Seraphina said and handed Reggie her plate before getting up, while Lyn stared incredulous. “…I know. Firsthand.”

She took off her shirt and remained in her undershirt. Lifting it up, she showed off her scars, along with the small bump. She recounted the story behind every scar and each seemed to pain Lyn more and more. From simple scratch, to deeper more serious wounds from arrows and spears, the likes of the one she’d taken on the shoulder the year before, when she’d infiltrated the imperial army. When she’d made a grave mistake.

Maxwell and Vivienne returned during one of the tellings. His eyes wouldn’t leave her midriff until Vivienne pulled him further into the room. “Don’t forget the knee.” He said when she seemed to be done.

Seraphina nodded and lowered herself back on the sofa. She rolled up her pantleg and presented her once hurt leg. “This is what they do to you if they want you alive, but unable to escape.”

During her time as a cripple, Seraphina kept her knee away from sight, mostly because of the fracture. Even though the bones were set and mended, it wasn’t a pretty sight. But it wasn’t the only reason. She’d acquired a permanent bruise, from just above the knee to the higher part of her calf. After Lucian repaired her nerves, the bruise remained, Lucian couldn’t tell why. Few knew about the discolouration. Reggie, Maxwell, Vivienne, Lucian, some of the staff members in Briohall Tower. It was a telltale, so she kept it hidden.

Lyn gasped. Her hand covered her mouth as tears built up in her eyes. Griffin scowled. “You escaped though…”

“She’d either escape or burn them all down with her. Sera’s all about the extreme.” Maxwell answered for her.

“From completely calm, almost serene, to venting hurricane, ready to sweep everything at her path…” Lyn trailed off. She sighed and went by Seraphina’s side. “Ever since you barely went past my knees, your tantrums were just like that, scarlet.” She stroked her cheek and kissed her forehead as Seraphina rolled down her pantleg.

“Some things can’t change, mom…” She said pulling back. “…and some things you can’t stop. We need to leave. Soon.”

“We’ll come back when we get the job done.” Maxwell added and Seraphina nodded. “Sera promised herself she’d find you, now we all promise to come back to you.”

Lyn raised her eyebrows and snickered. “You can’t possibly believe we won’t join you. Father and son must at last meet each other and I need to get back to my husband.”

Smiles spread through the room. It was precisely what Seraphina wanted, but couldn’t ask of Lyn and Griffin. They were family, but time… Time had created barriers between them. Barriers Seraphina could not overcome, but they seemingly could.

“So…” Griffin said getting up. “…where are we off to?”