For every new generation, the Sorels recorded their legacy. Legend had it that the Spirit of Rheina himself guided the hand of the author, writing the words in Aren — a holy text understood by only a select few. The series was titled A Thousand Ascenders, and it was Ashey’s turn to write.

  Ashey and Jenne sat behind an open laptop on her desk. The priests doubted Ashey could write the new edition of A Thousand Ascenders in Aren, so Schemel had suggested she type it in basic Kirisi with the help of a computer.

  “Can you type out what I tell you to write?”

  “I’m not touching the computer.”

  “For the last time, it’s not going to break when you touch it.”

  “I don’t want to touch it.”

  “Come on, you say that about everything. You don’t have a problem with having a phone.”

  “It’s mine. When it breaks, I’ll be fine.”

  Ashey groaned as she dragged her chair forward. She brushed her hands over the keyboard and, using one finger, started hitting the letters. The words appeared on the screen, one after another:

  A Thousand Ascenders — by Ashamel Kasimendra Sorel.

  She caught him smiling at her name.

  “What?” she spat.

  “Nothing.”

  Keeping a stern look on her face, she returned to the keys. As she typed, she mumbled out loud, “Hi, my… name… is… Ashamel… but… everyone calls me… Ashey. Fourteen… I’m fourteen… Fourteen… years… old…” She stopped, squinting at the ceiling.

  “Why don’t you create an outline first?” Jenne suggested. “It could help you sort out your thoughts more properly.”

  “Creative expression should be in the moment. Anything else, and it’s just boring homework — oh! I got it!” She went back to the keyboard. “This… is… the story of how I became the greatest sorceress ever.”

  “Ashey, this is supposed to be a journal guide for the next generation of Sorels. It’s purely non-fiction.”

  “You’re boring.”

  “But it’s the right thing to do!”

  She put a finger on his lips. “If it’s not fun, it’s not right.”

  “Huh?”

  A bird tapped on her window. Except it wasn’t a bird. It was a boy in a jeans jacket, hovering in midair. Hamis waved at them. “I called, but no one picked up.”

  “Hamis, we don’t want you here,” Ashey said. “Go away.”

  Jenne had already opened the window for Hamis to enter.

  “Wow, your room is really pretty, Ashey.”

  “You’ve been in my room,” Ashey said. “More times than I can count. And you say that annoying thing every time.”

  Hamis shrugged. “I can compliment you as many times as I want.”

  She grunted. “What are you doing here?” She babbled over his explanations, holding a finger up. “What have I told you about peeping through my window, you creep? What if Jenne and I were doing something private?”

  Hamis snorted. “Like what?”

  “You don’t know. We could’ve been having sex. You just peeped on us having sex, creep.”

  “As if you know a thing about sex.”

  “Oh, and you’re the expert?”

  Hamis’ response froze at the sight of his baby sister. Isse slid down the wall outside, coming from the roof and gliding through the window.

  “You found him,” she said, looking at Jenne.

  “Hey!” Ashey exclaimed, hands on her hips, fluttering her eyelids. “Who invited you in here?”

  Isse bounced on Ashey’s bed, shot to the ceiling, and fluttered down like a leaf in a breeze.

  “What is Ashey doing?” Hamis asked, leaning over her laptop.

  Ashey shrieked and ran over.

  “We’re writing,” Jenne said. “Renna asked her to start working on the family records.”

  Hamis burst out laughing. “You?”

  “Yes, me,” she said, cold and burning.

  “This I have to read,” he said, looking at what she’d written.

  Ashey shouldered him off, struggling for her computer—but froze in time, arms outstretched. Hamis read the whole thing in an instant and laughed even louder than before.

  Ashey broke free from the spell. He laughed in her face.

  “You spelled ‘sorceress’ wrong,” he added. “And why are the words spaced out so weird?”

  Ashey drummed her fists on Hamis’ back, chasing him away.

  “…he tossed me on the bed and climbed on top of me. He ripped my shirt off and the buttons went flying everywhere…” Isse read from a pink diary.

  Ashey pointed and screamed, but no words came out. The little marker rolled onto her belly and crisscrossed her ankles, clearing her throat to read louder.

  “Ashey, where’s the first chapter?”

  The book flew out of Isse’s hand and into Hamis’, who closed it and handed it to Ashey.

  Ashey hugged the book to her chest and turned back to her seat, determined to pretend they weren’t there. She dragged her laptop to the edge of the desk and started punching keys.

  “Are you guys coming or not?” Hamis asked.

  “Where to?” Jenne asked.

  “Why do you think we came all this way?” Isse interjected. “Our mom’s back from the Grem Islands. Everyone’s gone to the docks to meet her.”

  “Jacqolin,” corrected Hamis. “Everyone’s gone to meet Jacqolin. Isse’s the only Henrikian in the country who’s actually going there to meet Eden.”

  “It’s Renna Nyte to you,” snapped Isse. “Respect her name.”

  Hamis waved her off. “Are you coming?”

  Ashey and Jenne exchanged looks, trying to smile but failing.

  “Renna asked us to stay put until she returned,” said Jenne. “She’s at Se Fina right now. She left this morning with nothing but a pen and a notebook.”

  “Oh,” said Hamis, his voice tinged with disappointment. He offered a hand, which Jenne shook.

  “See you after?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll come by so we can talk,” Hamis added, slightly stiff.

  “About what?”

  “Blackwood,” he said. “I need details.”

  “You were serious about that?”

  “Of course I am.”

  “Sure,” said Jenne, unwilling to speak in front of the girls. “We’ll talk.”

  Hamis and Isse walked out the window and disappeared. Everything was going as Jenne had hoped. No mention of Hanna’s interview.

  “I haven’t written any of those things in my diary,” Ashey said, placing her pink book under the desk. “Isse was making things up. It was a silly idea for a novel I was working on when I was little—but it wasn’t about anyone pulling anybody’s shirt off.”

  “Ashey, why do you care so much about what I think of you?”

  Ashey burned up, exhaling rapidly. He was about to apologize when the front door creaked open, announcing Schemel’s return. Moments later, the lady of the house appeared at the bedroom door, asking to be let in.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Jenne,” she called, and he knew what to do. He moved Ashey’s floor mat aside and dragged her desk and chair to the side.

  “What are we doing?” Ashey asked.

  “Just a little ritual, nothing too serious,” Schemel replied, scratching her hair. “Come on, take a seat right there.” She pointed to a spot on the deck, where faint sunlight spilled across the floor.

  Jenne settled cross-legged at the opposite end, waiting. Ashey followed, unsure if she wanted to participate.

  Schemel placed her notebook on the bed, removed a small vial from her purse, and gave it a gentle shake. She popped the stopper and poured a powdery substance onto the deck, moving to form a circle around the two.

  “Mom?” Ashey started to rise.

  Schemel caught her just in time, placing a firm hand on Ashey’s shoulder. “Sit. When you belong to a family such as ours, Love, everyone becomes an enemy. A’shay, you understand this, don’t you? People hate you because you are powerful. They plot our downfall and celebrate our shortcomings.”

  “I guess,” Ashey said, nibbling her lip. “What is this?”

  “It’s a binding spell,” Jenne explained. “It’s meant to keep you safe. Whenever you’re in trouble, I’ll know and be able to get help.”

  “Oh.” Ashey pretended to understand. Then, turning to Jenne, she asked, “You agreed to this?”

  “I kind of have to,” Jenne admitted. “Renna will ask Jacqolin to go with me to Blackwood after this. This spell is like a promise that I’ll come back once we’ve saved everyone.”

  “Oh, Jenne.” Ashey placed a hand on her heart. “You’re doing this… for me?”

  “Yes.”

  Schemel finished drawing the circle and pulled out chalk from her purse. She went down on her knees and stroked across the deck, sketching a pattern of lines between Ashey and Jenne.

  “A’shay, there is something you have to do.”

  “Kiss?” asked Ashey.

  “No,” Jenne and Schemel said at the same time.

  “Speak,” said Schemel. “Compliment one another.” Blood oozed from her nose, which she sniffed back as she continued tracing out the spells. The small tattoo on the back of her hand glowed hot gold, probably causing her some pain. “A’shay, say something.”

  Ashey tried to stand. Schemel scolded her not to leave the circle, but Ashey insisted. She stepped out, fetched her diary, then hurried back into the circle and sat down. Schemel pushed aside her thoughts and went on marking patterns on the deck.

  Flipping to the back page, Ashey cleared her throat and read.

  “When I first met Jenne, I didn’t think much about him. The more I got to know him, the more I learned about myself. He’s perfect. He does no wrong, and what he says is always right. He doesn’t yell at me, and he’s always willing to help me out when he can. He likes me a lot, but not in a bad way. He just wants to be my friend, and it feels really good to know that. I wish we could stay this way forever, but I’m really scared I’ll mess up and lose him.”

  “Jenne, it’s your turn.”

  He thought for a moment and said, “Ashey is kind to me.”

  “Anything else, love?”

  “She’s very supportive.”

  Schemel drew the final stroke. She bowed her head as she breathed through her mouth, her fingers curled against the wooden floor.

  “Well, that’s that.”

  “But… nothing happened,” said Ashey, looking around. “No sparks or anything?”

  “Nope.”

  “Are we actually done?” Jenne asked.

  “Yes,” said Schemel. “You’re bound.”

  “Cool,” said Ashey, and they stood together. It was not as bad as it had seemed in his mind. He felt no different than before. Ashey did not look any different to him either, and she probably felt the same.

  “Do you want us to meet Jacqolin?” asked Schemel, glowing with a grin. “He’ll be disappointed if we don’t show up.”

  Jenne left the room to get changed, leaving behind her mother and daughter. As he dressed, he could not help but overhear the conversation in the other room.

  “Did you mean those things you said about Jenne?” Schemel asked.

  “I did,” Ashey said.

  “It was lovely of you,” said Schemel. “I’m sure he enjoyed that. I prayed he would make you a better person, and that seems to be coming true.”

  “Thank you, Mom,” said Ashey, dragging out the words.

  “When I asked you to spend more time with him, I was not expecting anything from you. I’m glad to admit I was wrong. I am proud of you for doing this one thing exceptionally well.”

  Ashey did not reply. The two remained quiet for a long stretch of time.

  “Hold onto him, love.”

  “I will,” Ashey said quickly. “I promise.”

  All three set out for town, walking rather than driving. The nearest Ring was nearly a kilometre away, but on a day with such serene weather, it was a pleasure to walk the whole distance. During his stay at the Home of Heroes, Jenne had not appreciated the scenery enough. With his head buried in books, he had missed the chance to wash his hands in the crystal streams running by the road. He had not taken enough time to nurture the flowers or lie beneath the sun and bask. Next year, he would do better.

  Their walk brought them past the estate of Jacqolin Arson. He had not arrived yet, but the dossi were busy preparing for him. They set flowers on window sills and warmed the cookers, ready for the feast to be held that night.

  “Hey, Ashey, what’s Jacqolin like?” Jenne asked.

  “Ashey doesn’t know Jacqolin,” said Schemel. “She was young when the Alangre set off for the Grem Islands. How old were you? Four? Jay would remember. He was ten at the time, I think.”

  “Everything we know about Jacqolin is from the show—”

  “Thunder!” Ashey and Jenne yelled together. They chortled in unison. Their faces met, and their smiles dropped. A mere coincidence. Nothing to do with the binding spell.

  “Jacqolin,” Schemel said. “Well, he’s quite loud, laughs a lot, and tells plenty of lame jokes that get laughs because everyone can’t help but kiss his arse.”

  They met Tenrad on the way. He was walking up the main road with a girl beside him—his eldest daughter, Ursel—whom Jenne had seen a few times but never spoken to directly. Her hair was a jumbled mess of curls, and she was dressed like a boy. Tongues of fire danced in her dark violet eyes as she smirked at Ashey and Jenne, eyeing them like a hungry wolf watching prey.

  “Where are the rest of your children?” Schemel asked Tenrad.

  “Ran off already,” he said. “I can’t bear to teach them patience anymore. You’d think Jacqolin brought them presents.”

  “I don’t get it either,” said Schemel.

  “Wasn’t into it at first, but Schemel’s given me a reason to show up,” said Ursel, stepping forward and grabbing Jenne. She lifted his skinny arm and chuckled. “You’re the one who stole Jac’s lover. He’s going to eat you alive.” She laughed hard, snorting like a pig despite her father’s grumbling.

  “Address Renna by her proper title,” Tenrad said. “Do you learn nothing?”

  “Come on,” Ursel snorted, throwing an arm over Schemel’s shoulder. “Schemy and I are like that with each other.”

  “Get your hands off me, Ursel,” said Schemel, already exhausted. She took the girl’s hand from her shoulder, and they all walked on together.

  At the Ring, the dashboard flagged an error when they tried to access the dockside portals. All three Rings leading to the east coast were busy teleporting people from different zones and regions. They tried several times until the Ring warmed up and finally opened a portal for them.

  Millions of Henrikians crowded the docks. The noise was physical. People hung from cranes, crates, and poles. Some stood on the roofs of their cars, and hundreds more perched high on the rooftops of the nearest storey buildings. The black and gold flag of Henrikia beat against the sky. Together they roared the national anthem in a chorus that shook the earth.

  Fireflies hovered over the docks—some carrying soldiers, others cameramen. The blinking lights of cameras flashed brighter than the stars above. Whatever celebration was happening in the Midder-Lands, it was bound to be outshone by the Henrikians tonight.

  And yet, the large warship stood silent. Having arrived, its ramps had not yet been lowered. On its side glowed massive marker and crafter-hexes. Jenne wondered what purpose they served.

  Officers spoke into radios upon recognising the ascender families nearby. In no time, a firefly descended near the Ring. They climbed aboard and flew over the crowd, descending towards a clearing near the waterfront. Green officers stood firm behind barricades.

  The dignitaries present were becoming familiar to Jenne: Demettle and the Deus family, and Tenrad’s family as well. Jay stood alone, his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the silent ship.

  At the sight of Schemel, the crowd behind the barricades screamed, giving the soldiers a hard time as they tried to hold them back. A slight smile formed on Schemel’s face at their reaction. She moved to stand beside Demettle, placing Jenne in front of him.

  Jenne and Hamis were once again together. Both boys grinned and greeted each other with a fist bump.

  “Good evening,” Schemel said to Demettle.

  “Good evening to you too,” Demettle replied. He reached over and tugged at Ashey’s cheek. She squeezed her face and stepped back. “I’m glad you showed up.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said over the noise.

  “The nerve.” The words came from a man Jenne did not often hear about—Sirios Deus. With Isse by his side, he grimaced at Schemel. “You have no right to be here, not after everything you’ve done. Don’t you have any shame?”

  “Dad,” Hamis snapped, and he was not the only one shocked. Ursel stood behind Tenrad with her eyebrows raised. She tapped Jay, trying to draw his attention to Sirios. But Ursel would not get what she wanted. Schemel simply looked away from Sirios without a word.

  Demettle tilted his head and apologised on behalf of his son. Schemel did not respond to that either. Instead, she turned to Erisa, whom Jenne had mistaken for another Green Officer. Schemel flashed a smile at the Gaverian, but Erisa looked away.

  It was the same with the councilmen who had come to greet Jacqolin. None of them would look Schemel in the eye.

  A group in colourful clothing stood apart from everyone else. Among the six, Jenne recognised Mistress Sorel and Ren Talon, which led him to believe the group was the Primus. Schemel smiled at them as well, but received only cold stares in return. Even Mariel kept her focus fixed on the ship.

  Schemel placed both hands on Jenne after that, tightening her grip with every passing second. Long minutes passed, yet the anticipation never died. The people did not relent. If anything, the chants grew louder. Jenne could not help but wonder why Jacqolin was taking so long to appear.

  Tired of waiting, he searched the docks but found nothing of interest. He and Hamis began speaking to each other in hints and codes. Hamis pointed a thumb at Isse, whose shoulders had slumped and head hung low. When Jenne asked what was wrong, Hamis said, “She found out from Dad that our mum won’t make it to the docks today. She’s in the rear guard, and they’re still a few days off.”

  Jenne felt bad for Isse. Out of all the millions, she might be the only one who had come for someone other than Jacqolin.

  The wait stretched on and impatience began to build. A section of the crowd started jeering. Jenne had not spent six months at Se Fina without learning to detect sudden emotional changes. A third of the councilmen looked uncomfortable. Anxiety spread steadily among them. Special officers in black moved through circles, whispering into the ears of the dignitaries.

  Erisa turned and slipped into the crowd, disappearing. No one else left, but it felt as though spirits were fleeing bodies.

  Hamis patted Jenne on the wrist and asked what he thought the problem was. Was it the ship? Were the soldiers trapped inside? Was there a bomb on board? Was it going to explode?

  Fireflies shot overhead, circling the ship. One descended low enough to release its ropes. The crowd went wild. Was this all part of some stunt? There were men in golden uniforms on the deck. The officers ignored the noise. One of them was shouting commands at the others. Slowly, the crowd began to quieten. There was still noise, but not from those who had started to question what was really happening.

  An officer on deck lifted a thumb. The firefly’s ropes tensed. A stretcher rose from the ground, rising steadily. Medics on board the firefly were ready to seize it. The green shirt gave the body away. He did not need to have been here ten years ago to know that it was Jacqolin. His smell was strong. Ascension flowed in his blood. He was not dead, but he was not going to meet the people.

  All eyes followed the firefly as it carried the Gaverian away.

  Ramps were lowered onto the waterfront and soldiers of the Last Alangre marched out. The sound of their boots echoed. Demettle’s sweaty palms squealed as he squeezed his staff, veins throbbing at the side of his head.

  Jay turned sharply and took three steps. Lightning sparked around him. Schemel shielded Jenne’s face at once.

  BOOM! He vanished, leaving behind a trail of lightning sparks. He had run straight through an open crowd, who were just as bewildered and confused as Jenne.

  Gaverians, ascenders, politicians, soldiers, the common people—they all fixed their eyes on Schemel.