“The land is about to be transferred back and they’re trying to take it over?” Nera’s voice dripped with venom and it was as if the room had dropped in temperature. Henry pretended he didn’t hear her scathing voice as Ash hurriedly chopped onions.

  Soraya took a deep breath and exhaled, her hand still on the map she’d laid out across the dining room table. There were other places to discuss a territorial dispute in their home, but no...it was happening at the dinner table while the two brothers were preparing dinner.

  “The union officially signed the transfer back to the Council of Elders as the acting ruling body of the Celestial Kingdom,” Soraya replied. “The transfer preparations had been going on since your mother’s time. There was concern about the flood of Lunapsar entering the territory considering they are known as refugees, but the West Wind Valley’s economic and military strength has surpassed that of the union’s. If you ask me, comparing the two is almost embarrassing. They were allowed to control the territory for two hundred and fifty years, and in a generation and a half, they had been surpassed.”

  “The union is more difficult to control, as it consisted of several independent states, whereas the Lunapsar in West Wind Valley were subjects under a single point of rule,” Nera replied. “And The Council of Elders was authoritarian in the first few years of resettlement.”

  Soraya nodded. “But don’t forget whose money backed all of that.”

  Much of the remaining wealth of the Mahsa family had been used to fund the resettlement of those who fled Samelu. By the time Nera was born, her mother only had a few stores as a source of personal income. The stores were spread out in different locations in East and West Iveria, with the majority in Dareisol and a few more purchased in Ashtar when Nera’s mother married her father.

  In order to keep those stores and their income from being taken over by her estranged paternal side, Nera handed them to Soraya before she returned to Ridua, the capital of Ashtar. When the country started limiting trade with foreign merchants, Soraya used her family’s name in Dareisol to keep some autonomy, but more than half the stores had to be sold due to trade restrictions.

  Since Nera and her mother didn’t require the profits from the stores to live, the remaining stores continued to be used to support the displaced Lunapsar, strengthen its military, and prepare for the eventual transition of territory. Samelu was a maritime power in its day and it had secured territory on the East Iverian mainland to act as a port of entry into its southeast.

  At the time, there were warring city states in the region. The Celestial Kingdom oversaw a peace treaty and then supported a union, giving the city states turned principalities their own autonomy for two-hundred-fifty years, after which they would return the territory to the Celestial Kingdom rule.

  When the Fall of Samelu happened, the rulers of the union were quite happy, believing that without Samelu, the Celestial Kingdom of the Lunapsar that was on it would cease to exist, and the territory would remain in their hold.

  But a Lunapsar army existed on the mainland, and control had shifted, but not disappeared.

  In addition, the refugees that were able to flee Samelu before it sank into the ocean had recovered well on the mainland. The Council of Elders sent them a reminder decades earlier that the transition was still happening.

  Nera tapped her hand on the table. “We also had very good allies,” she said. “We can’t forget them.”

  “I doubt Dareisol and the Cloud Continent will forget,” Soraya replied. “Aren’t they backing the territory transfer?”

  Nera let out a small hum of agreement. “Dowager Empress Alexandrina has expressed her support and has confirmed with Emperor Augustino that Dareisol is willing to lend military power if needed, but I doubt it will be. The problem with the union is that they are always arguing amongst and trying to outdo each other; they don’t have an army unified and strong enough to resist the transfer.”

  “At the same time, that’s a problem because now they don’t have an army strong enough to defend themselves from Ashtar.” Soraya shook her head. “They need access to the Smiya Sea beyond that pitiful port they have now and the union territory is the ideal place.”

  Though they were behind the counter, both Henry and Ash grimaced. They had nothing to do with Ashtar’s interest in the territory, but it was encroaching somewhere it wasn’t supposed to.

  Nera looked at Soraya with her eyes narrowed. “Which family’s army is so daring?”

  Soraya almost sneered. “You really want to know? That fake prince.”

  Henry stopped cutting the meat he was preparing for dinner and turned around, his hand tightening around the handle of the knife. “How much does that Old Bastard love his spawn that he allows him to build his own army?”

  Soraya raised a brow at him. “You think he’s willingly funding an army that isn’t loyal to him?” she asked incredulously. “From my sources, the fake prince created a personal guard unit to protect him while he travels, and that fool of an Emperor funded it. The fake used most of the money to try to take over some industries to build up a private army. The ministers have brought it up to the Emperor, but he seems to be in denial.”

  “More importantly, is the fake’s army stronger than ours?” Ash asked.

  Soraya cracked a smirk and shook her head. “Your great-grandmother left behind the Celestial Kingdom’s continental army. The West Wind Valley is so heavily protected because of it, I doubt all of Ashtar’s armies combined could gain a single step of territory.”

  Ash nodded his head, satisfied with this. Though a maritime power, the Celestial Kingdom had an army on the mainland cultivated near the leased territory. Five years before the Fall of Samelu, it was dispatched to secure the south of Dareisol on behalf of the Dareisol Imperial family during a near-civil war between two cousins. They and their families, as well as many non-combat support individuals were still on East Iveria during the Fall.

  “Will they be enough to defend the valley as well as the territories?” Henry asked with some concern.

  Soraya and Nera both nodded. “Yes,” Nera said. “But I’d prefer that there was no conflict during the transfer and subsequent transition period. It just adds another layer of complexity we don’t need.”

  “The Council of Elders will handle it,” Soraya told her. “That’s why your family put them in charge, isn’t it?”

  Nera let out a heavy sigh. “They gave me a deadline to return.”

  “What?” Ash looked up and Henry stopped once more.

  Nera gave them a dismissive wave. “Don’t worry about it. Just concentrate on Ashtar. I will deal with the Council of Elders and everyone else.”

  “Momma, if that fake is causing problems outside of Ashtar, won’t this change things?” Ash asked.

  “Agreed, Auntie,” Henry added, as he heated oil in a pan. “As long as Ashtar remains as isolated as it is, we can proceed as planned, but if it’s extending its reach to where it shouldn’t, this could create conflicts with neighbors, which could eventually create conflicts with us.”

  Soraya gave Nera a knowing look. “The future emperor speaks the truth. Ashtar isn’t exactly popular after it restricted trade. The Suna Kingdom is particularly displeased because Ashtar won’t let them trade through without paying substantial fees. Several Imperial General family armies have been stationed at the eastern and northeastern borders indefinitely because Suna’s been pushing their luck.”

  Henry furrowed his brows. There were three marquisates and four military family armies which made up Ashtar’s Imperial General families. When he was a prince, two marquisates and two military families supported him. Unfortunately, he didn’t know where their allegiances lay now.

  Of the Imperial General families who used to support him, one was his second brother’s maternal family. Considering Arunsha’s suspicious death, Henry doubted they sincerely supported the Emperor and his son.

  Nera leaned back against her chair and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes. “They consistently create problems....”

  Soraya nodded. She looked at Nera and then at Henry, who was wearing an apron. “Have you considered accelerating your plans?”

  Nera shook her head. “No.”

  Henry answered at the same time. “Yes.”

  At this, Nera sat up straight. She turned to look at him and Henry diverted his attention to the meat he was preparing to brown before putting it in the stew.

  “Henry, you’ve thought about moving ahead?” Nera asked.

  He couldn’t face his aunt. He pinched a cube of meat with metal tongs to flip them over in order to get a nice brown crust on each side. “I can’t get what happened in the Shallows out of my head,” he said over the sound of sizzling meat. “And then we ran into him again in Zimora, just before we left. I believe he’s trying to spread his influence.”

  “The more influence and allies he gains, the more troublesome he becomes,” Ash added. He put a metal bowl of cut onions next to the stove for Henry to add into their stew. “Momma, I can’t help but be unsettled. What if he does something to West Wind Valley? Now, he’s threatening the territory?”

  “I’m more concerned about him showing support for the territory to stop the transfer first,” Henry replied. “Even if the union loses, there will be damage done to both sides, and he’ll try to take advantage of the situation.” He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t want him to gain a foothold anywhere else.”

  Nera took a deep breath. Soraya reached over and patted her arm to calm her. “Think about it for now. I know you want to be cautious and only begin when you’re ready, but they may not wait.”

  Nera released her breath and nodded. “I know that,” she conceded. Henry saw her look at them with hesitation and concern on her face. “I just want to give my sons the best odds of success as I can.”

  Henry looked down, unable to stop the bit of guilt that arose. He knew how hard Nera had worked not just to ensure their survival, train them, and ensure their success, but also secretly build a supported military force to back him. It would not be a stretch to say that Nera had done more for him than his own mother.

  Soraya reached for her chatelaine and took out another cigarette. Before she could light it, Nera pinched the end and narrowed her eyes. “No smoking in my house.”

  Soraya’s shoulder slumped. “Just one! They don’t let me smoke at the abbey and your tea shops have a no smoking policy!”

  “With good reason. You know I don’t like the smell, not to mention it gets on everything.” Nera was firm and Soraya opened her mouth to try to coax her, but a high voice came from the hall.

  “Momma, I’m home!”

  Soraya sucked in a sharp breath. Her brows shot up and she threw her new, unused cigarette behind the counter in a panic. Ash let out a scoff as it hit his shoulder and fell to the ground.

  Nera shot her a glare. “Don’t just throw it-”

  “Godmother!” Effie’s shriek of excitement filled the dining area. She shed her bag at the entrance and raced towards the table. Soraya straightened out her habit and sat up straight, earnestly turning her chair to face Effie and held out her arms.

  “My snow princess!” Effie flung herself into Soraya’s arms and the nun gathered her against her, rubbing the top of her fluffy head with her cheek. “Welcome home!”

  “Godmother, I didn’t know you were coming!” Effie planted a firm kiss on Soraya’s cheek with an exaggerated smack. Her cheeks puffed up. “If I knew, I would’ve saved you an almond cake.”

  “Oh....” Soraya hugged her tightly. “I don’t need an almond cake, though I’m grateful you thought of me. I’m just glad I can see you.”

  Effie beamed and nuzzled her head against her godmother. She looked up at her with big blue eyes. “But what are you doing here?” She gasped and tensed. “Is there something wrong with the tea shops?”

  Soraya chuckled and shook her head. “No, the stores in my region are fine. They’re petitioning for priority for inn additions, so they’re doing well. I’m here regarding some of your mom’s personal accounts.”

  Effie nodded, understanding. “Okay....” She tilted her head. “Good news?”

  Soraya gave her a helpless look. “It depends on how your mom interprets it.”

  Effie looked at her mother. Nera’s dull expression watching their affectionate exchange didn’t change. “It’s fine.”

  Effie didn’t over think it. She let out a heavy breath of relief and nodded. “That’s good!” She put her small hand against her chest and let out a dramatic sigh. “For a moment, I was worried.”

  “You should be,” her mother replied. Nera looked her daughter up and down. Effie’s uniform had some grass stains and she frowned. “Did you take a tumble?”

  “I tripped trying to get to the bakery,” Effie said, her pale cheeks flushing as she looked away. “I told Terry I’d get her an almond cake to try, but I had clean up duty at school, so I got out late. I had to run to the bakery before they ran out and cut across the park.” She puffed out her chest, looking triumphant. “I got the last three!”

  Nera raised a brow. “Did you share them?”

  Effie nodded her head. “I gave one to Terry, one to Cio, and I ate the other one.” She looked at Soraya with a slight gasp. “But if I knew you were here, I wouldn’t have eaten it!”

  Soraya chuckled and stroked her hair back. “I appreciate the thought.”

  “Since your clothes have grass stains, go change and put your uniform in the laundry room,” Nera told her. “Then do your homework. Dinner will be ready when you’re done.”

  Effie slid off her godmother’s lap. “Where are we eating tonight, Momma? The braised meat store? The fire roasted meat sandwich place? Oh!” She perked up. “Soup dumplings!”

  Nera tapped her hand on the table. “We’re eating at home tonight.”

  At that, Effie’s face seemed to drain of color. “At...at home? Are you...are you grilling meat?”

  “Okay, do you really not see us?” Ash slammed a cutting board on the counter and shot his sister a glare.

  Effie jumped at the sound and looked past the table, into the kitchen. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped, looking stunned. “Brothers! When did you get home?”

  “This morning,” Henry replied, giving his sister an unimpressed look. Both he and Ash were in aprons and scurrying out the kitchen, after having been gone for weeks, yet their sister didn’t even notice them. I can’t say I’m not a little hurt.

  Effie scratched the top of her head. “I didn’t know you came back today.”

  Henry rolled his eyes. “Clearly.”

  “Well, it’s good you’re back! I was getting tired of eating out, anyway.” Effie hugged Soraya once more. “Godmother, I’m going to do my homework! I’ll see you later!”

  “Study hard, snow princess!” Soraya ruffled her head and Effie skipped out, not even glancing back at her brothers once.

  Ash narrowed his eyes. “I’m not giving her the souvenirs I bought.”

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  After an entire dinner of Effie trying to earn Ash’s favor, she finally succeeded in receiving one souvenir. Henry thought his brother was being a bit immature holding Effie’s souvenirs because she hadn’t noticed them, but he didn’t stop Ash.

  In the end, it was only because Effie looked like she was going to cry that Ash gave in. Henry also gave her a souvenir he bought in Akepol. It was a light crystal lamp shade made of shells carved with sea animals. When the light crystal was lit, it filled the room with shapes of sea animals.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  She hugged her brothers and ran to try it out.

  The excitement of the day seemed to catch up shortly after, and Soraya went to tuck her in and tell her bedtime stories of her latest exorcisms.

  The brothers and Nera took the time to deal with a pressing issue.

  Inside the dimly lit prayer room, with the moonlight shining down on the family altar, a blue jade basin seemed to almost glow as Ash lifted it out of the storage space sheet.

  Across from him, Nera’s eyes reddened. In silence, she held out her arms, as if asking to cradle a baby. Ash carefully placed the heavy stone basin in his mother’s arms, and she didn’t falter in the slightest.

  “Our Shasha....” Nera’s usual calm voice laced with amusement from dinner had turned sour and trembled. She sat down on the edge of the low prayer platform and rested the basin on her lap. When she spoke Ashtari to them, she used the less polite formal. “What have they done to you...why have they taken your basin?”

  “Momma....” Ash wiped at his eyes and Henry looked up to try to keep his own emotions at bay.

  Nera’s shaking fingers touched the cold stone. “For now, you will stay here. When Ashtar is secure, we will bring your basin back.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself.

  She sniffled and slid her legs beneath her. Still carrying the jade basin, she stood up and carried it to the base of the altar. With its size, it wouldn’t fit on the upper tiers, so she placed it on a spider silk cushion below.

  “Auntie, the incense.” Henry climbed on to the prayer platform with a tray and began to prepare the incense.

  “Ash, come. Pray for your second brother,” Nera said.

  Ash nodded and went to kneel in front of the altar. Nera took a deep breath and once the coils of incense began to rise into the air, she began a prayer.

  Ashtar also practiced an Astorian religion, but their primary god was the fire god, who was aligned with the sun goddess. Arunsha’s mother was from an Ashtari marquisate, so they worshiped the sun goddess. The prayers were in line with those under the sun goddess.

  Once it was over, they lingered on their knees with their heads bowed, and hands over the jade basin.

  It was only when Nera removed her hand and shifted into a seating position did the brothers follow.

  “I had some ravens fly to the Imperial Necropolis,” she said, breaking the silence. “From what they observed, Eran’s tomb is intact. No cracks, no signs of forced entry. Every day, weather permitting, your Aunt Kalysta visits the grave. She is limited in what she can do for Shasha’s tomb, but she doesn’t seem to have noticed anything amiss. The ravens found some loose stone in the back. Shasha’s tomb was in a corner, by one of the retaining walls. It’s likely that entry was made in an area that is difficult to notice.”

  Henry took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Part of him expected that answer, but he didn’t want to hear it confirmed.

  “Is there anything we can do?” Ash asked.

  “The birds will continue to watch,” Nera told them. She let out a heavy breath. “Unfortunately, distance makes instructing animals there impossible. The birds I send from here can only do so much.”

  Henry lowered his head. “Having animals congregate by the tomb would be suspicious anyhow,” he said. “At least now we know.”

  Nera looked at him and crinkled her eyes. “Henry,” she began in a careful voice. “Are you serious about moving the plans ahead?”

  He looked up at her and nodded his head once. “I thought we had time to continue to build up our forces, but all of that depended on Ashtar remaining in its near isolation. They’re starting to open up and extend their reach. I fear if we delay, they will not only increase their resources and support, but cause irreparable damage.”

  “The Samelu Shallows was bad enough, but now he’s reaching the union territory just as it’s about to be transferred back to us,” Ash said. He looked at Henry. “And then there are the territorial disputes with private holdings in the kingdoms bordering Dareisol.”

  Nera frowned. She looked at Henry. “What territorial disputes?”

  Henry’s lips were in a tightline. “Young Miss Arelias was called to Dareisol to assist her father’s army as noble interests in leased areas in kingdoms bordering Dareisol are being encroached upon. Her last letter said that they are from Ashtar.”

  Nera drew her head back with a displeased frown. “That’s bold of them to encroach on Dareisol of all places. Has she confirmed this?”

  “She didn’t say if they were orders from Ashtar’s government, but the people were speaking Ashtari.”

  Nera’s brows rose and nodded. “I didn’t know she knew Ashtari.”

  “She’s trying to learn because of Brother.” Henry elbowed Ash and shot him a silencing glare. Most people knew their family came from East Iveria, but only a few close friends knew they had fled from Ashtar. The details were never given, of course, but considering Ashtar had a recent history of famine, everyone assumed that was the reason they left.

  Nera’s expression softened and she shook her head a bit. “Henry, Elka’s affection for you is not a secret. We all like her, as well.”

  Henry tried to fight down his blush and avoided her eyes. “Auntie, it’s difficult right now.”

  “Right now will not last forever,” Nera said with a gentle smile. “Normally, I would tell you to take your time, but Elka is a beautiful, skilled, and honorable young woman. She comes from a good family, and nobles in Dareisol do like to match up the children of their family. Though she isn’t in the direct succession, her grandfather is the Arelias Patriarch and her father’s eldest brother is the current Marquis Arelias. She’s popular.”

  Henry frowned, not because Elka was popular, but because her being popular meant she’d be sought after.

  “Momma, you’re overthinking it. Young Miss Arelias is very stubborn when it comes to Brother,” Ash said, full of confidence. Henry looked at him with dismay. Why was his brother more confident than he was of his own love life? “If she can defy all her brothers, and her father, for Brother, then she’s not going to give in to any random betrothal her family throws at her.”

  Henry’s eyes narrowed. “Her father doesn’t like me?” This was the first time he heard of that. He thought the General was just standoffish by nature.

  “Yeah, didn’t you know?” Ash looked at him, as if it were common knowledge. “Madam Aoife likes you, but the General doesn’t think you’re suitable.”

  “How am I not suitable?” Henry’s voice rose with defense. Not only was he good looking, but he had always been respectful to Elka. Not to mention he was rich.

  “He’s biased towards soldiers and wants Elka to marry one of his officers that he trained,” Nera told him.

  Henry snapped his head towards her. “Wait, Auntie, how do you know?” Even his aunt knew when he didn’t. Was he living under a rock?

  “You don’t know?” Nera cocked her head to the side, giving him the same look that Ash had. “Why do you think I beat him up three years ago?” Her eyes grew cold. “How dare he call one of my sons a useless pretty boy who can’t even lift a sword! My eldest can raze his entire entourage of officers in ten moves!”

  Henry stared at his aunt. Why did she sound more offended that he was to be called a useless pretty boy? “Auntie-”

  “When I told him that I had been teaching you since you were a child, he laughed in my face.” Nera’s voice was so cold, it made him shudder. Beside him, Ash nodded with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. “So, I challenged him to a duel and sent him crying to Aoife.”

  Henry balked. “When did this happen?”

  “I sent you to open up some stores at the time, so you weren’t here,” Nera replied with a casual wave of her hand. She gave him a thoughtful look and took his hand in hers, patting it gently. “But don’t worry, I and Aoife support you and Elka. As long as Elka agrees-”

  Ash let out a small, muffled snort and rolled his eyes. “As if she’d ever refuse Brother...,” he muttered under his breath. Henry shot him another annoyed glare. Nera ignored him.

  “...and you are ready, we support the marriage. However.” Nera gave him a stern look. “If you become a fickle man-”

  “Auntie, I won’t!” Henry raised his hands immediately. “I don’t plan on having a Court of Wives. I just want Elka.”

  “So, you admit it!” Ash pointed at him excitedly.

  Henry smacked him upside the head. “I’m not our father. I only want one wife, like they had in the past. The only reason the recent Emperors had a Court of Wives was because they could not consolidate their power without having to buy the favor of ministers through marriage. I’m not so incompetent.”

  “Then you must conquer and immediately stabilize Ashtar in order to ensure Elka’s safety and happiness,” Nera said. She took a deep breath. “While I wanted more time, we’ll just have to adjust. Perhaps it isn’t a bad thing.” Her eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched. “With the transfer of the territory, the Council of Elders will demand more of my time.” She looked at Henry helplessly. “I can’t be at your side forever.”

  A pressure built at the bridge of Henry’s nose and he lowered his eyes.

  He knew that eventually, knowing his aunt’s identity, she would have to return to the Lunapsar people. In fact, it was likely that Ash, her only blood-related heir, would have to as well.

  However, he’d been with them for so long, it was difficult, and a bit heartbreaking, to think of a future where he could not turn to them for immediate guidance and familial affection.

  “...Can I at least have Effie?”

  “No.” Both mother and son replied at once.

  Henry couldn’t help but laugh at their immediate answer. “Then...I will just have to make it so Ashtar is open, and I can see you all as often as I can.”

  Nera leaned forward and cupped the side of her face with her hand. “We will always be on your side, even if we are not at your side.”

  Ash nodded. “And the project Hana and I are working on with her friends from Ise-con will ensure constant and reliable communication.”

  Henry grinned. “Oh? How so?”

  “Machines that transmit voices across any distance using sound and air magic, and programmed metal and crystal pieces similar to payment devices at the Guilds, to create direct communication devices,” Ash told them. “Hana calls them mobiles.”

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  “We hired someone?” Hana frowned, her short black hair swaying as she stopped to look at the silver-haired young man next to her. “I don’t mind, but if you’re going to East Iveria with your family, and I have to go set up our exhibition for the Invitational ahead of time, who’s going to meet him when he gets here?”

  Ash frowned and rubbed his chin. “Honestly, I didn’t think both of us would be gone. He’ll likely end up going to either your family’s smithy or the tea shop, so we can leave instructions for him there.”

  Hana wrinkled her nose. “What instructions do we have for him? To wait? He’d come all that way; I’d hate to make him sit around and wait.”

  “We can arrange with Drae to oversee the hiring paperwork and then assign him his first task,” Ash said.

  Hana thought for a moment and nodded. “That’s probably the best way to go. What should we have him look into first?” They were both quiet for a while before answering at the same time.

  “Iron mine.”

  A brilliant smile filled Ash’s face. Hana nodded, satisfied. “We can give him a prioritized list along with budgets for each.”

  “Also, not the quantity. One iron mine is good, but more is better,” Ash replied. “Proximity to a Merchant City is also a requirement. It’ll save us overall for shipping costs.”

  There were set rates that were below market rate for citizens of the Federation of Merchant Cities to use transport and shipping between Merchant Cities. They’d also be given priority.

  “Of course,” Hana replied. “Shall we make a list and then compare them?”

  Ash hummed in agreement. “Just the top five. Let’s not overwhelm him if he’s just starting.”

  “And you sure he’s reliable?” Hana asked, raising a brow.

  Ash nodded. “Sumak make look unreliable...and sometimes act like it, but he’s determined and resourceful when he needs to be. I think he’ll make a good addition to Moonflower.”

  “All right, I’ll hold you to it,” Hana replied.

  “Also, is there any way we can prioritize the mobile communication devices?” Ash asked, giving her a hopeful look. “It looks like I’ll need it sooner rather than later.”

  Hana squinted. “How soon?”

  “As soon as humanly possible.” At the moment, his family’s forces were scattered all over the Iverias and along the seas, escorting caravans, ships, and securing trade routes. They would need a way to connect all of them through communication in order to organize them without having to lead every single group or relying on messenger hawks, which while fast, were not fast enough when it came to high-risk situations.

  Many Lunapsar went down with Samelu because the island sank much faster than expected, and no one knew until it was too late. Their ships and allied ships were lagging behind, and there was confusion on who went where in the chaos of the night.

  Flags could not be seen and flares were mixed up, making for misconstrued signals. His great-grandparents struggled in their rescue efforts and eventually died because of the unknown.

  So, when he and Hana were brainstorming magic products, he brought them up wanting to improve communication lines. Hana had perked up, slammed her hands on the table, and asked him about interconnected energy and sound magic. The mobile communication devices had been a work in progress for years and their prototypes had already been created.

  Ash had estimated that the final usable products could be tested within a year and a half, and then ready for use in two or three. He thought there would be plenty of time to then spread the devices to his family’s people.

  In light of Ashtar’s sudden aggression and overreach, Henry and Nera agreed to move up the eventual return to Ashtar. The testing phase of the product would need to be cut short.

  “You want to put that ahead of Effie’s pharmaceuticals?” Hana’s eyes widened with surprise.

  “It’s become more urgent that we get the mobile device system set up,” Ash said. “Brother will be...moving out soon.”

  Hana gasped. “Is he moving to Dareisol to marry Miss Arelias?” Her dark eyes began to sparkle with excitement as her hands clenched. “I knew it. It was only a matter of time!” She pounded her palm with her fist. “A handsome young adventurer falling in love with a beautiful elf princess-”

  “She’s not a princess.”

  Hana clicked her tongue. “General’s daughter, but she’s also half wood elf. Isn’t her mom elven royalty?”

  “She’s an apothecary-”

  “Close enough. Anyway, it’s a classic love story!”

  “Nothing is official yet,” Ash said, holding out his hands to calm her. “Don’t let it spread.”

  “Right, I know!” Hana lifted her finger to her lips and whispered. “Brother is very shy.”

  Ash crinkled his eyes and almost shuddered. Henry was many things, but shy was not one of them. “I don’t think-”

  “Don’t worry about the mobiles. You’re talking to the best mechanical engineer in the city, nay!” Hana stood up straight and narrowed her eyes. “The Federation.”

  Ash couldn’t agree more and nodded. “True.”

  “I’ve been wanting to use them myself with my friends,” Hana told him in seriousness. “The blue lace stone used for sound magic control has been acquired.”

  Ash’s brows shot up. Very few minerals could react and control sound. According to the Traceras Clan books, there were three that were ideal when working with sound, but the stones weren’t lucrative to mine, as they couldn’t be used for much else, so they were difficult to find, being essentially deemed useless. “Already?”

  Hana nodded. “My friends from Ise-con has been keeping an eye out for materials we could use, and Mei found them in a riverbank in Suna. She’s sent a batch she collected from Shae Merchant City. When I’m going to make a few and then send them out to the others to test.”

  “Amazing....I didn’t know it had progressed so far.”

  “We’ll still need to check the sound magic formula if there are any changes we need to make,” Hana told them. “You’re the only one who can do that.”

  Ash nodded. “Then, bring a few with you to the Invitational.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  Ash gave her a lopsided grin. “When it comes to magic products, I don’t work with anyone as good as you.”

  Hana’s face filled with color and she lowered her eyes. “I also like working with you.”

  Ash nodded, happy to hear it. He felt a small tug on his arm and looked down. Hana had pinched his sleeve as they walked. He blinked and then chuckled. He gently pried her fingers off and before she could move away, he grasped her arm and hooked it in the crook of his, keeping her closer as they walked. He didn’t say a word, but the tips of her ears that peeked out turned red and she leaned towards him.

  He wasn’t as clueless as he let on.

  After all, why would he willingly share all his magic knowledge with someone he didn’t plan to have in his life for the rest of it?

  They walked back to her family’s smithy, but untangled their arms a block away so as to avoid criticism from her brother. Hana had reluctance all over her as she trudged back into the smithy under Hide’s watchful eyes.

  “Was this a date?” he asked, glaring at Ash who didn’t dare enter.

  Hana shot her brother an annoyed look as she passed him. “It was a business meeting.” Ash heard her and nodded. It was mostly business, which was why Effie and her friends got bored tailing them and left a quarter of the way through.

  Hide’s frown narrowed. “You go on a lot of ‘business meetings’ with him.”

  “Well, he’s my partner.”

  “Don’t call him that.”

  “Hana, I’ll see you tomorrow!” Ash gave her a wave, smirking as her brother’s face flushed with irritation.

  “Stop monopolizing my sister’s time!”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, too!”

  “Go home, Atractas!”

  Ash shrank his head back, then turned around to walk towards his house. As he approached, he saw Drae walking up the street. Considering that it was too early for him to get off of work, he was either running an errand or had to take emergency leave.

  “Good, I caught you,” Drae said, lifting a hand in greeting.

  Ash gave him a nod of his head. “I was just going to come over. I need to put a hold on any magic product requests for a bit. Hana and I are too busy right now, and my family needs to go to Dareisol. From there, we’re going to head to the Invitational.”

  Drae frowned and stopped, waiting for Ash to reach him. “The Invitational is months away. You’re going to be gone for that long?”

  Ash shrugged. “Business. You know how it is.”

  Drae let out a sigh and looked at the envelope he was holding. “I guess you’re not interested.”

  Ash drew his lips in. It wouldn’t hurt to know what the request was. “Another magic item request?”

  Drae waved the envelope before handing it over to Ash. “Kind of, but it’s more assistance with a magic item. You don’t need to find it, but they need help...um...fixing it.”

  Ash furrowed his brows and received the envelope. He opened it where they stood and read through the request. His lips turned downwards. “Three mages have gone missing after leaving to deal with the item.” He raised his eyes and looked over the request at Drae. “What’s wrong with the item?”

  Drae hesitated. “To be honest, I’m not exactly sure how to explain. All I know is that last year, this request went up and it was accepted by a mage. Originally, it had been sent to the Magic Tower, but the two mages sent disappeared. Then the request came for an outside mage to assist, but that mage disappeared, too.”

  “Disappeared?” Ash repeated slowly. “As in ran away or killed?”

  “As in disappeared. Vanished without a trace. No one knows what happened to them,” Drae said. “Apparently, the item is in an estate that belonged to some merchant’s late grandfather and he inherited it. However, the servants he sent to clean up the dilapidated estate didn’t respond to his letters. Every time he sent someone there to check, they also went missing. The only one to come back was the daughter of an old servant who had accompanied him there and she was shaken up.”

  Ash read through the request once more. “So, she noticed something strange?”

  “She said that the interior looked fine. That the servants seemed to have cleaned it and were almost done, but no one could be found,” Drae replied. “She asked the surrounding village and they were strangely tight-lipped, but they insisted that they didn’t see anyone leave.”

  Ash drew his lips inward. “What is the magic item in question?”

  Drae grimaced, as if anticipating that his next words would be unbelievable. “From what the servant’s daughter said...she thinks it’s a painting.”

  Ash frowned and narrowed his eyes. “Okay, are we talking painting as if it's possibly a magic portal or haunted? Because I do not deal with demons or ghosts. You know that.”

  “Bring Henry with you.”

  “What are two ordinary brothers going to do against the demons and ghosts? Fight them? Be reasonable, Drae.” Ash crossed his arms over his chest. “Brother and I have more important things to deal with than the supernatural.”

  “It’s in Dareisol.”

  “We don’t have time.”

  “The price is negotiable.”

  “You can’t buy me with money-”

  “The Magic Tower submitted this.”

  Ash’s mouth snapped shut. His eyes narrowed hatefully. “How can you do this to me?”

  “Listen, you asked for interesting requests and this happens to fit what you think is interesting,” Drae retorted.

  Ash looked at the request. “Did the Magic Tower really submit this?”

  “Not officially. They’d rather collapse than do that,” Drae replied. He reached over to tap the top corner of the sheet. “Gordo Sang, head of magic items recovery at the East Tower. It seems he submitted the request personally.”

  “Well, well, well....” Ash said with some scorn.

  Drae nodded. “Yeah, I thought that would get your attention. He’s the one who tried to confiscate your space bag so they could deconstruct and counterfeit it.”

  Ash sneered and shoved the request back into its envelope. “As much as I’d love to rub my superiority in his face, I don’t want to help him nor do I want to get involved with a haunted painting.”

  “You don’t know if it’s haunted.”

  “If it was magic, one of those mages would’ve sent for help, or at least noticed something before they vanished,” Ash said. He held out the envelope. “Not interested.”

  “Well, if it is haunted, don’t you have that aunt,” Drae asked. “The exorcist?”

  “If they want to deal with a haunting, they should go to a holy order, not the Adventurer’s Guild,” Ash replied, shaking the envelope in an effort for Drae to take it. Aunt Soraya already had many things to do and with the timeline adjustment, she’d be busy reorganizing where money went. “I’d let them know to go seek help from holy warriors, not mages.”

  “Paladins just fight with holy and light magic and do guard work,” Drae told him with annoyance. “They don’t do stuff like this.”

  “He said holy warrior, not paladin,” a voice said behind him. “We are not the same.” Ash looked over Drae’s shoulder and saw a woman walking towards them with a canvas bag of groceries. She was out of her nun’s habit, but still wore her chatelaine around her waist. She let out a puff of smoke before dropping the used cigarette on the ground and putting it out with her boot.

  “Hi, Aunt Soraya.”

  “Ash,” she replied, giving him a nod. She turned her green eyes to Drae and lifted her chin. “I heard you need an exorcist?”