Black Steel: A Tale of Fire and Mind

They rode north in silence.

It was a usual thing for Maxwell and Seraphina, but Vivienne wasn’t used to silence. There had always been noise around her. Commotion in the tavern, or the people out on the streets and when those would be missing, there would be Madam Jean’s humming and singing in her head. There was always noise. But the siblings didn’t make any. They were trying to clear their heads so she couldn’t pry. It unnerved her as she held onto Seraphina’s waist, tighter than she had to perhaps, keen to avoid falling off. Seraphina scared her. Her lack of remorse and short temper made her wish she was riding with Maxwell instead, who she was getting less wary of the more time she spent time with them.

Unable to do anything other than hold on, she tried to take in the scenery, as much as she could in the moonlight. Ashbourne was surrounded by farms taking advantage of the deep lake on the west side. From madam Jean’s family farm, they had taken a route through the trees, avoiding the main road, leading them north towards the hills where Vivienne thought they would take shelter for a short rest.

Apparently, she was the only one to need one as Maxwell never stopped his gallop, Seraphina following close behind him. They did decrease their speed when they reached the hills’ curves where many caves could be found if one looked close enough. Vivienne knew firsthand as she and her mother had crept inside one to evade the rainfall when they were going for Ashbourne.

She never told the siblings though, nor did she complain of her exhaustion and stiffness. She didn’t want to show weakness. Trivial as it may seem, but they already thought of her as a burden, an extra mouth, an unpredictable addition they had to protect. They had too much on their minds even before their principles forced them to take her with them before the city guards got to her.

She was thankful for that part, so she tried to help them as she could; Mainly be alert for any threats in the woods as her ability to listen to minds was a better detector than any tracking they could manage. But even that was wearing her down. She had found early in life that if she used it all the time, her fatigue reached dangerous levels. One time she had overdone it and had actually fainted. Her mother had made her promise to be careful and never bring herself to such point.

And careful she was. She only read people, when she was in a bad situation or whenever she was gauging the new people she met, sorting them to friend, foe or indifferent. That was how Maxwell had caught her the first time. He had made a whole new category for her, curiosity.

She never had that one before. But Maxwell created it and soon his sister made the list as well. She was curious about that Elemental business. Michael cut off Maxwell too quickly leaving her with more questions. The encounter also provided an enigma about Michael, who she had never realised held such secrets, even though she had really tried to learn everything about him when he’d taken her in. She didn’t trust anybody.

So all she did while the siblings were carrying her away, around the hills and further on, she pondered and listened, her drowsiness increasing. Seraphina must’ve felt the hold on her waist falter as she soon called for her brother, who stopped and waited for the girls’ horse to come by his own’s side. "What’s wrong?"

"We have to stop. She needs sleep." Seraphina replied looking around.

"I’m fine. If we need to keep going, just do that." Vivienne said but she yawned right after.

"Sure you are.” Maxwell said and patted his horse’s neck. “Hmm, the horses look like they need some though." Vivienne didn’t need Seraphina’s head shake to realize it was only an excuse. "We’ve made good time. We can cross over the main road and camp on the shores of Deep Loch."

"Won’t they see us? Ashbourne fishermen should be out there on their boats, no?" Seraphina asked all business like.

"By my estimate, we should come along the top side of the lake, too shallow for any decent catch, so we should be safe. There’ll be water we can drink and even grass patches for the horses to feast." Maxwell said. He was very sure of himself, but it stemmed from his reading. Vivienne had been pleasantly surprised by his vast knowledge.

"Lead on." Seraphina urged and he did. “Think you can hold on a little longer?”

She was hesitant to answer, but when Seraphina didn’t make a move, she was forced to. "Yeah. I can handle it." Only then did Seraphina kick their horse’s side, spurring it on. To conserve energy, she stopped her reading, rather focusing on her hold on Seraphina’s waist. "I’m sorry, but I can’t help it…"

"I can’t blame you." Seraphina replied sighing. "I… doubt I would ever stop it, if I could do it too.” She looked over her shoulder at Vivienne. “But I value my privacy, so stay out of my head. You have nothing to fear from us."

Vivienne nodded against Seraphina’s back. It was a small sign of progress between the two, which Vivienne didn’t want to hinder by mentioning she was actually afraid of her, so she stayed quiet for the rest of the ride.

The next time she opened her eyes, she found herself gazing upon the moon’s reflection on the lake’s surface. Seraphina reined in their horse by her brother’s and they slowly dismounted. The siblings made the camp, working efficiently together for years. Vivienne mostly watched, noting their steps so when they’d need to make camp next, she could help.

Soon, they made a fire to keep themselves warm as even though the sun would soon be shining, they were still only half through winter. Snow had yet to come, but the air was chilly. Vivienne grabbed one of the blankets, settled herself close to the fire on the driest spot she could find and tried to sleep.

"I’ll take first shift." Seraphina declared a little while later. Vivienne had almost been asleep.

"Nah, I’ll do it. I was sitting on my ass for hours while you were working at the butcher shop. It’s only fair." She heard Maxwell reply.

She didn’t open her eyes during their exchange and then she heard who she presumed was Seraphina due to soundless approach lie down in a blanket as well a little further than her.

Their short dialogue awakened her slightly and as she was contemplating whether to let Maxwell know she wasn’t asleep or not, he spoke. "No need to pretend you’re asleep." He’d done it again.

"I’m not pretending. I’m trying to sleep." She responded, but sat up, her blanket wrapped tightly around her.

"We should get you some warmer clothes. Once true winter catches up to us, you’ll freeze to death. Even Sera’s fire won’t keep you warm." He chuckled carving a piece of wood with his knife.

"One less problem for you, right?" She asked moving closer to him. She didn’t want their conversation to wake Seraphina up like it had her.

"Didn’t mean it like that." He replied evenly. "Though, if you died on our watch, it’d actually create problems for us. Well, not problems, but we would’ve failed you."

She joined him on the lodge he’d been sitting. "Why’s she so bitter?"

"Can’t you find that answer in her head?" He asked smiling. He blew some air on his carving as she shook her head. "The short answer is it’s just an act. Or rather, somewhat of a shield. To protect herself from others."

"And the long one?" Vivienne asked again. She could see he didn’t want to open up to her. Not when she’d been so secretive herself, so she blurted something out. "I came to Ashbourne with my mother when I was eight, we were from Talonpass."

"Talonpass? That’s…" he trailed off stopping his work.

"Close to the capital, yes.”

“Not that close though. A couple of fortnights, maybe.” She trusted his estimation, better than her own. She hadn’t seen maps of their land, while he seemed to have them committed to memory.

“Maybe she’s right. My kind could actually be the empire’s secret tool." She replied and they sat in silence once more.

The only sounds around them came from the cackling embers at their feet, the horses’ breathing by the tree behind them and his knife as it slowly carved the piece of wood in his hands. He lifted it up to inspect his work. It was still an undefined form of wooden mass. "We used to be aloof. But a mistake cost us our cousin."

"Emmery?" She asked with a yawn.

"Yeah. But go get some sleep. We’ve only just begun our little trip." He suggested and rubbed her shoulder lightly. She got up and went back to her chosen spot. She laid down trying to sleep once more.

That time she succeeded.

◊◊◊

She slept through the entire morning and never realised when the siblings switched posts. Maxwell gently woke her up when they had already fixed up a meal, some roasted pork they’d packed from the butcher shop with a pot of boiled potatoes, and broken up camp. Only her blanket and the pot remained unpacked.

They ate discussing their plan for the road ahead. The siblings did most of the talking and deciding, only turning to her to ask if she agreed. She could do nothing but agree. It was the first time in her adult life she was outside the city, she had no memory of the land. She was practically at their mercy.

When they finished, Vivienne offered to put away the last few items since she had done nothing else. They let her and then the three mounted the two beasts before resuming their trip. They were trotting for the time being as they were still in the thick forest, with little room to allow their horses to show their true speed.

Maxwell was in the front as before, with Seraphina close behind him. When they could see the end of the woods in the distance, he turned back to them. "Well, Vivienne, since you want to participate so badly, could you be on the look out for any threats? Just in case we miss something."

"I can." She answered simply. After a brief time, she thought her companions needed to know of her limitation. "But there’s something you need to know. If I do it over a long period of time, it drains me."

"Drains you? How do you mean that?" Seraphina asked with a speck of worry in her voice.

"It wears me out. I need to rest and eat a little more. I could even pass out if I overdid it." She explained to them.

"Another reason you should avoid doing it then. Damn, Vivienne, no wonder you were like that yesterday." Maxwell's voice came hoarse, through gritted teeth. "You should’ve told us so we can better protect you."

That got her mad. "I only really met you yesterday! I haven’t told the people that raised me about any of this and you think I’d tell you!? "

"But we’re the ones who need to keep you safe. We need to know what possible dangers we have to guard against." Maxwell yelled back at her. “Even if they come from you.”

"Hey!" Seraphina shouted louder than them both. It caught their attention and she chuckled. “I can see why people think my outbursts funny at times.” She got serious again. "Okay, lovebirds…" both tried to correct her, but she ignored their efforts, "…now, I do believe it was you telling me we all need to get along here, since we’re stuck with each other. So, cut it out or I’m scorching you both."

Childishly, both Maxwell and Vivienne turned away, looking as far away from each other as possible. When they reached the edge of the forest, Maxwell sped up a little too suddenly, startling the girls in the process. Seraphina turned back to Vivienne to say, "That, little mind reader, is my brother’s idea of a tantrum." She was chuckling again.

"I don’t get what for, though. It’s not like you don’t keep secrets from me. We barely trust each other enough to be in the same company." Viviene said perplexed.

"Please, it’s me you don’t trust. Don't coddle me." Seraphina replied and picked up the pace. "But you need not worry. You and I may both hold to our secrets, but you have nothing to fear from me." she turned her head and looked at Vivienne out of the corner of her eye. "As long as you don’t intentionally bring harm our way, of course."

Vivienne considered the woman’s words. "What about the tantrum? Why did he get like that?"

"Believe it or not, it’s worry. His appearance may suggest otherwise, but that big brute cares too much about those he needs to protect, whether he just met them or have been life-long friends with them." Seraphina replied with affection, undoubtedly intended for her brother and not the woman behind her. "Hold on now. We need to make our mare really run if we want to catch up to him soon."

So she did. She held on as Seraphina rode against the wind, the chilly afternoon air causing her to tremble, and soon they caught up to Maxwell. Seraphina chose to give him his space and didn’t go any closer than a few yards, waiting for him to come whenever he wanted.

He returned to normal a whole while later, when Seraphina made him answer one of Vivienne’s questions about the city they were heading to, Neverfall. At first he was reluctant, but his innert need to provide for others got the best of him and he started talking. With Vivienne’s constant interest, fake at first as she mostly wanted to him to get over his irritation, but fully real after a while, he was no longer angry.

They spent their next few days like so. Riding through thickets of forest both to avoid detection and also because according to Maxwell if they went around them they’d waste time. They’d camp in secluded spots which the siblings could effectively guard with little trouble while they let Vivienne sleep, both of them taking her rest very seriously after her disclosure.

They hardly ever asked her to read through the area for danger, it had only happened once or twice when they had to ride through tight gorges where the siblings could do little to scout ahead before bringing her through. So they conceded to her offer of help. There had been no bandit, nor law, in close proximity and they kept on with their journey. Her other forms of help were limited to cooking for them, Madam Jean’s training had paid off, making and breaking camp, as they had taught her since day two.

They talked around the small fire Seraphina always made, sharing stories, though only of carefree moments, each party’s secret side left unmentioned, Vivienne stayed out of their heads which they seem to greatly appreciate as even Seraphina lightened up, joining her brother in his storytelling correcting him whenever she thought he was overdoing it, offering her account as well. Vivienne had trouble believing the little girl in their stories was the woman sitting only a few feet from her, but Maxwell assured her it was. Their tellings never spoke of a specific place, which Vivienne figured it was their way of obscuring the location of their home, so she never pressed.

Vivienne offered stories of her adolescence, a time spent between the Sweet Ale and the streets of Ashbourne, as she told them she didn’t really trust Michael for a long while. She was thankful for the food and the roof over her head, no doubt, but she still couldn’t trust him at first. She used to think she overcompensated his kindness by working as much as possible, even though he’d often tell her she’d done more than enough.

Until she’d trusted in Michael and Madam Jean, to the point she accepted their offer to live in Madam Jean’s home, she’d lived on the streets. When she wasn’t between Madam Jean’s skirts, leaning her craft, Vivienne had been navigating the streets, scouting where to spend the night, which parts to avoid. Her thin frame and terrified demeanour had often made her a subject of chase. There had been times when her pursuers had caught her, though she didn’t tell Seraphina and Maxwell about those. Instead, she focused on how she could mingle in large crowds efficiently and how she’d often charm people into giving her treats.

◊◊◊

As the days passed, winter was catching up to them. The temperature dropped and they had to stop earlier in the evening that the siblings liked. Seraphina would fuel the fire more to keep them warm. There was more rainfall, for longer periods of time too, and the snow clouds weren’t that far behind. They could see them ahead whenever they broke out of the forest and rode in open valleys.

That sight quickly made Maxwell change their course towards the closest village. Ten days already in their journey, they needed fresh supplies, another horse and appropriate clothes for Vivienne. They’d tried to delay, but the weather no longer allowed it.

They’d gone further than he had anticipated that day and so, his calculation had been a little off. They had to backtrack. When they entered the village in the late evening, there was hardly anyone out in the open. Smoke came out of most chimneys and the wind carried the scent of cooking to their nostrils. It made Vivienne’s mouth water.

Maxwell and Seraphina rode around the settlement until they found an inn. Maxwell dismounted and went inside, only to come back out a short while later with a girl, no older than fifteen. The girl asked Seraphina and Vivienne to get off their horse, so she could lead it to the stables. Maxwell followed her and told them to go grab a table, while he’d take their stuff to their room.

They did and Vivienne went to sit at the table closest to the fireplace to warm up her bones. Seraphina stood over her. "I’ll get us some drinks. What do you want?"

"Umm, a cider, I guess.” She replied and Seraphina turned to leave. “What about Maxwell? He always got ale at Michael’s."

Seraphina looked over her shoulder, flexing her hand. "I know his preferences. Just hold the table."

Vivienne did more than that. She scanned the crowd for danger. She couldn’t exactly exclude Maxwell and Seraphina during an area read as she wasn’t focusing on anyone in particular. “Really Vivienne?” She heard them think almost at the same time making her smile.

She tried to ignore them, because they started playing songs in their heads, and focused on everyone else. She found the usual denizens with ease, scanned them for their opinion on the newcomers and when she saw they didn’t much care for them, she went on to the rest.

There was a group in the back she didn’t like. The things she could see through their minds, of what they wanted to do to some of the women in the room, herself included, made her catch her breath in fright. One of them thought she was a lone woman and by her clothes, believed she was running away from someone. Her back was turned to them so she couldn’t really see their faces, but they must’ve shown a lot, because Maxwell’s utterly ridiculous lyrics came to a stop as he approached, replaced by actions she’d rather not have seen.

As he passed by Vivienne, she thought to try and stop him, but she hesitated long enough that it was too late. Seraphina sat down with three tankards and gave Vivienne her cider. She laid back in her chair and took a sip of her beer. "This is gonna be fun."

"Fun? He could get hurt." Vivienne said and turned to look. The four men, bandits by the look of them, were watching her like she was prey. They paid no attention to Maxwell trudging their way.

"They’re drunk and he’s mad. I don’t think they can do much." Seraphina laughed as the room got quiet.

Maxwell approached the men, who only noticed him when he put himself between them and Vivienne. One of them got up in challenge. The biggest in size, furry like a bear, if bears were grey. "Got a problem, boy?"

"The lady’s with me." Maxwell replied and Vivienne saw him tapping his thigh. She couldn't tell if it was calm himself or get ready for a fight.

"You sure about that?” He pointed at his people. “Maybe the lasses want some men instead?" Another of the group stood and took a step towards the girls.

That moment an arrow struck the men's table and Vivienne turned to see Seraphina with a bow in her hands. "Come on, take another step, I dare you." She challenged. She had another arrow already knocked on her bowstring.

"Hiding behind a woman? You’re quite the man!" The leader mocked Maxwell and his group laughed loudly.

Big mistake.

Before they regained their breaths, Maxwell kneed the old man. He threw back his enormous coat, hiding his true body muscle, and punched two of them in the jaws and the third in the nose. Pulling Seraphina’s arrow from the wooden table, he grabbed the leader, turned him around and pushed it against the skin of his neck.

"Let’s go for a walk." He dragged the man to the innkeeper, the rest of the group was still groaning in pain at the corner. "I believe this man and his friends owe you for your services?"

The innkeeper, just like the regulars, was speechless until Maxwell whistled. "Um, yes. A stay of four nights and dining."

Maxwell nodded and applied a little more pressure to the arrows on the man’s neck, drawing blood. "Pay the good man." He ordered calmly.

"I don’t have anything on me." The man answered through gritted teeth.

Maxwell then turned to one of the inn’s workers. "Go get their belongings." The boy nodded and ran up the stairs. “Got any horses?” He asked the man. He nodded. "When the boy returns, I’ll let you find this man’s gold, double what you owe, and then we’ll go to your horses.”

Seraphina tapped on Vivienne’s shoulder and stared at her. She rolled her eyes and then tapped on her temple. Vivienne read her. “Good. Follow my lead. Don’t say anything.” She stood, heading for the men in the corner and picking up Maxwell's coat and so did Vivienne. “Us ladies can escort the men. Or are you too much to handle, boys?”

As she said it, she reached for her waist and unsheathed two daggers, twisting them around. Waiting for their answer. The one with the bleeding nose shook his head, but Seraphina kept spinning her daggers. “No, you can handle us alright.”

“Perfect.” Seraphina said and nodded. “Up you go.”

Maxwell took the lead and they brought all four to the stables. He lifted the man and threw him on his horse, it neighed under the sudden weight. “Take your lackies and get away from Farnost. You’re not the only killers around here. Got it?"

The man nodded reluctantly and Maxwell struck his horse to spur him off. His lackies mounted their own horses and followed as Seraphina waved at them laughing. She turned and winked at Vivienne. “Told you it’d be fun.”

Maxwell offered his arms to them. “Shall we?” Seraphina laughed again, but took his arm. “Viv?” The ordeal had her shaking, but she nodded and took his other arm. They returned to their table and Maxwell sat next to Vivienne, putting his arm around her waist, and drank from his tankard. “Sorry, just roll with it.”

She nodded. "You just beat up four people and no one has a problem?" She whispered at the siblings.

Maxwell looked to Seraphina, who gave an affirmative nod and he answered in his thoughts. "This is no ordinary village. These are our people. There are clusters of us all over the empire, we call them hives."

Vivienne looked at her tankard thoughtfully. Seeing that Vivienne stopped looking at Maxwell, Seraphina spoke. "Quite a display, kid. I’m guessing the girl who took you up told you about the scum?"

"Obviously." He replied downing another gulp.

"Obviously. Nothing more to it.” Seraphina thought shaking her head. It caused Vivienne to blush and she decided to stop reading the room.

After some small talk, Maxwell’s arm never leaving Vivienne’s waist, a serving girl came and took their order. The siblings asked for two servings of their chosen dishes. They discussed sleeping and watch arrangements as they ate, the plan for the next day. They knew where they would get another horse and winter clothes. With another horse to carry the weight, they could get more provision for their journey and the grateful innkeeper told them he’d provide them.

After they finished with their dinner, they went to their room where Vivienne, still unsettled by everything she saw in both the men’s and Maxwell’s minds, offered to take a watch. She reasoned they were at an inn, in a village full of their people, walls around them and she could notice anyone making a move way before they would’ve. They grudgingly accepted it, but only because they were both a lot more tired than they were letting on.

As they settled down to sleep, Vivienne sat in the only chair in the room, looking out the window at the unusually busy street. She thought it odd until she scanned the crowd’s minds, since apparently in Farnost the night ended later than Ashbourne. Also, with the group Maxwell sent away gone, the villagers were no longer afraid to go out.

She found herself smiling at the sight of the village people acting so juvenile. Grown men were picking up and swirling their partners. Children were cutting the fruit off some yellow ball flowers, she didn’t know the name but they were all over the roadside, and throwing them around to others. Couples were holding hands as they made their way home.

It was a nice change to the world she was used to, where she needed to watch her every move. After hearing some of the siblings’ stories about their home, she could see why people would resist to the empire’s oppression. In fact, she had difficulty understanding how people could stand for it. She figured it was because, like her, they knew no other way.

She spent her watch in such thoughts. Unintentionally, she even extended her shift and remembered to wake up one of the siblings quite later than they’d agreed. She went to Maxwell’s side and shook him. He didn’t take more than a few seconds to wake and get up trying to rub the sleep off his eyes. "What time is it?"

"A little after four? I’m not sure." She replied yawning.

"Should’ve woken me up earlier." He replied going to the room’s basin to throw some water on his face.

"I got lost in my thoughts." She explained quietly to avoid waking Seraphina up as well. She laid down on the bed, her head suddenly heavy when it touched the pillow.

"Well, I’ll take over." Maxwell took her previous seat. “Sleep well.” She fell asleep soon afterwards.

◊◊◊

When she woke up next, she could hear Seraphina and Maxwell having a heated discussion. Initially, she just wanted to turn over and resume her sleep since they didn’t intentionally wake her up as previously agreed. But that changed when she heard her name.

"What do you have against her, damn it? She’s someone we must get to safety." Maxwell asked raising his voice.

"She told you she’s from Talonpass. It’s what? Five days away from the Dawnfield?" Seraphina replied. Her tone was even, emotionless. Vivienne had learned it wasn’t a good sign.

“Thirty at best.”

“Thirty at best.” She repeated.

He snorted. "So fleeing Talonpass with her mother when she was a child makes her an enemy?"

"Can you be sure she’s not, though?" Seraphina challenged him. "Are you willing to take that risk?"

"You seemed to warm up to her before I told you. Does it make any difference now?" He said annoyed.

"Answer the question, Max." She said back still calm.

Vivienne waited for his answer. She was anxious. Her course of action depended on it. "Yes. I trust her." As he said that, Vivienne almost sighed in relief.

"Is this your objective judgement?” Seraphina asked causing Vivienne some unease. “Or are your feelings getting in the way?"

"My own judgement." He replied right away regaining his composure. "She’s not any different than you and I were when father brought us to Bandville."

Seraphina didn’t speak for a while. Vivienne was contemplating if she should still pretend to sleep. "If anything happens to either of us because of whatever she is, I’m going to kill her. Slowly."

"You won’t have to. She’s on our side." Maxwell said confidently. Soon after Vivienne heard the door closing. She stayed still, breathing evenly, for a little while longer and then turned over on her back opening her eyes. Maxwell was sitting in the chair looking out the window, but turned to her when she raised herself up. "Good morning. Slept well?"

She yawned while she stretched. "Yeah, I’ve missed sleeping in a bed."

He chuckled at that. "I know the feeling. I’ve had it more times than I could count."

"I bet.” She said and yawned. “Where’s Seraphina?"

"Probably went to arrange for another horse." He said staring at the road below.

"Makes sense."

“Mostly, she’s avoiding me.” He said chuckling.

She got up and went to throw some water on her face. "Why’s she avoiding you though?"

"You do realize we’re not stupid..." He said and she blushed. "I have to apologise on my sister’s behalf about that. She’s just…"

"…worried about the safety of you both. Don’t worry, I understand." She finished for him.

"Still. Sometimes she gets out of line. Especially when there’s something she doesn’t understand. She’s the kill first, ask questions later kind of woman." He said a little embarrassed.

"I... guessed. Good thing I have won you over, huh?" She tried to joke, but when she realized what she’d said, she blushed even more. "Um, well… I didn’t mean…"

He cut her off. "Good thing, yeah." He smiled getting up and went to the door. "Let’s go get what we need and return to our trip. Preferably before Sera decides she doesn’t need us." He opened the door for her and Vivienne stepped through.

He was right. When they went downstairs, the innkeeper told them Seraphina had asked for directions to whoever could provide her with a horse. They grabbed some fruit for the road and made their way to find her. They didn’t need to search long. She was already leading a black stallion back to the inn. She'd also asked directions to a tailor so they could get winter clothes for Vivienne, or at least a warm coat, and offered to escort her.

Vivienne took her up on the offer while Maxwell suggested he go back to the inn with the stallion to load him up. Once the women would return, they could move on from Farnost.

They parted ways and Seraphina never mentioned the morning arguments, so neither did Vivienne. They acted like nothing had happened since the night before. While Vivienne knew it was an act, not once did she try to see exactly what Seraphina had in store for her. She was sure that Seraphina would watch her, waiting for her slip. She never pried the mind of her companion to confirm her assumption though, fearing that would reinforce her guilt in Seraphina’s eyes.

They returned to the inn soon after they supplied themselves with clothing, two coats and some warm leggings. Maxwell was waiting for them in the diner, same table as before, where they ate their last meal before they gathered their belongings and rode off north.

When Vivienne asked why they didn’t stress to the innkeeper and his peers that he shouldn’t mention their passing through, the siblings told her they’d been in Farnost before. The hivespeople, they called them, knew that they should speak of roamers only to roamers. They were safe.

So, on they went with their journey, following the path Maxwell had laid out the night before. Through fields of unfarmed land, away from the main roads the imperials and their suppliers used. Through dangerous narrows and high gorges. Through fields of thick boscage where a mind reader would come quite handy, had the siblings allowed Vivienne to occasionally scan the area for danger.

But they didn’t. They made her promise she wouldn’t use her ability needlessly when they were out in the open and she was tired. Twice she’d tried and both times Seraphina aligned their horses before pinching her side. The second time she stayed by Vivienne’s side. During the little reading she managed to do before Seraphina stopped her, she found no one close by.

When the trio had to stop for the night, eight days after they’d last laid eyes on Farnost, they had to choose between the top of a small hill with a few short trees or the valley below. The siblings scouted the surrounding area and once they heard wolves howling close to them, the rushed out of the tall grass. Once they saw some bear tracks, they chose the hill. Although they could get easily spotted, the siblings thought they could defend it if need be and it’d keep them away from the wolves they’d heard and the bear tracks they’d seen earlier.

To avoid detection from afar, they didn’t light a fire. Instead, while Maxwell was unloading the horses and Vivienne was setting up a tent, Seraphina stacked stones and made sure the base of the pile was hollow so she could maintain a fire within to warm them. The siblings told Vivienne it was a practice they’d adopted early on in their roaming days. They could use the heated rocks to roast any slabs of meat they’d kept or keep themselves warm on freezing cold nights.

Vivienne finished with the tent, each day getting better at the things they taught her, and went on to prepare for their dinner. Though she handled most of the cooking, she gave them some tips in return that would come in handy when they’d part, add some flavour to their dull meals.

She knelt by Seraphina and touched the stones, they weren’t hot enough yet. She heard a whipping sound before her face struck the mud. “Maaax!” She heard Seraphina yell before she felt herself getting dragged by the scruff of her neck. Seraphina threw her against the tree. “Stay down and stay quiet.” She whispered.

Vivienne was still in shock, but desperate to see something, anything, she wiped the mud off her face. She made no sound, wouldn’t have even if Seraphina hadn’t told her. Her heart raced as Seraphina disappeared from her side. It felt like a lifetime until she reappeared with a limping Maxwell. He had one arrow protruding from his side, another must’ve nicked him higher because there was blood. “Dear lord...”

“Shh!” Seraphina called. Along with Maxwell, she’d retrieved her bow. She tried aiming, but she didn’t let any arrows loose. There were flashes over their camp, but she still didn’t release. She crouched back, next to Maxwell and Vivienne. “Vivienne, I need your help.”

Before she could say what she wanted, they heard their horses neigh and scurry off. Maxwell grabbed Vivienne’s hand and made her look at him. “She can’t see. Be her eyes.” His voice was hoarse. Strained. He was in pain. “Read them.” With a bloodied finger, he tapped on his temple.

“Need to hurry.” Seraphina called and snapped her fingers. She also snapped Vivienne out of her shock and she started reading. Immediately she heard Seraphina’s inner mantra. “Threat first, check on him later. Threat first, him later. Threat first...”

Then she heard the rest. There were three left. From the Farnost bandits they’d chased off. They were crawling forward, advancing through the high grass. Vivienne stood and moved Seraphina. Standing behind her, she created a V with her hands. “Straight ahead, they’re crawling in the grass.”

Seraphina pushed her down behind her without averting her eyes. Vivienne saw a fire as wide as the V she’d made erupt further behind than the crawling men and expand, trying to surround them. It was coming closer and Seraphina drew her bowstring. Within moments, the men stood and she could see them. Through her mind, Vivienne saw Seraphina aim and let loose three times. One for each man. They went down and so did the flames.

Seraphina shouldered her bow, made a fire over their heads and turned to her brother. "Max, quick pain assessment." She requested and lifted his shirt. The arrow had run him through at the side.

“Moving hurts, shoulder burns. I can move my arm though."

“The arrow’s far to the side, hit just skin. Praised be the elements.” Seraphina nodded. “You know what comes next, kid.”

“Do it.” His breaths came heavy. Vivienne felt him tense and scream in his mind, but never out loud. “Stop it, Viv. You don’t wanna hear this...” She nodded and did as asked.

Seraphina nodded again. “Vivienne, hold him as best as you can." Then she broke the tail of the arrow and pulled it out from its tip as Maxwell trembled.

The women then laid him down gently and Seraphina kept on working. She made Vivienne bring her their medical kit, with their bandages and herbs. Seraphina stitched the wounds and then they wrapped bandages around his waist and shoulder. "How are you holding up?"

"I’ve had worse." He replied breathing deeply and slowly, his eyes closed. Seraphina looked to Vivienne and shook her head.

As they treated him, Vivienne couldn’t help but notice the scars all over his torso, there were so many of them. Slashes, healed burn marks and other wounds decorated his flesh. She couldn’t understand how those two new wounds were worse than all his past ones, as Seraphina implied.

After they had him all bandaged up and wrapped around a blanket, Vivienne made them the meal she’d been preparing before the attack. Seraphina, once she calmed their horses, had hers drag her victims’ bodies down the hill and burned them, away from their camp to avoid the stench. Before she did though, Vivienne noticed their footwear. They’d padded them so they would resemble the paw of a bear. Like the ones they’d seen when they were scouting.

Once Vivienne read the area and found no one else, Seraphina started a fire to keep Maxwell warmer. He passed out soon after he ate. Only then did Seraphina look troubled. She grabbed the arrows she’d taken out of her brother earlier and brought it to her nose. Vivienne watched her, puzzled. "What’s with the face? Did we do something wrong?"

“Smell that?” She asked and brought the tips to Vivienne’s nose. "Know what it is?”

“No…”

“Neither do I, but he’s feverish when he shouldn’t be.” She said and threw the broken arrow in the fire.

Vivienne looked at Maxwell. “You’re thinking poison?”

“Yeah.” Seraphina answered and pushed back a tuft of Maxwell’s hair stuck on his forehead. “The wounds themselves just need time and rest to heal, but if I’m right…?"

Then she understood how it could be worse than Maxwell had ever got. "You poured some oils on the wounds. Won’t they help?"

"Definitely. Dull the pain, maybe progress things slower, but that’s no antidote." Seraphina replied. “We didn’t prepare for alchemical poisons.”

"What do we do?" Vivienne asked getting panicked.

"Well, you calm down, for one. He can’t see us panick. Worrying isn’t good for him right now. I’ll go see if I can find the herbs I need to make a common antidote." She replied getting up.

Vivienne was a little uneasy. "Do you know what you’re doing?"

Seraphina turned to her abruptly. "My brother may be the knowledgeable one, but I’m the practical. When he studied maps and history, I mixed poisons and remedies." The fire flared next to her, though Seraphina didn’t raise her voice. "What do you think?"

"I’m sorry, I just…" she was cut off.

"I know." Seraphina said quietly. "Just look after him while I’m gone. I haven’t seen anything I need the last couple hours of our ride. Do you think you can keep reading that long?"

Vivienne didn’t hesitate. "Doesn’t matter, I will. Anything I should do for him?"

Seraphina considered the question. "He’s feverish, but it might get worse. Keep him wrapped up and lay some damp cloth on his forehead. Keep water close too. Being a douser, it calms him."

Vivienne nodded and then Seraphina left on her horse. She kept scanning the area as she sat by the fire, but no danger came. She thought of the men who attacked them. The ones Maxwell had humiliated back at the inn at Farnost. She promised herself to never again follow the siblings’ order and not user her ability. If she had, they would’ve known about their pursuers. Maxwell wouldn’t be laying beside her, hurt and shivering.

But as it had happened, all she could do was watch over him. He slept soundleslly as he always did, only then he was shivering. Just like Seraphina had predicted, his fever spiked a while after she’d left. Vivienne followed her instructions to the last letter.

She was surprised at how rejuvenated he looked when she placed a wet cloth on his forehead and touched his cheeks. His eyes shot open in alarm. Vivienne, remembering Seraphina’s insistence, softened her expression so as not to worry him. "Hey. How’d you sleep?"

He looked around, probably searching for his sister. "Restless. Where’s Sera?" He tried to sit up, but Vivienne wouldn’t have that.

"Don’t. You need to stay down.” She said trying to push him down. “Sera’s gone to get some ingredients together. She’ll be back soon." She tried to reassure him.

Whether he believed her or just didn’t want to argue further, she wasn’t sure, but he did lay back on their sacks. "Ingredients? And she left you here alone with me?” He coughed. “So… poison?"

She couldn’t deny it. "She’ll fix it. Don’t worry." She gave him some water.

"I’m not worried. She always finds some way to fix my stupidity. Should’ve run a perimeter before we settled." He declared easily.

“Wouldn’t matter.” She shook her head. “They were wearing padded shoes. Those bear tracks? They were theirs.”

He drank some more water. “Clever bastards… Should’ve let you do your thing, then.”

“Should’ve. You wouldn’t be hurt.”

“All in a day’s work. Gotta protect you.” Then, he looked up at her in concern. "Wait, you two are okay, right??"

“We’re fine. Not a scratch.” As his good hand reached her cheek, she got flustered. "They only got you. Seraphina dealt with them before they could do anything."

He laughed then. "They always choose the wrong twin to neutralise. I wouldn’t have handled it as cleanly as her."

She leaned into his touch and moved her own to his forehead, checking his fever. Still high. He wasn’t going back to sleep, so she got him talking. "You guys are twins?"

"Yep. We don’t look it, huh?" He asked chuckling at her expression.

“Not even a little.” She chuckled. “Brother and sister, yes, twins? Nope.”

"That’s how it goes I suppose." He said and smiled. “She’d older, you know. By only a little, but still she feels responsible.”

He tried to turn, but the move of his wounded shoulder made him wince. "Damn, Max. Watch it. Let me help." She reached over his shoulder so that she could adjust the packs behind him to make him comfortable.

"You know…” He said and didn’t shy away from staring at her chest. “…this is the moment I would normally ravage the girl bent over me."

Vivienne shook her head smiling and patted the backpacks until he could lie back without making a face. "Is this your way of flattering a girl?"

"Thought you’d appreciate the honesty." He replied calmly and, sitting back she accidentally moved his arm. He yelped and held her in place. "Guess not, huh?"

She shook her head, still smiling. She leaned down and let her lips brush his. “You’re an idiot.”

He returned the smile and held her gaze. "I have heard that before." He replied pushing her hair behind her ear as she yawned. The smile faded and he frowned. "You’ve been looking out for us. How long?"

"I’m just tired from the ride." She said, but he didn’t think so.

"So, hours.” He said reading between the lines. “Come on, Viv. It’s not safe. You said so." He almost pleaded.

"I’m not the one with arrow wounds. Relax, I just need some sleep." She didn’t want to think of the poison in him as well.

He didn’t like it. It was obvious on his face, even if she wasn’t reading his mind. But he couldn’t deny that with Seraphina gone, her reading was their only safety in that moment. Even if the only help it could provide was a warning as Vivienne couldn’t fight. He didn’t contradict her. "Lie down here then and sleep." He said and lifted his good arm to make room for her.

She wouldn’t sleep, but there was no fault in taking him up on his offer. She lifted the blanket and snuggled to his good side, careful not to disturb his injured one. He wrapped an arm around her and sighed in content. "Think we had this coming?"

“I didn’t.” He pulled her hand up to his lips.

Vivienne looked up at him. “Sera does. First few days even.”

“I don’t do girlfriends, Viv. This life…” He said and kissed her hand. “If there are feelings, I bolt.”

Her fingers touched his lips. “You haven’t…”

He nodded. “I tried to keep my distance, but bolting this time… I couldn’t. I had to keep you away from Seraphina’s daggers.”

“Yeah…” She touched his forehead. The fever was going down, his breathing was becoming normal. She kept him talking. “She scares me, you know.”

“You stood up to her in Michael’s office though.” He smiled. “Haven’t seen many do it when they know what she’s capable of.”

She felt her cheeks getting warm. “No idea how that happened. I was terrified.”

He turned her head up so she would look at him. “After tonight, don’t be. If she had any doubts before, you wiped them, trust me.”

She nodded. “How’re you feeling though?” She asked rubbing his check lightly. “You seem better.”

“Not the first time I’m hurt, Viv.” He said, not really answering.

“You’re avoiding the question, Max.” She said seriously.

“I’m feeling better.” He leaned down, kissed her and laid his head back. “I’m in pain, but nothing I can’t handle. I think Sera got ahead of herself once again. Whatever was on those arrows is too mild.”

She turned her head down again, relieved, and thought of how much worse things could be. “You had me worried…” She whispered lightly, snuggling close to him.

“Your scream kinda gave that away.” He said poking her side. She didn’t remember screaming.

She didn’t respond. Instead, she concentrated on his breathing. It was uneven still because of the pain. She wished the attack had never happened, that he’d never gotten hurt. Her mind became heavy, so heavy she thought she’d pass out. His breaths came more evenly, his pain dulled. Soon after, she smiled and lost consciousness.

◊◊◊

When she woke up, she was no longer atop the hill. She was in a large cave, a fire burning close to her, and the siblings were just bringing Seraphina’s horse inside. “Hey…” Maxwell rushed to her side immediately, leaving Seraphina to hitch her steed with the rest of them. He checked Vivienne over as she looked at him puzzled. “What?”

“You’re awake.” He said as if that answered her question.

“So?” She asked and yawned. Maxwell took off his coat and she noticed how he did it with ease. She reached up to his shoulder and brushed aside the hem of his sweater. Where there should be a stitched-up wound, there was a scar. “What…? How?” She asked and ran her palm over the healed skin. “How long have I been out?”

“A few days.” He told her and went back to checking her over. When he was satisfied with his inspection, he gave a relieved sigh and continued. “You must be starving. We could hardly give you more than water and soup.” Her stomach did protest, but she was more interested in his wellbeing than her hunger in that moment.

“Can we go back to how one of you was healed and the other died? All of a sudden?” Seraphina interjected making Maxwell tense.

“Died? What’re you talking about?” Vivienne asked perplexed.

Maxwell stared pleadingly at his sister, but it had no effect that time. “Want a repeat?” He frowned. “Didn’t think so. She needs to know.”

He huffed and as Vivienne grabbed his chin to him towards her, he went on. “What do you remember? After we stopped talking?”

“I fell asleep.” She tried hard to remember, but nothing out of the ordinary came. “Will you just tell me? Or do I need to ask Seraphina?”

“Want me to be blunt?” His eyes showed a sting of hurt from her remark. “One moment I’m hurt, dying from poison, and you’re fine. The next I’m fine and your heart stops beating.” He lifted his sweater. Another scar, no wound. “You somehow healed me, but whatever you did killed you. I had to resuscitate you and even that took a while. I… I almost gave up.”

The twins waited for her to process the new information. It was absurd at first. She wanted to say so, but as she thought back to that night, she could see how they would think that. In fact, she was starting to believe it herself. From the moment she’d laid down next to him, Maxwell got better. If the poison had been mild as he’d suggested, he wouldn’t have spiked the fever. If his healing had nothing to do with her, she wouldn’t have had the same reaction, a lot more severe but so was the action, as when she’d overuse her reading. It made sense.

“Before you accuse me of anything, I didn’t know I can do that…” She said sheepishly and Seraphina laughed. Really laughed.

“Accuse you of what? Saving his life? If it wasn’t for you, he’d be dead by now.” She said breathlessly as Vivienne looked at Maxwell with concern. “I didn’t find everything I needed for the antidote. My brother is alive because of whatever you are and can do. So, no accusations. Just thank you.”

There was a shift in their relationship in that moment. The twins meant a great deal to each other, Vivienne knew that. There was none more significant an action she could’ve taken in Seraphina’s book than saving Maxwell. She could no longer see in her eyes any hostility or suspicion. She accepted her.

“Just don’t do that again.” Maxwell said looking down.

She rubbed his cheek. With Seraphina there, she hardly got more affectionate than that. “I don’t even know what I did. Now tell me. Where are we?”

“We were too easily spotted and a storm was coming, so once we stabilized you, we moved us forward to this cave. It’s where we’d spent the next night, had we not been attacked.” Maxwell replied as Seraphina went to the pot in order to get some food for Vivienne.

“We’re about five days away from Neverfall. More if another storm hits.” Seraphina added as she handed the bowl over to Vivienne. The stew was better. They were picking up some cooking skills. “We’re running low on supplies too, so we’ll need to deviate our course towards another hive. Can’t hunt and move forward at the same time.”

“We’ve already talked that over, no need to trouble you right now. You need to rest. You look like you need it.” Maxwell told her as she ate.

“Quite the charmer, kid.” Seraphina said shaking her head. “He’s right, though. You’re still weak. Don’t know what’s worse, between lack of food and the repercussion of his healing. You should rest.”

“You could go get some last hunting done. Before we move on.” Maxwell suggested and Seraphina nodded. She wore her coat and took her bow before exiting the cave. “See? Told you she’d be fine now.”

“I’m sure it has something to do with you still breathing.” Vivienne replied. Even holding up her bowl was tough. Her muscles weren’t functional yet.

Maxwell sat down next to her and draped another blanket over her shoulders. “Are you warm enough?”

She nodded. “Better now.” She leaned into him for comfort. “Did Seraphina really thank me?”

“Yep. Remember when I told you she feels responsible for me? Never said why, huh?” He replied and Vivienne shook her head. She looked up at him, waiting. “I never wanted this life. If it wasn’t for her, I would’ve probably spent my days with my nose in my books. Theoretical stuff, never taking action. I wanted peace and quiet. A family…”

She would’ve had a hard time believing that. The battle scars and the thoughts that ran through his head the night at the inn in Farnost created a different picture. But in the time she’d spent with the twins, the signs were there. Vast knowledge, stemming from lots of research, not experience. Rote memory of maps, names and details. Whenever he had even a little free time, he’d take a book out of his satchel and read until they’d interrupt him.

She didn’t get to ask him anything else, since he took the bowl away from her and laid them both down. Her body betrayed her and she soon fell asleep, the inexplicable exhaustion kicking in.

The trio spent the next two days inside the save so Vivienne could regain her strength. One of the siblings would take the horses out so they could chew on whatever grass or bushes they could find in the area, leaving Vivienne and the other inside for her safety. Seraphina had managed to bring down a deer and a few hares, on which Maxwell used the butcher skills he’d acquired in their time in Ashbourne.

They stocked the remaining meat as well as they could and when they deemed Vivienne was well enough to ride, they hurried on with the last few days of their journey. The siblings had already decided on their course, diverting slightly so as to replenish their supplies. The gold they’d taken from Lombard still provided the much needed help.

Vivienne didn’t much care for their route since until she could offer something more than a cooked meal and a warning of incoming danger, she could hardly suggest anything. Nor was she worried any longer of what would happen when they reached their destination.

She knew then she wanted to be part of that team. Their ideals and goals were foreign to her, but since her life had to change she’d much rather be with them than start over from scratch in a place she didn’t know. The closeness between her and Maxwell provided additional weight to her decision to stay with them. If they disagreed, she just had to convince them.

During the first couple of days after she woke up, the siblings scolded her whenever she swept the area for danger, until she gave them a piece of her mind. In a not so gentle manner. Maxwell had huffed, Seraphina had been pleasantly surprised, but both agreed she was the best chance for an easy threat detection, so every so often she used her ability.

But the few people she found along the way were travellers like them, or locals moving through the land. No empire officers, bandits or pursuers. It made her mad that the only time they were attacked, she hadn’t stood her ground to prevent it, but the siblings comforted her with stories of their own mishaps, when one mistake had allowed people to surround them, leading to many fights. They told her no one knew about a mind reader, so she shouldn’t beat herself up. They hadn’t let her help at first, their fault.

No storm caught up to them as Seraphina had feared, but the last day’s ride they moved through snow covered valleys, proof the cold still held strong halfway through the winter. In the confines of the streets of Ashbourne, Vivienne had hardly seen much snow covering land, so she was overwhelmed with fascination.

But it was nothing compared to the awe she felt when she laid eyes on Neverfall. If she had ever looked upon the city when she was fleeing with her mother, her mind hadn’t registered it. She couldn’t understand how that could be since the stronghold was magnificent.

Neverfall had to be at least twice as large as Ashbourne, its walls were gigantic, no man could ever climb them from the outside, and black, as Maxwell told her, it was an old Viscount’s choice to cause as much fear as possible to the outsiders.

From the ground, one could see no other building than the Main Hall. It had a tall clocktower and seemed to be in the middle of the city. Maxwell told her that although all official business took place in the Hall, unlike all other cities the Viscount didn’t live there. When they got to higher ground, Maxwell pointed to the old houses. Structures build right up the mountain. The old generations of Neverfallers lived up the mountain and Viscount Fergus still held up the tradition.

The outer wall formed a semicircle and ended right at the mountain range, the Dark Highlands, making the city impossible to surround, but easy to confine. Though the city had expanded since then, it still maintained its planning and the siblings told her the emperor had used that particular disadvantage to overpower the master of the area back in the day. With a long siege, the people of Neverfall had conceded, promising fealty to the emperor to survive.

The people never forgot.

That was why the city as a whole was as close to an ally against the empire as the League had. It was a hub for people like Maxwell and Seraphina. Shepherds. Even if they were seen performing any suspicious action against the officials the empire had replaced the local goverment with when it was conquered, no one would ever report it to the officers swirling the city. Only when their own society was endangered would they do so.

The evening the group reached their destination, they immediately headed towards the north side of the city, close to the Dark Highlands and the housing districts, where Maxwell was sure they would find the Tricky Slopes, the tavern the local Earth Elementals owned. As they navigated the streets of Neverfall, Vivienne noticed that no one paid them any heed as if they didn’t care there were two armed individuals trotting around their homes.

It was puzzling for her and Maxwell saw that, so after he tapped the side of his head, he expained in his thoughts. “Most think we’re hunters. The less clueless know we’re no threat to them, so they pay no attention to us. In any other city we wouldn’t stroll so easily.” She nodded to show she’d heard and uderstood before she stopped reading the people.

They reached the tavern and Maxwell dismounted, handing the reigns over to Seraphina while he went inside to inform their soon to be hosts they needed stabling for the horses. "Stop looking so worried, Vivienne. He can handle himself. Plus, we’re safe for now."

"We thought we were safe last time too…" Vivienne replied annoyed at the memory.

Seraphina raised her eyebrow looking at the younger woman. "Since when are you the negative one?" She shook her head as Maxwell reappeared. "Maybe I should be the one we send everywhere. I bet you won’t be as worried."

She winked and led the way to where her brother and another boy, no more than ten, waited. Vivienne didn’t bother arguing with her over the comment as she had been making it since she had come back to the cave only to find Vivienne sleeping with Maxwell’s arms around her.

Maxwell offered to help her dismount, but she stopped him. "I’m capable of getting off the horse by myself."

Unfortunately, she lost her balance and he caught her. He didn’t say anything, he just smiled and went on to pick up their belongings. That moment another man came into the stables to assist them. Seraphina left her sacks on the ground and proceeded to hug him. Then they turned to Vivienne for introductions. "This is Vivienne. Our friend." She said seriously and nodded off towards Maxwell. "And, Vivienne, this is Oris. We grew up together and he’s trustworthy."

The twins had told her before they entered the city, they would call trustworthy only the other known Elementals, who couldn’t possibly turn on them as they would be hunted down as well. They couldn’t risk having another Lombard betray them.

"Nice to meet you, Vivienne. You seem to be in one piece, so Sera didn’t get to you, but I hope little Max didn’t bore you to death with information." Oris teased shaking her hand.

"Who’re you calling little?" Maxwell retorted and playfully pounced on the other guy. Seraphina hardly managed to get out of the way before they started wrestling.

She went to Vivienne and locked arms with her. "Come on. The boys can take the luggage. Let’s find the baths. I really need a long, proper bath."

She dragged Vivienne inside, where they were directed to the baths. While their hosts owned a fully functional tavern, they also held accommodations for whenever emissaries from Bandville came or roamers passed through.

When they were left alone, Vivienne turned to Seraphina. "I’m starting to get a little freaked out here. You’re being too nice."

Seraphina didn’t even lift her head as she lied in her tub. "Don’t be. I’m just following Max’s suggestion."

"Which is?" She questioned intrigued.

"He asked me to stop scaring you. Simple as that." Seraphina replied impassively.

Vivienne blushed a little. "That explains the last few days. But not your behaviour since we entered the city."

“Ohh, that.” Seraphina sat straight and looked at her. She tapped her temple. "The people here need to see us as a tight team. We cannot seem divided, okay? There are many who long for a life away from the empire and when they see roamers, they often try to befriend them. To follow us, I mean. When they see a group of roamers, since we hardly ever run in groups they think it’s easier." She laid back down submerging herself for a short moment. "You cannot believe the lies I’ve heard some tell about Max. There was this girl one time that told me Max was cheating on me with her, ugh.” She shivered. “That’s why I always call him brother now.”

Vivienne ran her fingers through her hair. “Makes sense.”

“Also…” Serpahina said and sighed. “I… kinda trust you now. You know… with what you did for Max and all."

Vivienne didn’t ask anything else. It wasn’t a confession she expected. She didn’t think Seraphina trusted anyone other than her brother, yet she verbally admitted she did Vivienne. So with a soft smile, she let those words be the last ones they shared as they finished with their bath.

When they were done, they went to their rooms where they found their belonging waiting for them and they changed before going downstairs to the tavern. They found Maxwell and Oris with trays of food for all four of them, so they headed their way.

While Vivienne contemplated where she should sit, Seraphina decided for her as she sat next to Oris, leaving the seat next to Maxwell for her. She lowered herself on the bench and Maxwell smiled at her before he sneaked his arm over her shoulders. He seemed to caress her cheek, but it was only pretence so he could reach her temple and lightly tap on it.

"Hope you’re satisfied with the food. It’s courtesy of Oris’s father." He said out loud and continued in his thoughts. ‘Read him and see if he knows the sensation. Not just him, everyone. But be careful, Viv.’

In answer to his concern, she reached up and kissed his cheek. But because she also needed to give him a reply in his question, she spoke. "It’s good, thank you. And your father as well, Oris."

"Our pleasure. It’s always nice to have friends from home here." Oris replied with an easy smile. Vivienne turned her full attention on him. An uneasiness overwhelmed him, just like the twins that first time, but he had no idea what caused it. His thoughts simply shrugged it off and shifted to Seraphina. She cringed and stopped reading him.

Maxwell, who had his hand on her back rubbing it, turned to whisper in her ear seriously. "Anything wrong?"

She cleared her throat and drank a sip of her cider. "Yeah, just didn’t swallow right." He looked at her for a moment before nodding and laying a kiss on the top of her head.

Watching the little exchange, Oris chuckled slightly. "She’s got you wrapped around her little finger, man."

"And that’s bad because…?" Maxwell replied puzzled. Oris just shook his head chuckling.

They ate their meal in light conversation, mostly of the trio’s journey and their adventures. They purposely left out the severity of Maxwell’s injury from their account of the attack, so as not to have to explain how he could have healed already. They left out Vivienne’s ability as well, not wanting anyone to know of it, as long as they weren’t sure what repercussions such knowledge would have.

As the three Elementals reminisced about their childhood, Vivienne excused herself and went upstairs to her room, feeling too exhausted to engage in such social interaction. As she laid in her bed, she suddenly saw light coming from outside through her window, so she got up to check on it.

When she reached the window, she held her breath. All over the city lanterns shone, creating a magical atmosphere. The white clocktower at the centre seemed even more magnificent in the combined light of the lanterns and the moon than when it was hit by the sunlight.

"Beautiful, isn’t it?" She heard Maxwell say as he stood towering over her. She nodded and leaned back to him. "How come you left?"

"I thought I’d let you three catch up." She replied still amazed by the sight out her window. "Why did you come up here though? You didn’t need to." Another thought came to her and she titled her head up tp him. "Unless you did to leave Seraphina and Oris alone?"

Maxwell started laughing then. "Them? Together? We’re more likely to kill the emperor than Oris has any chance to win my sister’s affection.” He raised an eyebrow. “Wait, is that why you cringed down there when I asked you to read him?"

"Yeah… Though as her brother, I doubt you want any details on that." She replied and they both shook in disgust.

"I’m suddenly glad I can’t do what you do." He said and sighed. “What do you think of the light show?"

"You knew about it?" She inquired rhetorically. Of course he did. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"I thought you’d appreciate it more if you saw it yourself. It’s much more beautiful than I thought when I read about it." He put a hand on the cold window leaving a print. "I certainly wouldn’t mind such a view."

The longing in his voice showed too much vulnerability. It made her turn in his arm and lock her hands behind his neck. "You could have it, if you talked to Seraphina."

"Nope. Giving up on hurting the empire is something she’ll never do. And I can’t leave her alone in this. We’re a team." He replied sadly.

"Why not though? If she recognises it’s futile, why fight?" Vivienne asked confused.

He leaned down to kiss her before he spoke. "Because they murdered our mother for being an Elemental. Because we fled our home with our father. Because our father left us in his brother’s care to go and fight. Take your pick. Each reason by itself would make anyone thirst for revenge, but combined? Adding Sera’s nature? She’ll never stop. So neither will I."

In that moment, he needed comfort more than her asking him for details, so she let it slide. She brought up something else instead. "Is there room for another member?"

"Viv…it’s not…" he started.

She cut him off though. "Let me rephrase. Is there room for another member or will I need to follow you around? I’m no tracker, so I might get lost searching for you."

"You could get hurt." He replied.

"Teach me to defend myself then." She countered.

"It’s not an easy life, I told you." He challenged.

"You could use a companion to make it bearable then. Plus, life hasn’t been easy this far anyway." She responded. “And if things don’t work out between us, I can still go my own way and it’ll be as if I stayed here.”

He was silent for a while, just staring into her eyes. "You’re not backing down, are you?"

"No. Not unless you don’t want me there and we both know what you think of that, so don’t bother trying to convince me otherwise right now." She said rubbing the back of his head.

“Is that so?” He smiled.

“Oh yes, it is so.”

"Fine then. You must be able to protect yourself.” He hummed and nodded to himself. “Right, you should rest. Tomorrow you start training." He said and turned to leave. With just two strides he reached the door. "Goodnight."

"Where are you going?" She asked as he opened the door.

"My room?" He wanted to say, but it came out as a question.

"So you’ll leave me all alone in a foreign city in a strange place?" She asked innocently.

He chuckled and closed the door. "When you put it like that…"

They were soon sprawled out on the bed, the lone lantern in the room barely shining enough light for them to distinguish each other’s faces. The yawns were coming and going, Vivienne told him of her conversation with Seraphina in the baths, he informed her of their training schedule when they’d wake up, but just when they’d finally decided to sleep, there was a soft knock on the door.

Seraphina picked her head in and sighed in relief. "There you are, Max. We have an issue." She waited for him to sit up. "Father’s here…"