The spirit gazed without eyes at the three children who could be their new master from atop the grave of their old one. They stared and judged and began drifting towards the youngest of the group before Rowan intervened.

  “There’s been a change to the plan. You’ll be bound to the eldest daughter instead of the youngest.”

  Meteoros sent out a questioning pulse of light in response.

  “She’s chosen her own path, and you don’t fit into it.”

  Their light dimmed, and Willow felt bad for the meteor spirit so she tried comforting them.

  “It’s not your fault! If I hadn’t found Eos I would have bonded with you in a heartbeat. You’re just way too strong for what I need now.”

  Meteoros’ light shone bright for a moment as their strength was mentioned, and scoffed at the idea of being too strong. You could never have enough strength after all.

  Willow brandished her friend-shaped flame to show her mother’s old companion. “This is my friend Eos! I need to find an earth spirit as strong as them so I can do a thing.”

  The two spirits considered each other, Eos blazing merrily, Meteoros’ light pulsing in thought. Eos flickered a bit to signify deference to the older, more powerful spirit and they in turn bobbed up and down in the air to acknowledge their junior. Willow was thrilled they seemed to be getting along.

  Her father cleared his throat to try and bring the group back on track. “Willow, I was hoping you’d wait until after the binding ceremony to ask your favor of Meteoros.”

  Now the spirit’s curiosity was piqued, and the young girl tried to defend herself.

  “I haven’t even asked yet! And you didn’t say to wait until after, so how was I supposed to know?”

  “It was implied, sprout.” Her father grumbled. “This is supposed to be an important ceremony for your sister, so please don’t distract from it.”

  What favor? Meteoros asked without words.

  Rowan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose while mumbling to himself. “Fine then, I guess we’ll make this a double.” He knew how stubborn the spirit was, and that they were unlikely to cooperate until their question was answered. So it was best to indulge them.

  “My youngest would like to request you make a spirit for her, about the same strength as her current one.”

  Is that all? The old spirit seemed to say before focusing their attention back on the girl. They then sent an extremely dense ball of qi and intent at her feet which caused her to yelp and fall back in surprise. They seemed quite amused by this outcome, but her family called out in concern and Maple in particular knelt down to check on her.

  “Are you all right Willow?”

  “I’m fine sissy. They just startled me is all.” The girl said while sending the cause of her current state an indignant look, which only seemed to increase their amusement.

  Done. The spirit said through the sheer smugness radiating from them. Willow was initially confused until she looked to the spot the ball of energy hit. Then her confusion increased until she actually used her senses to get a different perspective.

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  At the point of impact was a pebble sitting in a small crater that almost definitely wasn’t there before. Looking at the pebble spiritually the girl realized it wasn’t a rock at all but a very small earth spirit. They seemed quite content to just sit there and be as far as Willow could tell.

  “Willow, grab your new spirit and we can get on with the ceremony.” Her father rumbled, clearly still bothered by the interruptions. “And don’t bind them until I say so” He clarified so that the ceremony wouldn’t go more off track than it already had.

  The child did as she was told after getting up and dusting herself off. The newborn spirit seemed confused by the concept of movement as they were picked up off the ground, but seemed to take it in stride. Her father then continued with a speech he seemed to have prepared with some on the fly additions. The sun set fully as he began, the only lights among them came from the meteor spirit, which cast harsh shadows over everyones features, and Eos, which added some warmth for those close to the girl they floated near.

  “I stand here this evening, as patriarch of this family, to watch over two of my children as they bind their first spirit.”

  He cleared his throat a bit and gave Willow a look. “Or the first I’ve seen them bind at least.”

  He then continued. “May these spirits add to our household's strength, and may they be good friends and companions to my children.” He looked at his wife’s spirit. “Meteoros, you served my wife faithfully for many years, and I hope you will serve my daughter with the same zeal.”

  They bobbed up and down in confirmation.

  Rowan then looked to his youngest daughter. “Do you have a name in mind for your new spirit?”

  Willow's mind raced for a bit as she considered some of the past options she had looked at for Eos before settling on one that she felt suited the calm and steady pebble in her palm.

  “Phoebe.”

  She felt the name settle into her new friend, and like learning about movement they seemed to take it in stride. They were Phoebe now and that was fine.

  Her father nodded and looked at the small newborn spirit. “Phoebe, I hope you grow into what my youngest needs. I know that’s a lot of weight to put on a spirit freshly formed, but earth is well suited to carrying that burden.”

  The spirit in question did not understand what was asked of them, but agreed regardless. What will come, will come, and they will endure.

  With a small nod Rowan continued. “Now daughters, you have heard the agreements of your potential partners. Do you have anything to say or ask of them before we begin the binding?”

  Maple nodded after some thought and stepped a little closer to the meteor spirit. “Meteoros, I ask you be patient with me in the coming years. I know I lack my mother’s strength of arms and will.” She choked up a bit at the admission and it looked like Rowan wanted to interrupt before she pressed on. “But I like to think I have her heart, and I hope that will be enough for the challenges we’ll face together.”

  The spirits light softened to show she need not be so harsh on herself, and they bumped themself softly on her forehead to try and knock some sense into her. She is enough for them, and she doesn’t have to compare herself to her mother. She will grow as her mother grew, but the person she becomes will be her own.

  Their father wiped some moisture away from his eyes at the scene before composing himself. He looked at his youngest.

  “Anything you’d like to say to Phoebe?”

  The girl shook her head. The only thing she had to ask would be asked during the binding itself.

  “Very well. Everyone has spoken what needed to be said. We can now begin to bind these two pairs together.”

  He then proceeded to walk Maple through some rather complex qi patterns and movements while the girl and her rock did their own ritual.

  Willow extended her thread of qi and asked her very important question.

  “Phoebe, will you be my friend?”

  Understanding the weight of the question the spirit pondered.

  They deliberated.

  They contemplated.

  They decided and agreed.

  With the bond completed the girl placed the thoughtful stone in the space newly formed just below her collar bone.

  With both daughters bound to their respective spirits of earth, the binding ceremony was now complete.