"Uncle Gus!”

  From across the square, Uncle Gus came to an abrupt halt, his shoulders sinking as he lowered the colossal satchel from his shoulder to the ground, and turned to greet me with a weary smile.

  “Yes, Miss Celeste? How can I help you, dear?”

  I held a hand to my head, flinching the whole way over to him. “You have another sunburn! Why aren’t you wearing a hat?” I asked, stamping my foot in part to make my frustration known, in another to distract myself from the sting rippling across my scalp.

  He sighed and reached up, laying a hand on the crimson spot on his balding head. “You noticed? Girl, it’s not so bad. Don’t be fussin’ over me, I’ll survive.”

  “You’re lying, it hurts terribly!” My fists balled at my sides, I stamped my foot a second time, with greater force. He flinched and looked away, but I tilted my head to chase his gaze. “Sit so I may treat it.”

  “It’s really nothing, Celeste. I’ve a long trip ahead and I must be off.” He moved to picked up his satchel, but I swiftly placed myself between them, arms outstretched.

  “Then your burn will be worse when you return! It will take only a moment, so please sit!” Our eyes locked, mine narrowed, his wide and pleading. In the end, his rolled and, after a second sigh, he acquiesced and allowed me to lead him to the bench — in actuality, a well-sanded tree stump — off the side of the square. He sat down and I kneeled beside him, rooting through my medicine pouch.

  “One part Wildekin berry, one part Dragon’s Bane, and a few drops of…” My lips pursed, trying to recall the rest of the ingredients for the sunburn remedy Mother taught me.

  Four Summers had passed since I took up the mantle as her apprentice, and I still found it difficult to keep track of the countless combinations, especially knowing that the slightest mishap could turn a healing tonic into poisonous gas or corrosive acid.

  “There we are…now give it a shake.” I shook the phial and fished out a fresh cloth. The poultice mixed, I checked the consistency and scent, then slathered it on the cloth, climbed onto the bench, and applied it to Uncle Gus’s scalp. The moment I did, we both sighed in relief, the tension draining from our bodies. “There now, is that not better?”

  Uncle Gus nodded and clicked his tongue. “You’ve certainly got the right of it, Celeste.” He cleared his throat and raised his hand to hold the cloth in place. Then he patted the spot next to him. “A word of advice, though? You’ll find it easier to win folks over if you’re more sweet than sour.”

  “What do you mean?” I sat beside him, returning my things to my pouch while keeping a watchful eye on him to make sure he didn’t take it off too soon.

  “You’ve got a kind heart, girl, but you just can’t leave well enough alone. Some folks are doin’ just fine, they don’t need someone to swoop in and save them. You aren’t the Promised Healer,” he chuckled and winked at me, “well, not yet anyway. We’ll see what happens if your Spark ever awakens.”

  My lips pursed, and I looked down at my feet. Well enough was no good when someone was hurt. Why he would choose to remain in pain when someone could fix it in but a moment made no sense to me.

  “Someone has to take care of you if you won’t do it yourself.” I reached up and touched my head. The pain was mostly gone, reduced to little more than a troublesome sting. “And I know it was hurting you because it was hurting me.”

  “Ah, right. My apologies, Miss Celeste. I’m gone so often I forget about that, ah, quirk of yours.” Uncle Gus patted my back — a bit too rough, enough to make my body jerk forward — and then relaxed his posture. “Forgive me for giving you grief, girl.”

  “I do, Uncle Gus. Forgive me for worrying about you.” He laughed, and I smiled.

  "Father! You’re still here?”

  The two of us looked up to see Lucien and Vasco, along with the Huntsman’s daughter, Hannah. They’d grown big and strong in the last few years, Brother especially. He was one of the tallest men in the hamlet, built like a bear and twice as strong. Lucien wasn’t nearly as tall, but still stood shoulder to shoulder with Hannah, who was two years their senior.

  “I am,” Uncle Gus nodded to me, “had a mandatory visit from our junior apothecary, so I’m on bed rest for a while longer. Where are the three of you off to?”

  Hannah held up a bow, a broad grin stretched across her face. “On the hunt! Father’s allowed me to take the reins, so I’m bringing these two louts along to show them how it’s done.”

  “You have your spear?”

  Lucien raised it aloft.

  “And food? Water? Might be out a while.”

  Vasco shifted the bag on his shoulder.

  “How about some tonics and bandages? Wouldn’t want you getting gored by an ironstag on your first foray into the deep woods, would we?” Uncle Gus and the others laughed, but those words gripped my chest in icy fingers.

  My feet moved on their own, pulling me from my seat and rushing to my brother’s side. “I’ll come with you!”

  “And why’s that?” Vasco asked. “You wept for days after learning how Charles provides us with meat and eggs, are you sure you’re up for a hunt?”

  Hannah chuckled. “Don’t tease her, V. There’s nothing wrong with a soft-hearted mender.”

  Heat rushed to my cheeks. But, remembering Uncle Gus’s advice, I bit my lip to keep from becoming cross. “If you do get hurt, I can take care of you.”

  “We’ve plenty of tonics, Little Star. We’ll be quite alright,” Lucien said, resting his hand atop my head and ruffling my hair. An affectionate act he knew I hated, yet insisted on doing anyway.

  I shrugged him off with a glare and a pout. “You’re lucky to remember which side of a phial to drink from, Lucien! In a crisis, I’d not trust you with Brother and Hannah’s safety.”

  Lucien laughed and drew his hand back. “That makes two of us then!” He turned to the others. “I say we bring her along. Celeste is a fair bit handier with a bandage than any of us, and even if we’ve no need of her services, she’ll be good company.”

  “Mayhap you’re right.” Hannah leaned forward and stuck her tongue out at me. “And besides, if we don’t, she’ll throw a fit of catastrophic proportions until we return.”

  “I will not!” This time I could not stop myself from stamping my foot, my cheeks burning brighter when the three of them laughed. My anger lasted only until Vasco nodded his head and laid a heavy hand on my shoulder.

  “It’s settled then, let’s be on our way. Stay close to me, Sister, or it’ll be Mother’s wrath we face upon our return.”

  Still pouting, I leaned against his side, and the four of us made our way down the hill. When we reached the Mother Willow’s shade, Lucien burst into song and a smile returned to my face.

  ***

  Our journey into the deep woods started with excitement, but soon shifted to plodding unease. Sunlight dwindled into thin strips, beacons that led us off the well-worn path and into the shadows. Both birdsong and insect cries grew quieter the further we traveled until the soft crunch of our footsteps and our shallow breaths became the only sound breaking the silence.

  Hannah led the way, creeping through branches and across narrow streams with a swiftness and lightness of foot the rest of us lacked, stopping only to glance back over her shoulder and mouth a near-invisible “Keep up” before hurrying ahead.

  Try as I might to keep pace, my feet were not accustomed to the gnarled roots and uneven ground that barred my path, nor were my eyes trained to see in such darkness. After my third stumble, Vasco tossed the supply bag over to Lucien, then hefted me onto his shoulders.

  “Thank you, V.” I said in the softest whisper I could manage, my lips right next to his ear. He nodded without a word, but I could just make out the hint of a smile on his face.

  Without the Sun to guide us, I could not say how long we wandered into the woods. But, it felt as though an eternity passed before Hannah came to an abrupt halt, holding up a fist. Though the signal was lost on me, Vasco and Lucien acted in an instant, ducking behind the nearest tree. Vasco deposited me to the ground, then held a finger to his lips.

  We waited. Silent. Barely breathing. Then…a crunch. And another, falling in a rhythm of fours. There was a deep snort and rattling of leaves nearby.

  My heart racing, I leaned out from where we lay hidden, hand flying to my mouth to smother a gasp.

  Lit by strands of light, the finer details of the creature’s appearance were lost to me. But even my eyes could perceive its towering frame — taller than Vasco and just as broad — and the grand crown of antlers atop its head. If I squinted my eyes, I could just make out the gray-metal sheen of its fur.

  Before us was a mighty ironstag. Uncle Gus’s joke had become a terrifying possibility.

  Its head turned my way, beady black eyes locking with mine. It snorted; I froze.

  The ironstag took a step forward, and the instant its hoof hit the dirt, an arrow whistled through the air, striking it in the side, but breaking upon its dense fur. The beast spun toward Hannah and loosed a loud, guttural roar. It charged at her, its thundering feet kicking up a cloud of dirt and fallen leaves.

  “Celeste! Stay put!”

  I turned to face him, but Vasco was already gone, Lucien close on his heels. Spear in hand, Lucien raced forward even faster, striking it against the deer’s side. It, too, glanced off the beast’s fur, its furious grunting a sure sign that he’d only enraged it further.

  It stopped in an instant, far quicker than a beast its size had any right to, and threw its head toward the red-haired warrior. Lucien managed to raise his arms just in time to spare himself a fatal strike, but the force sent him flying — a slicing pain surged up my forearms and the wind was knocked from my lungs — into the brush.

  “Lucien! Curse it, Vasco, hold it steady!” Hannah’s voice rang out from a different part of the darkness.

  “On it! Don’t miss!” My brother, fearless to a fault, slammed his shoulder into the ironstag’s, staggering the beast. Then, he threw his arms around it, digging his fingers into its fur and holding on with all his might.

  Another whistle; another arrow broken against its hide.

  The ironstag roared, long and loud, shaking the leaves overhead and piercing me to the bone. I felt a bruising blow to my brother’s chest, then looked up just to watch the beast turn and raise its hind legs.

  The crushing force that hit Vasco’s chest — mine echoing its pain — sent us both crashing to the forest floor. I clutched at my sides, rolling helplessly, struggling to pull air into my lungs.

  “V-Vasco!” My cry was choked, vision blurred. Though I hurt from head to toe, I knew it was only a reflection of the suffering the others faced. With that thought in mind, I dug my fingers into the wet dirt and scrambled to my feet, rushing to my brother’s side without a glance back. When I reached him, I fell to my knees and fumbled with my pouch.

  “It’s o-okay, Va-Vasco! I’ve g-got you. I’ll take —“ My words stuck in my throat as a wave of nausea washed over me. From the carnage just out of sight, I heard Lucien shout and the spear snap.

  Another arrow; another roar. Hannah cried out next; a series of gashes burned in my side.

  It was all too much to bear. My lips screwed shut and my hands curled around my middle. With a sharp hiss through my teeth, I lurched forward and screamed in agony, knowing it would draw the beast my way.

  I heard the ironstag snort, felt the ground trembling beneath me as it thundered in my direction. Those long, razor-sharp horns would soon run me through, my presence amounting to nothing but a burden that led to the end of us all. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks and my eyes screwed shut.

  Suddenly, I felt him move and looked up. Vasco was on his feet, standing between me and the ironstag. He crossed his arms over his chest, his body strangely alight in the dark. Then, just as the beast reached him, he raised his guard. A blinding flash of cobalt lit the deep woods.

  Wide-eyed, mouth agape, I watched my brother’s muscles glow with that same light, shimmering just beneath his skin. The ironstag’s charge had been stopped completely, the sudden lack of momentum confusing the beast. That moment of hesitation was all he needed. Vasco threw his fist forward with a shout and struck the beast between the eyes.

  A resounding crack echoed across the clearing, a short gust of wind blowing my hair back from my face. The deer tumbled backward, head over hooves, coming to a stop only upon crashing into a tree.

  There was no time to wonder in amazement at what had transpired, for in the next second, a glistening silver spear came flying through the shadows and crashed into the ironstag’s side. It broke through the fur, spraying the forest floor with blood and sending a blistering pain through my side.

  Through tear-streaked vision, I saw Lucien, clutching a second spear, its ethereal glow chasing off the shadows as if it were crafted from silver moonlight. He drew his arm back to throw it, but a final whistle beat him to the draw.

  This time, when the arrow struck the opening created by the first spear, it pierced the beast through. A numbing cold, more haunting and terrible than all the pain, flooded the beast’s broken body and mine. I clutched my stomach tighter, shivering, teeth chattering, staring into the ironstag’s eyes. When the last light faded from them, so, too, did that awful cold.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  No one made a sound. Lit by Lucien’s spear, I glimpsed Hannah, on her knees with blood seeping through her shirt, an arrow drawn and aimed at the creature. When seconds turned to minutes and the beast remained in place, she relaxed, and the rest of us followed.

  ***

  “I’m telling you, we’ll appear so much more impressive if we return victorious, but battle-worn.” Lucien said for the third time. He winced and laughed when I made a point of tying off his last bandage just a bit firmer than was necessary. “All right, Little Star, there’s no need for such a temperament. We’re alive are we not?”

  By the ethereal glow of the silver spear in his hand, I turned my attention to Hannah, who had remained silent through the exchange. She glanced at me with a raised eyebrow, then, seeing my expression unwavering, rolled her eyes and rolled up her shirt.

  Three long gashes, skin-deep, but bleeding profusely. The pain was mostly a sting by now, but one worse than she cared to let on. I set about cleaning the wound, flinching in time with her throughout.

  “Remind me to never speak with your father again before we venture out, Lucien.” Vasco said with a short, joyless laugh. “Gored by an ironstag? Next time, he might curse us to battle a Fellbeast or a Fiend.”

  “Truly a prophet, that one.” Lucien replied with a boisterous laugh of his own. The light from his spear wavered, moving in random patterns.

  “Might you hold that still? I can work better by the light.” I said, glancing back at him. He was turning it in his grip, observing the contour and glow of it. But at my admonishment, he nodded and held it steady.

  “As you wish, Miss Celeste.”

  Hannah sighed — a loud, exaggerated sound meant to draw all eyes to her — and asked, “Are we going to address the obvious, or continue to play like we don’t see it?” She raised her arms to allow me to wrap her and continued. “The pair of you are Heroes.”

  I paused.

  “So it would seem.” Vasco said. “I’m not sure what came over me, but when I felt Celeste in danger, my body moved on its own. This…light inside of me that knew what to do.”

  “Mm…much the same for me, really. I thought to myself, ‘if I just had the right weapon, I know I can pierce the beast’s hide.’ And lo and behold, this,” the light moved again, the spear humming as it moved through the air, “appeared in my hand.”

  My work completed, I tied off Hannah’s bandage and put my things away. “Then…those are Soulsparks?”

  Soulsparks: the magic that lay dormant within all living things, a gift from the Fairy Queen. Upon awakening, they manifested in a manner unique for each individual. Most never awakened. Those that did marked the wielder a Hero.

  “Well, it’s a damn good thing they did, otherwise this accursed thing would be the death of us.” Hannah kicked the ironstag’s side. She shouldered her bow. “You able to carry it, Vasco? Or will you need help?”

  “I’ll manage.” Vasco climbed to his feet, bent down, then hefted the beast onto his shoulders. His eyebrows raised and his head tilted. “Huh.”

  “Is something wrong, V?” I asked, hurrying to his side to check his bandages. His ribs were no worse than before, but I couldn’t help but worry until he chuckled and shook his head.

  “No, it’s the opposite really. It just feels so light compared to before.”

  Hannah clapped him on the back — the gesture barely enough to make him flinch, let alone stumble — and started the trek home. “Boy’s been a Hero for three minutes and already letting it go to his head.”

  “I think I feel it, too!” Lucien walked at Hannah’s side, holding out his spear to light our way. “Sort of unstoppable, yeah?”

  Vasco nodded. “Like I could bring down the Fiend Lord, himself.”

  “Soulspark awakenings cause a flood of magic through the body and can cause an ‘Awakening Rush’ that produces feelings of invincibility and euphoria. Some new Heroes have been known to hurt themselves because of it, so you should take care to not overexert yourselves.” As I recited the passage, the others began to laugh. My cheeks burned, and I pursed my lips to show my disapproval.

  “Not to worry, Sister. We’ll be the picture of restraint. Right, Lucien?”

  “I’ll kick my feet up and relax the moment we get home; sleep until morning if I have to!”

  Even at that age, I knew they were only humoring me. Still, I couldn’t help but smile.

  ***

  I knew something was wrong well before Spring Hill was in view. One moment, I was laughing at some clownish comment from Lucien, the pain from our encounter with the ironstag little more than a stinging pulse. The next, I was face down in the dirt, screaming with such intensity that my throat bled and my voice went silent.

  Burns. Gashes. Broken Bones. Bruises that covered me from head to toe. Too many agonies to place a name to, striking me with more force than even an ironstag could manage.

  “Celeste! What is it?”

  I could not hear who it was calling out to me through the pounding in my head, nor did I know whose arms it was that lifted me from the ground. My face buried in their neck, I ground my teeth with all my strength to keep my shrieking cries from deafening them, but it was a monumental struggle.

  “Elysium’s grace, what happened?” A gasp from the one holding me. We were moving quicker, leaping and bounding across roots and uneven ground, then down the mostly smooth dirt road that led to Spring Hill.

  The pain was the worst it had ever been, bearing down on me from every angle, near every inch of skin inflamed with some unseen anguish, overlapping with two or three others.

  “Get them laid out over there. That’s right, thank you! Now let’s — oh, Queen’s blessing, you’re back. Come, we’ve need of — oh, Celeste!” Mother’s voice drilled through the pounding in my skull, giving me the strength to force open my eyes. A mere glimpse took my breath away in a strangled gasp.

  A squadron of Guardians, twelve of them in total, laid out at the foot of Spring Hill. All injured, nine of them hanging on by a thread. I could feel the same all-consuming chill that had silenced the ironstag creeping in, dulling my pain enough to speak, saying, “Let me help!”

  Mother shook her head and lowered me to the ground. “This is too much for you, Dear. Go with your brother back to the cabin and rest. You look ready to slip into Oblivion’s embrace yourself.”

  But I shook my head and scrambled from her arms, fighting to reach the nearest injured Guardian. His leg was broken, burns covered half his face, blood seeping through the holes in his torn leather jerkin. The combination was enough to send me to my knees.

  “Let me help! They need my help!”

  Mother snatched me by the waist and lifted me into her arms, walking me to the edge of the field. She set me down and grasped me by the shoulders, turning my face so I could see nothing but hers.

  “I’ve no time to look after you, Celeste. They need me at my best. If you wish to help, we need you at yours, do you understand?” I nodded; she nodded in return. “Alright, you can help, but you must do as I say, alright?” Another nod. “Head back to the cabin, and brew more Mending Tonics, as many as you can. You remember the recipe, yes?”

  “I do.” I replied, my voice just above a whisper.

  “Repeat it to me.”

  “Three parts Wildekin berry juice, a sprinkle hydra weed, and three drops of…of Turtlebark extract to numb the pain.”

  Mother kissed my forehead and brushed the hair from my face. “Very good. Don’t forget the Snakebite juice when you’re grinding the hydra weed to neutralize the toxin. Can you make it home on your own?”

  I nodded a final time and turned to rush home, but the moment her grasp on me loosened, I fell to the ground in pain once more. Forcing myself to my hands and knees, I managed to move forward an inch before a far stronger pair of hands pulled me from the ground.

  “We’ll be back!” Vasco called over his shoulder before sprinting up the hill at full speed. With each step taken, the pain dulled, until at last I could open my eyes to see Vasco’s look of determination.

  “I’m sorry, Brother…for being such a burden…”

  But he shook his head and put on a smile, one he saved for me alone. “Don’t be, Sister. Come, let’s brew your tonics. I’ll assist you as best I can.”

  ***

  We made it to the cabin quick as the wind. By then, the pain had become bearable enough for me to leap from Vasco’s arms and rush to the medicine cabinet. But, to my disbelief — though it should have come as no surprise — we were short everything but the Turtlebark extract and Snakebite plum juice, which I snatched with shaking hands, tucking it away in my pouch before racing to the garden.

  “Just tell me what to do, and I’ll see it done.”

  “Yes, of course.” I reached the garden with no time to admire the dense variety of plants, nor to appreciate the complex aroma, and hurried to Mother’s workbench. The tools were out — an alembic, pestle and mortar, tincture press, droppers, clippers, and phials — I just needed to put them to proper use. I pulled on a pair of gloves that would continue to be too big for me a few more Summers, then took a seat.

  “What do you need first?”

  “I need, um…” The pain was a pulse, distant but persistent, stinging throughout my body and jumbling my thoughts. I leaned forward against the table, burying my face in my hands, pressing my palms against my eyes to try to force my thoughts to take shape. Vasco laid a hand on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, just enough to ground me and clear the haze. “Wildekin berries. The firm, little orange ones. As many as you can bring me.”

  “Just a moment.” His hand slipped away, and I heard the crunch of his boots on the soil.

  ‘Wildekin berries, Hydra weed, Turtlebark extract. I’ve done it a hundred times, I can do it again.’ I repeated that mantra in my head as I waited, jumping when a large bowl of Wildekin berries landed in front of me.

  “I’ll fetch two more, what else do you need?”

  Taking a deep breath, I plucked the berries from the bowl, loading them into the press. “Hydra weed, it’s the one to the left, with the short leaves and five flowered heads. Gather the flowers and the leaves.”

  Vasco nodded, and I cranked the press, slow and steady as Mother had taught me, until the syrupy orange juice came out into a large glass bottle situated at the bottom. With each twist, I felt the opposite, an unwinding of the tightness in my chest. My heart settled and, by the time I finished with the bowl, my thoughts were cleared.

  “Thank you! Would you mind doing the rest of these while I prepare the Hydra weed?” I moved aside to give him space, added a couple drops of Snakebite plum juice to the mortar, then went about grinding. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the pestle and mortar, my arms grew tired easily from the effort, but as the Hydra weed’s sharp scent filled the air, a small, confident smile made its way to my face. ‘I can do this. I’ll be able to help them!’

  “What’s next, Celeste?”

  I emptied the mortar into a clean bowl, then passed him the pair. “Keep grinding these. Short, twisting strokes. Don’t do too much at once, and try not to touch your eyes.”

  The moment of truth. I placed an empty phial in a holder, filled it three-fourths of the way with Wildekin berry juice. Next I slowly sprinkled a pinch of Hydra weed into it, and finally, used a dropper to add three drops of Turtlebark extract. I corked the phial and gave it a shake. “Please be right, please be right…”

  “Do you need to test it?” Vasco turned to me and gestured to the bandages on his arms. “Let me have the first taste. If I perish, you can try again, if not, we’ll finish this batch and hasten back.”

  “Don’t jest about such things!” I chewed on my lip as I handed him the phial, watching with bated breath as he tilted his head back and took a sip. He corked it again and handed it back. “How do you feel?”

  “Better.” He said with a grin. “Tastes just like Mother’s. And you feel it, too, yeah?”

  I did. The dull throbbing in his arms had lessened, almost instantly. Sighing in relief, I nodded and placed the corked phial in my pouch. “Good. Let us waste no more time.”

  ***

  We returned shortly after, my pouch and Vasco’s arms laden with as many Mending Tonics as we could make in the short time we had. The pain in the Guardians had dimmed — Fairy Queen’s blessing, the haunting chill was gone — but just enough for me to remain on my feet as we neared the front line. Mother saw us coming and rushed over to meet us.

  “Good, good! Thank you both, you’ve no idea how much help you’ve been. Vasco, aid the others with constructing the encampment. Go on, boy.” Mother took the tonics from him and reached for my pouch, but I shook my head and took a step back.

  “Let me help you! I can do more, I swear it!” I clenched my jaw and forced myself to stand upright, despite the all-consuming anguish threatening to drive me to the ground once more. My knees knocked, bending, but refusing to buckle.

  Mother sighed. “Very well, but you’ll do as I say and not push yourself, yes?”

  “Yes, of course! Let us hurry, they’re in so much pain!” I grabbed her hand and fought the urge to dive toward the first injured Guardian I could see. Mother noticed my restraint and smiled, clasping my hand and leading me to our first patient. “Now, this one has burns, what do we use to treat that?”

  ***

  I returned later that night on the other side of sleep to check on them. The illusory haze that coated the world made the stars seem more vibrant, the moon close enough to touch. Spring Hill was more quiet than usual that night, not even the crickets daring to disturb the sleeping Guardians.

  As I approached the encampment, I was relieved to feel that their suffering had been reduced to a dull roar. Persistent, but bearable. Even the worst among them were resting somewhat peacefully. Satisfied, I turned to leave, but overheard someone speaking. Curiosity got the better of me, and I followed the voices to just outside the encampment.

  Two of the Guardians, their bruised bodies wrapped in bandages but otherwise the least damaged of the unit, sat by a fire, watching the road leading away from Spring Hill. They spoke in hushed tones, too soft to make out until I was all but sitting with them.

  “— because of a single dreadtusk.” The first Guardian shook his head. He held a pipe in his hand, the smoke obscuring his face as he took a puff before passing it to the other. “How can they expect us to keep the valley safe if it takes an entire unit to beat a single dreadtusk?”

  The other took the pipe and took a long drag from it. Then, she breathed it out in a heavy sigh. “It’s all we can do. There aren’t enough Heroes to cover the full expanse. Even fewer Healers.”

  Mother had been quiet about what calamity had befallen the unit. A direbear, a pack of wolves, or even an ironstag after our harrowing encounter with one. Of all the things that could have happened, it hadn’t dawned on me to imagine it was the work of a Fellbeast.

  A minion of the Fiend Lord this close to Spring Hill…the thought formed a weight of icy dread in the pit of my stomach.

  “Speaking of, you heard the boy’s story, didn’t you?”

  “Hm? The loud one? No, I was a bit preoccupied with not dying. What was he prattling on about?”

  “Lucien?” I asked aloud, though neither could hear me.

  The first Guardian leaned closer. “Says he and the big one, the apothecary’s son, awakened. Used their Soulsparks to take down that ironstag. The Huntsman’s daughter confirmed it, says she saw it herself.”

  “Those two? Heroes?” The second Guardian laughed and took another puff from the pipe before passing it back. “Damn the Fallen, who’d have thought? And here of all places?”

  “Tell me about it.” He took another puff of the pipe and paused. Then, “You think they’ll come with us?”

  My heart stopped in my chest.

  “We can only hope. If they were strong enough to fight an ironstag at their age, Titania knows what they could do for the Valeguard.”

  Their conversation drifted to other topics, but what they might have been, I would never know. My mind was consumed by thoughts of Vasco and Lucien lying in an encampment outside some faraway village, covered in burns and bruises and bleeding out, sinking into that terrible icy embrace, without me there.

  I raced back to the cabin, flying as fast as my feet could carry me, threw open the doors and rushed to our room, only to find Vasco’s bed empty. The weight in my gut grew heavier still, but before it could crush me, I heard voices outside. I left through the back door, past the garden, and peered down at the other side of the hill. Flashes of cobalt and silver lit up the night, the pair of them laughing and taunting one another, locked in mock combat as they often were.

  Lucien came at Vasco with a silver spear. It crashed against the back of my brother’s hand in a flash of light, his fist shooting forward quicker than my eyes could follow, striking Lucien and sending him flying. But the moment he touched the ground, he flipped back up and sprung at him again.

  Neither was taking the break they promised me; both looked the happiest they’d ever been.

  It was then that I knew they’d already made their decision. The weight of knowing forced me to the ground, drawing my knees to my chest and hugging them to smother the bitter tears I could no longer hold back.

  ***

  Just two days later, the Valeguard was ready to leave. As expected, Vasco and Lucien were to depart with them. A send-off was prepared at the Emerald Sundrop tavern, a final meal for the Guardians and our new Heroes. There, I tried my best to make them reconsider, begged and bargained with everything I had to offer, but my heartfelt pleas fell not on deaf ears, but ran up against unbreakable spirits.

  “We’ve the strength to fight, so it falls on us to fight.” Vasco told me as I latched onto him, wailing and begging him not to go. “If there is but one person out there I could save, but do not because I was too afraid to take action, have I any right to call myself a Hero?”

  “What if you get hurt and I’m not there? Who will look after you if I can’t?” My shoulders shook, fresh tears falling to replace those his gentle hands wiped away. I flinched when a hand hit his shoulder, then looked up at Lucien with the same pleading gaze.

  “Never fear, Little Star. I’ll be our Vasco’s spear and strike down any who would do him harm.”

  Vasco chuckled and climbed to his feet. “And I, the shield that deflects any blow that would do Lucien harm. Together, we’ll be unbeatable, isn’t that right?”

  Lucien laughed, then climbed atop the table and spread his arms wide, raising his voice so that everyone could hear. “Ours will be the Sparks that light up the eternal night! Together, we’ll find the Promised Healer, then venture with them into the Dreadlands and smite the Fiend Lord, himself!”

  He placed one hand upon his hip and extended the other to me. “Then, our battle won, we’ll return to Spring Hill. Once home, I’ll spend the rest of my years as your husband, drying every tear you shed for us while we were away, Little Star.”

  Those gathered cheered — none louder than my brother — as Lucien took a bow and leaped from the table. But as I stood at the edge of the hill, waving farewell, there was not an ounce of joy in my heart. Only the memory of that dreadful vision and the fear of not knowing if I would ever see them again.

  Thank you so much for reading!

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