The night air brushed against my skin, raising a chill along my spine as I closed the door to my childhood home. The moon was high, and only a few wispy clouds marred an otherwise beautifully clear night sky. I took a moment to breathe deeply, savoring the familiar scent of the sea mixing with the earthy warmth of the grassy hills. It had been a wonderful night spent chatting and catching up with my mother, trading tales from the city and village, with Vera sharing some of her own from her home far to the north. They had eaten well, and I had gone back for thirds of mother’s fish stew, one of my favorites. And now, after we’d all bid goodnight and spread through the house, I found myself unable to sleep.

  I hadn’t spoken to everyone yet.

  Letting out a long, low breath, I turned my gaze from the stars to the small garden behind the house. At the rear, below a tree planted years ago as a symbol of union, was a low, rounded stone with carefully chiseled words in straight, plain script.

  Drevor

  Son of Calid

  Husband of June

  Father of Bram

  I found myself standing over the grave, hesitating. It felt unnatural, to speak to him this way. The man had been a towering presence to me, always above, back unbent by time or obstacle. Looking back, I was sure I would’ve finally looked my father in the eye if he were here today. Perhaps I was even a bit taller. All of that was wrong though. This stone, this place, it could not encompass the man that had helped raise me. My father was a joyous, boisterous man who did everything with a smile, and with his whole spirit. He had given freely, loved his family with a fervor that could shake the very gods themselves, and he always had a kind word or helping hand to spare.

  Drevor, son of Calid, had died as he lived. He had saved another fisherman caught in a net on the reef, but he’d been battered and scored by the sharp coral himself, and had succumbed shortly after.

  I had been told it was a great feat of bravery, the stuff heroes were made of. For a long time, at least to a child, I had resented the man who’d been saved. Had resented that he was here, while a man so courageous and good was not. But given time, I had seen through the pain, at the final lesson my father had imparted. There is no greater strength than to help another; a phrase the man had peppered me with constantly, doggedly.

  And eventually, I had even come to believe it myself. It was the whole reason I’d gone to Balondor to join the guild, to help others, to embody the strength my father had shown that day. It hadn’t exactly gone to plan. But now, I found himself back here, struggling to find the words. To explain that I’d finally begun.

  I brushed my cheek, finding it suddenly wet. My lips upturned in a small smile, as I let out a choked laugh. There was only ever one thing to say, after all.

  “Thank you, father. I won’t forget your lessons, I swear.” I ran a hand along the crest of the stone, feeling the grooves of the letters, far from the only ripples from the impact of my father’s legacy. Then I stood and quietly walked back to the cottage. The night was beautiful and bright, and just a little bit warmer.

  *****

  The following morning I woke much earlier than planned, as Vera poked me in the ribs hard enough to force a small cough out. I eyed her balefully as I rubbed my side, but she only chuckled quietly, motioning for me to follow as she stepped out. Following outside into the pre-dawn yard, I whispered into the cool air “What, damnit? Certainly a friendly way to wake a man up.”

  Vera rolled her eyes, answering in an equally low voice “It’s time for some meditation. You do want to actually be able to use your powers, right?” I pursed my lips in frown at the baited statement, but nodded. “Alright, then you need to learn the most important skill for any warrior, mage or otherwise: how to meditate. This is something every mana-bound needs to learn, or they’ll never get stronger. Even for ogres and the other inherently bound races, it’s important.” That perked me up, wiping away the lingering fogginess of sleep.

  “Alright, what do I need to do?”

  Vera cleared a spot on the ground before sitting with her legs crossed, before motioning for me to join her. “First, the basics. Meditating is about finding your center, and calming your mind. Fighting and killing monsters can take a toll, and while it may not be immediate, it can grow over time almost without you ever noticing it.” Vera’s eyes glazed as she seemed to gaze into another place and time. “I have an uncle, a distant one. The man lived for battle, but he never did anything to release the tension, the build up of emotion after years of battle. And one day when I was young, it caught up to him.” She refocused on me, her gaze harder than I’d ever seen it. “He has to live in constant care and supervision now, his mind is broken and he can’t stand the sight or sound of any blade or weapon. He screamed and attacked my father when he was cutting up a roast bison. That is why meditation is important. A warrior’s most important weapon is their mind, Bram. And it must be taken care of, just like any other.”

  I nodded solemnly. I’d heard stories of similar tragedies, of sailors who had survived harrowing attacks from the great serpents of the open seas, and could no longer step foot on a ship without devolving into fits of terror. Seeing my agreement, Vera took a deep breath and continued.

  “Meditation, at least the way I was taught, starts with breathing. It's automatic, yeah yeah, but to center yourself is about control. So, close your eyes and start with slow, controlled breaths.”

  I inhaled deeply, letting the air fill me before letting it out slowly, but Vera was already shaking her head. “No, you’re inhaling too deeply. You’ll just give yourself a headache or pass out that way. Normal breaths, but just slow and measured.”

  With that, Vera continued to guide me through breathing exercises until I achieved a relaxed state, then moved on to guiding my thoughts. “Alright, now we’ve gotten the body calm, next on to your thoughts. For now, I don’t want you to focus on anything. Just let your mind wander where it will. It will lead you to where it needs, you just need to not fight it.” I nodded slowly, keeping my breath steady. Vera’s slow breathing matched my own, and I tried to just think over the past few days.

  I thought back to the Siren’s Gullet, and the calm majesty of the natural wonder. Seeing an old friend and bringing the newest to such a special spot helped tension melt from my shoulders. That thought brought me to Vera herself. The woman was a wrecking ball of a warrior, and quickly cementing herself as one of the kindest people I’d ever known. The way she’d immediately reacted to my warning of the shade strider attack spoke to the easy trust that had blossomed between us, and I could already tell I would treasure that friendship until the end of my days. She was the catalyst of change that had reinvigorated my life, and broken me from the prison of my old life. That thought brought me back to the guild, and the desk that dominated my life for years. When she’d walked in, I had immediately thought she was a rare sort of adventurer, one who seemed to actually care. I flinched as I recalled the kobold head that she’d revealed in the casual manner of a woman used to blood and violence, but forced my breathing to maintain steady. She had some rough edges, but my hang ups were not her fault, and the way she’d defended a total stranger even in my most vulnerable moment more than made up for it. And she’d inadvertently made my dreams of magic come true. Even if it was… difficult to understand right now. I recalled the strange sight that had saved me two days ago. Even trying to remember all of the visions caused the beginnings of a headache to cause me to scrunch my face in discomfort. My eyes fluttered open, finding Vera’s amber gaze watching me.

  She stared at me for a long moment before speaking quietly “Where did it lead you?” After I briefly recounted my thoughts and the headache that had started after trying to focus on the strange power. She pursed her lips, looking off into the distance as she thought it over. “Your powers are certainly a mystery. I honestly can’t give you any concrete advice, but I have some thoughts at least.”

  I leaned in eagerly causing her to chuckle through a lopsided grin. “Don’t get too excited. Just some things to think over, and see if it sounds right to you. The visions started right when the bird attacked, yeah?” At my affirmative, she continued. “So, at least right now, it seems like the visions started when you might actually get hurt or killed. So, it might only work when you’re in serious danger. Maybe, at least. Though you might be able to force it. And… I’m really, really just speculating here, but you saw a lot of different options, yeah? That doesn’t seem like you’re seeing the actual future, maybe just potential outcomes? I only say that to caution you. If you’re only seeing possibilities, that means it isn’t infallible. Fighting something smarter than a bird is probably the only way to test it, but just keep it in mind. Which brings me to the next part of the morning.” Her smile turned positively evil, and I pulled my head back, suddenly concerned.

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  “Training!” she said with an off kilter cackle.

  I let out a surprised grunt. “Oh, okay yeah. Sounds good.” The grin she sent my way made me reconsider whether I had misunderstood.

  I had.

  We spent the next half hour running as fast as I ever had, just to keep up with the nearly unbelievable pace Vera kept up. Afterwards, as I flopped down panting, she just bounced on the balls of her feet lightly, laughing as I struggled to stand. “Alright, get up magic boy. I’m not going to kill you, so let's see if you’ve got anything else up your sleeve. Sparring time! For this, don’t worry about your powers, we’re just going to practice technique here.” With that, she raised her fists, tucking her elbows in. I groaned as I collected myself.

  “Mind if I grab some water first, I-” my eyes widened and I reeled, nearly falling on my ass as I barely managed to dodge the red fist that actually whistled as Vera suddenly launched forward. I immediately brought my own fists up, but she didn’t give me any space to respond in kind, raining a barrage of attacks at me. I dodged and ducked many, but some of her attacks landed and I grunted with each blow. Vera was strong, though I could tell she held back from breaking anything. I took as few as I could, looking for an opening. Finally, I managed to anticipate a wide swing and stepped inside of the attack, bringing my own fist low in a quick hit to her ribs.

  She danced back, laughing. “Not bad! But you didn’t put enough grunt in it! Put your weight behind the next one!” With that, she surged forward once more, and my jaw nearly dropped as I realized she hadn’t even been moving full speed before. I took more and more hits as I tried to keep up, but I just hunkered down and tried to weather the storm. I managed to land a few more light strikes, but each time I barely managed a light tap as she turned her body away with the force. I growled, narrowing my eyes as I focused, trying to land just one good hit.

  Gradually, I began to feel a rhythm to it, noticing small patterns in her strikes. I didn’t capitalize immediately, returning small hits for every dozen of hers as I bided my time. She wasn’t going to brutalize me, and I reminded myself that this was training. But Vera was absurdly tough, so when an opening presented itself, I twisted, putting my whole body behind the fist I launched, catching her in the shoulder. Her eyes widened with the strike, and I felt something shift beneath my hand as she fell back, rolling with the blow.

  She came up laughing, shaking her head. I just panted, watching her and waiting for the inevitable retaliation. She just waved me down, walking over to lean against the fence encircling my childhood home. Vera let out a long breath, grinning at me. “We’re done for now. That was a good hit, I certainly didn’t expect it.” She rubbed her shoulder, pulling her leather harness to the side to show the darkening bruise spreading. “Nice”, she said with a nod.

  I let out a relieved breath, sitting on the ground heavily. “Good. I thought I was in pretty good shape from training before all this, but damn, you put me to shame.”

  She grinned toothily. “Don’t worry about it too much. I’ve been doing this a long time, and you’ve just been a mortal human up until now. I was born with power running through my veins, Bram. And you’re pretty damn strong. I had to reinforce my shoulder a bit to take that hit.”

  I started, surprised. “Really?”

  She nodded, rubbing the bruised flesh. “Yep. I know you trained before, but I’d bet pretty much any money you’ve gotten stronger since you became mana-bound.”

  I looked down at my hands, feeling the muscle bunch beneath my own slightly bruised skin as I squeezed them into fists, though the marks on my arms were already fading. “I do feel stronger. A bit, at least.”

  As I was thinking it over and we both caught our breaths, Mom walked out into the yard, catching sight of us. “There you both are! Get in here for some breakfast, then I intend to put both of you to work!” she said before vanishing back into the house. I stood gingerly, my legs unsurprisingly trembling after the run earlier.

  Vera looked over at me, raising an eyebrow. “Last one in has to wash up!” she shouted. I twisted to run but she shoved me as she passed, cackling. I grumbled good naturedly as I entered the house a moment later, firmly last to the table.

  “I will remember this, you cheat.” I shook a fist at her in mock anger as I sat down gingerly before we both wolfed down the porridge and sausage set out.

  The rest of the morning was spent tidying and helping my mother prepare a spread the likes of which I hadn’t seen since I was a boy attending a wedding in the village. The whole community had come together to share and make merry on a day of celebration, and Mother certainly intended today to be just as memorable. While Vera and I tended the roasting shank of venison and several incredible smelling pies and other dishes, Mother had gone to spread the word a bit.

  I was just happy I didn’t have to hear the no doubt embarrassing boasts she was using to lure in hungry mouths.

  When the sun had reached its peak, guests began arriving, and to my surprise, most brought food to share as well, setting them on the long tables and blankets set out for the day. Of course many were awestruck by Vera at first, but her friendly attitude and boisterous jokes quickly made her a favorite, and she entertained several of the village children with her glossy horn and fantastic iron skin.

  I certainly didn’t feel left out, quite the opposite. A part of me was a bit claustrophobic at all the attention and good natured back slaps of praise as more and more old acquaintances showed up to congratulate me. Quite a few asked for magic demonstrations, but I begged off, saying I was still learning. Everyone nodded and accepted that as reason enough, and Vera was a great distraction, as she transformed to oohs, ahs and the delighted shrieks of children as she conjured some small sparks of flame. Many asked for a cheeky discount, should they ever need the aid of an adventurer, which I always agreed to with a laugh. I had been certain there were far fewer people in the village, but it seemed every moment a new, familiar face would come into view. And as the garden was beginning to fill, three more appeared I had been waiting on.

  Larrica beamed as she carried a curious baby boy on one hip, while clinging to the hand of the man beside her. He had sandy brown hair carefully combed back into a knot, framing a wide face that split with a grin as I cut through the crowd. I threw my arms around the three of them, smiling fiercely as I laughed. “I’m glad you could make it! It’s great to see you, Adrien.”

  Adrien clapped me on the shoulder, replying “Of course! When Lare told me you were in town I could hardly believe it, even before she told me the rest! And I had to come, to thank you and your friend for helping us out yesterday. Poor Hadrian here has been having a devil of a time, and it's putting Lare through a right nightmare.” He glanced at the two of them, joy and adoration plain on his face. Seeing my friends so content filled me with happiness, and just a touch of melancholy at the life I’d left behind.

  “Ah, please. Least I could do, especially with Vera here. She’s always spoiling for an adventure. I’ll have to tell you about our first quest later, she almost got me killed, several times!” I laughed, caught up in the festival atmosphere. “Now, come one, we’ve got a lot of food and you all need to get some before I eat it all!” My stomach growled as if to accentuate my point, causing us all to laugh.

  Moving deeper in, I dragged my childhood friends to the center, where we all had more than our fill as we shared stories and caught up on nearly 6 years of distance. Happy tales of massive catches, far surpassing the truth were tossed around and mocked good naturedly, and I passed around some of the feathers we’d plucked from the shade striders, prompting many to press for more detail on the tale, which Vera told several times, each time growing more fanciful and harrowing in the telling. When I pulled her aside to chide her, she laughed me off, saying “Ah please, adventuring tales are supposed to be larger than life! Besides, it's more fun for these folk, and it doesn’t hurt to make ‘em feel more safe that we’re around.”

  Evening was just around the bend when most folk started to pack up, saying their goodbyes and telling Vera and I both to stop by any time we were in the area. When the garden had emptied, and even Adrien and Larrica had set off to go put little Hadrian down for a much needed nap, I sat down on the stoop, eyes a bit glazed over as I relaxed after so long in the company of such a crowd. Mother joined me, leaning into my shoulder and letting out a happy sigh.

  “That sure was fun, hmmm?”

  I laughed. “Definitely, Mum. Today was great. Thank you, it really made today special.”

  She hummed happily. “Good! I’m glad you got to stop by and talk to everyone. And spend time with your old mother. Just promise it won’t be so long before you’re home again, alright?”

  Grasping her hand, I pulled her in for a tight hug. “Of course mom. I’m sorry it took so long, and I should be able to visit much more often now. And you know, you could move up to Balandor. I’m going to be pulling in much more coin now. Just one quest and I could’ve paid rent for a year, I can get you a really nice place to live.”

  “Oh pish. I don’t need to live in some fancy city. I’ve got this house, and I love it here. It's where your father is, and that's where I always want to be. I do appreciate it though Bram. I’m very proud of you, you know. I know he would be too. I love you.”

  “I love you too Mum.”

  She smiled warmly. “So, tell me more about magic! And I understand you and Vera are partners, but are there any other important people in your life, hmmm?”

  I rolled my eyes and laughed. I supposed it was normal to be pestered about my love life. Mum worried about me, and wanted a love like she’d had for me. “No, nobody else right now. Surprisingly, most women aren’t interested in dating a clerk.” That wasn’t strictly true, but my reputation had been in tatters at the guild, and I hadn’t been interested in anything besides training for a while anyway. “But as far as magic, it’s not as… straightforward as I thought it would be.”

  Mother laughed loudly, bumping my shoulder. “Well no, then it wouldn’t be magic! Tell me all about it, we’ve got time.” So we sat there and chatted, and talked about everything since the cave in, though I omitted some of the more dangerous elements. I’d forgotten just how good of a listener she was, and by the end I felt much better about where I was going. She hugged me tight, and for the first time I noticed the thinning of her skin, the lines that crinkled at the edges of her smile. “I love you, son. I know you’ll figure it all out, and you’re going to do great things. Now!” She said, brushing her skirt as she stood. “I know that my responsible, caring son isn’t going to let his old mother take care of the clean up alone, hmmm?”

  I laughed and stood as well, shaking my head. “Never, Mum.”

  That evening, after cleaning up the picnic and polishing off the last of the food for dinner, Vera and I had a quick discussion of our next steps. The next morning we would head back to Balandor, and hopefully the guild would be repaired enough that new jobs would be posted. We’d lie low for a while, keeping time in the guild to a minimum to avoid running into Tyrion and his cronies, and try to get some better gear in the meantime.I was convinced that sooner or later there would be some level of confrontation, and while I hoped we could keep it to just words, the better equipped we were, the more likely we’d come out the other side relatively alright.

  When I climbed into my old bed, I gazed up at the dark ceiling and grinned. Regardless of what happened, I felt confident that Vera had my back now. And while the blondie bitch - I chuckled again at the nickname - would no doubt try something, I was ready to see what I could really do.