Legend of Ransera

The air was finally starting to chill, thankfully. At least for Alyssum. The recent Searing had been an absolute slog, made worse by the fact she'd had the poor foresight to spend it in Cathena of all places! Truly, a mistake if she'd ever made one before. She tended to bundle up in her true form, which made the situation all that much worse. Plain traveler's clothes under a heavy cotton robe under a heavy cloak. It was all sorts of gross come Searing. The majority of her time was spent mostly in her human and faunis form, but even that couldn't save her from the heat. She ended up having to flee the city a little under halfway through the season, the temperature becoming unbearable enough she just had to leave! The good thing about Cathena was that regardless of the season it was typically pretty easy to live. Sure, there were perils just like anywhere else, but Cathena had such a constant flux of travelers and traders coming in and out of the city that it made it pretty easy to slip into the crowd and find a good group to travel with.

All the better, in the end, Alyssum supposed. She'd managed to find her way back to Atinaw by the tail end of Searing. She liked to be in Atinaw whenever she could during Ash. At least once every couple of years she tried to spend the season there. It was the one season she didn't spend working herself down to the bone. After all, Rúnar always hated it when the younger Rathari tried to do anything work-related on his birthday or her own. It was a day for relaxation, according to him. He'd always told her to take things slow and enjoy life once in a while, birthdays were the only time she could genuinely excuse taking it slow. So it was a tradition of sorts to just relax a couple of days before and a couple of days after a birthday. Baring Isra's. If anything, Alyssum was always more active on Isra's birthday than she was any other day of the year.

This year wouldn't just be spent in Atinaw, though. No, she would be spending it in Raellon. One of the two Clans that she and Rúnar had called home. The other was Hopsfel, a place they occasionally traveled to in order to talk with other smiths when Alyssum had been little more than a small pup. Sure it was 'home' but it wasn't home the same way Raellon felt. If she had to settle down, if she ever had enough money to buy what she considered to be a 'proper house', then Raellon would be a strong contender for where she decided to live.

The territory run by the Asmund family was rife with magic and beauty, at least in the mind of the Rathari who'd probably been born somewhere in the area. Even if she wasn't, even if the Sharvalains who took care of her for those first two years dragged her from far away lands, Raellon was the place she and Rúnar used to have their house. Their labs, their forge, everything that had been important to her as a child.

She was still old enough to remember the birth of the current Finla. That day had been one of ice and cold, ferocious to say the least, but the people of Raellon had celebrated merrily and welcomed into the world what was soon to become the next Finla. Alyssum had met him a couple of times, but new personally. Her Kinship was good with magic, outstanding even, and one of the few who was good at magic and smithing. Usually, it was one or the other. Smiths lived in Hopsfel, magic users lived in Raellon. Only those familiar with magic and smithing (like Rúnar and herself) were both, and being such, they typically ran in both circles.

Now she was back in her old stomping ground, Raellon city, looking at the way things had changed. It was good to hear other people speaking Vithmi again, it'd been a while since she heard the sound. There were still plenty of people chattering along in Kokalath, the true 'Official' language of Atinaw, but there were just as many talking in the old Rathari tongue. It was a comfort. Rarely did she get the chance to speak it except with other Rathari's she occasional found on the roads or in towns. Fewer did she get the chance to truly speak with outside of the friendly greeting that all Rathari offered one of their own.

All in all, it felt good to be home.

She started to hum, strolling down the streets with a swish of her tail. The hum was pleasant thanks to the fact cotton had already been stuffed in her ears before entering town. Her rather delicate hearing couldn't stand being in towns otherwise. She'd gotten into town a little bit before dawn. Now the sun was climbing into the sky. About 10, she reckoned, taking a quick glance upwards. After she'd relaxed the next couple days she'd track down the apothecaries she usually offered her services to, see if he was still around. He was starting to push the older end of the spectrum, but when one died another usually took their place. Civilization could live without apothecaries, though who could craft medicines and tonic. And apothecaries loved alchemists.

With a slight spring in her step, she traveled the familiar streets, looking for that familiar shop.

Linden stood in front of the heavy, double wooden doors as the sounds of muffled distress could be heard. The memory of the morning stroll fresh on his mind as they went to the enclosed garden when his mother suddenly collapsed. She was pale and whimpering in pain while clutching her swollen belly. His father Seriel swiftly moving to her side and lifts her small frame with ease while his cape billowed behind him that shimmered blue and gold. Shouting in Common to Linden to get the midwife as they made their way to the bedchamber.

Behind the doors, the midwife and Linden’s nanny were hard at work to make Leena comfortable as the Finla paced back and forth with worried eyes. The usual air of confidence has wavered as blue eyes watched the two women tending to her. With his partners from the contracts, nothing like this has happened and when she was pregnant with Linden this didn’t happen either. Did it have something to do with carrying twins?

“Seriel, please stop pacing. Your tension can be felt over here,” scorns the nanny as he stops and looks over to her. “And don’t give me that look. I helped raise you and your children so don’t start. Breathe and trust us.”

Soon the sound of the heavy doors could be heard as the three of them turned to see a small head of curly brown hair peeking in as chocolate brown met blue. Linden was looking at his father to try to read his face before the whimpers drew his gaze to the bed where the women were with his mother. The midwife pressing a cool cloth against her forehead as the other sat on the bed next to her.

“Finla, why don’t you go attend to your son? I’m sure he is just as worried as you are,” suggest the midwife as she goes to her bag. “I will go through my books to see what I can do to help ease her symptoms so don’t worry. We will figure this out.”

Seriel said nothing to either woman as he gave a small nod. Focusing his attention on Linden he walked over with that stoic grace that came naturally to him. The drawn curtains muted the colors of his cloak with only small slivers of light that shown them. Taking a knee to place himself almost eye to eye with his son as his large hands came up to give them a reassuring squeeze of the shoulders. A slight tremble could be felt as he couldn’t help but give his son a small smile.

“Why don’t we go make your mother some tea? You know exactly the way she likes it,” he smiles and stands. Taking the boy's hand as the two of them walked to the kitchen.

Once the two of them arrived in the kitchen Linden darted to a stool and dragged it to a counter. Using it to climb onto the counter top to reach the cabinets where he began to rummage through some canisters until he found what he was looking for. Hopping down with two of them and walks over to the table.

“Dad, could you get water in the kettle started please?” Linden asks quietly as he moves quickly to grab what he was looking for. Measuring out the herbs, ¾ cup red raspberry leaf and ¼ cup nettles, to a tea strainer in a teapot.

“Linden?”

Linden didn’t answer his father as the Finla walked over silently behind his son and placed a hand on the top of their head. Tousling the soft curls when his ears picked up a distinctive sound of sniffling.

“Son-”

“Is it my fault she collapsed?” He asks in a hushed voice. “If I didn’t bug her so much to go on a walk to… If something happens to the babies inside…”

“Linden, don’t think like that.”

“I have heard the talks too. How this is harder on her than with me? That they say that women who can’t even give birth to children are not praised and if she dies, then she better hope the children live or her life was for not and-and-”

Seriel reached for his son and wrapped his arms around the small boy. Bringing him close as there was a stabbing pain in his chest because both of his loves were in pain. “None of this is your fault, Linden. The words those people say are foolish and pay them no heed. Your mother is strong and she will be alright. I promise you.”

“How can you promise something like that?” Linden asks as he moves to look his father in the eyes as tears ran down his cheeks.

“Because I have faith and I know fate will not take her away from me so soon. Not when there is so much love for me to give her,” Seriel wipes his son's tears away while hiding his worries. Yes, he was confident that Leena will pull through, but that doesn’t mean he can predict what fate had in store as he just had to believe that he can keep her longer.

Sweet son of mine. You are so much like your mother that I worry about how you will survive out there, but perhaps it is that weakness that I worry about will be your greatest strength. Just like her.

---

Two hours have gone by as Linden was laughing loudly and enjoying the company of both his parents in the bed. Draped over his father’s legs with his ear pressed against his mother’s belly; hoping to hear or feel something again. Telling them how they should be kinder to their mother and as the future big brother, it will be his duty to ensure they follow the rules.

“Little one, please remove yourself off of your mother. You might look light, but we don’t want to put pressure on her belly,” says the midwife as she takes the tray of tea that was prepared by Linden away. “Also, very good at making a proper tea that would soothe her symptoms.”

“I learned it from mom,” he smiles while sitting up.

“Well I have some things I need to speak to your parents about and if you care to run me a small errand, I have a list here of items that you can get me from the apothecary. Can you get them for me? No real rush or-”

“I would be happy to!” Linden shouts and hops off his father’s lap and bounds over to her. His body exuding the excitement of being able to help and fingers itch to snatch the list from their hands.

“No rush, Linden do you hear?” She shouts, but the boy was gone as soon as they presented the list to him.

---

I can be of help! I can help!

The excitement was coursing through Linden with each step he took. Youthful energy propelling him to the district where the apothecaries would be as he tried to recollect the favorite shop his mother liked. He knew it was past the bakery then they passed the florist shop that was three shops down to the right which meant it should be close by?

What was the name? He thinks to himself. I can’t remember but there were pretty vials. Bottles of different shapes. Bottles… Vials… Who has them?

Linden was so lost in thought he didn’t pay attention to where he was going. Colliding with someone suddenly as they both fell to the ground with a thud. Groaning, he looked up and realized what he has done. Hopping off of them he begins to apologize quickly in Vithmi. “I’m sorry! I’m so, so sorry!” He tries to help them up as he panics that they might be hurt. “Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

The Rathari gave a yelp as a tiny body fully collided into her. It took her off balance just long enough for her to end up falling into the ground with the moment of what felt to be a child. She guessed it was a child. There was a chance that a full-grown man slamming into her would have done more in the ways of damage than the bruises that were probably going to be present in a couple of hours. She gave an inaudible growl, laying in the ground while whatever it was scrambled off of her seemingly in a panic. She slowly pushed herself up after the body slam, vaguely recognizing a stuttered out apology.

Her ears remained flat against her head as she finally stood up and managed to get a good look at him. The 5'3 and rather young looking Rathari came face to face with an actual child for once, and she couldn't help but wonder if she'd just be mistaken for an older kid. It wasn't outside the realm of possibility. There were usually a few giveaways that she was an adult, but some who were arrogant and children themselves still tended to make the mistake. She brushed herself off, trying to push some of the dirt off of herself and her clothes. At least the kid was courteous enough to try and apologize. Looking at him, she perked up slightly.

There was something strikingly familiar about him, though she was struggling to place anything specific. She combed her memory for answers before finally, something seemed to spark it. "Aren't you the Finla's kid?" She asked, eyeing the small boy hesitantly. She could still remember the festival where his birth had been announced. He was a rare case, born of a true marriage much like his father before him had been. That's why he looked familiar, she'd seen him a couple of times with his parents. Or more specifically, father, as it was rare the lady of House Asmund left home. There were often rumors spread about her because of this, her hesitance to leave the estate caused a lot of question. Was she even a noble? Alyssum couldn't remember, she hadn't even bothered memorizing much about the nobles. It wasn't her circle to run. She took note of magic users, smiths, and the other likes instead.

"You should be more careful if you slam into someone at full speed like that you could seriously hurt them!" She said, shaking her head as she chastised the child. Her tone was still gentle, all things considered. She talked nicer than anyone else would have after being thrown to the ground. Then again, part of that was the fact she struggled to raise her voice above a whisper.

Drawing on her control of Semblance she took stock of the child. He was young, and his aura was relatively normal-sized. At least for a mortal. It made sense he wouldn't be initiated at such a young age, but there was something about his aura that made her think maybe magic wasn't going to be something for him. She didn't need Semblance to catch the touch of herbs that clung to him, the earthy scent of dirt which was stained into his being from long hours tending a garden. Perhaps when he got older he'd find interest in Alchemy, being what a wonderful addition to medical knowledge and chemistry it was, but she had doubts regarding if he'd be drawn towards Personal Magic as his father had been at such a young age. He still looked to be a sharp young boy.

She sighed, shaking her head. His aura was twinged in shades of red and yellow, excitement blending with panic. She wondered if the poor thing was on an errand and perhaps had gotten lost. "What are you doing?" She asked, trying to keep her voice loud enough to be audible to him. The best part about children is that the younger they were, the sharper their hearing. Meaning it was a lot easier for the Sharvalain Rathari to speak with them in spite of the fact her version of yelling just sounded like normal talking to most people.

Depending on what the child wanted maybe she'd help. She was a chaotic creature, and occasionally spiteful when wronged, but the mistake seemed to be genuine. Luckily the roulette wheel had landed on helpful. Alyssum was a good person, of course, but she believed that people should take responsibility for their actions and that stupid law shouldn't exist. There was, of course, a need for certain structural laws, like preventing murder. But the structure of nobility was so very, very stupid. Let those with skill lead, not those whose blood was once skilled.

She didn't mind the Asmund family at least, their claims seemed reasonable given the skillset of the current Finla, but she'd had a grudge against certain other families for a while now.

How stupid could he have been to not be paying attention to where he was going? Worst of all, he knocked someone down! Linden noticed quickly the flattened ears and tail when he wondered what the repercussions were for knocking down a Rathari of all people? Some would grow angry no matter the age or race and others were a bit more forgiving. Apologizing and trying to dust her off until her voice, soft and clear reached his ears.

"Aren't you the Finla's kid?"

Linden paled at the question. Was this person important? Did he just bring shame to his home?

"You should be more careful if you slam into someone at full speed like that you could seriously hurt them!"

"I-I am sorry! I wasn't... I mean I was, but I wasn't... I wasn't trying to hurt anyone! I swear! I just got distracted," Linden blurts in Vithmi while fidgeting. His lips pursed together in a thin line and eyes downcast worrying over if their face showed more rage than what their voice let on. Hoping that maybe speaking in their tongue will help ease some tension and shows just how sorry he really was?

For Linden, he was his own worst enemy. Overthinking for a child and knowing common rules and laws of his region didn't help. Making sure he did nothing to upset or smear his father's rule as the Finla when the panic set in. What was he going to do if they didn't accept his apology?

"What are you doing?"

Huh?

The question threw Linden. A dumbfounded expression appeared, and they just stared at the Rathari. "Uh... I'm just," Linden shook his head and moved from Common to Vithmi. "I mean I was running an errand for my mom's midwife. I have a list that had-" Linden looked down and realized the list wasn't in his hand. "Oh no!"

Frantically he started to look around on the ground. Was he stepping on it? Nope. Were they stepping on it? Nope. Did a wind blow by or something? Linden didn't even look at the list to see what was on it to commit it to memory since he was too excited to just be of help. Then he saw it. If it were a snake, it would have bitten him multiple times.

Taking three quick steps to the right he picked up the crumbled list and quickly came back to show the list to the Rathari. "This! I'm looking for these things and I can't remember which apothecary we go to sometimes. I know it has mortar and pestle on the sign with a bunch of pretty vials and bottles. Do you know it?"

Inside of Linden's mind, there was a thought about introducing himself to this person in front of him who was probably another child just older or maybe they were an adult? It was hard to distinguish for some Rathari since some looked youthful or looked older depending. Sadly, he wasn't all that great at figuring it out despite his nanny being a Rathari. She was the best in the world in his mind, but then again she said she was old and knew his grandparents so how old can they really get?

Alyssum made a quiet humming noise as she looked at the list. Nothing too serious, she supposed. Which was probably good for the mental state of the child. Just some basic herbs to help with recovery from maternity, like things that increased the production of new blood or speed along the healing process for the woman. There were a couple of other things like some basic herbs to kill pain and things to help nursing mothers produce more milk. "I was actually on the way there myself," she said, glancing at the child who looked to be running a gambit of different emotions. This kid was a mess.

And now he was officially Alyssum's.

"Okay, come on," she said, taking the child by the hand. "I'll show you the way," she paused for a moment, "that being said please don't go with random strangers anyway, okay? Especially considering who your father is, a lot of adults in this world would probably want to hurt you. You gotta be careful. But for right now you're safe. Your new big sis Alyssum is going to help you get all the herbs you need for your poor mum," she said. It wasn't rare by any means for Rathari to adopt random strangers they had no actual connection to if said random stranger looked pathetic enough. This poor child was bordering on the epitome of pitiable with the sheer amount of nervous energy he was exuding.

She made sure to keep a tight grip on his hand. Tight enough that it wouldn't hurt him, that is. She didn't want him getting lost. Or body slamming another pedestrian. She and poor fragile bones were still sore. Luckily he was too small to do her any serious damage. She made sure to walk at his pace, following the normal streets she remembered fairly well.

The oldest alchemist shop she used to go to had been replaced, not that she really expected much less, but luckily an apothecary had taken its place. The person who used to run it had been a Jastai and had been nearing 60 the last time she was in town. She really shouldn't be shocked by the fact they passed. She only lingered on it for a moment. It was pointless to mourn a death, especially that of a Jastai. "Is this it?" She asked, pointing the mortar and pestle signboard. The sign read Hilma's Herbs. Huh... That was the name of the Jastai who used to own the alchemist's shop.

Upon walking in the Rathari noticed a Jastai that looked remarkably similar to Hilma while still noticeably not being Hilma. A child, perhaps? Alyssum wasn't really be shocked. She didn't mean to slut-shame but Hilma was a bit of a ho if she was being completely honest.

At least the scent in the building was familiar. The thick and earthy scent of plants and new growth, sharp and pungent. Most of which recognizable to Alyssum by scent alone. She wasn't sure if this alchemist would have all the herbs on the list though, some were a bit difficult to find or they might just be out of stock. In particular Goat's Rue and Feverfew. That being said, she thought she'd seen some outside of town.

Could she in good conscious drag a child outside of town? A child she'd just warned about not wandering off with strangers? Oh, but that poor woman... not to mention the midwife probably sent this kid out on the little excursion to keep him entertained and away from his parents for a while. The longer she kept him entertained, the better. Right? Maybe they could still look for extra plants around town, and she could teach him whatever she knew. Not to mention, he could probably use a distraction. Playing games with him might help calm him down and keep his mind off things. Let him be a careless kid for a little while.

Damn her soft spot for children! It was going to be a long afternoon.

"I was actually on the way there myself. Okay, come on," she said, taking the child by the hand. "I'll show you the way," she paused for a moment, "that being said please don't go with random strangers anyway, okay? Especially considering who your father is, a lot of adults in this world would probably want to hurt you. You gotta be careful. But for right now you're safe. Your new big sis Alyssum is going to help you get all the herbs you need for your poor mum,"

“Really?!” Linden beams as he gladly went with the stranger that took his hand. Following behind her as she then tells him not to go with strangers. “Well, you are not a stranger if you give me your name right, big sis Alyssum? My name is Linden and I doubt anyone here would hurt me. I’m not as special as my other siblings so I think I’m pretty safe.” His words were earnest as he gave the girls hand a squeeze.

At first, Linden started behind Alyssum and even though she was taller, her gait wasn’t that much longer than his as he shuffled forward a little bit to stand by her side. Not realizing that she already adjusted herself to him. His head just barely past her shoulders as his eyes observed her. She was pretty and a smile adorned his face while watching her ears twitch now and then. Sometimes looking back to see her fluffy looking tail and then back at her.

He wanted to ask her some questions, but she looked to be thinking and he didn’t wish to interrupt. One question he wanted to know was her age. Was she an adult? An older child? Though if he thinks about it, Linden doesn’t see any parents with her so she was probably running errands like himself?

“Is this it?" She asked, pointing the mortar and pestle signboard. The sign read Hilma's Herbs.

“Hmm?” Linden looks towards the direction where Alyssum was pointing as he beamed another smile. “That is it! Oh! They even have that pretty pink vial still up there too! Did you know that the oil of the lily flower is great to uplifting moods and with sleep problems? Can even use it in creams to use on the skin too! Oh and, and even can aid with healing of wounds and burns. But not too much.”

I wonder if that will make mom feel better too, he asks himself as they walked inside.

Releasing Alyssum’s hand, Linden hops over to the counter with his piece of paper in hand. The Jastai welcoming them and looks down at Linden and pats his head as if he was a regular. With ease, he uses his arms to hop onto the counter where the two of them looked over the list. Something that Alyssum noticed is that they were speaking to the boy in Vithmi instead of Kokalath as he yammered away and pointed and made hand gestures at how much he might need.

“How about we double the oat straw and dandelion root? Together they make a delicious nutty tea,” she suggests and fills a small bag for each item as the child nods.

The two of them chat as he points to the pink vial in the display window as she walks over and gingerly picks it up. Handing it to Linden as he holds it up to see the liquid inside through the light coming in through the windows. His eyes filled with wonder as he added it to the bundle of herbs that was up for purchase. It was then that Linden realized he brought no coins with him as he patted his chest and side pockets.

"I promise I will pay you back when I get home," he says embarrassed as the words seemed to fall to either women in the shop.

Linden was a lucky child. He could have stumbled across someone much meaner or fiercer or even more malignant. But he had the good grace, the good fortune, nay, the blessing of perhaps the Gods themselves to stumble into one by the name of Alyssum Crow. A woman who's heart twinged and shattered when she saw the woman behind the counter grimace at Linden's request.

She was supposed to be saving money. She had an end goal in mind...

A lass, here she was, already pulling out the pouch that could roughly be construed as a wallet, the likes of which she usually kept shoved in her shirt since she knew the world over had pickpockets, regardless of where you went. She'd be short her goal for a couple of seasons, but she'd been meaning to look into some extra odd jobs anyway. Right? She was sure... no, positive even, that she could catch back up. She just might need to take a couple more risks. Risks she didn't feel comfortable with, but risks she'd be willing to take anyway to achieve her financial dreams...

What was she doing? That was the singular thought that kept running through her mind as she pulled out a couple of bank notes. "I'll pay," she begrudgingly announced, being careful to keep the agitation out of her tone. What in the hell was she doing? She wondered if mother would be proud or disappointed. She honestly didn't know enough to make an honest judgement call, regardless of how much information Isra crammed into her head as a child.

"Is that all you need?" She asked, turning to Linden as she placed the money on the counter, trying to ignore the physical pain she felt as it left her fingers and entered someone else's. Damn it. Damn it! Ughhh. Chiiilllld.

She hated it. She hated herself for being so soft-hearted. But she grinned and she bore the feeling because children didn't deserve to be tested and pushed to their limits yet. They didn't deserve to be broken down and hurt. They didn't deserve to be shattered to their very cores since they hadn't even decided what those cores were made of yet. Anyone under 20, to Alyssum, was a child. A malleable and impermanent creature. Something that could be molded and forged by everyday actions, a creature whose sense of self and freedom to decide who they want to be could very well be ruined by careless actions. Delicate. Treat as such.

So she put the money down and smiled at Linden, encouraging him to retrieve the goods while the Jastai behind the counter inspected them to make sure they were good. "Come now, my dear, there's something else I think we should grab for your mother that isn't in stock here yet," she said as she ushered the boy out of the building, leaving her poor money behind.

It was a surprise to Linden when it wasn't the Jastai shop owner that spoke up, but the Rathari woman named Alyssum. His chocolate eyes looked over to her as his face tinged even redder and tried not to cringe. It wasn't the tone, but rather the words and the look their eyes held. As a child, he could be misreading it all, but growing in a large family he would like to believe he was good at reading people despite being only 10.

"Yes, big sister Alyssum," Linden replies softly and hops off the counter while the Jastai packaged everything up.

I will pay her back when I get home. I should have thought about that. I will remember next time and no one will have to do this again.

Linden was scolding himself in his own mind for forgetting something obvious. If you are given a list of things to buy, one must need money to buy it. Finla's child or not, there were no exceptions. Well, there were one or two that knew his word was good, but that was beside the point! He should have known better. That was it.

Alyssum caught his attention again about leaving the shop. Linden thanked the shop owner and takes the bag of herbs that he was told to get. While being ushered out of the shop he raises his hand to grab hers to give it a squeeze.

"Thank you... I-I promise I will pay you back. I wasn't lying when I said I would in the shop and I didn't think it would have been you to do it," Linden says to her earnestly. "For the things, you talked about, do you mean Goat's Rue and Feverfew? I don't think she had much of Arrow Vine either. She only gave me a strand of it, but to be potent enough for anything like what my mom is going through she needs at least a dozen or two and the thicker they are the better. Did you know that the milk of the Arrow Vine, while it can be poisonious in high doses, if you take it and mix it with a couple of other things it can relieve pain? Though the paste is really gross when put into tea or syrup, it should last for a little bit."

Perhaps he thought rambling would help the awkwardness or could be afraid that the silence would be too much for him? Children were such odd little creatures and Linden was no exception. His heart and gut were telling him that he was in good hands even as they headed towards the end of town.

"I trust you, but first" Linden blurts out as he beams a smile up at her. "Do you know a lot about plants too? Did you learn from your mom too? How old are you by the way? What kind of Rathari are you? You should meet my nanny, you might like her as long as you don't ruffle her feather literally and figuratively. Oh! And what is your last name? Do you have a last name even?"

"I'm sorry you didn't know your real mom, but it sounds like you still had one or two! One in the real world and one that guided you spiritually. Both my parents and Arif say that things happen for a reason and we experience what we do because it will make us who we need to be. Though sometimes I think it is crock," replies Linden while squeezing her hand. "But since you are a Rathari, it means you live longer than us so I bet it is hard on you too when you lose important people. Mom always said if you remember them then they are not truly gone you know. Just in case you didn't know that."

While the two of them walked Alyssum continued to answer his questions. Linden nodded and gave her his undivided attention and made sure to not interrupt her. He was very interested in learning about her so they wouldn't be strangers anymore which only made him smile more. Rathari were the best type of beings to come across! Well, the ones he knew at least.

"A Sharvalain? I never heard of them and if you are rare, does that mean you can become a rare friend of mine then? And if you don't have a kinship, then why not join mine? You are nice. You paid for me and I will pay you back as I promised. You also said you are a Sharvalain and I might not know what that is, but I love the way it sounds! Plus you are a smith and smiths are so fun! They make beautiful and intricate things!"

Linden stopped himself from rambling as his imagination began to run wild trying to imagine what a Sharvalain looked like. Coupled with her story she almost seemed like a storybook character that was bound for adventure. Following Naori must mean she believed in fate did it not? Vicis and Naori were two sides of the same coin in his mind.

They were the balance amid the chaos and together they worked harmoniously. They were the Law of Fate as both Old Ones held an interest in the people and land of Atinaw. In Linden's mind, their well-being for better or for worse. A part of him wondered if Alyssum is one of those lucky children of fate that one reads about. That is their way will change the world by carving their path. Such a thought could be considered "romantic" as his father put it, but it still sounded nice. Gave hope that even if one was mundane, something can come from it.

Once they reached the question of age, she teased by saying it was a secret that made Linden frown. Though if he thought about Arif, she always commented with some comment like "much wiser than you". Linden almost missed the wink when Alyssum removed her hand from his. When she ran just ahead of him, he didn't know if he should run after her or not. That is until he noticed her pacing. It was playful and with a grip on his bag, he darts after her. Almost catching up to her when she suddenly goes further away.

The game of chase forced him to remember how to run. Arif's voice echoing in his head as she tells him to extend his stride. Let your arms move naturally, don't let them hang. Lean forward slightly if you are running forward and breathing which he should do naturally. Reaching out to grasp her arm the second time, she goes just out of reach as Linden begins to laugh. How strange that something like this could be fun with another fun that wasn't someone that took care of him.