Cora eyed her last bite of the heavenly berry tart with terror. She was so full from the truly incredible meal that had preceded it that she couldn’t imagine eating it.

“You can do it! I believe in you!” Vira cheered her on in her head.

“You’re going to turn me into a whale! I’m too full.” Cora cried back.

“Not true!” Vira shot back. “I have already altered your metabolism so that you’ll always stay in perfect shape no matter how much you feed us! Amazing right? Celebrate with more desserts!”

“Don’t just go tinkering with my body without permission!” Cora scolded her, although if true that was an amazing benefit. Cora looked back to her plate with her fork ready to grab the last bite of tart. It was gone. She looked to her right to see Zell chewing it happily.

“You looked full so I thought I’d help you out!” He said after swallowing it.

“That does it! Let me out there so I can skin him and drop him in acid.” Vira fumed furiously.

“I’ll handle it. One more evil outburst like that and I’ll eat cold oatmeal for breakfast.” Cora warned sternly. Vira had no response after that.

“Z, I was just saving that bite for last. Now I have to deal with Vira wanting to skin you and put you in acid. You better make her something nice to enjoy in the morning or I doubt I’ll be able to stop her from doing just that.” Cora’s face was smiling sweetly, but her tone was cold and sinister.

Zell gulped and nodded. It was definitely Cora but that lich must be rubbing off on her a little. The sound of the front door opening and his parents’ voices drew his attention. They had spent the day in meetings with some government big shots and had planned a dinner date at Kel’s afterward.

They gave their cloaks to Sira and thanked her before checking on the kids in the dining room.

“Looks like you’re all about to burst.” Coralia said with a chuckle. Indeed they were all leaning back in their chairs and holding their full bellies. Except Zell who looked totally unaffected. “Tear Disease.” She chuckled as she pointed at him.

“What!?” Zell looked alarmed and stared down at himself as though he would start melting any second. “What’s that?”

“You ate so much mana enriched meat and fruit from The Tear that regular food won’t touch your hunger for awhile.” She explained.

“I was wondering why I always felt hungry!” Zell blurted. “I ate five baked chickens and mashed potatoes for lunch today and barely felt anything!”

“So that’s where they went...” Elin said with an awed expression. Such an appetite was an extraordinary thing to the elves whom ate very little by comparison.

“Should we increase the food budget?” Arlim chuckled, settling into one of the many empty chairs of the huge table.

“Certainly not!” Turya immediately exclaimed. “As it is, we barely use half of what you allotted. Though there is a matter while we have you all here...”

“Turya you mustn’t impose!” Sira tried to intervene.

“What is it?” Zell prodded. “Don’t ever hold back if you want something Ms. Turya, that goes for You as well Ms. Elin and Ms. Sira.” He added.

“Well, we recently have been saving our earnings in hopes of one day buying the freedom of Sira’s child. Before we were sold to the Trade Prince, we were slaves in a brothel. Sira had a half elf baby, and not long after we were sold when a few wrinkles began to appear on our faces. They were separated when you freed us.” Turya’s face was grim as she told the tale but she quickly brightened. “It’s not that we want to trouble you or that we’re ungrateful! It’s just painful to live in such a wonderful place knowing Sira’s child is still suffering in Axis.”

Zell’s face was dark and wrathful. The maids mistook it as anger towards them and shrank away. Zell saw that and moved quickly to reassure them. “I’m so sorry that I didn’t know. I never would have left Axis if I had known then. What is stopping you from freeing them?”

“I believe I can guess.” Arlim interjected with a raised hand. “You have saved what you believe to be adequate funds to free the child but are at a loss as to the logistics of securing their passage here. Is that correct Ms. Sira?”

“It is exactly as you say, Lord Arlim.” Sira’s head was bowed and frustrated tears welled in her eyes. “I apologize thoroughly for dampening the joyous mood, please forget we behaved so shamefully!”

“What is your child’s name as registered in the slave markets?”

“His name is Valin. He’s a mute, he never even cried as a baby but he’s very smart. He’s only twenty five so he’s still very vulnerable and I worry about him constantly.” Sira realized she had begun to ramble and clapped a hand over her own mouth.

“Save your money to buy him new clothes and toys. He will be in your arms within the month.” Arlim spoke with such utter confidence that it bordered on nonchalance.

“How could that be possible?” Sira dared to ask in barely a whisper. “You make it sound simple.”

“Don’t trouble yourself with trying to figure out how he gets the job done.” Coralia giggled, still slightly drunk from the four mugs of mead she had shared with Agitha at dinner. “I gave that up years ago. Just be confident that once this man makes a promise, it’s as good as done.”

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“Thank you, dad.” Zell looked relieved, and he was even smiling once more. “Where would we be without you?”

“Oh don’t mention it, just name a kid after me someday.” Arlim flashed a grin and a wink as he stood back up at a look from Coralia. “Now it seems we’ll be retiring early. Good night everyone! Ladies make sure these kids behave themselves, if you please!”

Zell looked over at Rin, still smiling only to find her staring at the table with cheeks glowing like a forge.

“Ooh... Mr. Arlim said the K-word.” Nin nudged Cora in the ribs and chuckled.

“What, kid?” Zell was confused. “What’s bad about saying kid? Like if you and me-oof!” Cora’s elbow landed with surprising force, so much so that Zell had the wind knocked out of him for a second. “Sheesh Cora, what was that for!? And when did you get strong?” He gasped a moment later.

“You’re so dense it’s almost impressive.” She said with a completely straight face before inviting Rin outside for some fresh air.

“I mean, I thought it was funny.” Nin offered when they were alone. “But she’s right you really don’t catch on easily.”

“I know. Seems like all I get to do is apologize at times like this.” He sunk down in his chair as he acknowledged her.

“She likes that about you, you know?” Nin said with surprising kindness in her tone when they were left alone. “That innocent, dense, sort of annoying optimism is one of your charms so don’t hate yourself over it. Just always have a sorry ready to go.”

“Aye Coach.” Zell slipped back into his old response without thinking and Nin snorted.

“You passed me by a long ways, no need to call me that anymore.” She said with a sigh.

“Maybe in strength but you have technique that puts me to shame.” Zell shot back. “You’re still the superior fighter as far as I’m concerned.”

“Bah! You’re flattering the wrong twin. I don’t mind being behind. It’s nice to have someone to chase for a change.” She said with a dismissive wave.

“I’ll look forward to you beating me up again then.” Zell chuckled. “Should I go out and say something?”

“I can’t answer that one for you.” Nin replied somberly.

Luckily Zell didn’t have to decide as the two missing girls returned a second later.

Before Zell could say anything, Cora spoke up with a wicked grin.

“Since my brother has decided to be a dumb brute, it’s only natural that he plays as the ogre first.” She announced.

“You don’t mean we’re gonna play-?” Zell began but was interrupted.

“That’s right! Ogre’s Lair is happening in the garden.” She said happily.

Zell smiled in spite of himself. Ogre’s Lair was a popular game among children. One person played as the ogre, another as the Hunter, and any others were Sheep. The Ogre had to touch all of the sheep and evade being touched by the Hunter. The Hunter had to protect the Sheep from being touched by the Ogre, and the Sheep had to evade the Ogre by hiding and running.

“Will that be fair to you three?” Zell asked, not intending to sound boastful, but still wishing he could suck the foolish words back into his mouth the moment he uttered them.

“We’ll just have to find out, won’t we?” Cora retorted. “Magic and skills are allowed as long as we don’t go overboard.”

“Won’t we wake your parents...?” Rin asked with some concern.

“Ohh they’re not gonna be asleep for awhile.” Cora answered confidently.

“How can you be so sure?” Rin replied but then instantly clapped a hand over her own mouth in realization and embarrassment. “Never mind!” She gasped before anyone could answer.

“We should all change out of these nice clothes before we play.” Nin suggested.

Everyone agreed and after a few minutes all four were ready, wearing warm layers and dark cloaks. Outside, the air was surprisingly chilly. Their breath was clearly visible under the nearly full and dark orange moon.

Nin drew the Hunter stick, leaving Cora and Rin to play the Sheep. Zell faced the wall and began counting to a full minute while Nin stood next to him. She would begin her one minute count when he finished and began his hunt for the Sheep.

The back garden of the estate was nearly a full acre in size with a huge variety of exotic plants, fountains, and other features. Cora and Rin split up and each searched for the best places to hide. Rin nimbly scaled an ancient apple tree and quietly cast a spell to blur her outline, making her nearly invisible against the trunk.

“Let me cast something. I can fool that dolt easily!” Vira eagerly begged Cora as she ran to a promising cluster of tall grass. She was in remarkably high spirits after enjoying Turya’s splendid cooking.

“What did you have in mind?” Cora was hesitant but didn’t want to shoot her down off hand.

“It’s a surprise. I promise it won’t hurt anyone, well not physically anyways.” Vira answered dubiously.

Cora decided to take the risk and trust the demilich. She silently allowed Vira a moment of control long enough to enact whatever spell she was planning. It was a totally different experience than when she had lost control previously. Those times she had simply been in blackness, barely able to understand anything at all. Now she could clearly see through her own eyes and feel her body moving in the motions of casting a totally unfamiliar spell. She heard her own voice utter a beautifully precise incantation, and suddenly six exact copies of her appeared all around and scattered in different directions.

“Amazing.” Cora said under her breath when she was once again in control.

“Isn’t it!? I can control each one from in here without you having to do anything at all. They can cast cantrips, taunt him, and if he manages to touch one they laugh and cast Minor Sulfur Cloud before they disappear! Aren’t I wonderful!? Feel free to praise me more!” Vira was very pleased with herself and Cora couldn’t help but agree with her.

“Yes, you’re incredible Vira. I’m sure my brother will gag on his words before long.” She conceded.

“That won’t be all he gags on!” Vira roared with mental laughter at her own antics.

Zell finished his count and immediately set off on his hunt for the Sheep. He focused his mana into his senses, allowing him to detect any movement no matter how slight. Almost instantly he noticed a silhouette matching his short sister next to a statue. He was surprised, Cora was an expert hider. He wasted no time in rushing her at a speed she would certainly never match. When he was just a stride away, he noticed she was smiling widely. Suddenly he was on his back, having slipped in the tiny patch of conjured ice between them.

“What a moron! So clumsy! I feel bad for real ogres, he’s giving them a bad name!” His sister’s voice was taunting from what seemed like every direction.

He sat up quickly but she was already gone. He growled and stood up, now fully into the game. It only took a moment to find her again, leaning casually against a tree and watching him with disdain. He had to tag her soon. Nin was about to finish counting, adding another layer of difficulty for the poor ogre Zell. He paused to survey the ground, and sure enough another reflective patch of ice stood between them. He leaped and laughed in triumph, reaching out to tag her as he flew clear of the treacherous ice. No solid ground greeted him after he cleared the patch of ice. He fell instead into a pit neatly made with a simple Dig cantrip and covered with the most basic of illusions. He would have easily seen it if not for the shiny distracting patch of ice. He slammed his belly into the far side of the shallow pit, but much to Vira’s surprise managed to keep his wits enough to swipe ahead and tag the illusion of his sister. Zell’s look of triumph melted into confusion as she exploded into a reddish grey cloud of smoke. The sudden smell of rotten eggs assaulted his nostrils and nearly made him retch.

“The poor ogres! How many times will he ruin their reputation!? Is he some sort of moron prodigy!?” The voices cackled and carried on from all over the garden even as Zell rolled away from the noxious cloud with watering eyes and a weak stomach.

Even as he rolled onto his back and looked up, he felt a sudden pressure on his chest. Nin had her foot on him. Looking past her smiling face, he could see Rin up in the tree covering her mouth to stifle her giggling as she looked down. A mere second later to Zell’s ultimate horror, five Coras loomed all around him, pointing and laughing.

Cora looked on from a short distance as her doubles mocked her brother. She thought for a moment that she had gone too far when Zell’s genuine laughter erupted from his belly.

Zell loved that moment for reasons that he couldn’t begin to fathom. He felt foolish for doubting the girls he had spent so long looking up to, and he felt relieved that they were indeed still capable of so much. It was a bit unnerving when he later learned that Vira had collaborated with Rin through a double of his sister. Cora’s double had asked Rin to use the Dig spell behind the ice patch. Zell wondered just how much of a presence the terrifying lich might become in their lives but dismissed it and decided to trust in his sister.

They were going to play more but the temperature was dropping rapidly and they decided against it. Zell took Goggles inside for the night after he used communication magic and confirmed that it was indeed a bit too cold for the spider’s comfort even in the underground shelter.

To everyone’s delight, the maids had prepared hot ciders and stoked the fireplace so that it was roaring when they returned. They sat up together long into the night talking about their futures in the academy and beyond. Rin fell asleep in Zell’s arms on the love seat and he carried her to the guest bedroom where she and Nin both slept soundly.