“I knew it was you!” Arcturus exclaimed, pointing a finger at Eclipse.

From the moment the pair had walked in, he had suspected something was awry. Travelers rarely ever visited their apothecary, only the local residents of Aldebaran did. He hadn’t recognized the silver-haired woman, and the masked one had clearly been a mystery as well. But something about her had been familiar. The way she walked, the way she looked at him. Her short height and figure he had seen too many times not to notice. Only when he had heard her voice did it finally click. No matter how she tried to hide it, that same voice that always came to request her mother’s Meterone had been implanted in his mind.

That’s when the idea had come to him. If it were really Eclipse, she wouldn’t hesitate to call out his brewing mistakes, especially when they had the potential of being destructive. He had set her up to expose herself in a trap she couldn’t resist.

All he wanted now was the truth.

“Where have you been?” he demanded, her half smile vanishing as he spoke. “Your father’s sent out every Ash guard in the region to find you! He’s probably spread the word to every city in Ophelia by now. The whole kingdom thinks you’ve been abducted by ruthless criminals!”

“I wasn’t abducted. You can breathe easy,” she answered, rolling her eyes. Arcturus crossed his arms as she spoke. “I ran away voluntarily. It’s a long story, but I’m safe. No one has to worry.”

“Um, excuse me?” the white-haired woman cut in. “I thought the point of wearing a mask was not to be recognized?”

Eclipse sighed. “Astrid, this is Arcturus. He’s…a friend.”

“Uh huh. A friend that will have the guards at our backs. Let’s get out of here before we’re caught, shall we?”

“No…I trust him. He won’t tell anyone I was here, will he?” She shot him a stern look, Arcturus frantically shaking his head.

“Whatever,” the woman, Astrid, scowled. “Let’s just get the drugs and go. You have our disinfectant? How much will it be?”

Arcturus pulled himself together, thousands of questions still persisting in his mind.

“Eighty-three credits. That includes the three vials of that painkiller Addesone.”

Eclipse nodded and dug into her satchel, pulling out a handful of gold and bronze coins. She began to count them in her palms, her fingers tapping them over individually. His shoulders tensed as Astrid studied Arcturus, her gaze running down his scrawny figure with contempt. She stared right into his eyes as he let out a nervous laugh.

Eclipse set down the coins, Arcturus swiping them closer across the counter. She grabbed each item individually, popping them into her satchel.

“Why did you run away?” he asked, before Astrid gave Eclipse an urgent look.

She glanced up to him, her hands still working. “Weren’t you always one to ask intrusive questions?”

“I’m not trying to be intrusive!” he protested, gripping the edge of the counter. “I was just…concerned is all…”

Eclipse stared at him for a brief moment, before she placed her hand gently above his.

“Listen,” she said softly. “I’ll tell you all about it…one day. I promise. It’s just that now’s not the time. We have to go.”

She removed her hand, Arcturus frozen in place. With a light smile, Eclipse spun around to the exit, Astrid following her without a word. As they approached closer to the door, Arcturus snapped out of his trance, stumbling around the counter.

“Wait!” he called, before both of them turned to face him.

“I’m sorry, Arcturus,” Eclipse said. “You have to understand, this is for the best.”

“But I have so many questions and—”

“I told you, now isn’t the time. I promise, I’ll come back and explain.” Her hand reached for the knob.

Arcturus narrowed his eyes, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

She’s going to leave? Just like that?

Truth be told, frustration and horror had been boiling within him the past few days. Saros had died right in front of him, and his family could easily be next. His life had become hell the past week, fear and worry consuming him, and he finally, finally had a chance to get some answers. A chance to figure out what was happening.

And yet, when he asked her, she brushed him off, planning to leave him in this frenzied state.

I think not. It’s time I get my answers.

He reached out an arm, his mind focusing on a bare table near the door. He felt his Gift unravel like a spool of thread, tying it around the legs and top. Thrusting his hand to the right, the table let out a groan as it slid towards the door, skidding to a halt in front of it and cutting off the pair.

“Eclipse Soleil, you’re going to answer my questions, or I swear by the stars I will alert the guards.” He raised his chin, attempting to mask his guilt with some form of authority. He didn’t want to actually report them, but he had to try something to compel them to stay.

Eclipse snatched her arm away from the door, jumping back.

He let out an angered breath. “No one leaves here until I get my answers.”

Eclipse shot a look at her friend, who turned around with her jaw clenched.

“Just Persuade him already!” Astrid exclaimed with a scowl. Arcturus stepped back, his hands raising defensively.

Eclipse took a deep breath, Arcturus tensing.

“I…I can’t.”

“Why not? You did it just fine before.”

“I just,” she stuttered, “I can’t do that to him. That’s all. Besides, I think he deserves to know.” Eclipse pushed her hood back, meeting his eyes.

Arcturus relaxed, but kept his face regal. “Now,” he said with narrowed eyes. “Explain.”

She let out a sigh. “I ran away because, well, the world of the Ash Court is a corrupt one. It was suffocating, ignorant, and blind, and I hated it there. But it's a lot more serious than that. With King Altair sick, tensions are rising between the Courts, and Ophelia’s own government is growing increasingly divided by the minute. Councilman Oberon has this…secret organization and—”

“The Ember Legion?” he interrupted, his eyes widening.

She paused. “Yes…how did you know?”

“I overheard some Ash guards in a dark alley. They were talking about something called the Ember Legion. Something about taking over the Ash Court? And then the other Courts as well.”

She peered at him curiously. “What else do you know about them?”

“From what I overheard, I suspect that they were the ones responsible for the marketplace raid. They had Silmorite in their clutches, and I have a theory they used it to kill off many minor Court officials. At least, that’s what it looked like. My friend and I did some…investigating. I also know Councilman Oberon has something to do with it, though I’m not sure what.”

“Look at that,” Astrid remarked. “Our apprentice looks pretty informed to me, so now we can leave. Good day.”

Eclipse waved her away, turning back to Arcturus. “So you can understand why I left. I couldn’t waste my life rotting in that revolting Court. Not when there was a civil war brewing and innocent people dying. I had to do something, and joining Astrid was my best chance. No one else seems to be aware of what’s happening, and if even they are, no one else is willing to do anything about it. But we are.”

Arcturus stood there speechless. So she wasn’t with the Ember Legion. She was trying to stop them. All those worries he had, they had been pointless.

Eclipse slowly backed away, her eyes still glued to his. “We have to go now, Arcturus. I know you understand.” She shot a look at Astrid, who nodded back firmly, the two turning to leave again.

“Wait—” he said, a thought running through his mind.

“What is it now?” Astrid scoffed, pushing the table away from the door.

“I want to help too.”

Both girls’ eyes darted to him.

“What?” Eclipse said.

“Now if this isn’t a familiar scene,” Astrid chided.

“You heard me. I want to help too,” he said as he slowly approached them, ignoring Astrid’s comment. “Ever since the Aldebaran raid, nothing about it has sat right with me. Who was responsible and why did they have a dangerous element? I want to find out everything about it because, well…I lost someone that day.”

He took a deep breath. “His name was Saros, and he was one of my closest friends. That Ember Legion killed him. They killed my friend, and all I’ve wanted since then was to find them and put an end to those monsters.” His voice had raised considerably, and he paused before continuing. “So now you’re telling me you’re on a mission to stop them? Let me come with you. Those men murdered my best friend, and will no doubt kill even more people along with him. I can’t just sit around and let that happen!”

Astrid folded her arms, studying him over with her cold, blue eyes. She turned to Eclipse, whose own face was full of both confusion and curiosity.

“Can I talk to you…alone?” she said, grabbing Eclipse’s arm and dragging her to the side.

Arcturus stood in his place, but still strained his ears to listen.

“I told you we never should have explained it to him,” Astrid whispered aggressively.

“It wouldn’t make a difference, he already knew a lot about it.”

“Yet he didn’t know you were trying to stop it, now he wants to come along!”

A pause. “You’re right…that is a problem…”

“Another mouth to feed. Another load to carry. Can he even fight?” Astrid glanced back at him.

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“I know you might be opposed to it,” Arcturus cut in. “But you know I’m right. What good would it do knowing of this plot and doing nothing to stop it? We’re the only ones who are willing to take a stand. I’ve got the same spirit you do, and it would benefit you to have another person to help.”

Another pause.

“Besides, I’m a capable apothecary, and that’s pretty close to a medic. I’m also strong with my Gift, as you’ve just witnessed.”

The girls turned around again, whispering to themselves.

“Now that I think about it, he does make some good points,” Astrid remarked, and Arcturus was surprised. Hadn’t she been the one so hell bent on saying no?

Eclipse whispered back, her voice hushed but still audible. “Listen, I don’t want him to come along and die on us. I would never forgive myself for dragging him into that.”

“I want to agree with you, Princess, but I realize we have a slight problem,” said Astrid. “Once Soldier Boy clears his name, he’ll be leaving. It’ll just be the two of us. What is two people against an entire army?” Arcturus wasn’t really sure what she was talking about, but he suspected she was vouching for him now.

Eclipse didn’t respond, her head turning back to Arcturus.

“Do you have a family?” Astrid asked sharply.

“Yes.”

“You do know, if you come with us, you’ll have to leave them behind?”

Arcturus thought for a moment, the realization hitting him. All that had run through his mind was avenging Saros and doing his part to protect Ophelia, yet he never considered that he would have to leave his parents. His brothers. His home.

He swallowed. “If I don’t stop the Ember Legion, who's to say they won’t come after my family? None of us are Ash Courters, after all. They’ll suffer a terrible fate, all because I refused to help. Sure, they’ll worry about me, but I need to protect them. And the best way to do that is to stop the danger before it reaches them.”

Both girls studied him skeptically.

“All right then,” Astrid finally said. “But we leave now. Grab anything you need from here, leave a note for your family, and we go. We’re wasting precious time here.”

Arcturus nodded, reaching for the back of his apron and untying it frantically. He hurried towards the counter, rummaging through the shelves as he searched for some paper. Rolling out the thin sheet, he dipped his quill into the bottle of dark ink next to him. He touched the tip to the paper, hesitating.

What do I even write? I am leaving my family and master behind for who knows how long. How do I even explain that?

He thought for a moment, figuring out the words. After he comes back from his medical center inspection, Mr. Zelione would be the first one to see his note. Arcturus started out simple.

Dear Mr. Zelione,

He bit his lip before beginning to write, the words coming to him in a rush.

Dear Mr. Zelione,

I am writing to tell you that I am leaving Aldebaran unexpectedly. I know this must come as a shock, but there is something dangerous growing in Ophelia, something that must be stopped. I know you don’t think I should be one to help, that I should stay safe and keep away from the danger, but trust me, that won’t end well for any of us. What I really want to say is this: you are a wonderful master, and I couldn’t be more fortunate to be your apprentice. You have taught me so much, and one brief note couldn’t possibly be enough to express my gratitude and respect for you. I will miss you, sir.

Please, tell my mother and father this: I don’t want either of you to worry. I’ll be safe, and although you must be confused and alarmed, I want you to know that I am making the decision I think is best for all of us. I want to protect you, because I love you.

And tell this to my brothers: Hesperos and Taryn, despite the times you embarrass me, despite the times you make fun of me, despite the times you pile on me for trivial matters and break every bone in my body, I know you do it out of love. And know that I share the same love for both of you, which is why I must go.

I know none of you may understand it now, but I’m doing this for you. All of you. And I will miss you all.

Signed, Arcturus.

Arcturus quickly skimmed over his note, leaving no time to edit it further. He wished he could have written more, but no amount of paper could have ever been enough to capture all his thoughts. He reached for another piece of paper, planning to write a separate note for Cass, before an idea crossed his mind.

“Astrid?” he called out. She instantly turned around. He took in a breath, anxious to how she would respond.

“I…I have a friend. Her name is Cassiopeia, and she’s just across the street, barely a minute’s walk. She’s the one I’ve been investigating with. She knew Saros for as long as I did, and is just as committed to avenging him. And she knows about the Legion. The Silmorite, the Ash Court, everything we’ve mentioned.”

“What are you suggesting?” she asked slowly.

“I’m suggesting that we bring her along. That is, if she wants to join.”

“What am I running, a nursery?” she said with a frown.

Arcturus blankly stared at her, and Eclipse tilted her head.

Astrid finally let out an exasperated sigh. “All right. What can she do?”

“She’s a Reader,” Arcturus explained. “She can read minds. I’m sure that would be useful to you, considering it's an easy way to obtain information.”

“Is she strong with it?”

Arcturus bit his lip. “Well, I’m not really sure. She’s never used it on me before, so I can’t tell.”

Astrid still had that frown, contemplating it.

“Besides, she may not even want to come to begin with. Let me just talk to her. It will only be a few minutes.”

Eclipse and Arcturus exchanged a glance, waiting for her response. Only after a moment did she finally let out a defeated breath.

“Fine. But make it quick.”

✦✦✦

Arcturus stuck his head through the tailor shop door, his eyes searching the room for Cass. Only a few steps behind him were Eclipse and Astrid, each with their hoods up to shield their faces from the outside crowds. Just peeking into the doorway, he was met with racks of hanging clothes, silky gowns and suits, intricate blouses and pants, all pinned up with markings and measurements.

He took a step inside, giving a short nod to the pair to follow him. Arcturus tilted his head to see over the racks. The shop was empty of customers, and there was no one by the front. Cass, Pheone, and Evalien were likely working in the back.

“Hello?” he called out, but was met with no reply.

He caught Eclipse adjusting her mask in the stuffy room, the thick racks of clothing trapping in the summer heat. With a tug to his own collar, he waited patiently before Pheone emerged from the back of the store.

The tailor had her normal knee-length gown on, pins and emblems scattered throughout. The light yellow of her dress contrasted her chestnut skin, and her short, curled hair was covered by a cloth, tied back against her scalp. She went to the counter, dropping a spool of thread underneath it. Looking up from a thin leather book, she took a glance at the group.

“Hello there, welcome. I’m sorry, but we don’t have any appointments for the rest of the day. Would you like to set another time to come in?”

“Hello Pheone. I’m not sure if you remember me, but I’m a friend of Cassiopeia’s. Zelione’s apprentice?”

Her eyes suddenly lit up. “Oh, that’s right, you are! Arcturus, isn’t it? And company, it seems?” She leaned slightly to the side, peeking behind him.

“Um, yes. They’re…friends of mine. Could I speak to Cassiopeia?”

“Only for a bit, dear. Cassiopeia and Evalien have a handful of pieces to sort through.”

“Right…” Arcturus bit his lip. He was planning on talking to her for more than just a bit, considering she might not even agree to come along. How was he supposed to say goodbye to her? One of his oldest friends? He would need so much more time for that than just “a bit.”

It would be ideal to talk Cass out of work, but Astrid and Eclipse were growing more impatient by the minute. He stole a glance at Astrid, her face inscrutable as she observed the shop.

Pheone turned around, disappearing again. A few moments later, quick footsteps sounded, and Cass rushed out of the workroom. Similar needles stuck through her clothes, and a long measuring thread hung around her neck. Walking up to Arcturus, she gave him a brief lookover, her thin eyebrows bunched together.

“Arcturus? What are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that?” she said as she nodded to the cloak he had on. She stole a look behind him. “And what are these wraiths doing with you?”

“Curious, isn’t she?” muttered Astrid.

Cass shot her a look. “I’m sorry, but who are you?”

“All right, enough,” said Arcturus, throwing his hand up between them. He let out a breath. “Look, Cass, I’m here to tell you that I’m leaving.”

“Excuse me?”

“Real smooth,” Eclipse chuckled from beneath her mask, Astrid smirking alongside her.

Arcturus rubbed his forehead. “Listen, I don’t have much time. What I mean is, those names we saw? Those guards we overheard? It’s…it’s much bigger than we think. Ophelia is in danger of a civil war, and the Councils are none the wiser. The Ember Legion is growing by the day. The raid that…” He faltered, painful images flashing in his mind. “The raid that we saw was only a small part of it. These two are planning to stop further bloodshed, and so I want to help them.”

“Wait, wait, so you’re leaving Aldebaran? You’re leaving Zelione’s?”

“Well…yes, yes I am. And I think you should come with me.”

Cass took a step back, staring at Arcturus incredulously. “Come with you? What about my mother? My work? I can’t just leave her and Pheone for some warrior cause. And you, you have a family of your own. A life of your own. And you’re just going to abandon all of it? Arcturus, are you even listening to yourself?”

He blinked, not expecting her response. “I…” he faltered.

Eclipse stepped forward next to him, pushing her cloak back while pulling her mask down. “My name is Eclipse Soleil, you must have heard of me. The one who disappeared a few days ago? Anyhow, trust me when I say Arcturus is telling the truth.”

Cass glanced between them, before looking back at Astrid, who was now leaning against the door frame.

“I’m no one important,” she said with a wave.

Shaking her head, Cass glanced at Eclipse before locking eyes with him. “It’s not that I don’t believe him, it’s the fact that he is willing to leave everything he’s ever known and trust a pair of complete strangers, one of whom is supposedly the missing daughter of an Ash Court Councilman!”

“So you have heard of me…” Eclipse murmured with a snicker.

Arcturus shifted on his feet, his voice edging onto a pleading tone. “Cass, listen to me. You saw the names. You heard the guards the night of the Solstice, and you know damn well what happened to Saros. We have the chance to stop anyone else from getting hurt, anyone else we care about. And I’m going to take it.”

She shook her head, taking a step back. “A chance that’s very risky, Arcturus. We have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”

“Don’t worry, he does,” Astrid chimed.

“I’m not exactly willing to take the word of a runaway,” she shot back.

Eclipse pursed her lips, turning to Arcturus. “We’re not staying here any longer. She clearly doesn’t want to come along, so let’s go. We have other pressing matters to attend to.”

She spun on her heel, making her way to the door.

Arcturus glanced behind him, panic growing in his chest. He desperately wanted his friend to join him, and nothing was going like how he had imagined.

I can’t leave without Cass. The thought was true, one he realized very quickly.

“What about ‘for Saros?’” he blurted out on impulse. “You made a promise to him. You’re just going to back away now?”

Cass opened her mouth slightly, hurt flashing in her golden eyes. Shame instantly flooded through him.

“I…I didn’t mean that,” he said softly.

He watched as she clasped the locket around her neck, avoiding to meet his eyes.

“You know very well I would do anything for Saros, Arcturus Sarir,” she replied quietly.

A few silent moments passed in the shop, before Cass let out a sigh, her hand dropping from her neck. “All right, I’m coming with you. I have to make sure you don’t kill yourself in whatever you plan to do.”

Arcturus gave her a grateful smile, before a thought crossed his mind.

“Wait, what about your mother?”

Cass sighed again. “As much as it hurts me to say this, I think we both know my mother wouldn’t even notice I’m gone.” She pulled off her measuring thread, and Arcturus knew she was right. He felt horrible for his friend, but he was glad she was able to leave everything so much easier than him. Without something to hold on to, she was free to go.

“About damn time,” said Astrid, pushing herself off of the wall. “Now hurry up, we’ve spent enough precious minutes here.”

Cass narrowed her eyes. “I still don’t know who the hell you are.”

“The name’s Astrid. Now grab your things and let’s go. Maybe leave a letter like our Alchemist here did, whatever you’d like, just make it quick. I’m going to grab the horses.” She scanned the group. “We’ll have to double up for now. We’ll buy another one later, outside of Aldebaran.”

She turned around, leaving the shop with a swipe of her cloak. Arcturus turned back to Cass, a small smile on his face.

“Oh, don’t you look at me like that,” she muttered before patting her hands on her pants and blouse, searching for pins. As she slid them out, she went to the counter, frantically looking around.

Arcturus stepped back, standing next to Eclipse as he nervously waited.

“Are you sure about her?” Eclipse whispered under her breath. Her brown eyes watched Cass dash to the back for her things, a quill and paper in her hands.

Arcturus straightened, glancing down at her with a half-smile.

“Yes, I’m sure.”