DECEMBER 844 AQE

Taoru’s heart was hammering in his chest. He had immediately sensed something wasn’t right the second he and Lian had come upon the scene. It wasn’t until now, standing between his foolish daughter and the not so distressed damsel, that he understood his misgivings.

It required no effort for Zosara to sense one another. That elemental power was basic and primal, churning beneath the surface so blatantly that even those weakly attuned could be detected. The woman smirking at him exuded that power like a candle giving off light in a dark room. Had Lian not been so rash, she would have detected it as well.

The stranger rose slowly from the ground, her gray-blue eyes glinting coldly. “Impressive, Taoru Hiryuten…” She brushed dirt from her robes. “You saw through my little ploy almost immediately. Too bad your kid isn’t so clever.”

Lian let out a growl and started forward, but Taoru’s arm barred her path. He didn’t have to say a word. His headstrong daughter knew he was displeased with her and stayed back, lest she make matters worse for herself. He imagined her glaring balefully at her would-be killer all the same.

“Who are you?” Taoru lowered his arm when he was sure Lian wouldn’t try anything. “What is your purpose here?”

The woman tossed pale blond hair over her shoulder and shrugged. “I’m afraid I won’t be answering any questions, so save your breath.” Her chilling eyes glimmered knowingly at him before shifting to Lian. “Mind yourself, girl. Daddy may not be around next time to save your stupid neck.”

Before Lian could further retort, a rush of conjured wind buffeted them from out of nowhere. Taoru shifted, turning so he was taking the brunt of the gust instead of Lian. By the time it passed, the mysterious woman was gone, leaving the pair of them alone with the mostly unconscious bandits.

“Dad, who was—”

Taoru didn’t let her finish the question. Now that the danger had passed, his fear for Lian’s safety had given way to anger. “Home,” he barked, hiding the dark expression on his face by stalking past her. “Now!”

This time, she did not disobey him.

image [https://i.imgur.com/wtWYX96.png]

Returning home was not as pleasant as their hike up the mountain that morning. Taoru set a grueling pace, hoping the exertion would help to cool his temper; it didn’t.

Deep down, he knew he wasn’t angry with Lian but at himself. He had trained her, taught her everything she knew, and so he felt fully responsible for each of her flaws. He didn’t remember when she had become so short-tempered, so stubborn, so impulsive! Was it merely age? Was it a lack of discipline on his part?

These thoughts plagued him all the way down the Peak, twisting and writhing in his gut like a nest of furious vipers.

Behind him, Lian kept up without trouble, maintaining an exact stride that ensured she didn’t get ahead of him. He’d give her that much; when she put her mind to it, she was quite perceptive.

If only she wouldn’t rush into everything like… like…

The truth was, he’d been every bit as headstrong in his youth. He’d taken foolish risks and made plenty of stupid decisions based on hastily gathered, so-called facts. It had nearly destroyed him and would have if he’d not been granted a single boon - his daughter.

And I nearly lost her today…

Or had he?

That same uneasy feeling settled in his chest, making him question the odd encounter all over again. There were too many things about the strange woman not adding up in his mind. What was a Zosara doing out here? He was certain she was not after the bandits. They were merely unwitting pawns, a means to draw Lian and Taoru in close. But for what purpose? The question burned in him like hot coals.

He couldn’t shake the sense the moment had been a test. Would the strike have met its mark had he not intervened? There was no scenario where he took that chance.

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Taoru snuck a glance over his shoulder at Lian. It was the first time he’d allowed himself to do so, fearing that he would lose his resolve. As their home came into view, he felt his anger dissipating.

When they passed by the workshop, he resisted the urge to duck inside and get lost in the project that so patiently awaited him. Instead, he steeled himself and continued until he reached the door to the house. He held it open for Lian, waited until she was inside, and then sealed it closed again.

Lian sat her bag down in its usual place, the movement slow and deliberate, betraying that she wasn’t sure what to do with herself. She was waiting for Taoru to make the first move. It was the first bit of patience she’d exhibited all day. He nearly smacked his palm to his forehead in exasperation.

Instead, he let out a weary sigh as he put his own bag away and turned to face his daughter. He’d have given anything to avoid this confrontation, to let the lesson stand on its own without further need to speak of it. There was so much more at work here than a single moment of impulsiveness, however. It wasn’t just that her rash behavior had nearly gotten her killed; it was the impending war and the certainty she would be dragged into it. He didn’t want that. More than anything, he did not want that.

“Lian,” he started out gently, trying to find the words lest he stand there procrastinating for eternity. “Navigating life is like walking a mountain path…”

Despite the severity of the situation, Lian made a mock gagging noise. She caught herself immediately and bowed her head, hiding her face from the disapproving expression she received from her father.

“Fine, no analogies,” he began again, trying not to be frustrated. “There are moments in every person’s life when they must make decisions that will have lasting repercussions. Jumping thoughtlessly into a battle is one such—”

“What was I supposed to do? Stand around and analyze? Refuse to fight like a coward? I saw someone who needed help, and I helped them!”

There it was again. Taoru felt her words like a blade through the chest. Did she really believe he was so callous? How could his own daughter understand him so poorly? It wasn’t that he didn’t care; it was the simple fact that her life mattered above all others, even above his own.

“Your skill is undeniable, Lian. Your compassion and strength are likewise undeniable.” Taoru kept his voice hard, even though he was complimenting her. “Being good is not just about skill. It’s about intuition and patience as well. There is a significant difference between acting rashly and not acting at all.”

She stared him down stubbornly, her jaw tight and her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “You never want to act, Father! You never want me to act either! Well, I want to! I want to protect people, to use my skill to do good! I don’t want to waste my life and my magic on…“ there was a moment where she hesitated, but then she blurted angrily, “…on stupid art!”

The forcefulness of her words caused him to take a step back as if they had been a physical blow. He couldn’t keep the pain from his face, though he swept it away an instant later, sealing it behind a steely mask.

She’s young, he told himself, fighting the emotions that threatened to wrench his insides apart. She’s young, and she doesn’t understand. That simple fact did nothing to ease the hurt she’d caused him or to soothe his inflamed temper. Someday she would look back and know fully the sharpness of her words and the wound they had opened, but right now, barely more than a child, she had no clue.

Taoru was done trying to make her see. His mind was made up. “War is coming, Lian, and I will not see you caught up in it. I will begin making preparations tomorrow. We’ll head west and—”

“No!” she shouted at him, tears filling her fiery gaze, making her eyes appear to shimmer. “This is our home! I don’t want to leave! I want to fight!”

“Calm down. This will be for the best; you’ll see in time…” Taoru tried to keep his voice even, but her outburst made his composure waver.

He didn’t want to drag her away from the only home she’d ever known; he didn’t want to leave the house he had built with his own two hands. There was so much here they had made together, and the thought of leaving it behind pained his heart. But nowhere near as deeply or sharply as the mere notion of his daughter going off to fight in some petty warlord’s land dispute!

“You can’t stop me!” She wouldn’t let it go. “I’m going to fight for my home! I won’t be a coward like—”

Taoru didn’t give her the opportunity to finish what she was about to say. He raised himself to his full height, towering over her as a black expression of anger darkened his face. “Lian!” he bellowed, raising his voice to her for the first time in her twenty years of life. “I forbid it!”

No sooner had the words left his mouth did he fully and completely regret them. Something between father and daughter shattered. A pain, more excruciating than any physical wound, echoed across Lian’s visage, the same agony that pounded relentlessly inside Taoru.

What have I done?

He wanted to pull her into his arms and beg forgiveness, to confess the unfathomable fear that spurred his decisions. He needed her to understand why and yet the words remained lodged in his throat.

Silent tears flooded down her flushed cheeks. She took a step back from him, her lower lip trembling. Taoru raised his hand, reaching out to her, hoping to draw her back, but it was too late. Lian spun on her heel and rushed to her room. A second later, he heard the door slide shut with a loud snap!

Taoru remained trapped there, replaying the scene out in his mind, wondering how it had all gone so wrong.

What have I done?

He had no answers.