“Here's what I don't get.” Crile sits down with his serious face on. This should be good. “Aren't Noxians supposed to be good at parenting?” Ha! You're telling me.

“What brought this on suddenly?”

“Been thinking, is all...” He mutters.

“Here's the thing. Noxians are a young race. Because we live for so long, we don't have as many generations as the others. We watch them and adapt their ways of life that suit us. We don't just copy them. As a result of that, somewhere along the line it has been determined that children are important.”

“Them being the future, and all that?”

“Right. It's not a responsibility that just anyone can handle. But, once it does happen - you're gonna have to take responsibility for making it happen.” I stare for half a second longer. He gets it. I continue.

“It takes longer for Noxians to mature. In body and mind. We couldn’t procreate in the beginning. But in time, our bodies adapted and that's how you happened.”

“Did you have say it like that?”

“No, but it's funnier this way.” I grin to his eyeroll. “Anyways. Other races have the advantage of dying before ever realizing the bullshit they have caused for other people. It's their blessing, really. Us? We have enough time to notice it. Well, if we don’t die tragically young.” I pause. “Do you know why Noxians began the tradition of marriages?”

Crile takes a moment. “Because you fight better when you have someone to protect?”

“Oooh. You do pay attention.”

Crile growls at me. I smile and pour myself another drink. “How much do you know about other nations and their customs?”

He shrugs. “Not much.”

“Ok. We'll start with the easiest - Primerians don't get married. They just do whatever suits their curiosity. Least here in the Old Continent. Over there - they make a spectacle of it with white dresses and flowers and whatever. The Cornutese get married to a single mate for life - hunting in pairs is easier. They live in families of two or three people tops. The more mouths to feed the more work.” I notice Crile's look, but carry on. “The Balli used to have a week long wedding festivals, but they switched to a harem system.”

“Switched? Used to? Why?”

“Because they figured out that when two people get married it's not the two people only who are married. Entire families were being joined together through those marriages. That was cause for greats conflicts within the families and between them. Knowing the kind of hotblooded characters the Balli are, well it’s a miracle they didn’t slaughter themselves out. So, they switched to something less hazardous...ish...”

“Oh... So that's why it's rare for Noxians to have like grandparents and such?”

“Pretty much.” I pour another cupful. “If your parents don't approve with your choice for a mate - no worries. You do you and they stay out of it. After they tell you what they think of it first, of course. Like I said - Noxians are a young race. We try, but we make our own mistakes still. Even if we learn from others.” I pause again. “To put it blunt - mistakes happens when children have children.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning that you're not supposed take care of someone when you need to be taken care of yourself. Kids ain't supposed to be raising kids.” I take a gulp. “It takes time for a person to be ready for raising the next generation. Our ancestors saw that when watching the others do it. The difference - they die before anyone ever has the chance to tell them their mistakes.”

“That's why you called it a blessing.” The kid mutters. I nod. I reach for the bottle, but pull away. “So then how does anyone ever know when they are ready?”

I grin.

“What?”

“Ain’t it a bit too soon for you to have kids?” I smirk.

“Shut up!” He looks away. I laugh quickly.

“It's difficult to say.” I think about it. “Right. Let's say you're walking down the street and see a child crying. What do you do?”

“Comfort them.” Huh. Wasn't expecting that... Then again. Those who know the feeling...

“Congrats, you've reached step one of being ready.” I salute him with the empty cup. He throws me a glare. “Most your age would have answered with "ignore it" or "would wanna kill it". Crile stares at me. I continue on. “A few years later go by - same situation. The difference, that this time you wanna kill the kid's parents. Chances are - they are the reason for the kid's crying in the first place. They always are. The kid who doesn't know anything about how the world works cannot be blamed for mistakes made.”

“What if the ones who had the kid don't know anything about the world themselves?” I like it how he catches on fast.

“Then they shouldn't breed. Ever.” I give the kid a blank stare. He nods a few times quickly. “So. Wanna tell me what brought this on?” Crile's look changes.

“Something happened a while back.” I straighten my shoulders out. “Hold up!” The kid gets defensive instantly. “You need to understand I didn't know who she was when it happened and nothing happened ever since. So I figured we had it handled...”

“Spill.” I keep my glare locked on the kid. Slowly, he describes the situation to me. My mind goes blank. My body moves for me. I flip the table single handed to the side and grab the kid by his throat. I lift Crile up to my eye level just by the throat.

“All. This. TIME!!!” I roar in his face.

“I'm sorryyyyy! I didn't... I... If I had... I would've... I'm sorry...” Tears pool in the corners of his regretful eyes. I let go. Crile falls to his knees, coughing.

“It never happened again so... I thought... And then you... And now I... And... I'm sorry.”

“What for. You didn't know. It's not your fault.”

“Where... Wait! Where are you going!” I hear the voice behind me.

“I'll be back.” I close the door.

    “Ira. A word.” I get up and walk to the balcony.

“Priestess?” He stands behind me.

“I heard you went on a hunt recently. You weren't home for over a week.” I pause. “Crile was worried about you. Before you say anything, no, he did not tell me. I overheard the kids by chance.”

“I apologize for not informing you of my absence in advance. It won't happen again.”

I sigh. “Cut the crap.” I turn around. “It concerns my daughter, does it not? Something happened and you are keeping it from me. I can understand them, but you?” I stare the man down. He holds my glare well.

“You needn't worry. I took care of it.”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“That's not what worries me!” I walk up closer to him. “I want to know what happened. I demand to know!” Ira doesn’t blink.

“You won't like it.”

“I. Don't. Care.”

He sighs and tells me how Amana has been harassed around by lesser Noxian children. That much I knew already, it’s how the girls met in the first place. He gets to the part about the woods and my blood boils.

“That happened!”

“Over a year ago, yes. Unfortunately, the kids didn't mean to worry us. I'm guessing that was Zarri's call to make. She doesn't mean to be cause for trouble... It seems to follow her, though... Crile kept the girls' names a secret from me just to be a brat about it. Boys.” He sighs. “But now.”

“Yes. Thank you, for stating the obvious. That much I can gather.” I pace around. “Well? Did you end them?”

“No.”

“WHAT!” I stop dead in my tracks.

“It happened over a year ago! If it had been yesterday then maybe, sure! They even barely remembered what they did, the moronoids!” Ira's fists tighten. “In comparison to me - they were kids too... I ruffed them up and let them live. I made it look like I was "watching" them, which I was, had to time it perfectly...” He shakes his head. “Never mind. The kids managed to fend for themselves. What I did was simply vent my own disappointment.”

“Did it help?”

Ira looks at me. “No.” I notice a guard behind him.

“What is it?” I call out. Ira looks over his shoulder too.

“The children are gone and so is the Saber...”

“WHAT!” I close the distance in a few steps. “HOW!” I hear laughter behind me.

“Relax. The four of them are probably together running around some place. Least Emerald's with them this time. They can take care of themselves.”

"Get someone in the Air and find them! Least I want to know they are ok.”

“Yes, Priestess.” The guard girl nods and runs off. I return to the rails and gaze over the city...

"This won't be the last time she does this, you know that."

“Do NOT PATRONIZE ME!” I yell and... “What am I supposed to do with her...”

“Let her be her.” A whisper behind me. I turn around only to find out that nobody is there anymore.

    “Enough!” I call out to Crile.

“A bit longer!” He answers. The brat. I walk over to him and grab him by the back of his collar and drag him back inside.

“Hey! What the hell!”

“I can respect and admire your enthusiasm and dedication to your training and your job, but I did not go through the trouble of making the damn dinner so it could go cold.” I toss the boy inside the room. He sets his knives down on the countertop and washes his hands. We sit down and have our meal in silence.

“Aren’t you mad?”

“About what?” I keep my eyes down.

“About us taking Emerald and…”

“And running off like a bunch of idiots?” I look up a little. It's been like a week since then. The kid clearly knows it was wrong to do it. I sigh.

“Listen. I won’t say anything as long as you guys stay safe and unharmed. Zarri’s a good Druid, Amana’s heals are improving and I’m well aware of your skill set too. I have faith that you three are capable of handling yourselves. Plus, with Emerald there – I’m even less worried.” He looks at me different now. “Did that help? Feel better now?” A slight nod. I get back to my dinner.

“Did you kill them?” He finally asks me.

“Why you ask that now?”

“I...”

“What is it?”

“Is it ok to hunt people like this?”

“Do you think what I did was wrong?” I scan the kid’s expression. He's thinking...

“I understand fighting in the arena. Or on the battlefield...”

“But?”

“But this... Doesn't that make you the same as them?”

“And what would that be?”

Crile doesn't answer.

“Listen. It doesn't matter what level you need to stoop to, to keep someone safe. There's a line that shouldn't be crossed, sure, but if you know who you are then it doesn't matter which level you chose to "stoop to" - as long as you can come back to your level.”

“You say that as if it is possible to return from being a monster?”

“Is that what I am to you now? A monster?” Crile looks away. I laugh. “I'll become whatever the monster I need to, if that what it takes to keep her safe.” I tell him. “Even if she ends up hating me. If that's the price I'll have to pay - so be it. So ask yourself. Can you do the same for her. Not for you. But for her?” I look at Crile.

“I...don't know...”

“Let me know when you do.” I let him think it over. “For the record - the three moronoids are alive. A few broken bones here and there, but nothing more. The scars you gave them made it easier for me to, remind them, certain details.” I get up from the table, wash my plates and pat the kid on the head before calling it a night.

“Thanks for worrying, kiddo. Night.”

“Night.”

    “Master!” A messenger hands the monthly reports.

“Thank you.” I begin reading them on the spot. There's been word that something has begun stirring up trouble again within the Balli lands. Best case it just some bandits again or whatever. But my paranoia nags at me... It's been thirteen years now. That hatchling of a Warchief has grown up... Terrack's holding out on his last leg... No word on his successor yet either. Which makes me even more uneasy... Just because we haven't been slicing and dicing each other up for over 30 years doesn't mean we haven't been preparing all this time just in case... Though I truly wish there was no such thing as "just in case"...

“Trouble?” A voice reaches my thoughts. Devona stands in front of me. I fold the papers and hide them from her in the mini case on my hip.

“I'll let you know when and if anything happens.”

“You'd better.” She stares me down.

“On your way to somewhere?”

“I was about to watch Zarri's afternoon practice.”

“Sounds great. Mind if I join you? I'm curious to see her improvement.” I smile. Devona glances over at the leather case.

“Sure.” She walks away. I follow her to the terrace as I keep the respectful distance between us. Zarri is surrounded by four palace guards. She stands in the middle of the ring. Amana and Crile watch her from the side. Blain's there too. He gives the signal and they're off. Zarri fights them close range, one at the time, as they charge her, switching out between themselves. This feels vaguely familiar... She snatches an axe from one of the fellas. All men? No casters? Ah. No. Here it comes. An earth slam, right from below her legs. Zarri throws the axe away and shifts mid-air, as she tries to avoid the caster. What in the? Zarri doesn't shift all the way. Her legs have, but not the rest of her. She takes her daggers out and throws them. Oh, ok, so she can't shift with weapons on her. Wait. She hasn't gone full beast yet still. Why? Is something wrong? I step up closer to the railing. What is going on? I keep watching her.

Zarri lands on her cat paws, upside down and kicks one of the guards right in the face, knocking the guy out cold. She leaps herself into the air, does a few backflips and spins her body quickly, as if hovering mid-air, dodging a few stones!! Flying right at her! I grip the marble rails and stare. She somersaults side-ways, spread like a star and lands right on the stone Mage's shoulders. She locks her cat legs around his neck and pulls him backwards, landing on her front paws, sending the caster flying. The last two guards team up and charge her. I feel my face rearrange itself into a grin. I know what that is. I watch Zarri kick ass out there. She goes full cat mode and jumps over the two men, running at her. She picks up her daggers off the ground and throws them again. She hits one leg and goes half mode again. She uses her cat claws to swipe at the upcoming dual-wielder with a standard one bladed axe and a mace in hand. Zarri uses her tail!! To grab hold of the handle, stealing the mace right out of the guys’ hand. He goes in with a frontal attack next. Zarri dodges it and swipes the leg. No hit. The other guard makes an assist - the mace is back in the game. Damn it! Come on! I feel my body tense. The grin hasn't disappeared. Zarri moves fast and gets out of range from the weapons. She backs up more, goes full cat and makes a run for it!? No.

She circles back. Was she always this fast? She runs in circles around the last guard standing. Right, can't smash what you can't touch. Zarri charges the man from behind, leaving four dents in the ground?? Well now. Someone has been sharing tips and tricks... The guard goes flying a few feet. Zarri stands there in her half-form? She wasn't running in her full cat?? Her paws and claws slowly retract. Oh. She used her mana from her shift to power up on her speed. She retracted from her cat form slower than normal, which allowed her to maintain agility and power of her full form, but more condensed. Blain is having a field day out there. Crile and Amana check on the poor saps. I feel my shoulders twitch. A roaring laugh escapes me. I look down again and see Zarri looking at us. I raise my fist above my head in a silent victory cheer. She responds with the same gesture and the brightest smile I have seen on her yet.

“I'm so proud of her.”

“I'm not.” I look to my right. Devona stands there - sheer terror reflects on her face. I turn away again from her.

“If you can't be happy with her then be happy for her. Now smile and clap, she's watching.” Feint claps sound next to me with a trembling smile for an accessory.