“Sorry about that,” Jen said, feeling ashamed. Nothing she had said had convinced Arturo to stay. She wouldn’t be surprised to see him leave tomorrow. “I tried everything I could to get him to join and he refuses.”

Modric was studying her, giving away no expression that would let Jen know how he felt. “There’s no reason to apologize,” he finally said. Jen breathed a sigh of relief. “Your brother is an interesting man, though his goals are misguided.”

“Misguided?” Jen tilted her head in question.

“Yes. Arturo is set on avenging his family. I heard him say it once before and that appears to be all that’s on his mind. I wager he would give his own life if he could accomplish his goals,” Modric started shaking his head. “You know this.”

“I do,” Jen confirmed. Nothing was getting through her brother’s thick head. Not using their parents or trying to guilt him into not looking for her. She felt lost. Was there any way she could help him?

“He needs help and he won’t get that here.”

“I’m trying, but when he leaves…” Jen let the sentence hang.

“Nothing you say will stop him from leaving—assuming he hasn’t left already,” Modric said, stepping closer to Jen. “Your mission has changed. I want you to go with Arturo. You’ll have to be patient with him but he needs you, even if he doesn’t know it yet. Try to keep him out of trouble and assist him if you can.”

Jen almost lost her composure. That was what she wanted to do, follow Arturo without losing her place among the Whispering Mists. Modric was offering her a chance to help her brother and be a part of the clan. “That doesn’t make sense. People will say I’m putting family over the clan and that’s -”

“Nonsense,” Modric said with a wave of his hand. “Arturo is going to be one of the strongest warriors we have and who knows how many skilled fighters these invaders have. Not many in this world can take on multiple members of our clan and win. Not many can kill fifty soldiers by themselves. He’s too valuable to let him get himself killed. Especially if our enemy is the Durmaddon’s.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

Modric patted Jen’s back and chuckled. “Do the mission. That’s all. Maybe, with time, you can get through to your brother.”

“I,” Jen stopped and took a breath. She wasn’t a little girl anymore and there was no reason to act like one. She straightened and looked Modric in the eye. “I’d be happy to accept this assignment. I’ll go with him when he leaves.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear. You better go after him in case he thinks of leaving without telling you.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Jen bowed slightly and left the tent, walking swiftly. She noticed Tarmon wasn’t sitting where he had been earlier. That meant he was with Arturo, but where had they gone? Dreading the answer, she headed to where Arturo had been sleeping since his injuries.

Thankfully, nobody bothered her. Usually, someone would ask her for help once they realized she was part of the Whispering Mists. Medicine, food, water, anything that was needed was asked.

Her heart stopped when she walked into the room. Arturo’s things were gone. “No, no, no!” Jen said. She wanted to scream. Why didn’t he wait? Why would he leave without saying goodbye? What kind of brother was he?

Calm yourself. You won’t think clearly if you let emotion rule you. Jen told herself and tried to think about where Arturo would go. He couldn’t have left that long ago, she just had to find out which way he went. Surely someone from camp saw him leave. How long had she been speaking with Modric? Couldn’t have been that long.

“As you’ve probably noticed, he’s gone,” Caldian said, leaning casually against the doorway.

“I did notice, thanks for telling me,” Jen said dryly.

“It’s unfortunate. He would have made a good member, once his temperament is under control anyway.”

“I need to find him.”

Caldian gave her a look of pity. She didn’t need pity! “You can’t go after him. You’ll risk your spot as a member of the Whispering Mists. Remember, the mission comes before family.”

“I know that but Modric told me to go after him,” Jen said.

“Really?” Caldian’s eyebrows lifted in brief surprise. “Did he say why?”

“He thinks Arturo is important for the war. I don’t have time for this, which way did he go?” Jen asked.

Caldian stared at her, not saying anything for fifteen seconds. “I believe you. He took a horse with his friend towards Malvarian.”

“When did he leave?”

“About thirty minutes ago.”

Was I in there that long? Jen thought. She was discussing a lot of things with Modric but she hadn’t realized how much time had passed. “Did you watch him?”

“I did. I suspected he was going to leave.”

“Why would he leave without saying goodbye?”

“He didn’t want to give you false hope,” Caldian said and walked up to her. “He also didn’t want you to go with him and be forced out of the clan.”

“That fool,” Jen said. She rushed towards the doors. “I need to leave.”

Caldian followed her. They talked a bit while Jen grabbed her gear and some supplies. Despite her urgency, she ensured she had food and water before departing. Could she find him today? Arturo couldn’t be too far and she had a general direction. Surely, she could find him.

Before long, Jen was at the stables, putting her bags on the horse, and then jumped on. She glanced at Caldian, the man who had saved her and was like a second father. She wouldn’t have survived if not for him but she couldn’t ask him to come. This was her mission, not his.

“Stay safe out there, and don’t forget your training,” Caldian said. He reached into his pocket and took out a small bag. “A little extra money just in case.”

“Thanks,” Jen pocked the money. It was more than a little extra. She could survive months with this much. What would she do if she couldn’t find Arturo? Head back here and accept defeat? No, I will find him. Nothing will stop me. “I’ll see you later.”

Jen urged her horse onwards and left the city of Talin Grad behind. She would find her brother and she would help him move on with his life. That was her mission and she would do anything she could to succeed. She hoped to find him soon; she wasn’t sure what she would do if she failed. It was best not to think about that.