By the time he returned home, the sun was already beginning to set. Mara looked up from stitching as Darian entered. "Where did you sneak off to? Your sister was asking for you."

"Is everything alright?" Darian tensed, changing the subject.

His mother smiled. "Just fine. Go see Talia.”

Letting out a relieved breath, Darian went to their bedroom. He found Talia sitting propped up against the headboard, a small book open on her lap. She looked up as he entered.

"Darian!" She broke into a dimpled grin at the sight of him.

He smiled back, the simple joy on her face warming him like the summer sun. "Well, you're certainly looking better than when I left."

Darian sat down on the edge of the bed. "Has Ma been keeping you busy?"

Talia wrinkled her nose. "She tried teachin' me letters and sums, but it got boring fast." She held up the book, a simple children's primer. "I already know all this stuff!"

"Is that so?" Darian chuckled as he took the book from her, flipping through the pages of basic vocabulary and arithmetic. "Well then, my brilliant little bird, what would you rather study?"

Talia's eyes lit up. "Something new and exciting! Like..." She thought for a moment before exclaiming, "Like the histories and legends you're always reading! With heroes and magic and faraway lands!"

Darian raised an eyebrow. "You want to learn history, do you? I thought you said that was boring old stuff."

Talia stuck her tongue out at him. "That's before I knew there were such grand stories in those big books of yours. I bet I could learn it all just as well as you!"

"I have no doubt you could," Darian agreed with a smile. His sister was a quick study, he knew that if she was given the chance for a proper education, she might even secure a spot at the Royal Academy. If he were to enter an academy, he may be able to give her that opportunity.

"Tell you what," he said, closing the primer with a snap. "After you regain your strength a bit more, we'll start having our own special history lessons. I'll teach you all about the great heroes and events that shaped Aeria."

"Really?" Talia bounced with excitement, eyes shining. "Oh yes, yes please! I want to learn everything!"

Darian laughed at her enthusiasm. "Everything might be a bit too much, but I promise we'll cover as much as we can. It will be our little secret school, just the two of us." He leaned closer and whispered, "After all, I can't let my brilliant sister's mind go to waste, even if everyone here says girls shouldn't need book learning. Your big brother knows better."

Talia beamed at him, looking proud by his confidence in her cleverness. She threw her thin arms around Darian's neck. "Thank you," she whispered. "I can't wait for our lessons together. You're the best brother ever."

Darian swallowed the sudden lump in his throat and hugged her tightly back. "And you're the best sister a brother could ask for," he murmured. He felt Talia smile against his shoulder before she pulled back with an impish grin. "Speaking of books, I thought up a new game for us to play with stories!"

"Did you now?" Darian suppressed a chuckle at her sudden swing from bored to excited. "And what sort of game would that be?"

Talia bounced eagerly in place. "We can pretend me being sick was all just a dream, and I never really got so close to..." Her voice dropped to a dramatic whisper. "The final sleep."

Darian's smile faded. He reached out to squeeze her small hand. "You know that was no dream, little bird. We nearly almost lost you." The memory made him pull Talia close, as if to reassure himself her solid form was real.

She squirmed half-heartedly. "I know, but can't we pretend? Just for fun?" Her dark eyes turned pleading as she gazed up at him. "It’s not scary when we make it a game."

Darian hesitated. He had no wish to frighten her with painful reminders. And if turning the traumatic memory into an imaginary tale brought Talia comfort, where was the harm?

"Alright, we can play your 'what if' game," he conceded. Releasing Talia, he settled back and tapped his chin thoughtfully. "So, let's see then...if your sickness had all just been a bad dream, what next?"

Talia bounced again, eager to guide the story. "Well, I'd wake up feeling perfectly fine and hungry for sweet buns! So, you would take me to the baker for a special treat to celebrate."

"I see,” Darian smiled. “And what kind of sweet bun would my little sister like?"

"Hmmm..." Talia's face scrunched up as she gave it some thought. "The baker would have a special sweet bun, just baked! With cranberry and spices and lots of honey glaze on top!"

She sighed longingly, no doubt imagining the delight of sinking her teeth into such a confection.

Darian chuckled. "That does sound delicious!” He tweaked her nose playfully. "Perhaps when you're stronger, we can visit the baker and see if he has any special buns on offer."

"With extra honey!” Talia bobbed her head up and down. “And then what next, after the sweet buns?"

Darian pretended to consider gravely. "Well, after such a feast, you would need to restore your energy. Obviously, the best place for that is in the meadow, chasing butterflies and gathering wildflowers!"

"Yes, yes!" Talia clapped her hands, eyes shining. She had always loved their family's secluded meadow, ringed about with vibrant wildflowers in the summer months.

Darian went on, "We would spend all afternoon in the sunshine - you pointing out every bird and bunny, and filling my arms with bouquets."

He mimed gathering imaginary flowers, eliciting a fresh peel of giggles from Talia.

"After you finally get tired, we would lay on the ground and watch the clouds," Darian continued. "You would say that one looks exactly like a rabbit, and the next like a mighty three-headed dragon."

He glanced sidelong at his sister, who was nodding enthusiastically, hanging on his every word. Darian cleared his throat and plunged back into the whimsical reverie.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Now, where was I...ah yes, the mighty three-headed dragon cloud! Well, as we lay there enjoying the sunshine, everything would seem perfect and peaceful.”

"But then, you sit up suddenly, you catch sight of something!" Here Darian dropped his voice to a whisper. "A dark figure at the edge of the meadow, half hidden beneath a black cloak."

Talia's eyes went round as saucers. She clutched his sleeve tightly. "Who is it?" she breathed.

Darian made a show of peering suspiciously around the room before answering in a low, ominous tone.

"As the figure steps forward, sunlight reveals it to be...the dreaded Tickle Monster!"

With that, Darian tossed aside the imaginary cloak and wiggled his fingers menacingly at Talia. She shrieked with laughter and tried to dodge away, but Darian was quicker. He scooped her up and proceeded to tickle her mercilessly as she squealed.

"No no, stop it! Stop, you're not supposed to be the Tickle Monster!" Talia protested between bursts of laughter.

Darian paused, making a show of looking offended. "And who says I'm not? Maybe I was just tricking you this whole time, my ticklish target."He made as if to start tickling her again. She yelped and tried to scramble away on the bed, but he could see the happiness dancing in her eyes.

He stopped tickling her and gave her a big bear hug instead. "I'm not kidding, Talia. This whole week felt like a never-ending nightmare," Darian said, his face buried in her hair. "Hearing you laugh again is like the best thing ever."

Talia's small arms came up to cling tightly around his neck. "It wasn't so bad, with you there keeping me company," she whispered. A yawn split her face. The excitement had clearly worn her out. Darian eased her back against the pillows, smoothing out the quilt around her. "Rest now," he said softly. "We can share more stories later."

Talia's eyelids drooped, but she forced them open a sliver. "You'll stay though? Please? Till I fall asleep?" Her voice was small.

Darian brushed gentle fingers over her cheek. "Of course, little bird. I'll be right here." He began humming a lullaby, low and rhythmic. Talia's eyes soon slipped shut, her features relaxing into slumber. But Darian continued the soothing melody even after her breathing slowed down.

I’ll never take these moments for granted again. I swear it, he promised to whatever powers that had spared her life.

When Talia showed no signs of stirring, Darian slowly withdrew his arms and rose from her bedside. He tucked the quilt snugly around her sleeping form before turning to his trunk in the corner. Kneeling down, Darian carefully lifted the lid to avoid any loud creaking that might wake his sister. He removed the bundle of books and notes for his upcoming Exam of Candidacy.

Darian settled himself on the floor near the window to catch the remaining daylight. He flipped open a heavy text detailing the long history of the Kingdom of Aeria, its traditions and laws would likely be covered on the exam.

Aeria was relatively young compared to other realms, only established three centuries ago after the Great Unification War.

"After nearly a millennium of chaos and war between petty fiefdoms," Darian read, "our glorious ancestor, Lord Aeria the Conqueror, unified the land under his divinely ordained rule. Through his courage and wisdom, he forged a new kingdom of strength and prosperity."

The book then went on to praise upon their current ruler, King Fendrel. "His Majesty's firm hand has quelled treasonous rebellions and maintained a tranquil golden age. Under his wise laws, the people thrive in dutiful obedience to the Crown."

If the King is so wonderful, why do people keep rebelling? Darian wondered. And higher taxes and harsher punishments don't sound very "wise" to me...

The elders in the village had complained many times about how the King had dramatically increased taxes on the common folk to fill the royal coffers. Any who dared protest or were unable to pay were jailed or worse…

Darian flipped ahead to the chapter on Fendrel's war against Pyrendor. "Our noble King valiantly led his armies to put an end to Pyrendor aggression along our borders. In a just and decisive campaign, he subdued their tyrannical lords and seized the enemy's most fertile lands for Aeria's glory."

That's not what Goodwife Anna said. Darian raised an eyebrow, remembering the middle-aged woman’s lessons.

Goodwife Anna had moved to the village from the city several years ago. She had been an assistant professor at a minor academy, but her love for teaching and desire for a quieter life had drawn her to the countryside. Now, she spent her weekends teaching the little children in her cottage.

She told us Fendrel started that war himself as an excuse to grab more territory. Doesn't seem very noble to me, attacking our neighbours like a bully.

Darian shook his head as the text rambled on about Fendrel's "brilliant victories" with hardly a word spared for the soldiers and smallfolk who suffered because of the war.

The more he read, the more Darian noticed how it conveniently downplayed or skimmed over anything that made Aeria's rulers look bad. The flowery praise heaped upon King Fendrel also sounded suspiciously exaggerated.

This book is trying so hard to make the King sound like a big hero, Darian realized. But reading between the boasting, he just comes across like a greedy tyrant who hurts anyone in his way. If Fendrel is so wonderful, why does he need to force people to say good things about him? Real heroes don't punish you for telling the truth.

Shaking his head, Darian turned the page, hoping to find more balanced accounts as he studied. However, the following chapters only continued to extol King Fendrel's so-called virtues and victories. The words rang hollow to Darian, but he still took notes, knowing he needed to memorize the official narrative.

As the sun began to set, Darian's eyes grew sore from squinting at the dense text. He stood and stretched, his back popping from sitting hunched over for so long. Deciding to give himself a short break, he wandered over to his trunk and rummaged through the other books he needed to study.

His hand fell upon a slim volume containing the King's laws and decrees. Darian felt his stomach sink as he flipped it open, dreading what other nonsense he might find inside.

Skimming the table of contents, one entry in particular leaped out at him: "On the Prohibition and Punishment of Magical Arts." His mouth went dry. Steeling himself, Darian turned to the relevant page.

"In his divine wisdom, King Fendrel has shielded our pure kingdom from the taint of wicked sorcery," the decree proclaimed. "By royal command, all vile mages are to be reported and cleansed with holy fire, their heretical texts burned. Only through constant vigilance can we guard against their dark corruption."

Darian suddenly felt cold despite the warm breeze from the window. Cleansed with holy fire...they mean burned alive just for having magic, Widow Tana was right! He swallowed hard. How can the King be so cruel or… is he afraid of mages?

He scanned the rest of the decree, but found no clear answers, only more venomous condemnation of magic as an "unnatural scourge" and mages as "wicked degenerates." The text made no distinction between harmful and benign magic use. In King Fendrel's eyes, it seemed, all mages were equally deserving of a fiery death.

Darian shivered as he copied down notes. As a child, he had believed the temple's warnings that mages consorted with dark powers. Most people would not hesitate to turn them in.

This isn't right, Darian thought, his stomach churning. Surely not all magic can be evil. Would going back in time be classed as magic? Or would it be seen as a miracle? What is the difference between magic and miracle? Could they be the same thing…? But if they were the same then why does the king hate mages but love the church?

Darian could not figure it out but for a brief, treasonous moment, he imagined a future where Aeria had a different sort of king. One who was fair and kind, who welcomed all people and only fought wars to defend them. Who made sure children had full bellies and mages weren't killed just for existing.

Maybe if I study hard and serve well, I could advise the next king to be better than Fendrel, Darian fantasized, his chest tight with sudden longing. I could help make the kingdom a better place…

But such dreams were dangerous, even unspoken. Darian knew he must guard his tongue and pretend to be a loyal subject, no matter his doubts. Fendrel's spies were everywhere, eager to report even a hint of disloyalty, especially from one wanting to become a city official.

He sighed and picked up the law book again, forcing himself to focus. Daydreaming wouldn't help his family or earn a good career. For now, Darian needed to study, smile, and nod no matter how unsettled the King's actions left him feeling.

I'll play my part and pass the exams, he vowed. I'll be the cleverest subject until I can find a way to help people for real. But right now, Talia and Ma are counting on me to get us out of here.

Darian sighed as he rubbed his temples, there was still much to review before he would be ready for the test in Arbrook City.