With the warmer weather, Siri and I have taken up once more with our sparring. I find my skills grow ever more refined.

The tests are stressful for most of the student body. But, I take them as an opportunity to refine what I know.

The first year of my education comes to a close.

Somehow, Robert scrapes by.

As the summer break begins, I find myself standing by Siri.

I'm at a loss for words.

She sighs, "See you next year."

As she begins to walk away, I think of what I should say in a moment like this.

"I-" I falter, "I'll miss you."

She stops.

Without turning back, she says, "Me too."

Then she hurries off.

I'm left somehow melancholy as I collect my things.

Most of my belongings will be left for next year. But, I gather what I need for my journey.

The academy grows silent as I leave.

My journey from Locley shows me the other side of society.

The poor have multiplied in the year since I came here.

Rather than simply being poor, these people look like refugees from a war zone.

Missing eyes, limbs, and other ailments stir pity in me.

But, for as much pity as I feel, I merely carry on with my journey home.

Night and day pass as I empower my body with chi to carry on without rest.

At the matron's inn on the plains, I buy a meal.

"I remember you, young lord. Are you back for the summer?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Oh dear, you must stay a night."

"No," I say. "Thank you for the offer. But, I'm just passing through."

"Then, let me pack up some food for your journey."

The matron busies herself while I sit with her husband.

The man puffs on his pipe after the meal.

I sit there in awkward silence until the old man asks, "How old are you, little lord?"

"15 here in a couple of weeks."

The smoke billows from his pipe.

"You seem older."

I shrug and wait until the matron has packed me a meal.

"Good luck, young lord."

I wave as I continue my journey.

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The grasslands that seem to go on forever finally come to an end.

As I turn off to the trail to the Evergreen Cliffs I feel his approach.

Zach of the Boros brothers runs up to me.

"Sir, the skull and bones man has come at your request."

"Thank you, Zach."

This is a good time for us to meet. No one would notice my absence.

"Lead on."

He breaks into a run that I match.

We both enhance our fortitude with energy from our spirit seeds.

Our pace carries on for night and day, only stopping a few times to eat.

Finally, we come upon a small village well off the beaten track.

It's more of a ghost town than anything else.

We come up to the nicest-looking house in the village.

Zach opens the door and ushers me in.

I hear it before I see it.

The scattering of bones.

Over and over, the bones are tossed and collected.

I turn a corner and see the shaman.

On his face, he wears the skull of some unknown animal.

His black eyes watch my approach.

Never does he stop throwing an assortment of small bones. Runes cover them.

I take a seat on the floor across from him.

"Once," the white-haired man says with a hoarse voice, "the heretic sat across from me, as you do now."

The bones are cast and collected. "He wanted to know his purpose. But, you do not want purpose."

The runes cast a spell on me as over, and over, the wizened shaman throws the bones.

"I see in you dread."

My eyes are drawn to certain bones as they land.

"You dread your duty."

His words aren't accusations.

"You dread what you will be forced to sacrifice."

I am caught up in the trance.

"The heretic's purpose remains."

He slaps his hand down on the bones, breaking my trance.

Startled out of the spell, I stagger to my feet.

When I reach the door, I see Zach. His face is bright with excitement.

I find myself wishing I could be so enthused by the shaman's words.

I try to wrap my mind around what I'm supposed to do now that I've taken council with the skull and bones man.

Destiny is such an unfair thing.

To be fated to die alone.

To be fated forever to fight the system.

I leave the house alone. For now, my path is solitary.

The land passes as I tread upon it.

Reyl City, my home, shines through the night as I approach.

I weave my way through the streets until I find the familiar sight of the mansion I was raised in.

As I approach, the guard steps forward.

"Young lord, your father has been expecting you."

Dawn washes across the city as I reenter my home.

My clothes are dirty. But, I first find my father's study.

He's been long up by now.

No runners alerted him to my return and I catch him by surprise.

"Adam," he says as I enter the study.

He stands as he looks me over.

"My son," he pats me on the shoulder. "It is good to see you again."

"Thank you, father," I bow.

The lord of the manor motions to a seat.

"I'm sure you're tired from your journey. But, I cannot pass up the opportunity to speak with the young scholar."

I smile, "I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me, father."

My old man is full of energy as I tell him of my placement.

"And, the young lady Li?"

I smile an embarrassed smile.

He smirks.

"Go," he says. "Clean yourself up for your mother and sister."

The staff of the household prepared my room quickly before I take my place there.

The wash basin has warm water and fresh robes are prepared for me.

As I finish up, I hear, "Brother?" from the courtyard.

I pass the partition and find Mai excitedly running up to me.

"Brother," she says. "You're back."

"I am."

She looks down, "For how long?"

I smile sadly, "A month."

Some melancholy shows on her face.

"So what do you think?" she straightens her back.

She has grown in the time that I've been away.

"You're prettier with every passing year."

A superior smile takes her face.

"But, you're still shorter than me."

Her smile sours and she punches my arm.

"Come," she runs ahead. "Mother is waiting."

I am led to the dining room where Mother waits.

"Adam," she says as she sees me.

My beautiful mother stands and hugs me.

I feel some emotion well up within me.

Memories of her warmth stick out in my memory.

"I'm home"

She cups my face with a hand.

"Come, breakfast is prepared."

The meal is grand. Poached eggs, crepes, bacon, and more.

It's a meal I haven't enjoyed over the last year.

When the meal is done, Mai drags me out to her courtyard.

She recites poetry from the epics, eager to impress me.

In the evening, I join my father in his study.

"Adam," my father says. "You've been away for only a brief period. And yet, I find our world on the brink of chaos."

I sit silently as I listen.

He looks into my eyes, "The peasants are rebelling and the Royal Army doesn't have enough crosses to crucify them.

"Tell me," he says, "what do you believe our family must do?"

I measure my words as I say them. "Father, there are systemic issues of poverty and crime. There is no accountability when it comes to the advantaged bringing harm to the disadvantaged.

"I believe that part of the treasury should be spent on social workers and social outreach to the impoverished."

My father smiles, "So, you haven't just been goofing off at the academy."

I smirk, "No father."

We carry on into the night, discussing matters of state.