I was surprised when my mother agreed to let Uncle Cas and Judeiras have the party at our house. Though she still had heavy bags under her eyes, her skin was a healthy almond shade. I gave her a small smile and she returned it. Maybe it’d be a better day, after all.

Judeiras breezed through the living room and into the kitchen, cake balanced between his hip and his hand. His shirt was closed, a bright spring green that matched my hair. His eyes had a yellow bandage across them. He winked at me as he set the cake on the table and dramatically bowed to my mother, his ponytail swishing over his shoulder.

Uncle Cas rolled his eyes. He’d at least put on a crisp white shirt that didn’t have a hint of the usual sweat stains from crafting jewelry in his confined booth.

“Cera and Mrs. Storm are on their way, though I couldn’t get a-hold of Eiran,” Uncle Cas told us once he’d set the table.

I shrugged. Judeiras arched an eyebrow, but didn’t ask. “Well, I hope they brought ice cream. Storm berries always make my mouth dry.” He didn’t even turn his head as he smacked my hand away from the cake before I could snag a dollop of icing. “I have eyes everywhere, I’ll have you know.”

Cera knocked exactly once before she threw open the door. “I brought our classmates! Most of them. Has anyone seen Eiran?”

Uncle Cas frowned. “I thought you’d be able to find him.”

Cera’s eyes widened. “No. He wouldn’t answer his crystal.”

Naya squeezed past her. “You’re blocking the way. Besides, the party’s not about Eiran. If he doesn’t want to come, that’s his business.” She flopped into the seat next to my mother. “You’re positively glowing, Mrs. Stryke.”

My mother perked up a little. “Oh. Thank you…” she glanced to me for help.

“Naya,” Naya said before I could respond. “I’m the prettier one.”

“We have the same face,” Sky said dryly as she set a pitcher of lemonade on the counter.

“My eyes are prettier.”

“I think you’re both lovely,” Aeryck mumbled as he shuffled into the room. Sky shot him a smile and his cheeks flushed.

Judeiras grinned, so I stepped on his foot. “Behave,” I whisper.

“I didn’t say anything.”

This sounds familiar,” Cera giggled as she skipped over and hugged me tightly. I tried not to seize up at the contact. “I’m so proud of you, Dulsie!! You’ve got to let me read your Questing Journal when you get back! You’d be allowed to give details after you succeed, right?”

Behind her and the others crowding into the kitchen, my mother’s smile dropped as her lips pulled into a thin line.

I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I’m sure it’ll be fine, then.”

Mrs. Storm came in behind everyone else and sat on my mother’s side. Their conversation was too quiet to hear over the general chatter. Sky had begun hounding Judeiras with questions about Erebar, while Naya wanted details on Uncle Cas and Judeiras’s upcoming wedding.

Cera pulled me into the living room. “Did you and Eiran fight? He didn’t come back to the apothecary yesterday. And he’s never missed any birthday gatherings.”

I glanced away. She tugged on my arm. Before she and Eiran began courting, Cera had always been a fair mediator. But now, I wasn’t sure she’d take my side. Especially because I couldn’t give her context for what I’d said.

“Cera, I just want to relax, okay? Eiran and I just…we had a misunderstanding. But we’ll patch things up.”

“When? You’re leaving tomorrow. Have you even gotten a communications crystal, yet?”

I pulled the brand new white stone from my pocket. It had a faint, stormy violet glow. Despite her irritation, Cera smiled as I held it out to her. “I wanted you to be my first contact.” I wished the heat in my cheeks would go away. It wasn’t a big deal.

She tapped it with a single finger, and it flashed with the leaf green aura of a plant mage before returning to my gray-violet.”Well, that’s something at least. But I still think you and Eiran should make up before you leave. He should be here.”

“We will make up. And who knows, maybe he had to visit his mother and sisters in Willow Wood, today.”

Cera shook her head. “He’d have told me.”

“He’s got a lot on his mind. Out of all of us, everyone expects the most from him.”

She didn’t look entirely convinced, but before she could say anything more, Judeiras called us into the kitchen for cake.

My mother’s hands shook as she cut the cake, but she insisted on it. Judeiras stayed close to make sure she didn’t cut herself, while Uncle Cas poured the lemonade and Mrs. Storm served a delicate peach rose ice cream.

Once everyone had a full glass and plate in front of them, my mother held up her glass. The frost on the sides began to sweat under the warmth of her fingers as its liquid rippled and sloshed inside. Dismay twisted my insides.

“I wish we could have this celebration on the day of your sixteenth birthday, but you have an exciting journey ahead of you.” Her voice cracked a little on the word, journey. “I hope to be here when you get back, so I can see what a strong, independent, and hopefully more mature woman you’ve grown into.” She gave me a wink as I stood and kissed her cheek.

As she opened her arms to hug me, a horrible stab of trepidation shot through me. I wanted to return the hug, but my arms wouldn’t move. I focused on my breathing. Everyone was looking, but no one said anything as my mother finally held me at arms’ length. Her eyes clouded as she looked down at me.

Judeiras saved the awkward silence by hopping up, his own glass raised. “I would like to wish the prettiest girl in the village - sorry present company, I do have a bias for the shorties.” He winked at Uncle Cas, who rolled his eyes and motioned for him to get on with it as the rest of us shared a chuckle. “I would like to wish our favorite ray of sunshine a very happy birthday and fortuitous Qualifying Quest. Knock ‘em dead, Sweetie.”

“Not too dead. First impressions are important,” Mrs. Storm chimed in brightly.

I grinned at her. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“So, only slightly better than usual?” Sky asked, sipping her lemonade. “You should work on your map reading skills, though. You won’t know other terrains like you know Storm Cloud.”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Naya elbowed her. “It’s her birthday celebration. Don’t start acting like Master Tompas.”

We all turned as the door opened. Eiran came in with a bag of apples and sugar cubes. Cera immediately leapt to her feet. “You’re late!”

He blinked, then looked at me. “I…yeah. Sorry. I figured you’d want to give some special treats to Wildflower. Since you’re leaving tomorrow.”

I hadn’t realized how much I still wanted him here until my shoulders relaxed. “Thanks. I’ve got to hand it to you, Eiran. The Willows orchards have the best fruit.”

“I’ll second that. One time, I found a peach the size of my head!” Naya held her hands on either side of her face. Next to her, Sky cupped her hands to indicate a slightly bigger-than-average peach. “It was the sweetest and juiciest thing I’d ever tasted!”

Aeryck scooted closer to Sky, letting Eiran sit next to Cera. She leaned against him and I took a large bite of my cake. The storm berry icing crackled in my mouth. The sweetness of the vanilla cake complemented the tangy zing perfectly. Phaelan’s passion for their work shone through in every mouthful.

Uncle Cas stood, taking a deep breath. “I don’t really know what to say, exactly. Judeiras usually talks for everyone.” Another round of laughter as Judeiras preened and gave mock bows. “But know that you’ve always got a home here, with the people who love you. Work hard out there. Show us all, especially yourself, what you’re made of.”

“Here, here!” Cera raised her lemonade too fast. Eiran sputtered as the entire glass splashed all over him. Aeryck turned away, shoulders shaking slightly.

I couldn’t contain my laughter. “That’s a good look on you, Pretty Boy.”

Eiran, not amused, wrung out his now-sticky brown locks. Cera gasped and tripped over her chair as she scrambled for a hand towel. I caught her before she could introduce her face to the floor, but I was laughing so hard I accidentally dropped her, anyway.

“Shut up, you’re the worst!!” She whined, half-heartedly hitting my shins.

Uncle Cas saved the day with a hand towel for Eiran while Sky grabbed another for the table.

The adults, save my mother who had to lay down, cleaned up the kitchen as my classmates and I went to my room. They all imprinted on my crystal, and because I could finally get in touch with them, I imprinted on theirs.

“About time,” Eiran said. “What took you so long?”

I shrugged. “I figured I didn’t really need one until now.”

Sky rolled her eyes. “Even when you were in the forest for weeks at a time?”

“Not weeks at a time. I came back every day.”

“Went home for a couple hours to make sure your mom had her medicine and ate at least one meal, then you were off again,” Cera said with a pout.

“Don’t give me that, you always came with me.”

“I think Dulsie’s connection to Storm Cloud is a good thing,” Aeryck said. Everyone looked at him. “I mean, Zatarri blesses those who honor her forest and its creatures. And Dulsie’s the first lightning mage to be born in Xigg since…forever.”

We mulled that over. Finally, Sky spoke up. “It’s a wonder she wasn’t chosen to study with Zatarri, actually.” She looked at Eiran. “Then again, your father studied under her when he was in school. So maybe not that much of a wonder. I wish there was a pattern to who gets selected.”

“Aeryck’s father studied under her too,” Eiran pointed out. “Mr. Tempest was selected the year before my father.”

“Who do you think will get selected this year?” I asked.

Sky tapped her bottom lip, scrutinizing everyone except me. “I’d love to say I would, as I have the highest academic scores. But my field training is abysmal, and given Zatarri’s position, that must be a substantial part of the process. It’s the only consistency I’ve found in my research.”

“Cera’s got the highest score in creature communications,” I said. I looked at her. “Come to think of it, you’re pretty well-rounded. You haven’t scored below third place in anything.”

Sky nodded slowly. “You know, Cera would be a safe guess. But less consistent students have been chosen.” She glanced at Aeryck. “If you hadn’t gotten an exemption as well, then my next guess would be you.”

Aeryck’s ears reddened as I stared at him. “You did? Aeryck, I’m so sorry I missed that.”

He shook his head. “It’s not a big deal. I just can’t talk about my quest, either. But ah. I did make something for everyone.”

He drew a box from the pack at his side and opened it. Five little figurines carved from the stark white lightning wood sat atop black velvet. “Birthday girl first.”

I took a perfect rendering of an alabaster saber toothed tiger from him. “I didn’t know you could carve like this.”

“Of course he can,” Naya scoffed. “Just look at the work his dad does.”

“It’s nothing, really.” Aeryck handed Sky what looked like a scroll. Her face immediately softened. “Oh, Aeryck. You remembered.”

“What is it?” Eiran asked, trying to peer over her shoulder.

“Her favorite poem.” Sky accepted a rendition of the Lyridonian goddess, Neria. I couldn’t remember much from our class on other cultures, but I always liked Neria, because she was the Goddess of Decisive Action.

Naya grinned. “This looks just like the statues back home! You even got the oleander blooms on the bow right!”

“I wanted to make them all special.” Aeryck gave Cera a rose, with vines that circled her wrist like a bracelet. It had tiny studs of thorns on the stems, though they weren’t actually sharp.

“It’s lovely! It’ll go with just about anything, look!” She gushed.

Eiran’s carving was strange. It was a willow tree, but in the middle was a sword with a gem cut into seven points. Eiran swallowed thickly as Aeryck locked eyes with him, but no one else seemed to notice. Eiran glanced at me, then away.

“I hope you like them,” Aeryck finally said.

“Of course we do! They’re beautiful.” Sky beamed at him. It was weird to see her so happy over something that had nothing to do with books.

I put it out of my mind. Aeryck was reluctant to open up about the things he Saw with his Clairvoyant magic. And as everyone chatted about exams or upcoming quests, the boys didn’t look at each other again.

Judeiras served roast pheasant that night, and I cut my mother’s portion into small portions for her.

“Are you going to sleep here tonight, then?” Mom finally asked.

I nodded.

“What time are you leaving, tomorrow?” Uncle Cas asked. “Judeiras and I could come with you as far as your hideout.”

I shook my head. If Eiran was right and the spider was already in my hideout, then I ran the risk of giving more away than Lord Willows would allow. Both Uncle Cas and Judeiras had worked to appraise magical residue in their fields as a craftsman and tradesman, respectively. I didn’t know what kind of information they’d be able to glean from even a brief encounter. “It’ll be early. Besides, you two need to prepare for the influx of customers the supply train is going to bring.”

They exchanged glances. Judeiras shrugged. “You want your independence. I can live with that.”

“Seriously, you two. I’ll know if you follow me.”

“Seems suspicious that you don’t want anyone around,” Mom said, eyes narrowed. “What are you up to?”

“Lord Willows swore me to secrecy,” I said tightly. I set the fork down when it started to bend in my grip.

“So, you’ll keep your promises to him, but you’re fine with leaving me here?” She snapped.

“A lot is at stake right now,” I said, looking from her to Uncle Cas and to Judeiras. “Maybe I am in over my head. But no one ever said being an adventurer was safe or easy.”

Mom aggressively chewed her pheasant, swallowing heavily. “Then why do it at all? Why risk leaving me to die alone? Don’t you care about me, at all?”

“Eltha, that’s not fair,” Uncle Cas said. “She’s already taken on more responsibility than anyone her age reasonably should–”

“Stay out of this,” Mom snapped. “Don’t tell me how to raise my daughter when you’re not even a full ten years older!”

“We’re on the same side,” Judeiras said in an attempt to soothe her temper. “What’s important is that we care about Dulsie and don’t want to see her taken advantage of by anyone - regardless of their authority over her.” A little bit of a warning crept into his voice with the last few words, and my mother’s fingers twitched and glowed with the remnants of her fire magic.

“You know I love you,” I said before she could respond. I focused on the smallest facet of truth in the entire situation. “But I’m finally being challenged. Like, really challenged. When I complete this Quest, there will be no question of my skill. I could get into any guild in the world. I could make a better life for both of us, Mom. We’ll both leave this village behind.”

She didn’t say anything for a long while. Judeiras tried to lighten the mood, but the mood was just too heavy. Everything was too heavy. Even for me.