In the Cupula, I met with the Council accompanied by my warden. She was missing an arm; the prosthetic was partially destroyed but there was no way she could use it in that condition. Yand-Una stood still, with one of her sleeves hanging limply.

“The Rain wants to side with the mortals, but Isadal is in possession of a demon,” my warden reported. “The Storm is aiming to join with the vampirids.”

“But the torviela Kayaket has sided with us during the skirmish with the demon, defending us from the vampires and letting us fight with the elves,” I concluded.

“A confusing matter,” the Merlin spoke. “I suppose these unusual alliances will change once the war begins. But the demon is still a very concerning problem. There is no information why they want to capture and enslave a demon.”

“Is it possible they want to use it during the war?” I asked.

“It isn’t unlikely,” said the S.A.W. Ravan, who was concealing my pact with Galavant. “However, if you can think of it, then it is most likely not for what they are using it. The Fay love their machinations.”

Some of the Council members sighed and looked down, pensive. Both of us stood still, staring. There was very little I could do at this point but hope for good news for me, and that maybe Yand-Una doesn’t have to waste more of her time babysitting me.

There was some small talk between the members, but none of what they said made sense to me. It was little pieces of information that seemed unrelated to anything I knew. Even Yand-Una seemed perplexed by the exchanges.

Alas, they reached a conclusion. The Merlin was the one to speak.

“You did a good job, Yand-Una. We gave you a tougher job than we imagined. Having to watch over Wizard Avarez while he was immersed in Fairy trouble and then involved yourself in a demon hunt was more than we could ask from you.

“We’re afraid that sticking close with Wizard Avarez will only lead you into more concerning matters, as his track record shows.”

I felt offended. My track record only showed that one blemish with the torviela, and this time would only make it a small inconvenience, after the fact.

“You will be relieved of your duty,” the Merlin concluded.

“What about Ed’s— what about Wizard Avarez’s parole?”

Her mistake raised several eyebrows – even mine.

“He won’t have any,” interrupted S.A.W. Ravan. “What we know so far is that, despite being a troublesome individual,” she delicately enunciated, “he isn’t dangerous.”

“But you knew that already,” I said.

S.A.W. Ravan lifted a hand to stop anyone from interrupting, including the Merlin, then spoke:

“Watch carefully how you speak, Wizard. You are still under watch. And despite being correct, we didn’t decide this based on you being a dangerous traitor but being an indomitable fool. So, I repeat: be careful how you speak, and how you act.”

It was a little embarrassing to be scolded like a child, but I knew I deserved it. It only felt wrong to be seen as a traitor, and S.A.W. Ravan saw right through me. Just like a motherly figure, she let her kid think hard about his stupid mistakes and deescalated the situation for everyone. A masterful stroke in a few sentences.

With that, I was left feeling like I had mommy issues. She seemed like the motherly figure I never had. I could barely look her in the eyes after having these thoughts. What if I call her mom, like some kids would call their teachers by accident?

Somehow, I doubt I would. The word wasn’t that common in my vocabulary, nor as an adult and neither as a child.

“So,” I started, and tried lifting my head with as much dignity as I could muster – which, admittedly, wasn’t a lot. “What happens to me, now?”

“You can continue with your life like it used to be,” said the Merlin. “But with a great Warning. If we catch you playing along with vampirids or Faerie, you will be dealt with effective immediately. You will also consult with us about any kind of move related to them and, as we discussed before, any information you get from them. And one more thing: when we require you to do something, we will send you a letter and you will do your job as we request it. No buts, no haggling. We demand and you obey.”

So, a slave, I thought saying, but gave Ravan a quick look and that was enough to stop me.

“Okay,” I accepted. “I will restore your trust in me. I’ll show you I’m maturing as an Official.”

“You better,” said S.A.W. Ravan. “You’re one of our most capable assets. A lot of potential in you. We don’t want to dispose of you for something this stupid. You also have connections with the torviela that can be of good use. Kayaket still sees you as a favorable investment. We think this could be our leverage, and most likely it thinks the same for itself.

“You’re too valuable. But also, not easily controlled. We would greatly appreciate it if you change for the better. Show these old fools that you can still be of use. A trustworthy ally, and not some bumbling buffoon.”

* * *

“You’re not going to say goodbye?” I asked.

“I don’t like farewells,” my ex-warden said.

“That is the only adorable thing about you.”

For that joke, I received a punch on the shoulder. It either meant, ‘don’t say embarrassing things about me’ or ‘what do you mean by ‘only’?’ Maybe both.

“Eloquently put,” I jested. “I don’t need you to elaborate further.”

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

“Are you sure? I’ve got more where that came from.”

“No, I had enough.”

The small exchange told me a lot about Yand-Una’s state of mind. She felt more relaxed and playful with me than she used to. Her joke was aimed more to make herself relax than to get back at me. It was obvious she was feeling nervous about separating ways from us. Many things were left undone.

“Are you guys going to be okay?” she asked, finally speaking her mind.

“We’ve been doing fine, thus far. You don’t have to worry too much about us, mom.”

“You’re taking this too lightly.”

“And you’re being too anxious. You need to relax more. Tedet and I are thinking of training Misa.”

“That’s a good idea,” she said, sighing behind every word.

She looked at my cut-off finger and grabbed it with her only prosthetic arm.

“It’s only a finger,” I said. “You have had it worse.”

“This still happened because I wasn’t good enough.”

“Don’t give yourself too much credit. It’s a little insulting.”

“I like to think it’s a small price to pay for the life of a mortal.”

“It’s more than that,” I corrected. “A small price to pay for the life of Misa.”

She looked at my face and then at the way behind me: the dead-end meant for the space-bending spell. Behind that wall was nothing, but I could see her vision travel through the Ways and see Misa on the other side. She saw the same thing I saw in her.

“She’s great, isn’t she?” she asked, rhetorically.

“Worth every gram.”

“I’m jealous of her. In many ways. She’s a normal mortal. She has friends. She’s courageous. She has a bright future. I bet she’ll meet a great person that’ll make her happy.”

“You can do that, too,” I tried cheering her.

She laughed. “You know how I am. There’s no man in this world that can stand me.”

“I do.”

“You’re gay, Ed.”

“A technicality.”

“A big technicality.”

Silence dominated us for an instant too much.

“What about a woman?” I broke the silence.

“I’m not interested in women.”

“I thought the same about men, until I met the right guy, and made me realize how I really felt.”

She looked pensively sad when she shook her head. “I already know.”

Our hands still touching, I held it tight. We looked at each other and the lack of a pull from the soul gaze reminded me of who she was. She was a fantastic person, despite all her self-accused flaws, I still thought she was great. The best warden I’ve ever had.

“Who knows, Yuna,” I said, finally giving her a nickname. “Maybe you just have to wait for the Martin to your Ed. You already have a Ted in us.”

I saw the tears welling up in her eyes after they shone brightly. She closed them hard to stop the tears and used her forearm to clean them. There was no way to stop herself from sniffing as the other tears crawled down her eye ducts into her nose. Anatomy was betraying her.

I hugged her.

“You think so?”

“Well, maybe not Ted. That’s a bit ironic when I think about it.”

She laughed as she cried on my shoulder.

Yuna had never been more human than then. She let her feelings bare. It was as if she was stripping down, completely naked, showing herself through her physical body. I learned a lot about her past and what molded her with the soul gaze, but I didn’t learn about her emotions, unlike right now. We grew closer together, and it was a shame we couldn’t spend more time together.

I thought of what the best thing to say was. To make her finally give up on those sturdy walls she raised. To bring down the dam she built to hold back the torrential emotions.

“I’m sure you’ll find someone that loves you back as dearly you’ll love them. You just have to open up, like right now.”

“Mhm,” she moaned an agreement between weeps and sniffs.

“You don’t have to look back, anymore. You’ve been doing great. You’ve done enough already.”

“Mmm,” she moaned in a high pitch, holding back the pain.

“I know your sister will be proud.”

The dam broke and the tears poured out. The wailing echoed in the hall. The three people that passed by, saw us with concern, but when I gave them a smile and something in them turned their empathy on. I saw their eyes well up. Humans cannot help but empathize with other humans, it was more than natural, it was more than instinctual. It was inevitable.

A few minutes went by when she started calming down.

“When you find the right guy,” I decided to be a little more lighthearted. “You better bring him for a drink. I know this bar that has an amazing beer. The Appleden Digger. Hayier makes his own beer as well and it’s some of the best things you’ll ever have.”

She chuckled. “I don’t drink, Ed.”

I reacted in an ‘oh’ and tried correcting myself, that she didn’t need to go drinking if she didn’t want to. The Appleden was a place to hang out, and although beer was the main attraction it was just a place to hang out, drink, and eat. No one would throw her out if she didn’t drink alcohol.

“I’ll make sure to find someone who drinks,” she assured.

“That works for me.”

She finally looked at me back with her wet eyes, through inflamed eyelids, tired of weeping. Her smile was brimming even through the sadness. There was something that had fulfilled her and, regardless of what made her upset, she felt achieved – or at least, that’s what it looked to me. She stood taller, and her face looked further up, her eyes looked toward the future. The past didn’t seem to hold her back anymore.

We shared one last hug before saying our farewells and we parted.

It was the beginning of a new friendship. Something I had never imagined I’d see happen a couple of days ago.

* * *

When I came out, everyone was waiting for me.

Everyone plus one.

“Shkadaur,” I said.

“Avarez,” he answered.

“What brings you?” I said between a challenge and genuine intrigue.

“You’re Official of this city,” he said, not as a question.

“I am.”

“We’re working together in the future. Don’t mess up.”

His broken English was understandable, but it still took a little to fully comprehend.

Shkadaur touched his head and my head began hurting when the scrambled signals tried interacting with my headpiece.

Shkadaur cursed in Goktoga and then turned to Tedet to do the same.

“Your friend has my contact. I will contacting him and you can contact me in time of need.”

“The war,” I said incredulously.

“We don’t know when will happening. But maybe it will happen soon.”

“You’re not from around here,” I interjected. “How do we see each other?”

“I changed homes. I’m living here now.”

He didn’t seem happy. But between the displeasure, I thought I heard something behind that voice. I thought I saw a kindred spirit. A soul that was wronged. I felt like we may be a little more similar than we had imagined.

Was this the beginning of a new friendship?

I looked at Teddet and Misa. Then turned to imagine Yuna behind me, smiling.

Nah. Not for a while longer.

I stretched my hand towards him and offered a handshake.

“Wizard Edwahite Avarez, 42nd Official of Al Patreck.”

“I know who you are,” he said callously.

I tried explaining myself. It was more about trying to make a new start, but before I could try explaining he interrupted by taking my hand.

“Raykhetay’a Shkadaur, Knight Hadtherad of Artar’ey, Order of the Krievig’lhat.”

“Krievig’lhat…” I said in amazement. “I heard good things about you.”

His face turned red for an instant. “We are proud loyals.”

“So, I’ve heard.” I paused for effect, still holding on to his hand. “Well, Krievig’lhat Knight. I trust your loyalty will bring peace and security to my city.”

“That is my order. I expect— You will not screw up for us, true? Your warden… she is not here. She held you close, on the right path. I don’t expect— I will not do the same. Working together is my job.”

“Then I don’t have anything to worry about. And I’ll do my best you won’t have to worry about me either.”

We let go of each other.

“Tedet Galieta,” he approached my friend and stretched his hand. “You don’t—You are— You will make the city secured and peaceful too, true?”

“I follow my friend. If he wants to do it, then I’ll think about it.”

Shkadaur turned blue, and Tedet did so in response.

“Starting with the left foot,” said Misa, who slid to my side. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from Ted.”

Ed and Ted, she had said. Both our nicknames. No mister, no last names.

I liked the closeness.

“I need to think of a nickname for you.”