Auna woke up just before the sun, she set the pot with stew on the fire. She went to the clearing to check for children and looked for any quick prey near the clearing. There was none.

“Ciela wake up love.” Auna woke the little farmer gesturing for her to eat.

“Are you going back as soon as the sun is in the sky?” Ciela asked.

“Yeah, we have enough meat for a little while and I checked the clearing this morning.” Auna smiled as she started cleaning up the breakfast things, letting her stew cool a bit.

After the girls talked for a bit and finished their meals Auna left through the orchard door. She took Theo and Ayda with her. The sun was just peaking up over the crater, which meant soon the town would be seeing the sun as well.

Auna peaked out of the closet door where she put her moon door in the mayors’ house. She still felt a bit uncomfortable, so she made sure to wear her Mantle and sunglasses. She also put away her wings so not to attract too much attention.

“There you are, have you eaten breakfast already?” Jeff asked.

“Are you trying to scare me to death?” Auna harshly whispered clutching her chest.

“No, no sorry I was asked to wait for you this morning.” Jeff snickered motioning for her to follow.

“Do you people not rest? Is that normal?” Auna asked reaching the top of the stairs. She had not gone downstairs at all in this life. She managed going up them yesterday so it should be fine she thought to herself. Not two seconds after she thought this, she tripped tumbling down about halfway into a very flustered looking Jeff. The noise brought Edward around the corner as well. Theo whined.

“I’m sorry I, have never um. Gone downstairs before.” Auna was mortified her face bright red while her hands still clutched onto Jeffs open arms.

By now Marybeth, the mayor, Robert, and William had joined them to hear her say that. Making her blush more she felt like she was about to cry. Theodore gracefully went down the steps to sit at the bottom still whining. Jeff did not real look like he knew what to do.

“Well, I think I understand your ‘are you trying to scare me to death statement now’ so please be more careful AJ.” Jeff gently lifted her into his arms carrying her the rest of the way down the steps. Jeff seemed to understand she was very embarrassed and elected to continue carrying her to the room from yesterday setting her on the floor. Theo wrapped around her as she placed her face in his fur and groaned.

“Well, you sure know how to startle a person.” Edward said as Marybeth elbowed his side.

“Don’t worry about it dear we should have known better, before you leave you should practice.” Marybeth got down to rub her back. “Where are your wings?”

“I did not want people looking at me so much. So, I pulled them into my back. I only need to take them out every few days to keep them in good shape. I do prefer having them out more though.” Auna had calmed down a bit.

“Ah sorry our town folk made you feel uncomfortable. We will make sure they know not to be so rude to you. I understand you might also be bringing another small girl from time to time, with bright blue hair, right?” The mayor asked as his son eyed me.

“Yes, I might bring Ciela, we have a few items we could trade or sell.” Auna said trying to ignore the boy.

“Yes, very good you can come by when ever you want. You are a permanent guest in this house as requested by my lord and lady.” The mayor seemed nice.

“Yes, we also have gathered about 5 laying birds for you. We will have Jeff and William build the coup for you. Edward would also like to visit your home. There are a few bags of different seeds for your little farmer. And the mayor so kindly allowed us to pull up a few small berry bushes we noticed you did not have.” Marybeth smiled softly at her. “I will be staying back though as I have had enough adventure for now.”

“Are you sure about this? It seems a little unfair to you. We only hosted you at our house.” Auna said trying to avoid looking at the mayors’ boy.

“Auna, Robert was seriously injured, and we had no food or water. You saved us. This is more than fair; we feel it is unfair.” Marybeth was shaking her head.

“Can I ask for some materials to make Ciela a stuffed toy? Her birthday is coming up.” Auna did not like being in peoples debt. They seemed to think they still owed her so what was the harm in asking for more?

Marybeth quickly agreed. The materials for the coup, the seeds and laying bird were gathered and brought upstairs. William and Jeff were already taking items into the cater. Edward watched them with fascination. The mayor had left to do his work, though his son was still around. Marybeth had also left.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Auna was spending time practicing going up and down the steps. After about forty minutes the guys had seemed to be done moving things. Auna also felt much more confident in using the stairs. The whole time the mayors’ son would not stop staring at her.

“Would you like to go now?” Auna asked Edward near the closet once she sent Theo and Ayda through the door.

“Can I come as well?” The mayors’ son asked.

“No.” Both Edward and Auna said at the same time.

“Let’s go.” Edward smiled at Auna walking with her to the door. Auna walked in first pulling Edward with her. They stepped out on the soft grass of the small orchard. They could hear Jeff commanding the others in the building of the coup. They could see Ciela working in the field having ignored the people coming and going. Most likely because she knew only people Auna allowed would be able to enter threw her doorways.

She would only have to worry if a new door from a different person appeared.

“Ciela why don’t you come over and look at the seeds?” Auna called letting go of Edwards hand. She turned around to see the mayors’ son staring at her through the doorway. She calmly shut the stone door. As she did, she saw the wooden one shutting as well. Her screen notified her both doors were currently closed. She also noticed the Moon door skill went from low to medium. It seemed that the skills ‘worked on level’ was more related to distances or creation than to how often she used the doors.

“That kid is kind of a creep?” Auna wondered out loud.

“Yeah, I think he has a crush on you.” Edward laughed patting her on the head. As he ruffled her black hair the glowing highlights shimmered.

Auna did a quick tour of the crater for Edward, and then they got down to looking at the seeds. Edward also made sure to discreetly give Auna the extra supplies she asked for.

“Wow we got rice plants, wheat seeds, beans, strawberry bushes, and more sugar cane! We can make so much maple candies! Look they even sent us molds for the candies.” Ciela was ecstatic.

“Very cool, why don’t you take them little farmer?” Ciela happily ran way with all the farming seeds, and supplies. She used Willow more like a pack mule then a wolf.

“She is very energetic, is she always like this?” Edward asked.

“I think she must have been eating some maple candies when I was away. She saw her chance and took it. Can’t blame her I would do the same thing.” Auna smiled softly.

“After they finish the coup, I will have to go, I still have to meet with count Jade. I am going suggest something to you. Marybeth and I think it would be advantageous for you.” Edward looked seriously at Auna.

“I saw the register. You turn 8 this coming winter. Now most nobles start school at the capital’s academy between ages 6-8. The 6 and 7-year-olds are given pre-courses mostly. Now we the Bloodwave house would like to sponsor both of you to go to school. We would like to sponsor you both until you are 18. We think it is a waste of talent to not educate you both. It would also make Count Jade look horrible. After one year of a child presumed dead another family may adopt or sponsor them no questions asked.” Edward paused.

“Why would I want to leave our home?” Auna asked.

“That is the best part, you won’t have to. Not with your moon doors. You could come back and care for your chickens daily, and the fields at least every few days. Though planting might slow down to make it more manageable. The school has garden spaces students can sign out though so Ciela would still be able to farm a lot.” Edward answered.

“Can we bring our tamed monsters?” Auna asked.

“Yes, without an issue. The monsters that can fit in the dorm rooms can stay with their owners. The other monsters that are too large stay in very comfortable stables.” Edward looked like he was worried.

“Is making Count Jade look bad the only reason?” Auna asked.

“No, we think you girls are very special. To be able to raise your levels as high as you have by yourselves is amazing. Curse or no curse you are valuable talent. We want our daughter to have friends she can rely on. Most kids just bow down and let her walk all over them. When she gets to school the class divide is not as great. We fear she will have a hard time making friends. You are already helping her attitude.” Edward said.

“So, what is the deal though. Surely you won’t pay for our schooling just to be your daughters’ friends.” Auna looked at Edward very seriously.

“You are very smart. We would like to hire you as a mage in our territory. Your abilities would help strengthen our mages greatly. We would also like Ciela to help our agriculture programs. She has done great work in such a small space. We would love that expertise on our islands.” Edward held his breath.

“Well, what if once we are finished my father wants us? Or if I find a man I want to marry. Will you force me to go to your territory?” Auna asked.

“No, if your father wants you back and you want to go back, we will not separate you. Also, if you find a nice man and want to move to his land, we will not make you come to our territory. However, we would like you to promise to maintain good relations with us.” Edwards said.

“So, your real goal is a strategic alliance between us and Bloodwave for our lives?” Auna asked with an eyebrow cocked.

“You are very wise little girl. Yes, we would like to form an alliance in exchange for sponsorship to the academy till you both are at least 18. If you want to do more school and still need sponsorship, we will continue to give it.” Edward smiled wiping his brow.

“You said dorm rooms, would Ciela and I be in the same one?” Auna asked.

“Yes, we could arrange that easily.” Edward looked more relaxed.

“Can you make sure there is a bench window seat in the room?” Auna asked innocently.

“You know I heard about the ghost child in the bay window seat of the staff building. That really was you, wasn’t it? I cannot promise that. But I will do everything in my power to do it. I know the library has a few window seats though.” Edward smiled. The men had finished the coup.

“When do we have to decide?” Auna asked.

“Will have to know no later than the 12th month Hollen. The new year starts the new semester, so applications close at the end of Hollen. Also, you both would need to take a test written and practical. We have included the necessary study material with the stuff we brought today. Everyone needs to pass the tests.” Edward said.

“Alright I will have an answer for you no later than Hollen.” It was five months away.

Edward then explained how to care for the laying birds, and their food. Which they gave them about 6 months stock worth. It would have to be stored properly though. The girls should get between 10-15 eggs a week from the five laying birds. Edward and the men left.