Moon sat up, watching Planet hold Sol in her arms before he fell. She held her up as Moon took in his surroundings: a group of men and a Dragon staring at them like they were sentient statues, his Planetary counterpart rising from the Second Corner, not being able to tell its brightness. He pushed his blonde hair out of his eyes and glared at the men until they looked away, uncomfortable.

“Plezd od dokriz ali?” he asked, refreshing his brain of Elven as he covered Sol in her cloak and lifted her on his shoulder. What is going on?

“Et yuze kop laxau zaykirz.” Planet announced. He is offering to take us in.

“Phor?” he asked, staring at the men. Who?

“E xli e ruvia nizaabe.” The sir with the Dragon.

“Plezd uzukeien ipal?” What do you think?

“Dlegetir ali râdoli amniz ezukeien. Et ne anmi laxaud kop neillø anmi.” I think Sol is being dramatic. He doesn’t want to be taken in.

Moon shrugged. “Ne phlee-tet e zaykir woenâr yulaxau? Plez ikinâr takko crei? Datir, yuze kop dânør kop buiwâri xlegero meg kipik amnik zkartan. Obiritan, tasil yutiervi dir creiji.” Why shouldn’t we take the offer? What harm could come? Besides, we’ve been in Wizard territory for seven days now. We knew this would happen again.

“Muvijk uipal kipik?” Do you have doubts?

“Ne dukirz. Yus ødjlu ipal.” Not truly. You absolutely do.

“Ne eipal.” No, I don’t.

“Kuupir.” Liar.

“What are they saying?” one of the men asked.

“Do you think I speak that foreign language?” another spat.

“Paxøl tasil lâuwt nir-riki kor. Yuze jieran fuhir woultye.” Just keep this ruse up. We solely speak Elven.

Planet looked uncomfortable and Moon pieced it together. “Yus zirta torâ kop ziurei oz buiwâri kipik flemagi, ne kipik yus?” You’ve already said a bit in Modern, haven’t you?

She nodded, but he patted her shoulder. “Boliki fliz ali. Ziurei oz buiwâri râiko bodkir mi utiervi, zakeya.” He stared at the men again, and they jumped back. Planet was the only one in the clearing that was engaged. That’s alright. You know more Modern than me, anyway.

“Ayy, pik-dee fled oz yus boliki kir mâyki esipal rei!” she grinned. “Kir ekwøduar ali.” Ooh, your eyes are so pretty when they do that! It’s so focused.

“Plezd uipal farâi?” Moon asked, holding a hand towards his eyes, noticing the reflection of dark light on his skin. “Ay. Axørlitad fled. Ne ete edekkøl.” What do you mean? Ah. Embodimented eyes. I never regard it.

The man next to the Dragon stepped forward, holding out a hand. “If you children would like, I can take you in.”

“Zirta tasil mâynni uwoulyiet ze.” Planet whispered. I already told you about this.

“Ta, ne ehenerve rei.” he agreed. Yes, I'm not stupid.

“What do you say?” The man asked.

Planet translated the line to him, both of them knowing that it wasn’t required. “Plezd uwoultye ipal? Nepik-dee et zaykir ulaxau?” What do you say? Will you take his offer?

Moon shrugged. “Ete fliz ekzimta. zakeya, yuze il e zirtan rei norii, ne yuze rei?” It sounds well. Anyway, we are here forever, are we not?

Planet smiled and turned to the man, switched to Modern but with an accent. “My brother agrees to take your offer.”

The man sighed in relief and grabbed Moon's hand, shaking it aggressively. “Oh, thank you, thank you, children. You won't regret this.”

“Am already.” Moon said, adding a thick accent.

The man blinked. “So you do speak Modern?”

Planet caught on and spoke a lie. “Only a little bit. I'm trying to teach him.”

“Interesting.” the man muttered, covering his mouth with his hand.

“Zikiete?” Moon whispered as the man turned to the others, and they all followed him northeast.

“Plezd e yor-kik ali?” she asked, slowing down to walk directly next to him. What is the problem?

“Excuse me?” The leading man asked, giving them a smile. “Can I carry your…brother?”

“Sibling.” Planet corrected, turning to Moon. “And-”

Moon shook his head. “Ne linâx eztened ipal. Enlaxaur yulixâ anmi kop, jâforr ne ze enipal torr. Zakeya, ze ete kerri rezkla idygi yuze ali. Elaxau woulyiet et ezt nepik-dee." Don't allow them. They may be taking us in, but I don't trust them. Anyway, it feels like a routine between us. Tell him I will take her.

Planet nodded and translated. “He says no, thank you.”

They found the town walls quickly and passed two sleeping guards through the gates. The Dragon saw the gates and took flight, circling the sky above before she descended towards a field. Planet stepped closer to Moon, grabbing his sleeve discreetly.

“Plezd e yor-kik ali? Ipal ne-kleetâ uidygi?” What is the problem? Do you feel unsafe?

Planet nodded. “Ikinâr zarkeya uipal?” Could you do something?

An idea came to mind and he smiled. “Kal e zirta Dlegetir laxau?” Take Sol for a moment?

The two stopped walking and Moon put Sol in her arms. Meanwhile, a man stepped towards the leader for a talk.

“Sir, it's quite late. Do you mind if I leave?”

“Of course, my good man.”

“Minute one.” Moon asked, stepping behind them and flipping his head into his Embodiment and stretching his limbs to appear taller. The men backed away, scared. Planet bit someone who tried to touch her shoulder.

“Sirs, our residence a single word town this is I hear you say, all you I find, and sure that ordered under oure parents sure make of you be silence-ed. Understand?”

Planet cleared her throat, adjusting Sol in her arms. “He says if you say anything of our residence here, he'll report you to our parents.”

The men hardly reacted, so Planet had to fill in the gaps.

“The Deities. E Idyguol. The Children of the Universe.”

They realized their mistake at her first words and a few ran away, shouting back their apologies. The rest stood in shock, probably coming to a realization or two.

“Well?” Moon snapped at them. “You to dismiss, I have.”

It took them an extra moment to follow his words, pushing each other out of the way as they ran home.

Moon wiped his hands together and faced the man who had the Dragon. “Now that is double is out sort. Can we leave?”

The man blinked before he nodded, waving a hand for them to follow him. Planet transferred Sol into Moon’s arms, who placed him over his shoulder before they ran slowly to catch up with the man, who was pointing out buildings as they passed.

“Here is Miss. Garria’s fish and butcher shop. A waste of talent, I tell you. She was a fine silk maker in her youth. Ah, there is Sir. Nicou’s weaponry business.”

He motioned to a building with another stacked on top, both ready to fall at a moment’s notice, but it appeared that Dellun held it stable. “He normally has his sons build the weapons while he makes the pitch. I hear his two eldest ran out of there when they came of age, though no one knows why.”

“Ne, etiervi wil.” Moon mumbled while Planet tried not to react. No, I can know.

He laughed, seeing another shop. “Of course, how could I forget? Right there, under the burned sign, is Sir. Pender’s cheese shop. I hear he gets the milk from Miss. Garria.”

As the Sir. continued talking about their drama, Moon saw a tight alley between that building and the next which he marked as another hiding spot in case they had to run. Just because he had accepted the man’s offer didn’t mean that Moon felt safe nor that he wasn’t preparing for the worst outcome.

“And our last stop is my store.” He held the door open for the two as he kept talking. “I sell supplies to assist Dragons and their riders, such as saddles and whips.”

“Interestende.” Planet muttered, noticing the wood everywhere.

“Râiko torâ, ete ali?” Moon asked, examining the framework. A little much, is it?

The Elves had built their towns from the earth or other materials, keeping their interior simple. The Wizards, apparently, needed every precaution. This home was made of wood and there were posts standing at every square. The roof was held up with more posts to support it. It felt offensive to Yael when simply looking at it.

Planet touched a post, her hand sinking into the wood for a moment before the man turned to a tall pole with hooks on top, removing his overcoat and shoes. Moon examined a post as well, seeing chips of themselves falling off.

“Odd children.” the man muttered.

“Yuze burâ rei anmik.” Moon told Planet as she looked into the wooden counter. “Plezd etføbir ali, rezkla?” We're being rude. What's his name, even?

“Lenik. Ipal boliki umakir?” Quiet. Do you hear that?

“E nømard? E dokri? Ne eamnøbi. Paxøl e mâyki e derrø oz-” The chirps? The leaves? Not my fault. Just the beauty of the night-

“Ne boliki.” Not that.

Moon shrugged, adjusting Sol on his shoulder. “Fliz, plezd phor boliki fikir veerol norii utiervi enwoultye makir mâynni. Et høraphi ali.” Well, you know what they say about who can hear other voices. He's mad.

Planet looked at him, not noticing her hair fading into the wood. “Ne ehøraphi rei.” I'm not mad.

“Zirta. Et føbir?” Eventually. His name?

She sighed and turned to the man. “He asks what your name is?”

He realized his mistake and crossed his ankle behind the other in a small bow. “Disgraceful, am I? I am Sir. Artos Theodric. A businessman.”

Moon tugged at the end of his pant, trying to mimic the bow that he had seen the Elven ladies do when meeting an elder male, which was proving to be difficult with his sibling on his shoulder. “Ijero. Tasil urdup Dlegeti Zikiete ali.” Moon. This is Sol and Planet.

“Zirta, yus e barrokoed rei. Ne uwil yuze mierka.” Planet noted, remembering the Elven tradition. Wait, you're the youngest. You can't introduce us.

“Olck phor kor hzerven?” Who woke up first?

“Dlegeti.”

“Ne eløkkied kir bodkir wil mierka.” Then the eldest can't introduce us.

Planet signed a swear towards him which he waved away, noticing an odd shelf behind a counter.

“Nizabø kreetta oz?” Moon asked, then remembered he couldn’t understand him. “Zikiete, yus zirkik farâik rei.” Vials of blood? Planet, you're meant to exchange.

Planet blinked at him then sighed. “Obiritan, uwil boliki woultye? Ne ipal yus emakir.” Can you say that again? I didn't hear you.

“Ewoultye, nizabø kreetta oz. Plezd kal eztene rei?” I said, vials of blood. What are they for?

“He said vials blood of. Oh, wait. Boliki fliz ali?” Is that right?

“What do you…” His eyes caught on his shelf and he grinned. “Oh, my poor boy.” – Moon instinctively hid his chest with a pull of his top. – “I don’t sell those. Those are from my Dragon, Venul, and the results of her brothers and sisters.”

“What brothers and sisters?” Planet asked, scratching at a wooden counter.

“I should have an eye or a skin nearby of– Oh. I mean, it’s nothing. Nothing you should concern yourself with for now.” he said, correcting his mistake before he noticed it.

“Huh. That was it blood of Wizard I assumed, first look at. It Dragon sole-like is, luck-ee. Clear-like, it that much plural make is.”

The Sir. blinked, trying to understand his “broken” Modern. “W-What a morbid assumption. I am not a murderer.”

“Alleged.” Moon mumbled as the Sir noticed a scroll next to the vials and handed it to Planet, who spread it across the wooden counter.

It showed the map of the world they lived in, and Moon saw Planet’s eyes change to reflect a more accurate depiction of it. The map on paper was split in four sections, with the Giants and Witches in the North, though there was no border between them, proving he hadn’t left his town in ages. The Wizard territory was carefully written, while the Elven territory looked smaller than it actually was.

Moon touched the edge of the page to move it closer to him, but recoiled at the odd feeling. “Hervli.” Gross.

“Is there a problem?” the Sir asked.

“P…paay-juh.” He stretched out the word, hitting each syllable. “Wet is.”

“You put your finger in ink. That’s probably why.”

Moon wiped the ink on his pants. “That not. I mean want.”

“What.” Planet corrected, still taking in the map.

He touched an ink-free spot and showed the debris of the wet paper on his finger. “Watch? Deb-riss.”

The Sir. took his finger in his hand and examined it. “I don’t see anything.”

Moon waited for him to let go before he wiped the hand on his pants, feeling disgusted.

“Dânør jieran oz e mi pudire ali.” Planet noted, her eyes not changing back to the average white-and-brown ball. The Elven Territory is confusing me.

“Ay, enyøjai yweka døkiete eztened piklu kop datirk sekra tasil tersuk oz.” Moon noted, trying not to touch the page. Well, they used to document everything in their lands instead of this cheap thing.

“Dukir.” Planet yawned, gripping the counter tight as her hand melted into it. “Wil etoukirâ? Zep-unto? Ete xlegero pek amnik ali.” True. Can I sleep? Please? It's been five days.

“Xlegero pek?” Moon asked, concern rising for her. “Phlee-tet yus dirl baijøt tasil lerik kørii yus oz?” Five days? Why would you push yourself like this?

“Du yus ekisk jeraz-” I have to protect you two-

“Ne, yuze hjerka e rei. Woenâr yus I eaxøwui?” No, we are the protectors. Should I remind you?

“Zer leanmi woultyed,” she snapped. “Ze fâreti yus du wil jeraz mi kerri toukirâ oz.” As I was saying, I can protect the both of you through my sleep schedule.

“Urdup xin boliki mâynni xlegero du ali, ne peki! Zkartan toukirâ yudeillâ yus kipbi!” And that limit is about two days, not five! We need to get you asleep now!

“Zer detâ boliki ete kun-e ali.” As if it's that easy.

“Uekir rei zerig. Mi pejai bilik.” You're set to fall. Hold my shoulder.

Planet pushed him away and looked up at the Sir. “Is there a sleeping quarter we can put Sol in?”

“Of course.”

He led the two to a taller room behind a door that was stacked with piles of hay. There was a window that allowed a faint bit of moonlight through it. Moon set down Sol before he stepped into the ray, merging with it and getting a look at his Planetary counterpart from above. It was shining at less than half, appearing as a twisted smile, or, as the Elves had called it, a crescent.

He pulled himself back into the room, appearing first in his Embodiment form before he turned to his Wizardly. “Ne ze nepik-dee derrø tasil delak-toukirâ anmi.” Well, I won't be half-awake tonight.

Planet had already laid down in the hay next to Sol and was fast asleep. The Sir. didn’t notice until Moon did.

“So,” he chuckled, pointing at Planet as her skin absorbed some bits of hay. “What is her-her sleep schedule?”

“Sleep all light, Zikiete can.” Moon replied, tempted to take Sol’s notebook, but he didn’t want the man to know about it, so he motioned towards the door for them to talk in private. “Struggle self of her wake in, as limit may be of day two, yet sister wake of day five.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Oh. Well. What do you do normally while they sleep?”

“To journey, or to tra-vell.”

“With them?”

“Leave them back, why shall I? Siblings, yuze.”

“Ah.” He looked around the space, trying to think of something to talk about. “Do you hunt?”

“Want what you?”

He blinked. “Erm. Repeat that, please.”

Moon repeated it in Elven to make sure it sounded right before he spoke in Modern, his brain struggling to remember his notes. The pronoun chart…but what was the present tense of you?

“Oh, what do you want? Is that what you’re asking?” Moon nodded, finally remembering the ending. “You can hunt a…a goat. Can you do that?”

Moon nodded again, and performed another lady-like bow for respect before he stepped towards the door they’d entered from. He closed it behind him and strolled down the path, following the route of footsteps since they’d entered the town, trying not to turn in their directions.

He came across the gate just as easily and saw two guards standing there, both covered in heavy sheets of metal. How they weren’t gripping their chests in pain was a mystery, but he assumed Wizardly metal was different from Elven. Everything was.

He passed the two, one of them trying to look awake as he leaned on his sword. The other was already slumped against the wall, and Moon slipped by them before the one fell asleep.

“Kleetâ ne?” he mumbled, ‘No safety?’ as he followed the wall, keeping an eye on the forest. Once the men were out of sight, he walked with a strict step, hands in his pant pockets. His fingers fell out of his left one, reminding him of the sewing job he had to do on it.

The night was peaceful. He was glad their parents had changed it over the centuries. The first few years had been horrifying. Failed and forgotten projects, disgusting revival, eyes everywhere, and hardly any signs of civilization until they had stumbled across Ibolai. The eyes hadn’t returned since then, but he was still curious.

He faced a tree, and stared at it, waiting for a movement.

“You don’t need to be still. I remember your eyes.”

The tree didn’t reply. Moon sighed, cursing himself. “Probably something that our parents removed. Why did I think it would work?”

A flash caught his eye and he saw something fall from a nearby tree. Inching closer, he saw it was a bone-white egg that had cracked from the impact.

What was he to do? Pick it up? Threaten the life inside? Was there a life inside?

He crouched, keeping a distance from it, scared he would crush it. The egg caught fire, burning slowly on the ground as something crawled out of it; an odd slimy thing. It shook the slime off its head as it giggled in the flames, which was becoming contained in the egg.

Moon moved a bit closer and the life looked up at him. It was a bony thing dripping in egg goop, and it appeared that the flames hadn’t damaged it much. Its little beak cooed peacefully.

“Oh, Eighth, my Celes, this is beautiful.” he mumbled. It squealed and Moon extended a hand towards it. It struggled to walk, but was able to crawl towards him and plopped onto his hand.

Moon flinched. He had expected the goop, but didn’t realize how odd it’d feel. Like more solidified water against the lump of bones. Was this what all bone felt like?

“Where’s your mother?” he asked as it nuzzled against his palm. A pattern over the centuries was many animals staying with its mothers. The few times it had stayed with fathers was clear to see in the Elvish species, including Wizards.

He scooped up the egg, which still hosted the flames, into his other hand and watched as the life moved across his hand-skins towards the egg and curled into the broken egg.

“Oh. You were cold, weren’t you?” it cooed again as he looked up through the tree from below. He saw pieces on a branch and glowing red eyes above it. Moon turned his calves into blocks of moonrays and raised himself towards the eyes, which appeared to be a large bird of bone with a mane of fire.

“Hello.” he whispered, showing the egg in his hands. It glared as he carefully set it into the nest next to a couple more unhatched eggs. “Just setting it back. Nothing evil. I just saw it fall and-”

The bird’s mane exploded in strength, heating his face. He grabbed the branch as he jumped back in fear, speaking in Elven.

“Lenik! Ne takko efarâi! Kleetâ se!” The bird calmed itself when it recognized the words. “Ete fliz ali. Yus femeri eszerig eflemag urdup ze norii laxai rei ete. Ne zep-unto ipal- paxøl…unorii dokri. Ze ukisk phorzed. Edokri.” Silence! I mean no harm! I'm safe! It's alright. Your child fell and I'm here to give it. Please don't, just…here you go. I have helped you. I'll leave.

The bird’s eyes turned to a dark red as Moon nodded to it and fell into his Embodiment form and sank to the base of the tree. He hid behind the next as he switched back to his Wizardly and continued his walk.

“That was a brave thing you did,” a man’s voice whispered.

Moon pushed his hand into a moonray and summoned a sword of light, turning around. He held the sword point in the direction of the voice, glaring.

“Who are you?”

A middle-aged man stepped out from the wall, and Moon immediately pushed the sword towards his throat. He held a tall torch and his body was covered in a velvet robe.

Rich people.

“No why I tell me should to gut you in instant.” he asked.

“Well, a basic language lesson is certainly in order.” The man said, stepping back once to touch the point of the sword and lower it away from him. “Do you take all your compliments this way?”

“Again, asked. Whom you are?”

“Better.” He commented before he performed a bow similar to the one Sir. Theodric had done, ankles crossed as he leaned on his torch. ”I am Sir. Eikar Rustad, a schoolteacher for the youth. And you?”

He held out a hand to shake. Moon kept his grip loose as they shook, keeping the sword tight on his side.

“Arche.” He lied, remembering the name the Elves had put on their roster. “Why you here are?”

“I saw a boy lurking the town walls and decided to investigate. Is that so wrong?” He gripped the torch and nodded at him. “May I sit? These old bones can only hold me up for so long.”

Moon nodded and watched as he held the staff, lowering himself to the ground carefully. He sat a distance away from him, sword set next to him.

“You have an interesting power.” Sr. Rustad said, staring at the sword. “Which metal is it made of?”

“Vzikk.” Moon said the word for metal, realizing his vulnerability. He shouldn’t have pulled out the sword to begin with. Could he find out? “Job what you is?”

“Ah, so you speak Elven? I learned some in my youth, but now I only teach it to my students. I’m a bit out of practice, but if you’d like to speak Elven, that’s alright.”

Moon nodded. “Job?”

“I’ve said this previously. I’m a schoolteacher for youth such as you. Do you have a job?”

“New man here. Family moved with man of guard job and me.”

“Ah, you were a guardsman in the previous town. Who moved with you?”

“No-one. Train-ed, I did, as man of guard.”

“You weren’t official, then. Who are you living with?”

“Dragon with man me in to take. Theyo…Hedric?”

“Artos Theodric? A good lad. Where do you hail from? What happened to your parents?”

“From town for Elf. No parents to stick.”

“Ah, I’m sorry, boy.” Rustad tapped a hand to his chest in respect. “So you were raised by Elves?”

“Parents past was, as yes.”

“Were, but I am curious. Do Elves share the same myths as Wizards?”

“Myths which?”

“The Winds, Creation, and the Ocean Nymph, to name a few?”

“Know them of, yes. Why to ask?”

“Can you recite them?”

Moon nodded, remembering the myths clearly from legend and memory. “Speak in Elven, can I?”

Rustad waved a hand, giving permission.

“Flizø xerkti e ali. E Idyguo, Dlegeti, Ijero, urdup Zikiete kalki elamni urdup eztene kop zikiet e ekir mijkk mall falii oz fikir larjik, buiwâri, jirâu, jeikid urdup, nørau kal. Ne râiko uzee-tah oz yutiervi, jâforr.” The Creation is simple. The Deities formed the Sun, Moon, and Planet and set them in the word before making other species, Wizards, Elves, and Giants, for example. We don’t know much of your fight, however.

“Interesting.” he mumbled. “The Winds?”

“Ediervâk e xuwe eztened føkilil eslerik urdup Pli-kett e nizabø pijalo kop-ako. E nâep enamni nizaabe plezd eztene ali ipal.” Skylar wrangled the four into their corner and sewed the jar into Dellun. What they are to do with them is a mystery.

“And the Ocean Nymph?”

“Sixâkari zikiete e menirad zepek, kir ezt zeilan kop ne-herian sitoukirâ urdup, yikai e vizey evirâi.” Her curiosity nearly killed the planet, so she hid in shame and fell asleep, turning the seas to peace.

Rustad clapped slowly. “Your memory is impressive. Did they force it into you?”

“What to force?”

“Force the myths into your head for remembrance. Did the Elves do that?”

Moon nodded. “Every year past to tell.”

“Told?” Rustad watched him nod again. “I’ve never known enough about Elves to know what they say. Those Witches, meanwhile.”

His tone turned angry as he gripped his torch. Moon clasped a hand around the sword handle, just in case.

“What Witches of?”

“I guess the Elves haven’t heard of them.”

Moon shook his head. “We of them hear, agreement, alas, feud of you both we to know not.”

Sir. Rustad pulled a knife from a sheath in his robe and sharpened it against a stone. “Those evil incarnates. Mark my words, if there’s a moment I could kill a Witch, I'd do it without thought. They’ve tormented us for years, maybe centuries, and I’d like to give them a quick death.”

“Of them all?”

“If it’s an option, then yes.”

He continued rambling on how he’d kill them while Moon drifted through his thoughts. Was the feud really that violent or was the Sir. thinking about it too much? He remembered some of the jokes the Elves had told each other around the table or the bar. They’d always thought that, one day, the Witches and Wizards would kill each other so the Elves and Giants could take the lands and restore them to their former glory. Were they just poking fun, or was that an actual possibility? Did everyone involved in the feud think this way?

Moon pretended to listen as Sir. Rustad continued talking, lost in his words to realize how violent his description of a decapitation was. Bile curled in his throat as he continued, but Moon held it down, not wanting to be disrespectful.

An idea came to mind and he began to kokh, remembering that Elven students would perform it to get out of going to night school.

“Sorry much so.” he said as Sir. Rustad finally stopped talking. “To go, I past may.”

“Oh, of course, boy. Tell Theodric to bring you to the schoolhouse sometime.”

Moon stood, but knew he couldn’t leave a question unanswered and sat down again on his toes. “The bird of bone. By name call-led is?”

“We call them firebirds, though bone-birds are more accurate. They fly in from the North, so we steer clear of them. They could be spies from Witches.”

He continued rambling about Witches and Moon blocked him out again, a tune catching in his head. It was an old song that the Elves had crafted to honor the Triplets, not aware they were among them. The trio had run out of that town not long after.

He remembered a few more Elven songs, finding the tunes comforting, until Sir. Rustad stopped talking, leaning against his torch, and sighed.

“I’m sorry you had to witness that, boy. I get quite worked up whenever Witches are mentioned.”

“Problem ne.” Moon stood. “To leave, I to have.”

“Of course, boy. If you’ll do one favor for me.”

He stared at him, beginning a prayer to his parents that it wouldn’t be anything evil-

“Can you help me stand?” he asked, holding up his hands. “These old bones don’t hold me like they used to.”

Moon grabbed his palms between his thumbs and forefingers and pulled him to his feet. The Sir. immediately grabbed his torch and pulled it out of the dirt, nodding for him to lead them through the wall.

They passed the space as Sir. Rustad pulled out a stick and whispered something in a language Moon hadn't spoken in centuries. The wall built itself back together to appear solid and the duo walked through the streets, the Sir. pointing out various buildings before they paused at a two story building with a slanted roof. Sir. Rustad faced him.

“It was kind to meet you, Arche.” he said, shaking his hand. “Tell Theodric about me, yes?”

“Course of, sir.” Moon dropped his wrinkled hand and pulled at the sides of his pants in a lady-like bow. “Meet nice of you.”

The Sir. waved his hand, dismissing him, and he ran down the street towards the dragon master's house.

He ran through the winding streets until he ducked, gasping for air and clutching his knees for support. He saw a fence next to him and looked up to see a herd of cattle grazing, munching on grass and anything in it. He continued around the property and saw another fenced-in space with another herd, this time of goats.

“Yael, Sayge, my parents, I apologize for my future actions.” Moon prayed as he turned his left hand to moonrays, sending a direct shot through a goat’s eye. He made the ray twist and wrap around its mouth as it fell and continued bleeding to death. Sacrificing a forearm, Moon expanded the ray into a set of hands and raised the corpse over the fence and above his head. He chipped off two fingers on his other hand and moved those to clean the blood on the ground, making sure it was spotless before Moon continued his walk.

He noticed Planet's footsteps where plants were beginning to form and followed them to the dragon master's shop, opening the door for himself. Moon used the rays carrying the goat and placed it in a room next to the door with many cabinets and storage spaces. He wasn't sure where to put it, so Moon dropped it on a rug and took the rays back into his arm.

Moon removed an eye and moved it to the door, pushing it through the wood with a trick of the light. He saw Planet sleeping on the hay next to Sol and pulled the eye back to its socket.

He sat at the wooden table, feeling dishonorable towards Yael and saw a stack of books across him with a note on top in sharp handwriting: “For Moon.” The titles were all in Modern, as was the text, which he understood a decent amount conversationally, but still needed a chart to understand it.

He pulled his left leg onto the chair, keeping his heel off the edge, and dug through his calf pocket, producing a small notebook similar to Sol’s, but his was bound in grey-dyed leather. Planet had called it “funny” when she had bought it.

Moon flipped through the book, remembering words as he did so and found the chart of the Modern alphabet. Sol had copied it from a textbook and Moon had copied her notes, and both contained the sounds of each character under it.

He cracked open the first book and began reading, whispering the words under his breath and referencing the notebook often. He'd just started a page called “Chapter Five” when the Sir. walked out of a room, yawning.

“You got back safe.” He announced. “Oh, whom am I kidding? I need a drink.”

He moved into the kitchen and stared at the goat carcass as Moon realized the first sentence was getting easier to read.

“Um, Moon? Did you…actually…kill this goat?”

“You to tell me to do.” he said, flipping between pages of the notebook to be sure he said that correctly.

“I did. That's right.” He scrubbed a hand across his face and pulled out a bottle from a cabinet. “This'll make sense when I'm not sober.” he muttered, taking a swig from the bottle. Jumping as the alcohol entered his body, he splashed pail water on his face and pushed it through his hair before he turned to Moon again.

“Good morning, then.” Sir. Theodric sighed.

“No.” Moon said, sliding off the seat. “To wake I am, so now Sol to sleep. No mourn until to start to wake of Sol.”

“All-right.” Sir. Theodric took another swig of wine. “Can you wake Planet, then?”

Moon stepped towards the door and turned his right hand to a ball of light to shine his surroundings. The moonlight in the window was dimmer than before, limiting his time awake.

Planet’s forearm had vanished into the hay, making duplicates, but her outline was still obvious.

“Planet. Zikiete. Wake up.”

“Mmm.”

“Get up.”

“Ne.”

“Ta. Bring Sol.” Yes.

“Ne. Uveri.” No. Fuck you.

Moon turned his other hand to a ball of light and merged them, spreading it over her eyes. She yelled and covered her eyes, swearing profusely.

He kicked her leg, rolling her on her back as the balls of light became his hands again. “Xli e zirtad ali. Dlegetir uya.” The Sir. is waiting. Bring Sol.

“Ete kørii yus oz ipal, kletti-benzi yus.” Do it yourself, you bird.

He saw her sit up before he left the room, keeping the door cracked.

“Ne zarcka ipal!” Moon yelled back. Don’t be slow!

“Etiervi! Edokriz!” I know! I'm going!

The Sir. had drained a third of the bottle as Moon sat at the table again. “Is everything alright?”

“Fine is. No Planet early to wake used to.”

The Sir. capped the bottle and put it on the counter. “I have some news, but I’ll wait until Planet arrives.”

Moon yelled to the cracked door again. “Boliki unorii ipal? Kor ludrii!” Do you hear that? Hurry up!

“Enorii rei, zerki yus!” Planet said, kicking the door open with her foot, Sol on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?” I'm here, you ass!

“Wonderful.” Sir. Theodric clapped his hands as Planet set Sol into a chair and let his head flop onto the table. “I’ve to talk to a friend soon, not one of the ones you had met last night, but a new one. He’s a tutor and he can help you study whatever you need during your time here. I can bring him around before or after Sol wakes.”

“That to work plural.” Moon said, nodding.

Sir. Theodric sighed, squeezing the skin between his eyes. “I know one thing he can teach you.” he grumbled as he turned to his room.

Planet glared at him. “Ne uikinâr kisk linâx toukirâ mi e kal nørll zirta râiko?” You couldn't have allowed me to sleep for a few more minutes?

Moon shrugged, sitting back down with the books. “Me tewoulyiet yus hzerven, kir leipal.” He told me to wake you, so I did.

“Ne luipal kisk zerki e mâynni amni ete.” You didn't have to be an ass about it.

“E zikiete swoultyed.” Says the Planet.

She covered her mouth in disgust as she realized the smell wafting through the room. “Why is there a dead goat?”

“You can tell that from the smell?”

The Sir. walked out of his room at that time, pulling a shirt over his torso. He had heard her question and saw the goat still lying on the rug.

“Oh, I’m sorry, girl. I’ll set it away. I should’ve done that immediately.”

He opened one of the storage units, revealing it to be filled with other carcasses and lined with ice and set the goat inside, breaking a few limbs to make it fit. He covered the unit again and stood before walking towards the door.

“Will you be alright by yourselves?” he asked, striding to the hooked pole and putting on his overcoat before he laced his shoes.

“We will.” Planet said.

“Books the to entertain.” Moon mentioned, tapping the top of the stack with his fingers.

“I shouldn’t be long. But stay safe.”

He spared a glance behind him before he closed the door, leaving the two alone.

“Kir, plezd uliârud rei?” Planet asked. So, what are you reading?

“Nørll mi føreit tedokri. Ne ze ete plezd mâynni ipal tiervi, ze jâforr zigrad duevri rei.” Some book he left me. I don’t know what it’s about, but I’m trying to understand.

Planet looked down at his notes. “Yus zerki diervâ an-eh oz ali.” Your handwriting is shit.

“Tee-agit. E nierø an-eh føkarr râiko debaiiki boliki amniz ali mi trouble kop ne-dir kipbi.” Thank you. Being left-handed is a very important skill that won’t get me in trouble.

“Ne evørei wil.” she smiled, holding up both hands. “Nierø urdup dwevâ an-ehd.” I can’t compare. Left and right-handed.

“Ne boliki yus e takko amnøbi fuhir amni, jâforr.” That's not the only reason you were punished, however.

Her face fell. “Ne ze woulyiet yuzikara mâynni kizien ete.” I thought we agreed not to talk about it.

Moon shrugged. “Ekturlik paxøl.” It just slipped.

She kicked his chair’s leg and sat across from Sol, chin on the table and stared across at him.

“Eikinâr ne-herian kop-ako boplai tasil uzukeien ipal?” she asked, noticing her jaw lowering. Do you think I could vanish into this wood?

“Plezd uzukeien ipali zirtan amzkrra tasil ukisk ipal anmil?” What do you think you’ve been doing this whole time?

Planet turned to her Embodiment form and vanished into the wood, her eyes appearing next to Moon’s notebook. He proceeded to flick the table above those eyes.

“Bezeni.” Moon said, uninterested. “Mi piik tasil yus nizaabe duevri wil?” Impressive. Can you understand this line with me?

The eyes moved to the edge until Planet stepped out of the wood in her Wizardly form. “Ta, plezd udeillâ ipal?” Yes, what do you need?

She had just translated a third line when Sir. Theodric returned, leading a man into the house. Moon recognized that velvet cloak immediately.

“Theodric, you know I despise waking in the early hours.” the guest said, kicking off his shoes by the door before he took in the room and saw the two blinking up at him. “Oh. Arche.”

“Sir. Rustad.” Moon said.

Sir. Theodric saw them staring at each other and gave a half-bow between them all. “Sir. Rustad, these are the children that I’ve fostered. Moon, Planet, and the sleeping one is Sol.”

He recognized the names and slammed the door shut. “What. Were. You. Thinking?” he snapped. “Yelling that for everyone to hear? How did this happen?”

“Perhap I could-” Moon started, but was quickly cut off.

“Silence, boy. I have no business with you.”

Moon began to whisper to Planet. “Et plajah e amni wøliik ali, phor et xirki eflemag ali.” If he is to be assumed to be the tutor, I see who his business is.

“Sit, my good sir.” Sir. Theodric said, placing a hand on the tutor’s back and leading him to a seat. “I’ve pushed you too much already.”

“Thank you, Artos. You wouldn’t happen to have wine, would you?”

“I do.” he said, entering the next room and coming back with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Moon noticed that Sir. Theodric gave Sir. Rustad more wine than he did himself, lowering his glass under his as they prayed to Ellery for their drinks not to contain poison before they drank.

Sir. Rustad set down his glass and stared at the two, who had been watching the scene unfold. “So, you three are my new students, then?”

Planet nodded. “How do you know his Elven roster name?”

“Føbir lâuwt et lelaxau.” Moon whispered to her and she nodded. I gave him a fake name.

“This boy lied to me for a good hour.” Sir. Rustad said as he was given a refill of wine.

“Et mâynni kiratti râdoli. Zirâ râiko. Ne mu teipal vuerøn, ekleetâ rei.” He was to ramble about Witches. Very scary. He didn’t threaten me, I’m safe.

“You told me your Elven parents didn’t stick around when you came here. You never mentioned any siblings.”

“No you do to ask.”

“And you!” he whirled to Sir. Theodric, anger rising with the wine he’d drank. “Why did you shout that you’re harboring the Triplets? Harboring folktales and you thought you could yell it out in the streets?”

“We to be honored are?” Moon asked.

“Woultyed, ne zaykir løzadi uyamni.” Planet told him. Speaking, we didn’t offer to be folktales.

“Dukir.” True.

Sir. Theodric fumbled over his words as he told the tutor about how they had met during the previous sundown. Sir. Rustad looked between him and the two as he talked, them adding bits that he had forgotten.

When he finished the tale, Sir. Rustad laid his elbows on the table and rubbed his temples. “You’re a crazy man, you know that, Artos?”

“Yes, sir.”

Moon felt a yawn creep up his throat and wiped an eye, closing his notebook, but his leg was heavy, as if someone had strapped a brick of metal to his ankle.

“Ijero? Is something wrong?” Planet asked as he lowered his head on the table, eyes closing.

“Ay, ne-oh.” he mumbled into his arm. “Møkira paxøl.” Moon’s words were cut by a yawn as he tapped his head to stay awake. “Kop Dlegetir takien, bodkir? Ete menirad dlegeti-ejiit ali, ezukeien.” Ah, nothing. Just tired. Check on Sol, then? It’s nearly sunrise, I think.

“Sure.”

Planet slipped out of her seat as Moon covered his eyes with his arm, but Sir. Rustad didn’t approve of this and grabbed his shirt, trying to wake him up.

“Stay awake! I haven’t explained why I’m here.”

Moon smirked. “Yus responsible neillø anmi kal zikieted du hzerveni?” Do you want to be responsible for two planets awake?

He struggled to form his words and Moon smacked his arm as hard as he could. “Let me sleep, xli.”

Sol twitched in his seat as the sunlight stretched across the table, easing Moon into sleep.