“You have met Teine?” Elder Tanwyn spins on his feet at the mention of his lost tribesman.

I would love to bring good news, but what happened to her and those with her was anything but great. I nod, but my solemn expression makes clear I have no words to look forward to.

“I see. Let us get seated first, then you can tell what you know,” he says before continuing to lead us toward several black stone blocks.

The blocks are simple, likely used as workbenches to process any creature caught while hunting. Tanwyn invites us to sit on smaller stone blocks. As I sit down, my feet only barely touch the ground, while Leal’s knees rise high enough for her to rest her arms on. Grímr simply lays by our side.

The seat isn’t comfortable, but I guess all the áed here would go swimming when they want to relax.

“What happened to them?” he asks as soon as he takes his own seat. There is no hope in his voice. Nothing but reluctant acceptance. Tanwyn already knows the lost áed of his tribe are gone, but he wants to know how it happened. Hopefully, I can give some closure.

“When I met Teine, she was the only member of your tribe that remained. We were both trapped by the Henosis Empire; a nation of albanic far east of the wasteland. They wanted us to power their weapons, but each of your tribesmen held strong and refused to cooperate. They resisted against our enemy until the end.”

Elder Tanwyn listens silently, not interrupting, but it is Leal’s attention I’m more bothered by. I’ve told her some of what happened in our time apart, but I’ve never gone into detail about the most difficult experiences. I’d rather she not know, but I neither want to send her away, nor hide from Tanwyn the struggles of the Logi tribe that lead to my success.

“Teine was alone before I was brought into their cages. She’d suffered a lot watching her people die, but she never gave up. In a move to spite our captors, she gave up her energy to me, an action which later gave me the strength to kill the leader of their invasion.”

I leave out the other factors that allowed me to win that fight. It isn’t a lie to say she helped me immensely back then. From Tanwyn’s curious gaze, he probably guessed that I was keeping some details out, but he doesn’t disbelieve that I killed the general. Not surprising considering he had a good look at my binding and capacity, but I didn’t have anywhere near this much strength when I took on that Henosis leader.

“Once I could, I gave them the biggest Pyre you can imagine. You would be surprised just how many resources there are out in the east, just waiting to be burned. So please don’t be worried. I made sure they could each pass into the Eternal Inferno without difficulty.”

“It appears I owe you my gratitude,” he says. “But what of these Henosis, the water wielders? Their leader may be dead, but where are the rest of them?”

“Ah. There’s no need to worry about any more of them coming.” I gesture to Leal. “One of her kind, an ursu, killed them all after they invaded their country.”

“A single ursu?”

“Yep. Tore. I’m actually good friends with him now,” I say. “So, uh, how exactly was Teine captured?” Even this close to the lava lake, the heat already disturbs both my friends. I can’t imagine a bunch of albanics sending in an effective attack, regardless of whether they are water mages or not.

“Ambushed during a regular hunt. We didn’t realise the water wielders had our mountains surrounded until we sent out a search. Almost lost them too. Those bastards left after only a few days. By the time our gathered tribes chased them, they’d fled over the southern ocean.”

While he’s talking, I notice Leal’s attention flickering between both me and Tanwyn. She’s almost unable to sit still as she switches from staring at me curiously to analysing the elder’s body. I guess a few minutes without hostility is enough for interest to breach its suppression.

“Maybe you should introduce these friends of yours,” Tanwyn says, amused at Leal’s attitude. He seems unfazed by her being a water mage, but I’m not sure whether that’s because he thinks he could kill her before I can stop him, or he truly trusts me.

“This is Grímr. He’s fought by my side for a long time now.” I wave a hand at the alicanto, who nods respectfully to the elder.

“Hmm. I’m unfamiliar with your species. What are you?”

“I’m a portian, but the body I inhabit is an alicanto, a bird of prey from the other side of the Titan Alps.”

“Ah, a portian, I see. It’s surprising to hear any lesser than Eldest Ember could climb those peaks, though.”

“No, we went through,” I say before realising. “Wait, you know the portians?”

“Of course, I know of all the eastern races. You didn’t think your elders were completely unaware of the outside world, did you?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I admit most knowledge we have is centuries old, and the ursu are also new, but we know enough to protect ourselves. Though, this Henosis’ recent incursion has pointed out flaws in our retaliation. Armies and elite we can deal with, but squads that flee before we can organise the tribes for retaliation?” Tanwyn shakes his head. “The grand elders will gather in later this year to discuss this issue.”

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I’m stunned that the elders knew so much and I never had a clue. It really would have been helpful to know about the eastern races when I found myself stranded amongst them. Also, isn’t a few years too long to discuss a response? It’s already been, what, four years since Henosis began their abductions?

This whole time, Leal’s fidgeting has done nothing but grow in frequency. She’s done well to not blurt out whatever questions that are building up in that head of hers. I should probably introduce her now.

“This is Leal. She helped me a lot after I lost my tribe.”

Leal finally reaches her breaking point, and my introduction seems to give her the final push. “Why do you keep your flames visible when Solvei doesn’t? What do you know of the massive cube to our south? You know inscriptions? How do yours differ from every other race?”

I create a small hand with physical flame over her shoulder to nudge her back into her seat. She at least has the decency to look ashamed when she realises how forward she was, but thankfully, Tanwyn isn’t insulted. Instead, he laughs. A deep belly laugh that reminds me of my pop.

“I’m uncertain what cube you are referring to, but each of those questions are things your friend should be able to answer.”

“And I already have answered them,” I grumble.

“There’s no harm in getting a second opinion,” Leal says. “Besides, your answer to the difference between inscriptions was far less than satisfactory. This is one of your elders, right? I’m sure he knows plenty more than you.”

“Well, yes. But-”

“Apologies, young Leal, but I am not about to speak on our knowledge and secrets to an outsider. If your friend decides to, then that is her prerogative, but I must keep my silence,” Elder Tanwyn says, to Leal’s disappointment. “But there’s one who has yet to introduce themselves.” His gaze digs into me and I realise I haven’t. “I am interested in which tribe raised such a promising young áed.”

“I am Solvei, of the Vatra tribe.” I state with pride. They may all be gone, but I’ll never abandon our name.

“Vatra? Cyrus’ tribe? He’s dead?” Tanwyn is genuinely shocked. “He was always a terribly cautious man, so it’s surprising to hear he fell to the water wielders.”

“Ah, no. My tribe fell to the Titan.”

“That… that is quite unfortunate. I hope each burn again in the Eternal Inferno.”

I just nod. Tanwyn changes the subject before the silence can linger.

“I’m grateful for what you have done for our lost tribesmen, so please, what can I do for you? Why don’t I introduce you to everyone down in the lake? They would love to hear the tales I’m sure you have.”

I glance over to my two friends, appearing rather out of place here on this volcano of áed. For the first time in this trip, I consider it might not have been a great idea to drag them along. Much of what I will find enjoyable is at best awkward for them, and torturous at worst.

“Thank you, but maybe another time. Could you direct me toward the Agglomerate?” I lift Elder Angarika’s halberd. “I should return this to someone who could better use it.” Also, I really want to see it.

“Sure, it’s directly north from here.” He points to the Titan alps rising far over the horizon. “It sits nestled just before the wedge in the mountain, see?”

Where he points, there is an obvious change in direction for the overall alps, where the left side is fully illuminated, the right is half buried in the shade of the mid-morning sun.

“It’s a good three month travel from here.” Tanwyn’s sight falls on Grímr’s wings. “Though I guess that wouldn’t be an issue with flight. With your binding as it is, you can fly yourself. I do often regret never taking the path of binding, but such is a lifetime of dedication… which also raises the question of how one so young could go further than any other. Don’t tell me, but be careful of the old eagle flock. Once they discover how advanced yours is, they will never stop hounding you until they pull the answer from you.”

Huh, sounds similar to a certain particular group I’m already familiar with.

“One last thing. If your friends are already struggling under the heat of our volcano, then they cannot enter the Agglomerate.”

“Really?” I mean, this is a volcano, after all. How could the Agglomerate be hotter than that?

“Well, there’s an outer section that is safe for tribes with children, but the forge — where you’ll want to take that halberd — is deep in the centre. Far from what is safe for any except an áed elder.”

Is the Agglomerate some larger volcano? Maybe a thermal vent or something within the earth. “What’s it like?”

Tanwyn rises to his feet, a smirk plastered on his face. “If you don’t know, then I refuse to be the one that ruins that surprise. Now, I should go reassure the curious ones down below.” Down in the lava lake, a dozen more áed have poked their heads above the surface. “You are welcome to join.”

They must live within the molten rock. I want to look, but I’m not about to leave these two sitting here, scorching for longer than needed.

“No, I think we should continue on. Thank you for the directions, and again, I’m sorry about Teine.”

Elder Tanwyn’s gaze sticks firmly to his tribe down at the bottom of the crater. “One last thing. Be wary of the grand elders. It might be best if you do not accept their kindling flame. You can hardly be blamed considering your age, but you have committed taboo, and not only one. Some elders will not be understanding.”

“Taboo? What do you mean?”

“You breached the laws of the grand elders. First, you travelled beyond the wasteland. That alone would be acceptable, considering the circumstances, but it’s the other taboo that will raise a fuss. You raised your capacity far beyond sustainable levels. Maybe they will be understanding, but don’t count on it. Keep your energy hidden if you can.”

“Oh.” What I’ve been doing is wrong? But why? I can understand not wanting to grow energy over heat, control, or binding; the resources simply cannot handle that sort of growth. I don’t regret growing as I have. It is the only reason I’m alive.

What I don’t understand is why travelling beyond the wasteland is taboo? Sure it’s dangerous, but shouldn’t that be on the áed in question to take the risk?

“Goodbye for now, and good luck.”

I nod absently as Tanwyn makes his way back to the Logi tribe. Now that he’s out of the way, Leal once again can’t hold herself back.

“Why didn’t you tell me you had to go through so much in the hands of the Henosis?”

“It wasn’t important.”

“What do you mean, it wasn’t important? I never realised they were killing áed in cages. What else aren’t you telling me?” Leal’s voice cracks as her voice raises. I’ve not seen her this angry since our reunion.

“Girls, leave that for later. It’s hot and I need some airflow through my feathers.” Grímr pushes in before an argument can begin.

Leal, steaming as she is, relents, but as she climbs up onto the alicanto’s back, she gives me another glare. “You are going to tell me everything that you experienced. Leave nothing out.”

“Okay,” I say simply. Leal has never been this pushy for anything other than her mage markings or inscriptions.

Grímr spreads his wings as I climb beside Leal. Down along the lava lake, Tanwyn speaks to the áed floating in the molten rock. A few stand on the surrounding shore. Some cry out in grief, while most stand solemn, quiet at the unfortunate but expected news he shares.

I wish I could have done something more for Teine, but I’d been nothing but a weak child when I met her. If I had the strength I do now, then I would have been able to fight back. If increasing my capacity as I have is taboo, then I would gladly commit taboo again should it mean I can protect myself and those I care for.