"It is good you have come, Pers." Mara landed on the rock beside the dark woman who surveyed the Vale below. "Much has happened."

"I know, Brother Air has been crowing about it for hours now," Persephone, daughter of the Inyone, Wind Witch to the Tribe and member of the Council of Air Masters, admitted to her closest friend and rival.

"Oh, I spoke of something else, but we will discuss that later." Mara's smile faltered as she watched her friend frown. "What concerns you?"

"I worry about my nephew's newest pairing; it is what we hoped for, and it is dangerous," Persephone answered.

"But Pers, it was your brother's -"

"It is an undeniable fact that my brother is a remarkable man with a heart that always seeks the prosperity of our tribes. Yet, I cannot overlook that Otec has been a terrible father. He has recklessly jeopardized his son's safety." Persephone interrupted her friend and stomped her foot as she spoke with frustration. "Though an intact triangle is strong, the whole structure can collapse if one corner is erased."

"Or it becomes a straight line, a much simpler construct," Mara responded.

"Simple, nothing about this is simple. And it worries me that the Elementals interfered without our guidance."

"They are our friends, Pers," Mara countered.

"No, don't be naive, Mara. The Elementals have their own plan, and they are bringing us along with them."

"We are the Masters!" Mara protested, but Persephone's words worried her.

"That is what you have named yourselves, but that is not what the Elementals name you." Persephone glared at Mara. This old argument took on new meaning in this context.

"Friends, Masters, witches, wizards, mages, whatever name you give us, we have the power to control the Elementals," Mara responded without contrition.

"I hope you are right, as I always do. But I fear you are wrong, as I always do."

"Well, are we going into the Vale?" Mara was impatient to give Persephone her other news but knew it was not the moment.

"I suppose we should," Persephone answered with a sigh and jumped off the cliff's edge, allowing the Air to carry her towards the Cottage at the Vale center.

As Mara joined her friend in the sky, a sense of exhilaration and freedom washed over her. The wind rushed past her, carrying away her worries and fears. She was grateful to her friend for giving her this moment of respite.

But as they flew together, Mara's mind drifted to their discussion. For the first time, she began to see the wisdom in her friend's words, and a sense of worry crept into her mind.

Mara couldn't help but reflect on the day the Elementals had saved her from a life of horror and despair. She remembered how they had operated outside the constraints that had held them for centuries and how they had shown her a new way of living. Only after meeting the students did Mara realize her rescue was part of a larger pattern, not just a single act of kindness.

***

Leena stood quietly, observing the scene before her with a furrowed brow. Persephone and Mara had been inseparable since they were young students in the Vale. Despite the noticeable differences in their age and upbringing, they bonded over their love for Air and unwavering loyalty to the Master. However, as Leena watched, she couldn't help but notice a subtle tension between the two friends. She suspected it might be related to the sudden change in Natalia and Raja's behavior at dinner.

It was already late, and Leena knew it wasn't the right time to confront the issue head-on. Her mind was preoccupied with the arrival of Jordan in the Vale, and she had enough to worry about already. She couldn't let her guard down, not with the unpredictable nature of Jordan's presence. But thankfully, Agnes was there to lend her support.

Despite her well-known hot temper, Agnes was the only person Jordan listened to. And Agnes seemed convinced of the importance of their presence in the Vale. Agnes knew that meant she must get along with Paulo despite sharing her husband's animosity. Maintaining unity and strength in the face of the unknown challenges ahead was crucial.

Leena sighed deeply as she gazed at her brother, her mind filled with thoughts of the coming challenges. The team of Masters was almost complete, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in their progress. With Mara's assistance, Agnes would stand in for Rosemund for Fire. Jordan was more than capable of managing Earth. Persephone would instruct Air with Mara's support. And then there was Water, the element that had always been her responsibility. But with Destan's guidance and Paulo's expertise, she knew they could handle it.

As if summoned by her thoughts, a light knock sounded on the door of the sitting room, and she felt Destan's strong presence on the other side. She opened the door and was struck by his beauty again. Dressed in his priestly robes, he looked ethereal, and she would have found it difficult to determine his gender if she didn't know him so well. Regardless, she found him exceedingly attractive, with his chiseled features and piercing blue eyes.

"Destan," she smiled warmly. "You have emerged from your hiding."

"Yes, the Lady told me that Master Persephone had arrived. I thought I should meet her and Masters Jordan and Agnes while the students sleep."

"Yes, it is wise for us to meet," Agnes said, casting a warm smile in the direction of the healer. Leana Knew it was authentic and heartfelt.

Even though Agnes did not possess the power of healing, she understood the physical and emotional toll healing could take on a person. Therefore, she must have felt a strong affinity for Destan, a gifted healer. Furthermore, Agnes was a connoisseur of beauty, with an eye for all things aesthetically pleasing. This shared love of beauty had initially drawn Leena to Agnes and made him a delightful companion to be around. Before Jordan had unexpectedly captured her heart, Agnes and Leana had spent many enjoyable hours together, bonding over their shared appreciation for the finer things in life. But now, she was a wife and mother and had no time to play with her wild sister-in-law.

"Do you feel rested?" Leena asked Destan after he had greeted all of the Masters.

"Yes, thank you, Lady Leena." A slight frown on his face belied his answer, but she accepted it.

"Have you seen your nephew yet?" Jordan asked Persephone as he sat down. His tone caused Leena to flinch. Something upset him, and Leena couldn't decide if it was Raja or Destan.

"We talked briefly when I arrived, but he had just finished talking with Lukas and was tired. I left him dozing on his chair to come here. But I have not yet met Natalia. She was not in the rooms when I stopped by."

"She sleeps as well," Destan responded, without explanation. Mara took his hand protectively. Leena smiled at the protective gesture. Leena had never seen her friend care about the well-being of a man who was not Paulo. Though Destan's androgyny could have contributed to Mara's comfort, her gesture would not be ignored by any of the Master present. If she supported Destan, they would not speak against him.

"Well, Mara, we are all here," Leena announced to the Vale's temporary Master. "What is so important that we must ignore the call of our beds?"

"Rosemund," Agnes offered.

"Yes," Mara's face twisted as she answered. Destan shifted closer to her on the couch they now shared, lending her support others wouldn't have known she needed. Leena sighed inwardly in relief. The priest would lift some of her burden. "She has been stripped of her title and is now in the hands of the Queen. Her bond has been blocked or, worse, severed. And she is being tried as a traitor to the crown."

"Tried? By what court?" Leena could not hide her surprise. What was the Queen doing? She did not try her subjects openly. There was too much of a possibility that it would reveal a weakness.

"By the Queen in a private court. Even our spy cannot gain admittance," Mara answered as she leaned closer to Destan.

"Will we try to rescue her?" Agnes' voice shook with anger, and Leena's brow broke with a slight sweat as the heat in the room rose.

"We cannot. She is in the Castle Mirtis. We can only hope they will exile her to the mines. Then we might have a chance." The defeat in Mara's voice pulled at Leena's heart; the woman hated the thought of those mines. They had been the source of so much pain in her childhood, though she had never told Leena everything.

When the Queen conquered them and created her penal colony, Mara admitted her relief. The Queen did not bide with child slavery; only those she deemed as criminals or traitors could work in the mines. All children had to be raised to adore their Queen and serve her however she needed. The one positive thing Mara had ever said about the Queen's rule was when the powerful woman banned all slavery in any of her lands. Leena knew there was so much more to respect for the mighty ruler but kept her counsel when Mara ended the conversation with a tirade against the Queen's abuses.

"I knew she had lost her connection to Fire and had feared the worst," Agnes fumed. "I am sorry that she has been captured, but it changes nothing for us."

"No, you are right," Mara agreed as she moved away from Destan towards the deceptively calm Fire Master. "But she is one of us, and we have to check our desire to save her for the good of our students."

"Of course, Master." Agnes gave Mara a formal half-bow before turning to Jordan, who frowned but did the same.

"We will not attempt anything against the will of the Councils," Jordan confirmed as he rose from the bow. "However tempting it may be."

"Good." Mara sighed and then glanced at Agnes again. "Master Paulo stated that there is concern about the Fire Council succession now. Agnes, you may be called in to vote."

"Is the Fire Mater ill?" Agnes' eyes widened with concern.

"No, but he is old, and his planned successor has a potentially severed bond," Mara answered with a shrug. "I don't know much more than that. But likely, it will be discussed. A Grand Council has already been called."

"It has been a long time since a Grand Council has been called. Our Councils may summon each of us to vote," Jordan spoke at last.

"Yes, we will worry about that when it happens." Mara looked at Persephone, and Leena wondered what they could be holding back, but her curiosity was not satiated.

"We should all go rest," Mara announced as her shoulders slumped slightly. She straightened her back and turned to the silent masters near the door. "Jiyun and Diddero, Paulo wants you to add physical training to the students' instruction. He wants them strong in body and ready to fight."

"Of course," Diddero stood with his wife, finally receiving the information they were waiting for. "They progress well with their shield and barrier training. We can start the physical training tomorrow."

"Good. Paulo hopes to be home in a few days."

"Well, I'm exhausted." Persephone stood and then turned to Destan, who had stood two steps behind Mara as she spoke. "Priest, I am thrilled you are here. Our rooms are beside each other. Let's walk back together."

"Gladly," Destan answered before glancing furtively around the room. Leena knew he had very little to no Mind Magic, but even he must have felt the tension from Jordan at Mara's last words. Perhaps Mara had asked Persephone to talk to Destan, or it was the Air Master's idea. Whichever was the truth, Persephone would give him the information he needed about the rift between Leena's brothers without any emotion that she or Mara might add.

Everyone departed the sitting room, leaving Mara and Leena alone.

"What secret are you keeping?" Leena asked her friend.

"The couple has mated, with a nudge from the Elementals," Mara answered as she walked closer to Leena. "A nudge not initiated by any Master or Mage."

"Oh." Leena wasn't sure if she should be happy for the couple, who needed the release that this type of attachment could bring. Or if she should be worried about the interference of the Elementals. She looked at Mara for direction, then stopped herself. "I can see how this would upset you."

"Yes, well, it upset Pers," Mara admitted. "And she has good instincts."

"Everyone from the Tribes does. That's why they have survived when so many others fell," Leena agreed. She understood that Persephone and her tribesman possessed exceptional abilities to observe and absorb their surroundings, which aided them in overcoming numerous challenges. However, Leena also knew they had always been cautious and avoided taking risks. Persephone was not one to quickly embrace new approaches, and she would not be pleased about the Elementals working independently.

Leena liked new things but also cared deeply for those around her. She would not fear this action as Persephone did, but neither would he celebrate it. Eventually, it would be clear if this change would benefit or threaten those she loved.

"Yes," Mara responded absently. "But I have benefited from their independence in the past, so I trust our Elemental Friends."

"Hmm, Mara, trust is certainly earned, but it must also be maintained. Do not trust blindly," Leena admonished, putting her hand on her friend's shoulder to gentle the rebuke. "You can't afford to do that. Not with who you must become."

"I do nothing blindly," Mara huffed, shaking her shoulder from under Leena's hand. "Thank you for your concern." Leena was taken aback by her friend's actions but accepted her words.

"Good. Well, we should rest."

"Yes." Mara walked out of the room and then turned back to her friend. "Thank you, Leena. I will stay vigilant."

Leena gazed at Mara with pride as she watched her turn and walk away. Despite hoping that the day would be far off in the future, Leena knew that Mara was destined to become The Elemental Master, and with that title came the weighty responsibility of navigating the treacherous pitfalls of leadership. Trust, in particular, was a trap that could easily ensnare even the most astute of leaders. Nonetheless, Leena remained confident in Mara's abilities and was sure she would rise to the occasion when the time came.

***

Natalia awakened to the sensation of Destiny's presence. She was still drowsy and didn't immediately open her eyes to greet him. She might have returned to sleep but sensed his distress as he approached the bedroom, so she sat up instead.

"Ah, Natalia, I'm sorry. I did not mean to wake you," Destan apologized. He lingered frustratingly far away as if trying to decide his next move.

"Come here, tell me what is bothering you. I need the distraction," Natalia beckoned him, and he obeyed. Once he was within arm's length, she pulled him onto the bed next to her and met his eyes. "What has happened?"

"Rosemund has been captured, her connection to Fire has been blocked, and we are unsure if we will be able to save her." Surprised by his distress, she realized he must have known Rosemund.

"I am sorry," she said and hugged him.

"I cannot imagine being blocked from the Lady. How frightening it must be for her." He wrapped his arms around her as she embraced him, and she pulled him down to lie beside her.

"No, I imagine you could not. I am not yet so attached that I think it would be as painful."

"Eve, if you could not seek solace in the Mother?"

"Ah, that I may miss. It has become such a part of me. I didn't think of it." And perhaps he had intended to remind her of her entanglement with the Mother. Once the Elemental was part of your life, the separation was almost like losing one of your limbs. It is unthinkable and challenging to recover from, but maybe not impossible.

"Will the Council rescue her?" She redirected, not wanting to think further about severing bonds and her entanglement with the Elementals.

"They cannot. She is nestled in Cast e Miritis, out of the Council's long reach." he could hear his frustration, pushing a little comfort at him.

"You should get back. It is late," he recommended, with no real heft behind his words.

"I don't want to. I will stay with you tonight. I need distance for now." It was the truth, but not the whole truth. Destan accepted it without a fight and stood up to take off his outer robes.

"I will sleep in the sitting room," Destan offered, prompting Natalia to laugh.

"That seems very uncomfortable for us. We should sleep here," Natalia responded with a laugh.

His furrowed brows and downturned lips conveyed a hint of confusion. Natalia didn't know what else to say. She yearned for the comfort of his presence but didn't want anything more from Destan. Finally, his face softened, and he shook his head as if to knock something out of his head before laying down next to her.

"How long will you stay here?" He asked as he encircled her with his arms, and she nestled her head against his chest.

"I don't know. Will my being here bother you?"

No," Destan's answer was quiet, and Natalia could feel the mix of truth and lie that the single word held. Natalia chose to ignore the contradiction. She felt comfortable and safe in this place. She could trust Destan, but she was more aware now that anyone with close ties to an Elemental must be trusted conditionally. Natalia didn't know what would happen if her will went against the Lady's, and she didn't care then. She only wanted peace, which she found in the priest's gentle hold.

***

Til examined the cave where Grey stood. He sensed something, but Grey seemed to feel even more. Her hands rested on the ground, and her eyes were closed. A small part of him considered killing her while she was distracted. He had gathered the information that his master had instructed him to obtain. Only Grey's orders stopped him from returning to the Queendom. He could return if the assassin were dead, and they would send a more qualified team to harvest this Vale. Til couldn't understand why Grey persisted. Why didn't she return to her masters? Why didn't she gather the strength of at least one more assassin?

His hand moved to his throwing blade, the weapon of choice of most spies, though the garrote was a close second. Til would have no chance up close, but a well-placed throwing knife would suffice. This was his duty. It was a fool's errand to conquer this Vale with only one assassin and a spy. But he hesitated. Thoughts of Grey as a woman interrupted his concentration for just long enough that his window passed. The assassin stood and stared at Til. Her eyebrow raised as she noted where his hand lay.

"This is the anchor for a portal," Grey explained. I feel Earth in the making but cannot trigger it."

"Could we open another mage's portal?"

"Any magical construct can be perverted," Grey answered with a shrug. "If you have enough po er, which I do not." She walked to where they had laid their packs. "We should camp here tonight."

"So close to a Master's Portal?" The thought made Til nervous.

"Yes, we can monitor for activity, and perhaps I can learn how to trigger the portal." She found a small outcropping in the cave and rolled their bedding out as he began to prepare their fire. "And," she started after they were together again. "I can reward your hesitation with information. Though if you were an assassin, I would kill you for failure. You are a spy, and your need to gather information sometimes outweighs your survival instinct."

Til wondered if she believed this was the reason for his hesitation or if she knew it was more. But he chose not to acknowledge any of it. "Hesitation?"

"Right," Grey said with a laugh. "Denial is always an option, and I prefer it to honesty in this situation. We are partners in this venture and keep each other warm at night, but we cannot afford to trust each other."

A shock bolted through Til's heart as Grey ran a finger across his neck. "But here is your information, spy." Suddenly, she sat across the fire from him as if she had never been close enough to kill him. "I have sent my horses back to the Castle for reinforcements. I am not foolish enough to think we can achieve this mission alone. But we can learn as much as possible while we wait."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Til frowned, unsure if he should believe Grey and, if not, understand why she would lie. Could a horse, even as intelligent as an assassin's mount, be trusted with this task?

"Because, until this moment, I had not realized you were a good enough servant of the Queen to risk angering an assassin." Grey's voice had something in it that he could not identify. It was not anger; it could have been sadness in the right setting, but this was not that.

The fire lit the assassin's face as she looked up at Til, and the look in her eyes stopped his heart and filled him with dread. For the last few days, he had been lulled into a sense of security and equality with this deadly creature. However, her look told him now that he had been mistaken; he would never be her equal.

"You are a good servant of the Queen," Grey said as her eyes floated away from his. "But, Til, know that if you had taken that small knife from your coat, you would have died before it left your hand."

WC3674

Last Edit 2/3/24