The weathered wooden table creaked in protest as Heeka slammed the moon shard down with enough force to make the nearby cups jump. A cloud of dust erupted from the impact, dancing in the dim tavern light of the Boar's Head headquarters.

  "One celestial mark, as requested," Heeka announced, wiping sweat from his brow. His red-dyed hair clung to his forehead, and his breathing was still labored from the journey. "Djit'ma, that thing is heavier than it looks. Carried it for miles."

  Garrick "Silver Beard" Oldson leaned forward with narrowed eyes, his weathered hands carefully turning the moon shard over for inspection. The dull, gray-white fragment seemed unremarkable in the tavern's light, yet Garrick handled it with reverence.

  "By O Mother's heart, boy," the old man growled, though there was no real anger behind his words. "I need this in one piece to get paid. You're lucky it didn't shatter when you tossed it down like that." He pointed to a tiny fracture line that had appeared along one edge of the otherwise pristine shard. "Lord Marianus specifically requested an intact specimen for his collection."

  Heeka shrugged, dropping into a chair across from Garrick. "It's just a rock," he said dismissively. "Don't see why some fancy noble would pay good Mana Coins for it."

  Garrick's silver beard bristled as he leaned across the table. "Just a rock?" he hissed, lowering his voice. "This isn't just a rock, you djit'ma idiot. It's a moon rock. A rock from the djit'ma moon. From Luna Minora herself." He wrapped the shard carefully in a soft cloth. "Rich folk like Marianus collect these things. Says they bring good fortune."

  "Oh, is Heeka back with his big, hard rock?" Nora's voice sang out from behind them. She sauntered over, her sweat-dampened leather vest hugging her torso while her snug riding breeches accentuated every curve of her sun-kissed skin. Her short brown hair was tousled from exertion, evidence of her morning training session. "I've been dying to see what all the fuss is about."

  Heeka felt heat rise to his cheeks as Garrick shot his daughter a warning glance.

  "What?" Nora asked with exaggerated innocence, walking over to the table. "I've never seen a moon rock before. I bet it's... impressive." She winked at Heeka, who suddenly found the wooden floorboards fascinating.

  "Nora," Garrick warned, "this is business."

  "Of course, Father," she replied sweetly, sliding onto the bench beside Heeka, her thigh pressing against his. "I'm very interested in the... business." She leaned over to look at the cloth-wrapped shard, deliberately brushing against Heeka's arm. "Can I touch it?"

  Heeka coughed uncomfortably, shifting away slightly. "It's just a rock from the moon, Nora. Nothing special about it."

  "Nothing special? A celestial object that penetrated our atmosphere and drove itself deep into Erath?" She raised an eyebrow suggestively. "Sounds pretty special to me."

  Garrick slammed his palm on the table. "By O Father's beard, girl! Have some decency!"

  "What?" Nora blinked, all innocence again. "I'm just expressing scientific curiosity about astronomical phenomena. Isn't that right, Heeka?" She nudged him with her elbow.

  "I, uh... I need to check on Lukas," Heeka mumbled, starting to rise.

  "Oh, your wolf was enjoying himself in the back with Ada's supply of dried meat," Nora said, placing a hand on his arm to keep him seated. "He seemed very... hungry. Quite the appetite, just like his master, I imagine."

  Garrick's eyes narrowed as he looked from his daughter to Heeka. The older man's weathered face broke into an exaggerated scowl as he rose to his full, imposing height.

  "So," he growled, pointing a thick finger at Heeka, "this is how you repay my hospitality? By seducing my sweet, innocent daughter?"

  Heeka's eyes widened in panic. "What? No! I didn't—I would never—"

  "Father!" Nora exclaimed, though there was a mischievous glint in her eye that told Heeka she was enjoying his discomfort.

  Garrick circled around the table with slow, deliberate steps. "Six years I've given you a place in this company. Six years I've treated you like my own son." His voice rose dramatically. "And this is the thanks I get? You think you're good enough for my little girl?"

  Heeka backed away, hands raised defensively. "Garrick, please, I swear on O Mother's heart—"

  "Don't you bring The Mother into this, boy!" Garrick bellowed, then suddenly lunged forward.

  Heeka yelped and tried to dodge, but the older man was surprisingly quick. Garrick caught him in a headlock, his massive arm wrapped around Heeka's neck as he dragged his knuckles across the top of the younger man's head.

  "You think I don't see the way you look at her?" Garrick continued, his voice trembling with barely contained laughter as he ground his knuckles harder. "You think I'm blind?"

  "I don't look at her any way!" Heeka protested, struggling against the hold. "Nora, help!"

  Nora leaned back against the table, crossing her arms with a satisfied smile. "I don't know... Father seems to have a point. You were staring quite intently at my breeches earlier."

  "I was not!" Heeka's voice cracked as Garrick tightened his grip.

  "So now you're saying my daughter isn't pretty enough to look at?" Garrick demanded, releasing Heeka only to grab him by the shoulders.

  "No! I mean yes! I mean—" Heeka stammered.

  "Which is it, boy?" Garrick's eyes twinkled with amusement.

  "She's... she's lovely," Heeka conceded, his face burning. "But I'm not—we're not—"

  "Not good enough for her?" Garrick finished, giving him a shake. "On that we agree!"

  "That's not what I meant!" Heeka protested. "I just have... other things to worry about right now."

  Garrick finally released him, stepping back with his arms crossed. "Other things? More important than my daughter?" he asked, his voice returning to normal. "Maybe I should find a more appreciative suitor."

  "Father," Nora interjected, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Stop embarrassing yourself."

  "Me? Embarrassing myself?" Garrick huffed, though his beard couldn't hide his smile. "I'm simply looking out for your future. This one," he jerked his thumb at Heeka, "isn't getting any younger. And neither are you."

  "I'm eighteen!" Nora protested.

  "Exactly my point," Garrick replied, then turned back to Heeka. "So, son, when are you planning to make an honest woman of my daughter?"

  Heeka straightened his tunic, trying to regain his dignity. "I'll marry her when Lukas learns to dance," he declared with confidence.

  A wet nose suddenly pressed against his hand, making him jump. Heeka looked down to find his massive white wolf standing beside him, tail wagging. The beast looked up at him, then rose awkwardly onto its hind legs, front paws paddling the air as it attempted to maintain balance.

  "What in The Father's name..." Heeka muttered.

  Lukas wobbled precariously, tongue lolling out of his mouth in what looked suspiciously like a grin, before spinning in a clumsy circle and dropping back to all fours with a self-satisfied whine.

  The tavern erupted into laughter. Ada's booming guffaw drowned out the rest as she entered, her massive frame nearly filling the doorway, her tattooed arms clutched around her stomach.

  "By O Mother's heart!" she bellowed between peals of laughter, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "Did I just see... is that wolf... DANCING?" She slapped her thigh with enough force to make the nearby glasses rattle. "Heeka, you're djit'ma MARRIED now!" Her laughter doubled in volume, causing even Garrick to wince.

  "Well then," Garrick boomed, slapping Heeka hard on the back, "looks like we've got a wedding to plan!"

  "That wasn't—he wasn't—" Heeka spluttered, looking betrayed at his wolf. "That's not dancing!"

  "Close enough for me," Nora chimed in, linking her arm through his. "I always did like spring weddings."

  Lukas barked happily, spinning in another circle and knocking over a chair in the process.

  Heeka's face had turned a shade of crimson so deep it nearly matched his dyed hair. His right eye twitched dangerously, threatening to expose its natural blue glow as he struggled to maintain his composure. The heat radiated from his cheeks with such intensity that Nora playfully fanned herself.

  "I think we've found a new heat source for winter," she teased, poking his burning cheek.

  "I'm not—" Heeka began, but was interrupted by the tavern door swinging open with a dramatic flourish.

  A tall, elegantly dressed man stood in the entrance, his silk cape fluttering despite the lack of wind—a tell-tale sign of expensive Magik tailoring. His silver-streaked hair was immaculately styled, and a monocle adorned with tiny runes perched over his right eye. Three servants trailed behind him, each carrying ornate wooden boxes.

  "Lord Marianus," Garrick said, instantly straightening and releasing Heeka, who nearly collapsed with relief.

  "Master Oldson," the nobleman replied with a cultured accent that screamed of Noctisveil's high society. His gaze swept the room, taking in the scene with barely concealed amusement. "I trust I haven't interrupted anything important? A wedding proposal, perhaps?"

  Ada snorted, setting off another round of suppressed giggles.

  "Just some company banter, my lord," Garrick said smoothly, gesturing to the cloth-wrapped package on the table. "Your celestial mark has arrived, as promised."

  Lord Marianus's eyes lit up, and he strode forward with surprising eagerness for a man of his station. "Excellent! Let me see it."

  Garrick carefully unwrapped the cloth to reveal the moon shard. Lord Marianus leaned closer, his monocle glowing faintly as the runes activated, presumably allowing him to examine the specimen in greater detail.

  "Beautiful," he breathed, reaching out with gloved hands to turn the shard. "Simply exquisite. The fracture line only adds character—shows its journey from the heavens."

  "It's just a rock," Heeka muttered, still feeling the sting of humiliation.

  Lord Marianus froze mid-inspection. Slowly, he straightened up, drew himself to his full height, and fixed Heeka with a stare so intense it made the young seeker squirm.

  "Just a rock?" he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

  The entire tavern fell silent. Even Ada stopped laughing.

  Lord Marianus's face twitched. Then, with theatrical precision, he slammed both palms onto the table, leaning over until his nose was inches from Heeka's.

  "They're not ROCKS, they're MINERALS!" he bellowed, his cultured accent suddenly abandoned. "MOON MINERALS, BY O FATHER'S BEARD!"

  Heeka nearly fell backward out of his chair.

  Lord Marianus yanked off his monocle, polished it vigorously on his silk sleeve, then replaced it with trembling fingers. "I did not spend twenty-seven years studying Celestial Mineralogy at the Royal Academy to have some... some RED-HAIRED VAGRANT call my specimens 'just rocks'!"

  One of his servants stepped forward, offering a small cup. "Your calming tea, my lord."

  "Not now, Demetrius!" Lord Marianus snapped, before turning back to Heeka. "Do you have ANY idea what happens when moon minerals are held in proximity to a properly calibrated runic array under the light of Luna Majora during the spring equinox?"

  "Um... no?" Heeka managed.

  "Neither do I!" Lord Marianus exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "That's why I collect them! For SCIENCE!"

  At this point, Ada couldn't contain herself any longer. She doubled over, her booming laughter filling the tavern once more. Lord Marianus glanced at her, then suddenly seemed to realize his own absurdity. His rigid posture deflated, and he adjusted his elaborate collar with a self-conscious cough.

  "Ahem. Yes. Well." He straightened his monocle. "Four hundred and fifty Mana Coins, as agreed. Fifty extra for putting up with my little... enthusiasms."

  He produced a hefty pouch and placed it on the table with as much dignity as he could muster.

  "Do forgive me," he continued, his cultured accent returning. "I simply get rather... passionate about my collection. Minerals have been in my family for generations."

  "No need to apologize, my lord," Garrick said smoothly, though his beard twitched with suppressed mirth. "We all have our... enthusiasms."

  "Indeed." Lord Marianus carefully placed the moon shard into an ornate box held by one of his servants. "Though I do hope your young associate will remember the proper terminology in the future."

  "Of course, my lord," Heeka managed. "Moon minerals. Not rocks. Got it."

  "Excellent!" Lord Marianus beamed, suddenly cheerful again. "And should you encounter any more celestial materials, do remember that House Marianus pays handsomely for... what was your phrase? 'Big, hard' specimens?" He winked at Nora, who burst into giggles.

  Heeka's face, which had just begun to return to its normal color, flared crimson once more.

  "My lord," said Demetrius, checking a small pocket watch, "we should depart if we wish to make it back to the estate before nightfall."

  "Yes, yes," Lord Marianus sighed. He swept his cape dramatically, nearly knocking over a second servant. "Until next time, Boar's Head Company!"

  With that, he strode out, his servants hurrying to keep up.

  "Well," Garrick said into the silence that followed, "that was..."

  "Intense," Nora finished.

  "Rich people," Ada said, shaking her head.

  "At least he pays well," Garrick noted, hefting the pouch. "Heeka, this is your cut." He tossed a smaller pouch that jingled pleasantly.

  "Two hundred and twenty-five Mana Coins," Garrick explained. "Not bad for a couple days' work."

  "And a wedding proposal," Ada added with another booming laugh.

  Heeka groaned, slumping against the table. "It wasn't dancing," he muttered. "It was just... standing on two legs."

  Lukas, hearing his name, trotted over and promptly rose up on his hind legs again, adding a little spin for good measure.

  "MINERALS!" Ada suddenly bellowed in a perfect imitation of Lord Marianus's outburst, sending everyone into fits of laughter once more.

  ---

  The midday sun cast dappled shadows through the forest canopy as Heeka and Ada made their way along the winding path to Brackenholt's orphanage. Ada's muscular arms cradled a large basket of medicinal herbs, while Heeka carried two smaller ones. Lukas trotted ahead, occasionally disappearing into the underbrush to chase some forest creature, only to emerge moments later looking pleased with himself.

  "Thanks for helping with these," Ada said, adjusting her grip on the basket. "Olivier said the children have been coming down with spring coughs. The poor man's been up three nights straight tending to them."

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  "It's no problem," Heeka replied, shifting his own load. The herbs gave off a pungent aroma that made his nose itch. "Better than listening to Nora plan our wedding."

  Ada's laughter boomed through the forest, startling a flock of birds from a nearby tree. "Oh, she's already picked out names for your children! Twins, she says—a boy and a girl."

  Heeka groaned. "Don't encourage her."

  "Why not? You two would make adorable babies," Ada teased. "Strong, too, with your brooding intensity and her... what did Lord Marianus call it? 'Enthusiasm'?"

  "I'm not brooding," Heeka muttered, stepping over a fallen log. "And I'm not interested in... that."

  "Marriage? Or just Nora specifically?" Ada asked, her tone becoming more serious. Despite her boisterous nature, she had an uncanny ability to read people.

  Heeka hesitated. "It's complicated," he finally said, then seeing Ada's skeptical expression, he sighed and continued. "Look, it's not that I don't care for the Boar's Head. The Father knows I love you all. Garrick took me in when I had nothing but the clothes on my back and a half-starved wolf pup. I owe him everything."

  He paused, choosing his words carefully. "And Nora... she's beautiful, she's brave, she's everything a man could want. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it."

  "Then what's the problem?" Ada pressed.

  "The problem is me." Heeka's voice dropped lower. "There are things I need to do, Ada. Things from my past that I need to resolve before I can even think about a future with anyone. I can't drag Nora into that. I can't drag any of you into it."

  "What kind of things?" Ada asked, her usual teasing tone replaced with genuine concern.

  "Things I can't talk about. Not yet." Heeka's jaw tightened. "It's my burden to bear alone."

  "That's ridiculous," Ada scoffed. "Whatever it is, you don't have to face it by yourself. That's what family is for, and like it or not, the Boar's Head is your family now."

  "It's not that simple," Heeka shook his head. "Trust me, if I could share it, I would. But I can't. Not until... not until I've done what I need to do."

  "It always is," Ada replied with a knowing nod. "Though I should warn you—Garrick might act all gruff and protective, but he'd be thrilled if you officially joined the family. He's never said it, but I think he already considers you a son."

  Something tightened in Heeka's chest at those words. A son. He already had a father—a king who had been prepared to sacrifice him for the sake of tradition. How different things might have been if he'd been born to someone like Garrick instead...

  "Do you visit it often?" Ada asked suddenly, breaking into his thoughts.

  "Visit what?"

  "The orphanage. Since you came back to Brackenholt," she said. "Olivier mentioned you've been there a few times to help out. Says the children adore your wolf."

  Heeka's steps faltered slightly before he caught himself. The lie he'd maintained for six years—that he was an orphan from Brackenholt orphanage—suddenly felt heavier than usual.

  "Not as often as I should," he said carefully. At least this wasn't entirely a lie; he had visited the orphanage many times since arriving in Brackenholt, becoming familiar with its layout and the caregivers like Olivier. "I find it... difficult sometimes."

  Ada shot him a curious glance. "Difficult how?"

  "It just..." Heeka paused, searching for words that wouldn't reveal too much. "It reminds me of things I'd rather forget."

  "Ah," Ada nodded, her usual boisterousness subdued. "We all have those. Ghosts that follow us, no matter how far we run."

  "Something like that," Heeka replied, grateful for her understanding.

  "Well, for what it's worth, Olivier says you're great with the kids. Especially the troublemakers." She grinned. "Takes one to know one, I guess."

  Heeka forced a chuckle. "I just understand them. Sometimes you act out because it's the only control you have."

  "Spoken like someone who's been there," Ada remarked. "So that's why you joined up with the most broke Seeker company in all of Somnium? Seeking control?"

  "Something like that," Heeka said, adjusting his grip on the baskets. "The Boar's Head isn't so bad. Garrick gave me a chance when no one else would."

  "He's good at seeing potential in people," Ada agreed. "Even if they don't see it in themselves."

  They walked in silence for a moment, the only sounds being the crunch of leaves beneath their boots and Lukas's occasional barks.

  The orphanage came into view as they rounded a bend in the path. It was a modest two-story structure, its stone walls covered in climbing vines. Children's laughter drifted from an enclosed yard where several young ones played under the watchful eye of a caregiver.

  "Miss Ada!" they called excitedly as they approached. "Did you bring us treats?"

  "Better than treats," Ada replied, hefting her basket. "I brought medicine to make you all better. And I brought Heeka too!"

  The children cheered, several of them pointing at Lukas, who had bounded ahead to greet them.

  "And look," Ada continued, elbowing Heeka with a mischievous grin, "he's blushing again! Must be thinking about those mineral-loving nobles... or maybe a certain someone with tight breeches?"

  "I hate you," Heeka muttered without heat.

  "No, you don't," Ada replied confidently. "Now come on, let's get these herbs to Olivier before you spontaneously combust from embarrassment."

  As they approached the orphanage gate, Heeka couldn't help but wonder what his life might have been like if he truly had grown up in a place like this, without the burden of royal blood and incomplete Magik Circuits. Would he have been happier as just Heeka, orphan from some distant settlement, potential husband to Nora Oldson?

  Or would his brother's fate still haunt him, no matter how far he ran?

  ---

  The orphanage courtyard exploded with childish squeals of delight as Ada reached into her satchel and produced a small cloth bag.

  "Now, who's been good this week?" she asked, her booming voice somehow gentle when addressing the children.

  "Me! Me!" A chorus of small voices rose in unison, tiny hands reaching upward.

  Heeka stood to the side, arms still laden with the baskets of medicinal herbs. Lukas sat obediently beside him, though the wolf's tail thumped rhythmically against the dirt as he watched the children with interest.

  "One at a time," Olivier called from the doorway, a slender man with kind eyes that betrayed his exhaustion. He moved with practiced grace among the children, his simple robes marked with various stains from a morning of tending to the sick. "Form a line, just like we practiced."

  The children reluctantly obeyed, though their excitement remained barely contained as they fidgeted in place. Ada opened the cloth bag to reveal small candies wrapped in waxed paper—a rare treat in Brackenholt.

  "Raspberry drops," she announced. "Made by old Marta at the edge of town. One each, and no trading until I'm gone!" She winked at a particularly shifty-looking boy near the back of the line.

  As Ada distributed the sweets, Olivier moved to Heeka's side. "Thank the Father you've brought those herbs," he said quietly. "We've got six children with fevers now, and I've been worried about little Ellie. Her temperature won't break."

  "Ada said you've been up three nights straight," Heeka replied, handing one of the baskets to the caregiver.

  "Four, actually," Olivier admitted, accepting the bundle with grateful hands. "But who's counting?"

  Olivier began a quiet head count as the children received their treats—an old habit, Heeka knew, from a time when two children had wandered off during a festival and weren't found until nightfall.

  "Sixteen, seventeen... hmm." Olivier frowned, counting again. "We should have nineteen today. Where's—" His eyes scanned the courtyard. "Where's Tomas?"

  A small girl with pigtails looked up, her candy halfway to her mouth. "He went to get magic leaves," she said matter-of-factly.

  "Magic leaves?" Olivier's voice tightened slightly. "What magic leaves, Lily?"

  "For Padraic," she replied, pointing toward the orphanage. "Because he's sick. Tomas said he was going to find the special healing plants like Miss Ada brings."

  Heeka and Ada exchanged glances as Olivier's face drained of color.

  "When did he leave?" Ada asked, suddenly all business.

  The girl shrugged. "Before lunch?"

  "Children, has anyone seen Tomas since midday?" Olivier's voice remained calm, but Heeka could hear the strain beneath the words.

  A chorus of head shakes answered him.

  "He went that way," a freckled boy volunteered, pointing toward the forest edge. "Said he was going on an 'expedition.'"

  "Djit'ma," Ada muttered under her breath.

  Olivier quickly organized the remaining children, sending them inside with the oldest girl in charge. "Padraic's fever has been climbing all day," he explained as they strode toward the forest edge. "Tomas is his closest friend—they're practically brothers. He must have gone looking for herbs on his own."

  "We'll find him," Heeka said, dropping his baskets and whistling for Lukas. "The forest isn't that large."

  "Maybe not," Olivier said grimly, "but what's in it is concerning. We lost two goats to a bear last month. The hunters said it was unusually large."

  Ada cracked her knuckles. "A bear, hm? Let it try."

  ---

  The forest floor told its story to those who knew how to read it. Broken twigs at a child's height. Small footprints in the soft earth. A trampled patch of coneflowers where someone had stopped to gather plants.

  Lukas moved ahead of them, nose to the ground, occasionally looking back to ensure they followed. The wolf's behavior had grown increasingly agitated over the past quarter hour, his hackles rising slightly.

  "He's caught something," Heeka said quietly.

  Ada nodded, her hand resting casually on the handle of her Magik axe. "Not the boy, though. Look at him—that's not excitement. That's wariness."

  They pushed deeper into the forest, where the canopy thickened enough to cast the ground in perpetual twilight. Heeka paused at a massive oak, running his fingers over deep gouges in the bark. Four parallel lines, fresh enough that sap still oozed.

  "Bear," he confirmed, meeting Ada's eyes. "Big one."

  "Wonderful," she replied, but her fierce grin suggested she wasn't entirely displeased by the prospect. "Let's pick up the pace. That child's been out here too long already."

  They moved with quiet urgency, following Lukas's lead as the forest grew denser. The soft cushion of fallen leaves muffled their footsteps, but nothing could silence the growing chorus of alarm bells in Heeka's mind. More claw marks. Broken branches higher than a man could reach. The conspicuous absence of birdsong.

  Suddenly, Lukas froze, a low growl vibrating from deep in his chest.

  "Stay close," Heeka warned, automatically positioning himself slightly ahead of Ada, a protective gesture ingrained from his royal training.

  They entered a small clearing where the forest floor had been thoroughly disturbed. Patches of earth were torn up, roots exposed. A half-eaten carcass of what might once have been a deer lay partially hidden beneath ferns.

  Ada wrinkled her nose at the heavy, musky scent that permeated the area. "Fresh kill," she whispered. "We should—"

  A thunderous crash interrupted her as something massive burst through the underbrush across the clearing. It rose on its hind legs—a bear of impossible size, its fur matted with blood and mud, one eye milky white with injury. It towered over them, easily nine feet tall, and released a roar that seemed to shake the very air.

  "Stay back," Ada commanded, swinging her Magik axe forward. "Lukas, heel!"

  The wolf, to his credit, didn't flee. He circled behind Heeka, growling continuously at the massive predator.

  "Slow movements," Heeka said quietly, his voice dropping into a lower register, a tone of command he rarely allowed himself to use. "Circle left. Keep your axe high."

  Ada shot him a quick, surprised glance but followed his direction without question. The bear dropped to all fours, its good eye tracking their movement. A line of frothy saliva dripped from its jaws.

  "It's sick," Heeka observed. "Probably rabid. Won't back down like a normal bear."

  "Wasn't planning to give it the chance," Ada muttered, her Magik axe beginning to glow with a faint blue light as she channeled energy into it.

  The bear charged with shocking speed for its size. Ada pivoted, bringing her axe down in a glittering arc that sent a shockwave rippling through the clearing. The blow caught the bear on its shoulder, staggering it momentarily.

  Heeka dove to the side as massive claws swept through the space where he'd stood. He rolled to his feet, reaching into his tunic for the small leather pouch all Seekers carried. His fingers closed around a single Mana Ore—barely enough for a tier one spell, but it would have to do.

  "Ada!" he shouted. "I need ten seconds!"

  "Busy!" she grunted, dancing away from another charge, her axe leaving a glowing trail through the air as she maneuvered.

  Lukas darted in, snapping at the bear's hind legs before retreating, drawing its attention momentarily away from Ada. The wolf was quick, but one solid blow from the bear would kill him instantly.

  Heeka muttered a quick invocation—not the elaborate runic patterns taught in the Academy, but a crude, simplified version he'd developed to hide his training. He crushed the Mana Ore between his palms, feeling the crystal give way as energy surged through his incomplete Magik Circuit.

  "Get back!" he commanded, voice carrying with unnatural authority.

  Ada reacted instantly, leaping away as Heeka thrust his hands forward. A gout of blue flame erupted between them and the bear, not directly at the animal but creating a wall of fire across the clearing.

  The bear reared back, its primal fear of fire overriding even its rage. It roared again, pacing along the edge of the flames, searching for a way through.

  "We can't kill it," Heeka said, the familiar strain of channeling Magik making his incomplete Circuit ache. "But we can drive it away. When the flames die down, be ready."

  The fire wouldn't last long—a tier one spell with bargain-rate Mana Ore never did. As the flames began to sputter, Ada positioned herself, axe ready. Lukas circled to the bear's flank.

  "Now!" Heeka shouted as the last flames died.

  Ada stepped forward, her axe unleashing a thunderclap of sound as she slammed it into the earth. The shockwave rolled across the ground, causing the bear to stumble. Simultaneously, Lukas darted forward, teeth bared in a ferocious snarl.

  Caught between fire, axe, and wolf—and already injured—the bear made its decision. With a final roar of frustration, it crashed back through the underbrush, retreating deeper into the forest.

  Silence fell across the clearing, broken only by their heavy breathing.

  "Well," Ada said finally, lowering her axe. "That was invigorating."

  Heeka managed a weak smile, tucking the crushed remains of the Mana Ore back into his pouch. He'd used more power than intended—more than a common Seeker with an incomplete Circuit should have been able to channel. He could only hope Ada hadn't noticed.

  "The boy," he said, redirecting her attention. "We still need to find Tomas."

  "Right," Ada nodded, her expression growing serious again. "Poor child's probably terrified if he saw that monster." She whistled for Lukas to resume tracking.

  The wolf circled the clearing, nose to the ground, but appeared confused. He whined softly, looking back at Heeka.

  "Lost the trail?" Heeka frowned, surveying the area more carefully.

  "Over here," Ada called, examining the base of a massive oak at the edge of the clearing. "Look at this."

  Heeka joined her, bending to examine what had caught her attention—a small footprint in the soft earth beside the tree. A child's print, unmistakably.

  "But where did he go from here?" Ada wondered, circling the tree. "The tracks just stop."

  Heeka studied the ancient oak, his eyes trailing upward along its gnarled trunk. Something caught his attention—a dark opening about seven feet up, where two massive branches had split from the main trunk, creating a natural hollow.

  "There," he pointed. "That cavity."

  Ada squinted upward. "You think he climbed up there?"

  Heeka was already reaching for a low branch. "One way to find out."

  He pulled himself up with practiced ease, the movements recalling countless childhood escapades in the palace gardens. Within moments, he'd reached the hollow and peered inside.

  What he saw made him freeze in disbelief.

  Curled in the natural cavity of the tree, surrounded by a small bundle of plants clutched protectively to his chest, was a young boy—sound asleep. His face was peaceful, his breathing deep and regular, completely undisturbed by the life-and-death struggle that had occurred mere feet away.

  "Found him," Heeka called down softly, a note of wonder in his voice. "He's sleeping."

  "Sleeping?" Ada's incredulous voice drifted up. "Through all that?"

  Heeka reached in carefully, placing a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. "Tomas," he said quietly. "Tomas, wake up."

  The child stirred, eyes blinking open with the heavy slowness of deep sleep. He yawned, focusing gradually on Heeka's face.

  "Hello," he said simply, as if finding a red-haired man peering into his tree hollow was the most natural thing in the world.

  "Hello yourself," Heeka replied, fighting a smile. "Everyone's been looking for you."

  Tomas sat up, clutching his bundle of plants. "I found the magic leaves," he announced proudly. "For Padraic. Look—they glow!"

  He opened his hands slightly, and Heeka was surprised to see that the plants did indeed have a faint luminescence, visible even in the dim light of the hollow. With a jolt, he recognized them—Lunaris herb, an incredibly rare medicinal plant normally found only in royal gardens or the deepest parts of ancient forests. It was prized by royal physicians for its fever-reducing properties.

  "Good job," Heeka said, genuine admiration in his voice. "Let's get you back to the orphanage so Padraic can use them, alright?"

  The boy nodded eagerly, allowing Heeka to help him out of the hollow and down the tree to where Ada waited, arms crossed but relief evident on her face.

  "You," she said to Tomas with mock severity, "have caused quite a commotion, young man."

  Tomas looked up at her with innocent confusion. "Why? I just found the magic leaves." He held up his prize. "Did I do something wrong?"

  Ada and Heeka exchanged glances over the boy's head.

  "Did you see or hear anything... unusual while you were up in that tree?" Heeka asked carefully.

  Tomas shook his head. "I got tired after finding the leaves. The tree looked comfy, so I climbed up for a nap." He peered at them curiously. "Did I miss something exciting?"

  Ada's laughter boomed through the forest, startling yet another a flock of birds from a nearby tree. "Nothing worth mentioning," she said, ruffling the boy's hair. "Just a bit of adult business. Now let's get those magic leaves back to your friend."

  ---

  "Lunaris herb," Olivier breathed, examining the plants Tomas had brought back. "I've only seen drawings in the old herbals. How did you know what to look for?" he asked the boy.

  Tomas shrugged. "They were glowing. Like little stars on the ground."

  Olivier carefully separated the delicate leaves, adding them to a steaming pot of tea already infused with the more common herbs Ada had brought. "This will help break Padraic's fever," he said. "You did well, Tomas, though next time—"

  "Next time, tell an adult before you go plant hunting," Ada interrupted firmly.

  Tomas nodded solemnly, though his eyes still shone with pride at his accomplishment.

  While Olivier administered the medicinal tea, Heeka found himself surrounded by curious children, all demanding to know about his adventure in the forest. With Tomas as the eager protagonist of the tale, Heeka carefully crafted a version of events that omitted the bear entirely, focusing instead on the "treasure hunt" for magic leaves.

  "How did you know where to find Tomas?" one child asked.

  "Lukas helped," Heeka replied, patting the wolf who lay contentedly by the fire, accepting occasional treats from small hands. "He's very good at finding people."

  "And Heeka is very good at climbing trees," Ada added from across the room, giving him a pointed look. "Almost like he grew up doing it."

  There was something in her tone that made Heeka uneasy—a subtle hint that she'd noticed something during their forest encounter. The way he'd moved, perhaps, or the commands he'd issued with such natural authority. Small cracks in his carefully constructed identity.

  Later, as they prepared to leave, Tomas approached Heeka with solemn purpose. "Master Heeka," he said, the formal address sitting awkwardly on his young tongue, "how did you learn to be so brave?"

  Heeka knelt to meet the boy's eyes. "What makes you think I'm brave?"

  "You went into the forest to find me, even though there are monsters there."

  Heeka considered the question carefully. "I think," he said finally, "that being brave doesn't mean you're not afraid. It means you do what needs to be done, even when you are afraid."

  Tomas nodded thoughtfully. "Were you afraid in the forest?"

  "Yes," Heeka admitted, remembering the bear's charge. "But I wasn't alone. I had Ada and Lukas with me."

  "Like having a family?"

  Something tightened in Heeka's chest. "Yes," he said softly. "Exactly like that."

  ---

  The evening sky was painted in deepening shades of purple as Heeka and Ada made their way back to the Boar's Head. Lukas trotted ahead, occasionally stopping to investigate interesting scents, his earlier tension completely forgotten.

  "You handled yourself well today," Ada remarked casually. "That fire trick with the Mana Ore—nice touch."

  "Just a basic spell," Heeka replied, keeping his tone light. "Any Seeker could do it."

  "Mmm," Ada hummed noncommittally. "And those herbs the boy found—Lunaris, was it? Interesting that you recognized them right away."

  Heeka felt a prickle of unease. "I've seen them in books," he said, the lie coming easily after years of practice.

  "Books," Ada repeated. "Of course."

  They walked in silence for several moments.

  "You know," Ada said finally, "I don't much care where someone comes from. The past is the past. What matters is who they choose to be now." She glanced sideways at him. "Wouldn't you agree?"

  Before Heeka could respond, she increased her pace, striding ahead toward the lights of Brackenholt that had just become visible through the trees.

  Heeka remained where he stood for a moment, watching her retreating back, a complex mixture of emotions churning within him. Six years of careful deception, of burying his true self beneath layers of fabricated history. Six years of becoming Heeka the Seeker, orphan of Brackenholt, rather than Somnus Aestalon, firstborn prince of Somnium.

  And yet, here in this backwater town, with its strange collection of misfits and outcasts, he'd found something he'd never truly had in the palace—acceptance without expectation. People who valued him for who he was, not what he represented.

  The irony wasn't lost on him. They accepted a version of himself that wasn't real, and yet that version had somehow become more authentic than the prince he'd been raised to be.

  As the first stars appeared in the darkening sky, Heeka wondered how much longer he could maintain the contradiction—and what would remain of him when it inevitably collapsed.

  Luna Majora hung low on the horizon, her broken form casting a silvery light across the landscape. Somewhere in Noctisveil, his brother walked the floating halls of the palace, carrying the burden Heeka had fled.

  "I'm sorry, Lenundis," he whispered to the night. "But I'm not done hiding yet."

  With a soft whistle to Lukas, he turned and followed Ada's path toward the warm lights of the town, leaving the shadows of the forest—and his momentary honesty—behind.

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