Kieran scoffed. "I think you underestimate my brother." He paused for a moment, his mouth twitching to accompany the glisten in his eyes. "Then again, I believe my brother underestimates you. Punching you in the face wasn't the wisest decision. With your power, you could take him with the wave of your hand."
"I don't want to fight Arnan. I don't want to fight anyone."
Kieran's mouth flattened into a straight line, and his gaze grew glassy. Silence stole over them for several moments as Kieran sank into some trance-like state. "We all have to fight sometimes," he said finally. "Life often requires more of us than we believe we can give. Whether fighting is what you want or not, prepare yourself for it. If not for yourself, then for those you care about."
The words struck Eramus’s heart. Everyone in the village knew of Kieran’s misfortunes. He and his wife had made the trip to Olgetha to deliver the harvest to the port. Once they exchanged the goods, they began their return trip, only for a band of highwaymen to rob them of the profits. Kieran’s wife had refused to comply with their demands. A fight ensued, and three people lost their lives, hers included.
According to Eramus’s mother, Kieran was never the same after the incident. He blamed himself and vowed to never leave their small village again. Neither he nor Evree ever made the journey to Olgetha, despite Evree’s persistent pleas to do so. She was young when her mother died, too young to understand or remember the perils such a journey could bring.
Kieran's hand pressed on Eramus's shoulder. "I'm not telling you to fight my brother, but I can't promise it won't come to that. Arnan is…stubborn." He cleared his throat. "A family trait, I'm told."
Eramus contained his laughter, but just barely. "Not the worst trait to have. Evree has always been one to stand up for what she believes in. I think that's an admirable quality."
The grin that spread across Kieran's face made Eramus's stomach lurch. "Undoubtedly not the only admirable quality you see in her." One of his brows lifted. "I'm well aware of how much time you've spent together in the meadow. If you were anyone less respectable, I might have given you a bruised face myself."
"I'm motivated to remain respectable."
Kieran laughed and slapped Eramus's shoulder. "Good man. Now, I've got work to do. Keep yourself out of trouble."
"I'll do my best."
Making his way to his cottage, an overwhelming warmth swept over him. After Eramus revealed his power, he never expected his people to trust him so quickly. He never expected Kieran to grant him permission to court Evree. Despite his life being upturned, despite how Arnan treated him, Eramus was grateful the consequences were not worse.
Eramus tugged on the cottage door. His mother scampered across the room to greet him, and Yelene gave him a small wave from the wooden table. A book and inkwell lay in front of her. Eramus strode to her side and examined the odd symbols smeared across the parchment.
"What's this?" he asked, leaning forward to see over Yelene's shoulder.
"Our spell book," she replied cheerily. "I note all the spells we learn so we have a record."
His brows tightened as his eyes traced the strange shapes and squiggles. "You can read that?"
Yelene giggled. “Yes. Someone wrote symbols like this on the walls of the cavern where we found the Virgàm. When we first moved to Verascene, I began hearing a voice inside my head. It taught me the language and instructed me to compile our spells into this book.”
She snapped it closed, bringing the cover into his view. Etched into the leather were several symbols, each a different color. A large blue circle encompassed a green triangle and a purple crescent moon. A golden eye filled the center, its eerie gaze making his heart race.
"These symbols…the colors, do they represent the abilities Aldeth spoke of?"
"That's correct." Aldeth's voice sounded from behind them. The man joined his wife at the table and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Yelene smiled warmly at him, exchanging more unspoken words with just their eyes. Something about knowing his aunt and uncle loved one another flooded him with warmth.
"These symbols represent the three abilities of magic," said Aldeth, tapping his finger on each one. "The details came to Yelene through visions."
Eramus studied the book cover for several moments. "But what of this golden eye in the center? You never mentioned a fourth ability?"
Morzaun had mentioned four gems when he spoke of the Virgàm. That couldn't be a coincidence.
Yelene sighed. "The eye is still a mystery, I'm afraid. I've yet to understand what it means or its significance. I suppose we shall in time."
As intriguing as the book was, Eramus had more pressing questions. He turned to Aldeth and cleared his throat. What was he to call the man? Uncle? Aldeth? The uncertainty made him squirm.
"Aldeth," he said, deciding the more formal option was best. "I wonder if I might…would you…" Eramus ran his fingers through his hair. Why was it so difficult to ask the man for assistance? He was family, and Eramus no longer distrusted either of them. Still, he had managed this long without help, and his pride made him hesitate.
"I was wondering if there was a spell for healing, and if so, whether you would teach it to me?" The words came out rushed. Eramus averted his eyes, choosing to stare at the spell book rather than face his uncle.
Aldeth's tone was soft, as was his smile. "Of course I would teach you." He tapped his finger against his nose and grinned. "A healing spell would prove quite useful for you, I think. Next time you take a punch, you can clean yourself up in a matter of seconds. Save your mother the heartache."
Eramus laughed and glanced over to where Inara chopped vegetables for their evening meal. Aldeth was right; a healing spell would benefit them both.
Aldeth rose from his chair beside Yelene and moved to Eramus's side of the table. He rolled up his sleeves. "Without an actual injury to heal, it's a little complicated to learn, but I can at least teach you the incantation. However, I wholeheartedly advise against you getting hurt just to practice using it."
