‘This is a weave?’ Vivian asked, her voice soft with awe.

  She couldn’t look away, almost mesmerized. Luminous, yellow threads hung suspended in the air, intertwining with each other in a complex pattern, layer upon layer. As she watched, Madame Jeanne gently cupped her hands curling the weave into itself, creating a radiant orb of constantly shifting gossamer threads. It looked like a coalescence of tiny streams of liquid light that defied gravity as they flowed in every direction within the invisible boundaries of the sphere. The movement looked random, but Vivian could sense a pattern in them, though she couldn’t fully grasp it.

  Madame Jeanne smiled. ‘Lovely, isn’t it?’

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ she whispered. She straightened up from examining the weave floating an inch above Madame Jeanne’s palm. ‘So, what do we do now?’

  ‘The weave needs a couple of days to settle, for the snaithes to get familiar with their specific intents. After that, I will need the receptacle.’ Madame Jeanne slowly moved her hand to place the weave on a cushion inside a small chest, the ball of light floating slightly above the surface. ‘I can maintain the weave for a week or so without one, but after that, it’ll start to unravel.’

  ‘We’re working on it,’ Vivian replied. ‘We should receive the aurium today, and Cyrus said he found a blacksmith willing to do this quietly. He’ll try to convince him to finish the receptacle faster.’

  ‘Good.’ Madame Jeanne rubbed her shoulder and stretched her arm. ‘I’d hate to see this go to waste. It’s a week’s work.’

  ‘Do all weaves take this long to make?’

  Madame Jeanne gave it a thought. ’Depends on the complexity, but usually yes. It’s difficult to shape your mana into steady snaithes. It’s why weavers are so rare.’

  ‘I thought elven mana was already thread-like in nature?’ Vivian pointed out. ‘So, shouldn’t it be easier.’

  ‘True, but these snaithes need to exist outside the body for long periods of time and they need to remain stable. Each snaithe is imbued with an intent and it must remain consistent for the weave to work. If they change, then the weave itself could unravel.’

  ‘And a weave receptacle can stop this from happening?’

  Madame Jeanne nodded. ‘Aurium has this wonderful ability to freeze mana. It’s perfect for storing weaves.’ She stopped to stare at the weave. ‘Aside from the snaithes, you also have to design the weave itself. You need to know what intents to imbue into the snaithes as well as the order in which they have to act. And then finally, you need to weave them all together.’

  ‘Sounds like a lot of work.’

  ‘It is... speaking of work, I need to get back to mine.’ Madame Jeanne closed the chest holding the weave and locked it, before locking the chest away in a cupboard. ‘And so do you. Your friends can only cover for you for so long. It’s best you return before they assume that you dumped all the work on them and absconded.’

  Vivian nodded. ‘You’re right… back to the grind.’

  ………

  ‘So, it’s finished,’ Aiden said, pulling a few books out of the crates and placing them on the table next to Felix.

  For the past week, the three of them had shown up every morning at the Secret Garden to work. Miss Vyn wouldn’t waste any time, handing them a long list of orders before shooing them off to the backroom where the books were stored. The backroom was decently big, but it was a bit tight due to the stacks of crates in the room. Aiden immediately opened one of the windows, allowing warm sunlight and a cool, refreshing breeze to filter into the cramped space. Feeling better, they got down to it. Vivian and Aiden went hunting in the forest of crates to find the books while Felix packed the books and penned the bill with a flourish neither one of them were capable of. He even added a note with new year wishes for each one, tucking it under the twine tied around the package along with a sprig of lavender he had plucked from the garden in the back… with Miss Vyn’s permission, of course.

  Vivian leaned in to look from behind Felix. ‘Your handwriting looks so nice.’

  ‘Compared to your chicken scratch, anything looks nice,’ Aiden commented as he passed by.

  Vivian had tossed the book she was holding at Aiden just as Miss Vyn flittered into the room to check on their progress. What followed was an hour-long lecture on books, respect for knowledge and how Vivian was doomed to stupidity. Since there were threats of violence and such involved, Vivian chose to keep quiet and listen, all while glaring at Aiden, who continued working as if it wasn’t his fault.

  Well, considering how he is, he probably believes that…

  On the last day of the week, Vivian had snuck out the back door to check on Madame Jeanne, while Aiden and Felix covered for her. And now she was back, surrounded by familiar crates filled with books and dust, recounting her conversation to the other two.

  Vivian nodded once. ‘All we need now is the receptacle.’

  ‘And Cyrus’ approval,’ Felix pointed out.

  ‘Well, we’ll get the aurium once we finish that list,’ Vivian said, her head halfway into a crate. She finally managed to dig out the book she was looking for and handed it over to Felix. ‘How many more orders do we have left?’

  Felix glanced at the list. ‘This is the last one. Just need a copy of Basics of Mana shaping.’

  ‘Found it!’ Aiden called out holding out a book, dusting off his clothes with the other hand.

  A few short minutes later, Felix had tucked in the last sprig of lavender and placed the package with the rest. He stood up and stretched, his joints popping as he did so.

  ‘We’re done!’ he announced. ‘Now. Let’s go get our aurium.’

  ………

  Vivian pushed open and marched into Cyrus’ room. She plunked the small sack filled with aurium onto the bed before throwing herself into the nearest armchair. Cyrus looked up from the book he was reading, an eyebrow raised in question.

  ‘Please, do come and leave strange sacks on my bed,’ he said sarcastically. ‘And don’t bother knocking.’

  Vivian rolled her eyes. ‘You knew we were coming.’

  ‘That’s not the point.’ He closed his book sharply. ‘It is only polite to announce yourself in some manner before barging into someone’s private space.’ He levelled a stern look at her. The fact that you are a commoner is no excuse for being rude.’

  Vivian bit her lip and stood up. ‘… Sorry. I’ll be careful next time.’

  Cyrus sighed and got up. ‘It’s fine. Just keep it in mind.’ He strode over to his bed and pulled open the sack. ‘I see that Miss Vyn has kept good on her word.’ He reached in pulled out a piece of aurium. He carefully held it up to the candlelight, closely examining the rock. ‘The quality is quite good.’

  In Vivian’s opinion, the aurium looked quite ordinary, nothing like what she imagined a magic rock would be. It was transparent and cloudy like a chunk of rock salt. But Cyrus held it in an admiring manner, like he was holding a precious diamond or ruby.

  ‘Have you found a blacksmith?’ Felix asked, breaking Cyrus out of his stupor.

  ‘Hmm? Ah yes! Yes, I’ve found someone. He was quite enthusiastic when I told him he’d be working with aurium. He immediately agreed.’

  ‘Should we be scared that he was that easily persuaded?’ Aiden asked. ‘This is close to illegal.’

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Cyrus waved his concern away. ‘Don’t worry. I’ve worked with him before. Trust me, he knows how to keep quiet.’

  ‘Well, if you say so,’ Aiden acquiesced.

  ‘What about the weave?’ Cyrus asked.

  Vivian nodded. ‘It’s ready. Madame Jeanne said something about the snaithes needing time to settle but I think you can go check it. Also, she did mention that she won’t be able to hold the weave longer than a week, so she’ll need the receptacle before then.’

  Cyrus rubbed his chin in thought. ‘Hmm, well I believe that can be arranged. Storric has agreed to finish it in four days. In the meantime, I think I’ll pay a visit to Madame Jeanne’s boutique.’ He folded his arms and gave them a fond smile. ‘You three have done very well so far, securing the aurium. Especially you two.’ Cyrus looked at Aiden and Felix. ‘I was pleasantly surprised to find two nobles willing to engage in manual labour.’

  ‘Well, it was either that or let her go at it alone.’ Aiden gestured at Vivian. ‘Forget the aurium, I would be surprised if there was bookshop left.’

  ‘Oi!’ Vivian protested.

  ‘All I’m saying,’ Cyrus spoke before an argument could break out. ‘Is that it’s quite nice to see you two willing to try things from different perspectives. It is a unique strength, one not many others of the peerage share.’

  ‘Our title is not the only thing we have,’ Felix pointed out. ‘We have two arms, two legs and a healthy body. If we can use them to help, then we should.’

  ‘Whatever maybe your reasoning, good job,’ Cyrus praised. ‘You did really well. Now, let me take care of the rest.’

  Vivian, Aiden and Felix shared proud looks. It was nice to have your efforts acknowledged.

  ………

  Unfortunately, not everyone was willing to acknowledge their efforts.

  ‘So, you’re finally done with that elf business,’ Peri said, leaning back in his chair. ‘Good riddance.’

  Vivian frowned at him as she set down a cup of tea on the table in front of him. The man put his feet up on the dining table and took it up, giving it a quick sniff before taking a sip. Vivian shook her head, but decided against responding. It was a good day, and she didn’t want to fight.

  ‘So, how were things here while I was gone?’ she asked, trying to sound pleasant.

  Peri’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. ‘You sound like you have something to say to me.’

  Vivian should’ve known that she couldn’t keep a secret from the man. She sighed.

  It’s hard to believe we’ve only known each other for two months…

  ‘Look, I know you’re concerned about me, about us… but we just did something good today. We got the aurium, we helped a friend, but you can’t seem to squeeze out a single compliment for what we did.’

  Peri set down his cup and put his feet back down. ‘Why would I praise you for doing something risky and unnecessary?’

  ‘It wasn’t risky, not this time,’ Vivian argued back. ‘We didn’t try to do it ourselves. We consulted a grown-up and didn’t just rush into it like the last time.’

  Peri frowned. ‘It was still unnecessary. There was no need for you to involve yourself in that elf’s business, especially when your own position in this city is so precarious.’

  ‘Nothing we did was illegal!’ Vivian defended herself.

  ‘You still don’t get it? It’s not about whether it’s illegal or not.’ Peri folded his arms across his chest. ‘Some members of the Council are just waiting for you to slip up, to make the smallest mistake. So just keep your head down and stop trying to solve everyone else’s problem. It puts you at risk.’

  Vivian looked him square in the eye. ‘… Then why did you help me?’ she asked quietly.

  She was angry, of course she was. But at the same time, she also felt calm… no, justified. She was in the right this time. She knew she was. After all, the person who taught her to stick her nose in other people’s business was the man sitting in front of her.

  ‘If we’re just supposed to mind our own business and never do anything to put ourselves at risk… then why did you save me?’ Vivian held Peri’s gaze stubbornly. ‘Why would you risk breaking into a Sentinel camp to help me? I’m not a noble child. I’m a weak, commoner mage. Helping me was not part of your job, and bringing me back… that certainly didn’t help your reputation. You keep saying that my position in this city is at risk, but yours is worse. At least I’m a mage.’

  Peri didn’t say anything, staring at her silently. When he finally did speak, his voice was smaller and softer than she had ever heard it before.

  ‘I… I have a debt to pay,’ he said. ‘That’s why I did it.’

  ‘Then maybe I have a debt as well,’ Vivian replied stubbornly.

  Peri made a frustrated noise. His chair scraped against the floor as he stood up. ‘You are a child! Just… be a child! Play with your friends, do some mischief, complain about school!’

  ‘I. Can’t. Do. That.’ Vivian was also standing now. ‘You didn’t walk away from me when I needed help. I won’t walk away either. You can blame yourself for being a bad example.’

  Vivian stormed away before Peri could reply. She didn’t even realize she had left the cottage until she was halfway through the fields. The sound of goblins singing as they wrapped up their work for the day made her snap out of her daze. Feruz gave her a nod as he passed by, which Vivian returned a bit late. She stood there looking up at the sky, wondering what she should do now. She couldn’t go back to the house. It was too awkward. She wanted to talk to someone. Sith was out. She would definitely take Peri’s side, that worrywart. And she didn’t know Reno all that well. Cyrus would be busy and Dixie was just a bad source for advice in general. Aiden and Felix… well, they’ll probably just take her side, since they all felt the same way about this.

  I really wish I could talk to Rayne right now… someone wise who can give me a rational answer.

  ………

  ‘While I am flattered you came to me, you’re making me sound a hundred years old,’ Bethany said as she poured Vivian a cup of tea.

  The words wise and rational had led her to Bethany’s townhouse, knocking on her front door before she could even come up with a rational excuse as to why she was there so late in the evening. Yula was kind enough to let her in even though she came uninvited and had no reason to offer for her visit.

  ‘It’s alright Miss Wright,’ Yula said kindly as she closed the door behind Vivian. ‘Friends can visit friends without a reason, and I am glad you consider Miss Blyne as one.’

  ‘Thank you, Yula. Um, where…?’

  ‘She’s upstairs.’ Yula held out a hand to the stairs. ‘If you would please follow me.’

  Bethany was curled up on the sofa reading a book, already dressed in her nightclothes. A steaming cup of tea and a delicate looking teapot sat on the table. Once again, Vivian was reminded that it was quite late for a visit. Bethany looked up as Yula announced her arrival, her eyes narrowing in confusion at her unexpected guest.

  ‘Vivian, to what do I owe the pleasure?’

  ‘Um, sorry to barge in like this, but… I really need someone to talk to and you’re the first person to come to mind.’

  Bethany patted the seat next to her. She looked back at Yula with a smile as Vivian got herself settled. ‘Thank you, Yula. You may retire for the night.’

  Yula gave a deep bow. ‘Good night, milady.’

  Vivian waited until Yula was gone to start talking. She recounted everything, which wasn’t much since she had to leave out the reason as to why she and Peri had a fight. Bethany listened carefully, sipping her tea quietly. She waited until Vivian was done to speak up.

  ‘So, what do you think?’ Vivian asked. ‘Am I just being silly? Childish?’ She bit her lip in worry. ‘I should just apologize, right? I don’t even know why I got angry.’

  Bethany took a moment to think before answering. ‘Do you truly believe that you did the right thing by helping this friend of yours?’

  ‘Yes, I do.’

  ‘Then, I think you should apologize.’ She held up a hand before Vivian could voice a protest. ‘Not for doing whatever it is you did, but for losing your temper.’

  ‘What?’

  Bethany fixed her with a patient look. ‘I don’t really know all the details of what it is you did, but from what I’ve heard, Peri is speaking from a place of concern. Badly expressed concern, but concern nonetheless.’

  ‘I suppose… but does that mean I have to listen to whatever he says?’ Vivian was up and pacing. ‘Should I just always do what he says even though I think differently?’

  Bethany shook her head. ‘Not at all.’ She set down her cup. ‘But you can make your point without being disrespectful. After all, the man did save your life. I think that deserves some respect.’

  Vivian stopped pacing. He shoulders slumped as she thought over her argument with Peri. She wanted to go back and slap herself. Instead, she tilted her head back and groaned loudly in frustration.

  ‘Ugh, I hate that it all sounds so logical when you say it… why couldn’t I just be this rational at that time?’

  Bethany smiled and leaned back. ‘Trust me, no adult, not even Peri, expects a child to be rational. At our age, stupidity is in our blood.’

  ‘But you sound mature and clever…’

  ‘That’s because I’m not the one fighting. You should hear me when I fight with my siblings back home. I once called Jas a bull-headed monkey sloth.’ Bethany shrugged. ‘What does that even mean? Was I calling him stubborn, stupid or lazy?’

  ‘Maybe all three?

  Bethany gave an acquiescing nod. ‘Maybe. After all, that fight was because he fell asleep right on top of my favourite doll, broke her into pieces… Poor Linda was never the same. And Jas knew what he was doing. After all, how do you fall asleep on top of a porcelain doll and not know it was there? I suppose, that’s where the stubborn part comes in. Oh, you should’ve seen the look on his face. He wasn’t even sorry. And then…’

  Bethany went off on a tangent. Apparently, she was still holding on to a grudge. By the time her rant was over, at the end of which Linda had been put back together with a few missing pieces and Bethany had chucked Jas’ favourite wooden sword into the lake, it was past midnight.

  ‘Oh no, look at the time!’ Bethany exclaimed, glancing out the window.

  ‘I should get back home and apologize to Peri.’ Vivian got to her feet. ‘Thank you for the advice, Beth.’

  ‘It was my pleasure.’ She got to her feet as well. ‘But perhaps the apology can wait till morning. It is quite late. Why not spend the night here?’

  Vivian looked outside. It was quite dark inside the city; it would be even darker in the fields.

  ‘Um, are you sure it won’t be a bother?’

  ‘Not at all!’ Bethany clapped her hands excitedly. ‘It’s been so long since I had a friend sleepover. We can swap stories and talk all night! Oh, let me get you some nightclothes. I think we’re about the same size. You don’t mind pink, right? I’ve got other colours but…’

  Turns out, contrary to first and second impressions, Bethany was quite the chatterbox. That night, the two them sat on her large bed, dressed in identical nightclothes, hugging pillows to their chests as they exchanged stories, talking about everything and nothing. Vivian caught herself thinking how glad she was to have a girl as a friend. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy the time she spends with Aiden and Felix… It’s just that, there are somethings that only another girl would understand.

  And Vivian was happy to have found a good one to call a friend.