Wings of Ash

Finding the Path

  "And what happened after that?" My mother asked as she was embroidering some fabric. I sat across from her at the porch table while sorting beans as tea was set between up.

  "I went to go find Flora, Terra's cousin. She was pretty badly bitten up, but she was alive. I managed to get her to medical before she bled out."

  "What of the changeling? Did she get credit again?" Mum's voice was calm as her expression didn't change.

  "Uh, no. Since everyone knows what I really am now, I can't just slide things Bloom's way anymore. She also went missing- Well, not really missing. She wrote letters saying how she was leaving the following morning."

  "Leaving? Did he say where to?"

  "Not exactly. She mentioned that, until she could truly control the Dragon Flame, she was too dangerous to be around."

  "I see. And what of Musa?"

  "Riven and I convinced Silva to give her the power-dampening bracelets. She wanted to continue training as a Specialist without having everyone else inside her head."

  "I'm glad she has that choice now." Mum pulled her needle and thread through the fabric while having a gentle smile. "I truly am happy for you as well, Ash."

  "Why? Am I sorting beans that well?" I chuckled as I cracked open another pod.

  "You've certainly grown up. You made friends and created a space for yourself outside these mountains, dear. You've even started paving the way to repairing relations between Old Bloods and New Bloods. I couldn't be prouder."

  "I've had help."

  "And it's mighty fine help you've found." She smiled before reaching for her teacup. "Perhaps you will lead by example. Give courage to more of us to come out of the shadows."

  "If it happens, it happens. I won't force others of our kind into the spotlight."

  "I don't think you'll need to. So, do you agree that Alfea was the right choice?"

  "....I do. I even feel better about myself. Less scared. It doesn't make much sense to me."

  "You have less to fear when you have others on your side." She explained as she pulled the needle through the fabric again. "Even if you're no longer in hiding, you still have more than you did before. Including that handsome new Specialist." Her eyebrow quirked up at me, and I scoffed.

  "Yeah, that's true. I'm a little worried about him right now, though."

  "Oh, don't be. I'm sure he can handle a little work."

  "It isn't the work that worries me. Dad can be a bit of a hardass, and you know it."

  "Well, Riven had to deal with you, didn't he? He's got practice." We both started laughing.

~

  "So, how'd it go?" I asked while sitting next to Riven as we ate lunch on the back porch steps.

  "Your dad scares me. He's so scrawny, I don't know how the fuck he does it. I thought he might snap like a twig." Riven waved his hand, and I chuckled.

  "Yeah, he's never looked as strong as he really is. It's led to some funny memories."

  "Is your mother like that, too?"

  "Not as much."

  "....Are you?"

  "Mm, kinda. I can't lift as much as Dad."