Willow was not where she wanted to be. By now she should be home with her bundle of sticks, task completed. Instead she was sore and bruised, up in a tree with two strange spirits staring at her.

  Still, the child was ever curious.

  “Who are you two?” she asked, her voice surprisingly even.

  “Come now girl. You already found my sister's name, yet you aren’t going to try for mine?” The child of light taunted, amusement clear in his voice.

  Willow was confused. What did he mean she already knew the other spirit’s name? Unless… Realization dawned.

  “You’re Harmony?” she asked, pointing to the dark infantile form.

  “That is one way to vocalize what I am. One closer to the heart of me than most.” replied the night, stars twinkling in interest. “Go ahead and indulge my brother. Find his name if you can.”

  Seeing no way out of this odd situation except by going along with the spirit siblings' strange request, Willow closed her eyes and extended her senses to the now grinning light spirit.

  It was constant. Ever moving. Forward, backward it cared not. Yet it was not always movement.

  It was the growth of plants, and the dying of animals. Yet it was not life or death.

  The girl's brow furrowed. The spirits’ grin widened.

  It was the bestowal or theft of power. It was the passing or usurpation of a mantle. The changing of the seasons. That was it.

  “You’re Change.” She said as her eyes opened.

  Change cackled.

  “How utterly bizarre you are, child!” He choked out through bouts of laughter. “So young, yet able to see more than some of your kind’s elders.” He floated erratically through the air of the cramped tree hollow, holding his stomach and laughing all the while.

  “Silence is preferable brother.” Harmony chimed from the side. “They are still in pursuit, remember.”

  Her brother immediately ceased all movement. Perfectly frozen in the air.

  “Still…” She continued, staring at Willow. “Perhaps meeting this child is Fate, or Destiny at work.”

  “Always hated those old bastards!” Change scoffed, suddenly back to his starting position. “So many of them scheming different schemes, none of their plans wind up going where they want or expect. Yet I fear you may be correct as always, dear sister.” His void filled orb of an eye also locked on Willow.

  “What do you want from me?” Asked the child, a tinge of fear creeping into her voice.

  “We are not sure yet.” Harmony said as she considered the girl. The spirit’s gaze shifted to her chest. “Bring out the spirit you have bound in there. I would take your measure through the bond you have forged with it.”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “Ooh! Good idea sister!” Chimed in Change.

  Hesitantly, Willow cupped her hands and whispered. “Come out little flame.” The flame in her heart appeared in the bowl made from her hands.

  “Be careful with names, little one.” Said Change with surprising solemnity. “Constantly call your fiery friend little, and little is all they shall remain. But that is a matter for later. What do you think, sister?”

  The light from Harmony’s stars shined brighter in intensity.

  “A fragile thread is all that binds them.” She said, although her tone was confused. “However… It is made nigh unbreakable from a heartfelt question asked and answered in kind. Either child or spirit can break it should they choose, but no other could. Fascinating. Yes… This could definitely work.”

  Change was unconvinced. “Only if we can get her to be heartfelt about it, and with how cryptic we’re being, I doubt she’d want to.”

  Harmony shot her brother a look .“Then we explain ourselves, and hope that she is agreeable to help us in our time of need as we helped her.”

  “And I suppose it’s up to me to explain then?” The child of light sighed, clearly expecting the answer.

  “But of course.” Replied the night, stars twinkling in amusement.

  Willow watched the interplay between siblings with increasing confusion.

  “Listen up girl!” Change said, striking a pose as he began his lecture. “We likely don’t have a lot of time before they find us so I’m going to be as quick as possible, and I hope you’ll be just as quick in your responses. Understood?”

  Eyes wide, she nodded, and he continued. “Good. So, first things first, are you familiar with the big named families of this region?” At the shake of her head he clicked his tongue. “Tsk. Typical. Well the only relevant names for this are the Li and Hao clans. They specialise in yin and yang techniques respectively, so you can imagine their reaction to finding two pure spirits of yin and yang in their own backyard.” At the child's confused look he added. “Spirits like me and my sister are very rare around here so they’re chomping at the bit to find us.” He seemed almost proud of the fact.

  “Now normally, we wouldn’t mind being bound to a household for a generation or two, that’s free power gained for just a drop of our time. However.” His face twisted into a snarl. “They wanted to separate us, which is something me and my sister cannot allow.”

  Willow could understand that. If someone tried to separate her from Maple, she would be equally upset.

  Harmony chimed in, eyes shining bright. “Which brings us to our offer, child. Bind us both with the same sincerity as you bound your flame, and hide us from the two families seeking to make us separate. In return we will help you in all the ways we are able for your natural life.”

  The air was solemn with the offer made. Both spirits expecting the child to take a moment to consider her options. Both ready to continue their escape if she should refuse.

  The young girl looked at the spirits with a gap toothed smile and said. “Sure!”

  The siblings were shocked at the speed of the reply, but quickly sagged in relief.

  The child started to extend threads of qi to the spirits before realizing something. “Oh right, I’m being rude. I know both of your names, but haven’t given mine yet.”

  She finished extending her qi. “My name is Willow. Would you both be my friend?”

  The spirits smiled. “Of course we shall be your friend Willow.” They replied in unison.

  The bond was formed.

  The child placed Change between her brow, and Harmony at her crown.

  The flame in her hand returned to its place by her heart.

  All was well.

  Except.

  “I still don’t know how to get home.” Willow said in the dark.