Seven Years Ago

  Kei worked harder than ever to be the perfect daughter. After the bad night, she stopped complaining about her chores, she did them diligently. She obeyed both mothers without question, she was quieter, held her gaze lower, she had to be perfect. If her father was mad, it must be her fault.

  She’d made a mistake, and he’d gotten mad at her. Of course he had, it was only natural. She had to be better, she had to not make mistakes. He said he loved her… so if she was only a better daughter, then she wouldn’t have to be afraid of him again.

  We’re family, aren’t we?

  A few months had passed, and summer was in full swing. Though, as Kei cleaned glass near the front entrance, staring out the window of the estate, it certainly did not feel like it. The outside world was dim, with grey light filtering down from the clouded sky which had showered them with intermittent rain for the last two days. The Ameas residence was a little ways outside of the city, but from its position atop a hill, she thought she could almost see the white-topped buildings of Taravast in the distance.

  A carriage rode into the courtyard, catching her eye—it was oddly timed. Even more interesting, she heard the front door open a room over, and through the window she saw her father stride out, a bright smile on his face.

  The carriage door opened and a servant stepped out, looking quite nervous as he approached her father. They had a brief exchange and she watched his mood sour. He began to shout, though she couldn’t hear the words, and the servants frantically responded. Her father shook his head and stalked back towards the front entrance, as the door swung open again, she was able to make out more of the conversation.

  “...accused him of peddling fake jewelry, my lord. The man was indignant, but when the others heard—well, a fight broke out that ended up taking the whole street, and he slipped away in our confusion. We searched the area for almost an hour, but we weren’t able to find him.”

  “He is only fourteen.” Thomas growled. “I expect you to be able to keep an eye on a child.”

  “But sir, please! You know how the boy can be when he sets his mind to something.”

  Kei wandered towards the doorway to the anteroom, continuing to listen while remaining out of sight as her father stormed past her in the hallway.

  “Do you have any idea where he’s gone off to?”

  “None my lord,” the servant shook his head. “He was perfectly behaved for the entire rest of the trip. There was no inclination he’d run off, he just spoke of how joyous it was to return home, and said he was looking forward to seeing his family.”

  “Kings help me, I do not know what to do with that boy. I’ll inform Charles and we’ll prepare to search the city. In the meantime, send word to the Ferview’s—we’ll make use of their hawks. Also, find my daughter and send her back to her room.”

  Send me back to my room? Why? Kei wondered, confused.

  “Of course sir. Would you also like me to…”

  They turned a corner and moved beyond earshot, and Kei tried to piece together what they’d been talking about. A few pieces fell into place—the extra chores she’d been given, the way the kitchen had been active so early in the morning, all signs that important guests were arriving. She’d assumed it was a noble family, or some of her father’s associates, but no. If they were sending her to her room…

  He is only fourteen, her father had said.

  She gripped the hem of her sleeves tightly. She had forgotten what the time of year signified. It was summer vacation for most of the academies in Edria, which would last around five weeks until the beginning of fall. Her brother was returning home.

  ***

  It wasn’t long before a servant had found her and ordered her back to her room. They were too busy to escort her, not that they needed to. Kei had no plans to disobey. She quickly returned the cleaning supplies to the utility room and made her way back across the estate towards her mother’s room.

  As always, she passed by the garden, catching the scent of damp soil as she did. It was an inviting smell, one she loved. On most days, she would have ventured out and enjoyed some time in the garden before returning, but she felt today was different. If she dilly dallied, she would get into trouble. With that in mind, she merely looked out instead, eyes traveling up the high stone walls that separated her from the outside.

  Kei froze.

  There, up on the walls, climbing down the ivy, was a young boy, only a few years older than her. He was dressed in expensive clothes, a suit of a kind, much like a nobleman’s child would wear—but he’d taken his arm out on one side, and the sleeve was rolled up on the other, exposing the white shirt beneath. The shirt had come untucked in the back, and flowed loosely down his waist as he descended the wall.

  She couldn’t make a sound, she was too shocked. But she moved towards him, perhaps out of a desire to catch him should he fall. But his descent was swift, and before she’d even crossed half the distance, he dropped from the ivy, falling to the ground behind a bush. To fall from such a height—

  “Kings!” She cried, rushing across the muddy ground, heedless of whether her dress got dirty.

  What was he thinking? She thought. That height was enough to break a leg! Who is he?

  But by the time she rounded the bush, he had stood up and was brushing off his pants. As their eyes locked, he only seemed surprised for a moment before he covered it with a conspiratorial smile.

  “Please don’t scream,” he whispered, holding a finger to his lips. “I’m no intruder, and it would certainly ruin my plans.”

  The boy was a head taller than her, with bright blond hair that curled up just below his ears, and his eyes were a striking gold. Though it had been a year since she’d last seen him, she knew who he was in an instant.

  He looked her over, his golden eyes glimmering, then he squinted.

  “Wow… you’re bright. I think I’ve seen you around before,” he muttered. “You’re Miss Naomi’s daughter, correct? Perhaps it is fortuitous, you look about her age. Could I ask for your name? I’m looking for someone who lives here, and I could use some help finding her.”

  He doesn’t know who I am. Kei looked down, realizing she was still in the servant's clothes she was made to wear during her chores. She opened her mouth to respond, but no sound came out.

  “Oh, you’re not mute are you? That would be unfortunate indeed, I doubt you’d have been taught to sign.” He made some odd motions with his hands, but she had no idea what they meant.

  Finally, she forced out words. “I’m… not mute.”

  He smiled. “That’s great, ah I apologize. I suppose it may have been shocking to see a strange man come over the walls, so I should thank you for not sounding the alarm right away. That would’ve spoiled things for me. You see, I’m attempting—”

  “I’m… I’m Kei.”

  His speech slowed to a halt, and he chewed the words in his mouth. He didn’t speak for almost thirty seconds, but eventually, a smile began to spread on his face. In the sky above, the sun finally broke through the clouds, a thin beam of light streaming down into the garden, bathing it in light.

  “Surely not. What would the odds be of such a thing? To accomplish my goal so quickly after sneaking in?”

  “Your goal?” Kei repeated.

  “Ah, I suppose introductions are in order.” He held out his hand. “I’m Oliver Ameas. Your big brother!”

  ***

  “Why did you sneak in?” Kei asked. She’d eventually calmed enough to talk normally, though she was still in a bit of shock over the sudden appearance of the person she thought she despised most in the world.

  Oliver rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He was perched on a rock in the garden, his suit tossed over his shoulder, as though he hardly cared for it at all. She couldn’t believe it, surely their father would have his head for such a thing.

  “Well, it’s a bit of a long story,” he chuckled, then stretched his arms high above his head and lay back, relaxing. “But the short version is, I wanted to explore the city on my own a little, you’ll never meet people surrounded by an armed escort, that’s what I say. Plus, I’ve been stuck out in the country for almost a year, can you blame me?”

  “But… but won’t father be mad at you?” Kei was wide-eyed.

  “Oh I’m sure he will be, but he’s always been hesitant to truly punish his only heir.” Oliver rolled his eyes, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Frankly, the stewards at the institute are scarier, they don’t care who you are.”

  “You… you disobeyed father.”

  Oliver frowned. He looked into her eyes, then let out a long sigh. “That bastard…”

  Kei flinched.

  “I slipped my escort because I wanted to see the city. That much is true.” Oliver sat up on the rock. “But as for sneaking in? That was for a different reason. You see, each time I come home, father does everything in his power to keep us separate.”

  Father… kept us separate? But why would he do that?

  “That’s exactly what I said,” Oliver nodded, and Kei realized she’d spoken out loud. “After all, you’re my only sibling! It would be a crime to keep us apart! And that’s when it hit me… ” He posed dramatically, his sour mood seeming to vanish. “I’d sneak in!”

  For reasons Kei didn’t understand, she found herself entranced. The way he spoke, the way he acted. It was like a splotch of color cast onto a canvas of grays, he was so different from what she knew. She felt something stirring in her chest—could people really act like this?

  “So as my captors—excuse me, my escort—took me through the merchant’s district, I instigated a bit of a brawl. To be clear, the fellow deserved it, he was selling fake gems as real. Detestable I say!”

  Kei was shocked to find herself laughing as he told the story of how he slipped away and spent time exploring the city. He talked of visiting the ports and fishing with a sea captain. The way he told stories, with wild gesticulations, silly voices, and just… enthusiasm. It was unlike anything she’d ever heard before.

  “...So I tipped the coachman a silver coin and got out by the woods. From there it was a quick hike to reach the garden walls, and then well, you saw the rest,” he finished, grinning.

  Kei’s eyes were wide with interest. “How—how did you climb it! Does the ivy go all the way down on the other side?” The walls were made of brick, and she couldn’t imagine trying to grasp the tiny cracks between them.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “It wasn’t easy,” he admitted. “But I’ve some talent for channeling, which makes things much easier.”

  “Channeling?” She’d never heard of the term.

  He ran a hand through his hair. “It is only the power of spirit knights dear sister, and I have come to master it!”

  “Really?”

  “Well… no not really.” He shrugged. “But I know the basics.”

  A stern voice spoke up from behind Kei’s head. “Oliver.”

  Her heart clenched. It was her father, and she wasn’t in her room.

  She spun. “Father, I'm sorry! I wasn’t trying to disobey! I—I was on my way to my room when I saw him climbing down the—”

  “Silence, Kei.”

  She shut her mouth immediately, though oddly his tone seemed less pointed than it usually would have been.

  “Father,” Oliver said, stepping past her, arms wide. “It’s been some time. Have you been well?”

  “You snuck away from your escort, wandered the city alone, and snuck back into the home, all against my wishes. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kick such a disobedient child out onto the street to fend for himself.”

  “Don’t make threats you cannot follow through on father,” Oliver chuckled. “Or do you have another child you’ve tried to hide from me?”

  “Damn precocious brat. What of your clothes?” Her father gestured to the discarded coat on the rock behind them.

  Kei winced. Oliver’s trek through the woods and over the walls had left them muddied and scuffed.

  Still, he only shrugged. “Surely we are not in such dire straits that we can’t afford to clean it?”

  “And you believe yourself worth the expense?” Their father scowled.

  “You tell me father,” Oliver challenged. “Is the heir not worth hiring someone with a blessing of stain removal?”

  “That is not—”

  “Fine fine, if you wish to punish me then so be it. But wait until the end of summer if you must do so. You see, in truth, that uniform has grown small, and I expect to outgrow it by the time I have need of it again. And let me remind you, I wouldn’t have had to resort to such measures if you had let me see Kei of my own accord.”

  Kei watched her father’s face, waiting for the inevitable anger, the rage. If she talked back like this… she didn’t want to think about it. But instead, he simply set his jaw.

  “You’re old enough now, I would have acquiesced had you simply asked. I wasn’t aware you wanted to meet your sister so badly.”

  “Is that so? Well, I suppose I’ve been away for a year, maybe I’ve simply matured.”

  Their father studied him, his eyes flicking to Kei twice. Then he sighed, holding out a hand. “Come now Oliver. Your mother has missed you. Surely you want to see her?”

  Oliver looked towards Kei. “Well, I have missed her. But I’d like my sister to come along as well.”

  Their father’s eyes widened for just a moment. When he spoke, it was through gritted teeth. “And why might that be?”

  “She’s family isn’t she?” Oliver smirked. “I believe I’ve heard you say family is the most important thing in this world. Or am I just remembering wrong?”

  They stared at each other for a moment, tension hanging in the air. Their looks carried a conversation that Kei wasn’t privy to, as they fought over something she couldn’t understand. But soon, her father turned away, walking back into the manor.

  “Fine then, take her,” he muttered.

  Kei spun around to look at Oliver, who was watching her father’s back with a satisfied grin.

  “You just—you… What did you just do?”

  “That was just a hello,” Oliver put his hands in his pockets and threw his coat over his shoulder. “And these are just clothes, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Now, shall we go?”

  “I’m supposed to return to my room,” Kei mumbled, eyes flicking between her brother and the ground. “If I go with you, won’t I get into trouble?”

  Oliver took her hand. “Not while I’m here. While I’m here, you’re family.”

  “I was family before, wasn’t I?”

  For some reason, he looked a little sad at that. “Let’s go Kei, I really have missed my mother.”

  He pulled her into the house, and as they went, it seemed like the sunlight had followed them in.

  ***

  Oliver’s return marked a distinct change in Kei’s life. For one, she was able to eat with the main family whenever she wished, though she still often spent dinner with her mother. And it wasn’t just family dinners either, Oliver insisted she be allowed to join even when they had guests.

  “Think of the future father, if she is to work at my side she must understand the family’s obligations, part of which will involve being present at such dinners.”

  “Then she can stand like a servant would, as will be her role.”

  “You would have my sister, your daughter, stand in the corner? I won’t stand for it. If she is not present at the table, then neither shall I be.”

  And dinners, as it turned out, were an opportunity to learn, and to witness.

  “My lord,” Oliver addressed the noble across the table respectfully. “Have you considered the inefficiencies of the guild monopolies in Taravast?”

  Lord Enre, a minor nobleman who’d come to dinner, raised a brow, his knife cut halfway into his roast. “Inefficiencies? I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean. The guilds regulate trade, they ensure quality—”

  “They stifle innovation, my lord,” Oliver said, leaning forward. Lord Enre merely smiled at the interruption, letting him continue. “Say a man comes up with a brilliant idea—a new design for a loom, one that could weave fabric twice as fast and at half the cost. That would be a true breakthrough in craftsmanship. Yet, if he were not already a member of the weaver’s guild, how would he get his invention to market? He cannot sell it without the approval of the guilds, something he is bound to be denied. Thus the city loses a chance at progress all because a man cannot sell his work unless ‘approved’ by the right people.”

  Kei tried to follow along as best she could, so much of it was beyond her. Still, she’d come to realize these conversations were windows into the outside world, a place which became more and more real each passing day with her brother.

  “You seem so sure of his denial,” Lord Enre said, sipping from his wine. “What makes you so?”

  The way he spoke, it was as though he already knew the answer, but was enjoying testing Oliver’s responses. As Kei looked around the table, she saw her father smiling proudly, hands crossed over his chest as he seemed content to sink further into the background.

  Oliver gave a knowing smile. “When the alternative is to risk their own members' business to his innovation, I find it highly unlikely. As they operate currently, the guilds within Taravast are rent seeking, my lord. Their goal is to enrich their membership, not the economy at large.”

  “And you say that is such a bad thing? The guilds exist for the protection of the tradesmen as well as consumers. Would you say that a man should be able to sell his work without oversight? Without the guilds, what would prevent fraud or inferior products from flooding the market?”

  “I am not calling for the guilds to be dismantled, my lord. Centralization has been beneficial to the war effort, and regulations are of course necessary,” Oliver responded easily. “But the power of the guilds within Taravast has expanded dramatically in the years since the war began, and they continue to do so, which will harm us in the long-term.”

  The rest of the table had grown quiet, and Kei heard several of the merchants and nobles listening in, mumbling in agreement or disagreement with Oliver’s words.

  Lord Enre continued though, unbothered by the observers. “You speak as though Edria has not seen prosperity unheard of in that same time frame. The guilds have maintained order within the economy for years now. Yet you speak of wanting to bring chaos?”

  “Not chaos my lord, competition. Look to the port cities in Khadat, or Sul-Khadat itself. In such cities where the guilds hold less power, the markets thrive, and they don’t have to rely on being the center of the war effort to do so. Sul-Khadat is richer than even Taravast, which is why inventors and craftsmen flock to the city in droves. The free markets are the reason for their success, the war is the reason for ours.”

  “Spoken boldly for a boy who has never been,” Lord Enre smiled, and Oliver reddened at the retort. “But spoken well, nonetheless. You’re quite learned for your age.”

  “Well, the institute has an extensive library, and instructor Benerit has a bit of a passion for the economics of Khadat which I’m afraid he’s passed on to me.”

  “Not such a bad thing for a merchant’s son. So you have enjoyed your time at the institute then?”

  Oliver nodded. “Greatly my lord. And not just for the knowledge, though it is a form of wealth all its own. I can attest to the quality of the instruction in warfare and statesmanship as well, both of which I’m sure will be important for your son. I believe he will be attending next spring if I’m not mistaken?”

  “I’m surprised you can remember that,” Lord Enre set down his fork. “How long has it been since we last spoke? You were not so articulate last time if I recall.”

  “Much can change in two years my lord,” Oliver laughed. “But if Teo approaches his tenth year, then it seems congratulations will soon be in order. I’ll send a gift upon the date, and of course I’ll ensure he adapts smoothly when he reaches the academy.”

  “I could ask for nothing more. I remember my time at the institute, though it seems so long ago. When I first arrived, Lord Trestle, who was only a few years older than I, helped me immensely throughout my first three years. It’s thanks to his mentorship that I find myself so successful today.”

  “I imagine his passing must have been a great loss then,” Oliver said remorsefully. “From what I understood he was a fine lord.”

  “And a good friend.” Enre agreed, setting his wine down on the table. “For all the war has enriched us, it has taken much as well. But that is not a conversation for tonight. I meant to ask you a question, though I understand your physical art is fencing?”

  “That’s correct my lord, I’m ranked second in my year.”

  “A fine accomplishment, but I meant to ask about equestrianism at the institute, you see Teo has shown quite an interest in horses, one I mean to indulge. So I was wondering…”

  The conversation continued, though it was less educational and more personal after that. Kei continued to listen as much as she could, enjoying the luxurious dishes far more than she had before. Even when topics such as the war were brought up, it seemed Oliver was always able to steer them away from her. It was an odd feeling, but she felt… safe.

  Dinner was nice, but perhaps the biggest way in which her life had changed was that she was no longer expected to do chores most days of the week, and even when she was, they were greatly reduced from the long lists which had taken her hours.

  Instead, Oliver had insisted on furthering her education, getting into several arguments with her father behind closed doors until he’d relented. And perhaps oddly, instead of her stepmother, it was him who was tutoring her, and the topics had expanded greatly, covering economics and literature.

  Kei found herself looking forward to their lessons, as it was time she’d get to spend with him, and the more she learned, the more she found she enjoyed it.

  “This is great work Kei,” Oliver said, looking over some math problems he’d set up for her. “How did you know to do this here?” He pointed at one of them.

  Kei looked at the problem, it was a simple subtraction. She walked him through her steps, and saw him thinking.

  “Kei, would you mind trying some harder problems for me?” He asked.

  “Okay,” she smiled. He gave her another set of problems, addition and subtraction, with bigger numbers than normal. It wasn’t hard though, she’d always been good at math.

  He began asking her questions instead of writing them, and she answered each one. Normally they would have moved on, but he continued to make them harder instead. “I have… forty two baskets, and each basket can hold thirty three apples. How many apples can the baskets all hold?”

  Kei thought for a moment as Oliver scratched numbers onto the paper.

  “One thousand, three hundred and… eight six.” She answered.

  He wrote a bit more and his eyes widened. “That’s correct! Okay okay, how about…”

  He kept asking questions, getting more excited with each one, and though she wasn’t sure exactly why, she found herself growing excited as well. By the time he stopped, Oliver was grinning.

  “That’s incredible,” he muttered. “You got them all right!”

  Kei smirked. She felt… proud. “They weren’t that hard though. It’s just math. Miss Charlotte gives me problems like that all the time.”

  “Does she make you solve them in your head like that?”

  “No, on paper,” Kei tilted her head. “Is it weird I can do them without it?”

  Oliver shook his head. “No, not weird. It’s special, very special. Alera kisses your mind Kei, it’s a wonderful thing.”

  Special? I’m… special?

  She felt herself trembling. The words went down like a cup of hot tea, spreading warmth through her body. She couldn’t help but smile. “I’m special? Really?”

  “You’re a genius!” he laughed. “What else can you—”

  She didn’t hear what else he said, she couldn’t stop shaking. She let out a squeal, her hands clenched into fists as she got up out of her chair and jumped up and down. She’d actually done it! She’d gotten praise! It wasn’t from her father, or her stepmother, but it was hers, and for the first time, it felt like it was something she’d earned.

  When she finally calmed down, she saw her brother watching her. His eyes had widened slightly, as though he were only realizing something for the first time. She beamed at him, and then ran over and threw her arms around him.

  “I did it!”

  For a moment, he stiffened, and she felt a flash of fear. But then, he hugged her in return, one hand coming up to cradle her head against his shoulder. “Yeah… you did. Good job Kei. I’m proud of you.”

  His voice was warmer than her father’s had ever been, and though his hand wasn’t as large, it felt much, much safer.

  Kei closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling. It was then, as she felt truly safe for the first time, that she had a thought.

  My brother is amazing. As long as he is here, I don’t have to worry about anything. If I can just stand behind him, then that will be enough.

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