Chapter 5

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Of Edwrad's revelation, I knew three things for certain:

Firstly, that the best friend I had had in years shared my beloved brother's name, and that must be a sign of something.

Secondly, I had no idea what that sign might be—was it good or bad? Did it mean that we would eventually be the closest of friends or the bitterest of enemies? I couldn't say, and that made me nervous.

Lastly, and most importantly, for the sake of his health if nothing else, Daddy could not know.

The solution to this last problem was simple: Edward had chosen a penname for a time such as this, and, in public, he would remain Gilbert for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, this meant that I couldn't tell Mama either, and she was the one person who could have helped me decipher the sign.

Metis, who was also a mage and also working under a penname, offered to help me. (Unlike Edward, she wouldn't tell me what her real name was, though she said that it was a very common name in Baron, where she came from.)

"I'd rather ask my parents, if I could," I responded politely.

"I understand," Metis agreed. "I would rather have my parents help me too… As it is, they disowned me for running off with Roland. They thought he was no good, that he only wanted me because I was a pretty young girl with no experience in the world, etcetera, etcetera."

"But you left anyway," I observed, wondering how she could count such treatment from her parents worth it.

"Roland looks a little strange at first, but then we all do," she explained. "I was 16 at the time, and he was much older—a master—and I wanted him to teach me. It was like he knew how to play everything instrument on the Blue Planet, and that's what I wanted to do."

"So you just left?"

"Pretty much. We came back to Baron on tour a couple of years later and I spied them—my mom and dad—out in the crowd. They were just hovering in the back, watching sourly. And when I made eye-contact, they turned around and left the concert. I tried to catch them at our old house, but they had moved shortly after I left. And when I found where they were living and paid a visit, they said that they didn't know me, that no daughter of their was a dancer girl in a traveling circus, and then slammed the door in my face," Metis explained.

"…Ouch."

"I used to think that I was halucinating for years, but every time we go to Baron—even this past trip that we just got back form—I see them somewhere in the crowd."

"What about the others? What happened to their parents?"

"The twins were orphans, desparate for a way out of their orphanage," Metis answered. "Andrea joined us because of a mid-life crisis which he's actually still going through—he's a grouch, you know; a loveable grouch but a grouch nonetheless. Shika and Gilbert actually have permission from their parents to be with us. They don't call us a circus for nothing, you know."

How Metis kept such a good attitude was hard for me to understand. If my parents didn't want to speak to me, I would die.

Daddy was still nervous about me hanging around with the troupe, and especially about Edward—who was still Gilbert to his knowledge.

"He certainly seems to like you, for a friend," Daddy pointed out after the second concert.

"So what, we danced a little," I retorted, a little more willfull than I used to be. "It's really nothing."

"A little?" Daddy asked incredulously. "You spent every spare moment dancing with that bard."

"Daddy, you're being paranoid," I insisted impatiently. "It won't go anywhere."

Of this last statement, I wasn't so sure. At least, I hoped I wasn't. By any name he had, I liked Edward an awful lot. He was smart, interesting, funny—most importantly kind and generous to me. And wasn't that everything that Mama and Daddy both had told me to look for in a boyfriend?

To my pleasure, Edward seemed to feel the same about me. The name-sign looked very good, the more I thought about it. Everything was lining up. But I couldn't tell Daddy about it for so many reasons.

Mama, on the other hand, liked Edward just as much as I did. Even if Daddy was suspicious, Mama was always just delighted. If I had anything to say, she was the one to talk to.

"Mama," I confessed the night before the final concert, "I think I'm in love."

"Oh really? With whom, might I ask?" Mama didn't sound very surprised, but she had left her question open-ended to give me room to explain myself.

I allowed myself a childish giggle before continuing. "Oh, Mama, it's Gilbert! He's the best friend I've ever had!"

"Considering that you've spent the whole week with him—longer than you've spent with pretty much anyone since Edward died—I'm not surprised," Mama agreed.

The statement confused me for a second. Edward wasn't dead—I just told her that I was in love with him, hadn't I? And then I remembered that she didn't know about that, and she meant my brother. It seemed a little blasphemous, and it made me feel terrible as it made me feel silly. But something deep inside me told my heart not to feel so: my brother wouldn't have minded, and he certainly didn't now.

"So, what do you intend to do about this?" Mama asked.

"Well, I'm not telling Daddy," I answered.

"A wise choise," she agreed. "Will you invite Gilbert here for dinner before they leave? I wouldn't mind having him; and there's little persuasion that won't change your father's mind."

"I'm not sure. Part of me wants to keep them far away form each other."

"I can understand that. Heaven help the smart yet unfortunate man who has the audacity to fall in love with you. You have to understand, sweety, your father's just a nervous old coot. He's already lost one child; he's teriffied of losing you too. It's natural even in normal fathers to be overly protective of their daughters. Your grandfather was overly protective of me as well when I was your age."

"So where is he?"

"…In Mysidia."

As much as Mama was willing to discuss with me, she still wouldn't tell me why she and Daddy left Mysidia and wound up in the middle of the desert. It was their business, true, but surely I was entitled to some kind of knowledge of why I had never met the uncles, aunts, grandparents and probably cousins I had always heard of. (They both assumed that by now I would have had several cousins; but, in reality, my only cousins, Palom and Porom, wouldn't be born for another two months, and then their sister Annin—named after me—wouldn't come along for many more years. That too is neither here nor there.)

"Anyways," Mama continued, "I see no problem in the two of you dating a little bit. Though I wonder how you would do it, since he's leaving tomorrow and not coming back for quite some time."

"Oh, I'm sure that we'll think of something," I said, craftily thinking back to the calling-song that Edward had writen for me.

"Do you suppose he has something special in mind for you?"

"Oh, I'm not sure… He's full of surprises."

That night at the final concert, Edward seemed just as sad as I was.

"I can't believe that we're really leaving in the morning," he lamented. "It feels like we just got here yesterday."

"I know," I agreed. "I'm going to miss you all so much. When do you think you'll come again?"

"Probably next year some time," he answered. "I've got friends all over the world that I can't wait to go see again, but I have none like you, Anna. I'll miss you too."

"You're lucky," I said. "Until I met you, I didn't have any friends."

"Maybe you can come with us?" he suggested.

"Daddy would never allow it; Mama wouldn't like it much either. I think I'm better off right here."

Edward sighed and, to my surprise, he took my hand in his. "It seems so unfair. We've only known each other for a week and a day, but I like you so much. I feel like I'm leaving something important behind."

"I feel like I'm losing something important," I agreed. "But we'll see each other again. Next year, I'll be 16."

"And I'll be 17," he added. "You don't suppose that your father will like me any better next year?"

"I hope so. I like you; and so does Mama. And if she likes you, there's almost nothing that Daddy can do about it."

The prospect reassured him, though it did nothing to bridge the gap of time we'd have to go without each other. When it was time to go, I thought briefly about kissing him goodnight; but Daddy was too close and would kill us both. I got the feeling that Edward was thinking exactly the same and just barley controlled my nerves enough to maintain myself.

They had already left when I woke up, and it frustrated me so bad that I thought I would tear my hair out of my head. The town seemed so empty now, and I suddenly remembered what being alone was like—over the week that I had spent constantly at Edward's side, I'd forgotten. Now that I had a friend that I loved so dearly, the return to normalcy was painful.

I trudged back home, feeling pretty miserable, and maybe a little sick. As I walked up to the front door of our house, a spot of white beneath our big oak tree caught my eye. It was an envelope with my name written on it. I took it into the house, giddily assuming that it was from Edward, planning to read it in the privacy of my room. But Daddy was in the kitchen and stopped me as I came in.

"Were they there?" he asked.

"No," I answered sadly, hiding the envelope in the fold of my dress.

"Smart thing, to get an early start in this desert," Daddy replied. "Even this late in the year, it still gets so hot so quickly. The temperatures will be more forgiving in the Damcyani desert, I think. Don't worry about them, Anna; they'll be fine."

He could tell that I was upset, but he didn't seem to understand why. Once again, it was hard to tell if it was ignorance or denial, but I could sort of understand if he thought that I was worried. The troupe had been traveling for years; I knew they'd be alright. I wasn't worried at all; I just missed them all—especially Edward.

But Daddy would be confused and furious if I told him that, so I hurried back to my room to read my letter before he could continue the conversation.

Dear Anna,

I didn't expect you to be awake when we left, but I wish I had been able to say goodbye again. I know I keep saying it, and it must tire you, but I'm going to miss you so much.

I've thought this over for days, and I haven't been totally sure of how to say it. I wasn't even sure if I should bring it up at all. But, after consulting not only my mentor but your own mother, I've decided that I owe you this much. It's only fair to warn you how much I absolutely adore you and wish that there were a way around the distance between us and your father's magic to court you.

If this is too much for you, I would understand; I'd never make you do anything you didn't want to do. But if you feel the same way about me, please send me a letter!

Your friends,

Edward Chris von Moir.

It almost was too much for me. I just barely refrained from screaming with glee—that would have alerted Daddy to come see if I was alright, and it would escalate from there. As precious as that little scrap of paper was, I incinerated it with a quick Fire spell, safe forever from Daddy's failing sight.

The next thing that occurred to me was to talk to Mama, who had apparently been in on Edward's plan the whole time. It was Sunday, and we were all in one place at the same time for the first time in days. Getting Mama alone was fairly easy.

"Guess what?" I asked passively.

"What?" Mama answered.

"Gilbert left me a letter this morning, saying that he loved me."

"Oh really?" Mama's feign at surprise was meant to be obvious; she knew that I knew.

"When did he ask you? He never mentioned it," I asked.

"Last night, as soon as he saw me," she answered. "He pulled me to the side and asked if I minded him dating you. I said no, of course, but I haven't told your father yet. My answer was good enough for the boy, so he went on his way."

"What are we going to tell Daddy?"

"I'll deal with that later, after you've left."

I was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Anna, you're not happy here," she pointed out. "You have no friends, school's a bore, your father obviously makes you feel uncomfortable around other people—there's just nothing for you in the little town."

"But where would I go?"

"Maestro Roland and I were discussing this. He told me about this very prestigious magical academy in Baron; Metis attended this school before she joined the troupe. It's certainly not as fine as the schools in Mysidia, but the place has quite a name for itself. It's an all-girls boarding school, and there are other girls of all ages from all over the world attending."

As sudden as it was, I was excited. This extraordinary new place sounded amazing. "But what about Daddy?"

"I've already discussed it with him. It took him a few hours of brooding, but he finally agreed that, perhaps, a more formal education could possibly be better for you than learning here, at home."

"The money?"

"This is what your savings account in the bank is for; the total in your account should just about cover your tuition for the next few years. Plus, no doubt, you'll find a good job in the city soon after you get there; that will certainly help to cover your expenses."

This was all far too grand, too perfect. "When do classes start?"

"In a few weeks. That gives you a few days to pack your things and enough time to actually get to the city and get settled, wouldn't you agree?"

I was stunned. Last week I had been a lonely outcast; now, all of a sudden, everything was going my way.

Several days later, the few really important things I owned packed into a trunk, we started off on our journey. We had both tried to talk Daddy out of coming, but of course he wouldn't have it. He didn't even like th idea of me being so far away. This whole visit would be difficult with his antics; I hoped that he wouldn't make us look like fools in the big city.

The first part of the journey took us a day across the desert, to the west. The desert gradually ebbed away, the sand slowly being replaced by grass, a few trees, and finally a small mountan range with a wide pass. Beyond that pass lay the elusive town of Mist.

We had hoped that the Summoners who dwelt there would let us stay and rest for a day or two, but we were wrong. Upon entering the town, every neon-haired villager stopped and stared at us with suspicion. One of them, dressed in the robes of a high mage, stepped in front of us s we walked through the square.

"What do you mean, entering this place with no invitation?" he demanded.

"We're just passing through, on our way to Baron," Daddy answered sharply.

The high mage assessed the three of us—Daddy most of all—and then sighed reluctantly. "Fine. You can stay in the inn for the night, but you must leave in the morning. And you mustn't relay anything that you see here to anyone out there," he said, pointing toward the other end of town, indicating everyone outside.

"Certainly a friendly lot," Daddy mumbled sarcastically when we were behind the door of our room, away from the ears of the Summoners (We hoped.).

"Their power is extraordinary," Mama pointed out. "You know, back in the days of the Wicked Mysidian Elders, they actually started a black market trade of these people."

I was horrified by the statement. "You're not serious!"

"I'm totally serious, dear. The Wicked Elders allowed all kinds of terrible things; human salvery, prostitution rings, legalized trade in drugs—"

"Their tolerance of immorality knew no bounds," Daddy interupted. "Stupid Steele's…" he mumbled.

Of the Steele's he mentioned, I knew little. I knew that Daddy had a rival by that name as a boy, and that the family was apparenty a root of evil in Mysidia. The connection between the Steele's and the Wicked Elders was hard to make at the time, but I would understand eventually.

"At any rate," Mama continued, "I don't blame the Summoners for wanting to stay hidden and secretive. If I was powerful enough to be treated as a tool and sold, I would want to hide myself and my powers from everyone but others like myself."

I couldn't imagine having a gift so enormous that someone would want to use me in such a way. Along with my always overwhelming respect for the Summoners, I also found deep pity for them.

As we approached the other end of Mist the next morning, ready to finish our journey, we were stopped again. The high mage and a lemon-haired woman stood waiting for us.

The woman was Tazé, the Summoner I had seen so many years ago.

"I trust that you slept well?" the high mage asked. "In order to reach Baron, you'll have to pass through Mist Cave. The place is guarded by Mist, the dragon eidolon , and namesake of our village. She is our patron eidolon, and very powerful. Under normal circumstances, she is not to be disturbed. However, Lady Tazé has some influence over her, and will guide you through the cave safely.

"On your return trip, I trust that you will simply Teleport back to your own home and not disturb us again?" he conculded dourly.

Daddy still didn't agree with his tone. But, as we walked farther and farther away from the town, Tazé laughed it off.

"You shouldn't worry about him," she informed us. "He's a little grouchy, but he's just trying to protect us. It's what leaders do, you know."

"I think I've seen you before," Mama mused. "Weren't you part of the mission team that came to Kaipo to help with the virus?"

"Yes, actually," she agreed sadly. "It nealry kept me from having children myself."

"I can understand that," Mama said sympathetically. "We lost our son to it."

"Oh, my apologies," Tazé said. "If we had come sooner, perhaps we could have saved him."

"You couldn't have," Mama informed, laying a comforting hand on the younger woman's shoulder.

I glanced over my shoulder at Daddy, who looked none too comfortable with the topic. Actually talking about Edward and what had happened made me feel a lot better than keeping my thoughts on it to myself.

"He died saving my life from the virus," I put in. "He was great brother; I wish I still had him…"

My tone suddenly sounded so juvenile, like I was channeling the small child who had wanted to talk about her greif but wasn't really allowed to. Tazé didn't pretend like she knew how I felt, because she didn't.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. So, why do you carry only one small trunk for a whole trip to Baron?" she asked.

"I'm on my way to the magic academy," I answered proudly.

"That's exciting. You know, I've been considering sending my little on to study black magic in Baron, when she's older. It would do us all some good to have some outside influence; I hate being cooped up so in this tiny village. If you ever come through here again, you'll have to let me know how the school is."

"So you had a child after all? How wonderful!"

"A daughter; she'll be one year old in a few months. I was loathe to leave her, but she is with her father who loves her so much. I'm the only Summoner that Mist will listen to, I had no choice."

"What is her name?"

"Her name is Rydia. Isn't that lovely?"

"Very lovely, indeed," Mama agreed. "Though certainly not more so than Anna, my daughter," she added jokingly. "I'm Sammy, by the way."

"I'm Tazé," Tazé introduced, shaking Mama's hand. "Liam, our mayor who loves you three so much, says that it's foolish to introduce ourselves to outsiders, since we'll most likely never meet again. My husband and I don't agree at all; Liam is so coarse and impolite sometimes."

Liam had point—I probably wouldn't meet with Tazé again, nor would I ever meet her husband or baby Rydia. But that didn't bother me much. I liked Tazé; she was as nice as I remembered her. I would miss her too.

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Author's Notes…

This has been a turn of events that I hadn't anticipated myself. It won't last long, though—a chapter and a half, tops. I know that we all want to get to the part where Edward shows up again and Tellah starts hitting him and things like that.