My bullet wound had become painful as we walked, stinging with each step. I could feel the metal embedded deep in my shoulder, chafing my scapula whenever I moved it. It may even be broken, cracked from the close impact.

My father stopped in front of me. We were standing in a commodious, circular room, with our countries war banners and flags draping the walls. A large, oak desk was towards the front of the room, as if to look out on all the free space it had. It was Vayne Solidor's conference room.

"You're crowning me king of Archadia!" I jested bitterly. "But I'm not sure that my performance as pleasing, since your department would be the first I shut down."

"I am conflicted for you, Ffamran." My father fingered the desk. "The way you speak of our noble ruler, and my work in service for him." He turned and faced me. "I am sure you will see the importance of my research in time. And I would like you to continue it for me if I do not last through the war." I knew what he meant, even if he thought he'd implied some different reasoning. Since his research had gotten fiercer, more demanding, he seemed to weaken with it. He was aging faster than he should be, body and mind. He spoke to beings nonexistent, though many times over and again he'd explained to me with certainty that there were indeed friends of his present. His eyes had become wild and desperate, and if I took up his work, I would no doubt become like him. My lost father, I would never be. I said nothing of this, and let him speak. "My body grows weak even though my mind is ever-expanding. I am so close, Ffamran. Once I find it, I will create the ultimate weapon. But it is difficult to find, it hides from me."

"What are you searching for?" I asked softly. My father's eyes went wild, flashing to me like a lion had found prey.

"The Godess' Nethicite! A stone with the power to destroy an entire fleet or airships! Can you imagine its power, Ffamran, can you picture it?" He put a hand to his head, mumbling softer. "But to harness such power is a delay I cannot afford, so many drawbacks, so little time- and that is why!" He stood to his full height, just above me, suddenly vulgar. "That is why, my son, that you shall become a judge!" My heart went cold, pumping icy blood throughout my body in a few seconds. Judges were those who served the Solidor house. There were four main Judges now, who took orders directly from the Solidors like their own personal army. Regular Judges still were high up, but it took years to become one of Vayne's personal Judges. My father wanted me to become one for that reason. "You will be able to work beside me, and eventually continue my research with Vayne." I was speechless. Had it already been decided? Done? "I see. You…what?" He diverted his attention from me to the space above and beside him. "Of course not. Ffamran is ready. I only told him what he needs, and-…I do agree, but now is not the time. Well then." He faced me again, turning away from his transparent counterpart. "You may be unsure of Vayne now, my son. But with time, you will understand his views, and come to appreciate them. Now…get that wound cleaned up." He rested his hand on my shoulder and my frozen body seemed to break. "Sixteen years old today, and so much future awaits for you."

A future I was all too eager to toss away.

"So which of you ladies will be willing enough to take a look at my shoulder?" I sat on an examination table, slowly shrugging off my cotton vest in front of three blushing nurses. "It may need some…close examination."

"I'll be handling that." An elderly man, dressed in a white coat walked into the room. "You three can leave, I will take this one." All four of us groaned in union. The nurses left me alone with my old doctor. I sighed, leaning back on the bed as he directed.

"You could not have let one of them stay to hold a light, clean the wound?"

"You are free to court all the woman you wish, Ffamran, as long as none of them are my nurses. Perfect your skills someplace else."

"Ah-I see, Dr. Ranshal." I winced, trying not to watch as he revealed more shrapnel, to remove shrapnel. "You want them all to yourself."

"I should know better than to ask by now, but who got you?" I exhaled loudly.

"An "officer". He shot right through the bloody dashboard. Ironically enough, that's how I made my escape." Dr. Ranshal nodded, wiping his hands.

"That's not all of it." He said, pausing, and met my eyes. "Is it your father?" I had known Ranshal all my life, pediatrician from the day I was born, where he delivered me. He could read me like I were a medical book.

"These…last few years, as he was getting deeper into his research, he's been…drifting further away. His mind is corrupted, Ranshal." I looked up at him, then away.

"What is it?" I came out with almost eagerly, as if I'd been waiting for the chance to say it aloud.

"He made me a Judge today." Ranshal stiffened. "As a birthday present." Ranshal put his hand to his forehead and sighed.

"…Did…Did he tell you beforehand?"

"I learned of it today. Along with his search for another stone."

"Has he not given up that endless search?"

"No. He's sure of this one, he said. He plans to make another weapon." I shook my head. "I'm not meant to-I mean…" Ranshal put his hand on my shoulder. Unlike my father's, his touch was warm against my skin. Though my back was bare, he did not cause me to shiver. "I've lost my father, it seems, by the-ow! What was that!"

"I just removed the bullet." He dropped it in my hand. "Happy sixteenth birthday."

I spun the bloody bullet in my fingers as he bandaged my shoulder.

"Do you have any…prescription for me?"

"Ooh yes, go to Balthier's place, have a hard drink and make a few fathers angry with you." My lips twitched up in a grin.

"That's one pill I can swallow."