'So', I asked, 'are these courses about Landis law or the Archadian laws?'

'Good question', Cirla said. 'For now, it's not perfectly clear. We're still talking about general matters, like why there has been the need for laws, the major categories, how they are created, and who has power over it. We have seen examples for Archadia but the class itself was not focused on the Empire.

'Which makes it even more interesting', Margit said with a cute smile.

'So you're almost teaching yourselves, aren't you?' I asked, afraid of the answer.

'Totally!' they both exclaimed.

'It's one very important side of this', Margit added with a laugh. No more stupid school everyday – although we still have to go to regular high school many days of the month, urrrh! – We study at our own rhythm.'

'Well, I admit it was a bit hard to convince our parents to follow this scheme of study', Cirla said. 'But it was totally worth it – the parents are glad and so are we.'

They had always seemed like the perfect family to me. All their joy left a bitter taste inside of me.

'What's wrong, Noah?' Margit asked, putting her head right under mine.

'Oh, nothing', I said quickly, two steps behind.

'We heard you've been working a lot at Uwiel. Last season's weather was not as nice as you've expected, was it?' Cirla said.

'Yes… yes indeed. We've been working a lot on several farms. But I think the result is positive. My mother looks really relieved, compared to her severe mood of the past weeks.'

'Oh, I'm glad! Your mom is a so nice lady!' Margit exclaimed, her arms tied and her foot above ground.

'Thanks Margit. You're also so nice and so cute', I said, to make her happy.

'Oh please, don't say this Noah. Everyone who's been to Uwiel knows the girl you're in love with is Naria.'

'What?'

Margit's elbow pushed her brother's one.

'Yes', he joined in her folly, 'even some boys here in Waldgott say so.'

'That… that is not true!'

The two of them began to laugh.

'Well…' I said, 'If I thought you were less beautiful I would be with her, not with you now.'

'True, true', Cirla said. 'But at least you have to admit she's very brave to have also worked in the farm'.

'Of course!' I exclaimed. 'Nareszcie's energy is absolutely incredible. She has helped us much, and not only on her father's farm. Her experience and optimism have been very valuable to us. It's clear that without her, things wouldn't have been over so fast, even if it's been months in reality…'

Brother and sister exchanged a wishful look.

'So', asked Margit, 'is it really over?'

'Haha!' I laughed. 'My mother hasn't confirmed yet, but I can guess the hardest times are behind us now. We managed to gather a lot of products from the different farms and sales should be good. So I'll have much free time, in comparison with the past years.

'That's good to hear!' Cirla shouted, joining his hands.

'Why? It's nothing really special…'

What was this all about? Why were they both looking at me anyway?

'Listen, Noah. We've been thinking about something.'

I was all ears.

'We know', Cirla began, 'your mother can't afford a course like the one we're taking, nor even another one in Landis.'

'So…' Margit said.

So you're trying to make me jealous. Thanks, guys, I really appreciate it.

'So if you indeed have free time, we thought you could join us in our studies.'

I didn't really understand what I just heard.

'After each class, we could gather here at home, so we study together the themes of the class and do our research as a group. I'm sure your ideas will be even different from mine and Margit's, so it'll be all beneficial!'

'I… I don't know…'

'We need you, Noah', Margit smiled. 'You may think we're fine now but reality is we miss you. Missed the times when we could chat about anything at school and had our own jokes!'

'Yeah', Cirla said. 'These were the good times.'

'So, what do you say, Noah? Will you be joining us? It'll not consist in studying only, of course. You'd have meals with us and share whatever fun may cross our boring lives. Can we count on you?'

M… Me? Joining Margit and Cirla's studies to become lawyers or whatever they will become in their successful future?

'Come on, Noah. We'd ask Basch, but you know, he isn't really interested in anything related to books. Whereas you… you're particularly keen on that, and we know you'd do better than us. What's your point? Aren't you our friend after all? And please, don't ask about our parents or your mother, you know they would all agree.'

My mind was thinking something, but my tongue wanted to say something else. Now they were both gazing at me deeper than ever, and I just wanted to disappear.

'What about the face, Noah?' Margit laughed. 'If you don't understand our proposition, just accept and we'll begin right now'.

'Of course, we wouldn't be able to master all it takes to be a true Archadian judge, like the mighty Judge Zecht, but we can nonetheless show you all our scribbles so you have an idea of what we studied last year.

'Yes! Please say yes, Noah!' Margit exclaimed.

'Alright. But I'm not better than you, and…'

Margit seemed curious.'

'And I want you to show me how you dance now', I said with a grin.

'What?'

Cirla and I exploded in laughs.

'Oh no, no, not at all! I'm not ready yet!' Little Margit was jumping all over the room.

Afterwards, Cirla invited me to sit in front of the desk and began to read a book's summary. We spent the following hours writing down on papers what each term evoked to us, and imagine audiences where these subjects would be involved. I felt like my ideas were worthless, because I still had no information about this domain, so I would not say them out loud. Instead, I would say 'yes indeed' or 'that's exactly what I was thinking' when Cirla or Margit – it depended on the subject – would… express exactly what I had been thinking. And it – unexpectedly – happened a lot. At the end of the day, I said goodbye with my head full of delight, hopes, and undetermined feelings.

As soon as the cart reached Uwiel, I began running towards my dear house.

'Mom! Mom!'

'Hey! Boy! My pay!'

'Mom! Where are you?'

She was behind the house, watering the flowers.

'What is it, Noah?'

'Can I… Is it possible to use one of the upper empty shelves of the living room's bookcase? I would like to borrow books from the Waldgott library.'

My mother seemed surprised. A neighbour appeared from behind the bushes and both women warmly greeted each other.

'Of course, my son', she said after that. 'That's a good idea, especially since work will be much lighter as of now. It will certainly help you change your mood!'

I sighed out of relief.

'Yes, and I can also sell the goods while on a journey to the city. Because… err… Cirla and Margit invited me to study law lessons together.'

My mother's eyes rolled in amazement.

'Is that so? It's very good news! I'm sure you and your friends will gather enough knowledge to rival the most skilled scholars in Ivalice!'

She was obviously glad, but immediately I sensed something wrong, as she took my hand to enter the house.

'What's wrong, Mom?'

She sat in the kitchen chair, visibly exhausted.

'Did you do anything special? Tell me!'

'It's not me', she finally said in a low tone. 'It's Basch. I don't know where he is.'

'Has he been the whole day out?! Let me bring him back home!'

'Please don't go out of the village! You have to promise!' she screamed.

I nodded while moving across the entrance of the house, when my feet trampled others.

'It's me'.

My brother didn't seem any happier than my mother. What was going on?

'Basch!'

Mom jumped out of the chair and hurried to hug him.

'It's alright, Mom.'

'Oh, Basch! For a moment I thought you went…'

'I was playing in the village, with Naria and the others. You can ask Olszewski if you don't believe me.'

Mom held back her breath, then walked back to sit again. I thought Basch would understand that she was out of nerves, that she gave all the worrying she could that day. I really did. But instead, he took a deep breath and announced:

'Mom, I have made a decision. I will join Father in the camp. I don't miss him to the extent of seeing him alone; I can't forget what he has done to you. I can't forgive him for forsaking us. But I have to meet him while he's still alive. I want to know how he lives and try that life for myself.'

'But, Basch!' my mother objected.

'I know I'm not a soldier, I won't join the army. But I've grown up, I'm twelve years old now and I can choose a training that matches my ambitions. And my ambition is to be a warrior, like Father. But unlike him, I will not forget you. If they don't want me to join in their training, I'll do some other sort of training, that corresponds my current strength and abilities, so you don't have to worry about me. Even if you don't trust Father'.

Mom gasped.

'I… On the contrary, I have all faith in your father. One thing I am sure about, is that he will never let you get harmed. That is all I need to know.'

'So it's settled', Basch concluded. 'I'm going to pack my things and be prepared to leave tomorrow morning. I'll stay in the camp during the time Father's team is in it. I'll write to you often; I hope you will take care of yourself, brother.'

I could not say anything.