Sarbie opened the door, acutely aware of how alone she felt doing this. She'd talked a big game, but she was already regretting not accepting any of Alvec's offers of support. Her left hand flittered over the vial of alchemist fire in her pocket. It would only sting a little, and she'd just disappear in a puff of smoke and an illusion likely strong enough to trick Hoc. Granted, she could see him swearing vengeance against devils as a result.

  No, if she wanted to clear the air and also put to bed whatever feelings were driving him to act like such a tool, she'd need to face him head-on. Hell, she'd faced devils; surely talking to one of her best friends couldn't be all that hard.

  "Hey Hoc, I see you heard I made it back safe and sound." She said as she pushed her way outside and pulled the door shut behind her. The sun, at this point, had settled behind the hills, and only the last bits of light illuminated the boy in silhouette.

  "Yeah, I came over as soon as I could." He said. "How was it, being out of the city with a group of adventurers."

  "Honestly? Terrifying, I'll have to tell you all about the giant newts. I'm pretty sure they nearly ate Bait and Mavec." She said.

  "I'm sorry. It shouldn't have ever been you. If I'd been stronger, if I'd been more useful, then you would have been here safe in Sha-Laial the entire time. This is my fault."

  "No, it isn't."

  "What do you mean? They said I wasn't good enough. Had I been, you wouldn't have needed to leave." Hoc said.

  "I don't think they ever said that. They said they needed a healer. You're many things Hoc, but you aren't a healer. I've been treating your skinned knees since we were kids. It had to be me, and honestly... I think it was a good thing for me. Don't tell them that. I still get a few perks for complaining about the conditions."

  "Is that supposed to make me feel better?" He asked. "Because it doesn't. I just feel like I should have been there to protect you."

  "Look, I've been accosted by giant newts, shot at by pirates, stabbed by devils, and assaulted by a war mech made by one of the archwizards. I don't think you'd have been able to keep me any safer than they did. I can't count the times Alvec threw himself in harm's way for me. When a boat capsized, Echo dove in after me without hesitation. Every one of them did their best to keep me safe. It's ok, Hoc."

  "But I let you down. I failed you."

  "You didn't. It's ok, really, I'm where I'm supposed to be. Kushang surely approves, or else I wouldn't feel like my own magic has grown stronger. She's supporting me even now, so you promise me right now that you're going to go sort things out with the church. Right?"

  "Ah, so you heard about that?" He asked.

  "My parents are both members of the congregation; I've heard the rumors about you..." She paused for a moment, unsure how to bring up the next part. "And the rumors about me. They say I ran off and eloped with Alvec, all because someone saw us dance at the festival."

  "Yeah, it's not like you guys did that, right?"

  "I don't know, we did share another dance as we sank a boat to the spirit Shoalsatta. I'll have to ask Naya if that means we're married. Though, would that mean we're in a polycule? That just won't work: I can't with Mavec."

  "You're joking, right?" He asked.

  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

  "Even if I weren't, I don't care what the spirits say. Only my commitments and vows made in the presence of Kushang matter to me, and I've made none of those yet." She paused for a long moment. "But someday I might. I can certainly think of worse partners than Alvec. The rumors are easy enough to fake; we're both bookworms who'd rather be home than on the road. He's just more adventurous than I am. I ENTIRELY blame his mother. That woman is frightening."

  "Can you think of better partners?" Hoc asked.

  "No, I've got a lot of people in my life who I love dearly, but there are a lot of different loves. Familial, romantic, platonic. I'm blessed to have people who fall into each of those categories. You've been my best friend all my life, Hoc. You'll always be someone close to me, but I see you like family. I'll cheer for you, and I'll do my best to support you, but it's hard to see you as anything beyond that." her words lingered in the air heavy for a long time as an uncomfortable silence thickened over them. She regretted she hadn't done this earlier. She'd known for a long time that he'd had a thing for her. Yet she'd never had the courage to tell him she didn't see him the same way. Part of it was denial, she supposed. How could she, with her small ambitions and humble desires, ever stand side by side with someone who wanted to be a living legend, who wanted people to know his name and all of his deeds.

  "I always saw you by my side whenever I imagined my future." He said.

  "And I will be, but I don't think it's going to be the way you imagined." She said.

  "I see. I, uh. I'm going to head out if you don't mind. I've got a lot of thinking to do." Hoc said as he walked slowly down the road.

  "Tomorrow's Ivy day! Expect something before sunset!" She shouted after him. "I can't leave my best friend out from my ivy day! And don't forget! Play nice with the church, even if it means slowing down a smidge." Sarbie let out a sigh. It hadn't gone as badly as she had hoped, but she could tell Hoc was still dejected. She couldn't blame him. The truth she'd spoken certainly hurt. She let herself back into the house to see Alvec had broken out a set of cards and coaxed them all into a spirited game. A few copper pieces were pooled in front of each of the players.

  She walked up behind him and peered at his hand. "I've got a bad hand; I'll fold," Alvec said as he placed his cards down. She snickered a bit. He'd likely have cleaned them all out if he was playing seriously, but like he'd done for her, he was cheating in order to lose again. Well, maybe cheating was the wrong word this time, but he was lying to let them win.

  "Shall I join you for a hand?" She asked.

  "Ah, welcome back. Is everything okay?" Alvec asked.

  "No, but it will be," Sarbie assured him.

  "Well, then perhaps we should get going. We're heading to the Academy first thing in the morning. Mavec and Bait are spearheading the goblin's lawsuit for breach of contract after all. I'll be with them to provide additional spellcraft expertise in case Warren tries to wriggle out of this somehow. Afterward, though, I was hoping I might be able to stop by. I think I just had a great idea for an Ivy Day gift for you. And no, doubt worry, it won't be nearly as expensive as the cloak." Alvec insisted as he made his way for the door.

  "How much is the cloak?" her mother asked.

  "We're not going to be answering that," Sarbie stated before anyone else could spill the number to her. "Suffice to say it was much more than I was comfortable accepting, even if it was a hand-me-down magical item."

  Illaria spun round and grinned at Sarbie. "Let's just say the price tag on Alvec's crafts is high enough to make the nobles on the other side of the river blush. There might not be a diamond ring in this city that is more expensive than his work. He's a damned prodigy with his enchanting. Made me the enchantments on the blade that helped defeat cutthroat Crowley. Couldn't ask for any better."

  "Illaria!" Sarbie shouted, exasperated.

  "I'll be expecting some small trinkets for Ivy Day as well. I'll swing by with Alvec tomorrow night. After all, if we be forgetting to mention. He's currently restricted to using the buddy system. LuCol found out why his grandmother was trying to capture him. Some infernal plot to bring some of our world to the shattered facet. Involves sacrificing him too, so I've got a right lot to say about that." Illaria patted the handle of her blade. "I be imagining that you might as well. So you're welcome to come stay at the tower." Illaria suggested.

  "Or, you can just hold onto Rem. He'll know if I'm in trouble and should be able to sniff me out." Alvec said before walking over to the fox and giving him some pets. "He likes you a lot. He won't mind hanging out with you."

  The pair of adventurers returned to the tower, where they called it an early night.