I realized then that I was sort of not doing the breathing thing. I took in some air. "Sorry," I shook my head clear, "I just wasn't expecting the . . . I mean I've seen magic before, but . . ."

His grin resurfaced. "It wasn't the first time."

I knew immediately what he meant, what I meant. He hadn't just used magic, he'd used it on me. Then the second part sunk in and my face perplexed.

He tossed his head towards the trees. "You don't think you could have shot that far without some help. . . ."

I looked back out. "Oh. . . ." Then I looked at myself like I was some sort of unknown entity. Then I just looked back to him, shaking my head. "You need to warn me about these things, Ikovos."

It came out less critical than I would have liked and he mocked a serious face. "Yes, ma'am."

I just rolled my eyes and was about to ask him what type of spell could make an arrow shoot further when his gaze flitted past me.

My body rushed, sunk, and stiffened at the prospect of Jaden. When I turned around I saw it was all for not, I loved Cornelius, but he didn't quite have the same affect on my heart-rate.

"Hi, Master," said Ikovos.

Cornelius smiled, but the usual warmness was absent. "Hello, you two. Up to some archery?"

We both nodded.

He chuckled. "You know, I wasn't half bad in my day."

Ikovos shook his head and gave me a face. "He's not half bad now."

I giggled, imagining the robed man with a bow.

Cornelius joined me. "Yes, well . . . Ikovos has long since surpassed me."

I looked to Ikovos and he faked a proud grin, then I turned back to Cornelius. "Between, magic, fighting, and archery I'm beginning to think he's good at everything."

Cornelius smiled, but when his eyes turned to Ikovos, all humor vanished. "Not everything."

Ikovos frowned and I backed up a bit, sensing the sudden turn in conversation. "Such as?"

Cornelius's brow narrowed fully now. "Listening to orders for one."

Ikovos looked like he might rebuttal, but Cornelius raised a hand. "Spare your brilliant excuses, I'm not the one responsible for your punishment . . . but I do feel I've earned the right to your obedience on these matters." I swallowed at the severity of his tone. "Whether you are in agreeance with the treaty or not, you owe it to Thoran, and to all the Masters, to respect our decision and follow in line with it."

The boy sighed solemnly, lifting a hand to scratch the back of his head.

"You and Jaden need to realize that the other boys look up to you, especially the younger ones. Do you want them believing that it is alright to take off without notice as you did?"

Ikovos's expression was firmer now, resolved. "No. You're right." He met his eyes. "I'm sorry, Master."

Cornelius nodded once, grimly, then lightened almost immediately. "Well, despite the trouble you ran into it turned out alright."

Trouble. Even now that I knew the two boys were safe, the word made my stomach turn. I had to ignore it as Cornelius continued.

"The new information about the . . . that you discovered was, important to say the least."

I could tell Ikovos was proud under his reserved exterior.

Suddenly Cornelius threw a finger out. "But make no mistake, if you two are caught going out of the borders again, no amount of information will save you."

It sounded like a death threat. Ikovos gulped, once again very serious. "Yes, Master Cornelius."

I gulped too. I hadn't seen Cornelius act so strict before, I wondered if I would eventually be held to such harsh reprimand.

All fear disintegrated when Cornelius smiled to me again. "Well, I must be off my dear, much to be done. I hope things are going well for you here."

It wasn't a question, but an overwhelming urge to affirm burst out of me. "Oh yes, it's everything . . . everything I thought it would be."

There was a brief pause, then he nodded his recognition warmly before looking over to Ikovos, stern face resurfacing. "If I'm not mistaken you have somewhere to be . . ."

"On it," the boy acknowledged easily.

Cornelius eyed him, then me, lifted his brows up, and sighed. All before heading back over the hill.

I narrowed for a moment in confusion, then turned back to Ikovos. He was looking down as if in thought.

There were a good many things, from the most recent conversation alone, that I wanted to ask him . . . but I was stopped by the picturesque expression. Jaw locked tight, eyes deep and focused. My head cocked in curiosity that he should be having it now.

He must have noticed the movement, because he quickly brought his gaze up to me.

I smiled hesitantly. "Where do you have to be?"

He tilted his head not understanding for a moment, then threw a hand out. "Oh." Big smile. "Dish duty."

I winced.

"One of the many joys of disobeying the Masters," he sighed.

I nodded. "I'll try to remember that."

He joined me. "Yeah, otherwise you might get in trouble for all of your horrifically unruly behavior."

It actually took me a moment to realize he was patronizing me. I furrowed, and he smirked.

"I'd better go now," he said. "I'll see you at dinner though, right?"

I took a breath, distracted by the new dilemma. Simple and stupid, I didn't want Ikovos to go. "Okay," I drawled.

He grinned at this, till I started to turn red.

"All right, go on." I mumbled.

And just like that he was off.

I was surprised to see it was already getting dark, but decided to try the bow thing once more.

It went further than my first try, though nowhere near what I had done with Ikovos. The extra distance must have been due solely on form. I was pretty happy about that and my smile held until I entered the study, that's when the small smile turned into a wide and completely unsubstantiated grin. A grin, that is, due to the lack of green flames and the reinstitution of a different color.

I walked over and plopped down into the couch excitedly. Then I leaned forward, crossing my elbows on the table and resting my head on them, just inches away from the fire.

Somehow it seemed like I'd never seen them before . . . but that's how it worked. Always new, more entrancing every time I saw it . . . the longer I looked at it. Though technically, it was exactly how I remembered, a deep maroon at the base, streaming up into shades of dark red, and ending in a piercingly, vivid, orange.

I sighed and my breath made it flicker significantly. Apart from that though, the large flame was constant, unwavering. After I don't know how long I leaned back sideways onto the couch, still keeping my eyes on it.

I'm not quite sure what was going through my mind as I studied the beautiful flames. It was almost as if there were too many thoughts swerving around beneath the surface to allow my conscious mind to focus on just one.

The next thing I was completely aware of was the dim light pouring through the window and the realization that I had slept through the entire night without a single nightmare. My first response was elation, followed by slight horror because I had promised Ikovos I'd meet him at dinner.

I jumped up from the couch so quickly that black spots dulled my vision, then rushed into the bathroom. I wanted to hurry down for breakfast, but a look in the mirror told me I definitely couldn't get away with skipping a shower again. It was quick though, very quick. By the time I was out and pulling on one of Sophie's custom outfits, all horror was gone. Replaced with unshakeable anticipation.

I grabbed a clip quickly and latched some of my more annoying loose hairs into it before rushing to the door of the study. At this point I stopped, took a calming breath, told myself there was no reason to be in a hurry, obviously from the deep-blue lighting it was still early, and turned the knob slowly.

By the time I was nearing the cafeteria my pace had re-increased. Rounding the corner, I grabbed a cup of coffee, waved to Sophie, then looked out over the giant room.

A smile crossed my face. Apparently the only boys crazy enough to be up this early were under twelve. I didn't mind though. In fact, so far I liked hanging out with any of the boys here.

I noticed that Trevor was eating alone at a table with a book in hand. I quietly scooted in across from him.

"I didn't take you for the reading type, Trevor."

He looked up to me then, a bit startled. But it wasn't long before his features soured. "I'm not, I'm studying."

"Oh. . . ." I said, trying to sound empathetic. Situations in the past had long since taught me not to reveal the fact that I enjoyed studying.

Trevor shrugged and set the book down onto the table.

"What are you studying about?" I asked.

He grabbed an apple. "This is . . . actually my favorite subject, Meodonic studies."

My eyes widened. "Really? What does it cover?"

He scoffed. "Nothing too interesting, we don't get to read the good stuff until we get older. Most of this is just geographical . . . or about the language."

When he mentioned the last part I suddenly remembered the time I had heard the Meoden speak in the dark language. After all that had happened following that day . . . I had completely forgotten about it until now.

"So they speak their own language then?"

Trevor nodded then took a bite out of his apple.

Still forgoing breakfast, I questioned him further. "How do they have meetings then? With Thoran and Cornelius."

"Oh, the Masters speak the language . . . or, at least understand it. It's not really possible for humans to imitate the Meoden dialect properly."

I nodded slowly. "But, Sylvanus . . . I mean, the Meoden, they can speak our language, right?"

That was a close save. I couldn't be positive, but I doubted Sylvanus was brought up a lot around the younger boys. Besides that, I'd managed to avoid any word getting out about my encounter with the creature, I didn't want to blow that now. Luckily, Trevor seemed to miss it. Probably due to my usual mumbled voice.

"Not all of them, but I know that quite a few of the higher ups do." His eyebrows arched. "Like Demian."

Demian. I'd heard that name a few times now. Finally I had the chance to ask someone about him. Just when I was about to Nathan and a couple other boys came to sit down.

After saying hello I considered continuing the conversation with Trevor, but . . . the thought of Nathan hearing about the Meoden, though I'm sure he did all the time, was wrong. He was just so young. . . . I switched the table to lighter topics and that is where it stayed for quite a while.

Although I listened and talked with the group, the first more than the second, it all seemed a bit like background noise. The larger part of my conscious mind was passively, okay obsessively, searching the tables for my friend and . . . the other, yet to be determined.

It was very bright out by the time my attention turned solely back to the table. Holdan had joined now and even after a polite good morning he looked a little sour. I didn't blame him after yesterday, and, feeling somewhat responsible, I took it upon myself to cheer him up.

"How did you sleep?" I asked, adding a grotesquely sweet smile.

He lightened a bit, but held the scowl. "Fine."

I tried again. "Did you ever find Master . . ."

"Boron?" he finished for me. "Yeah. I did." With that he reached for a plate and began grabbing food.

When my eyes wandered to Trevor he was eyeing me significantly, apparently I wasn't the only one that could tell Holdan was upset.

"What did he want?" I tried.

Holdan's eyes moved up to me, then finally he let out a sigh. "He wanted me to watch the gate for the night."

My smile widened over the supposed victory, he was at least looking at me now. "Have you done that before?" I asked.

He scoffed. "Many times."

"What's it like?"

"You sit and watch a cave, waiting in case anyone shows up, use your imagination." He looked back down as he said it.

Whoa, maybe not so victorious. When I looked back at Trevor he was mouthing something. I couldn't usually make these out, but it was an obvious: 'What did you do?' I shrugged, then narrowed my eyes at the table. I hadn't done anything, but I could think of a certain, supercilious, boy that might be responsible.

I reinstated a smile. Obviously it was going to take a little more effort to win Holdan back. "So, are we going to train today?" I asked him.

He looked up, a little surprised actually, then his face softened slightly. "I guess, if you want to."

I nodded and finally he smiled, though it was much smaller than the blinding grin I was used too.

For the rest of breakfast the boys continued their usual chatter. Slowly but surely Holdan was joining in, due chiefly to my efforts. To be honest I think I was just glad for a challenge I had at least a chance at succeeding in. it was a nice distraction from the two I had no clue with.

When Derrith joined us he informed me that Jaden and Ikovos were out scouting this morning and wouldn't be back until lunch. Once again, I was grateful for his informative attitude, if not his uncanny knowledge of my concerns. Either way, my mind settled and I was able to talk calmly with the other boys as we ate, resuming my attempts at making Holdan not mad at me.

Trevor and the younger boys left eventually, followed by Derrith. I didn't notice that it was just me and Holdan talking until I heard Sophie's voice.