“Crystal,” the letter read, “I decided to write this note against the council’s wishes. They thought your journey should be without help from anyone but Phineas. I disagreed. A chief must use every advantage given to her because the world is not as formal as some would like it to be. With that being said, to hell with this formality.”

Crystal flinched but kept reading. “I am sick and tired of talking like that. Proper this, proper that. Ugh. Now, Cryssy, this journey is gonna suck. The council stacked the deck against you. They think they’re so clever. Like hell I was gonna let you go without some help. They already took all of your bodyguards but one.” The next line was crossed out. “They picked Phineas specifically because he isn’t ready.” 

In smaller, rougher text, a note next to the line read, “I am so proud of you for standing up for Violet. She is a much better choice.”

Smiling, Crystal glanced at Violet. “What?” Violet asked.

Crystal pointed to the small note. “This.”

Violet nodded. “Your mom has good sense.”

Crystal turned back to the note. “Be careful, Cryssy. The world is changing, and I have a bad feeling. I don’t know what it is, but something feels wrong. The nations have been too friendly lately. That usually means someone is going to die. Make sure that isn’t you.

“I’m sorry I didn’t prepare you better for this. I knew this day was coming, but I put it off for so long. You are truly not ready, and that is not your fault. It is mine. Forgive me. I want to blame the council or my duties as chief. But I know better. I’ve been a pretty shitty mother.

“It ain’t much, but I left you with two gifts in this book. The first is my hairpin. I’ve heard people spouting rumors that it isn’t Avan’s necklace. They’re idiots. I took that dragonfly from Delenthal’s neck. It is Avan’s own. Now, it is yours. I can’t promise I’ll still be here when you come back. I’ve been wanting to travel on my own for a long time. I wanted to make sure you had a symbol of being the chief. The elders love crap like that.

“The other gift is a healing spell.” Next to this, another hasty note was written: “It turns out you need this more than I thought.” Crystal couldn’t help but rub the edge of the wrap on her knee. She continued reading, “The council told me very specifically not to give you this. I told them I wouldn’t. So, the second page of this book is a brief summary of how to pull off the spell. You have a solid control of your magic. It shouldn’t be too hard.”

Crystal set the note down and turned to the second page of the book. Sure enough, there was a basic explanation of how to focus magic into a wound to heal it. Crystal touched the page, her fingers just barely grazing the surface. Healing magic was rare and expensive to purchase. It was a closely guarded secret by most users. Where did Mom get this?

Closing the book, Crystal picked the note back up. “I want you to know I’m proud of you, Cryssy. I never thought I would have a daughter. In my younger days, I used to scream to the heavens I would never have children. But when I had you, something changed. I began to love that little baby in my arms. I am so proud of the woman you have become. You have a lot to learn to be chief, but I know you can do it. After all, you’re my daughter! I love you, Cryssy.”

Once again, Crystal felt tears rising to her eyes, but she held strong. Picking up the dragonfly pin, she held it in front of her. Violet joked, “Now you don’t have to wear that old one.”

Crystal looked up at Violet and then back at the pin. She reached up and pinned her hair back with her mother’s, with Avan’s dragonfly. For a moment, she touched the other hairpin, the one Violet had made for her. Crystal left it where it was.