In the dead of night, light footsteps approached the door to Quinn’s shack. The doorknob turned silently. Heron stepped inside, conjuring a silencing draft as he shut the door. Everyone should be asleep, so he concentrated on his steps, silencing his own sound with his affinity. The creaking floor could not escape his mastery of the air.

    Since his loss to Ferek, Heron practiced more ways to amplify his movements with wind and discovered this silencing technique. It took focus, but it was worth learning this level of precise control. Before he could see, he could hear a loud gurgling sound. He saw Gust sitting and leaning against his door frame. His snores were deep. 

    A note was placed next to him. Heron picked it up and squinted to read it in the dark. It read he waited all night - V. He smiled. 

    Gust laying so restfully on the floor reminded him of home. They were both raised at Perth’s orphanage. Despite his mother being lauded as a hero, she’d left Heron and his older sister to be raised by the community. With his own sister missing, Gust was the only family he had. Heron’s lips curved into a smile. Berkan was better for Gust. Back in Perth, he’d only left the orphanage for classes or when asked, but here, he could be someone.

    Heron shook his head and carefully picked Gust up. Gust slept deeply. Heron carried him back to his room and laid him down. Immediately, Gust turned and grasped at his pillow. A chuckle escaped Heron’s lips. After his current mission, Heron promised to spend some time with him.