"You're asking for help?" Galen asked. "That's not your style."
Thuraya ignored his question, walking away. "Come, we must discuss this in private."
Galen watched her go. Severin looked between Galen and Thuraya's retreating back. He asked, "Who is she?"
"A very important asteris."
"She’s an asteris!" Severin whispered harshly.
It then occurred to Galen that they were still standing in front of Inoeda and Rieda's statue. Anyone could hear them talking. Galen sighed, "I'll explain more later. Let's go."
Galen and Severin made their way back to the apothecary. Thuraya was already there waiting. Galen passed her and sat behind the counter. Severin moved to sit in the chair next to him. Thuraya inspected Galen's products. She said, "An apothecary, huh. It's very you."
"The shop has been a lot of fun," Galen replied.
"I see you've taken on a companion. What's your name, boy?"
Severin startled, not expecting the asteris to address him. "Severin."
"Severin," She hummed, "Would you like to know your future?"
Confused, Severin asked, "My future?"
Thuraya turned and stared into Severin's eyes. Her knowing gaze seemed to pierce through Severin's soul. Thuraya said, "You heard me the first time."
Severin glanced at Galen in an attempt to figure out what to say. Galen shrugged and gestured for Severin to humor her. Severin replied, "Yes, I would like to know."
Thuraya moved to lean her forehead against Severin's. Severin jerked his head back with his face flushed. Thuraya brought her hand behind Severin's head and forced him to lean against her forehead again. "Boy, close your eyes and breath with me."
"I'm not a boy," Severin grumbled, but he did as she told. Their breathing synchronized and they fell into a trance. Galen watched them passively.
Thuraya's eye snapped open and she stepped away from Severin. Severin opened his eyes slowly and stared at Thuraya, dazed. A pensive expression crossed Thuraya's face. She said, "You will die alone."
Severin sucked in a sharp breath. Galen snapped, "Thuraya!"
"I tell what I see."
"You know that's not how it works," Galen hissed.
Severin raised a hand, stopping Galen's diatribe in its tracks. He asked, "Did you see anything else?"
"Severin," Galen said, "Thuraya doesn't see the future in the way you think. There's no guarantee that anything she says will come true."
Thuraya gave a derisive snort. "There's no guarantee that it won't come true either."
"Galen," Severin gave the asteris a sharp look, "Please do not interrupt. I asked Thuraya a question."
"The boy is right, Galen. The answer to your question is no. I did not see anything else."
"Thank you," Severin swung his legs, "Was Galen right? About how your predictions aren't always true."
Thuraya frowned, "Yes, unfortunately. The future holds many possibilities, so my predications don't always come true. However, know that I would only tell you if I was confident in the answer."
"So, there is a chance I won't die alone?"
"There is a likelier chance that you will."
"Thuraya," Galen sighed.
"What?" she asked sharply, "There is no point in lying."
"No, it's okay," Severin soothed, "As long as there's a chance that it won't happen, I'm alright."
Galen brushed a hand down Severin's back. Severin smiled at the comforting gesture. Thuraya stood stiffly before taking in a deep breath. She said, "I've let myself become distracted. Galen, we have important matters to discuss."
"What is this important matter?"
Thuraya motioned to Severin with her eyes, staring meaningfully. "Lteul eaht eobý oto veialeu."
"Ehtu obay neca ydueoraninstud uayo," Severin said, unhappy with being excluded.
Thuraya whipped her head to look at Severin, while Galen covered his face with his hands. Thuraya said, "You know Oxuri. Galen has been teaching you Oxuri."
"Yes, he has," Severin said proudly, "He's an excellent teacher."
Thuraya smirked, "A magician in training I presume."
"Ah," Severin hesitated.
"Yes, Thuraya." Galen rubbed his face, "I am training him to be a magician."
"Even after all they've done? How naughty."
"Thuraya," Galen groaned.
"No, I want to know how Mr. 'I hate magicians with every fiber of my being' decided to train one." Thuraya teased.
"Severin's different," Galen confessed.
"Oh," Thuraya's eyebrows raised, "Different?"
"Don't you have important business to talk about?" Galen asked, blushing.
"That's right. Once again, I've been derailed." Thuraya turned to Severin. "Would you please give us privacy?"
Severin sighed and rose from his chair. "I'll head home. See you tomorrow. It was nice to meet you, Thuraya."
"Nice to meet you." Galen and Thuraya watched as Severin walked out the door. Galen gestured for Thuraya to sit in the chair Severin left.
Thuraya sat, crossing her legs. She said, "There's a new asteris."
Galen's eyes widened, "A new asteris? What? How? When?"
"A month ago. I was on a ship at a port city in Hidara when Irkala spoke to me and told me that there was a new asteris and that she was in the hold. Imagine the crew's surprise when I ask to be let into the hold and came out with a little girl. Remind me not to go to Hidara for the next twenty years."
"Where is she now? Did you bring her with you?"
"No, I left her on Minastav with Vera."
Galen slouched in his chair. There had not been a new asteris since he had been created all those years ago. Asteris could not reproduce. Once the last asteris and astera died, they would be gone unless Irkala saw fit to make more. And, until now, Irkala did not seem fit to. A fact that vexed both asteris and magicians. Asteris because having your entire species die out was a troubling thought. Magicians because without asteris and astera parts, they could not do magic. Astera that shed parts naturally were protected better than kings, and magicians tried their hardest to kill astera sparingly. This courtesy did not extend to the less potent and less valuable asteris. Right now, there was plenty of asteran parts and no restrictions were in place, but unrenewable resources, no matter how well they are conserved, would run out and rationing will be needed as that time approaches.
"This is why I need your help," Thuraya continued.
"What can I do?"
"As your student vouched, you are an excellent teacher. Nessa, that's the girl's name, will need to be taught about the world she has been dropped in. You are the best candidate to help with this task. Will you help?"
"I—," Galen closed his eyes tightly, "This is so sudden."
"I can give you time to think about it."
"No, I'll do it. I just don't know what I'll tell Severin."
"I don't care what you tell him. Do it by the end of the week. We have to leave."
"Can't we teach her here? In Sunmesto."
"No, absolutely not. We can't let her near this many humans before we teach her to control herself. We might as well knock on Srauondaái's door and present Nessa to them."
"Lalai," Galen clutched his hair, "You're right."
"Of course, I am."
Srauondaái was a magic-made island off the coast of Hidara and was one of two places in the world only recognized by its Oxuri name. The island was the heart of magicians, and it was where the High Court of Magicians was established. Srauondaái was divorced from all countries and answered to no government. In the face of the inhabitant's immense power, no country challenged the decree. Only the most prestigious people of the world were allowed inside the island's walls.
If the High Court found out about the "birth" of a new asteris, they would be hunted. The inevitable extinction of astera weighed heavily on the High Court, and they would stop at nothing to find a solution to the problem. Who knows what lengths they would go to in order to discover how Nessa was birthed. What they would do to Nessa in pursuit of knowledge.
"Can we take him with us?"
"The boy? No, Galen." Thuraya said, exasperated. "This is a human-free expedition."
"Severin would never betray us."
"I understand you like the boy, but he can't come with us."
"Why?"
"Why?" Thuraya threw her hands up, "He's human! A liability that you've taught magic. I refuse to let him come."
"If you gave him a chance, he could prove himself!"
"No," her tone was final.
Galen let it go, knowing when he was defeated. "I have to go talk to him. Sort stuff out."
"I'll leave you to that." Thuraya flicked her hair over her shoulder. "I'm taking your bed."
Too tired to argue, Galen said nothing. He stood up and rounded the counter before leaving the shop. Severin's house was on the outskirts of town, allowing him time to think about what he would say. Once he arrived, he knocked on Severin's door. Galen was the only one who ever visited him, so Severin knew exactly who was there.
Severin opened the door, and said, "How did the talk go?"
Galen entered the threshold. "I have to leave."
"What?" Severin asked.
"I've agreed to help Thuraya. We'll be leaving at the end of this week,"
"That's so soon," Severin frowned.
"Can you watch the store?"
"Wait, hold on. Where are you going?"
"I don't know."
"You're leaving to help her and you don't even know where you're going."
"Severin," Galen pleaded, "Please. Will you watch the store?"
"Yes, I can watch the store. Why are you upset?"
"Thuraya and I had a small disagreement," Galen paused, "I'll miss you."
Severin looked at Galen fondly, "I'll miss you too. What was the disagreement?"
"It's not important. We shouldn't be gone for long. Wait for me?"
"Of course, I'll wait."
"Thank you." Galen gave Severin a relieved smile.
"Are we going to keep standing here?"
Galen realized they were still in Severin's doorway. "No, It's late. I'll go home."
Severin chuckled, "Good night."
"Good night."
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