I had spent the past several days since that night at the moss field practicing my magic. It had come to a point where I was confident in making potions and using magic on my own without any help from Alder. My journal was filled with potions recipes, songs, and ways to use my magic. My soul, once weak, had grown stronger. I was more confident. And for once, I was proud of myself.

I sat outside the tree, my legs crossed and my back straight. I had tried magic with the guitar, singing, and some pots and pans that I banged on in the kitchen. But now, I wanted to try it with something that I had already perfected: the flute. I had used it briefly for helping the plants in the conservatory, but I wanted to try something stronger. My fingers pressed down the keys. I had an audience to try my magic out on: Flops, all the bryum (on their mandated break), and a small group of mushroom pygmies that had wandered their way in.

"Now, no one will be harmed. Probably."

"Squee!" A mushroom pygmy lifted its tiny arm, a skeptical look on its face.

I shook my head. "I don't think I can set things on fire. If that's what you're implying."

"Squee." The mushroom pygmy crossed its arm. The others nodded in agreement.

"Okay… good?" I turned to the bryum. "I assume you guys have no concerns?"

They shook their… round bodies.

"Good!" I smiled happily. I knew I didn't even need to ask Flops. She was supportive no matter what I did.

"Alright!" I looked at the bryum, mushroom pygmies, and Flops in front of me. "Ready?"

They all started hopping around. I giggled and placed the mouthpiece against my lips. With a deep breath, I started to play. I decided on an upbeat song that we'd sing sometimes while doing exercises back in Asmar. Of course, I'd sit on the sidelines playing the song while everyone else was running in place and singing along. If I chose a happy song, the effects would probably be harmless. Hopefully.

Before, it took a while for my magic to appear. But now it appeared almost immediately. Purple notes that seemed to be made of a glittering mist gilded out of the end of my flute. The notes then drifted over to the creatures watching me. They started to dance. Flops's ears as she hopped happily in time to the music. The bryum and mushroom pygmies started to dance together, swinging each other around. 

I stood up, starting to get more into it. I could feel my magic coursing through me. It felt strong and warm. I bopped my head to the music, my fingers moving faster and faster as I sped up the song. The notes wrapped around the dancing bryum and mushroom pygmies, lifting them into the air. Flops was using some of the notes to jump up on. My eyes widened in surprise. My magic could do something like this?

I was so into it, that I didn't even notice Alder had come out of the tree. I danced around the happily floating creatures. My feet lightly tapped around in the grass, my eyes focused on the magic. I could feel my heart pounding. I could feel my soul heat up. I felt so warm, so right. I realized I hadn't felt this happy in a long time. And as the song finally came to an end, everyone flopped to the ground. Including myself.

I was breathing heavily. I set my flute down next to me. I could hear the breaths of the tired yet happy creatures. That went exceptionally well. I do not know what I was trying to do, but I had a grand time doing it anyway. I blinked my eyes as someone leaned over me. Alder. There was a goofy grin on my face as I waved at him.

"Beautiful, Cahira." Alder praised. His expression was soft as he held something behind his back.

I sat up. "Did you see that?! I made everyone fly!!"

He laughed and kneeled down next to me. "Indeed. It was quite a sight to see tiny bryum, mushroom pygmies, and a rabbit flying through the air. Even I have never seen something like that in all my life."

I giggled and looked over at them. They seemed to be tired out from all the dancing and floating. They rested against Flops's soft and fluffy side. I looked back over at Alder. My eyes finally focused on what he was hiding behind his back. He sat down next to me completely and revealed what he had. I gasped. A bow and a quiver filled with arrows.

My bow was finally finished. It was made out of the same exact wood that Alder had made his out of. I couldn't even speak as I excitedly took the bow from his hands. While I wanted this to have cool and fancy designs just like my daggers, it wouldn't be practical. Instead, it had my initials and a tiny music note carved near the bottom. My hand ran over the taut string. Unlike the daggers, the bow felt natural. It felt perfect.

"Do you still have some energy?" Alder asked. "You can try and-"

"Yes!!" I jumped up, practically vibrating from excitement.

I rested the bow against my legs and grabbed the quiver. After slinging it over my back, I grabbed the bow once again. I took out an arrow. My body shifted to the side, my feet shoulder length apart. My right foot was in front of the left. I lifted the bow and straightened my back. I notched the arrow, pulling it back. I took a deep breath. And I let go.

The arrow missed the tree I was aiming at and landed in the grass. Okay, not the best. But it was a new bow. I had to get used to it. So I took out another arrow and prepared to shoot again. This time, the arrow hit just below the center of the tree. The next one hit too high. I felt my hands get acquainted with the feel of the string. How taut it was, how it felt to pull it back. I shot another arrow that hit closer to the target this time.

Alder was watching with a close eye. "Good, good. Stolas would be proud if he saw you."

I grinned. "You think?"

"I know. Now, relax your shoulders just a bit."

I sighed wistfully. I missed his nagging. I knew he would be proud of me. I wasn't complaining, I wasn't whining. I was actually having fun with this. And I knew what I wanted to do next. I wanted to try imbuing my magic into it. Would I know what it does? Probably not. But there is no harm in trying. I closed my eyes. My shoulders relaxed just as Alder had instructed. I imagined my magic flowing up my chest and through my arm. It went to my fingertips and onto the string. The magic snaked down into the arrow. With a deep breath, I opened my eyes again and let go of the string.

Thwing!!

It almost sounded like a bell. My eyes widened as I watched the arrow smack right into the middle of the tree. As soon as the tip of the arrow nestled into the wood, bits of purple lightning scattered through the whole thing. I could only point to the tree as I stared at Alder in disbelief.

"Amazing." He whispered. "Absolutely amazing."

"I…" I lowered my bow. "I'm so cool!!"

Alder walked over to me. He ruffled my hair. "Yes, you are. I am going to go make dinner. Will you join me in the kitchen?"

I shook my head. "No, thank you. I want to practice more."

He frowned slightly at that. "Alright… come back in soon. Please do not overwork yourself."

I nodded. His eyes almost seemed disappointed. But I didn't want to focus on that now. I wanted to focus on my newfound magic. It felt odd, using my magic for this. While my shooting skills are now average, I could tell that the magic was weak. It looked like it would cause nothing but a little sting. And yet, that little sting could save my life one day.

The longer I practiced, the more confident I grew. Not even broaching how I felt about using daggers, I now had magic and another weapon. This means I could travel all alone. I sighed as I finally finished shooting all the arrows I had. I picked them all up. I knew I was ready. But I knew I wasn't ready to tell Alder. 

After I was finished, I went back inside with the bryum and Flops. The mushroom pygmies went back to their own home. I put my stuff away in my room and went to the dining room. Alder had decided to make a bean and beef stew with sweet cornbread as a side. A favorite of mine. It made me feel even more guilty. Flops had her plate of veggies. We are in silence. I could tell something was on his mind. I did not want to do this. But I had to. I cleared my throat.

"It's delicious as always, Alder."

He looked up and smiled at me. "Thank you, little blossom."

"Uhm… so… I've come a long way, haven't I?"

"You have. And I am so proud I got to see it."

"Yeah?" I smiled awkwardly. 

"Yes. I cannot wait to see you grow more."

I cleared my throat again. This was going to be hard. I set down my spoon and placed my hands in my lap, fiddling with my fingers. I looked over at Flops. She seemed to notice my anxiety. Her nose twitched as she hopped towards me. I ran my fingers through her soft hair before looking back over at Alder. He could sense my anxiety as well. His hands were folded across the table.

"What is wrong?"

"Alder…" I started, knowing I just needed to get it out. "I need to tell you something."

His eyebrows furrowed. "Of course. You know you can tell me anything, Cahira."

"I'm leaving."