It was time.

  Myron walked into the heart of the temple, Nela by his side. It was fairly early in the morning, but he'd expected at least a few priests to be awake by now. Instead, the temple lay every bit as empty as when they had first arrived here yesterday, with the doors left wide open. Perhaps the ordeals of the past few days had left the members of the Order too drained to care about anything but sleep.

  While it gave the room a haunting empty air, there was one way it worked in their favor. The one thing they had not done was ask for permission to perform the First Ascension here in the temple. It wasn't really a traditional place, or all that ideal, but it was what they had access to in this moment. So if now was indeed the time, this had to be the place.

  A nontraditional place for a nontraditional pair. A former nobleman and an elven healer. Fitting.

  It had occurred to Myron that this rite was as close to marriage as the two of them were going to get. There had never been any chance of their fathers reaching a pact together, of the exchange of gifts and the uniting of their children. Even before her father and mother rejected who she wanted to be. Even before illness took his mother and his father's mind was shattered.

  Since nothing about this was going to be traditional, Myron was ready to proceed. Permission or not, both he and Nela would agree this had been too long coming. Now they just had to make it happen.

  "Are you ready?" he asked her.

  "As long as you are," she told him.

  "If you need help, I can provide it," Hamond spoke up. It was true that Nela did seem on edge, much as Myron himself felt. But he knew Nela's pride wouldn't allow her to accept, not for this. Hamond likely knew that as well, but felt obligated to ask regardless.

  "I've got it," Nela answered simply, keeping her gaze on Myron. He smiled, trying to reassure her.

  The pair walked out to stand in front of the altar, then faced each other. All he had to do was wait for her to speak.

  "I know I'm supposed to say something about the Elefae who came before," Nela began, voice low and heavy. "Talk about the past, and how we are lifted up and lift other people up in turn. But you know all that. It's part of who you are. It's what makes you...the man I fell in love with."

  Myron took a brief moment to glance over at Edeline. She was slightly pale, but otherwise was staring intently at them. Concentrating, making herself watch her brother.

  "So now I'll lift you up, like you lifted me up." Nela pulled out a knife, one he was certain was a cooking knife she had borrowed from Hamond, and stepped closer. "Walk together as Elefae with me. Please."

  Myron gave his answer by kneeling before her.

  While Nela could reach up to his ears, this would make the rite that much easier for her. The look on her face told him that she understood immediately. Slowly, she brought the knife forward.

  The pain was as sharp as any wound he had suffered on the field of battle. Gritted his teeth, he reminded himself he should savor this pain. Embrace it and what it would give him.

  "Panakeia logos."

  The first ear done, Nela moved to the second. The pain seemed a little lesser this time. Although that could just be him becoming accustomed to the feeling of having the tip of his ear sliced. Not that he would ever have to feel this again in his life.

  "Panakeia logos."

  The second ear was finished. Nela stepped away from him, and he could see the look of relief and joy on her face. The already fading pain was nothing compared to knowing the First Ascension was over. He was an Elefae now - and forever.

  Myronel slowly climbed back to his feet.

  "Thank you," he told Nela, putting his hands on her shoulders.

  Nela let out a shaky breath. "I was so worried I was going to slip and cut your ear off," she admitted.

  "You're better than that," Myronel said. It was tempting to make a joke about this being practice for them eventually having children. With the stress of this still visible though, it would be a bad idea to bring that up. Also, he was not certain Nela wanted that being discussed in front of Hamond or Edeline just yet.

  Edeline and Hamond walked over to join them. Edeline was still a little pale, although she was smiling slightly. "Are you alright?" Myronel asked, wondering if his sister's smile was forced.

  "It wasn't as bad as I had feared," Edeline said, "I was able to continue watching through the entire rite, although it still left me uncomfortable. I suspect...the memory of what happened that day will never fully fade. But that is my burden."

  "I'm probably the last person you should be listening to about it," Nela told Edeline, "But there's got to be a better way than just forcing yourself."

  "I was considering the matter," Edeline answered, raising her eyes to look at the ceiling of the temple. "If possible, I would prefer not to think of it as a scar of Kalvarel's attempt to control me. Instead..." She trailed off, looking around the room.

  "Instead, what?" Myronel asked, wondering what Edeline had meant to say.

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  "Teleios horama," Edeline suddenly said, casting her now spell-enhanced gaze across the room. A moment later, her eyes widened. "Of course!" she said sharply, expression hardening. "Show yourself, Ugotlas!"

  After a moment of silent tension, Ugotlas faded into view, standing next to the far wall where Edeline had looked. "So a method to see through that does exist. How very unfortunate."

  Despite how calm Ugotlas sounded, something gave Myronel the impression that the sphinx was unhappy about being exposed. Maybe he was starting to get used to Ugotlas's manners and expression. Not that he was about to call Ugotlas a friend, but perhaps they could still reach an understanding.

  "What do you want?" Nela spoke, her irritation clear.

  "I have already stated what I sought," Ugotlas said, "Although I can repeat my prior offer with more clarity. Your familiarity with the location and the defenses of where the Stormsage's knowledge was hidden away would be quite useful to the Sekhmati."

  "What do they want with the spells?" Edeline asked, struggling to keep a level voice.

  "I see your companion still has not told you of the details of his homeland," Ugotlas remarked, starting to pace around the room. "Remuat is a dry and dusty land. Cities cannot exist there without a river or lake to sustain them. Large regions of it cannot even be traversed for parts of the year, as there is nowhere to replenish your supply of water."

  Myronel caught on instantly. If the Stormsage could conjure powerful bolts that armed men fell to, then the Sluice's spells should be able to call forth large torrents of water. In a land like that, those spells would be of immense value.

  "Don't your people already have spells that can do that?" Hamond's question also raised a good point.

  "Of course we possess such abilities. But by studying what the Sluice left behind, we can improve our own arts, a great boon to us all. And do not think we would selfishly hoard such a gift. We would be willing to share this knowledge, depending on what we were offered in exchange."

  That was hard to argue against. As Edeline had said the previous evening, there was little chance Ugotlas had outright lied to them, even now. The sphinx was insufferably arrogant, but there was no indication it came from malice. Ugotlas simply did not understand the impression he gave, and Myronel doubted any of them could convince him of that.

  "I have said all that needs to be said. The choice is now yours." Ugotlas came to a stop near the doors. "Take my offer or do not."

  Exchanging glances with the others, all Myronel could do was accept that this was decided. Their road lay further to the north. All they had to do was-

  "Good, so you are all awake."

  Myronel turned to see Anthyla enter the room, Claris right behind her. Both were now wearing dark blue robes, almost certainly those of the Order. He wasn't going to blame her, since she had seemed a bit uncomfortable wearing the shabby outfit Edeline had borrowed from the Elefae.

  Time to deal with the remaining matter related to undergoing the First Ascension - revealing that he had done it to Lady Kelshir. She would be surprised, but Myronel hoped she would take it well enough. After all, he had told her exactly where his loyalties were.

  It was strange though, because Anthyla showed no signs of noticing his ears. "I had been hoping to speak to you this morning."

  "Curious. I was already discussing a matter of some importance with them." Ugotlas stared down Anthyla. "Perhaps you should let me finish before you bring up your questions?"

  "My...my apologies," Anthyla stammered, "I was...not aware."

  "So again, I will ask." Ugotlas turned once more to face them. "Will you take my offer?"

  "We will go north with you," Myronel answered, "Before we do, we must handle a few other matters here. It should take only one day, perhaps two if this turns out more complicated."

  "Traveling with you already delays my return to Lasfont significantly. Finish your business quickly." Ugotlas started pacing again, all the while looking at them. "And if you should end up in peril, be aware I am under no obligation to aid you again."

  "We understand," Myronel said. Any fights remaining would fall to them.

  Ugotlas nodded, then strode towards the main doors. Just as Myronel thought he was once again leaving them without another word, the sphinx took a position next to the doors and sat there. If he wanted to listen in as they talked to Anthyla, Myronel wouldn't object.

  Anthyla took a deep breath. "We had discussed what I planned on doing next with the Episkopiate. And though I am reluctant, we agreed that we would need your assistance once more."

  "Where is the Episkopiate?" Edeline asked.

  "He's resting," Claris explained, "He was weakened from his imprisonment more than he showed. I think he was hiding it to not worry us much."

  "Shit," Nela said quietly, scowling. "I should've taken a moment yesterday to look him over."

  "I'm not sure he would let you," Myronel replied, before focusing on Anthyla. He knew what she wanted to ask. "May I assume this is about Lord Kelshir?"

  "Correct." Anthyla's expression made it clear she still held some reservations about going through with deposing her father. "I cannot rule out the town watch taking his side. I will need allies who I can trust to fight for me. At present...that is just you."

  "That sounds easy enough," Edeline said.

  "That depends on whether that captain passed what we told him on," Hamond stated, "Remember, the knights told the guards that the Elefae kidnapped Lady Kelshir. If they see her walking around with a pair of armed Elefae, then...it will be a fight."

  Myronel had to concede that was a fair point. While the city watch wouldn't dare raise weapons against Anthyla Kelshir without a direct order from Lord Kelshir, the four of them would not be given that same mercy. But compared to the full force of the knights with Lord Gortyssa at their head, any battle that resulted with a few members of a much more spread out group would be less dangerous.

  It was well worth the risk.

  "Alright. Let's go see about getting some food, and then we can go." Myronel paused, unable to hold himself back any more. He had to know. "I, Myronel of the Elefae, will protect you."

  "Excuse me, that...your ears!" Anthyla's eyes widened as she stared, seeing it for the first time.

  "You're kidding me," Nela said with a snort.

  Claris was equally astonished. "I thought you were being polite!" So at least she had taken notice.

  Anthyla buried her face in her hands, but not before Myronel could see her cheeks reddening. He didn't hold it against her. He knew how heavy the struggle with her father had to weigh on her, so much so it would be hard to give attention to anything else. After all, Myronel thought as he glanced at Edeline, it was something he had seen before.

  "Do you plan on accompanying us?" Edeline asked Claris.

  Claris shook her head. "I want to, but it's dangerous. Especially if the town watch recognizes me, since we are escaped prisoners. Even so...I..."

  "Then come with me," Anthyla suddenly said, lowering her hands.

  "What?" Claris drew back. "Yesterday you said that-"

  "I do not want to lose you either, but...if they can choose to stand together and take the risk, so can we." In those words, Myronel heard the echo of what he'd said to Nela at Kelshir's south gate. He couldn't help but approve.

  "We can protect both of you," Edeline declared. Myronel had mentioned his own desire of making a statement to the man previously. Such a statement would be small compared to Anthyla Kelshir's defiance, he knew. A member of the Aetheric Order - who had come quite close to being destroyed - would only serve to make the point hit harder still.

  "Won't even be the first time we've had to fight our way into a noble's house," Nela commented, "Who's ready to do it again?"

  "After we eat," Edeline reminded them.

  "Should've guessed," Nela grumbled playfully, "Alright, kitchen's first then."