How does any of this work? I said to Fern, in awe of all that was going on around me.


    ‘What, magic? It’s laughable that you think I could just sit here and explain to you the intricacies behind it so easily. It would take hours to explain everything.’ Fern said.


    So, you don’t know. Got it.


    ‘I didn’t say that!’ Fern protested. ‘It’s just that it makes me mad talking about the thing I want most when I can never have it.’


    I get that, sorry.


    It was more of a rhetorical question, anyway. I’m sure I’ll figure it out eventually. I said, breaking the silence.


    ‘Why do you want to figure it out, anyway? You can never use it.’ Fern was confused, and his confusion was giving me a headache.


    Just because I can’t use it or experience it myself, I still want to learn all there is about it. It could help me…us, in the future. Like it has to, right? I am sure some form of magic got us stuck in this two minds one body situation. Plus, as a bonus, magic seems so cool, you know? Yeah, I am pissed we can’t use it, but it is so amazing to even witness. I scratched my head, thinking I may have rambled on too much.


    ‘That makes sense. It will probably help you find your brother, too,’ Fern said. To my surprise, he didn’t disagree with my ramblings.


    Even simple jobs like this use magic…where exactly are the other Voidbloods, and what do they do?


    ‘Most of the time, Voidbloods are just enslaved by their own families. It’s too costly to buy one since magic is cheaper and easier to use. I got lucky; my father allowed me to work in the forge even when he could do it by himself with magic. The only Voidbloods I know of in the city that don’t work for their family, are shoveling dung out by the docks.’


    I see, so yeah. Not a glorious life, I said. I dropped the conversation, feeling like any more talk about Voidbloods would depress Fern and myself.


    ‘That’s home,’ He said.


    Odd culture here, I thought.


    ‘It’s Lightcutter. The blade father, Lotrick, and I forged a month ago. Together with wyrmsteel and magic. Their magic, of course,’ Fern said.


    So, your life isn’t all bad. Your dad seems kind and your brother, too. Behind all his pompous attitude, I whispered to Fern in my mind.


    ‘…Right,’ he replied.


    ‘That was close,’ Fern’s voice said. ‘Mother’s temper has gotten worse the closer we get to Lotrick leaving. I don’t know what she will do without her golden child.’


    ‘You still don’t understand…it’s a burden on the family, and a blemish on her name,’ Fern said. ‘She was fortunate with Lotrick. He is incredibly gifted and can use three elements at a high level. That’s recovered her soured reputation from when the city learned I was a Voidblood.’


    It’s not private? Do they tell everyone?


    ‘When there is a 1% chance of a monster and a waste in their eyes, the law is that everyone needs to know. That’s why they put the brand on us too.’ Fern said.


    At least there’s that place. If we trust your brother. A chance for Voidbloods. Our only chance. For us, for my brother and yours, we will go there.


    Starbringer? I blinked, confused. That wasn’t our last name. My eyes darted across the article, absorbing details that made less and less sense.


    Six years ago? But that was impossible. We’d just argued in the park this morning. How could he have been here for six years? How? I followed him so quickly after?


    Wait, Celestial Arcanum, that’s where Lotrick and Rosie will go to tomorrow!’ Fern shouted.


    Exactly. This works out too well. I don’t think I will meet Noah yet, but at least now I know he’s alive. He is here; he is safe and is seemingly some big shot Mageblood. Somehow, it’s been six years for him. It sucks, and I don’t understand how time moved so quickly, but I can’t do anything about that. However, if this article is true, he worked with the Cinders of Ash during this…voyage. Maybe one of them can tell me more about him when we get to the Academy.


    ‘Maybe Lotrick can help too? He will be at that magic school while we are at the academy,’ Fern said.


    Maybe he will. This still doesn’t feel right. Someone is directing this. Just as I-we are about to be shipped out for military enslavement, we learn about this? I call bullshit on this being just a coincidence.


    ‘Maybe the fates are helping us?’ Fern said innocently.


    Maybe. I said. My palms dripped with sweat. My heart pumped, and I wanted to get moving now. Nerves and adrenaline pumped through my blood.


    ‘You should sleep. We may not get a good chance to rest after tonight. Who knows how long it will take to go all the way to Ash?’


    ‘Make it stop!’ Fern’s voice echoed, raw with pain.


    ‘Dad,’ his voice sobbed in my mind. ‘I’m sorry I was such a burden. I’m so sorry.’


    He saved us, I said to Fern.


    He probably feels like he has no choice. Your mom really did a number on him…and you, I said to Fern.


    ‘What will he do when we are both gone, Lotrick and I?’ Fern said, concern in his voice.


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