He was walking.

Not just walking, but walking without any assistance. For most, this wasn't a huge deal. After all, most people had working legs.

He didn't. He hadn't had two good legs for quite some time.

But that didn't matter right now. What mattered was that he was strolling quietly through his favorite field. It stretched on and on for miles, the plants and sky working together to tell a story of beauty and whisper reassuring words quietly.

You're safe. You are one. You are safe. 

The air smelled crisp, new and the flowers danced in the wind, happy that he too was walking.

There was only one thing better than walking - running. He didn't feel like it was a good idea at first - something kept holding him back - but the urge started to over power him and he found himself strolling at a rapid pace.

A pace that soon turned into running.

And then he was flying across the ground, the energy of the day and sky clashing with him, making him more, making him new. He hadn't felt this way in years. He was free, untethered from the weights of the world and --

-- and he was falling, tripping, smashing into the earth dramatically, the soil forcing itself into his mouth, the pain radiating into his knees and his vision blacking out for a few moments. Before he could really recover, he was sinking into the ground, the dirt turning to mud and he was covering, descending into nothingness, his right leg throbbing with pain, his brain screaming in panic and his breathing making it difficult to think straight.

This wasn't right. It wasn't supposed to end this way. It was supposed to be...

"Time to rise, Master Teagen." The AI tore through his dream, ripping freedom from him as he came around, awareness of reality slowly seeping into him.

"My sensors indicate that you did not sleep well. Perhaps a modification to your medications is in order?"

That was the thing about AIs: they were artificial, plastic. They didn't understand that sometimes nightmares simply happened and there was nothing to be done.

"No..." Teagen shook himself, reaching for his cane. "It's all right, Melanie. I'm fine."

A flourish of activity flashed across the screens as Melanie tried to come to grips with this. "Sir, my sensors indicate-"

"Mel. It's fine. Page Amanda for me."

"Yes, Master Teagan."

His room was small but comfortable. Before the diagnosis he had rented a place much larger. It had given him a sense of freedom and importance - not such importance that it was overwhelming, but rather just enough that he had felt good about himself. But since he had been confined to using a cane and taking a mountain of pills, he had downsized. Feeling important became less relevant as his body rejected him and forced him into a shell.

As his feet hit the floor and he made the tedious journey to the bathroom, he reflected that he missed his dream. He missed walking - truly walking - and missed running even more. Most would say it was a tragedy and perhaps it was, but he had started to think more of it as an opportunity. It made him grateful for little things that he hadn't noticed before and it had been all right. He had been all right. 

Or so he told himself every morning and this morning was no different. 

Showering was always interesting. He had the grab bar to lean on but sometimes he missed just being able to stand in the stream of the water, unhindered. There was something therapeutic about standing freely in an enclosed space and envisioning every worry sliding off him and into the drain. But that too had been taken from him. He was just slowly learning how to replace those luxuries with different ones. And that was all right. 

He was all right. 

Teagan was completely naked and about to enter the shower when Amanda came in. 

"You paged?"

He sighed, allowing his annoyance to slowly leave him. "I'm a bit naked."

She laughed a little, her fawn eyes laughing with her. "Nothing I haven't seen before."

He had to give her that one. "Right." 

There was a moment of awkwardness as he stepped in and turned on the faucet, drowning out any potential for conversation. He didn't mind though. He still needed to work out some tightness across his shoulders. 

"Be out in a minute." He declared over the sound of the water. 

"Right. I'll make breakfast." 

The door closed behind her and he was left alone.

When he had finished, he stared in the mirror for a long moment before motivating himself to leave the sanctity of the bathroom. He didn't like that his tiles were tan. The shade was uncomfortably close to his own skin tone and he always felt smaller when he was in here. This was something that he didn't appreciate. After all, he felt small enough on his own. He didn't need any help feeling smaller. 

Before he went to go see Amanda, he dressed in his bedroom. It took painfully long but he didn't mind. Not today. Today was a slow day and he hoped it stayed that way. His soul was tired of the outside world. At least, for now. He knew this would change soon and that was all right too. 

"So, I made oatmeal with flax seeds and maple syrup." Amanda was quick to announce as he entered the room. "Your favorite."

Teagan nodded and sat down awkwardly at the table. "Thanks." 

She placed the meal in front of him with no comment. It wasn't that she was upset. It was just Amanda. 

"Well." She settled across from him, scrutinizing him over her black frames. "What's on your mind?"

Teagan wasn't really one to mince words. "I had a dream." 

She nodded in understanding, though Teagan wondered if she had suppressed a sigh or if she had just shifted. It was hard to tell. "And?"

"I was wondering how the investigation with the Genesis Project is going." 

"Oh. Well. Um...let me get my tablet." 

As she left, he couldn't help but appreciate what a good assistant she was. Truly. She put up with his moods, his attitudes, ideas, and just him. They'd never work out of course - what with her eight years younger and very different life goals - but she was a good assistant. A good friend even. 

"So yesterday, one of my informants sent me some surveillance footage." She sat across from him again, her blond hair filtering the sunlight gracefully. "And it's pretty interesting. They might have moved up from their launch date."

She pushed the tablet across to him and he nodded at the screen on the wall. 

"Melanie, show me."

"Affirmative, Master Teagan." 

The video footage popped up on the screen, revealing a forest and a dome. The dome hadn't changed since the last time he saw it - clean, white, appealing to the eye. There were people, as usual, but this time was different. There seemed to be an argument going on between a couple. The woman was obviously a scientist, what with her veiled face and long sage dress. The man was a commoner with tired eyes and dirty clothes. He was visibly angry. 

"Is there no sound?"

Amanda shook her head. "Sorry. No microphones at this location."

The video ended when the man knocked over a vase and the woman recoiled in terror. 

"That's it?"

Amanda nodded. "Yes. I ran some forensic programs through this, but it came up empty. No one knows what the argument was about."

Teagan considered this carefully, unsure. "I see. Unfortunate."

"But, the good news is that Uramus filed a full disclosure suit with Acantha." Amanda directed photocopies of some legal documents onto the larger screen. "They're claiming that Acantha's disclosure policies don't meet the required standard." 

Teagan nodded, finishing his food. 

Amanda continued. "And, of course, it helps that the Uramus CEO is no friend of Derek Holding. Apparently they have a rivalry reaching back all the way to middle school." 

"Hold on, I thought that Holding was in his forties? Isn't the new Uramus CEO, like, twelve?"

Amanda smirked and shook her head. "This is Derek Holding Junior. And the new Uramus CEO is Maxwell Flabbeyn. He's a cocky kid. Just out of college."

"When the hell did Acantha get a new CEO?" 

"Last week." She paused, a look of worry passing over her face. "I told you, remember?" 

Teagan searched his memory. "No. Sorry." 

Her demeanor changed immediately and he knew what was coming next. "Have you been medicating?"

"Yes, Amanda, I've been medicating..."

"What about Melanie? Has she been sending your vital readings to your doctor?"

"Yes, of course she has..."

"What about your therapist? Has the home nurse been by recently?" 

Teagan sighed, rubbing his temples. They had this conversation at least once a week and last week had been no different. He simply was tired of her nagging. He knew that she was concerned but there truly was nothing to be done. 

"What did you just say?"

Teagan froze, embarrassed. Had he just said that out loud? "There's...nothing to be done, Amanda. Don't worry about it..."

Her pale cheeks flushed with irritation and she picked up his bowl, slamming it into the sink dramatically. "I do worry, Teagan, and I will continue to worry." 

"Amanda, it's fine - " He held up a hand in protest. He hated when his illness dominated the conversation. 

"No, Teagan, it is not fine." She furiously scrubbed the bowl before, avoiding eye contact. "It's not fine that your legs don't work and it's not fine that your brain is headed to hell in a hand basket - "

"My brain is not headed to - "

"Yes, it is." There was another slam as she threw down silverware. "We both know it. You just won't accept it. Everyone knows that Roswith is not only degenerative, but it's also fatal, something that you seem to forget." She wasn't as ashamed now and started him down again. "I've been your assistant for two years. I'd like to think that we're friends. And, as a friend, I have to tell you that you suck at self-care. Maybe the home nurse needs to come more often." Amanda let out a long sigh, the tension draining out of her. Teagan had learned long ago that sometimes she just needed to talk. 

He got up slowly and headed over to the window that overlooked his tiny garden. The soft blue flowers matched the blue of his eyes and the earthy dirt that occupied each pot was strikingly close to his hair. The sun soaked into him, giving him strength and purpose, even as he leaned on a cane. 

"Amanda..." He, too, sighed, the weariness almost palpable. "I know. I know my brain is going to stop working, which means I'll lose my mind and I know that my legs won't ever work again and I sure as hell know how to take care of myself." He glanced at her sideways. Her dish washing was slow and meticulous now. "But I also know that just one symptom, just one slip up, just me forgetting one detail is normal. It happens to everyone."

"But it's not a detail. This means everything to you." She insisted, intent on conflict. 

Teagan held up a hand, dismissing her. "I know. And that's why we need to stop having these conversations so we can focus on it. My time is limited. You know that." 

Amanda sighed and nodded slowly. Teagan knew that this conversation was over. For now. And that's all he wanted. 

"All right. Sorry."

He shrugged. "It's all right. Now what time was that meeting tonight?"

All was well.

The trees whispered this quietly to each other, basking in the newness and wonder of this truth. It had not always been this way - they had seen many troubles, some large, some small and some simply as trouble should be. They did not have much choice in the matter - or would they ever - but they welcomed each change, good or bad, and found contentment in it.

Elyza sensed this as she strolled through the familiar wood. The ground was soft from recent rain, the pleasant scent of earth and green drifting up to her nostrils, welcoming her like an old friend. She, too, was content. There was no reason to be otherwise. After all, all was well. In a rare moment, she was free from responsibility and chores and so had taken it upon herself to retreat to the one place she felt safe - the forest.

She was certainly a woman - what with her small breasts and curvy figure - and she sensed, correctly, that she should not be thinking. Or, if she were to think, it was to only be in her own company and not in the company of anyone else. If she were to express her thoughts in front of a man, it would be disastrous.  If she were to say them in front of a woman, tell her all the ways that she thought, that, too, would be disastrous. She had tried to express herself to the other women but they had not been receptive.

Every morning, it was her job to go down to the well and draw the day's water. The women of the town would always be there around the same time to gossip. She would hear their voices drifting toward her as she approached. It was always the same subjects - Ashli and the Baker's Son, Jas and her dying husband, the new doctor in town, the latest merchants from the furthest lands and now...Elyza herself. She hadn't particularly noticed the looks at first, smiled at them and then left. However, the next day, as she had approached the well, their voices had died out and Mitzi, a friend of sorts, had come near, smiling.

"Good morning, Elyza." Her smile had always been enchanting, her bright teeth contrasting brilliantly with her exotic skin.

Elyza looked up, surprised but jumping eagerly at the opportunity for a conversation.

"Good morning, Mitzi. How are you this day?" She hoped her voice didn't waver like her heart was.

"I am well." Mitzi paused, smacking her lips. "I was wondering when the wedding date is."

A rush of panic and confusion came over Elyza and when she spoke, her voice was certainly wavering. "W-wedding?"

Mitzi nodded, the gesture making Elyza all the more fearful. "Yes. There was word that you are betrothed to Arken."

Arken, the blacksmith's son. He lived across the street and she had seen him working with his father, day after day, week after week, year after year. They had exchanged pleasantries on more than one occasion and he certainly was a friend, but as they had grown older, they had also grown apart. It was no longer appropriate for them to walk together everywhere and go berry picking in the woods. The gossip would have isolated them both, so it had been easier to be friends from afar. When Elyza's mother had died, Arken had come by a few times with condolences and flowers and when Arken's father had hurt his hand, she had gone by with some food and herbal remedies. But she had never considered him a future husband. They simply were friends.

But she was a woman of sixteen and had known since the beginning of the year that this had been bound to happen. After all, it was time for her to be wed. It was only proper.

Elyza smiled at Mitzi nervously. "Yes. Yes. We are."

Mitzi smiled back but the young women behind her seemed disappointed. Arken was quite the catch and there was no doubt that they had been wishing for him themselves.

Elyza had had difficulty leaving after that, but, once she had arrived home and made sure that her younger brother, Liam, was off to school, she had left, telling her father that she was off to get more tea leaves.

And so she was here, alone, in the woods. And she was content. She knew that she would be wedded soon and, surprisingly, she was not afraid. As a woman, she had a responsibility - to care for others and to make sure that men were taken care of. As far as husbands went, she might have done worse. Arken was only four years her elder and she knew him. He was kind, thoughtful and everyone knew that he soon would be starting a smithy of his own which meant that Elyza would be well cared for.

But still. Some part of her nagged at her, whispering to her dangerous thoughts of "what ifs" and "could bes." She knew that this was her destiny - that it always had been - but, perhaps, just perhaps, there was something more for her. Something waiting to take her away so that she could walk her own path.

But no. That was not to be for her.

Elyza understood every part of this decision - she even understood why she had not been consulted - and she comprehended the benefit.

So why did some part of her still rebel, still coil away in despair?

Her thoughts were broken as a dog came into her view, bounding happily between the trees, his dark fur a sharp contrast to the bright green of the season. For a split second, she was intimidated, terrified even, but then realized that she knew this dog. Elyza felt all of her stress filter out of her as she beckoned the dog to her.

"Here, Alecks." The dog was thrilled to see her and started to jump on her, his tail wagging, his tongue licking whatever he could find. She smiled, pleased.

"Oh. Hello, Elyza." His owner came into view, looking eccentric as ever. Elyza had always secretly liked him; it was difficult not to. Sabeus wore mystery like the noble ladies wore their fancy robes: calm, quiet, but alert, aware, secretive. His enigma was only amplified by his age. No one quite knew how old he was, but he was ancient, his hair and eyes speaking of many things. Elyza was also curious. She knew he was a mage and that he had been for some time. But that was what puzzled her, and possibly everyone else. No mage lived to be more than one hundred - much too young for anyone to die. But the gods were mysterious and called their superior servants to them in haste.

"Hello, Sabeus." Elyza offered a smile, her nervous demeanor leaving.

Sabeus smiled, his blue eyes smiling with him. "What are you doing here, young one?"

"Just...thinking."

Sabeus motioned Alecks toward him, maintaining eye contact with her. "Dangerous for anyone."

Elyza nodded slowly. "Yes. Especially since I am a woman."

The old mage seemed confused. "Why would that make a difference?"

The question shocked her and sat with her for a moment. "It...just would be...yes?"

Sabeus shook his head, his gray hair dancing with the motion. "No. I think not. I study many mages and in my experience, the gods do not discriminate, so why should I?"

It was a simply concept but it made her shrink back in horror. "I...I don't...know..."

Sabeus seemed to sense that she was off-put and changed the subject. "How is your brother?"

"Well, thank you. He is twelve this year."

"Ah. A good age, twelve." Elyza watched as  he leaned down and starting clipping a bush with pink flowers. She wasn't sure why he needed the leaves - they were the most useless part. "He'll be a man soon." Sabeus continued the conversation as if she had responded. "And then he shall select a bride...perhaps he will be lucky enough to be divinely kissed and granted magic, yes?" This idea seemed to thrill him but Elyza let a gasp of worry escape her. He looked at her, curious and she found herself blushing from head to toe.

"You do not want him given magic?"

Elyza shook her head, her honestly causing words to stumble out of her mouth quicker than she could catch them. "No. I do not wish him to die young and leave behind children and a wife. Many think that magic is a blessing. Not me. It is a curse." The harsh heresy hung in the air for a few moments and she felt her blush turning into indigence instead of embarrassment. "It brings pain. It does not alleviate it."

Sabeus did not seem to be put out but continued to trim away instead. "These are the words of someone who has been hurt. Is this because of your mother?"

If she had not been fueled by her indigence, she would have been shocked by such a forward question. But, as it was, all she saw was her mother's body and her father running to the bottle. "Yes. Of course it is. What gods 'bless' a person and then have them die several months later?"

Sabeus stood, shoving the plants into his satchel and offering Alecks a small treat. "I ask myself that question every day as my brothers and sisters pass into the next world." Elyza started to feel shame as she realized who she was talking to. He had been the head mage for quite some time before retiring; many said it had been because he had tired of young mages dying frequently, but this could not be confirmed. "But I know that one day the answer will come and I will be ready for it. Good or bad." He smiled at her again, his whole demeanor donning mystery once again. "Shall we be off? I wish to go into town and your company is always pleasant."

Elyza felt her negativity drain out of her. "Of course. Come along, Alecks."

Sabeus and Elyza separated on Elm Street, he heading off to the library and she to her house. They had spoken for some of the walk but Sabeus was easily distracted and Elyza gave up maintaining a conversation with him. The walk had been pleasant yet she was thankful to be home. 

At her door, Arken was waiting awkwardly. He didn't notice her at first, his green eyes fixated on the people in the street, watching them carefully. As she came up, he shifted and turned. His wide smile greeted her and she saw that he was clutching some flowers close to his chest. They were somewhat wilted but their red was still eye-catching. 

"Hello, Elyza." His voice was deep like the wide river that run along the edge of town. 

"Hello, Arken." She shied away from him, going past him to open her door. Unfortunately, it was locked, so she had to stand there awkwardly getting out her keys as Arken towered over her. 

"I...I don't suppose you've heard?" 

"About the betrothal? Yes. Yes, I have. Thank you." 

"It's rather exciting, isn't it?" By now, he had backed away to give her room. 

"Yes. It is." Elyza offered him a shy smile as she unlocked the door and stepped inside. "Come in, if you'd like." 

The potion shop was dark as the window shades were down and none of the candles had been lit. Arken came in behind her and watched uncomfortably for a few moments as she started to let light in. Elyza reached for the curtains and opened them. She was about halfway done when she noticed that Arken had opened the remaining curtains himself. Hiding a smile of surprise, she turned around, pleased. 

"Thank you. That's generous of you."

"Where would you like these?" He gestured toward the flowers. 

"Um...here. Put them in here." From the cabinets, she retrieved a large vase and put it on the counter. "Thank you. They are beautiful." 

Arken nodded, obviously embarrassed by their exchange. "You are welcome. They are the least I can give to my future wife." 

"Yes. Oh. Of course." The red in both their cheeks matched the flowers. 

Meticulously, Elyza started to set up the shop for opening. Usually, she opened mid-morning, but today had been special. If she was lucky, she'd be able to open by noon. 

Arken stood in the corner, reading various labels. "I've never asked - why open an apothecary?"

"It's my father's. My parents started it once they wed." She explained simply. "It was a dream of theirs."

"Oh. Right." There was that clumsiness in the air now - the awkward, unanswered questions about her mother making the small shop even more claustrophobic. Arken opened his mouth again and Elyza knew what was coming.

"No, please," she insisted, opening the ledgers. "Don't apologize. I think I'm tired of people apologizing. I know you mean well, but, please. It's unnecessary. It's no one's fault she's dead now." 

Dead. Such a graceless word with such a weighty meaning. She hated using it, but it was true and everyone knew it.

Arken nodded slowly, his shock wearing off. "Very well. As you wish...are you a proper chemist?" He was genuinely curious it seemed. 

Elyza shook her head. "No. Not really. I haven't been certified by the college. Not yet at least." 

He settled into the bench below one of the windows, the place where most customers sat. 

"Ah. I see. I guess that means that your father makes the more complicated medicines then?"

"Yes. He does. I'm more of an understudy."

Arken smiled generously again. Elyza had always like his smile. It was shy, but bold and daring, a rare combination. "I think you're more than an understudy. Half the people in the city would agree with me." 

"Oh. Thank you." She had never been graceful about accepting compliments and today was no different. She simply wasn't sure what to make of Arken. They had known each other for some time, but never well. However, even she could tell that he was very uncomfortable but it wasn't in a bad way - it was more than that. Was he nervous around her?

"It's true...Elyza, I wanted to talk to you about-"

Arken was cut short as Liam, Elyza's younger brother came through the door. With dirt plastered on his clothes, grass in his hair and a bewildered look on his face, he looked like he had been dragged through the forest. Elyza put the glasses in her hands down in alarm. 

"Liam? Liam, what's wrong?" Arken was already by his side, guiding him to the bench. Elyza sat down on the ground, evaluating him. 

"Arken, could you get some water and a cloth? The water is in the kitchen and there should be a cloth around somewhere."

"Of course." The young blacksmith left, granting both of them privacy. 

"Liam, who did this?" She knew better than to ask about school in front of Arken. Liam was sensitive about the frequent attacks on him at school and she was careful to never mention them in front of others. 

He looked at her, dazed, confused, unable to truly speak. "I don't...I don't know. I can't remember." 

"What do you mean?"

"It's just...my head hurts..." 

Elyza felt alarm consuming her. This was what Mother had been like before they had...no, it couldn't be. Mages rarely passed their abilities down to their children. 

"Liam, what do you mean?" Her grip tightened on his knees, her knuckles white. 

"I don't...know..." 

Arken put the bowl of water down beside Elyza. She wasn't looking at him, but she knew her betrothed was watching carefully.

"Elyza, are you all right?" 

She managed to speak past the lump in her throat. "Y-yes." Shakily, she started to wash Liam's face and hands, trying to ignore the blank, shocked look on his face. This couldn't be happening. Not again. Liam was too young. He couldn't. No one manifested before the age of thirty. Not one. It wasn't possible.

"Liam, can you speak?" Arken settled beside him, gently laying a hand on his shoulder. 

"Yes." 

"What happened?"

"I don't know. Can't remember." 

Elyza kept her eyes intent on Liam's hands, scrubbing away the dirt madly. 

"Elyza." She knew that tone. People only used that tone when something was very, very wrong. Slowly, she looked up at Arken. 

"What?"

"His eyes." Arken turned Liam's face toward her and she gasped, horrified, paralyzed. 

The unmistakable mage mark was in them, lighting up his pupils, adding an otherwise attractive glow. 

"No." The statement was quiet but final. "No. No, please. This can't be...Liam, Liam, how's your head?" She was so frantic she didn't care that the water had split all over her lap. 

"It...hurts." 

Elyza couldn't control the shivers of panic and fright, her fearful mind taking over and controlling everything. Was the room closing in now? Was Liam going to die?

"Elyza. Elyza?" Arken put a hand on her shoulder, looking strikingly calm for the situation. "Elyza, we need to get him to a temple."

She gathered her jumbled thoughts. "No. We can't." Elyza blurted out, louder than she meant to. 

"Why not?" 

"We can't." She stood, brushing off the cloth and trying to dry off the water. "They'll hurt him. Like they did my mother." 

Arken nodded, understanding. "Yes. Of course. What would you like to do?"

"Sabeus. We take him to Sabeus." She paused, considering. "I take him to Sabeus." 

Arken looked skeptical for a moment. She hoped that he didn't challenge her on this. She knew she was a woman and should probably follow his instruction, but she also knew that she loved her brother - she loved him so very much and she was willing to question and even demand her way if it meant protecting him. 

"I'd like us to go together." Arken said carefully, quietly, helping Liam to his feet. 

Elyza was already reaching for her cloak, her mind bent on her plan. "Why?" They both knew Arken owed her nothing. 

"Because you are my future wife. This will be a...challenge the both of us will have to navigate at some point." Arken was helping Liam get a cloak on as he spoke, his back to her. 

Elyza dug some coins out of the money jar. Perhaps Sabeus would take payment to help them. "Arken...it's not necessary. You have your forge to work..."

"No. I have your brother to look after." By now, they were facing each other, engaging in a silent battle of wills. Elyza saw that he meant it - and that not only did he mean it, but he meant it in a kind and firm manner. He wanted to help. 

She nodded, hesitant. "A-all right...if you wish..."

"I do." Arken guided Liam out the door. "What are we waiting for?"

Elyza didn't know what to think. Her emotions were a jumble of confusion and awe. She was stunned that he would help them. She hadn't had help for so long that the concept was radical to her. It was a pleasant sort of radical, the type that infected her. But now wasn't the time to think about it. Now was the time to fix Liam. 

"Nothing...let's be off."