Chapado walked Crito back to the barracks as had become her custom. He enjoyed it. Once he was off duty, he’d eat and then train with her. They kept what they were doing a secret. It was harder that way. If he went to the college, he’d be given time to go to classes and for assignments, but he still worried about what the others would think. He was learning quickly. His own magic didn’t amount to much, but if he used outside magic, and augmented it, he was as strong as some of the weaker elves. He didn’t compare to Nim or Andy, but if he was ever willing to let people know, he would do well. “I did a study of Augmenters once,” Chapado told him as they made their way. “Each Augmenter is different. Some are like Andy that can work on instinct and he’s the first I’ve seen to absorb a magic blast. Some, like Ruzi, can grasp other people’s magic and control them with it. Some, like you and Nim, can modify spells that have been cast, like focusing a shield or changing the location of a transport landing. Some can follow transport spells or locate the origin of a scrying spell or other communication spell. Immortals aren’t true Augmenters. We can only redirect magic and magnify it. There are no true fullblood Augmenters.” “How about crossbreeds?” Crito asked. Chapado nodded. “They can be true ones.” He reported in. The night had been uneventful. Then he was off duty. He kissed Chapado briefly before heading to his room to change. His sister’s bear was sitting on his bed. It was filthy and ripped. One eye hung loose. He grew angry. “Solvnor!” He shouted. Solvnor was one who knew his current hiding spot. “I didn’t touch it. Ask Mikna.” “Mikna?” He yelled down the hall. Mikna’s head poked out of one of the rooms. “I found it on the training field and brought it back in.” He wasn’t prone to mess with other people’s things without asking. Crito fought the tears in his eyes. This was the last thing he had of his family. “What’s wrong?” Chapado asked. He frowned. He hadn’t heard her coming. She wasn’t supposed to be back there. He didn’t care at the moment. He pulled her into his room and held her. “The bear was important to you?” She asked. “He belonged to my sister.” “Is it safe to assume it’s been a while since you’ve seen her?” “Not since I left home?” “You’ve never been back home?” “Once, when I was sixteen. Prince Tolin was going up there and wanted to return me to my family. They were gone.” “Gone?” Chapado asked. “Do you mean they moved or…” Solvnor poked his head into the room. “The general is coming. Get her out of here.” “Grab a change of clothing,” Chapado told him. He complied and she transported them to her room. Crito cringed at the spell but said nothing. “What happened to your family?” “The official report said they were killed by trolls, but I know it was my father. He killed them because of me because my mom hid me from him.” “My sister had given me the bear before I left as something to remember her by. She was only three. She loved it a lot and took great care of it. She’d never let something like this happen.” Chapado took the bear and cast a spell. All the dirt vanished. “It looks like it’s just the seams that are ripped. A needle and thread and it will be as good as new.” “For now.” It wasn’t the first time other soldiers had found it and messed around with it. “Keep it here in my room so the soldiers can’t get to it,” she offered. “I was going to ask you to move in with me anyhow.” The offer surprised him. He shook his head despite the fact he spent more time sleeping in her room than in his own. “It wouldn’t be right, a soldier living in the palace.” “Where does Prince Remtani sleep?” She challenged. “He’s part of the family.” He didn’t bring up how many times he’d slept out in the barracks to avoid his sister. “At least keep a few things here. You’re constantly running back and forth to change.” He nodded. Some might see it as improper, but he was falling in love with her and wanted to make her happy. He pulled her to him and kissed her. *** Andy watched the mixture he was heating carefully. As soon as it bubbled once, he needed to remove it from the heat. As he did, there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” he called as he added the heated mixture to the rest of the potion. Shunati entered and waited until he looked up. “What can I do for you?” Andy asked as he put the potion aside. “I need another batch.” The elf held up six rather large red vials. “I was wondering when you were going to ask for more.” Each potion had a unique vial shape or color to help those who couldn’t read tell them apart. Most only held an ounce or two. This vial probably held close to a cup. It was nicknamed red after its vial’s color because the real name was long and complicated. He had no idea what the potion was for or who was taking it. He just knew Shunati asked for more every few months. “Thailyn had said he would make it, but after healing Tor, I don’t want him to push it.” “I don’t mind making it. I know red takes a while to make. If someone is going through that much this fast, I figure it’s a health potion, not something superficial.” Shunati nodded. “It is to prevent health problems. Fortunately, they’re rare since it’s so hard to make.” “It’s not hard.” Shunati laughed. “They had to take it off the license test because most couldn’t make it. There are less than a dozen potion makers in the whole kingdom who can make it.” “How many people need it?” “Currently that I know of, three. One is here in Sen-gan. The other two are in Bisfip. A potion maker in Resdelk makes it for them.” “Okay. Would you have a page tell Ann I’ll be coming up late?” *** It was later than expected when Andy finally finished. The potion was tedious. If he had to guess, he’d say the real reason it was taken off the test was that it took too long to make. Ann entered the room a moment later through the door connecting to Cari’s room. “Is she okay?” Andy asked. Ann nodded. “I was just checking on her. Crito brought some of his things to keep in Chapado’s room. Cari wanted to know if he was an uncle now. She was a little excited.” She took a book from her desk and set it on the nightstand. Andy noticed she used her right hand. Ann was left-handed. Drepal was the one who was right-handed. He was having trouble telling them apart through the bond lately. It used to be when Drepal was awake, he couldn’t feel her unless they were touching. Slowly the bond strengthened. It was still weaker than when Ann was awake. But, while she’d been willing to be intimate with him, Drepal had never wanted to sleep with him and he respected that. As she kissed him tonight, he had the feeling that was going to change.