“Nalli, Gallin!” Jahan called through the mirror. “Daddy!” Gallin’s voice lit up as he rushed over. “Mommy, it’s Daddy!” he yelled, practically bouncing on his feet. “I hear him, sweetie,” Nalli laughed as she came to sit beside her son. “Do you ever not yell, child?” Marn muttered from the background. “Hi, Uncle Marn! Mind your manners!” Gallin shot back, raising his voice even louder. Jahan laughed. He’d told Marn that so many times it had become Gallin’s favorite line. The boy even thought “Mind your manners” was Marn’s name for a while. “Shh,” Marn hushed with a smirk. “Is it your nap time? Will Daddy tuck you in?” Gallin asked. “No, I’m awake,” Marn said. “Maybe a healer should check your hearing.” “I saw a healer yesterday!” Gallin declared. “It was two days ago, dear,” Nalli corrected gently. “Is he okay?” Jahan asked, his voice laced with concern. “It was just a routine check-up,” Nalli assured him. “He’s doing great. Though… I think that healer woman with Shan might have done something.” “A woman with Shan?” Marn’s eyebrow shot up. “Did I miss something?” “Loka was sitting with Shan earlier,” Jahan explained. “Aside from that rash he gets now and then, he’s probably the healthiest of all of us. She was probably using him as a buffer.” Nalli frowned slightly. “Wait… Rash? And he was holding Gallin?” “It’s not contagious, don’t worry,” Jahan said quickly. “None of the healers have been able to heal it though. I’d heard about the healer here and hoped she’d be strong enough. She often works with The Three.” “He grew up in a foster home, right?” Marn continued. “One of The Three already worked on him.” The Three Healers were the grandchildren of Thailyn the Great Healer. Although none of them had inherited all of his legendary abilities, they were each powerful in their own right and capable of boosting other healers’ magic. It was generally assumed if they couldn’t heal it, no one could. “He said it’s related to his sensitive hearing. The army let him stay on despite it,” Jahan shrugged. “Where’s Shri?” Gallin interrupted, always curious. “She’s up in the nursery,” Jahan said. “What’s a nursery?” Gallin scrunched his face, confused. “It’s like a big playroom,” Nalli explained with a smile. Jahan chuckled. “Has he been having fun with her?” Nalli grinned. “He talks about her constantly.” “Yes! Can she come and play?” Gallin asked eagerly. “We’ll see,” Jahan replied. “We’re far away, and she’s still too young for a transport charm. Remember, Aunt Lanni’s a mage. She didn’t use a charm when she transported you. Daddy can’t do that. Maybe she can scry with me sometime.” “That’s a good idea.” Marn stood up. “I’ll go check into it.” With Marn gone, Jahan and Nalli exchanged knowing looks. “Gallin,” Nalli said, “why don’t you play in your room for a bit?” “Okay! Bye, Daddy! I love you!” Gallin scampered off. “I love you too,” Jahan called after him. Then, his voice softened. “And I miss you both so much.” “We miss you too,” Nalli said, her voice quieter now that they were alone. “I’m sorry I’m away. This isn’t what I promised when I proposed.” “Don’t start,” Nalli shook her head gently. “It’s not what we expected, but we’ll make it work.” “Are you getting the money okay?” Jahan asked, concern creeping back in. “Yes,” Nalli reassured him. “Everything’s fine. And I’ve been doing some laundry for the neighbors to make some extra. I’m saving up—maybe next year Gallin can join the tutor’s class.” “That’s great. He’ll love that.” Jahan smiled at the thought. Their village didn’t have a proper school, so the families had pooled money to hire a tutor. “I thought about putting the money I saved to replace the scrying charm towards getting a transport charm so I can come home for a visit. Maybe I can send you that, too,” Jahan told her. Nalli paused. “No, Gallin needs to see his dad some. I’m making enough. I didn’t marry you for your money.” Jahan laughed. “It’s a good thing.” “My parents are just happy we finally married,” she continued. “They were so im-pressed we got married by the Shimmering Princess that they didn’t even mind not being there.” “Good,” Nalli hesitated. “I told your parents too.” Jahan frowned. “You stay away from them.” “They’re your family.” “They’re trouble. Stay away.” “I will.” “And keep Gallin away too. I don’t want them to know anything about him. It’s bad enough they know he was born.” Jahan’s parents were the reason he was stuck in North Yarba, far away from his wife and son. He had grown up as the son of a wealthy noble couple until it was discov-ered that his father had been stealing from the King’s Council. They had taken every-thing, and his father ended up in prison for a while. Since his father had hidden some of the stolen money in Jahan’s account, he was arrested too. Fortunately, he was found inno-cent and released. However, there was no way to distinguish the money he had earned from the stolen funds, so they seized it all, leaving him with only four months’ pay from his clerk job. He had been offered a magistrate position in one of the villages, but that offer was rescinded. He still moved to the village. Because they had nothing, Jahan brought his mother with him to ensure she was alright. When his father was released, he followed. Jahan had never realized how greedy and selfish his parents were. He was working day labor to support the three of them, yet all they did was complain about not having enough for the best and waste what little they had. Eventually, he’d kicked them out. He was already pledged and trying to save for his own family. He cut all ties to them because he believed they would continue to drag him down. “Gallin was with a friend. You worried your parents would try to take your sever-ance if something happened to you since Gallin’s underage. They can’t do that now, and I wanted them to know it.” Jahan relaxed a little and smiled. Now that he was married, his wife would get the money. “Is everything alright up there?” Nalli asked, changing the subject. “Yeah, business as usual,” Jahan said with a half-hearted shrug. “There’s a rumor we might be stationed in Menthanla next. If that happens, I’d like you and Gallin to come with me.” Nalli’s eyes brightened. “We’d love that.” “How are things going at home?” Jahan asked. “Everything’s good. Like I said, Gallin’s doing better. I really think Loka’s treat-ment helped. His bones are healing faster than expected. He might need less time than we thought.” “That’s amazing news,” Jahan said, feeling a weight lift off his chest. “I’m so glad to hear it.” “Remember, don’t drain the scrying ring all in one day,” Nalli reminded him. “I know,” Jahan sighed. “I miss you both so much. I love you.” “I love you too,” Nalli whispered. “We’ll talk again soon.” “Let me say goodbye to Gallin,” Jahan requested. Nalli went to fetch their son, who eagerly rushed back to the mirror. “Bye, Dad-dy! I love you!” “I love you too, Gallin. You be a good boy, okay?” “I will, And you be a good daddy!” Gallin blew a kiss through the mirror, and Ja-han returned the gesture with a smile. “Take care of Mommy,” Jahan added gently. “Okay!” Gallin said before darting off again. Jahan lingered for a moment, watching them fade from view. “I love you both. Take care.” With a heavy heart, he ended the spell. Three more years, he thought to himself. If they got stationed in Menthanla, he’d have his family with him again. If not, he’d resign and find another way. Either way, he’d make it work for them. For now, he had to focus on what was ahead—and why this squad had been sent to Yarba in the first place. #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands