#tabby writes

A human girl lead the two. She walked quickly and confidently, hoping she was giving off an aura of ‘I’m supposed to be here.’ An aven boy trailed behind her much less comfortably. His vulture head darted behind them frequently, looking every bit as guilty and nervous as he was feeling.

“Eternal above Emre!” Exclaimed the girl in a forced whisper without breaking stride, “You’re acting as jumpy as an antelope near a cobra nest. Calm down or someone will think we’re up to something!”

The aven snapped back forward looking a little embarrassed. He tried to straighten his back and emulate his friend’s posture but to no avail. “But Rhynn,” he said loudly as he dared, “We are up to something,” He had been looking down and hadn’t noticed she stopped and bumped right into her. “Oh! Sorry Rhynn, I—“ she put one finger on his beak and one over her own lips. Emre immediately stopped talking and listened as a couple of people walked by the other side of the building they were sneaking behind. The two stayed still until they could no longer hear their chatter and both sighed with relief.

“Emre, you don’t have to come with me,” Rhynn said softly, “I don’t want you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I can go by myself,” she finished and gave him a gentle smile.

“But… but we’re stronger together! A dragon with a single scale can’t endure the desert. It’s just…” Emre trailed off and looked down, idly poking his talons into the sandy ground.

“It’s just that we’re breaking a rule and you don’t like that,” Rhynn finished for him. His head hung lower at her words and Rhynn frowned. She put one hand on his shoulder and the other she put under his beak so she could raise his face to look him in the eye. She put on the most reassuring smile she could and kept her voice soft.

“Emre, I’m not mad or upset at you, I promise,” He looked a little relieved and she continued, “ And truth be told we’re breaking several rules technically and I don’t love that either. It’s just,” she took her hands off him so she could try to articulate her thoughts, “I know the rules are there for a reason but this is something I need to do. Or at least try. The Foremost denies every request I make for missions and I know he’s giving me special treatment. Whenever our garrison gets assigned any kind of remotely dangerous route, somehow I’m needed somewhere else and I’m left behind,” Rhynn had been gesturing while she talked and now that she stopped she didn’t know what to do with her hands so she just bunched her fists and let them awkwardly drop. She looked over to Emre lamely. “I’m sorry. This sounds so dumb and selfish now that I’m saying it out loud. Let’s just go back,” she said and took a couple steps with her head hanging low. Emre grabbed her arm and turned her around to look at him this time.

“It doesn’t sound dumb, Rhynn. You’ve always wanted to explore the further borders, especially the ones near the northern forests,” his eyes got wide and he gulped, “Even if that is close to Atarka lands.” Rhynn knew her friend was terrified of Atarka. Rumor said she preferred ainok and aven as favored meals. Emre steeled himself and continued, “And I guess technically it could be selfish to add yourself to another caravan just because you want to,” Rhynn frowned at that, “But it’s not like you would just be tagging along as dead weight. It never hurts to have an extra Sunbringer and you’re one of the best in our age group! If, if anything this would be good training for you!” Emre beamed at his friend and she smiled back.

“Thanks Emre,” she said and pulled him into a hug he gladly returned. When they broke apart Emre looked like he regained his confidence.

“Ok! So. We’re almost to the building where they keep the route schedules. Let me, let me see if I remember the plan” he began, “You’ll sneak in and I wait by the window outside.”

“Good so far,” Rhynn said.

“Then you add yourself to Adi’s caravan going north in a week and make only that change,” Rhynn put her hand over her heart.

“Sunbringer’s honor,” she replied and Emre nodded.

“And finally you sneak back out like nothing ever happened! Oh! And I’m here keeping watch. If anyone enters the building after you, I’ll—I’ll whistle!”

“The perfect plan,” Rhynn concluded and Emre cocked his head to the side.

“Before we do this… Are, are you sure you want to? It is a dangerous route. Maybe you could merge our caravan with theirs instead…” Emre trailed off. Rhynn looked at him fondly and put her hand on his shoulder.

“I know you’re worried but it’s best this way. They’d notice a change that big and besides; I wouldn’t risk the lives of our brothers and sisters just for me. You and Reyna would be in extra danger and I think a smaller group has a better chance of being undetected. Besides, our caravan was due for a long rest anyway. It’s something I need to do though, Emre. Real, proper forests. Trees bigger than dragons! Strange creatures none of us have ever seen before! I need to see it, something there just calls me to it. I,” she struggled to find the proper words, “I don’t know. I can’t explain the feeling.” It was true. Rhynn didn’t know why she was so drawn to the northern border but the thought of the ancient forests up there never failed to give her shivers. She looked helplessly at her friend and he chuckled.

“Well we better finish this if we’re still doing it,” Emre said with more resolve.

“Right,” she replied and they clasped arms in typical clan fashion. The two crept the final bit left of their journey and wound up outside the records building. The sky was shifting from a brilliant orange to a dusky violet which meant not many people should be within. Rhynn darted into the front while Emre took a position near the window of the room that the schedules and routes were planned and kept, but remained within eyeshot of the front entrance. He was conspicuously trying to look inconspicuous.

Rhynn got inside without attention and quickly made her way along the halls. While it wasn’t exactly an honorable talent she had always had a knack for sneaking and it was coming in handy now. She made it to the caravan schedule room without seeing anybody and slipped inside. Once inside she just needed to find the right book. Let’s see are they sorted by Scalelord family groups? Maybe location of travel? Hmmm. After perusing a few she found what she was looking for. Ah-ha! The trip to the northern-most aerie! Now just to add an extra Sunbringer. She scribbled her name onto the list of people on the caravan and just as she was placing the book back in its spot she heard a raspy whistle from outside.

With a new sense of urgency Rhynn slipped back out of the room and began cautiously making her way back to the front of the building. She didn’t hear anybody and thought maybe she imagined the whistle when she turned the corner and barreled into somebody.

“Oh sorry,” she stammered and tried to speed away.

“Sunbringer Rhynn?” The deep voice questioned and Rhynn had no choice but to stop and turn around. Of course it was him. Why would it be anybody else?

“Oh Foremost! Sorry sir. I didn’t see you there. I’ll be getting out of your way now,” she said while standing as straight as her spine would allow. The Foremost stared down at Rhynn, his expression unreadable. She thought about bolting but knew it would be better to wait until she was properly dismissed.

“And what would you be up to in the records building at this time of day?” He finally asked. Rhynn’s heart skipped a beat. She forgot to come up with a cover story. She was bad at lying even when prepared, but to come up with something on the fly like this? She was doomed.

“Oh! I was just, uh…” she stammered, desperately trying not to break eye contact as she strained her neck to look up at him, “I thought I saw Adi come in here and I had a question for them,” she finished, looking down.

The Foremost didn’t say anything, he just stared at her. Rhynn began to fidget and he sighed. “Why don’t we have a little talk. Please follow me to the records room,” he said with formal air and began to walk away. Rhynn just hung her head and followed. She knew she had been caught and didn’t see the point of arguing; it would only make things worse.

The Foremost closed the door behind them and gestured for Rhynn to sit in one of the chairs. So this was going to be a long talk. She hoped Emre had followed the plan and skipped out. She didn’t want him to miss dinner on her account. The Foremost grabbed a book off the desk and sat across from Rhynn.

“Posture, Sunbringer, you’re slouching,” He said without looking up as he thumbed through the book. Rhynn snapped her spine straight until it ached and looked forward. Somehow the Foremost always looked perfectly at attention, even now as he peered down into the book. She wondered if he even knew how to sit comfortably. She resisted the urge to tap her foot.

The Foremost stopped on a page and ran his finger up and down and his brow furrowed. “Huh,” was all he said.

“Is something the matter, Sir?” Rhynn asked, concentrating on her posture and keeping her voice politely disinterested. Was she supposed to look at him or straight ahead in this situation? He glanced up at her briefly and back down to the page. She thought she could detect some irritation on his face but she couldn’t be sure.

“It seems,” he began slowly, “I owe you an apology.” That wasn’t what she expected. She cocked her head in genuine confusion.

“Sir?” She asked.

“You see, I had believed you had snuck in here to mess with the caravan routes,” Rhynn flushed at the words but tried to keep her face neutral. He held up the book he had leafed through. “But it seems your caravan is intact. No missing personnel, no last-minute route change.” Rhynn stared at him, unsure what to say. He had it half right and she didn’t want to make him suspicious. He sighed and shook his head.

“I would like to let it go, and yet the guilt is plain on your face. Explain why you were really here,” he said in a commanding tone. His hazel eyes bored into her own. Rhynn took a deep, steadying breath.

She didn’t know how to respond so she decided to go on the offense. “Why do you treat me differently?” He looked taken aback by this.

“Excuse me?” he said, his normally confident tone now mixed with a touch of uncertainty.

“You treat me differently than everyone else in my age group, especially in my caravan group. Why?” She did her best to keep her head up, chin forward, and feet still.

The Foremost narrowed his eyes and answered, his voice suddenly gruff. “That is absurd. I treat you as I treat all young Sunbringers. As all young members of our Clan. You are all equal and will earn treatments based on your merits. Nothing more. Nothing less. You are avoiding my question. Now Sunbringer Rhynn, tell me what you were doing here.”

Rhynn knew she should probably drop it, but now that she asked the question that had been burning her tongue for so long, she didn’t want to.

“If you don’t treat me differently, how come I’m the only Sunbringer my age that isn’t allowed weapons training?” she spat at him and he actually sat back with raised eyebrows.

“You’re allowed the training, it just isn’t necessary for you as a mage. It would be a waste of time and resources.”

“Just like it is for all the other mages that do basic combat training? If I’m really allowed it, how come I’m shoo’ed away when I try to learn on my own down time?” The Foremost scowled but Rhynn pushed through. “How come whenever I face a punishment, it’s usually working in the stables, or some other activity I actually like? How come I get extra attention from you despite you being a warrior and strategist and I’m a healer? How come whenever my caravan gets assigned a route that’s so much more exciting than our usual ones, but it’s slightly more dangerous I, alone, get called away to help with something else and get left behind? How–”

“Enough!” Rhynn startled back as The Foremost slammed his palms on the desk and stood over her. She had lost control of herself, when had she stood up? Meekly she sat back down under the hardened glare of the soldier before her, holding her hands together to try to keep them from shaking. He took a deep breath and also sat back down.

“So many damned questions Rhynn. Always with the questions. Keep it up and maybe we’ll have to send you along with our next trades with the Ojutai.”

Rhynn was pretty sure he was attempting to relieve the tension with a joke. Probably. Part of her wondered if it would actually be nice though. If the Ojutai actually liked that you asked questions, that would be a welcome change, maybe she could convince Emre to come too…

The Foremost cleared his throat and Rhynn looked back at his face, his expression was unreadable.

“I… try to keep you from dangerous activities because I don’t want you getting hurt. I’m not trying to be unfair, I’m trying to protect you,” he kept his voice even but his eyes betrayed a look of sorrow that confused her. Rhynn knew this was supposed to make her feel better but it actually filled her with shame and anger.

“That’s not protecting me though! We Dromoka are supposed to be prepared for anything and I’m only allowed to learn safe things? That’s dangerous for me and my clan siblings!” She was trying to keep her voice even, but she could feel her voice rising involuntarily. “Plus you say you’re not trying to be unfair, but you are! I should face the same dangers and responsibilities as everyone else. I can’t just stay in Arashin my whole life only tending to the same animals and those with the same routine injuries, I–”

“With this insubordinate behavior, maybe you should!” Rhynn’s heart sank at the words. “That is as important a job as any other, even if it is safe and boring as you imply.”

“But–” Rhynn tried but he kept going, voice slowly rising.

“One of the most gifted Sunbringers of your age. Even some of the dragons request your services specifically, even over more experienced healers because of your innate gifts at healing and natural understanding of scales and draconic physiology. Do you understand what an honor that is?” The Foremost ran a quick hand through his hair as his lecture picked up pace. “And yet you would want to throw that honor away traipsing along the foothills of Atarka lands? Or permanently injuring your arms or hands in a weapon training accident? You get the same physical exercise and evasive trainings as everyone else, you don’t need to risk injury with swords and spears. You’re being selfish Rhynn. We all have a part to play and you should focus on what you’re good at.” His voice was even again; he knew he was right. Rhynn suspected he was right too, even if it hurt to admit it. She could feel her eyes stinging with unshed tears but she managed to keep her composure.

“I… I have other strengths, I could help others way too,” she offered cautiously. The Foremost didn’t stop her so she timidly continued. “Extra healers only make a caravan more safe. And I always hear complaints that we don’t have enough information on the creatures beyond our borders. I’m good at understanding animals, I could help with healing, even learn more from non-routine injuries and illnesses! I could practice more bolstering magic! I could even study the animals as well, I could make our clan a bestiary! I could–”

“We don’t need bestiaries of exotic beasts!” The Foremost raised his voice but wasn’t truly yelling; still it stopped Rhynn mid sentence and her brief excitement deflated in her chest. “Our Scalelords’ hides are strong because each scale falls neatly in its place. A loose or damaged scale compromises the whole dragon’s well-being. Each member of our clan represents each of those scales. That’s what makes us the strongest and most enduring clan in all of Tarkir. You should know this only works if we all do what we’re supposed to do. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir,” Rhynn managed, stifling a sniffle. She would do anything for her clan, but that didn’t stop the sinking feeling she had in her stomach right now. Like her future could never be her own.

“Now that we’ve got that out of our systems, I’d like you to answer my question you so expertly dodged around,” The Foremost snapped her back to the present, “And please sit up,” he added with a hint of exasperation.

“You never answered mine,” she replied sullenly. He sighed again.

“We just went through this Rhynn,” he rubbed his forehead as he spoke.

“You dodged the question too though! You just said you treat me the way you do because you want to protect me. Shouldn’t you be protecting us all equally? Reyna is a mage and she does martial training. Emre is a scout and he learns more than observation. Adi is a Sunbringer, but they get to learn almost everything!”

“That’s different, none of them–”

“Are your daughter?” Rhynn cut him off and then blanched at her own words. She hadn’t meant to say it out loud, it was just a theory she and her friends had. If she had been in trouble before, now well… maybe they really would send her to the Ojutai. Hopefully it would be in one piece. The Foremost just stared at her with eyes wide and his jaw dropped. Rhynn bowed down her head and spoke frantically.

“I’m so sorry sir! That–that was out of line. I shouldn’t–”

“How did you know?” he asked, barely above a whisper. Rhynn snapped her head back up to look at him. It was her turn to look utterly dumbfounded.

“It’s… it’s true?!” she squeaked out. The Foremost rested his forehead onto his hands and began to massage his temples. He looked tired.

“You’re a clever girl Rhynn, I know this wasn’t a lucky guess. How did you figure it out?” His voice was coming back to him. He looked over to her and his expression swirled with different emotions.

Rhynn was so certain about her theory and yet hearing it confirmed out loud was surreal. It took her a moment to find her voice. “Well I look a lot like Keeleh, everyone who has eyes can see that. And it’s not like bondkins from the Atarka clan are common enough to say it’s a coincidence. You’ve been married longer than I’ve been alive so it makes sense. Plus…” she added sheepishly, “I have your eyes. Oh and the obvious special treatment.”

He had been looking at her with equal parts sorrow, affection, and pride until her final addition; then anger won.

“Damn it Rhynn!” he yelled and slammed the desk, causing Rhynn to flinch. She figured she should be done pushing her luck for tonight. “I’ve been trying to do what’s best for you! You have no idea what it’s like to have your children ripped from you and raised by other parents!” Rhynn was shocked by the conviction of emotion in his voice. “Sure we got to be there and help, but to not have you with us each night? To know we couldn’t be there every time you were sick or hurt or sad? It should be voluntary, it shouldn’t be this way. It didn’t used to be,” he trailed off at the end.

Rhynn was puzzled at that. Children of the Dromoka clan had always been raised together, had always been one big family. She fidgeted. She didn’t understand. She was feeling confused, frustrated, and angry. None of that was supposed to matter, but she had never seen the Foremost so upset.

“But… it’s always been this way,” she dared to offer in a soft tone, her brow furrowed.

“No. No it hasn’t. Not before–” the Foremost cut himself off and snapped his head back up, looking alarmed. This only made Rhynn more confused.

“Before what?” she asked, cocking her head to the side.

“Nothing. I misspoke. Enough damned questions,” The Foremost was giving in to his temper. Rhynn was pretty sure he was doing it to hide something.

“But–”

“No buts! Enough of this. You were sneaking around like some thief and refused to state your intentions. Your punishment will take place in the armory.”

Rhynn dared to hope against reason at that, but her heart dropped as he continued.

“Crack of dawn before the first birds wake. You will clean and polish all arms and armor. I’ll let Brak know to be expecting you,” his voice was lower in volume but the heat was still there.

“But that’s not–” Rhynn began to protest but was cut off when The Foremost stood up, voice raised once more.

“No buts! No more questions! You will do as you’re told just like everyone else; no special treatment. Now get out of my sight and I would recommend going straight to your bunk. You’ve got an early and long day ahead of you tomorrow.” He glared down at her in her seat while she tried not to squirm. She opened her mouth to argue but thought better of it. She wasn’t sure any words would have come out anyway. Tears stung at her eyes but she managed to keep them from falling and merely nodded. The Foremost stood straight and addressed her more calmly now.

“You… are dismissed,” he said with an even voice and an expression Rhynn couldn’t read. Her vision was beginning to blur from building tears and that certainly didn’t help either. She stood up as straight as she could and managed to choke out a ‘Yes sir’ before she practically ran out of the room.

Once she got out of the building the tears began to fall. She wiped them on her cowl as best she could, she didn’t want to attract attention. She looked around for Emre but couldn’t find him. Good, that meant he followed the backup plan and should have set off for dinner. At least that way only she got in trouble.

It was somewhat cloudy on a warm afternoon, shortly after midday. A slight breeze nudged the puffy clouds around, which offered cool patches of shade wherever their shadows lazily fell. In the forest below Helis was napping on a wide branch of a tall tree. To him, this was the perfect kind of day. He stretched out his body, letting out a satisfied grunt as he felt all his joints pop back into place. He stretched out all the toes on his taloned feet and then dug the claws into the warm wood. He enjoyed the satisfying feeling of his talons sinking into the soft outer part of the wood. He yawned deeply and arched his back like a cat after a nap. It really was the perfect kind of day. Though honestly, every day on Perenia was the perfect kind of day if you looked at it right. A day people complain of as being too hot? Perfect for visiting the cool pools of the outer swamps. The mud there is soft and good for cooling off hot, dry skin. A day too cold? Perfect for enjoying some hot mulled cider with some of Hiviny's finest honey. Svellmani herself brings winter early and there's a week-long blizzard? Perfect for heavy, delicious meals all week, more honeyed cider, and seeking out companions to warm up with. Helis smiled to himself. Yes, life truly is wonderful if you look for it to be. After his ordeal on Ravnica, he figured he may never feel the need to leave his perfect corner of the multiverse ever again.

"ARRRRGHHHHHHHHHH!!! What are you doing with my fruit, you thieving miscreant!?" Helis started out of his reverie as the peaceful silence of the forest abruptly ended with a hoarse voice screeching nearby. "You cruel, arrogant creature! Do you even know what you've done?!"

"Sounds like Madam Crabapple has found a new poor soul to torment," Helis laughed to himself. This was an event usually worth checking out so he quickly finished his post-nap stretches and jumped to some nearby branches so he could get closer to the commotion and watch without being seen. As he climbed towards the yelling he finally got to a vantage point where he could see the large, agitated treefolk. The source of her ire was a young human woman who looked very out of her element while clutching a shiny green apple. One that happened to match the rest hanging from the upper branches of Madam Crabapple. "Oh the poor dear," Helis said to himself with amusement as he settled in his hidden spot to watch.

"I'm so, so sorry m’am! I had no idea, the fruit all looked so inviting. I-I thought they were hanging from a regular tree. If I had any idea a dryad could grow so--" the woman was cut off.

"A dryad? A DRYAD?! You think that I am one of those aloof, frivolous twigs dancing out in the moonlight?" The poor woman blanched.

"Oh sweet thing, that was not the thing to say," Helis whispered to himself and propped his face onto his chin.

"Thinking me to be a plain old regular tree is bad enough, but a dryad? Ugh, I cannot believe humans these days!" Madam Crabapple glared at the woman who was clearly at a loss of what to say. There was a bit of an awkward silence before the woman realized she wasn't being berated any longer. She had the look of someone who was used to knowing just what to say to diffuse a situation, and yet here she was, stumped. Helis almost felt bad with how amusing the whole situation was. The woman took a long but shaky breath. It seemed to settle her a bit.

"My sincerest apologies again. Both for stealing the fruit and for the double mistaken identity. I have just never met a.. uh?" she paused and stared questioningly at Madam Crabapple, who renewed her glare at her.

"A treefolk, girl. I'm a treefolk," she growled. The woman looked mildly relieved, she thought she was getting somewhere. Poor thing.

"Yes, a treefolk! Of course, how could I be so dense!" she placated.

"Ah, she knows how to play! Madam does love self-deprecation," Helis mused. Indeed the treefolk appeared to be calming. Helis knew better though, she was preparing a second wave of criticism. The woman offered up the apple as if it were a precious jewel as she continued to speak.

"I offer back your apple, which I took out of complete and utter foolishness. I hope you can forgive my thoughtlessness." She looked up to Madam Crabapple expectantly. The old treefolk held her gaze but said nothing. The woman began to fidget under the scrutiny, shifting her weight from side to side. Helis grinned; it was kind of endearing. Madam Crabapple began to move closer to the woman, her limbs creaking as she slowly moved.

"Tell me girl, where do baby trees come from?" Madam Crabapple sounded calm now, but there was a dangerous tone hiding in her voice. The woman looked nonplussed, this was not the direction she was expecting this to take.

"Baby... trees, m’am?" she asked.

"Are you deaf? Yes! Baby trees! Where. Do. They. Come. From?" she articulated each word sharply and moved closer to the woman, who took a step back and was looking more and more uncomfortable.

"Oh. Well, they-they come from seeds m’am? Depending on the type of tree the seeds can come from pods or cones or..." she looked down at the apple in her hands with a dawning realization of horror, "or fruit." Her head snapped back up to look at Madam, her eyes wide.

"Oh yes, very astute girl. So, where do you think baby treefolk come from, hmmm?" The look on Madam's face was predatory; the woman however looked like she may be on the verge of tears. She clasped the apple close to her chest like one might a child.

"Oh stars. Oh my gosh, I'm-I'm so sorry. I... Is there anything I can do? I'm a healer! Is there some-" Madam cut in.

"A healer! Oh thank Poulios, a healer," she intoned with sarcasm, "What exactly do you think you'd be healing, eh girl? The fruit is detached.” She crossed her arms, making the wood creak like trees in a storm.

“I-in the past, I’ve helped re… reattach…” the woman began but she also started to breathe heavily. Madam further glared at her and she just sunk down to her knees, cradling the apple. Her shoulders began to shake.

“And that Madam, was a line crossed,” Helis sighed. He loved watching Madam Crabapple have her fun with travelers. Watching them squirm and try to appease her while she talked circles around them. It usually ended in amused, if frustrated, laughter. This though? Clearly the woman was going through something and Madam was not receptive to it. Plus, this was a crueler joke than she usually settled for. Helis had seen enough despair after his brief time on Ravnica so it was time to step in.

Helis slid down the trunk of the tree using his talons and walked towards Madam Crabapple and her quarry. As he got closer, he began to saunter and assumed a charming look.

“Why is that the lovely creaking of Madam Crabapple I hear?” Helis purred as he stepped out from the brush. Both ladies snapped their heads in his direction at his sudden entrance. The human woman looked nonplussed and was still cradling the, unbeknownst to her, ordinary apple. Madam immediately set all her attention on him and began to preen.

“Ooo hoo-hoo! If it isn’t young, handsome Helis here to brighten my day,” she cooed while rustling her branches. “To what do I owe this pleasant surprise visit?” She fluttered her eyes at him, at least as much as a treefolk could. He smiled.

“Oh do I need a reason to visit my favorite treefolk? Ah,” he turned his attention to the now visibly confused, but still distraught, woman, “Who is your charming friend?” Her bright eyes still looked glassy, but she no longer looked on the verge of tears. He wondered if she was figuring out Madam’s trick.

“Oh, I’m—“

“She’s just some flotsam that drifted south from the Archipelago, look how she’s dressed,” Madam cut in with an annoyed undertone, “didn’t even know what a treefolk was.” The woman bristled at the jab. The way she was dressed was unusual, but it didn’t even look like Perenian fashion to Helis at all. He wasn’t going to bring that up just yet though.

“Now now Madam, that means she is a guest and we shouldn’t be so rude to guests,” he lightheartedly waggled a finger at Madam Crabapple and she batted him away playfully, “And I’m sure after whatever game you two were playing, she’ll never forget a treefolk again.” Helis tried to give the woman a comforting smile, “I am Helis, and it’s a pleasure to meet you Lady….” He trailed off and held out his hand welcomely, hoping to help her up and coax out her name. She just stared up at him blankly, then looked at the apple in her hands, and then up to Madam Crabapple.

“This. This is just a regular apple, isn’t it,” she said flatly. Madam Crabapple let loose a shrill cackle. She then snatched the apple from the woman’s hand and ate the whole thing in one messy crunch herself. The woman blanched before fixing her face back into a neutral position.

“Of course it is, girl! You should have seen the look on your face!” She continued her cackling. “Welcome to Flamoria!” She said with cruel mirth.The woman did not look amused and Helis couldn’t really blame her. He was still working a way to chastise Madam without getting her defenses up too high. The woman seemed to have had enough though. She unceremoniously stood up and dusted herself off.

“Well thank you for the warmest of welcomes. If that’s how kind all folk from Flamoria are, I think I may just make my way back north. Thank you and good day,” she said with a curt nod and made to turn around. Helis couldn’t have that! He was fairly certain she was a planeswalker although he had no real proof yet, just a feeling, and he couldn’t have someone thinking the home of Autumn was a cruel place. He snatched her hand before she could go too far.

“Wait, hold on now. Let’s not end a new friendship like this!” He said with concern. The woman glared at him, with lovely hazel eyes he noted, but she did not fight him. He held her hand lightly just in case, and looked to Madam Crabapple. “Now Madam, we can’t have new people to the land of Autumn think us cruel. Perhaps your usual jokes took a turn more mean spirited than usual?” He did his best not to sound accusatory. If she felt threatened Madam would only double down. She was considering him but did not respond, “Besides, what if she was coming down for her very first proper Autumnal Equinox? The festival starts in a week and imagine if she missed the greatest celebration in all of Perenia just because of one unpleasant first impression?” He was being ballsy but he had to, the woman was still letting him hold her there but he didn’t know how long that would last. Madam Crabapple creaked in place and finally sighed.

“Ugh, FINE. I guess, the joke I played could be seen, in some situations as a tiny bit over the top,” she leaned towards Helis and the human woman leaned away but did not break her hand out of his loose grip, “but Helis, she called me a dryad!”

“I know, I know,” he placated, “but she—“

“Also said I was sorry,” the woman said almost imperceptibly. Helis smiled at her and gave her hand a little squeeze. She kept looking the other way, but squeezed his hand back which he took as a good sign. “Don’t have treefolk where I’m from,” she finished, still quietly. Hmmm. If she was a planeswalker, maybe she had been here before? To know that the Stillfrost Archipelago doesn’t have treefolk, or she’s doing very well thinking on her feet. Or he was wrong and she’s not a planeswalker…

“Alright alright, I’m sorry. Happy now?” Madam Crabapple finally creaked out while starting to tug at stray twigs amongst her branches. The woman turned to her, surprised.

“Oh. Well, thank you,” she smiled but it didn’t quite reach her eyes, “Madam Crabapple.” Madam looked too distracted with whatever she was doing with her branches to really notice. The woman tugged at Helis’ arm a bit and leaned down to whisper in his ear. He noted she was at least a few inches taller than him.

“Is it weird she hasn’t responded? Did I… upset her again?” Helis leaned up to whisper back in her ear.

“Nah. She just has her ways, we’ll see what she’s up to in a second,” he leaned away and looked her in the face now and with a regular voice, “Still haven’t caught your name though.”

“Oh it’s Rhynn. Nice to meet you, Helis,” she went to shake his hand but realized they had been holding hands the entire time. She burst into a fit of giggles and Helis couldn’t help but laugh himself. She gave his hand one final squeeze and finally pulled her hand away, wiping at the moisture in her eyes. At least they were tears of joy this time.

“Sorry, that was silly. I just… had a lot of emotions in the last five minutes,” Helis smiled his most charming smile.

“Never apologize for laughter my dear Lady Rhynn, for pleasure is what we are all on this world to experience,” as he said it, he bowed dramatically. Rhynn smiled and looked thoughtful. Madam Crabapple laughed and turned around.

“Always the charmer Helis, and here I thought I was special,” she said, but without animosity. Helis mocked outrage and put a hand over his heart.

“Of course you’re special!” He gasped, “I just have an overabundance of charm and I must share it with all the lovely people I meet!” Rhynn snorted at that and Helis crinkled his nose at her. “See, I am abundantly charming!” Rhynn just shook her head, but she did look amused. Good, at least her foul mood from the prank was fading. Madam Crabapple just sighed.

“If you’re quite finished, to end all this on a better note. Here,” she held out a make-shift basket that she had just crafted from her own loose branches. It was filled to the brim with her own bright green apples. She shoved the basket into Rhynn’s torso. She barely recovered from the surprise in time to catch it without spilling any apples. She looked down and then back up at Madam in shock.

“That’s so generous. I, I don’t know what to say! Thank you seems like not enough,” she genuinely looked touched. Helis had to admit he was surprised, normally Madam doesn’t go through this much trouble. Madam bristled and tried to look aloof.

“Well I suppose making a healer think she murdered a child was a bit cruel, even by my standards. HOWEVER, I do think that humans need to grow stronger backbones,” she whipped around and poked Rhynn in the forehead with a gnarly finger as she said it. “Anyway, you two enjoy the apples. Helis, make sure she gets to enjoy the festival, I have to go prepare for it myself, my my just a week? Where does the time go,” she sounded distracted and lumbered away without saying another word. Rhynn just looked down at the basket and then to Helis, dumbfounded.

“So. Does that happen a lot?” She asked him, still looking a little in shock. Helis laughed.

“Madam Crabapple finding random travelers to prank and berate? Yes. Her eventually feeling bad for going overboard and apologizing? Sometimes. Her feeling so bad she weaves a basket of her own branches and fills it with her own apples?” he gestured to the basket in her arms, “That’s a first for me to see.” Rhynn smirked and looked at him slyly.

“And how many of these pranks of hers do you tend to see?” Helis laughed nervously.

“Oh you know, I just catch them towards the end sometimes,” he said. He didn’t expect for her to catch on to him so soon.

“Uh huh,” she said, still smirking. Helis just smiled and grabbed the basket from her. She did not protest.

“Let me carry this for you anyway, your pack looks unreasonably heavy.” He was trying to change the subject, but it really did. It looked like she really was prepared for a long journey. That would be true for someone from the Archipelago but could still be true for a planeswalker, even if he normally traveled much lighter. “Can’t have you tiring out before we can get on our way to Ornio now can we? We can be there before dark if we leave now!” He flashed her his brightest smile. Rhynn looked a bit caught off guard.

“You want to travel together?” She tilted her head to the side as she asked, “And what’s in this Ornio?” Helis smiled, he was now pretty sure Rhynn was a planeswalker again. There’s no way even someone who lived their whole life in Stillfrost wouldn’t at least recognize the name of the capitol of Flamoria. Especially if they made it this far into the province.

“Why of course the Autumnal Equinox Festival is in the capitol and very heart of Flamoria!” He said with a flourish, “As we celebrate the rebirth and return of our great phoenix avatar Poulios as he ushers in Autumn.” Rhynn definitely looked intrigued. He decided to be cheeky. “You know, much like you folks up in Niflgard do for the Winter Solstice when you placate Svellmani?” He resisted the urge to wink. To her credit Rhynn only looked utterly lost for a second before she fixed her face into a knowing expression.

“Of course! I don’t know where my head is at today,” she mockingly knocked on her own head, “Meeting a treefolk really razzled me for the day,” she finished. That was the final proof Helis needed. No true resident of the Archipelago would tolerate someone from any other province saying they were merely placating their avatar and not celebrating her just as the other provinces celebrate theirs. He smiled warmly at her once more and waved his arm out in the direction they would need to go to head to Ornio.

“So my dear Lady Rhynn,” he gave a slight nod of his head as he said her name, “Would you like to honor me by letting me guide you to Ornio and introducing you to the greatest festival of all time?” He really did hope she would say yes. She seemed like an interesting person and he never really had a chance to get to know another planeswalker before. He didn’t stay on Ravnica long enough for that to happen. It didn’t hurt that she was lovely on top of it all. She smiled timidly and Helis’ hope increased.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t mind? I don’t want to be any trouble,” she began to trail off.

“Of course not, it’s no trouble at all,” Helis said with complete sincerity and Rhynn smiled. “And besides I’m being a bit selfish,” this time Helis did wink at her, “I’d much rather travel the way back to Ornio with company than by myself. Doubly so if that company is an interesting new friend that I can gush about the festival to!” Rhynn smirked this time.

“Well then I may just have to take you up on this offer,” and Helis beamed.

“Well then, onward!” He said dramatically and began to walk. Rhynn fell in next to him. Helis fished an apple out of the basket and offered it to Rhynn. “Want one for the road?” Rhynn actually groaned.

“I’m not sure I can have an apple for a month or two after all of that,” she hid her face in her hands for a second as she said it. Helis looked aghast, but pulled the apple back.

“Now you can’t wait that long. The festival has some of the best apple dishes of the whole year!” He took a juicy bite of the apple he was holding “Mmm, and these are so fresh and tart!” They really were. He forgot how good Madam’s apples really were. Rhynn did look intrigued.

“Well maybe by the time the festival starts I’ll be ready. It’s hard to say no to a good apple dish.”

“And nobody does an apple dish like Flamoria,” he took another bite of his apple, “And these? Hmm these would be perfect grilled up and drizzled with honey.”

“Grilled apples? Really?” Rhynn sounded genuinely surprised and Helis crinkled his nose at her again.

“Yes really. The smokey taste of the fire, the tartness of the apple being softened and sweetened by the heat sort of like it does in a pie but not quite, the richness of the honey. MM!” He smacked his lips together. “Perfection!”

“Hmmm. Ok I’m sold, I might just have to try that,” Rhynn looked thoughtful. Helis laughed, victorious.

“My food ideas are often outlandish but that’s what makes them good.” Rhynn smiled.

“Well maybe I’ll just have to convince you to let me try some of these outlandish ideas.” Helis beamed once more.

“Weeeeee! This is so cool, I wanna do this everyday!”

Ayden smiled, in spite of himself at the sight of the young merfolk girl fluttering around the yard with his enchanted spectral wings. He had been so nervous to go to another plane. He was also surprised to find out how difficult it was for him to planeswalk and how comparatively easy it was for Rhynn. It was comforting at least that he had a new friend to help him and so far he had made a good impression on her family. He wasn’t used to making quick friends but there was something about Rhynn’s demeanor that was comforting and just pulled him in. Myree was infectiously friendly as well. It was nice to see children that weren’t frightened at every shadow around the corner; he wished Innistrad afforded its children that luxury. Rhynn had said their father was a bit cold with new people but she was convinced he would see him. Apparently he knew a lot about planeswalkers but Rhynn said he valued his privacy and didn’t delve deeper than that and Ayden could respect that. Even if he were distant at first, with daughters like Rhynn and Myree he had to be jovial under any cold veneer.

“Alright Myree, I think that’s enough for now,” Rhynn called. Myree flitted towards the ground though she was never very high, Rhynn made her promise not to go too far, and danced around on the ground using the wings for extra leverage.

“Awwww do I have to? It’s too much fun!” She kept dancing around as she spoke and Ayden couldn’t help but smile again. Rhynn laughed.

“Yeah we’ve been doing this for a while now, and it was just supposed to be real quick. We should probably ask Elrick before we do it again,” Rhynn replied and Myree let out a groan of disappointment. Suddenly Ayden gasped as he felt extreme pain in his shoulder as something gripped it like a vice.

“You probably should have asked the first time,” he heard a smooth, but dangerous sounding voice say right in his ear. Rhynn and Myree turned over to Ayden and his assailant in surprise. Ayden was able to spare a glance and looked up to a tall, lithe man with pointed ears and antlers. It was him who was gripping his shoulder with more strength than Ayden would have thought was humanly possible, although he realized now Rhynn had said her adopted father was not human but something called an elf. He didn’t think someone this aggressive could really be their father though.

“Daddy!”

“Elrick!” Rhynn and Myree yelled in unison. This really was their father then?

“Would anyone care to explain to me why exactly a stranger put a dangerous enchantment on my 12-year-old daughter?” Elrick asked with venom dripping in his voice. Ayden didn’t know what to do; the grip on his shoulder was so strong it was making his eyes water and he didn’t think he could pull out of it even if he used all of his strength. Rhynn looked taken aback by his strong reaction.

“Elrick, this is Ayden! Remember the one I told you about,” and in a whisper she added, “from Theros?”

“I surmised who he is dear, but that doesn’t explain why this was allowed,” he shook Ayden by the shoulder to emphasize his point.

“Myree was excited! Don’t worry I tested out the enchantment first and she promised not to fly higher than a few feet. I was here the whole ti—“

“That is not the point and you know it,” he cut her off with his voice raised. Rhynn looked a little ashamed. Ayden’s shoulder was beginning to go numb but he still didn’t know what to do. Obviously fighting was the wrong choice here but he was also afraid to speak up and draw attention to himself. Myree ran over to them looking bashful.

“Daddy I wanted to! Rhynn said we should wait until you got home but I just kept asking. And she only did it cause she made sure I was safe first and her new friend Ayden is so nice!” At that, Elrick’s grip on Ayden’s shoulder tightened even more and Ayden involuntarily gasped and his knee buckled a little. Elrick didn’t even seem to notice.

“Elrick, you’re hurting him!” Rhynn had noticed and put her hand on Elrick’s arm, but he shook it off. Instead he pulled Ayden around so they were standing face-to-face. He had several inches on Ayden and the antlers added to his intimidation. “Myree, go inside and go to your room. We’ll talk about this later. Rhynn, go inside and wait for me, we need to have a chat,” he said without breaking eye contact with Ayden, who wanted to be literally anywhere else right now, “and you. Leave.” With that he pushed Ayden away forcefully enough that he had to take a few steps to steady himself but not enough that he fell over. The blood rushing back into his shoulder was almost worse than the pain of the grip. He stood there confused as he rubbed feeling back into it. Rhynn just looked aghast.

“Elrick you can’t be serious, we can’t just throw him out,” she began.

“Of course we can, I just did. House. Now,” and then he turned to Ayden, “Didn’t I tell you to get out of here?” Ayden paled.

“Ye-yes sir. I just, uh, I can’t?” He offered. He didn’t think he could get back to Theros without Rhynn. He thought this was the man who could help him figure that out but apparently that couldn’t be further than the truth. Rhynn ran between them.

“Elrick, he can’t,” she lowered her voice again, “He has trouble with planeswalking, I needed to help him to even get here. I thought maybe you wou—“

“Absolutely not,” he cut her off again and then turned to Ayden, “In that case, welcome to Ravnica, I’m sure you’ll find a nice comfy home here,” his voice sounded anything but welcoming. Ayden was starting to get alarmed, what was he supposed to do? Plus he felt bad for getting his new friend in trouble. Elrick put his hand behind Rhynn’s shoulder and pointed her in the direction of their house. “House, now Rhynn. We need to have a discussion.” His voice was still harsh but Ayden noticed he was only gently guiding her way and not grabbing or pushing at least. Rhynn sighed and looked behind her to Ayden.

“Go to the main street and back to the plaza we were in and ask for directions for the nearest Vernadi. Ask for a centaur named Mira and say you’re a friend of mine, she’ll help you. I’ll come find you later,” she sounded resigned. Elrick just snorted and they began walking to their house. Ayden watched them leave and then felt nothing but panic. He would probably be able to get back to the plaza but what if nobody gave him directions? What if he got lost and couldn’t find Mira and then Rhynn couldn’t find him again? He knew that she considered Elrick her father, but was she in danger? He took a few breaths to center himself and then made his way to the main road. He remembered the happy feelings he had just a few minutes before; they felt hours away now. Maybe happiness on Ravnica was just as fleeting as on Innistrad after all.

—

Elrick couldn’t remember the last time he had been this angry. He couldn’t believe Rhynn would let a stranger use enchantment magic like that on herself and Myree. She wasn’t stupid but maybe she was still dangerously naive. Myree was in the living room.

“Myree, didn’t I say to go to your room?” He managed to say without raising his voice.

“That’s not fair! We were just—“

“Room. Now!” He said, and still managed to keep from yelling. He was already kicking himself for yelling at Rhynn; he hated raising his voice at either of them. Myree groaned, stomped to her room, and slammed the door. He turned to Rhynn, who was looking a bit sullen. “Now pray tell, what in the name of the Multiverse were you thinking?” She stared at him, looking confused for a moment.

“I guess that maybe that would be a fun way for Ayden to make a good first impression with Myree?” She offered. She was keeping her emotions guarded but was clearly upset.

“Did it ever occur to you that it would be a very dreadful first impression for me?” He asked. She went to answer but he cut her off and continued, “Did you ever stop to consider that while casting one obvious enchantment for flight, he could be casting a subtle enchantment you wouldn’t notice?” She looked confused.

“Like what?” She said in exasperation. Elrick went over to her and put his hands on her temples and concentrated for a moment. He was so angry he didn’t think to check this first. How could he be so careless? “What are you doing?” She asked.

“Mind reading and mind control enchantments can be very difficult to detect and if you were only paying attention to those fancy wings you migh—“ she broke away from his inspection. He would have liked to have finished checking but he didn’t feel anything obvious so she was probably ok.

“Are you serious? Do you really think he came here to cast mind control spells on me? To what end?!” Now she was getting heated too.

“Well surely I don’t know, but I would expect you to be more cautious around people you don’t know very well, especially planeswalkers!”

“He saved my life on Theros, if you don’t remember.”

“Yes I recall, after you saved his several times. People don’t like to have debts, Rhynn.” She actually rolled her eyes at him and he glared at her.

“Is it so hard to believe that he just wants to be my friend? That he’s just a new planeswalker who is scared and alone and finally met someone like him to explain everything? That it might be nice for me to have a friend I can talk to about stuff like that?” Uncharacteristically she was beginning to raise her voice.

“And how well did it go last time you talked about that with someone else, hmm? How did Lena react? It’s better not to flaunt your spark,” It was a cheap shot and he felt bad about it but if it got her to listen to reason… Rhynn recoiled.

“That… that’s different. She’s not a planeswalker, she had every reason not to believe me. I just— you just don’t want me to have someone else to talk to about planeswalking!” She countered at him.

“Rhynn, that is not true I’m just trying to protect you!” He didn’t expect to feel so defensive at that statement. The possibility of it having a grain of truth shamed him and fueled his anger, “Not everyone is nice like you are. I thought you were growing less naive!”

“No. Not everyone is going to be nice like me. But not everyone is Tali either,” she said it in an even tone, staring right into his eyes. Elrick’s jaw dropped and he felt a white-hot anger come over him. That was a name he hadn’t heard aloud in years. He couldn’t stop himself from raising his voice this time.

“How dare you—I am just trying to keep our family safe! That has always, always been my priority. I thought it was your priority too! If you’ve decided it isn’t then perhaps you shouldn’t be a part of it!” He yelled. He regretted the words before he had even fully registered what he actually said. The look of shock and hurt on Rhynn’s face broke his heart. He did that to her. Tears were already starting to pool in her eyes and fall. She crossed her arms and looked away. He did that, he made her cry. All his anger evaporated and was replaced instantly with shame. He sighed and looked at her and spoke gently, “Dove I am so sorry, you know I didn’t mean that,” and he reached for her. She took a few steps back, and he supposed he couldn’t blame her. “I was angry but that’s no excuse, I was out of line. Let’s make some tea and start again we can—“

“Fine,” she cut him off in a monotone voice. At least that was progress. He began to walk towards the kitchen.

“Good, I can make your favori—“

“If you don’t think I take your family’s safety seriously, then maybe I shouldn't be a part of it.” Elrick froze and he was pretty sure his heart stopped. He looked back to her and she was looking away from him, eyes distant but filled with tears. She looked resolved. No. No no no. He began walking back towards her but she just looked up at him and backed away.

“Dove you know I didn’t mean—Rhynn, you are my daughter, my family, I love you I’m sorry I—“ his heart was racing as he held out a hand towards her but she kept backing away. She looked him in the eyes with an expression that shattered his heart.

“Sorry to have bothered you, Mr. Ormanni,” she said and her form began to shimmer. Elrick ran towards her.

“No!” He yelled and he tried to grab her but his hands just grasped empty air and she disappeared in a sandy ray of golden light. She was gone.

“What did you do!?” Bewildered, Elrick turned around to see Myree, face already wet with tears. She looked livid.

“Myree, what, what are you—“ he began but he was having trouble forming words.

“You made Rhynn leave!” She stomped her foot at him, “How could you say that to her! You know how important we are to her! And—and what if she never comes back!” She began to cry.

“Stormcloud please, let’s talk abo—“