1
"I love her with all my heart already."
Kyleigh gently ran her hand over her hair.
"I'm terrified but also… excited. Does that make sense?"
"That's the feelings that come packaged. Being a parent is weird, ya know?" he smiled.
"There's gonna be scary moments. Moments of frustration and worry that you might not be doing things right nor setting them on the right path. There's gonna be moments when they drive you up a wall, then others where they feel like you're the last bastion of security… I haven't been the most involved father as much as I'd like to be, but they still push me to work harder."
He leaned in a little, voice gentle.
"Just know you're not alone in all this. You've got me, Si, and Izzy to help you—more than I ever could have wished for."
He went to the bedside where his newborn lay.
"All that matters is that you try your best and love them with all your heart."
Kyleigh let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Thank you, Finn."
Finlay cleared his throat.
"Anyway, there's something I've been putting off for quite a while now."
Finlay looked uncharacteristically focused.
"Kyleigh, I know you just had our daughter shoot out of you, and hell, that probably hurt more than I can imagine. I mean, phew, that's one thing—"
"Finn, focus."
"Sorry. As I was saying... I've been wanting to ask this since I laid eyes on you with your bouquet stand.
"I wish to take you as my wife."
"—"
"An irregular marriage? Really, Father?" Izkeial sighed.
No priest, no paperwork. They had only two brothers and the midwife as a witness.
Well, you could've included Karrie too, but she wasn't even born yesterday.
Kyleigh chuckled, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I take you as my husband."
"Congratulations," the midwife said.
Finlay laid one on his new wife.
They held hands over Karrie.
"Thank you… Kyleigh."
"For what?" She lifted her head.
"For giving birth to the most adorable little girl, and for going through all that."
Kyleigh's lips parted, and then a smile broke out.
"You're welcome."
2
December
"Ah… um… like this?"
Simon asked.
"Well… A for effort."
"Effort has no A…"
Simon was being taught and attempting to change Karrie.
"It's on backwards… but it's fine," Kyleigh said.
She was wrapped in a clean cloth lined with soft moss or dried herbs for absorbency, and tied gently at the waist.
"mmm-mm, m," she cooed.
It had been a month, and keeping warm and skin-to-skin contact was vital, along with frequent small feeding. She couldn't shiver or sweat on her own.
She was a tiny thing, barely five pounds and seventeen inches, with thin arms and legs, and a rib cage visible with her breath—too soft to see.
Whatever Simon did that day was still a mystery to the adults. To most, it was just a happy coincidence, but to Kyleigh, it was a blessing.
"She's Fillips, of course, she's a fighter!" Finlay would say.
It had been a few weeks since she was born. Every day could be her last; it was important to keep her warm and fed.
Some say children are a miracle, but her surviving was undeniably a blessing.
Kyleigh picked her up, and she was cold to the touch.
"Blàthsocair," she muttered softly.
She began to heat her body. Pouring slight heat into her hands
Simon was amazed. Back in town, humans didn't use magic all too much, but while being in the elven—
Now, it wasn't an everyday thing; however, the elves here still mostly lived off the land and traded with the town nearby.
"How long do you need to do that for? Will she always be like this?"
"It's about time I fed her."
"Can… I help?" Simon asked. He wanted to be a good big brother and a helpful son.
Seeing her tired all the time worried him. When his father and brother weren't around, he was supposed to be the man around the house, so he wanted to help in any way he could.
"Well, it's a simple spell… but I don't want you hurting yourself; it takes control and balance to manage the heat."
"So… you don't think I can do it?"
"No… no, honey, it's not that. It's just—it's secondhand nature to me by now. Magic is very delicate, especially to humans.
Magic for elves is like breathing, but for humans, it requires a bit more focus and precision. It's not that I don't trust you, Si—I do.
I don't wanna burden you with such things, understand?"
"Yes…" he put his head down.
"Don't be so down… look, if you're really interested, you can try taking the small magic lessons Moira teaches the kids.
It might not be a good fit, but if magic is something you're interested in, you can go there."
"Really!? Yes! I wanna try!" he said, giddy.
And so Simon's first magic lessons would begin.
3
January
"Glad you can join us today, Simon," Moira smiled.
"Since we have Young Simon here today, I suppose we should go over the human element of magic." Moira pulled out two children's toys—one was a ring, and the other a squeeze ball.
"You see, this ball represents elves, and this squeeze ball represents humans. Humans outsource mana, and elves use it from within."
Simon raised his hand.
"Ah, now I remember—that's why your eyes are red, right?"
"Correct, good job remembering!" she praised him.
Moira, like Kyleigh and the other elves, was a true beauty. Elegant, graceful—every movement seemed perfect and careful. Her hair was shorter than others.
Simon had been attending classes recently, along with some of her children. He stood out, of course. They were a bit older than he was.
"You see, our clan draws mana into our eyes; other clans use different parts of their body—like limbs or other appendages."
She held up the ring.
"Think of this ring. It fills with mana—there's a two-millimeter output and an input, almost like breathing. It takes up this empty space. While this ball—" she held up the squeeze ball, "—is made of humans. It has a set amount of volume. When you squeeze, mana comes out. Squeeze too much and you might just pop!"
Moira said cheerfully with a smile.
"Ah, sorry, I just ramble on and on. I get too excited when I teach." She cleared her throat.
"When said 'pop' does happen, that leads to magical disintegration. No good."
She looked serious.
"Magical disintegration happens when a human uses all their mana. It fries their brain. They eventually grow impulsive and agitated, acting solely on their ID."
"ID?"
"Hmm. You know when your mama bakes a cake and you smell it? Well, it's the ID part of the brain that says, 'I WANT IT NOW!' Your mind doesn't account for the fact that you didn't eat your dinner yet."
"The ID doesn't care about rules or regulations. It's all about feelings and wants rather than needs—feelings like hunger, anger, fear, and sleepiness."
She put her hands together.
"As for the ego, that's the rationalized part of the brain that says, 'I love cake, but maybe I should eat dinner first.' It's the brain's little helper that listens to both your feelings and desires, making the best choice."
"Magical disintegration makes you rely solely on your ID. You attack any and everything without discrimination."
"So that just means we elves are superior to humans?" a boy said, his chin resting in his hand.
"Hamish!"
"What? Humans seem to be weaker indeed than we and can't use their full potential, or they go all crazy. Like, we elves don't have such weakness because we don't use our brains."
Moira tried to calm the tension.
"No race is superior to another, Hamish. Everyone has their weaknesses, no matter who you are."
"___"
"You talk big, Hamish. Don't forget our clan is one of pacifists," a girl said.
"Whatever, Iona."
He grumbled.
"You're just pouty. Simon has a cute little sister," she teased
"Cute? That devi-"
THRUMP
Moira hit the top of is head with a book
"eeow!"
"Now then, how about we stop fighting and start with our lessons?"
A few days later…
The lessons weren't going well. For some reason, Simon had no knack for magic.
"Huh?" He tried his best, but nothing would come out.
"Hmm, strange. I've never met a child who can't even use basic magic before…" This puzzled Moira, who narrowed her eyes. "Let me see your hands."
Simon upturned his palms, facing the sky. Moira ran her hands over them.
"Close your eyes."
Simon did so.
"So, you're a Capricorn born in December, then… your element should be earth…"
"Whoa, you can tell all that by touching my hands?!"
"I said keep your eyes closed!" she snapped.
"Right, sorry."
"Now I want you to picture a cube of rock forming in your mind. Picture its density and volume. Focus on the shape and structure."
"__"
"Hm… that's odd… I don't feel anything," Moira said.
"Can I open my eyes now?" He was starting to get antsy.
"Just a moment. Keep your eyes closed."
"Okay…"
She removed her hands from his and placed her open palm on his forehead.
"Okay, picture the cube again—the structure of four sides, the density, and volume…"
"__"
"Mmmmmm…"
"Go ahead. Take your time. No need to rush… focus…"
He did. He tried. The elven children looked back at what he was doing. They were able to make small cubes of earth, small flames, small balls of water—even hovering a leaf with air in their hands using their natural elements with ease.
Each of them had found their natural ability—besides him. Even his brother mustered a water ball the size of an adult fist.
When Simon opened his eyes, he expected the same result as the others.
But nothing came out.
"That's so strange…" she paused. "Hang on—Izkeial, go get the Chief for me. Tell him it's urgent," she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, and jogged off.
She had a scared, worried look in her eye.
"What's all this about?"
"Sorry to bother you, Chief, but I need you to read Simon for me."
"Well, okay then." He placed a hand on Simon's forehead.
"Just like before, Simon—channel your imagination. Picture a cube of earth in your hand or at your feet."
"Mmmm…"
"I have it," he said.
…
Nothing.
"That's strange… he doesn't appear to have any brain activity."
"Whoa, whoa—did he just call Simon stupid?!" one kid said.
"That's not what I— No, Simon, I didn't mean—"
He slapped the Chief's hand away.
He turned on his heel and ran.
"Simon, wait!" he called out.
"Class is over for today."
"Haha!"
The kids laughed.
Simon didn't look back
4
Izkeial caught up to him pretty fast and grabbed his arm. "What are you doing? You can't just run away like that; you aren't a baby, and you disrespected the chief. "
"Like I care."
"Don't give me that crap, they're nice enough to let us stay here. The least you can do is have manners and thank them when they're trying to teach you something, especially to us humans."
Simon yanked his arm away.
"They didn't teach me a thing, I'm a failure, I can't do simple spelling."
Izkeial sighed
"Who cares about magic anyway? I hear alchemy is on the rise anyway, a few more years and magic is pointless."
That didn't sit right with Simon, from what his father read to him as a child, magic was wonderful and a gift from the Seven, but her was Izkeial, saying it didn't matter.
"You only have that position because you're naturally gifted at everything, you can use magic, you're smart and mature, and are learning the sword from your father, you can say things like that easily."
'You're finally acting your age, that's good, it's just-"
Izkeial started
"Tch, I hate you."
Simon ran off
"You gotta learn to listen to people."
Simon ran back to the same tree he always did when he was upset.
"Stupid magic… who needs it anyway?"
He slumped against the giant tree. Something about it made him feel calm—ever since that day he found that feather. The feather that, in his mind, saved his baby sister's life. It was a precious area for him.
"Thought I'd find you here."
"Oh. Hi, Miss Kyleigh."
She was carrying Karrie in a woven sling close to her chest. She strode forward.
"You really worried your brother there. He thought you ran towards the plains."
She slid right next to him at the base of the tree.
"I don't care what that jerk thinks," Simon muttered, bringing his knees to his chest.
"Oh, don't say that. He adores you. Everyone does."
"Everyone loves Big Brother. He's cool and good at magic and swordplay. My hands hurt and I get blisters when I swing, and I can't do magic. How am I supposed to protect you and sis?"
Kyleigh pursed her lips.
"Who told you something like that?"
"Father… he said when he and Big Brother aren't around, it's my job as a man to protect you."
Kyleigh took a breath.
"You're only five. You don't need to worry about protecting and shielding us. You're still a baby yourself," she sighed. "I swear, men always put so much pressure on young boys to be their little soldiers. Comparing their boys to each other… I don't understand the male brain."
Simon looked up.
"But I wanna be strong. Not 'cause Father says so. I care about you and sis a lot… which makes my stomach hurt thinking something bad might happen! I know this is all new still, and I don't really understand why, but—"
"Sounds like unconditional love to me."
She said, playing with Karrie's hands.
"Unconditional… love?"
Simon blinked.
"Yep. It means someone you love no matter what."
She smiled, bringing Karrie out of the wrap.
"See Karrie, for example—the first time I saw her, I knew that from the moment I laid eyes on her, I wanted to shield her and love her forever. Even if she grows up rude, arrogant, and selfish, I'll always love her."
She smiled.
Karrie cooed.
"Baa baa."
"You see, Simon? She agrees," she giggled.
Kyleigh snuggled Karrie to her cheek.
"The only people in this world who will love you unconditionally are your parents… and siblings you choose to cherish.
"And you know what, Simon?... I love you."
He turned his head away.
"I love you too, Miss Kyleigh."
She grew a wide grin.
"Ah, you're so adorable! I love all of you so much!"
"Ah, you're squeezing me, Miss Kyleigh!" he said, muffled in her arms.
"Also, make up with your brother. He was worried about you."
"All right."
Though he had better teach me swordplay as an apology!
Simon thought
5
"Waa waa."
Simon heard the wails from Karrie. Kyleigh was busy cooking, and both his brother and father were out.
He went to her.
She was over by the hearth to keep herself warm.
She lay inside a woven basket Kyleigh had made, which was dark brown and had a soft crocheted blanket, white and pink. The basket sat on a stand.
Simon waddled over to her and looked at her.
"Hey there, it's okay, big brother is here."
"—"
Her eyes drifted to him.
Then—
"Ngghh...ehh!"
She started again.
"Ah ah, don't," he looked around for anything to use to cheer her up.
His eyes landed on a toy ring that belonged to a stack. "Of course, I find you here."
The toy felt like it was mocking him during the example ()ven.
He loomed over Karrie.
"Hey, here's a ring! It totally isn't a metaphor for anything!"
"Aaaehhh!"
Well, that didn't work either.
He picked her up out of her basket.
"Waaa! Waaa!"
He tried thinking about what calmed him down.
He couldn't use his own mother as a base; he couldn't remember that far back, even if she did console him.
The thought depressed him.
He shook his head and sat down on the couch.
He then remembered something Izekial did.
He put his finger on her hand.
Her tiny fingers instinctively curled around his finger.
"Hic hic."
She started to calm down.
"Seems like you're the same as me then…"
He gave her a big smile.
"Your big brother will always be there for you when you get scared."
"Mmm."
"I'll always love you no matter what… that unconditional love Mom talked about…"
He went red.
"Ah, I said Mom… hopefully Miss Kyleigh didn't hear…"
She did. And she was beet red too.
Minutes later, Kyleigh walked in.
"You actually managed to calm her down… thanks for—"
She paused, seeing he had fallen asleep with her on the couch.