The return journey was far less eventful. They were able to keep it together for two days of traveling and a night camping. Their third quest was pleted when they found the alchemigredient, blue capped mushrooms. It was a small detour to a ke that took no more than 20 minutes. With everything gathered and packed, they returo Restol as aplished adventurers.

  Eve was waiting at the vilge gate, Cire could tell from a distahat her mother looked nervous. She gets so anxious when Cire or Jane is gone for extended periods of time. Her scars from Ryley’s abdu still deeply affect her. Her entire posture perked up upon seeing her daughter in the driver seat.

  “Thank the gods” She excimed as she ran to the carriage.

  “Hey mom, sorry to make you worry” Cire shouted to the rag women. When she made it to the carriage , Cire began to expirip. She expined how the gatheri first, saving the fighting for st. Her face of worry as Cire expihe issues with team coordination even made Elsie apologize to her. Finally, Cire gifted her the yellow mountain flowers she picked.

  “Thank you Cire, these are very beautiful” Eve said. Her mood improved with the gift. “I’ll put them on the diable, and I have the perfect vase for them too.”

  Cire smiled at her mother, she’d have to get used to Cire leaviually. This was a good test for her. They made it ihe vilge walls and Eve split off from them, Elizabeth walked alongside the carriage.

  “I see you made it ba one piece” She said to Cire.

  “Yup! Though Elsie did try her best” Cire responded.

  “Hey! Don’t tell her that!” Elsie yelled from the back, fear in her voice.

  “Did she now…” Elizabeth’s tone made Cire shiver. She could only imagine unishment Elsie would gh.

  “I’m only kidding,” Cire finally spoke. ”It took her awhile to get used to my movements, but she got it eventually. And Ana was able to out heal any damage Elsie created.”

  Elizabeth’s shoulders rexed and she let out a sigh, ”Thank the gods, was worried she’d screw up and injure you. Or you get mad at her”

  “Nonsense, she just ime and practiow we have something we work on while we prepare for more quests!” Cire spoke. She heard Elsie groan, obviously not a fan of training.

  Elizabeth smiled at the girl, ”That’s true, hopefully your motivation for training rubs off on Elsie”

  A quick thought passed through Cire at her words. Rubbing off arently enough for her beast to awaken. Had Elizabeth not been looking at her, she’d ugh at how little it took. “Yeah…. Is it okay if we talk ter? Got to get this carriage back.”

  “Sure, got to get your quests filed anyways.” The older women responded. She jogged to the guild/mayoral building and Cire let out a sigh.

  “Is ‘rubbing off’ really all it takes?” She asked herself

  “Yes, apparently,” Jasmine said from behind her. Her arms snaked around Cire’s waist as she tinued. ”What’d you expect? Rubbing off on Elsie sounds quite enjoyable.”

  “Mmmm, it does sound enjoyable.” Elsie cooed as she popped her head out of the carriage. “Not before our date though.”

  Cire ughed and headed towards the stables. Jane was waiting there to guide the horses bad take care of the carriage. “Wele back Cire” Her other mother said as she embraced Cire in a hug.

  After unpag the carriage, the group met up with Elizabeth at the guild hall to receive their rewards.

  “I see yht the whole flower bad not just the roots. I’ll see if Lily will take the extra ingredients.” Elizabeth said after examining the bag. “Maybe Jess could make Tyr’s blood with the ar.”

  “That was the pn. Sihey’re all of age now, it’d be o drink with the entire vilge.” Jasmine said.

  “I am curious how anyone could make the ar edible.” Cire joined in.

  “We’ll take the flowers to our mom then” Elsie said. “I look forward t it as well.” With that, she bowed a with Ana. Cire began to leave as well before Elizabeth stopped her.

  “Wait, I want to talk to you.” She said.

  “About? Elsie and Ana’s performance?” Cire asked.

  The older woman nodded and tinued, ”Yes that, but also for your future pns.” Cire tilted her head, outside of getting her brother baot much thought had been put into the future. “I know yoal is to get Ryley back…”

  “Yes, at any cost.” Cire said

  “Even if you had to overthrow our lord?” She asked.

  Cire was stunned, she hought about it. Her goddess told her to save Ryley too, but she didn’t really think about how. inally, she was going to work for his freedom or buy it, but she didn’t think about using force. Or evehrowing the lord.

  “Lady Lloyd has squandered her power. solidating gold and resources from her people and abdug boys before they're adults.” Elizabeth spoke, spite clear in her voice. ”I wish to rid the nd of her. For Elsie, Ana, or any of you to not deal with her foolishness. Jasmine is fident with your css that you could do it.”

  Cire turo Jasmine as she spoke. ”Your css could empower us to overthrow her.”

  “We could establish a better leader, one who doesn’t abuse her position.” Elizabeth tinued.

  Cire felt dizzy. They were talking about treason. Going against their lord and rebelling against her. She looked at Jasmine and leaned on her. She whispered a question to her, ”Would I have to end her?”

  Jasmine shook her head. ”I’m an assassin, remember, it’s in my job description.”

  Jasmine eased her to sit on the ground before embrag her. Cire took a deep breath as she started to think. What they said made sense and would get her brother back. But she hesitated.

  She’d have to face humans, not monsters. Could she live with herself if she took another person’s life? She repared to fight beasts or animals, but a human? She felt queasy as Jasmine rubbed her back.

  “I know I’m asking a lot of you. But if we don’t stand up to Lloyd ayranny, then more people will suffer. More Ryleys will be taken from their families.” Elizabeth spoke, her tone firm.

  Jasmine whispered in her ear quiet enough that Elizabeth couldn’t hear her. “You don’t have to accept it. Nothing will ge with us if you don’t, I’ll stay by you no matter what you decide.”

  Cire eased her shoulders and steadied her breath. Her words forted her, but she khis is what her goddess would want. The oppression She spoke of. Cire steeled her resolve and pushed away from Jasmine. She stood up to meet Elizabeth face to face.

  She took a deep breath, her thoughts cleared as she thought of her brother. “I’ll get him back even if I have to overthrow our queen” Her voice came out with fidence she’d never felt before. She felt goosebumps travel across her skin and a surge of adrenaline. Both dies had a moment of shock before Elizabeth embraced her in a hug.

  “I know this is a lot to ask of you, but I’m gd you’re willing to do it. ge is needed in this kingdom, me some odity for o sling around. They’re people with family. I hope we start that ge here.” She whispered in Cire’s ear. “For now, work oing stronger. We’re all rooting for you.”

  She released Cire and turo Jasmine. ”Guide her and them. Make your parents proud.”

  Jasmine nodded and took Cire’s hand. “Yes ma’am. I’ll make sure that they’re properly prepared for the fight ahead.”

  Elizabeth nodded and Jasmine pulled Cire by the hand out of the office. They walked in silence for a while as their meeting swam in Cire’s thoughts. What she’d eventually have to do. She ulled out by Jasmine shaking her shoulders. ”Cire!”

  “Huh?” Cire blinked back to reality.

  Jasmine hugged her and spoke. ”You make me proud. Shouldering this and the responsibilities of a Goddess’s champion…. Just don’t let it wear you down. I’m here to support you.”

  Cire looked around, Jasmine led her to the shortcut. Where she had practically jumped her less than a week ago. She hugged Jasmine bad spoke, ”Thank you. For everything. For showing me how to get Ryley back. For accepting my feelings. I’ll be okay.”

  Jasmine released her and stared into her emerald eyes. Tears welled up as she studied the girl’s face. It was full of fidend determination. With a deep breath and a wipe of her tears, Jasmine kissed Cire. This kiss wasn’t like the ohey shared before, lust wasn’t driving her now. A feeling she thought she’d lost long ago drove her.

  She broke from Cire and whispered. ”Okay isn’t good enough… Lean on me when you o. I’ll be right here. Right beside you when you need me.”