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“Do…In your world do people usually have…powers or are accepted with their powers?”

Nithel looked toward his friend. The youth spoke as if he knew of magic. As if powersshould be accepted. OR at least he wished they were. 

What did he mean by power– Nithel’s lips tightened against each other.

“Yes,” Brendin set down the book and raised his sleeve to show a black marking on the inside of his forearm.  Several burn scars were also visible around it.

Nithel’s brows hardened, breath coming a bit harder. Who had hurt him? Why? And the marking on his arm, only people in Luce did such. And only the warriors. Gabrel didn’t hide stories of them.

“Synes are pretty common.”

Synes. But before he could think a flash of red shown from the design. Then his hands moved the smallest bit, fire pulling from a torch and flying to his hand. The light going out seconds later.

Nithel’s chest felt cold, his mouth dry. He couldn’t breathe a moment, lowering his gaze to where it wouldn’t accidentally meet anyone else’s. Then he shut his eyes, forehead wrinkling. His mind struggled to understand.

But Alessio. He made himself look up. The youth was staring like one in a trance to Brendin. Nithel’s face smoothed, mind still searching to understand, he looked at Brendin’s sleeve covered arm. Alessio would follow this man. 

Nithel’s eyes darted back to his friend when he spoke, reaching over to grab the book across the table. “We should agree on a leader before deciding on the next best course of action.”

A leader? 

Brendin nodded.  “I agree, and I think we can agree that Vulferym will not be the man in question.”

Nithel’s lips twitched once, his opinion of the man before him getting a bit better. The inside of his chest trembled despite this, the ground felt just as wobbly as when he’d fallen, perhaps moreso. He felt empty inside, unsure of who to trust for the first time in his life. And that scared him more than anything.

“To begin with, who here has had any experience in command?” Alessio asked, taking command at the moment himself.

Nithel remained silent, though he blinked once. Memories flashed through his mind, painful, but beautiful.

<i>I am no leader. </i>It felt like a lie, so he amended. Not the type they desire.

Alessio chose that moment to look at Nithel. The sadness in Nithel’s gaze would have been readable to anyone, Alessio would have had no trouble. Nithel’s lips didn’t change, but his eyes did. More light leaked into them. It will be alright. At the moment, it wasn’t an impossibility. It wasn’t a lie yet, and if it ended up to be, he wouldn’t repent. The itching fear in his chest was still there as well. Nithel didn’t hide it from his eyes. How was his friend to trust him, if he didn’t first trust his friend?

Virtus got up off the windowsill, eyes running over the whole room. Then he folded his arms, and looked to Nithel’s friend. Allesio’s eyes looked to Virtus. “Well, I mean, I have. But it didn’t last long. I got demoted pretty quick.” That smile again. “Honestly, I’m not serious enough. At least, that’s what my commanding officer told me.” He shrugged, and glanced to Brendin. “I agree with Brendin, though. It might be best of Vulferym wasn’t in charge.”

So… the Pig’s son would not reign long. Good. Nithel’s body relaxed the smallest bit, but not greatly.

Alessio looked toward the Pig’s son, who had yet to join the group.

“You’re right,” Alessio spoke, voice lifting the smallest bit, “We can’t bother him with peasant affairs while he’s in the midst of his only true love.”

Nithel’s eyes widened the smallest bit, not looking toward the insulted, but staring at Alessio. He liked him. 

Then the youth made a mockery of staring at his hands, as if looking for blemishes.

Nithel’s took in a slow breath, and he looked away then. Over done.

Brendin chuckled at the display.  “Are you sure you’re not a candidate?” he asked the boy quietly, smiling slightly.

Nithel’s heart warmed at the idea, Alessio wasn’t a bad choice.

But would these men truly follow him? Did they have fear or respect for authority? How much disagreement would it take for- 

“I have some experience in leading squads.” The soldier spoke. “I prefer to work alone, but I can work with others. My job is rather dangerous for groups.”

Nithel remained silent. He had no preference. All had their open flaws, and but with a bit of searching, good things as well. Likely. Unless they were as Aden. Jacine had said there was no light left in him.

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