A new form of training was implemented where we were startled awake by one or all three of the mentors coming in and attacking to simulate predators, sometimes even dragging us out of the room and running off with us while the others tried to catch up. We started sleeping in shifts, or watches, to make sure we weren’t surprised anymore, which worked wonders. As a group, we also worked on being able to draw our weapons from our packs at a moment’s notice, we all realized that if our camp was attacked, we would need to be ready in an instant.


    They took the door off its hinges making it easier for them to sneak into the room. It mimicked the idea of sleeping in a small cave or alcove and got us used to the idea of changing clothes around each other. The idea, but not the act. That would take some time.


    The girls caught Flint trying to peek one time and Jael thrashed him. I didn’t understand why he would want to look; the idea was scary to me. When we weren’t training, we were studying all manner of plant and animal life, knowing which ones to avoid, which ones were helpful and in which ways. We would meet with Edorin sometimes, especially when one of us lashed out or woke up screaming.


    I still found that I was sleeping less and less because of all this extra training, down to nearly four hours a night. Sometimes I was plagued by nightmares.


    Nightmares where anyone that had been dragged away was torn apart by monsters while I sat by, frozen in fear. I would overexert myself in training to try and make sure this wouldn’t become a reality. Gradually my accuracy even impressed many members of the crew. Often, I would finish my meal early and go back to training. The crew would watch, sometimes placing bets on when I would miss, and counting a strike outside the four-inch diameter center as a miss. Sometimes they would make requests to see if I could pull off tricky shots, betting on whether I would succeed.


    When I was sure nobody was awake, I would take a spear to one end of the room. It would allow me to practice throwing as far as I could, roughly fifty feet, while remaining accurate.


    The combination of a childhood pushed by my older brothers and the brilliant training practices of Zanataz made my accuracy nothing to scoff at.


    I also made it a point to learn the names of the rest of the crew during the times they would watch my training, finding that there were twenty-three remaining crewmen, including our mentors, Edorin, and those sailing the other vessel. Most of them were delightful to be around, much like Orae. Jovial and fun, teasing and making fun of each other regularly.


    One of them named Obhean (Aw-veen) was a sour man, seeming to have a general contempt about him. I found out that it was because the two slain, were his friends. I felt bad for him, wishing there was something I could do for him.


    I decided to bet and play against the crew, challenging them to games, using certain points on the board to see who reached a certain number first, or who could reach a specific number or playing a game called Mimic. Having the crew repeat complicated or difficult shots.


    Eventually I had two handfuls of coins. I told Obhean that I knew it wasn’t much, but that it was all I could think to do and handed it to him. He was surprised and I left him alone, opting to try not to bother him any more than that. He eventually joined in the betting, always betting that I would succeed, and winning the bet more times than not. It gave me even more reason to succeed.


    Training caused the time to fly by at an alarming rate. A week passed by. Lánn and William were able to finish Keokin’s boots, as well as two pairs of shoes. Sable’s accuracy with her bow was just as incredible as mine, though not while mobile. Our strength and endurance training seemed to be slowly changing our bodies. Klintock, Flint and Jael seemed to be in a competition to see who could lift more or do more pushups or pull ups. As a group, we had improved tremendously from where we first were, mentally and physically. We still fell short of our mentors, but I felt like we still had time.


    “Croí.” I turned, hatchet and spear still in my hands. I saw Edorin in his usual stance. The crew was still saluting him, some hiding the coins as they weren’t supposed to be betting. I quickly placed the weapons on the floor and saluted him.


    “Captain.”


    “At ease. Come into the galley for a moment, I’d like to talk to your group.” He walked past the others, some of them passed worried glances at each other before giving nervous smiles and dispersing. Quickly I picked up the spear and hatchet, throwing both at the same time, slamming them into their intended homes. Money changed from disappointed faces to smiling faces as I passed them by into the galley.


    Edorin had just finished calling the others out of our room and waited for us all to sit down. “We’re at the point where any day now, we should be spotting the Island. I would say we will spot land in five days.”


    My heart beat faster, my mouth suddenly dry “When the Island is spotted, I will send for you. You will gather all the items you are taking with you and head above deck. We will run up as close as we can to the shore where you will all offload, into a dinghy. Then we will set sail. You will then do as you see fit to reach the Southernmost point of the Island. The Islands are massive. The one you’ll be traversing is roughly eight hundred and fifty miles. Meaning if you travel five miles a day, it should only take you about six months. I would recommend going slower. Just make sure you’re safe. Finally, at the end of your two years, I will come ashore with some of the crew to retrieve you. But until my feet touch the sand, your Trial isn’t finished, and we cannot interfere.”


    None of us spoke. The mood fell as we were reminded of why we were on this ship. I still wanted to train more. Sure, my accuracy was great, but what about the others? They needed more training. I needed more training. Edorin continued. “I think you kids have a great chance at this. All of you are bright, smart, and skilled. Your teamwork has improved immensely as well.”


    “I agree Captain. I think we’re as ready as we’re gonna get. We’ll get through this.” Keokin stated confidently. I wished I shared his confidence, but his statement seemed to resonate with others in the group.


    “Now is the time for you to write a note for those back home. Bring them to Zanataz when you’re done. I’ll leave you to it.” He walked back above deck. Keokin went into our room, motioning for us to follow.


    “Come on, come grab your things and we’ll sit down at the tables to write.” Nobody seemed to move. I inhaled deeply and forced myself to stand and move to the room, giving Keokin a slight smile as I heard the others follow suit. Once I was sat down with the blank page in front of me, I hesitated on what I wanted to say. I knew I wanted to thank everybody, so I figured I would start with that.


    Dear family,


    I am incredibly grateful to all of you, no matter what happens. Thanks to the training I received, my accuracy is better than most of the crew. I’m also fair, if not proficient, with many other necessary skills. I hope that it will be enough.


    Kixas, I will do my best to keep my promise to you; however, I must say that I have grown quite attached to my group. The thought of any one of them falling. Well I can’t stand it. I will be the lead Guardian, so I will do my best to ensure that we do not get in any trouble. Oh, and a friend of mine has been giving us lessons on speaking Common. It’s confusing but amazing.


    Ríger, your gift has been instrumental in me finding my strength and focus. Thank you for teaching me how to use a bow, and telling me it’s not the size, but the accuracy that matters most. I’m incredibly grateful to you.


    Milí and Saelee, your teachings have also been helpful, sometimes more confusing than helpful on the more vague areas, but I figure that’s because, much like the Island has unknown dangers, so does the social landscape, so I must do my best to navigate all of it and learn from any mistakes.


    Cyclone, thank you for teaching me the Common alphabet, and what I know of Common. I was able to talk with a crewman named Orae thanks to my recognizing that his tattoos are written in Common. Not to mention your help in agile movement has been a great help, I think I could beat you in a race now.


    Bacta, mixing your strength training with that of Zanataz, our second mentor, I believe I am among the strongest in the group. A few of the others hold competitions to see who is strongest, but I hold them in secret and have realized I can often match them.


    Mother and Father, thank you for teaching me all that you did about right and wrong. Thank you for raising me, working hard to keep me fed, warm, and loved. Thank you for making sacrifices for me so that I could become who I am today.


    I like my chances with my group. Now that I think about it, I believe our Leader Keokin was right. We have learned all that we could, trained hard and survived many ordeals. I have faith that Fomhár’s harvest for our group is Aebhsean’s blessing. We have already survived life threatening events.


    One from a former mentor named Sacae, he apparently had a sister that went through the Trial with Sealí that died and he Aged with Ríger. He resented our family and took it out on me. Eventually he tried to kill me and my group during a marauder attack, but our group killed him. We were also almost attacked by a Wading Behemoth, but Edorin was very smart and has an amazing crew, so we survived. Whoever gives you this paper should be able to fill you in on any missing details regarding my or the group’s injuries.


    I love and appreciate all of you. I look forward to seeing your faces again and showing you how much I’ve grown. I hope that I retain my bright heart and good nature.


    Thank you all again for everything you’ve done for me, please know that if I do die, it’s my own fault, not the fault of any of you or the crew. I love each and every one of you with all my heart and can’t wait to see you all again.


    Your Son and Brother


    Croí Geal


    I set my pencil down, satisfied with the letter I’d written, and the personal discoveries I’d had while writing it. I looked around to find that some of the group were crying. Lánn, William, Sable, and Flint. As I turned to look at the others, I realized Céírde was as well. I wanted to do something to help them, but I didn’t know what to do, or even if they needed help. I just got up, rolled the paper, and brought it to Zanataz. He gave me a small cylinder of wood; I slid my letter into it, and he screwed a top on it.


    “Who delivers those?” I asked.


    “Edorin and I will. Your families will gather at the Arena and await our return. We will give them the letters and answer any, likely irate, questions they may have.” I smiled, thinking about how my family would react to the news that we were attacked by a mentor, marauders, and a Behemoth on the voyage.


    “Thanks Z.” I said. He scoffed.


    “Still not done with that nickname, are you?”


    “Definitely not.” I confirmed. He glared at me playfully.


    “You know, I could ‘accidentally’ drop this overboard.” He jested. I laughed.


    “Good luck. You’d get a lashing from the entire Geal family if you did.”


    “Z it is then. Run along.” He said, smirking. I smiled and moved into the training room.


    After a while, I noticed that everyone was done but remained sitting at the table, with their heads down, except for Keokin. He was looking around at them, seemingly wondering what to do. He noticed me looking and motioned to the rest of the group, making a frown then miming it into a smile. I looked at the targets. A few games should help get their minds off things, or at least liven them up enough to talk. I nodded my head towards the targets.


    “Alright then, let’s play some games then.” Keokin said rubbing his hands together as he stood. The others stirred slightly but didn’t seem energetic enough to move. Most just shook their heads ‘no’ in response. I walked into the galley and asked.


    “What’s the matter you guys?”


    “Just leave us alone for a minute.” Klintock replied grumpily. I moved over to Keokin, shrugged, and asked quietly.


    “What happened?” He leaned in.


    “If I had to guess, I would say that it’s because we all just wrote death letters.”


    “Death letters?” I asked, not fully understanding.


    “If we die, those letters become our last words to our families.” A small look of sadness hit him as he looked away for a moment.


    I never thought about it like that. But even thinking about it like that, I’m just glad that my last words to them would be how grateful I am, and how much I love them.


    “Should we call Edorin in to talk to them? Or just leave them alone like Klintock said?” I asked. Keokin sighed, shaking his head as he looked around at the group.


    “Normally I would leave them alone, but their mood worries me. They look like they’ve given up already. I’m worried about them.” He looked over the group, one hand crossed under his chest, the other rubbing at his chin.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    “Why not leave them for a while, then check on them later. Maybe if it persists to tomorrow, we can do something about it.” I suggested. He sighed and nodded.


    “That’s probably for the best. At least for now. In an hour let’s talk with Cairen and get some food.” I nodded and we walked out of the galley, playing some target practice games for a while, then heading above deck to take in the warm midday air.


    “So…” I started. “Did your letter make you sad?” Keokin pursed his lips as he thought.


    “It did, but only because there are things I wish I could say in person.” I nodded and Keokin stretched, then lightly slapped my arm. “Come on, let’s go check on the group and get them some food.” Not much had changed when we made it below deck. The group had moved a bit, but they all had the same look of gloom and defeat.


    Even after eating some of Cairen’s delicious food, perfectly seared and seasoned fish with steamed vegetables and sliced fried potatoes, they just sat staring at the tables. Keokin sighed heavily.


    “Come on group, let’s play a few training games.” Klintock, Jael, Leola and Céírde stirred, standing with an effort. The others just sighed. “Very well then, looks like it’s time to talk, into a circle everyone.” He sat down motioning to the others as they groaned. “Come on.” He urged.


    “Why?” Flint growled. “Why can’t you just leave us alone?”


    “Because I’m taking this seriously.” Keokin said. Flint scoffed, angrily glaring.


    “Taking what seriously?”


    “Training. The crew may come for us tonight, I want us to be ready. If you’re all moping around, practically ready to die, I don’t see us making it through the night.” Immediately after Keokin spoke, Lánn responded loud and angry.


    “But we aren’t on the Island! We’re safe now, so let us be sad!” He shook his head.


    “I can’t. We need to get used to being able to deal with issues quickly so they don’t get in the way of surviving. If you can’t do it now, in a safe zone, what makes you think you’ll be able to later?”


    “This isn’t easy!” Sable yelled. “Not all of us have perfect families like you and Croí!”


    “My family’s not perfect.” I said quietly. I love my family, especially now, but they had done plenty of unpleasant things to or around me. She glared at me.


    “Might as well be.”


    “Compared to yours, you mean?” Keokin asked. She clenched her jaw for a moment, then sighed, looking away from us. Keokin sighed, a look of disappointment flashing, then determination.


    If it’s really that important that we pull them out of this slump, I know one thing that might work. If I pester them, it could irritate them enough to change their focus from all the pain, worry, and fear into anger for me. It’s worked once or twice between family members. I thought for a moment, about what to say, then took a breath and said it, prepared for outrage to follow.


    “Seems to me you all might want to rethink what you wrote. If your faces are any indication, your letters will depress your families for years after you’re gone.”


    “Just shut up Croí! What in the great wide Saol do you know anyways?! You did nothing but cry and mope for the first half of this doomed expedition! Then you called down Sacae on us, and broke William!” Even though I was expecting it, the outburst surprised and hurt me because it came from Klintock. Though, if it was affecting Klintock like this, the others were definitely suffering.


    “Feel better?” I asked with a slight hopeful smile. Klintock seemed to snap out of his anger and realize what he’d said.


    “Croí. I’m sorry…” I cut him off.


    “It’s fine. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that I can take a beating. Now, are you all going to come talk? Or do I need to pester all of you one at a time?” Flint, Leola and Céírde all looked up, then looked down, but not defeated. I braced myself for a strike as I walked over to William and flicked his ear. He threw a punch at my stomach, but I was able to soften it by flexing. I smiled at him and quickly flicked his ear again.


    “Stop it!” He slugged my stomach again.


    “Come on William. Take it out on me like you used to. I won’t even fight back.” He lowered his fist.


    “I’m not like that anymore Croí.” He said in a small voice.


    “Then come talk.” I said, placing a hand on his shoulder.


    “Fine.” He submitted. Keokin was joining my efforts, talking to Lánn. I walked over to Sable.


    “Leave me alone Croí. I just need a minute.”


    “Ok.” I stood there, arms crossed in front of me at the wrists, looking around lazily while I waited. After fifteen seconds or so she sighed.


    “You’re insufferable. Just like Leola.”


    “I think we both prefer the term persistent.” I looked at Leola. She gave me a slight smile and got up, pulling Céírde up with her. Keokin spoke.


    “I know you all think I’m annoying, and you want to be alone. Normally that’s what I would do, but we don’t have time for that. Croí and Leola recognize that, I think all of you do too. We need to talk this over, help each other out tonight.” They all nodded, except for Sable, who was still sitting. I waved to Keokin and pointed to her, trying to tell him I would talk to her.


    He nodded and started again. “I know we’ve all been down since Sacae. Things seem to have been piling up, and I feel like writing these letters made all of it that much more real by making us face that this Trial is really happening, and that we’re about to reach the Island any day now. That’s genuinely terrifying and overwhelming, but unavoidable. So, let’s not avoid it.” I sat down at Sable’s table.


    “Ready to talk?” She rolled her eyes and looked down at the table. “Come on Sable, let’s chat.” I persisted. She huffed. “We made a deal remember. I gave you at least a minute.”


    “We didn’t! You did!” She said in an angry half whisper, half yell.


    “I kind of had to. You wouldn’t say yes or no.”


    “Because I want to be alone Croí. I’m sure you can understand that. Running off whenever you get upset.”


    “Yeah, I do get it, but you haven’t run off. You stayed here. We’re friends Sable. No matter how many insults you throw my way, I just want to hear what’s on your mind. What’s bothering you?”


    “What’s bothering me? Are you kidding? How is it you’re the happy, strong one now? You’re supposed to be the naive idiot, crybaby.”


    “I talked to my friends and mentors. That helped.” I said pointedly. She huffed again, shaking her head, and looked away from me. “I also came to realize, I think Keokin and Edorin are right. We’ve been through a lot, and we’re as strong as we could be to take on the Trials.” She huffed with frustration.


    “I know that. I have my doubts, but I already know all that nonsense. That''s not my problem.”


    “Then maybe tell me what the problem is. It might help to just let it out.” She looked at the group, noticing that while they were talking, one or two were paying attention to us. She shook her head and started to get up. I put my hand on hers. “Wait, please. Whatever it is, I won’t judge you. I’ve got my own problems that are hard to talk about and mine’s pretty embarrassing. Especially if I tell you, but I talked about them. It helps, trust me. Please Sable, trust me and I’ll trust you.”


    She looked at my hand for a moment, then gently pulled hers away. She walked over and stood on the other side of the galley bar, facing the others, looking at the stool in front of her and back to me. I obliged. “I’m listening.” I said as I sat. She waited for a while, nibbling on her thumbnail before finally talking.


    “The thing that has me upset, is that those letters are our last words to our family.”


    “What did yours say?” I asked.


    “It’s not what I said, so much as what I didn’t say.”


    “What didn’t you say?” I pressed.


    “I lied to them. My last words to my family are lies.” Again, she paused, tearing up, and I was left confused. This time I just sat there and waited for her to expand on what she’d said. “Well?” She said, looking for a reaction. I squinted, confused.


    “Well, what?” I asked. “I haven’t heard what the lie is, or why it’s a lie.”


    “Ok fine. My parents are devout followers of Lochloin.”


    “God of Love and Purity, right?” I clarified.


    “Yes. How much do you know about the separate sects within the followers of Lochloin?”


    “I know that the Sect of Change is the largest of the three and that my mother raised all of us under the Sect of the Pure.” She nodded, then glanced at me, eyebrows pressed together.


    “A lot of things make more sense with you now.” She shook her head, refocusing. “And the rest of the Sects?” She asked. I shrugged.


    “Not much.” She took a breath in and out before she spoke again.


    “The Sect of Change is the biggest, full of the followers that accept love and purity in almost any form, very few forms of love are seen as impure or disdainful to them. They’re one of the biggest reasons that Cianíans…” She paused and looked at me. “Most Cianíans are very open to love and talk about love and love making. The other two are the Sect of the Pure, and Sect of the Doctrine. The Pure believe that love is pure, and sacred. Not something that should be shouted in the streets but adored and held in private.”


    I nodded agreement. She continued. “The Doctrine believe in the original doctrine and teachings of the prophet of Lochloin. They believe that to be pure, love must be between a man and a woman, so that fruit can be born to brighten the future of believers and community alike. This is where my family lies.” She sighed heavily. “Making sense?” I nodded, squinting with intensity as I ran through all the information. She continued. “But there’s something about me that''s considered impure to some in the Doctrine Sect.” She took a deep breathy sigh, making sure nobody was listening. I sighed, still not fully understanding.


    “Impure? How? Do they not like that you’re Offborn?” This time she sighed, frustrated. She looked like she was having a war within herself, trying to figure out what to say.


    “It’s not that… it’s that I… well…” She groaned in frustration, her face in her hands, then tried again. “So, I have a question for you Croí, like a hypothetical. So, if you found out that… let’s say Jael, had a secret but she didn’t want you to tell anyone or it would be bad, what would you do?” I thought for a second before responding, not sure how this tied into being impure.


    “I would keep her secret. Unless it was harming her or other people.” She sighed, not seeming completely satisfied with my response.


    “What if it was that she liked Lánn… intimately. Is that hurtful?”


    “No. But I would remind them that being intimate is against the rules. Why?” She let out a small chuckle, then took a deep breath, again glancing at the group then shrugged, slightly shaking her head.


    “Fine. Alright. My family… would think I was impure, because… I uh… I find… both types of people attractive.”


    “Like, guys and girls? You want to get intimate with both?” I clarified. She nodded, again looking around to make sure nobody heard me, and to gauge how I was reacting while adding in a few defensive words, shaking nervously.


    “Not all of them, just some, but yes. It’s not a big deal really. Like I said, the majority of Cianíans are fine with it but my family… the sect they’re in… I just don’t want everybody to know about it.”


    “Ok.” I said plainly. She looked confused.


    “Ok? That’s all you have to say?” She asked angrily, still shaking.


    “Yeah. I know someone else like that. I mean I have questions, but I don’t want to interrupt.”


    “You do? Who? Is it Leola?”


    “Not that I know of. Wait, should I tell you? You want it kept a secret, so shouldn’t I keep it a secret for them?” I asked. She shook her head.


    “Not unless they’re part of the Doctrine Sect. If they’re not, then it’s not really a big deal. Actually…” She thought for a second. “Just to be safe, don’t mention it unless that person gives you permission. It’s a very private thing.” I nodded, then refocused.


    “Ok, but why is this a problem? Where does the lie come in?”


    “Well, Doctrine Sect teaches that pure love is between a man and a woman, right? So, for me to like both… is considered to be very impure.”


    “Then why don’t you just pick a boy? Or better yet, worship a different God, like Fomhár or Aebhsean. Or the Sect of Change for Lochloin?”


    “It doesn’t work like that. I can’t just pick one. It’s part of me. Like how you like girls… right?” She asked. I nodded.


    “Girls are really pretty.”


    “Right. But you don’t think men are pretty, right?” I shook my head.


    “Not in the same way. They’re big, powerful, and handsome sometimes, but they don’t make my heart act all funny and make my brain go mushy.” I said simply.


    “And if I told you to pick Klintock? Or Edorin?”


    “Intimately? Like… kissing?” I asked. She nodded. I shuddered. She held out her hand and nodded.


    “That’s why I can’t just pick one.” Her gaze turned to the group, and she feigned a smile and waved, then continued speaking while keeping a watchful eye on the group. “And my family does worship other Gods, but Lochloin is their favored God.” I followed Sable’s gaze while she spoke. Leola had turned and waved back before turning to talk to Lánn. I looked back to Sable, seeing a look in her eyes, a longing. Something about it was familiar.


    “You think Leola’s cute.” I said. She looked at me with wide eyes, cheeks red and spoke quickly.


    “No, no of course not.” I looked at her skeptically. She huffed. “Yes. Alright? Fine I do. Just, don’t tell anybody, for the love of the Gods.”


    “That’s what you lied about.” I said as realization dawned on me. “That you’d found someone you like, but you couldn’t tell them it was Leola.” She nodded. “I think you should talk to Lanaea. She’s really good with intimacy issues and things with puberty. She helped me out. But I can see why that would bother you. Do you think there’s any chance that your family would accept you? Maybe change to a different Sect?” She sighed sadly and shook her head.


    “Not a chance.”


    “Why? What would they do?”


    “Depending on how devout your family is, some will try to… force the person to like someone they believe is good for them, others will try to slip in expensive magical potions to change them, others are devout enough that they become violent. Of course, if they get reported to the authorities, they get jailed or worse, but I just… I don’t think I could do that to my family, and I don’t know what they would do if they knew this about me.”


    Violent? So, if Sable’s parents found out, depending on how devout they were, they might get violent? But they’re her parents. There’s no way they’d do that right?


    “But your parents wouldn’t… would they?” I asked. She shrugged.


    “Like I said, I have no idea what they’d do. The way they talk sometimes makes me think they would lock me in the cellar and force me to change, but other times, they almost seem like they might take it well. I just can’t be sure, and it kills me because I love them, they’re my parents. They raised me, made sure I had what I needed, they love me dearly, love my friends, but I can’t be sure if they would accept me.”


    “I’m sorry Sable. I really am. But if it helps at all, I think you’re amazing, and I feel like I’ve grown for having known you. You help me smile when I’m down and I appreciate it.” I pointed a thumb at the group. “And if your parents don’t like you, Klintock’s would. I know without doubt mine would accept you too, so hopefully that gives you some options, maybe. I have no idea if that helps or not, but I hope it does.” I looked up to see her smiling at me, her eyes more wet than before and her chin quivering slightly.


    “Thank you Croí. I needed that.” I nodded with a smile. “But Croí. Don’t ever tell or hint to anybody else about this, ok?” She warned. I nodded.


    “Absolutely. You have my word.”


    “Now Croí, you mentioned an embarrassing secret involving me… Do tell.” She grinned mischievously, chin on her hands. I could practically feel myself growing redder. I did tell her that I would tell her. And I don’t see a way out of it.


    “Oh dear.” I said with wide eyes.


    “Oh dear indeed.” She said, grinning wider. I chuckled awkwardly. Where do I start? How do I start? Oh Gods. “Well?” She pressed. I glanced at the others.


    “Can we switch places?” I asked. She smiled and jumped over the bar as I slid around it, taking a deep breath. Here goes nothing. “Ok. So, um… Well there’s this thing… and it happens, and it happened to me… when you… well you had them…” I huffed in frustration.


    “Slow down there Croí, you’re losing me.”


    “I know. It’s just… really embarrassing.” She smiled mischievously.


    “Go on.”


    “Right. So, when you first got your leather pants. I was looking… admiring… then something else happened that was really scary… to me.” She looked at me confused. “Lanaea says it’s normal and that it happens to everyone… well to all guys… But this was my first and I was freaking out pretty bad.” Suddenly her eyes opened wide.


    “No way!” She shouted. We both glanced back at the group, waving to their confused faces, then she whispered. “Croí Geal. Are you saying I gave you your first…”


    “Shh don’t say it.” I hissed. “It’s a bad word.” She chuckled with a wide smile.


    “No way! Man… That is embarrassing. For you specifically. You’re sneaky. Sneaky Croí. I never suspected a thing.” I buried my head in my hands. “Ok ok. I’m sorry. It just caught me a little off guard. I’ll be serious now. Oh! Am I the only one? Do you have a crush on me?” She asked. I shook my head.


    “This is… You promise not to tell anybody?” I asked.


    “I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine.” She said, holding out her hand. I shook it, then continued.


    “No. It’s happened si… a few more times since then. It’s mostly you, Céírde, and Leola. And twice from scary weird dreams.”


    “You counted them? Wow Croí, this really is freaking you out.” She said, chuckling. I sighed and nodded. I had kinda expected her to freak out and get mad. Laughing and joking is much better… Still really embarrassing though. “Is that it though? Just that you’re getting… what do you call them?” She asked.


    “Ups.”


    “Ups?” She laughed. I hung my head. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, it’s just… Wow.” She cleared her throat, composing herself. “So. Anything else? What about these dreams?” She asked.


    “Ugh…” I felt a small chuckle and a smile break through all the nerves. “No. I also have a strange fascination with your… footwear.” I said. She pursed her lips in a smile.


    “Oh yeah? What about ‘em?”


    “That’s what I don’t know. I have no idea why any of this is a thing or how to make it go away.”


    “Oh there’s no point trying to make it go away. Once that stuff starts it’s permanent.” She said.


    “Drat.” I sighed, defeated. She made a fake gasp.


    “Why Croí. Swears from you? By the Gods I never would’ve seen that coming.” She jested.


    “Drat isn’t a swear.” I argued. She raised an eyebrow at me.


    “True enough, and Croí.” She said.


    “Yeah?” I asked.


    “Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.” I smiled.


    “Glad to help Sable.” She smiled back.


    “Now. Who are you crushing on more? Me, Céírde, or Leola?” She asked. I groaned.