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fairly in the dark as to how weakened we are. There is no need to cause extra alarm.” She paused, pondering for just a moment.
    “Grow the garden, but be sure not to use more than half the magical stores we have left.
    We simply must not leave ourselves without some form of defense… especially if our magic continues to weaken.”
    The man and woman nodded in agreement.
    “Meanwhile, I shall form a hunting party. We can spare a few Balaton, and perhaps they can find us some food in the forest.”
    The man and woman departed immediately, followed moments later by Darius Hadrian, leaving Juliska alone. Meghan waited for a few minutes before leaving her room, not wanting to cast suspicions that she had been listening. When she came out, Juliska squelched her concerns.
    “Good morning, Meghan. Sorry. I am afraid you will hear many heated conversations in the coming days. Please, do not worry yourself about it though. Just all in a days work.”
    “Sounds pretty serious, though.”
    “Serious, yes. Something we have not experienced before, no. We will persevere. We always do.” She sounded weary in her reply. “While we are being serious, there’s something I wanted to tell you. Sit, please.”
    Meghan sat down across from her.
    “I feel that I have put a tremendous pressure on you, and for this, I apologize.” Meghan opened her mouth to speak but Juliska motioned for her to wait.
    “I just wanted to impress upon you how grateful I am that you are willing to help us. To help me. Just a little over a year ago, you did not even know magic existed, and now, here you are stuck in the middle of this mess! I also need you to know, that I… that I do not just think of you as a Firemancer, someone that can help me do my job. You are a bright, talented young woman, no doubt.”
    She paused, as if searching for the right words to continue.
    “Sorry, I don’t know why, but this is hard for me to admit. My reputation is not that of the motherly type. I am tough, blunt and do not apologize for it. As I have said before, I must be 27
    if we are to survive. However, I want you to feel as though you can be open with me.
    Honest. To all ends good or bad. I want to be there for you as a person, not just as your teacher.”
    “O-Okay,” Meghan stammered, barely able to choke out her reply. Then, more boldly, she added, “To be honest, I think motherly is exactly what you are. Tough and blunt, sure. You just have a lot more children to watch over than most mothers do.” Juliska looked perplexed.
    “I have never really thought of it like that, Meghan. You are really quite wise.”
    “I guess being a big sister comes with its perks,” she muttered, shrugging.
    “Just as long as you know that I am here for you, too. Whatever you need.” Juliska took hold of Meghan’s hand, lovingly. She then let go and took a deep breath. “I am afraid I must delay our training for a short while, as I must depart. While I am away there is something I would like you to read, in your pocket guide.”
    Meghan hastened into her room and came back to the table with the Firemancer’s Pocket Guide in hand. Juliska grabbed it and flipped through the pages.
    “Here we are,” she said, handing the book back to Meghan.
    “Calling,” Meghan read aloud.
    “Study that chapter thoroughly,” Juiliska ordered. “Tomorrow, we will revisit the trunk in my room and discuss it further. An eager gleam in Juliska’s eye caught Meghan’s attention, and she wished greatly they could go right then.
    Meghan sighed, feeling guilty. Is it wrong to feel this happy, with so many terrible things going on? People are missing. I have the most important task of my life ahead of me. Colin is hiding a girl that someone tried to leave behind in a cave rarely visited by humans.
    The rush of emotion suddenly overwhelmed her and tears streamed down her face. She was thankful, at least, for being alone and crept into her room. After gushing non-stop for nearly an hour, she