Book 2 Chapter 75

Willow awoke to some whispered bickering happening between Maple and her grandmother. The light crystals were still off, likely because they wanted her to sleep a bit more, so the only light was the small amount leaking in from the grotto outside.

She couldn’t quite make out what the two of them were arguing about, and she honestly felt rested enough for the day ahead so she got up, surprising Phoebe who had been resting beside her.

Right, she’d forgotten to put them back in their space.

“Do you want to stay out?” She silently sent to them.

Her stone friend moved up and down in an affirmative, one of the bits of communication they’d established until they eventually found their voice.

Willow hoped her friends would gain that ability soon. It would be nice to get their thoughts on things more consistently. Though it still felt like it’d be a long time off before that would happen.

She placed Phoebe on the top of her head and snuck over to hear what her sister and grandmother were heatedly talking about in hushed voices, harmonizing herself with the environment as she went.

She knew eavesdropping was rude, but her curiosity outweighed her guilt in doing it.

“--- the last time, I’m not going to quit my job just because there’s a chance Meteoros will be recognized. There are probably plenty of falling star spirits out in the world, a rogue binder using one shouldn’t be that much of an issue.”

Grandma Thea let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m not saying quit outright, I’m saying you shouldn’t be doing inter-city work. The Darach Clan won’t look too closely at you, but some of the others definitely will, and flying around making a name for yourself is the last thing you want.”

Willow could feel Maple’s frustration and anger bubbling up in her core again. “I’m finally free to see the world, and you’re telling me to stay trapped in one place?”

“Yes, the world is dangerous, especially for young women with powerful and rare spirits. I’m surprised your father or your mother’s friend didn’t make that abundantly clear to you.”

Maple crossed her arms. “They both trust me to handle myself.”

“And have you been trained to defend yourself should the worst happen? Somehow I doubt either of them could have prepared you on how to use your spirit properly. From what I remember your father was a counter fighter, and your “aunt” was a curse specialist. Neither of which can train you to fight like how your mother did.”

Her sister snorted indelicately. “Are you offering to teach me then? Since it sounds like you think you’re the best person for the job.”

Their grandmother went silent for a moment. “I wouldn’t be opposed to such a thing, teaching two is only slightly more cumbersome than teaching one. Besides, you could be a good role model for your sister to emulate. Her rock spirit will likely follow a similar path to Meteoros once the little one gains enough strength so having a reference for her to follow should be beneficial.”

Now it was Maple’s turn to go quiet, with much of her anger dissipating.

“I’ll think about it.” She then turned and left through the front doorway, likely to get a bit of fresh air.

Leaving their grandmother alone in relative darkness.

The older woman looked to where Willow was supposed to be sleeping and worry shot through her core.

“Willow?” She looked around the room in concern and said girl began to feel even more guilty for listening in.

Willow dropped the harmonization and her grandmother twitched, preparing some qi before letting it harmlessly dissipate when she recognised who it was.

“You have a stealth technique of such quality? Good to know.” She spoke with approval.

She flicked her hand and the crystals on the wall began to emit light again, banishing the darkness.

She then gave Willow a knowing look. “I take it you heard me and your sister’s conversation just now?”

Willow nodded, making sure not to knock Phoebe off of her head. “I’m sorry for eavesdropping, but I was curious what you two were whispering about so angrily.”

She looked at the doorway where Maple had exited through with worry on her features. “I don’t know why she’s been so angry with you. I swear she’s normally a lot nicer.”

Grandma Thea gently shook her head. “I understand her frustrations with me, even if they’re ultimately misplaced. From what the two of you have told me, you are unable to truly understand the extent of what you lost from my family’s actions. Stories from happier times can only paint a picture lacking in detail after all.”

Willow felt a wave of melancholy envelop the older woman. “Besides, these arguments with your sister help take me back to similar ones I had with your mother. Much as it pains me, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

That… probably wasn’t a good thing, but Willow was unsure how to broach the subject in a way that wasn’t rude.

The eavesdropping had been enough rudeness for the day, she felt.

So instead she decided to change the subject.

“What’re we doing today?”

Her grandmother blinked and smiled softly at the sudden change in topic. “I’ll be going for a hunt once that mentor of yours is up and capable of looking after you. Suddenly having three extra mouths to feed was not something I was expecting, and I need to replenish my food stores accordingly.”

Technically both Mu and Thea did not need to eat as much due to their powerful bonds affecting their physiology over a long period of time, but it was still preferable to get something into their bellies every day if possible.

A sleepy eyed Mu exited her temporary room, clearly having heard what the two of them were talking about.

“I can help with that garden you have goin’ if you want? Not the best at such applications, but it’ll definitely be a sight better than your current attempt.”

Oh, that was something she could actually help with! While she hadn’t been explicitly taught what her father was doing while farming, she was constantly feeling the fields with her senses for years as she helped keep it clear of weeds and other pests. Not to mention his casual discussions of such things with Yew that she’d overheard.

“I can help with that too!”

Her grandmother looked at her with doubt, causing her to puff up in mild indignation.

“I learned some stuff while helping Da in the field that could be quite useful.” She thought for a moment. “It could also help Andrea figure out what concept they want to pursue.”

The train of thought reminded her of something that would probably interest Miss Mu.

Willow turned to her mentor and pointed at the small rock spirit on her head. “Phoebe seems to want to go for a moon concept for their yin one.”

Mu blinked sleepily at her apprentice several times before fully processing what she’d said.

Then her curiosity blazed to life.

She began to poke and prod at the little rock spirit. “What? How can you tell?”

Willow explained what she’d felt when doing her core training the previous night, with her grandmother listening to the conversation with increasing confusion.

Until eventually the older woman decided to interrupt.

“Willow, are you really able to sense the changes in your spirit as accurately as you claim?”

Miss Mu blinked in surprise as both mentor and apprentice realized they’d forgotten to tell the older woman yet another aspect of her granddaughter.

“She’s not only accurate, but her range is further than any I’ve seen. It’s a big help in keepin’ an eye out for forageables and threats, but it did come with some nasty side effects when dealin’ with groups of people that we’ve since gotten a handle on.”

Grandma Thea considered the provided information before nodding to herself.

“Then would you like to join your grandmother on a hunt?”