There was tension between the siblings that night. It did not show on their faces—Nova was as chatty as ever, while Moog said nothing as usual—but I could see it in the way the two remained on opposite sides of the camp, neither looking at the other. 

Nova sat with Lina and Dietrich, admiring the griffin, who lay behind them, curling its body protectively around them. Meanwhile, Moog had not moved from the rock he’d chosen as a seat, staring at his feet as the darkness slowly consumed him. Ulrich stood beside him, keeping well away from Lina and the rest. Rudi remained in a huffy silence, though I occasionally sensed her saying something under her proverbial breath, which felt like fairies buzzing inside my skull. I found it quite unfair that she could hear all of my thoughts and I could not hear hers, but I was glad to enjoy some peace. 

From where I was near the fire—started this time by Nova striking a pair of white stones I’d never seen before— I could hear the horse speaking with the prince. I could also see Moog’s mouth moving in response, but I could not discern a single word. Their conversation looked far more interesting than sitting here, ignoring Lina and the others’ vain persuasion for me to pet the griffin. 

However, before I could stand to join the prince and the horse, Moog stood and shouldered his pickaxe before wandering away into the night. I caught a hint of bitter disappointment from Nova when she snuck a glance at his retreating back. Yet, by the time I fully looked at her, it was gone. Now alone, Ulrich sat where he was, ears twitching. From the darkness came a rhythmic thud of metal on stone.

“You’re not going to go off after your brother?” I asked, adjusting myself so I could lean forward. My chest ached, though only slightly. Dietrich’s regular healing sessions had made it so that I was much closer to a full recovery than I would typically be. At this rate, I’d be fully recovered within the week. 

Nova’s face lightened even more. “Naw, Moog likes to go off on his own. Mining’s how he relaxes. He’ll be fine.”

We sat in silence, with the only sounds being the crackling of the fire and the creatures of the night making their chorus. It sounded both familiar and not, perhaps because of the high walls of the canyon making the noises reverberate. Still, there were foreign cries among the rest, which was unnerving, to say the least. I was glad for the fire and the company. 

To mask the unpleasant sounds, I said. “And here I thought that you two were inseparable.”

“We certainly are,” answered Nova. “Tighter than two flumphs in a windstorm! Can’t remember a moment when I wasn’t following Moog around. We’d do everything together—still do! I mean, it’s the younger sister’s job to keep her big brother outta trouble.”

“Really,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “I would think it would be the opposite.” Being the youngest of three brothers who did not give a speck about what I did so long as I stayed out of their way, I could not speak from experience. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Lina nodding in fierce agreement. Or perhaps she was not even listening as her eyes remained on the griffin.

My attention returned to Nova, who said, “You’d be surprised how reckless big brothers can be. Moog used to do all sorts of things when we were youngins. Like monster wrestling, cave diving, cliff jumping, treasure hunting, of course—”

“Those all sound awesome!” interrupted Dietrich. His sudden shout made the griffin jump, which Lina had to coax back into sitting. Once the griffin resumed purring, she shot him a glare. Dietrich rubbed the back of his neck. “My bad.”

Nova gave a quiet laugh. “Y’all are too funny. Yer right, though, Big Grey. There’s no one stronger than my brother. He would drag me into all sorts of messes—I can’t even count how many times we were almost killed. But they were the most fun I’ve ever had.” Her smile faded. “Then, at some point, Moog stopped taking the lead. And that slump in his shoulder appeared and grew deeper and deeper. He was never much of a talker, but something had changed. And not fer the better.”

She pulled her feet up onto the rock and hugged her knees. “I—I hate it! I want my big brother back!” 

For the first time, I saw Nova for the teenage girl she’d always been. An air of melancholy surrounded her. Then she gave a start, her smile back on her face. “Just listen to me, going on and on about trivial things. I think it’s high time we get some shut-eye. We’ll be at Red Lake before noon.” Nova stood and walked in the opposite direction of her brother. 

The rest of us sat in silence, except for the griffin, who continued to purr. None of us had much to say after that. After all, talking about someone well within earshot was ill-advised, if not obvious. 

Lina was not in a talking mood. Her lips were pursed in a tight pout as she continued to pet the griffin. Dietrich was preoccupied with trying to catch the occasional spark that flew from the fire. I could not tell if he was doing it for fun or to fill the awkward silence, which was only broken up by the sound of Moog’s pickaxe. Ulrich continued to sit, his black coat barely visible on the edge of the firelight. All the while, he warily eyed the griffin. Not long after the thuds ceased, we decided to go to bed.

 

I awoke early the following day to the sounds of an argument between Lina and Ulrich.

“—fer the last time, she ain’t going with us!”

“But Red Lake is just a little further! And besides, Embie didn’t do anything last night! I think she deserves a reward.”

I could feel Ulrich’s hoofstomp rattle the wagon. “A reward?! She was eyin’ me all night. Get rid of her.”

A groan escaped me as I opened my eyes and sat up, poking my head out of the wagon just in time to see Lina scramble onto the griffin’s back and set herself between its wings. She looked down at him with childish defiance. “No! Embie’s part of the group now! If you don’t like it, maybe we should get rid of you!” 

I let out another groan. I did not need this kind of contention first thing in the morning. Dietrich and the siblings were doing nothing to help. They only stood there, watching as Lina and Ulrich continued to shout at each other. Of the three, Nova looked amused, while Moog and Dietrich looked awkward. However, Dietrich looked relieved at seeing me emerge from the canvas curtain. 

“Oh, good! I was just about to wake you up, Boss. We’ve got a problem.”

“So I can hear,” I said, massaging my tired eyes.

Ulrich’s ears were pinned back, his lips peeled, exposing his teeth. “Mr. Prince! You need to make her see reason! I can’t handle her anymore.”

“If you can’t make her see reason, what do you expect me to do?” The horse scraped the ground, which made me sigh. “Lina.”

“What!” Lina turned her bratty eyes toward me. “Don’t tell me you’re taking his side!”

“Well, you did promise.”

Lina shook her head. “No, I didn’t. Ulrich said she could stay one night. That means she has until sunset.”

Her expression radiated smug satisfaction, prompting Ulrich to stomp his hoof again. “You know exactly what I meant!”

“Well, you should choose your words more carefully next time, shouldn’t you?”

Ulrich snorted, “Why you—!” He looked like he was about to charge but stopped himself with a shake of his head. The griffin was looking at him again. 

I stepped in between, hands out. “Now, now, let’s calm ourselves and talk like reasonable adults.”

Lina turned her nose up at me. “Are you implying that I’m not being reasonable?”

I could not help but glance at Nova’s amused expression. It was her fault that Lina was being so insufferable. At least when hiding this entitled side of hers, Lina knew how to get her way with subtlety.

“I don’t think you’re being fair to the Sheriff, Lina,” I said. “Imagine if you were forced to travel with something actively hunting you.”

Lina pursed her lips. “Yeah. Imagine that.” She might as well be pointing at Nova and Moog, who stood on opposite sides of the griffin, Nova feigning innocence.  

“Right,” I said, “Poor choice of words. Even still.”

Lina dropped her nose and bratty airs and looked at me in earnest. “Please trust me, Anno. On my life, I swear that Emberly will not hurt Ulrich.” She put a hand on her chest.

I could feel my heart melt at her ruby gaze, which was plain on my face. Ulrich snorted again. “You can't be serious, Mr. Prince! Don’t fall fer it.”

My resolve tightened. “You wanted me to end it, Ulrich? This is how I will end it: Once we reach Red Lake, you must let the griffin go. Do you understand?”

Lina scowled. “But—”

“If the griffin chooses to stay, that is its choice. But it is still a monster. If I or anyone—especially Ulrich sees the griffin—”

“Emberly,” interrupted Lina.

—the griffin acts hostile in any way, Moog will kill it on the spot.”

Moog gave a start. “Y-you mean me? You want me to guard the griffin?”

I nodded. “I know you can handle it. If you’re capable of that in a few hours,” I pointed at one of the canyon walls behind us, at a hole that had not been there the previous day. It was so large that we all, including the griffin, could stand in it comfortably. “Then we can rely on you to dispatch a griffin.”

Moog blushed in embarrassment. I turned my attention to Ulrich and Lina. “Is that reasonable?”

Neither looked happy, but they both nodded. 

I flopped onto a rock in relief. “That’s good, then. Now, how about some breakfast before we set off?” I had not been awake five minutes, and this was already turning out to be an exhausting day. 

After packing up, we continued deeper into the canyon. Thanks to Dietrich’s healing, I felt strong enough to finally walk alongside everyone. I was sick of riding inside that infernal wagon. 

Moog and Nova still refused to walk together as usual, so the party was split into two groups, with Ulrich, Nova, and Dietrich—who continued to pull the wagon— in the front, and me, Moog, and the griffin-riding Lina bringing up the rear.

On occasion, Ulrich would glance back at us with a sour expression. Every time he did this, Lina would shake her head. At one point, she even said, “He is so not getting any pets tonight!”

I had no desire to acknowledge that. And I did not have to, as, to my surprise, Moog chose to speak at that moment. 

“That was impressive, Prince Anno.”

“What was?” I asked with a glance. 

Moog shrugged, “Y’know, that whole negotiation thing—I couldn’t do that.”

I waved a hand dismissively, even though I felt color rising in my cheeks, “Oh, that was not anything worth complimenting. I just know how my companions think. That’s all.” Lina sniffed, refusing to look at me. 

He shook his head. “Still though. How’re you able to think on yer feet like that without losing yer nerve?”

This confused me. “A prince must always think on his feet. We’re expected to make important decisions. But you should know that, yes? Being the first prince and all—your highness.” I added that last part with haste. I’d almost forgotten with whom I was speaking. He may not have acted like how I expected a prince to act, but he was still a prince, and one who outranked me. 

Moog grimaced. “Yeah, I know that, it’s jest…” He began to fiddle with the handle of his pickaxe and fell into silence.

I glanced at Lina, who gave me a cold shrug. She would be no help.

“Just what?” I asked. “I’ve already seen how strong you are. The way you reacted when our wagon was falling and when the griffin was attacking? That was nothing short of impressive. You are always the first to take action.”

“But that's different. My body jest moves on its own when I see people in danger. I’m not capable of ruling anyone. I ain’t got the gift of gab like Nova does. Ruling means making decisions and having the right answers when people need them. That’s jest not something I can do. But everyone expects me to, especially my Pa.” He went silent again. However, this was a different silence. He was trying to find the right words. As tempted as I was to help him, my instincts told me that he needed to be the one to choose them. I looked ahead of me and waited.

After almost four minutes, Moog said, “My Pa plans to step down as king. He wants me to succeed him. I ain’t good enough, not by a long shot.”

I looked at him in surprise. A king abdicating the throne was unprecedented, at least in Cross. No ruler would ever willingly give up such power. Lina was also surprised by this, which told me it was the same in other kingdoms. 

“But why?” I asked.

He shrugged. “It was bound to happen at some point. In Alten, kings like to step down after thirty-some-odd years and enjoy retirement. But I was expecting…Well, I thought I would have more time. Not even twenty-five yet, and he wants me to take over.”

Moog’s eyes found the ground, following his feet as we walked. “All my life, not a day went by where my father didn’t criticize everything I did. It was always, ‘Taurus, pick up yer feet; Taurus, look straight; Taurus, speak up; Taurus, you’ll never be a good king if ya keep being reckless.’ It got on my last nerve, I’ll tell you what.

“Fer a while, I thought I could jest ignore it. To go off on my own and not think about anything. But that pressure… You don’t know what it’s like, do you, Mister? Yer jest a third prince, right?”

For someone so quiet, he can chatter when he wants to. There was so much to be offended by in what he just said: Calling me Mister, though he was older; reminding me of my lowly and hopeless status as the third prince; and how I wished my father cared enough about my existence to notice my failings. But that was not what Moog needed to hear. So, I swallowed my pride and said, “No, I don’t. It must be immense.”

He nodded. “And at first, I could ignore it. S’posed to be years away—years and years. But then Pa comes up to me one day and says, ‘Son, yer days of adventuring are ending. You need to step up, keep yer sister in line, and run this kingdom,’ just like that.”

I thought over his words. “It sounds to me like he does have faith in you.”

Lina let out a “Hmph” before saying, “Sounds to me like he’s putting unnecessary pressure on him.”

I frowned. “You may be right, but I’m sure his father only wants what’s best for him.”

She puffed out her cheeks. “Or maybe he should wait until he’s ready instead of being burdened with impossible standards. If there’s someone else who can do it better, then let them. I’m sure his sister is more than capable of ruling.” The griffin clicked its beak as if in agreement.

Moog raised a finger, “Uh, actually—”

“I’m sure she is,” I interrupted—Moog’s finger drooped. “But he has a duty to his people as their next king to be prepared. It’s not a bad thing to have expectations for someone, especially if you know their potential.” 

This was quickly turning into an argument—and not about Moog’s succession. He tried to get our attention again. 

“If I could jest say—”

Yet I barely registered him as Lina threw up her hands before firing back. “There you go again, talking about duty this and duty that! When will you realize that duty’s just a way for people to take advantage of you?”

I raised my chin at that. “So, you would rather Moog float through life without obligation or responsibility to anyone? That sounds like a pretty poor existence if you ask me.”

Lina’s nostrils flared. “Well, I wasn’t asking you! And I’m not saying that Moog shouldn’t have responsibilities at all, just that he shouldn’t have to take on more than he can handle.”

“But that’s how he can grow as a person! That’s how everyone grows. You’d be surprised at how strong Moog can be if he embraced his duty.”

“And what if that duty takes him away from everything he’s ever loved? What happens then?”

I stared into her eyes, filling up with tears. Guilt flared into my bosom at the sight. But I stood my ground, though I gentled my tone. “That would be an impossible duty, but Moog was the only one asked; maybe he is the only one who can fulfill it.”

Lina looked ahead of her, away from me, before wiping tears away. I could tell she was angry, but there were also hints of concession in her expression. I felt unhappy making her cry, but I could not abandon my principles to appease her. I was in the right. Even still, I could tell that Lina’s burden—whatever it may be—was heavy. And her path, lonely.

“Perhaps…” I began, looking at the front group, who had pulled much farther ahead— most likely intentionally judging by the way they all kept glancing back at us. “Perhaps Moog isn’t as alone as he thinks he is. He has people who care about him, even if they tend to show it in ways they may not like in the moment. However, they always try their best to support the person they care about in whatever way they can. Don’t you agree, Moog? Moog?”

I looked back at the man. It was remarkable how someone of Moog’s great stature could look so small and have no presence whatsoever. He was practically blending into the background.

"Naw, don’t mind me,” he said with a shrug. “Keep on talking about me like I’m not here. I don’t mind at all.”

It was difficult to tell if he was being truthful or not, but my guilt increased all the same. “I deeply apologize, Moo—Prince Taurus. It seems we lost track of the conversation.” I glanced at Lina, who looked as guilty and embarrassed as I was. 

He shook his head. “Moog’s fine. After all, I jest can’t seem to escape the confines of moogishness, no matter how much Nova tries. You see my point now, in any case. Pa’s expecting poor Moog here to be King Taurus II.”

Moog sighed and went quiet. Lina and I said nothing, both wary of veering off into another tangent. At last, he spoke again. “Yer right, though, Nova would make a better ruler. She’s got the power of words on her side and the smarts to boot. But she don’t want nothing to do with being queen. Says it’s my place, not hers. I’ve never met someone who has such an unshakable faith in me. It’s terrifying. And I always hate disappointing her with the truth.”

  He was overtaken with the same melancholic aura as his sister. “No matter how much I try, Nova won’t let go of the idea of making me a ‘great king.’ This whole Starcastle thing was her idea.”

It was all beginning to make sense. “So she’s the one who wants the Elaris, then?”

Moog shrugged. “I mean, I’ve always been interested in finding it. Who wouldn’t want to get their hands on the rarest ore in the world? But Nova’s been obsessed with getting it fer me.”

I tilted my head. “For you? What for?”

He shrugged again. “Honestly? I think she wants to prove to me and Pa that I’m good enough to be king.”

At our confused look, he continued. “The Starcastle is the stuff of legend. Whoever finds it would be revered by every Altenian fer all time. And if that’s not enough, then forging a weapon out of the Elaris we find—one that can rival the Seven—would be.”

“Amazing.” I shook my head in disbelief. “All of this, all for you. I can’t even begin to grasp how selfless that is. She must care for you deeply.” I wished I could relate.

Lina’s face soured. “Oh, don’t you two know anything? It’s not selflessness. Little sisters must keep their older brothers out of trouble, especially if he’s a reckless idiot.” 

“P-pardon?” asked Moog, looking too confused to be offended despite wanting to be.

“If you think Nova’s being selfless, then you’ve got a lot to learn.” Lina was looking ahead, past the group in front. She leaned forward, resting her arms atop the griffin’s head, who did not seem to mind in the slightest. “Brothers. They think they know everything.” 

A crease appeared between her thick eyebrows. “If sisters are selfish, brothers are even more so, always jumping into things without thinking they can do whatever they please. They like to think they know what’s best for everyone. It’s a little sister’s job to stop them before they do something reckless and get themselves into trouble for the stupidest reasons.”

Moog and I exchanged looks. However, Lina continued before we could say anything, the crease growing deeper. “Though I guess Nova wants the opposite for some reason. She wants you to be reckless and take charge. I don't get it. I don’t think I want to.”

Lina’s rant devolved into indecipherable grumbles, which I waited eagerly to resume. But upon Lina falling silent, I said, “It sounds as though you speak from experience.”

In response, Lina slumped forward to almost lay across the griffin’s back and rested her chin on her arms. She closed her eyes with a stubborn expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I wanted to throw up my hands in exasperation. I was so close, so close to learning something important about her. But I could tell by her body language that inquiring any further would yield nothing; Lina would say no more. Perhaps even she had not realized how near she was to a slip-up until now. 

Oh, well. At the very least, I now understood the Strater siblings. “So,” I said to Moog, “These expeditions; are you and your sister out traveling often?”

He nodded. “Yup. We don’t like to be tied down. Everyone in Alten likes to call us the Royal Vagabonds on account we’re always drifting about, looking fer our next adventure.” He sighed, “But my time as a wanderer is ending. No matter what happens, this will be my last one.” His tone was somber as his eyes fell upon his sister sitting on the driver’s seat, snapping the reins uselessly at Dietrich. “I suspect she knows; nothing gets past her. But keep it to yerselves all the same.”

I gave him my promise that I would. After a moment, Lina gave a curt nod. Even Emberly seemed to agree as it gave a small screech, which Moog initially mistook as a sign of aggression. He raised his pickaxe before lowering it back onto his shoulder when he saw the panic on Lina’s face. The griffin’s pupils turned to slits, but otherwise remained calm.

Moog's cheeks reddened. “We’ll be reaching Red Lake in less than two hours. Get ready to hunt some treasure—should be fun, right?”

He was met with icy silence from Lina, who stuck her nose in the air. I gave a princely half shrug.

“R-right…” Moog quickened his pace, settling back into a walk when he was between the two groups. 

"Nova’s right," Lina said after a few seconds, continuing to lay across the griffin. “He’s such a Moog.”

I could not help but agree. Although, I did so silently, in my head.