Embermire

Kael opened the door to the den to find Draven resting with his arm wrapped. It looked like he had used the cream, as there was none left. He stirred awake at the sound of the door closing and immediately asked, "How did it go?" Kael sat down beside him and began explaining everything that had happened. He recounted the events of the day—the trail of the wolf, the strange energy from the berry, and the shimmering magic he'd witnessed. Then, with a sense of cautious pride, he showed Draven the sack of herbs he had gathered and the nine bright red berries that now, in the dim light of the den, seemed to emit a faint glow. They both stared at them, realization dawning on Kael. "This fruit... it's magical," Kael murmured. He hesitated, then added, "I ate one. It gave me this... burst of energy. I can't explain it, but it was like nothing I've ever felt before." He glanced at Draven, his expression a mix of excitement and curiosity. "You should try one." Draven, however, looked uneasy. His thoughts immediately flicked back to the dream he had the night before—the spark, the fire, the destruction. What if the berry triggered something dangerous in him? What if he lost control and hurt Kael? The fear twisted in his chest, and he shook his head. "Maybe it's not a good idea," Draven said, trying to keep his voice steady. "It's late, and I'm not even hungry. Besides, what if these are worth something? We could take them to town and sell them." Draven always worried about money, about whether they'd be okay. It was a weight Kael wished he could lift off his younger brother's shoulders. He sighed. "Don't worry. We'll still have eight left, plus the two mushrooms and all the herbs I gathered today. Even if the trip to town doesn't go well, it'll be enough for a few days' worth of soup and medicine." But Draven still shook his head. "It seems too important to just... eat right now," he said quietly, his voice heavy with doubt. Kael didn't push him further, though he couldn't help but feel disappointed. He wanted Draven to understand the strange, powerful sensation he'd experienced, but he also knew better than to force him. "Alright," he said finally, "but tomorrow, I'll ask you again. Maybe in the morning, when we're getting ready for town, you'll feel differently." Draven nodded, though he didn't meet Kael's eyes. As his older brother began unpacking the rest of his haul, Draven laid back down, his thoughts swirling with fear and doubt. Meanwhile, Kael resolved to figure out the truth behind the berries—and to help his brother understand the strange new world they were stepping into, whether Draven liked it or not.

The brothers woke up the next morning excited for the day, but Draven's arm was still sore. Despite this, he didn't want Kael to leave him behind again. He knew he'd need someone to watch his back. They'd never been to town without their parents before, and even then, trips to Embermire were rare. Their father usually handled those errands while they stayed home. Embermire wasn't a large town. It had no big schools, so most children were homeschooled. If the brothers remembered correctly, the town had more homes than businesses, but there was a modest town square with a small market, an herb shop, and a blacksmith. Embermire was mostly a farming and cattle town, home to about twelve families. One family ran the herb shop, another the blacksmith's forge, and the rest were farmers or cattle herders raising sheep, pigs, and cows. As they packed their sack of herbs, mushrooms, and the nine glowing berries, Kael's thoughts drifted to a trip he'd taken to town with his father years ago. He remembered meeting Jera, the daughter of the herb shop's owner. She had been the meanest little girl he'd ever met—a scrappy six- or seven-year-old with a sharp tongue. Now, she'd be closer to Draven's age. Maybe she'd grown out of that fiery attitude. Kael wondered if Draven might make friends with her; it could make things easier for him. The brothers began their journey, walking steadily toward Embermire. The town was about three miles from their den, so the trip took roughly an hour. As they approached the outskirts, Kael noticed Draven growing more anxious. Being alone in town for the first time was a new and daunting experience, but Kael squared his shoulders. He had to take care of things. They headed straight for the herb shop, where Kael planned to sell the strange berries. He hoped they'd fetch a good price—enough to buy proper equipment for medicine-making so he wouldn't ruin any more herbs. Their parents had been well-liked in Embermire, known for helping the townsfolk with their medicine needs. Kael hoped that goodwill would extend to him and Draven now, even though they were just two boys trying to fend for themselves They hoped not to get ripped off, but they didn't really know what they had. They just knew it couldn't be worthless. The boys arrived early, eager to see what their strange berries and other finds might fetch. When they reached the herb shop, they found it wasn't open yet, so they sat down outside to wait. As the first light of morning stretched across the square, a young girl walked toward the shop's entrance. She stopped abruptly when she saw Kael and Draven sitting there with their sack and immediately tried to shoo them away. "Go on! We don't give handouts here," she said sharply, assuming they were beggars. Kael recognized her immediately. Jera. It had been years since he'd last seen her, but she hadn't lost her edge. Before he could respond, an older man appeared behind her. "Stop being so rude to waiting customers," the man scolded, his voice firm but kind. He glanced at the boys and his expression softened. "I'll get the door for you. Come in, come in." The man opened the door, motioning for them to follow. Kael nudged Draven, who hesitated before standing. They gathered their sack and stepped inside. "I'm Gideon Greenroot," the man said, grabbing two glasses of water and setting them on the counter. "And this is my daughter, Jera—the one and only. I apologize for her earlier introduction. She's quick to react, but don't let that scare you away. She's a nice girl when you get to know her." Jera scowled, her sharp glare flicking between the brothers. Kael just shrugged, unfazed, but Draven avoided her gaze entirely, staring down at the floor instead. He didn't know what to say. She seemed so sure of herself, and he'd never felt more out of place. "So, what can I do for you?" Gideon asked, his tone warm and inviting as he gestured to their sack. Kael opened his sack, and Gideon's eyes widened with surprise. He immediately leaned forward, his gaze locking onto the red fruit. "Where did you find these?" he asked, his voice low with astonishment. Then his eyes flicked over to the mushrooms, and he nearly leaped out of his seat. "Close the pouch," Gideon said quickly, his tone urgent. He leaned back and took a deep breath before explaining. "What you boys have here is extraordinary. These berries… they're called Starfall Fruit. Extremely rare. Magic users prize them for crafting potions and pills to rejuvenate their power. I can't believe you found these." Kael's stomach flipped. "How much are they worth?" Gideon's face softened into a smile. "I could offer you two silver per fruit." Kael's jaw dropped. Two silver per fruit? That was eighteen silvers for the nine they had left—enough to rent a room at the inn for months. Draven's eyes darted to the sack, then to Kael. He suddenly felt a pang of relief. The shopkeeper's gaze shifted to the mushrooms, and his eyes gleamed with a different kind of excitement. "But those… those are something even more remarkable. Do you know what these are?" He didn't wait for them to answer. "They're one of the rarest herbs in existence, sought after by royals and mages alike. They can jumpstart latent magic in children before adulthood—almost a guarantee of magical ability, provided the person has any potential at all." Draven and Kael exchanged shocked glances. "So… if we ate those…" Kael began, his voice trailing off in awe. "You'd stand a real chance at becoming mages," Gideon finished. "But there's a cost. Forcing open your magic channels like this would take a huge toll on your body. It's not something to take lightly." The brothers stared at the glowing mushrooms, their minds racing. The brothers exchanged stunned glances. They could become mages if they ate those glowing mushrooms. The shopkeeper then proceeded to pay the two boys for the Starfall Fruit. Kael, still reeling from the offer, asked, "What would happen if someone who wasn't a mage ate one of these berries?" Gideon tilted his head, considering the question. "Well, if someone without magical training eats a Starfall Fruit, it sends a pulse of raw energy coursing through their body. It's said to reveal their magical attribute, if they have one. That's why many families purchase these to test their children when they reach puberty. It's not cheap, but for some, it's worth the risk." Kael's curiosity deepened. "How do you know so much about magic? And what royal families do?" The shopkeeper's face shifted slightly, his smile remaining but his eyes growing guarded. "Ah, that's a story for another day, lad. Let's just say I've been around long enough to pick up a thing or two. Besides, it's best if we don't talk too long. Thanks to you two, I've got a busy day ahead." Gideon then turned to Jera. "Why don't you show these boys to the inn? You know Mrs. Baker, and they'll need a good place to settle." Jera groaned. "Why do I have to take them? They're older than me. They can find their way." Gideon's tone grew firm. "Just do it, Jera. You might be seeing more of them in the future. "Jera muttered something under her breath but didn't argue further. As she turned to leave, Kael asked, "Before we go, can I buy some basic medicine-making tools?" The shopkeeper's face brightened. "Of course. I've got just the thing." He pulled out a simple mortar and pestle and a small bronze sphere-shaped furnace designed for crafting pills and potions. "This should get you started," he said. "It'll cost you one silver coin." Kael handed over the silver without hesitation, feeling the weight of the remaining coins in his pouch. It was the most money he'd ever held, and it gave him a sense of hope he hadn't felt in weeks. Jera crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. "Can we go now? Before too many people see us together?" Draven bowed slightly to Gideon. "Thank you for everything," he said earnestly. Kael followed suit, expressing his gratitude before they stepped outside. Jera led them through the streets of Embermire, her pace brisk and her expression sour. She barely spoke, only throwing the occasional glare over her shoulder at the boys. Draven trailed behind, trying not to stare at her, while Kael kept his focus on the path ahead. When they arrived at the inn, Jera stopped in front of the door. "Here it is. Mrs. Baker runs the place. She'll rent you a room if you've got the coin." She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Good luck." Then, without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, her long hair swaying as she disappeared down the street. The boys entered the inn and were greeted by Mrs. Baker, a stout woman with kind eyes and graying hair. She looked up from her desk and smiled. "Well, hello there. You must be new in town. Looking for a room?" Kael nodded. "Yes, ma'am. How much for a month?" Mrs. Baker's smile widened. "One silver coin per month, and that includes meals. Kael's heart soared. It was perfect. He handed over a silver coin, and Mrs. Baker led them to a small but cozy room with two beds and a window that overlooked the square. As they settled in, the boys laid out their belongings on one of the beds. The nine remaining coins glinted in the afternoon light, but it was the two glowing mushrooms that drew their attention. They sat in silence, staring at the strange fungi that had the potential to change their lives forever. Draven finally broke the silence. "Do you think we should do it? Eat them?" Kael's eyes didn't leave the mushrooms. "I don't know. It's risky, but if Gideon's right… it could be our chance to become mages." Draven swallowed hard. The idea was both thrilling and terrifying. They had no idea what the future held, but for the first time in weeks, it felt like they had a choice. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.