“I’m staying at the Peak.” Oswin said, her chin lifting a notch in pride. “I always wanted to live there once my mother told me about it. I’ve decided to be a warrior; maybe I can help fight for someone who can’t fight for themselves.” Her blue eyes gleamed with pride of what might lie in her future. Oswin had only been in small skirmishes up until this point, little practice spars she’d sometimes egged her younger brother into. Calder was always so easy to beat considering his nervous nature had never completely gone away. Regardless, Oswin’s brave stupidity was a streak which didn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon.

Oswin tipped her head, eyes sliding to Vita Nova as her sister asked about the herd. She nodded and showed a concerned, sorrowful expression for Nova, knowing her sister might have come along if given the choice. “Father told us he wanted to leave the islands and any of the herd who wanted to go with him was welcome to, and anyone who wanted to stay behind was free to do so. My mother wouldn’t leave him and even though I was two, she wouldn’t let me stay here. They’re traveling the mainlands, finding safe places to stay before moving on to the next location.” Oswin didn’t know why her father had wanted to leave the islands and she’d never asked. Had father had an enemy? Had he disliked the sea?

Oswin was so surprised to hear her half-brother’s name come from Nova’s lips that her head jerked up and her eyes went wide, her pink mouth falling apart in a shocked gap. She barely was able to focus as Nova talked about Kendry, but her mind jumped to Nova’s description of him in time for her ears to turn back as she snorted and rolled her eyes. “He sounds gross. If you want me to beat him up for you, just tell me.” It sounded like a joke, but there was something in Oswin’s eyes which said it wasn’t. “But I guess that’d mean his dad wouldn’t like you anymore.” What a predicament. Oswin shifted her weight as if to shrug. “Well, if it ever gets to a point where the guy’s a big brat you tell me and I’d be happy to teach him a thing or two.”

Her mind snapped back to Nova having correctly guessed her brother’s name. Oswin bobbed her head and said, “My brother’s name is Nephilim.” Oswin frowned. “I can still remember him… he was crying that day I found him, before my mother saw us talking to each other.” Now that she knew the truth of everything, Oswin’s gut tightened in grief for him. She assumed he had seen how close their mother was to her and become overcome with grief… but then again, she could be wrong and simply victimizing him for her own ache to be a part of his family. She blinked and looked at Nova. “Do you know him, or where I can find him?”