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For the life of me, I cannot figure out why I feel as though I’ve lost something once he’s gone.

It doesn’t take much asking around before we’re given directions to the home of the Sotherans, our father’s family.

“Sure, I know where the Sotherans live. Their property is just at the top of that bluff there. Can’t miss it. You’ll find a trail leading to it on the northeast side of town,” an older gentleman tells Temra when she asks. “What business do you have with them?”

Temra turns to me, unsure of how she should answer. I nod to indicate she needn’t be fearful of the truth. “We’re relations.”

“How wonderful!” he says. “May the Sisters bless your reunion.”

“Thank you,” Temra says, not bothering to correct him. This is not a reunion so much as it is a first meeting.

We begin following the old man’s directions.

“Should I also find an inn to stay at while you meet up with your family?” Petrik asks.

“No,” I say quickly. I feel safer having an extra body with us now. Temra and I have no idea how our new relations will react to us.

Neither Petrik nor Temra questions the hasty response.

“Why is it that you’ve never met your relatives before now?” Petrik wants to know.

“They live far away,” I answer.

“Which is strange to begin with,” Petrik says. “Most people don’t go far from where they’re born. And didn’t you say your father took your mother’s last name?”

“Yes, but that’s not uncommon. Many couples within the princesses’ territories do that to honor the matriarchal rule.”

“I’m just saying it kind of sounds like your parents wanted to hide from these relations.”

“And why would they do that?” Temra asks.

“I don’t know,” Petrik says. “What if their business is illegal?”

“That might help us,” I say, “considering we’re on the run from… powerful people.”

“But what if they try to exploit that and sell your whereabouts to these powerful people?”

“We’re not about to tell them we’re on the run, now, are we?” Temra says, slapping Petrik playfully on the back of his head. “You worry too much, scholar. Why don’t you stick to reading and let Ziva and me worry about our relations?”

Petrik grumbles something under his breath, which Temra either doesn’t hear or pretends not to.

Petrik’s thoughts don’t worry me, yet I get a sinking sensation in my stomach when the house is in sight.

It’s a large estate, with many pens holding all manner of livestock. Pigs, goats, and birds almost as tall as I am with vibrant blue featherless heads.

The rain is pouring down by the time we reach the front step, and I’m nearly in a full panic over how we will be received, as though the rain might be an omen from the Sisters.

Which is silly. It probably rains here every day. Still, we’ve been so scared for so long on the road. It’s hard to let those fears go now.

“Here we go,” Temra says with a hopeful grin. “I’m so excited!” She knocks on the door, and we wait.

A man who looks so much like my memory of Father opens the door. I feel tears threaten my eyes just at the sight of him.

“Yes?” he wants to know. “If you’re here to sell anything, you’d better leave before Volanna finishes her morning prayers.”

Before I can think over the words, I say, “Are you Darren’s brother?”

The man blinks. “I haven’t heard that name in years. Who are you?”