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1
HANNA
“You’re going to earn your wings soon enough.”
Zathex’s words linger tediously in my mind as I make the long walk home. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I huff out a breath as I continue.
“Surely, if you ever need more of my help, you know where to find me…”
I grimace, remembering the look the xaphan gave me while I gulped down my water. Zathex is supposed to be a mentor, a guide, and perhaps even a friend as I navigate the treacherous journey of earning my wings.
Soon enough, I will stand tall and proud as white wings extend from my back, elevating my status from mere human to hardworking xaphan. My father won’t have to work as hard anymore. Our family name will be synonymous with wealth, status, and fortune.
But it won’t be because of that bastard Zathex, that’s for sure.
As I near the human settlement along the western edge of New Solas, I suck in a deep breath and sigh loudly. Evening draws near.
My father works tirelessly in his greenhouse, providing fresh fruits and vegetables for our human neighbors at a modest rate. He loves his work, and he’s well-loved as a result, but his small complaints of an aching back and stiff hands concern me.
Whenever I look at him, I understand quickly where I’ve inherited my work ethic. He and I are so similar, especially when it comes to our looks. Green eyes, black hair, slender builds. Everything I have, I owe it all to my father.
“I’ll make you proud, Dad,” I whisper, already seeing our small house in the distance. Earlier today, I told him not to worry about dinner, but those illuminated windows make it clear that he’s still up, probably making a stew of some kind.
Indeed, I pass through the threshold of our small home to breathe in the smell of herbs and vegetables. Dad stirs at the pot on the stove, throwing in ingredients and tasting now and then. He perks up once he notices me.
“Hanna, my dear,” he says. He drops his spoon, wrings his hands on his apron, and hurries over.
When he embraces me, I’m encapsulated by the smell of musk, sweat, and aromatic spices.
“How are you? You seem a bit tired.”
“Yeah,” I whisper, allowing my small bag to fall from my aching shoulder. “Training was rough today.”
“Well, you’re in luck,” my dad replies, patting my cheek before hurrying back to the stove. “I’m making a bisque. You liked the last one I made, so I decided to make it again.”
The thing about his cooking is that he doesn’t write down the recipes. He only remembers the general structure of the dish. So he doesn’t know the precise measurements or exact ingredients he uses from one dish to another.
Even still, the food ends up delicious every time.
“Thank you.” I let out a small groan as I plop into the dining room chair. There’s only two, for the two of us. “I’m close to earning my wings. Soon enough, you’ll have all the food in the world at your disposal.”
“Oh, my dear, there’s no need to be gluttonous. We have all that we need right here.”
“Sure, but…” I tilt my head at my father as he scoops some bisque into a small bowl. “Don’t you wish we could live above our means sometimes? We’d be able to afford the best silks, the best meats, the best-tasting milk and creams across all of Aerasak. We’d live even better than the xaphan in their glittering castles.”
My dad laughs, sending me a look. The wrinkles around his eyes and mouth are prominent.
“Why would I want to live better than the xaphans? To earn their ire?” he asks, perking a brow. He makes his way over to give me my plate before heading back to the stove to serve himself. “They’re selfish, Hanna. They will never think humans are their equals. That’s why we get the scraps in this settlement while the rest of New Solas prospers.”
I poke at the vegetables floating in my orange soup with a fork. “Once I get my wings, things will be different.”
“I’m sure they will be,” he replies, taking the seat across from me. His cheery disposition always makes my worries and doubts ebb away. “But if you’re only driven by money, then that’s no way to go. You have to love what you do, my dear. Now!” My dad claps his hands. “Dig in and tell me what you think.”
Just as expected, my first taste of the bisque fills my mouth with amazing flavor. “Delicious as always, Dad.”
“I’m so glad. I played around with the ingredients this time.” Dad spoons a few eager bites into his mouth before pausing to look at me. As much as I enjoy the flavors, I don’t have as much enthusiasm behind my movements.
I take a moment to ruminate on his words, especially his remark about loving what I do. Like all the other humans in the training camp, I want to earn my wings. I want to be as esteemed as the xaphans, but at the same time, I’m wearing myself down to the bone to do so.
