Dedication: To Oddity, who’s inspired me to write fantasy genres. This one’s for you.

The Silver Oaks stood tall even back then. Sunlight spilled through the shimmering blue leaves like **splatter** of gleaming paint. Ameera, years younger, panted. She jammed the tip of her spear into the ground, marking the end of their sparring match. “I won, Agha.” She breathed. She smiled despite herself. General Xyzen stood across her, chuckling. “My wife would be disappointed in me.” Ameera snorted. “Yeah, right.” She slumped beside a silver tree. Her **lavender** hijab gleamed under the golden sunlight. The old General silently walked towards her. His expression softened. Not from ease. But from something deeper. Ameera shifted, glancing up. His armor reflected the light, stinging her eyes. “Agha?” Ameera took a sip from her flask, “You okay?” The General nodded. He lifted his sword. The sword radiated blinding light and morphed into a spear. “You’ve done this so many times.” Ameera shook her head, “Yet it never fails to amaze me. How… do you do that?” “Control.” Xyzen said simply. His knowing eyes lingered on his weapon for a second too long. “I believe, it’s time to pass it on…” “I’m throwing my hands if you say Sylon.” Ameera interjected. She flung a stone upwards. “That Elf really breathes down my neck. If I could **just**—“**

“**Ameera.” “Control. Control. That’s the difference between me and them. Yes, Agha. I know. But Astaghfirullah, that snob.” She paused. “I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn.” Ameera looked down at the pockets of light dancing through the Sapphire leaves. “Please tell me you really aren’t planning on letting him have it.” Xyzen shook his head. The lines around his eyes crinkled. “I was perhaps thinking of you.” Ameera choked on her water. Her head snapped up. Was he really planning on disappointing his wife? “I— No.” She straightened up. “No. That’s— That’s your possession.” _

_“And now, it’s yours.” Xyzen presented it to her. Ameera’s hands hovered over the spear. Her fingers curled around it reluctantly. Was he really doing this? “Just last week, you told I was reckless, I had no control. I needed to be polished.” Ameera counted on her fingers. “And now you’re giving this to me. Just like that?” General Xyzen stroked his grey beard streaked with time. “Hmm?” “Wallah you surprise me, Agha.” Her eyes returned back to her new suddenly-rewarded spear. Her thumb traced the gold etchings engraved on it. He laughed to himself. “Someday, you’ll be ready to take over my title as well.” “Have the forest spirits possessed you!” Ameera’s voice rose up an octave. “Seriously, what’s gotten into you.” “Someday…” he put a hand on her shoulder. His grip felt warm. “You’ll understand.” A deep pit opened into Ameera’s stomach. “Nothing’s gonna happen, Agha.” Ameera muttered. A slow dreaded knot tightened in her chest. “Everything’s fine. It will_ be fine.”

The two looked up at the swaying leaves above them. Cold wind blew across them, carrying the sweet scent of the Elysian wood and rivers.

Ameera let out a deep sigh as she leaned back against a tree.