Gnawing on slices of cheese, leftovers from work, Acacia wound through the crowded streets of the city. The taste slightly overpowered the smell of body odor, but was complimented by the spice merchant stands. The white walls of buildings reflected the brightness of the sun, causing most to wear their thin hoods to protect their eyes. The people's clothes also contrasted the bleached appearance of the walls with their vibrant patterns. Acacia herself wore her hood scarf up, though it was more to hide than to protect from the sun.

She felt at her wrists, noting their uncomfortable smoothness. She felt exposed- naked without her scars, though they had mostly remained hidden for the years she'd had them. The thought of replicating them would cross her mind from time to time. I can't do that myself. I won't. Those two wouldn't want that. It's also a wonder I didn't bleed out and die from the chains. Remembering little Reia's face when Acacia had purposefully crushed a lizard underfoot, and how much the boy Ytamar would try and cheer Reia up after she got upset made her smile.

They always were more gentle than I. They were so frail, and had such sympathy for weak things like that, she reminisced. I would have done anything to keep their perspective alive, but I couldn't save them...

It had been several days since Gelland had marred her scars. Yesterday would have been the seventh day of training. Just the thought of her brought Acacia mixed feelings. On one hand, she had just assumed that Acacia would be happy for the scars to be gone. On the other hand, Gelland wanted Acacia to be happy, and tried to gift her with multiple things at once. That was more than anyone else had done for her. And yet, why do I feel so much hatred for her right now?

She continued to weave herself through the crowd, footwork more nimble from training. She was taller than the average woman, and could see over most of the population here. She was heading back to her apartment after work, but planned on stopping to get some fruit on her way. She kept to the advice Gelland had given her about her diet. Passing under a bridge, the way bottle necked. A man sat against the pillar for the bridge, asking for alms. He held out his skinny hand, brushing it against the legs of those who passed by. Acacia nearly rushed up to slap his hand away, thinking that he was reaching for their heap purses. But as she drew closer, she noted that the man had no eyes. They were just gaunt open cavities that Acacia could see into.

She started, never having seen something so gruesome before. "Please! Anything you have!" the poor man rasped. He caught the hem of Acacia's long skirt. "Where are you? Who is he?" he breathed, seeming to look directly up at her. I can't give him what I have, I need to get food for myself, she thought, pulling her skirt away. The man fell silent, sitting back as she passed.

Pulled back into the flow of those walking, she frowned at what was in her hand. Multiple slices of cheese that she had gotten for free. I keep saying I want to make Reia and Ytamar proud, and I refuse to give a man some cheese? She turned into an alleyway, desiring to turn back to get to the blind man. She stopped after turning around. Gelland stood, mid crowd, not far off between Acacia and the blind man. She was just close enough for Acacia to see her face and hair before she put her plain gray hood up. She was sniffling, wiping tears from her eyes. Acacia nearly called for her, but stopped herself, her resentment brought back up at the sight of her.

Gelland did not notice her. Instead she walked over to the blind man and sat, putting her hand out, taking his. They started speaking, Acacia unable to read his lips. Then Gelland put a letter into his hand, and the man nodded his head vigorously. A letter? Are you stupid? The man has no eyes!

Gelland stood, backing up and disappearing into the wave of people going the opposite direction from her. The blind man started to shudder and convulse, gripping at his face. He moaned as those crossing under the bridge stopped to watch him, some scurrying away. Acacia, though tall, had to climb up onto a small ledge to see what transpired. He continued to writhe, but soon his moaning ceased, turning to laughter. He stood up on his feet, uncovering eyes that glowed a pinkish color. The people murmured and exclaimed, and Acacia felt soft goo between her fingers, realizing she was crushing the cheese.

The seeing man started leaping for joy as Acacia stepped down from her ledge. She heard him calling out over the sound of the crowd, and all she could pick out clearly were several shouts of "The Master." She, trembling, steadied herself, placing a hand against the wall. I could give him food, but she could give him eyes? No. I wouldn't have done either. I wouldn't have even thought of doing that if I had that power!

She put her face in her hands. Picturing her brother and sister again, she growled deeply at herself. If they thought I was embarrassed about something, they wouldn't have hesitated to try to fix it. Like her. And although Gelland could have asked me if she could heal me, can I really be mad at someone who frees slaves and opens the eyes of the blind? I can't compare in power. Yet. But I can't lose her or what she can offer me!

...

Hours later, Gelland opened the door to walk out of the tailor's shop, finding Acacia leaning against a wall. Gelland jumped back.

"It's just me!" said Acacia, "I wanted to see you." The girl relaxed slightly, looking around. The strong person she used to refer to as "woman" in her head now stood sheepishly against the wall, not meeting her eyes. She seemed afraid, like one who distanced themselves from a snake.

"So I... How are you?"

"Fine," Gelland said.

"Would you like some fruit?"

"No, thank you..." she said, sounding more cordial than Acacia wanted to hear from her friend.

I'm really bad at this. Acacia thought. Acacia pulled back her sleeves, exposing her smooth arms, and rushed Gelland. She threw her arms around the surprised girl, which was more of a tackle than a hug. At first the girl was stiff, not knowing what was going on. Acacia put her forehead on her shoulder. "I'm sorry I yelled at you like that. You were trying to help me. It was just really unfortunate what happened, Gel. Please don't ever change."

"But I was wrong. I should have asked- I'm so sorry!"

Acacia pulled back and met her eyes. "No, I just told you that I was wrong. Don't apologize."

"I needed to learn that, though. I really didn't give your desires much merit, and I learned to ask if people want something before giving it to them."

"I see that didn't stop you from giving that man eyes?"

"You saw that? I was trying to be discreet!"

"Well, I saw you before you tried to hide yourself. Which I think is dumb. If you have that kind of power, you ought to show yourself."

"I guess that's better, then. And no, I won't show myself off. But I did ask the man if he wanted to be healed. I had seen him before, and came back with a letter." They both started walking to the gate. "And do you know what the weirdest part about that was? He was expecting me!" Gelland said, excitedly.

"How?"

"He informed me that one man with two strange voices came up to him and told him that someone would come tell him about The One Who Sees, and that they would help give him his sight. I could only gather that he must've been talking about The Master, which I had put more detail about in the letter. I then asked if he believed it could be done for him, and he delightedly nodded."

"So are we dealing with a stalker? That can't be a coincidence."

"Nothing ever is, Cay." Gelland winked, using what was apparently a new nickname. "I don't think so. If he was that in tune with what The Master was up to, then it's someone we want to find."

"I have a question about your master, Gel. Are you using a different term for the god all the hoffers talk about? The one called Zil?"

"No I think they're completely different. The hoffers 'worship' Zil, but they do it like they can offer their god something. They try to give them their power. This Master, The One Who Sees, whatever their real name is, apparently doesn't need anything from me. They've never expressed any necessity that I give them something, like They are completely sufficient by Themselves. The Master gives to me because I'm the one who needs help, not the other way around."

"Makes sense, I suppose."

Gelland sat back. "So now I'm gonna shut my mouth. You tell me what happened with your brother and sister."

"Please, don't take that to heart. I like hearing what you have to say," Acacia paused, realizing that she'd never recounted the story to anyone before. "So I told you that I was adopted by a family in Leevio named the Tahud's, right? They also adopted these two others named Ytamar and his sister Reia. It seems like our Mom and Dad pitied kids with the world out to get them, picking me with my deformity and those two. They were so sweet, but were born very frail. So when they both became sick one winter five years ago when I was four and ten, they were both expected to die quickly. The government had granted special funding for families who adopted, but had pulled back their support before winter came. They were as close to family as I was ever going to have, and I couldn't just sit there, helpless with the Tahud's.

"I snuck out and tried stealing medicine from a facility run by the government in the city. I didn't even know what to look for. Of course, I was caught. They turned me over to guards who threw me into a jail cell! I was clapped in irons that I couldn't break out of. I couldn't use my Densing at all in them. I wrenched against them instead, my wrists and hands blood drenched, as I passed out again and again. Finally two days later, I was released. But, it was too late." She sniffled. "Their big sister was too late. The two were already dead."

Acacia took a moment, clenching her fists. "You want to know the most infuriating part? The captain of the guard there berated me. She said, 'You're lucky I don't execute you right here. To make you an example that our rule is absolute. You will not defy us again.' To kill someone for wanting to help save two lives is more important? I spat at that woman. It turns out, she was the Takutahn's cousin. Their rule is not to be trusted, nor any who do not take care of their people!"

Gelland sighed shakily, "So it was like your arms were a testament to your brother and sister?"

"Yes, as well as my resolve to bring this country to its knees. But like I said, don't feel sorry about what happened. You did what you felt you had to."

"Well, I won't forget them. You'll have your chance to bring justice if we work together on this."

"What do you mean?"

"I've gathered some information. I've asked around, and some people on the streets have seen wagons of girls come into the city. I paid the beggars to follow the next time they saw one, and a few days ago one reported to me that the previous night they caught a wagon of poorly dressed girls being shuffled into a building owned by one of the Masters of Court."

Acacia cursed. "Of course. Makkus couldn't be the only one at court who was involved in this. Seems his 'chum' was someone he worked with after all."

"Right. So in a few days time, you will help me carve out a hole with your Densing that puts me right into the bottom level of the building. I know it's illegal, but I can teach you how to cover it up so that it's unrecognizable. I'd also hate to put it off much longer, but I need to teach you more in case something happens to me. Their escape plan also can't be rushed. We got away with it the first time because they were unprepared. They've had more time to consider their positions. So we'll be even more prepared. Little Sis, it's time to teach you Tethering!"