Warm sunshine bathed Amber as she walked to town.  It soaked through her quarter length sleeves and seeped into the fabric of her light blue dress, chasing away the lingering chill of the morning.  Slightly overgrown dirt crunched under her booted feet with each step and she couldn’t help the smile on her face.  Breakfast had gone completely normal, as usual, but when she was cleaning up, just before the boys were set to go upstairs with her father, she’d sort of, accidentally held hands with Changsun.  It was just a brief moment when they were handing off the dishes but she could still feel his warm palm resting on the back of her hand and her cheeks flushed again at the memory.

                She still wasn’t sure if it had been intentional but the coy smile at the corner of his mouth made her think it had been and she grinned hard, a bounce in her step.  Amber didn’t think Seungho had seen, which she was kind of glad about, but she did have to wonder what his hand would have felt like too.  Maybe a little rougher since he still had calluses that Changsun didn’t…  A cloud passing in front of the sun jerked her from her silly musings and she shook her head.  “Oh stop that,” she laughed, smoothing a hand over her braided hair reflexively.  “They’re just friends,” she reminded herself again, rolling her eyes when it was becoming increasingly apparent that wasn’t the only thing they were to her anymore.

                Fortunately, she had an errand run to make and it would give her plenty of time to clear her head before she got back.  She was very much looking forward to seeing Auntie Park, if nothing else, and Hyukjae and Youngwoon were always pleasant to visit with too.  If she was lucky, she might actually run into Jonghyun.  The thought of seeing the somewhat short, but sharp featured and very attractive young man made her sigh with another smile, before she shook herself again.

                “What is wrong with you, Amber?” she chided herself with an annoyed frown.  “They’re casting today and all you can think about are… boys.”  The realization left her feeling unsure and she tapped her bottom lip with her finger.  It was a topic she wished she could talk to her mother about, since her father didn’t even know where to begin and she was far too embarrassed to ask him.  At least he hadn’t brought up the idea of marriage though…  She knew the Choi sisters were already in the midst of marriage discussions because of their father, though no suitor had been decided on yet, and she couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for them.

                Even more frustrated by her turn of thoughts, Amber exhaled roughly and quickened her pace with a small frown.  The sooner she got to town, the sooner something other than the gently rolling hills and occasional shrub or tree would distract her.  At least she could see the village as she approached and her face softened to notice various figures already moving about in the morning.  There was Heechul and his son Kibum, the latter carrying an armload of fabric, moving from their home to the tailor shop.  Those Kims were notoriously good with fashion, including Jessica, Kibum’s mother, and Amber liked them well enough, but they never liked what she was wearing so she tended to try and stay out of their sight.

                Her heart nearly skipped a beat when she also noticed her undeniable crush heading out towards the fields with his father leading the way.  Donghae was one of the sweetest men she knew, and it was also easy to see where his son got his looks from.  Then again, Taeyeon was really beautiful too.  “Morning Amber!” Donghae’s voice startled her and she jumped with her eyes going wide.

                “Morning, Mr. Kim!” she beamed back, waving with a little too much energy in her nervous haze.  It was made worse by Jonghyun smiling at her with that slightly lopsided and entirely too amused expression right beside his father.  Even their hair was similar: black, medium length, and incredibly shiny.  It was probably super soft too.

                “You making an errand run again?” he asked politely, slowing down so he didn’t get too far away while she kept walking.

                “Of course,” Amber agreed with a nod, clutching her basket in both hands while she made sure she did not look at Jonghyun.  “Someone has to,” she added with a little laugh.

                Donghae nodded with a glance at his son.  “Aye.  This one’s still learning that,” he winked at Amber, after which Jonghyun did his best not to look guilty as he tried to defend himself.

                “I’m helping you aren’t I?”  His voice wasn’t very convincing though and Donghae simply favored him with a bemused smile before ruffling his hair with a quick swipe of his hand.

                “Father!” Jonghyun bemoaned, trying to sort it out quickly to Amber’s amusement.  She could certainly relate.

                “Don’t let your father work you too hard,” Donghae waved at her in parting before he ushered his son in front of him so they could continue heading to the fields nearby.

                “I won’t!” she grinned back, letting her eyes linger on Jonghyun as he walked away before he glanced over his shoulder.  He caught her looking and flashed a quick smile before she dropped her gaze and made a bee-line for the village center, fighting the embarrassed flush invading her cheeks.

                Stopping by the baker’s, Amber had the delightful pleasure of seeing Hyoyeon working behind the counter.  The short, energetic woman was always smiling and she was a perfect match to Hyukjae, in Amber’s opinion.  It was a wonder they didn’t have children yet, but she was certain their child would be blonde too, when it came to that.  And happy.  And a baker.  Of course that last was true.  Children always took after their parents, but that also made her wonder what she would do.  She couldn’t cast magic after all.

                But, that was a concern for another day and she continued on her run regardless.  Crossing the village square let her see the Choi sisters again – did they never spend time away from each other? – under the watchful eye of their mother.  Yoona, a village beauty if there was one, had come from another village to marry Siwon when she was just about Amber’s age.  The thought made her cringe.  And apparently, the sisters didn’t seem too thrilled about being with her just then either.  They cast a suffering glance in Amber’s direction before they were ushered off to do who knew what.  Amber certainly didn’t.

                “Yep.  I do feel sorry for them,” she murmured to herself as she made her way towards Auntie Park’s shop.  The meat would be the last thing she picked up for the day so she always saved it for last.

                Auntie Park stepped out from the back of her shop as soon as Amber entered the door, her dark eyes squinting against the incoming light to see who was visiting.  “Amber!” she beamed, bustling around to the front to stop in front of the shorter woman with a warm expression and smudged face; a swipe of green stained her cheek and Amber could only assume she’d been working with plants again.

                “Morning, Auntie Park,” she greeted in return, bouncing on her toes as she furtively looked over the shop to start cataloguing what she’d need.

                “How are you, dear?” the older woman inquired while she leaned close, mindful of not touching Amber’s clothes so as not to ruin them.

                “I’m fine,” Amber laughed lightly in response, familiar with the routine by now.  Auntie Park regularly worried about her being the only girl in a household of men.  And she never tried to hide it either.

                A speculative gleam winked in her eyes and Auntie Park hummed to herself with a sly smile.  “You look a little more than fine today.”  Her delighted laugh echoed in the shop and Amber simply shook her head.

                “I’m just fine,” she promised again, smiling despite herself.  Her cheeks betrayed her though, when she couldn’t help but remember her exchange earlier.

                “Oh!” the older woman laughed with an excited clap.  “Do tell,” she encouraged, half pleading as she took Amber by the hand and pulled her to the back of the shop for more privacy.

                “Auntie…” Amber sighed, allowing herself to be dragged with little resistance.  “It’s nothing.  Really,” she tried to explain before a raised brow made her stop.  Another gusty exhale followed when they stopped and she laughed at herself.  “Fine,” she relented at last.

                Despite feeling like a fool, Amber explained her dilemma and Auntie Park listened very attentively.  Her eyes were large in her face, barely blinking, and she had her chin resting on her fists, completely focused on the story.  When Amber was done, fidgeting in place and looking all around, Auntie Park hummed to herself and stood upright, obviously thinking.

                “So what are you going to do now, then?” she asked, wiping her hands on her apron so she could take Amber’s arm and begin guiding her around the shop.

                “I have no idea,” Amber admitted with a frown, glad to be moving.  She reached out to pluck a bundle of dried herbs from a shelf and put them in the basket almost without conscious thought; she bought prepared sage a lot.

                “Oh, this is exciting, my dear,” Auntie Park grinned, hugging her arm tighter before she glanced at the list in the basket and plucked a vial from the shelves on the other side.  “Here you go.”

                “Thanks.  But this is frustrating!” she vented instead, turning around the shelf to go along the windowless wall.  “What…  Ugh!”

                “You’re still young,” Auntie Park soothed, tracing loose strands of hair behind Amber’s ear.  “And there’s time yet,” she added with a comforting pat on the younger woman’s shoulder.

                “But what if I run out of time?” she paused, looking at Auntie Park with wide eyes.  “What if something happens soon and I have to make a choice?” she rambled with a hint of panic.  “What if one of them says something?!”

                Her reaction made the older woman laugh again.  “Then you’ll just have to say something back,” she encouraged, cupping Amber’s cheek with a warm hand.  “It’s obvious you care for them both.  And that troublemaker of Donghae’s,” she added with a mischievous gleam in her gaze.

                “You’re terrible,” Amber blushed, ducking her head, though she didn’t deny it.  She’d come to the conclusion already that she did care, but how much was the question.

                “I know,” Auntie Park giggled.  Her eyes lit up and formed an ‘o’ while she reached over Amber’s shoulder to pick up something hanging on the wall.  “Dried saffron,” she explained, dropping the red plant in the basket with a nod.

                “Auntie…” Amber whined like a child, fully giving in to her discomfit with the whole thing.

                “Just take it one day at a time,” Auntie Park suggested, running a caring hand over Amber’s dark brown hair.  “Things will work out.  They always do,” she promised tenderly, grabbing Amber’s free hand in hers.

                “I guess,” Amber sighed once more, scrunching her face up with the lack of an actual decision.  Not that she’d expected one, but it was still frustrating.

                “Good.  Now what else do you need?” the older woman inquired, peering into the basket for herself, signaling it was a good time to change subjects.

                While Amber wasn’t so sure herself, she did need to finish shopping, and her talk had done at least a little bit to help settle her mind.  She was still conflicted and had no idea what she would do, but the other woman was right: she had time.  And she could deal with whatever happened when it came.  In the future.  Not now.

                “Thanks for listening, Auntie,” Amber nodded her head on the customer side of the counter.

                “Of course.  It’s what I do,” Auntie Park beamed, moving around to grab Amber’s shoulders in her hands.  “You just take care of yourself,” she pointed a stained finger in her face.  “And let me know if you need any help.  I’ll straighten them out if I have to,” she winked mischievously before pulling the other woman into a quick hug.

                “I will,” Amber laughed, hugging Auntie Park back with one arm, reluctant to let go.

                But the shopkeeper pulled away and gave her a gentle push towards the door.  “Go on now.  Make sure you see Youngwoon before you head back.  Can’t forget the meat for those bottomless pits you call Journeymen,” she teased with a friendly wave.

                “Bye Auntie,” Amber finally managed to wave as she stepped out the door, feeling relieved and still conflicted at the same time.  It was strange, but she did have one more errand to run.  And it would be good to get back so she could check on their progress.  They hadn’t said how long it would take but she hoped not too much time.

                Heading to Youngwoon’s was easy enough.  The butcher was more than happy to give her the cuts she requested, and just a little extra for her too.  ‘I know they probably eat it all before you get much so this is fer you,’ he winked, pressing a carefully wrapped bit into the basket.

                Amber was warmed by the gesture and she half-curtsied, half-bowed gratefully, earning a chuckle from Youngwoon in the process.  She kept getting those gestures confused because of her sparring sessions with the boys…

                Basket and goods in hand, Amber finally made her way out of the village.  She saw Mayor Siwon wandering around, peering into shops here and there, but he didn’t bother her as she went on her way.  And frankly, she was just as glad she didn’t run into his daughters either; they always made her feel so out of place.

                The sun overheard warmed her quickly and her arms got tired with the filled basket.  It was a relief when she got back to the main house so she could start putting things away.  She didn’t see any sign of the guys but that wasn’t unusual so she thought nothing of it.  Hungry after her village run, Amber made a small snack out of a bit of bread, a piece of hard cheese, and the cured treat Youngwoon had given her.  Then the normal lunch hour came and went and still there was no sign of them.

                “Hmm,” Amber sighed, crossing her arms over her chest as she stepped out to peer at the tower attached to the house.  “Should I go check?” she mused in the midday sunlight, fingers gripping the necklace her father had given her.  She gasped and dropped it when it was surprisingly warm against her skin.  “What the…?”  That was strange.  Frowning at the jewelry, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end and a nameless feeling of concern settled in her gut.

                Without another word, she bolted for the tower door and yanked it open.  She was nearly bowled over by a sense of wrongness and Amber stumbled back, short of breath.  “Father!” she gasped, throwing herself forward, clawing through the doorway so she could start pelting up the stairs.  Fingers twisted into the fabric of her dress to keep it from tripping her up while she ran.  Her legs burned at each new flight she circled, past her room, and the boys’, and her father’s, and beyond the library where the ading sense of chaos continued to grow thicker and thicker.

                The top of the tower was the casting room and Amber grabbed onto the closed door handle with both hands, praying it wasn’t locked.  Yanking with all her strength, she nearly fell back when the barrier swung open, washing her with chaotic energy and insanity.  Poised in the doorway with a look of utter shock, she saw tangible power arching through the room.  Bolts of white lightning trailed across the walls and clawed at the ceiling, but the limbs were stunted.  Contained.  Sort of.

                And then she saw her father.  His face paled even further when he saw her in the doorway and he cried out a warning.  “Amber!”

                Heat bloomed across her chest where the necklace lay and Amber gasped when the white lightning reached towards her like a sentient snake seeking prey.  “No!” a new voice growled and the energy stopped in midair, poised to strike but frozen.

                “Run!” someone else yelled, and her muddled mind finally made sense of the sounds: Changsun and Seungho.  Her frantic eyes darted around until she finally saw them too, standing at triangular points across from her father, their hands raised in her direction.

                “Contain it!” Jongwoon commanded harshly, hands moving through the air in a rapid series of motions while his lips spoke powerful words under his breath.

                Torn between running away or trying to do something, the choice was taken from Amber when a sudden vacuum was created, yanking at them all.  Protected by the warding circle scribed in the floor, the power was mitigated around the casters, but it grabbed Amber and dragged her inside.  She crashed into a table and sent reagents flying everywhere, the mixture of which was into the maelstrom of power, altering it immediately.

                Changsun broke his position to catch her as she flew, steadying Amber against his chest with his back to the storm so that she could not see.  Wind tore at his robes and clawed at Amber around Changsun’s body, but they did not move.  “Father!” she screamed, clinging to Changsun with her eyes tightly shut.

                A voice rattled off some sort of spell and the pressure shifted abruptly.  “Go!”

                Amber opened her eyes when Changsun moved and she noticed a shimmery, wavering portal hovering in the room.  They were moving towards it but her father was not, his limbs and mouth still moving fervently.  Power hummed and she saw Seungho running their direction.  “Seungho!” she cried out, reaching her hand towards him while Changsun pulled at her other one.

                “Amber!” he yelled, clasping her wrist tightly in his grip.  But then they stopped and she became the taught tie between them.

                “Come on!” Changsun urged, halfway in the portal already, his form blurring from the twisting magic pulling at him.

                “Wait!” she howled, looking back at Seungho and then her father beyond him.  His focus was unbreakable but there was something about his eyes that told her he saw something she didn’t.  And that scared her.  “Father!” she screamed plaintively, feeling her chest grow tight as she felt the hand around her wrist loosen slightly.  “What are you doing?!” Amber sobbed when she looked at Seungho who appeared torn.

                “Seungho!  Move it!” Changsun yelled from the portal, his voice distorting as he was pulled further inside, dragging Amber with him.

                Her hair flew over her shoulder and the blue ribbon securing her braid began to unwind as she stared at the other man.  His eyes flashed once, dark and unreadable as he glanced over her shoulder, before he met her gaze.  “No!  Don’t let go!” Amber begged futilely.

                But Seungho’s hand slipped free from her grasp, along with her ribbon, and she saw his lips move in a familiar, three word pattern before she was hauled into the portal.  Power surrounded her, pulling at her from every direction and filling her sight with lights and heat and too much motion until she was nothing and everything at the same time.  And the only thing reminding her of anything was Changsun’s hand in hers, holding tight.  A stop like a sudden drop spit them both out and Amber was still screaming when she hit the ground.

                Reality took too long to catch up and she was on her feet before she knew where she was, trying to run without a destination or reason.  “No, no, no!” she railed, pulling hard against whatever was holding her still.

                “Amber, stop!” someone shouted at her, yanking her back against her will and trapping her against their body.

                “Let me go!” she howled plaintively, pressing against his – Changsun’s, that was right – chest.

                “Calm down first,” he urged, his voice considerably calmer than hers though she could hear his breath coming fast in his lungs.

                “No!  Why did you leave them?!  We have to go back!  We have to help them!” she retorted too quickly, finally craning her head to look around for the tower that had to be nearby.  “We have to- where are we?!” she panicked again when she didn’t see her home at all.

                “Amber!” Changsun tried again, loosing one arm to grab her face with his hand, making her meet his eyes for the briefest of moments.  “Breathe,” he begged, staring into her face long and hard.

                Shocked and confused, Amber finally listened, searching his eyes while her lips trembled and she tried to make sense of what just happened.  Her hair tickled her neck and draped around her shoulders and she simply couldn’t think straight.  “What… where… what’s going on?” she trembled, grabbing to his arms hard with both her hands, fingers latching into fabric.

                Changsun swallowed to try and catch his breath, buying time so he could gather his thoughts.  “We went through a portal.  We’re,” he looked around quickly, brow furrowed as he tried to recognize the place, “near my home.”

                “What?!” she visibly flinched, stiffening in his arms.  “I need to go to my home!  We need to go there now!”

                “I know!” Changsun interrupted her before she could get carried away again.  “I know.”

                “So make another portal,” Amber demanded, fixing him with her glare.  “Get us back.”

                “I can’t,” he explained quickly, his expression apologetic.

                “Yes you can-”

                “I don’t have the power or the concentration right now!” he overran her words with a frustrated look on his face.  “Just, give me a moment,” he asked, finally stepping away now that she didn’t seem in imminent danger of running off randomly.

                Filled with fear and useless energy and worry and all the things that were running through her head, Amber paced back and forth in small circles.  She was confused and lost and having to wait on Changsun wasn’t helping her any.  “What happened?” she finally asked instead, biting her lip and pulling at her hair.

                “The spell went wrong,” the caster responded absently, as if he wasn’t really paying attention.

                “What spell?”

                “Does it matter?” he shot back, silencing her with an unusually biting response.

                Of course it mattered!  But then again, it didn’t because it wouldn’t solve anything right now.  Smarting from the reaction, Amber grabbed her arms instead and held tight.  Impatience got the better of her anyway.  “Well?” she demanded, looking at him expectantly.

                Changsun took a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers.  “The fastest way to get back without magic is for us to go to my estate and get a carriage or a couple horses.  That’s all I’ve got right now.”

                Amber listened with a sick feeling in her gut and nodded, still chewing her lip.  “How long will that take?”

                He winced and cringed as he answered, “Two to three days?”

                Amber didn’t say anything but her face hardened, then fell, and then she took a deep breath and nodded again.  Swallowing the lump in , she forced a breath she didn’t want and focused on Changsun again.  “Where is your home?”  If she couldn’t get to hers now, she would just have to take it one step at a time and try not to freak out in the meantime.  She didn’t know for sure they weren’t alright.  Just because they didn’t make it through didn’t mean something had happened to them.

                “Just a little distance this way,” Changsun pointed in a direction that seemed random to her.  Amber couldn’t tell north from south without any of the familiar markers around and the sun was too close to noon to be helpful.  The trees here were not hers, and the path leading one direction to another was foreign.

                “Alright.  Let’s hurry,” she urged, taking his hand so they could walk together.  She needed the comfort and reassurance his presence provided.  Without it, she feared she would fall apart from all the unknowns and she couldn’t afford that right now.

                “Okay,” Changsun nodded, patting her hand as he pulled her along.

                Amber clenched her jaw tight and grabbed the necklace with her free hand.  “Please be alright,” she whispered a silent prayer before falling silent once more.