Stormbreak Harbor seemed less like a port upon their return, and more like a fortress against the horrors they left behind. The sound of chattering crowds, of vendors negotiating the prices of wares, and sailors shouting at each other along the docks all mingled into general chaos that was somehow soothing to Samuel’s ears. After leaving the Wild Mage’s colony, the silence of the forest path, accompanied only by their thoughts, had been a strangely harrowing experience. It was refreshing to mingle with normal people again, to feel small and insignificant among the masses.

Samuel clutched a new thick tome in his hand as they walked between two of the elven guards that watched over the harbor’s inland entrance. It was another gift from the Wild Mages, in return for his help in taking care of the chaotic mana. He and Tobi had not told them about the boy, choosing to let the mages believe he had perished in that first appearance of the beast, along with so many others.

The book had proven to be quite an extraordinary gift. When he opened it at first, it’d had the appearance of a plain blank book. But as he flipped through the pages, the enchantment had come to life, and more pages seemed to appear as he continued on. After ten minutes of constant page flipping, he realized that it was infinite. Further experimentation showed that he could also open to any page he wanted so that he could always find the note he was searching for.

He’d already covered several dozen pages in his scrawling notes, recording his experiences in Zaban, along with his new ideas on the true nature of magic. One of the more literary-inclined Wild Mages had also taught him a spell to copy text from his old notebooks into the new one so that all of Samuel’s recorded stories, notes, and knowledge were now in a single place. The face of the journal bore the unlidded eye of Arcana, with the name Maelstrom along the top and spine in golden lettering.

They decided to stop in at the first tavern they came across, which thankfully was not the one they’d visited previously. Being further inland, it was of much nicer quality. Naturally, it was also much more expensive, nearly three gold coins for the two rooms, but Samuel paid it without complaint. He still had a great majority of his first pay as an Archmage left, and he considered the expense worth it simply for the comfortable bed and good food they were assigned.

“You travelers came in from the lakes, right?” The innkeeper, a short balding man asked. “Did you hear about what happened in the Wild Mage’s colony?”

Feigning ignorance, Samuel raised his eyebrows in an unspoken question. Innkeepers and tavern owners the world around were masters of collecting and sharing rumors. This man was no exception, and he quickly launched into a fantastical, if inaccurate, tale of the downfall of the chaotic mana and the appearance on the continent of the God of Nature.

“I’m surprised you two didn’t know that already,” the innkeeper said, his eyes wide. “It’s all anyone can talk about these past few days.”

“We didn’t see anyone on our way back here,” Samuel said, which was perfectly true. The druids of Zaban had left their covens and colonies to spread Grimr’s proof throughout the country, and so the entire nation had seemed deserted to them as they traveled south.

The innkeeper stared at them incredulously for a few moments, then jumped into action as a customer down the bar called for a refill on his drinking mug. He waddled away at top speed to pour more ale, then was kept busy with orders for food and drink for a good while. Samuel and Tobi ate their dinner in silence, ignoring the other patrons. They wasted no time in devouring their food and quickly departed upstairs to find their rooms.

The beds were indeed comfortable, especially after their night spent sleeping in bedrolls on the hard ground. Samuel took a long bath in the attached washhouse behind the tavern before turning in for the night. The water was fed by a natural hot spring, and was nearly scalding, but it had the extremely satisfying effect of erasing his aches and pains. He indulged himself in an hour of blissful relaxation before re-donning his robe and making his way back up to the room. He fell asleep the instant his head touched the pillows.

To his surprise, he did not dream of Isip that night. He did not dream at all but wandered idly through his own memories as his body recovered from the effects of his time in Zaban. His Ancient body had been pushed to the limit multiple times, and desperately needed this peaceful night to fully mend. He slept deeply, not waking until after the breakfast trade had already finished in the tavern below.

Tobi was waiting for him in the bar downstairs, sitting at a corner table and quietly eating a plate of eggs and bacon. He glanced up and nodded in welcome as Samuel reached the bottom of the stairs, pushing his long hair out of his eyes. There was a different person behind the bar this morning, a slender elven woman with fair hair, green eyes, and a bubbly, cheerful attitude. She brought Samuel his own plate of food within seconds of him sitting down.

“Good morning, sir,” she said brightly. “Would you like some ale with your breakfast, or perhaps some water?”

“Coffee,” Samuel managed to mutter, then stifled a huge yawn. “Thank you.”

She walked back to the kitchen, returning quickly with a steaming mug of coffee. Then she left Samuel and Tobi to their own devices, moving to serve some customers at the bar who were talking quietly amongst themselves. They cast occasional glances their way, marking them as obvious foreigners, but made no remarks or attempts to disturb them.

Samuel could tell that both he and Tobi were constantly remembering that image of the dying boy in their minds, though neither spoke of it. What had originally been a journey for learning and discovery had turned into a horrendous struggle and a new dark stain on the history of their lives. To their occasional watchers, however, they seemed perfectly at ease, making inconsequential conversation over their meal.

They took their time finishing the meal, and sat back in their chairs for a considerable time after, nursing more cups of coffee and staring blankly into the air. They were finally roused out of their gloomy thoughts by the reappearance of the elven woman, who collected their plates and mugs. She wished them a great day in a cheery voice, then glided back to the kitchen. Both heaving a heavy sigh, they got up from their table, and headed out the door onto the busy streets.

The noise level had died down significantly in the inland section of the harbor, but as they drew closer to the docks, they could see hundreds of people milling about, going through the usual daily practices that were necessary for the continued operation of the port. Fishing boats were just coming in after a night on the waters, hauling vast nets ashore filled with their catch. The seafood was cleaned and prepared right there on the docks, before being wrapped and sent further inland to the pubs, inns, and restaurants that would use them.

Then there were those ships either departing or entering the harbor, of course. Shouted conversations in all manner of tongues rang out around them, but they ignored them for the most part. They saw a few ships that seemed to have come from Gorteau, though the cargo ship they’d ridden was not among them. Samuel assumed it had departed almost immediately after unloading its cargo, eager to return home before another storm could get in their way.

He was torn free from his thoughts by the appearance of a strange silvery light. It bloomed into existence directly in front of Tobi, who came to an abrupt halt. The apprentice held out one hand, just in time to catch something that fell out of thin air. Upon closer inspection, Samuel recognized it to be one of the message scrolls that the College used for long-distance communication.

Frowning in confusion, Tobi undid the ribbon tying the scroll shut, and unfurled it, reading what was inscribed there quickly. Samuel first glanced at the paper, which appeared blank to his eyes, then to Tobi’s face. Shocked, he realized that Tobi’s face was becoming more and more alarmed, the further down the letter he read.

“What’s going on?” Samuel asked, an unpleasant twisting sensation in his stomach. Surely there wasn’t yet another tragedy that they had to deal with right away. “What’s wrong?”

Tobi looked up slowly from the scroll. “It’s my father.”

“And?” Samuel prompted when Tobi did not immediately explain further. “What did he say?”

“The commoners to the west of Milagre, in the Rainhall’s land have revolted against them. The Rainhalls have fled to the Capitol.”

“Don’t tell me,” Samuel said, his stomach sinking. “Not the Capitol.”

Tobi nodded. “My father has ordered me to return as quickly as I can. Milagre is under siege.”