The promise of a storm filled the sky, thick clouds the colour of lead threatening a heavy downpour. It had only been a few days, but there hadn’t been any emergencies, so Stathis was training Janaxia and Tunera, and having to put rather more effort into Janaxia than Tunera, even with Brand helping. She bashed at Janaxia with her shield, knocking her backwards before tapping her on the shoulder with a practice sword, hard enough to be sure the impact would be felt.

‘Pay attention! You don’t want to get knocked off balance. But you’re getting better.’ She reached out a hand, pulling Janaxia back to her feet. ‘Now, why don’t you two fight? No blasting her with magic, Janaxia. Tunera, don’t stab her too badly.’

Janaxia was moving stiffly, awkward in the chainmail she was wearing, and the required padding beneath it. There had been a lot of grumbling and complaining, especially when Janaxia had noticed that chainmail wasn’t any respecter of her figure, no matter how tightly she belted it at the waist. She had eventually been coerced into it only after several harsh blows, bruising her even through her magical protection.

They started, Tunera seizing the advantage as rain started to fall. To her credit, Janaxia didn’t complain and call the thing off, instead managing to block several thrusts, managing a credible parry, using Tunera’s momentum against her. She wasn’t fast enough to capitalise on the opening though, Tunera retreating back to more favourable range, jabbing and thrusting with her spear.

She set her feet and stabbed forward, Janaxia unable to block in time, the tip getting through her guard, scoring against her armour. She grimaced, hair starting to glow, dark energy flaring around her hand until Stathis smacked her across the backside with her own sheathed sword, making Janaxia’s chainmail rattle. ‘No magic!’ The power faded, rain now slicking her hair down. ‘Good work, Tunera. You’re getting better with that spear. You’re still going to struggle against heavy armour, but you can work on that, or find allies. Janaxia, we need to work on blocking more, and keeping your footing stable when you move. But you’re improving.’

Brand nodded. ‘You make a credible effort, Lady Janaxia, but you need to commit to your swings. Without magic in your blade, then you need to strike as though trying to push through the target, rather than simply make contact. Think of it like the Sarconelle dance, except rather more forceful. And everyone keeps their clothes on. Lady Tunera, you need to be a little less eager – you will be leading troops, so if you go down, then your followers will be defeated.’

Stathis moved underneath cover, glad to be out of the rain, Brand continuing his tuition. A crack of thunder split the air, echoing around the courtyard. Tunera stayed in the rain, practising her footwork, moving and jabbing with the spear, while Janaxia moved under cover as well, plucking at her armour, the close quarters meaning she was almost touching Stathis. ‘Am I now permitted to remove this? While the protection is appreciated, the weight and odour are decidedly not. Wet metal is not a pleasing odour!’

Stathis looked up at the sky, keeping an ear out in case a guard spotted anything and rang the alarm. ‘If you want. I do think you should protect yourself though.’

‘I appreciate your concern. Although that magical ring we acquired would aid with such, would it not?’

‘Hakara’s using that, she needs the protection more. She’s even worse in armour then you are and can’t fight at all close up. But you’re managing pretty well.’ As ever, Janaxia responded positively to praise, smiling happily.

‘Well, it is only to be expected, of course.’ She flicked her blade, making it whistle through the air, water flicking off it, now she had managed to get the basic stances and grips correct. ‘While it may not be my preferred methodology, I strive for perfection in all things. And the core concepts do not seem that complex.’

‘Don’t get carried away, you’re still pretty fragile.’ Stathis twisted her hips, knocking against Janaxia and shoving her out into the rain. ‘See? You’re better, but leave the heavy fighting to me, and try and knock back anyone that gets close.’

Janaxia scuttled back under cover. ‘Oh, I have no desire to repeat that affray with the unicorn. Getting wounded is decidedly unpleasant, I am quite happy leaving that to you. But having something to differentiate myself from Hakara seems advantageous.’

‘Sure, whatever you say. Just don’t get stabbed, OK?’ She moved aside, letting Janaxia take shelter again, as the door behind them opened, Hakara emerging with a nervous squeak. From the dust on her robes, she’d been exploring the tunnels and passages beneath the castle. She looked between Stathis and Janaxia uncertainly, until Janaxia moved out into the rain, probably seeking somewhere to get changed.

‘Find anything interesting down there?’

Hakara paused, waiting until Janaxia had vanished from sight to answer. ‘More passages filled with gems of arcane light, and blocked by heavy stone barriers. I think they form a pattern, but it is very hard to tell, as they twist and wind so much.’

‘Manage to get anything from Parth?’

‘She told me a few things. I think she knows more than she’s telling, but some evil is sealed here. From what I can tell, a thing of earth and mist. And darkness, of course.’

‘Is it alive? A threat?’

Hakara considered, and then launched into a lengthy explanation, Stathis failing to follow most of it, with far too many advanced arcane terms being used. Something about a broken nexus, shattered power, essences severed power, consciousness and soul apart from a body? ‘Could you simplify it? Is it going to try and kill us?’

‘I believe it is shattered, beyond recovery. So there is power, but unable to extend itself far. Not to say it is harmless, but unless the seals are broken it seems unlikely to present a focused threat. And the spear Miss Tunera carries exerts a protective aura, reducing the influence it can gather.’

‘And do the seals look likely to break, or need renewing or anything?’

‘I am unsure as to precisely what form the seals take, and Miss Parth was rather cryptic about the details. It seems unlikely to be an active threat, however. I am unsure as to the witch’s purpose though; I am unsure if the thing can be attacked or engaged with, I believe it to be simply a vestige of power, albeit a lot of power.’

‘Maybe she’s driving people off? This place is small and remote enough she could probably smash it anytime she wants, although she’s only one person, so limited in power, hopefully. Is Janaxia doing anything?’

‘Magical… things.’

‘That’s very vague, especially from you.’

Hakara looked around furtively, checking no-one else was listening. The only person nearby was Tunera, still practicing her thrusts, now drenched with rain. ‘Just a second, Hakara. Tunera! Take a break and dry off, you’ll be no good if you get a fever. Go practice with Brand inside.’

Tunera did several more stabs, not wanting to seem more obedient, before twirling the spear again, and slouching off inside. Stathis sighed, trying to dismiss the memories of her own youthful behaviour. She hadn’t been that bad, had she? ‘Anyway, what’s Janaxia been doing?’

Hakara shifted awkwardly. ‘Well, she was using her book – at first I thought that she was attempting to transcribe a new spell. She tried to cast something, and everything went strange, the words she spoke I couldn’t understand, and seemed, um, broken. Then she placed the scroll in the book, and it ate it. The parchment disintegrated into ash, as symbols appeared within the book. Her hair started to glow as well.’

‘Bright red, or a softer colour?’

Hakara considered. ‘It was quite a gentle tint, like watered wine.’

‘OK, so she was happy or glad. That’s better than the alternative. Anything else?’

‘I can’t help but notice that the gems and light beneath us appear to match her forelock. That seems… ill-omened.’

Stathis nodded. ‘Yeah, we saw a similar chamber before, that Janaxia could open. That had an undead dragon-ghost in, so this might be something similar? Although hopefully not as powerful. And not as awake, from what you’re saying? I’m trying to keep her busy with training, so she shouldn’t have too much time to cause any other problems. If she spends all her time learning to fight, she’s doing less weird eldritch stuff.’ She looked up, grimacing at the weather. ‘And that witch is probably causing this crappy weather, so she’s going to attack soon, I guess. Can you do anything useful against lightning bolts? We could always try throwing Semari up into the air, see if she attracts them.’

‘I can ward one person against such damage, if needed. Although even Semari might object to being hit by lightning, such bolts are powerful.’

‘She’ll be fine. Probably. But she can move fast enough she might be able to make useful attacks, if she can get the drop on someone, especially spellcasters. So was that all you were able to get from Parth? It’d be really nice if she was more communicative.’

‘She has her reasons, I think. She appears troubled of late – I assume she bears a heavy burden?’

‘Be nice of her to share it then! I’ve already arranged to get that sword for her. The rest of the elves buggered off already, didn’t they? That’s one less thing to worry about. Thanks for helping out, anyway.’

‘Oh, it really isn’t a problem, it’s quite fascinating, to be able to study such ancient magic. Although Miss Janaxia does worry me somewhat – I worry she may be in thrall to some ancient being. Have you heard of Kathra the Enchanter?’

‘Oh, the one that found some magical orb, then went all weird and strange, had to be destroyed?’

Hakara nodded, face serious. ‘Yes – it was the eye of some ancient being, that still possessed awareness, of a sort. They became obsessed with it and became possessed by some fragment of its spirit and will. In the end, they had to be destroyed, but their body had changed, eyes and other growths all over then face and chest.’

‘Did you see this yourself?’

‘They were in my halls at the Academy. I thought they were just shy and rarely left their rooms, but then they bought the body out, after high mages killed them and banished the spirit forever. It was… unpleasant. Although it did explain the smell, and where all the chickens had gone. Blood and feathers everywhere.’

‘Sounds nasty. But I can’t see Janaxia growing extra eyes anytime soon, it wouldn’t be fashionable enough for her. But no sign of anyone else going downstairs? The place is small enough that a cult would stand out, unless everyone was in on it, and I doubt they’d trust outsiders if that was the case.’

Hakara shook her head. ‘No. The tunnels appear dusty and unused, although some of the terminal chambers appear less worn. I cannot fathom their purpose, although some magic of confusion appears to be placed upon them.’

‘That’s probably why I keep getting lost.’

Hakara gave her a doubtful look. ‘The magic should be contained to the tunnels. The power of the entity, such as it is, dwells there. I would advise against allowing Miss Janaxia to wander downwards, in case she somehow aligns with the entity, or absorbs its power somehow.’

‘I’ll try and keep her distracted. Are you doing OK with spells and preparation?’

‘I believe so – I have prepared spells to dispel magic, as well as to shield people and a variety of offensive spells.’

‘Thanks. I’ve no idea what’s going to happen, but we’ll do what we can. Thanks for helping out.’

‘Of course. Thank you for the opportunity to study such things. And it gave me the chance to learn how to create a dimensional sanctum, which I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.’

‘That is pretty cool. I should go find Tunera and make sure she’s not beating up Janaxia or getting into trouble with Semari. Let me know if you need anything.’

Hakara paused, looking nervous. ‘Actually, there is something, Stathis. I was wondering if I could formally be added to the Company charter as a member? As I have been with you quite some time.’

‘Yes, you have, and you’re a welcome member of the group. The charter itself is, um, inaccessible though, I’m afraid. Parth’s not on it either, although gets grumpy if it’s ever mentioned.’

‘Is it not required to travel under arms and perform our jobs?’

‘Yes. It exists, and is in the possession of the company founder. On a somewhat related topic, do you know anything about Everfrost?’

‘Eternal ice, seeking to draw all into it’s embrace? I am familiar, yes.’ She drew out a glass bead, in the heart of which was a crystal of ice. ‘This is magically sealed, otherwise it would be far too dangerous.’

‘Yeah. Do you know anything about breaking it? Without destroying what’s inside?’

Hakara considered. ‘That would be quite an achievement. It can be destroyed, with a lot of effort, but anything will be quite destroyed. Most Everfrost I know of is left over from the elven empire, or the Black Triad – is there some shard of it here? I would be interested in studying it, if so.’

‘Not here, no. Somewhere else.’

Hakara was looking at her with a certain sense of resignation. ‘The charter is sealed inside Everfrost, then? That sounds problematic. What would happen if you were to be asked for it?’

‘Fortunately, that hadn’t happened yet. And I can tell people precisely where it is, even if it can’t be accessed, as such. I know it sounds unlikely, but it’s all above board, really.’

‘I will extend my researches, then. A fascinating theoretical subject, if rather unusual.’

‘Thanks. Something else to think about, other than keeping an eye on Janaxia.’

‘Of course. Although I must say, you do appear to have engagements with quite a number of oddments of magic.’

‘Yeah, not exactly by choice. But you seem to be good with ice magic, so I wondered if you might know anything about it.’

‘I have studied it somewhat, but it’s too dangerous in most circumstances, as it is rather, um, aggressive, in growing over anything nearby and dragging things into itself. But I will see what I can find out – if you were to let me study some, I would be indebted to you.’