When I first discovered I had the ability to read the power, I didn’t know what it was or how I did it. I had visions of the past, was witness to events long gone. When I finally found out this was my Wiser Talent at work, I kept it to myself. Life as an Enhancement student was tough enough, I felt no need for something extra.

The inn was like most inns Samos had seen during his travels across Odera albeit being larger than most if not the largest. The common room was divided in an inner and outer part with the roof of the inner part leading all the way up to the fourth and highest floor. On each floor, doors leading to rooms of all sizes circled the balcony. Some of the patrons enjoyed their drinks and food on those balconies, enjoying the entertainment below them while still enjoying some privacy.

On the main floor, a bard had occupied the stage in the centre of the room. The tunes he sang were accompanied by the soft melody of a flute played by a woman sitting at his feet. Loose chairs were placed around the centre stage and were filled to the last one with men and women enjoying the pleasant evening.

Further away from the stage, beyond pillars that held up the floors above them, were tables and benches that were attached firmly to the ground. Nearly all were occupied by more serious patrons who were all engrossed in their own conversations. The side opposite the entrance was fully occupied by a large wooden bar which was a constant point of attention for both the patrons and the maids picking up orders.

Drinks were flowing lavishly and the atmosphere that lingered in the air was an enjoyable one. Here and there, Samos picked up words from conversations as he made his way to the table where he had spotted Ralph. Discussions of scholarly matter, dealings of trade, random storytelling… Even word of Ralog’s capture was already circulating throughout the common room. Maybe that was part why everyone seemed so relax and satisfied.

“Samos!” Ralph cried out as he joined the table and was handed a pint of beer. “Tonight we celebrate!”

Samos accepted the pint and sat down opposite Ralph. “And to what cause?” he asked.

“Why, to you of course! And to the capture of the Wolf!” He held up his pint and Samos clang it with his before taking a swig. Tersian Ale, he recognized the pleasant taste.

“I shouldn’t drink too much,” he said to Ralph who was taking large gulps from his tankard. “I need to be fit for tomorrow’s Testing.”

Ralph let out an enormous belch and grinned. “True, true. Not that I need to worry about that, one of the many perks of being an Enhancer.” He winked. “No hangovers.” With that, he emptied the tankard and signalled a passing maid for another one.

A man sat down next to Ralph and eyed him with a judging look. He had grey hair reaching to his shoulders and a full beard partially hiding a scar-filled face. Samos thought the man old, but the way he moved to sit told otherwise. This was a man in the prime of his life.

“Excuse Lord Aëron for his behaviour,” he said to Samos after eyeing Ralph. “Not often do members of the Order of his stature have time to relax without worrying about consequences.”

Ralph looked at the man and sighed. “Old Rey Domer, always ready to berate anyone having some fun. Samos, this is Rey. He’s the former First Enhancer and has since recently been promoted to my personal assistant. Recently as in just now.”

Rey ignored Ralph and held out his hand over the table which Samos shook. “Rey Domer,” he presented himself. “Former First Enhancer of Eresath and one of the Enhancers who will be testing possible trainees at tomorrow’s Testing.”

This day is getting more incredulous by the second, Samos thought. First I run into a band of rogue members of the Order, then I meet Ralph, a Dovra’Sha with two Talents and now a former First Enhancer sits directly opposite me. This was getting awfully overwhelming.

“It’s an honour,” he replied, regaining his train of thought. “I’m Samos.”

Rey nodded. “Lord Aëron told me of the events that occurred today while you were up in your room. I should be looking forward to tomorrow’s Testing to see whether or not you can live up to the story.” He grinned and Ralph laughed.

“Don’t scare away your next prodigy, Rey. Wouldn’t want to chase this one down as well.” Ralph’s tone made it seem like a light-hearted joke, but Rey’s expression darkened and he buried his face in his tankard.

The mood at the table took somewhat of a dive and the three of them drank in silence for a while. The rest of Ilsas’ Spring didn’t seem bothered at all as the singing continued and chairs were shoved aside to make room for a few daring dancers. The women playing the flute started rhythmic melody Samos recognized. He didn’t know how it was called in Ters, but down in Ashana it was known as the Dancing Snake.

The bard began the first verse, singing in different words and rhymes than Samos was used to. Instead of deserts of sands, he sang of plains of green grass and hares instead of snakes, yet the melody was the same and Samos found himself tapping along with his feet. Just as he was contemplating to join the dance, Ralph sprang up, jumped on the table and launched himself towards the dancefloor. With a single jump of twenty feet, he landed perfectly in balance and grabbed a maid without breaking a stride.

“He always does that,” Rey chuckled. “Not that I approve this kind of behaviour in someone of his… position, but he is young yet, no more than ten years older than you, Samos.” His dark eyes followed Ralph for a moment and then scanned the rest of the inn. “From the age of sixteen he’s been training without a pause at Eresath, forgoing the simple pleasure of being young in place of growing stronger. I don’t blame him for wanting to be normal for a moment and enjoy life. Especially after the capture of someone like Ralog.” He spoke the name with a tone of regret.

“Did you know Ralog?” Samos inquired.

Rey eyed him. “Know him? I trained the damn fool myself, boy. My only regret is that Lord Aëron did not take me with him tonight, I’d have liked to confront Ralog myself.” With that, Rey leaned back with his tankard and held his tongue.

The flutist was joined by a man carrying two small drums at his waist, upping the tempo. Ralph made his way from one women to the other, swirling them around elegantly before turning and sweeping up the next. He noticed Samos watching him.

“Come on then, Samos!” He yelled. “This is a lot easier than trying not to die in an alleyway!” The woman he held laughed as she was lifted up and turned around.

Samos took a quick glance at Rey who seemed lost in his own thoughts and stood up to join the dance. An elderly woman, surprisingly fit for her age, grabbed his arm as he reached the edge of the dancing circle and pulled him in. It took him a few seconds to adjust, but before long he was matching the rhythm of the drums with the shuffling of his feet. In a circle they moved, switching dance partners every few seconds.

Women of all ages and standing passed through his arms. The well-dressed elderly woman, a young serving maid who blushed as they locked arms, a woman who could be his mother dressed in silk garments… Even a girl who couldn’t have been older than fourteen joined into the dance.

And then there was her.

Samos had seen her before when he had made his way to Ralph’s table. She had been carrying plates filled with cups around the common room but had never looked as if she belonged there. Something about her posture, her way of walking, told him the life of a maid wasn’t for her.

And now she was dancing in his arms, raven black hair swinging from side to side on the rhythm of the music. She smiled at him as he spun her around, a warm feeling growing in his stomach. There was a beauty about her, a beauty in her simplicity. Even clothed like a maid, she looked more confident and steadfast than any noblewoman he had ever seen.

When the moment to switch partners came again, Samos hesitated for a moment and held her hand. Laughing, she turned away and forced her hand out of his but not before letting her fingers trail on his with a soft touch.

The dance continued, but Samos’ focus had shifted and more than once, he stumbled over his feet trying to find her again. When the music ended and people scrambled to their chairs for a drink, she was nowhere to be found.

Ralph slapped him on the shoulder. “Feels good to have fun every once in a while, doesn’t it?”

Samos nodded absently as he followed Ralph back to their table.

A tingle.

Instinctively, Samos ducked down. Ralph on the other hand spun on his heels and stretched out his arm. When Samos looked up, Ralph was holding a knife at the heft, point aimed straight for his head. Had he caught it mid-air?

Rey jumped up from his seat, but as far as Samos could see no one else had even noticed the attack. It was only when Rey’s sword came out of its sheath that people started to be aware that something was wrong. On the other side of the inn, in the direction the knife had come from, five men stood. In response to Rey, they drew swords as well.

It only took a second before the screaming began and people scrambled for the exit or the stairs.

“Your weapons?” Ralph asked in a serious tone.

Samos felt his belt, but then remembered. “In my room.”

Ralph nodded and handed him the knife he had caught before drawing his own sword. “Don’t engage,” he warned. “This is different from before.”

Rey joined Ralph at his side. “Ralog’s men?” he asked. “I don’t recognize their faces.”

“Don’t think so,” Ralph answered. “I don’t recognize them either, but they appear to be trained.”

One of the five stepped forward and the three of them tensed. “The Warbringer sends his regards, Son Aëron. And in some way to you as well, Master Domer.”

“Strange custom to throw knifes as a greeting,” Ralph retorted. “What is your business here? And who is this Warbringer you speak of?”

The man, he resembled Rey albeit much younger and with black hair, smiled. “The Warbringer had very specific instructions, Son Aëron. If that knife would have found your throat, you would not have been worthy of contacting. Concerning my business with you, it is quite simple. The Warbringer wants you to join him.”

“Small chance of that,” Ralph responded. “Whoever this Warbringer of yours is, with a name like that he should realize I would not join him.”

“That’s what I told him,” the man said, the smile never leaving his face. “And I don’t see the need in insisting any longer.”

Without warning, he charged at Ralph in a strange silence. No yell or cry of battle, just a man jumping at his prey. In the time it took the man to close the distance, Ralph pushed Samos back and caught the attack on his sword. At the same moment, the other four initiated the attack as well.

Ralph pushed his attacker back, towards the four incoming assailants. Without a pause, Rey jumped in and went to stand back to back with Ralph while the four encircled them. The real attack began.

All five of them swung simultaneously. Two went for Rey, the other three for Ralph. Rey unsheathed a second smaller sword and blocked the two strikes. Ralph instead let go of his sword with one hand and held it up towards two of his assailants. Their swords stopped mid-air as if stuck in rock. The third attack Ralph blocked with his sword.

For a moment, they were frozen in place. The area around them was now void of people. Everyone had fled outside or upstairs and only Samos was left staring. With a start, he noticed she was there as well, hiding behind a bench. Watching intently.

The fighting resumed. The two who had their swords stuck in the air let go of their hilts and instead reached for knives. Ralph, engaged in battle with his third assailant didn’t seem to notice. Without thinking, Samos threw the knife Ralph had given him at one of the two with deadly accuracy. It buried itself in the man’s throat.

His comrade hadn’t noticed, instead keeping his focus entirely on Ralph who finally noticed the threat coming from behind. With inhuman speed, he turned on his heels and swung his sword in a wide arch, cutting through the man’s stomach and spilling his insides. Screaming in agony, the man fell to the floor, a puddle of blood forming around his thrashing body.

At the same time, one of the men attacking Rey fell as well, blood spilling from his throat. The odds had been evened out and the two remaining attackers seemed to realize their chances of winning had dropped drastically. They looked each other in the eye and nodded.

“The Warbringer will have you, Son’Sha.” The man said as he thrust up his arm. A sudden surge of wind doused the fires in the inn, leaving them in utter darkness. Suddenly, the air around Samos felt wrong as if it rippled around him. The sound of swords crashing to the ground made him jump and a strong light appeared above Ralph.

The two remaining attackers were gone.

“Is it over?” the voice of a woman came from the direction she was hiding.

“It is,” Ralph said. “Even though I don’t know what it is. Harold?”

A crashing of plates and cups resounded from behind the bar as the innkeeper stood up from his hiding place. “Here, Lord Aëron.” The glow from Ralph’s sphere reflected on the hundreds of trickles of sweat on his face.

“Light the fireplace, would you?” he asked. “Everyone else alright?”

“All good,” Rey stated. “Been a while since I faced trained Enhancers.”

“I’m fine,” Samos said softly, looking around. The woman had disappeared again.

As the fires were lit again, the bodies were hauled to an adjacent room where Ralph and Rey inspected them.

“These swords don’t belong to the Order,” Rey noted,” yet these men were definitely trained Enhancers. What’s more, at least two of them were Dovra’Sha.”

Ralph nodded in agreement. “Sealers, no doubt, although I do wonder how they got away so fast. The timeframe in which they got away was way too short.”

They studied the bodies in silence, but when nothing else surfaced, Ralph disposed of them the same way he had done earlier this evening in the alleyways.

As they entered the common room again, they found a messenger of the guard waiting for them.

“News from Captain Ivar,” the messenger said. “Ralog has been found dead in his cell. Murdered.”