The following week, Veil was sitting in his unstructured magic class and quietly talking to Sacha, Emelda, and Rasvan. Zaida was absent. They were wondering if class was still being held when in walked Professor Kang. He sat casually in his usual throne-like chair and looked at them with a hint of excitement in his eyes.

“Most of you are here, good,” Kang said. “I know many of you are seriously concerned about the events of the last few days, a wyrm attack is no little matter, but you need to keep your eyes on the bigger picture. You are here to get an education. I can tell you from personal experience, when you face adversity, don’t get distracted, or you will never reach your goal. Sometimes, seemingly disastrous events can be fortuitous; keep your eyes and mind open. If it doesn’t prove to be an opportunity, but an impediment instead, often the only thing to do is to put your head down and keep plowing through.” Kang leaned forward and looked at each of them in the eye one by one. “My hope is that each of you succeeds in your goals. I will do all within my power to help you."

"Are there any questions before we start today?" Kang asked.

"Professor, Ithalaan’s campus is partially deserted, there are a third fewer people present, and Zaida is missing from class," Emelda said, glancing at the other students for support. "Won't this change our class? What if something worse happens?"

"Unless we are under direct attack, it changes nothing," Kang replied, leaning back in his chair and tilting his head. "In the past, Ithalaan has run its classes during wartime, plague, and civil unrest. This is no different. As long as there is even one student attending class, we will continue as usual."

Kang waited several minutes, looking at each of them in turn, waiting to see if there were any further objections.

If there are no further objections, let’s get started.” With that, Kang questioned each of them on their progress, gave them advice, and set them to work."

As the others exited at the end of class, Kang pulled Veil aside.

“I have considered your request to learn about arcane magic, and I will teach you,” Kang stated, “but only after the fall break, and only if you agree to be my disciple and dedicate yourself to this project. Learning to sense and manipulate divine energy is a monumental task for an ordinary mage and will likely take years.”

“What would you expect of me in return, Professor?” Veil asked. No one gave away this sort of knowledge without requiring something in exchange.

“Nothing too onerous, I expect you to aid me in my research, and generally act as my assistant,” Kang replied. “With all the uncertainty we are facing, I wish to pass on my knowledge. I don’t want my legacy to die if some disaster overtakes me. You have no idea how much magical knowledge has been lost due to mages hoarding their secrets.”

“I can agree to that, Professor Kang,” Veil replied. Although being a mage disciple was only one step short of being an apprentice and therefore a significant commitment, Kang was also undertaking a prodigious task.

"One of the things you must learn to do as a mage is persevere in uncertain circumstances," Charik remarked at the beginning of the technomagic class. "We need to remain calm and focused on our task. Preparing you, the students, to carry on the great work of developing and enhancing society. The authorities are looking into things and will bring these disastrous events under control in time."

Veil noted that Charik was nonspecific as to how that would happen. All the professors seemed pretty casual about the bombings and wyrm rise. Was that an affected attitude, or had they lived through so much in their careers that they were inured to this sort of danger?

The class was currently seated in a rough circle formation centered around a simple metal golem. The machine had a humanoid shape and stood about 150 cm tall.

“Can anyone list for me a modern golem’s main strengths?” Charik inquired.

“Golems have immense physical strength, don’t require food or rest, and are expandable in a way human beings and the other sentient races are not,” Melik replied. “They can be specially designed to travel to locations inhospitable to intelligent life, like the deep ocean, or work in conditions of extreme heat, or be used in war.”

“Golems can also be used to do simple tasks that people find tedious,” Charik said. “What are their main limitations?”

“Golems are only capable of handling elementary, routine tasks without a controller,” Veil replied, “and their mana-battery life is minimal. Unless there is some external energy source, most golem’s can only function for a few hours before their batteries need to be recharged. Also, they are costly to make and require extreme technical knowledge to repair.”

“Yes,” Charik replied. “Golem A1, walk over to that person,” Charik pointed to Melik, “take what he hands you, and bring it to me.”

The golem walked over to Melik, took a pencil from his hand, and brought it to Charik.

“Golem A1, dance a waltz,” Charik ordered. The golem remained motionless. “Remember that a golem has no intelligence. It can only perform actions that have been impressed upon its animation core through animation spells. These animation spells are generally copies of how people’s minds and bodies interact to perform certain actions.”

“In many ways, golems labor under the same restrictions as the rest of us.” Charik continued. “A mage can only expend large amounts of mana for a short time before they must rest and recharge. Even assimilating ambient mana or imbibing mana from a potion takes time. That’s also the reason centralized power stations are so important to us. Golems or other machines can be continually run off these power sources. Can anyone name and describe the main forms of energy production that are currently driving our technomagic revolution?”

“Our main form of power is harvesting the high concentrations of underground mana by drilling pipelines many kilometers into the earth. Coal driven steam power is a distant second, followed by wind and water-driven mana turbines,” Leena, a member of their technomagic cohort, replied.

While Leena was speaking about underground mana, Charik short-cast an illusion displaying the image of a grey tower. Thin pipes extended far below the building, taking the shape of a vast root-like structure. With minute gestures, he altered the image to a steamship and then a windmill, illustrating the girl's remarks.

“Correct,” Charik replied. “This puts an added limitation on golems. They are mainly useful close to power generators. Outside urban environments, they can only recharge using ambient or mage supplied mana. Of course, this also limits travel options. Unless you have a vehicle big enough to generate its own power like a train or steamship, it isn't practical to take these automatons to remote locations. Most conventional travel still relies on animal power.”

“What about zeppelins, Professor Charik?” Melik inquired.

“Lighter than air aircraft are an exception to the rule,” Charik replied. “Their lifting power is being supplied by buoyancy forces, not direct mechanical power. Most airships don't have large onboard power generators.”

After class, Charik and Veil had their usual meeting to discuss the terrorist actions and his progress on the interface, of which there was none. Veil related his experience during the wyrm attack, his friend’s speculation, and the ravings of Kuzma Chorny. At the same time, Charik was preparing tea for them both.

“I have a few pieces of information to add, Mr. Silva,” Charik stated, after handing Veil a steaming cup and taking a drink himself, “as well as some speculation. There are half a dozen other known locations that had wyrm sitings or attacks. They occurred in East Umaan and an unnamed ruin in the far North on our continent. There were two sitings on the continent of Onkara in Kallanga, and Yadavas, while the Carakan Islands and the subcontinent of Astralus also experienced attacks. In each case, a large, permanent fissure in the earth was opened. Do you see why these locations might be significant?”

“The country of Kallanga, the Carakan Islands, and the subcontinent of Astralus all lie along the equator. Medina, Yadavas, and presumably the Northern ruins bisect the earth directly along a North-South longitudinal line,” Veil stated, using the power of Memory and Visualization to map the locations in his mind.”

“Correct, and those are only locations that we know about,” Charik replied, leaning forward and knotting his true-hands intently. “Due to a combination of the slowness of communication between continents and the secrecy governments, we are still missing many pieces of this puzzle. These sites likely run along the equator and several longitudinal lines across Danu’s entire world. Whatever is happening seems to be global in scale.”

“The wyrms are probably used to create large permanent underground structures,” Veil speculated. “Trying to direct the behemoths must be incredibly dangerous.”

“Indeed,” Charik replied. “It is entirely possible that the ‘attacks’ are an accidental byproduct of using the wyrms. Although, they may be deliberate as well? As for the terrorist Dr. Varma stumbled upon, there are rumors that the attacks are being directed by a religious cult. However, the central authorities are still not releasing any direct information. I think public pressure will force them to reveal some news soon if only to calm the citizens.”

“You said that the shoemaker mentioned the god Isah and something about ‘order?’” Charik continued, speaking slowly and thoughtfully. “Isah is the Forerunner god who creates knowledge through order. It also has provenance over the ‘alignment of spheres,’ although modern scholars don’t know what that means. In the contemporary pantheon, Isah is a god of knowledge and law who demands class structure maintenance. Truthfully, I don’t pay much attention to the dogma of a god’s worshipers. In my opinion, their beliefs only intersect with a particular god’s actions in the most general of ways. Do you have anything to add, Mr. Silva?”

“I can barely list the various gods, let alone describe their theology,” Veil said.

“Now you see our next avenue of study, Mr. Silva,” Charik said, while Veil winced. “The other main focus of research will be exploring the new opening into the Labyrinth once it is reasonably safe, and we can gain access.”

‘At least that would only risk death by monster, rather than death by boredom,’ Veil thought.

Later that day, Veil received a letter from his grandmother saying she would be visiting in two weeks and that she wanted him to collect alchemical supplies with her in the Great Northern Forest during fall break.

Over the next few weeks, the academy and the city gradually returned to their regular routine. No further monster outbreaks or attacks occurred. Most of the missing students came back to their classes, with a few exceptions. Some students were pulled out of the academy until their parents deemed it safe to return. The Friday before fall break, Veil’s grandmother finally arrived.

She presented her usual appearance when he opened the door. While wearing a stylish white top and black pants on her tall figure, she wasn’t visibly armed. Immediately after she arrived, he led her down to his laboratory to inspect it and so they could have a private talk. Katya had a general idea of events in the city due to newspaper reports, but Veil went through and detailed all the significant developments in his life and what he had witnessed. He hid nothing.

She watched him carefully throughout his presentation and only interrupted a few times to clarify a particular comment. Veil paced around the basement as he talked, occasionally picking up and playing with small objects nervously. Katya remained still and focused, sitting on one of the basement stools.

“How do you feel about killing those men, Jai?” Katya questioned. She only used his given name when she was very serious or intent on making a point.

“It was very hard at first, but over the last few months, I’ve calmed down,” Veil replied. “Plus, recent experiences have somewhat crowded it out.”

“Don’t suppress your emotions, or it will cloud your judgment,” Katya replied, “and that could get you killed. If you need to talk about it more, I am here, or Indali is available.” She paused, gazing directly into his eyes. “You did the right thing. If those men or their group had managed to track you down, you would be dead now, and perhaps some of your friends too,” Katya finished firmly.

Veil had stopped pacing and gazed back at her and nodded back just as firmly.

“My second greatest concern is this interface,” She continued. “It ties you to these disturbances. Strange attractors indeed,” She sighed, saying the last part in a quiet voice while idly squeezing her knees. “I will need to meet this Feran Kuin and determine his intent. Tell me more about the runes you have deciphered and the progress you have made interacting with it.”

“Professor Charik and I managed to decipher some of the runes," Veil said while walking over to a nearby cabinet and retrieving some a binder. "They translate roughly to ‘Engineering maintenance port,’ ‘system initiation: 84%,’ ‘energy stabilization: 32%,’ ‘grid confinement: initiated,’ and ‘operational parameters: stable.’ They seem to refer to the activation and running of some giant machine. There are other symbols with which the professor is unfamiliar.”

"All the runes and their translations are detailed in this notebook," Veil said to his grandmother while handing her the binder. "I haven't been able to interact with the interface at all, but I've found a long term method to deal with that. A professor named Jagan Kang has agreed to help me learn to sense and interact with divine energy."

“I don’t like that you have an unknown artifact connected to your mind,” Katya finally stated with a tight expression and stern voice. “You need to break the connection or at least gain some control over it. I have some sources in the North who may be able to help with that.”

Veil could only nod mutely.

Veil led his grandmother to Charik's office as she didn’t spend much time at the academy. Katya gazed curiously at the academy buildings as they walked.

“Haven’t you ever been on campus?” Veil asked. “You certainly know your way around the rest of Medina.”

“I’ve been here once or twice before, but that was decades in the past,” Katya replied. “Most of the time, there isn’t much of interest to me in the formal halls of learning. After you acquire a certain amount of knowledge, most of what you seek must be found elsewhere. Mages tend to hoard their secrets, so you have to either bargain with them directly or seek the knowledge yourself.”

Charik greeted them at the door and bade them enter. After taking a seat with Charik facing them across the table, Veil made introductions.

“Veil has told me about the interface and your part in helping him understand and control it,” Katya stated while folding her hands on top of her crossed legs. “I am here to determine if you are competent and trustworthy,” she said bluntly.

“Your concern is understandable,” Charik replied while using his true-hand to scratch around his ocular ridge, a sign of uncertainty, Veil realized. “Ask what you wish.”

Katya smiled slightly, more a bearing of teeth, then genuine friendliness.

“What is your exact position in the city hierarchy and the Feran Kuin council?” Katya inquired.

The Feran reared back slightly, placing his true-hands on the middle of the table while his foot-hands gripped the edges lightly.

“I am a researcher who sometimes advises the mayor’s staff,” Charik replied slowly, “as far as the city is concerned. Most of my advice is dedicated to technical matters. As for the local Feran Kuin community, I am a member of the ruling council. I would note that the council sets the overall agenda and direction for our community. We have little to no power in daily affairs or laws. There is a mayor’s office that manages the laws and law enforcement.”

“What is the Feran Kuin council’s main concern?” Katya continued relentlessly, her posture upright and poised with her legs and hands still crossed. “What direction are you leading your people?”

Veil watched, realizing that he should have asked more questions about the Feran Kuin’s motives.

“I’m not sure how this relates to the interface or Veil’s issues,” Charik said, shifting his true-hands back off the edge of the table. Katya simply stared at him while Veil sat back, realizing he had much to learn from both of them. They silently stared at each other for what felt like several minutes before the Feran relented. “The council’s main directive is to make sure that the Feran communities keep living harmoniously within their respective human settlements.”

“This means we must balance our relationships with regional and national powers with our relationship to ordinary humans,” Charik continued. “This is a difficult task because these groups are so often at odds. In the past, to help foster better relations with ordinary people, my colleagues helped develop Drissel’s longevity formula and released it to the general public. At the time, it was widely broadcast that the Feran Kuin had given this gift to everyday people so they could live longer and healthier lives. In the same period, we sponsored many free or low cost health clinics as well as other public relations efforts.”

“No doubt this helped offset human jealousy over your race’s natural 300 year lifespan,” Katya remarked.

“Indeed,” the Feran remarked, relaxing his foot-hands, “Drissel has recently developed a new formula capable of increasing the natural human lifespan by several more decades. We are bargaining with the nobility now and plan to release it within the next few years, along with the appropriate announcements. You see, the council’s main concern is to counter your race’s somewhat xenophobic tendencies so that we may continue to live in peace and prosperity.”

“And make a healthy profit while doing so,” Katya remarked.

Charik lifted his true-hands palm up. As if stating, yes, that’s obvious.

“Alright, that gives me some idea of your overall motivation, but what about the interface itself,” Katya asked, “and the unsettling events around it?”

“I hope for continued peace and prosperity,” Charik replied. “These are extremely dangerous proceedings. The entire continent of Athanasu was already in the process of edging toward the next continental war. A war that would inevitably involve portions of the continent of Onkara as well as other regions. Seeking profit in this situation would be a form of madness. I hope we can use the interface and whatever knowledge comes with it to bring these disastrous events to a close.”

“Have you discovered anything more about the interface,” Katya questioned, shifting topics.

“Alas, no,” Charik replied. “I have already given Veil all the information I have.”

"Do you think the interface will react to Forerunner ruins?" Katya asked.

“Possibly, it will respond to intact Forerunner technology,” Charik remarked. “If you can find any.”

The next day, early in the morning, Katya returned.

“I understand things are going well with Indali,” Katya remarked with a smile. They were sitting in Veil's laboratory once again. “She says you have been making fast progress in both medical magic and foundation rituals. That’s what I originally came here to talk to you about. Indali and I have been planning an expedition into the Great Northern Forest to gather supplies, trade magical skills and knowledge, and, if possible, harvest the cores of magical beasts. We can also speak to my friend in the North about your issue. It is possible someone outside the conventional academic circles may hold more information. Our planned expedition would roughly coincide with the academy’s fall break. I think you should join us. If we’re going, it has to be soon, or the winter snows will make travel difficult.”

“Yes, I definitely intend to go,” Veil replied firmly. “When did you speak with Indali?”

“I arrived in Medina yesterday, and I’m staying with her while in town,” Katya replied to his question, making a brushing gesture. As if his question was too obvious to bother answering. “After all, I needed a report on how your studies were coming,” She said with a slight smile but in a completely serious voice. “We can leave next week. Perhaps you could show me around for a few days and introduce me to a few of your friends while we prepare the expedition?”

“That sounds good. Sacha would boil me in oil if I didn’t introduce you, after all the stories I’ve told her,” Veil replied in an amused tone. “Why don’t we go upstairs, and you can meet Melik and Ilya?”

“Oh no, you’re not getting away that easily,” Katya replied with an unladylike snort. “First, you’re going to demonstrate your magical skills, and then you’re going to show me what those are for,” she said, cutting her eyes toward the mice in the terrarium.

“One of my instructors, Jagan Kang, has been teaching us unstructured conjury skills,” Veil replied and held out his hand. Focusing his mind caused mana to flow into his hand, where his aura knotted the mana turned electric field into a semi-stable ectoplasmic sphere. It was perfectly shiny and round. He then handed the orb to his grandmother. “I can sort of do the same thing with liquids,” Veil said while cupping his hands and producing a liquid-like substance that almost immediately turned to smoke and vanished.

“I can’t show you disintegration at the moment since I don’t have anything to practice on, but I’ve begun to be able to sense with and expand my aura,” Veil said while gently extending the radius of his aura by 20 cm or so. Katya looked on with narrowed eyes, clearly seeing the aura effect.

“It looks like you’re quickly developing your amorphous magical skills,” Katya stated in an approving voice. “That will aid in virtually every other magical field of study. What about your technomagic abilities?”

Veil walked over to a table and picked up an animation core.

“This is an animation core Melik and I have been working on,” Veil continued. “It doesn’t look like much now, but it will form the mind and animating force for a simple golem, which we plan to have finished by the end of the academic year.” Katya merely nodded at this. She had virtually no technomagic knowledge herself. He replaced the core on the table before moving on to the next subject.

“The mice are here to help me build my external psychic skills,” Veil explained while walking over to the terrarium. “I’ve had some success in getting the mice to perform a few actions,” He concentrated and projected the sense of food toward a mouse currently wandering around the bottom of the cage. It stopped moving after a moment, looked at him, and walked to the edge of its enclosure. Veil then reached over and handed it a treat. “I haven’t had that much luck with mind control or memory reading. The lack of a proper teacher is really holding me back.”

“As for divination and medical magic, I can demonstrate my skills in Indali’s clinic,” Veil finished.

“You’re progressing nicely in many fields at once,” Katya compliment, having walked up beside him. “What about your internal mental disciplines? Are you still developing Symbolic Calculate?” Katya asked.

“At Professor Charik’s suggestion, I have moved on to Parallel Thought, but it will be months before it is usable, even in its simplest form,” Veil replied. “He seems to think it will help me interact with the interface.”

“Keep your eyes and mind open in regards to the Feran Kuin,” Katya said with a slight frown. "He seems sincere, but people often have competing motives." Katya's expression brightened. “I think we’ve covered most of the important topics. We can go up and meet those friends of yours now.”

“Oh no, you’re not getting away that easily,” Veil said, turning to his grandmother with a mischievous glint in his eye. “It’s your turn to tell me what you’ve been working on recently.”

Katya gave Veil an amused look and replied, “I was traveling outside the country to meet new trade contacts and gather alchemical supplies. A contact pointed me in the direction of a village called Sueng that lies within Kiribhati, along its’ Northern Frontier. There is a witch that lives there who compiled a compendium of rare magical beasts. Lucky for us, she was in desperate need of money and willing to sell her knowledge.” Katya reached into the bag by her hip and handed Veil a massive tome. “Here, in all the excitement, I had forgotten to give you this.”

“As it happens, she also developed a rare youth restoration elixir,” Katya continued with a palm-up gesture as if receiving something. “Not useful in itself, but combine that with my own recipes and knowledge, and I believe the family will soon have a significantly more potent youth and longevity potion. It may increase our lifespans by as much as 50 years,” She said, her voice growing stronger while she stood up straighter. “This represents our family’s biggest advance in over a hundred years. With your work, Veil, I can see our family creating its own magical lineage and taking our place as one of the noble houses.”

“That’s wonderful news, Grandmother,” Veil replied, giving her a quick hug. They didn’t often exchange physical displays of affection, but this was a special occasion.

“Yes, if only your parents would allow me to properly train Darius and Tama,” Katya said after they broke apart.

They ascended the stairs together and found Melik and Ilya loitering around the living room, where Veil introduced them to his grandmother.

“Melik, Veil tells me that you two are working together to build a golem,” Katya said. “From what I understand, that is a complicated task with which most adult mages would struggle. I am very impressed.”

“Um, thank you,” Melik replied, finding himself a little tongue-tied, “it’s a very simple golem.” Veil had told them many stories, and they were both a little in awe of his grandmother, although she was acting like a completely normal person at the moment.

“What do you plan to do with your skills,” she asked.

“Um, I’d like to run and operate a golem making factory,” Melik replied, stuttering a bit but quickly becoming more relaxed and enthusiastic. “It would be nice to be the one in charge and making decisions, rather than having to do what other people say. Not to mention, there are a lot of golem designs people don’t build because no one has tried them before. The whole field is very conservative, and I’d like to shake things up,” Melik finished quickly. Katya had a way of putting people at ease.

“That sounds very ambitious, Melik. I heartily approve,” Katya said. “What are your interests, Ilya?”

“I’m going to become a premier battle mage and specialize in unstructured magic as well,” Ilya replied quickly. He was seldom at a loss for words. “I’m still taking basic classes, though. I’m a civilian born mage. My parents aren’t mages.”

“There’s nothing wrong with civilian born mages,” Katya remarked. “Our line is actually descended from alchemists, not mages. You should be proud that you managed to make it into such a prestigious institution without help. Melik and Veil both had the benefit of having mage family members helping them along.”

Ilya swelled up with pride at that comment, and Melik and Veil both nodded. Without his grandmother’s help and direction, Veil knew he wouldn’t be nearly so far along.

Having planned lunch with Sacha, Katya and Veil arrived at a diner a short time later. The restaurant was a typical establishment serving a variety of local dishes. It had an indoor section with hardwood floors, a few musicians playing soothing music on stringed instruments, and an outdoor area set on a veranda. Twenty groups of people were scattered around the restaurant filling two-thirds of the establishment.

When they entered, Sacha was already there waiting on the terrace. She had secured them a table with an overlarge umbrella set overhead to shield them from the sun. Veil and Katya walked up to the table while Sacha stood.

“Sacha, this is my grandmother, Katya Silva,” Veil introduced them.

“Hello, Mrs. Silva,” Sacha said.

“Call me Katya, Sacha,” Katya replied while they all took seats around the small glass faced table. “Referring to me as Mrs. Silva makes me feel as old as I actually am. Veil tells me you are a member of the Korova family. Your father must be Martine? How is the old reprobate?”

Veil glanced at his grandmother curiously, he hadn’t realized she knew the head of Korova house, but he wasn’t surprised. His grandmother seemed to have contacts all over the world.

Sacha emitted a quick, nervous laugh before controlling herself, “My father is healthy and still firmly in charge of the family. I didn’t realize you knew each other?”

“Oh yes, we were lovers ages ago,” Katya replied. “Long before he met your mother.”

Veil didn’t know whether to start laughing or crawl under the table to hide. Grandmother was in a rare mood. By the looks of it, Sacha didn’t know quite how to react either, although she was leaning toward laughter. Carakan culture, he supposed. Maybe that was the point his grandmother was trying to make. They did things differently.

“Tell me about your life in the Islands,” Katya request demanded. “What was it like growing up there? What was a normal day like for you?”

“The Islands are a mix of the most beautiful lands you can imagine,” Sacha replied, smiling. “Every day, I would wake up at sunrise and walk through the lush gardens, filled with giant ferns, vast flowering multi-colored plants, and palm trees. The smell itself was breathtaking. A short walk would take me to the ocean, where I would swim in protected wading pools, surrounded by every type of fish and ocean plant you can imagine.”

“After swimming, my brothers and sisters and I would gather for the day’s lessons, taught by the elders of our house,” Sacha continued, looking to the side and down in remembrance. “There was a strict discipline while learning, but at the end of the day, we were free to play with our friends, to explore the forests, or simply spend time with our families.”

"They were preparing you to take your place in the House hierarchy," Katya commented. "What did the training entail? What specific lessons were you taught that a normal child wouldn't learn?"

Sacha shifted nervously in her seat at this, and Veil could understand why. His grandmother was skirting dangerously close to asking House secrets.

"I was taught about the particular trade items and methods my family uses as well as certain secret magical traditions," Sacha replied.

“It sounds like you miss your home,” Veil remarked with sympathy, reaching over and taking her hand while Sacha looked back at him in gratitude. Grandmother could have that effect on people. Katya just sniffed in amusement at his attempt to protect Sacha from her questioning.

“Yes, no, I will live there again one day,” Sacha replied, looking intently at Veil. “I am happy with what I have found here. It is good to have new experiences so you can appreciate what you already have.”

“So, you plan to move back there eventually?” Katya asked, resting her hands on the table, leaning forward slightly, and staring intently into Sacha’s eyes. “Wouldn’t that be difficult if you found someone and made commitments here in Samiihr?”

Veil gave his grandmother a flat look, which she promptly ignored.

“I hadn’t really thought that far ahead,” Sacha replied faintly.

“I understand you are not the natural daughter of Martine, so you won’t inherit the Korova mantle?” Katya asked.

“Uh, no, my brother will inherit from my father’s side of the family,” Sacha replied, “although I already received a small inheritance from my mother.” This was news to Veil.

At this point, the waiter came and took their orders, giving them a brief reprieve from his overbearing grandmother. After their waiter left, Katya continued interrogating her victim.

“You have a mage lineage on your father’s side,” Katya resumed. “What about your mother’s people?”

“My mother’s people tend to be priests and priestesses of the goddess Enlu,” Sacha said, looking more and more like a mouse cornered by a cat. “The goddess of harmonics and persuasion.”

“What are your plans, Sacha,” Katya asked, “and perhaps more to the point, what are your mother’s plans for you?”

“My mother would like me to become a priestess, like her,” Sacha said, looking down, “but I’m not sure what I will do.”

“I don’t know anything about Enlu,” Veil said, trying to shift the conversation, “you’ll have to teach me sometime. I fear my theological knowledge is lacking.”

“That must make your family life very complicated,” Katya said, totally ignoring Veil’s attempts to shield Sacha from questioning.

Okay, he was starting to get officially annoyed, and there would be trouble if his grandmother didn’t back down. They stared at each other for a turbulent moment before Sacha continued talking.

“Yes,” Sacha continued, speaking rapidly, “family politics can get heated.” Veil started to say something, but Sacha gave his hand a tight squeeze. “My mother’s side of the family is always talking about the necessary submission to the will of the gods, while my father’s side talks about the gods as if they are the dirty laundry, a necessary but unpleasant subject.”

“Hmm," Katya said while observing the incoming waiter, "look, our food is on its way.”

They ate quietly for a few moments, then Veil’s grandmother started to make actual polite regular conversation. After a few moments, Katya excused herself to use the bathroom.

“After this, you have to come meet my parents over solstice break,” Sacha said, looking frazzled.

“All right,” Veil said reluctantly. After putting her through the meat grinder of his grandmother’s interrogation, he could see the justice in that, even if the meeting had been Sacha’s idea.

“I really like your grandmother, but she’s even scarier than my mother,” Veil stared at her a moment and wondered what he had gotten himself into. How did she end up liking his grandmother after that? Veil realized for the first time that every significant female in his life was insane.

A few moments later, Grandmother returned, and they finished their meal. Sacha quickly fled as soon as politeness allowed. By this time, Veil didn’t care about courtesy anymore.

“Oh, stop looking at me like that. I like the girl,” Katya said, completely unperturbed. “She looks like she would produce fine great-grandchildren,” Veil choked on his drink while Katya gazed at him out of the corner of her eye, a slight smile barely visible on her face.

“I am beginning to see why you and mother don’t get along,” Veil remarked with his opening attack. Veil was definitely going to make her pay for this fiasco.

“I have made a serious investment in you boy, you can’t expect me not to check up on you,” Katya remarked, leaning back in a relaxed manner. Veil narrowed his eyes. He was absolutely going to find a way to put her in her place.

After lunch, his grandmother led him to Indali’s residence since Veil had never been there before. They traveled in silence. While Veil was annoyed, his grandmother hummed a tune, apparently in a cheerful mood.

Indali’s house consisted of two stories, sheathed in red brick with a small garden out front. She answered the door almost immediately after Veil’s grandmother knocked, expecting guests. They were welcomed inside by Indali’s bright smile and took seats in a spacious, well lit living room.

“Veil has decided to join on us our excursion,” Katya remarked to Indali, “so let’s bring him up to date on our plans?” Indali nodded and smiled at Veil while Katya continued, “The trip should take somewhere between two and three weeks. Troll’s Haven, the village we will be staying at, lies sixty kilometers inside the forest and will require three days of walking each way. Once there, we will spend between one and three weeks gathering supplies and, if possible, hunting down a suitable monster to seize its’ core for Indali’s work. There are also Forerunner ruins that lie within a few kilometers of the village. We will visit those as time allows.”

“You should make arrangements to take extra time off from the academy, Veil,” Indali said while crossing her legs. “Ithalaan’s class structure was designed to accommodate advanced students in precisely this manner.” Veil nodded and made a note of the suggestion.

“Because of the unusual activities of late, I plan to hire a couple of mercenaries for this trip,” Katya continued. Veil and Indali traded glances at this. His grandmother’s excursions usually only involved two or three people. “Veil, you and I will look for a pair of mercenaries tomorrow. It will be good practice for when you need to do this yourself.”

They continued talking for several hours, hashing out the details and determining what supplies needed to be purchased.

The next afternoon, apparently mercenaries did not like to rise early, Katya came by and picked Veil up. They traveled to the Southeast in the rough general direction of Brazzen’s Imports.

“Where exactly are we headed?” Veil asked as they were riding a trolley. The city was sliding past them in all its seedy glory. Most of the residents had long since returned to regular life.

“There’s a tavern I know where private soldiers like to congregate,” Katya replied while adjusting a sun hat to shade her eyes. “If you’re looking for guards or mercenaries, the first place you should search are cheap bars. In most places, they don’t exactly have a guild, but soldiers love to drink and tell stories about how brave they are. You shouldn’t pay much attention to what they say. Soldiers are like fishermen who love to lie and brag.”

“Before hiring them, there are several things you should look for,” Katya continued. “What kind of reputation do they have? Are they known for honoring their contracts, keeping their client’s secrets, and avoiding unnecessary violence? Knowing the answers to these questions will give you an idea of how reliable they are. Another consideration is how well they keep their equipment. The men, and sometimes women, may look rather seedy, that’s fine, but their equipment should be well maintained. It shouldn’t be new but should show rough, regular use. This indicates that they’ve seen action and know how to survive.” Katya paused and considered while Veil glanced about. “A general look of prosperity is also a good sign. It means they won’t be looking to rob you at the first opportunity. You shouldn’t expect excessive loyalty from any mercenary. Remember, at heart, these are businesspeople whose profession is violence.”

“This is our stop,” Katya said as they both stood and exited the crowded trolley, “and that is our destination,” Katya continued pointing to a fading green sign that lay about a block down the nearest side street.

The tavern was one long flat building with almost nothing to distinguish it except that it looked old and slightly run down. The interior was somewhat dark and gloomy with high set, narrow windows. As soon as they passed the door, about a third of the patrons looked them over curiously. The customers were a rough bunch, mostly men, some of whom exhibited noticeable scars, and a few had missing appendages.

Katya led him to the bar where she ordered drinks while looking around. She stood straighter, suddenly looking over at a corner table.

“Grab your drink and follow me,” Katya stated. “We are in luck.”

Walking up to the table, Veil saw two people sitting there, a man and a woman. As they both stood, Veil saw they were both tall, pale, athletic looking Northerners with brown hair and eyes. The woman was somewhat shorter than the man, with her long tied back in a tight braid. They looked related.

“Greetings, Katya,” the woman stated, nodding, “how is business?”

“My business is excellent as always, Gerta,” Katya replied with a smile. “May I introduce my grandson Veil. Veil, this is Gerta and her brother Isvan, reliable soldiers with whom I have worked before.”

“Please sit,” Gerta said while she and Isvan seated themselves. Veil and Katya took chairs across from them. “What brings you to this fine establishment? Are you looking to hire?” Gerta inquired with a gleam in her eye. Her sharp features giving her a slightly sinister air.

“Indeed, we are,” Katya replied, casually resting one arm on the table with her body half turned and her other arm hooked over the back of the chair. “We are organizing an expedition to Troll’s Haven to gather alchemical supplies and to hunt for a few cores. My grandson, myself, and a friend are going, and we need two seasoned veterans to accompany us. The expedition will take between two to three weeks. Are you interested, and are you free?”

“We are free to accept a contract,” Gerta replied and then sipped her drink. Veil raised his glass as well and watched closely.

“We came to the city because of its wyrm trouble,” Isvan said, speaking for the first time with a frown, “but we were too late. By the time we arrived, the wyrm was gone, and all the monsters hunted down or returned to the depths. Most of the extra guard duty was already filled out as well, at least the ones with decent pay.” Gerta nodded along to this.

“In that case, I think we are all in luck,” Katya said and began laying out contract details and pay. Gerta haggled a bit, but in a surprisingly short time, they came to an agreement. It basically involved a flat wage, plus bonuses for the type of core they acquired. The siblings were also free to forage in their off time for alchemical supplies to sell.

“If we’re going to be ready in time, we should leave now to prepare,” Gerta said as she and Isvan rose and left the table.

Veil got ready to depart, but Katya motioned for him to stay.

“I wanted to buy you a drink for your birthday,” Katya said. “You turn fifteen in nine days, congratulations.”