(Niko, 16)

"The theater?" Lina asks.

"Yes," I answer. "After lunch, though. I already received permission from your papa."

"Did you just say 'papa'?" She gives me a startled look.

"Yes," I answer. "I have been using the Marran phrasing and word, but as I am speaking Varilan, I decided to not do that. We only say 'papa' and 'mama' as children, but your people do it through your whole lives. As I am speaking your language, I should use your words wholly. It will help me adjust to speaking it."

"Okay," she smiles. "It sounded weird, hearing that word out of your mouth."

"It felt weird, using it," I feel my cheeks flush. "That was my first try with someone other than Jason."

Who is still missing, even though it has now been two weeks since the fight. Everyone else has accepted his death and mourned for him. Alex still mourns, and I know the Sages called Sage Elena into town to help him with that.

And with my 'delusion' that Jason still lives, though they did not word it that way. Jason does still live. He is a Magus. He is just being Jason and doing… something unknown. Healing still, possibly, or getting up to no good before returning.

Or both.

This is Jason we are discussing, so it could definitely be both. Considering that, it is most likely both.

"You can hand your coat to the servants," I tell Lina. "Lunch is almost ready."

"Will the others be with us?" She asks as she removes her coat, one of her guards handing it to one of my servants.

"No," I answer. "They went to the cafe which Adam works at. He is working right now, as someone else who works there fell ill. They have not been there and eaten his food yet, and wished to try it."

I kicked them out so that Lina and I can have a lunch by ourselves.

"I see," she says.

I lead her into the dining room and pull back the chair for one of the two places that were set. Lina sits, and I push her chair in with her, then move around the table and take my seat across from her. I already poured our wine, all that is left is for the servants to serve our food, but I believe they are still cooking.

"How has your week been?" I ask. "You have been busy ever since last weekend, so I have only been able to see you at university."

And I have been at the royal palace every day this past week. Not in an attempt to see her, but to speak with either Jacob or King Zachary in regards to political things. A lot is going on due to the situations in Mar and Kelrar.

"My week has been well," Lina responds. "We received word this morning that the princess of Vel was ambushed as she traveled to Sar. According to the report, the men of Duke Jakor were responsible for the act."

Sar borders Mar to the east, its southern border touching Varil's northern. Vel is a short distance from both, resting at the northeastern edge of Varil. The Jakor Duchy borders the neutral zone between Varil and Vel.

"Why would he do that?" I ask.

"We do not believe Duke Jakor was responsible," she tells me. "Papa has been suspicious of a few things for awhile, and sent men over to the Jakor Duchy to keep an eye on things. They were the ones who contacted him. It is possible the duke you and Jason outed a few months ago may have been responsible."

"That is why I was in favor of executing him rather than banishing him," I say. "But Varil does things differently than in the mountains."

"Varil is not constantly at war, expecting an enemy to stab them in the back at any time."

I raise an eyebrow, and her cheeks flush a little.

"Okay," she says. "So maybe we should have expected that, considering how many assassination attempts are on Jacob, Papa, and I each week."

"And since he was attempting to start a war," I add. "He did desire to kill me and toss my body at the border to cause friction, then a war."

"Which is why Papa suspects it was Michael xan Victor," she tells me. "He has had sufficient time to travel there and set things up. With blame placed on Duke Jakor and Vel asking for blood, it would not be too difficult for him to try and step in to take over Jakor. He might claim himself to ally with Vel, especially after his exile."

And by taking over the Jakor Duchy, he would effectively steal away a portion of Varilan land. The people might not be happy with that, but with soldiers enforcing a new law, they would have to deal.

"How do you think things will go?" I ask her.

"I am not certain," she answers. "But Papa has asked the Sages to take Jacob and me during the Twelve Honors because of the tension that may rise here in Varil City once word spreads. That is also when the first assassins from Vel's retaliation might reach us."

"I will miss you during that time," I tell her, then notice the servants entering the room. "But enough of that talk! It is time to dine!"

She smiles, and we eat in silence, for the most part. We also talk a little of how the parks look with the recent snows. According to the royal weather mages, an ice storm is to wash over Varil City over the next few days as well. I only hope it reaches us after the show and not during.

After we eat, Lina and I take separate carriages to the amphitheater. There are not many guests at it, but we still sit in the back, surrounded by the students here from my kingdom. I bought tickets for them as well, so that they may enjoy a Varilan show. They quite like the performances put on here.

And with them to our sides and front, and her guards behind us, not many will notice how close I sit to her. As usual, I sit on her left, so that my right leg is the one touching her, my right arm wrapped around her waist. I have been careful to avoid touching her with my left leg, in case she notices it is different.

While my limp has mostly disappeared, I worry that she need only touch it to realize it is not a leg of flesh, but one of stone. It does look different than it did originally, though. I made some adjustments to it last night so that it more properly looks like a leg. Now, the only difference between it and my right leg in appearance is the stone look to it. Otherwise, the shapes are near mirrors of each other.

I hope Jason returns soon, so that I may ask him if he knows of a way I could potentially regrow it before I turn grey in magical power. It bothers me, having a leg of stone. The lady from the Dragon Clans might know a way to regrow my leg, but I am scared to ask her. If I do, she might tell others. What would happen then, when others find out I lost my leg?

No, it is best if only Jason learns of it. He will keep it secret, and we can potentially solve this without anyone else becoming aware of it.

"Niko," Lina slides her hand around my waist as well, and I am grateful I at least still have some of my natural leg, so that her hand will not brush the stony part. Maybe I worry too much, as she would be feeling my pants, not my leg? But I am not sure. I can feel a difference. "Do you ever pay attention to the performances, when you come?"

"Jason usually translates it into Marran for me," I inform her. "As it can be difficult to keep up, especially if they use words I do not know. He is quite good at imitating voices, too, which adds to the translations. It is quite amusing."

"I meant when it is you and I," she tells me.

"Oh," I feel my face heat up. "I enjoy coming here."

"That did not answer my question," she smiles at me, and I feel my face heat up even more.

"I pay more attention to you than the show," I admit. "This is one of the few times I can sit with you like this, because of the rules of etiquette we must follow."

"We are not supposed to sit like this," she states.

"I know," I tell her. "But no one notices it here."

"True," she says, her gaze moving past me. "They implemented the heaters here, making it quite comfortable. Winter performances might become more commonplace once people adjust to the idea of being warm outside at this time."

"Indeed," I tell her, then give her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I believe they may be about to begin."

"Why?" She asks. "Are you planning on paying attention?"

"No," I answer. "But you might."

(Jacob, 16)

Niko and Lina are an adorable couple, especially when they think no one can see them. I do have to wonder if they even realized I am here, and was before they arrived. When they showed up, they moved straight to the group of Marran men and sat down, essentially protected from view by the other teens and Lina's guards.

I decide that maybe they did not notice my presence.

The performance was enjoyable, and by that, I meant the troupe's. Niko and Lina were amusing, though, because Niko tried to pay attention for Lina, but often ended up gazing at her instead while trying to look like he was watching the actors.

It was a nice relief, after the stress of this morning. Lina was let loose sooner than I was, as Papa required me to discuss the situation with him further, including details Lina was not made privy to. According to him, we had already been suspecting the assassination would happen, but had not made Duke Jakor aware of this on the chance that he might actually have a hand in it.

Right now, only three people know that Duke Jakor may have been in alliance with the former Duke Aldris, Michael xan Victor xal Varilar. The spy, Papa, and myself.

If he is working with Michael xan Victor, then Michael will no doubt attempt to claim the 'free' territory of Varil to the north of the Jakor Duchy. It is land without a lord over all, mostly due to how few people actually live there. They still pay taxes and such, with each community having its own lord.

Sar and Vel were intending on unifying their lands into a single nation after claiming the neutral territory between them. If the Jakor Duchy betrays Varil and signs allegiance to Vel, and that small strip of free territory joins them, then they turn into a sizable nation which can begin to cause actual problems for Varil.

Even if that does not happen, those two kingdoms working together can cause problems for Varil, so Papa wants to attempt to mitigate the damage. War is inevitable, but if we can offer up the assassin and the actual person behind it, that should help some.

Unfortunately, innocents will be killed before that happens. Sar and Vel will definitely attack our borders and claim our land as we fight back, and they will want the blood of myself in exchange for their princess's.

Sighing, I look up at the sky, the sun having already set due to the winter solar pattern and the length of the performance. The four Kings still fill the sky, but it is the Dragon I focus on. If only Jason were still here. He might not have solutions for everything, but his insight is often welcome.

Not that I doubt Papa's own intelligence and our advisers, but Jason was… Jason. He did whatever he wanted, and things worked out for the best in the end. As one example, Niko survived an attempted assassination and war with Mar was averted.

Now, though, those actions are causing a war with our neighbors. Neighbors who will not settle until they have some of our territory and my life. If we do not make peace with them soon enough, other neighbors will join in the battle, and Varil will begin fighting a war on multiple fronts.

I sigh again, then stand and leave, returning to the palace.

As soon as I arrive, I am informed that Papa wishes to see me, then led to the room where he is waiting on an armchair. Sage Michael sits on a couch, and I take a seat across from them, the guard closing the door as he exits, leaving the three of us alone in a privacy room.

"You wished to see me?" I ask as Sage Michael pours me a drink from the pitcher of wine on the coffee table.

"Yes," Papa answers as I accept the goblet. "Michael and I have been speaking, and we decided to make you aware of something dealing with the upcoming war."

"He knows?" I ask.

"While he might not be a hero in the traditional sense," Papa says. "Michael has been in many battles and has fought in a war. His advice is welcome, when offered, and so I sought it out when I was unsure on if you should know."

"Okay," I take a sip of the wine. Sweet, but also bitter. I set the goblet down. "What is it?"

"There are several working Transfer Gates," Papa informs me.

"I thought Jason said they would not be ready until at least the second month of next year?" I ask.

"We asked Jason to lie about that," Papa informs me. "Only Jason, Alyssa, and I knew they existed."

"We have one in Jakor," I realize.

"We do," he nods. "I gave Alyssa a list of places that my intelligence agents felt would be best for a gate to have first, and Jakor was on the list for suspicions of possible international conflict. If necessary, I can move troops there quickly."

"Okay," I say. "So you are going to?"

"Yes," he answers. "But not many. I will first move in twenty Royal Knights and twenty Royal Mages. Their instructions will be to perform a full investigation into the assassination. At the same time, a smaller unit will travel to Vel and explain that I was unaware of any such plans and am launching a full investigation into it. They will also attempt to negotiate compensation."

"Vel has a strong blood-for-blood mentality," I remind him. "They will ask for the life of your heir. They may even attack the diplomats.

"Your blood is not something they will receive," Papa tells me. "What I want here, Jacob, is your thoughts on what will happen if an agreement cannot be reached. Assume Jakor remains in our hands, as well as the land north of it."

"Vel and Sar will unite for war," I answer. "They will launch an attack at our borders come the thaw in spring. Nelem has an unsteady alliance with Vel, but will probably join them in battle if it draws on too long. That will make up around a sixth or a fifth of our entire border attacking us, including all of the northeastern border. Either we will fight a purely defensive battle at our borders and wait for them to wear themselves out, or we will strike them hard. Either way, tensions between our nations will be high for years after. Far more than they already are. Battles will continue to break out until eventually, the current Varilan royal line dies. Factions that oppose our bloodline will do what they can to remove us from power to earn allies among our new enemies, and-"

"That is enough," Papa holds up a hand. "I am now asking the Magus Jacob rather than Prince Jacob for advice. What would you do as a Magus in this situation?"

As a Magus? A champion of the world who fought the heavens and angels? My response is somewhat different.

"We Magi," I say. "Are not mercy-givers. We fought a war to save our people. Our duty, first and foremost, was the protection of Midlaris and his children. As these are humans we are dealing with, I would give them two options. The first is to accept that you were not responsible for the death of their princess and await your investigation's results. When we locate the parties responsible for the assassination, we would hand them over to Vel to deal with accordingly. If they choose to decline that and go to war anyway, then we kill every member of their leadership and replace them with trusted Varilans. Any rebellions are wiped out with mass force, their people subjugated."

That is the solution I would have given as Magus Ethan. It would save the most lives in the end. There would be tension for awhile, but the common man would soon forget, as long as those who stirred trouble were put down quickly.

Introducing the magitech Jason and the Sages have been inventing after subjugating them would also help to appease them. With lives made easier under the new rule, why would they hate too harshly? It might take a generation or two, but that hate would fade as the younger generations grew up with the magitech and no experience with the conflict.

It seems Papa and Sage Michael are shocked by my answer. It is a harsh response, and not like how Varil ordinarily handles situations, but it is an effective one, as long as the appropriate after-measures are taken as well.

I pick up my goblet and take another sip. Sweet, but bitter.

(Alex, 16)

Clack! Clack! Clackclackclack!

My wooden training sword clacks against Connor's wooden training sword as we spar in his training room. Both of us wear only pants, both of us soaked in sweat as we pit our swords against each other. He is physically stronger than me as a result of his higher magical power level and lifelong training, but my actual skill is greater, no doubt in part to my training with Jason.

Smack!

His sword strikes my right forearm as I falter, and I push the thought of Jason from my mind to focus on the training. Neither of us are using magic for this, just the wooden training swords. Hailey watches from one side of the room, her attendants at her sides to ensure she does not go hungry or thirsty.

Connor understands my dislike for nobility, even if he does not share it. He understands I do not fully trust him even though he is my blood brother, because he was raised a noble's son. But he does not care. If I want to train, he is happy to train. If I want to be left alone, he leaves me alone. He has helped me with some of my studies, too.

Since I moved in on Monday, Connor and I have gotten to know each other, and he sympathized with me over Prince Jacob imprisoning me. He had something similar happen to him, after all, as did Hailey.

I suppose I do trust him some, but it will take more time for me to fully trust him, if ever. I've yet to have one truly good experience with nobility. Outside of Jason, anyway.

Smack!

His sword strikes my left wrist, and I push the thoughts of Jason from my mind once more. I can think about him later, but for now, I must focus on this training. So far, he has nine strikes and I have eight. We are going to ten strikes before our break. Ten strikes or a disarming. This is round five for us, and the deciding match on who wins today.

Smack!

His sword strikes my left side, and we step back, breathing heavily. We give each other a bow, then walk over to the servants to hand over the training swords and accept towels to wipe off our sweat.

"You did good today," Connor tells me. "Had you rested well last night, you may have bested me today."

"Maybe," I respond. "Maybe I will best you tomorrow, though."

Connor and I are rather evenly matched, which is why we spar for five rounds when we spar. The fifth round has been the determining round each time so far. Tomorrow, we are returning to the warehouse Jason set up for training. Sage Alyssa suggested it, so that we do not have to hold back as much when testing our abilities.

"Maybe I'll best you," he responds with a light smile.

I roll my eyes and take a cup of water and drain it, and he does the same before we sit on the bench and look at Hailey. Since I lost, I have to spar with her next, but have a ten-minute rest to catch my breath. Connor, Hailey, and I decided on this when she showed up earlier as a form of extra training. After my matches with her, she will face off against Connor. Since he won the first round, he earned a longer rest before sparring again.

As we rest, my comm plate signals to me, so I pick it up from where I left it on the bench. No one asked for it back, and having it makes me feel comfortable. Connected to Jason, like the dragon stuffie. Sage Alyssa is calling me.

"Hello?" I answer the call.

"You sound breathless," she comments. "Are you training right now?"

"On a rest period," I answer. "'Bout to spar with Hailey."

"Is Connor with you?" She asks.

"Yeah."

"Could the three of you come down to my house?" She asks. "Miranda wishes to speak with all of the Magi. I can open a gate directly."

"We'll walk," I tell her. "Thanks, though. Connor and I just finished sparring, we need a few minutes to catch our breaths."

"Okay," she says. "Don't take too long, though."

Even the Sages are nervous of the lady of the Dragon Clans and her power.

"We won't," I tell her.

She ends the call, and I grab my tunic and boots and pull them on, Connor doing the same. We equip our swords as Hailey fixes hers onto her belt, then we make our way to the foyer of the mansion, where a servant hands us our coats.

"What do you think Miranda wants?" Connor asks. "She doesn't know Jason was Nolan, and as far as she's aware, Jason is still away, busy with whatever he is working on."

They're disrespecting Jason badly by not admitting he's dead publicly. The official statement is still that is he busy with work for his family's company and for Varil. It's frustrating me, but there ain't a thing I can do about it. I cannot wait for next week to end. Then, I can just up and leave here.

But I might stay to get to know Connor better. It wouldn't be fair to him to abandon him after he finally gets to meet me. Jason told me that Connor had been wanting to get to know me, and I trust him. If he were still around, he would probably get mad at me for just abandoning my brother because I was grieving.

The crew would probably get mad at me, too…

I sigh as we leave the mansion and begin the walk back to Jason's house. I haven't been there since I left it Monday afternoon. Six days, but it has felt like an eternity.

When we reach it, we are shown inside immediately. Sages Michael, Alyssa and Elena are present, as well as an older man I am not familiar with. The other Magi are all present, as are the twins' bodyguards. I give the pair of twins and Tasha a glare, before noticing Eden sitting at the dining room table, looking uncomfortable with all the power contained in this room.

Miranda and her two grandchildren are standing at one end of the room, so I walk to the other. There is not much space here, leaving only a spot by the gate space open unless I want to block a walkway or block someone's view of Miranda. I make sure Connor and Haily ain't standing in it. There are still four Sages not here, which means someone may show up. Or three, if the man I don't know is a Sage.

"Now that the eleven of you are here," Miranda says once we look at her. "I would like to inform you all that I will be returning to my home after this discussion, as it seems Nolan is not arriving. The Sages have been graceful enough to grant me one of your communication plates. Should Nolan make contact with you, you are to immediately tell him to come here and await my judgment, then inform the Sages so that they may alert me. As I now know this gate spell, I can return immediately."

Good luck with that. Nolan died in this life, and unlike in that strange tale you told, there is no possibility of someone actually surviving immediately lethal injuries unless they ain't of this realm and ain't killed with the appropriate weapons. You will be waiting an eternity, unless he reincarnates here again.

"If I have not heard from them in six months," she continues. "I will suspect that you are intentionally ensuring he does not return and have warned him away. Nolan will return if he knows it is to face judgment for his actions."

As if! Why would someone willingly go to someone who wants to kill them over something that happened in a life they had three thousand years ago? Especially since Nolan must have had good reason for that!

"If that happens," she continues. "I will return here immediately and interrogate each of you for his whereabouts and how to contact him. Do I make myself clear?"

The other Magi and I mumble an acceptance, but I know she will find that her target of murder has already been murdered. She is just flaunting how much more powerful she is than us and ignoring that this is not her land and that the new incarnation is not the old.

"Good," she says, then frowns as she looks past me, her eyes widening in shock and joy. "Jamesari!"