The next day the tingling sensation had faded and Mary-Ann was feeling back to normal but was still told that she had to rest for another day so the group was not ready to leave until the day after. As they are dinner together in Mary-Ann’s and Morgan’s ward room they decided to leave early in the morning since the days were getting shorter the closer they got to midwinter and they preferred not to travel at night.

The first to arrive at the square that they had picked as their meeting spot was Mary-Ann. Clad in her grey winter clothing and with a large pack on her back she frowned as the meeting place was completely empty. She looked around the square after a few moments Louie arrived with a complaining Marith.

“I’m telling you this place is way too cold! It makes no sense!” Marith shouted outraged by the weather.

“Yes, yes I get it.” Louie pushed Marith away. “Morning Mary.”

“Good morning you two.” She giggled at the unhappy Marith. “These cloths really are a godsend.” She patted her coat.

“Yeah, and having matching clothing is sort of exciting isn’t it?” Louie said smiling.

At this Mary-Ann laughed and Marith snorted causing Louie to blush and pretended to inspect his own pack. At this point Mary-Ann noted Marith’s weapons.

“Have you trained to use two swords?” Mary-Ann looked at the two longswords on Marith’s hips.

“Yeah, I’ve trained dual wielding with axes and swords. I have also been trained in great swords, spears, daggers and with shields.” He was rubbing his arms trying to warm himself. “I was even briefly trained to use a rapier.” He said as he glanced at Mary-Ann’s rapier.

“That’s a lot, why did you stop training with the rapier?” She was a bit impressed.

“Um, well you know…” He looked away but as Mary-Ann just looked confused he groaned. “I kept breaking them…” He said embarrassed.

“Sure sounds like something you would do.” Louie said laughing.

“At least I know where the pointed end goes.” Marith said with a smirk.

“Unlike you I had more important things to learn when I was young then to stab people.” Louie said glaring back at Marith.

Mary-Ann could not help but giggle at the boys but made sure to hide her mouth behind her hand to muffle the sound. She let the boys play for a few more moments before she asked the question she had been wondering.

“Hey, wasn’t someone supposed to get us a carriage?” This made the boys stop and looked over at Mary-Ann.

“I think Rina said that the two of them would take care of that.” He looked around the snow-covered square. “Where are they by the way?”

“Maybe they overslept?” Marith chuckled.

“I doubt that.” Mary-Ann said and Louie nodded.

As if this had summoned them, the twins came running from an alleyway, bags slung over their shoulders and both were looked over their shoulders as they ran.

“Let’s go! We need to hurry!” Rina shouted as she ran up to the group and dragged Mary-Ann with her as she ran towards the north gate of the Academy.

“Wait, what’s going on?!” Mary-Ann shouted as she was pulled into a run.

“Well you see.” Rina looked back and gave Mary-Ann a half triumphant half terrified smile. “Mistress Cormora was less than pleased with us taking time off.” Rina shouted back at Mary-Ann as they ran.

“What?” Mary-Ann said confused.

“Mistress Cormora is not Uhawa!” Ross shouted as he threw himself to the side to avoid a massive lump of mud that flew in from a high angle and land where he had just been running.

This startled Marith and Louie causing them to stop and stare at the cartwheel sized mud ball that had hit the ground with enough force to scatter the snow and dirt everywhere.

“Keep running!” Ross said as he scrambled to his feet dodging another ball of dirt.

The boys did, all the while looking around for the attacker. Yet irrelevant of how hard and how much tired they were unable to even catch a glimpse of whoever was attacking them which terrified them and spurred them on. However, not seeing their attacker unfortunately did not mean that the attacks ceased. No, in fact the attacks seemed to grow fiercer and they kept being bombarded even as they weaved through the small buildings that constituted the most northern part of the Academy.

A ball of mud might seem like an innocent enough as an attack spell, but considering the balls were cartwheel sized and flew almost as fast as an arrow it was easy to imagine the result of being hit.

“Wait, if she is after you two why are we running away with you?!” Louie shouted as he along with Mary-Ann was starting to run out of breath.

“You’re welcome to stop!” Rina shouted and laughed.

Louie did not have time to retort as he was forced to lunch himself face first into the snow to avoid a mud ball that hit the ground where he would have been, splattering snow and mud all over him. Speechless Louie was pulled to his feet by Ross who had fallen a bit behind due to having to avoid more balls than the rest.

“Mistress Cromora is not that forgiving.” He whispered as he pulled Louie into a dead run.

This weaving and dodging lasted for a few minutes as they made their winding path to the gate and once they saw it they were both elated and a bit terrified as there was no longer anything to hide behind. Panting the group ran towards the gate at full speed discovering that without buildings around the barrage became much fiercer.

The massive mud balls started raining down two and three of the time making the groups progress far slower than they would have like. As they were about to reach the gate Marith’s patience ran out, his pride had been hurt by running away from an opponent that he had never even seen. Thus he slid to a halt much to Ross’s dismay.

“You go I’ll stop this damned mud.” He growled as he took a deep breath.

“What are you doing?! You’re going…” Ross shouted but was interrupted by Rina.

“Your sacrifice will not be in wain!” She shouted in a sombre voice that instantly made Marith doubt his choice.

However he had pulled his swords and before he could think much about his choice a particularly large mud ball came hurtling straight towards him. He did not have much time to think and simply got into a stance to cleave the ball in two.

Marith displayed a rather heroic figure as he ‘defended’ the group but Rina just laughed causing Mary-Ann to look back worried. What she saw was an excellent downward strike that would not shame any swordsman. “I can do this!” Marith thought to himself as he forcefully shook off his doubts. In the next instant his heart sank, time felt like it slowed down around him and before his eyes the clean cut that had severed the ball warped and turned uneven. Far too quick for Marith to react, the ball exploded like they did when they struck the ground.

As the group made it out the gate they stopped sweating and panting, they bent over or even fell down in the snow. Well everyone but the panting and cackling Rina who made no attempt at hiding her delight as she pointed at the now thoroughly mud covered Marith.

It took a rather substantial amount of time before Marith wiped his face and with feet dragging and mud dripping made his way to the group. Had his face not been mostly covered with mud it would have been bright red with embarrassment.

“What a hero.” Rina said clapping as she did her best to keep a straight face.

“Why did the attack stop?” Marith asked, trying and failing to keep his voice level.

“Have you not been paying any attention in class?” Rina said snorting she was about to launch into another ridiculing statement but Ross cut her off.

“Enough sis, how fun did you find it to be toyed with by the Mistress?” His voice was surprisingly reproving and Rina looked at him surprised but she narrowed her eyes and was about to argue. “How fun did you find it when the Mistress laughed and pointed out our every mistake?” He sounded rather bitter at this.

“… You’re right brother… I’m sorry.” she said and bowed slightly to her brother.

“Should you not be apologizing to Marith?” Ross sounded rather tired

“I humbly refuse.” Rina said before the words were almost out of Ross’s mouth and bowed once more. “Let’s go clean off.” She said as she helped Mary-Ann to her feet.

Ross could only shake his head as his sister walked over to one of the two buildings outside the north gate of the Academy. On the right was an Imperial army and messenger post, the left was a very large inn run by the Academy. It was equipped with a massive stable that had been built to accommodate the many noble parties that escorted the students to the Academy. It was this inn that Rina was strolling towards.

“Well, I guess we should get going too…” Ross said and sighed.

“Yeah, Marith needs his clothes cleaned if we don’t want him to turn into an iceman tonight.” Louie said as he gave Marith a gentle push on the back as this was where he was the least muddy.

Marith just looked embarrassed and a bit hurt so Louie scratched the back of his head and spoke to Marith in a jovial tone.

“You know, in the empire you can’t just cast offensive spells how you like.” This made Marith look at Louie. “Unless it is on your own land or in self-defence, casting offensive spells is a crime.” He gave Marith a smile and added another thing. “The Academy is obviously exempt from such laws and…” He sighed “Teachers have no jurisdiction over students outside of the Academy unless you’re taking an exam.” He would have patted the crestfallen Marith on the shoulder at this but refrained as his shoulder was covered in mud.

As the group entered the rather empty common room of inn Rina walked up to the innkeeper with determined steps. The innkeeper frowned at Marith that was still dripping before putting on a business-like smile smiling and focusing on Rina.

“How may I help you my lady?” Asked the rather large and balding innkeeper.

“We would just like to wash up.” She spoke rather softly and with a grace that differed so completely with her usual way of speaking that Marith almost found it creepy.

“Certainly!” The innkeeper smiled. “I assume you would like hot water for that?” He wore a slightly apologetic look as he mentioned the water.

“Yes, that would be appreciated.” She put down two slivers on the counter and the innkeeper took the coins with a smile and a bow before disappearing into the back.

When the Innkeeper had left a tanned man dressed in traveling clothes of good quality that were rather well-worn walked up to Rina looking rather unhappy.

“You’re late.” The man said in a deep voice that had a rather heavy southern accent.

“We ran into some obstacles.” Glancing over at Marith she spoke in a flat voice that was far more like her.

“Well da others ’re waitin.” The annoyed man said.

“Others?” Rina said as she gave the man a sharp look. “I am quite sure I payed you rather well for your services.” She narrowed her eyes but before she could continue she was interupted.

- “I’m sorry to interrupt…” Said a young blond man with handsome features and a winning smile. “I’m Aeron, and this is my party.” He paused and gestured at a table in the corner with two women and a very large man. “We have been hired to provide security for your short trip... Miss?” Aeron asked with a smile that could make any woman swoon.

Rina did not at all like his smile and it was not only because she preferred cute over manly. She gave the man a fake smile that was almost indistinguishable from a real smile.

“Rina, I was unaware that a two day journey inside the empire required such precaution.” She looked over at the driver she had hired but it was Aeron that answered.

“There have been a lot of mountain and Icewolfs around Delver town recently so it is generally considered prudent to take precautions.” He smiled apologetically.

Rina just hummed at this still feeling that there was something off with the man’s smile. She looked over at three seated party members. The large man had an equally large shield resting against the wall behind him. Next to the man sat a dark-skinned and heavily tattooed woman with a thick fur coat, Rina was sure she was glancing at Marith. The last woman was small in stature and short, wearing tightfitting leather armour. The last woman was playing with two knives and was casually observing Rina and her friends with an unreadable smile.

Rina turned back the Aeron noticing that he had a heavily decorated spear in a strap on his back and wore finally crafted mail under his expensive clothing. His slicked back hair and well shaved face made it clear that he was the face of his little gang of delvers.

“I see, good to have you then.” She gave him another fake smile and took his now outstretched hand.

The man smiled widened and Rina had to force herself not to pull her hand back as the man looked into her eyes smiling and held her hand slightly too long. Before she was unable to take it anymore the innkeeper fortunately returned.

“Your water is ready, I have arranged for two rooms for your convenience. This way.” He gestured to a hallway that led further into the building.”

“Thank you.” Rina said and was glad to have a good reason to pull her hand back and she followed the innkeeper.

When they were out of sight from the common room of the inn she stepped in close to Ross and spoke in a low whisper.

“Could you keep an eye on our gracious guards, dear brother?”

“What? Why?” Ross whispered back confused.

“Because it is always the pretty once that is up to no good.” She said cryptically and waved at her brother as he stopped, cursing under his breath.

Looking at the young lady leaving with her friends Aeron’s smile twisted into a toothy grin. Chuckling lightly as he walked back to his table he noted that Kiala’s eyes were still fixed on the hallway the children had left by. “I wonder if one of them struck her fancy?” He thought but did not ponder this for long however, instead he simply pulled back his chair and sat down.

“I’m out.” Kiala’s words froze Aeron halfway down on his seat.

He looked up shocked at Kiala’s dark face as she turned to face him with a deadly serious expression. The others were just as shocked but Gilla was the first to recover picking up the knife she had dropped.

“What are YOU getting cold feet for?” Gilla asked and snorted. “Didn’t take you for a chicken.'' she said with a sneer.

“Surely you jest.” Aeron said as he caught himself and sat down.

“…” Kiala just gave the two a scornful look. “I Am Out.” She emphasised every word as she stood up and left.

Aeron who had just sat down had to chase after Kiala as she almost stomped up the stairs to the second floor.

“Wait!” He said and caught her hand spinning her towards him.

“Let me go!” She snarled causing Aeron to take a step back. “You said nothing about there being a Vilious brat among the students!” Her dark eyes flared.

“What?” Aeron asked, surprised. “How do you know he is from Vilious? And so what? He is half a continent away from home and I don’t think you’d be afraid of a kid.”

- “You really are clueless.” Kiala chuckled disdainfully. “You have no idea what blood feuds are like over there.” She closed her eyes and shuddered. “Even more so if that boy is who I think he is.” She opened her eyes. “If you insist on your foolishness I will stay behind.” Having said what she wanted she turned and walked up the stairs leaving Aeron behind.

“Fuck!” Aeron cursed, biting the knuckle of his finger as he headed back to the table.

After the two had left a particularly deep shadow under the stairs moved and Ross exhaled an annoyed sigh. “Why does she have to be right about stuff like this?” Ross lamented to himself as he moved unnoticed towards the others.

When Ross got to the room his sister and Mary-Ann was using, he was starting to feel rather exhausted and felt sweat dripping down his face. Knocking on the door he leaned against the wall and relaxed, letting his breathing, movements and thoughts return to normal.

“Oh hi Ross we…” Mary-Ann interrupted herself as she noticed how tired Ross looked. “You look worse than before. I was just about to go and get us some food for the trip and Rina is just wiping her hair so how about to use our room to wash up instead of waiting for Marith?” She smiled a bit worriedly wondering why Ross looked even more tired now than after the run.

“Thanks, I’ll do just that.” Ross gave Mary-Ann a tired smile and entered the room as she left.

“You look tired, learned anything?” Rina said as she wiped off her hair with a towel.

“The shorter one was not half bad… took a lot of effort for her not to notice me.” He sighed tiredly.

“I see, well I’m guessing Marith will take a while longer so how about I help you wash up and so you can rest a bit?” She gave her brother a kind smile that few people ever got to see.

“Yeah, thanks.” Ross walked over and pulled off his winter clothing and sat down on one of the chairs by the basin that was filled with hot water.

“Sorry about pushing this on you…” Rina said as helped Ross rinse his hair.

“Don’t worry about it. Besides there is no way you would have been able to avoid their notice, not after that entrance anyway.” He shrugged, sending a bit of water splashing.

“Be still.” Rina clicked her tongue. “So what is the pretty boy up to?”

“Why do you expect him to be up to anything?” Ross grunted “I guess he is though...” He said with a heavy sigh.

Ross explained what he had heard as Rina helped him clean off with wet towels that were a far cry from the Academy baths. Once Ross had finished explaining and had been cleaned of Rina wore a triumphant grin and Ross felt a hard to pin down sense of defeat.

“I have heard that blood feuds are rather vicious on the southern peninsula.” Rina was playing with her hair as she thought, a habit she only showed when she was with people she fully trusted. “I wonder if there is more than meets the eyes to our resident clown.” She sounded amused as she joked about Marith.

“Well obviously.” Ross said as he started to dress again. “How many foreign students are there in the Academy?” Ross asked when his sister looked surprised.

“No clue not that many…” She answered hesitantly.

“About a hundred or so.” Ross said as he finished dressing. “How many of those do you think come from noble houses that have strong connections to our empire?” He asked nudging his sister towards his own conclusion.

“Humm… Most right?” She said now looking serious.

“Not most, every single one.” He paused and yawned. “Marith is as far as I can tell the only foreign merchant that has been accepted to the Academy, ever.”

“But is that not only because no one has ever had the money to pay the tuition or not been willing to do so?” Rina asked doubtfully.

“Doubt it.” Ross said, shaking his head. “The Academy exists to strengthen the Empire after all, not our potential rivals.” Ross groaned as he stretched. “Besides…” Ross gave his sister a pointed look. “In Vilious, only money and power matters.” He stated flatly.

“I see.” Rina said as she understood Ross’s point and thought things over for a while. “Well, as long as he acts a clown I will keep treating him as such.” She nodded and grinned at the flat expression her brother was giving her.

After Ross had gotten ready to resume the journey he turned to Rina with a rather serious expression.

“You think we should do something about our ‘Guards’” His tone of voice was uncharacteristically harsh.

“I think that a conversation and staying on our toes will be good enough.” Rina said this and laugh rather deviously making Ross chuckle.

The twins entered the common room and found two large packs on the floor next to Mary-Ann who was uncomfortably chatting with Aeron with with five bowls of steaming stew on the counter in front of her.

After tactfully dismissing Aeron the three started eating as they waited for Louie and Marith. When the two finally arrived the twins started a conversation about their home of Stormwall before Ross turned to Marith that had somehow finished his stew first.

“Where in Vilious are you from by the way Marith?” He did not even have to feign curiosity.

“Um, Lakai I guess?” He said looking thoughtful.

“You guess?” Louie asked, confused.

“Well, father is a merchant so with the plantations and all the traveling, I have been all over since I was little.” He took a moment to think it over. “But I guess I’ve spent the most time in our house in Lakai and since I was born there I suppose that’s where I’m from.”

“What’s it like?” Mary-Ann asked intrigued.

“In Lakai or Vilious?”

“Both.” She answered after a moment's thought.

“Well, Lakai is built around a large oasis and even though it is far smaller than Ilios is even more lively.” He smiled thinking of his home before looking out the window and glaring. “Most importantly it is always pleasantly warm.” He almost growled at the snow that was falling even now and the group laughed.

“Sounds nice, I have heard that it isn’t very safe down on the peninsula though.” Rina said offhandedly. “Heard that there are a lot of feuds and stuff down there.”

Rina and Ross did not glance over at their three ‘guards’ as Rina said this but could out of the corner of their eyes see that the three stiffened.

“There used to be.” Marith conceded grumpily. “It is better now.” He said firmly, causing the three ‘guards’ to relax. “Ever since ‘Honourable Combat’ there are far fewer feuds, and almost no blood feuds that wipe out entire families or clans.” He had a look of pride on his face.

“Honourable combat?” Louie asked sceptically.

“Yeah such as duels and arena fighting and so on, basically any fighting that is done in an honourable manner, unlike simple murder, assassination and such.”

“If you are slain in honourable combat the family just accepts the result then?” Rina said, sounding very suspicious.

“Basically yes.” Marith said with a serious nod. “But should you take a life outside of that the Kakal is even more swift and brutal.” He added this gravely.

“That means blood hunt right?” Louie frowned as he tried to recall what he knew of the Southern Tongue.

“Well not quite but I suppose that is close enough.” Marith conceded. “Anyway it keeps even the most hot-headed warriors under control as their actions affect not only themselves but their families and in some cases even their friends.”

“Sound just as savage as I’d expect.” Rina said with a snort as she noted the troubled looks of the ‘guards’.

“Sis, remember that we still have three levels of accountability for things like treason. Can you really say we are much different?” Ross’s words brought a thankful smile to Marith’s lips and a snort from Rina.

Rina made sure her grin did not show on her face as she watched the three guards that were surprisingly easy to read. As the group finished their meal the three were leaned in close as they talked softly as to not be overheard. “At least they are keeping their eyes away from us.” Rina thought with an internal snicker.

“Well now that you are done.” The annoyed coach driver walked up to the group. “How bout we get on the road, I’d prefer to not have to sleep outside in the snow.”

Rina fixed the man with a glare that made the man cough uncomfortably and turn to the guards.

“Are you ready?” He blinked as he counted the group. “What about your dark-skinned friend?”

“I’ll go get her.” Aeron said with an implacable smile.

As Aeron walked off to get Kiala, the coach driver pulled on his cap and a thick coat.

“I’ll get the coach. I’ll leave once the horses are ready. With or without you.” He glared back at Rina. “I refused to sleep outside in the snow.” Saying this he turned around and walked off before Rina could argue.

Rina snorted and the group put their coats back on and Marith and Ross took the two packs of food they had bought from the innkeeper and stepped outside. They walked over to the stables and found their coach driver in the process of hitching a team of horses to a large enclosed stagecoach.

Unlike other large stagecoaches that were common further south in the empire, this had only four small windows that could be closed from the inside to keep out the cold. Almost making it look like a prison wagon.

The group entered the coach as the driver was hitching the third out of four horses and found the inside rather warm and comfortable. Even the benches were cushioned and there were eight blankets folded on top of them.

“Wow this is better than expected.” Marith said, surprised and smiling as he opened up his coat.

“No wonder he can charge so much despite his attitude.” Rina said as she took a seat further in leaving the spot closest to the front wall empty. “Come sit with me Mary.” She said with a smile and Mary-Ann took the seat by the wall that separated the inside from the driver’s seat.

Ross took the seat next to his sister and Marith sat down in front of Mary-Ann to get as far away from the door in the back as possible. Louie took the seat next to Marith and once they were all seated and ready to leave Aeron arrived with the two women. Aeron smiled at the group this time his smile felt a bit less oily to Rina but she still did not like it.

Rina glanced over at her brother and gave him a small grin and Ross shook his head almost imperceptibly before smiling back for the briefest moment. The coach took off and the group was pleasantly surprised once more by how smooth the ride was. Not that it was the smoothest ride any of the group had taken.

The group rode in silence for quite some time as Rina kept politely shutting down Aeron’s attempt at small talk, which gradually made Aeron’s annoyance more and more apparent. This in turn made him glance over at Kiala more and more but she refused to even meet his eyes even for a second as she rested her head on fist and exuded a ‘don’t talk to me aura’.

As the day turned into evening the group shared some of the bread they had bought along with some cheese and ham. After some more time the coach stopped and the large man swapped with the short woman and took the jerky Aeron handed him as he sat down with a thump.

“How’s it looking?” Aeron’s irritation was only thinly veiled at this point.

“There are some mountain wolves about.” He rubbed some warmth into his hands. “That is uncommon this far south, but I have seen no Icewolves.” He ripped off a piece of jerk. “But Gilla will tell us if I missed anything.” He added with a shrug of his massive shoulders.

The large man leaned back and closed his eyes and before long he was gently snorting. The coach kept moving along as the sun set and even through the wall separating the passengers from the driver they could hear the man start spouting profanities. As darkness fell their progress slowed and after a knock on the roof the coach grinded to a halt and Aeron jumped out the back. Soon they could hear scrambling on the roof and the coach started moving again.

It was a quiet night with the only sounds being the soft hoof beat on the snow and the gentle creaking of the coach. This gave the darkness an almost eerie atmosphere which put the group on edge and they were glad when they reached the village of Twinstream which is the halfway point between the Academy and Delver town. It still took almost half an hour to enter the walled off village as the gate guards were reluctant to open the gate at night.

It was not until Louie, the only one in the group who could properly call himself a noble demanded that the gate was open did the guards unlock the gate reluctantly. The village was dark and only the sources of light came from the lanterns of the coach and the torches that lit the wall. This was only natural as like other villages the days in Twinstream started and ended early. Thus it took another half hour to get to the opposite end of the village where the inns where located and it was about midnight when the group had finally gotten their rooms and were turning in for the night.

Rina however decided to slip out of the room she shared with Mary-Ann only to find her brother doing the same.

“Not going to sleep?” She asked him a curious whisper.

“I was just going to take a look around.” He said with a shrug.

“I see.” She said with a knowing look. “Well I was the one that poked the bear this time so how about I take it from here?”

“This time?” Ross said with a raised eyebrow and a half-smile.

This earned him an elbow to the side and he groaned softly before chuckling quietly.

“I’ll take you up on that than, don’t stay up too long sis.” He waved at her and went back into the room to sleep.

Rina shook her head and took a deep breath. Closing her eyes she did as she had been taught since she was little and more recently by Mistress Cormora. She slowed her breathing, relaxed her entire body and fully released her control over her mana causing it to flow out of her. As she opened her eyes she let her thoughts become light and ephemeral while still firmly keeping her task in mind.

This last part was the hardest and the one that reaped the greatest benefit. A true Master of the art of stealth like Mistress Cormora could not only make her movements imperceptible but make her presence so faint that even looking straight at her most would be unable to notice her. Even experienced Imperial guards, trained to catch assassins and spies were very hard pressed to detect Mistress Cormora during training.

Rina had believed that the stories she had been told about the notorious ‘Acrobatics’ teacher of the Academy were in a word hogwash. However she remembered the shudder she had felt when Cormora on the very first lesson had simply vanished in front of their eyes. She had only later learned that she had only used a very simple obfuscation spell and that the rest was her praying on the human mind's perceptions. Her words still echoed in her mind every time she entered this state. ‘Remember, the human mind detects movement, colour, smell, sound, touch and for those trained, mana. If you can trick these senses you will achieve something far better than invisibility, you will become imperceptible.’ The short old woman had shown a toothy smile only to vanish once more. Soon after she had started bombarding the group with her trademark mud balls and the six students that had gathered on one of the Academy rooftops began their first lesson in ‘Acrobatics’. At the time the mud balls were fist sized but over the months they had grown to the size of cartwheels.

However even these thoughts became distant as her awareness dimmed. She almost mechanically walked with endlessly trained and silent steps to the room down the hallway where their guards should be sleeping. Before she even got there her hearing that was incredibly sharp in this state picked up on Aeron’s words.

“Kiala please reconsider, those kids need to be taught a lesson. If not us, someone else will anyway! We are going to Delver town for crying out loud!” Aeron’s voice was low and sharp, filled with barely contained anger.

“You don’t know when to give up do you?” Kiala’s spoke in an offhand voice and Rina stopped feeling that she was close enough.

“Of course he doesn’t!” Gilla said with a cackle. “Did you not notice how that girl hasn’t batted an eye at our leader, despite his best advances.” She cackled even louder.

“You find this funny?” Aeron growled sounding furious.

“But it is! Seeing a noble brat that is completely unaffected by you, is rather refreshing. Maybe she swings this way.” Gilla said as she erupted into laughter that lasted for quite a bit until she spoke in a far more annoyed tone. “Stop sulking it’s not like we took a contract or anything.”

Silence was all that followed and Rina was wondering if they had done something to block her from hearing.

“You are joking right?!” Kiala shouted, sounding absolutely enraged. “We agreed to never again take a contract without discussing it with the group!”

Once more there was silence and Rina could hear footsteps some shuffling about.

“I didn’t take any contract.” Aeron’s voice was low enough that Rina had to move closer. “We were just offered a very reasonable sum to measure out some well-deserved punishment on a group of naughty children.” Aeron spoke in a calm and rather indifferent voice.

“Then we can just ignore it.” Kiala’s said with a snort.

“Umm, well…” Aeron sounded evasive and the room was silent once more. “There is no contract and no money has changed hands…” He paused and Rina imagined that she could hear the grinding of teeth. “But the people who asked for this um favour, are not people one should disappoint.”

At this Gilla laughed darkly and Rina heard the loud sound of a slap followed by footsteps that came towards the door. Rina instinctively took a step back into a shadow cast by one of the wooden pillars that ran from the roof to the floor. It in no way completely hid Rina but as the door opened and Kiala exited with blazing eyes she simply walked past Rina. Even Aeron who poked his head out of the door to call after her as loudly as he dared did not even glance at Rina even as he looked after Kiala as she walked past her.

When the door closed behind Aeron, Gilla spoke in a cold voice that would have startled Rina somewhat had she not been so distant in her current state.

“Quite the pickle you have caused Leader.” Her voice dripped with hostility. “I hope you have a plan to get us out of this mess.” Her tone made it clear that it was not a question.

“Of course I do.” Aeron sounded far more confident than Rina had expected. “Just follow my lead as always.” His tone was dark and the room grew silent.