Korinna and Timaeus stood before Master Paramonos’ study, he had beckoned them here late at night and in secrecy, long after any discussions of curriculum had ended. Korinna was gathering her last thoughts. She wondered what they were about to hear from him. Maybe finally an induction to his secret studies, which she knew he must have. Nobody becomes Master of the Forbidden by having shelves full of ordinary and boring books and nothing else. She fidgeted in nervousness, as did Timaeus, although his seemed much more optimistic. He believed he would be rewarded for his loyalty.

Finally, the dooropened from the inside. MasterParamonos stood behind the frame, no jovial smile on his face and his voice was notbooming and friendly as usually. “Come in.”

A cart with tea and baked goods was already ready. Master beckoned them to sit with him in the two free armchairs. “Sit down.”

He poured them some cold tea and reached them each a plate with hard and dry cookies. She looked at it, hesitantly.

Master Paramonos chuckled. “No poison, I promise.” He took a sip from his cup, then ate a biscuit.

Korinna decided to follow suit.

Timaeus was the first to speak up with a hopeful tone in his voice. “What is it that you wish to talk with us about, Master?”

“I do not doubt that you have noticed something about Nannade, am I correct?”

Korinna and Timaeus both nodded.

“And what was that, if I may ask?” Master asked them in turn.

Korinna spoke up first. “She has become headstrong and secure. During your meditations she never backs down any more, she has become obsessed with working in a secretive place on some secretive project. She seldom suppresses the snake daemon in her.”

Timaeus nodded. “I agree, she carries herself a lot prouder and stronger, as if she had no more fear or shame of anything anymore.”

Master Paramonos nodded and hummed with satisfaction. “I am right to trust you, I see.” He lowered his voice even further than he already had. “I suspect her teacher is preparing her to be turned into a weapon, an unflinching devil made flesh. It is our duty to prevent that.”

Suddenly, Timaeus sat upright. “Is there any way to save her?We cannot let her become a monster!”

Korinna could tell he was worried about her and wanted to turn her instead of getting rid of her preemptively.

Master Paramonos closed his eyes and nodded. “I know you are worried, Timaeus, and I agree. We should try to convince and save her first.You shall have your chance. But I ask both of you still to prepare for combat.”

Korinna couldn’t believe this came so soona fter her own preparations, Timaeus seemed not prepared, howcould he, he couldn’t anticipate the rising of the sun. “We are not trained in combat! How can we?”

Paramonos stood up and picked up a box from behind his armchair. It was about as long as two forearms and as wide as a forearm and made of wood with many bracings and ornaments of silver and gold. He opened it and inside lay two large ornamental blades with curved blades. The dim light reflected off their surface was somehow... dark.

“These are blades of horizon.” Master Paramonos explained. “If they hurt an abomination, the devil bound to it is hurt as well and can no longer draw sustenance from the host. It will put a stop to her abilities. All you need to do is get the drop on the girl and you will succeed.”

“And what about you, Master?” Timaeus asked with worry.

“I will help a contracted specialist to bind and hinder the girl’s teacher. His powers are far greater than you can imagine and I hope to merely stall him long enough for you do the deed and get to safety.”

Both Korinna and Timaeus tried to process this in silence.

“Do not worry, my students, I shall discuss the plan further with you soon, for now take these and hide them on your person, get used to their weight and-”

Korinna had to stand up. “Master, I must confess that I have already enlisted the help of an angel of Her Holy Radiance!”

Master Paramonos and Timaeus both were surprised. Before they could say anything, Korinna continued. “I thought you wouldn’t do anything against the sinner, Master, I feared she would get away unpunished. I had no faith in you, please forgive me. It was wrong of me to not trust you, I see that now:”

It seemed that Master Paramonos was delighted and impressed rather than enraged and disappointed. “You made such great strides, Korinna. Well done! I assume your benefactors in Fulgopolis assisted you in calling to this Angel?”

Korinna nodded. Her heart felt so much lighter.

“Well, I think you should bring more allies to this fight. Anything the girl cannot deal with will be of great value. But please, stilltake one of the blades. I will rest much easier knowing that we have a back-up plan!”

Korinna thanked her Master and took one of the blades.

“Now go to bed. The sinner cannot suspect anything!”