Alois tossed a silver coin between his hands as he observed the man before him. Silas Toll was a travelling merchant as well as the only one Alois considered his rival. He was the only merchant to start a business younger than Alois, and his business was always more famous and more popular than anything Alois did when he was around. Now that very Silas Toll had invited Alois here to make a deal with him.

“You wanted to make a deal with me?” Alois asked, finally breaking the silence.

“I did,” Silas replied with a smile, “Simply put, I would like to recruit you. It would be a waste for talent like you to disappear.”

“What?” Alois demanded, instantly on edge. Was that a threat? No, Silas wasn’t the kind of man to threaten his rivals. That meant he knew something that Alois didn’t. “I see. How much do I have to pay for you to tell me what that means?”

“I apologize, but I pride myself in keeping my clients’ confidentiality,” Silas answered, “I cannot answer your questions, but I can help you in another way.”

“What do you mean?” Alois demanded. Something about this situation had his senses screaming that something was seriously wrong but Alois was never someone to simply back away.

Silas opened his bag and pulled out an eyepatch before holding it out to him. Alois stared at it blankly. Was this some kind of joke? He had to admit that the eyepatch looked surprisingly comfortable and the textured image of the soaring dragon that was only revealed when the light shone on it fit his taste perfectly. However, Alois had no need for an eyepatch.

“This is a rare magical item I was able to create. I am willing to give it to you for an incredible discount,” Silas explained with a smile, “I made two, but my client only needed one.”

“So this is leftovers,” Alois guessed, “What kind of magical item is it?”

“This eyepatch has the power to conceal and control even the most powerful and dangerous magic. I also added a few other features. Interested?”

Alois glanced at the eyepatch again with suspicion. “Nice try. I am not going to fall for your tricks. I won’t join you either.”

“That’s a shame,” Silas chuckled, “This item is the only one of its kind I have for sale. If you walk away now, you won’t get another chance.”

The next thing Alois knew he was in his room with the eyepatch in his hand. It was the simplest trick in the book, but he had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. He was frustrated with himself, and even more frustrated that he couldn’t even blame Silas for being a crook.

There was a knock on his door, and Alois quickly stuffed the eyepatch in his pocket before answering it. “What is it?” he demanded.

The messenger on the other side of the door flinched. “I have an urgent message for you,” they reported and stuffed and envelope in Alois’s free hand before darting off.

Alois scowled and opened the message on the spot. “Ha! That old geezer wants me to come home now? How is this urgent?” he scoffed. After everything he had gone through to start a business in the capital to get away from that place, the last thing he wanted was to return. Then again, there was a chance it was actually something important.

It took Alois two weeks to arrive at the seaport that was his hometown. One the way he heard some surprising news. The Empire of Gaia had formed a coalition with several other nations and declared war on Tethia. What was even more surprising was how little everyone seemed to care about it.

Sure, Tethia had more magic as a whole, but when sorcerers showed up in other nations they were generally ridiculously powerful. Not only that, Beraud was growing famous for their innovative technology that could counter Tethia’s magic. That was likely what sparked the war.

On the other hand, Alois was as indifferent as everyone else. As a merchant the war was bound to affect him, but it wouldn’t be difficult to change sides in a pinch. Alois valued his own life over things like loyalty. When he had been starved for disobeying his father he had learned how to steal, and when he had been hit, he learned how to disappear.

That very same father who treated his son like a tool had urgently summoned him home when a war broke out. Alois could only feel bitter. Whatever that man wanted, Alois would pretend to listen and then flatly turn him down.

Alois pondered over several methods of refusal as he made his way inside his childhood manor. He ignored the servants and knocked on the door of his father’s office. “I came directly here, just like you told me to,” he called out, unable to keep the sarcasm from his tone.

“Finally,” a cold voice replied, “Wait there a moment. I have something I need to show you.”

He was about to refuse, but it was likely better to see whatever this was. There was always a chance it could be interesting. When his father came out he immediately followed.

Alois was led into the cellar where the food and wine for the manor was stored. So it wasn’t merchandise? Alois grew even more curious as he watched his father move through the boxes. The man took out a key and carefully inserted in between two bricks and turned. Alois heard a distinct click and a moment later the wall began to open.

A secret passage? Alois was surprised he hadn’t found it before, but it was locked with a key. The passage beyond the opening was dark and ominous but Alois could no longer hold back his curiosity and pushed his father aside.

He should have realized something was wrong when his father quietly allowed him to pass. If not then he should have realized when his father did not follow him into the passageway.

Alois summoned a magic light so that he could see where he was going and pressed on. At the end of the passageway was a large circular room, and in the center of that room was pitch black marble on a pedestal.

As he approached the marble Alois felt a shiver run down his spine. The marble began to softly glow with a deep purple light, and as it did Alois’ own magic light disappeared. Did it just suck up his magic?

That made Alois come to his senses and he took a step back. “What is that thing?”

“That is our greatest treasure,” his father replied with an obsessed smile, “Isn’t it incredible? The records say it is an artifact from ancient times with incredible power. It is called the Raven’s Eye.”

“Why did you want to show me this?” Alois asked with suspicion.

“Because you have been chosen. Only by offering a sacrifice can one gain the power to use the Eye,” his father explained patiently.

Alois felt the chill again and quickly took another step back before his wrist was caught.

“Where do you think you are going?” his father demanded, “Do you realize what an honor this is? You will become a part of the weapon that will single handedly save Tethia.”

“I refuse!” Alois spat back and yanked his wrist out his father’s grasp.

He stumbled back and bumped into something. The chills grew stronger. That purple light was far too close. As Alois tried to push himself away from the pedestal, his elbow brushed against the marble. The Eye flashed brighter, and Alois felt an intense pain. As everything faded he heard his father’s maddened laughter. Was this really how his life was going to end?

___________

Alois shot out of bed, chills still running up and down his arms from the nightmare. It was a nightmare he had seen since he was very young. That nightmare had caused him to run away and take the entrance test to Nobility at ten years old. Before he had run away he had snuck into his father’s office and stolen the key he had seen in the dream as an additional safety measure.

Nobility was the name of the school that raised the future leaders of Tethia. Everything from the king and queen down to the servants and guards was a position achieved by studying the courses of Nobility. Only those who were selected by the four pillars themselves had the honor of being taken directly to the castle at ten years of age.

Alois had been personally selected by the headmaster, Osmond, and was currently his only apprentice. He had been nineteen in his nightmare. Now he was sixteen and his life was following a completely different path.

He likely would have just dismissed the dream as nothing but a nightmare if it wasn’t for the eyepatch clenched in his hands the first time he woke from it. No one knew where it came from. No one knew why a little boy would have an eyepatch clearly made for a grown man. It was the very eyepatch that Silas Toll had sold to him in the nightmare.

“Another nightmare?” his roommate, Caleb, asked groggily.

“The same one,” Alois replied and gradually let himself relax. He had never told Caleb the contents of his nightmare and Caleb had never asked. In Alois’ opinion Caleb was the perfect roommate.

“I thought you were having it less recently,” Caleb muttered, “Though I guess it has been a few days.”

Alois chuckled. “It’s probably just stress. The headmaster is planning a series of ridiculous tests for this week since it is almost time to select another group for the Final Test of Nobility.”

“You still don’t know what that is?” Caleb asked, “It takes a whole two years so I can't believe they are able to keep it so confidential.”

“If I knew I wouldn’t be this stressed,” Alois complained.

Caleb stretched. “Well, that’s true. Just let me know if you have anything that is bothering you. You’ve been helping me out for the last few years.”

“Not that you needed it,” Alois told him, “You are a magical genius. I am glad I am not competing with you for the position of head magician, though I had considered it before Osmond gave me his offer.”

Caleb laughed. “In that case make sure to let me know if you get any new scoops from the headmaster today.”

“Will do,” Alois shot back with an exaggerated bow before grabbing his things and quickly getting ready.

“Actually, hold on,” Caleb said and held up a porcelain doll with mismatched eyes. “Can you please put this thing back wherever you took it from? I know taking random stuff is one of your bad habits but why does it seem like everything you bring back is cursed?”

“No idea,” Alois said. Unfortunately he couldn’t remember where he had found the odd porcelain doll. For now he took it and put it in his secret magic storage in his pillowcase. Caleb had enchanted it for him. “You should head out too. From what I heard the head magician is pretty strict.”

“I’ve got plenty of time,” Caleb assured him, “I don’t start until lunch today.”

Alois grimaced. “Lucky you. I’ll see you tonight, then,” he called back as he stepped out.

One day he would pass all the tests of the crazy headmaster and use the position to attain his dream. One day he would be a hero. Someone who everyone adored. Alois chuckled as he thought of his future and picked up his pace.