Kanick stopped to collect the spells, which had been placed in a satchel for him to collect in the scribe's offices. Of all the pieces of equipment that could mark out a mage, in Kanick's opinion the satchel was the most important.

Crafted from old, tough leather it was worn across the chest, tight against a mage's clothes. Inside it was divided into numerous pouches sized to take different strips of paper. It was up to individual mages to order their spells how they wished, but typically each pouch held multiple copies of spells.

For himself, Kanick preferred to reserve his first pouch, the easiest to reach, for more utilitarian spells; heat, light and such, while the later pouches were reserved for deadlier magic. It was to remind him of the peaceful nature of the Order; violence should come last.

Wearing his new satchel and satisfied of the collection of spells, Kanick followed the winding stairs down into the main hall and then out into the gardens.

In the soft, pink light of dawn the grounds were deserted. The only sounds were of birds singing in the trees, and the gurgle of distant water from a stream. Even the city beyond the walls of the temple seemed quiet.

Bera was waiting for him in the stables, adjusting the straps on the saddle. He wore the armour of a battlemage underneath new apprentice robes, blue for the Battlemages trimmed with silver as befitting an apprentice.

"I take it you mean to come with me?" Kanick asked.

"I would be honoured to be your apprentice, if you would have me?" Bera mumbled, looking at his feet.

Kanick kept his expression neutral. "What changed?"

"You were right," Bera answered immediately. "There is more to being a battlemage than fighting, and- and if one of the order has been murdered, such a thing cannot be allowed to stand." Cruelly Kanick kept his gaze fixed on Bera. He knew students, when left to their own instincts would fill the silence. "And-"

"And you spoke to the Arch-Mage." Kanick finished for him with a grin.

"And I spoke to the Arch-Mage," Bera repeated, smiling weakly. "He told me you were the best mage in the order."

Kanick wanted to probe what exactly the Arch-Mage had told the boy but decided against it. Bera hadn't mentioned the Scar and the end of the Palregon War, and it wasn't a subject Kanick wanted to raise.

"Well, Areonis flatters me," Kanick responded, struggling to pull himself onto his horse using numb hands. "We have a long way to travel, and it is best we do not delay."

It wasn't very often that Kanick ventured beyond the walls of the enclave, he had no real reason to, but as they rode through empty streets, he resolved to remedy that in the future.

Although the streets were almost deserted at this early hour, Parras was the centre of the Union of Kingdoms, which stretched across two continents and much else. As such, people and styles from all over the world could be found there, from the squat thatched houses of Nerrath, to the smoothed dwellings from over the desert in Spaha.

They crossed an ornate Marble Bridge, high above the rushing waters of the Strait of Sunder, just as the docks below were coming to life. High stone terraces stood slightly back from, and behind the great warehouses that were the lifeblood of the Union's trade, while ships with masts three or four stories high bobbed in the gentle currents. Harsh shouts began to puncture the air as they left the docks behind.

Ahead Kanick could see the road through the open gatehouse, stretching into the green fields around the city. The sun was truly up, and the smell of fresh bread filled the street as people began to go about their day. Nodding a greeting to the squadron of guardsmen, clad in mail and half-helms, at the gate, they left the stirring stone heart of the city behind them and continued along the road west.

By the time they reached the Blood Gate, a narrow valley carved from steep, rocky walls, Kanick's back, and thighs were already aching. Behind them, looking down the hill Kanick could see the city of Parras entire, stretching over the strait of Sunder. The western shore was dominated by the High King's palace, while in the east the four towers of the Order loomed over the smaller buildings. Fading off into the horizon, was the endless and placid sea and Kanick saw just how small and insignificant the greatest city in the world was, compared to the surrounding wonders. Ignoring the growing pain in the small of his back, Kanick bid his horse to continue through the Blood Gate.

Bera, in contrast, seemed to be having very few problems in his saddle. "You ride well," Kanick observed.

"Thank you, master," Bera replied, a little stiffly. "The High Mage at the Southern Temple breeds and races horses and we all sat a horse before we could walk."

"I learned, during my apprenticeship," Kanick shared. "Master Al-Sayyal is a little old to be racing horses these days, I think."

The boy's eyes widened. "You were apprenticed to the High Mage?"

Kanick nodded, enjoying the boy's surprise. "I was, though he was only Master Al-Sayyal back then."

"So... you trained to be a battlemage?"

"I did, a long time ago. Completed my apprenticeship too, though in the end that life didn't agree with me."

The boy looked as though he was contemplating something. Kanick knew the next question before it was out of his mouth. "Did you... fight? In the war?"

"Yes." Kanick finished, looking ahead. The walls of the pass were growing brighter with reflected sunlight. "I think we're nearly through the pass now."

They descended the road on the other side of the pass overlooking the flat farmland that fed much of the western Union. Cottages and farmhouses dotted the neat yellow and green fields that covered the gentle rolling landscape. Slivers of the numerous small rivers and streams, carefully harnessed for irrigation, glittered in the mid-afternoon sun.

Despite himself, despite the guilt he felt over his students, Kanick was enjoying the ride through this lush green country. The sun shone in the early summer air, yet Kanick nor his horse grew too hot for the pleasant chill on the breeze and the shade of the trees that lined the road kept them cool. Sounds of running water and the trill of birdsong filled the air, punctuated by the slow clapping of hooves and occasional chatter of fellow travellers on the road.

They mainly encountered farmers, taking herds from one field to another, or to the nearby markets of Rundeep, Merryton or even Parras herself. As the sun began to dip below the trees ahead of them a troop of mounted soldiers in the star emblazoned cloaks of Aaton rode past, nodding a greeting. Kanick was curious why soldiers from the west would be hundreds of leagues from home trvelling towards Parras, but they didn't stop.

"Wonder where they're going?" He murmured to himself.

"Could be something to do with the Sons of the Prince?" Bera said, excitedly, startling Kanick with his presence. He had almost forgotten his apprentice was there.

"Perhaps, the Arch-Mage did mention they were becoming more active." Kanick mused on this for a moment. "We're so close to Parras, we must keep in mind that not all parts of the Union are as peaceful. As we near the scar the danger will only increase."

"Shall we set up camp and keep watch?"

"No," Kanick said, judging the setting sun. "I believe Merryton is less than two leagues down the road and we have coin to take a room at an inn. I think, while we have the luxury, sleeping safely is the best option."

"Very well, Master," Bera acceded, though Kanick got the impression he would rather be riding through the night to run down the geriatric supporters of Palregon.

Merryton stood about half a league back from the road and they arrived behind the wooden walls of the small town just as full dark descended. A knot of guards sat by a fire at the gate, talking among themselves, though they roused at the mage's approach.

"State your business," their leader said, wearily.

"I am master Kanick of the Order of Mages, and here is my apprentice Bera," Kanick gestured. "We are travelling on Order business to Woodbend and seek shelter for the night." The guard looked at them, a grim expression on his face. He was an older man, of an age with Kanick, with a worn face and a deep scar that ran down one side of it and under his tunic.

The Order of Mages was not universally loved by those outside of it, and many blamed the order for the Palregon War. The man would be old enough to remember it, and old enough to have fought even.

"Very well," the guard said. "You may enter." He practically spat the words.

Kanick dismounted, wincing as his hands supported his weight. He dropped to the ground and began leading his horse through the gate. Suddenly he heard Bera's haughty voice, "What did you just say?" He was questioning one of the guards by the fire. The guard said nothing but spat on the apprentice's boot.

Before Kanick could speak Bera had drawn his sword. "You'll answer for that, peasant," he yelled.

In unison the other guards were on their feet, spears in hand or swords drawn.

"Put your sword down, boy!" Kanick yelled so loud that everyone turned to face him. In that moment he closed the distance between himself and Bera. He turned to the leader and bowed his head slightly. "I apologise on behalf of the boy. He is young and hot headed. Surely you know what that's like?" The guard's expression remained the same, but he hadn't ordered them away. There was silence before Kanick added, "Please take this as compensation, with apologies from the order of mages."

Kanick buried his hands in his robes, producing a purse. "It's not paper is, it?" The guard rasped. "We don't want none of your paper money."

Kanick threw the purse up with one hand so it jangled pleasantly. "Only the finest Union silver Talons, I assure you." He threw the bag underarm to the guard and watched him open it.

"Have a nice night, Master Mage," he said with a wry grin, revealing a few missing teeth. "Keep that one out of trouble or it might cost you more than silver, mage or no, you understand?"

"I do, sir, and you needn't worry about him," Kanick replied meekly, and then to Bera. "Hurry up, boy!"

He was angry. It was the oldest ruse in the world. The guards pick a mark, mutter something insulting and then demand bribes when they lash out. They'd picked their mark perfectly; the boy was both proud and naïve. Even worse, since the guards knew them for mages, he'd had to offer an even bigger bribe. The guards must have thought all their birthdays had come at once!

"What was that about?" Kanick forced the words out, keeping his eyes on the main street, flanked by stone houses with wooden upper floors and thatched rooves were abundant.

"They insulted our order and they implied..." the hesitated. "They implied unsavoury things about us."

Kanick sighed and filled him on what game the guards had played. "If you let your pride rule you there will always be men willing to use it to part you from your silver... Or worse."

"But we're mages! They should have more respect!" He said, anger in his voice at having been used.

"Precisely, we are very rich," Kanick said. "And proud." He then filled him in on relations between mages and the people of the Union, and what the Palregon War had done to their standing.

"But it was the order that killed Palregon!" Bera hissed in exasperation.

"And it was the order that created him," Kanick replied evenly.

"Well, the King's mother had a hand in it. Not to mention the Old King." Bera shot back. "And his brother, the King!"

"I'm not saying I agree with them, but it is a truth that many people blame our order. Many others are grateful to the order for ending the threat also. You were raised within it, but you still have a lot to learn," Kanick said as they turned onto the town square. "This will suit our needs, I think," Kanick pointed at a large wooden house, four stories tall and towering over the rest of the square.

As they were tying up the horses Kanick turned to Bera. "We needn't hide who we are, but I will not have you starting fights with anyone who may question our honour, or we will make enemies from Parras to Nerrath."

"But people will think we are weak."

Kanick sighed removing his saddlebags as he felt a raindrop land on his head. Areonis had told him to take an apprentice, but he now remembered why he preferred teaching the classes; the children, at least, had some modicum of wisdom.

"In this bag," Kanick informed him, "I have enough power to level this inn. I had enough power to slaughter all those guards ten times over." The rain was starting to fall now. "If we had killed those guards, we would not have demonstrated anything that people didn't already know. Worse, we would have given them power over us."

"We gave them our money," Bera replied sulkily.

"Exactly my point!" Kanick replied, exasperated. "You gave them that power over us! Power used is power spent, and if we had fought with those guards, we would have either ended up in jail or dead or on the run, and then how powerful would we be? We would have diminished ourselves and the order." Kanick was eager to get out of the rain. "Do you understand?" He asked Bera, perhaps a little too tetchily.

"Yes," Kanick shot him a sceptical look. "At least, I think so, Master."

"Good, now, let's get inside"