They had spent the rest of the trip to Cranach Dale talking to each other about their lives back home. Hazel seemed as down to earth as Jale although it was hard to get a word in as Hazel and Ronin spent a lot of time awkwardly meeting each other’s eyes and talking about everything under the sun.

While they were going off on, yet another tangent Aron turned to Jale. “So, do you have a woman? A guy like you with all your money and pretty face?” Jale laughed, “Aron I’m already engaged, have been for 3 years. My bride was picked for me when I was four. I got lucky though, Diane is the most amazing woman in the five kingdoms.” Jale had gotten a lovestruck look on his face, one Aron had seen many times on his father’s face when he looked at his mother.

Jale quickly snapped out of it though and repeated the question to Aron. “What about you? I’m sure the commoner women would love to have a look at you. And not just the commoners, while the noble women laugh at you in public, I’m sure they think differently in private.” Jale shook his head, “they’re a confusing bunch.” Aron was shocked to hear Jale’s view. “I don’t have no one. I was too busy working in the forge for that stuff. Plus, I’m only seventeen, plenty of time for that later in life. Let’s change the topic, how did you move so fast when I threw Andrew?” “As a bestial, I take on a lot of the traits that Reyna has. I’ve seen her switch from being a panther to a dog once when she was born. They tell me that when she gets of age, she’ll be able to change between the two forms at will. I can’t change my shape or anything like that, but my senses are as good as a dog’s, and I’m much faster and stronger than humans. Not as strong as you it seems, but I’m still plenty fast.” Jale finished. Aron was about to ask more about the abilities of a bestial when the carriage grinded to a halt.

Aron, Ronin and Jale readied their weapons as they opened the door cautiously. When Aron got out, he looked around and dropped his axes in awe. Cranach Dale stood over a hundred metres tall and nearly five hundred wide. There were five separate towers the one in the centre was the tallest building he had ever seen.

Sommers was at the front of the line. He motioned for everyone to go through the gates as eh fell in beside Aron. “Breath taking, isn’t it?” Aron nodded, still in awe of the building. “You still have that satchel?” Sommers asked. Aron once again nodded. He had told Sommers about the contents of the bag during the party. “You had better give that bow to someone. You’re only allowed one magical item of your choice in the tower. I would recommend giving the satchel itself to Hazel, she strikes me as the type to carry a lot of books.” Aron finally snapped out of his awe induced trance. “Any idea who I could give the bow to?” Sommers clapped Aron’s shoulder. “That, you’ll have to figure out or yourself.”

“So, are the people in this caravan the only people coming to Cranach Dale?” Aron asked, changing the topic. Sommers made a sour face. “Unfortunately, no. a lot of the people in this caravan,” he gestured, “are snobby, but they will be bearable. The elves of Dask, will probably send a prospect, are maybe two. They are usually far more powerful than most students. They are fine to be around, but they’re reclusive and their royalty is even more arrogant than our own, if you can believe it. But that’s not the worst. This year, Cinnowa is sending three students, one of the princess’ and two future Duchess’. With their abilities, they will be a pain to deal with. It is said that the princess is one of the strongest mind bender to ever live, and that the only people stronger are her brothers and sisters. She’ll be able to charm all of the noble students, and most of the noble teachers as well.” The last statement confused Aron. “Why the nobles?” Sommers had expected the question. “Nobles are generally quite weak willed.” he sighed. “They are used to getting what they want, and an insanely attractive woman is one of them. there’s no male mind benders with them, but their abilities work just the same on women. They’ll slowly take over Cranach Dale. It’s what they did to the kingdom of Korra. Korra is a unique nation. They enslave a race known as shifters to their sorcerers. These shifters are usually stolen from the forests and mountains that surround the country. I have met a shifter once; he could change from human to animal at will. The sorcerers of Korra are pitifully weak without the shifter’s, who once bonded feed the sorcerer’s power. However, most shifters refused to give power, so the Korrans needed a way to control them. the Cinnowans came and taught them how to control the shifters. Shifters are much like warlocks, subtle mind manipulation doesn’t work on them, but the commands the mind benders of Cinnowa have concocted do. In return, they became a puppet kingdom. The shifters became almost completely obedient. I think that’s what the Cinnowans plan to do here; completely take over. The only people I see resisting is you, Jale because he is so infatuated with Diane, Ronin who doesn’t trust easily and the headmaster, arguably the most powerful sorcerer alive.” After the lengthy explanation, Sommers took a deep breath, anticipating Aron asking yet more questions.

Aron did not disappoint. “What about you and Hazel?” Sommers sighed once again. “I doubt they’ll be able to manipulate me normally, but I can’t say for certain that they wouldn’t be able to create a unique spell to control me. I don’t even know if anyone is safe. The princess is the most powerful mind bender we have had in the Dale. As for Hazel, she is bright enough to learn how to combat them, but by then it may be too late.”

Right on cue. A massive carriage, nearly the size of Aron’s house, rolled up pulled by nearly a dozen horses. Steps came down from the carriage door and down stepped the most beautiful woman Aron had ever seen. She had flowing brown hair that came down to the end of her shoulder blades. She wore a bright cyan dress that left little to the imagination but the thing that captured him most where her eyes. They were a deep-sea blue that you could get lost in. the only thing Aron wanted to do was make sure that she was happy. Surely that was the only thing that mattered-

Aron snapped himself out of it. The mind bender truly was powerful if she could mesmerise him without a word. Looking around the only people not looking at the Cinnowan with longing and envy was Sommers, Jale and Ronin. Sommers was examining her coldly, Jale just wasn’t looking at all and Ronin and had a look of utter contempt. That surprised Aron. he figured Ronin would be able to resist the manipulation, but he did not expect the anger written on his face.

He realised that the Cinnowan was also scanning the crowd. Her eyes stopped on each of them, obviously registering that her charms hadn’t worked on them. then her eyes focused on Hazel.

Aron had quickly dismissed Hazel, as she had the same look of longing as everyone else. But now her expression was flickering. She’s fighting it He realised. Sommers said she might learn how to resist. She had no reason to be immune to the woman, who Aron suspected was the princess, but she had quickly realised what was happening and fought it.

The princess stopped examining the crowd and continued down the stairs. Two slightly less stunning girls came out after her, presumably the daughter of duchess’. The crowd parted before them as they walked to the gate with an ensemble of handmaidens surrounding them.

While everyone’s attention was on the Cinnowans, a smaller carriage rolled up unobtrusively. A girl jumped down from the carriage. Aron realised he was looking at an elf. The girl was wearing practical dark clothing. She was slighter than most humans and slightly smaller than average. The most telling feature was her pointed ears that poked through her ebony black hair.

To his surprise, she walked straight up to Aron. “What is it they’re all staring at?” Aron, surprised by the question, stumbled in his response. “a Cinnowan princess. Apparently, she’s one of the strongest mind benders alive. They’re all caught in whatever spell she’s using.” The elf looked disgusted by this. “Cinnowans.” she spat. “They are an annoying bunch. Why is it that you are not falling over yourself to get a peak? Half of the men are quite literally salivating.” Aron looked around and saw that it was true; some of the males had drool falling freely from their open mouths.

“I’m a warlock. She doesn’t seem to affect me.” He said in response to her question “aah…” the elf nodded knowingly. “I had heard that a warlock had been found. I’m Ruby. Nice to meet you.” She took out a hand. “I’m Aron.” He replied while shaking her hand. “Come, I’ll introduce you to some of my friends.” Aron and Ruby navigated the crowd of adoring onlookers as they made it to Jale.

Jale was looking at Cinnowans coldly, solidifying Aron’s belief that their charms had little effect on him. He studied Ruby’s face closely as she got her first look at the princess. Her expression was one of distaste, like she had swallowed something sour. Aron had expected this but was reassured by the sight. “Ruby, meet Prince Jale of Roxia, most gracious of Roxia. Your highness, meet Ruby of Dask.” Aron completed the introductions with a bow. Jale turned around and saw Ruby, who was appraising him with a raised eyebrow. Jale slugged Aron on the shoulder and extended his hand to Ruby. “a pleasure to meet you.” He told her. Ruby was once again, unimpressed. It seemed to be her trademark. “Real smooth talker, aren’t you?” Jale grinned, “so my betrothed tells me.” Ruby smiled back. Ronin and Hazel had walked over at this point and introduced themselves. They hit it off instantly, although Ruby didn’t understand Ronin.

Sommers called for attention. “I know a lot of you are nobles. Some of you are even royalty.” He paused. “I don’t care. Here, you’ll get treated the same as the lowest street rat. I don’t care who your Mummy or Daddy is. I’m sure a lot of you think you’re superior because you are of noble birth. You’re not. Three of the strongest sorcerers alive are commoners, two of which have performed more for their kingdoms than any noble.”

Andrew gave a derisive snort. “I doubt that very much.” He intoned with a look of arrogance. “As for the third one, I bet he is no one of importance.” Sommers stared at Andrew coldly. “The third one is me. For your disrespect and general incompetence, you will not enter the castle until tomorrow morning.” Andrews face was ashen. “What do you mean? You cannot deny me access, I am the eldest prince of Roxia!” his voice quaked in fear and got progressively higher. “Make that tomorrow at noon.” Sommers growled. “For questioning an instructor’s punishment and blatantly lying about one’s parentage.” This statement made Andrew purple in rage. “That, that, scum!” he pointed at Jale, “is no more than a bestial! Not fit to hold the crown! It is my duty as the more powerful sorcerer to uphold my family’s mantle!” as soon as the words came out of his mouth, he realised he had misspoken.

Jale looked at him coldly. “Just a bestial, am I?”. he said this in a soft voice, but one as icy as the far north winters of the Sorn. He approached Andrew with a purposeful calm. The crowd parted before him like it was butter and he was a hot knife.

Andrew, despite his brave words, started to back up. He was obviously intimidated by Jale, who was shorter and slimmer by a wide margin, but was significantly fitter, even without his magic.

As if by illusion magic, Reyna appeared behind Andrew

and growled. Andrew, who had been backing away jumped forward. Andrew was now forced to confront Jale, who had been getting progressively angrier. Aron stepped out to help his friend, but Ronin stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. This is his fight to win or lose. He signed. Reluctantly, Aron stepped back.

He glanced at the Cinnowan, who was watching the events unfold with a small smile. “she’s loving it.” Ruby whispered. “They love watching people fight. I’ve heard that it’s a sport in their nation. If the Roxian royalty is divided, it makes it that much easier for her to gain power over one of them.” Ruby spoke with bitterness. She had a hatred for the Cinnowans, Aron saw that now. he wondered why.

Refocusing on Jale and Andrew, Aron saw that Jale had started to speak. “All my life, I have heard how inferior I am, how any of our family could put me in my place at any time. But none of them have. I always assumed that they thought it was beneath them, but seeing the way you back away, I think they were scared.” There was something deadly in Jale’s voice now, something lethal, a predator waiting to be let out. Andrew puffed out his chest and drew himself up to his full height, which did nothing except show off his wobbling double chins.

“I am one of the strongest mages alive! I will put you in your place like the animal you are.” Andrew trembled violently as he said it, but the cheers off the Cinnowans and nobles spurred him on. “You are not worthy of the crown. Bestials know little about higher sorcerer society because they can barely be called magic users. You bring disgrace to my family.” He made a point of saying my, insinuating that Jale wasn’t one of them.

With his speech over with, Andrew conjured the single biggest mage bolt Aron had ever seen, far larger than the one Sommers had thrown at him. Jale stood stock still, waiting for Andrew to release the ball of magical energy.

as soon as the ball was released, Jale stepped to the side and jumped on Andrew. He started to rain down punches on the crown prince’s nose. The prince conjured another mage bolt straight at Jale’s chest.

To Aron’s surprise Jale just took the blow and kept pounding Andrews face like a meat grinder. Andrew finally slipped into unconsciousness. Jale sat up and took a deep breath.

Some other nobles stood forward and started to cast their spells. Aron, Ronin, Hazel and even Ruby stepped out and raised their hands and weapons. The nobles’ spells died on their lips, and they slunk back into the crowd.

Jale stood up and walked slowly back to his friends. Aron flashed him the ghost of a smile and he grinned weakly back.

Sommers called for attention. “This altercation occurred outside the school, so no action will be taken. But know this. That kind of behaviour will not be tolerated inside Cranach Dale. Andrew’s punishment still stands. When he wakes up, he will probably try and force himself in. let him.” with that, Sommers turned around and the gates opened for him.

The prospects walked in cautiously behind him, the Cinnowans first, then the nobles, then Aron and his friends, then the commoners.

Sommers led them into a massive hall with long benches laid out. There were four stairwells on opposing corners of the room. He pointed to the closest on to the left. “This one, and this one.” He gestured to the one on the right. “Are both dormitories. You will pick your own rooms; I don’t care who goes with which but no more than three to a room. “The tower at the far left is where you will be taught both in the theory of magic and its general terms and rules and your own personal brand of magic. It is also where you will find the instructors offices, including the headmaster. In the far right is a large room equipped with anything you need to practice your magic. Duels are permitted, but they go through one of the instructors first. That is all for today. Go and pick your rooms before I do it for you.” He grinned maliciously. “And that’s something you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.”

Sommers finished speaking and went up the far-left tower. Aron assumed that was where the instructors quarters were.

Everyone immediately started chatting, turning to their friends to discuss the Dale. Aron, Ronin, Jale, Hazel and Ruby quickly went up the right side as the nobles were starting to give them dirty looks.

“So Ruby, what kind of magic do you have?” Hazel asked, somewhat cautiously. Aron remembered that elves sided with the Verrans in the last war. “I’m a necromancer. Something my family just loves.” She grimaced. Aron was noticing a recurring theme with his friends. None of their families liked their abilities or them.

Hazel’s eyes widened. “a necromancer! I’ve heard that they can reanimate corpses, manipulate shadows and even call on the spirits of the deceased!” Hazel’s animosity gave way to eager curiosity. Ruby’s reaction was one of shock, but she grinned. “I can do all of that and more.” Hazel was practically jumping up and down with excitement. “you’ve got to tell me about it!” Ruby’s elven face practically split in half her grin was so wide.

The two girls started walking up the stairs talking and found themselves in a room fairly quickly. Jale started laughing as soon as they were out of earshot. Aron joined him and even Ronin let a small grin flit across his face. “You want to get a room?” Jale asked amid snorts. “Lead the way almighty prince.” Aron chortled as they made their way upstairs.