Aron knocked on the headmaster’s door and heard the headmaster’s wizened voice, signalling him to coming in. Aron opened the door to see the headmaster waiting for him at his desk. “Aron.” He greeted. “Come, sit. we have much to discuss.” Aron obliged and made himself comfortable on the ornate chair. The headmaster waited for him to be ready before beginning.

“Today we will be speaking of the monarchs of Erlanger. While most of them aren’t great powers, but the continent of Erlanger is unique in that there’s not a huge power gap between nations, none vastly surpass the rest. This is important because that makes war an unpredictable thing. If a monarch takes offence, then declares war, the consequences would be especially devastating to all involved. Do you understand that? Your job as a warlock is to prevent those conflicts.” He gestured towards himself, “since Alysha’s disappearance, I have taken over that responsibility, but I am old, and the posturing of monarchs and nobles have pestered me for too long.”

Aron hadn’t missed the brief look of pain that went across the headmaster’s face at the mention of Alysha and recalled Forgehammer telling him they were close. He shook himself from his musings and returned his attention to the headmaster.

“ I will start with the monarchy of Roxia. The Roxian throne is held by two, both with equal say. King Judas and Queen Rose are both arrogant and easily slighted, confident in their superiority. They are both bumbling fools, but also cowards so they aren’t too hard to deal with.” The easy manner in which the headmaster had insulted the two people that had controlled most of Aron’s life didn’t even surprise him. it didn’t take long to get used to things like that in Aron’s life.

“The Regalian and Verran kings are very similar. Both Ahmed and Darryl are aggressive, prideful and cunning. They both respect strength, so give them no ground and they should fall into line.” The headmaster took a long drink out of his mug and let out a sigh.

“Dask is a theocracy, ruled by the High Priest. He is a Lesser Power and a good man, but incredibly dedicated to the Jungle Spirit and the Lich of The Jungle, a benign power that is rarely met or heard of, so if it goes against what he believes to be the Jungle’s wishes there is no point in attempting to convince him otherwise. The Queen of Cinnowa doesn’t really leave her home country, but it’s pretty easy to figure out her personality. She just takes what she wants, and nothing stops her. She’s a Lesser Power and we don’t know her name. I would just advise you to back whoever she is opposing and protect them from her charms. My attitude with the Cinnowans is trust them as far as you can throw them then divide that by ten. Their culture promotes taking what you have the power to acquire, and its especially true for their nobility. I won’t even tell you about Korra’s monarchs, I have met them and its quite sickening. They’re drooling idiots who obsess over pleasing Cinnowans. The way they treat the shifters is disgraceful. To be honest, I’m surprised Jordan and Talon haven’t ripped them all apart.

The King of Tal is a new monarch, the first King died recently. While I know the Old King was a good man and a Lesser Power that allowed him to live long and remember everything that’s ever been around him, I know little of his successor. Sorn’s king Charles is desperate to regain Sorn’s former glory, but he is a fairly reasonable and competent leader. The Outlands are made of many different tribes and their leadership changes rapidly, and the Dwarves of Isafjor have a patriarch, but they have closed off from the world for a long time. Indeed, Forgehammer is the only dwarf I know that has left the Prime Mountain in the last two hundred years.” The headmaster finished his lecture and lapsed into silence, allowing Aron to think on his words and form questions, but none came.

Sommers burst into the headmaster’s room with a sword in hand, swinging it wildly. “Sir I did it!”, he exclaimed wildly. “ I finally did it!”, he repeated, handing the headmaster his sword. The headmaster studied the weapon curiously, then looked up at the younger man. “You figured out Enchanting, did you? Well done, I thought it would take you longer. You have made a great discovery for the Arcane Society.” He congratulated. He shook Sommers hand warmly, then turned hard. “Who have you told of this? If people even know this is possible, we will have problems on our hands.”

Before Sommers could reply, Aron interrupted. “Sir, why would it be a bad thing? Surely its only right for everyone to have access to this knowledge.” Aron didn’t like the idea of magical knowledge being hidden from people. It was how nobles kept above commoners. In his eyes the more commoners can improve, the better their lives become. But the headmaster wasn’t like most nobles.

“ I don’t want to hide this from anyone.” The headmaster explained. “But tensions are running high in Erlanger. Cinnowa is on the move, the tribes are fighting in the Outlands, and Sorn and Tal have a tenuous relationship at best. So, this discovery will stay between us until such a time that war is not on the horizon.” Aron nodded in understanding, there was no need to stir up the pot.

The headmaster cleared his throat. “Aron, I was going to teach you a while longer, but in light of current events, I believe its best if you train and prepare for the Winter Ball. Many will wish to test the newest warlock after so many years.”

Aron took his leave and left the room, and just like the last time he exited the office his thoughts where whirling.

Aron just went to the training room and started attacking the dummies with his axes. As he practiced cutting people into tiny pieces, he thought of his experience the last month and a bit. He’d gone from a nobody apprentice blacksmith to someone that kings and queens would look to, to settle disputes, prevent conflicts and protection. But he wasn’t strong enough. He could beat most of the students with ease, but all of his friends could best him. he couldn’t really stop Jale because even without his strength he had incredible martial abilities. It would be hard to close down on either Ruby or Hazel before they obliterated him. as for Ronin, he doubted it would take longer than five seconds before his sword was in Aron’s chest. He couldn’t allow that. He could take away abilities, even permanently if he had too, but he needed physical contact. He could make himself stronger and faster than even bestial. He should be as stronger than the Great Powers, or at least a match for them. what he needed was something to spar against that could give him that experience. From what he’d learned from Sommers every warlock were masters of their magic and capable of beating Great Powers with ease. Perhaps not all their strength was physical. Something in their mind maybe? Some kind of inherited memory or…

And he was somewhere else. A space, completely white, with no end in sight. Not inherited memory Aron thought, a training room. He had heard of such things. Apparently, the dwarves were so advanced in technology that it looked like magic, and they could make worlds inside of worlds. And so, with this in mind, he willed the place to change. He was in a beautiful forest, but that wasn’t what he was concentrated on. In front of him was Ronin with his sword in hand. he grinned, he wouldn’t beat Ronin the first, second, or even third time. But time was something he now had in abundance.

As expected, the first fight was over in seconds. Ronin, fast as lightning, closed the distance, dodged the axe flying at him and sliced Aron’s head clean off. All Aron felt was a flash of pain from his neck and the situation.

The second attempt was much the same, with Ronin’s sword buried in Aron’s chest. But the third was slightly better, Aron able to dodge once before being separated from his head.

And so, it went on. Days passed, Aron fighting not just Ronin, but all of his friends, over and over again. Every encounter was different, his friends adopting new strategies each time. And eventually, it happened. Ruby sent her shadows at him, and he quickly rolled out of the way. Expecting her next move, he jumped over the spikes of bone she sent up at him. Aron threw his axe and as expected, Ruby dodged and started shooting arrows coiled in shadow from her bow.

Using the flat of his axe as a makeshift shield, Aron tried to close the distance, but Ruby used her shadows to carry her far faster than Aron could hope to keep up with. She circled the warlock in unpredictable patterns, but it was a pattern, and Aron capitalised on it. He threw his axe once again, forcing Ruby to dodge towards him. before she could react, he threw his other axe and hit her square in the chest. It was unsettling seeing his friend bleeding out from his own weapon, but eh knew it was fake.

Well, I suppose I should go back to the land of the living. From what I’ve heard very little time should have passed. Aron thought. End session.

Aron woke up to a crowd of faces peering down worriedly at him. he shot up like a rocket and his friends jumped out of the way, lest they get headbutted.

Aron was bewildered. “what’s wrong with you all? Where am I?” the room was unfamiliar and even Ronin’s usually impassive face wore an expression of relief.

“Aron,” Hazel started, “You’ve been asleep for nearly four days. The Winter Ball is tomorrow!”

Aron’s mind raced. I thought those simulation things slowed time down to a crawl! He told all of his friends what had transpired. It was Sommers who spoke first. “Aron, those claims about simulations and how they slow down time. Its roughly a 4:1 ratio. For you, sixteen days passed, but here it was four. Either way, this is an incredible boon. You don’t need to be more powerful than Great Powers, because you can try again and again until you know how to beat them.” Sommers looked to be gearing up to interrogate Aron, but thankfully Jale intervened.

“look, as incredible as this new power of Aron’s is, I’m more worried about the Winter Ball. A lot of very important people are going to be there, and Aron has absolutely no idea how to deal with them. you know that both the Cinnowans and the Tal are going to be sending representatives, not to mention the monarchs and nobles of the Five Kingdoms. We need to get him some sort of outfit, maybe some leather armour or something.”

Aron agreed. This ball sounded like an incredibly stressful ordeal, one that he wasn’t prepared for in the slightest. Ruby made her opinion known as well.

“ I think we should give the man some rest. It’ll probably be fine. I mean, how bad could a bunch of Bureaucrats be?”.

Hazel looked the elf dead in the eyes. “Believe me, there is no limit to how bad bureaucrats can be. Plus, these are not just bureaucrats, I’d be surprised if there isn’t a few Powers present. With the tensions between Cinnowa and the rest of the Five Kingdoms, there’s a good chance that this will dissolve into a shouting match between monarchs at the very least.” The room fell silent after Hazel’s proclamation.

Luckily, they didn’t have to stay in the awkward silence fro long, as Sommers cleared his throat. “Right. Well you should all start to gat ready. I’ll arrange for Aron’s suit to be made. Guests for the ball have already arrived, including representatives from Korra, Cinnowa, Dask and Regalia. The Verrans and Roxians are en route and set to arrive later this evening. Go get changed and then socialise. The retinues of the royals are extensive and there are plenty of young people with them. Also, if you stay too long, then the medics will start using you to experiment with their potions.” with that, Sommers hurried out of the room. There was a moment of silence, and then the room erupted into a frenzy. The girls raced to the door as Ronin and Jale dragged Aron out of the bed. As soon as they had everything, they followed the girls out the door glancing behind fearfully for a white robed medic.

Once they were away from the sick bay, the men went back to their rooms to get changed. Aron’s odour wasn’t pleasant after sleeping in the same clothes for four days, and the other two weren’t much better.

Half an hour later, they walked out of the room with a far calmer countenance. Jale wore a simple tunic of white silk with the Roxian crest embroidered on the back, which consisted of a staff with a crown at the top. Aron wore a similar outfit, while Ronin wore a black tunic with golden outlines, which Aron recognised as Regalian military uniform. However, it had a Verran crest (an eagle with an arrow flying past) emblazoned on the back. When questioned about the clashing dress Ronin gave a wry smile. I’m from Regalia, but my Dad is the Butcher of Verra. I’m the enemy of both sides, so I might as well take the best from both.

Aron nodded. He couldn’t pretend to understand Ronin’s answer, but the outfit did look good, so who was he to criticise?

The trio made there way down to the hall. The place was absolutely packed. Never before had Aron seen such a diverse group of people. Growing up in the capital of Roxia, Sarlon, Aron thought he had seen a lot of different people. But in a space hardly a hundred metres squared there was the inhabitants of the Five Kingdoms with their myriad of eye colours and frames, the slim and diminutive elves, the hulking brutes and refined beauties of Cinnowa, the darker people of Korra, and even a few of the pale people of Sorn and the flame haired men and women that was common with the Tal, despite the lockdown of their kingdom. Everyone wanted to know what took place at the Winter ball of Cranach Dale. Aron wasn’t surprised that he didn’t see any dwarves or the dark as night skin of the Tribes of the Outlands. The dwarves cared little for the outside world, and the Tribes of the Outlands were so divided that they had no single representative.

the headmaster’s lessons come in handy Aron thought as the trio plunged into the mass of diplomats and representatives.

Aron, used to navigating large crowds in the city market, led the way through the writhing mass of nobles and diplomats, searching for Ruby and Hazel.

Eventually they found them speaking with an elderly elven man dressed in verdant green robes. Through the headmaster’s lessons and the confidence in which the elf held himself, Aron figured him to be the High Priest of Dask, Aronas Vine.

“Honoured Elder,” Aron bowed respectfully, Jale and Ronin following suit.

Aronas turned around fully to look at the trio and smiled in greeting. “Aah, young prince. I haven’t seen you since you were up to my knee! And you must be the new warlock that I keep hearing tell of!” He shook both of their hands with a strength belying his frail appearance.

He turned to Ronin and he introduced himself. When the introductions were said and done, the priest began to question them about their experiences at Cranach Dal. The elderly elf proved to be amiable and outgoing, telling of adventures he had in his youth in the homeland of his jungle. It fascinated Aron to no end. The Priest downplayed his strength when reminiscing, but Aron had looked at his well and he was comparable to the headmaster in power, which made Aron wonder why the headmaster himself had described him as a minor Power.

He’s trying to see if I can figure things out for myself, even when provided with incorrect information! Aron realised. It was exactly the kind of thing that the headmaster would pull.

As if summoned from Aron’s mind, the prestigious headmaster of Cranach Dale approached the group.

The High Priest saw him coming and swept the taller man into a crushing embrace.

“Headmaster! Its so good to see you. It must be thirty years since I’ve seen you last!”

the headmaster laughed and returned the embrace. “It’s good to see you too old friend. I had a feeling I would see you here.”

the Old life smiled merrily. “How could I not, with so many interesting students attending?” his turned a bit more serious. “The lich is interested into the happenings of this celebration, and the Nature Spirit has been stirring as of late. I’m sure this event will be most intriguing.”

Aron had only learned of the Spirits of the World upon arriving at Cranach Dale; the Roxian crown had outlawed all religion before Aron was born on pain of death. The various nations and peoples worshipped the different Spirits, with the elves revering the Nature Spirit above all others.

The headmaster had also sobered during Aron’s musings. “Perhaps we should temporarily retire to my office discuss these events.” He smiled to the group listening intently. “Enjoy the festivities, we’ll be back shortly. I trust none of this conversation will be repeated?” the whole group nodded vigorously, not wanting to disappoint the Principal.

As the two Powers left the bustling crowd, the group huddled around each other.

“Wait!” Hazel held up a hand. “We shouldn’t talk about this, especially not here. The headmaster or the priest could have had sound blocking magic active to stop people eavesdropping. Two Great Powers wouldn’t be careless enough to pronounce such things to the world! I say we go see if we can meet anyone we know while keeping a lookout for anything interesting.” The group nodded, and Aron reluctantly agreed. He really wanted to discuss what the two men had spoken of, but Hazel was right, it wasn’t the place to talk about it. Besides, he had other, more important things to do first.

“I’m going to go find my Mum and Dad. I haven’t seen them in months, and I’m sure they’ve been worried sick.”

“I’ll go with you.” Jale told him. “I want to meet mister and missus Wright. Besides, I’ll probably find Diana on the way there.”

Ruby and Hazel also decided to seek out their parents and Ronin decided to tag along with the other two men. With their plans made, the group once again split up, wading through the crowd in opposite directions.

It didn’t take long to find Aron’s parents. They stood awkwardly at the side of the room, their simple clothes out of place in the room full of lavishly dressed nobles. The real surprise was standing next to them. Aron’s old master Tenkay stood close, chatted animatedly with the resident dwarf and apparently his grand uncle Forgehammer.

His father caught sight of him first and swept him up in a bone-crushing hug, his mother not far behind, tears in her eyes as she held on to her son.

eventually, the two let go. Letting them collect themselves, Aron smiled at them. “ So, how are you two?”. He was surprised that they were so emotional, but thinking about it, he had never been away from his parents for more than a couple of days, and thinking about it, his leaving wasn’t exactly soft. They had probably heard about the fight with the guards, and then been informed that he had arrived at Cranach Dale. They hadn’t a clue as to how he had been for nearly six months, it must have driven them mad.

A thought hit Aron, making him feel terrible instantly. I could have sent letters. He was perfectly capable of reading and writing and he was pretty sure it was something the school facilitated. He had just been so overwhelmed, and then so focused on improving, that he had never even considered it

“I’m so sorry for not writing.” He told his parents as heartfelt as he could. He explained why he hadn’t, and waited with bated breath for their response.

Eventually, Arya broke the silence. “ You had better not do that again!” she scolded. She moved to embrace him again, his father close behind. Aron’s heart swelled with gratitude. He knew full well how few people would forgive as easily as his parents.

He introduced them to Ronin and Jale. Of course, they couldn’t understand Ronin, but Jale more than made up for Ronin’s muteness. He asked questions about Aron’s childhood and swapped stories about their time at Cranach Dale as Aron went over to Forgehammer and Tenkay, who were so immersed in their conversation they hadn’t noticed Aron approaching.

It was only when he was practically on top of them did they take note of his existence. Tenkay grinned ay his former apprentice. “I told you, didn’t I? I told you!” He repeated as he embraced Aron. “I said you’d be a sorcerer, and you went and became a warlock!” He exclaimed loudly, causing people to turn around. Tenkay continued on, oblivious to the incredulous stares of those around him. “I knew you was special from the day you was born, by the Spirits I knew it!”. The blacksmith was cut off by a hacking cough that persisted for nearly half a minute.

When the cough subsided, Tenkay was a bit more subdued. Aron pounced on the moment. “How come you never told me that you’re part dwarf? Or that you’ve practiced in the Prime Mountian?”

Forgehammer laughed, a full and rich sound coming straight from the belly. “No one except for Dwarven elders are allowed to speak about the Prime Mountain and who goes in or out and being part dwarven isn’t something that most people would advertise. There is plenty of hatred for different races, especially in Roxia.”

Tenkay nodded his head. “The only people that knew where your parents. I was going to tell you before you came here,but the circumstances for your leaving prevented it. I figured since you were carrying my weapons, uncle Forgehammer would figure you out and tell you about my heritage.”

Aron nodded in understanding. He has self-aware enough too know that he was not nearly responsible enough for such a secret at the time. He had grown in many ways since coming to Cranach Dale, and it was only now, in the face of his old life that he truly realised how far he had come.

A shrill scream broke his self-reflection. Aron whipped around, his hands racing to the axes on his back as he searched for danger.

Instead he found a very attractive and very pregnant woman embracing Jale, who looked delirious with delight.

“I’m going to be a father!”