"Wisdom is the offspring of suffering and time."

- Izaro, Path of Exile

It was Saturday and the sun broke over the horizon as the bells began to toll. Travellers Voice the gigantic bronze bell cast from the prow of the last ship to sail on another world's ocean sounded above all others- once for a death, twice for a son, thrice for the heir, and again for an unjust death.

Commotion reigned in the corridor as the rest of the dorm began to talk and tried to find out what was happening.

Heavy knocking roused the sleeping Alyssa and Mireille. Alea had been sitting before the window her spider sitting opposite while she brushed her hair. She could easily look at herself, a small benefit of her otherwise vexing condition.

Alea looked at the confused duo and got up grabbed Cecily on the go and cracked open the door. As she saw Mr. Brache she got serious. Motioning for him to wait she closed the door and sternly spoke to the laggard girls, “Quick, put some clothes on. There is something happening outside.” After a short pause, she continued. “And the house of Graufurt has to be ready to act.”

They got ready in record time and let the older man enter.

“Ms. von Graufurt. Your brother bids me get you and your friends. The crown prince has been murdered and we have to be ready to act as necessary. The classes have been suspended for today. It is expected that there will be an official day of mourning in the next days.”

Alyssa paled. “Alea- what about Lieseleta? Did you hear from her the past days?”

Alea shook her head. “I sent her a letter but she did not answer yet. It was only the day before yesterday though and I only wanted to know if she was well.”

“I don’t know about any harm to the princess.” Mr. Brache interjected.

“One assassination attempt and one success.” Mireille mused darkly. “Seems like being high-born is a hazard nowadays.”

Alea lowered her head.

“No! I did not want to joke about that. Sorry, Alea!” Mireille looked flustered.

The smaller girl shook her head. “No, it is not what you said. It brings back memories I had forgotten. But today is not the day to reopen old wounds.”

Mr. Brache cleared his throat. “Please. We have to hurry.”

Exiting the room they saw Lorelle waiting anxiously. “Ms. Alea, I have your breakfast right here. In case you can’t come back soon. And some sandwiches for you too.” She gave each of them a cloth bundle.

Outside the air was clear for once and only scattered clouds could be seen high up in the sky. Guards stood at all entrances and two magicians walked down the road nodding to the students.

From afar they saw the black smoke hanging over the lower city while griffin riders took flight from the military encampment down the river.

“If this atrocity originates from outside our country, that may mean war.” Mr. Brache looked serious. “Your uncle and madam Adelaide have arrived at the townhouse. The timing might be bad or serendipitous I don’t know.”

The atmosphere was subdued and the students they saw were quiet and hurried toward their respective destinations.

Gravel crunched beneath their boots as they finally neared the dormitory Maximilian called his home. The dorm mistress was directing a spelled broom to clean the stairs as they arrived and looked up worriedly calming a bit at the sight of Mr. Brache.

A distant horn signal hung in the air.

Mr. Brache led them through the corridors to the study used by the dorm officials. Inside stood Maximilian his back to the door talking to a stout older man with receding greying dark brown hair and the beginnings of a paunch. He sported a mustache and was otherwise cleanshaven. Thick bags hung under his eyes and he looked tired. Adelaide sat beside the desk with primly folded hands resting in her lap. She too looked worse than last they had seen her. Then there was an old man in his sixties with the well-muscled physique of a warrior and crisscrossing scars marring the back of his hand signifying a swordsman. He wore the tabard of a cleric of Jaros.

The room despite being larger than a typical four-person dorm room seemed cramped.

“Good, you are here at last!” The man Maximilian was talking to exclaimed. “I am Demavar von Graufurt.” He nodded toward Alyssa and Mireille. “Good to see you, my niece.” He smiled at Alea- the smile was a bit wan but reached his eyes.

Adelaide inclined her head, “Good to see you well my children. I truly have to thank you for your help that time.”

Maximilian waited as they greeted the newcomers then spoke, “As we are all gathered here let’s get to the point quickly. This here is Prior Bertram of the holy church of Jaros.”

“Greetings.” The man inclined his head. “I am very glad to finally meet you. We were and are very interested in you young Alea.”

The group was settled with chairs that had been brought in before they had arrived.

Maximilian looked at his uncle and received a nod. “We have gathered because of this unprecedented string of attempted assassinations. Grandmother and uncle are here because the first attack harmed Alea and made the precarious political situation apparent. Prior Bertram assured us of his good intentions and his precursor in office blessed Alea when she was still young.”

“I see that the light of my lord is still with you. I would very much like to exchange a few words before you go but at the moment I think you will have some things to talk about that even a friend of the family like me should not be privy to.” Bertram gave an amiable smile. For a moment he looked like he wanted to stroke Alea’s hair but then he simply nodded at the rest of them and continued. “I will wait in the mensa and have some breakfast if you need me you can find me there.” Then he exited the room.

Adelaide stood up and embraced Alea kissing her forehead. “It lightens my heart to see you without harm. As I heard of the attack at the party it was as if my heart would stop. As I cannot sufficiently protect you without keeping you in Grunewald I have asked Prior Bertram to come and imagine my surprise that he was already here and aware of your situation.” She tightened the embrace before reluctantly letting go.

“Thank you, grandmother.” Alea grabbed her hand rubbing it on her cheek. “I don’t know what the church thinks about me but if you are less worried then this is a good thing.”

Demavar nodded, “I think so too. I have asked Maximilian to accompany me back to Graufurt. The waters are muddy this time and we will need everything we have to come out of this bid for the crown in one piece. Alea you have made friends with the third princess so it seems we are at odds with the probable successor, Carl Askander. Naturally, you did very well. Our house is not so distinguished that we would normally get close to royalty at all but the timing could not be worse. The Nordmarks have made it known that they consider you their charge by merit of your grandmother being from this damnable house. As long as she is alive we have good reason to refuse but…”

He trailed off as he looked at Adelaide. “I have heard from informed sources that the Nordmarks have made an offer of marriage to bind their house to the second prince.”

Maximilian sighed. “We will have to shore up our defenses and gather allies. Gildburg for example. You two be very careful.” He looked at Mireille and Alyssa. “I called you here because as a part of our house you will be entangled in the fighting. And probably some of what happened was also because of that.”

Asandria hovered near Alyssa’s ear and sighed. “It’s like the winter court in the orchid palace. All intrigue and hidden knives only on a smaller scale.”

The talk lasted for an hour. A great commotion could be heard from outside the sound of hooves and shouts as well as exclamations. Gathering the curtains to the side they looked outside and saw a large carriage accompanied by some knights and regular palace guards. Jera exited the vehicle and helped Lieseleta down the steps. As her dress swished elegantly behind her it seemed as if her eyes met the crystal lenses of Cecily and Alea smiled before the princess turned and entered the main building.

The sun rose higher and bathed the courtyard in brilliant light but to the north dark towering clouds were gathering.

In a dilapidated mansion half a city away.

Space distorted, fractured and a rent formed bathing the cellar in nameless colors. Two people spilled forth and Iseret banged her head on the fallen masonry.

“Ouch!” She squinted her eyes and held her smarting forehead while she looked around.

Only a very faint light came from a broken glowstone. The floor was mostly covered in broken stone. A long winding stairway led up to a moldy wooden door. Runes and sigils covered a part of the stone paving.

She felt a soft touch on her back and turned to see Vanessa smile at her while saying, “I nearly forgot to give you my seal. If the shadow demon is still around he would otherwise try to harm you. Now it should be safe.”

“Anything else you forgot? Maybe the cellar floods with water in a minute and I will drown?” Iseret teased with a smile before becoming serious and bowing deeply. “Thank you for saving this servant's life. I incurred a debt today and will bid my masters to have the grace to repay.”

Vanessa looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “I lack so much context with you and your culture. The old ambassador would only try to get benefits. He was not one to needlessly give others knowledge about him or his people.”

“That is the way of things. Giving your opponent the weapons to better hurt you was never a winning strategy.” Iseret’s mischievous smile was back in place.

“You look like you are enjoying yourself.” Vanessa was a bit confused.

“Maybe. Don’t think too much about it. Far more important- What will we do now?”

“Gesserachs Eye is still in the sky and I feel it draining my strength even through the stones overhead. If it is not a problem I would like to wait for nightfall before going out. I would like to rest a bit but you should take care of your needs before that. Should we meet up at the Cockerel or the Sturdy Mast?”

“The Sturdy Mast would most likely be safer. I don’t know if Orpen still lives.” Iseret rubbed her chin.

In the office of Magister Illimen.

Magister Illimen looked at Lieseleta who was sitting in his office. “My condolences for the death of your brother.” He inclined his head.

“Thank you for the sentiment. I would like to continue my studies after my unplanned absence but I will have to be accompanied by two knights at all times in addition to Jera.”

“That should not be a problem, I will inform the teaching staff.” The Magister shrugged. “Anything else we can do for you and your family?”

“No that should be all. I thought it prudent to inform you of those matters as I return at an inauspicious time and will most likely cause you problems.” Lieseleta looked apologetic.

Illimen smiled wryly. “I will manage. Thank you for your consideration. By the way, did you hear about Leonhard Poroskar and Otto von Landesend?”

“No, there was not much time for me to listen to matters other than the assassination. What happened?” Lieseleta looked interested.

“The young Poroskar has been found to peddle Bluestone and was even found to have broken into the deep archives. Otto von Landesend seems to have received some benefits from him to force the duel with Alyssa. Sadly it will not be enough to cool the rumors and gossip floating around the school but it will prevent that group of malcontents from finding trouble with Alyssa and her friends. I thought it would perhaps ease your mind a bit to know.”

“Thank you. I can’t say that the knowledge that it was all deliberate and that there is criminal enterprise behind all of it makes me happy. Having it resolved is very welcome indeed.”

“I did think that might be the case and let us be candid. As long as the students here have the authority of their families at their fingertips there will always be some who will circumvent the rules or even break them- Though mostly it is not that brazen.”

“Could I trouble you with one last question?”

The Magister nodded, “Go ahead.”

“How is Alea von Graufurt? Do you know anything?”

“She is well I hear. She recuperated at her household and came back soon. She seems to be mostly recovered.”

“That is good to hear. Thank you for your time, I will take my leave now.” Lieseleta stood and nodded receiving a slight bow in return before exiting the study.