Tristan, Jayce and Luna kept to themselves over the following weeks. News of their victory in the dungeon and of Tristan’s scam letters had gotten out and their classmates' attitude towards them had soured. As they walked down the passage towards their artificing class, groups of students turned and watched them go by and then immediately broke into whispering about them.

“I feel like a celebrity,” said Jayce. “I wonder if I should carry a pen so I can sign autographs.”

***

“Artificing is the science and art of imbuing magic into mundane items,” said Master Talos as he stooped low over his enchanting table with the students all crowded around him.

“Watch this next step,” said the Master. “You have created single used enchanted items before but now I will show you how to create passive ability items.”

The Master placed a triangular stone with a hole in the center of it on the enchanting table.

“A passive magic item requires a power source,” said the Master. “For single and multi charge items like Master Wraithen’s warding bell the magic is imbued into magically conductive material. But for passive abilities you can't imbue enough magic to last forever. For this we need to use the user as the power source.”

Tristan processed the Masters words and the possible implications they could have.

“Sir,” he said.

“Yes, Mr. Bell,” said the Master.

“What if the person using the magic items leaves it on too long? What happens if they run out of magic.”

“Ah, that is a valid concern,” said the Master. “Baldad the Foolish fell asleep with his cloak of invisibility on. When he ran out of magic the spell ended and his servants found him lying on his bed dried up like a husk.”

The Master waved a hand at the astonished class. “Invisibility draws massive amounts of power. What we will be creating today would take months to drain enough power to kill it's wearer.”

The Master placed a hand on either side of the stone and closed his eyes.

“Watch with your inner eye,” said the Master.

Tristan saw thin tendrils of silver light coming from the Master's hands and entering the triangular stone. A symbol of a sun appeared above the ring. It hovered for a second and then settled on the stone. The Master bent the light threads and tied them in a knot. The light disappeared abruptly and the Master opened his eyes.

“It is done,” he said.

Tristan stared at the stone expectantly.

“What does it do?” he asked.

“It's a light spell,” said Ambrose.

“It's a spell of my own making,” said the Master that utilizes light magic. “I call it Night Eye. It does not create light, instead it magnifies the light already present.”

He held the stone out to Tristan. “Try it.”

Tristan held the stone awkwardly uncertain what he was meant to do with it.

“Look through the hole,” said the Master.

Tristan held the stone up to his eye and looked through it with one eye closed. It was as if someone had cranked up the brightness to max. The room appeared white and overexposed like a badly shot film. “So bright,” said Tristan.

The Master chuckled. “Yes, it's not made for day time but if you peer through the hole at night it will appear as bright as day.”

“This is amazing,” said Tristan.

The Master nodded. “Yes, artificing gives us access to magic that we can not wield ourselves. This is great for enhancing our strengths or covering our weaknesses.”

The Master ushered the students back to their desks.

“Get into your squads,” he said. “For your artificing squad trial, you will create a ring of fire resistance.”

An hour later and after many failed attempts the Misfits made a ring using water magic but it didn't come out quite the way it was supposed to. Tristan, who was chosen as the guinea pig, put the ring on and he became so freezing cold that his muscles grew stiff and he was frozen in place. Jayce had to pry the ring from his cold finger before he began to defrost again.

The Vixen’s an all girls squad made a fire resistance ring that when worn immediately made all of the wearers clothes wet. Each girl took turns trying on the ring which got a round of applause and cat calls from most of the guys in the room.

The final group to display their fire resistance ring was Ambrose’s group, Tantalus. He put on the ring and as soon as a person tried to light a match, a candle, or a lantern the wind suddenly picked up and blew the fire out. Ambrose's squad won the trial putting them in tied first place with the Misfits.

***

“How is blowing out a flame the same thing as fire protection?” Tristan asked for the third time as the students made their way up the spire to the arena.

“You got to give it to them for the idea,” said Luna.

“Really?” said Tristan. “You're taking his side.”

“I'm not taking anyone's side,” said Luna. “I'm just saying it was clever.”

“I hate those guys,” said Tristan.

Jayce shrugged. “You might have mentioned that once or twice.”

“A day,” said Luna.

Jayce laughed and Tristan shook his head but he smiled.

Master Wraithen waited patiently for the students to fall silent before he spoke.

“I have trained you in the basics of combat. You have learnt how to attack and defend, how to control the rhythm of battle, how to use the terrain to your advantage and how to read your opponent. But as you have all learnt, knowledge without experience can be your worst enemy. It can make you overconfident. Today we are going back to basics.”

Master Wraithen pulled a bell out of his pocket and held it up in front of the class.

“The most effective attack is the lunge,” said the Master. “It has the furthest range, it is the hardest to block and it can pierce through most armor.”

The Master rang the bell a single time and bubbles the size of oranges streamed out of it.

“Pop the bubbles,” he said.

Tristan drew Unity and aimed at the nearest bubble. He took a quick step forward and lunged. His sword missed the bubble by a hand width. From the corner of his eye he saw Ambrose pop three bubbles with three quick lunges.

Tristan took aim again and lunged.

***

The class rotated so that half the class practiced while the other half rested. Tristan took a break and sat in the arena’s stadium seats beside Master Wraithen.

The Master was watching Jayce intently.

“The boy’s a natural,” said the Master.

Tristan laid his sword across his lap and watched Jayce. It looked like he wasn't doing anything. He just stood in the sand with his eyes closed. A bunch of bubbles drifted towards Jayce. Without opening his eyes he lunged, popping one then he spun on his heel into a crouch and popped two in a row. He leapt into the air and spun his staff over his head popping five bubbles.

Tristan saw the sand beneath Jayce begin to change. It looked like waves rippling out beneath him in all directions. In the sand below Jayce’s feet Tristan saw two large fish, one orange and one white swimming slowly in a circle.

“Are you seeing this?” asked Tristan.

The Combat Master nodded. “His form’s sloppy but it's like he's got eyes in the back of his head.”

“I feel like everyones getting stronger except me,” said Tristan.

The Master looked at him. “I'm guessing you haven’t completed the task I set for you?” he asked.

“What,” said Tristan. “Learn what I'm good at? Yeah, I learnt that a while ago. The only thing I'm good at is turning people against me.”

“Don't forget self pity,” said the Master. “And a touch of the dramatics.”

Tristan smiled. “When you say it that way, I guess I am multi talented.”

Tristan glanced at the tiny bell that the Master was periodically ringing to create bubbles. “Why do you use a bell to cast magic?” he asked.

Master Wraithen scratched the stump of his missing arm. “I'm not a magi,” he said. “Your artificing instructor, Master Talos, made this little thing for me. Pretty neat hey. If I had one of these while I was still in the army I wouldn't have had to use a rock as a pillow so many nights.”

“You were the Crimson Guards Captain once?” Tristan asked cautiously.

“It was a lifetime ago,” said the Master. “Where did you hear that?”

“Ambrose,” said Tristan.

The Master nodded.

“Do you miss anything from your past life?” asked Tristan.

“Being able to scratch my ass with both hands,” said the Master and then he slapped Tristan on the back and laughed. “Has anyone told you that you ask too many questions?”

***

The following day the students went down to breakfast and found a notice pinned to the board in the Great Hall.

A group of students were gathered around talking feverishly.

“What’s happening?” Tristan asked.

“The fixtures for the first round of squad battles have been announced,” said Jayce. “We are up against the Vixens.”

“Are they any good?” Tristan asked.

A short girl with spiky pink hair turned away from the notice board and looked at him. “Good enough to take that rank one from you,” she said.

“Evelyn,” said Tristan. “I didn't mean it that way. It's just you know-”

Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Just because we are an all girls squad?”

Tristan looked around hoping for a way out of the awkward conversation and noticed that Luna wasn't there.

“Have you seen Luna today?” he asked Jayce.

Jayce shrugged. “She's probably still in bed, you know how she likes to sleep in these days.”

Evelyn frowned. “What's the story with you two?” she asked.

“Just friends,” said Tristan.

“If you say so,” said Evelyn. She shrugged and pushed her fringe out of her face. “She usually heads into town around this time. If you are fast enough maybe you’ll catch her.”

Tristan left the Great Hall and stepped out into the cold morning air. Luna was up to something he was sure of it. He tried to tell himself that whatever Luna was up to was her own business, he knew that but that didn't stop him from wanting to follow.

The door opened behind him and Tristan twisted around and saw Jayce rubbing his arms from the cold. “It's freezing out here,” he moaned.

“Finally you’re noticing the cold,” said Tristan.

“Where are you going?” Jayce asked

“Into town,” Tristan said. “I've got an errand to run.”

“I'll come too. I need to stock up on gruffalo jerky. It's the only thing that keeps me awake during Master Hornfels History lessons.”

Tristan moved down the hill at a quick pace with Jayce complaining continuously beside him.

“Is there a reason we’re in such a rush?” Jayce asked. “I'm all for getting some exercise, but it's our day off hoa, sure we can take it easy today.”

Tristan caught sight of Luna and slowed down.

“Is that who I think it is?” asked Jayce.

“Yeah,” said Tristan.

“So you’re following her?”

“Aren’t you curious about why she's late to school each morning?” Tristan asked.

“No really.”

“You don't have to come,” said Tristan as he set off down the hill.

“You know I can't leave in the middle of a mystery this size, hoa.”

“Why do I feel like you are making fun of me,” said Tristan.

He pulled up his hood and glared at Jayces mohawk. “Isn't there something you can do to not look so obvious?”

“You want me to wear a hood?” Jayce asked. He glared at Tristans cloak. “Where did you get that thing anyway? It looks like you took it from some second rate thug's lifeless corpse.”

Tristan said nothing.

“What? Don't tell me you did?”

“He was still alive,” Tristan protested.

“Your one sick puppy, Trist. Please tell me you’ve at least washed it.”

Tristan sniffed the cloak. “It's fine.”

Jayce shook his head. “No wonder you don't have a date to the dance.”

“What dance?”

“The light festival, hoa. It’s been on the notice board for a week now. You know you should ask her out before Ambrose does.”

“Luna?” Tristan asked. “I would have if you’d mentioned this earlier.”

Jayce kicked a stone down the hill. “You’re usually all caught up in training and pissing off Luna. I didn't think you’d care.”

“I don't piss off Luna,” said Tristan.

“Really,” said Jayce. “So you think she’s going to be glad to hear that you’re stalking her.”

“I'm not stalking her, I'm just worried.”

“Sure grandma, whatever you say.”

Luna slipped down a back alley and the two friends followed just out of sight.

The alley smelt of ale, urine and unwashed bodies.

“What is she doing in Cheapside?” Jayce asked.

Tristan held a finger over his lips. “Sound travels in these alleys.”

Cheapside was teaming with the homeless, they laid in darkened alleyways under boxes hidden away from the city watch.

“Where’d ya think she's going,”

“That's why we’re following.”

They rounded a corner and saw a woman clutching a blanket.

“My child,” she cried when she saw them. Tristan jumped to the side as her hands stretched towards him. The woman dropped to her knees in front of them and she began pawing at Tristan’s boots.

“Have you seen my child?”

Tristan shook his head and tried to push the woman away.

“He was special,” she said. “Why did they take him from me?”

He looked at the woman and saw pain reflected in her eyes.

“Was your child a magi?” he asked.

“What are you talking about, hoa?” asked Jayce.

“They came in the night and took him,” she said. Her voice sounded lost and confused. “He vanished.” The woman began to sob.

“I'm sorry,” Tristan said.

He reached out to the woman and she flinched away from his hand and ran down the passage away from him.

“What's going on here?” Jayce asked.

“I don't know,” said Tristan. “A lot of Magi have been going missing lately. What if someone is going after anyone possessed by a jinn?”

“But why?” asked Jayce.

“I think someone is raising an army of mages,” said Tristan.

“Malice,” said Jayce.

***

The scent of unwashed bodies and a buzz of activity greeted them at the end of the alley. Men and women, some dressed in rags and others in fine garb crowed around, talking in excited tones.

“Hold onto your coin purse,” said Tristan.

Jayce grunted a reply.

“The Dawnchild is with us,” said a toothless man in greeting as the two passed by. A man wearing an empty potato sack as a hat was kneeling on the ground and muttering ‘the light be with us’ over and over. An old woman laid a hand on Jayce and started humming a tune.

A hand reached out and grabbed hold of Tristan's cloak. He tried to yank it away but a beggar held firmly. The man's scarred and nervous eyes looked strangely familiar.

“You came to see the Dawn Mother?” the beggar asked.

“What?” asked Tristan. “No, I'm looking for someone.”

“Yes you,” said the beggar. “The red head.”

Tristan’s eyes widened as he realized who he was speaking to.

“I paid you for information,” said Tristan.

The beggar looked both ways down the alley then lent closer. “I've heard rumors of a redheaded girl that's been hunting noblemen,” he said.

“Why didn't you bring me this news earlier?” asked Tristan.

“There's no entrance into the academy grounds,” said the beggar, “The shimmering wall keeps us out.”

“You could have sent a note,” said Tristan.

The beggar smiled. “With what money. I'm a lowly beggar.” The man stretched a dirty hand out to Tristan.

Tristan dug in his pocket and realized he had no money on him. He nudged Jayce who was trying to fend off the old woman from hugging him.

“We need to get out of here,” said Jayce.

“I need some money,” said Tristan.

“For what?” asked Jayce.

Tristan nodded his head at the beggar. “Information,” he said.

Jayce’s eyes widened.

“You’ve got info on Scar?” he asked as he stepped closer.

“For a price,” said the man.

Jayce fished through his pockets and handed the man a silver coin.

The beggar tipped an imaginary hat at Jayce. “Your friend has been seen in many places,” he said. “Always leaving behind the same trademark sign.”

“What?” asked Jayce.

“An arrow through each of her victims eyes,” said the beggar. “Nasty stuff.”

“It can't be her,” said Jayce.

“Where is she?” asked Tristan.

“You don't need to go looking for your friend,” said the beggar, “She's on her way here.”

The crowd parted and people began falling to their knees.

“What’s happening?” asked Jayce.

“The Dawn mother,” said the beggar.

Golden lights flittered along the alley walls revealing words scratched into bricks and grime that coated every corner of the street.

“Fear comes at night,” said a feminine voice and the crowd chanted in reply. “But light comes in the morning.”

The crowd parted and Luna stepped through wearing a black and white dress.

“By Belladonna's furry buttocks,” said Jayce. “This is too weird.”

Luna waved a hand and the golden lights evaporated, throwing the alley once again into deep shadow.

“This child is hurting,” said Luna as she laid a hand on a kneeling woman. “May Ciel’s embrace heal you.” The woman stood up and stretched her hands into the air and began to laugh.

“Ciel the mad goddess,” stammered Jayce after several moments of silent, furious thought. “The full-on barking mad goddess of ecstasy and agony that killed her twin sister in her crib.”

Luna gave Jayce a look that could peel paint from walls.

“Ciel is our patron mother,” said Luna. “She is the goddess of life and death and grants favor to all who call on her. I am her chosen vessel.”

“This is nuts,” hissed Jayce.

“Shadow walkers,” said a man dressed in purple robes.

Tristan could sense the danger of the situation they were in. The crowd was closing in around them. He noticed bulges under shirts suggesting concealed weapons. He laid a hand on Jayce’s shoulder.

“Blessed Ciel has sent us to help,” said Tristan and he bowed his head in what he hoped was a sign of friendship.

“Ciel moves in mysterious ways,” said Luna. “She uses even the most unlikely of men to serve her children.”

The crowd murmured in confusion but they slowly began to back away.

Luna bowed her head and the crowd repeated her gesture.

“Take off your shoes and join me,” she said. “We share this ground body and soul.”

The two friends swapped glances and then hurried to obey.

***

Group of people both rich and poor lined up and Luna healed them one at a time. The morning passed by and still the people came. They brought sick people on stretchers and some begged Luna to come to their houses and heal their sick relatives. To those who had sick family members at home she gave small vials of healing potion. Many people once healed dropped copper and even silver coins at her feet and as the day progressed the pile grew steadily larger.

Sweat beaded on Luna’s forehead and Tristan could see the strain she was under but still continued. Eventually the crowd dwindled and the final person left. Luna waved and stumbled and Tristan swept her up in his arms and held her shivering body.

“You overdid it,” he said gently.

She smiled weakly. “It's hard to say no to someone in need.”

“So you appointed yourself as a priestess of Ciel,” said Jayce. “I'm sure that's going to offend every priest in Aressea, it’s probably blasphemy too.”

“What was I to do?” asked Luna. “Magi can't help the sick.”

“But the academy can’t meddle in the affairs of the temples,” said Tristan.

“Maybe it's the magic that compels me,” said Luna. “Or maybe it's just who I am but I can do some good here, that's all that matters. Can you understand that?”

“Ambrose was right,” said Tristan. “You are a better person than I will ever be.”

“He said that?” Luna asked.

“Not in so many words,” said Tristan.

Luna picked up the bag of coins and handed it to Tristan.

“What's this?” he asked.

“The money you owe to the academy.”

“What, I don't want your money, Luna.”

Luna detached herself from Tristan and turned to face him. “You have no problem scamming the innocent for money. But you won’t accept the help of someone that cares for you?”

“I didn't say that,” said Tristan. “I'll take your money. I just wanted to act like a good guy for a few seconds before accepting it.”

Luna laughed.

“Well to be honest my scam didn't work,” said Tristan. “People are strangely suspicious in Aressea. So untrusting it's a problem I tell you. Poor little Timmy just wanted a few silvers to get better and all I got were a bunch of letters telling me to kill myself.”

“You are so weird,” said Luna. “But I'm sure that under all of your dubious ways there’s a good man.

She tilted her head as she studied him. “Isn't that why you follow me?”

“Of course,” Tristan stammered.

“Good,” said Luna. “Was there any other reason, maybe?”

Tristan shifted awkwardly from one foot to another.

“Well, there’s this festival thing happening,” he said.

“The dance?” asked Luna. “You came out here to invite me to a dance?”

“No,” said Tristan.

“You’re not inviting me?” she asked.

Tristan’s palms began to sweat. “I mean yes,” he stammered.

He took a deep breath. “Luna, do you want to go to the dance… with me?”

Luna’s face went red. “Tristan, I wish you had asked me earlier.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Ambrose already asked me,” she said. “I said yes.”