The morning after the dance Tristan woke early, got dressed and made his way to the Headmaster’s office. He’d hardly slept a wink all night. He felt guilty about betting on his match and risking his friend’s lives to win that bet. He just wanted to make it better. He knew he had blown his chance with Luna but he just wanted the guilt he felt to end.

***

The door to the Headmaster’s office was open when he arrived and Aurelian waved Tristan in. The room still looked like the inside of a fish tank. Tristan ignored the shark that was glaring at him hungrily.

“You look like that purse is about to burn a hole in your hand,” said the Headmaster as Tristan took a seat at the old man's desk.

Tristan slid the bag of money onto the table.

‘The money I owe,” he said. “I'm sorry it took me longer than expected but it's all there.”

The Headmaster nodded sagely. “Good, good,” he said. He slid the money back across the table to Tristan. “The debt was never about the money, Tristan. It was about you taking responsibility for your actions.”

“I don't want it,” said Tristan. “It’s tainted.”

The old man laughed then he poured himself a glass of redberry juice and offered some to Tristan.

“Some council members fought me when I suggested we should accept you into Tempest,” said the Headmaster. “They thought Malice’s taint might be too much for you to handle. But you’ve handled the taint of the dragon so well I am sure the temptation of money will have little power over you.”

The Headmaster took a sip of the redberry juice, then he added some water to it. “A bit sweet for my tastes,” he said.

“Have you had any more dreams since we last spoke?”

Tristan shook his head.

“Good. You have kept your promise. You have not used Malice’s abilities and you have managed to keep control over your anger, for that I think you deserve this money. Use it for something good, that will remove whatever taint it might have had.”

Tristan shifted uncomfortably. “How do you know what magic I’ve used?” Tristan asked.

“If you had, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation right now,” said the Headmaster. “The protective dome around Tempest keeps evil out but if you used Malice’s abilities inside the dome, it would recognize Malice as a student.”

“What does that mean?” asked Tristan.

“Quite simply it means that there would be nothing keeping the dragon out.”

“Why would Malice want to enter Tempest?” Tristan asked.

The Headmaster adjusted his glasses then scratched his beard. “We believe that you are the holder of a part of Malice’s power. I am sure that the dragon does not know who you are. I believe that the dream you first had when arriving here was his attempt to search you out.”

“Why are you telling me this now?” Tristan asked.

“The dragon is gaining in power. It will not be long before he comes for what is his.”

“What should I do?” asked Tristan.

“Don't stray from the academy,” said the Headmaster. He shifted his glasses and eyed Tristan. “That includes your morning forays into the poor quarters with Miss Ward.”

Tristan looked at the ground and stammered. “Yes sir.”

“Oh, one last thing,” said the Headmaster.

Tristan’s hand began to tremble. Luna had broken the first rule of magi and healed mundane people.

“Good luck with the battle today,” said the Master.

Tristan paused for a second waiting for the man to say more but the Headmaster adjusted his glasses and waved Tristan out of the room.

***

The crowd erupted in cheers as Tristan, Luna and Jayce stepped into the arena for their second squad battle.

Luna hadn't said a word to Tristan all the way up the stairs to the arena. She hadn't even said a word as they discussed their strategy or when he’d ended the meeting with a stirring speech about spitting on the corpses of their fallen enemies.

Jayce looked from Luna to Tristan and shook his head. “This is why I don't date,” he said.

“Really?” asked Tristan. “You sure it's not just because that mohawk of yours looks like a dead squirrel stuck to your head.”

“Not cool, hoa,” he said as he stroked his mohawk. “Don't worry little guy,” he said to his mohawk. “Trist is just jealous.”

“Talking to it isn't helping you,” said Tristan.

“Are you guys about done?” asked Master Wraithen. “We are about to start this battle but we can wait if you guys want to keep talking about hair.”

Jayce murmured something under his breath and Tristan stammered an apology.

Mesmer Holden, Wrenlock Quay and Sylas Predder also known as Banecraft entered the arena. They had lost their last battle to Tantalus in a record short time. They hadn't even gotten a chance to use abilities against Ambrose’s squad before being defeated.

“Easy win,” said Jayce.

“Shut it,” growled Wrenlock.

“I’ll stand out this one,” said Jayce. “I think you two should be fine without me.”

“Ignore him,” said Mesmer Holden. “He's just trying to get into your head.”

“You lost the last fight to a little girl,” said Jayce. “I somehow don't think we need full psychological warfare to get the better of you.”

Wrenlock flicked open his hands and long nails grew out of his fingertips. “I'm going to enjoy this,” he said.

“Ready?” asked Master Wraithen.

The two squads nodded.

The Master stepped back and rang the bell a single time. The sound echoed around the arena but instead of a flurry of motion Banecraft just stood there unmoving.

Mesmer Holden began muttering something under his breath.

“I think your trash talk broke them, Jayce,” said Tristan.

Luna summoned a pair of shadow wolves and attacked.

“Ok,” said Tristan. “I guess it's on.”

He leapt forward with his sword extended.

Wrenlock growled. His left arm grew long and thin and became a tentacle. It grabbed a shadow wolf and wrapped around it. Wrenlock spun and hurled the wolf across the grounds. Tristan hacked at the tentacled arm but it felt like his sword was bouncing off of rubber. Sylas Predder fired a bolt at Tristan from an arm mounted crossbow. The bolt interrupted Tristan’s attack causing him to leap backwards away from the projectile.

Jayce ran forward his staff whirling, he deflected a second silver bolt fired from the crossbow.

“Focus on Mesmer,” Luna shouted, as she directed her last wolf at the youth. Sylas fired one shot after another at the wolf. His crossbow was infused with magic that basically turned the weapon into an automatic gun.

“Mesmer’s just standing there,” said Tristan. “Maybe we should attack Tentacle Boy or the gunner.”

Wrenlock’s arms withdrew and the tentacle became an arm again.

“Disappointing,” he said.

“What did you say,” said Jayce.

“I expected more from the rank ones. This battle is already over.”

Mesmer Holden stopped his chanting and a circle of symbols spread out around him in the sand.

He pointed at Tristan and shouted, “Tumultus impetimum.”

Tristan’s head lurched. He shook it and heard a buzzing sound in his ears. His vision cleared and the noise faded. It seemed like nothing happened.

Sylas appeared behind him and Tristan crouched and spun with his sword. He sliced the boy across the leg. Sylas fell to one knee and Tristan pounced upon him ready to deliver the finishing blow.

Someone dived into Tristan from behind throwing him against the side of the dome. His face throbbed and blood filled his mouth. He spat out the blood and looked up at Wrenlock. The boy was smiling at him, taunting him.

Where was Luna and Jayce, he wondered. He looked around and saw his two companions standing a short distance off watching him.

“Help me,” he shouted.

But they did nothing. They just stood there with their arms crossed watching. It dawned on Tristan that his friends had abandoned him. “Help,” he shouted.

Wrenlock helped Sylas to his feet and the two approached Tristan. It looked like they were trying to speak to him but he didn't care about what they had to say. Tristan lunged at Wrenlock. The boy blocked his sword with his hand which Tristan thought was odd. The boy slapped him and Tristan's head shook as the impact sent him flying across the arena.

Tristan shot to his feet and charged. Lighting shot out of his outstretched hand in a short burst. Wrenlock ducked below the attack and Tristan shot past him. Sylas raised a hand and light burst out blinding Tristan. He stumbled and tackled the boy, pinning him to the ground. He wrapped his hands around the boy’s neck. The boy raised a hand and touched a finger to Tristan’s forehead. Golden lights flickered across his vision. Tristan blinked and looked down at Luna. Her eyes were wide in fright. Tristan released his grip around her throat and she gasped for breath.

“Brace yourself,” shouted Jayce. He stopped in front of them. “Mega crush,” he yelled. He plunged his staff into the ground and Tristan felt a weight drop onto him. His legs buckled and he fell on top of Luna and was pinned against her.

Her nails dug into his arms and the weight pressed down on them both crushing the air out of their lungs. She released her grip and her eyes rolled back. Tristan’s vision went black and he passed out.

***

Tristan came to, to the sound of Madam Myrtle speaking into his ear. She flicked her fingers over his head and he blinked as the sound pounded through his head.

“He's ok,” she said.

Tristan rolled over and saw Luna lying on a bed beside him. A trickle of blood ran from her nose.

“Is she alive?” he asked.

Madam Myrtle nodded. “She will be fine.”

Jayce leant down next to Tristan’s bed. “I'm so sorry, hoa,” he said. “I didn't know what else to do.”

Tristan raised his head. “Did we win?” he asked.

Jayce shook his head. “Two squad members down on both sides,” said Jayce. “The Master said it was a draw.”

Tristan fell back into the pillow. “Not enough to get through to the next round,” he said.

“That's not all,” said Jayce.

“Ambrose won his fight?” said Tristan.

Jayce nodded. “They beat Sylphwyn in less than a minute.”

Tristan sighed. “So Tantalus is going to the semi finals and we get to sleep.” he smiled. “I think I'm ok with that.”

***

Shouting voices woke Tristan from a dream.

“What's happening?” he asked a nurse who was standing over Luna’s bed.

She shook her head and left the room.

The voices were drawing nearer.

“What's going on out there,” Tristan shouted.

He pulled back his blanket and sat up in bed. Moments later Madam Myrle and a nurse burst through the door carrying a stretcher. Jayce followed close behind them?

“What happened?” Tristan asked.

“Cora,” said Jayce. “Theodrin of Haradalf snapped her and crushed her spine.”

“Is she going to be ok?” Tristan asked.

Jayce looked at him, his face was pale. He shook his head. “I don't know, hoa. I don't know.”