Half a dozen figures clad in flowing purple robes stood with their arms raised, waving them around in graceful motions. As they did so, a swirling golden light shone around three of them, outlining a tree in the air.

It’s no wonder people don’t want to become astral mages, or ‘star dancers’ as Meissa calls them. I thought, as I observed the lesson. The time needed to cast the blessings means it’s not a good battle skill, so most would forgo it in favor of learning other magic.

“More mana into the ninth point, Leila. Janice, you keep missing the sixth point of the life tree.” Meissa called to one of the disciples who was among the few not able to complete the astral blessing. “Focus girls, even a millimeter off point, and your blessing will be useless.”

I’d come to the courtyard with the intention of learning more about the astrology branch of Trismegistus’s domain, but quickly regretted my decision. The books I’d read claimed that initiating the astral blessings was done by forming the constellations, imbuing each star point with mana in the correct order. What I observed, appeared to be more of a dance, which was confirmed by Meissa’s reference to practitioners of astral magic as star dancers.

The blessing the disciples were performing was a third tier blessing, known as the tree of life, and could imbue those within a ten meter proximity with an increase in vitality for a one hour period.

In order to perform the blessing, a star dancer needed to keep their bodies perfectly still, acting as the tree’s trunk, whilst moving their hands in a series of graceful motions to imbue the nineteen star points to form the branches. When all nineteen points were activated, the image of the constellation would be formed in the air for a brief moment before dispersing into the bodies of those in proximity to the star dancer.

From what I’d learned from the priestess, Lelia and Janice were the newest of her disciples. While the other three, Kelari, Veritas and Lavinia, had been with her since shortly after the world was populated.

Talking to an artificial being about their world was certainly a strange experience. The artificial beings of this world were fully aware of Earth, and appeared to consider it another realm, from which the digital citizens came to be reborn in Kaledon. On the other hand, players were considered people who’d yet to prove themselves worthy of a true life in Kaledon, and as such were given temporary bodies, unlike the digital citizens who’d been welcomed by the gods.

After another ten minutes of practice, Meissa ended the lesson. She then sent the disciples back to the hall of astrology, with instructions to spend the remainder of the night studying the star maps located in the hall's library.

“High priestess, did you wish to remain here, or move somewhere more private for your own lesson?” Meissa asked once the courtyard was empty.

“It is rather cold out here, even with my inner fire to warm me.” I replied, gesturing towards the building towering above us.

“Indeed it is,” Meissa agreed, looking around the darkened courtyard. “Mayhap, it would be wise to install some braziers in the courtyards until spring.”

“I have considered it, but until more disciples arrive, there is little need.”

Passing through the hall of origin, I saw two of Victoria’s brothers talking to Meissa’s disciples. Noticing their similar appearance, I recalled that the twins were on the first shift of guard duty for the temple. When the disciples saw our approach, they quickly ended their conversation, rushing away down the passageway that led to the hall of astrology.

“Jayden, Kayden, not causing trouble I hope.” I greeted the pair of orcs whose eyes lit up with a look I’d grown familiar with after having spent so many weeks with Pia.

“Us? Never!” They cried in unison, each pressing hand to their armored chest.

“Somehow, I doubt Victoria would say the same.” I informed them, fighting back a smile as I continued towards the stairs which led up to the second floor.

As Meissa and I ascended the stairs heading for the observatory, I watched as the spheres which represented the pair of orcs headed in the direction of the astrology hall.

Lips twitching, I used my connection to the temple to seal the door at the end of the hall, blocking them from entering. Then I waited for the pair to retreat back down the hall to the entrance, before sealing that door as well, effectively trapping them in the passageway.

If only I could see the looks on their faces, or drop a boulder from the ceiling. Shaking my head, with a sigh, I unsealed the door allowing the twins to return to the hall of origin. I’ll need to talk to Victoria or Roan in the morning about proper conduct while on guard duty.

While it was unlikely anyone would attack the temple, I felt that it was important we had guards to ensure those entering the temple behaved properly, and those who didn’t were removed.

“We shall begin with the simplest of the first tier constellations,” Meissa said as we stood by the eastern facing window. “See here, this is the dove. It is the first blessing I teach to all my students.”

Gazing up at the star filled sky, I watched as Meissa traced her finger over the glass, outlining the shape of a bird in the stars.

“In the book I read, it said the dove is a blessing of harmony and peace.” I said, looking over at the dark elven priestess who nodded with a smile.

“Correct, the blessing will surround the caster with an aura of peace and serenity. This blessing is effective for quelling low ranked beasts,” Meissa lectured as she raised her hands, crossing her arms at the wrist, and pressed her thumbs together. “Tier one blessings require only a simple hand formation.”

That’s... is she playing a joke on me? Shifting my gaze from the woman’s hands, to her face I saw her expression was completely serious, no hint of amusement or teasing.

Golden light shone from the dark elf’s hands, and I watched wide eyed as an ethereal bird began to fly around Meissa’s head. A weak tingling feeling of comfort pushed at my senses, but I easily shoved the feeling away.

Are you really telling me she made this bird by making a shadow puppet with her hands? Even my moron of a half brother can do this! He used to do it all the time! Frowning, I repeated the dark elf’s actions, crossing my wrists with my hands held out flat, and pressed my thumbs together to form the shadow of a bird on the stone wall.

“Now, beginning with your pinky fingers, imbue each pair of fingers on either side, until you reach your thumbs.” Meissa coached.

Following the woman’s instructions, I pushed mana into each of my fingers, and as I reached my thumbs, a golden light encompassed my hands. Just as it had for the priestess, an ethereal dove took shape in the light, and proceeded to fly around me in circles.

“Blessed be she,” Meissa said softly, eyes focused on the bird. “It takes hours, for my disciples to correctly direct their mana into the formation.”

“Transmutation, and even manipulating my inner flame, requires me to be able to direct my mana through my body.” I explained, getting a nod in response from the elf.

“Those I have taught, have been unfamiliar with the process of directing mana.” She confirmed, a thoughtful look on her face. “Shall we proceed to the next blessing?”

I nodded, feeling confident that I’d easily be able to recreate the simple hand formation of the shadow puppet.

The blessing of the dove had been deceptively easy, as I discovered while trying to imbue the second blessing, which was the bear. After half a dozen attempts, I was finally able to bring forth the ethereal image of a bear, which ran towards my chest before disappearing, as feelings of strength and vigor filled me.

Next was the blessing of the rabbit, which left me with the sensation of having downed an entire jug of hype juice, and sent my tails into overdrive as they wagged franticly behind me.

“Next, is the butterfly, a blessing of minor healing.” Meissa said, demonstrating the formation with her hands. “The formation is like that of the dove, however in this form, you will bring the backs of your hands towards each other, and spread the thumbs apart.”

Once the golden butterfly appeared and dissipated after finding no wounds to heal, I shook out my fingers with a grimace. My fingers ached from being twisted into different shapes repeatedly over the last few hours, and I was growing bored. These low tier blessings were of little use to me, but I knew I needed to learn them, even if I’d never use them.

“Last we have the wolf, which is the strongest of the tier one blessings. This formation will bring forth a corporal wolf to fight at the behest of the caster for a period of five minutes.”

Now we’re getting somewhere! I cheered internally, as I watched the dark elf make yet another shadow puppet with her hands. I really need to have a talk with Tris about how lame this hand formation thing is. With a sigh, I once more twisted my fingers together as directed by Meissa, forming what I supposed was meant to pass for the head of a wolf.

Imbuing my fingers with mana, I watched as golden light covered my hands. But, I became distracted from my task, as the shadows behind Meissa shifted into the form of man. Seeing Noctus step out of the shadows, I was filled with the urge to throw a fireball in his direction, and barely managed to restrain the impulse.

“Noctus, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t barge into my rooms without knocking. What if I’d been in the middle of changing?” I demanded, crossing my arms with a scowl.

“Then I’d be in for a delightful show,” the vampire drawled, his voice dropping to a low, sultry tone.

“You’d also be in for slow, and painful death.” I threatened, struggling with the urge to fling a ball of fire at his smirking face.

“High priestess, this is the vampire you spoke of?” Meissa said, interrupting the staring match I was having with the vampire.

“Yes,” with a sigh, I uncrossed my arms, and waved a hand at Noctus. “Meissa, this is Noctus, Co-leader of the Eternia guild. Noctus, this is Meissa, Priestess of Astrology.”

Through narrowed eyes, I watched as Noctus took Meissa’s hand, bowing his head over it to press a kiss to her knuckles. As the priestess’s cheeks became flushed in a dark shade of blue, I cleared my throat loudly, causing the woman to yank back her hand from the vampire's grasp.

“Did you need something Noctus?'' I asked, as he straightened with a low chuckle.

“We have things to discuss, alone.” he replied, his voice full of insinuation as he spoke the last word.

“Oh, of course.” Meissa flushed again, eyes darting to me briefly before she began making her way towards the door. “I shall return to my disciples, blessed be you this night.”

Before I could say anything, the dark elf was gone, and I was left alone with the vampire who was looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“I’m not feeding you again, so if that’s what you're here for, you can fuck off.” I snapped, getting a low chuckle from him in response.

“And here I thought you’d want to hear about the fallout from your actions in Airus.” He purred, and I felt my ears perk up despite my attempt to keep them from giving away my interest. “I was able to gain some intel after a little jaunt into Bovia.”

“Did they kick out Dreadmere?” I asked, tails twitching as images of Ge Hong, and Bianca being tossed out on their asses in the snow filled my mind.

“Sadly, Dreadmere remains in the city. However, it is known they caused the forsaking, and are the reason no potions or tinctures work in the city. ”

“Then it’s only a matter of time,” I mused, a light smile curling over my lips as I looked in the direction of the mountain city. “A representative of the guild, and the city, will no doubt come to make reparations.”

“And what are you intending to ask for?” The vampire asked, his eyes filled with mirth. “What is it you have planned, little vixen?”

“I’m going to ask for a book.” I informed him, a giggle working its way past my lips.

“A book…” Noctus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Kadia, baby, we really need to talk about priorities. You’re about to have one of the biggest guilds on their knees, and you want… a book.”

“It's a very special book, and don’t call me baby.” I retorted with a scowl.

“It's a book! You’ve got dozens of books downstairs.” He argued, throwing his hands up in the air.

“It’s a very special book! Trust me, it’ll be worth it. This book will, if all goes according to plan, destroy the Dreadmere guild in a wave of fire, and fury.” I promised, tails wagging excitedly as I proceeded to tell the vampire exactly what I intended for the Dreadmere guild.

“Damn,” Noctus breathed, rubbing a hand over his chin. “Thats fucking insane! I mean, yeah it’ll fuck them up something fierce, if it works. But a guild like Dreadmere won’t stay down for long. Not with the kind of backing they supposedly have. They’ll just come back under a new name, and banner.”

“Even so, Dreadmere’s name will become a continual reminder not to fuck with me!” I declared triumphantly, exchanging a wicked grin with the vampire who proceeded to ruin the moment.

“I guess it's a good thing I’ve got selective memory loss.”