Koda’s eyes slowly peeked open. His body ached all over, especially his ribs. He was more than sure one or two of them were now broken after his chance encounter with Raze and the Spellbreakers.

The young king rolled his head sideways to find Stryneth speaking to someone. Someone familiar—someone he had seen in the past, but his name, nor face were readily available on Koda’s tongue. Koda decided to listen in on the conversation.

“Raze escaped and had Cade not been there, Koda would have perished at the hands of Raze. I grow annoyed that he and his men are seemingly around every corner,” Stryneth said. He flared his nostrils with anger.

“Twin Cliffs is a mage controlled city high in the Western Peaks. We are safer from the Spellbreakers than any other city in the world,” said the other man.

Yes, even this man’s voice was familiar to Koda. He knew he heard it somewhere before, however his head pulsed with too much pain to recall any further.

“I pray you are right, Arrelion. Master Fen will not tolerate any interruptions with Koda’s training.”

Arrelion! He was at my grandfather's funeral! Does that mean I am… Koda looked around the small room. Gray stones lined the wall, decorated with swords of all types. Rapiers, claymores, broadswords, even a ninjato were displayed on the walls. A snow leopard skin rug laid at the center of the chamber and to the right a fire blazed in a hearth. Cade leaned against the door frame with his arms folded. Elucard stood across from him.

Koda grinned weakly. He was relieved that Elucard survived the mountain pass ambush. Although his shroud gripped his side. Black and blue bruises painted across his brow and swollen right eye. It was clear to Koda, Elucard did not have an easy time, but where were Wildeye and Raine? Did they make it out okay, as well?

“I will not let Duke Alifinster down, it is the least I can do for his charitable donation to my school,” Arrelion said. He looked past Stryneth to Koda and smiled. “You are awake, that is good. The worst has passed and your injuries will heal with time.”

Koda struggled to sit up in bed. He winced from any sudden movements with his torso.

Koda was quick to get to his questions. “Where am I? Where is Wildeye and Raine?”

“We are here, Koda,” said Wildeye as she and Raine walked into the room. Raine sat at the foot of Koda’s bed. Like Elucard, she too was swathed in badges and bruises. Koda furrowed his brow.

“Raine, your fa-face. What have they done to you?”

Raine pressed a gentle hand to her head and laughed. “I’ll be fine, Koda. Had it not been for Elucard finding us an escape, things could have gone…well…badly.”

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“This wasn’t bad?” Koda scoffed. “This was the closest that the Spellbreakers have ever been to killing us!”

“I agree, my king,” Elucard spoke up. “Which is why I plan to use my old Black Rabbit connections to contact any mercenary or local assassin clan and drum up information of where Cade and I can find and take out Raze once and for all.”

Cade gave Koda a thumbs up without unfolding his arms. “Elucard believes there may be a cell of Spellbreakers that secretly operate in Twin Cliffs. Given enough time, we’ll find Raze and deal with him.”

Koda nodded. Normally he would rather be ignorant of Elucard’s methods with keeping him safe. Now he felt like an accomplice to murder. As if he just gave him the okay to find and assassinate a man. However, in this particular case, the death of Raze would not only benefit himself, but the world of magic as well.

Koda inspected Wildeye’s condition. She had minor bruising and a fresh scar across her muzzle. Her fountain of Magi had healed most of her wounds and even her new scar wouldl vanish with time.

“As for where we are,” began Arrelion. “My silver mage school, Adamant Keep.”

“Silver!?” exclaimed Koda. “Silver is a color? I thought there were only seven?”

“There are only…officially seven,” explained Arrelion. “Silver is my own style that the Mage Council see as an alternative way of training in tamed magic. Despite being given a mage color, you can not challenge the school to learn it. This school is by invitation only.”

“And thanks to Duke Alifinster, you’ve been invited, Koda,” finished Stryneth.

“Indeed,” affirmed Arrelion. “I wish to start your training as soon as you are healed.”

Koda nodded, but still had questions for his new teacher. “What kind of magic is silver? Controlling metal?”

“No, not at all,” Arrelion said with a chuckle. He stroked his chin with a hmm, before pulling out his long sword. “I can better explain once we begin your lessons, but know that you will be learning Blade Channeling. You will also be trained to sword fight.”

“I don’t understand,” said Koda. He scratched his head. “What is Blade Channeling?”

“Your questions will all be answered in time. Just know your spells will be much more potent when channeled through a sword.”

Koda pursed his lips in dissatisfaction.

A large red and silver wolf strode into the room. It brushed its head against Arrelion’s leg, looking for a head pat. The wolf sat on its haunches and gave Wildeye a curious look.

Wildeye knelt down and the wolf a generous petting. She looked up to Arrelion. “She is your familiar, yes?”

Arrelion stroked the red wolf’s head. “Her name is Scarlet, and she has been my familiar for many moons.” Arrelion gave Wildeye a wink. “And you are no off-color kanis. I take it you are Koda’s familiar?”

Koda's mouth slid into a wide smile. “Correct, Master Arrelion, but how did you know?”

Arrelion put away his sword and folded his arms. “Scarlet told me.”

“Before I can start any sort of training, I must meet with Prince Velduin and Scale Lord Rellethek, but afterwards, I look forward to what you can teach me, Master Arrelion.”

Arrelion nodded. “Heal up, Koda, there is much to do.”