“The problem with law is that in most jurisdictions, there are niche rules and regulations that only apply to them. From Arteria, to Traxia, to Zephyr and beyond, everyone does things a little differently. That is why it is important for institutions to gather what knowledge is there and educate those seeking to be lawyers and advocates to the best of their ability. So that we may go into any situation, prepared.”

- Retired Advocate Simön Pelis, Arterian Academy of Law, “Lecture: Why Must We Study?”

Aryana watched with great delight as the tiniest manipulation of mana from Fana allowed a stray bud on the plant to begin blossoming. Her joy must’ve radiated a bit too much as Fana giggled at the sight of her. She turned crimson with embarrassment, turning away to stare at her own, relatively mana unchanged plant. It was a highland bluebell, half resting lazyily enjoying the effects of the greenhouse. Unlike her other classmates, she had no real way of sparking any growth, thus her charges were mostly left untouched beyond some basic gardening. At least I’m good at that.

Ary smiled at Fana, the older girl wiggling her ears in approval and shooting a small grin back. Class was fun with friends, their presence giving her a small blanket of relief from the world outside. She wished that she could devote more of her time to studies and friends, but the more responsible part of her continued reminding her of the dozens of issues at the back of her mind. There was no shortage of problems that ranged from mundane to almost unbelievable. Many of which came from her past or the actions of those around her.

Throughout the past few months she had learned so much and found out just how much further she would have to go. She had lived independently for most of her life but even she couldn’t help but want to be spoiled when given the chance. And Sophie always spoils me, heheh. She chuckled to herself, amused at the notion and thoroughly content with it. Yet it was also the time they spent together that had also honed her own ability to sense when something was wrong. It was like an inexplicable pressure she could feel always whenever trouble was nearby, a foreboding sense of unease that hung in the air around her. Not for the first time did she think that there was some merit to Galen’s lofty ambitions, that some part of the spirits of the land watched over her that could be crucial to the clan’s survival.

So when she caught the briefest glimpse of a shadow outside the greenhouse once again, her heart sank. Trouble.

Fana noticed her frown first, the older girl quickly looking over to make sure everything was alright. Her actions however, were in turn noted by Ary’s erstwhile companion, Yana. The fae paused her zipping between the plants of the greenhouse and quickly fluttered back over.

“Is something wrong, Aryana? You can tell the great illustrious Yana.” The fae spun a little before settling down atop her.

“Nothing yet.” Ary let out a soft whisper.

Fana put on a more wary expression and motioned for Ary to get closer.

“What’s up?” The older girl asked, her eyes occasionally flicking up to the odd magelight atop Ary’s head.

“I think she sees me.” Yana whispered.

Ary was caught off guard and snickered out loud before her hand could shut her mouth.

“Ary?” Fana tilted her head.

“Nothing, nothing. Just thought I saw something, is all.” She tried to reassure the older girl.

Fana grunted, unconvinced but now maintaining an even more vigilant watch.

Anxiously, the trio settled back into their classroom mode, though all casting glances in every direction. It proved to be a futile search at first, as no other sightings of the shadowy figure appeared within their sight lines. Then the door to the greenhouse swung open.

“Professor Mckinley?” A familiar voice called her professor’s name.

The kindly professor perked up in alarm and moved to answer the inquiry.

“That’d be me. Is something the matter? I’m in the middle of a class right now.” Professor Mckinely answered.

“Erm, we have a matter to discuss with one of your students, one; Aryana Frostfyre. We heard that she’s here?” The voice continued.

Both Aryana and Fana shot each other a glance. Someone’s here for me? And they used my full name? But that doesn’t sound like Sophie.

“Oh. She should be. Might I ask why you need her?”

There was a pause, and hushed whispers were exchanged. By now, the class had mostly fallen silent, all the students curious about whatever was happening, Aryana most of all. Trouble, but doesn’t feel hostile. They’re taking the time to talk to the professor at least.

“Aryana!” Professor Mckinley’s voice called out from the entryway.

“Here!” She answered.

“Pack your things and come here please.”

“A… alright!” She acknowledged.

Fana raised an eyebrow and Ary could only helplessly shrug. There was nothing that she could do. Nothing was suspicious enough to warrant fight nor flight.

“Be careful.” Fana hissed.

“Uhn.” Ary grunted.

The faerie atop her head also began posturing herself to be more readily available for action should a fight occur. The tiny feet shifted, making Ary’s head a little itchy.

“Look after my bluebell.” She offered Fana a brief hug.

“Mmhmm. Just let me know what happens.” The older girl responded.

With her belongings hastily stuffed into her bag, Aryana gingerly proceeded to the entryway of the greenhouse.

At once, she knew why she recognised the voice but couldn’t put a face to it. The slender but menacing form of Raylani rested awkwardly near the entryway while her mistress, Elaria, waved to Ary. Whenever they hung out, Elaria would often have a more sing-song quality to her voice, sounding more mystical and fantastical even in everyday speech. That she sounded serious now only served to worry Ary all the more.

“Ela! Raylani!” She forced her voice to be more chipper, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Aryana! Hey.” Elaria smiled.

Raylani settled for the lightest of head nods, but Ary was pleased to be acknowledged nonetheless.

“If you need anything dearie, just let me know by the next class.” Professor Mckinley gently patted Ary’s shoulder.

Ary nervously nodded, her forced jovialness slowly fading as the serious gesture did not go unnoticed.

“Now, now. Back to practicing everyone. Class isn’t over yet.” The professor tried to divert the now silent classroom back to their tasks.

Her attempt was met with a chorus of grumbles. But it was moderately successful. Shooting the girls one last understanding look, the professor resumed her duties and gave Ary some space. This left matter of why the two had called for her specifically, and her heartbeat grew more erratic. Sophie. They must have news of Sophie. Or did Sophia’s condition worsen? Spirits.

Their demeanor now that the professor moved out of sight said as much. Raylani relaxed her posture but still seemed tense. Elaria just looked tired now. Ary, for her part, fought to hold her own smile, sensing the need for some levity given the situation.

“What’s the matter?” She looked between the two.

Elaria’s lips curled in displeasure before the older girl sighed. “It’s about Sophie.” She whispered. I knew it!

“And?”

“We finally got some news about her. But…”

“But?”

Elaria drummed her fingers against her nose, “But she’s doing something or another with a trial in the city.”

“A…” Huh? “A trial?” Ary questioned, the imagine in her mind too bizarre to fully comprehend.

“Public one. Today.” Elaria motioned for them to go.

“A public trial? What’s that like… today?!” Ary squeaked out loud.

The greenhouse fell silent once more and her cheeks turned a tomato red. Ahh, too loud. But today?! Huh?! A trial? Today?

Elaria just held a finger to her mouth and motioned at the doorway. “We’ll walk and talk. C’mon.”

“But class…” Ary absently spluttered out.

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“I’ve already told your professor, now let’s go. It should already be underway by the time we get into the city.” Elaria grabbed her sleeve and tugged her along.

Unable to resist, Ary followed, Raylani solemnly nodding along and taking up the rear. She had a strong suspicion that today would be a very long day. And certainly filled with trouble. Sophie, you silly goof, just what the heck happened this time?

Ary’s mood took a turn for the worse the moment the trio stepped ashore to Arteria. Even the ferryman’s ever present announcement of their arrival to the city did little to lift her spirits. The Academy pier was abuzz with activity, and not the pleasant kind. Countless guards patrolled the pier, dozens of scholars and other officials were scrambling to get something done. Worse still, the Clover Legion marched alongside the others, their presence still giving Ary chills from her memory of them.

From Elaria and Raylani, she had learned enough that her overall judgement of the situation had been troubling at best, dire at worst. Somehow, someway, Sophie had reached out to Sophia, who had then curtly relayed the brief plea for aid to the least damaged of the sisters. Sophia herself had chosen to stay behind, for now. With little guidance, Elaria then rounded up the stoic dark elf and Aryana, unsure of how any of them could help in the trial, but willing to try regardless.

Ary, for her part, was simply eager to see Sophie again. Though the idea of a trial slowly subsumed that joyous desire altogether. She scratched at her ears in frustration, a habit she only now realized she had unwittingly started picking up from Sophie. A realization that at least brought a sliver of a smile to her face. Heh, too bad my ears aren’t as slender as hers.

The trio quietly navigated the city streets and Ary found herself shocked by two things. First was how on edge Arteria seemed to be. Crowds and people would often whisper about the trials happening at the Chamber of Stalwart Justice, the building’s comforting presence now looking more like a leering overlord that loomed over all. The other was how many people seemed to try to greet Elaria, the bard-in-training offering a small smile in return before hurrying along.

Unlike the despondent glances they shared during the ferry ride, Elaria’s public facing persona was like a radiant beacon against the city’s suffocating landscape. A few citizens even began to murmur about the ‘enchanting bard and her strange elf companion’ instead of current events. They’re both certainly good looking, but to see people just recognize her… how much has she done without any of us even knowing?

Elaria just winked at her, as if reading her thoughts. Ary unintentionally blushed, the other girl’s charisma too powerful to withstand.

Ignoring her, she tried to focus more on the task at hand. Her attention was drawn to the massive Chamber of Stalwart Justice. Beneath its green shadow a massive crowd had gathered, held off only by a line of guardsmen. But today’s affairs are far from ordinary and the composition of the guardsmen reflected that. In contrast to most streets, the Chamber was guarded almost exclusively by trinite guardsmen clad in blue cloaks and armor. From what little Ary could recall, they were those most loyal to the nobility and merchants of Arteria. A bad sign, she grumbled.

“Down with the company! Down with the skulls!” The chant got louder the closer they got.

Squeezing past the throng of people, the trio found themselves in the middle of the procession. While there were signs of scuffling in the front ranks, the mood remained mostly peaceable. The trinite’s however, were leaving nothing to chance, the guards being assigned trucheons alongside their standard polearms and blades. They were far more militant than their redcloak counterparts and the sounds of selective beatings seemed to keep the crowd in line for the most part.

Reluctantly, the trio continued snaking their way through the crowd until they neared the front. The smell of sweat and dirt assailing their noses the entire way. Getting only worse as they neared the also sweaty but armoured trinite guardsmen holding the line.

“Let us through!”

“We deserve to see this!”

“Down with the company!”

More protestors cried out.

“Back off!”

“Make room!!”

The trinites barked back, brutally lashing out with their truncheons at anyone who got too close.

Ary caught Elaria scowling, the older girl clearly expecting the worse. She simply nodded at Raylani and the dark elf gestured for Ary to stay behind. She did as she was ordered.

Elaria managed to barge her way towards the front, Raylani taking care to shield Ary as they followed. One errant protestor tried to shove back only for Elaria to effortlessly push the man off to the side. Scary, she’s also strong like Sophie, Ary looked on curiously.

“Excuse me. I’m the accused’s sister. Please can I get through.” Elaria tried to speak to a guard.

But her voice, however loud, could not drown out the noise of the ongoing scuffle. Only the closest guard turned to look at her, though he was mostly just motioning for her to stay back with his truncheon.

“Excuse me! I’m the accused’s sister!” Elaria shouted.

This time the guard looked more annoyed, but a few of his colleagues had also caught her words.

“Who’s what?” One snapped at her.

“I’m Sophie’s sister! The one on trial! Please let me through!”

“Back off lass. Ain’t none of your business.” The trinite growled.

“But she’s my sister! This is a public trial!” Elaria argued.

“Yeah!”

“It’s public isn’t it? The hells are your problems?” A few protestors supported her.

“We have our orders, step back!” The trinite guard waved his truncheon at the group, “Back!”

“But she’s my-” Elaria tried to speak.

Ary saw it too late, the truncheon aimed at Elaria’s arms. But in a flash, Raylani already pulled her mistress, the strike missing merely by a hair’s width. The dark elf let out a low growl, a dangerous aura emanating from her. Doing what she could to ease tensions and giving the elf a quick squeeze of the hand, the same as she usually did to calm Sophie.

Raylani shot her a displeased look, but the elf’s muscle did loosen a little, restrained if not relaxed. Elaria let out a flummoxed grunt, the girl very much aware of what was about to happen. Ary could only offer a soft sigh of relief, just happy that no one got hurt.

Ary let go of Raylani, content that she wasn’t about to spring into a flurry of blades at the offending guards. The dark elf then shared a look with Elaria as the two assessed each other with a hint of tenderness in their eyes. For a split second, Ary felt jealous, disappointed that she could not yet be with Sophie.

The situation was getting more tense. The guards seemed to eschew anymore conversation for more aggressive responses. Getting past them now would likely require a little more than just diplomacy. Judging by the malicious looking gleam in Elaria’s eye however, Ary guessed that she was about to find out.

“Forward! For Arteria!” Elaria roared.

H-huh?! Ary could only stare with mouth agape as she felt Raylani’s hand now tighten around her wrist.

“For Arteria!” Elaria raised her voice even more.

Like a powder keg being set off by a spark when the air was filled with gas, her call to arms incited the citizenry to finally act. A tidal wave of emotions overcame the crowd and roars of anger and dismay intertwined themselves with the desire for justice. The electrifying undercurrent of dissatisfaction had boiled over and the crowd threw themselves at the guards.

Whatever violence she had thought possible to avoid was now too late. The citizens were taking order back into their own hands as they let loose punches and kicks. Though thankfully for Ary’s own mental sanity, most were simply trying to just push the guards away. But even she could tell that for the average person, there was little love lost between them and the trinite guardsmen.

“For Arteria!”

“Raaghh!”

“Justice!”

“Together! For Arteria!”

The crowds echoed.

Why are we starting another riot? First Eva, now Ela, Ary despaired.

She did not get much time to think. Elaria waited for the tiniest of openings and darted forward, Raylani dragging Ary along. The trio slipped through a gap in the defenses, the outnumbered guards crumbling under the sheer weight of the crowd.

“Stay close.” The dark elf commanded. Not like I have a choice.

Other bluecloaked guardsmen scrambled from the Chamber to support their beleaguered comrades. These ones were equipped in heavier armour and were far more prepared for the chaos at hand. Worried, Ary looked over at Elaria, the older girl only grinning with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

“Uh…” Ary was about to speak when Elaria gestured for the two to follow her.

“Mistress?” Raylani queried.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” Elaria smirked.

Raylani seemed unconvinced but voiced no complaints, nor did Ary see fit to question the bard.

“Follow me.” Elaria ordered.

She led the trio alongside the crowd and then dashed directly at the second wave soldiers. Alarmed, Ary tried to protest but Raylani simply pulled her along. Before they clashed with the troops however, Elaria halted them and allowed the crowd to surge past.

Embedding themselves into the second rank, they let the first wave of angry citizens take the hit and dashed past the guards.

“Over there!”

“Breakouts!” A few guards noticed their breakthrough.

But it was too late, Elaria’s schemes were already in motion. The bard began muttering some incomprehensible arcane incantations.

“Stick real close.” Elaria warned, as if either of the other two had thought otherwise.

Raylani held onto Elaria’s hand as well, joining the three of them together like a chain.

Ary almost yelped when the eerie sense of emptiness enveloped her. Whatever strange magicks that Elaria used reminded her of the haunting feeling similar to what Sophie had done before. It was a gut churning almost sickening experience but not applied over her instead of just nearby. Raylani too, seemed to suffer a little, the dark elf tensing up, her grip on Ary’s hand tightening. Yana finally reacted, scratching within her pocket at the suddenly intrusive magic.

"It's okay. Just a little, it's okay." Ary whispered.

In response, Yana poked back, the faerie clearly suffering. Poor thing.

“I’m Elaria Kastiane, sister of the accused, Sophie Kastiane! This is my entourage and we have key evidence for the trial!” Elaria’s voice boomed, although this time, it seemed augmented by something else, magic. Wait. We had evidence? Why didn't she say anything earlier?

Two of the heavy guards paused in their advance, eyeing her warily. They remained silent but at least allowed the group some breathing space as they kept the others from attacking.

“Just let me talk to your commanding officer. They should be able to vouch for my identity.” Elaria continued her plea.

The guards seemed uncertain, but in that crucial moment, the crowd and other trinites clashed in earnest. Seeing the skirmish begin to erupt behind them, the two soldiers reluctantly beckoned the trio forward. Relieved, they hurried along, having the two escort them past another line of guards and into the Chamber itself.

Passing the threshold, Ary felt Elaria’s magic dissipate. A feeling of liveliness and fullness returning to her once more. Just what the heck did she do? Didn't seem like anything, at least, not anything that needed to feel so intense.

“Commander Scavea’s temporary office is just down the hall. Talk to him to get lift access to the second floor.” The burlier of the two guards announced.

“Thank you.” Elaria nodded.

The more wiry of the two soldiers just grinned, “Just don’t sing about us in your ballads, eh?”

Elaria looked almost surprised that they knew her but put on a friendly smile, doing a small bow in response, “I’ll at least note your kindness.”

Around them, they could see dozens upon dozens of soldiers watching the entrances from inside the Chamber. A lot of them seemed unconcerned by their arrival, though most had their gazes linger upon the dark elf. A few even whispered to each other, notes of recognition in their eyes.

Feeling a small soft poke from her chest pocket, Ary flipped open her pocket and peaked in at the faerie. Yana still seemed dissatisfied by Elaria's spell but had calmed a little, the faerie gazing up at her oddly.

"We're in. We're fine." Ary informed her.

"Hmpf." Yana scowled but relented, giving Ary a weak smile.

Ary let out a sigh of relief, she could only try to recover some energy before dreading the trial ahead. By the spirits, so much chaos. Just what happened? Spirits protect you Sophie, stay strong.