It's the evening before term starts, and our star finds himself stranded in an uncomfortable situation, contemplating his life.

Emerick's back at the castle, and he's already having regrets. What will come of his first encounter with someone who has the potential to change his life forever?

I shan't give it away.

   The ward was empty. He pulled one of the chairs vacated by his parents up to the bedside and fell into it. Aleria’s eyes were closed. A jagged cut ran across her forehead, and it was discolored in such a way that one could be sure it was magically inflicted. She looked dead...