This is the story of Dael. Dael has already made his début in the story N. Cognito, but the fans want more of him (I wonder if that's the result of a cleverly placed hole in the fourth wall?). This story starts far before Dael was born, in a land called Heptolis, specifically the chain of islands to the south of the mainland. Those islands are called the Magic Isles and are home to scholars, academic wizards and most of the weather wizards. Their only exports are knowledge and the magic the wizards produce. The life of the people here is strictly controlled, as the islands are dependent on the mainland for food and supplies, and the Chief Academic must approve everything. With such limitations there is bound to be someone who will push back.

Louis is crouching by a corner waiting for his friend, Alena to bring the Catalytic Crystals. Just when he is about to leave he hears someone say, "Miss me?" Louis is so startled that he almost drops the Beetle Bot. Louis sees a familiar hand dart to catch the Beetle Bot before it shattered against the marble floor.

Alena says, "You might want to keep this whole, I'd hate to see you got to pieces over it." Louis smiles at her joke.

Louis says, "Did you get the crystals?"

Alena smiles and says, "I said that all you had to do was build the Beetle Bot. If I gave you such a complicated task why would I forget the all important Catalytic Crystals?"

Louis rolls his eyes and says, "It's at times like these that make me wonder why we are friends."

Alena then turns to him and says sweetly, "Because I'm not boring, and you've had a crush on me since your family moved here." In response Louis blushes as her statement was true, both parts.

Louis says to change the subject before Alena continued with the current one, "Let's get this done, if we get caught here we are going to lose our licenses to practice magic."

Alena then giggles and says, "That shouldn't bother you, you're not a mage."

Louis gives her a serious look and says, "I use magic to help my father make his machines."

Alena corrects "That makes you an artificer not a mage. Until you pass the tests you don't need a license."

Louis then feels for the button to open the Beetle Bot. As his fingers touch the smooth surface he is able to discern the metal it is made of, as all artificers can do. He presses the button and the back of the Beetle Bot springs open. Alena then extracts a pair of yellow crystals from her coin purse and places them into the Beetle Bot. Louis then closes the Beetle and then says the activation phrase. The Beetle then springs to life, squirming in Louis's hands. Louis then places the Bot onto the ground. It then skitters away around the corner and down the hall.

Alena turns to Louis and gives him a mischievous smile. She says, "Those old codgers in the library are going to have a blast."

Louis laughs at her joke and says, "I think we had better go before the fun starts."

As he stands up to leave Alena takes hold of his arm and says, "My father left his notebook open last night, so I managed to get my hands on a new spell. It should prevent anyone from tracing the Bot and the Crystals to us, that way we can listen to the" she is interrupted by an explosion followed by some shouting and complaining. The pair turns to leave and head towards the residential area of the island.

Thanks for reading this. Comments, advice and ideas are always welcome. Yes I know that the story seems irrelevant to Dael at the moment, but I'll get there once I finish the back-story. If you haven't read my N. Cognito story please do, as I have had many good reports (not over the internet) on it. If you want more of any of my stories please tell me through private messaging or through a review.