"Every few years at Kinloch Hold, after so many failed Harrowings, the Tower would engage in a ritual known as the "Cleansing". All mages were to be smited and kept under the effects for three days while the Templars used their abilities to purge the Tower of any hiding spirits or demons. While this goes on, no one is allowed to sleep longer than a thirty minute nap out of fear a demon might slip through a dream. I believe that to be utterly ridiculous since it is more dangerous for a group of sleep-deprived mages and Templars to be sharing close quarters, but the First Enchanter will not listen to my requests-stubborn ass. Just wait until I'm the First Enchanter."

Cullen glanced over Anaise's shoulder as she read the journal from the library. He had to stifle a laugh so that the elf in front of him would not catch on that he was reading along. It was one of the more interesting parts of the day when he would stand guard in the library and Anaise would sit down and read for a few hours, sometimes she would talk to the books as if she was having a conversation and-no. He was not to think like this any more, Gregoir had told him the ill of his ways. But the journal she was reading was rather interesting, no harm in finishing it.

"The first day of the Cleansing was not as bad as I had thought. The Templars started at the bottom of the tower and began to move up. I never realized how much I appreciated sleep until I could only have thirty minutes of it. However, we did seem to get a lot more done in the longer span of time. The second day however...Many of my fellow mages came up with a game. 'Templar Tipping' they called it. Since the Templars cannot sleep either they often nod off at their posts. The mages will then barrel down the halls, feet heavy with exhaustion and knock into a Templar. Whoever knocks the most over gets to have their pick at whatever the others had bet in the pool. Christine threw in her entire hand-made Tarot set and Marq donated a few charms he had made to name the more unique items. Most just toss in some coppers from their satchels. So far I think Neyri is winning, she almost managed to knock over ten Templars."

Anaise snickered and tucked the journal away in the bookshelf and ran off, probably to tell all the other mages about what she had found. Cullen remained at his post, and when no one was looking, he grabbed the journal and finished reading the entry.

Well, that's an interesting turn of events…


"Alright, today we'll be initiating a Cleansing." Knight-Commander Gregoir's voice boomed to the entirety of the Tower, "All mages are to remain still as the Templars begin smiting. Do not worry, the Cleansing shall only take three days." Anaise nearly zoned herself out of listening to the Knight-Commander, not particularly caring for what he had to say. She was scheming her own plan to start a new game of Templar Tipping amongst the other mages. Anaise glanced over at Sienna, who had a wicked smile on her lips which meant she was thinking the same thing, then to Jowan and snickered when he gave an approving nod.

In the middle of her plan, Anaise winced when she felt the tip of a blade press into her upper arm as an armored hand lifted her own. She looked up at the helmed Templar, still recognizing him as Cullen, and felt her cheeks heat up (from her Mana being drained of course) when he squeezed her hand before letting go. Everything inside her felt weak and a pang of nausea erupted in her stomach. Several of the younger mages fainted from being drained and a few Templars placed their hands on their weapons.

Anaise sneered, "Jumpy tin-cans".

With the smiting over, it was time to step into phase two of Templar Tipping: Sleep Deprivation.


"Ah, back from your beauty sleep Jowan?" Sienna yawned out a laugh, "You look positively radiant!" her head slumped forward and hit the desk with a loud WHUMP which startled her (and several others in the Library) awake.

"This is terrible. I couldn't even dream. But Diana did add this to the pool." Jowan rummaged around his pack and pulled out a beautifully hand-crafted necklace. He handed it to Anaise who tucked it away in a hollowed out book. A great majority of the mages in Kinloch had agreed to the game and had made their own contributions to the pool. It was only a matter of time until the real fun started.

"Well, time to get this ball rolling." The Flame mage laughed and staggered to her feet. She rubbed her eyes and looked around the large room. Stationed by the door, a Templar had nodded off (easily recognized by his helm tipping forward) and had just become the first target of the game. Sienna yawned loudly and began stumbling towards the napping guard. The soft pads of her feet against the stone grew quicker and quicker as she braced for impact.

A loud 'CLANK!' followed by the echoing clatter of the Templar's helm rolling down the corridor woke the rest of the drowsy residents of the floor. Anaise and Jowan broke into a roaring laughter while the poor Templar scrambled back to his feet. Other mages exchanged knowing smirks to one another before resuming their previous activities.

Oh it was going to be an interesting game.


"The Cleansing will be complete in about two hours!" Knight-Commander Gregoir announced as he walked through the halls. Every mage and Templar breathed a sigh of relief. The entirety of Kinloch looked utterly terrible, everyone had dark, sagging circles under their eyes and the echoing of yawns haunted the halls. It had become increasingly easier for the mages to topple over the dozing guards and it was getting harder to keep track who was winning.

"I think Thressa has the...most cans right now." Jowan let out a groaning yawn.

"Noooo...Reagent does." Anaise hissed and rubbed her eyes.

"No! I do!"Another mage piped up before starting a roar of other mages crying that they had tipped the most Templars.

"Hey! Hey!" The Ice mage called out, "Whoever...knocks over...Gregoir wins."

Every mage stared horrified as the Knight-Commander in question rounded the corner. They all pressed to opposite sides of the hall as the head Templar marched stoicly past. No one dared to even take a step, for who knew what would happen if someone tried to tackle the literal iron curtain of a man.

Wuff! A Mabari hound's bark resounded as skittering claws echoed off the floor.

Wuff! Wuff!

"Knight-Commander lo-"

CRASH!

Gregoir was sent sprawling to the ground, Templars swarmed around the fallen Knight-Commander with a Mabari pup furiously licking his face while the mages looked at one another for who was responsible.

"Knight-Commander Gregoir! I am so sorry, we were training this pup to sniff out demons and it just slipped from my grasp and-"

"Rutherford...just...get this Maker-forsaken hound." Gregoir hissed and shoved the small pup off, Cullen scrambled and plucked the Mabari from the ground and gently batted its nose.

"Bad dog." He grumbled while the corners of his lips turned up slightly. The pup whimpered softly as the Templar carried it away. The rest of the mages stared in awe at what had transpired as a few whispered "So what now?" while others shrugged and began stumbling away.

"The Cleansing is now complete, you may resume what you were all doing." The Knight-Commander boomed and marched through the corridor, as if on cue almost every mage fell where they stood only to be consumed by the sleep they had long awaited.


"...Well that sucked," Sienna grumbled as she flipped open the hollowed book, "And this sucks more." The book was empty, every donation made was gone.

"Anaise? Did you return the bets?" Jowan asked as he picked his head up from the table.

"Nope, but I was reading the rest of the entry. Turns out when the game first started, a Templar won in the exact same way." Anaise turned the journal to her friends.

"Do you thin-"

"Nooo he's too stuffy." The human mage laughed.


[A letter is attached to the bottom of this chapter]

Dear Cullen,

Glad to see you've finally written back, your payment for your services has been delivered home and wow, combined with what father and Eadric make has really helped us out. I also want to thank you for the package of trinkets and coin, but I am curious as to how you acquired them. Was it a fellow Templar trying to woo you with gifts, or perhaps a mage? I kid you brother. We are all glad to know you are doing well and congratulations on your new station at Kinloch.

Take care!

Love,

Mia