Hello all!
I'm very excited to announce that the chapters up to the end of the TLO saga are officially complete and ready for posting:D I'll be getting them uploaded over the next week or so, a couple in a day sometimes. I'm so excited to be slowly reaching the finish line for Heirs of Darkness, and I hope you're all enjoying so far!
Noir Gala
Laughter floated through the evening air as people mingled amongst each other and made their way up to one of the two houses hosting events that night. Mel looked around, noting the stark difference between the bright and high energy house close to the entrance of the street, as opposed to the imposing manor further up. People of all ages in a variety of clothes hurried towards the bright house, upbeat music spilling faintly out the open doors.
Mel glanced at the others, making eye contact with Stella before gesturing towards it.
"I think that's your event, this is where Gyendal and I will split off from you all." She said, everyone looking from the lively event to where people dressed in all manor of dark finary were continuing further up to the other manor.
"I wish I could go with you two…" June bemoaned. "The events are so prestigious! Only the most powerful mages end up there, no general mage or any mage that specializes in other magic has the ability to get past the dabbling phase of dark magic."
"Yeah yeah, you've only complained about having to go with us about a thousand times. Come on and introduce us to your friends and mentor." Edward said with a dramatic sigh, June making a face at him in response.
Mel snorted at them before giving a sarcastic salute and turning towards her destination.
"We'll meet back at the inn tonight, good luck." She tossed quietly over her shoulder before starting away from the group.
Gyendal in a few long strides caught up to her, the two walking away from the activity around the other event as they joined the different couples and individuals making their way up the cobblestone street. She felt a few people glance over with suspicious stares but did not react, instead making a point of adjusting her robes that sported the pin given to her by the Thief Lord.
As they began to approach the grand manor Mel found her steps slowing until she came to a stop completely, gazing at the distinguished individuals approaching the doors. Next to her Gyendal cleared his throat and she looked sharply over at him to see him simply watching her with a raised brow.
"Tonight will be like getting a taste of what our lives could have been, each at different times, had the prophecy not stepped into our lives." She said quietly, glancing down at the shimmering threads in her dark robes.
Gyendal let out a soft exhale, glancing around them.
"Perhaps, but to have this life we would have to trade away the fatebond." He answered after a moment, glancing sidelong at Mel.
He left the end of the statement unspoken but Mel felt what he had meant, and after a long moment she nodded. As she gathered her thoughts Gyendal stepped up closer to her, offering his arm with a mocking bow.
"Shall we enter the belly of the beast m'lady? Gather what information we can?"
She smirked at his mocking tone before reaching over to take the offered arm, shoulders straightening as they started up towards the walkway. On either side of the gate stood imposing guards who stopped guests as they went in to answer, exchanging hushed words before the guards let people past. As Mel and Gyendal reached the entry way the guards stepped into their way, looking them over with narrowed and untrusting eyes.
"You aren't from these parts, are you lost?" One questioned, his tone deceptively mild.
Mel reached up to her robes, lifting the lapel with her pin into clearer view.
"The thief lord sends his regards." Mel said cooly, the guards nodding and looking to Gyendal who pointed to his own pin.
"This must be your first event here. Welcome to Peliad, enjoy the Noir Gala."
Mel let out a relieved breath as the two of them were waved through, continuing up to the manor as they pushed through large double doors into a massive entry hall lit by crystal chandelier. People mingled all over the room, the occasional spark of magic drawing attention from different places in the hall. Her eyes were wide as she stared around, never before had she seen a place so full of darkness like this.
It was amazing.
They found themselves swept up in the circular flow of people moving to talk to others, pulled unintentionally into groups with other mages discussing everything from the regulations on Peliad having been strengthened all the way to various techniques for magic.
For the first time Mel found herself eagerly jumping into discussions about magic, debating the fine points of control and range of power for average spells, Gyendal delving into an in-depth discussion about the history of dark magic with a couple people next to her.
As they discussed Mel began to feel eyes watching her, and she turned to see a couple of the women watching her intently with curiosity. Upon her notice of them one of the women offered a hand, Mel accepting it and greeting the woman.
"I haven't seen you around at these events before, are you new to Peliad?" She enquired, Mel nodding.
"My travel partner and I are exploring through Eldiron, and ended up connecting with the Thief Lord for some personal business. Since our travels have us stopping here for an extended stay he provided us with the opportunity to join the mage social circles." She explained, gesturing to Gyendal.
"How fortunate you discovered our collection of dark mages! I've heard that outside of Veldaharah this is the only other place in Aia with an organized group of dark mages." The shorter woman next to her spoke up.
"And just in time for our grandest events I might add! Have you come to join in on the small events hosted at our gala tonight?"
The third voice that joined in caught Mel's attention as she turned to the younger girl who stood garbed in forest green.
"Events?"
The younger one giggled and pointed towards a small group of mages who were starting to gather in the centre of the room, people shifting towards the edge of the room as the individuals in the centre began to call names.
"It's time for the duels, weeding out the general mages to find the powerful in our midst! Those who win are granted access to the elusive afterparty." She said, the others shooting each other private smiles as one of the women started towards the growing group in the centre.
"No one new has successfully gotten into the private event in over three years."
The women began to discuss their bets for the winners, but Mel had already tuned them out as she scanned the room. Without looking away she pulled the small purse bag that was hanging from her wrist and reached over to press it into Gyendal's hands, releasing it and weaving between people to approach the centre of the room without a word.
She could feel Gyendal's confusion and quickly she pushed the memory of the conversation through, understanding sparking through the link as Mel finally reached the gathered group in the centre.
"Where would a newcomer to this event sign up?" Mel asked, stepping in front of one of the organizers who merely glanced her over with a sigh.
"And you are?"
"Mel."
The organizer regarded her for a long moment before writing down something on the ledger in hand.
"Last name?"
For a moment she hesitated, her family names popping up before being promptly dismissed. She found herself without answer, glancing instinctively through the gathered mages until her eyes found a familiar figure that had made their way to the second row.
"Raven. Mel Raven."
The man blinked, studying her a moment before scrawling her name down on the ledger.
"Foolhardy aren't you? Challenging mages who have been here for years as a newcomer to the dark magic circles. Very well, your turn will come up soon enough."
She was herded to where the other mages waited, watching as the first duo stepped into the empty space in the middle of the ballroom. Chatter echoed as people excitedly bet and a few called out encouragement to their preferred winner. The fight was intense, dark magic rocketing around the space as mages along the audience line held a shield strong to protect the audience from stray spells.
One by one duo's stepped into the ring, one emerging triumphant to wait for the next round while their defeated challenger was helped off to a station with replenishment potions waiting.
Then there was a tap on her shoulder, and as the current duel wrapped up Mel found herself approaching the dueling space. Across the way she watched one of the more powerful mages step into the circle, studying Mel with a critical eye as she joined the circle and the shield was once more sealed around them.
"You're brave to take on experienced mages as a newcomer. I admire that." Her competitor stated, Mel nodding in thanks.
There was muffled laughter from within the audience, people clearly dismissing this fight as a write-off. Mel was silent as she took her place, hands hanging loosely at her sides. The bell was rung, and with a shout it began.
The attack against her was lazy at best, designed to quickly finish the fight and continue on to the next round. Against a weaker mage it would have made quick work of the duel, but Mel only snorted as with a flip of her hand the spell was sent flying through the air to slam into the shield with a sizzle.
The hush that fell over the chattering audience was almost eery in the wake of the spell fizzling out, surprise palpable in the room.
"How-"
Her competitor abruptly went silent, a look of calculation replacing the polite mask. The air within the shield began to crackle, magic surging against her defences without warning and with a slightly reckless grin Mel flicked a hand.
Darkness coiled around her, thick and inky as thrust a hand forward and the magic followed. The magic collided with a crash, her competitor meeting her spells with force as plagues followed dark lightning aimed right at her guards.
Mel raised her arms, the darkness within the spells attacking her sucked away to fuel the unholy wind whipping around her. Her robes billowed, black sparks snapping within the wind as with a thump of her boot against the floor the winds slammed into the other mages shields. Her attack was relentless as she dodged offensive spells, tearing down the boundaries between them.
With a frustrated shout the other mage's shields shattered, a last ditch effort to defeat Mel failing as the other mage was driven to her knees and held there. The countdown began, Mel watching as the time finished and with incredulous cheers the winner was announced.
"Behold your champion of this first duel, Mel Raven!"
She couldn't help the wild grin as the audience applauded and cheers echoed, everyone invested in the contest. Her eyes found Gyendal's who were wider than usual, but despite his odd reaction he shot her a rare smile as he nodded to her.
She and her challenger were moved out of the ring to make room for the last duo as the second round begun. Cheers and heckles echoed through the hall as magic exploded within the ring, Mel making quick work of her next opponent and advancing to the final round.
She fought hard in the third round, a mistaken assumption about spells she had yet to witness nearly costing her the match. Her show in the first round against one of the usual winners had put her opponents on the defensive, and for the first time in her life Mel found herself fighting to hold her own in a duel against someone other than Gyendal. Adrenaline coursed through her as she whirled and dodged, finally unleashing lightning to defeat her other opponent.
The final two mages to enter the ring were clearly powerful and well known in the event, as people began to shout. Someone began to clap and stomp in rhythm, the others picking it up one after the other until the hall floor trembled. Mel joined in, watching eagerly as magic ricocheted off the shields and the ring became misty with dark fog. Finally with a fiery explosion, the other mage was blasted through the air, hitting the ground with a grunt. The time countdown finishing with a roar as the declared winner grinned and reached down to offer a hand to his opponent. The winners of the final round were gathered together, still sporting marks and damage from the duels.
"Congratulations, each one of you stand as some most elite mages gathered here today in the Noir Gala. You will be receiving the distinct honour of attending the elite after party, an intimate gathering made up of only our most powerful dark mages." Excited murmurs rippled around the group, looks exchanged between friends.
"Be sure to stay as our event begins to wind down, you will be sought out by one of our organizers to be escorted into the study. Enjoy the rest of your night mages." The announcer dipped his head to the gathered people before with a small smile turning to stride away, the group breaking apart as people walked away to find their friends.
Mel looked around the room, seeking out the familiar black haired male from the crowds around her. Her search coming up empty she picked the direction of where she had seen him last and began to make her way through the groups of people, following the wall along the edge of the hall. She could feel the curious stares that would follow her from some of the attendees, Mel making a point of ignoring as she scanned between people.
"Where in the blazes are you?" She questioned through the link, scanning the room.
"I've moved towards the edges of the crowds along the walls, where are you?" The answer came back almost instantly.
She came to a pause against the wall to rise up on her toes and search the people along the edges, until a quiet clearing of the throat from a few feet away caught her attention.
The source of the noise had been a green haired man she guessed to be about the same as her, garbed in royal blue, standing against the wall watching. She turned to him with a challenging look, one he met calmly.
"Can I help you?" She asked pointedly, the other mage smiling slightly.
"You are the newcomer who defeated a reigning champion to gain a place at tonights after-event, that is going to become a dangerous question tonight unless you wish to walk some of the mages here through your training process and spellbook." He commented lightly, pushing off the wall with a surprisingly elegant movement.
"Perhaps, but I figured it to be a more polite response then "what do you want?"."
The other mage laughed slightly as he approached, stopping a respectful distance away and offering a hand in greeting.
"That response holds a certain charm too I'm sure, fitting to your mysterious aura. I am Lars Tenobor the Eighth, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Your performance tonight in the duel was impressive."
She accepted the offered hand, giving it a firm shake.
"Mel. My opponent was incredibly impressive as well. I take it you've seen a few of these duels?"
He nodded, glancing around at the guests milling about as people joined the duos stepping into the empty floor space at the centre to dance.
"I've been attending these events since I was thirteen, I've seen many duels. I have yet to see an outside mage come in and defeat one of our rotating champions however." Lars commented. "Where did you receive your training?"
"I was trained in dark magic privately in the Western Empire." Mel explained, careful to keep her answers vague. "By a family with born dark magic."
Lars straightened slightly, surprise flickering across his features along with a pleased smile.
"There is a dark mage presence in the Western Empire now? This is exciting news, Thais and the surrounding area has been near devoid of dark magic for cent-
His response trailed off as a familiar presence came up behind her, Mel glancing back over her shoulder to see Gyendal step out from the milling attendees until he stood at her shoulder.
"Pardon my intrusion, but I've come to collect my companion for a promised dance before she's stolen away for the after-event." Gyendal cut in smoothly, Lars responding with a nod to the raised brow look shot his way by the ex-vampire.
"Of course, the night is never complete without a dance. Enjoy your night Mel" He answered with a smile before turning to mingle with other guests.
Mel turned a startled look onto Gyendal who ignored her silent question and led the way through to the edge of the dance floor, turning and offering a hand to her.
"Shall we?"
She muffled a snort at his overly polite gesture and placed a hand in his, before letting out a startled sound as Gyendal effortlessly spun her onto the floor and into his hold. Mel's hand came to rest on his shoulder and he smirked at the dirty look she shot him for his sudden actions.
"In case you missed it, I was trying to have a conversation with a local and see what information I could get." She muttered quietly.
"I'm sure, but we simply couldn't risk passing up something that will help us blend in with the scrutiny now on your win." Gyendal countered, his statement lacking any sort of sincerity.
She rolled her eyes at his excuse, glancing at the majority of people gathered in groups chatting further out on the floor of the massive hall.
"Ah yes, because we couldn't have possibly blended in with everyone else just conversing." She stated dryly.
"We're establishing our interactions with one another as commonplace, attention to us conversing now will be overlooked through the night. We arrive together, we dance together, no suspicions to arise when we're sighted travelling about together."
His words brought pause to her planned quip, and he took advantage of that to spin her out from him once more before with a tug pulling her back. Her movement was almost too perfect as the speed of the tug had her in a near collision course with Gyendal. She slowed her movements as his supporting hand came to rest on her waist once more, following her movement as she just barely was able to bring herself to a stop in time to keep from crashing into him.
The awkward stop brought her pressed flush against him, Mel looking up into his equally as startled stare. Usually practiced steps faltered as Gyendal hesitated a brief second in his movements, before pulling back from her as though he had been burned. Quickly he was moving them, leading their dancing steps along to the edge of the floor before releasing her as they stepped into empty space outside of the dance area. He glanced around before focusing in on the beverage table up near the staircase, and with a barely registering glance back at Mel started towards the table.
"I believe I see one of the mages I had been discussing with earlier, if you will excuse me."
Mel blinked owlishly at his back as he strode away, a quick glance revealing that much to her relief no one else had seemed to notice the oddness of the situation. She moved back closer to the wall, watching Gyendal step up to the table where he stood alone at one of the corners next to a punch bowl.
The night passed quickly, Mel bouncing between groups and getting caught in conversation with other mages from the duel who wished to discuss tactics. Then, the sound of the midnight hour rang out from the large clock against the far wall, and before the chimes had even finished Mel felt someone approaching close. She wheeled, finding herself face to face with a red-haired mage.
"I am Tabitha, if you could please follow me?" The mage spoke softly, and Mel realized at once who the individual was.
She nodded, following as the other woman turned and led a weaving path through the other attendees, until she reached a hallway with guards standing in the centre. They stepped aside as Tabitha approached, the red-haired woman not pausing as she swept down the long carpeted hall to a set of double doors. A quick push open revealed a large study in the room beyond, people already gathered within.
"Welcome to our after event." Tabitha said with a slight smile, Mel stepping fully into the room as she looked around.
Some of the individuals from the duel were already here, along with people she had seen mingling in the main hall as she wandered during the evening. From behind, seven more people were escorted into the room, and the double doors were closed behind them. She migrated towards the back shelves, watching as three individuals rose out of their seats to gather near the door facing the mages.
"Welcome mages to the private after event hosted by Mage Noir. Our organization is the namesake of the events, and the council that oversees our dark mage organization." One began, his introduction answering her silent questions.
"For some of you this may be your last time attending winning a place in this event, or perhaps it'll be the first of a long-term arrangement." The second picked up where he left off, sweeping a steely gaze over the gathered mages. "Power is what got you here, whether you stay depends on far more factors."
The third mage, Tabitha, merely smiled and gestured around.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the night. We welcome you all to join in our discussions, no question posed from those wishing to learn shall be met with scorn."
Some of the winners of the duel exchanged nervous looks, and as the three took their seats soft murmurs slowly transitioned into conversation. Mel glanced around at the sea of strangers, finding herself hesitant for the first time that night.
"Our surprise newcomer, you came after all."
Mel looked over to the couch closest to her to see the mage from earlier that night reclining back with a dark wine glass in hand.
"Lars! I didn't realize you were part of the council."
The green-haired mage laughed, rising smoothly from his seat to join her near the bookcases.
"Typically some level of anonymity is the point in a secret organization." He pointed out with a small grin, "Most of these meetings are terribly routine, as enjoyable as they can be, so your arrival was certainly a welcome one."
Mel glanced around at the room, taking in the familiarity in which conversations seemed to flow.
"How on earth have all of you come together if this organization isn't common knowledge and magic is restricted, were you all trained through the same group of mages?"
He seemed surprised by her enquiry and shook his head.
"We're from all over, mostly from Eldiron and the Arishta Isles. There are two seperate guilds for Eldiron and the Isles, but members will often migrate between, and the councils will at times work with one another to bring improvements to our circles."
That information was news to Mel, and not for the first time that night she felt herself being hit with a pang for what could have been. She found herself questioning about the guild activities, Lars cheerfully explaining the publically accessible pieces of this entirely different world then the one she had walked in. She listened intently to his stories, the mage grinning fondly as he relayed memories of escapades through his teen years with other mages.
Partway into a story about an abandoned house in the marshes there was a quick set of knocks on the study door before an older man pushed inside, signaling one of the organizers where they sat on the couch. Two of the organizers rose to their feet, approaching the door
where they conferred in low voices for a moment before one of the mages followed the older one through the door and out of sight.
Mel looked to Lars who had a look of concern on his face, and the second organizer turned to face them, Tabitha's red hair glinting in the light as she left her spot next to the door to approach Lars.
"We will be needing your tracking skills after the event." The woman said, glancing at Mel as she carefully worded her next statement. "A new rot trail has started, and it's spreading past the original location this time."
Lars eyes widened, and it didn't take Mel longer than a few seconds to realize what they were speaking about as she thought about the trail of decaying plants that she had come across throughout their adventures. Spots of temporary decay that just happened to ooze the magical essence of the beings chasing her and her friends.
She considered her options a moment, one wrong word could slam this door into the dark mages circles for good. But this chance for information was too much to risk losing.
"Rot trail? Are you speaking of the patches of unnatural decay that seem to be laid with magic?"
Her question made both of the mages jump slightly and Tabitha turned sharply to her.
"How do you know about those? They are nowhere near travel paths or easily accessed camping spaces." Tabitha questioned, an underlying edge to her soft voice.
"My travel companion and I when we explore new areas like to go far off the beaten path to look for herbs, interesting landmarks, old relics, anything. We've been coming across patches of decay that feel nothing like any dark magic known." She looked at them before leaning in as though to share something secret. "We also crossed paths with a woman garbed in purple and yellow that had the exact same aura."
Lars let out a strangled sound before looking to Tabitha.
"It is her! I knew it, I told you all."
Tabitha looked paler than she had all night as she glared at Lars.
"We have no evidence, even the different eyewitness accounts won't be enough to force the council's hand. No one wants to risk their lives and the lives of every mage involved with our organization by getting in her way if we have no need."
Mel looked between them, seeing the fear they were both trying to hide.
"Who is this woman? She nearly attacked my companion and I when I saw her, what exactly is she here for?" Mel was laying on the worry and demanding tone on thick.
It wasn't hard to fake the fear when it came to this strange woman, but she had to sell herself as an angry mage nervous about her travels. She couldn't come across as someone with a stake in this game.
Lars and Tabitha exchanged looks before he gave a slight nod.
"She is hostile against authentic dark power, we've both seen and heard it. Mel is as pure dark magic as they come, and I'd wager that the man with her is too." He murmured, not seeming to care that she was standing right there.
Tabitha looked Mel over with a critical eye before sighing and conceding.
"It is not as though the information is a protected secret. It's common knowledge amongst near every mage in Peliad and surrounding area." She said reluctantly. "We cannot afford another incident with her, especially from a mage out of Eldiron."
They both turned steely gazes onto Mel.
"You had the misfortune of crossing paths with the Lady of Shadow. A mysterious young woman that came here ten years ago, seeking out training for dark magic. She was vindictive and cold, and had a deep grudge against any mages who were born with dark magic." Tabitha began, her tone grave.
"Tabitha's family has always been deeply involved with the council here in Peliad, and my parents visit all the mage guilds in Aia so we often travelled to Eldiron during school breaks. We heard the stories about the power hungry and angry mage that had joined training circles in Peliad, but never really focused on them until I found myself the subject of her wrath when she learned I was a born dark mage." Lars continued, shuddering slightly.
"Did she attack you?" Mel questioned, startled by the idea of such blatant behavior and baffled by the idea of an immortal being getting involved in human events.
"Not physically, but I endured subtle torment and mental attacks just as the other born dark mages did. There was no proof, and the idea of an outsider pushing us to what we viewed as tattling kept most of the students silent, all of us taking out our anger on her in duels where we'd defeat her with relish." Lars explained. "However, not everyone disliked her. One of our most powerful and wise masters in Eldiron simply saw her as a scared teen and wished to help her, to give her a family here so she would not feel so alone. For a time it almost seemed to work, as she turned her focus for the most part against born dark mages and focused on her training with him..."
He fell silent, trailing off as his expression fell slightly.
"Five years after her arrival there was a huge event, one exactly like the event held down the street from us. A celebration of all Hallows Eve'. Everyone, no matter their magical leaning, attended that event. It started out normal, Lars and I were with our friends and enjoying the night. Then, we heard the first shouts." Tabitha picked up the story for him.
Mel saw the look of revulsion flicker across her features, both of the mages in front of her lost in past memories. Tabitha let out a long breath before continuing her tale, and Mel felt something in her stomach begin to tighten. She had a terrible feeling that whatever was coming in this story would not work in the favour of her and Gyendal gaining the upper hand against the beings.
"When we turned, we saw the Lady of Shadow standing in front of Master Atticus. Something had happened, he had said something that had affected her somehow and she flew into an absolute fury. People tried to confront her, and she exploded. Things around her shattered, mages were injured and people scrambled to get away from her as fast as they could. She was pulsing with a magic none of us recognized. The Master tried to talk some sense, but it was too late." Tabitha swallowed hard and looked to Lars who finished the explanation.
"People's blood began to pulse and move faster in their veins with unknown magic, and we all watched as the master began to bleed. Nothing had been done, he was just bleeding. It was becoming fine mist, bending to her will, she was turning the blood in his veins against him." Lars said, sounding sickened. "People were shouting or entirely frozen, no one could approach. Where she had been rather weak as a regular mage, she had become inhumanly strong. She was a blood sorceress, the one truly forbidden magic. Then, just as she was about to kill the master his little daughter broke through the shield, screaming her fathers name and throwing herself at her father."
Mel felt her stomach twist, she could almost hear the screams in her head. The story all too familiar, watching a parent fall victim to these beings.
"The little girl threw herself over her father as if to protect him, begging for the sorceress to stop. I don't know if it was someone breaking through her shield, or the sight of his little black-haired girl screaming for her father that jumped into the line of fire, but something seemed to snap her out of the trance and abruptly the attack on the Master stopped. She stared at the Master and his daughter before fleeing, and by the time mages had mobilized to go after her it was too late. No one had seen her after that, it was as if her and every trace of her vanished… until now."
It felt as though the temperature in the room had dropped, and Mel felt herself shiver slightly.
"And she's just...popped back up without warning?"
Lars nodded.
"No one knows what she's here for, she hasn't approached any of the mages. She's occasionally sighted in town, or out in the forests and other travelled areas. There's no telling what her arrival means, or what she's come for." He explained.
She felt guilt well up in her as she realized what her presence in Eldiron was causing.
"Thankfully Lars and I head back for school once more in a few days, so we will not be here long enough to encounter her and risk igniting her wrath. But the rot patch that's spreading is highly concerning, it's killing trees and herbs that are used for medicine and potions. That's why we need Lars, he can help us track the trail of her aura so the council can form a plan." Tabitha said, frowning slightly.
"You don't train here along with the other mages?" Mel questioned, surprised after hearing how powerful the dark guild in Peliad was.
Tabitha laughed slightly, shaking her head.
"We have goals of being amongst the elite circle of strongest mages in Aia, we could never do that by settling for training here. Lars and I attend Shadwood academy, we intend to finish our schooling and travel over all of Aia before working to start up dark magic guilds in areas without a place for mages to gather and learn." Tabitha explained, seeming to brighten as she discussed their plans.
"Speaking of training, you mentioned only having received one on one training yourself. You are a powerful mage, undeniably so, but if you are intending to enter the cross-Aia mage circles you should consider taking classes through Shadwood. It will open connections for you all over, and give you the opportunity to hone your skills surrounded by other dark mages." Lars encouraged her, gesturing at the other mages around them.
They were looking to her with an expectation of answer in their expressions and Mel found herself hesitating, considering her open-ended future. She wasn't even sure that she could survive that long, and the feeling deep down that she wouldn't walk away on the other side of this quest debacle unscathed reared its persistent head.
"I'll consider it." She finally said, at a loss for any other answer.
At her words Tabitha reached into her robe to withdraw a token and a card along with a pen to scribble something out on the card back before handing it to Mel. She accepted the items, turning the token over in her hand before reading the card. The parchment was inscribed with the name of the school and it's coat of arms, Mel flipping it over to see a number on the back and Tabitha's name.
"That is my dorm number. Consider our offer and keep that token safe. As an ambassador of the Peliad guild to Shadwood academy I have the ability to invite mages to join the student ranks once a year, that token is your pass into our academy should you decide to join us." Tabitha said with a smile. "And even if you don't join us, if you ever come through Veldaharah be sure to drop by and say hello on your way through."
A genuine smile tugged at the corners of Mel's mouth in response and she ducked her head, finding herself at a loss for words. She carefully tucked the token and card into an inner pocket within her robe.
"We need to deal with the rot issue, safe travels Mel. I hope we will see you again some day." Lars said, tone warm.
The two mages nodded to her before walking away, heading out of the study. She stood alone for several minutes, thinking over everything she had learned tonight. She had expected to find some sort of answer tonight, but she hadn't expected this.
With a last glance around she silently let herself out of the study, following the long hall past the guards and into the main event that had dwindled down to a scant few still gathered in the halls. She already knew Gyendal had left with other mages to discuss various topics, and she decided that she would leave the others to their sleuthing at the other event. Tired feet carried her across Peliad to the inn, where she retreated to her room.
Her head spun with the information she had learned that day, the young woman sitting down heavily on her bed. Every new thing she learned about the woman they were up against only unnerved her further.
As her mind followed the path of possibilities, she felt Gyendal reach out through the bond and ask if he could speak with her a moment in her quarters. At her acknowledgement, the door to her room opened, Gyendal entering and closing it behind her. He looked unusually tense, and Mel gestured towards the chair.
"I assume you had an eventful evening by your expression." Her bond commented, gesturing at her.
She nodded, and rolled her stiff shoulders with a grimace.
"You would not believe what I learned today, this whole situation is becoming increasingly bizarre the more I learn." Mel admitted, tone strained.
Gyendal nodded.
"I did not learn much, as none of the men personally interacted very frequently with her, but what I have learned disturbs me. I do not know what exactly we are up against, I do not like that feeling."
"Why don't I go over what I've learned, and you can fill in any gaps in what I know. I'm sure there is some differing in what was seen, as your companions all seemed older than the group that had frequent contact with her." Mel said, Gyendal agreeing.
So she told him, a mix of verbal and images through the link. She walked him through the timeline of everything she had learned, and what she had noted that tied into what they already knew. At the end of her explanation he leaned forward, elbows on his knees as he steepled his fingers in thought.
"That covers off much of the information I had been made aware of. She was aggressive and vindictive to near everyone. However I was informed of something rather perplexing that directly contrasts her other behavior. Several of the men I spoke to were fathers with young children at the time of her attack, and they said that there was one group that this sorceress showed strange softness towards. The children, young kids from infancy all the way to ten and eleven years old, no matter the magic they possessed. She was always gentle, while still remaining avoidant of them."
Mel stared at him, baffled by this.
"What on earth set them apart in such a way?"
Gyendal shook his head, appearing as lost as she was. For a moment Mel considered that, before suddenly sitting up straighter.
"I just realized something. In all of the stories I've heard, I just realized that I never heard the sorceress mentioned by name. They called her the lady of shadow, but not once did a name come up. Did you learn her name by chance?" She questioned.
Gyendal shook his head, brows furrowing.
"No, and the reason behind it is one I truly believe to be confirmation that we are dealing with forces far different from mortal beings. Just before she fled the mage circles here, she turned to face the room and spoke out in a language none of them knew, I presume the language of Underfall. She said that her presence would leave a scar, but her name would not be spoken in their tales of that night. They were not worthy to speak the name of destiny. None remember her name, and the very few who had grown close to her had blank holes in their memory of conversations and days spent with her. Nothing is left that can be used to track her, she wiped it clean."
His words fell heavy, and a chill rushed through her.
"She knew something would happen one day, that she would need to erase anything that could lead back." Mel said slowly, looking to Gyendal with a pale face.
He looked equally as grave, the new reality of the situation they were in sinking in deeper.
"I do not understand why though. She is a supernatural being, her explanations would not be of any use anyway. They would be cover stories." Gyendal pointed out, frustration bleeding through his words. "None of this makes sense! The more we learn, the more we piece together, the less everything fits. There is only one explanation for what she is, and what her companions are, but her behaviour is erratic and illogical, even for their kind."
Mel shrugged helplessly, dropping backwards to lay across her bed with a few choice words.
"We need to keep digging. Even beings as dark as them are not infallible. They left something, somewhere. We just need to find it."
