Here's another chapter, hope you enjoy. All the animals went back to family, which means I can now focus on trying to actually get ahead in writing again, which might mean College Fool can actually see my chapters ahead of release.


Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Pachumaster

Chapter 20


The morning of our departure found me wandering the hallways of the Atlas Academy. Ostensibly, it was to admire the unusual, twisted architecture and marvel at the wonders around me… I wasn't sure if Ren believed the excuse, but it was enough for him not to comment on it. Realistically, it was to have some time to myself and panic in private.

The Mage's Sentinel was a Knight.

It shouldn't have meant anything but it did. A part of me wondered if he'd be able to somehow tell I wasn't who I pretended to be, if there was some Skill or ability that would give me away the moment I didn't use it. The Mages hadn't so much as commented on my amulet, but that was likely because they hadn't seen it. Viktor, though, was a Knight – and a true one. If anyone could spot the discrepancies in my behaviour, it would be him.

That frightened me more than I dared admit, and also served to remind me of just how little effort I'd put in to researching Knights and how they behaved and acted. All I could do now was watch and emulate him… to see what he did and try to match my behaviour to it.

My thoughts were cut off as something burning hot brushed against my left shoulder. A yelp escaped me as I ducked forwards, but when I turned about, there was nothing there.

Two people laughed from ahead of me, however. "Well, well, well," the one in red robes grinned. "If it isn't the wannabe Sentinel from yesterday. I take it that reject turned you down?"

Had they attacked me? My aura felt fairly high still but there'd definitely been something that hit my shoulder, and the word `Pyromancer` above the teen's head seemed to suggest him as being responsible. It was also a unique enough Class for me to recall where I'd seen it. "You were one of the people bullying Weiss," I sighed. "What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? I think the real question is what are you doing here? This is the Grand Academy of Magic, and unless my eyes deceive me, you're a Knight. His eyes did deceive him, though not in the way he no doubt expected. Beside him, the Priest from before watched with an amused expression.

"I'm a guest," I answered. "I'm here on a Quest."

The two seemed surprised, though they hid it well. The look of awe changed to disdain in an instant, and the Pyromancer sneered down at my equipment. "In that battered and second-rate equipment; you have to be joking. I doubt there'd be a Sentinel alive who would have such pathetic armour, or so dull a weapon."

They were trying to get a rise out of me; I tried to tell myself that. Even so, their words played on the very fears I had. I was under levelled and under equipped… Crocea Mors was a sword I'd forged myself, but I hadn't been the best Blacksmith and it wasn't an amazing sword. The same could be said of my armour which had failed against both the Beowolf and Yang. It was patched up and dented, a sorry sight indeed. Most people who went on their Quests were probably much better prepared.

"Maybe he's from a pauper family," the Priest taunted. "Maybe it's the best he can afford."

"Then he's a failed Hero as well," the Pyromancer laughed. "Guess it makes sense that he couldn't find any better loot. He's just a Knight, after all."

What a waste of time. I rolled my eyes and strode past them, only to curse and step back when a pillar of fire erupted from the floor. "Really?" I asked, nervous despite how light I kept my voice. "You're going to attack a guest like this? I bet the Archmage will be impressed when he hears about it."

It seemed to startle the Pyromancer, who suddenly looked nervous. For a moment I dared to hope it would be the end of it, but he snarled and shook his head. "Like anyone would believe it. You don't have that Mage to look after you this time, and after how you acted… well, I think it's time you learned to respect your betters."

My hand fell to Crocea Mors. There were two of them and I doubted a fight would end well. I let go a moment later, however, content to stand before them with an easy smile.

"What are you grinning at?" the Pyromancer hissed. He raised his staff before him. His eyes widened, however, when a hand fell on his shoulder and a voice whispered from behind him.

"Jaune…" Blake's eyes were locked onto his, yet her position from behind the Pyromancer couldn't have been more disturbing. He recoiled in fear, spinning on the spot to yell something – only to freeze when he saw her.

"A-Assassin," he whispered. He took a quick step back and nearly tripped over himself.

Blake followed, ignoring the Priest, who stepped aside in fear. "Is there a problem here?" she asked. "Or were you done talking to these people?"

I grinned back, relieved to see her. "I'm done here, I think. Do the others need me?"

"We're ready to go," she nodded, "The Archmage intends to teleport us to the base of the Fang."

"Don't ignore me!" the bully in red yelled. "Don't think you filth-" He cut off as Blake's amber eyes locked onto his. She stepped forward ominously, to stand less than a foot from him. So close, there could be no doubt she could stab him before a spell came anywhere close to completion.

"Yes?" she asked politely. "Is there something you wished to say?

A bead of sweat ran down his face. He growled and looked away, staggering over to his friend as they made to leave. They huddled together, glaring balefully at the two of us before rushing away. Once they were out of reach, however, almost about to turn a corner and leave entirely, the Pyromancer seemed to recover his bravery enough to yell back; "Filthy murderer!"

My shoulders stiffened… even if they fled a second later. It took me a moment of bated breath to realise it wasn't me they referred to. My fear diminished, but only to be replaced by anger. Blake hadn't done anything to deserve such words.

"Mages," she scoffed and rolled her eyes. Where I was offended on her behalf, she looked bored. "Their courage only lasts as long as how far they are away from you. Little wonder they need an entire party to babysit them."

I tried to smile in response but their words still echoed in my head. All I managed was a strained laugh which she quickly caught.

"Did they attack you?"

"It's fine. You arrived in time. Thanks."

She didn't look convinced. "I see…" Her eyes drifted a little lower and she pushed a finger against the side of my breastplate. "Your armour is dented. I don't recall that being there before."

Confusion briefly ran through me as I leaned back and looked down to see what she meant. I didn't think they'd hit me there, only on the shoulder. My heart turned to ice when I saw what she meant, however. "That was… from the battle on the ship."

"The Berserker?" Blake asked. "I saw you take her down. Good job."

My stomach flopped and fell. "Thanks," I said - too automatic a response by far.

Blake's eyes narrowed but she didn't say anything. For that, I was thankful. I didn't want to think on it… especially not with how disgusted it made me feel. Instead, she followed as I stalked away back to our rooms. The silence between us was stilted. A few times I thought to say something, but each time the words would catch in my throat and I proved unable.

Eventually, just to fill the silence, I started to ramble. "I'm not sure about the Quest so far… it sounds really dangerous, even if this isn't one of those circle mages. I mean, whatever is happening is enough to cause natural disasters. What can we do against something like that?"

Blake hummed but didn't say anything.

"And another thing, it feels like that Viktor guy absolutely hates us already. I get that he's a Sentinel, so he probably feels pretty insulted at the idea he needs us to help protect his Mage, but that's not our fault. Still, he must be a pretty high level. Do you think he's strong?"

"Hm…" Blake hummed distractedly again.

"I guess he must be," I sighed. "The Mage too, if he's trusted by the Archmage. It makes you wonder why they couldn't do this on their own, and besides, what's the point of having a neutral party like us do this if they're just going to send Atlas mages with us? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of it?" This time there was nothing from Blake, but that was fine; I was on a roll. "I guess in the end I'm just worried about not being good enough. Viktor is a Knight, and a high level one at that. I feel like I won't shape up well compared to him."

"You won't," Blake mumbled, only paying half-attention. "You're a bizarre Knight."

My lips sealed shut. It was her quasi-insult, and one she'd said so many times before. It shouldn't have meant anything, but I couldn't stop the small smile that spread across my face as I looked ahead and kept walking in silence.

She still thought of me as the bizarre Knight who would befriend an Assassin. That meant she still thought of me as a friend.

Judging from her bored expression, she didn't even realise it – but it gave me the confidence I needed to keep going. Maybe I wouldn't compare well to Viktor, but that didn't mean I couldn't be myself. After all, I was the odd Knight. Nothing could change that.

Maybe this won't be so bad after all.

/-/

My optimism died less than two hours into the journey. Howling winds cut across my body, the icy cold biting straight through steel armour and leather. It seeped under my skin and sapped at what little energy I had. The snow that clung to my boots with each step didn't help, either.

The others trudged on in dogged silence, each struggling in their own right to make their way up the base of the mountain. We'd only just started, and already the ground was thick with snow, the air even more so. How bad would it be as we ascended?

"The storm is worsening," Pyrrha called. She shouted and yet the words were muffled and muted, whipped away by the howling winds. "Is this part of the phenomena the Archmage warned of?"

"There's no hint of magic in the air," Kaedin, the Mage assigned to us, reported. "I believe this is just a natural storm. The valleys created by the mountains can cause such at times. Still, it is a concern… we should seek shelter lest our path be blocked. Viktor?"

"Understood," the Knight nodded and ploughed ahead through the snow. He turned to us, arms crossed and his imposing frame apparently unconcerned by the cold. Was it a Knight ability? Did I look out of place for feeling the chill? The others huddled with their arms wrapped around themselves, so at least I was in good company. "We seek shelter in a cave or overhang," Viktor instructed. "The Fang itself is the most stable of mountains. We shall set up camp at its base, using the stone itself as a barrier against the wind."

"Whatever works," Weiss shuddered. "I'm not sure I can handle this cold any longer."

"Ironic coming from you," Yang smirked.

"Silence," Viktor snapped. "Brawler… carry the lady Mage's bags."

Yang blinked, lilac eyes wide. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," the taller man stormed forwards and tugged the backpacks from Weiss' shoulders. With one hand he tossed them directly at Yang, knocking her back and into the snow.

"I can carry them myself," Weiss protested. "She doesn't need t-"

"Nonsense, a brawler has Strength to spare. The burden will be far less on her Class than it would your own, lady Mage. This is true, is it not?" The latter was directed at Yang, who pushed herself out of the snow with a red-eyed glare.

She flicked frost from her hair and a little from her shoulders too. Weiss and she shared a quick look, but Yang let out a long breath and nodded. "Sure," she gritted. "It's true."

"Good. See to it, then."

Viktor didn't stop to watch the blonde struggle to her feet, nor to see Ruby and I trudge over to help her up. "I'll carry some too," I whispered, taking one of the larger bags and swinging it onto my shoulder. A cough sounded behind us as the Mage in question came forwards.

"They are my bags," Weiss said. "I can carry them. I didn't mean to suggest otherwise."

"Don't sweat it," Yang sighed and shouldered the other half. She stumbled for a second but caught herself. "Rude as he is, he's not wrong. Technically speaking, I'm better to carry supplies than you. My Strength is a lot higher than yours. You're struggling as it is."

It made sense, even if it felt unfair. Half of Weiss' equipment, now hefted onto my shoulder, added quite a bit of weight, but not so much that I couldn't push onwards. Kaedin carried none himself, all of it on his Sentinel's back. This was probably the same and he hadn't technically ordered us to do anything he wasn't doing himself. Still, did he have to sound so harsh about it?

The storm became worse by the time we found a cave, and it was with a mutual sigh of relief that we each entered and left the wind behind. It wasn't a huge thing, but maybe that was for the best since it would mean less fire was needed to heat it. It looked like it might have once belonged to a bear, but any such animal was long dead. I doubted even the mightiest could have survived this frigid wonderland.

"We'll rest here until the storm dissipates," the Knight said. "Feel free to set up a camp but no food is to be cooked. We need to ration supplies and there will be little to scavenge further up the mountain."

I sighed and lowered both mine and Weiss' bags onto the ground. Yang did the same, taking a quick break to catch a breather. It wasn't that the bags had been heavy, but rather how difficult the going was already for the both of us. The added weight, as little as it was, made every step torturous.

"I'm sorry," Weiss whispered as she came up to take some of it from Yang and draw forth a tent.

"I told you already; it's fine."

The Mage nodded but didn't look convinced, even as she brought out her tent and started to arrange it by one of the walls. Everyone else did the same, arraying them by the stone but keeping the fire pit between the entrance and themselves. It would help to keep the warmth in. I was too tired to join in, and could only nod in relief when Ren offered to set mine up alongside his. "You looked exhausted as it is," he said, "I'll handle it."

"You're a life saver, Ren…"

"We need tinder for the fire," Viktor's voice cut through my relief. "We brought some firewood but they're soaked. We'll need sticks and leaves to start a fire. There's a small copse of trees we passed on the way here. It's only two hundred metres or so back."

My eyes looked back to the entrance of the cave, where white snow whipped diagonally across. Two hundred metres might have seemed a small distance but in such temperatures it was anything but. It was hard to even see ten through it, which meant the chance of getting lost was high. It would also quickly be fatal.

"The Assassin goes," Viktor decided.

"Are you insane?" I asked, drawing more than just his attention to me. "Blake is the least dressed for something like that." I threw one hand out towards her, highlighting her black cloak, hood and – importantly – her knee-high boots and skirt. She was bare legged at the thigh and already shivered where she stood.

The Knight snorted. "Perhaps she should have thought of that before this. It's a short journey and she's the fastest. We only need a few small twigs and leaves and she will be best suited to that."

"I'll go instead," I said, only to pause as a hand settled on my shoulder.

"I'll do it," Blake said, expression calm. "It's fine… I can do it."

Blake pushed past me before I could argue, and although it looked like some of the others wanted to complain, no one did. As she stepped outside of the entrance, the blizzard caught her and caused her black cloak to whip violently to one side. One bare arm came up to cover her eyes and she trudged out into the wall of white.

I felt my stomach drop when she disappeared from view entirely.

"What are you all waiting for? Barbarian, Monk, champion," he scowled at Pyrrha, "I want those tents up. Brawler, gather some snow from the outskirts to melt and boil. You there," he pointed at me, "gather pots and pans for that. We'll need fresh water. Reaper… what is a Reaper anyway?" Ruby flinched as he turned to her. She stammered for an answer but didn't seem able to come up with one in time. "Forget it," he said, "help the others where needed."

"What about me?" Weiss asked.

"You need your rest."

"I am not weak!"

"I didn't mean to imply as such, lady Mage. Why don't you help my master with his research? Your insight might prove invaluable." Weiss looked like she might argue, like she wanted nothing more than to do so, but after gritting her teeth together for a few moments she stormed over to the Mage in blue. "What are you all waiting for? Hop to it!"

We bungled about as best we could, while he shook his head and sorted out bags and supplies. Even as I brought the pots over to the fire and accepted the snow Ruby and Yang brought over, my eyes remained locked onto the entranceway our final member had passed through.

"She'll be fine," Ruby whispered on her next trip back. "Blake's strong."

"I know but-" I sighed and gave up. "What do you think of Viktor, Ruby?"

"He's… okay, I guess. He knows his stuff. I think he's used to people following his orders. Why?"

I shook my head and smiled for her. "It's nothing," I said. "I'm just lost in my thoughts. Don't worry about it."

Ruby looked like she wanted to push, but a barked order from the other Knight made her wince and give up. He hadn't noticed her yet, but it seemed clear he would if she loitered. Before she left, however, she whispered something beneath her breath. "I like you as a Knight more." She fled a second later, before Viktor could notice her not working.

Her words cheered me, even if only a little. I still found my eyes wandering to the cave entrance, however. Where is she? It's been almost twenty minutes now… it shouldn't have taken this long. I watched for another two, maybe three minutes.

It was too long. I stood and headed towards the entrance.

"Where do you think you're going?" Viktor caught my half way, expression stern.

"If you haven't noticed, Blake hasn't returned and it's nearly been half an hour!" I snarled. "I'm going to find her."

His hand caught my wrist and spun me about. I struggled to break free but he dragged me back. "Don't be a fool, boy. You wouldn't be able to see her ten feet in front of your face in this storm."

"And knowing that, you sent her out there!" I yelled, tearing my arm from his. "I'm not going to sit here while she's alone out there. She could be in trouble! She could be…" I couldn't finish.

"If something like this killed her then she shouldn't be on a Quest," Viktor snorted.

A furious snarl tore itself from my throat. My hands clenched into fists and I reared back in preparation to strike him. A hand caught mine from behind instead, and it was so cold.

"I'm not dead," Blake whispered. Her voice was soft, shaky and weak.

My fury vanished in an instant, replaced by the sharp edge of concern as I took her hands in mine. They were freezing cold. "Blake, my god, are you okay? What took so long? I was so worried."

"T-The snow was thick," the faunus coughed and shivered. "I h-had to dig for branches."

"About time," Viktor said. "Take the tinder and start a fir-" His words were cut off as a bundle of sticks and tinder slapped into his face. They fluttered to the ground as he stared at us in shock.

"Start the fire yourself!" I hissed, arm still outstretched from having thrown them at him. "You have a damned Mage. He can start it! I have to look after my friend."

"You insolent little-"

"Viktor?" Kaedin called from the tents. "Has the tinder arrived? We need a fire to see these documents." The calm voice cut through the Knight's anger, though he still took the time to spare a glacial glare for me. Eventually, he knelt down and picked up the supplies.

"Coming," he called.

"Bastard," I hissed and turned away from him. Blake's hands were in mind, still so cold as I drew her back into the relative warmth of the cave.

"Y-Your hands are warm," she stuttered. "Strangely warm."

"Blake," I whispered, "compared to you, everything is warm."

"A-Ah… maybe so…" Her nose twitched and she drew in a sniffling breath. "Maybe I imagined it."

I smiled and nodded, even if I didn't let go. She didn't either, too desperate for the heat. She hadn't imagined it, though I felt confident in saying she wouldn't remember it, either. Even if she did, I doubted she'd place it as the skill of a Blacksmith. Stoke the Forge generated heat in my hands, but thankfully it was one of the few skills I had which didn't require there to be metal of ore nearby. Controlling the temperature was second nature, even if it was several hundred degrees lower than I was used to.

The Assassin sighed in relief as her skin warmed up. No doubt without meaning to, she stepped a little closer to bask in it. "Why didn't you come back sooner?" I asked quietly. "I get that it must have been hard to dig it out, but you could have come back for help."

"I was foolish." Blake's eyes were closed, lips parted as she took shallow breaths. "I wanted to prove him wrong. I forgot that I couldn't."

"What do you mean?"

"I forgot what he was," she sighed. "I forgot that he was a Knight."

There was something about that which felt so very wrong. "I don't understand…"

Blake took a deep breath and opened her eyes. They were a little red, though it looked more from the cold than any sign of tears. She took a deep breath, and though it sounded nasally still, it was calmer than before. "You're a strange Knight."

"Because I'm helping a friend recover from nearly being frozen alive?"

"Because you'd consider someone like me a friend at all." She withdrew her hands from mine and stepped back. "Thank you for the heat. I appreciate it."

I wanted to say something. There was something so needlessly wrong about what she said, enough so that I wanted to dispute it. Could I, though? Had I not seen enough with my own eyes, not only here but in Vale as well? Cardin, Viktor… hell, even Pyrrha, Ren and Yang had been cautious around her at first.

Knights are meant to be chivalrous, I thought to myself as I strode back to the open fire, which everyone was now arranged around. Pyrrha smiled and pushed a warm bowl of water into my hand. No food… just heated water to drink, but it was still better than nothing. Whenever I read about Knights, they were always noble warriors who fought to protect the others, always upholding their code of honour. There didn't seem to be any such from him; just pride, arrogance and a cruel disdain for each of them. The way he looked at Blake... I couldn't convince myself he'd chosen her by accident. I couldn't convince myself he would have cared if she never returned. My hand tightened on the grip of Crocea Mors. His back was turned... it wouldn't be too hard to.

No... my eyes widened and my hand flew from the hilt as though it were on fire. What was I thinking? I wasn't a murderer... I wasn't.

Viktor whispered something to Kaedin, who nodded in return. It was too low for anyone to hear, and perhaps none of our business anyway. Further down the line, as far away from him as could be possibly achieved, Blake held her hot water as close to her face as she could. Her eyes were closed, ears lowered as she basked in the steam. Beside her, I saw Ruby watch her with worried, silver eyes. "The storms have gotten worse of late," Kaedin spoke. The Mage looked calm, even in the face of the roaring winds. "We shall rest now and conserve what energy we can. I realise it's not yet been long enough for you all to feel tired, but there's no telling how long this will continue."

"Do we travel at night?" I asked.

"Not on the Fang, young one." The Mage smiled. Viktor scoffed from nearby, but went silent with a stern look. "The temperature here plummets at night and we'll certainly need to sleep through it. The going is difficult, however, as you've well seen. Even in the daylight hours, we'll likely need to rest once or twice, just to gather strength. Travel in the mountains is not like on the plains. We can't march for hours on end."

We all mumbled our agreements, more than willing to trust him on that one. It had only been two hours, what should have been a rough, but not unsurmountable march. We must have covered half the distance we would have, however, and even that left us exhausted.

"Get some rest," Kaedin suggested. "I've set up a spell that will alert us if anything approaches, but I doubt even a Grimm could survive in this blizzard."

/-/

The fire continued to crackle a good forty minutes later. Boredom mixed with a lack of activity had sent most of the people to their tents, but I struggled to fall asleep in the same way. With a sigh, I drew myself out from the confines and looked about. A figure sat by the fire, poking it with a stick while reading from a thick tome. "Do you struggle to sleep?" Kaedin asked.

I settled down on a rock nearby and nodded.

"Much the same myself," the Mage chuckled. "There is much ahead and my curiosity tugs and tugs. How can one sleep in such a situation?"

"That's what keeps you awake?" I asked. "Not the storm or the danger?"

"You say them as though they are two separate entities. Ah, but I believe I owe you an apology, young Knight." He did? I wasn't so sure, but the look he gave me silenced any such doubt. "Please forgive Viktor. He can be… difficult at times."

"It's fine." It wasn't… but it wasn't this man's fault. "If he… if he puts my friend in danger again, though…"

"The Assassin? Quite the curious friend for a Knight." Kaedin's smile remained in place, even after I fixed a dangerous stare onto him. "I mean nothing by it, of course. Your choice in companions is your own."

"It is," I agreed. "Look, Kaedin… sir," the latter was added a last-minute recollection of the man's position. "With all due respect, this Quest is something my entire Guild is doing. These are my guildmates… my friends." Blake wasn't the former, but they didn't need to know that. "As the Guild Master, I'm not going to sit back and allow him to send someone out into a blizzard like that again. She could have died and…" my eyes hardened, "and there were people better suited to the task. He chose her on purpose."

"You are saying my Sentinel wished to kill your companion?"

I didn't answer. I wasn't saying anything… merely implying it. I wouldn't let it happen again, however, no matter his intention.

The Mage sighed. "Perhaps I need to take him to task. Tell me, my boy… are you familiar with the job of a Sentinel?"

"They're a bodyguard to a Mage, right? Elevated above the Hero Caste."

"In its simplest terms, yes. The word bodyguard is important here. Nowadays they serve more as companions and support on the battlefield, but go back thirty years and bodyguard was a far more apt term." The older man sighed. "Things were different in that time. The Mage Circles held more power, and to be a part of that Council heralded untold opportunity for a Mage. There were many who sought such power, and it wasn't unusual for people to see to the removal of their rivals to achieve it."

"The Mage Wars?" I asked. "Wasn't that over a hundred years ago?"

"The Mage War changed little, at least as history would have us remember. We changed our name, and the right to rule was taken from the Noble Caste and given to us, but that only bred corruption in its own right. With a taste of power, some began to crave more. In order to facilitate that, especially against those you could not defeat fairly, an… outside touch was often employed."

"I'm not sure what relevance this has to what we were talking about," I admitted. The history lesson was, in itself, interesting, but I'd have been more willing to sit through it were we not stuck in a snowstorm.

"It pertains to your little companion," Kaedin said. "After all, I said an outside touch, but that touch was often one delivered at the end of a dagger."

Understanding dawned on me instantly. "Assassins…"

"Assassins indeed… always willing to practice their craft for coin, Atlas made a wonderful opportunity for profit and Experience. Mages were already easy targets once one drew close, and with so many vying for the deaths of their fellow man? Well… I suppose the allure was just too much. Back then, before Ironwood united us and seized power from the Circle, it was not uncommon to lose friends and loved ones to the Assassin's blade, even in school." The Mage shook his head. "I lost good friends as young as fifteen years of age. What threat might they have posed? Ah, but forgive an old man for rambling… I did not wish to suggest your friend responsible, but merely to offer explanation for my Sentinel's behaviour."

It made sense… it was understandable, but at the same time, it wasn't. "Blake wouldn't do that," I said. "She's not like that."

"She is an Assassin, my boy."

"That doesn't mean she has to kill people!"

"A Mage does not stop being a Mage if he refuses to use spells… the ability will always be there. It will never leave him."

That didn't mean she had to use it, nor that she would. Hadn't she as good as said before that she didn't do things like that? I refused to doubt her… no matter what someone said. Blake had stood by me, and that was all that mattered.

"Look at me," Kaedin mused. "Give me a moment with a young man and I lapse into the yesteryears. Perhaps Viktor is right… I am getting old. Whatever his reasons, young Knight, I'll apologise again for his behaviour. I believe this latest Quest has caused no end of concern for him. I am no longer a young Mage, and though powerful in my own right, even the Archmage could succumb to hypothermia. I believe my dutiful Sentinel fears my death by an enemy his sword cannot slay."

I was thankful for the change of subjects and smiled at the Mage. "Isn't there a spell you can use to warm yourself."

"I could summon fire, but that would only serve to injure me or sap at my reserves. No, my old bones must suffer this biting cold as much as yours. I suppose that is where his concern stems from. Try as I might, it is difficult to hide it from him."

"Is that because of the link?" I asked curiously. "Weiss told me how a Mage and their Sentinel can share thought and emotion, how they can feel and understand one another."

"Did she now?" The mage leaned back and laughed, the sound muted but still filled with amusement. "Oh my, sometimes I wonder how those stories grow. I'm afraid, my boy, that there's no such magic here. Such is just the childish wonderment some hold for our bond."

"You mean there isn't some magical link? But Weiss said some Mages could read the minds of their Sentinels."

"And so I can," Kaedin smiled, "but my methods are not arcane. I was able to judge Viktor's reasons for how he acts, while he in turn can see through my attempts to hide my struggles in this storm. That is no magic, however. I have spent the better part of forty years with my Sentinel. He and I have shared much… it would be odd were we not able to do as such."

"That's it?" I couldn't hide the disappointment in my voice, even if I tried. It seemed to amuse him even more, for he nearly choked on his mirth. "I thought there was some amazing magic," I sighed. "Weiss made it sound so incredible."

"And is it not incredible? Viktor has been my shadow since I was but four years old, a childhood friend who became an ever-present companion. Is not such a bond magical in its own right?" The Mage's eyes sparkled. "You young kids, always wanting fireballs and arcane lights. I suppose little Weiss believes the tall tales because she desires it so; because she wished to imagine and experience such a bond for herself. The truth is often far less mystical… anyone can form such a bond, given time, dedication and a little luck."

My cheeks heated, more from being caught out acting like a child than anything else. He was right; I had looked for explosions and spells, shortcuts to take away what they'd achieved through hard work. In a way, I supposed that was more impressive than some little ritual. "If Weiss wanted that, why doesn't she just take one?" I asked. "Come to think of it, I don't get why those people bullied her at the Academy, either."

"It happened again, did it?" Kaedin sighed and poked the fire with a long stick.

"You know about it?"

"Aye…" the old man sighed. "I had heard of it, mainly though the Archmage. We talk, he and I, and Weiss was his charge for some time. He worried for her, as all people do for those they care for."

My eyes widened. "Ironwood is her father?"

"What!? No, of course not. He is… ah, but it really isn't my story to tell. Little Weiss was treated poorly because of something she could not change."

"She said it was about using a sword," I said.

"She said that, did she? Interesting… she must trust you."

I doubted that… honestly, I'd made a bad first impression by flirting with her, then done little else to improve it. "I don't see the problem about her using a rapier, though," I said. "She's good with it, far better than I'd imagine a Mage to be. Besides, what difference does it make what weapon she chooses to use?"

"It would not, had she the benefit of choice. Weiss Schnee cannot choose between a sword and a staff… she is limited only to the former. It is her Passive."

Her Passive Skill? Still, I didn't see the problem. She used a sword instead of a staff, so what? She could still cast spells, plus she fought well with the thin blade. Her stats probably weren't suited to it, but she'd chosen a rapier, which was probably a good choice since it was light and fast.

Kaedin must have noticed my confusion for he sighed and pushed on. "You must understand, Atlas is a Mageocracy; those that can utilise magic are considered strong… those that cannot are weak and ineffectual. The tools of the Mage are magic and the stave, not sword and steel. What she makes up for in her ability to defend herself is considered worthless in the face of what she loses… by losing the ability to wield a stave as a magical focus, she forever denies herself the bonuses one might provide. Rarer weapons, after all, might come with Statistical enhancements. A sword might give more Strength, or armour more Constitution… staves might come with Intellect, but you will never find a sword that does the same." Kaedin's eyes were firm. "No matter how hard she tries, her lack of the ability to focus spells through a staff will mean she can never compete on the pure power of a Mage her own level. In the eyes of those at the Academy, this loss is to be grieved, pitied… or derided."

"But she can fight in melee," I pointed out. "She can counteract the greatest weakness a Mage has!"

"She can fulfil the role that every Mage of Atlas would not need, for is it not the Sentinel's task to protect their Mage?" Kaedin looked down into the fire, making it spark as he pushed his own staff against it. "Considered but half a Mage, yet half a Sentinel too… the young lady has not the magical strength to challenge her peers on an equal footing, yet sadly, she lacks also the strength a dedicated Sentinel would have. In having the flexibility to be both, she fails to achieve either. A Mage chooses the Sentinel, but the Sentinel must agree in turn to be bound. The people here are traditional and the bond is for life."

My heart broke. "She was turned down?"

"She never asked. I believe she made the choice to leave Atlas before such a requirement could come up. Perhaps some might have accepted… perhaps not. I suppose we will never know now. Only a Mage of Atlas may have a Sentinel."

And Weiss had become a Mage of Vale by joining Beacon Academy, forever robbing herself of that chance. Was it because of the bullying, or the fear of being rejected? "She doesn't need a Sentinel," I said, eyes fixed on the fire.

"Hm?"

"She doesn't need a Sentinel," I repeated. "Whether as a friend or someone to protect her. Weiss has a Guild. We protect our own."

The Mage looked at me for a long moment, before he smiled and turned away. "Then perhaps all will be well in the end," he said. With a creak of bone and a sigh, the Mage rose to his feet and marched back to his tent. It took me a second to realise it was a double, shared with Viktor, but it didn't surprise me when he entered.

Mages and Assassins, Sentinels and Guilds… I only hoped the rest of this Quest would go by smoother. I didn't think my heart could take much more.


More lore, more shenanigans, and also some inter-personal development. There is a lot here, for those who like to dig (and I know some do for sure). There's lore snippets on "stats" for weapons, which for the love of god, I know my forum has been banging on about for hours now. There's also some more Sentinel lore (or Warder lore as some pointed out).

I did read a quick synopsis of Aes Sedai in WoT after the myriad reviews, and although I can say I see the similarities, this wasn't inspired from that. In truth, there is no psychic bond, as you see. The take away from that scene was supposed to be how excited Weiss got when she talked of them, turning into almost a young child as she boasted of how incredible it is. Also, from what I understand of Aes Sedai, to be a Warder is… rough. Here, it's more of a best friend and companion sort of thing, with a social prestige boost thrown in. It's all good from the Sentinel's point of view.

But it was introduced to basically play off the weaknesses of Mages in traditional RPG's, since they usually require a party to be viable and this fic likes to look at what happens in RPG's and then how a real, serious RPG world would try to adapt to it. In this case; Mages suck in melee – so give them constant melee companions.


Next Chapter: 13th March

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