Above Cyrodiil the sun shined bright high in the sky to mark midday, it's light kissing everything underneath. Birds made their afternoon songs heard throughout the countryside and near the city, as well as around the Harmony College. An almost-clear blue sky above, dotted by small puffs of cloud go across the sky like a flock of sheep in the sky. Several eagles and hawks flew above through the sky, cawing and scanning for small prey to eat for their lunches. Trees around the outer wall of the college swayed slowly in calm winds.

Harmony college had four floors all around. Its outer section was made up of grey stone walls and smooth black tiled roofing. The entire structure still looked new compared to most of the Imperial City. The outer walls of the structure formed a ring around, ending with a gap when hitting the water. An inner circle formed a second ring, a midsection that was made up of a large walkway that went all the way around the center, even across a bay where a small harbor hid under the walkway. In the college's center is a six-sided tower, connected to the rest of the college by four walkways.

Down one of the walkways was a crowd flowing through. The sun shone down over the stone building, casting a large shadow onto the courtyard below. Towards the back of this crowd were two very adventurous students..well, one of them was. The other followed along with his companion close behind, an anxious look always on his face. In the lead of the pair was a stout Redguard. Broad shoulders under a loose red tunic, brown pants held up by a white sash. Under one arm a tan satchel, swaying back and forth.

His chiseled chin held high in pride, hair cut down so close to the scalp that it could appear to be bald from some distance away. A small goatee grew from below his darkened lips, having a single ring hoop around the hair. Here and there on his face were nicks and scars from scuffles he had brought himself into, or misadventures. His eyes a dark brown, and always seemed to smile if eyes could smile. Each of his fingers were adorned by a ring, each of a different make.

A broad, confident grin plastered across his face as he strolled along while swinging his arms back and forth like he hadn't a care in the world, moving briskly along the stone path.

As for the other, he was a bipedal cat-like creature. A Khajiit. And a timid one at that. One could see that he was skittish, always watching about and always worrying. His whiskers quivered from the movement all around them. And he had reason to be so twitch, after last night.

The Khajiit's fur was of a tawny dark brown, striped with grey and white. He wore plain tan clothing that fit well over his fur, keeping to his lithe form. His face was a mix of grey and white, small eyes, the color of a new moon. At the back of his head, his fur had been groomed with three silver hoops into a head-tail. His tail was a striped of brown and grey, snaking out from the top of his pants and swishing gently behind yet now and then stilling.

"Are you sure we were not seen?" he whispered in a tiny quivering voice. "This one worries." The Redguard looked over his shoulder with a look of absolute assurance.

"If we were, we would have been approached by now. So stop worryin' like a swimming sabercat." The Khajiit shook his head, looking a tad confused.

"But sabrecats swim well."

"Why does he have to correct me?" he thought to himself, shaking his head. The young Redguard gave the Khajiit a watch it kind of look then rolled his eyes at the statement. The Khajiit's use of logic against his sayings happened every time, and he didn't like it. Everyone did that with him. It was a common occurrence. He halted in the hall to talk with his follower face to face. Students pushed past in a desperate hurry to get to the center hall of the college, all eager for lunch. Or just to get out of class. A few ducked their heads as a swallow flew through the unwalled walkway.

"Whatever J'Nir. Point is, we got away. Now stop talking before you draw attention our way and we do get caught out cause of ya big mouth" the Redguard replied in a whisper. Louder than he would have hoped, but luckily the crowd had gone ahead. He picked up speed when he heard a grumble below urging him to close the distance to where food awaited him. Not catching a murmur from the quiet Khajiit. J'Nir hurried after him in a quick jog after, desperate to keep up. He too was hungry, though there were other reasons for staying close to the Redguard.

They hurried along till they came across an entrance to the hall. An archway at the end of the walkway. Along the ceiling was a candle chandelier per table, dangling by three chains close together. The entire large room was filled with the fragrance of roasts, steaming vegetables and fresh pastries. Such smells would make anyone drool, even if they had eaten only hours before. Everyone had already reached the hall and barely anyone was not seated with their food. Chatter echoed around the large auditorium. Tables filled to the brim with students, platters stacked high and low by a whole manner of foods. Argonians, Elves, Humans, Khajiit all in a single room.

Plates clattered and utensils scraped against glass plates. The great hall was abuzz with conversation all going at the same time making it near impossible to decipher a single one. It would seem amazing to any new onlooker to see how all the races got along. But sometimes hidden in the crowds was the seeds of violence, grown from generations of conflict.

"Hey Bezir!" Someone shouted over the crowd, drawing the Redguard's attention. The Redguard looked over the mass of students to find someone standing up waving over at him. A young Imperial wearing a dark jacket, shirt and pants. Bezir waved back before continuing on his way over to the buffet at the back of the hall. A small line of about fifteen students waited since everyone else already had food.

Bezir took a brass tray and passed it back to his feline companion then took one for himself before moving along. Slowly the line moved along as everyone got their food, at one point pausing for longer than the rest. Bezir could plainly see why as a large student walked out with three plates lined along his arms. Bezir's gaze followed them to their table, a brow raised at them.

As he went along, his hungry eyes examined all the food. At the steak and the pork, he licked his lips. Bezir decided to have a large spoonful of mash, some grilled leeks and a roast pork chop. J'Nir put a bowl of porridge and a salmon steak on his tray. With them being at the end of the line, no one waited behind them. And no one else was walking around, so they had an easy trip over to their table without any fuss or pushing. The good thing about coming late.

At their table sat an Imperial, the same that waved them over before. He had slicked-back dark brown hair and deep blue eyes and a lighter complexion than most Imperials. It made his blue eyes really stand out, especially with his outfit. He was built like a young soldier, much like both of his parents who Bezir had met before. His mouth was always in a thin line, even when smiling or grimacing, with a straight jawline, shaped as if sculpted of marble. He was engaged in conversation with someone who sat across from him.

And this someone across from him was a female Breton with pointed ears, indicating her half-Bosmer heritage. She wore a knee-length maroon dress with white long sleeves and laces crisscrossing the front of her chest. Black leggings went her legs down to her brown leather shoes. Compared to the others at the table, she was the shortest. Her short brown hair barely reached her shoulders. Her face is rather rounded and small, and looks as soft as a baby with rounded cheeks and light hazel eyes. Her skin was of an olive complexion like many other Bretons. She brushed back her hair from one of her ears as the two came to sit, the Redguard sitting on the same bench as her, averting her eyes to her food. Bezir took no notice to the shy act, unlike J'nir and the Imperial and engaged in usual conversation.

"How have your classes been?" the Redguard asked curiously, yet in a kind of bored fashion while twirling his spoon in his mash. His eyes remained fixed on his food.

"They have been going well, Bezir. I have been doing great in sword and bow training. Hitting all my marks. Madam Vediant's teachings have been very good and she is impressed by my skills" the Imperial beamed after turning to face the Redguard, not noticing the lack of interest on his friend. He thought he was being a bit of a show off and made his beaming smile lighten up, looking down at his food. A chicken and leek soup. "And my language skills are becoming better. But they could be more better. As could my alchemy. Then again riding makes up for that in my grades. So I'm doing well still!"

Bezir nodded along as the other spoke while taking in spoonfuls of his mash into his mouth, resting both elbows on the table. It was how he sat, despite being unmannerly in doing so.

"What about you Elen? How has your day been so far?" the Imperial asked. The half-elf shrugged in answer, poking at her food with a fork.

"Not too bad..."

"You sure? You're seeming a bit down lately."

"I'm fine, really."

"You sure?" The Imperial asked, obviously concerned like anyone friend would be.

"...Well, we did read some things about the Alik'r Desert and creatures that live on and in the sands." That perked Bezir's interest. His spoon remained held in his mouth as he paused, staring intently. She noticed, and it made her shy away, turning her head slightly away more. And he was absolutely oblivious as he asked a question.

"So? What you learn about? Anythin' new about the famous desert you didn't know before?" She chose not to speak and only shrugged before finally picking up her fork to eat. It didn't worry Bezir at all by how she was acting, just thinking it was a normal thing. And to him, it was. Even if the subject was something that interested her more than anything else in the world, she would barely talk when someone was direct with her. At least, that's what Bezir saw whenever he came around. But she was always shy around everyone.

"What about your day Bezir?" the Imperial asked, seeing that Elen was obviously uncomfortable with something. Or just plain shy as she was avoiding all eye contact. She relaxed after the Imperial spoke, giving him a thankful smile."What did you do?" Bezir didn't hesitate to answer.

"Not too bad. I've done more mapping, more reading on ancient temples, lost cities and legendary artifacts. All that stuff. And my classes, they have been doing fine I guess. Same with J'Nir here, right buddy?"

"Most definitely. This one is well in acrobatics and history. But arcane, this one fails at." There was a pause as he took in another spoonful, finishing off all his mash.

"Did you know about Ysgramor? Leader of the Five Hundred Companions? Well, I did some reading on him and found that his axe still hasn't been reformed, or found! Surprising, isn't it? You'd think someone would have found something as well known as that. And at least reformed it!...Oh, and there's the lost city of-"

"Bezir, finish chewing" Bezir's mouth clamped shut, his expression forming a small pout. Though he did understand and went to eating. It was always constant ramblings that got other's annoyed, like that moment where he annoyed his friend by constant rambling.

The silence grew, some chatter around them ceasing so they could all finish their meals. Occasionally some small chatter would pop up here and there. But most of the chatter was at the front of the hall, where all staff sat. All but one. A single empty seat, three spaces from the table's right side. Normally that chair's owner was here before students arrived. But this time they were missing. Late. Very late. It confused many of the staff and even some students. But Bezir being Bezir, he took no notice. Only instead daydreaming about adventures to unknown lands, searching ancient lost tombs for artifacts, fighting monsters of the world's dark depths.

He saw himself as an adventurer in his mind. A lone explorer, wielding tools and weapons that got him through every obstacle, past every trap and defeat every enemy. Sometimes he got confused between reality and and these daydreams. Though luckily for him, only J'nir ever witnessed those times.

A loud creaking door brought him back from an ancient temple while slaying a dragon, as well as bringing the entire hall to silence. Everyone looked over to one of the doors where they saw what stood in the open doorway. A group of students. Several had rough hair as if they had just gotten hit by a massive wind. Bezir recognized one of them that had a neater hairstyle then the rest, made into a ponytail.

The Dunmer wore a forest green dress at ankle height, a matching sash across her waist and a split running up to her knee. On her feet were small brown heeled shoes. Not what anyone would see as horse riding attire, yet it seemed to have worked out for her. Her build was rather tall and slender. This gave her a very beautiful look to others, earning much attention as well as ire. Something the others knew she took pride in.

She had raven-black hair, fiery-orange eyes and pale black skin. Almost like charcoal. Her eyes were always going from person to person, and judging by her expression one could tell whether she was judging someone or not. Most of the time she was. Her head was thin on a small neck. Most of her facial features seemed to press outward, especially her pointed chin. A wide smile stretched ear to ear.

She made her way over to the buffet, chatting up a storm with others who had just come in. Almost every few seconds she brushed her hair back or twirled her fingers through the end of her ponytail. Some guys at tables or in line couldn't help but stare. And some of their gazes were trailing a bit low.

"Evening all! How are you all doing?" the dark elf shouted at the top of her lungs, hugging each of the seated students around their table. Then she came to sit right by the Imperial, across from their half-elf friend.

"Better than a skeever in a skeever trap! Thanks for asking An-"

"Yeah, whatever Markus. So I just got back from horse riding. Great ride, by the way! If you haven't been able to tell because of my tidy hair" she said, pulling her ponytail over her shoulder to smooth it out. Everyone listened in interest, although their smiles were strained. Well, all except the oblivious Bezir who just stared at her hair. Since to him it was the new subject of attention. In fact, it was like he was mesmerized by it. Who wouldn't be mesmerized by hair that resembled that of raven feathers?

She flicked her hair back, almost hitting the Imperial square in his face. He sputtered a bit after having raven-black hair in his face after quickly turning his face away from her, incase she decided to do another sweep. Lucky thing he wasn't eating, for his sake. Or he would have gotten more than hair in his face. Something Bezir would have enjoyed watching for a short moment.

"Well, it's nice to see you had a good time Andulsa" Markus added, still sputtering a bit from her hair.

"Oh, I remembered what I was goin' to say. So, I found a-"

"Hey, you guys hear about what happened last night? it's going all around the place!" the Dark she-elf asked.

"Yeah. There was a break in" the Imperial answered. Everyone leaned in to hear, except for the Redguard who had once more been cut off. And this time he did not look too happy about it. "In the eastern outer wing, someone broke in. Got found by some guards."

"That's where this one and Bezir was! Remember Bezir, last night when we snuck out to see the-" Bezir started waving his hands around as soon as the Khajiit started before finally resorting to physical action. As in covering the others mouth with his hand.

Everyone else turned attention on the pair. Including a few from other tables. Bezir wanted to shrink back, everyone could tell by how his muscles pulled his arm back to him, his eyes remaining on only the one who had spoken. Not glaring daggers, but enough to show shock at his friend.

"You promised not to tell" he whispered. In quite a casual way, in fact. But J'Nir knew better and lowered his eyes. Everyone around their table just looked on in confusion. Even Elen looked confused, but not the other two. They knew just by how J'Nir acted that he was going to be having a chat with his friend sometime later.

"As I was saying..." the Imperial paused, waiting as if there was more to Bezir and J'Nir's secret that they would share. They didn't. "This intruder hadn't broken any windows, so must have come in. Thing is, no doors were open. So what the guards think is that he climbed all the way up. And it only gets better. From what they said, the guards who encountered the intruder were speaking of him having taken them all out. Like some whirlwind of wood!" The others arched brows at that last comment. "He used a broom!" he exclaimed, earin some surprised gasps from the girls.

"No way. J'Nir does not believe."

"A broom?! Are you sure Markus?"

"Absolutely sure."

"I want to meet this guy. Sounds like he might have been in plenty of fights!"

"Meh. I've heard better. I've done better" Bezir yelped in surprise when feeling a heel contact against his leg. When looking around, he happened to not notice the much too innocent face on Andulsa. It didn't come to mind that she got at him for talking down what she thought to be a tough guy. He gave another two glances over everyone until he went back to eating, now bored with them. He could wait until they stopped.

They went on and on about who this 'intruder' might be, his age, how hot he might have been..well, the last was more the Dark Elf. They went on about how many guards he had taken on since the exact number had not been revealed too well. Then it went on to how the Dark Elf was surprised at Markus gossiping. Proclaiming herself to be the Gossip Queen. That was an understatement concerning her. And their talking went on and on. Until finally they finished to clear up their plates.

"Finally. So as I was saying, I found an interesting book this morning." From his satchel he pulled out a rather large book. It looked rather new with gold-coloured writing on the front. It's cover made of brown leather and a rather thick book to be some book about a single tale. Markus and Elen eyed it curiously.

"What is-"

"Glad you asked. Inside is a legend I found was about a lost relic of somethin' a while ago...The Oblivion Crisis...And it's last known location is right inside the Imperial City. So who's up for an adventure next time we go?"

The others remained silent, trying to pretend they didn't hear him. They all knew how his little escapades in finding some lost treasure to add to his collection he had at his home, and in his room, ended. Most of the time for worse. Elen was the one to speak up first, her gaze shifting back and forth to the others for support.

"M-Maybe. Do you know where?" she asked, unsure of going out to a possibly dangerous place.

"Yes. Where exactly?" They could easily guess that the only place this lost relic could be if it were indeed lost to civilisation would be under. In the catacombs of the Imperial City. And Bezir wasn't one to see places like that as dangerous. He liked the word 'thrilling' more.

Bezir was about to nod his head when he got a we-talked-about-this glare from his Imperial friend. And after a short pause he shook it.

"Well, not exactly! Should be easy to find!" No one seemed convinced. "...I'll do some more lookin' into it." Markus gave a nod in agreement. It was for the best, considering every time they'd gone it...well, it never went well. All thanks to lacking information from the Redguard aspiring to be an explorer.

Bezir went back to eating as the others chatted, not noticing a young Imperial at one of the doors with another older man.

Half An Hour Beforehand...

Even with the thick fur blanket it was still cold. The cell's occupant had little clothing, most of his clothes being ragged from time on the streets. His hands were still blistered, that he could feel. Yet they had been covered up in bandages. Little spots of red dotted the white cloth. His cloak was nowhere to be found. Thadimus wasn't sure whether it was because of the lack of windows or just him imagining it, or if it was just the fact of him being lonesome making him feel cold. He couldn't hear anyone else, but he knew someone was there thanks to a shadow cast by a torch to his cell's left. The room remained in darkness, excluding the flickering torch light outside in the hallway. Shadows of the cell bars danced across the walls and the around the young Imperial.

And upon his face was quite possibly his largest scowl he's ever had. He got caught, locked up and soon would be ending up in Imperial City jail. All because of one certain someone disappearing. Sure, it might have been because of that job offer he accepted, but it wasn't like he could have turned it down. Too much was at risk.

His arms were crossed across his chest, his feet tapping against the end of the stone wall at the end every second. The smell of the cell, he couldn't stand it. Even though this cell seemed like one of the cleanest jails he'd ever been in, it was still dirty. There was a few differences he did enjoy though. No blood stains. Not smelling of old piss and vomit. No pile of hay covered by an old bear skin. And this one actually had a toilet! Sure, just a small pot. But that's better than nothing. Even if he was stuck in a small room with stone walls all around and no way of getting out, better than other places. Like a pit filled up to the brim of Frostbite Spiders.

Still, nothing would change Thadimus' feeling of betrayal inside. His only friend he had everywhere he went had abandoned him. Sure, for everyone else's safety Thad asked for his partner to hang back. But if he were ever caught, his ghosty-bud would have appeared to save the day. Yet that night when Thadimus was caught, it was like his 'buddy' bugged out.

"I hope you can hear me, Zeb. Cause I am going to be throwing so many insults at you when you rear your ugly, bright-" his thought cut off as he expected some retort. A sigh came from his lips when none came. Then his feelings resurfaced, leaving a grimace on his face.

This wasn't the first time he felt these feelings against his so-called 'friend'. He'd disobeyed him, hidden when he needed help...Even killed. He recalled that day so well, the first time he saw someone die. Out of nowhere, a mugger. Than, a glowing rat became a glowing bear. In the end, the mugger was nothing but shreds of flesh in a puddle of blood. And Thad had only been eight years old then. And the thing with Thadimus' memory was that he had a photographic memory.

His face fell at the memory, a sense of fear striking within. He remembered shaking, standing there frozen in terror. Recalled the irony smell of blood, a smell now very familiar to him. Torn shreds of cloth and flesh across the ground and walls. Coins once in the boy's trembling hands on the floor. Speckles of another man's blood on his face and front of his clothes. A single tear dripping as his gaze rested on the bloodthirsty creature.

A flash in the corner of his eye drew in his attention away from the memory. The kind of attention no one wants. A death glare aimed at the small glowing rat was enough to make anyone go back to where they came. Though familiar-familiar never got easily scared by any of his aggressive stares.

"What's your excuse this time? Got hungry? I know that's a lie, for sure. Cause you don't eat." Zeb the familiar sat there, staring blankly like he was indeed a normal rat. "Well? You going to answer?" Thadimus kept his voice low, as not to alert any guards outside. The snores right outside were a sign they were not.

After much waiting, Thad sighed, closing his eyes while opening and closing his fists to vent out as much stress as possible. Even added in deep breaths. And eventually, he got there. He became calm. But he dare not look at the other occupant of his cell. Not even when they spoke.

"You told me not to interfere. You know what happens when I do." The memory of the first time Zeb interfered still fresh in his mind, he nodded after a long silent pause. "I had another calling."

"Again?"

"I cannot control it" the familiar replied, it's voice sounding more strained.

Thad narrowed his eyes in a sour scowl at the ghostly figure, his arms still crossed with his head on it's side against his small pillow. He knew what he meant by 'had another calling'. Randomly he would disappear. To where? That was never shared. No matter how much the Imperial would ask, the answer was always the same. 'I cannot say' it would always say in answer. Anything better than 'another calling' would have been better.

Thadimus turned his head to the blank ceiling above him, arms still twisted around each other. He couldn't think of a thing nice to say to his so-called companion. To him, this was the last straw. At least, he wanted to believe that. But he also didn't want to lose the only friend he had. The only one who listened to him.

The familiar's glow took on a life of it's own against the walls, making shadows dance. He rarely glowed like this, a trait he held to himself besides also transforming into any animal he wanted on a whim. The glow only ever happened to signify something. Danger. Or someone coming in their direction. The young Imperial leaped up from his bed in one fluent motion, fists clenched at his sides.

There was an unsettling silence. The guard's snoring had ceased, being replaced by short quiet whispers like wind in a forest. If anyone decided to come in, Thadimus would surely be able to escape using the plan he had. Alongside Zeb, he would have no problem. Yet when he cast a glance to the floor at his side, the familiar rat was gone. Typical.

Steps came closer. Or maybe it was his heartbeat thumping so loud it was like it was in his hand, heard by all. Thad would have rathered that, since that would have meant he was dead and wouldn't be dealt any gruelling punishment they had for him.

One voice around the corner was distinct to him. He didn't want to see their face again. Already, Thadimus did not share good feelings toward the owner of the voice.

Right around to the cell door came a robed figure, a crystal-topped staff holding him up. His face held no expression, but there was a glint in his eye. One of a serious nature. The torchlight seemed to glow off his tanned Breton skin. One major difference was the robe. It was an ocean blue this time with white thick lines going across some parts, the under-garments black. The blue part of the robe seemed to form a sash across his left shoulder before going down the body to make an angled bottom between the legs. By him was an Imperial guard with a potbelly, sword in hand. Obviously his fiasco the night before put them on edge.

"My dear boy...do you realize just how much trouble you have gotten yourself into?"

Thadimus let his shoulders go slack, then he seated himself on the side of his bed. That was not anything new to him. Of course he was in deep trouble, for he had been caught red-handed in a highly secure establishment with unknown intentions to his captors. The professor motioned for the guard to open. Reluctantly, they did. Still having a wary eye on their prisoner with sword staying in hand.

"You are lucky I don't have the authorities take you to the city right away, dear boy...But I have stalled them until this afternoon. Whether you are still here or not for them to take you, that entirely depends on you."

If Thad's eyelids could go any wider, his eyes would surely have fallen right out as they opened in complete surprise. But part of him feared what he meant as well. Would he dish out a punishment worse than being stuck in a worse cell? His muscles tensed as he mentally readied himself for a quick escape.

"This is my offer. I can't let you off with a warning, which no doubt you have heard many times, so you still have to receive some kind of punishment." He stepped into the open cell, then with a flick of his fingers the guard shut the cell door and locked it before stumbling off in a drunken stupor. The young Imperial recognized the smell of wine on anyone. Just about the same way the man seemed to recognize the kind of kid Thadimus was.

Thadimus moved to his bed to sit down. Knowing that whatever this deal was, he didn't want to be standing for it. The neatly-dressed professor stood across from him, a nonchalant face. Just looking at his better clothing made Thad's gut twist around in envy. He couldn't count how many times he wanted to wear something like that. Something rich, something to show that he was somebody. As the shadows disappeared from the torchlight, he could swear a quick smirk appeared on the old man's face. Could have been the shadow's playing tricks on my eyes. But he could have sworn...

His thoughts subsided as he leaned forward, inclined to hear him out, lacing his fingers together to make a chin-rest. He wasn't going anywhere any time soon. Might as well listen to his choices. The old man said nothing about choosing either, though. Surely he would find a loophole. He always found loopholes...Well, most of the time. The old man raised both hands and gestured to his left.

"You can A: Wait here for the city guards to take you to the prison, since you won't speak of any family. You will most likely be taken to prison, due to your age. An act like this, you won't see the light of day for some time..." That choice made Thad's heart quicken in pace, his breath cut short. That was no doubt the worse of the two choices. He held his breath as he awaited the next choice as the man's head ticked to his right hand.

"Or, you can take B: The guards do not come. But, since at my expense I caught you red-handed, you serve me. Since you've cost me something quite dear" Thad's breath remained held. His right eye twitched, his hands tightening together, suddenly feeling clammy.

"Ok, scratch what I thought before. That's worse" he told himself in his head. No way would he ever serve this guy. Yet he still weighed his options, thanks to persuasion from the rational part of him. He hated the thought of going to prison, stuck with killers and complete psychotics. Just thinking about it made his stomach turn upside down.

"To ease your choice, how about I introduce myself by name. I am Professor Labain. And all I ask of you is that you assist me. Is that too much to ask?" Thadimus was so distracted by the Breton's honey-toned voice that he hadn't noticed his hand unconsciously move to his knee, tapping rhythmically as if considering it. Time went by as Thadimus considered. This...this made no logical sense. Here he was, having tried to steal something from this place. And their idea of a punishment was to...was to keep him here? What was their game? Thoughts raced by as he tried to figure it all out.

Not that he had the time to, as Professor Labain started toward the cell door. A decision had to come now.

"Wait!" He reached a hand out. And Labain stopped instantly, almost as if stunned for a fleeting moment.

"You change your mind?" He held back my answer, part of him wanting to reconsider.

"Not...yet. I find it odd...is this your idea of a punishment?" Labain simply shrugged. Thadmius mulled it over...then with a resigned look, nodded. It seemed indentured service was the ideal way.

"Then allow me to welcome you to Harmony College. This time with open arms, not the top end of my staff..." His nose wrinkled as he came close. "But first, let us change your clothes."

Woah, that took longer than I expected. I had hoped to have this done two weeks after the first. Well, I guess not everything goes as planned.

So, I hope you enjoy these new characters. I sure will (writing them, that is). Thank you for reading, and see you in the next chapter!