'Why do you seem surprised, my Lord? He is in his fifties but our Lady Magister i…'

His colleague simply slapped his head, sparing me the trouble to answer both parts of his line. He kept his arm around his head and told him, in a voice he assumed low but that was actually so filled with anger that I could hear everything:

'What madness drove you? If he tells her of your impertinence, you're dead!'

I could hardly prevent a smile. I made gestures with my two hands to signify there was no offense, and worked hard on myself to show them I cared about the last question.

But of course, as soon as the workshop was over, I took my notes and focused on the only information central to my mind: Judge Dandun. That name was like a victory fanfare ringing in my head, the bells of success after finding the information I wanted. How far was I able to go to solve such mysteries? Was there a bureau of investigation and classified defense information? Probably, but my rank was still not high enough to enter it.

Dandun was not an easy man to find, and that was a huge understatement.

Every break I had, while in the Military Akademy, was used to find his trace. The central Bureau, which compiled most of the army's assignments, was the equivalent of Judge Magister Bergan's "welcoming service" when I had first joined for military service with Vitu. It was still, in some ways, under Judge Bergan's responsibility. But when I asked for their office, I was told to wait; and after half an hour, another soldier came, saying he needed the permission from a Judge, and said Judge hadn't appeared for the day.

After asking news for the Judge's permission twice – meaning in two different days of two different weeks, given my numerous duties at the Supreme Court –, I was eventually told that my man's files were another division's responsibility.

When I arrived at the Fourth Division's barracks, I realized it was the first time I was setting foot there. For military and judiciary matters, my tasks more or less had taken me in all the others, but the Fourth was known neither for their overdone bellicose mood, nor for their administrative usefulness.

I knew the rumors were accurate when I noticed no soldier was present at the office I needed. None to work, and none to watch. Was it even legal? I promised myself to file a report to their Magister as soon as I checked the law. I waited for ten minutes, then stood up and opened the door behind the desk. Still nobody. There were a few rooms on the other side, from which not a fly could be heard.

'This cannot go on', I said out loud.

And I turned to the drawers under the desk, opened them all, and examined their folders one by one.

'What do you think you're doing?'

I turned to the back left corner, and… saw a fellow dömavän emerging from the wall. The band on her right arm was showing she served in the Fourth Division.

'We do not tolerate intruders here, be they our own kind', she added.

It was a rather short woman, possessing silver straight hair with a twisted ponytail falling on the left shoulder, and sparking dark eyes.

'Apologies, Judge Daiyu', I said. 'I urgently needed a piece of…'

'No excuses. Once I tell Judge Magister Rigel, she will show you what good manners are. She is no White Mage like me; her hits actually hurt.'

'I do not doubt it', I smiled. 'However, I wonder why the Fourth left nobody to work in this crucial area, leaving it open for actual ill-intentioned citizens and an obstacle for appointed colleagues, while its dömavän hides among the walls.'

Daiyu's skin, which was very bright, turned red.

'I do not do it for fun! I must perfect my Vanish spell, so I become invisible for a long time in strategic situations! You Sixth novices are only good for drawing foils, but we in the Fourth are the camouflage and espionage specialists. And I know a very ill-intentioned spy when I see him.'

'You would do well in working on your Vitality capacity', I replied, 'as repeating the same spell is of little use to increase its duration. There is a book in the second floor of the Imperial Palace: Food for Vitality, Mist and Thought. Third shelf on the right.'

She made a few paces backwards, her cheeks still red – although it was a different kind of red. I added in confidence:

'I have not come here to spy, unless we include spying on missing members of our institution. The man I am looking for is named Dandun. Used to hold the same charge as you and me.'

'For whom?' she asked.

'Judge Magister Larse.'

I carefully observed her reaction. Would she blush again? Run back to the wall? Or in any way, make me know I did not need to be aware? I analyzed her whole body, but it just stayed still until she shook her head in disappointment:

'Sorry. I have never heard about him. I did not even know Judge Larse had a dömavän. They say he was so strong, influent and charismatic that he didn't need one.'

'Well', I said, 'please allow me to check in the drawers. If there's any hint, I shall find it there.'

'No need', she coldly retorted. 'I have learnt every line written on these papers, and I know for a fact that what you're looking for is not there. I must admit I don't understand why they told you to search in our area. My regards, Judge Gabranth.'

And she walked towards me, which marked the end of my visit.

Whether Judge Daiyu was a part of it or not, that mystery was put on my way on purpose. Why was the access to an army colleague so difficult? Did it have to do with his position downgrade? What infraction could he commit so he couldn't be a Judge anymore? If he was tried and condemned, he had to be suspended or simply leave the army, or at least the Order. However, if he was still inside, it meant Dandun did not do anything illegal or against our internal rules. Did he have an accident? No, the army's policy wasn't really punishing people for injuries or accidents, to encourage them to take risks; and as a plain soldier, Dandun needed his physical strength much more than a Judge. Then why? I could see only two explanations: a personal demotivation of Dandun, or a firm desire to keep him close at hand by someone high-ranked in the Order, in case the former dömavän knew too much.

Out of ideas, but not of determination, I knocked again at the central Bureau. But once I entered, I did not bother talking to the reception soldier. I climbed the stairs directly and made my way forward. That floor reminded me of the one where I got my first position, thanks to the late Viera. Full of nostalgia, and again, confidence, I knocked at nearly every door on the hallway. Initially, nobody came out, but once one person opened their door, everybody else did the same. They were all Judges, likely from the Second Division.

'What's the matter?'

'You knocked at my door several times!'

'Is it an emergency?'

From the look of their eyes, I could tell that they frankly wanted to voice their annoyance of being disturbed in a less formal way. But the dömavän armband was forcing them to show respect to me, even if could not directly give them orders. I took a deep breath and said, in a very loud way:

'I wonder where Judge Dandun has gone!'

They all looked at one another in disarray, and did not dare to speak for a moment.

'I miss Judge Dandun!' I shouted.

'Did Judge Drace go completely mad?' one of them said. 'She gives odd tasks to her men!'

'I have heard juicy things from Judge Dandun!' I screamed, putting all my vocal strength in that one.

'Why is he mentioning this Judge Dandun?'

'No idea. Do you know him?'

'Absolutely n… my Lord!'

All the Judges fell to their knees and smiled, as if they saw their savior Faram himself.

With his large cape firmly tied around his neck, his armor plate shining under the sunlight and his walk shaking the parquet, Judge Bergan was making Ivalice know he had left his hideout.

I was expecting the Judges to express their concerns, but none of them dared to move. Bergan took his time to observe them, then made a quick gesture towards me:

'Drace's dömavän, eh? Come.'

Judge Bergan's meetings were much shorter than those with Zargabaath.

'Why are you running around talking about Judge Dandun? Who taught you his existence? And what did he tell you?'

'I have never met him, my Lord. I was thinking of a way to make his acquaintance, because I am doing a personal report about the army during the previous decades. Several members of my division have helped me so far, but I need Judge Dandun's account to fully grasp the power level of that era.'

The first half of my answer had made him frown then open his livid eyes in dismay, but the second one completely calmed him down, and he put back his peculiar layered helmet. He looked at me, then laughed out loud.

'Ha! Ha! Ha! Wonderful! The power of the past! It surely is effective. Ah! I am afraid that level cannot be reached ever again. But I am trying to push all recruits to their limits; oh yes, I am!'

He laughed for a full minute, then looked at the window. I had no idea what exactly brought that nostalgia of his, but his attitude was close to a prayer.

'Judge Dandun, then', he quietly said. 'The names of the past always come up in the most unexpected times, as Judge Zecht would say. Why are you looking for that man in particular?'

'He is a relatively old member of the army. I believe it is a chance to benefit from the advice of people with such valuable experience. Moreover, I have received a letter for him, which arrived by mistake at Lady Drace's office. That's how I learnt his name.'

Bergan stretched his wide jaw, then let out a sigh:

'Dandun is located in the last floor of the post-conflict department, working as a validation soldier.'

The post-conflict department was the Akademy area responsible for collecting field troops' reports, and investigating on any doubt that might arise. As for the validation person, they held responsibility for the elements sent to the Emperor and the Senate, no less. It was usually a general, if not a Judge. Assigning a plain soldier to that position meant… many things.

I bowed and turned back, when Bergan added:

'Please carry with you my utmost respect for his bravery in his past charge, and mention he has been a critical key to the Empire's success in this century.'

'I will, Your Honor.'

As soon as I was back to the stairs – the Judges in the hallway severely scowling at me – I saw someone climbing them up like a joyous ruminant animal.

'Ah! How good of a training this was! Oh… Gabranth! Gabranth, was it not? Well, my greetings, Judge Gabranth.'

'He… has been causing us problems, my Lord' a Judge said.

I immediately understood the man was human enough to allow his colleagues to complain, but high-ranked enough to earn their deference. The armband told the rest.

'Oh… Problems? His Honor always says problems coming from Judge Drace are not really problems, right? Ha! Ha! Ha!'

Judge Kitso really shared similarities with his Magister.

'What about you join us the next time, Gabranth?' he asked with a huge smile.

'I doubt I can anytime soon due to my schedule.'

He dismissed me with a wave of his whole left arm.

'No worries. You Sixth dispense justice in courts while we do on the battlefield. Hope to see you soon!'

I, by all means, did not have a letter for Dandun at all. But that day, I was going to meet him and learn the truth. I knew it.