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Chapter Text

The white haired boy walked down the stairs. He had woken up moments ago, he had chances into his preferred attire: a pale cinnamon colored robe with a orange coveralls and a satchel, he used these since he was gifted them by Marlin The Foul, the old kook wizard that Lincoln called master.

“Good morning mom.” Lincoln spoke crossing the door behind the counter of the apothecary her mother was the owner. Said woman was becoming the shop before she opened for the day.

“Good morning son, are you going to the shrine?” The single mother asked her only offspring, setting the broom on a wall, and walking behind the counter.

The young boy walked to the door and looked his mother. “Yes mom, you know, do your prayers for good fortune, but don’t worry, I’ll return to help you.” He opened the door and exited the herb shop.

The small village of Royal Wood, constructed by the edge of the forest of Royal Woods, southeast of the region of Eriol, one of the ten regions of the great realm of Udan.

It was where Lincoln Snowtop was born and raised. He walked down the few steps and walked the small road path, greeting her neighbor in his way to the shrine.

“Good morning Lincoln.” A elderly woman greeted the boy as he passed by her house.

“Good morning Miss Cottage!” The boy greeted back with a warm smile.

Lincoln made his way through the village, passing by the small bakery, the pub and finally arrived at the biggest construction of the village, yet being rather small for shrine. It was old, but very conserved, still sporting it’s yellow paint job, made in homage for the goddess of the shrine.

Lincoln lowered his head as he entered the shrine and slowly walked up to a small statue of a woman using long robes and holding a small candle.

The boy knew down on front of the image of the Goddess Maja, the goddess that Royal Wood worshipped.

“Oh, gentle Maja, the goddess of knowledge and compassion, grant your humble follower yet another day full of enriching experiences.” The boy prayed, before getting back on his feet.

When the boy turned around, he jumped in fright at the sight of a gray bearded old man using robes the color of a banana.

“Hey Ho! My dear lad!” Marlin The Foul greeted Lincoln, not paying attention to Lincoln’s startled state. “It ‘s good to see you up so e’rly for ‘our magic lesson of today!”

“Good Morning Marlin, please, I already asked you to spot creeping up on me.” The old man chuckled and motioned to Lincoln to follow him.

“Come, come lad! There ‘s som’thing I want to show you!” He spoke, exiting the shrine being tailed by Lincoln. The two walked down in silence for a few minutes before arriving at where the crazy wizard called home.

A very old and crudely made tower, that not just was too small to really be called a tower, but also just was still standing up by what had to be magic.

“Wait ‘n here lad! I need to fetch som’thing from my fortress!” He walked up the stairs to the tower and entered it, leaving Lincoln alone, waiting for his crazy master in silence.

Lincoln looked back on direction of the Windholm mountain, one of the tallest mountains of Udan, located right in the middle of the realm, looming over all the ten regions.

Marlin kicked open the door of the tower, surprising Lincoln once again, who turned to him. The old wizard had in his hand a big, old tome that looked than the man that held it.

“This, My lad, ‘s my gift for the con’lusion of ‘our basic course in magic!” The wizard spoke happily, handing the time to Lincoln, that looked at the book and to Marlin with mixture of confusion, surprise and shock.

“W-what do you mean by conclusion? You’re not going to teach me anymore?” Lincoln asked concerned.

“Oh, no My lad, I already ‘aught you everythin a old lunatic like me could teach you, my lad. You ‘ave been a excellent pupil for these past six years, and recently, I noticed ‘ow much you’ve grown.” Lincoln looked down to the book with a embarrassed look, being complemented wasn’t one of the things he liked the most, he was just 13, and didn’t felt entirely confident on his abilities as a wizard, not yet.

“Thanks Marlin, but I don’t think I-“ The boy was cut off when the old man raised his hand rapidly on his face.

“You, my lad, already ‘ave proven ‘our worth as a wizard. Remember ‘esterday when you used ‘our knowledge ‘n the restoration school to cure that lad Rusty’s ‘roken arm?” Lincoln bit his lower lip.

He used a simple restoration spell to help his friend, that had insisted to him cure his arm. Rusty was a real cheapskate, that just insisted for Lincoln’s help to not have to go to the healer on Mireworth, capital of Eriol, where their Jarl lived.

“Yeah Marlin, But it’s just one school, I don’t know if my knowledge of the other schools are good enough yet!” Lincoln was being honest, although he knew the basic concepts of each one of the schools of magic, he hadn’t take the time to deepen his knowledge on any of them, he really only knew a single restoration spell that could heal small wounds and a simple fireball spell, of the destruction school. “How can you say that you’re not going to continue to teach me?”

“My lad, both you and I ‘now that it finally ‘rrived the time for you to get ‘our things and go for a ‘nowledge journey to deepen ‘n hone ‘our skills.” Marlin spoke, placing both hands on Lincoln’s shoulders. “You’re ‘n ‘pprentise no more. Lincoln Snowtop, I, Marlin the Foul, Grant you the rank of Junior wizard, rea’y to face the worl’ by ‘ourself!” Lincoln couldn’t help but feel pride at that. He now was a wizard. The lowest rank of wizards, but still, a wizard! But…

“A journey? No, no no no! My family needs me here! My mother needs my help on the shop, my grandfather needs help!” The boy spoke shaking his head.

“My lad, your family is ‘n good hands here ‘n Royal Wood, and you know it! ‘our mother ‘s a strong woman! And your grandfather ‘s still a ‘reatening as he was on ‘is general days!”

“Marlin, I really don’t think I’m ready.” Lincoln spoke slumping his shoulders.

“Come on my lad, don’t be stubb’rn like ‘our dad! ‘ow you expect to ‘ecome the Arch-Mage?” Lincoln looked down again and looked at the direction of the Windholm mountain again.

The Arch-Mage of Windholm is the greatest title for a wizard in the whole Udan, being the chief of the Sages of Windholm, a ground of great wizards that serve as mediators between each regions of Udan, each court of a Jarl has a Sage on it, and they report every move of the Jarl to the Arch-Mage.

Being the Arch-Mage is not only being the greatest wizard, but also being the one who oversees the regions and prevent crisis on them, and stop any wars before they even begin.

Lincoln’s dream is becoming the Arch-Mage to prevent any more wars to happen on Udan, like the raid on Eriol’s by the neighbor region of Yound, that took Lincoln’s father.

“You can not ‘ecome a ‘reat wizard stayin’ your whol’ life ‘ere.” Marlin spoke with a serious, yet gentle tone.

“Yeah… you’re right Marlin… I’ll talk to my mother and Pop-Pop.”

“Goo’ ol’ Lad.” The old wizard spoke, patting Lincoln’s head proudly. “Oh, 'his book I ‘ave to ya, it’s my ‘ersonal stu’ies ‘ournal! It’s fille’ to the brim with tips and tricks for spells an’ some spells that I ‘ade ma’self!”

Lincoln smiled at the journal “Thanks Marlin, it’s a honor.” Lincoln, then, placed the book I side his enchanted satchel, that Marlin had given to him, it was a useful tool for carrying lots of things without costing space or weight. “Bye Marlin.” He said getting ready to leave.

“Bye My Lad, ‘nd goo’ luck with ‘our mother!” Marlin spoke waving him goodbye.

Lincoln walked down the village once again, and soon arrived at his mother’s apothecary. He walked up the steps and entered.

“I’m back.” He spoke, announcing his return to her mother, who was still behind the counter, as the shop was open now.

“Oh, you’re home early, what happened?” Rita asked, confused.

“Oh, Marlin said he had nothing to teach me anymore. He… He said that I was ready to go out and… deepen my knowledge.”

Rita stood in silence for a second, before sighing and than throwing her arms up with a smile. “My little man is a wizard!” She spoke, running around the counter and hugging Lincoln.

“Mom?” Lincoln spoke shocked and confused.

“Oh dear, this is delightful, you made another step in the direction of your dream of becoming the Arch-Mage!” Rita spoke with years of joy in her eyes.

“What’s all that noise for? Better be big!” The voice of a old man came from the backroom of the shop, where Albert Snowtop, father of Rita and grandfather of Lincoln appeared from. He was tall and although his age, still muscular, in his youth, he was a soldier of Mireworth’s Army of Eriol, and in the last years of his service, he even became general of the army.

“Dad, the day has come! Marlin said it’s time to Lincoln to go out to become a great wizard!” Rita spoke, rubbing her cheek on his, still hugging the boy.

“Holy smokes… That is big!” Albert spoke with a smile, putting his hands on his hips. “Good job My double!” Lincoln finally let himself smile with proudness. If his family was happy with it, so, maybe it was time to go run after his dream.

The celebration was cut short by the sounds of hooves and metallic clanks, Lincoln and his grandfather exited the shop to see what was going on outside, and saw a trio of knights riding their horses along the road path of the village.

The head of the trio was a pompous man with a big nose, short brown hair and freckles, he wore a plate armor with red adornments and a red cape.

When the pompous knight spotted Albert along the path, a smirk sprung from his mouth as he stopped the horse by the shop.

“Good morning Sir Albert.” The knight greeted the grandfather, faking a friendly smile.

“Morning Tullius.” Albert greeted, deciding to ignore the obvious venom on his tone.

“General Tullius!” Tullius corrected the old man. “As you already know, I became general when you revoked your position and title of Thane!” Albert rolled his eyes. Tullius always gloated his promotion when they meet, it was starting to get old.

“Titles of nobility never were my thing Tullius, and you know it.” Albert retorted., putting his hands on his hips. “So, tell me ya, how’s Lynn?” Albert asked.

“Oh, That’s why I’ve come! Snowtop, you would be surprised to know that my daughter has become captain of our proud army!” Tullius said proudly, stuffing his chest.

“Oh, that’s great news!” Albert said with a genuine smile for once. “I knew the girl had the potential to become a great soldier!”

“Yes, and you would also be surprise to know that she is the youngest soldier to become captain in the history of Eriol!” Tullius said with a proud smile. Albert laughed, the only times they both had conversations that weren’t filled with tension was when they talked about the prodigy that was Lynn Griffinheart.

“Oh, and your grandchild Snowtop? How’s the boy?” Tullius asked, before noticing the very boy he asked standing on the side of Albert.

“Hello General, I am good.” Tullius again put his fake friendly smile.

“Oh, Kid, sorry I didn’t saw you there, tell me, have you finally gave up on that silly idea of becoming a wizard?” The general asked.

“Oh no sir, in fact, my master said that I am ready to go out on Udan and seek knowledge!” Lincoln said excited, and Tullius dropped the fake smile, giving the boy a contempt look.

“I see. So you really are not going to serve on our proud army.” Lincoln lowered his head before lifting up again with a smile.

“Sorry general, but lady Maja prays that there’s always a way to end a conflict without violence.” Lincoln spoke, repeating the words of the compassion goddess. Tullius rolled his eyes, as a follower of the goddess Thania of combat, the words of Maja we’re annoying to hear.

“Kid, not every conflict can be resolved with just words. Sometimes, people just won’t listen to what you have to say.” Tullius spoke, trying to not sound like a mindless warmonger, but just reciting the words of his own belief.

“Please you two, let’s not start a religious debacle here.” Albert spoke up, knowing his grandson well enough to know that this discussion would be endless.

“Yes, I agree Snowtop, I have to go now, as I said before, I’ve came to announce my daughter’s promotion by her request, and now that I did, I shaw not waste more of my precious time. Farewell.” Tullius spoke, motioning for the other two knights to come with him as he rode away in the path and away from the village. Albert sighed.

“Tullius never changes, he’s still as egocentric and immature as the day I took him as a rookie.” Albert spoke.

“And now he’s the general.” Lincoln spoke, making Albert chuckle.

“We need to thank the goddesses that none war has broken since he took charge.” Both grandfather and grandson laughed at the thought of Tullius in the charge of a army on a war. “Come my double, let’s start packing your things for your journey!” Albert spoke.

Later that night, Lincoln was on his bed, trying to sleep, but the thought that the very next day, he was going on a adventure across Udan was making him anxious. That was very abrupt, out of nowhere, he didn’t felt ready at all, different from what Marlin said.

He couldn’t stop to think that it wasn’t his successful heal of Rusty that made Marlin decide that he was ready, but also, he couldn’t pinpoint what really made.

Marlin may be a little crazy, even being known as Marlin The Foul, but he wasn’t that delusional. What has he seen that Lincoln didn’t?

And aside from that, what he was going to do? Where he was going to go? He didn’t knew, he was completely lost, and couldn’t stop being frightened by the idea of ferocious beasts, dangerous thieves and other dangers.

Train of thought came to a abrupt stop when he heard screams, along with a ferocious roar and the sound wings, fire and destruction. He looked to the wall on the side of his bed, looking through the gaps of the wooden boards, red, yellow and orange lights, what was going on?

He quickly got out of his bed and ran down the stairs, her mother and grandfather were already up.

“Mom, Pop-Pop, what’s going on?” The boy asked worried.

“We don’t know, something is attacking the village! Something big!” As soon as Rita said that, the roar erupted once again as the shop shook, scaring the three.

“Pop-Pop, get mom to the basement, I need to get Marlin he’s stupid enough to try to attack this thing!”

“Lincoln, wait!” Rita shouted but for nothing as Lincoln ran outside the shop, being met by a infernal view of his home village being burned.

The houses were ablaze, some had their roof being teared down, panicking people running in search for shelter, the hay crops on fire, and a...

Ravenous dragon, the color of charcoal, that was illuminated just by the red fire, what gave him a diabolical aspect.

The beast made another roar, it was perched on top of the Maja Shrine, contemplating the destruction it was making.

“A dragon?” Lincoln muttered I’m awe. “What it’s doing here so far from the Draconest mountains? And why it’s attacking? They’re supposed to be peaceful, recluse creatures!” Lincoln jumped when he heard the voice of Marlin.

“Be calm, mis’nderstood crea’ure of the moun’ains!” Marlin was on the top of one of the house near the shrine. The dragon looked the old man. In panic, Lincoln started running up to the house where his master was. “Don’t nee’ to be ‘fraid! Here you’re not ‘n dang’r!” The old man shouted, and the dragon made low snarls. Lincoln looked in awe, the dragon was calming down.

“Marlin…” He muttered. The dragon snarled again, lowering it’s head closer to Marlin, who extended his hand. Lincoln started to open a smile as Marlin came close to touch the dragon.

But a arrow from the other side made the dragon roar in pain.

“No!” Lincoln shouted as the dragon whipped it’s head to the side where it got shot. Half a dozen of knights with metal armor, with bows on their hands, shot the arrows on the dragon, who roared again as it spread it’s wings and flapped them. The gust of wind made Lincoln fall down and the dragon started to fly up.

“Shot the wings! Don’t allow it to fly away!” A female voice came from one of the knights, she used a helmet with a faceplate that hid her face, she had red garments under her armor, and a short cape that went under her right shoulder pad.

“Wait!” Lincoln ran in the direction of the soldiers, that again aimed their arrows at the dragons, but before he could do anything, they shot.

The arrows but the dragon , making it roar again, and fall back down, hitting the shrine hard, breaking the building ‘s roof.

“You can’t do this!” Lincoln pleaded to the soldiers.

“Get away from here kid, it’s dangerous.” The girl spoke, ignoring Lincoln.

“No, you don’t need to attack it! It’s just afraid!” Lincoln spoke.

“Don’t be a lunatic. Men, prepare for another arrow barrage!” The girl spoke.

“Aye Captain!” the soldiers shouted, preparing their arrows.

The dragon roared and from behind the shrine, a wall of fire erupted, startling the soldiers as the dragon flew up and swoop down at them.

“WATCH OUT!” The captain spoke, ducking, being followed by the soldiers. The dragon passed, roaring once again. Lincoln looked the creature turn around on air and prepare for another swoop

“Look out, he’s coming back!” Lincoln shouted, the soldiers turned just in time, as the dragon had swoop.

“Voh” Lincoln could hear clearly, like if it had been spoke by a person, the dragon say that word. The world seemed to stop, as Lincoln processed what he heard. With the entire hell happening around him, no one noticed Lincoln’s eyes. Their iris were yellow, with intrinsic patterns rotating around the pupils. And with a blink, his eyes were back to his natural blue.

The dragon spoke? Voh. But what made Lincoln more shocked was that, not only he heard that, but he also knew exactly what it meant. Like if he understood the word, like when you hear a word in a language that you speak fluently, Lincoln could just… understand what it meant.

“FIRE!” Lincoln shouted, alerting the soldiers, who pushed their shield over their heads, ready to protect themselves as tongue of fire erupted from the dragon’s throat.

The soldiers just didn’t died right there because of their shields, as the dragon flew away once again and, getting inpatient, landed near them, with a thump that made the ground shake and making the soldiers lose their feet and fall.

Lincoln made a deep breath and ran on their direction, passing by the soldiers and stopping in front of the dragon, who spread his wings up as a intimidation tactic, looking at the brave young wizard, still with it’s mouth lit with the fire that would burn him and those soldiers.

But Lincoln released his breath in a instinct act, shouting the very word he heard the dragon shouting.

“Voh.” And from the boy’s throat, a burst of flame erupted on direction of the dragon.

The beast recoiled surprised, the hide of dragons are very resistant to fire, and the flames Lincoln shouted weren’t enough to damage it, but the surprise and shock made the dragon back down snarling.

Lincoln started turning his head slightly side to side, making the flames dance in the air, frightening the dragon more.

The soldiers looked in awe the boy challenging the dragon with it’s own signature ability.

With a snarl, the frightened dragon spread his wings again, and lifted itself again, Lincoln stood still, with his barrage of fire still lit as the dragon flew away, scared away by the fire.

When the dragon could not be seen anymore, the boy closed his mouth, making small ambers slide through his front teeth and smoke come out his nostrils.

“That… Is new…” Lincoln spoke, still tasting ambers on his tongue.

“You!” He heard the voice of the captain, he looked back and saw her walking up to him. “How do you dare to disobey official orders?” She spoke glaring at him.

“Well, sorry for saving your life!” He retorted.

“Well, you’re under arrest!” The captain spoke, crossing her arms.

“For what? Hurting you ego?” Lincoln asked with a smug.

“You little…” The captain started, but before she continued, they heard someone approaching in a hurry.

“Lincoln!” They turned around, it was Albert, being followed by his daughter and Marlin. “Lincoln, are you alright?”

“Yes Pop-Pop, I am.” Lincoln spoke as his mother hugged him.

“Oh, thank Maja!” She spoke.

“Wait, You’re Albert Snowtop, right?” The captain asked, and the former general looked at her.

“The only Ma’am.” He spoke. The captain looked surprised.

“Oh, eh, It’s good, good to see you…” She spoke, taking her helmet off, revealing her young face, she was just about one year older than Lincoln, had freckles, and held her brown hair in a ponytail. “…again.”

“Oh, if isn’t the Griffinheart girl! Your father appeared here this morning, with the news that you’ve got a promotion.” Lynn rubbed the back of her neck, embarrassed.

“heh… Wait, if you’re Albert, so…” She looked at Lincoln and smiled. “Stincoln!” She shouted, grabbing him in a surprise headlock and rubbing his head. “Sorry dude, I didn’t recognized ya!”

“L-Lynn!” Lincoln spoke embarrassed. In the past, when Albert still was the general, they were best friends, but when Albert renounced his position, they had departed ways and hadn’t seen each other for a long time. “It’s also good to see you.”

“ ‘xcuse me, but ‘bout the dragon tha’ just al’ost de’royed the vil’age.” The old kook spoke up.

“It’s unprecedented the attack of a dragon on any human city.” Albert spoke. “They're barely even seen, but getting so far from their mountain range.”

“Tha’ poor dragon was scar’d to death, confus’d and far from ‘ome…” Marlin spoke shaking his head. “I tri’d to calm ‘t down, but got ‘nterrupted.” He continued glancing daggers to Lynn who recoiled.

“Spot, but I was doing my job!” Lynn tried to defend herself. “Come on, my first night patrolling and I had to vent off a scared lost dragon, You have to give us some slack!”

“The did is done, and the dragon, where is it?” Albert asked, looking around.

“I scared it away… poor thing, at least he wasn’t too hurt.” Lincoln spoke.

“Scared It?” Albert and Rita repeated. “How?”

“Stincoln, breathed fired on him! I never knew something like that could happen!”

“Well, my little man is a wizard, Marlin here said he was ready to go out by himself!” Rita spoke proudly.

“Seriously? A wizard? Are you sure, you could be a great soldier!” Lynn spoke.

“Wai’ My lad, ‘id she sai’ tha’ ‘ou breathe’ fire?” The old wizard asked.

“Yes… I don’t know how exactly, I… heard him speaking this word, and I just knew the meaning of the word, fire, so… I felt that I should shout it!” Lincoln explained.

“Cur’ous… My lad, ‘ou need to rep’rt this to a sage imm’diately so the Arch-Mage ‘nows ‘t as soon as poss’ble.” Marlin spoke serious.

“A sage? A sage of Windholm you mean?” Lincoln asked, and Marlin nodded.

“There’s a sage on the Jarl’s court.” Lynn spoke. “I’m going back to Mireworth to report this, you can come with me.” She offered. “But before, Soldiers!”

The soldiers, that have been standing by straightened themselves and shouted in a single voice. “Yes Sir!”

“help the villagers to take down the fires! Make your best to help them! You’re under Albert Snowtop’s supervision while I’m away;” Lynn ordered.

“Sir, Yes Sir!” The man shouted and ran back to the village.

“Let’s go Stincoln!” Lynn spoke walking back to the horse she came with.

“Just a minute Lynn… I need to get my things first!” Lincoln spoke, before turning to Albert, who laughed and patted his grandfather’s head.

“It looks like your journey started a little early my double.” Lincoln made a deep breath and smiled.

Chapter Text

Lincoln awkwardly held onto Lynn’s waist while she rode her horse back to Mireworth, Her saddle had space just for one, so he had to. They started their travel as soon as the sun dawned.

He firmly and gently held her waist, looking away to the green flat lands, blushing slightly. Lynn also blushed, but kept her attention on the dirt road in front of her.

“So…” Lynn started, trying to make small talk. “Officially a wizard huh?” Lincoln giggled embarrassed.

“A Junior wizard, but yes…” Linc said with humbleness.

“And… What it takes to you get promoted?” Lynn asked.

“The deepening of my knowledge on the schools of magic. And… Well, prove myself.” Lincoln explained.

“Oh… And how much time it takes?” Lynn questioned.

“Marlin said that the estimated time for each rank is 10 years” The young wizard responded.

“10 YEARS!?” Lynn exclaimed surprised, startling the horse for a second before regaining the control again. “By the Goddesses! This sounds discouraging!” Lincoln laughed.

“A little, not gonna lie, but I see it more like a challenge!” Linc spoke with a smile, now was Lynn the one to laugh.

“Now, that’s what I like to hear!” They both laughed. After they stopped, they remained in silence for some time, before Lynn remembered. “Clyde still talks to you?” She asked.

“We exchange letters, but I don’t see him for as long as you.” Lincoln said.

“Hehe, He’s still the bookworm as always. Every time I see , he’s on Mirecrest’s library.” Lynn spoke, rolling her eyes. “But now that we’re grown ups, I can’t just force him out the library and do fun things.” Linc snorted.

“You’re still just 15, and if I remember correctly, your definition of ‘fun things’ were quite painful for us.” Linc spoke, jokingly. Lynn slapped his hand with a fake scowl, but laughed right after.

“Oh, we’re here.” Lynn spoke, and Lincoln looked over her shoulder, and saw the grand walls of the city of Mireworth. They were tall and old, had saw dozens of conflicts, immortalized by cracks and flaws on the concrete and behind those walls, a tight constructed city, with tight roads and paths with tall constructions that obscured the sun, but somehow, keeping the cozy and home feel if that place, with kids running down the paths, laughing and playing, with merchants behind their booths, shouting offers and selling their goods, people laughing and talking sitting on corners and benches, and some bards, making the by passerby a little more happier.

Lincoln smiled, as he got down the horse as Lynn took the horse to the stables right outside the main gates.

Lynn conducted the friend to the main gate and were stopped by a guard.

“Halt, state your business!” He said in a serious tone.

“Seriously Liam? You know who am I.” She said, crossing her arms. “Your captain.”

“Sorry Cap, I was just joking… And also, you know that it’s the standard procedure.” Liam the guard spoke, lifting his helmet up, revealing a missing tooth on his smile and freckles on his face.

“Yeah, yeah, procedure, I am Captain Lynn Griffinheart, reporting for my patrol, this is Lincoln Snowtop, I’ve take him as witness of the dragon attack at Royal Wood.” Lynn spoke with a surprisingly professional tone.

“Lincoln? Is that you? Holy cow, I didn’t recognized yo- Wait did you say dragon attack?!” Liam asked as he realized what he heard. “So the messenger was telling the truth?!” Lynn sighed and nodded.

“Come on, enter, the Jarl needs to hear this by your own mouth!” Liam said, putting his helmet down and opening the gate for them. Lynn made a approving nod and walked in, being accompanied by Lincoln, who made a smile and a nod to Liam, he also made a nod for the young wizard.

“It’s been so long.” Lincoln said looking around the houses and buildings of Mireworth as they walked down the main road.

“Yeah, remember when I convinced you and Clyde to run down the road on the board cart?” Lynn said giggling. Lincoln laughed.

“We smashed face first on Mrs. Grouse’s house!” Lincoln reminisced with a smile. “I still have my teeth chipped!” He pointed to his chipped buck teeth. “Also… how’s Polly?” Lynn pursed her lips for a second.

“Polly… leaved the army…” Lincoln noticed the somber tone in her voice. Polly Payne, nicknamed Polly Pain, was a friend of them when younger, specially Lynn’s. When Lincoln moved to Royal Wood, he heard stories of how Lynn, Polly and Margo quickly became the youngest soldiers to become knights. He also heard that Margo got the title of Thane due her impressive skills in combat, Lynn became captain, but he hadn’t heard nothing more of Polly.

“I see…” Lincoln spoke. “He he… Remember when Liam and Polly tried to prank your father? They almost got themselves killed.”

“Pops still wishes for Liam to slip up on duty so he can fire him.”

They laughed at the memory as they arrived on the center park, where kids played around the fountain. “It didn’t changed nothing.” Lincoln said. Lynn snorted.

“Although the Jarl isn’t stingy, the treasurer sure is.” She explained. Lincoln looked over to the nicely temple painted in several tones of red.

“Lady Thania’s temple is well kept at least.” Lincoln said, observing the temple of the worshippers of Thania, the goddess of combat and endeavor.

“Yeah, but it’s kept by the donation of the worshippers, not by the Jarl.” Lynn said, as she resumed walking. Lincoln kept looking at the temple for a second before resuming accompanying Lynn.

They walked up the steps for the Mirecrest fort, the residence of the Jarl and biggest construction of Mireworth.

“Mirecrest.” Lincoln said. With a nostalgic smile. They walked up to the luxurious red painted door and the guard that took care of the entrance made a bow to Lynn and opened the door, allowing the two enter.

The only thing that changed at the main hall were the big banners above the two long dining tables, put in parallel at each other, forming a corridor to a big chair, adorned with golden bolts and jewels.

Those tables were exclusive for the Thanes of the court.

Thane is a title of nobility, given by the Jarl. Thanes are often the members of the court, high ranking military members, or just people the Jarl likes. Having the title of Thane is one of the greatest honors someone can receive from a Jarl.

As Lynn and Lincoln walked down the hall, they saw the Jarl, Harold McBride IV. The burly man sat on his throne with a concerned look, listening to what a messenger had to announce. By his side, Thane Howard McBride, husband of the Jarl, and General Tullius also listened, the later with his arms crossed and a incredulous look.

“That’s all my Jarl.” The Messenger spoke, browning again and turning around.

“That’s an absurd!” Tullius said annoyed. “Dragon attacks? That’s ludicrous! Dragons have been peaceful for more than 1000 years, and even before the Legendary War of Udan they were peaceful creatures!”

“Calm down Tullius, the messenger is just relaying the message.” Howard spoke.

“Hey, Jarl!” Lynn called as the two walked up to them. Harold smiled at Lynn.

“Good morning Captain Lynn Griffinheart.” Harold spoke with a gentle smile, emphasizing the captain with proudness. Lynn made a side smile.

“Lynn, be more respectful when speaking to the Jarl!” The general spoke outraged.

“Oh Tullius, it’s fine, her straightforward attitude it’s what makes me like her so much!” Jarl Harold spoke smiling.

“Oh, and hey dad, hey Thane Howard.” Lynn greeted the other two. “I’m here to report my patrol this night.”

“Is it true?” The Jarl asked concerned. “The attack on Royal Wood?”

“By a dragon?” Howard completed. Lynn nodded.

“Yes my Jarl. I saw with my own eyes, and I and my men fought off the dragon.” Lynn said with a serious tone.

“Oh my…” The Jarl spoke raising his hand to his mouth.

“And you killed it, I’m sure.” Tullius spoke, making a proud smile. Lynn sighed and shaked her hand.

“No dad. Actually, if it wasn’t Lincoln here, I’m sure we all would be dead.” She gestured to Lincoln, who stepped forward and made a bow to the Jarl.

“Lincoln?” The Jarl repeated surprised. “By the grace of Thania! You’re so big! Come on, give Uncle Harold a hug!” The Jarl stood up and opened his arms. Lincoln smiled and hugged the Jarl as requested, feeling awkward to hug someone he didn’t saw for so long. But he was a old friend and he was the Jarl, so refusing it would be rude.

“It’s good to see you my Jarl.” Lincoln said as they released each other.

“Oh please, you can call me just Mr. McBride!” Harold continued before Howard cleared his throat, grabbing Lincoln’s attention.

“Oh, Thane Howard, it’s also good to see you!” The boy spoke with a smile. The Thane waved with a smile.

“It’s good to see you so well.” He spoke.

“Excuse me.” Tullius spoke up. “But we still have important things to discuss! Snowtop, explain why my daughter brought you here.”

“Lynn is right. A dragon attacked our village during the night. My master, Marlin The Foul tried to calm the dragon down, and for a moment, he was succeeding. Until Lynn’s men attacked, what made the dragon get angry… I had to intervene and scare it away.” Lincoln explained.

“I see…” The Jarl spoke, before Tullius interrupted.

“That’s ridiculous, how someone like you could scare it away?” Tullius spoke arrogantly.

“Dad, he’s speaking the truth.” Lynn stood up for Lincoln. “And he’s here not because he was able to scare it away, but how!”

“How?” Harold repeated.

“He spat fire on the dragon.” Lynn said. Tullius stood in silence.

“How this is any special?” Tullius asked finally.

“It’s never been heard before in a millennia!” A female voice came from behind them, catching their attention.

They turned and saw a short young woman with dark skin; black hair tied into a bun. She wore dark purple robes, adorned with golden details and a pair of green glasses, that matches with her earrings.

Lincoln recognized immediately her attire as the robes the sages of Windholm used.

“Oh, Michelle.” The Jarl spoke with a smile. “As the sage of Windholm of my court, you can shed a light on this, can you?” The sage snorted and adjusted her glasses.

“Yes my Jarl, excuse me, but I heard the whole conversation.” She walked up to the five and turned to Lincoln. “You’re Lincoln Snowtop, the young wizard Marlin told me about.”

“You mnow me?” Lincoln question surprised and excited to know that a sage of Windholm knew about him. The sage laughed at Lincoln’s enthusiasm.

“Yes, I know you. And I am Michelle Moss, the sage of Windholm appointed to Eriol’s court.” Michelle introduced herself.

“So Michelle.” Howard spoke up. “Can you explain what’s happening?” Michelle nodded and turned to Lincoln.

“Before anything, Lincoln, did you for any reason heard the dragon speaking?” She asked, confusing the others present, but Lincoln nodded and spoke.

“I heard he speaking this word before spitting fire. For some reason, I understood what it meant. Fire. And when I decided to help, I felt the impulse to repeat the word. And then fire spurted from my throat, like if I had realized a high level spell.” He explained surprising the others, save from Lynn that heard that before.

“I see.” Michelle spoke. “It is what I thought. Lincoln… You understood the dragon speaking their speech. The Dragon’s speech! It cannot be learned, it cannot be spoken by human’s mouth.” She explained, receiving a nod of acknowledge from Lincoln and confused looks from the others.

“Yes, this much I know.” Lincoln spoke. “The dragon’s speech is as old as is powerful, it’s the magic in it’s most raw, but the only people that could learn them were extinct since- wait…” Lincoln realized what she was going with. “Don’t tell me that…” Michelle nodded. The others present were as confused as a dog in front of a mirror.

“Yes Lincoln. There’s enough evidence to say for sure, that you are a Dragon-Tongue.” Lincoln looked down in awe, but they saying that Lincoln was a ‘Dragon-Tongue’ didn’t helped them to understand what was happening.

“Huh, excuse me, what is a Dragon-Tongue?” The Jarl asked politely. The sage nodded and spoke.

“Before the Legendary War of Udan, before the dragons exiled themselves, some people could learn and speak the language of the dragons, speak with them in their native speech. These people helped bridge the relationship between the dragons and the other races of Udan. These people became known as Dragon-Tongues.” Michelle explained, receiving nods of acknowledgement from Harold, Howard, Tullius and Lynn.

“But after the Legendary War, when the dragons exiled themselves, Dragon-Tongues disappeared.” Lincoln concluded.

“Wait.” Lynn spoke up. “If these Dragon-Tongues disappeared for a millennia, how can Lincoln be one?”

“Yeah, how?” Lincoln asked. Michelle shaked her head in defeat.

“Your guess is as good as mine dear.” She spoke. “I wonder…” She continued. “If your awakening as a Dragon-Tongue is linked with the unusual occurrences…” This raised red flags over the heads of the others present.

“Excuse me, Michelle.” Howard spoke up. “Occurrences? Plural?”

“Yes.” Michelle spoke serious. “I received from the other Windwolm sages the news that unusual, if not catastrophic events are happening all over the provinces of Udan. Dragon attacks, not only here, but in several other villages, sicknesses, unrelenting storms, once peaceful creatures now attacking, the dead being raised mysteriously, people vanishing, deaths... I never saw Udan in such chaos…”

“What can we do?” Lincoln asked.

“About the other regions I don’t know, and don’t care.” Tullius spoke first. “My Jarl, we need to start planning our defenses before Eriol get’s a bigger curse! We’ve been lucky that for now, we had just a single dragon attack, we need to fortify the walls, enforce the defenses on the villages and close off the borders to the other regions!”

“What!?” The Jarl exclaimed in shock. “Tullius, closing our borders is closing our arms for help. From both sides.” The Jarl spoke with his still unheard leader voice.

Tullius pursed his lips for a second, like he was going to argue, but he bowed and spoke. “Yes my Jarl.”

Lincoln looked down and reflected at the situation. He was a Dragon-Tongue, several bad things mysteriously happening on Udan. Something is wrong.

The Jarl sighed. “Lincoln dear, wouldn’t you like to see Clyde?” He questions, grabbing the young wizard’s attention.

“Huh? Clyde... Yes. I would.” He said. The Jarl smiled.

“Wonderful, so, while we adults plan what to do next, you and Lynn can go meet him!” He spoke with a warm smile.

“Hey!” Lynn spoke, visibly offended. “I am the captain! I’m not a child!”

“Lynn!” Tullius spoke sternly to his daughter. “This is a crisis far beyond the responsibility of you as a captain.” Lynn grumbled and crossed her arms.

“Come Stinkoln. Clyde’s probably on the library.” She spoke tugging Lincoln by his robes.

“Oh, Lincoln.” Michelle called before the two youngsters leaved the hall. The boy looked back to the sage.

“Later, please, meet me on my office. I want to speak with you personally.” The boy nodded as Lynn continued to pull him away.

Lincoln and Lynn walked down a small hall of Mirecrest until stopping on a door and Lynn pushed open.

The library was big, although the cheer amount of shelves and books, disorganized, laying on the ground made it feel smaller than a small closet. The lack of windows didn’t help with the claustrophobic feel the room gave off. The room was lit just by some small candles placed on the desks and shelves, that were major fire hazards I side a out closed off library. The lights of the candles made the entire library have various shades of yellows and oranges.

Almost buried on the books, they saw a young man, with the same age as Lincoln, he wore old round glasses, and fine clothes, covered with the books’ dust. He also wore a pair of golden earrings, matching with his pendants and collars, and in his hands, several rings adorned with rubies, sapphires and other jewels.

The young man looked back upon hearing them entering and opened a big smile.

“Lincoln!” He spoke getting up from the desk, accidentally toppling over a pile of books, but just ignored it and hugged Lincoln.

“Clyde!” The white-haired boy greeted back. “It’s good to see you personally again!” He said.

“Yes! I’m still waiting for your turn to mail!” He said with a smile. Lincoln laughed.

“Sorry, but things happened, you see-“

“Yeah, I heard, a dragon attack!? How did you managed to survive? Both of you?” He questioned concerned.

“Well…” Lincoln scratched the back of his head, trying to figure out what to say first.

“By Maja’s grace!” Clyde exclaimed. “I don’t even know what’s crazier, a dragon attack, chaos around all over Udan, or the fact that you are a Dragon-Tongue!” He said, sitting down by the desk.

“Yeah, all this is crazy.” Lynn said sitting on a pile of books. “The Kingdom is ending and the elders want us to stay here and read our asses off.”

“Lynn, reading isn’t so bad.” Clyde spoke, scratching her nose. “And besides, what can we do?”

“Well, anything is better than nothing!” Lynn spoke, standing up. Clyde hummed, looking at the flames of the candle in deep thoughts.

“Well, Yound is our neighboring region, and it has a strong army, if we establish a alliance with them, we may have a way to protect both our people in case of a greater threat.” Clyde suggested.

“What!? Yound? Never in hell!” Lynn said angrily. Yound and Eriol have been in a silent tension for years now. Since the Yound’s attack on Mireworth, nearly a decade ago. The raid was a bloodshed from both sides. People wondered why the Jarl of Yound ordered such a suicidal raid. It was so bad that even the son of the Jarl, that was the general of the army ended dying. The former Jarl of Eriol also died after the raid due his injuries.

“Lynn this may be the perfect chance to discover the real reason the Jarl attacked us! And maybe, amend the ties between the two regions!” Clyde argued.

Lynn groaned and tapped her foot on the ground furiously, she tended to do that to calm herself.

“Lynn, we need to use our heads if we want to protect Eriol.” Lincoln spoke, placing his hand on her shoulder. The girl sighed.

“Fine. Fine. But I’ll tell you two, Yound is not to be trusted!” She spoke.

“Should we speak with my dads then?” Clyde asked. Lynn rolled her eyes and nodded, with Lincoln.

The three walked back to the main hall, seeing the Jarl, Howard, Tullius and Michelle, speaking. They stopped when the three approached, and looked surprised by them coming back to speak.

“Dads, me, Lynn and Lincoln had a idea to protect Eriol! And to end the feud between us and Yound!” Clyde said.

“What!?” the three men shouted, but Tullius was the one most shocked.

“Have you gone mental!?” Tullius shouted, only to immediately receive angry looks from Clyde and his dads. “Sorry.”

“Clyde, please, explain.” Howard asked, and as Clyde started speaking, Michelle pulled Lincoln and pointed to a side room, her office.

Lincoln accompanied the sage there, and couldn’t stop himself from being a little disappointed to see that it was a very plain looking office, with a desk, with a open book on it, some scrolls on the shelves. Well, against a wall, there was a giant mirror with golden details.

He gulped. That, was a Windholm mirror, every sage of Windholm had one. They used to communicate to each other and to the Arch-Mage himself.

“Please, take a seat Mr. Snowtop.” Michelle spoke, as they both sat on opposite sides of the table.

“So…” Lincoln spoke. “About the Dragon-Tongue thing…”

“Lincoln. You intend to be the Arch-Mage in the future. Am I right?” Michelle spoke, adjusting her glasses. Lincoln nodded.

“Yes ma’am. I want to be the Arch-Mage. Not because the status or the power, don’t mistake me! I want… to prevent any war to happen in the future…” Lincoln looked down. “You see ma’am… I lost my father in the raid of Mireworth… After that… my grandfather, that was the general at the time… Made a early retirement to help my mom take care of me in Royal Wood...”

“I understand.” Michelle spoke with a sigh. “To be the Arch-Mage, one needs to master all the schools of magic, and make a great contribution to the world of magic. I assume that you already know this.” She asked. Lincoln nodded.

“My master, Marlin the Foul, taught me the basics.” Lincoln explained.

“Marlin… he’s and odd mage. In the past he rejected the offer of the Sages of Windholm of becoming one of us.” Michelle spoke, catching Lincoln by surprise.

“Seriously? He never told me that.” He said.

“Marlin didn’t accepted and refused to elaborate. He’s a odd one, He was as old in the past as he is now. And for some reason he doesn’t really like the order. Did he said the reason to you.” Lincoln shaked his head.

“The townsfolk call him a lunatic, alas, the nickname.” Lincoln explained. “No one knows who exactly he is or where’d he came from, and… Nothing to be honest. My family was surprised when he accepted to mentor me, even after I made it clear that I wanted to be a Sage.” Lincoln spoke, with a little nostalgic tone.

Lincoln tapped lightly the table, looking over to the mirror. “I… I wonder why he assumed me to be ready… I can barely cast a minor destruction spell, and my best spell is a minor restoration spell! He taught me the theory of magic schools, Destruction, Restoration, Alteration, Illusion, Conjuration, Protection, Incantation and Alchemy I learned working in the apothecary with my mom, but Spells? Magic applied? Almost nothing!” Michelle nodded along he spoke.

“I see… He didn’t taught nothing about the schools of Divination, Manipulation and Reanimation?” She asked. Lincoln shaked his head.

“No.” He clarified. “He called these The Banned Three, and prohibited me from going after them. He said that Divination is a school so complex that even the Arch-Mage has difficult in using it, it would be just a waste of time teaching me… and the other two… he said that were some of the darkest magic that exists…”

“And he’s right.” Michelle spoke. “Manipulation and Reanimation are magic schools prohibited to both learn and teach. The school of Manipulation teaches how invade and control the mind of people, and the School of Reanimation… are crimes against nature… Even the Arch-Mage isn’t allowed to learn about them.”

“I agree.” Lincoln said. “I will never learn these schools!” Michelle adjusted her glasses once again.

“And I don’t need to say anything about necromancy, do I?” She spoke with a somber tone. Lincoln chilled. Different from the common misinformation, Reanimation and Necromancy are different things and…

 Lincoln’s core shook thinking about the ramifications of what Necromancy entailed. His beliefs on Maja made them even worse.

He just shook his head. Marlin had made a good job in implanting not only a fear, but a aversion to the mere thought or Necromancy.

“I have a little request to you Lincoln.” She spoke. Lincoln tilted his head.

“Request?” He repeated. Michelle nodded.

“The Arch-Mage needs to know the resurgence of a Dragon-Tongue. My mirror isn’t working for a unknown reason.” She pointed to the Mirror behind her. “And who’s better to receive the news than the Dragon-Tongue himself?” Lincoln trembled.

“Are asking me to travel to the Windholm mountain and have a audience with the Arch-Mage himself!?” He questioned surprised. Michelle nodded. “I-I, I don’t know what to say… I… I don’t know!”

“I’ll go with you.” Lincoln looked back to see Lynn standing by the door with her arms crossed.

“What?” He spoke. “But…”

“Look Stinkoln, if you think you’ll go into a dangerous journey alone, you’re crazy.” She said, putting her hands on her hips. “The Jarl has tasked me to accompany Clyde on his crazy expedition to Yound. You can tag along with us, and then, we can go on your crazy expedition.”

“But Lynn… your father, is he going to allow you?”

“Oh, of course yes.”

“Of course NOT!” Tullius Spoke angrily. Lynn and Lincoln had announced the quest given by Michelle to the general, the Jarl and Clyde.

“Dad, this is important!” Lynn argued.

“You are a captain of the guards! You have responsibilities! You can’t just get on a frivolous journey with your little friends!”

“Well, if so…” Lynn looked down. She thought what to say next. And pondered if this was the best thing to do. “Then… I renounce my title as Captain of the guards!”

Lincoln, Clyde and Tullius stepped back surprised. Lincoln was the first to speak up.

“Lynn, please, think about it.” He spoke.

“You can’t do this!” Tullius spoke, his voice was breaking a little. “You just got promoted as Captain! Nobody can replace you!”

“Well, my Jarl.” Lynn spoke turning to Harold. “If you allow me to suggest a replacement, Thane Margo Downforth had been my partner as a soldier since I enlisted. We trained daily and fought dozens of fights side by side. She’s my friend and I trust her to be my replacement.” Jarl Harold placed his finger on his chin.

“Yes, Downforth is indeed a hardworking soldier. She may be your temporary replacement while you go on you journey with my son and Lincoln.” He spoke. Lynn smiled then bowed.

“Thanks Jarl!” She spoke.

“Very well.” The Jarl spoke. “Tomorrow you three will start your travel to Yound. For now, we need to lunch.”

That night, Lincoln was sitting on the bed on the guestroom the Jarl gave him for the night. He was reading the book Michelle gave him during lunch.

It was a old tome, a magic tome that taught basic applied magic, spells. The Sage suggest him to study the Bounded Spiritual Horse Summoning Spell. It was a rather advanced Conjuration spell that, as the name suggested, summoned a Bounded Spiritual Horse.

Bounding is a basic concept in the Conjuration School. A Bounded summon will obey to whoever it’s bounded with. Normally the conjurer. Bounding and unbounding are some of the most basic spells of Conjuration. Before Lincoln could learn any bound summon spell, he should learn these spells.

But fortunately, Lincoln wasn’t finding difficult these spells. But, unbeknownst to him.

His eyes were Yellowish Orange, With symmetrical patterns on its pupils. The patterns rotated while he read the lines of the book.

He was not only reading the lines. He was memorizing it. Just hovering his eyes over the figures, were enough to imprint them into his brain. It was like he was devouring the book with his eyes.

But Lincoln didn’t notice it. He never did. He always was like that. He always learned fast. He wondered if he could learn these spells as fast as he learned how to brew a anti-poison from his mother.

Lincoln blinked and closed the book. His eyes were back to his usual Sapphire blue. Okay, he was going to try the Bound Spiritual Horse Summoning Spell.

The guestroom was big enough for the summoning, and if he needed, he also gave a look on the unsummon spell.

He raised his hand and mentalized his objective. He waved his hand up and down lightly up and down and whispered the words in ancient speech. His hand glowed purple, and in the ground of the room, a round purple seal glowed with ancient runes and a horse with deep purple fur raised from the ground with glowing purple eyes raised from the seal before it disappeared.

The horse then started moving. It looked at him and buffed. Lincoln looked at the Spirit Horse and laughed.

He did! He made a successful summon! He knew that he could do good if he was given chance!

“Okay, go back now!” He spoke, raising his hand to the horse and whispering the words to unsummon. The horse neighed and disappeared in the same way it appeared.

Lincoln put the book on the table in the side of the bed and finally went to sleep. He really needed.

Chapter Text

As the sun rose with the dawn of a new day, Lincoln, Clyde and Lynn were riding spiritual horses that Lincoln had summoned for the three to ride on their way to Yound’s capital.

Lincoln wore his usual tunic, with his satchel bag along his side, Lynn also used her silver armor with red cloth under. But Clyde was wearing a nice tight leather scout suit used by hunters. He also had a nice hat with a blue feather, that matched the blue tinted lenses of his little glasses shaped like a half moon.

“Clyde, tell me again why are you wearing that ridiculous hat?” Lynn asked confused.

“I want to look nice to Yound’s Jarl, to give a nice first impression. I need negotiate with him about a alliance after all.” He explained.

“I just hope you can reason with that murderer.” Lynn spoke with a high amount of venom in her tone.

“Lynn, I know that he must have a good explanation for the siege of Mireworth.” Lincoln said with a hopeful tone.

“A good explanation to try to invade our beloved Mireworth, murder dozens of innocents, soldiers, not mentioning your own father.” She pointed to Lincoln. “And your grandfather!” She pointed to Clyde.

“That’s exactly why I want a good explanation.” Lincoln said simply.

Soon, the three saw in the distance, a Yound’s village. Shocked at what they saw. The decrepit village was still fuming from a recent attack. Roofs destroyed, burnt houses, crops ruined.

The three could feel the dread and sorrow in the air, as they also could hear a faint cry in the distance when they approached riding their horses.

“What happened here?” Clyde said in disbelief.

“Dragon attack.” Lincoln said with sorrow. They trotted up the village in silence, they passed across a old villager sitting on the ground, he had a nasty burn on his leg. He was moaning in pain.

Lincoln pursed his lips when he saw the man, and jumped down the spiritual horse, snapping his fingers to make the horse disappear with a unsummon spell. He kneeled down near the man.

“Here, let me help you.” Lincoln spoke, the man looked him but said nothing. The young wizard looked at the burn on his leg and made a deep breath. He gently put his hand on it. The man cried in pain. “Sorry, it’ll hurt a little.” Lincoln made another deep breath and started a steady and continuous breathing technique.

That technique was to create a flow of mana, that he would use it to make the healing spell. Lincoln’s palm started to glow as the spell started.

The man gasped in pain, more experienced wizards could make the process painless, however Lincoln still didn’t had the skill.

Clyde and Lynn jumped down the horses and observed their friend helping the poor man.

The healing took minutes, but when it ended, the man was breathing heavily, shadows of the pain he was feeling still could be felt on his leg, however they soon disappeared.

“Are you feeling better?” Lincoln asked finally. The man nodded frantically.

“Y-yes. Thank you.” He said, Lincoln got up on his feet with a smile.

Lincoln looked around to the destroyed village. “There’s other people that need my help?” Lincoln asked.

“I think so.” The man said slowly getting back on his feet.

“HEY!” SOMEONE NEEDS MEDICAL AID?” Lynn shouted suddenly, startling Clyde and Lincoln.

“HERE!” They heard shouting in the other side of the village. The trio ran there, and found a group of injured people, laying side by side. Just a single young woman was attending them, bandaging and cleaning the wounds. “Are you here to help?” She asked. Lincoln nodded.

“I’ll help you while help doesn’t come.” He spoke kneeling down by the side of the woman. The woman scoffed.

“Help? No one is coming.” She said annoyed.

“How come? The Jarl won’t send help here?” Lynn asked confused.

“The Jarl abandoned us.” The woman said. “The soldiers come here just once every two weeks to collect tax and our hard labor. But just that.”

“I can’t believe it!” Lynn said outraged.

“You better believe girl.” The woman spoke. “When the dragon attacked, we could only try to survive. We got lucky the dragon just decided to leave before destroying the entire village.” She explained.

“A dragon also attacked here.” Lincoln spoke, healing a young man.

“We really need to make this alliance.” Clyde spoke, helping the woman bandaging a old lady.

“Alliance?” The woman repeated.

“Yes. See, I’m the son of Eriol’s Jarl and me and my friends here are going to the capital to negotiate a alliance between Yound and Eriol.” Clyde spoke.

“Don’t be a foul, the Jarl is a stubborn bastard. Just thinks about enriching himself.” A old man spoke up as Lincoln healed his burnt back.

“Sr. Seymour, don’t say that.” The woman said.

“Oh come on Theresa! The Jarl is completely senile! He was already the Jarl when I was a young boy! He’s getting crazy with age!” Seymour argued.

“This must be the reason he ordered the siege of Mireworth” Lincoln spoke up as he turned to heal another man.

“Oh, nobody knows why the Jarl ordered such a suicidal attack on Mireworth.” Seymour spoke.

“So even people from Yound are mad because that?” Lynn, Theresa nodded.

“It was a mad decision, truly a suicidal mission. He ordered the army to raid Mireworth out of nowhere and hours later, ordered them to retrieve. The attack just served to lose men.” Seymour continued.

“What he had in mind?” Theresa spoke. “He even lost his son in the attack.” Clyde looked at Theresa.

“Excuse, you mean the son of the Jarl? Next in line for Jarl?” He questioned. Theresa sighed.

“May lady Melanie protect his soul. Timillous Youndfaith X. He was such a kind man.” She said.

“He was our hope for a good Jarl in the future, but that dreadful siege took that from us.” Seymour spoke with sad sigh.

“Melanie?” Lynn questioned.

“The goddess of responsibility and leadership.” Lincoln explained. “You worship her here in Yound, right?” The young wizard asked Theresa, who nodded.

“Now our last hope is his granddaughter to be a good Jarl like her father would be when the Jarl finally passes.” Theresa added.

“Bah.” Seymour grunted. “With our luck, it’s capable that he’ll outlasts even her!” He said grumpily.

After that, the conversation died down, Lincoln healed all the more serious injuries of the people, while Theresa insisted that others just needed some bandaging, despite Lincoln’s offerings to heal everyone fully.

“You don’t need to worry that much boy.” Theresa said to Lincoln finally. “You and your friends still have to get to the capital as soon as possible. Your friend there…” She looked at Clyde, who was clumsily trying to bandage the arm of a woman while she yelled at him how he was doing it the wrong way. “Maybe he won’t be able to convince the Jarl, but hopefully, his granddaughter will be more open minded.”

Lincoln smiled and looked up to the sky, so much time has passed since they stopped to help these pour people, it was almost noon, and Lincoln suddenly remembered that he, along with Clyde and Lynn, didn’t ate anything since dawn.

Noticing Lincoln looking at the sun, Theresa had a idea to thank these three foreigners that decided to help that humble village.

“You three… want to eat lunch in my home? We… don’t have much, since the dragon, well, destroyed the great majority of our food supplies, but… it’s everything I can do to thank you.” She offered.

Lincoln looked at Theresa surprised, Lynn and Clyde also looked at her. Lincoln made a gentle smile and shaked his head.

“Thank you but, you need the food more than us. You may think you don’t have anything else you can do to thank us, but, in fact, you have.” Lincoln spoke, pointing to the injured people that Lincoln had healed and those Lynn, Clyde and Theresa had also bandaged, that now rested peacefully. Even Seymour has fallen asleep on the pile of hay that he sat. “Don’t let these people’s hope for a good future go out. Although your present seems bleak, things will get better. I promise.”

Theresa’s heart filled with a warm feeling upon the words of that young man. She couldn’t help but admire how, even so young, he spoke like a wise old man. Not only that, just the feeling that he emanated was heartwarming in that moment. A feeling of reassurance. She could feel in her soul that what he said was true.

Who was that boy?

Half a hour later, the trio was back on horses that Lincoln conjured for them, saying goodbye to the people of the village.

“When I establish a alliance between Yound and Eriol, I’ll make sure that you guys receive supplies from us.” Clyde Seymour. “No, even if I fail, I will give you supplies for the rebuild of the village and food. Even if I have to bring it myself!”

Seymour laughed. “Don’t be so dramatic kid, we’ll appreciate a help, but don’t lose your sleep with us.” He said rubbing his wooden cane. Clyde simply nodded with a smile.

And with that, the three restarted their journey to Yound’s capital, Youndorf.

“So, Lynn.” Lincoln spoke to his friend, who just grunted to acknowledge him. “Do you have a new perspective upon Eriol’s rivalry with Yound?” He asked smugly.

“About the people yes.” Lynn spoke dryly. “They’re just like Eriol’s. Hble people that work hard for their Jarl.” Lincoln smiled at her statement. “However, my opinion on the Jarl and his actions, not only ordering the siege, but abandoning the villages of his province still didn’t changed one bit. In fact, my hatred of this old man just grew after seeing that abandoned village. Jarl Harold would never abandon a village of Eriol.” Lincoln sighed. He had to begrudgingly admit that she was ultimately right.

Although they didn’t knew Yound’s Jarl personally, his actions and decisions alone painted a not so good picture of what to expect from their mission ahead.

“I pray to Maja for a good audience with the Jarl.”

It was almost nightfall when they arrived at the gates of the lustrous city of Youndorf. The white walls of the city seemed to never had seem the pains of war. That pissed Lynn off.

They stopped in front of the two towering soldiers that guarded the gates.

“Halt! State your business here!” One of the guards spoke up, holding his spear with both hands.

“I am Clyde McBribe, son of Jarl Harold McBride IV of Eriol.” He presented the guard with a letter with the official stamp of Eriol, proving the boy’s words. “I am here for a audience with the Jarl.” The guards looked at each other, then, one of them entered the gate, leaving the other guard, along with Clyde, Lincoln and Lynn.

The four stood in a awkward silence for some minutes, being interrupted only by the guard whistling.

The gate opened again by a man using a luxurious purple Attire and a moustache that covered his mouth. He looked at the three foreigners and spoke.

“You three that are here for a audience, please, follow me.” He said and the trio nodded, but he then raised his hand. “Wait, before entering the city, you need to leave your horses in the stable. The entrance of horses is prohibited from Youndorf.”

“Don’t need.” Lincoln said as he, Lynn and Clyde got down the spiritual horses. He snapped his fingers and the horses vanished in a purple light.

“Holy! Where’d they went?” He asked confused.

“Those were spiritual horses that I summoned for us.” Lincoln explained. “I just unsummoned them.” The man nodded, however in his face, they could clearly see the confusion in his face still.

“Okay… since that was sorted out… come in.” He motioned for the trio, that passed through the gates and the guard closed the gate behind them.

Youndorf was truly a luxurious city. Every building, although old in architecture, shined and looked as pristine as the day they were built. The main road was made of white and baby blue tiles, perfectly aligned in a single blue stipe in the center of the path.

“Holy Thania, this place is fancy.” Lynn said as they walked down the path. She used her fingers to comb her hair, subconsciously trying to look better.

“First time in Youndorf?” The mustached man asked Lynn.

“As a proud soldier of the Eriol army, I don’t really care about Yound in general.” That was a lie. Lynn just knew that badmouthing Yound in their capital wouldn’t help in their audience.

“Oh. I see.” The mustached man said. “Here.” He made a sharp left turn, on a steep hill, where a white and blue staircase led to a magnificent mansion painted in a baby blue coat of paint in the top of said hill. Above all other constructions, looking down upon them all.

The trio climbed the staircase, being guided by the mustached man until they arrived by the main doors of the mansion.

The mustached pushed the doors open, and they entered the mansion.

It was as luxurious inside as it was outside, with white pillars adorning the entrance hall, where the Jarl’s throne stood in three step on the opposite side of the entrance.

“The Jarl is already ready for your audience.” The mustached man said with a bow and stepped aside on the entrance.

The trio shared quick glances as they looked at the end of the hall. Where the Jarl, along with a tall, black haired woman on his side, looked down at them.

Clyde gulped and started walking up to the Jarl.

The Jarl was a amazingly old man, with a white beard And hair that touched his knees. His balding head made the golden circlet he wore pop even more. He had wrinkles atop of wrinkles, to the point that his skin looked detached from his bony skull. He looked at the trio with half open eyes that looked sad just to be there.

“Is that Yound’s Jarl?” Lynn whispered to Lincoln, who just nodded. “He looks…

“You three are before Jarl Timillous Youndfaith IX of Yound!” The black-haired woman announced. She looked down at the trio with her purple eyes. “I am the Jarl’s assistant and counselor, Morgan Springley. State your business.” Morgan spoke.

Clyde stepped forward, cleaning his throat. “I am Clyde McBribe! Son of Jarl Harold McBride IV of Eriol! I-“ Before Clyde could continue, Morgan spoke up.

“Excuse me, what the next in line to be Eriol’s Jarl is doing here on Yound?” She spoke with a hint of disgust in her tone.

“Well... Due the recent unusual incidents happening around Uda-“

“Ridiculous! Nothing of unusual is happening! You are here to feed us false news!” She spoke with venom in her tongue.

“Wait! No, it’s true! A dragon attacked not only a village of our province, but also attacked one of Yound’s!” Clyde tried to explain.

“Oh, now you’re just being stupid if you want us to believe that a dragon attacked Yound! If a dragon attacked a village under Youndorf’s patronage, we would already know!” Just as she said that, a young man hearing baby blue entered the hall and ran up to the throne.

“My Jarl! I have news from Shinemoor Village!” said the messenger. “A dragon attacked and destroyed the village!” Morgan stood in silence, looking at the messenger. Just then the Jarl moved for the first time since they arrived. Making a subtle have of his hand, dismissing the messenger.

“The Jarl dismisses you messenger.” Morgan spoke. The messenger bowled again and leaved. Morgan sighed and turned to Clyde again. “Be quick with your words! The Jarl doesn’t like prolonged audiences.”

“I am here, along with my closest confidents, on behalf of my father. I propose a alliance between Yound and Eriol for mutual benefits for both provinces, together, we’ll have better odds to prepare for other dangers shall they arise.” Clyde spoke with confidence, but Morgan just burst in laughter.

“Ohohohohoho! You are so naive if you think that you can come here in our city and impose a alliance that absolutely won’t benefit neither party!”

“But-“ Clyde tried to interject but Morgan once more interrupted him.

“But nothing! This discussion is finished! Now be gone or I’ll order the guards to put you on prison!” She shouted.

“Stop right there Springley!” They heard someone coming from behind them. When they turned back, they came face to face with a young woman, not much older than them. She was blonde and wore a fine baby blue dress with golden details. Her eyes were uncannily blue.

Clyde’s jaw dropped when he saw the woman. He was mesmerized by how beautiful she was. Lynn rolled her eyes and closed his jaw before he drooled.

“You can’t speak for my grandfather for a matter like this!” The young Woman said sternly. “You may be his counselor, but you don’t have the authority to do so!”

“Miss Lori.” Morgan said, faking a gentle smile that was so false that Lincoln only could theorize that Morgan’s facade was just a formality that the made every time they met. “I don’t understand why you insist in get involved with official duties! Should I remind you that you also doesn’t have any authority over this?”

“As the next in line for the title of Jarl, it is my duty to keep up with what happens in the province! Besides, I’m tired of you playing Jarl under the nose of my grandfather! He’s literally right here and you still have the nerves to do it!” Lori spats angrily. “And also, refusing a alliance proposal without any semblance of thought just screams how you are completely amateur as a competent leader!” Morgan pursed her lips angrily then looked at the Jarl, that remained silent for the whole discussion.

But then, finally the Jarl opened his lips and a low raspy voice came from the man’s throat. He barely moved his lips, and seemed to have difficulty to speak.

“I’ll… Think… About… It…”

“Pop-Pop…” Lori muttered as he resumed his blank silence. Seeing her beloved grandfather in such fragile state was heartbreaking, he was the only family that the blonde still had. Her grandfather was too old to be on the throne but was still there, fulfilling his duty as Jarl. Maybe if her father didn’t had died on the siege, the grandfather could have retired a long time ago.

She is the next in line to he the Jarl. Since a young age, Lori felt the responsibility that laid on her future, but she knew that Melanie would look after her when the day came.

“This audience has come to a ending.” Morgan spoke again. “Soon, you’ll receive a message with the Jarl’s response. Now, I order you to get out of Youndorf’s manor. If you want to stay on Yound, rent a room or something. You three aren’t welcome here!” Morgan spoke.

“On the contrary!” Lori interjected, walking in front of Lincoln, Lynn and Clyde. “They are my guests!” Morgan’s lip shaked in contempt.

“Very Well. Miss Lori.” Morgan with her fake smile. She dragged the last two words in despise. Lori smirked.

“Carol!” Lori shouted, calling for her maiden. Soon enough, a woman, roughly the same age as Lori, appeared from behind a doorway and walked up to Lori with her hands holding each other. With bright yellow hair and a purple dress, her face was like a younger and prettier version of Morgan’s. So close that the trio instantly realized that she and Morgan were related.

“Yes Miss Lori.” Carol spoke politely, making a small reverence to Lori.

“Please, prepare two rooms for our guests here, for tonight.” Carol nodded.

“Yes Miss Lori. Excuse me.” She turned around and returned from the door she appeared.

“You three, come with me.” Lori called the trio to follow her. Lincoln took a long last look at the Jarl and to Morgan, who scowled to him, before he turned and followed them.

Lori conducted them to the third floor of the mansion, to her room. As the trio entered they saw the luxurious bed with sky blue sheets, a very beautiful tapestry in the wall depicting Lori herself with her grandfather and a third blonde man with a full beard.

“Nice place you have here.” Clyde complimented as Lori closed her door. “Is that your father?” He questioned, looking at the man in the tapestry.

“Yes.” Lori said plainly before she sighed and turned to the trio. “Now that we are away from Springley, tell me, who are you three?”

“I.” Clyde spoke with a confident smile, stepping forward. “Am Clyde McBribe, son of-“

“Yeah, yeah, son of Jarl Harold McBride IV of Eriol.” Lori interrupted Clyde, rolling her eyes. “That part I got. I mean you two!” She pointed to Lincoln and Lynn.

“We’re his bodyguards really.” Lynn said leaning against the dresser. “I am Lynn Griffinheart. Knight. He’s Lincoln Snowtop.” The boy made a reverence.

“Junior wizard milady.” He spoke. Lori lifted an eyebrow.

“Aren’t you too young for a wizard?” She asked.

“I received the official title of wizard very recently. Although my master said that I learn things awful fast…” He trailed off looking at the tapestry. He kept silent for a second before he spoke again. “Sorry, what were we talking about again?”

“Forget.” Lori said rolling her eyes again. “You three are here really to make an alliance?” She asked. Clyde nodded.

“Several unusual incidents are happening around Udan. The small village of Royal Wood in Eriol and Shinemoor Village from Yound got attacked by dragons.” He explained.

“I was there.” Lincoln said. “I live on Royal Wood. Seeing the village, I love being destroyed in the hellish flames of a confused dragon… I thank Maja that I was able to scare him off… but Shinemoor wasn’t so lucky.” Clyde and Lynn lowered their heads.

“We need to ensure protection to our provinces if another dragon gets too far from their mountain range again. And a alliance between the provinces for mutual protection will make it easier for surveillance and resource management.” Clyde elaborated further.

“Hold on a minute there.” Lori said as soon as Clyde finished speaking. “Before what you proposed.” She spoke to Clyde. “You scared a dragon off?” Lori questioned Lincoln shocked, who simply nodded. “Seriously?” Lincoln nodded again. “…Okay.”

“So… about the proposal?” Clyde asked with a hopeful smile. Lori sighed again and shaked her head.

“It is indeed a soundly idea.” Lori spoke crossing her hands. “However… It isn’t my decision to make in the end.” Clyde smile deflated. “It’s my grandfather’s. And… In the recent years… he got very debilitated. And… Well, his assistant Morgan, is the one in command. She says that she only speaks for him, but, it’s been literally years since I saw him making the big decisions.” Lori sighed again. “And Morgan doesn’t like to cooperate.”

“I see.” Clyde said rubbing his forehead. They had to think. Although the alliance isn’t really that crucial for the protection of their provinces, but the alliance would benefit the provinces greatly, and he also had promised the villagers that he would help to rebuild Shinemoor.

“Is there a sage of Windholm in the court?” Lincoln asked, grabbing the attention of Lori and Clyde. Lori nodded.

“Yes, but Lady Cass is rarely seen outside her study nowadays. What’s weird, she used to be very involved in the court.” Lincoln put his hand on his chin, looking down.

“Would you accept the offer?” Lynn asked, breaking her silence. Lori nodded.

“When Pop-Pop passes away, I’ll assume as the Jarl. My duty as Jarl is to be and do the best for my people. And I know from the bottom of my heart that Lady Melanie blessed me to be the best leader one can be.”

“Lori…” Lincoln finally spoke under his breath, before cleaning his throat and continuing. “Miss Youndfaith, do you realize that your grandfather is dead, right?”

“WHAT?” Clyde and Lori shouted in both shock and surprise.

“What do you mean? This is crazy!” Lori said.

“She is right Linc! We saw him alive, he moved, he spoke!” Clyde added.

“I observed him closely. Didn’t you noticed that he didn’t breathe?” Lincoln explained.

“I noticed.” Lynn spoke up finally. “He didn’t breathe the whole time we were there. Not only that, but he also didn’t blink, and… come on, he looked like a skeleton with skin over it!”

“I… I never noticed that…” Lori said looking at the floor trying to muster the proper words. “But… how… what is going on then?”

“One of the banned schools of magic. Reanimation...” Lincoln pursed his lips. “Someone with great expertise in magic is controlling the barely reanimated body of the Jarl.”

The atmosphere in the room became tense at that realization. The school of Reanimation was banned by the Sages of Windholm and most provinces outlawed it’s practice. It was unnatural, a defiance over the will of the goddesses and a school of magic that feel could tap their toes into.

“The Sage.” Lynn said finally. “You said she barely got out of her study.”

“No.” Lincoln said defiantly. “A Sage of Windholm would never do something like that! It has to be another answer… Maybe Morgan?” Lincoln suggested.

“I don’t believe Morgan is a witch, she’s not a good person by any means, but if she was a witch… I would know. Carol would tell me.” Lori explained.

“Carol? That girl you ordered to prepare rooms for us?” Lynn questioned. Lori nodded.

“I know Carol since I was a little girl. She’s my best friend for life, She’s Morgan’s daughter, and when we do a girl’s night, she literally just complains about her mother like there’s no end, if she was a traitor, Carol would tell me!” Lynn sighed. Even if she was older than them, Lori was so naive.

It was what Lynn thought; however, Lincoln noticed in her tone something more than just naivety from the older girl. She was so certain from her words that Lincoln felt it had something else Lori wasn’t telling them.

This worsened the situation. Lincoln didn’t want to believe that a Sage of Windholm was a traitor from their court. Practicing reanimation, was one of the worst things a Sage could do. It was completely against their code. Not just their code. It’s dishonorable. Even Neckros, the goddess of life and death was against the tempering of one’s body.

Lincoln deeply thanked that they weren’t dealing with necromancy. Marlin taught Lincoln that Reanimation and Necromancy were different things. In the past, Reanimation was school or animating what once was dead. Bringing the body for the service of the master, but necromancy was something completely different. Necromancy isn’t even classified as a school of magic, it’s the dark search for life beyond death. Bring a person’s soul back. It was never successfully accomplished, and the results of experimentation with the soul were the most grotesque that magic could create.

The boy wondered if Marlin should really have discussed all that to him at the age he did. The thoughts of necromancy and the evil implications it had haunted the kid’s dreams for a long time after that.

Lincoln sighed finally.

“In any matter of way Miss Youndfaith, I assure you that I’ll help you. Don’t matter the cost.” Lori rolled her eyes a little.

“Don’t need to start getting this emotional twerp. You’re still just a diplomat from another region. You already gave me the heads-up; you could just stay aside while I deal with this myself.”

Lincoln’s response was cut short when heavy knocks on Lori’s door caught them by surprise.

Lori walked up to the door and when she opened, she faced three towering soldiers with rusty metal armor with the sigil of Yound.

“Guards?” Lori spoke.

“Lady Lori. You and your allies are arrested for treason!” The front guard shouted with his booming voice.

Lori’s eyes widened, Lynn grabbed the hilt of her sword and Lincoln gulped.

Chapter Text

Lori made a step forward, holding the door.

“Excuse me… Treason?”

“You are accused of conspiring against the Jarl.” The first guard spoke.

“You and yours surrender peacefully or we’ll be obligated to use brute force.” The second guard said finally. Lori pursed her lips.

“Stand back you two.” She ordered.

“Sorry Miss Youndfaith, but you’re coming with us!” The first guard pointed his spear to Lori, that jumped back in surprise.

She kept her serious look, but her hands started to shake and she gulped.

“No… I’m sorry men.” She quickly swung the door close, slamming it with a loud bang Lori used the brief stun shock of the guards to lock the door. “Quick, the wardrobe!” She said, pulling the wardrobe that was by the side of the door.

Lynn, Lincoln and Clyde ran to help them to push the wardrobe.

“What do you have in here? Dresses made out of gold?” Lynn spoke rhetorically as she pushed

“Don’t be silly, these are just my shoes.” Lori said. As they stopped, the wardrobe was in front of the door entirely.

“This should stop them for some time.” Lynn said as the guards started slamming repeatedly into the door, trying to tear it down.

“But not forever.” Lori said walking back at the tapestry and lifting out the wall, she pushed a single brick exposed under it.

The bricks trembled and rotated backwards forty-five degrees, revealing a dark staircase.

“A secret passageway!” Clyde exclaimed. Lynn rolled her eyes to him stating the obvious but also risking the guards to hear him.

“Let’s go.” Lori said. “There’s a lever inside to close it.” Lynn and Clyde entered the passageway, but Lincoln looked back at the window.

“Wait a second.” He quickly ran to the window and opened it, then he ripped the curtains, tied them together and threw it over the window and walked back at the passageway. Lori looked at him impressed.

“Clever.” She said simply with a smirk. Lincoln nodded and entered the passageway. Lori also entered, letting the tapestry and pushing a brick sticking out the wall to close the passageway, leaving it as hidden as it was before.

“Good, I can’t see a thing.” Lynn said, before Lincoln lit a light ball on his hand and softly threw upwards, the ball floated over their heads gently weaving back and forth. “Oh, good.”

“What the hell is happening with those soldiers?” Clyde asked finally.

“Obviously the person that reanimated the Jarl is making their move.” Lynn said, putting her hands on her waist.

“Probably made your Jarl declare you as a traitor.” Clyde suggested. “And declared your prison.” Lori sighed looking down.

“I don’t think it’s just that…” Lori said finally “They didn’t obey me back there. There’s something else going on.” Lynn groaned.

“Oh, the guards didn’t obey me, they shouldn’t be able to disobey, because I am the granddaughter of the Jarl!” Lynn said, mockingly imitating Lori. The older girl scowled.

“It’s not like that!” Lori said, looking visibly offended.

“I have divine blessing called Absolute Command, or Kengengan as Lady Casa calls it.” Anyone spoke. “It forces people which I have authority over to obey my commands.”

“Pft.” Lynn held a laugh. “You really need to be convinced to think that you have a divine power!”

“Marlin once told me about divine blessings.” Lincoln spoke up, grabbing their attention. Lori smiled. “It’s said that the goddesses may grant people their blessing, but the reasons will always be a mystery just the goddesses will know.” Lori nodded, keeping her smile.

“Yes. That’s right. I was blessed by Lady Melanie since I was a child. Lady Cass confirmed it.” Lori explained, but Lynn rolled her eyes, completely unconvinced.

That talk of blessing of the goddesses was getting in her nerves, it was just a invention she was making to try to justify her ego. Saying that she was divinely blessed to boss around and being a bossy egomaniac.

That pissed her off.

“Lynn, let it go.” Lincoln said, sensing that Lynn was going to continue arguing. “We don’t have time.” Lynn groaned and rolled her eyes.

“Fine.” She begrudgingly spoke.

“If the guards don’t obey you when they should, them…” Clyde spoke up. “They’re already obeying someone else! Does this make any sense?” He speculated. The gears on Lincoln’s brain started to turn as he heard the speculation.

“It… actually does!” Lincoln said giving a smile to his friend that smiled in surprise, Clyde actually thought he had spoke something stupid as soon as the words jumped out his mouth. “Miss Youndfaith, does your Kengengan has priority over the manipulation school of magic?” Lori stood in silence, trying to understand what he meant.

“Uh…” Was everything she could say.

“The school of manipulation is another of the banned schools of magic. It studies the magic of manipulation. Overcome and overthrow the will of the mind. Your blessing, it can overcome mental manipulation?” Lincoln explained what he meant. Lori nodded along as he did, then, shook her head.

“I don’t know. Never had the opportunity, or the thought, to test this.” Lori answered. Lincoln them cuddled his fingers in his chin with his fingers in thought.

“The odds are that these guards… If not all of them, are under mental manipulation of some kind. Combined this with someone reanimating the Jarl…” Lincoln trailed off.

“…The one in charge of this must be very knowledgeable on magic.” Lynn concluded the thought. Lincoln lowered his head. The young knight sighed. “What’s this tunnel anyway?” She questioned as the group started to walk down the stairs.

“It’s a secret emergency evacuation tunnel.” Lori explained. “Just the closest members of the court know. We’ll be safe here. It connects the main rooms of the mansion and leads. into a passageway to the sewers.”

“So, this is your plan? Escaping to the sewers?” Lynn spat.

“I need time to think.” Lori said serious. “Lincoln, you are a wizard, aren’t you?” She stopped walking to ask the boy.

“A Junior wizard.” Lincoln clarified.

“Do you know a way to undo the manipulation spells?” Lori asked. Lincoln’s eyes widened for a split second, realizing what she had in mind.

“No, but I think there’s something in the tome my master gifted me.” He said reaching to his satchel and pulling the large book and opened it in the middle, then turned some pages and looked at the others. “It’ll take some time for me to find something. Marlin is a genius but he sure didn’t write this in any order.”

“Tsk.” Lori said. “We need to act quickly. As much time we spend here, harder it’ll be for us to deal with this.”

“That I agree with.” Lynn said nodding. “You said this tunnel connected to other rooms of the mansion. We can use this to sneak up to the Sage and clover her in the head before she even knows what happened.” Lynn suggested pounding her first on her palm.

“There’s just one problem with this plan” Lori said. “The tunnel unfortunately doesn’t connect with the sage’s study.” Lynn groaned.

“By Lady Thania’s sake.” the young knight spoke. Lori thought for a second and realized a way around.

“However, there’s a entrance in a nearby room. If we’re lucky, we can sneak there without much trouble.” Lynn nodded.

“Be quick Stinkoln, we’re going to do this.” Lynn demanded, resuming walking down the tunnel. Lincoln murmured a positive answer.

“This way.” Lori called, pointing to a branch on the tunnel. The group followed her.

The dark and damp tunnel smelled like decay and sludge, it made Clyde dizzy, it was hitting his allergies.

“Here” Lori said as they arrived at a dead end. She hit a brick and again the way rotated 45 degrees forward. The group exited the passageway and found themselves in another bedroom.

But they weren’t alone.

Carol was there, looking at them flabbergasted. She was holding a pair of sheets.

Lori stepped forward.

“Carol. You need to help us!” She said but Carol released the sheets and opened her mouth to scream.

Lynn was faster and tackled her into ground, holding her mouth shut. Carol struggled in the ground, trying to release herself and scream.

“Carol, stop, you’ll get the guard’s attention!” Lori begged. The young maid continued to struggle.

“Not helping Youndfaith.” Lynn said. “Can someone help me tie her?” Clyde nodded and ran up to the two and did so.

“She must also be under manipulation!” Lori said, and looked to Lincoln, who frantically turned pages trying to find something of help. “Any luck?”

“No… wait!” He turned back a couple of pages and eyed the contents. “I think this is it.” He spoke as he read the contents. His eyes turned yellow as he did.

“So?” Lori spoke.

“It’s not a counter spell, but here says that mental manipulation is upheld via a psychic link between the victim and the caster. Severing this link will release the mind of the victim.” Lincoln repeated what the book said.

“Cool, how do we do that?” Clyde asked.

“It says that one way the connection can be severed if one if the one of the ends gets unconscious… Oh, also there’s a spell, just let me-“ A loud thud cut Lincoln as Lynn clobbered Carol in the head with her first, making the older girl unconscious as Lincoln said. She looked at the others, Lori scowled to her for resorting to violence with a good friend of hers.

“What? It would take time for Lincoln to learn the spell, and look, she’s free from manipulation!” Lynn pointed to Carol, still unconscious on the ground. Lori groaned and face palmed.

“Come help me get her in the bed.” She asked Lincoln, who nodded and did so, grabbing gently Carol by the arms while Lori grabbed the legs, they slowly put the bound unconscious girl in the bed.

“If someone saw us in this position, we would be in a even bigger problem.” Clyde noted. “Better if we cut her free at least.” Lynn rolled her eyes, but unsheathed the sword in her waist und cut the ropes she used to tie Carol.

“Let’s get to the study before someone see us.” Lori said, peaking out the door to the corridor. The path to the study’s door was clean. “Come.”

The quartet quickly sneaked to the study before any guard appeared and Lori slowly opened the door, making sure to not make any sound.

The study was very messy, only half of the bookshelves held actual books, the others were various types of glasses, colorful potions, weird creature body parts, sorted as ingredients and several other trinkets and tools. The tables also had every sort of book, trinket, potion and lizard tail laying on it. It was quite dark, without any window and being illuminated by floating candles that shine purple flames. It had a strong smell that none of them could identify, but they could identify that the source was whatever was on the black cauldron in the opposite side of the room as the door, being lit by equal purple flames.

The sage was taking attention to the cauldron Lynn gestured to the others by softly punching her palm. Lori rolled her eyes but nodded.

As Lynn started motioning to act but the Sage Cass turned around, making her hood fly back, revealing auburn locks and a furious look. She pointed her open hand at the group, throwing a purple orb of magic at the group, Lynn instinctively whipped her shield up from her back and jumped in the direction of the spell that was flying directly to Lori.

The spell hit Lynn’s shield making the knight stumble back as if she was hit by a battering ram. Before they could act further, Cass put her index finger on the side of her throat and spoke.

“GUARDS!” The sound of her voice was extremely loud beyond normal human capacity. “THE TRAITORS ARE HERE IN MY STUDY! COME QUICKLY! I’LL HOLD THEM!”

“Crap.” Lynn said, drawing her sword.

“Sage Cass, stop this!” Lincoln said lifting his hands, but Cass just responded by firing another orb in his direction. Clyde tackled the young wizard out of the way, the orb hit the shelf behind them, making the glasses shatter and potions explode in all direction and tumbling a table over.

“I think she’s not in the mood for talking Linc.” He said as they rolled behind the table.

“Hah!” Lynn shouted as she ran on the sage’s direction, but was stopped by another spell, and then another and another.

“Do something Stinkoln!” Lynn roared to the wizard. “Shoot a fireball or something!”

“Yeah, while she’s focusing on Lynn!” Lori said.

“I don’t want to harm her!” Lincoln said in a slight panic.

“JUST DO IT!” Lynn roared again. Lincoln stood up from the table and used his left hand to throw a small ball of fire like he was throwing a pebble.

However, the much more powerful wizard effortlessly redirected his mini fireball to a nearby shelf, hitting a green flask that exploded by the fireball, tumbling the shelf forward, knocking the books and other potions on the ground, making a complete mess.

The mage then lifted her hands, making the tables fly upwards, exposing Lori, Lincoln and Clyde.

“Oh no.” Clyde said before Cass closed her fists with a lot of strength, and the quartet instantly felt their throats being violently crushed.

Lincoln lifted his hands up to his neck. He could fell something strong strangling him, but he could touch anything.

They started to suffocate quickly, Lynn’s face was getting purple like the light illuminating them, Clyde was rolling his eyes to the back of his head and Lori could feel her losing conscience.

“Miss Cass, stop, please!” Lori pleaded with the very last of her breath.

Also feeling himself slipping out of conscience, Lincoln, without any thought, also used the last of his breath to voice a last word.

Voh

Fire erupted from the back of his throat, forcing the thing holding his throat release with the strength the fire came out the mouth of the boy’s mouth.

Cass shouted, being obligated to release them to create a transparent barrier to protect herself from the hellish flames from the boy.

The extreme heat emanating from the fire started to boil the potions and liquids on the room, cooking and burning the potion ingredients and melting the candles even faster.

Lincoln’s friends had dived down to avoid being burned to death, looking in awe to the inferno their apparently weak friend was creating.

Cass was sweating very hard, the barrier she made, a spell called Magic Ward, was blocking the fire, but the heat couldn’t be blocked. Not at that level. She was getting floozy. The fire was burning all the oxygen around her; it was getting hard to breath.

She couldn’t keep it anymore. She fell backwards as her ward faded. Just then that Lincoln closed his mouth, blocking the flames and stopping the power of the word. The boy stumbled forward as smoke came out his nostrils.

His head was light, he may have overdid, as his insides tortured him in pain and his lungs, burning hot and still sizzling made him have lots of difficulty to breath.

The white-haired boy reached for his chest feeling the burnt lungs inside him. He fell forward as the immense pain finally made him go unconscious.

But Lori didn’t let his limp body hit the ground as she caught him in her arms. She had a look of complete shock and surprise.

She may have been subconsciously underestimating him, seeing how young of a wizard he was. But that power was something in a complete other level Lori had ever seen. Well, not that she had seen lots of wizards dueling daily, but that young boy, a lot younger than her, was producing a flame so powerful that she only associates with dragons.

But not only that. Lori checked his pulse, it was low but still active, and he had very low breathing. That power had damaged him deeply, if not mortally. And That boy had did that for her.

Lori flustered unconsciously as she had that thought. She shaked that idea away, but regardless of reasons, he had demonstrated, whit his words back then, and with his actions now, that he was indeed disposed to help at any cost.

“WHAT WAS THAT?” Clyde shouted, finally snapping out of his silent stupor.

“Yeah, remember that Stinkoln is a dragonmouth or something? He learned that by learning the word fire from the dragon that attacked his village.” Lynn explained, or tried to, as she barely understood herself.

“We need to get him into the infirmary to get a burn healing tonic.” Lori said finally turning to Lynn.

“It shouldn’t be one her-“ Clyde stopped as he noticed that almost all potions, canisters, ingredients and everything else were destroyed. “Never mind.” Lynn spoke up.

“Okay, you two get him the infirmary, I’ll have a talk with that roast of a wizard.” Lynn said giving the unconscious wizard daggers in her look. Lori and Clyde nodded, but as they turned around to rush to the infirmary.

A peloton of guards barfed into the room, quickly surrounding them, with spears pointed at them.

“Guards, stand down.” Lori demanded, but the guards didn’t budge.

“Lori Youndfaith, you’re surrounded! Surrender or prepare to be executed!” One of the guards barked, making Lori gasp in shock. The guards were still under influence. She looked at the unconscious Lady Cass on the floor, then to Lincoln in her arms. But it should have worked. Were they wrong?

Lynn unsheathed her sword but Clyde gently lowered it, and just shaked his head sadly when she looked at him. The knight pursed her lips, but nodded and sheathed again her weapon and raised her hands.

A little more than half an hour since the guards dumped them in the jail of the mansion. They had grabbed their weapons, Lincoln’s bag and even Lori’s shoes. For some reason.

But this wasn’t what the group had in mind. Lincoln was dying on that floor, and with each minute that passes, they came closer to their own also. When they return, they would be all executed. With Lori dead… however was controlling the Jarl would be free to reign and with Clyde executed… war between Yound and Eriol would devastate both provinces.

“What’s the plan Pretty girl?” Lynn asked to Lori who sadly looked at Lincoln who rested in the only bed in the cell.

“Honestly… I literally have no idea what to do… I… think we’re going to die.” Lori spoke defeated, in the verge of crying. Lynn sighed with a scowl.

“Look here Blondie.” Lynn forced Lori to look at her. “I’m not going to die here today, neither does you, so stop crying!” Lori reluctantly nodded.
They remained in silence, uncertain what to do when the clanky sound of something hitting the metal helmet of the only soldier guarding them.

They looked and saw Carol, holding a frying pan with the guard unconscious on her feet. She was hyperventilating and surprised at what she had did.

“Carol!” Lori rushed to the bars of the cell. “Are you good?” Lori asked. Carol rubbed her head in the place Lynn hit her.

“Sorry Lady Lori, I didn’t know what my mom was doing!” Carol pleaded. Lori gasped.

“Your mother? Morgan is behind all this?” Lori asked rhetorically.

“Lincoln delusion wasn’t so delusional after all.” Lynn said putting her hand on her hips, looking at the young wizard.

“Quick Carol!” the voice of the sage Cass came from the corridor, catching the attention of the others.

“Lady Cass is with you?” Lori asked as Carol searched for keys on the unconscious guard.

“Yes, when I woke up, I went straight to Cass and saw the mess you did on her study. I explained what my mother is doing and she said that we needed to come here. She was right.” Carol said, inserting the key she found on the lock and opening the door.

“Lynn, grab Lincoln. CASS! Come here, we need your help!” Lori shouted and asked for the sage.

The formerly controlled sage walked into the jail and immediately saw the injured kid and understood what to do.

“On it, Miss Lori.” She walked into the jail and like Lincoln had did to the injured people on the village earlier that day, she put her hand over his chest and her palm started to glow. Immediately Lincoln started to breath better, but was still unconscious.

“He still needs to rest.” Cass said. “Well leave him here as we deal with Morgan.”

The group exited the cell, Lynn grabbed her weapons, Lori her shoes and the group rushed off the corridor, leaving the resting Lincoln still on the open cell.

Soon, the group arrived at the empty main hall of the ma Sion, where the Jarl’s throne laid empty. Lori closed her eyes for a moment at the sight. She was paying her respects to the chair her grandfather ruled in.

“MORGAN SPRINGLEY!” Lori shouted at the top of her lungs.

And like earlier, they quickly got surrounded by dozens of soldiers, holding spears, swords, shields and bows.

Smirking at the group, Morgan walked up from behind a particularly big soldier. She had a sadistic look of satisfaction on her eyes.

“You just couldn’t wait for your execution Youndfaith?” She said with venom in her tongue, yet she spoke with a delighted tone, like if those words were sweet for her.

What was fitting, since for some types of giant lizards, their venom tastes like marmalade.

“Mom, please, stop this madness!” Carol pleaded for her mother.

“I can’t believe my own daughter is in this conspiracy.” Morgan spoke with disdain. Lynn’s upper lip contorted in scorn at blatant gaslighting she was trying to do.

“Don’t act like you are an innocent and loyal member of the court!” Carol spat angrily at her mother. “You use everyone around you as pawns! My whole life you used me! You used the Jarl, even Lady Cass fell in your trap! You used your so-called Natural Talent to weave this web!”

“Natural Talent?” Lynn repeated murmuring.

“Shut your mouth, Carol! You are the biggest flaw I ever made!” Carol’s heart sank upon hearing that. She knew who her mother was, but hearing that was the last thing any child would want to hear from your parent. “One slip!” Morgan continued. “One slip and I had to rearrange my whole plan! One slip and I was stuck with you! But even with this slip, I continued to weave my plan! And I didn’t come this far for you of all people to oppose me!” Morgan spat. “If you don’t step aside, will be executed along with the other traitors!”

“The only traitor here is you. Mother.” Carol spat the last word win the verge of tears, but mustering the same venom her mother had.

“So be it. GUARDS! I Jarl Morgan Springley sentence the traitor Lori Youndfaith and her conspirator allies to death.” The guards slowly started advancing.

“Finally!” Lynn roared in excitement as she clashed her sword with two spears and redirecting them to the ground, right after she used her shield to bash the heads of both soldiers, knocking them to the ground.

“Don’t use lethal force, remember they’re under control.” Lori ordered grabbing a spear from the ground and using it to rip her dress by the knee so that it wouldn’t hinder her as she used the spear to block the swing of another sword.

The fight intensified when Clyde tackled a guard that was going to stab Carol in the back.

“So rude.” He said to the guard before Carol reciprocated him saving her by shoving him down, preventing him from being decapitated by another guard attacking from behind.

“Focus!” Carol spoke.

Cass used simple knock back spells on the guards that got too close to them. Cass was still weak and tired due the battle she had with Lincoln earlier, so she had only energy for those weak spells. The wizard looked around, searching for Morgan. She needed to knock her down with a spell, and all this madness would instantly stop.

However, Morgan seemed to also know this, because she was nowhere to be found, the entire main hall had only them and the guards fighting, Cass needed to keep her eyes open, Morgan could be hiding, waiting for a opportunity to put her back in control.

And Cass was right. As soon as the fight broke, Morgan his behind one of the support pillars near the walls, very far from the center of the battle, she was spying from behind said pillar, with her eyes set on Cass, waiting for a perfect shot and put the sage back under her manipulation.

And she actually had the perfect angle to hit her with the manipulation spell.

She lifted her hand.

She won.

And a purple spell hit Morgan in the side of the head making Morgan fly onto the wall and fall.

Every guard present groaned and fell on the ground unconscious. The group looked around, confused at what happened and looked at Morgan, on the ground and then to the other side of the room.

Lincoln was standing with his right arm extended in Morgan’s direction and Marlin’s tome open in his left hand.

On the open page of the tome, laid the spell Lincoln had saw earlier. There was a spell that could end the connection in manipulation spells.

And he had learned it in the way there. Lincoln lowered his hand and made a deep sigh, letting his knees wobble a bit, he still was weak.

Lynn sighed in relief, sheathing her sword, Cass had a somewhat surprised look on her face, Lincoln wasn’t supposed to wake yet, much less be able to cast any spell at all. Clyde and Carol commemorated by high-fiving each other.

Lori smiled looking at Lincoln. This was the end. She looked at the throne of her grandfather. Now he could finally rest in piece. Along her father.

She walked over to the throne as the others turned to look at her sit there.

That was her rightful place.

She was now the new Jarl.

Chapter Text

Morgan slowly regained conscience and started to get up. When she lifted her head, was met with the head of a soldier’s spear pointed to her. She quickly looked to the sides; she was surrounded by the Mireworth soldiers that gazed at her in repugnance.

“Move away you imbeciles!” She ordered, expecting, as

“Soldiers, may you bring Miss Morgan over for a word with me?” The voice of Lori came from the other side of the room. One guard grabbed her wrists and forced her to walk up to the throne.

Morgan gritted her teeth as she looked at Lori sitting on that throne. She had her legs crossed and was resting her elbow on the arm of the throne and looked down at her with distain.

“Your web of manipulation is no more.” Lori said.

“I’ll never admit defeat!” Morgan said with murder eyes.

“You’re already defeated. None of these guards are under your control. That was your only advantage. Severing the connection between you and the guards was our priority. And with Lincoln’s last-minute help. You are done for.” Lori motioned to Lincoln, who was being standing with the help of Clyde by the side of the throne.

Morgan growled in rage and unexpectedly jumped onto him, pulling a dagger out from her dress and pointed at him, ready to stab the boy.

“Stop Morgan.” Lori imposed. Morgan’s movements stopped in its tracks, the blade inches from Lincoln’s abdomen. Morgan’s arm shaked slightly, still trying to continue, but didn’t matter how much Morgan wanted, her body didn’t obey.

Lori looked with distain at her situation. Her eyes were glowing in azure with a jagged pattern. That was her Absolute Command, active in her eyes, the eyes of command, Kengengan.

Lynn was surprised. She really had a special ability like she said. Every word she said her subordinates would obey. It wasn’t working because the manipulation in everyone, but now?

Now Lori was the Jarl. She had power all over Youndorf.

“That’s pretty busted.”  Lynn thought.

“Drop the dagger.” Lori ordered and Morgan immediately opened her hand, releasing the dagger that fell onto the carpeted floor. “Hands behind your head.” Morgan did so.

“Curse you, Lori Youndfaith.” Morgan spoke gritting teeth, almost foaming in rage. Lori scoffed.

“Guards, please get her in the jail, where she’ll await a proper trial. And take care to not get hit by her manipulation spells.” All the guards made a bow and pushed Morgan back to a side door. Lori sighed.

“Miss Youndfaith…” Lincoln spoke, before Lori raised her hand with a smile.

“Call me Lori please.” She asked. Lincoln made a nod with a smile. “I have a lot to thank you all “She said to Lincoln, Lynn and Clyde. “I am here now because you three.” Lynn smirked; Clyde smiled with a bow and Lincoln kept his smile. “Specially you, Lincoln.”  She said standing from the throne and walking up to the trio. “Carol.”

“Yes, my Jarl?” Carol said with a soft tone, almost like she was proud of saying that.

“Please, may you organize the messenger to warn the citizens of town for a speech in the mansion courtyard?” Lori asked.

“Yes, my Jarl, but… why me?” Carol asked confused.

“Because you are now the Jarl’s counselor.” Lori announced, but Carol just got more confused.

“What? But I… But… my mother and… I…” Lori raised her hand with a gentle smile.

“Carol. I know what your mother did. And she’ll be punished by it. But you? I know you since we were girls. I know you kept secrets from me. But this, I can forget. I know it’s imprudent, but I trust you Carol Springley.” At that point, Carol’s eyes had started to tear up and she started to cry. Clyde then released Lincoln and put her hands over Carol’s shoulders, trying to comfort her.

Lori’s Kengengan returned into her eyes as she was about to used it again on Carol. “Tell me truthfully Carol. Can I trust you?”

Carol started to cry even hard. “YES!” She shouted between sobs, Lori’s order to speak truthfully made her speak from the bottom of her heart. “YOU CAN TRUST ME! I WOULD GIVE MY LIFE TO YOU, MY JARL!”

Lori smiled at her friend; her eyes returned to her natural colors. “I knew it.”

“That thing is op.” Commented Lynn to Lincoln, who nodded in agreement.

It was noon in the balcony on the second floor of the mansion, with a clear view of the courtyard used for announcements for the people of the city. Speaking which, they were confused at least and shocked at most, by now, the Jarl didn’t have a speech from the Jarl for nearly a decade now. Ever since the announcement of the attack on Mireworth.

But to the surprise of the most pessimistic of the Youndorf’s citizen, who appeared in the balcony was Miss Lori Youndfaith. When she appeared, the courtyard fell into silence as the citizens waited for what came next.

“Citizens of Youndorf. My grandfather, Jarl Timillous Youndfaith IX has been dead for a unknown amount of time. His corpse being controlled by his counselor Morgan Springley to rule over Youndorf.” The crowd gasped at that revelation. Lori looked down and rested her hands on the white marble balcony. “Morgan was behind the Siege on Mireworth with the objective of killing my father… She also had the entire court along with the entire royal guard under her manipulation.” Whispers and incredulous gasps filled the courtyard. Morgan had Youndorf entangled in her web and no one of them knew how much danger they were in the verge of. “And today she made her move to try to wrongfully imprison and execute me. With the entire Youndfaith bloodline extinct, she was going to seize the power openly… But Lady Melanie blessed us with a miracle in the time of our greatest need.” Lori motioned to her side and Lincoln stepped onto the balcony caught by surprise. He made a awkward smile and waved.

“Young wizard Lincoln Snowtop and his allies, Lynn Griffinheart, a knight with fire in her heart and Clyde McBride, next in line for Eriol’s Jarl came to me with a proposal of an alliance between Yound and Eriol to protect both of the province’s smaller villages. They helped me to uncover Morgan’s manipulations and free everyone that was under her control…”

Lori pauses sounded like a queue for the crowd and they cheered and applauded Lincoln who shrank a little on embarrassment.

“And with this… I, Lori Youndfaith humbly assume the title of Jarl of Yound, and promise my citizens, I’ll fix everything that my grandfather did in or out the influence of Morgan. Yound will have a new, brighter future ahead of us!” The crowd erupted in cheers. Some in the crowd weren’t fully convinced of what Lori had spoken, but the hope that things would start to be better was enough to fill the hearts of the citizens that were once filled with dread for the future.

“AND YOU’RE ALL INVITED TO TONIGHT’S CELEBRATION SUPPER IN THE MANSION!” Lori announced with glee, making the crowd cheers even louder. Free food? From the Jarl? She was already a way better Jarl than her grandfather ever was.

By nightfall, the court’s servants had reallocated seven very long wooden tables along the courtyard, and a smaller one in in front of the others, facing the others, and also had set them with dozens of plates, cutlery, cups, and candle holders to illuminate. A band of bards had been bought from the local inn to perform in the supper, and dozens of chefs of around town were in the manor’s kitchen, helping to prepare the supper for an entire city worth of people. Even the private collection of wines of the former Jarl was opened for the occasion.

Little by little, people started to fill the tables, families sitting and eating together, bar mates sharing the expensive wine, friends laughing and speaking with one another.

Lori sighed with a smile looking her citizens having a fun filled dinner. She was sitting in the eight smaller table, in the center with her close friends and members of her court, that right now were Lincoln, Lynn, Clyde, Cass and Carrol. Lynn was a little upset that Lori didn’t allow her to drink the wine, just Lori, Cass and Carrol were old enough to enjoy the almost century aged wine.

Carrol and Clyde were hitting off very good, Carol was drunkenly teasing the younger boy and Clyde was shyly speaking back, trying to avoid passing out. He used to do this when he got too much embarrassed.

Cass had passed out in the table after her glass of wine, she probably was a light drinker, and that wine was too much for her.

Lincoln enjoyed his meal, he had put in his plate slices of bread, mashed potatoes with pork and a weird dish he never ever seen, it looked like it was made with cabbage. It was weirdly delicious for Lincoln’s taste.

“Ya know Linc.” Lynn said holding a bitten baked potato in hand. The boy looked at her. “There’s something I didn’t understand about Morgan, Carol said she had a Natural Talent. What the hell is that?”

“Some people are Naturals at somethings Lynn. They’re born with the natural capability to do something without ever training or studying. See my mother for example.”

“Rita?” Lynn spoke, the boy nodded and continued.

“She’s a natural alchemist. Brewing potions, tonics, differentiate similar herbs, identify the properties of ingredients, all that stuff. I never got a cold in my life! And she and Pop-Pop swear to Maja that she never took any class to be so good!” He explained. Lynn nodded along.

“Oh, I’m getting what you’re trying to say, Morgan mat be a natural in manipulation spells.” She speculated, Lincoln nodded

“Ye’re right kids!” Carol said drunkenly to the two, getting her attention off Clyde for a second before hiccupping and returning to tease the embarrassed boy, confirming Lincoln’s theory. Lincoln snickered seeing his friend so embarrassed and returned to his dinner.

Later on, the dinner and some cups of the century aged wine, Lori leaned over to Lincoln’s shoulder.

“Heey Liinkie…” The Young Jarl spoke dragging her words in her drunkenness. Lincoln looked at her blushing, Lori was very close to him, close enough for her uncannily blue eyes look like the bright sky.

“Uh… Lori?” He asked embarrassed, feeling he was paying the price for laughing at Clyde’s predicament.

“As the *hic* Jarl... I need to build a court for myself! I already have Carol and Cass in it… *hic* Hoow… about… you stay here with mmeee andd… be part of the court asss my Thane?” Lori offered with a drunken smile and bedroom eyes, her head nearly resting on his shoulder.

Lincoln’s face turned red like a tomato and shifted his eyes around, seeing Clyde with his eyes wide open and he made a thumbs up to Lincoln with an awkward smile. Carol had a smirk in her lips looking at him and Lynn had a complete blank expression, only side eyeing at him with shrunken pupils. He couldn’t help but notice she was holding her table knife very firmly.

“Uhm…” Lincoln didn’t know what to say, depending on what he responded, he could end up in a lot of trouble. “Miss Lori… You’re drunk and I-“ Lori made a disappointed groan and rested her chin on shoulder.

“Pretty please Linkie…” She said pouting. “Can you stay here with me?” Lincoln’s eyes widened as he saw that Lori’s eyes of command, Kengengan, were back to her eyes. Unconsciously, or maybe consciously she was using her blessing on him.

But Lincoln sighed and made a gentle smile. “Sorry my Jarl, but I can’t stay. I have a task to fulfill, and I still have a dream that I want to seek.”

Lori drunkenly groaned in disappoint, turning away, not noticing that Lincoln wasn’t affected by he commands. “But don’t worry Lori.” Added Lincoln, making Lori look back at him. “I promise I’ll come to visit you.”

Lori made a tired smile at him and chugged down the rest of the wine bottle and letting a loud sigh, she laughed and gazed at Lincoln again. “You’re making me fantasize about leaving the Throne to go with you… wouldn’t that he fun?” Lincoln giggled.

It was almost midnight when the party ended and the villagers started returning to their homes. Lincoln, Lynn and Clyde, still guests, were escorted by a maiden to the two rooms she had prepared the day before. Clyde and Lincoln agreed to lock the door for the night, just as a precaution that neither Lori or Carol would drunkenly creep them away into their room.

While Clyde slept soundly on his bed, Lincoln was sitting on bed, with the window open on his side so that he could get some light from the moon.

Once again, he was staying up late studying Marlin’s Journal. He had noticed that when he reached the last page, of the book, there was a blank page and when he turned it, another blank page appeared from thin air. Lincoln was amazed at that. The book had a infinite expansion enchantment, so he would never run out of pages to write. Lincoln read about that on that very book around a hundred pages before.

Lincoln read and re-read that page, however he knew for sure that he wasn’t still able to enchant anything, he was completely inexperienced with the Incantation school of magic.

Enchants were a different kind of magic, instead of using the energy within, Enchants were charged by nature itself. Incantation was like making nature use it’s infinite magic to make a spell into an object. However, it is easier said than done, as a entire enchanting ritual was required. The only step Lincoln knew was drawing a rune seal in the ground with a specific material for every different enchant, coal, Salt, Pepper, Lapis Lazuli, iron dust and even gold dust for example.

These materials in their most raw form had magical properties, much like potion ingredients, but Rita once told Lincoln that minerals were not really suitable for potion brewing, their cost being the biggest detractor, using gold to brew a simple fever tonic wasn’t really economically smart.

Lincoln’s yellow eyes sucked the information of each page; each word were imprinted in his brain the moment he read them. However, Lincoln never thought about it, for him, that learning speed was as normal as breathing.

Lincoln sighed closing the book. He really should sleep, the next day it was going to be full, with the preparations to continue his journey.

At the same time, far from Youndorf, in Sarphel, capital of Yound’s neighboring region, also named Sarphel, a young lady walked the empty alleys.

Sarphel was a city constructed over the docks of the Sarphel Lake, due this, the city was built as several floating “islands” in several levels connected by several bridges, creating canals with the water below. Each level was connected by stairs and bridges. Below at the water level, boats stayed attached to the wooden colons that sustained the upper levels. The whole city was constructed with wood and stone.

Being built atop of a lake, the city didn’t smell particularly good, the lower level smelled like moss and fish,

She had messy short auburn hair freckles on her cheeks, in her ears spiraling metal earrings. She wore purple vest that went down just to the middle of her body, the sleeves had been torn away. under the vest she wore a black and lavender bodysuit that accentuated her thin frame. She wore two pieces of side skirts around her pants that made her profile look like the elytra of a beetle.

She carried in her back an oddly shaped large black case.

The young woman looked around, discreetly walking in a particular direction. Every now and then, she ducked behind a house just for seconds later, a Sarphel soldier pass by in their patrol. She crept slowly her way down the town without being saw by any guard and after a while, she arrived at her destiny.

Again, ducking behind a mossy stone wall, she looked at the Jarl’s long house. The only building of Sarphel built in solid ground, being slightly higher up than most other buildings. It had a tall wall around it. The girl looked at the right side of the wall, a patrolling guard was walking around.

The longhouse wall wasn’t connected with the city’s outer wall, but it had a rather wide alley circling the longhouse. This alley was regularly patrolled due being a obvious unsafe zone.

However, it was the safest and easiest way inside.

“You got this Acai!” The girl muttered. She picked the case from her back, unbuttoned and picked from inside a very weird instrument. The four strings running from the handle all the way to the head made it look like a lute; however, the handle was longer and with a shape that looked to make it easier to hold there with both hands. and the head was very different than any lute, it was shaped like a battle axe. It was purple and silver on the blade it also had a long strap running from the handle to the head.

Acai closed the case and again put on her back and rested this Axe in her shoulder, holding it by the handle. She awaited the guard turn all the way back into the alley to sneak into the other side.

She had to be quick, soon the guard would reach her position on the alley. She looked up at the wall to the longhouse and luckily, she found a vine running up the wall. She used her strength to swing her axe into the wall, lodging it into the wall and hooking in the vine.

Then, she summersaulted up the handle, making momentum to escalate the wall, grabbing the axe in the process and landing on top of the wall, crouching.

She looked down, inspecting the best place to drop down. That side had green grass, trees and bushes surrounding the wall. She looked fourth as she acknowledged the presence of another guard going down in the direction she was. She dropped down.

The sound of bushes caught the attention of the guards and he walked up to where that bush made a sound with her spear firmly in his hand.

But when he leaned down to look at what had made the sound, a startled crow croaked and flew away, startling the guard who made a few steps back cursing under his breath. The guard then grumbled and continued to make his patrol.

Acai watched him as she sneaked past behind him and crouched below a window of the manor, she had to break in. She then put her open palm onto the wall and closed her eyes.

There were six guards on the first floor, along with four house maidens that slept on their small room on the side of the kitchen.

Other four guards patrolled the second floor, with five other people sleeping, these on their respective rooms, those probably were the Jarl and their court.

Both ends of the only stairway to the second floor were guarded, there wasn’t no other way to the second floor.

From the inside.

One of the windows of a occupant room was wide open on the other side of the manor. And the door was unlocked.

Acai made a cheeky smile. She finally reopened her eyes and looked up, spotting a wooden gutter that screamed for her to climb it.

With a jump, and a swing, she lodged the axe on the gutter and used it to climb up. From there, it was easy to lodge the axe once again in the upper gutter and climb into the roof.

Putting the axe on her back, she looked with attention to the clay tiles and slowly sneaked through the roof of the manor, carefully choosing where to step, to not make any noise. Slowly but surely, she arrived at the other edge of the roof,

She flipped down, holding the edge and swiftly entering the room, rolling around the floor to not make any sound. She stood up, darting into the bed. She was inside. Now she just needed to locate, get the necklace and-

“What are you doing?” A feminine voice asked the invaded. Acai slowly turned to the girl. With a worried look. She couldn’t believe how carelessly she acted. And so soon.

The girl who talked was blonde, had shoulder length hair and lustrous eyelashes. She was sitting on her double sized bed with only a cyan night gown.

Acai, panicking raised her index finger over her mouth in shushing motion the girl mouthed an “Oh” and nodded.

The brunette girl jumped and looked at the door, then, she jumped over the side of the bed, getting just out of sight of the door.

Seconds later, the footsteps of a guard became louder until he appeared, swinging carefully the door, checking on the girl.

“Lady Samantha, is everything fine? I heard noises.” The guard asked, sounding concerned.

Samantha made a quick look at Acai that was laying in the ground by her side, still motioning a shush, more worried than ever.

It took Samantha some seconds do decide what to do, she looked at the girl with a devilish smile, than turned back to the guard.

“No Sully, is everything ok, I just… Had a dream. You can go… I want to be alone… Girl stuff.” She whispered the last part. Sully blushed for a second than cleared his throat.

“Oh, Uh-huh… uhm… Okay… I’ll go now… huh… enjoy yourself!” he said closing the door a little too hard. The two girls heard heavy and quick footsteps until it faded.

Another two seconds passed before either girl moved again. Acai jumped up, she was completely panicking.

“Bloody hell, how could I be so careless!” Acai spoke passing through the room back and forth. “It was supposed to be a easy job!”

“Cahem!” Samantha cleared her throat, grabbing the attention of the other girl. She had her arms crossed and a smug face. “So, what you’re going to do now thief?”

Acai growled grabbing her axe from her back and jumping on the bed, pointing the bladed side of the axe onto Sam’s throat.

“Don’t get smug with me, princess! I had clear orders! Don’t let yourself be seen by no one and to kill however see me! And for your information, I’m not a thief. I am an assassin.” Samantha gulped. But then smirked, not buying the bluff.

“Yeah, you would have killed me the moment I saw you.” She said, pushing the axe aside.

Acai climbed down the bed, shocked and ashamed. She sighed in defeat, sitting on the bed. “Great. My first mission and I failed miserably!” She sighed. “I don’t have the guts to be a assassin.” Samantha tilted her head. “Now what I’m going to do? With my failure, they’ll send another one of us for the bounty, and I’m telling princess, I’m the least rotten apple in the tree!” Samantha gulped again. In that, she believed. but her attention got swayed by the thing The girl in front of her had on her lap.

“Oh, what a cool instrument! Is a weapon and a musical instrument, right? How do you call it?” She asked excited. Acai looked at the axe.

“It’s a heavily modified lute, It doesn’t really have a name, I just call Ax. Commissioned to endure combat and shred some cool sounds!” Acai jumped around holding the axe as a proper musical instrument, getting a little carried away. Samantha laughed.

“You also like music?” She asked.

“If I do? I Love it! Sound is my life! Is what truly is in my veins!” She said shredding the strings, creating a metallic note, different from everything Samantha ever heard.

“Amazing!” She said with stars in her eyes, that type of sound was so different, so… electric. “I wished I could play my lute more.” Samantha smile dropped. Confusing Acai.

“Why not?” She asked.

“My mom. The Jarl. Is so overprotective.” Samantha sighed. She doesn’t let me go out the manor. At all. Not for a simple walk on the gardens. I can’t play my lute without supervision, I can’t go see the maids cooking, I can’t have any friends aside from the ones she assigns for me, she says it’s for my protection, and that I am destined and I have to be the perfect Jarl.” Samantha explained rolling her eyes.

Acai stood in silence. She looked down at her axe, processing what Samantha told her. She looked at Samantha again. It was like if the mirror she looked talked. Down in her core, Acai related to every single word she said. Then she smirked.

“Say princess… How… about… A day out on town?” She asked with a grin. Confusing Samantha.

“What?”

“You and me, get out of this manor, have some fun here in Sarphel?” Acai elaborated. Samantha’s eyes went wide.

“W-what? I can’t, H-how we would pass the guards?” Acai smirked.

“I got princess, I can get us out!”

Samantha looked down, clenching her sheets. She was tired of that room. She was tired of these walls. She wanted to go out. Get in trouble, discover who she was.

“Please! Please let me go with you!” Samantha begged with her eyes starting to fill with water.

Acai smiled and when Samantha was getting up, she looked at the royal girl’s night attire, blushing and turning away, she said. “Yeah, but first, its better with you get changed, princess.”

“Oh… hehe…” Samantha then realized something. “Excuse me, I think we didn’t get properly introduced, I am Samantha Sharp, what’s your name?”

“My name is Luna-“ The girl’s mouth shut close so hard her jaw hurt a little. She may be a failure of an assassin, but she would never get the true birth name out in the open.

The girl thought for a second. Acai was her first name, but for family tradition, her surname came first. But she didn’t like her name at all. Acai was nice and all, but it didn’t hit like a musician’s name.

“Luna Eh?” Samantha spoke up, grabbing the attention of the girl.

“What?” The girl asked.

“Luna’s your name? It’s nice.” Samantha said with a smile.

Luna…

“Yeah… Name’s Luna!” The girl spoke with confidence. “Luna Acai!”