Hours have passed since the Underground. King Alan’s manor was silent, and Xena was leaning up against one of the main hall pillars, looking at her where her armguards would be.

  “Unbelievable…” She muttered.

  The front doors to the manor opened, and stepping inside was Echthron. Beside him was a dark-haired young woman in a black and gold uniform. At her hip was a rapier sheathed in a white leather scabbard.

  “Greetings, Xena. I’m here as requested, but also because I’ve caught wind of what happened hours ago.” Echthron said.

  “Caught wind of what happened? Is that humor coming from you?” The young woman grinned, a silver hoop hugging the side of her lip.

  Xena looked over at the young woman, one brow furrowing down.

  “Training the new division has been… very time-consuming.” Echthron glanced at the young woman for a moment.

  “I hope you’re not calling me annoying again,” she said.

  “You look like you could be annoying,” Xena said.

  “I’m not, I swear it,” the young woman said again.

  “This is Yvette, a member of the Vanguard Division,” Echthron said.

  “Hello, nice to meet you, Xena.” Yvette's lips curve into a grin while she extends a hand.

  “Yes, well met.” Xena shakes her hand firmly.

  Yvette’s brown eyes locked onto Xena’s while they shook hands longer than a handshake would usually last.

  “... You can let go of my hand, now,” Xena said.

  “Oh, sorry!” She cleared her throat.

  “It’s just incredible seeing you in person. Many things are said about you in Vislinia, and all of them are great.” Yvette released Xena’s hand.

  “Vislinia? That’s shocking news to me,” Xena said.

  “Shocking? Impossible!” Yvette said.

  “That’s enough, Yvette. Save it for another time, please.” Echthron crossed his arms.

  “Right, sorry.” She said, looking around the manor.

  “As I mentioned, Yvette and a few others will patrol in your absence,” Echthron uncrossed his arms.

  “I see. Well, I think they’ll do a fine job, but I’m unsure how the knights will feel taking orders from those younger than them.” Xena said.

  “If there are any who have doubts, they’ll soon find out why they take orders and not lead,” Echthron said.

  “You’re that confident in them? Well, I have no reason to worry, then. But since you’re here, I should ask. Veyric’s been having trouble with the arts in the book.” Xena said.

  “That shouldn’t be the case for long,” Echthron said.

  “What do you mean? Why would that be the case?” Xena’s brows furrowed as she crossed her arms and shifted the weight from one foot to the other.

  “A witch's seal. It was the first thing I noticed when I met him.” Echthron said.

  “Why wouldn’t you tell us that when you noticed it?” Xena questioned.

  “There would be no point. Only a witch can effectively remove the seal in a manner that wouldn’t kill him.” Echthron said.

  “Is he going to have to find the witch to remove the seal?” Xena said.

  “No, that would be impossible. Once their involvement in the war was outed, they all fled. The good news is that these seals weaken over time. In giving him that book, his practice would eventually destroy the seal, freeing his mana for good.” Echthron explained.

  Yvette was twirling a finger in her hair, her gaze staring off into space.

  “You can come out from behind that pillar, by the way. I don’t like it when people spy on me,” she said.

  “That’s an extra point for you, Yvette,” Echthron said.

  Veyric emerged from behind the ivory-toned pillar.

  “You all noticed me?” Veyric said.

  “It’s hard not to, Veyric,” Echthron said.

  “You look like you need to hit the logs harder,” Yvette grins.

  “I don’t think you need to tell me that. I’m already well aware.” He walked over.

  “So, I’ve got something holding me back, is what you’re saying?” Veyric added.

  “Yes, it could break at any moment you try to use more mana than you can. And when it does, not only will you know it has, everyone will know too,” Echthron said.

  “I wish it would break at the underground. That way, we’d have both Morris and Merle, but nothing ever works in the way I want it to,” Veyric said.

  “Such is life, Veyric,” Echthron said.

  “Yeah, get it together, dragon.” She grinned.

  “Has Yuko woken up yet?” Xena said.

  “No,” Veyric shakes his head.

  “On that note, I’ve never seen King Alan so upset before,” Xena said.

  “What happened now?” Echthron said.

  “Long story short, Avery committed a political crime against Augus, and the reason for it is unknown.” Xena leaned up against the pillar.

  “I’m not surprised,” Echthron said.

  “The Prince, huh? I hear he’s charming, but has an attitude,” Yvette murmured.

  “Furthermore, it’s my job to find him and bring him to King Alan. Although I’d say his future looks more grim than Veyric’s once was. All rulers and their forces are keeping an eye out for Avery.” Xena said.

  “Even Virelda?” Echthron asked.

  “Even Virelda,” Xena said.

  “Let me guess, had to pay her to care?” Yvette said.

  “That was exactly what happened. How’s it that you’re so perceptive, Yvette?” Xena said.

  “Sometimes it’s a gut feeling, but most times it’s because I know.” Yvette smiles.

  “What’s that thing in your lip?... Wouldn’t it hurt if you got punched there?” Veyric said.

  “It’ll only hurt if I get punched here,” she tapped on her piercing.

  “Allow me to take Veyric away for a bit. I’ll have him follow the division’s training regimen for the evening. Don’t worry, I’ll return him to you before nightfall.” Echthron said.

  “Of course, show him a thing or two, or maybe everything you possibly can,” Xena said.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Veyric narrowed his eyes.

  “Exactly what it means! She’s telling us that you don’t know how to fight,” Yvette grinned.

  “I can at least hold my own,” Veyric said.

  “That’s nice and all, but you’ve got to be able to do more than hold your own,” Yvette said.

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  “Agreed, take him for a while,” Xena said.

  “Wait, I was just healed, wouldn’t it be stupid for me to go train?” Veyric said.

  “We’re just going to whet your palate, and if you bite off more than you can chew, don’t worry, we’ll take care of you,” Yvette said.

  “I hope you’re not lying,” Veyric said.

  Leviara, Western District

  Veyric walked alongside Echthron and Yvette. The large, bustling crowds of people steered clear of their way, eyes piercing into Veyric’s back, and murmurs sputtering through the masses. He felt a shiver run down his back, then looked over. Echthron walked completely upright, shoulders squared, and his hands folded behind his back. Meanwhile, Yvette sauntered, her arms loose and her eyes looking at the surrounding shops.

  “Who do you think makes the best bread?” She said.

  “You ask this question as if I won’t give the same answer. Our queen makes the best delicacies. They’re much richer and more flavorful compared to Leviara’s dishes,” Echthron said.

  “I’ve heard there’s magic used in your food. Is that true?” She asked.

  “The ingredients that we get from our forests tend to have magical properties, so by default, yes.” He answered.

  “That sounds incredible! When will you take me to try some of your food?” She said.

  “... Maybe at a time of respite,” Echthron said.

  Just up ahead were the entrance gates to a courtyard. They could hear the clanging of blades, the thumping of strikes against wood, and large bangs that shook the ground. Veyric lost his footing for a moment, stumbling forward.

  “Are you ready?” Yvette grins.

  “I have no idea,” Veyric said.

  Echthron pushed open the gates. Upon walking inside, weapons were scattered around the courtyard.

  “They’d give us weapons like this to practice with? The craftsmanship of all of these is shoddy.” A woman tossed a spear along the ground.

  “Don’t be ill-mannered. The people are using their hard-earned money to show appreciation for this division,” Echthron walked toward the center of the courtyard.

  “Ill-mannered? They should keep their money to themselves—nobody asked for them to do this,” she ran a hand through her brown, curly hair.

  “Oh, come on, it’s an act of kindness, Reyla,” Yvette said.

  “Just because they’re capable of kindness doesn’t mean they should blindly give it. What if we were all a worthless bunch of morons? At any failure, they’d drag our names through the dirt and back.” Her blue eyes swept towards Veyric.

  “As they’d done with this one’s kind,” Reyla smirked.

  “If you’re done talking our ears off, I should mention that he’s training with us today,” Yvette said.

  “Haha! Him? Train with us? Lovely joke you’ve made, Yvette.” Reyla took another weapon from the wooden barrel.

  “He barely looks like he’s had mana training with that sad supply.” Reyla yanked out a greatsword, holding it in one hand with scrutiny in her eyes.

  “I haven’t gone anywhere, you know,” Veyric said.

  “I’m aware, dragon. I’m just telling you the truth. Battle is an art of great depth, and for the first time, you will see what it looks like when honed to near perfection.” Reyla tossed the greatsword aside, grabbing another weapon by the handle.

  “Could you pick something already? I’m sure any of these will work just fine until the blacksmith finishes your weapon,” Yvette said.

  “Simple for you to say, when that rapier was given to you by the strongest man in Augus, and made with the most lavish materials man could ever get their hands on. You’ve been spoiled,” Reyla pulled out a wooden bo staff.

  “Just thought I should say, go easy on me, because I was just healed, and I don’t want to undo her efforts,” Veyric said.

  “If you break in two, that’s on you. No one here has to help you.” Reyla said.

  “Don’t be rude to our guest, he’s here to learn,” Yvette said.

  “A guest? Who ordered this to happen?” Reyla spun the staff in a circling motion, stopped, then struck the air behind her.

  “Well, you know, Xena, right? I got to meet her, and she said it was fine for us to take him, as long as he’s back before night,” Yvette said.

  “What is he a baby? He’s a full-grown dragon—I’m sure no one would give a damn what he does.” Reyla slammed the staff into the ground, then lifted it to examine it.

  “This’ll do,” she muttered.

  “Come, dragon, I’ll spar with you,” Reyla waved her hand for him to follow her.

  Veyric looked at Yvette. She grinned, then tilted her head.

  “Go on, she won’t bust you up too bad,” Yvette said.

  Veyric sighed, walking toward Reyla.

  “Where’s your weapon?” She asked.

  “I’m better at using my hands,” He replied.

  Reyla narrowed her eyes, then rushed at him, thrusting the staff forward. Veyric blocked with his arms, the wood thwacking against him. She pulled the staff back, rotating it, then smacked him in the shin with it. Veyric winced. Reyla raised the staff, throwing it down on his head in a falling arc. Veyric raised his arms, blocking the strike. Reyla lurched forward, then drove her foot into Veyric’s ribs with a front kick. His eyes snapped open, a sharp pain crashing through his chest.

  “Fuck!” He wailed out, dropping to his knees.

  “Oh, sorry. Was that too much for you to handle?” Reyla walked over to him.

  “You hit me where I got healed the most, asshole…” He said with a wheeze.

  “So, so sorry. But, I should say that your enemy’s not going to care. That’s how we spar here, we don’t spar to rub each other’s backs, we do it to highlight our weaknesses. And everything about you needs work if you want to compete with us,” Reyla said.

  “I don’t know who the hell you’ve been fighting, but to fight and not use a weapon is ludicrous. You were on defense entirely throughout that short exchange—there wasn’t a thing you could do, and why do you think that is?” She lowered the staff.

  Veyric was silent, his chest blossoming with agony.

  “When you fight someone with a weapon, and you don’t have one, you’re going to be at a disadvantage, unless you’re that proficient. Which you’re not,” Reyla said.

  “All right, I think he gets it, Reyla,” Yvette crossed her arms.

  “Does he? Tell me something, dragon. Tell me what you learned from that short spar.” She squatted down to his level.

  “That’s enough, Reyla. He may not be on your level, but that gives you no reason to bully him like that. Please, just heal him before something else happens, you’re going to have a hard time explaining that to Echthron.” Yvette said.

  “Me? You want me to heal him? I heal who I want, Yvette. Not who you say to,” Reyla walked away from them.

  “Sorry about that, I really didn’t think she would do that. You’ll definitely have to sit back and watch, because I don’t think you’ll be able to practice like that. Here, drink this, and you’ll feel better soon.” Yvette took a vial out from the inside of her uniform and then offered it to him.

  He took it from her, taking off the top and downing it in one go. He grimaced and shook his head.

  “That’s got a foul taste,” He said.

  “Yeah, it’s not so good, but hey, it does its job. Just sit back, all right? The real training’s about to get started soon, and you should try to learn as much as you can,” Yvette said before walking away.

  “So much for training,” Veyric sat down, the burning pain still in his chest.