Noidron rubbed his chin, his expression tense. In his carelessness, he smeared the blood from the corpse across his face, giving him the unsettling appearance of a man fresh from a violent feast.
'Those men,' he gestured to the lifeless body with the tip of his boot, 'they're spellswordsmen – mercenary maegis. Dangerous killers-for-hire, capable of powerful magick. The Iksharis must have sent them to cull us, or worse, wipe us out entirely.'
'No wonder this one was so skilled,' Riniock nodded, wincing slightly as he stretched his aching arm. Mid-conversation, he braced himself and popped his shoulder back into its socket. The sharp crack echoed through the tunnel, making Noidron flinch.
'Impressive,' Noidron remarked, scratching the back of his neck. 'You held your own against a higher-grade maegi.'
'I barely survived,' Riniock countered. 'If I hadn't fought dirty, I'd be dead long before you showed up.'
'I wouldn't be so certain,' Noidron replied, his voice tinged with sincerity. 'You've proved your mettle time and time again.'
Riniock offered a sheepish smile. 'That explains this mess, but why are you here? In the yawning tunnel?'
'Yawning tunnel?' Noidron raised a brow.
'Long story. I'll explain later.'
Realisation struck Noidron as he recalled the urgency that had brought him there. He gave a curt nod, beckoning Riniock to follow whilst his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings.
'Come on. Let's find somewhere safe.'
It didn't take long before the two Gorleans discovered a narrow alcove carved into the stone, secluded from the main path. Hidden away, it provided a temporary refuge from any wandering Iksharis, Gorleans, or mercenaries alike.
As they settled down, Riniock broke the silence, his curiosity unrelenting.
'Why are you here, Sir Noidron?'
'I seek your help,' he said plainly.
'My help? What could I possibly offer that you don't, sir?'
Noidron reached into his pocket, pulling out a sealed letter. He handed it to Riniock with careful deliberation, his expression taut.
'A letter?' Riniock arched a brow.
'Indeed. I need you to send this to Professor Karthen immediately.'
Riniock turned the envelope in his hands, inspecting the seal. 'You want me to send this to the arch-maegi?'
'Niann has already vouched for your talent in sending messages across long distances. It's vital that he receives it without delay. Please, tell me it's possible.'
Riniock hesitated. His lips pressed into a firm line, irritation flickering beneath the surface. 'Niann and his loose lips…'
'Forgive him this time. Fladd has returned, and he's currently fighting the high maegi –'
Riniock's head snapped up, disbelief etched across his face.
'F–Fladd has returned?' His voice shook, his lips barely forming the words.
'Yes. He, the leader of the mercenaries, and another academy master are outside, confronting High Maegi Talien. We must alert the arch-maegi now –'
'That's impossible! Fladd couldn't have returned.'
'Well, he has. Can you send the letter or not?'
'I–I can…'
Summoning the spell before him, a coffer materialised in a shimmer of light. Riniock placed Noidron's letter inside, murmured the name of its recipient, and sealed the lid. With a faint hum, it transformed into a small orb of light and darted away, vanishing into the dim tunnel.
'That's it?' Noidron asked, his brow furrowing at the simplicity of the act.
'Were you expecting something more extravagant?'
'No…well, maybe.'
They lingered in uneasy silence, the weight of the moment pressing down on them. Just as Riniock prepared to speak, a memory struck him.
'The mercenary you killed,' he began, his voice low. 'He was speaking to someone else. That man said he'd found a pair of Gorleans. Should we –'
Noidron shook his head before Riniock could finish.
'Unlike you, I doubt any other acolyte would stand a chance against a seasoned spellswordsman.'
'Then they're already dead…'
'Most likely,' Noidron replied grimly. 'There's nothing you can do for them.'
'I understand. I won't throw my life away in vain.'
'Good. Not that it would make much difference with your current abilities. You're no match for a higher-grade maegi in a fair fight.'
Riniock scowled, frustration settling deep within him. The memory of his opponent effortlessly swatting aside his spells gnawed at him.
'It doesn't matter anyway,' he muttered bitterly. 'I can't hold my own against their magick. Blocking or countering their spells is impossible for someone at my level.'
Noidron chuckled at his dismay. Though Riniock spoke with self-doubt, the staff member had heard whispers of the young maegi's rapid progression. If the rumours were true, there might still be hope.
'You're proficient in the tempest elements, aren't you? I was there that day in the hall when the arch-maegi…well, you know.'
Riniock nodded, embarrassment washing over him. 'Wind and Frost, so far.'
'I think it's high time you completed the assemblage.'
'You mean…learn spark elemental magick? Now?'
Noidron extended his finger, white sparks crackling to life around it. 'Unless you're not up for it.'
'N–No, I am. But where am I supposed to learn it from?'
He placed a hand on his chest. 'From me, of course.'
'I–I don't know if I can. Learning from a book is one thing, but from a living person…I find the former simpler.'
'That's where you're mistaken. Learning from someone experienced is always better. They can train you, correct your mistakes, and guide your progress. When you learn from a tome, you're limited to your own interpretation. The difference is vast.'
'When you put it that way, there's no reason to refuse.'
'I can't have you facing powerful enemies while you're still limited to basic elemental magick,' Noidron said, implying he would teach Riniock spells beyond his current abilities.
Riniock slumped, his thoughts clearly burdened. Someone weighed heavily on his mind – someone whose safety he feared for.
'If you really wish to protect that person, our best chance is to even the odds.'
Riniock nodded. 'But I'm afraid of being late.'
'It's a risk we have to take.'
Linry occupied his thoughts. Though he couldn't be certain of the spellswordsmen's intended targets, and much less if she was amongst them, the dangers within this place were many to begin with.
'There is one caveat you should be aware of,' Noidron added, his voice shifting to a graver tone.
'I knew there was a catch.'
'Your vessel hasn't yet matured to endure the strain of higher-level magick. Spells of this magnitude will take a toll. Repeated use could have severe consequences.'
Riniock's eyes widened, but his resolve remained unshaken.
'I understand. Please – teach me!'