The Silver Knife

Chapter 18

Lilith quietly crept into her dorm and began throwing in clothes into her bag. She was rummaging through her things and found the dagger she had gotten from Professor Finwe on the day Rael had tried to attack and kill him. She threw the dagger into her bag along with two books on spells and potions and strapped the bag close.

"You are running away, aren't you?" Eden's voice called from her door. Lilith stood still.

"Yes. I have to." She said her back towards him.

"I know what happened....Melea, she looked into the room." Eden said.

"I felt her aura. I think even the professors did, but I do not want you to come with me."

"Bold of you to assume I am letting you go alone."

"This is my fate, not yours Eden."

"Laurina is your familiar but Laurina is also my friend. I am not letting you leave alone running after some wannabe murderer who has manipulated your familiar against you. You shall be helpless before the combined power of two dragons." He said folding his arms across his chest. Lilith turned to face him.

"And well neither am I letting you two out alone. I know the Vales much better than you do, I'll be more of a help than a hindrance." Aiden said walking up to stand at her doorstep. "You know that yourself that you do not remember anything around the Vales Lilith. The place has changed for the worse over the years, the oppression of the Steward has made all the people selfish and untrusting. And believe me, you wouldn't want to get lost in that place. Plus, even if you do not have your familiar, we will have ours." 

"Fine....but Professor Finwe needs to know about that." Lilith said with a defeated sigh.

"I'll take care of things here Lilith..." Melea said with sigh. "Corvin will be flying back and forth delivering messages if need be."

"I can't thank you enough...." Lilith trailed off.

"Don't. Melody is not only a disturbing element to you, but also to us." Aiden said. "Let's do this for Laurina."

The friends looked at each other, determination burning in their eyes.

Lilith had informed Professor Finwe about the change in plans and he had agreed that it was for the best. Their horses would be waiting for them just after dinner. All he needed to do now was persuade Mr. Sinclair to pull down the barrier.

He marched up to Mr. Sinclair's room and flung the doors open and shut them close. Mr. Sinclair looked up at the tall man in front of him who was staring down at him with narrowed eyes.

"Lift the barrier around the Academy. Tonight at eight, sharp." 

"I cannot." Came the curt reply.

Professor Finwe slammed his hands on Mr. Sinclair's desk. "Look. At. Me." He said with a dangerous growl. "Open the barrier tonight for only a few minutes. For a better world, a little rule breaking will not make you lose your job."

"I cannot undo the powers of the Dean." Mr. SInclair said.

"Fool! Why do you sit in this chair eh? You are too afraid to lift the barrier because you fear your reputation. Tell me. What would you rather have Sinclair? A better future or some puppet controlling this place? What would you rather have? The Academy flourishing in its previous reputation or the days to be more bleak? Do you think that the Steward would be called a king if he's ruling over the corpses of civil strife? Do you think people will ever accept the fact that the Vales are being ruled by someone who isn't even at par to look the crown in the eye?" Professor Finwe thundered at the Deputy Dean who was staring at him in shock. Professor Finwe was an unusually calm man, which made the fact that he was actually shouting much more horrifying than usual.