Shadows of Honor: The Arcane Warrior

Chapter 22: Echoes of the Past, Shadows of the future

Emile's breath caught as they crested the hill, his eyes widening at the sight of the Academy. The massive stone archways rose before him, their surfaces adorned with intricate carvings of legendary heroes—figures who had long since passed into myth, immortalized in stone. Above the towering iron gates, the golden fist of the Paladin Order gleamed in the midday sun, a symbol of strength, justice, and the unyielding discipline the Academy demanded. The sight stirred a familiar weight in his chest, a thick reminder of the past he had thought he left behind. His time away hadn't been long, but his days in Frost Haven felt like a lifetime ago.

He smiled faintly, memories flashing through his mind—training in these very halls, laughing with Gareth, dreaming of the future. Now, everything felt different. His apprenticeship with Duncan had already reshaped him in ways he hadn't anticipated.

Ahead of him, Duncan continued without hesitation, his pace steady and unfazed by the grandeur of the Academy. The wind tugged at his cloak, but he didn't slow, barely sparing the gates a glance as he motioned for Emile to hurry. "Come on, Emile," Duncan called over his shoulder, his voice stoic and firm, cutting through the moment of nostalgia like a blade.

Emile snapped out of his daze, blinking as the weight of the present returned. "Right, sorry," he muttered under his breath, quickening his pace to catch up. His feet moved swiftly down the hill, the well-worn path beneath him familiar but somehow distant, like stepping into the pages of a book he hadn't opened in years.

The gates of the Academy loomed larger as they approached, their iron bars towering above, casting long, jagged shadows across the cobbled road. Emile's heart raced, the anticipation building with every step, but a creeping uncertainty tugged at him. The Academy had once been his whole world, a place where he'd felt a sense of belonging. Now, after all that had happened, he wasn't quite sure where he fit in anymore.

As they reached the main gates, two armored guards stepped forward to block their path. Both men were clad in gleaming silver armor, armed with short spears and iron shields bearing the Paladin Order's crest. One of the guards, his face slick with sweat, stepped closer, raising a hand toward Duncan to halt their progress. His armor clinked with each movement, and Emile could tell by the slump of his shoulders that he had been standing guard far longer than he should have.

"Halt! By order of Sir Pike, you must identify yourself before gaining entrance to the Academy!" the guard called out, his voice formal but strained, as if trying to muster the authority the situation demanded.

Emile frowned, confusion bubbling up inside him. Guards at the entrance? He glanced at Duncan, who didn't break stride. We've never had guards here before, he thought. And who is Sir Pike? The name was unfamiliar, stirring a sense of unease.

Duncan slowed, squinting at the guard as they came to a stop. "Duncan of the Arcane Warriors," he said, his voice low and edged with annoyance. "I've never been questioned before." The subtle tension in his tone was impossible to miss, and the guard hesitated, realizing the gravity of his mistake.

The guard straightened under Duncan's gaze, giving a quick, awkward salute. "My apologies, sir," he said, his earlier authority faltering. "I meant no disrespect. But... you're traveling with someone who has been exiled from the Academy." His eyes darted toward Emile, who stiffened at the accusation. "I'm afraid we can't let him in without Sir Pike's direct approval."

Duncan's expression darkened, his annoyance palpable. "He is my apprentice," Duncan stated, his voice firm, each word dripping with finality. "That should be enough."

The guard shifted uncomfortably under Duncan's gaze, but he stood his ground, his hesitation clear. "Even still, sir..." His voice trailed off, faltering as his eyes met Duncan's. The faint blue flame in Duncan's eyes flared, glowing brighter with his rising irritation, and the guard visibly paled. He swallowed hard, the weight of Duncan's arcane power pressing down on him, suffocating the air between them.