TBATE - Not Bound By Fate

Part 35

Caera Denoir

It has been a few months since I started living in Dicathen on Scythe Seris orders. It was hard to believe when she first told me about the whole time travel situation, but I trusted her. Seris only did what was best for me and never once lied. There were definitely things she and my brother were hiding from me still despite my involvement in the rebellion, so I took the move to another continent as a chance to prove myself to them.

And thus far, I would say I have done a pretty good job. From helping Seris, Arthur and commander Virion communicate, to misleading Draneve in his recruitment efforts to the radical faction inside the academy, but not enough to make him change his plans as Arthur wanted to prevent unexpected changes from the attack he experienced. I didn't fully understand what he was talking about but still did as he told me.

Speaking of Arthur, he was a fascinating person. He was stronger than any other mage I have met not counting Scythe Seris and her retainer, that is if I don't take his weird magic into account. I could tell this thing called aether was extremely powerful, even though I've only seen glimpses of it, and what inspired my brother Sevren to become an ascender. I'm sure the two of them would get along great and bond over their knowledge of this mysterious force and their methods of keeping their little sisters safe from boys trying to deceive them.

Thankfully his fiance, Tessia Eralith, kept Arthur's behavior in check most of the time. At least when there weren't any girls blatantly flirting with him. I'm pretty sure I heard her hissing one time.

Her weird behavior aside, she was an unexpected friend in this foreign land, and we have grown close thanks to our somewhat similar backgrounds. Tessia helped me a lot when it came to dealing with all the pent up emotions I had towards my adoptive family, among other things. We usually hung out just the two of us but sometimes Sylvie would join us.

Apparently Sylvie was something like Arthur and Tessia's adopted daughter which confused me greatly when I first learned about it, and even after having heard the explanation I was still a little confused so I decided it was better to just not think about it.

There was also Regis.

The rest of the disciplinary committee was also very friendly and we all helped each other whenever needed in training, our duties, studying and even more personal matters sometimes. It was always a good time, even during the boring meetings and Arthur's hellish training regimen. Just thinking about it made me feel a chill down my spine. The student council was also very welcoming and friendly, but I didn't interact as much with them due to my responsibilities in the DC.

As I thought about my life here in this continent, I couldn't help but compare to what it was like back in Alacrya. Other than Sevren, Seris and Cylrit, there really wasn't anyone I was close with. Maybe when this war ends I'll be able to live here permanently, away from the responsibilities of a high blood that were suddenly given to me.

With these thoughts in my head and memories resurging, I decided to head out to my night patrol a bit earlier than usual, hoping the task would help clear my head a little.

Walking out of the dorms I saw two students just wandering around and talking about something they found funny in one of their classes. I approached the two and had them go back to their rooms. They tried striking a conversation with me, clearly wanting more than just that but I was having none of it. Eventually the two gave up and started heading for their dorm room but not without occasionally glancing back at me.

The night went on with sticking to one of the routes Arthur had devised for the night patrols with nothing of notice happening. At some point I ran into Feyrith who just finished his round and we chatted for a bit. After a while we went our separate ways.

Walking around the campus without much thought, I found myself in the entrance to the field used for the Team Fighting Mechanics class. I looked around for a while to make sure no students had hidden a little prank like they did last week. After finding nothing out of the ordinary I started heading back to my dorm room to get some sleep as it was pretty late already.

Unfortunately there was a certain someone blocking my way. Wearing his creepy mask as always was Draneve. I really didn't feel like interacting with him today, but it seemed there wasn't much of a choice as he began talking.

"What a coincidence meeting you hear Lady Denoir." He said in a chipper tone.

"Spare me with your antics. Just tell me what you want so I can go back to sleep." I told him with a bit of disdain laced in my voice.

"As friendly as always. I was hoping you had some more lost lambs to send my way."

"No, I don't. These spoiled brats think they are at the top of the world, so most are unreliable for whatever Scythe Dragoth is planning." I kept my answer short, trying to finish this conversation as soon as possible.

"What a shame, but not a problem. We already have enough for our little party. Just need to rile them up a bit more." I assumed this was the end of our talk so began walking away but after passing him, Draneve spoke again. "Say, I've been quite curious about your mission Lady Denoir, how is it going?"

"As usual. If you want to know more ask Scythe Seris, she is the one overseeing it." I answered hoping this would deter him from asking anything else. I didn't need to see his face to know he was pretending to be upset.

"Oh well, I guess I'll just have to do that. Just one last thing, the date has been decided. I'm sure you'll receive a message about it soon." He said back on his upbeat tone and behavior and I walked away without saying anything.

Back in my room, as I soon as I entered the communicator Scythe Seris gave me started ringing. Activating it I heard Cylrit's voice.

"I hope I haven't woken you up Caera." He said after a small greeting.

"It's fine Cylrit, tonight was my turn to patrol around the academy."

"I see. Anyways, I'm calling to let you know when the radical faction will attack, there has been some slight change from what we told you initially. It will now take place a week earlier, exactly four months from now."

"Understood, I'll tell Arthur in the morning. Have you sent word to commander Virion yet?"

"Yes, he should receive it sometime tomorrow. I must go now, have a good night Caera." He said before hanging up.

After the call I just want to sleep, still a little miffed about the encounter with that weirdo Draneve.