Who knew one terrible mistake could trigger a war so quickly. It hadn't even been a few months, and news of the Kinsmen of the Dark gaining grounds constantly reached their ears. Every able body was requested by the Council of Thirds to join the fro...
Once Turn of the Year was over, the remaining Arclovens and Nagan returned to their northern villa. Sitting at the foot of a mountain, there it remained cold well into the spring much to Nagan's dismay. But he wouldn't complain about it. It was, after all, the safest place they could be. The farthest from the southern borders they could be. Far from the Kinsmen of the Dark.
You could imagine their shock when their magic barrier warned them of an unexpected arrival.
Both Nagan and Az froze where they sat in their shared room. They heard a maid hurriedly usher Florine back to her room, all while trying to keep her calm.
After a glance and a nod, they stood and slowly crept out of their room. Madam Arcloven's clicking heels echoed down the hall as she approached the door. The boys watched from the second floor, just peeking out from around the corner. The door was out of their line of sight, but they could see the edges of Madam Arcloven's dress as she opened the door.
There was a moment of silence.
"Master Dagmire?"
Nagan's eyes widened when he heard the name and leaned a little farther out. Az wasn't far behind as he gripped onto Nagan's shoulders trying to see over him. They both watched in curiosity as Madam Arcloven stepped aside to let Master Dagmire through. He looked...tired. As if the weight of the world was resting on his shoulders.
"I apologize for coming unannounced, but I'm afraid this will not be a normal visit," Master Dagmire said almost sheepishly while letting a maid take his coat.
"You being here is already abnormal," she said with a raised brow before waving to the maid. "Prepare tea. This will be a long conversation."
The boys gave each other a confused glance. What did she mean by that? That was when they caught Madam Arcloven's sharp gaze and instinctively retreated back a step, only to trip over each other. With a hard thump, they found themselves on the ground in varying degrees of pain. Az more so as Nagan landed on top of him.
"Boys," they heard Madam Arcloven say, "Wait in your room until you are called."
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The sound of a minor struggle and retreating footsteps were the only indications of the boys' leave. Madam Arcloven then turned the parlor, trusting Master Dagmire wasn't far behind.
"How...do they fair?" Master Dagmire asked as they sat across from each other.
"Well enough," she replied curtly. "Both are progressing nicely in their studies. Icarion has started sensing his affinity, which I suspect will be either nature or light, and Nagan has begun performing silent incantations."
Master Dagmire blinked at that. "So soon? They both haven't taken magic efficiency or advanced incantations."
"They prove to be quite brilliant when pushed hard enough," she hummed.
