18 Chapter 18: I'm glad you realised

Song recommendation: Dead Weight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4iyEXDStgk&list=OLAK5uy_kcbAzhx5KS4zjQ5-mVYwrGdu0mjsRIAXw&index=10)

A week flew past on the trail through the midlands. Yona remained a silent member of the group as they continued onto warmer climates. The first bloom of spring welcomed them on the edge of another boundary crossing.

"So we will reach the southernmost college by nightfall," Tomas said thoughtfully. He was a little ahead of the others and turned back excitedly. "I heard the college has one of the largest libraries in the midlands. You'll have all the books you can get your hands on, Veretta,"

"I've heard they also have the biggest herb garden of any colleges. You can finally get back in the gardens Tomas," Veretta smiled back.

"It's close to the spring festival, I wonder if they'll celebrate it this year?" Tomas went on with a smile. "I hope the fireworks,"

"Aren't you taking this too lightly?" Errik glanced at him, "we're not going there for you to play around,"

Tomas turned back with a frown, "I know that," he said seriously, "but we may have some time before Silthus arrives so..."

"So we can prepare," Veretta enjoined, "Tomas is the best herbalist in the north and with the library, we'll have access to all manner of spells,"

Tomas gave a proud smile and marched on satisfied. As he had said, by nightfall, they reached a great white tower. It was a pale column under the chalky white moon. It was surrounded by metal gates with a large courtyard stretching out into a garden in the distance. Students were coming and going under lively chatter. It was a great difference from the quiet repose of the rest of the world hiding under Silthus' shadow. Yet by all accounts that part of the world had already been snatched up by him months before. The sight of the gleeful students made Veretta wonder. Were the mages' colleges really so protected or was it something else?

As they reached the gates, she wasn't the only one surprised. Errik stopped abruptly glaring at the tower haltingly. Tomas and Yona were already in the courtyard, but Errik was frozen in place. Veretta started back with uncertainty.

"Errik, are you okay?" she asked.

Errik's eyes were wide almost fearful. It was an expression Veretta had never seen before. He was staring up at the tower with a look of dread. Veretta laid a hand on his arm concerned and called his name once more.

He suddenly recoiled from her grip and his eyes came down startled.

"What is it, Errik?" Veretta implored, "what's wrong?"

"I..."Errik inhaled sharply, "I don't know,"

Veretta took his hand in hers. She didn't say anything but just waited quietly till he had calmed. It took a while but finally a resolute expression took hold in Errik's eyes. He stared down at the hand in his then to Veretta. He started forward with her hand still in his until they crossed the threshold. Yona and Tomas were already by the doors talking with one of the students.

Veretta quickly slipped her hand out of Errik's and caught up with them. He followed a pace behind. Tomas turned back just as they arrived.

"I was right," he grinned, "they are celebrating the festival,"

"In the middle of a war?" Veretta said in a low voice.

One of the two students looked back at her surprise.

"What war?" They asked.

"Against Silthus,"Tomas interceeded.

The students glanced at each other apprehensively, "we don't know anything about that. You should talk to the Master instead,"

"Can you bring us to talk to one of the masters then?" Tomas suggested.

They all proceeded into the tower. It was a great white column that seemed narrow but once inside it grew substantially. There was a spiralling column of steps leading to different floors housing laboratories, classes and student housing. There were even more students coming and going inside the tower than outside. There were lamps leading up the stairs and clean dark marble steps leading up. The two students were in a lively discussion with Tomas as they ascended but Veretta was quiet.

"How can they not know about the war?" she muttered in deep thought.

"It seems they are quite protected here," Errik remarked in his usual tone, but his face was pale.

Veretta glanced up at him trying to glean something of his thoughts. However, any of his earlier hesitations seemed to have disappeared completely. They continued on quietly until they reached the upper floors and were lead through a corridor of classrooms to the the end of the hall. They knocked on the door and waited.

Within a few seconds, a dark-haired middle aged woman with glasses emerged from a small office. She had dark circles under her eyes and looked unimpressed to be disturbed.

"What ?" she said flatly, "I thought I told you not to knock on my door after hours,"

"Sorry, Master Rhy but we have some visitors," the students hesitated.

"Visitors?" she inspected the crowd with a sigh.

They were ushered into the office unceremoniously where Tomas began with an introduction. Still, the Master looked uninterested.

"So what exactly do you want us to do?" she replied flatly, "I can bring you to the Headmaster if you want but you'll get the same answer. We aren't getting involved. If you want refuge, we can take you as mages but any other expectations, you'll be sourly disappointed."

" I don't understand Master Rhy," Veretta entreated, "Why is it so peaceful here while Silthus is waging war across the continent? "

"Silthus has brought peace here not war," she replied, " the king of this country has been trying to cease the mage's college for decades. Silthus has given us the ability to practice magic freely again. "

" but he still took your land by force," Veretta interjected.

"You people in the north probably don't know it but most of us in the south and the Midlands were glad he came. No one tried to fight him. That's why there was no war. Silthus has a legitimate claim on these lands. That is also the reason why the college did not intervene, "

"What are you talking about?" Veretta rejoined.

"Silthus is the last true blood of the Empire, haven't you heard? "Master Rhy shook her head" the older generation in the west and the south have been carrying this legend for many years but no one took it seriously till he arrived,"

"As in, he's a descendent of the Empire of Rotan?" Errik asked gravely, " but I thought that fell hundreds of years ago,"

" It did but many people couldn't let it go. It was an Empire that stood for a thousand years. They called it the golden age. People kept waiting for the time when it would come again," Master Rhy said gravely, "for this reason the college headmasters came together to the grand wizard and made a decision not to openly attack Silthus but see what the public sentiment was. As you can see, the majority favoured in support of Silthus,"

"But he's a mercenary and a murder!" Veretta argued.

" I don't disagree," Master Rhy sighed, " but politics is the way we have managed to keep our independence over these years. In the end, we are supported by taxpayers money. If they decide they don't want us anymore, the mage's colleges will be broken apart and auctioned away to the highest bidder. That is why we keep a neutral stance in these affairs,"

"The masters of my college told us that we have a duty as mages to know the difference between right and wrong and act accordingly," Veretta answered unwaveringly, " how can we hide under these walls while half the world is suffering?"

"I wish I had a better answer but that is what has been decided," Master Rhy replied, "This college effectively belongs to Silthus now. If you can't bend your heads to him for the sake of the rest of us, you should go now. We don't want any trouble, "

It was then, Yona who had not said a word suddenly spoke, "my master is expecting them to me here. You will accommodate them,"

"Oh, and who exactly is your master?" Master Rhy asked drily.

"The Red General," Yona replied categorically.

A sudden flicker of recognition came across Master Rhy's face. She rose briskly.

"I will inform the headmaster of your stay," she glanced down coldly at Veretta, "You had a lot to say considering you were friends with him. I guess friends of Silthus can run their mouths as they wish,"

Veretta's eyes widened and she flew from her seat indignantly and stormed off down the hall. Errik found Veretta sitting in the hallway below with her face cast down. She had her hands so tightly locked together, her knuckles were turning white.

"Tomas is arranging our rooms," he said glancing down.

Veretta didn't answer.

"Are you crying?"Errik asked.

Veretta's eyes flew up severely, "No, I'm not crying! I'm angry, Errik. I'm so fucking angry," her voice shook uncontrollably.

Errik sat down beside her quietly, "because she said you were friends with Silthus?"

"No, I'm angry because I don't understand how a man that killed thousands of people can be forgiven simply by virtue of his blood? "Veretta spat, "the truth is that they're all cowards. I wish...I wish...they could know how it feels,"

"Are you going to punish them too?"Errik smiled but his eyes were serious. Veretta flinched, snapping from her own discomposure.

"No," she replied shortly, " but since they worship the ground Silthus walks on, perhaps they'll have to find a new path after he's dead,"

Errik gave a small chuckle," what a scary thing to say, little necromancer, "

"Is it so bad?" Veretta frowned.

Then to Veretta's surprise, he leaned back on her shoulder.

"I think you're quite funny,"Errik smiled.

"Funny?" Veretta glanced down with a frown, "I'm not trying to be funny,"

"I know," he said quietly, "but you should understand, there's nothing you could say or do that would surprise me. If you're angry then be angry. Say what you want,"

"Is that a challenge, Errik?" Veretta gave a small smile.

"Yeah," Errik grinned, "Tell me something terrible," Veretta stared into his entertained golden eyes and felt strangely obligated to comply.

"I once cheated on an exam so my grades didn't drop," Veretta said gravely.

Errik broke into a laugh, "I thought you were going to tell me something bad!"

"You used to be a teacher, surely that should be a grave sin to you," Veretta sighed.

Errik continued to chuckle, "yes, it's terrible. What a terrible student," he teased.

Veretta nodded proudly, "I never told anyone that before. I felt really bad about it. I didn't even tell Tomas and Charlotte,"

"I'm honoured," Errik smiled.

Veretta felt her cheeks reddened slightly under his gaze. Luckily, Tomas and Yona appeared a moment later. Tomas bounded towards them casting a suspicious eye on Errik. Even still Errik didn't move.

"The rooms are ready," Tomas said flatly, "they've arranged a tour for us in a day or so. Apparently, this demon or red general whoever he is a big deal on these ends. Looks like they're pulling out all the stops,"

"My master has helped the people here and they are grateful," Yona spoke up.

"Grateful for what?" Tomas scoffed, "for conquering them?"

"My master is the one that feeds and shelters the people unsettled by the war," Yona replied resolutely.

"Your master...the demon, has been the one feeding the people?" Tomas said sceptically.

"Correct," Yona replied, "he said people will not fight if they have food and shelter,"

"What an interesting General," Tomas said flatly, "Well, I guess we have him to thank. Maybe you can tell us when he's going to make his appearance?"

"He'll be here on the last night of spring festival," Yona answered.

"The night of the ball then," Tomas sighed.

"The ball?" Veretta questioned.

"They're throwing a ball for the spring festival at the end of the week," Tomas explained.

"But what about Silthus?" Veretta frowned, "Silthus is supposed to be coming here. That's why we came!"

"I don't know," Tomas hesitated, "no one said anything about that,"

"Only the master knows when Silthus comes and goes," Yona said.

"So he's making us wait," Errik scoffed,.

They proceeded up to the student halls and were greeted by a crowd of curious stares. Tomas as usual began to chat away easily. To Veretta's surprise, there was a crowd of female students surrounding Errik as well. They were busy asking a torrent of questions and receiving one word answers much to their chagrin. Only Yona and Veretta were left standing somewhat blockaded by the crowd.

Errik seemed surprisingly at ease but the moment Veretta went to pass he immediately grabbed her wrist. His hazel eyes showed no incline of his thoughts but Veretta took his hand nonetheless and started to pull him through the crowd.

When they reached the end of the hall and their rooms, Veretta began to rescind her hand but Errik pulled it tighter. Veretta's eyes widened, staring up at him.

"Veretta," he said quietly, "Why do you..."

"Errik?" Veretta asked cautiously.

For a moment she thought she saw something like hesitation in his eyes and a slight tremble in his hand. Suddenly Errik withdrew his hand and said quickly, "Nothing. Never mind. Goodnight,"

Errik quickly closed the door behind him . He sank back against the door leaving Veretta standing in the hallway stunned. He cradled his head as his hand shook wildly.

"Damn it!" he exhaled through gritted teeth. "Why now?!"

He closed his eyes tightly. So far, he had managed to keep it at bay. However ever since he had set eyes on the tower, he had pain in his chest that had not left. He exhaled and inhaled rapidly trying to catch his breath, but the noise in his head only grew louder and louder.

A voice from the darkness of the small room screamed at him with such intensity it was deafening. At first it had only been a faint sense of unease but now the words were becoming clearer and clearer:

'You useless brat! Do it again! You call that magic?!"

"Again"

"Again!"

"AGAIN!"

Errik launched himself and fondled the darkness for a window. He opened it with a trembling hand and fell back onto the bed. His eyes began to adjust to the darkness and he turned his gaze to the moon just outside the window and it's faint eerie light. A silent repose took hold as he was lost in its hypnotic glow but it didn't last long before the voices came again.

"You ungrateful brat! What did I spend all these years teaching you magic for you to go floundering off to the army?!"

This time an indistinct vision of a room cluttered in books and rotting herbs filled Errik's senses. An old man with startling aggressive yellow eyes glared at him. They shone out under a rabble of wild unkempt hair and wrinkled swallow skin. The terrible gaze felt familiar. Then as if a ghost amongst them Errik heard a reply.

"You never asked what I wanted. If you had, I would have told you I'm not interested in becoming another useless wizard. Don't you remember how they threw you away as soon as it got inconvenient? I won't be like that, rotting away on this shitty island going insane."

The shrivelled old lips drew up in a cruel smile, "They won't take you. What do you even know about holding a sword? You can barely cast a spell, you worthless brat!"

"If you paid any attention to me, you might have realised I've been practicing with the sword for the last three years."

"You aren't going to be a knight!" the old man spat, " You're doing this to spite me."

"I'm glad you realised..."