Shadows of Fore

William, the exploding woman's bulter, was at the door when Mike answered.

"Pardon my intrusion. I heard that we had a new neighbor, so I am here to welcome you to the fourth floor of the Lighthouse Dormitory. My name is William, a butler in service to house Dornovo. I'm afraid that my mistress, Lady Dornovo, is currently indisposed, so I will be greeting you in her stead."

Mike noticed with a great deal of interest, and some sympathy, that the formerly clean-shaven butler now sported a full-sized beard. His steel gray hair had also doubled in length. It seemed that whatever experiments William was involved in had led to the sudden growth.

[What could she be researching? It has to involve magic.]

"Of course. Thank you for your consideration. I'm Michael, but please feel free to call me Mike. I am a new student in the Magic Department. This is Sera, Tal, and Brenden, my friends and traveling companions."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." The butler said with a little bow. "Please feel free to call on me if you should have any questions. My mistress and I have been living here for close to three years now. I could be considered something of an expert when it comes to University life."

"Once again you have our thanks, we'll keep you in mind-" Mike was interrupted by a hungry and slightly upset Audra, who had crawled up his back and flopped out onto his shoulder.

"My word…." The butler exclaimed.

Panicking slightly, Mike started trying to explain, "Well, you see…"

"Is that a Water Drake? I haven't seen one in years. Thought they'd all gone extinct." He said with a cheery, nostalgic smile. "I actually had one as a boy, you see. Best pet I'd ever had."

Mike laughed nervously, "Is that so? We weren't really sure what she was. I just happened to acquire her egg by chance."

"How fortunate! They're really quite exquisite pets. Smarter and longer lived than cats and dogs. Cleaner too. They can eat almost anything, and, although they rarely show it, they have some proficiency with low level Water Magic. A perfect companion for an aspiring mage!"

"Good to hear. I was a little afraid that she wouldn't be allowed in the University."

Laughing as if he heard a good joke, the butler responded, "I'm not so sure about classes themselves, but there is no rule preventing students from having pets on campus. Why, I'm certain I've seen a few of the Magic Department students with pets of their own. Although I think they call them something else." He frowned in contemplation.

"Well, I greatly appreciate the information, but we had a few tasks left to take care of before dinner…" Mike left his statement hanging.

"Oh! Of course. I hadn't meant to stay so long, please excuse me." William exclaimed while stepping away from the door, and heading downstairs. There was something troubling him about the exchange he'd just had, but he couldn't place it.

[I don't recall Water Drakes having four legs. Must be getting old.]

Mike closed the door with a sigh. It sounded like they at least had a decent cover story for Audra now. He fed the little dragon a piece of dried meat he'd started keeping in a pocket. She devoured the offering quickly, and gave him an expectant look.

He walked back into the living room and started hunting for something to feed the bottomless pit that was his familiar. They'd be going down to dinner soon, but he had a sneaking suspicion she wouldn't wait that long.

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"Sir, I believe we may have a problem student on our hands." Instructor Thomas was standing rigidly in front of the Magic Department Chair.

Emmanuel Garthun, also known as The World Strider for his mastery of Space Magic, wearily looked up at Thomas in mid bite. It was not the first time the fussy instructor had come to him about potential 'problem children' in the department, but he usually waited until he was in the office to harass him about it. The Department Chair set down his fork, wiped his mouth with a napkin and motioned for Thomas to take a seat at the cafeteria table he was currently eating at.

"Alright, what's the issue this time?"

"I just conducted the admissions test for a student less than an hour ago. He managed to destroy a fully powered Testing Ring in the process." Thomas whispered, trying to not let his words carry too far in the small cafeteria.

This got the Chair's attention. Most mages would have a hard time damaging the enchantment laid on the ring, let alone destroying it. "Had he studied somewhere else before coming here? Or was he the descendant of some Dynastic Mage Family?"

"I am ashamed to admit, that in my shock I failed to ask him these questions, but I believe he was primarily self-taught. I overheard him speaking with Henry, the scholarship student who was manning the front desk today. He only claimed knowledge of two low level elemental chants."

Emmanuel sat back in his chair, and ran a hand over his trademark slicked-back hairstyle. "What chant did he end up using? I can't imagine any Tier 1 elemental spell being that potent, regardless of who cast it."

"He mangled the chant rather badly, adding words and changing others, but I believe he used Stone Javelin."

The Department Chair sighed. He would have to do some investigation into the student to confirm he wasn't a poorly trained spy or assassin from another country or some shady organization. The recent political situation meant that the University couldn't afford to become involved in the developing dynastic struggle.

To compound matters, this was also the year that the Mage's Guild was planning on conducting an inspection on their training regime. He heard rumors that there were a few big wigs coming through, possibly even the Archmage himself. The last thing his department needed was a major disruption caused by an unknown variable.

However, if this new student proved to be genuine, then he might very well be a prodigy. One that could bring the department a great deal of prestige, and validate their admittedly outdated training methods.

"He hasn't decided on classes yet, right?" Emmanuel asked after some thought.

"That's right. He should be returning to establish his schedule the day after tomorrow."

"Alright, I'm going to have the office place me as his advisor. This way I can keep a close eye on him during his studies. Since he's a promising elemental mage from the sounds of it, it shouldn't be strange for me to do so. Just in case though, we never had this conversation and the student in question passed his test in the standard fashion. Do you think you can keep the judges quiet?"

"That shouldn't be an issue. They know the rules." Thomas said hesitantly, he was slightly uncomfortable with the way this conversation was heading.

"Good. By the way what's this student's name?"

The instructor paused for a second before answering, "He's listed as Michael Rasmussen, but you should know, sir, that he was admitted with a letter of recommendation. One from Count Graveston."

Emmanuel hissed a silent curse. This complicated matters. Now he would have to tread carefully. After all, he wouldn't want to interfere in whatever plans the Serpent had.

"Go. I'll take care of it." He told the instructor before resuming his meal, not for the first time regretting accepting his current position.

[Who knew that politics were such a big part of academia?]

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In another part of the capital, Marquis Ulric, lord of the Western Marches sat contemplating politics next to the fireplace in the room he referred to as his study. Weapon racks, suits of armor, and a training square took up the majority of the chamber, but he felt that was only fitting for the leader of the Western Army of the Kingdom of Almir.

He had been recalled from the border due to the ongoing dynastic struggle in the wake of the King's poisoning. Although the monarch had survived the attempt with the assistance of several powerful healers, whatever remnant of sanity he'd been clinging to finally left him. The king now spent the majority of his time staring off into space or screaming incoherently.

This was not the first time a sitting monarch became mentally unsound for the throne, but for reasons no one was quite willing to speak on, the usually process of forceful abdication in favor of the Crown Prince was halted on the off chance that the king would 'recover.'

Marquis Ulric scoffed at the idea. Greedy individuals were using this opportunity to advance their own agendas. Factions were forming around the king's heirs, and powerful nobles were quietly skirmishing behind the scenes in an effort to push their chosen prince or princess onto the throne.

Meanwhile, there were reports of increased military movements in Tennundi, suggesting that the hostile neighbor was looking to capitalize on the chaos. The Night of Ruin had made the Kingdom look vulnerable on the international stage, even though Wyrport managed to defeat the demonic invasion.

Yet, the Minister of Military Affairs thought it would be a great idea to recall his best general at such a critical time. The fool seemed to want his support for the Second Prince, judging from the last few conversations he'd had with the man. The attempt itself was laughable, but the sheer audacity of it suggested a degree of confidence in his position that was troubling in itself. What made it worse was the subtle invitations from the other factions that were seeking his influence.

The implications were serious, since Marquis Ulric was not usually a popular social guest. In fact he'd been largely excluded from the court for much of his life, often considered too coarse and brutish for high society. The high nobles only paid attention to generals like him when there was war on the horizon.

He felt another presence enter the room, as the most accomplished agent of his Scouting Corps arrived. Not sure precisely where the woman was, he simply spoke in a voice loud enough to carry across the chamber. "Report."

A whisper sounded from his right, and he had to steel himself to avoid jumping out of his seat. "You were right, sir. The Tenundians are planning an assault on Kadin Citadel. There is also evidence to suggest that they will be deploying their navy during the campaign."

The Marquis frowned at the news, even though he expected as much. "They'll want to keep our fleet occupied dealing with their raiders while they sweep through the Marches, but I don't understand why they are moving with such confidence. Even at the best of times they have trouble maintaining military parity."

The voice continued this time from another section of the room. He hadn't heard her move. "There was one other thing to report. Boneships have been seen in the Sea of Talmanes."

He felt a chill run down his spine. "They wouldn't resort to..."

It seemed that political games would have to wait, he was needed on the front lines.

"Return your post. I will be leaving for the Marches at first light." He said while standing. There was much to do.

"I was afraid you'd say that, sir." The woman replied in a despairing voice.

Marquis Ulric's instincts alerted him to the danger. He rushed for the nearest weapons rack, and managed to grab the hilt of a sword, when he felt a sliver of liquid fire enter his chest. Looking down, he saw the hilt of a dagger protruding from a spot slightly to the left of his sternum.

The general fell to his knees as a creeping chill seemed to spread through his limbs. His vision was already fading when a soft, feminine hand gently grabbed his chin and lifted his face. Two warm brown eyes looked down at him with sympathy.

"You were one of the better leaders I had a chance to serve under, general. It's unfortunate that my real masters required your death. If you had only stayed here in the capital, you could have lived a little longer." She spoke soothingly to man as the light left his eyes.

The woman let the heavily muscled body fall to the floor, as she shook her head. "Such a pity, but I suppose the rest of his cherished soldiers will be joining him soon. At least he won't be lonely."

Without a sound the woman vanished from the room.