Rise of the Fifth
The Hidden College Part 1
Pages 1 to 15

They would never see it coming. Where was the strength in division? Strength, success, domination really lay in unity. For the past few years the hidden, fifth college, the Hermetic College, had been gathering renegade mages to its cause, building its power base. By the time word reached the other colleges of its existence, The Fifth, The Hermetic, would have enough power to begin its assault. As long as word didn't reach them yet...

~*~

Penrold sat in the farthest corner of the inn, awaiting the man he knew would soon arrive. He had no idea who the man was or even his name, just that he would arrive on the 19th hour. His information had arrived from none other than the Blackwing commander, Selik. He had paid Penrold a lot of his own personal money to assist in the matter, which, accepting the Blackwing’s money readily, he had agreed to. Now he sat in wait of the man who was to give him his instructions.

~*~

Kane leant back against the tree, wiping his brow with his sleeve. The last couple of minutes should only have been a minor workout for him, and he was disappointed he had let his focus slip. He took a moment to go over what had happened just before he had sat down.

He found them a little further down the track than he had thought, these two thieves that he had allowed to take his saddle bags. They had thought themselves in luck, running off through the brush, but they had not reckoned on his skills. Having tracked them for the last two hours, leading his horse as quietly as possible through the undergrowth, he had found them in the clearing sat around a small cooking fire. They hadn't bothered masking the smoke, obviously thinking they were too smart to be followed.

He left his horse loose a few hundred yards away to roam a little and graze, and immediately moved into his CloakWalk. He pulled his twin daggers from the sheathes along his forearms and closed the gap. The first blade was rammed through the back of the neck of the first assailant, who collapsed with a surprised look on his face. Kane abandoned the blade to move after his comrade, who was on his feet swinging his sword in a blind circle trying to keep the invisible threat away. Pulling together the lattice formation for the spell in his mind, Kane dropped his guise and appeared behind his target before muttering the word "FlamePalm". With surprising strength he thrust his hand into the man's chest cavity as he turned and almost instantly fell, the pain etched on his face as he died.

Sitting on the grass and having recovered sufficiently to move himself again, he gave a low whistle. His horse soon appeared in the clearing. He picked up his scattered belongings and recovered the dagger from the first corpse, cleaning the gore from his blade on the man's jerkin. He sheathed his blades and remounted, deciding it would be best to continue his journey through Thornwood before the wolves came to collect the spoils. He headed off to Blackthorne, hoping for a bed for the night and some food in his stomach.

~*~

Korius stood at his window looking out over the grounds of the college of Xetesk. The thought of a fifth college intrigued him. He had overheard a conversation a little over an hour ago that had thrown up this notion. News into Xetesk was that a new college may have formed and discovered a new way to control raw mana - it must now be the talk of the city by now. Gossip moved fast in Xetesk and Korius new only too well what preposterous stories the local rumour mill produced. If this news was true it could be the answer he was looking for. After being humiliated by Dystran, he was still looking for an opportunity to exact revenge. He would have to wait and bide his time before de-crowning the current Lord of the Mount, yet this new college could offer instant success. They would be small, looking for talent and in need of direction. Something he could offer. To get to the head of that college would surely take less than half the time of trying to do the same in Xetesk.

Korius moved from the window, lost in a train of thought he paced around his room. He needed to get into this college. That was if they were accepting new students. That was if they existed. For all his new-found vigour and desire for revenge, Korius felt this was another far-fetched idea to keep Xetesk on its toes. He remembered the rumours that Dordover were planning on resurrecting Septern a few years back, which had still failed to materialise. The main problem was that surely a mage of his power would feel the mana, or at the very least a change in the atmosphere. Then again, the college could be situated some way away or maybe shielding itself. Korius hoped it to be the latter, which would show the real power of the college.

Korius looked up, realising he had spent forty-five minutes fantasizing about something that could be no more real than his place on the Circle Seven, non-existent and very unlikely to happen. All he could do was wait and see what happened next, if he got more evidence soon then the search for the fifth college would begin.

~*~

Penrold walked slowly through the woodland back to his temporary housing. He'd met the man the Blackwing Commander had arranged for him to meet, and yet he was still not entirely sure of his total devotion to Selik's cause. Penrold had been let down by many in the past, and tended now to fend only for himself and not worry about the needs or beliefs of others.

However, for now the Blackwing was paying him well to infiltrate the fifth college using whatever force necessary. This Penrold was used to, since his career had taken him into many dangerous territories and had cost him friends and gained him enemies.

Selik was not a fool by any means; in fact for a Blackwing he was surprisingly clever, and Penrold was not willing to double-cross the man at this stage. However, he would not rule such action out of his agenda.

~*~

Joibri'dan awoke at the crack of dawn, as she always did, day after day. Sitting up in bed in her home above her apothecary business, she ran her hands over her face and recounted from the night before what she had to get done today. She used the distraction of taking down stale herbs and cleaning the storage jars to skip over her nightmare - one of many that she had had for so many years, night after night. After getting dressed she tucked her long, ebony hair up into a handkerchief, her pale green eyes downcast and her naturally full lips not ready to smile at the dawn of a new day.

Maintaining the shop was menial compared to Joibri's old way of life - on her wall hung an array of weapons, and a chest beneath them held a few sets of travelling clothes - she used to be a mercenary. The excitement of the narrow border between life and death had given way to something necessary but mundane.

Down the creaking, narrow stairs she trudged, through a back door and into the shop floor, shutters for the windows still latched shut against the retreating fog outside and the first edge of the sun peeping over the sleepy Julatsa. Other merchants such as herself would also be getting ready for a normal working day. Joibri's apothecary, first opened some years ago by her late father, was named the Brown Envelope because of the envelopes she always gave to the customers containing their remedies, and was relatively successful. Joibri had enough to live on, in other words, but what made the Brown Envelope different from other apothecary shops was what was out back.

In the small yard, with its utensils and small forge, was where Joibri manufactured weapons. And every time an order was completed, a little brown envelope containing a message of completion was sent to the customer. She mostly specialised in daggers and other small blades, but occasionally could be persuaded to make swords and other large weapons. However, this side of her business she kept quiet, as she was often paid to supply assassins and other back-handed dealers.

But now, Joibri grabbed a broom and efficiently swept the whole shop floor, wanting to get all of the immediate chores done before she got a bite for breakfast and then opened shop. Just as she was starting to clean and refill empty glass storage jars, there was a rattling knock on one of the window shutters next to the door. Automatically suspicious, she took the keys from the peg underneath the main counter and went to open it, still carrying the broom. Who could possibly be calling at such an hour?

As he walked towards his hut, Penrold heard a soft knocking sound. He stopped, looking carefully round the corner of the building nearest to him. He saw two men, rough looking, apparently hiding weapons from view as they waited for an answer to their knock on the apothecary door. He edged around the corner, hiding behind a bush. Penrold didn't know what the men were up to, and he certainly didn't recognise them, but whatever it was they were up to it couldn't be good at this time of day, especially if they were hiding weapons.

Joibri's hand stopped just before it touched the locks on the door, and she slowed her breathing. Something wasn't right here.

The knock sounded again. If she listened carefully enough, she could hear two tracks of unchecked breathing. Something told her they weren't eager customers.

Joibri clenched the broom tighter and unlocked the door, pulling it open partway. As she expected, there were two men standing there, foolish enough to think she wouldn't realise they were hiding things behind their backs.

"Yes?" she asked mock-innocently.

"Do let us in, honey, we need to have a little chat," one of the men oozed.

"I'd rather not." One of them stepped a little closer, leaning on the doorframe and bringing his head closer,

"Maybe you didn't hear correctly," a club was brought round from behind his back, "We need to have a little chat."

Joibri, raising an eyebrow, held a quick debate with herself - she could easily kill them now, but then again she wanted to know what they thought they needed to 'chat' about. So, she held the door wider and let them in, closing it behind them, not knowing whether this was a good situation to be in or not.

As she folded her arms over the broomstick, the taller of the men began,

"You're Arithmus' killer." So they had come about the mage, then. Maybe, then, they had also come about her heritage. This was no longer a good situation to be in, and she regretted her decision to let them in.

"Yes," she said, seeing no sense in lying. "What's it to you?"

"We know about what's inside you, elf."

Joibri cursed in her mind, formulating the best way to go about killing them and where to hide the bodies.

~*~

Lena felt her stomached clench tightly - she hadn't been this excited or this nervous in a long time. Her companion, Silt, was organising some rooms for the night. This was the last night they would be spending in an inn; tomorrow they would arrive at the Hidden College. She still didn't know its name - Silt had refused to give her any other information other than it existed. She knew he still had doubts about her decision to leave Lystern. But Lena knew it was time to leave her old college. It had nothing to offer her anymore. She was sick of the days spent on playing politics, the constant discussions. She wanted to return to the core of magic and if for that she had to leave Lystern... Well, it hadn't been a hard decision, Lena mused, gazing ahead of her.

Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Silt saying,

"I've got us two rooms upstairs. You can daydream all you want to, but I'm going to bed. I want to leave an hour before dawn tomorrow. If you plan on joining me, I would suggest you get some sleep as well, the ride will be long."

With that he turned his heels and walked off. Lena sighed, he had been like that for the whole journey.

Still, tomorrow, the veils which shrouded the fifth, secret college would finally be lifted... Lena doubted that she would sleep much tonight.

~*~

Penrold was not unduly surprised at Joibri's decision to allow the two men in. He knew she had the capacity to kill, faster even than him, which took some doing. Keeping low he crept towards the building.

Penrold knew that there may at some point have been a situation with the people with whom the mage had been friendly with. Joibri had had to kill the mage and since there had been countless attempts at revenge, of which had begun to die out. Maybe they had hoped to catch Joibri out. Penrold allowed himself a fleeting smile. He knew what she was capable of, and the speed at which it could be done. However, he felt that being at hand to perhaps assist his friend in some way might be appreciated.

~*~

After a couple of hours’ riding Kane finally reached Blackthorne. The town seemed to be in between the morning rush and the afternoon calm-down, with farm-hands and maids rushing about their business. With his horse foamy with sweat from the ride, he dismounted to ease its load and led it to the same stable he always used when resting here. Passing a few silver coins to the stable-boy he removed his bags and made his way to one of the small inns just off the town centre.

Inside trade seemed to be going well, for every table was loaded with flagons of ale and pitchers of wine. He stood by the door for a moment before he managed to catch the landlord's eye and was waved over. "The usual spot" was all he had to ask and dipped into his coin purse for the usual fee. He also requested a plate of cheese, bread and salted meat, along with some mulled wine, to be sent to his room.

He dumped his heavy load onto the bed and stood at the window, which overlooked the main square. He stood watching the townsfolk go about their business for a short while until a knock at the door broke the silence. One of the owner's younger girls brought in the large food platter, and left with a grin on her face after he had given her a small gold piece as a tip. As he sat on a chair next to the window and ate, he doubted she would ever see as much money again in her life-time, which if according to the rumours he had heard in Korina were true, may not be as long as she may have hoped.

~*~

"And what might you think be inside of me, then?" Joibri continued, heading round the side of her main counter and, just as she wanted, the two men stepping up to the other side.

"You know perfectly well. It's just as Arithmus described."

"So why are you here? Have you come to kill me? Kidnap me?" Joibri put her hands on her hips, unamused. The taller man, whom she decided to nickname Brick one, took a piece of paper out of his pocket and unfolded it,

"We have instructions to bring you to the fifth college, willingly or not." Brick two chimed in at that point,

"We trust you'll go without a fuss, won't you honey?"

"Why do I have to go there? Since when has there been a fifth college?" she addressed Brick one.

"You're needed, put it that way." They started laughing to themselves, and Brick one held the paper closer to her. "Does this ring a bell?"

Joibri peered at the paper, but only for a moment before gasping in shock when she realised what it was. The mage, Arithmus, had shown her the exact same thing. The symbol...

Like primal instinct her hand moved from broom handle to kichida handing underneath the counter, bringing it up and detaching both pieces to where one blade was in each hand. One strike this way, another that way, and the two Bricks fell to the ground, throats precisely cut. The panic still coursing through her veins, Joibri went around the counter to Brick one, bending down to take the paper from his hand...

The door opened.

Penrold entered, and took in the scene before him. The two men dead, and Joibri standing above them, their blood splattered across her face. Rolling his eyes at his friend, Pen addressed her,

"You could have left one for me you know." He moved forward to look at the bodies of the men she had killed. "Interesting. I know this one," he pointed at Brick one. “I met him earlier. He came to see me in the bar after I spoke to..." Penrold cut himself short.

Joibri coiled the crumpled up paper into her hand slyly, panic subsiding as she smiled,

"Sorry, impulse took over. Spoke to whom?"

She hooked the pommels of her blades together and placed them on the counter, grabbing the cloth she had been using to clean the storage jars and wiping the blood off of her face and then the blades. Hoping Penrold wouldn't notice, she slipped the paper into her apron pocket.

Pen looked momentarily at something Joibri had hidden but didn't question her. She often kept things to herself but would talk later if she felt any need to, which Pen was happy to accept.

"Talk to? Oh no one. No one important. What did they want of you anyway? They're not from these parts."

Pen bent to grab hold of Brick one whose name he knew to be Lehman. Digging deep into the thug’s pockets, he found little to satisfy his curiosity, and picked the man's body up, and dumped it into a rug which he began to roll around the body. At Joibri's shocked expression he addressed her,

"We've got to get rid of them somehow."

"I know that, it's just that I only cleaned that rug yesterday!" Joibri shook her head and grabbed the other end of the rug bundle, "They wanted to take me to somewhere called the Fifth College, if they were even telling the truth. This guy here said I was 'needed'." Her eyebrows furrowed as she paused, "'Pen, they knew Arithmus. And they knew about..." she trailed off.

Pen and Joibri carried the rug out into the back and down to the stream that marked the entry to the village.

"We'll dump him here. By the time he's found we'll be miles from here."

As they walked up the hill towards the back door of Joibri's house, Pen felt he had to ask. Even if she refused to tell him, he had to at least attempt to get out of her what was going on. His meeting with Selik's contact had informed him of a Fifth College and now here was the same man trying to bring in a friend to the opposite of what he had stated were his beliefs. Taking a deep breath Pen began,

"Joibri there's something I think we should discuss." At that moment a door opened across the street and the barman stepped out. "Shit. C'mon, hide." The two, doubled over to keep low, ran to the opposite end of Joibri's garden. They edged along her house wall and in through the back door without being seen. Forgetting about the second body in Joibri's front shop for the moment, Pen began again, "That man was telling the truth. There is a fifth college. As yet we don't know the details, but I would warn you to be very careful. As I understand it, this college is not looking for any form of unification between colleges but overall supremacy. Other than Arithmus... what was it they knew of? This could make a hell of a lot of difference."

~*~

With his hunger satisfied and his insides warmed by his hometown's mulled wine, Kane thought over what his next step would be. He doubted he'd get much more information from the Baronial lands, with the exception of perhaps Blackthorne himself, and Kane knew he was out of town for another few weeks, busy settling border disputes between a couple of the lesser Barons back in Korina.

‘To gain information about renegade mages, what better place to start than one of the colleges,’ he thought to himself. ‘But which one to go to. Xetesk will have to wait, they would not allow me inside the college without asking serious questions. My own college, Dordover, would be the same.’

"Guess it'd be Lystern or Julatsa, then," he grumbled to himself as he rose from his chair. He removed his coin purse from his bags and placed wards on them. It wasn't for lack of trust in the bar staff here, it was more for piece of mind for himself. Covering the bags with a sheet from beneath the bed, he left the empty food tray and his glass in the hallway and placed a WardLock on the door itself. He left through the front of the building, passing a quiet word to the owner not to have any of his staff attempt to gain entry to his room, lest they wish to end their lives. He walked off to the market, looking for food supplies and anything else he might find useful for his trip to the Northern Colleges.

~*~

Joibri was just thinking about taking Brick two to her furnace to be disposed of, but now she turned her attention completely to her answer to Penrold.

"They wanted to kidnap me for my...gift. You remember my gift, don't you? How much more complicated my life's ever been since Arithmus told me about it before I killed him. Full of people trying to assassinate me or capture me - it gets old after a while, but this... this is different..." she took the piece of paper out of her pocket and uncrumpled it, holding it out for Pen to see:

On it was a complex symbol all in black, of a humanoid figure standing spread-eagled and draped in chains that became a nine-pointed star surrounding the figure. At each star point there was a circle, and on the figure's torso there was a representation of a burst of light.

Joibri let Pen take the paper and then looked him in the eye,

"Now it's your turn - what did the first guy talk to you about? And you said we would be 'miles from here' by the time they're found?"

This was turning out to be a very strange morning.

~*~

Korius was more surprised than anyone when the door to his room burst open. More shocking than the sudden smack of human flesh on wood and the door bouncing off the inner wall was who strode in. The last person he expected was the Lord of the Mount himself, especially not accompanied by two Circle Seven mages. But that was the reality of the situation.

Dystran looked at Korius, an uncomfortable smile on his face. He smirked at the small room that Korius called his home and plucked the chair beneath the window. He sat down and began.

"Well, well. Korius Nascarta. I haven’t had the pleasure of greeting you for a while."

Korius heard the sarcasm in Dystran's voice. He tightened his lips - it was all he could do not to attack Dystran where he stood. No, Korius had to be nice this time. He had to wait, maybe he could even get back in Dystran's good books.

"Yes my lord. I wish it could have been sooner but I understand how busy you are." Korius almost made himself vomit with that reply. He had to keep in his mind the reason for his pleasantness. Dystran continued,

"Yes. Well. I'll get right to the point." Dystran paused, thinking of how to tackle the subject at hand. "I take it you’ve heard the reports of a fifth college?"

"Yes, my lord."

"It seems that some rumours could be true. We are letting the city believe they are lies so I want to make sure you don’t let anyone hear what I'm about to tell you." Dystran paused, waiting for a reply. After a short silence he continued. "We have reason to believe that there are some traitors in the city. After hearing about the Fifth College we checked our research and stumbled on some interesting reading. It seems our old friend Arithmus knew a little more than he was willing to let us know. We found some of his old papers hidden away which details, if somewhat cryptically, the location of this fifth college as well as information on a rather powerful mage. Unfortunately he was rather good at covering his tracks and all we can glean at the moment is that it is an elf that has connections with the One. It seems he found this information whilst he undertook his research in Julatsa."

Silence once again filled the room. Korius was unsure why he was being told this and how he fitted into the equation. Dystran revealed this all too soon.

"Now here’s where you come in. We are finding information here but need someone to go to the college and report what’s going on, if the papers are right they may want to gain domination of Balaia. There would be more rumours if I was seen to be looking for this college. Therefore I need a powerful mage to sneak his way in. Someone not expected to go. As the most promising student I require you for this task. Do what you need to do convince them you wish to join the college, then report back to me directly."

Dystran rose and looked Korius straight in the eye.

"You have till sun down to reply." He then turned and strode towards the door which was opened for him. There he paused and turned. "Oh yes. Completing this task may make me forget previous events in your life. And may even convince me to consider a place on the Circle Seven." With that Dystran and his cohorts left, leaving Korius to his thoughts.

This could be it. The opportunity Korius was looking for, and the Lord of the Mount may just have played it straight into his hands.

~*~

"Okay Joibri. Now I know what you personally think of the people that directed me to talking with the guy we just dumped down there, but you've got to hear me out." Pen waited for Joibri to answer, but received only a narrowing of her eyes.

Pen had a feeling she'd already guessed by now that he'd been friendly with the Blackwing commander for some time. It wasn't his beliefs or deeds that he admired, only the way in which he fought for what he believed in instead of claiming to believe in something and then sitting back to do nothing.

"I was told by Selik..."

At the mention of the name that confirmed her anxieties Joibri tore the rag she had been clenching. She didn't like today at all.

~*~

"That's too much for something like that. The craftsmanship is good, but not THAT good.”

"Maybe my Lord, but nevertheless I will not be forced into selling it for much less."

Kane was stood in a corner of the Main Square trying to barter with the stall-owner. His eyes had been drawn to a case at the back of the stall, sat on a raised level above the other items. In the case sat several daggers and short swords, but it was one blade in particular that drew his attention.

The short sword, almost as long as his arm, had a solid hilt, carved from what appeared to be some sort of polished stone. The blade was not too thick, but not thin either, and had been keenly honed down so much that the edge appeared to blur. But it was to the intricate weaves of metal that formed the hand guard that Kane was interested in most, for there, within the metal strands, were four jewels: a ruby, a diamond, an emerald and a sapphire.

Kane could feel the power of the elements emanating from these jewels through the mana spectrum - fire, air, earth and water. He could not believe that a blade such as this was here, in Blackthorne! He had to have it, and having only bought enough provisions to last him the two week ride to the two Northern Colleges he had more than enough to purchase it, but did not want the merchant to know that in case he pushed his price even further.

Finally, he "reluctantly" handed over the money. The owner, obviously oblivious to what he had just handed over to none other than one of Dordover's top mage-assassins, was pleased to have made his day's profit in one of his first sales of the afternoon. Kane was quietly thrilled to have the blade, which he knew would further enhance his mana stamina and the power of his spells. He returned to his room as soon as he could, leaving the wards present as they were tuned to him alone and would permit no one else to enter. He dropped his supplies on the floor and turned his attention to his new prize,

"A mage blade. Who would have thought I would find one of these out in the Baronial Lands!" he thought aloud to himself. "This will greatly improve my chances of getting the information I need. I think now that I may leave tomorrow at first light," he said to himself, a smile widening on his face. He lay down, sword still in hand, and attuned himself to the spectrum to replenish his reserves for the long ride ahead.

~*~

“Maybe we should leave,” Pen suggested instead of continuing with his explanation. Joibri sighed, putting up with his words for the moment and vanishing up the stairs to get her things. When she returned downstairs Pen had stowed the body behind her counter, and she had to step over it to take all the money she owned out of a safe in the floor. Not bothering to replace the safe lid the pair cautiously slipped out of the apothecary, Joibri needlessly locking the door behind her and shoving the key into her pack.

They made their way through the town to the stables, where Joibri decided to ‘borrow’ a mare.

"You still haven't answered my question, 'Pen. What exactly have you been up to that seems to involve the people we just got rid of? Last time I saw you was in Blackthorne, and I had shorter hair and you didn't look quite as serious as you do now!"

So saying this Joibri took her hair out of her handkerchief, shoving it in her pack with her two other sets of clothing and of course her weapons. She slung on her old riding cloak and checked to make sure no one was looking at them too strangely. With little difficulty she was up on the black mare and looking down at Penrold for a reply.

Penrold pulled himself into his saddle.

"Not now. When we are away from here and flapping ears." Penrold dug his heels into his mount and started out towards the village boundary, knowing he was going to have to explain his Blackwing connection at some point.

Joibri spurned her horse after him, and as soon as they were out of Julatsa a small ways she turned to him as they slowed,

"Where are we going?"

~*~

Korius slowly walked down the hallway, noting its splendour. He was a few paces from the door to the great hall in Xetesk. There would be sat the Circle Seven and the Lord of the Mount himself. He had not hesitated to accept Dystran’s offer and sent a message to him straight away, and since then the Lord of the Mount had invited him to the hall. Korius knew this would be his debriefing.

As he entered the hall a hush grew over the chatting senior mages. Dystran stood,

"Welcome, Korius. I am glad you have accepted this mission." Korius felt the power in Dystran’s voice. He knew that had he declined the offer he would be the next test subject to new offensive spells. That Korius wanted this mission, too, helped the matter. Dystran may not know what opportunities he was opening up for his own demise. Although Korius knew that Dystran was not a stupid man, there would be reasons as to why he had been chosen. Korius only hoped he'd find them out before it was too late.

"I wouldn’t want it any other way my lord." Korius' reply was a little sinister for his liking, but Dystran didn’t seem to notice.

"Come, sit." Dystran pointed to seat near the edge of the Circle Seven. He mused over where to start, and then went about revealing Xetesk's plans, "Here is your mission Korius. You are to travel to the Hidden College and gain entry as a prospective student. There you will communicate to me once every night on the inner workings of the college. I want to know everything, their plans, teachings, even what they eat." He picked some papers up from the table and they were passed to Korius. "Here is what information we have. We have decoded Arthimus' notes to reveal that the college is somewhere right under our noses. Its by a large mana source, we believe it to be either Septern Manse, Triverne Lake or on the coast near Julatsa. You will have to decode some notes as you go. We will contact you if we have more information.

“Now to the girl, as that is what we believe the mage to be. If you hear any information on a powerful elven female we need to know immediately. We now think she may not be a trained mage but have the power to use mana. If she has links to the One we may need to speak with her. Am I clear so far?"

"Yes my lord.”

"Good. You leave at nightfall. I want you to go into town and get civilian clothing. You are to hide any artefact or piece of information that links you to Xetesk. Once you have been into town you will report to my chamber within the catacombs. And one other thing, you may never use the name Korius Nascarta outside the walls of this city."

"Yes, my lord.”

"Now go. Good luck Korius, I will look forward to hearing from you."

~*~

Now was the time he would have to explain. Their friendship could be on the line, he knew. But there was no way he could keep it from her.

"I've been working with Selik," he said before she could convey the expression on her face into words. "Look. You're not going to be able to come all the way in for obvious reasons, but those guys were after you specifically. And I want to know if he has any idea that your big guy was working against him too. The only way to find this out is to speak to him. That is where I am going. If you do not wish to follow the whole way I will understand." Knowing he hadn't explained too well he continued, "I've not killed any mages, you know I don't do that. But his information tells of the Fifth College wishing to overthrow Balaia and none of us can allow that to happen. He pays well, and to be honest I actually respect the man for some things."

Pen didn't know what to expect. He half expected her to turn around and go back, but that wouldn't do her any good. The reprimand - yes, that too would probably come. But he hoped their friendship would not be the cost of his openness to her.

Joibri's eyes lowered and looked around the ground, and all she could think of to say at the moment was,

"Shit, Pen!" Realising this was completely unexpected, she continued, "So, my options are either to go back home and wait for someone else to come and find me - to kill me or kidnap me - or I can go with you to the heart of the Blackwings? What kind of a choice is that?!"

Joibri put a hand to her head and rubbed it, trying to figure out what in all hells she should do. She sighed, digging her heels into her horse,

"Let's go find Selik, then."

He felt bad. Joibri was one of the only true friends he had, and he was now leading her into the heart of the Blackwing encampment. He knew his friendship with their commander would stand for something to protect her, and the fact that she was not a college-trained mage for another, but it would still be dangerous for her.
He looked over at her. She was completely blanking all around her. Something which someone like herself with her ancestry was unnatural, and he knew it was his doing.

"Joibri, I am sorry for doing this." It was all he could think of to say, and whether she heard him or not he couldn't tell, but she didn't answer. Not that he blamed her. What could she say to a friend who was practically betraying her.

~*~

Kaynel, a member of the Circle Seven, entered Dystran's room at the top of his tower and joined him on the balcony overlooking Xetesk. He didn’t wait for the Lord of the Mount to turn to him before starting what he had to say,

"You're playing a very dangerous game, Lord Dystran." Dystran turned, noticing Kaynel for the first time.

"Has anyone ever told you it is considered a grave offence to sneak up behind your lord and talk to him in that manor?"

"Yes my lord, but -"

"But what?!" Kaynel froze, giving Dystran the upper hand in the conversation. "Do you not realise what could happen if more rumours spread?”

"Yes, but -"

"I am not finished yet." Dystran paused, and again he proved his power over Kaynel by stopping the Circle Seven mage where he was. The silence lasted a few seconds but felt like an eternity. "If word gets out that the college is real then we could have mass panic on our hands. That can be controlled. But if word gets out that the mage who was originally involved is from Xetesk, now that could be catastrophic. Imagine if people thought Xetesk was behind the Fifth College, what then?" Kaynel knew too well this was not a pause for him to fill. Instead, Dystran continued. "We have tried to gain domination over Balaia too many times for them to believe we're not involved. We need to keep Arthimus' identity a secret. We are not prepared for a war, but we may be the first ones the rest of Balaia attack if the truth is found." Another pause, and Dystran looked distressed. "I can’t believe we were so blind. Now we have to find out about this college and wipe it out before it has any chance of gaining support against us."

Kaynel waited a good minute before replying.

"I understand this, but why did you send him?"

"He is powerful."

"Yes, a little too powerful. You know how he has been treated. What if he joins with the college? What if he turns against us?"

"If you’re telling me of his plan to dethrone me I already know. But he would be a powerful ally - if I can convince him to join me we could switch the balance of magic in our favour."

"And if not?"

"He's just a boy. We will simply have to eliminate him."

~*~

They arrived at the mile mark before the Blackwing encampment. Pen turned to his friend. He wanted to put it to her gently so as not to aggravate the situation any more.

"What do you think? It sounds strange but it may be safer to travel inside with me. It's your choice."

"Of course I'll go in with you. It's what friends do, whether I like it or not. Besides, can't have you go in without some backup. They're Blackwings, after all," Joibri said with a shrug of her shoulders. "Just hold on a moment while I sort myself out."

She turned around and procured her long sword, balancing it in front of her and then hooking her throwing stars and kichida onto her belt before putting her armour and finger blades on. Not so much that she'd need all of them, but it was best to be prepared - and besides, it made her feel more comfortable.

"Carry on."

~*~

Suddenly, Lena's head jerked up,

‘Damn, I have to stay awake,’ she thought to herself. Silt's prediction had been true; after a night of nearly no sleep she was feeling exhausted. Now, she was barely able to keep herself upright on her horse. Silt reined his horse and this time Lena nearly did lose her balance.

"Here we are" he said, his voice relieved. Lena looked around - they were near the northern shore of Triverne Lake, facing a hill. Lena was confused, she hadn't thought the Fifth College would be so near to the others. And where the hell was the college? She looked around but didn't see anything that resembled a college near by. She realised Silt was laughing.

"What?" she demanded irritably.

"Do you really think the college would be so easy to find?" Silt shook his head.

"Well, how the hell am I supposed to know? You haven't been exactly forthcoming with the information.” Silt looked at her seriously, but didn't reply.

He started the twitch his fingers and mutter under his breath, Lena realised he was constructing a spell and quite a complex one, if the sweat on his forehead was anything to go by. Suddenly a vertical rip opened a few feet away from them and expanded to two meters.

‘Of course! I should have known,’ Lena thought as she stared at the rip.

"Well, do you want to dally here all day?" Silt asked impatiently.

"No, no... Let's go." Lena didn't even bother to hide the excitement in her voice. She had arrived! Finally!

~*~

Pen smiled at Joibri.

"I don't think you'll need them, but if it makes you feel better. He won't allow the killing of my friends even if you are an elf." He winked at her when her look told him he was on dangerous ground. "Besides you're just an elf to him, right? I mean, he won't know who you are at all."

There was another long silence.

"Oh shit, Joibri, don't tell me Selik knows who and what you are? I mean, tell me that all he knows is that you're an elf, or even just a mage of sorts, nothing more!"

Dread was beginning to fill him. No wonder she'd acted strangely. He'd never have expected Selik would have met her before, and he hoped with all his heart that he wasn't leading his friend into a trap.

"Just tell me he only knows you for an elf that uses magic?"

"People talk, Pen. You know that. I may not even be a mage, but people have seen me fight, even if it hasn't been in the past couple of years. People remember other people who fly through the air. Selik knows who I am. He hasn't met me, but his proxies have told him about me, which is almost the same thing," Joibri replied.

"But..." Pen tried to think of something but couldn't. Even when they got to talk to Selik privately, if any of his cronies recognised her, though he wouldn't allow an attack whilst Pen was there because of their agreement, she would be in danger in the future. There would have to be a bargain.

By this time they had arrived at the outskirts of the encampment. A well-built, bald thug stood threateningly before them.

"Pen to see your commander." As the thug walked off he cursed himself for using the shortened version of his name. Very few people called him Pen and they were all good friends. What must Joibri be thinking now?

"Pull your hood up Joibri. It'll be suspicious but so long as you're with me you'll be safe." How the hell must this sound? The Blackwing commander knowing him by the name Pen, and people being safe from the thugs as long as they were with him. Even the dumbest person couldn't fail to notice it all.

"I don't like this at all 'Pen, just so you know," Joibri said as she put her hood up, the golden metal of her finger blades glinting in the nearby torchlight. "If I feel threatened I WILL attack, just so you know."

The two of them were led into a building in the corner of the encampment surrounded by guarding Blackwings. Once inside the thug took them into a bare room with a spare table and four chairs.

"Sit," the thug said. Pen made to answer him but as he looked up he saw Selik by the door.

"I see your men are as polite to visitors as ever." Pen tried not to make the comment sound too much like a joke though it had been intended as one. But again Pen felt Joibri's presence behind him and he changed his tone.

"Well, it's not often guests are anything more than worthless mages," the Blackwing replied, extending a hand which Pen took and shook. "Pen. Good to see one person at least is not too afraid to shake my hand."

"Can't imagine why anyone should be." The comment was a little sarcastic but again sounded fairly joke-like, and Selik smiled slightly.

Unfortunately it was at this point Joibri chose to join the conversation, and she did so with a derogatory snort at Pen's comment. It did not go unnoticed and Selik's eyebrow rose as he became aware of the other visitor before him.

"Your friend."

"Brithor." Pen introduced Joibri to Selik, and again the captain offered a hand, which this time was not accepted. His eyes narrowing, he looked at Pen. "It appears it is you where this trait ends." Pen willed Joibri to do something in her own favour, but could understand why she would not do so. "A word in private." And he was gone. Pen stared back at Joibri, shrugging and following the Blackwing commander out through the door into the next room. "Allow no-one to talk to her," he said to one of the thugs who was passing at the time.

Nerves were now starting in Pen’s stomach. Had he misjudged the situation?

"Who is she?" Not so much of a question as a demand.

"She's not important to you, so why don’t we..."

"I'm paying you well am I not?"

Pen refused to answer. Confrontation with an employer even if they were a murdering Blackwing whom you happened to be slightly friendly with was never a good thing.

"Who is she?"

"An elf."

"That's all she is?" A pause. "So she is not the famous Joibri?" Pen attempted not to flinch.

"Pft. Sure, that’s right Selik, I’d bring the most important elf in Balaia right into the centre of your encampment. Look," he continued before the Blackwing could interrupt again, "I've found something interesting about your brilliant contact." This seemed to interest him. "He was working for the Fifth College. Did you know?" The expression on his face told Pen that he had not. "Well he's dead now anyway."

"Where did you find this out?" The question Pen had been hoping his friend would not ask.

"Look, Selik. We're friends, right? You don't tell me where you get all your information from, and I’m the same." The Blackwing looked at him suspiciously for a moment before deciding to accept him.

"Take this," Selik handed him a piece of paper. "I don't know what it means, we need to know. Apparently there is a second piece, it informs you as to the location of the Fifth College. Find it and a translator. Bring them both back here. Understood?"

"No problem." They shook hands. As they walked back and collected the still hooded Joibri from the other room, Selik again extended a hand.

"Brithor." Again she ignored his hand and walked back towards their horses. "Pen." Selik's tone was cold. "I'll be watching you." He nodded towards Joibri's back, "And her." Pen nodded curtly and followed Joibri out of the encampment.

As soon as they were out of earshot Joibri gritted her teeth,

"One of his thugs will talk to him. He knows, he looked in on me while you and your... friend... were talking.” A pause. "I hope you're happy, Pen, I hope you're really happy,” she said bitterly and walked off.

~*~

With his supplies stowed in his saddle bags and his new mage blade sheathed at his hip, Kane had left Blackthorne wondering if he would ever return to his home. He had decided to skirt around Thornewood on his journey north, believing the meat he was carrying would attract the resident wolves. Despite the two thieves lying dead in the clearing from a couple of days ago, Kane believed the wolves were always hungry, and thought he'd be better off spending the extra day travelling around the forest.

Refreshed and recharged in mind, body and spirit, and with his considerable mana reserves full he was almost looking forward to the task ahead. He pressed his steed onwards, eager to make the next hamlet before noon where he could change horses and continue on, unawares that he was being watched.

~*~

As Lena and Silt entered the rift, a lone figure watched from the shadows of the forest. Noting the position of certain key stones and plants around the area, the figure waited for them to pass through completely and the spell to pass, the wall reappearing over the rift.

A smirk drifted across the figure's face, for now the position of the Fifth College was known to the outside world. The shadow shrank away from its hiding place, running swiftly and silently back towards its mount. Soon it was long gone, all traces of iterased as if it had never been there. But soon, oh very soon, it would return, and all hell would be unleashed...

~*~

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