“Urgent Notice to All Students: Due to recent political developments across Cyndralia, we are asking that any student originating from: The Kingdom of Carrador, The Kingdom of Melton, The Imperial Empire of Trax, The City States of Felmarch and Tynsford, and The Ascari League (Northern Regions and New Berenia only). Immediately report to your department heads.”


    - Academy of Arteria - Schoolwide Announcement - All Departments


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    There they were again, the dark thoughts that nibbled at the edge of her mind, the sickening feeling of the entity’s tendrils wrapping themselves around her. The slimy viscous liquid coating her as they kept her constrained, pointing her towards a beacon in the darkness of the void. In the nothingness, there was a city, then a castle at the edge of the city, lifted high above by a mighty hill as its walls were bathed with golden light from the sun above. She felt the tendrils tighten and drag her along pointing her at one of the castle towers on the far side, the lone tower pointing out to the sea beyond.


    First of the Stolen Dawn


    As it croaked its words Sophie found herself waking up with a start, the strange tentacles seemingly retracting into the bed below her and roughly brushing away at her skin as it retreated. Itchy and slightly fearful, she reached down to scratch her bum when she felt a smooth if somewhat tough fabric under as it was draped over a mattress. Wait a second, she thought as her hands roamed around in surprise, a bed?! Forcing herself upright she looked around incredulously to find that she was indeed in a bed, but before questioning things looked over to the floor where she should’ve been and found herself looking over the apprentice inquisitor.


    Wow, Sophie gawked, though the inquisitor was likely her age or slightly older like Eva, she was built like a small knight. Not as well built as perhaps the minotaur, but for a girl like herself, Sophie was surprised at how much muscles Mila had. Scars also dotted her body, an indication of her harsher life and Sophie winced imagining how she would got all of them.


    Slapping herself away from the shock she examined the room further and found both her clothes and the inquisitor’s hung to dry near the window, the messy piles no longer in sight. A small rustling came from behind and Sophie turned to find Mila stirring, the brief noise of the slap having roused the girl. Curiosity kept her staring as the girl seemed to twitch slightly before bolting awake, her peaceful sleeping face replaced by one of drowsy confusion when the blonde took her a moment to examine her surroundings. Meeting Sophie’s fascinated gaze, her peaceful sleeping face quickly morphed into her trademark scowl.


    “Guh,” Mila grumbled as she wiped away some drool, “What are you looking at?”


    “Sorry!” At the sudden noise Sophie quickly spun herself to face the other side of the bed, her face burning in embarrassment, what was I doing? Why was I staring at her?


    Hearing footsteps and shuffling behind her, she found Mila walking just around her peripherals and couldn’t help but take another look. Stop it! What am I doing?! Blushing furiously, Sophie tried to hide under the covers and distracted herself, thinking of something to occupy her mind when sounds of clothing being changed reached her ears.


    “Umm…thank you.” She murmured from under the covers, prompting the apprentice to give a small grunt in response.


    Suddenly, the covers were ripped away and looming over her was the shadow of the inquisition as it continued scowling at her.


    “No need to be embarrassed, moved you to the bed myself after all, now go get changed.” Mila poked at her and Sophie felt another wave of embarrassment wash over her, she saw me naked!


    But as her mind recomposed itself, she did manage to at least get her message across properly this time.


    “Thank you…for you know…tucking me in bed.” Sophie said sheepishly, still embarrassed.


    “Tch,” The inquisitor scoffed, “I was assigned to take care of you by the blademaster, can''t let you catch a cold or get infected from your injuries eh…ehh…achoo!” Mila sneezed adorably in spite of the scowl. “Considering the wounds and rain and what not.” Mila sniffled.


    Amused, excited, thankful and now in a better mood Sophie quickly hopped over and grabbed the unfortunately still slightly damp clothing from the window, it’s the thought that counts.


    “Achoo!” Mila sneezed again and as Sophie turned around to apologise she was met with an overwhelming aura radiating from the inquisitor, the girl glaring ather. “Don’t. Even. Start.” Mila growled as she sniffled again.


    Stopping herself from apologising and laughing at the same time Sophie nodded and quickly got dressed, wiggling and shuddering from discomfort at the lingering dampness.


    “It’s just a little wet, we’ll be out…out…out in the sun soon enough.” Mila forced back a sneeze, “Now let’s go freshen up and not keep the others…” Mila paused and Sophie watched the girl shake her head viciously before pinching her nose shut, only realising she was being watched and glowered at Sophie. “Let’s not keep the others waiting.”


    “Not a - achoo! Word.” The inquisitor glared and Sophie couldn’t help but chuckle, earning herself angry footsteps as the other girl stomped away.


    “Careful!” She called after her and quickly followed, a small smile breaking out on her face.


    <hr><hr>


    Though Mila maintained a scowl, it was at the very least directed at her own inability to stop sneezing earlier than at Sophie and for that, the maid felt a little bit of relief. All that came crashing down when they went downstairs to the main hall and found Annalise already sitting at a barstool, the barmaid from before nervously chattering away until both sides locked eyes. A frigid silence dampened Sophie’s mood and Annalise hobbled over under the concerned gaze of the barmaid, Sophie stiffened expecting a verbal reaming judging by the ranger’s hostile expression.


    “Sorry.” She blurted out from the nervousness, “Eep mmpfh.”


    Without having time to clarify Sophie found herself stuck in a headlock and winced from the burning sensation as the ranger vigorously rubbed her knuckles against her scalp.


    “Nyeh, sorry.” Sophie protested, but Annalise only continued on much to the amusement of the patrons this early morning.


    “Idiot, daft, kobald brained, muddy eared, stupid, dummy.” The ranger hurled a tirade of abuse right into her sensitive ears.


    Sophie winced and deflated surrendering herself to the ranger only to be suddenly hauled up and brought to eye level, Annalise’s arms holding her firmly in place as they locked eyes. The anger, disappointment, and concern in her friend’s eyes was too much to take and Sophie could feel her own emotions welling up as she realised that this might be goodbye.


    “Anna…” She began.


    “Do you…” Annalise growled, silencing Sophie’s words, “Have any idea, how worried I was? Have any idea how terrifying it was to have the blademaster wake me up to ask about your whereabouts? I mean, I get that I knocked out, but you could’ve left a note, a message or something. Hells, you could’ve even left it with Kimmie here.” Annalise shot a small wink at the barmaid as the other blushed in response. By the divines, are they actually…


    “Are you just into getting people hurt? Getting yourself hurt? Huh?!” Annalise interrupted her thoughts and shook Sophie violently, “Are you trying to die? Just gonna leave the rest of us to clean up your mess? We’re…we….we are a team…yeah, we are a team Sophie. If you’re gonna just hop off to do your own thing let me know first okay? I won’t babysit you…well I mean I can’t really anyways but still, you just disappeared for the day and the next time I see you, your arm’s bleeding to shit and you looked ready to croak right then and there.” Annalise sighed.


    “So…so I’m not being replaced?” Sophie managed to mutter while quivering.


    “Re-huh? Replaced?” Annalise frowned and rubbed her temple, “No?! We’re a team Sophie, it just happens you’re a bit of an idiot but you don’t get off that easily, we’re going to Arteria at the least. Whether you want me to or not.”


    Annalise finally let loose a tired smile and Sophie felt her own spirits lift, we’re still friends! I’m not being kicked out! Flashing Anna a smile of her own she watched in mute horror as her friend’s fingers angled themselves right over her forehead, and flicked.


    “Mmpf!” Sophie yelped.


    “That’s for taking my money without asking or saying anything.” Annalise smirked.


    “Guh!” A critical blow.


    “Now stop being so mopey and get breakfast yeah?”


    A loud sniffle interrupted the conversation and all heads turned to stare at the apprentice, who to her credit scowled back at everyone.


    “What? I’ve got a cold.” Mila shrugged it off.


    “Right, anyways I suspect that judging from your sniffling friend’s look of concern when you two came down, there will be much to discuss and what better time to do it than when we’re eating.”


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    At that Sophie nodded her own assent and looked curiously at Mila for an opinion, only for the other girl to shrug, trying her best to hide the process of wiping her own snot.


    “She’s correct though, we’ve a long day of travel ahead of us.” Mila said nonchalantly.


    “Travel? Going already?” A new soft and mellow if a little overly high pitched voice interrupted. Her well endowed chest caught Sophie’s eye as they seemed to jiggle on their own accord when the barmaid did a quick turn to face the inquisitor. Compared to Mila, these are huge…gah! What the hells is happening to me?! She quickly slapped the thoughts out of her head much to everyone’s amusement.


    Though she didn’t stop moving, Sophie noticed Annalise visibly sagged her shoulders even if she kept quiet whilst trying to get seated at a table, the barmaid rushing over to help her down as they both shared a tender if nervous smile. Oh right… Sophie felt a small sense of guilt well up inside her, she realised that the newly formed couple would be split if they left right away and bit her lip in frustration before turning to the inquisitor who cared not and focused on holding back a sneeze.


    “Kimmie, three porridges and some bread would be great.” Annalise’s voice once again drew Sophie back out of her contemplation. The ranger flashed the barmaid a soft smile as she brushed away some of Kimmie’s hair from her face and giving her a tender stroke on the cheek making the barmaid giggle happily, who in return squeezed the ranger’s hand before heading away to place the order. Though Annalise had nominally forgiven her earlier, she felt the happy mood drop once again as the ranger turned to face the remaining two, a look of minor disappointment mixed with a hint of resignation in her eyes.


    “Annalise, ranger, adventurer, silver rank.” Annalise stated without much fanfare and Sophie found Mila nodding approvingly.


    “Lyudmila but I prefer Mila, apprentice inquisitor, spell-sword but in training.” Mila replied accordingly and Sophie felt her eyes go wide. So Mila was just part of her name? She never seemed this amiable when talking to me.


    “So what’d she do this time?” Annalise sighed.


    Sophie flinched at the way Anna spoke about her, even if she’s frustrated she doesn’t need to be this rude about it. Though I suppose I am at fault.


    “Infiltrated a cult, rescued a prince, and annoyed the local authorities trying to capture said prince by freeing him. Though that last part we were complicit in.” Mila listed off her crimes.


    “We?”


    “Ah, my apologies, myself and a templar sergeant were to serve as your minders and guards while in Meltonian territory.”


    “Oh? You’re the minders, aren’t you an apprentice and…”


    “A bit younger, yes, but Inquisitor von Krantz figured it’d be easier traveling with someone of a similar age, despite my protests as well. Though now I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with this complete mess of an elf here I see why you needed some extra help.”


    Annalise looked ready to protest before the two shared a small hum between themselves and looked at Sophie with raised brows. Traitor!


    “Hey! Not fair! It…it wasn’t just me who caused the ruckus! They were the ones who went in with weapons at the ready.”


    “Pfft, says the girl who jumped out a window because she can’t fight.” Mila sneered, but Sophie was relieved to hear a more sarcastic tone than the sharpness that usually accompanied them.


    “I already had all the documents, I was gonna escape!”


    “Right! The documents!”


    “Sophie?!”


    Mila and Annalise spoke up at once, and in a display of camaraderie both gestured for each other to proceed before Kimmie arrived with the porridge and a plate of bread slices, place down the food before giving Annalise a peck on the cheeks, sending the ranger into a furious bashful blush. Wow, Sophie smiled for her friend but felt a small pang of jealousy shoot across her, I wonder if Eva and Freddie kissed yet? She tried to distract herself with her own fantasies as Mila seized the initiative to continue.


    “Erm, right I had a look through the pages and book you got last night. Lots of ancient script and even some elvish…which means we’ll likely need an actual translator. Anyways, most of it I could barely decipher but from what I can tell it is a mixture of dark magic and some ancient Myndiri spell. Fascinating stuff really, a lot of it I reckon was devised from reverse engineered demonic incantations,” Mila paused and stirred her food, “Alas where, when and why continues to elude me, though there are numerous references to light or dawn, some sort of guiding power and lines trying to describe the demonic threat.”


    Hearing those last words, Sophie and Annalise shared a knowing look. Sophie connected the words Marcus had told her about them being related, she had an eerie feeling that she knew what or who was supposed to act as a guiding power. But he did say they were trying to stop the demonic threat, and light…where the castle on the hill in my dreams! Sophie’s eyes widened at the realisation but found Anna wagging a finger at her.


    “Sophie.” Anna rolled her eyes.


    “Uhmm…yes?” Sophie murmured.


    “You, need to be more careful. If the inquisitors weren''t there to save you or you didn’t land right, you could be paralysed, had your neck broken, caught and sacrificed amongst other things. Adventuring is a dangerous business and if you’re going to do things like this on your own, plan ahead.” Annalise scolded and Sophie could see Mila holding back a small chuckle.


    “Your friend’s right. You could’ve died well before we got there. It was a little bit of luck and dedication that we figured out you’d be likely heading to the farmstead based on what you told us earlier.”


    “Fine, okay? I’m sorry for being so useless.” Sophie grumbled.


    “Sophie.”


    Sophie froze at the sternness in Annalise’s voice.


    “You’re not useless, but even now I still need you to focus. Think through things, make a plan, be as prepared as you can be. That’s how you start as an adventurer, since I''m you know.”


    Sophie nodded, she understood what they were saying and knew the chastising was necessary. But she was trying her best and just hoped that they would know. I feel like I''m forgetting something...ah right!


    “Eheum.” She coughed to get everyone’s attention.


    The others turned to look back at her.


    “I…umm…I…err I think I know where they want the ritual.”


    Mila put down her spoon and Annalise turned to face her, whispering something to the barmaid before she kissed her on the forehead and sending her away. Another pang of jealousy shot through Sophie’s veins but she ignored it, focus, more important things at stake here.


    “I had another dream with the entity,” She spoke and Annalise’s face drained of colour, the ranger looking more worried than before as Sophie continued, “It...showed me. Something about a stolen dawn, and it pointed me to this castle on a hill. Big city of people and sat close to the sea, with one particular tower shining the brightest when…I think it was noon? When the noon sun shone down on it.”


    Mila looked about as confused as one could be hearing someone sprout nonsense about a dream monster. Annalise on the other hand softened her expression and flashed Sophie a sympathetic look.


    “Umm…sorry for eavesdropping.” A high pitched voice interrupted as the barmaid came back round, “I caught on to the last part. Are you talking about Melisgrad?” Kimmie shyly smiled at Sophie and she could almost understand how Annalise had fallen for her. “Tower by the sea, shining brightly at noon? That’s Goldenlight Keep if I remember correctly.”


    “Goldenlight huh?” Mila rubbed her chin, “If I recall correctly, Goldenlight is the king’s castle isn’t it? Why the hells are you dreaming about that? Trying to find the prince?”


    Despite the dismissive tone, Sophie continued, “No the dreams…they usually show something horrible, or of the creature that lurks out in the darkness.” A frown popped up on Mila’s face and Sophie wracked her brain for a voice to get through when she remembered, "It…it’s the one that showed me the visions of the city…and the church…” Sophie lowered her voice, hoping she got the point across without saying everything.


    Sophie saw the haughtiness vanish from the girl’s face replaced by a new scowl took its place, this one radiating danger instead of disapproval, no longer playful, just threatening.


    Sensing the mood of the table having shifted to something far more depressing, Sophie looked up at Kimmie and pleaded with her eyes to help lift the mood. To her surprise, Kimmie smiled back and tapped the table to draw the other’s eyes to her.


    “Uh…don’t mean to be rude here, but I just felt the need to clarify that Goldenlight is not the king’s castle per say. Lion’s Pride, or as some call it The Brodsfort is the king’s castle and the administrative hub of Melton. Goldenlight Keep is said to have been there since the last of the Myndiri, hence why they constructed a new keep and castle due to Goldenlight’s age. But it still gets refurbished and maintained, a symbol of Meltonian history and pride.” Kimmie stated proudly, “The name was a more modern name for it however, when the people of Melisgrad noticed the way the noon day light draped over the castle made it appear to glimmer golden, hence the name. Nowadays it''s considered a reserve fortress, a place for one to go should the capital fall under siege. Though that''s only happened once.”


    A lull descended as the trio processed the information but perhaps uncomfortable from the sudden silence, Kimmie waved her hands at the group, “Um, I just used to read a lot about history so I know a lot of these old facts, just figured they’d be useful hopefully. But that’s all in the past now, get it?” Kimmie threw on a nervous but cheeky smile.


    Her bashfulness elicited three reactions; Mila was unfazed and nodded approvingly, it was good to be educated and more information was always good; Annalise seemed overjoyed at the passion and giggled before she gave the barmaid’s hand a firm squeeze, then drawing her in and locking lips; Sophie on the other hand was shocked with a mixture of dread and pleasantness, history?! Didn’t Markus say something about the past?


    “Ahahah, the way your eyes lit up! You could be a traveler’s guide to Melton with the way you talked.” Annalise beamed.


    Kimmie shyly fidgeted with her own hair, emitting a nervous laugh. “Maybe I could''ve, city life was a bit much for me. So I ended up out here, which has been pretty nice so far.” She hesitated for a moment before sighing, “Though there is certainly not as much to read.”


    “D’aww, I promise I’ll bring you some books next time I visit.”


    “Really? I mean you don’t have to but that’d be lovely!”


    “Have to properly show me around town next time though.”


    “Of course. But haven’t I already shown you around?”


    “You!” Annalise blushed furiously as she jokingly prodded Kimmie’s chest, provoking an embarrassed blush from the barmaid.


    Sophie felt a slurry of emotions flow within her, but the strongest draw was the almost nostalgic and pained feeling that clutched onto her chest. Bribed with books huh… she wondered how Eva was doing.


    “Uhm.” Sophie interrupted and the lovebirds turned curiously at her.


    “Hmm?” Kimmie replied.


    “You…you said you read a lot right? Err well…you know a lot of history?”


    “Heheh, yeah that’s about the gist of it.” She replied with a smile.


    “Do you happen to know anything about Myndiri history?”


    This question made Kimmie’s smile falter slightly as she furrowed her brow and seemed to fall deep in thought before she finally replied.


    ‘Unfortunately no, but I know in Melisgrad there were two libraries, I used to frequent the Pridemane, that’s the newer one. But there was an older one, locals just call it the Old Leabharn, probably would have more older tomes there but that’s just a guess.” Kimmie nodded to herself, “But don’t trust me on that one, it’s part of uptown and the posher district so I never really went cause you know…” She pointed to herself, “Sorry I can only offer so much.”


    “No! I mean thank you! It’s more than enough!” Sophie reassured her and tried to etch the words into memory. Pridemane library and Old Leabharn, got it. She leaned back in the chair as the lovebirds turned back to flirting and steeled herself for the journey to come.