“Mages, in the most professional sense, are quite rare, and equally as expensive. Those capable of offensive, defensive and restorative spells often found embedded into either national armies, the church, the mages guild, or serving as free roaming adventurers. Now, if you expanded the definition of mages to include just about anyone who could use magic, now they aren’t so rare anymore. More than a few people are blessed with ‘the gift’ as those in backwater villages might call it. But in the conventional sense, these are people casting spells more akin to party trick or something to scare away rats and insects rather than anything truly life changing. Hence why few would designate them as ‘mages’ per se.”


    - Norian Ghasra, Adventurer, “A Coal Ranker’s Guide to Magic”


    <hr><hr>


    Sophie could only watch in silence as the healer finally finished treating Aryana’s wounds. The man gave her a curt nod to indicate he had finished before ducking out of the small room. Sophie waited for the door to click shut behind him before she gingerly shuffled towards Aryana, cautiously peaking over her friend as if any slight movements would startle the redhead. Aryana’s pained little breaths worried Sophie, and if it wasn’t for the fact that the girl was predicted to eventually make a full recovery in a few months time. She wasn’t sure she could maintain her composure at the sorry state her friend was in. Sophie felt fury, shame and guilt in equal measure. Her own attempts at investigating some stupid belief that Sophie herself was some Myndiri remnant child had led to this, led to Aryana getting hurt for ancient history. She had promised to protect Aryana, and now here she was, having potentially even hurt them in the process.


    No one had chastised her for it yet, but she was almost certain that when she tried Inquisitor Korvin’s experiment to drain mana, Aryana had been caught up in it too. Some knight I am, she grimaced with gritted teeth, didn’t even get to fight or protect her, just led her to… this. Sophie wallowed in her own emotions for a moment, taking a deep breath and tried to calmly reflect on everything that had transpired so far. For a moment there was a certain sense of clarity, of knowing that at the end of the day, the two of them were still alive and that’s what mattered. Her thoughts however, soon drifted down darker thoughts, towards Annalise, Mila, Taurox and the North. How she hadn’t gotten any updates from them as of late, nor at all if she was being honest. Her stomach churned at the thought that something happened to the others on their own missions. The idea of her companions suffering far from her brought about a revolting feeling within her, the anxiety and worry colliding in equal measure. Twisting sickening knots within her soul. At least if they were here, I could at least pretend I did something to help.


    Her glum contemplation was soon brought to an abrupt end when she felt a light stirring from the bed. Alarmed, Sophie immediately righted herself and looked over Aryana, the girl wearily trying to open her eyes before groaning in pain.


    “Easy, easy.” She quickly reassured her.


    “Mmhmm ughhh mghh.” Aryana groaned.


    “Shhh, it’s okay now.”


    “Mmrgh.” Aryan grunted as her eyes finally opened. There was a moment of hesitation before the girl realized what had happened and moved a little too quickly upon seeing Sophie. “Oww.” Aryana grimaced as her cast bumped the bed frame.


    “Careful, careful.”


    “Ugh… S-So… phie?” Aryana asked, the pained rasps only adding to Sophie’s growing concern. Worry later, now is now.


    “I’m here. I’m here. Don’t worry, I’m here.”


    “So-phie!” Aryana weakly lifted her free hand up an and Sophie just instinctively leaning into it, allowing the rough bandages to caress her face. “Sophie!”


    Seeing the girl’s face brighten up stifled what little reservations Sophie had at making physical contact, and she gently held onto Aryana’s bandaged hand. She took great care to avoid putting too much force and settled for just responding to the girl’s movements. Aryana meanwhile just seemed joyfully stunned at seeing Sophie.


    “That’s right. I’m here now. You’re gonna be alright, we’ll be okay.” Sophie said, her own voice wavering slightly.


    “Y-you’re… ughh… you’re alive! You’re alive! Heh.” Aryana let out a pained chuckle, “You’re alive!”


    Sophie just nodded and leaned in a little bit more, the closer she got the more at ease the girl seemed to become. “Yeah… I am.” Sophie whispered.


    “Mmm.” Aryana hummed wistfully, “And… did I… did I do good?”


    “I’d think so.”


    “Ugh!” Aryana groaned out loud.


    “Aryana!”


    “I-I’m… fine…” The redhead murmured even while she continued wincing in agony, “It’s…”


    “Shhh, shhh, just take it easy Ary, you’re still healing.” Sophie hastily tried to soothe her.


    Aryana seemed on the verge of screaming out loud but smacked her free hand against the bed, the double dose of pain seemed to somehow calm her down. As the redhead grit her teeth, Sophie couldn’t help but notice the strange smile forming on the girl’s face amidst the pain. The girl reached out her hand once again and this time, instead of aiming for Sophie’s face, the girl grabbed her hand instead.


    “...again…” Aryana whispered quietly.


    Sophie quirked her lips in confusion and mulled over what was happening before she heard it once more.


    “...again!” Aryana growled, this time more insistently.


    Sophie tried to understand the request but her mouth moved before her mind could stop it, “Huh?”


    “Say my… nickname… again.” Aryana grunted.


    Sophie was confused, but aquiecesed, “Uhh… Ary?”


    “Again.”


    “Umm, Ary.”


    At that Aryana broke out into a pained giggle that saw her breaking into a light cough, Sophie winced at the suffering her friend must be feeling. But, was equally curious as to what she was actually thinking with the strange display.


    “Ary?”


    Aryana only kept trying to giggle and failing, prompting more concern from Sophie until the girl finally calmed down slightly.


    “You… gave me… a nickname.” Aryana smiled before immediately dropping into a semi frown, “Not… little though?


    Sophie was briefly bewildered until she remembered the encounter with Tristan and gently shook her head. “No, just Ary.”


    “Heh…” Aryana looked off to the otherwise of the stone room, her eyes half glazing over. “Sophie…”


    “Hmm?”


    “Thanks.”


    “For?”


    “For… being here… sticking with me. Ya... ya didn'' hafta.”


    “Heh, I did say I’d protect you.” Sophie allowed herself a small grin.


    “Mmm.” Aryana held out her arms and Sophie opened herself up for a hug.


    The redhead threw herself into Sophie’s arms, curling slightly and nuzzling her chest whilst wrapped in the soft embrace. Sophie for her part, hugged back and held the girl gently until she felt Aryana start to tremble.


    “Hey…” Sophie whispered, “you alright?”


    She felt a faint shake of the head as Aryana’s braid shook ever so slightly. Sophie rested her hand on top of the girl’s head and gave her a few gentle pats. “What’s wrong?”


    “Sophie…” Aryana let out a raspy whispered, “I’m scared.”


    “Of what?”


    “Everything. I… I feel so cold and everything hurts. When I move…” Aryana pulled away slightly and met Sophie’s gaze, “I-I know I’ll make it out of this but…”


    Words were left unsaid and when Sophie looked back at the round emerald green eyes that stared back at hers, she could only nod. “You don’t know if you can keep doing this. Or if the next time... it might be...” Sophie said with a heavy heart.


    “S-sorry.” Aryana apologized. Sophie caught a brief expression of what seemed to be guilt on her face. She doesn''t need to feel guilty, that burden should be mine. She deserves better than this.


    Sophie leaned in and grabbed the girl’s attention by pressing their foreheads together, sharing a quiet moment of contemplation with Aryana before she continued.


    “Don’t be sorry. You did the best you could.”


    “Mmm?”


    “Look, I know how you feel and I’m not going to lie to you. Sticking around me might get… pretty dangerous.”


    “Mmm.”


    “But for now, it’ll be fine. Especially if all these church boys are up at it.”


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    “Church boys.” Aryana echoed.


    “It’s like Taurox or Mila, you know they’ll do a good job taking down the cult and whatever threats are there.”


    “Mmm.”


    “So for now, just focus on getting better so you’ll make it to the academy. After that… well being a student doesn’t sound too bad does it?”


    “Mmm..." Aryana murmured for a moment, "Guess not.”


    “It’ll be a peaceful time, hopefully. And if after that you’re still worried… well we can have that conversation then.”


    “Okay.” Aryana softly whispered, a hint of reluctance in her voice.


    But as Sophie gazed into the girl’s eyes, Aryana relented and just gently nodded.


    “You’ll be fine.” Sophie reassured her.


    Aryana closed her eyes and nodded again. When her eyes opened again, the two just stared at each other for a few moments, nothing but the background noise outside and their breaths for company. Sophie swallowed and felt a strange sensation slowly bubble up within her, but thankfully, before it could boil over, the two pulled away and the feelings sensation simmered down.


    “Promise me one thing.” Aryana looked away.


    “Yeah?”


    “Visit me… until I get better. Or get them to release me.”


    “Of course.”


    “Promise.”


    “I promise.”


    “Okay.” Aryana acknowledged but continued looking away. Yet, Sophie spied the small grin that had appeared on the girl’s face and couldn’t help but grin herself.


    “Be good, okay? And get better soon, or who else is gonna drink ridiculously overpriced tea.” Sophie joked. "However tasty it might be." She quickly added before the redhead could retort.


    Aryana jokingly growled before she broke out into another cough, her eyes widening almost as if she realized something.


    “Ary?”


    “Karzan… ahem…ack… go find Karzan, he has papers on scholar.”


    “Karzan has papers?”


    “Mmhmm.”


    “Do you reckon they’re important?”


    “Mmhmm… got… them myself. Now go… the black hat man is waiting.” Aryana let out a grim chuckle.


    Sophie loathed to simply leave her friend in this state, but there was nothing that she could do. Reluctantly she offered one last pat on the girl’s head, running her fingers over the somewhat messy but soothing mop of hair. It was a gesture that was eagerly received given the satisfied expression on Aryana''s face. Sophie gave her friend a playful bop before she finally stood up.


    “Are you sure? I don’t mind staying.”


    “Go… go.” Aryana winced slightly, “Go ‘fore I regret letting you go.”


    Still unconvinced, Sophie stood her ground until the two managed to share one last reassuring smile. Wordlessly, they traded nods and Sophie finally gave herself the motivation needed to leave Aryana to rest. She walked out the door and steeled herself for the next challenge in her way. The Inquisition.


    <hr><hr>


    Sophie felt like she just walked into her own execution. Waiting for her at the end of the hallway was the oversized orc covered with scars and the inquisitor who was no slouch himself. Behind them two fully armoured templars stood at the ready with ceremonial greatswords, their silver platemail giving them almost an ethereal look against the grey but well polished stonebrick of the cathedral hall. The moment she exited the room, it was almost as if she had activated an alarm, all four of them turned directly at her, despite the noise from countless other likely patient filled rooms and clerics wandering the halls. She knew that they had wanted to talk, but for once, it began to dawn on her that this might very well turn out to be more of an interrogation rather than a conversation.


    Her fears were soon confirmed when the gathered squad directed her towards an empty room at the end of the hall. She entered to find nothing more than a large table, a bookshelf, some chairs and a small potted plant for company. Whatever way she looked at it, it was a depressingly hollow place that looked nothing like the gaudy and ostentatious cathedral outside. Almost like a prison cell.


    Silently, three of the four filed in, the last man closing the door behind them and standing guard outside. Oh no. The inquisitor was the only one who sat down, the orc and the templar choosing to lean against the wall. Her mood plummeted further upon watching the inquisitor pull out some papers from a satchel, her own vision to hazy with worry to focus on its content.


    “My apologies for the lack of hospitality, the cathedral is a bit… full at the moment.” Inquisitor Janos joked dryly.


    Sophie settled for a tentative nod.


    “I’ll spare you the niceties to ease your worries,” He tapped at the table, “I take it you’re familiar with one Lady Evaline Rosengart?”


    “Mmhmm.” Sophie murmured.


    “Then rest easy, she’s the one who had us look out for you and your friend.”


    “Mmm-” wait what? She’s the one who… that means Eva…Sophie’s mind scrambled to process the new revelation and Janos just nodded his confirmation.


    “That is correct, Lady Rosengart was the one who had us look out for you two. She had caught word of the… incident at the library.”


    “Eva…”


    “Indeed, the very one.”


    “Then she’s… here?”


    “At the academy, yes.”


    Sophie sucked in a deep breath, her mind still unable to comprehend those words. That means Eva was the one who sent them, but how did she know? What? When? Why? Where? Who? Aghhh.


    “We found your friend first, of course. The Legion was a little… more reluctant at disclosing your presence until some, shall we say, pressure was applied.” He chuckled grimly.


    “Wait, but if you found Ary first…” Sophie’s mind now flopped from bewilderment to worry, “why is she…” So hurt?


    The Inquisitor sighed deeply and immediately Sophie was on edge. What happened?


    “We found her in the middle of a battlefield.”


    “Battlefield?” Sophie asked.


    “The village of Brightfield. She was part of a joint operation between the Legion and the Adventurer’s Guild. Seems a cabal of… neer do wells,” The inquisitor spat the last words out with disgust, “infiltrated their members throughout the Legion’s lower ranks and lower officers corps.”


    “And?” Sophie prodded, unable to hold herself back from asking.


    “Clearly the operation didn''t go quite so smoothly. Your friend was caught in the middle of the battle. She was abducted by a corrupted creature, one former Quasetor Scribe Nix.” His practically dripped the last words out ever so slowly and Sophie’s eyes widened. No! It was him! It’s all my fault! If I didn’t meet him then she wouldn’t have gotten wrapped up in this!


    Her despair must have been written across her face, for the next voice she heard was not the inquisitor’s but the orc’s.


    “She may be injured, but she fought as a true warrior. Without her, the monster would not have fallen so easily.” The orc grunted from where he stood.


    Sophie turned to look at him only to find herself the one being examined by his beady red eyes.


    “She has the spirit of a warrior, if perhaps not the prowess of one.”


    “Uh… s-sorry?”


    “What Grorok meant was that we found your friend, Aryana. When she was being taken by the monster. I don’t think she’s quite an apostate or unlicensed mage, not enough skill or know how. But… well she set fire to the monster and herself.” Janos interjected.


    “Fire… monster… and herself!?” Sophie exclaimed.


    “Mmhmm. Certainly surprised us too. But thanks to her, we managed to eliminate the scholar and the traitors.”


    Sophie was horrified by this revelation. Aryana set fire… to herself? For a moment she didn’t believe it, but when her mind flashed back to the cast and burned palm, her face paled a few shades in worry. “Ary…” Sophie whispered to herself.


    “Anyways, if nothing else, know that the healers predict she’ll make a full recovery within a month or two.”


    Sophie sighed in relief, it was information that she had expected, but was still reassuring to have repeated.


    “Feeling better?” Janos asked.


    Sophie nodded but instantly went on guard again. Though his tone was neutral, Sophie suddenly felt an ominous feeling creep over her.


    “Good. Because I have the unfortunate pleasure of being the bearer of bad news for you two.”


    “O-oh?”


    “Mmm.” Janos sighed, visibly frustrated, “These papers,” He pushed the documents he had in front of him towards her, “reports from the North.”


    “O-oh. Reports… from the North?” Sophie gulped. This doesn’t sound good, she thought to herself as she anxiously grabbed the papers.


    “We’ll give you some time to read it. But to summarise, things aren’t going so well.”


    “N-not going well?” Sophie thoughtlessly echoed.


    “Yeah. These two are from an acquaintance of yours, Apprentice Inquisitor at Arms Lyudmilla. This one is from Inquisitor Von Krantz.” He tapped at the third document, “Nothing you shouldn’t see is on it, most of the more sensitive things have been redacted.”


    “Been redacted?”


    Janos rolled his eyes and sighed, “The gist of it is, there’s been an outbreak of as you laymen might know it as, the Corrupting Plague.”


    “Corrupting Plague?” Sophie repeated, her mind drawing blanks trying to figure out what it was.


    Janos noticed her confusion and quickly explained, “Think of it like the curse of the undead. It turns one’s mortal vessel as some sort of abominable weapon for darker powers. Except this time in the form of a disease.”


    “Oh.”


    “Yeah. Not pleasant.” Janos shrugged, “Anyways, that’s besides the point. What I’m getting at is that according to the reports, the town of Harweald was the origin of this… outbreak. Well it started from a chieftain from beyond the Frostwinds to be precise. But Harweald is our first recorded report.”


    Harweald? Isn’t that where Mila and Annalise went? For Kimmie? “Are you sure?”


    “They are, at least.” He gestured to the papers, “Worse…”


    “Worse?”


    “Your friend… the adventurer ranger called Annalise Montroi.”


    “A-anna? What umm, what happened to her?” Oh Goddess, no. But… Montroi, why does that sound so… familiar?


    Janos furrowed his brows and pinched the bridge of his nose, “I was hoping you would read that instead, but if you must know from me. Your friend has gone rogue and Apprentice Inquisitor Lyudmilla is currently hunting her down.”


    Rogue? Hunting… her… down?! Mila?! Anna?! What’s going on? Sophie’s mind raced and she grew distracted and distant from the room around her until Janos quietly coughed to regain her attention.


    “S-sorry.” Sophie apologized.


    “No worries, I understand that you might be… a bit shocked at all of this. The latest is that the ranger and the last known un-quarantined plague victim is currently holed up in a village called Grunshire and have been placed under siege.” He paused to let her take it in before dipping his head, “My apologies.”


    “Under… under… siege?”


    “The Apprentice is taking care of this personally and she expresses her regret, to you and your friend in the other room.”


    “Ahhh…” Sophie grunted despondently.


    “Anyways, take your time to read through them. Just let Sergeant Miccahais know when you’re done. He’ll be outside the room to collect the documents before you leave. I believe there is more for all of us here to discuss but…” Janos tsked, “I believe that it would be more productive to conduct that another day. Some rest might be in order for you.”


    Sophie mutely nodded, her eyes dreading to look at the papers. The trio around her shared some whispered words and quick glances amongst each other before they all left the room.


    When the door clicked shut once again, Sophie was left with just the sounds of her own breathing and the deafening silence that surrounded her. In truth, she had heard not a word the Inquisitor had said since plague and Annalise. Her own mind struggled to comprehend everything. She allowed herself one last moment of reprieve to celebrate, at least, the knowledge that Aryana would be fine. Then, she let out a tired sigh, and looked down at the words on the papers, words that she just knew she would come to regret reading.