The dining room was already bustling with activity when Valentina walked in through the heavy oak doors. The familiar smell of freshly baked bread and fried bacon filled the air, but something was different this morning. There was an unusual tension in the atmosphere, which Valentina noticed immediately.


    Instead of the usual babble of voices and laughter, there was a subdued murmur. Students sat together in small groups, their heads close together as they whispered with serious expressions. Valentina felt her stomach tighten.


    "Something has happened," Vyxara whispered in her head. "Can you feel it? Their hearts are ripe with fear."


    Valentina nodded imperceptibly as she made her way through the crowd. She spotted Innogen at one of the long tables and headed towards her friend.


    "What''s wrong?" Valentina asked quietly as she sat down next to Innogen.


    Innogen shook her head, looking worried. "No one knows for sure. But there are rumors of a goblin attack in the Western Marches. They say it was bad."


    Before Valentina could answer, a loud knock sounded. All heads turned to the entrance area, where Decan Egwine Valemont stood with his hands resting on his considerable stomach, his face serious.


    "My dear students," he began, his usually strong voice now muffled and heavy. "It is my sad duty to tell you of a terrible incident that has occurred in the past few days."


    The hall fell silent instantly, only the occasional clink of a spoon or the rustling of clothes could be heard.


    "The small town of Farwinter in the Western Marches was attacked by a horde of goblins in the middle of market day and... was completely wiped out."


    A collective gasp went through the crowd. Valentina felt Innogen''s hand clutch hers.


    "According to the first reports," the Decan continued, his voice now brittle, "all the inhabitants were killed or abducted. The houses were burned to the ground, the fields devastated. It is the worst goblin attack since Millbrook just over a decade ago. Of course, our thoughts are primarily with the abducted wom-... inhabitants. The living envy the dead.


    Valentina heard some of the students start to sob. Others stared blankly in front of them, apparently unable to process what they had heard.


    "This is a dark hour for our kingdom," Valemont continued. "It shows us that the threat of these creatures never really goes away. We must remain vigilant and strengthen our borders."


    He paused and let his gaze wander over the assembled students. "I know that many of you come from the border regions. If anyone needs information about family members, please contact your professors and lecturers. The university will do everything in its power to support you."


    With these words, the Decan left the podium, followed by a silence that weighed heavier than any noise.


    Valentina turned to Innogen, whose face had gone ashen. "Your family..." she began hesitantly.


    Innogen nodded, her eyes wide. "Timberpine is only a few days'' journey from Farwinter. Oh Martyr, what if..."


    "Shh," Valentina reassured her, putting an arm around her friend, "I''m sure your family will be fine. The Marcher Lords are prepared for such attacks. A Marquess and his retinue are unlikely to fall prey to goblins."


    "How touching," Vyxara commented sarcastically. "As if a few humans in armor could do anything against a horde of hungry goblins. Without Essence Weavers, even they would be lost if the goblins were numerous enough."


    Valentina ignored the demon and concentrated on her friend instead. Chaos broke out around her. Students were jumping up, some were crying openly, others were talking wildly.


    "Come on," Valentina said gently, pulling Innogen to her feet. "Let''s go somewhere quieter. Maybe we can get news of your family."


    As she led Innogen out of the hall, Valentina felt a cold hand of fear wrap around her heart. To her, growing up in East Sommerland, goblins had always been a distant threat, a spectre from children''s stories. To the people of the Marches, however, they were a very real threat.


    "Goblins are all over Sommerland, little Weaver, not just in the west," Vyxara whispered, and Valentina could hear the perverse pleasure in the demon''s voice. "They’re even hidden in the east, where they''re regularly exterminated, wherever they are met. They just don''t get numerous enough to pose that much of a threat – most of the time, anyway."


    Valentina shuddered at these words as she and Innogen crossed the now silent corridors of the university, followed by the shadow of a threat that had suddenly become far too real.


    Valentina led Innogen to a corner in the university courtyard. They still had a little time before their first lecture was due to start. Students stood in the courtyard talking, their faces pale and tense.


    "Here," Valentina said gently and sat down on top of a small wall with Innogen. "Let''s take a breath."The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Innogen nodded silently, her hands trembling slightly. They heard the excited murmur of other students.


    "Oh, how delicious their fear is," Vyxara whispered in Valentina''s head. "Just listen to them tremble and shake."


    All the students around stood together in groups and talked about the attack.


    "...say the goblins used Essence-infused weapons," she heard a boy say in a trembling voice.


    "Nonsense," replied another. "Goblins are too stupid for Essence Weaving. There were just too many of them."


    "My father always says the border troops are too weak," a girl spoke up. "He says we need more soldiers and better fortifications."


    Valentina focused on Innogen again, who was mumbling quietly to herself.


    "Timberpine is so close to the border," she whispered. "What if the goblin horde moves there next? My family..."


    Valentina put an arm around her friend. "Listen, Innogen. Your father is a Marcher Lord. He knows how to defend himself against such attacks. Timberpine is certainly much better protected than a small town like Farwinter."


    Innogen nodded slowly. "You''re probably right. It''s just... I feel so helpless here. I should be with my March and my family."


    "I understand," Valentina said gently. "But remember, the best way to help your March is to become a strong Essence Weaver."


    A faint smile flitted across Innogen''s face. "You''re right. Thank you, Val. I don''t know what I''d do without you. You always manage to keep calm."


    "How touching," Vyxara commented sarcastically. "But remember, little Weaver, that such bonds can also be weaknesses. You can never trust anyone completely. In times of need, it''s every man for himself – and every woman, of course."


    Valentina ignored the demon and concentrated on the conversations around her instead. Students everywhere were excitedly discussing the threat posed by the goblins.


    "I''ve heard they can squeeze through the smallest cracks," said one girl, her eyes wide.


    "My uncle says they eat human flesh," a boy added, his voice full of disgust.


    "Rubbish," an older student spoke up. "Those are all just rumors. Goblins are primitive creatures, but they don''t eat people. They only attack because they want human women. And not to eat them, if you know what I mean."


    Valentina listened attentively while she stroked Innogen''s back reassuringly.


    "The humans and their fears," Vyxara murmured, amused. "They imagine the most terrible things without knowing the true nature of their enemies."


    "What do you mean?" thought Valentina, her curiosity piqued.


    "Oh, little Weaver," the demon purred. "Goblins are far more fascinating than these foolish mortals realize. They may seem primitive, but they are survivors, driven by an insatiable urge to be like humans – in every way imaginable."


    Valentina shuddered at these words. She didn''t want to think any further about what Vyxara meant.


    "Come on," she said to Innogen instead and stood up. "We should go to class. It will do us good to take our minds off things."


    Innogen nodded and stood up as well. Together they made their way to the lecture halls, past groups of anxiously whispering students and earnest looking professors.


    ~


    Valentina and Innogen entered Professor Emberfell''s lecture hall for Applied Essence Manipulation. The room, normally filled with excitement and anticipation, was shrouded in an oppressive silence today. The students sat in their seats with their heads bowed, some whispering quietly to each other, others simply staring ahead.


    Professor Emberfell stood at the lectern, her usually stern face now streaked with worry lines. She cleared her throat to get the class''s attention.


    "Students," she began, her voice softer than usual, "I know that the events in Farwinter have shaken us all. Nevertheless, we must look forward and focus on our tasks."


    She paused and let her gaze wander over the assembled students. "Indeed, these terrible events show us how important our work as Essence Weavers is. Today, let''s talk about defensive Weavings that can protect us and our loved ones."


    Valentina felt her attention sharpen. She reached for her quill and began to eagerly take notes while Professor Emberfell drew complex protective Weavings on the blackboard.


    "Look how eager you are to learn," Vyxara whispered in her head. "You''re making real progress, little Weaver."


    Valentina felt a pang of pride, followed by a twinge of guilt. She knew that her growing abilities were partly due to Vyxara''s influence.


    The next lecture was History of Essence Weaving with Professor Baldewin Greycloak. The old professor looked even frailer than usual as he leaned on his walking stick and surveyed the class with tired eyes.


    "Ah, my young friends," he sighed. "In all my years, I have seen many dark times, but the threat of the goblins remains a constant scourge of our realm."


    He hobbled over to the blackboard and began to draw a timeline. "Today, let''s look at the history of the three great Scorchmarches against the goblins and learn how our ancestors dealt with this threat."


    While Professor Greycloak talked about long-gone battles and heroic deeds, Valentina let her gaze wander around the room. She noticed how some students flinched in fear when particularly gruesome details were mentioned. Others, like Faustus Boarfend, seemed almost enthusiastic about the war reports.


    "Look how differently they react," Vyxara commented with amusement. "Some tremble with fear, others long for glory and honor. Humans are so fascinating in their diversity."


    Valentina nodded imperceptibly. She considered History of Essence Weaving to be one of the most interesting courses. At home, in Palewood in the country, she had hardly ever heard what was happening or had happened in the wider world. Sometimes, she was ashamed of her lack of knowledge about such things, of her provinciality.


    The last lecture of the day was Ethics of Essence Weaving with Professor Lucinda Ravencroft. The normally lively discussion was muted today, with students seeming hesitant to express their opinions.


    Professor Ravencroft looked sternly around the room. "Now," she said in a sharp voice, "do you think events like the one in Farwinter absolve us of our moral responsibility as Essence Weavers?"


    A murmur went through the room. Finally, a boy spoke up: "But Professor, shouldn''t we use all the means at our disposal to defend ourselves against the goblins?"


    Ravencroft''s eyes flashed. She loved to provoke her students. "All means, you say? Even if it means going down to the level of our enemies? Where do we draw the line?"


    Valentina felt her stomach tighten. She thought of the forbidden books in her room, of the knowledge Vyxara had given her. Had she already gone too far?


    "Do not doubt yourself, little Weaver," Vyxara whispered. "Power is neither good nor evil. It''s how you use it that counts."


    As she packed up her things, she noticed Professor Ravencroft watching her intently. Their eyes met for a moment, and Valentina thought she saw a mixture of concern and – was it mistrust? – in the professor''s eyes.


    With a slight shudder, she turned away and left the lecture hall. She had to be more careful not to reveal too much of her growing knowledge and abilities.