“Welcome to the Mage’s Guild Hall,” the clerk said, too distracted by some papers on his desk to look up just yet. “What is your purpose for visiting?”

“I would like to procure papers for an imminent trip,” Samuel said briskly. “I would also like to charter a ship to Zaban.”

“You and me both, friend,” the clerk said with a laugh. Then he glanced up, noticed the robe Samuel wore and jumped to his feet. “Archmage! My sincere apologies!”

Tobi had already stepped forward to speak, but Samuel stuck his arm out to stop the apprentice. He didn’t want a scene here. Attention would only attract more people, and he wanted to be in and out of the building quickly. He reinforced the gesture with a meaningful look, and Tobi nodded in understanding, taking a step back.

“Forgive me for asking, but I’m not sure,” the clerk said nervously. “I take it you are Samuel Bragg, the new Archmage of Knowledge?”

Samuel nodded. It was an easy assumption, as the other Archmages had been in their position for years, and thus were known on sight. “That is correct.”

The clerk pushed the papers he was reading to the side and pulled a thick tome closer to him. “You have perfect timing, I must say. I was just about to send your equipment out in the morning. But since you’re here now, I can just give it to you!”

“Equipment?” Samuel queried. “What equipment is this?”

“Not too much at the start, just your pay for the month, some message scrolls, as well as a line of credit for whatever else you may need.”

“That will be useful,” Samuel replied, perking up at once. “Where is the credit useful?”

“Only within shops sponsored by the Mage’s Guild, I’m afraid,” the clerk explained. “Within the College itself, you may use whatever facilities or services you require, of course.”

The clerk slid a large pouch across the desk. It clinked slightly, obviously full of coins. Then he placed ten scrolls, tied into a bundle with a light blue ribbon, next to the pouch of coins. Samuel picked both up, grunting in surprise at the weight of the money pouch. He could tell at once that it was more money than he’d ever seen in his youth, let alone owned to his name.

“So about the ship,” he continued. “Is there one available?”

“I’m afraid not, sir,” the clerk said with a dour expression. “We are able to arrange transport for Archmages when requested, but it is usually in advance, and we won’t have a vessel ready to go for two weeks.”

“That’s fine,” Samuel said. “Can you recommend a trustworthy merchant ship in port?”

“I can certainly check for you, sir,” The clerk picked up another book, much thinner than the first, and leafed through a few pages. Samuel glanced around the guild hall as he did this, studying the artwork around the large room. All along the back wall between the two hallways leading deeper into the building were large paintings bearing full-size portraits of people in identical stately robes. They were mostly of men, and Samuel assumed they were the portraits of previous Guild Masters.

“There are no merchant or courier ships bound for Zaban soon,” the clerk said with a tinge of regret. “Would you like to stay in a comfortable tavern while you await one? We have excellent rooms on standby for visiting Archmages.”

“No, I would prefer to depart tomorrow if possible,” Samuel stated firmly. “I’ve been looking forward to a journey for some time, and I don’t want to wait a few weeks.”

“I understand completely, sir,” the clerk said. “But as it stands, the only ships docked and partnered with us are the cargo ships.”

“Are any of them bound for Zaban?”

There is one leaving port at mid-day, sir, but cargo ships are by no means comfortable.”

“That’s fine,” Samuel said once more. “I’ll take what I can get.”

The clerk looked at him in surprise for several seconds, his mouth opening and closing but saying nothing. After a brief moment of what looked like some hard thinking, he snapped his jaw shut and cleared his throat. To his side, Samuel noticed that Tobi showed no surprise at the decision. At least one person here understood his preferences, he thought.

“Very well, sir. I will send a letter down to the docks, informing the Captain that you will be joining him on his journey. Would you like the room I suggested?”

“Yes, that would be appreciated,” Samuel said. “One room for my apprentice, as well.”

The clerk fished two slips of parchment out of a drawer in his desk and handed them over. Judging by the figures scribbled across the face and the seal of the Mage’s Guild at the bottom, he gathered it was another form of credit, one he could use at the tavern mentioned. At the very top, the clerk had written the name of the inn, The Swan’s Nest.

“Fancy name for an inn,” Tobi commented, reading the slips over Samuel’s shoulder. “Sounds comfortable.”

Samuel made a noise of agreement and tucked the passes into his robe. “Is there anything required of me before I leave for a night’s rest?” “Not at all, sir,” the clerk replied. “I wish you a good night and a safe voyage.”

Samuel waved his hand lazily in reply and followed Tobi out of the Guild Hall. Once they were outside the gate, Samuel changed back into his dark blue robe once more, tucking the credit slips for The Swan’s Nest into his satchel. Then he stretched, yawning widely. The day’s travel hadn’t bothered him much, but combined with the chaotic events of the previous day, he was ready for a soft bed. He didn’t even pause to sniff at the food stalls they passed.

He spoke with the owner of The Swan’s Nest, a well-groomed man in fine clothing, and handed over the slips the clerk had given him. The innkeeper wasn’t surprised to see him, giving Samuel the impression that word had been sent ahead. He and Tobi were directed upstairs to a short hallway. At the very end were two rooms, apart from the rest of the building for peace and quiet. The rooms were in excellent condition, and the beds soft as clouds. He wasted no time falling asleep.

He stood between three lakes. Three massive bodies of water stretched out as far as the eye could see, sparkling in the light of a full moon. It was a very peaceful scene, surrounded by the kind of energy that could only be found in a pure natural setting. There was a mountain off in the distance, easily seen by the light of the moon. Samuel took in a deep breath, then another, reveling in the scent of clean, fresh air.

It wasn’t often that Samuel dreamed these days. Once, before he’d learned of his late father’s estate, he’d dreamed nearly every night of leaving his village and striking out for mysterious distant lands. He’d aspired to be an author, telling fantastical stories about the things he’d see. But now, after his interactions with two gods, one of them being one of the oldest living Ancients, he’d grown to appreciate the simple, mundane moments.

A small part of his mind, the instinct that he’d learned to listen to over the past year, registered the danger just before he saw it. Whirling around, he saw a massive wave of energy crashing towards him from one of the lakes. He could tell at once that it wasn’t natural. It was sourceless, swirling, chaotic mana that rolled towards him like a storm cloud. It was perfectly obvious that he stood no chance against it. He turned and ran.

Just as he began bolting in the opposite direction, another wave burst out of the lake nearby and crashed onto the land in front of him, stopping him from retreating that way. He took a sharp turn, forcing mana into his legs and rushing down the only strip of land that wasn’t obstructed. But yet another mass of energy erupted out of the third lake, landing to block his path. Cursing loudly, he turned back, thinking of trying another route.

But he was trapped on all three sides by the chaotic energy. It swirled back and forth, moving forward in great leaps and bounds. He sensed a deep primal hunger from it, much like the bloodlust that could be found in men in battle. He desperately conjured a screen of mana as the masses leaped the last few feet towards him. He could feel the impacts as the arcane entities struck the screen. But instead of protecting him, the mana put into the screen simply faded.

The chaotic mana was feeding off his own energy, he realized. As if to test the theory, he tried to attack one clump. Two large bolts of fire slammed into it, fading from sight at once. He could clearly see the mana being absorbed that time, and for the first time since facing Neratas, he experienced a thrill of mortal fear. He had no time to dwell on it, however, as all three waves crashed down on him. All the mana he possessed was drained in an instant, and he was consumed.