As we come to a stop before his desk, Dunwayne puts down an elegant metal quill. “Lady Tome, Miss Kierra. Thank you for coming. I apologize for taking up your time so suddenly.”

The Harvest Hero just apologized to me. Is this a dream?

“Please, have a seat. No need to be uncomfortable for this small talk.” He gestures to the chairs in front of his desk. Kierra has to pull me along and seat me in one. How is she unfazed? This is…oh, right. Elf. Not to mention she could probably take him on. Maybe. Bell?

[Their coefficients are close but the elf’s is higher. I can’t say who has more experience but she has an advantage wielding a pure affinity.]

I am once again reminded how amazing my wife is. She has every right to relax into her seat, one leg crossing over the other. “Hello, Dunn,” she says, casually addressing the most powerful man in the nation. “You’re right. It was a little boorish fetching us in such a way but if it’s you, I’m willing to allow you have your reasons.”

He chuckles, the kind of full-chested laugh all gramps and grannies seem to have. As if they know a secret about life that makes it funnier than the younger generation can understand. “A small bit of unpleasantness. I know you’re familiar with Aurelius but has he introduced you to the others?”

“Briefly.”

“You two, come forward. As colleagues, you should make an effort to get to know one another.”

“We may not be colleagues for long,” the woman huffs, but she moves closer.

Dunwayne holds out a hand toward her. “This is Ally, one of our advanced fire instructors who specializes in anti-caster tactics. Also, quite an accomplished hunter. She is the most successful in preparing those who want to make their mark in the guilds.” His eyes moved to me. “I think it quite likely you would attend her lessons, Lady Tome.”

I freeze as he addresses me, mind stuttering to a stop as I try to form a response.

Alyssa snorts. “As if. The girl is scared stiff by the mere presence of the ‘great hero’. Hardly one to be forged by fire.”

“I wouldn’t underestimate my wife,” Kierra says bemusedly. “There is more to her than what she seems.”

“Sure.” The woman’s eyes move to Bell before she turns her head. The action stirs my alarm with the whole situation, pushing past my moment of awe to bring me back to my senses.

Remember, this is not a good moment. I need to stay focused.

I clear my throat, grabbing Lady Filagree’s attention. “You’ll have to forgive me if I was a little shocked. I didn’t wake up this morning expecting to meet the Grandmaster of the Hall. It’s not to be mistaken for cowardice.”

I hold her stare until she turns away with a huff. “We’ll see. They always sing a different tune when they’re put to the test.”

The towering pile of muscles takes the ensuing pause in conversation to move toward Kierra. He executes a surprisingly elegant bow. “I was there when you were evaluated as an instructor. I am looking forward to working with you in the future, Miss D’Atainna.”

“Sir Bruce, it was? Indeed. Perhaps we can also compare spells.”

He looks up, brows slightly furrowed. “I was given to believe that you wielded a pure affinity.”

“Mm. However, that doesn’t come with all knowledge of said affinity. More importantly, I am interested in the human perspective when it comes to buffing and healing.”

“In that case, I would be honored.”

“Good,” Dunwayne says with plenty of cheer. “It’s important to remember that we are all allies here, in search of bettering ourselves through spellcraft. That is first. Despite the rules we must follow and obligations we must hold ourselves to.”

That sounds…a little ominous. I don’t have much of a chance to worry before there is a knock on the door. He calls for whoever it is to enter and I am given a welcome sight as Miss Talia steps in. She ignores everyone in the room, stopping before the grandmaster’s desk and bowing her head. “Your Eminence. How may I be of service?”

“Thank you for coming so quickly on such short notice. Lady Tome, Miss Kierra, this Umphrieltalia, the dorm mother of the Gold Dorm. I believe you have made her acquaintance briefly?”

“Yeah…” Hm. From the way she is refusing to so much as look at me, it seems our friendship isn’t common knowledge. Alright. I’ll bet she has good reasons for that so I’ll play along. “She officiated my duel with Peter Pottoculli.”

“What a duel it was. A little lackluster in skill but a very potent show.” Ugh. Was that approval or disappointment? Not that I care. Not really. Only a little. Who wouldn’t want to be praised by their childhood hero?

“Talia possesses a highly developed mental affinity and has taken the standard oaths of an interrogator. As such, she has the authority to handle all manner of legal proceedings.”

Ah, dammit. Here it comes.

Dunwayne chuckles. “At least allow me to explain the situation before you get too nervous, Lady Tome. An accusation has been made against you, claiming the illegal use of the mental affinity. As you should well know, any use of the mental affinity outside of the interrogators is prohibited by the crown and would also violate the Hall’s laws of assault against fellow casters. We are obligated to investigate any such claim.”

“Even if it’s complete garbage?” I spit out, unable to hold back my scorn.

The grandmaster’s eyes are surprising kind. A warm green like the rolling fields that cover most of the kingdom. “Even so. There is no need to worry. Talia will reveal the truth. Should you be innocent, I will send you away with an apology and the accuser will be brought under the Hall’s scrutiny. We don’t tolerate treachery either.”

“Great.” Hah! I can deliver my first strike against those idiots by simply telling the truth. “Let’s do this.”