I wake up. It is my first morning at the Fluffy Duckling. The bed is soft and the room I occupy is warm. I peek out of the window, I see that the sun is rising high in the sky. Getting out of bed I observe that the room is also relatively clean. The place is far nicer than Goblin Tooth.

We have no urgent plans today, I should wash. I can smell the blood, sweat and guts.

I put on some old clothes, and take fresh ones with me downstairs. I ask Robert, the innkeeper if I can take a bath.

"Aye, for sure. It costs to have it heated but if you don’t mind drawing water from the well it is free of charge."

"You sure?"

"Of course, Gareth was already telling the tale this morning. I made more money off him than I will by making you pay for a cold wash. No offense but you smell like the backend of a rotting horse."

"None taken."

"Rosslyn, my wife, and the cook made some porridge if you want to eat first?"

"After, I don’t want to drive any guests away."

He laughs heartily, his ruddy cheeks flaring and he pats his round belly.

"It’s round the back, the well is not far off. Look for the people carrying buckets."

"I will, thanks. Have you seen my companions?"

"Gareth was here at dawn, but he left shortly after. Not sure where to, mind you." He scratches his chin and then winks.

"The Dragonslaying Twins." he says with additional emphasis. "Are still up in their rooms. Dany, my Daughter, checked in on them. Brought them some breakfast. They were sleeping like babes or so she said."

"Thanks again. I’ll be back."

The brass tub is out the back in a discrete shaded spot not too far from the well. It takes a few trips but I fill it up the tub with water.

Stripping, I dip a toe in. The water is frightfully cold but freshing.

I slip in and shiver.

I clean myself quickly with a bar of soap.

I’m about to leave when hard steel scraps against the soft skin of my neck.

"Good morning." I say slowly. "Is there any particular reason you have a sword to my throat?"

"August the Demon you charged with breaking Athfen law." says a harsh voice.

I turn to look at her. A Scaled one. She wears a robes double layered with leather armor and chainmail underneath her arm is a thin crimson cape and obscuring her face is a long hood.

Along with the Stranger, and to my surprise is Professor Tenance. The judge for our matches and one of the teachers I was closest with at the academy.

Everything I know about magical theory I learned from his direction.

Unlike last time he now wears his usual, more subdued burgundy robes. His dark hair is elegantly combed over to the side, and his large nose remains his most memorable feature.

"What crime?"

The stranger slams my temeple with the pommel of her blade.

My vision blurs slightly but after a few rapid blinks the world becomes clear again.

"We are not here to kill him." says the Professor calmly but with steel in his tone.

He continues.

"You’ve made enemies August. Atrioici. How could you be so foolish? Worse, magi who have the Archmage’s ear somehow know your name and are calling for punishment. Who in the nine planes did you piss off?

"I don’t rightly know, Professor."

He scoffs.

"I was with Gareth, a dragon blessed dragon slayer and her sister. Gareth and I met one of them before they attacked us then and we were attacked again by a different member of some group called The Circle. They are Magi and Powerful. Trust me one of them slew three Artocici, the ones you accuse me of summoning."

"I know you did." he accuses rightfully. "You were the only one in the area who had the knowledge and skill to do so."

"So I am to die?” I reason calmly.

"Yes," Says the Stranger.

"No!" shouts a familiar voice.

Subia stands straight, her dragontooth sword pointing at the Stranger.

"Are you alright?" she asks me.

"I see you spoke true." The Professor says to me.

"Let him go!" Subia declares.

"No." says the Stranger drawing a short sword. Runes pulse along the blade.

"Live or die." I swallow. "At least let me out of my own filth."

A stray piece of guts floats by my knee as I sit in blood soaked water.

"Please."

"Yes, yes." says the Professor.

He coldly stares down the stranger. The Stranger scowls and sheathes their sword.

I get out.

Subia blushes, her cheeks turning pink. She turns her back to me.

I dry myself under the cold gaze of the Stranger and put on my fresh clothes.

"I’m ready."

The Professor looks in my direction.

"Maybe, maybe you die today." Argues the Professor. "But, you have voices, perhaps not the people you might expect that speak in your favor. I also counselled that you are neither reckless nor inept enough to draw the ire of the Tower over a few monsters."

He pauses.

"I hope you prove me correct. For your own sake. You are to come to the Tower where you will be held to immediate trial."

"Alright. I’ll go but Subia needs to come too, she needs her blessing verified and their is no place better than the Tower."

"Agreed," he adds. "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let you rest for a week before contacting you."

"You perhaps should have told me you were considering doing so."

"I wasn’t sure myself to be honest, August. You’re a fine summoner for your level and a damn good battle mage. There is war on the horizon. The Sparti are up to something, we have confirmed reports of troops gathering."

"Professor I don’t think anyone could have predicted the week I just had but thanks. It means a lot."

The rattling of metal catches my ear and I glance at the Stranger.

"Arms out." she orders.

In her hands are metal chains to restrict movement of the hands.

"Now." she warns.

I put out my arms and she clamps on the restraints.

My ears tinge red with shame.

"I don’t have all day, get moving." commands the Stranger.

"The sooner we go, the sooner this is all over." soothes the Professor.

Subia grinds her teeth but keeps quiet.

We walk by the front door and I notice Gareth.

He immediately turns and walks towards us.

"Professor." he says cautiously.

"Subia and I are heading to the tower." I explain. "Can you keep Lovia company for the day? Buy warmer clothes for the Twins if yous manage out of your rooms."

"I can… is everything alright?"

"No, it isn’t, they are putting him on trial!" Subia says hotly.

""What!" Gareth places a hand to the hilt of his sword.

The Stranger draws her blade faster.

"Don’t." she warns.

The edge of the blade at his throat.

"I won’t I can tell when my augmentations are out classed." Gareth admits.

She sheathes her blade.

"Gareth, do as August says. Everything will be fine." says the Professor.

Gareth nods. "Come back safe, you two. Promise?"

"Promise."

"No one will touch him, I swear." says Subia passionately.

I think our roles have reversed.

Now I am the one in chains needing saved and she is my saviour to be.

"Thank you."

We march to the Tower.

Eyes watch from the crowds as our rather conspicuous group moves through the streets. A cat skin carrying a dragontooth sword, a mage, a hooded figure and a demon in chains.

A few pieces of rotten fruit fly by but I easily avoid them with slight sways of movement.

What is one more humiliation to endure?

This time last week, I was facing expulsion from the academy. Now I am walking to door"s of the Tower. I am facing a trial of which I am guilty. I broke a law as old as the city. Never summon Artoici. The weapons of the Mad Summoners of Icarius.

How did they even learn so quickly?

The fact that they are right and certain means that they must have some sort of tracking tool.

The Professor seems confident everything will work out but I can’t tell why?

Subia places a hand on my shoulder

"It will be fine, right?"

"Don’t worry." I wink and put on my best smile. "You’re about to become as good as a hero. Rulers from far away lands to little children will know your name."

"Really?" she brightens up a full smile across her face, the news enlivening her low spirits.

"Right, Professor?"

"Yes, a dragon blessed dragon slayer is certainly as good as a hero. If it comes with a good tale by the winter’s end everyone on the continent shall know your name."

Subia is quiet at that, a little overawed I suspect.

We reach Mage’s street and pass the Academy, that building filled with memories: bright, mundane and painful mixed together in a lasting impression.

We walk down the street, it is with a little relief that I don’t see anyone I recognise.

We stop and I look up at a single obsidian black tower of colossal height. The Tower. Home of the Archmage of Athfen who sits at the Great Table of Magi as one of the supreme magicians of the known world.

We walk up the stairs and the stone door swings open on its own accord as we approach. On either side of the door are stone golems that loom over as big as hills.

Inside is an open room with various hexagonal rocks.

The Stranger roughly tugs me towards a hexagonal rock to the right.

"You’re with me." she says gruffly.

"August, keep a cool head. I’ll take Subia to the Archmage, get her verified."

I hear "It’s going to be okay…" before the hexagonal rock floats up.

"Whoa." I gasp. "Are we flying?"

"Quiet," she barks. "No." she answers.

We stop, I don’t know how high up the Tower. The Stranger pulls me onto a platform and down a corridor.

The Tower seems empty, lit by floating mage orbs. The building is clean; not a speck of dust or cobweb in sight. It seems almost too perfect. More akin to a mountain than a home.

The Stranger knocks on a door that has a dragon’s heads craved into the stone. The door opens, again of its own accord. She drags me inside.

"Hello, August. What trouble have you been stirring now?" says Alessia.

By her side sits a a red scaled Dracion on a luxurious chair behind a wide desk covered with various scrolls. He wears expensive purple silk with intricate embroidery. Golden eyes shine like the sun. The Archmage’s son.

Unexpected.

"You have risen far, old friend." I say bitterly

"Old friend? Was I not sister once you pleb." she snaps back.

"Pleb? Was I not Brother?"

"You’re alive because I spoke up for you!"

"I am grateful of course, who doesn’t want to be dragged through streets in chains?"

"Enough!" says the Archmage’s son. Quiet as a whisper but delivered with the force of one comfortable with command.

Alessia and I shut up.

"I’m sorry Dracos." She apologies.

He flicks his wrist and the chains drop to the floor with a thud.

"I’m not sure if that is wise." Warns the Stranger.

"Mother has given judgment of the accused to my humble self. Your services to the family are appreciated but you may leave now."

"As you wish." she says stiffly and bows then exits the room closing the door behind.

"How are you, August of Killie?"

"Well, enough."

"And do you understand your position?"

"I am on trial, though I admit I don’t think this is normal procedure."

"You didn’t commit a normal crime."

"I suppose not."

"You live and die by my command. Till the end of your days your life hangs on me keeping your indiscretion a secret."

"I did what was right as the situation demanded."

"Neither the Law nor I care. You are guilty."

He taps his desk and adds.

"Alessia offered a proposal. Service to my house under my authority."

"Only during wartime." Alessia contributes.

"Indeed." he says.

"I am thinking of your future, August." Alessia says softly.

"I learned a long time ago, that if I refuse to listen then you cannot persuade me of anything." I retort testily.

She huffs in frustration.

"Arrogant bastard! When will you realise that I moved on. That me leaving is not about you, I did it for me."

"I know! I’ve always known. Do you know how that makes me feel? I wanted to give you the world but I can hardly feel myself. When it comes down to it, I can do nothing for you and you are better off without me."

"That is not true, I am not asking for the strength of your arm but for the strength of your resolve. I want the friend whose little acts of kindness got us through hell. Dracos needs a solider loyal and able. I want my friend who is like my brother back."

I grind my teeth in bitter frustration.

"Let me help you, August."

I stare at the floor.

"I’m scared for you, old friend. One day, you will pick a fight you can’t win."

"I’m dogged by failure, and that is okay. What’s one more? I am more than my achievements."

"I mean I am scared you will die."

"What will be, will be."

"You will die, if you don’t accept my offer but fear not, it comes with a reward you cannot refuse." says Dracos.

"What?"

"There is a powerful Fark in the planes of Minoth in the Prison of Dagonilth. Bind it to you and I will offer the materials to make binding permanent. Think about it, a powerful summon at your side."

"And for you a capable soldier who can use said summon on command."

"Yes. I demand absolute loyalty."

"A Fark, what do you want with a servant of Undalian?"

"This one is a trickster of sorts: capable, resourceful but desperate."

"What makes you think, I am capable of binding such a creature?"

"I don’t but if you die I lose nothing." He grins, baring sharp teeth. "Should you succeed then my dear Alessia will be happy."

"And you will have another pawn in your collection."

He laughs.

"I wouldn’t put it so crassly but… yes."

Alessia nods her head, slowly in encouragement.

"I accept."

"Excellent." He glances to Alessia who brings out a two handed spear, and a scrap of paper.

"Here are your coordinates."

I look at the symbols. "I know, I’ve read about Dagonlith before, not that I ever thought I would be visiting."

"It is a ticket, the mana cost paid, one to arrive and one to return. And your favorite." She passes the spear.

I can wield it in one hand with relative ease and can magic with the other. Further, it is thick and long enough to be a fierce two handed weapon.

"Thanks." I say sincerely.

"It is enchanted. It will not break easily and will ring in your ear to guide you to a true strike."

"A gift of goodwill." Says Dracos.

"I will treasure it, truly."

"Now leave, for the crime and the reward are yours alone." Declares Dracos.

I clutch the ticket in my hand and portal to Minoth.