Lia still couldn’t believe she was in the same room with Levise herself. Yes, she was surprised when Lad’s friend Vir’ni suddenly transformed into a giant wyvern and jumped off the cliff to save Lad, but this was different. Crow could shapeshift as well. Though it was quite rare, Lia was familiar with that talent.

However, the great Saint of the empire was sitting across the small round table and offering them a cup of tea was something Lia couldn’t dream of even in her wildest dreams, even with her stature.

“Would you like some?” Levise asked them, and Lia vehemently nodded. She of course accepted the tea even without giving it a second thought. She wasn’t really into drinking tea but drinking with her was one of the greatest honours a person could ever achieve. She was almost a millennium old, an old companion of the God Emperor Vaella. This was the closest one could ever get to witness his greatness.

Lad, however, kept staring at the Saint and the woman eventually poured one for him too. He was comfortable with the situation, a lot more than one should be.

Even though Lad’s indifference vexed her, she sipped the hot tea slowly. She savoured it. It wasn’t like anything she had tasted before. The sweet fragrance filled her nostrils and the gentle warmth of the tea warmed her insides, giving her a sense of joy and excitement. It just… tasted serene. It tasted like love. No wonder all the tea she had drank before tasted wrong.

Lad, on the other hand, swigged the tea in one gulp and sniffed the empty cup later.

“Nice tea.” He commented. “And I agree.”

“Oh,” Levise gasped in surprise. “I thought I would need to do some convincing. To think that you would agree even before I said what I wanted.”

“How could I refuse an offer from you, my lady.” Lad bowed slightly, with legs crossed. He didn’t sit on the chair. He occupied it. There was a certain sense of vulgarity in his every act, even when he refrained from doing anything. It was like he knew all the rules of etiquette and was intentionally breaking each one of them.

“It is enough to know that you want something done.” Lad continued as he raised his head, showing a sinister smile. “Show the place, and I’ll slay whatever you ask. You didn’t even need to go through all this trouble. A hawk with a letter would suffice.”

“Great to see your enthusiasm but you’ll not be hunting in the desert again. You are going to the Empire, Northern Revera to be exact.”

“Oh, I thought you were going to send me to put that insomniac lizard to sleep but who am I to complain?” Lad grinned as he started to chew on the silver spoon in his cup while giving a subtle look at Lia.

“Brelard is gathering a team to deal with our little draconic issue as we talk. I’ll need your assistance in imperial soil.”

“Hmm... So, you are finally meddling with the funny hat guy’s backyard. I like that. Well… I would have preferred the desert but okay. I never liked the lizard anyways. I’ll do it. Just because you asked.”

“Hey!” Lia gave a stern look. “That funny hat guy rules the empire under the guidance of the Lord. He carries his blood within!”

Lad giggled upon hearing her confrontation. The reason why she got angry was not that someone insulted her father or her emperor but because that same man carried the blood of a god, disregarding the fact that the blood would be quite thin considering that the god lived a millennia ago. Quite the religious type, huh? A thought brushed his mind.

“I know. And he also carried you once within him. What lies in often ends up as a disappointment when out.”

“Lad.” Levise knitted her golden eyebrows. “Don’t be disrespectful. Not to her nor her father.”

“Whatever you say, my lady.” Lad gnawed on the spoon. It looked like he was bending it in a weird shape.

“Also, the Crown of Vitae is already in the knowledge of your quest. Actually, they were the ones to request it and I obliged, happily.”

“That sounds odd. I thought baldie didn’t want your help. What changed?”

Upon seeing Lia’s eyes, he added. “Don’t give me that look. I’m not insulting your god’s ability to grow hair. I’m only questioning his children’s preference in partners and their ability to grow hair.” He played with his hair as he defended himself with a grin that showed his playing was well intended.

“Lad.” Levis gave him a last warning and Lad surrendered, raising both hands.

“Okay, I’ll continue annoying her later. Now tell me what am I supposed to do.”

“It’s great to see your enthusiasm. You relieved me. I didn’t know who to send if not for you.”

“How dare you think I would refuse a request from you! I feel quite insulted you know. You only need to tell me where and when, and that’s all I need to go.”

“Well. In that… You are not going alone. You’ll be taking Lia and her friends. They’ve just parted ways with their mentor, and they need a new one. They are already well-versed in the academic studies of power. They need experience on it.”

“What? Eîlar! Do you remember what happened the last time you decided to do this? I died.”

“What?” Lia gasped, almost spitting the sip of tea she was enjoying.

“Well. I didn’t die that much. But no! I’m not going to be a babysitter again. No! Never! Again! And her friends? No. Not a chance.” Lad refused every possibility he could think of in quick secessions, shaking his head at each word.

“They would be a great asset to you.”

“Yeah, you are right. What about…” He turned at Lia, scratching his chin. “A no?”

“I think you are being a little rude to Lia. You know she is extremely talented. Both of you can learn a lot from each other.”

“That’s the point! I don’t care who she is. It’s me who is not qualified. If you told me to jump in front of that dragon unarmed, I would do it and that Lord damns it you know I would, but babysitting? Even you can’t be that cruel.”

“Perhaps meeting them all would change your mind.” Just as Levise stopped they all heard a knock. The smile on her face showed confirmation like she already knew they were going to knock at that exact moment.

“Here they are. You can come in my dear.” Levise snapped her elegant fingers and the door got opened by itself. Lia felt no magic, no tricks. It looked like the door simply wanted to obey her wish.

“You’ll love them after you’ve met them. Children, please greet your new mentor. His name is Lad.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I am Inni of the House Ruiz, but my friends call me Inni. You can call me Inni too.”

“I’m Yel.” The boy looked at Inni for a second before turning back at Lad again. “And you can call me Yel.”

Lad studied the trio for a while and continued with a distasteful impression on his face. “I really hate it when you do that. Your cruelty seems to be beyond my imagination. But if you don’t come up with something more interesting, I’m going to jump off the island.” He stopped chewing on the spoon. He left it on the table wet and full of dents and teeth marks. “And I’m not sure if Vir’ni would catch me this time.”

“He calls himself Viran.” Levis quietly said. “The last to be exact.”

“And I could call myself a unicorn. Or a Firstborn. I don’t think that makes me one of your brothers.” Lad bowed his head slightly towards one side, eyes closing and brows rising as he made his point.

“I’m afraid he is a lot more than a pretender. Empire has already sent people to deal with him. First, some scouts to examine the explosion in the abandoned temple in Demina, and then some… proper soldier to find what happened to them.”

“And…?”

“He ripped the Black Legion apart piece by piece. Ambushing and catching them off guard. The legion failed and Viran was lost again until three days ago of course when the emperor finally played his cards. He sent three Archmages. Kisna, Azyr and Temruz. They are fine now but Temruz says that it’s only thanks to Viran getting interrupted.”

As Lia listened to the saint, she couldn’t believe what she said. If it was anyone other than her, she would have taken those words as lies. To face three of the seven Archmages and dominate them was not something everyone could do. Even for the Archmages, it was quite impossible, perhaps except for Yesui. The only precedent in the last century was the White Flame of Ruiz, but the deed had taken both his life and honour.

“That feat alone should narrow the people who are capable enough. You sure you don’t have any names popping in your head?”

“If that was the only thing he did, perhaps. But that’s not the end. According to Temruz, he also has an artefact that he used to steal their power and heal himself.”

“And that artefact is...?”

“We are not sure. Temruz told me it looked like a stone heart. Detection and retrieval of the artefact is one part of your mission. The other is to pacify the Viran and find his goal.”

“A stone heart…” Lad repeated Levise. “Fine, it sounds interesting but I’ll go alone.”

“You need them Lad, and they need you.”

“This is going nowhere, and you know that, right? You always know.” Lad got up, giving a last look at his odd-shaped spoon on the table. It almost looked like a letter.

“Not as much as I’d like to know, unfortunately.” Levise showed smiled. “But I saw a dream recently.”

Lad turned back, as he was reaching for the handle of the door. The temperature of the whole room raised a few degrees as the edges of her lips curled up. It was overwhelming to look at her face. Lia felt like she could pass out from joy at any second. It wasn’t a spell or enchantment; she was just happy that Levise was smiling. It was like a scenery. “I saw a feast. You were lying beside an empty pyre, satisfied and sleeping. Take them with you, they’ll lead you to the feast.”

Lad turned back with a wide grin on his face. “You should have started with that from the beginning. I am starving.”

***

“Raise your sword higher.” Lad commented at Lia’s attack as he danced between the swings of three swords. “You can already kill a man with one sword, no need to swing both for an attack. I can’t be more dead if stabbed twice.” He continued as Yel lowered both of his short swords, gasping for air when a flaming arrow passed by Lad. He gracefully moved around the arrow and dodged it as if he was dancing. If he hadn’t, the arrow would have landed on his head.

Lad had agreed on taking them, but only if they proved their worth. To prove it, Lad challenged them to spar with a little condition. From his smug face, Lia was sure that Lad never intended on making them pass. His quick feet and agile movement only proved this point. His sword was sheathed and he cast no spells, but still, he danced like a ballerina between three mages attacking him.

“And you, the redhead.” Lad turned at Inni. “Next time don’t wait until I stop talking. You don’t need to hear what the guy you want to kill says.”

“Even if they say something that makes sense?”

“Especially when they say something…” An arrow cut Lad off and a swing from Lia followed it.

“…that makes sense.” Lad continued as he danced away from both attacks.

“Adapting, huh?” He leaned forward as Yel’s blow went over his head. “Still no sweat though.” He smiled through his teeth as they heavily panted. “Seems like you don’t want to be in her holiness’ quest.”

“You are cheating.” Lia argued. “You must be using some spell that we can’t detect to keep yourself dry.”

“So?” Lad raised a brow. “Either prove it or cheat yourself too.”

“Alright,” Inni said as he nodded and breathed in and out slowly. Soon, the temperature rose as Inni infused her mana into the air. It suddenly got hot. Hot enough to melt a candle. It was their time to cheat.

Yel jumped at Lad, with wind guiding his steps. He floated in the air, swiftly and gently swinging his sword at the master, but Lad slapped the side of his sword and sent it flying.

Yel stepped into the air and jumped back, launching himself at Lad once again. With his second jump, Lia swung her sword too. This time, the steel was clad in lightning. They tried to pincer Lad. Though the condition for their victory was making him sweat, beating him would do the same trick.

Yel swung his remaining sword at Lad, but the latter simply ducked; avoiding the two flaming arrows Inni sent at him. Without Lad to meet Yel, he flew over his head and crashed on Lia, and she lost control of the lightning on her sword, electrocuting them both.

“Still not cheating enough.” Lad laughed as he clapped his hands, his sword sheathed through this whole match. “But presenting a hell of a show. I approve this.” He grinned like a mischievous kid.

Yel grasped Lia’s hand and pulled her up after getting off her. Both were still twitching after the shock. His hand is sweaty. Lia thought. So is mine.

Pick up your swords. Lia whispered to Yel and Inni. Her mouth stood still; it was her spell doing the talk. She whispered right into their minds. Lad had to be oblivious to what she was going to say. Pressure him with arrows. Send them at his escape routes. Pin him.

Yel picked his swords up and Inni pulled the string as an arrow of flames appeared on the shaft, without giving any hint of their communication.

Don’t fly over him. Get close. Make him disarm you. Slap him. Lia gave the final order as they launched.

The first one to make contact was Yel. He swung one of his swords and Lad slapped it away again. He was going to dodge but the arrows flying around pinned him down. After Yel, Lia struck Lad. He slapped the blade away again, disarming her. She then quickly drew her other sword, the Yrridian one as Yel and Inni kept him occupied.

Seeing the dark steel, Lad cracked his neck, steadying his stance. Yel and Lia drew closer and closer, step by step. This time, Lia initiated the first attack.

She sent one stroke after another with the sword, she pushed him back; to Yel. Lad had stopped dancing between blades as if they were made of wood. It was good. Yriddian steel seemed to have scared him a bit, even though the wide grin still fashioned his runed face.

As he approached Yel, with his back turned at him; Yel swung his sword wide open, cutting into Lad’s shoulder. The blade grazed the skin and slashed his old dark cape with his once-white shirt beneath.

Lad turned back at a superhuman speed and disarmed Yel once again. Sensing Lia’s attack from behind, he was urged to roll to the side, but a flaming arrow cut him off again.

Instead, he somersaulted and kicked Lia’s sword to the sky and landed in the same place he was standing in a second ago, with an arrow stuck to the ground right next to his feet and bowing before Yel, saluting like a thespian after a play.

His bowing head, however, met with a strong slap.

Ouch. Yel thought. It felt like hitting a brick.

Lad raised his head, with one brow raised and baffled. “What in Levise was that?” Instead of picking up his weapon, Yel had waited for him to stop and slapped him as he did so. Cunning Lad thought. Excellent.

“We won.” Lia sheathed her sword. “The condition is met.”

“No.” Lad kept it brief. “I still haven’t had a single drop of sweat.”

“You have it.” Lia laughed. “Right on your cheek.” She pointed at the sweaty mark of Yel’s slap.

“Did we cheat enough?” Yel asked.

“You can never cheat enough.” Lad replied as he swiped his face with his shirt. No wonder it has turned yellow Lia thought. “But you passed.”

“Vidin’s balls!” Yel cussed as he held his wrist with his other hand. “I think I dislocated it.”

“Serves you well.” Lad laughed. “Next time you hear someone order you to slap me you would think twice.”

“Wait?” Lia asked, baffled. “You could hear me?”

“Duh.” He picked his ear with his pinkie, irritably shaking his hand. “I tried not to, but you were practically shouting. It hurt my ears you know.”

“How did you…” Lia was shocked. It was quite possible to notice someone using telepathy but reading what was said was impossible.

“It isn’t impossible.” Lad smiled slyly as a book flying towards him hit him in the face.

The book… looked similar. Is that the book I gave Naye to inspect? Lia flinched for a second.

“No, you didn’t.” A woman with dark curly hair approached them. Lia was right. Naye had returned with the book. “Stop fooling the kids.” She closed the distance with quick steps and took the book in front of lying down Lad.

“He’s just guessing. If you did this trick for long enough, you eventually learn to roughly guess what the other party thinks.”

Her brown hair reached down to her shoulders and outlined her face in a fluffy frame. She had simple but quality clothes, a silky burgundy shirt under a long cream coat with a single leather glove on her left hand.

“Hey, sis!” Inni rushed at the woman, tightly hugging her. “I thought you were away.”

The woman hugged her back. “I was away until recently…” She took a glance at Lia. “working on a little quest but was called back.”

“I heard you were on the subjugation party.” Lia said, eyes avoiding direct contact. “Sorry.” She hated making trouble for others. “I just wished our next meeting wasn’t because we messed up.”

“No worries, I needed a change of scenery anyways.” Naye didn’t look much younger than her, but Lia knew very well that she was over thirty.

“And it’s always good to see you, regardless of the reason.” Naye smiled as she put her hand on top of Inni’s head to caress her, but Naye’s hand got immediately swallowed by the orange bush that was Inni’s hair. She then noticed Yel’s gaze.

“And… Who this young man may be?”

Yel looked at Naye for a few more seconds before he realized the question was asked of him.

“Oh, me? I’m very glad!” He stopped, if he could control his hands, he would have palmed his face. “I mean to meet you. Not… not that it’s my name. I…”

“Easy boy.” Lad cut him off with a smirk, getting up with a hand on his nose, rubbing off where the book hit him. “She is pretty but not that pretty.”

“No, no.” Yel squirmed in sweat. Seeing the boy struggle to talk, the corners of Lad’s lips curled, eyes narrowed down. “I wouldn’t dare to judge such a prodigy like you with your face only.”

Still, the mischievous smirk was visible on Lad’s face. Enjoying the torture. “So, you say she’s ugly? Too ugly to be looked at? How dare you!”

“Ahh…” Yel let out a gasp. It was weird to see him like that. Lia never saw him this nervous and stressed. She had witnessed him climbing on the back of a raging Varka or jumping off from one Griffon to another, dancing on the air currents.

“I didn’t mean that. I would never insult you.” His coal-black eyes opened wide in worry. To this, Naye only smiled.

“I am sure kiddo. You don’t need to worry.”

“Yes.” Yel shut up as a shade of red rushed to his dark brown cheeks.

“And don’t bully the kid.” She turned to Lad with a hint of amusement. She looked familiar with the scene and Lad being Lad.

“Why?” Lad went around and put a hand on her shoulder. “You loved it when I bullied you. Remember the time I shaved your head? It was hilarious.”

“Yes. I remember. My axe does too.” She put her hand on the silver-headed axe hanging around her waist. The shining head of the axe was also covered in scriptures, just like her arms.

“I’m just glad I never taught you how to actually use that thing. It would have been catastrophic.”

“Wait.” Lia jumped in between. “Lad was your mentor?”

“Not exactly. But we travelled together a lot. And he showed me a few tricks.”

“Those tricks seem to have done their job. I heard you have become a Runemaster too. Nice hand.” He glanced at her gloved hand. “Mind if I take a look?”

“You used me as a punching bag. I would have done fine too without a few less broken bones.

“Oh, come on! I never hit you.”

“Yeah. But you used me to hit other things. It’s kind of the same thing on my end.”

“Hmm…” Lad scratched his clean shaved chin and his face soured as he reminisced. “Aight. I got the point. I owe you an apology.”

“I don’t need an apology.” Naye curled the corners of her lips up in a way that looked like Lad’s wry smile. Lia felt like Lad’s smirk was almost contagious. She was afraid she too would end up like that one day, so she sighed.

“I want a favour.”

“What favour?” Lad raised his voice. “You killed me; an apology is what you get at most. Why are you even here anyways?”

“Lia gave me some books to inspect.”

“Yeah, she told me she took a book from the tower. I just hope this is not the one.” He picked up the book resting next to his feet and handed it over to Naye, but she refused to take it.

“Of course not. Throwing an ages-old relic at your face would be a waste. This one’s the favour I want. Check it.”

“I hate homework.” Lad sulked and as he did, so he flipped the pages of the book. “I hate this even more.” He sighed. “Anyways. What about the other book?”

“Yes. That’s the reason why I’m here.”