“There are three key epochs that make up the ‘Imperial Contentialis Phase’ (Continental Imperium) of Cyndralia’s history. Though they stretch between a multitude of different eras, it can be argued that their legacies have led to the way in which many Cyndralian ideas base themselves off of. First off, we have the infamous Myndiri Arneathian Empire that spanned most of the continent and its early history. Many of their traditions and myths still remain with us to this day, though oftentimes in radically different forms. Second, we have the Latassian Empire, a long overlooked and forgotten peoples that ruled the north with a mighty fist and spread much of their art and culture down into what we now consider Cyndralia as a whole. In particular greatly influencing what we now call the region of Gratia. Lastly, we have the First Nautican Union, the empire that united much of Western and Central Cyndralia under its banner. Their legacy being that of the Traxian Empire today, as well as many bureaucratic institutions and infrastructure that stood the test of time.”

- Velexia Halistrassus, Historian, Veronan Exploration Guild, “Contentialis Princeps: The Imperial History of Cyndralia - Introduction”

Kerm, Erase, Myndir. Those were the only words that Karzan recognized before he declared that he needed to contact someone else to get the documents translated. The bearded dwarf had thankfully just started closing shop when the mismatched duo finally arrived. He had identified Eva as a noble of sorts based on her airs and stroked his chin whilst staring knowingly at Aryana. His jovial mood quickly vanished when Aryana summarised the bare minimum for him, the dwarf’s grizzled features growing moodier by the minute.

“They mention a name,” Karzan had stated, “here. It says Kerm. Then here, they talk about Myndiri, that word seems pretty similar to ancient Himec script.”

It was only upon seeing their blank expressions that the dwarf elaborated further, “Himec, right, you wouldn’t know. Ancient Dwarven allies, humans if I recall correctly, if a tad feral. Descended from the mountains too, like a… a loose confederation of tribes.”

“Like… like my people?” Aryana asked.

“Hah!” Karzan laughed, “Exactly, though long before your time. Long before me too, probably even my father’s time. Still, it does mean it's something that I can have people work on, provided you have a week or two to spare.”

“A week or two?!” The two girls exclaimed at once.

“Aye, I’ll need that time to find someone and have them look over this. But I promise you this, it’ll get done to the maximum extent of my abilities and contacts. Premium support package for my favorite customer.” Karzan had reassured them.

Though Eva seemed apoplectic, Aryana was calmed by the words and just nodded her agreement.

“What’s the price?” Eva scowled.

“Hah! A business woman after my heart!” Karzan joked, ignoring the death glare, “It’s quite simple, a request. A simple one at that.”

“Oh? Simple? What's the catch?”

“Aye. All I need from the both of you is one thing each.”

“I knew it.” Eva hissed.

“Ah-ah. Wait for me to finish. From you,” He pointed at Eva, “take this.” He rummaged through his things and pulled out a familiar looking envelope and letter. “I reckon you’re in the Academy?”

“How’d you guess that?”

“Hah! Call it a merchant's intuition. Anyways, I need you to get this report to someone inside the academy. Details should be enclosed below. And don’t give me that look, it's not anything illegal, well too illegal anyways. Would’ve had her and the elf do it if not for you.“ Karzan pointed at Aryana, “Just so happens I don’t have to wait another month for their applications to finally wrap up.” He chuckled to himself.

“Fine. And for her?” Eva cocked her head at Aryana.

“Hmm. Let’s just say I have something big coming up and I might need some extra… eyes on the situation. Say, two sets. If you can round up the ranger and the inquisitor then… the more the merrier.”

“Okay.” Aryana readily agreed.

“Excellent!” Karzan clasped his meaty hands together, “Never say that I don’t offer the best customer service. But trust me, I’ll figure out what these pages say, you just wait. Oh, and as always, feel free to browse my wears and let me know if something catches your eye.”

That was how they had ended their transaction and Aryana now found herself sitting with Eva inside the All Hogs Arms. Tucked away at a far table away from prying eyes. Aryana had ordered a simple hog gravy meat and vegetables, the taste mattering far less than the nutrients to stave off hunger. Eva on the other hand, settled for a small hog minced pie and a tankard of Arterian mead. The two wordlessly ate their meals, Aryana occasionally casting nervous glances at the clearly agitated girl.

Eva was clearly worried about Sophie, though Aryana could see how hard the older girl fought to keep restrained. It was touching in a way, and made her a little jealous at the clear bond the other two shared despite their distance. Her thoughts dropped her into an uncomfortable place where she began wondering if anyone would care about her this much. After all, Eva clearly still cares and Sophie had fought through countless obstacles just to return by her mistress’s side. Would anyone ever go through that much for me?

Her thoughts never reached a conclusive answer as Eva finally stirred from her meal and finally raised her head to look at Aryana. Aryana quickly swallowed the last bit of her food and made ready to listen, only to find the older girl adopt a much more wistful expression than she had anticipated.

“A-are you okay?” Aryana instinctively asked.

“Mmm.” Eva mumbled, aimlessly swirling her tankard. The older girl took one last swig from it before she pushed it aside and sat up straighter, now focused fully onto Aryana. “Sorry.” She said.

Aryana cocked her head sideways in confusion and provoked a small sigh from Eva.

“Sorry for you know… being so forceful and what not. I guess I was a little too eager to see Soph again, heh.” Eva chuckled grimly.

“It… it’s okay?” Aryana hesitantly spoke up.

“Mmm.” Eva nodded absently, “So… you’re… Aryana, right?”

Aryana nodded, though she felt a little miffed at the statement. I’m not expecting much, but damn, that hurts a little.

“Mmm. Nice to meet you. Properly that is.” Eva continued.

“Err… likewise.” Aryana bobbed her head.

“So you’re Sophie’s friend, yeah?”

“Hmm… yeah, I would say I’m her friend.” Aryana agreed.

“Good.” Eva sighed, almost in relief, “Good. I’m… thank you. For helping her and sticking around.”

“S-sure…?”

Perhaps Eva finally sensed Aryana’s confusion, because she let out a hearty chuckle that seemed to brighten up her entire mood.

“Heh, what I mean is that I know Sophie can be a handful and that she’s a spoiled little gremlin sometimes. But, she’s a good kid, really. And… I… well I guess I’m just happy to hear that she’s making friends willing to stick their neck out for her. Especially given the… absolute shitstorm that happened.”

“O-oh!”

“Mmhmm. So truly, I apologize if I was a little rude earlier but… well… you came through. If this is all an elaborate trick then… congratulations I guess. But, when we were with the guards, I could just tell you weren’t just taking the piss. You genuinely cared and that I appreciate.”

At that Aryana’s nerves faded away and she found a little grin sneaking up onto her face. There was a warmth in those words and Eva’s new demeanour that she recognised and could appreciate. Though Aryana was a little bit more flustered than she had expected, she managed to give Eva a firm nod in response, the older girl just replying with a soft smile.

It was only after a few moments of contemplation between the two did Aryana finally gather courage to interrupt it. To talk to one that had her friend so focused on returning to at all costs.

“I-umm I think Sophie’s great. I don’t know much about her being spoiled or a handful but…” Aryana began.

“But…?”

“She’s really pretty amazing. She’s errr… well… she’s…” Aryana floundered, her nerves returning once more.

“She’s…?”

“Umm… she’s pretty caring and like… ummm… she’s like a-a hero… heroine almost. She saved me and… so many people and errr… yeah.” Aryana nervously wrapped her, her boots tapping the floor.

“Huh. A heroine huh? She’d love that.” Eva smiled sadly.

“But… she is!”

“And I don’t doubt that.” Eva sighed deeply before murmuring to herself, “Guess we’ve got a lot to catch up on Soph.” The older girl stared down into the tankard, almost as if she was reminiscing.

“O-oh! Well we could visit. Sophie that is. I’m sure the guards could let us in somehow. And uhh if not we… we could all hang out once she wakes up! I’ll… I’ll write a note or letter or something to you. To let you know and-”

“It’s alright.” Eva interrupted, holding up a gentle but firm hand, “I think it's best we don’t meet. Sophie and I. That is.”

What? “What?”

“Ahh… I worded that badly. What I mean is… I think I’ll wait for Sophie at the academy, wait till the welcoming ceremony and surprise her then. I can imagine her excitement now, jumping up and down in joy. It’d be terrific. And ‘sides, I reckon it's what she’d want to have happen.”

“Oh… umm.. Hmmm… but, wouldn’t she be sad if she realized you didn’t visit her? I mean, I-I think you care and… why wait?” Aryana asked.

“I guess you could say I just… I don’t know. I think I still can’t really process the fact that she’s alive. Fuck. Not just that, she's alive and she's here, in Arteria. It feels a little surreal having this conversation honestly.” Eva tapped her fingers against the tankard, “I just feel like our meeting should be some grand festive event you know? Not me visiting her unconscious form, fuck. She will be alright, right?” Eva turned her attention back to Aryana.

“Mmhmm, she’s… she’s… she’s come back from worse.” Aryana stammered, unsure of how to describe Sophie’s missing heart.

“Huh, has she? That’s… concerning but good to know. I’ll trust you on that.” Eva let out another sigh, “Guess I should be heading out though, the night’s only getting later and soon the next ferry’s gonna be tomorrow.”

Aryana tilted her head and Eva explained, “Well, the weekends are mostly for training now. But, I’ve convinced the others that Sunday… err Morus, should be our break day.”

At this Aryana suddenly remembered that Eva was a Vaettagh as well. She held back her tongue but was desperate to also declare that she too, was an outlander like the noble girl in front of her.

“Ah.” Aryana settled for murmuring her assent.

“Mmhmm, so… I guess I’ll head back for now. Here,” The older girl fished out some coins, “meal’s on me. Just do me a favor, yeah?”

Aryana was about to whine that Sophie would have been overjoyed regardless when she froze, faced with a potential request.

“O-okay?”

“Don’t tell Sophie I tried to help, not yet. I think that’s something she and I should talk about together.” Eva put on a wistful smile, “But…” Her face grew a little more serious, “promise me something else too.”

Aryana just nodded.

“Make sure she stays out of trouble, yeah? Sophie has a… tendency to run headlong into things, not that I’m exactly a good influence there. But, I can tell you care about her. So do me a favor and make sure she makes it to the Academy.”

“Umm… of course.” Aryana agreed.

“Good. Good.” Eva nodded to herself, “You’re a good kid, Aryana. You’re a good kid.”

Unsure of how to react, Aryana could only manage an embarrassed nod as she looked away, earning herself a small giggle from the older girl.

“Alright, I’ll head back now. I expect both of you to be at the entrance ceremony. And… take care.”

Aryana hurriedly bobbed her head and was able to force her body to at least perform a small wave of goodbye. One that Eva performed effortlessly and with a slightly lighter burden on her shoulders even if the older girl seemed to hesitate slightly.

“You too.” Aryana eventually whispered, but Eva was already out the door.

She now struggled with a surge of emotions that ran rampant within her. Yet, underneath it all, she felt a pang of jealousy surge back to prominence amidst all the warm feelings. Though she had to admit that seeing how much Eva cared about Sophie was a little bit heartwarming. Just a little.

One Week Later

Aryana settled for an apple cider today, the sweetened slightly bubbly taste of the drink scratching her itch to head out of town and explore the outdoors. The weather had taken a turn for the worse and she could hear more than enough grumblings from the townsfolk about the cold snap that slowly settled over the land. Aside from the cold nip in the air, Aryana could also feel the gentlest touch of something else, darker and more sinister. The uneasy feelings she felt before now only seemed to linger every hour of the day. It unnerved her and she could never quite shake the feeling, though warm drinks soothed her soul more than enough.

She sighed and took another sip before nursing the drink between her hands. Her eyes wandered to the muddied reflection that stared at her from the tavern’s window, her silent self sitting alone from all the noise and cheer that came from the other tables. The city still felt alive despite the grumblings of its people. Cold was merely another part of life and the lively energy that held Arteria in its grip showed no signs of relenting. Yet, it was amongst this mood that Aryana felt the loneliest, the buzz of the city not quite drowning out the deafening hum of being alone amongst the crowds of people that called this place home.

Her throat tingled from the warm drink and she absently played with her braid. She was confused, lost, and unsure of what to do. Without a clear goal and just being told to wait, she was lost. It didn’t help that the past week was filled with disappointment day after day. She had tried to contact the siblings once more only for the gate guards to deny her again and again. Then when she finally switched tactics and went to try and check up on Sophie, the legionaries had assured her that her friend was fine, but that she still wasn’t allowed to visit just yet. It made her nervous, the way that they had spoken to her, almost like they were hiding secrets. Based on what she read on the captain’s report, she could only hope that they were intrusively experimenting on Sophie.

And there’s nothing I can do. She shivered at the distressing thought. Her despair was compounded by having waited one full week, only for the library cafe’s owner to gently inform her that the outlanders were being deployed on a field exercise outside the city. Thus, she found herself having fruitlessly wasted her time waiting for Eva or anyone, really, to talk things over with her. It irked her more perhaps, that she couldn’t do a thing to change the scenario she was stuck in, like the whimsies of fate had turned its currents against her.

Stuck in this depressive mood, she sipped away at the apple cider and took notice of the tavern door opening. Two well dressed figures wearing what appeared to be a uniform of sorts stepped into the tavern. She didn’t know if it was because of her mood or just the instinct to sniff out trouble, but the moment they stepped in, holding high an air of confidence, her heart sank. She just knew that they were here for either herself and Sophie, and by the way they entered to little fanfare from the barkeep likely meant they weren’t entirely unfamiliar and that there was little doubt that they’d leave with what they were here for.

Her suspicions were further confirmed when they cast their gazes across the tavern floor and landed upon hers. The two strangers traded glances and they began making their way over. Aryana could only sigh and quickly down the rest of her cider before they arrived. She closed her eyes as the warmth spread throughout her and for a moment she felt almost at peace, the chill of the world around her briefly contained. She imagined herself back home, confined to her hut and trudging over to check up on her animals before returning indoors to a relaxing fire and some heated fruit juice much like the cider. She would wrap herself in furs until she was warm and cozy before rereading her books.

Heavy footsteps shattered her illusion and she felt a mournful expression take hold of her face. The house is probably gone by now, buried by the frost or pillaged by some wildlings. All the animals have either escaped or died, frozen stiff. I did leave the pen gates open right? I definitely remember leaving them all some extra food. And the books… all gone probably, mom’s dresser and wardrobe too, and mine. She looked down at the now empty tankard, staring deep down into the wooden bottom. It was worth it but… everyone’s gone… again. I really am useless, huh.

“...Sophie of House Rosengart?” A husky male voice asked from behind her.

“That’s the elf, this one’s Aryana I think.” A deeper yet more monotone one hissed back at the first.

“Ahem. Aryana Frostfyre?” The first voice asked, loudly this time.

She flinched at hearing the clan association. It wasn’t untrue, but she’d rather not be associated with them, at least, not when Galen was in charge. Still, she found herself unsure how to respond to the two uniformed gentlemen, their doublets and tunics taking on a distinctive brown green hue.

“Mmhmm?” Aryana settled for a grunt.

“We’re from the Adventurer’s Guild, we’d like to speak with you and Sophie of House Rosengart.”

“Mmm… S-Sophie’s not here right now.”

The two men looked at each other before back at her.

“Well, the guildmaster called for you both. We have news from the north.” The second one stated.

Aryana felt her heart stop and she froze, contemplating what to say next when the first man started again.

“We’d like to speak to the two of you.”

“It’s just me right now.” Aryana whispered, “B-but I can explain-”

“It’s alright, save it for the guildmaster?” Husky man replied with a questioning tone in his voice.

“Save it for the guildmaster.” Monotone affirmed.

Aryan nervously stood up from her seat and avoided looking at the men, hoping to hide her expression. “Will we…”

“Yeah, we’ll take you to the guildmaster if you don’t mind. It’s quite urgent.” Monotone continued.

“Mmm.” Aryana half heartedly agreed as she followed the two.

She remained quiet as they began their trek across the square, but the dread she felt had only magnified the closer they got. Whatever they were going to tell her, she could see from their expressions that it would be less than pleasant. Oh no, oh no, no, no.