“The ‘Proper Conduct of Magical Affairs’ is a codified treatise that focuses less on what is allowed to be studied or acted upon. But rather, it is penned to delineate what is considered illegal and beyond the boundaries of rationality to the point of heresy. Created cooperatively between the leading mages guilds and the Astralian church after the ‘Moonfall’ and ‘Heavensfall’ incidents of 1755 A.E that rendered much of the remaining habitable lands of Northern Cyndralia into part of the Praemoni Deadlands. They called the conclave in an attempt to prevent disasters of such scale from ever occurring again.”

  - Magister Esbatyr Togh, Chronicler of the Tower Of Astral Arts, “On The Conduct Of Mages”

  The night had passed relatively cozyily all things considered. They managed to set up a small fire that was augmented by fae magicks, warming up their little alcove. A few heated pieces of jerky, biscuits, bread and vegetables formed the barebones basis of a meal. Only Hanabi had packed a little more luxuriously and was able to treat herself and the others with a few candies and other dried meats she bought from the markets of Arteira.

  So it was that by the time Ary snuggled into her little sleeping pelt that the worries of the following day were put on hold, however briefly. But even she could feel it back then. The dourness of the mood that hung over all of them, the little chuckles and laughs the result of stifled joys. None of them were particularly enthused by the idea of walking into an unknown ritual, but at this point, there was nothing they could do but wait.

  When the faintest trace of sunlight broke through the hole in the roof and the snowfall subsided just enough for someone to notice. They had awakened more chilled than ever and that much more sore from the less than ideal sleeping situation. After a sordid and altogether quiet breakfast, they gathered what they could and went to meet with the others.

  They found Cassian and Galen’s folk gathered around a ruined building. Its walls angled in a way to resemble more of a hexagon than a square, the only one that Ary had seen so far or perhaps the only one that still remained mostly standing. A few small fires dotted the ruins nearby, sheltered from the worst of the weather and offering little beacons of light to guide those nearby.

  To Sophia and Ary’s relief, the clansfolk were mostly positioned rather haphazardly around the hexagon. Most appeared to be minding their own business while keeping an eye on Ary’s group. No battle formations or any signs that they were looking to actively scuffle. A welcome surprise to the start of the day.

  “Took your time.” Cassian stated impassively, the mage rubbing at her bright red nose from the cold.

  “Yeah, we didn’t really think to pack a clock with us.” Hanabi joked.

  “Fair enough.” The mage grunted, “Ready to go, Lady Aryana?” Cassian turned to ask her.

  Ary took a deep breath, letting the icy chill of the world reach deep into her lungs. The frosty irritation giving her the final push forward. She held it in and let the feeling simmer for a few seconds. Then she breathed out.

  “Aye. I’m good to go, Lady Cassian.” She answered resolutely.

  Cassian arched an eyebrow, mildly surprised by the sudden determination. Then Ary saw it again. The same expression she had seen the day before. Cassian frowned and looked away, the girl showing an uncharacteristic amount of dissatisfaction herself.

  “Very well, this way. I’ll…” she paused.

  Whether the mage was flustered or seemingly searching for the right words, Ary wasn’t sure. What she did know was that this tiny display erased any positive misconceptions she might’ve had from earlier in the morning. The same sense of dread that had plagued her last night returned in full force.

  “I’ll explain everything inside.” Cassian finished and abruptly turned to start walking, leaving the party to hastily follow along.

  Ary could feel her stomach tightening, her hair standing on edge. She shifted uneasily, her motions only brought to a halt when Sophia rested a firm hand on her shoulder.

  Moving into the structure, the party found it adorned with much more recent decour. Wards freshly inscribed upon the walls, a few rugs to hold in what little heat they could, and an almost impossible immaculate stone table in the center of the hexagon. Surrounding it were six statuettes, each assuming a point of the hexagonal building. None of which Ary could identify.

  Around the room, the remainder of the clansfolk and Cassian’s mentor seemed to turn all their attention onto her. Except this time was different. A few, like Galen, held looks of disdain, his disgust in particular wasn’t all that hard to identify. The others though, were more pensive or nervous, like Tristan. Ary’s gaze met his, and she saw the wrinkles around his eyes, his brow pitching upwards ever so slightly. He wants to say something but is stopping himself. Why?

  “Easy, try not to tense up too much.” Sophia reassured her.

  Ary turned to the girl, finding Sophia’s face taut and determined. Sophia then relaxed, reaching over to gently ruffle Ary’s hair. Ary scrunched up her face and enjoyed the small moment, seeing figments of Sophie within her sister. This ritual will help her too, to be less worried, less restrained by me.

  “Okay.” She mumbled.

  With their presence in the room established, everyone slowly started to come together. Cassian whispered something to her mentor. The older mage just wordlessly nodded along, though a flash of disappointment crossed his features when Cassian had finished.

  “Lady Frostfyre and company, welcome. It appears that my apprentice has been too reticent to inform you of matters at hand, so please.” He motioned at a few chairs in the room.

  Aryana winced at being reminded of her clan affiliation. The mage’s statement garnering an irritating smirk from Galen. Bastard still thinks he has all the cards.

  Without warning, Ary felt herself pulled to a standstill midstep. Sophia had stealthily grabbed onto the back of her coat to hold her.

  “What do you want?” Sophia growled on Ary’s behalf.

  Tristan held up his hands to demonstrate a lack of aggressive intent. There was something else Ary saw in him now. His gaze was no longer able to meet hers though his body propelled him forward nonetheless. Ary gave Sophia a calm nod, it would be alright.

  “Listen. I don’t mean any harm or have any ill intent. I just came to tell you that even a few of us are uncomfortable about this. So if you back out now…” He frowned, almost uncertain, but when their eyes met, he nodded to himself before taking a breath, “If you back out now, we’ll understand.”

  “What are you talking about?” Ary hissed cautiously, wary, but not entirely unfriendly.

  “I… it’s just… Sorry. Nevermind.” Tristan shook his head.

  Ary felt her heartstrings tighten. She remembered the last time she had seen him so shaken up, so uncertain. It was back when they last spoke as equals or even as friends. When Galen had finally decidedly turned the community against her. A terrible time. She closed her eyes, feeling the frown settling upon her face.

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  She wanted to ask, to prod some more. But she already knew the answer. Whatever the ritual was, the clansfolk had learned about it, and some were clearly concerned. It also meant that for her, whatever vain hope there was of a potentially painless resolution to everything had just been dashed to the wayside. She knew it was a childish hope especially given the effort it took just to get here. Yet it was one she clutched onto, spurred on by her own general aversion to pain. Not anymore.

  It hurt here all the more because she could tell that he didn’t hate her, not the way some of the other clansfolk did. That he still cared, despite everything that happened. That was the worse feeling of all.

  Sophia finally seemed to notice her despondence and Tristan’s lingering gaze. In one fell motion, the half elf wrapped an arm around Ary’s waist and pulled her closer like the protective girlfriend she was meant to imitate. With her chest pressing into Sophia’s arm, Ary’s heart now skipped another beat, her mind completely flustered by the rapid changing of her situation. Her gaze now firmly locked onto Sophia’s face with far lewder thoughts running through her mind. It took everything within her to disassociate the physical visage from the person behind it.

  Sophia glared at Tristan, though Ary suspected it was less out of actual protective jealousy and more just general cautiousness. On this occasion, Sophia wasn’t allowed to assert herself anymore than this. Hanabi gently bopping the top of the elf’s head, shocking her.

  The outlander just rolled her eyes before motioning towards the empty chairs and the mage just patiently, but silently waiting for them. How unsettling, Ary shivered.

  Tristan glanced towards Ary one more time, the mournful look in his eyes giving her less and less confidence the longer they lingered. Sophia reluctantly urged Ary towards the seats with Hanabi and Sigrid. The elf’s cautiousness and possessiveness now blending together within her in a flurry of uncertain emotions. Ary instinctively reached over to grab her hand, the same way she would do if Sophie was stressed. This only seemed to heighten Sophia’s worry, though the elf’s expression did soften with a surprisingly warm smile.

  Taking their places, Ary swore the temperature of this sanctum lowered ever further beyond freezing point. There was a deathly silence save for the shuffling of boots and the rustle of clothing. The awkward squeaks and coughs as people adjusted themselves to the silence.

  The elder mage’s eyes scanned the group. Upon confirming that everyone was accounted for, he then beckoned for Cassian to approach. The girl trying her best to maintain her usually stoic demeanor but failing to hold back the occasional look or two she tried to get from Ary.

  “Apprentice Lanholt.” The mage called out.

  “Yes, magister.” Cassian stood at attention. Her posture reminding Ary of the other students who would stand up with straight backs when called upon in class.

  “Is it fair to say that over these past two days you have not properly disclosed what we are here to do to your… guests?” He paused on the last words.

  Shame flashed across the apprentice’s face for a moment. The girl fighting herself to not turn away from the withering gaze and the attention now directed upon her.

  “Yes, magister. I was unable to explain the situation adequately.” Cassian answered as she hung her head low.

  The apprentice then bowed towards Ary’s group. An apology? Why?

  Fed up with strange rituals, Hanabi loudly proclaimed her displeasure with and forceful stomp against the stonework. The heavy thud echoing out in the relatively silent sanctum.

  The magister sighed, a familiar one that often came from professors at the Academy reserved for particularly troublesome students.

  “It is alright, such topics are best broached by those most familiar with them anyways. Apprentice Lanholt, please see to what preparations remain in my stead.” The magister continued addressing Cassian, pointedly ignoring Hanabi’s outburst.

  “At once, magister.” Cassian bowed once more, this time a more respectful than apologetic gesture.

  Like a disappointed professor, the magister finally stepped in front of Ary’s group. He scanned the crowed, searching for anymore signs of discontent. Finding none, he coughed to gather their attention.

  “I understand your primary liaison through this matter has been my apprentice thus far. All you need to know is that I am Magister Holtzfeld and that we are apart of the Conclave of Stellar Causality’s arcane research department with a specialization in spirit watching and ephemeral studies. Any questions so far?”

  A few shakes of the head.

  “Good. Your colleagues,” He motioned towards Galen and the others, “Have explained the basics of the situation to myself and my apprentice and we have agreed to help them resolve it. A case of spirit bonding or possession, or so they say. Would you agree with that assessment?”

  This time, only Ary nodded, though hesitantly so. In truth, she wasn’t exactly sure what the spirit was doing to her or if it even interacted with her. All she knew were confirmations from the clan and Yana that there was indeed something to her. Though her brief moment spent with the dwarves of Arteria gave that assertion just that much more credence.

  “I would like to preface what I say by this. In my time studying spirit and mana based phenomenon, I have never been as puzzled by your current condition.” He spoke directly to her, “Spirit bonding or binding depending on the act, generally involves an atypical abundance of mana on a persons given the arcane nature of the spirits or mana creatures bonded with. A trait that you currently do not show.”

  He paused and muttered under his breath. Ary felt his manasight land upon her. The slightly intrusive and bizarre feeling examination making her uneasy. But just as quickly as he had began, he stopped.

  “Examinations with manasight also indicate no abnormal shifts and movements in your mana. A subject which requires a great deal more research but is relevant in that all living beings generally have mana inflows and outflows. Something that can help us identify if there is anything wrong with a person beyond the physical body.” He paused, giving the group time to digest the information.

  With everyone following along so far, he then held out a hand towards Aryana.

  “Now, normally we can have a relatively cursory idea of what we’re dealing with using the more common observation methods. Having performed them upon you for the majority of our trek to this location, my only conclusion is that your condition or bonding is something beyond which most if I dare say all other spirit bondings that we’ve encountered in person before.”

  “And what does this all mean?” Hanabi questioned.

  Magister Holtzfeld sighed once more, “It means that your friend is currently beyond the reasonable range for methods of treatment or extraction. Which brings us to why we’re here. That being that this location is secluded and away from those who might intend to interrupt our work or harass people as bandits or pests in the countryside might do. But also that, as you might have noticed during your stay, this area is operating with a still yet unknown source of arcane energy. Some of which helps purify the air and walls around here, ensuring a relatively sterile and safe environment.”

  “I get that. But get to the point, why here, and what are you going to do? What does her being weirder than normal mean?” Hanabi demanded.

  The magister almost growled at the outlander, clearly somewhat flustered by her flippant attitude.

  “If you so desire a summary then here it is. We need to figure out how much the spirit has bonded with her. We need to do it somewhere safe and clean, here.”

  “And why-”

  “It is important because this her… her… uniqueness requires a different perhaps more drastic solution in order to identify the bond. One that requires absolute precision on all accounts.”

  “Which means?”

  He pinched his nose to hold back his annoyance to no avail.”It means, young lady. We need to freeze your friend here, completely. That is to say, every part of her must be absolutely still and unchanging. For we need to physically cut her open to get a more accurate look inside her body to determine the level of spirit bonding and thus find a way to remove it that won’t kill her outright.” He explained.

  There was a pause, only the wind howling outside made any noise. Someone shuffled their feet behind the group. Cassian on the other side of the sanctum clinked a few glasses together by accident. Even the clansfolk were mostly silent.

  It was oddly calming silence. The hum of the world tickling the edges of her awareness. Almost like the a gentle snowfall that danced wispily across the sky.

  Then it came. The discordant cacophony of realization clattering into a mixture of a thousand inside her mind. She couldn’t even make out the words the others started saying. Nor cold she spare even a moment to try to understand them. Only the professor’s words broke free from the chaos. Followed by a singular soft scoff of disbelief.

  “What?” She smiled nervously, “What did you say?”