Standing before the heavy oak door reinforced with metal, Midhir summoned his courage. He lifted his hand, hesitated for a split second, then knocked twice. The silence that followed was nerve wrecking, though it only lasted for a short moment as a familiar voice rang. “Come in, door’s open.”

  Taking in a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

  The chambers given to the Solus staff were quite spacious, though certainly not luxurious. There was no excess furniture save from a single chair. The bed was simple, and at the moment had a backpack full of clothes and tools strewn over it.

  His gaze turned to the woman standing at the foot of the bed, organising the clothes and tools. “Instructor,” he greeted her.

  Instructor Soraya put the coat in her hands back onto the bed and turned towards him. A faint smile appeared on her lips. “Prince Midhir,” She approached him, tilting her head slightly she looked at him up and down. “You look exhausted.”

  Midhir let out a breath. “Busy times,” he replied with a half-smile before his expression darkened. “I must apologise for hiding-“

  “Just stop,” She cut him off with a sharp voice. “When the princess came to Solus, she probably had the worst time of her life. I remember it, and I’m sure any other instructor you’d ask would too. Students shadowed her constantly, staff feared ever correcting her, she likely learned very little aside from how to escape unwanted gazes.” She shook her head regretfully. “You must have seen it, even the Orlein boy and the Aulorn girl were centres of attention. It was our suggestion to the high nobility and royalty to consider keeping identities and lineages a secret.” She paused, “You should feel no shame or guilt, kid. You were there to learn, and learn you did.” Her gaze turned towards the blade hanging from his belt.

  “I had some great teachers,” Midhir replied after a moment of hesitation. He knew about Ilya – he knew how she only lasted less than half a year in Solus before declaring she was going back to An’Larion. But she always told him that she missed the comfort of her home, the luxuries of the Vermillion Keep.

  “Of course!” Instructor Soraya smirked. “And you’re not rid of them just yet.” She sat on the bed and started folding the few clothes she brought. “As much as I’d like to spar, I’m afraid there are more pressing matters.” Her voice grew cold, her smile vanished as she scowled. “We came across quite the bloodbath a few days ago. You lost men, but the cultists lost more. Is that why the whole of Solus was summoned here?”

  Midhir bit his lips. “Not quite.” He replied with a sigh. “The cultists are but one of the reasons. Tomorrow at noon – unless any more delays happen – an ambassador from the Theocracy of the Sunlit Summit will arrive.”

  Instructor Soraya lifted a single brow. “How intriguing.” She muttered, gesturing at him to continue.

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  “There have been too many incidents around the Northern Wall lately, and the troops are required for the hunt of the remaining cultists, so the students will likely be required to help with repairs and labour on the wall and the outposts near it.” He scowled. “I’d like you and Instructor Caarda to not go to the wall with the first group of students.”

  Instructor Soraya folded her arms. “Why is that?”

  “We have captured who we believe is the cultists’ leader. I believe Instructor Caarda’s expertise on crystal research would be invaluable, since he seems to be in possession of a rather peculiar item.”

  “I don’t see how that requires my presence.” Instructor Soraya bluntly said. “You’re requesting I leave my students to go to the Northern Wall, with only soldiers by their side. Sivhe is the one with knowledge on crystals, not me.”

  “Instructor Caarda isn’t a fighter, not is she particularly healthy.” She could barely walk without her cane. “I fear more damage to the Veil. The Imperial guard and the honour guard are tasked with protecting this place and the Emperor respectively.”

  Instructor Soraya’s brows furrowed, her eyes narrowed, and her lips formed a thin, pale line. “I see.”

  “Please think about it. The first group will leave in two days, at dawn.” He bowed his head, then left her chambers.

  They likely couldn’t damage the veil anywhere near Derwen Hold – not while his father was here. If they did so deep in the overgrowth, the honour guard would deal with it.

  Circe’s words rang in his mind as he walked the halls. The Veil was too damaged already. It couldn’t handle any more tears, any more damage. They needed to find the cultists and stop them – and their leader was their best bet to do so. If only Instructor Caarda could figure out what that weird helmet was…

  His line of thought was interrupted as Willow walked around the corner and stopped just before walking into him. Her scowl turned into a chuckle. “Oh, sorry!” She exclaimed, stepping back. “I was lost in thought…” She paused, then shot a glance over her shoulder.

  “I could say the same.” He said with a chuckle.

  Willow nodded. “Yeah…” She scowled again. “Um, are you ok?”

  “Yeah,” He raised his eyebrows. “Why do you ask?”

  Willow quietly shook her head. Her expression remained grim.

  “Willow, what’s wrong?” He pressed.

  She let out a sigh. “It’s probably nothing. I’m probably just overthinking everything…” She shook her head again as her voice trailed off. “But if you must know, I saw a few students lingering across the entrance to the armoury. I know I don’t recognise every single student in Solus, but they were wearing first year uniforms, and I just can’t remember ever seeing them before.” She again shook her head. “Look, I’m just paranoid since what happened to dad.”

  Midhir scowled. “It wouldn’t hurt to check, would it?” He asked, gesturing towards Instructor Soraya’s chambers at the end of the hallway. “You should ask Instructor Soraya, maybe even show them to her.”

  “It’s probably nothing,” She repeated, but then nodded. “You’re right, it wouldn’t hurt to check.” She motioned to turn, then paused. “I also noticed some of the other students steer clear of you. I think they’re frightened.”

  Midhir clenched his jaw. “Yeah. Don’t worry about that.”

  With his identity no longer a secret, of course people were going to avoid him, especially in the stronghold of the Emperor. It was fine. He didn’t expect anything different. “Keep me in the loop about those people you didn’t recognise.”

  “Sure,” Willow nodded, hurrying off towards Instructor Soraya’s chambers.

  Perhaps it was nothing. Perhaps she was just frightened, and her mind was playing tricks on her. Or perhaps it was something. With Circe’s warning fresh in his mind still, he couldn’t make any mistakes. Eldoria couldn’t make any mistakes.