Aldrich felt chills down his spine, he had never seen his mother as someone to actually fear but at that moment with her mesmer chaotically leaking, he saw her in a completely new way, she too had the esteemed Arslan blood. Aldrich went to open his mouth but shallow breaths was all that came out. Eventually he was finally able to articulate complete sentences and said,

“I need you to promise not to act rashly,” Moira nodded and Aldrich continued, “ I would have successfully made an escape but a knight…hampered my escape through the use of command speech.”

Aldrich shuddered as his mothers mesmer no longer was leaking but briefly came out as a gushing outburst. Moira calmed herself down and further asked,

“Do you know why they did so?”

Aldrich hesitated but she asked again,

What did you learn from them?”

Aldrich sighed and answered,

“He said that his commands came from someone whose name starts with the letter ‘B’ but before they could say the entire name they repelled my command speech. I defeated them in battle and they told me that I would be found and apparently those that he was affiliated with will build the vision of the last of the ancients.”

Moira rubbed the bridge of her nose, shaking. She recovered her composure and told Aldrich what had happened during his absence. In his absence, Archduke Wymore ordered for some of the military to attempt to go to the labyrinth. These plans were delayed by a series of attempted assassinations of high nobles across the realm, some even successful and there were also classified documents of various nobles that had been stolen, some of their contents unknown. These occurrences greatly delayed Aldrich’s rescue and a few days from then the consiglio privé, privy councils, of both the Archduke of Wylan and Grand Duchess of Dorian were supposed to meet together to discuss mounting national security concerns.

Aldrich had wondered why he was left in the Labyrinth for as long as he was but things started to come together. A few days passed and eventually the council’s meeting took place. In attendance was the Chancellor of the Military, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Chief of Foreign Affairs of Wylan and the Grand Chamberlains of both Wylan and Dorian. They all stood and bowed when the Archduke and Grand Duchess entered. They froze as they raised their heads, standing before them was an individual they would have never predicted would be present at a meeting of the consiglio privé.

Aldrich uncomfortably shifted in his seat as he sensed how much of the privy council members’ attention were directed at him. Soon enough, though, the meeting started, and the attention that was previously directed at Aldrich quickly shifted to the realm’s pressing matters. Eventually the most urgent subject was going to be discussed. Aldrich was called upon and he reported about how he came to be trapped within the Labyrinth and the words of Sir Cecil. The members of the privy council thanked Aldrich for his report and he was promptly sent out of the room as they discussed more sensitive topics.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Aldrich immediately went to practice his skills and expand his knowledge. Throughout the week Aldrich also spent time with Galadria when he could. Eventually Galadria returned to Silehir, leaving promises of a return and a possible visit by the Wylan royal family.

Aldrich was at the dining table having dinner with his family when his father posed a question to him,

“Aldrich, you are at that age where it is customary for a child that has come of age to be sent to an institution to be trained for them to be suitable in times of war. Where do you desire to go?”

Aldrich almost instantly replied,

“I aspire to attend the Parastin Academy.”

Wymore gave a nod of approval,

“Fine choice, they may not be as popular with the highborn for their acceptance requirements being more merit based rather than one's pedigree but they have shaped some great men and women. It also fits the whole purpose of our tradition.”

Thereafter, preparations were made for Aldrich to attend the Parastin entrance exams including weeks passed and the preparations were completed. Aldrich was sent with a few coins, clothes and a small retinue of knights and Emery was assigned as his assistant, caretaker and bodyguard. Aldrich went on a skywalker as the Parastin Academy was located more than five hundred miles from the capital and took about a week to arrive in the city of Nighthaven. Aldrich on arrival had been invited to the manor of the earl who resided within the city. After Aldrich had finished his meal he asked that he and the earl speak alone, with the earl nodding and commanding the servants and his family to leave the dining room. Aldrich’s retinue also left as well.

The earl cleared his throat, Aldrich took out Declan’s sword, handing it to the earl. The earl looked at Aldrich, tears flowing out of his eyes and a grin on his face as he recognized the sword. The earl asked,

“How did you find it? House Radcliffe has been searching for this sword for centuries, in fact this is one of two swords that were used by warriors of our house known for their use of dual wielding techniques.”

Aldrich then showed the armour and held back a laugh at the reaction of the earl. He told the earl how he came to find the items, the earl bowed and said,

“I would be honoured if you were to wield our swords, your highness. You seem to have a talent for dual wielding," gesturing to his hands, “I think that you deserve to use some of the best dual wielding swords in the world and House Radcliffe happens to now be in possession of them once more.”

Aldrich had first declined but the earl’s insistence turned his no to a yes. Aldrich stayed at the earl’s residence until the entrance exams. Aldrich arrived at the exam location which was at one of the castles held by the Parastin knights. Aldrich saw a diverse crowd as not just nobles were there but commoners of all walks of life were in attendance. They all congregated in the courtyard of the castle when a group of lightly armoured knights came out. The one who was clearly the most senior in rank walked in front and announced,

“The Parastin Academy entrance exams will begin now!”