Xavier groaned slightly, but didn't look back. Alek was a nice guy and all, but he was a little too persistent wit his jokes. Alek never went beyond verbal teasing, but he seemed to enjoy making Xavier uncomfortable.

Roland looked back at the teen following them, "Enough Alek, you well know that Xavier is not interested in your kind."

Alek barked a laugh, "Oh Roland, are you afraid that I might tear X away from you? Jealous perhaps that his affections might wander?"

Alek was the son of a Count and did not have the social status that Roland's family did, but there was no social status among Mages, only rank, of which, the three of us were equal, "Careful Alek, I've killed people for less."

Alek gasped in mock shock, "Really? I heard you have had people killed for less. You don't have the balls to do something like that yourself."

Xavier moved his horse faster and away from quarreling pair. The pair didn't seem to notice as they threw jabs and barbs at each other. The two had been rivals since before they joined the Academy. Rumor had it that they were half brothers as the Duke was notorious for having bastard children, but to have it publicly known that he had had a child with a Countess would have brought the attention of the Duchess, and if she spoke to her brother, then the attention of the King.

Master Nigel could only recruit Mages of the Rank of Journeymen or higher. This ruled out most of the students at the Academy as they were only Apprentices. Once an Apprentice graduated from the Academy, they would then be considered a Journeyman. Master Nigel was hoping to recruit all the new graduates and some of the instructors, who were Masters. The Dean insisted that Master Nigel wait until after the Spring graduation to gather his recruits as they had not officially graduated.

This was not the first time that a war had broken out mid term. In those cases, students were permitted to apply for early graduation. A series of tests were required and if they passed, they would be released from the Academy early as a Journeyman. When the news of this was spread, many students applied, not just the students who were scheduled to graduate that spring. Seven of the nine students who applied, graduated a few months early, five students graduated a year early and Xavier was the only student to graduate two years early. The Dean tried to refuse to release the students who passed the tests more than a few months early.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Master Nigel was able to get the Dean to agree with the early promotions on the condition that the six students would be assigned to a Master as an unofficial Apprentice in order to learn the material from the skipped courses. The newly formed Mage Corps left the Academy with two new Master Mages and thirteen new Journeymen Mages. At the age of 15 (almost 16), Xavier was the youngest Journeyman Mage to ever join the Mage Corps. On their way to the Blackrim Fortress, they collected sixteen Journeymen Mages and four Master Mages. What surprised Xavier was that eight Non-Ranked Mages joined the Mage Corps. Xavier knew very little about them other than that they were Sorcerers and not Wizards.

When Master Nigel arrived at the picket line around the Fortress, two knights, on horse back, were waiting for them.

Both knights saluted, right fist over their heart. "Greetings Master Ortman," the one on the right said. "The Prince has been expecting you."

"Greetings, Sir Edgar, glad to see you up and about. Your father told me of your run-in with the Orcs last fall", Master Nigel replied, ignoring the salute.

Sir Edgar removed his helm and rested it on his saddle, "Yes. Father worries. It was nothing.” He was a man in his thirties and had a horseshoe mustache that dominated his face. “ We were one of the lucky ones.” He paused to look at the other knight, whose face plate was still down. “They hit us with more than two thousand orcs. Overkill for the two hundred garrisoned soldiers and ten knights.”

The other knight raised their face plate and revealed the face of a young woman with sharp, blue eyes, “Less than fifty of us made it out.”

There was an awkward lull in the conversation at that point, as each person was lost in their on thoughts. Xavier looked around to see several Master Mages close by. Alek caught Xavier's eye and shrugged.

Master Nigel broke the silence, “Where are we going to set up camp?"

Sir Edgar nodded toward the female knight, “The Mages are to be housed in the Fortress. Dame Edna will escort you inside. We have set aside the second and third floors of the north wing for your exclusive use."

The Prince has requested that I escort you to him upon your arrival.”

Master Nigel turned in his saddle and looked at those behind him. "Master Garreth, as we discussed last night, can you see to the mounts and wagons as they arrive. Master XXX, please see to everyone's accommodations. Please set me up in the Green rooms. My apprentice and I will bunk together and use the main room as our office and war-room. Any question?"