They reached Dezra midafternoon on the second day after they received the summons. Ezo refused to move past the bridge he’d made until after they stopped for lunch. It might be petty, but Ezo felt no love towards the Imperium or the University. It was only out of begrudging respect for his uncle that he didn’t suggest they take off. He knew Kammon wouldn’t, but he hated that Kammon was still bound to the military, even after they’d cast him aside.

It was one yoke that Ezo would get Kammon free of. If he was Disavowed, why should he come to their call?

The walls of the great city were just as massive as he remembered. It was impressive in its stature and its security. The turrets were manned, and he could feel the magic that wove around the men and women on the wall.

“It isn’t like Pramas,” Kammon reminded him. “My memories might not all be kind, but there were good years at the University.”

“Are you going to tell me there aren’t any ‘Salingers’ and Lestans’ here to cause trouble?”

“No, but I have friends who wouldn’t hold me here without reason.”

“You have more faith in the Imperium than I do.”

“I have more faith in my brothers and sisters in arms.”

“Alright. I’ll let you be the judge of that. I’ve only met a handful of War-Sworn. Barley seemed like a good guy.”

Kammon rolled his eyes, but smiled as they passed the gates and entered the city. He led them unerringly and didn’t stop until they reached the tall walls of the university.

Ezo had never been inside. They wouldn’t even let him in the doors when he tried speaking to them. Now, he thought it was a blessing that the idiots hadn’t been willing to listen to him. At the time, he’d been furious. Ezo damn near showed them just how strong he was to get their attention.

Someone ran forward to take their horses, and Ezo grabbed his bags before he gave Rile an affectionate pat and sent her off.

Kammon hadn’t named his horse. In Tam’s Flat, he’d confessed that Ember got jealous when he tried. Ezo was glad Ember had taken a liking to him. She had a wicked temper of her own when she unleashed it.

The university was a large square building in the middle of the city that housed the school, its students, faculty, and the Imperium. A great double door was closed to the public.

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Jacob had told him stories of a time when they had shared their knowledge freely before Distria had been bogged down in wars. Today, a small entrance to the right opened, and a woman with a red cloak stepped out, pulling the hood away to show her face.

Kammon smiled as he walked away from Ezo and put his arms around the woman, pulling her close. “Zera, this is a better welcome than I could have asked for.”

“Better than you deserve, I’m sure,” she teased as she braced her hands on his shoulders and looked him over. “Hard days, they said.”

“I came from the Blooming Waters. If it weren’t for that, you’d see a waste of a man before you. How could I dare show my face like that?”

Ezo’s mouth dropped open as he listened to Kammon.

“You’re shameless, Kammon, but I expect no less from you.” Zera looked around Kammon’s shoulder and saw Ezo standing there. “Though it seems your companion has not seen the charming side of you.”

“He gets to see a different sort of charm.”

“It’s not charming,” Ezo disagreed. “Not at all. You’re a pain in the ass, and you know it.”

Kammon smiled at the words, and Ezo found himself- stupidly- smiling back.

“Ezo, child of Jacob’s line, you are welcome to the Great University of Dezra and the Imperium. I hope we’ll leave a better impression than Kammon has. You must be tired from your travels, though. Let me lead you to your rooms.”

Whispers and gossip followed their walk through the university like a wake. Zera stopped in front of a doorway.

“My old quarters?” Kammon asked.

“I thought you would prefer that. And since you locked the doors, no one has been able to open them.”

Kammon grinned at Ezo. “You think you can?”

Ezo rolled his eyes and looked at the elements Kammon set around the door. It was a simple trigger, but put in the wrong order, the elements would backfire. “Seriously?” Ezo asked.

“I wasn’t trying to keep them out. Just...”

“Be a pain in the ass?” Ezo answered as he pulled his magic up. He started with earth, then moved on to wind, then water, before he finally added a bit of flame to it and pushed. The door creaked open, and Ezo walked in to see the rooms that Kammon had lived in while he’d been a student and soldier. He dropped his bags on the bed and turned around to Zera’s wide eyes and Kammon’s smug grin.

She recovered quickly. “We have other quarters prepared for you, Ezo.”

“I’ll stay here,” Ezo answered.

Kammon stepped in and took his bags towards a formal wardrobe, but didn’t say anything.

“Your rooms are across the hall. You won’t be far from Kammon, if that’s what you’re worried about. You are both safe here.”

Ezo smiled at her as he walked back to her. “Thank you, Imperator Zera.” Jacob had taught him how to address other elementalists, but he wasn’t in the mood for company, especially when Kammon had greeted her so warmly. “I’m sure I’ll be more comfortable if I can keep Kammon within arm’s reach. He’s a bit too charming for his own good.” He hadn’t planned on doing it, but he gave a slight bow to her, then firmly closed the door between them.

He looked back at Kammon, who was opening his mouth to comment. Ezo decided it was his turn to win an argument for once so he did the only thing he knew to shut the man up. He threw his arms around Kammon’s shoulders and kissed him senseless.