The hallways of the University were more a labyrinth than anything, and Ezo once again turned down corridors that took him down unfamiliar paths. He had been walking for ten minutes before he finally came across the front entrance.

If memory served - and he doubted that, considering his strange route so far - he just needed to head two corridors over and turn left down a long hallway to get to Kammon’s quarters.

He recognized an old wall hanging and stopped to look at it. Distria was woven into a deep blue sea with a depiction of Nosah as a great winged dragon with her nest at the southern edge of Distria. Around the edges of the tapestry were the symbols of the elements of magic that allowed elementalists to aid the world: earth, air, fire, and water. There was also a symbol for the force of spirit. It wasn’t an element of magic, and Ezo had often pestered Jacob about it. His uncle had explained there were some things elemental magic didn’t explain, and the spirit of magic was as much an element as the others. Ezo still didn’t understand his uncle’s explanation, but hadn’t thought about it in years. Perhaps Kammon would have a better understanding.

When Ezo was younger, Jacob had sketched a rude copy of the tapestry and hung it on his wall. He’d told Ezo the story of Distria’s creation many times, but something always bothered him when he looked at the picture based on it.

His uncle’s drawing had been slightly different, though. Ezo couldn’t pinpoint what his uncle had changed, but it lingered at the back of his head.

As Ezo walked away from the wall, he heard raised voices and crept closer. A door to his left was slightly ajar, and though he couldn’t see the men speaking, he heard them clear enough.

He knew he shouldn’t, but his curiosity got the best of him. There were too many things about the University that he didn’t trust.

“This isn’t the time to question the decision,” one man said as Ezo snuck as close as he dared. “You know what he’s capable of. If you try to force his hand-”

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“He’s forced our hands. The Harbinger is dangerous. If we can’t control him, how can we let him wander free?”

“Kill him if you must, but you’re courting trouble. What makes you think he won’t turn on you rather than return to service?”

“Kammon is many things, but even when he refused orders on the battlefield, he never turned violent against us.”

“And what happened in Pramas?”

“He could have done far more damage, and there was no loss of life. He is still loyal.”

“Do what you please. The council already voted, and I’ll abide by their decision, but mark my words. Forcing the Disavowed into service is a dark path none of us should tread lightly.”

Ezo turned away before they came out and found him. Whatever goodwill Kammon had with Zera wasn’t enough to keep him safe. They had to get out of there.

He ran for Kammon’s quarters and undid the lock quickly, aggravated that his lover hadn’t returned yet. Ezo found the few items they’d left out and grabbed their bags.

He didn’t know where Kammon was, but he closed his eyes and purposely tried to use the bond this time. He couldn’t do it, and he nearly screamed in frustration, but a shriek broke his concentration. He looked up as Ember appeared, perched on the edge of the bed.

“Ember, take me to him.” He threw both bags over his shoulder and opened the door.

In the hallway, Ember flew to the right, and Ezo ran after her. At the first intersection, he tripped into someone and nearly fell to the floor. He lost their bags and scrambled to reach them. The person he’d run into took the second one, and as Ezo grabbed it, he realized it was the man from the library.

“In a hurry, Ezo?” the War-Sworn asked.

“I didn’t tell you my name.” Ezo had been suspicious of Voth at the library, and it was no coincidence that he was in the same hallway now.

Voth smiled. “The elementalist who showed up with Kammon Harbinger? You’re already infamous in these halls.”

“Just what I needed,” Ezo mumbled as he took his bag and turned to leave.

Voth grabbed his arm and stopped him. “You don’t understand your position here, Ezo.”

Ezo felt Voth pulling magic around himself, and he pushed away. “You don’t want to do this,” Ezo said. “I don’t want to do this.”

Voth took a step closer to Ezo. “You and Kammon aren’t leaving. The Imperium has need of you, and you will do as you are asked.”

Ember screeched, and Ezo felt another pull of magic. Not from Voth, though. Somewhere in the University, Kammon prepared for a fight.