Orrin’s plan was simple in theory. Get all the players in one room and hit them with the truth. Lord Sanerris, the current ruler, was forcing them into an unwanted fight with the elves because he wanted more power. His mother, Anabella Sanerris, wanted her old job back and had recruited Orrin to befriend the other ruling members’ kids. She might have also tried to kick off a war against Veskar.

Orrin would gather Maeve and Wren, while Finley would contact his father and Rhys’s family. Orrin contemplated trying to get in touch with Lord Palmer as well but decided against it after hearing Finley’s recent encounter with the man. From what Anabella told him, Lord Palmer was her man through and through. He’d voted against her son taking over but lost the vote. He’d also considered bringing Graem into the mess but he reported to Anabella and there was an even chance that he’d notify her right away.

If they were lucky, they’d get everyone on his side, but Orrin figured having Finley by himself was enough. Once he told his family about the games the Sanerris family was playing with their country, they’d surely want to do the right thing and vote them out of power. The way Finley talked about his parents, they had as much integrity as he did.

Orrin hoped he was right.

It was dinnertime and Orrin didn’t want anyone to stop him. He cast [Camouflage] on himself as he split up from Finley. Orrin watched Finley grab his pack and put his hood up over his blond hair before heading down the hall.

Orrin considered his options as he went invisible. Wren would be easy to find in her office but Maeve was another matter. Orrin had no idea where her dorm room was or if the heir to the Wellan family even stayed on campus. He searched the school, making sure to avoid people returning from dinner. He even used [Map] to check around corners and avoid walking into anyone with only a quick peek to make sure Maeve wasn’t around.

Now that he thought about it, Orrin couldn’t remember seeing Maeve outside of class. Retracing his steps from earlier, Orrin found himself outside the classroom for Defensive Earth Magic. The door was partially open and he could hear muttering inside.

“I don’t know why it worked so well before, Professor. I can only replicate what I did so many times. Are you sure that you used your full power earlier on my first spell?” Maeve’s clueless voice carried well, although Orrin flinched at her unintended insult at the professor.

Orrin crouched closer to the door to hear the response.

“Ms. Wellan, are you insinuating that I cannot cast a simple [Earthbolt] with precision and accuracy? If you cannot explain how your [Earth Manipulation] spell rebuffed my spells during class, then I will count this as a failure on your part,” Professor Cade threatened. “Try again or leave my classroom.”

Orrin touched the wood of the door and gently pressed it. The door moved a few inches wider and he crept into the room. He could wait until Professor Cade left or threw Maeve out.

“I’ll see you next week then, Professor,” Maeve countered with her normal nonchalance. She gathered up her books from her desk. “I’ll try and find the anomaly during –”

“You won’t return to my class next week. You’ve failed. Good luck in your future attempts at a mentorship, Ms. Wellan. I do believe you’ve exhausted your options at the Sanerris School.”

Orrin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His help to make Maeve’s dummy stronger earlier that day had backfired. Professor Cade was kicking her from his class and it sounded like he was declining to be her mentor as well.

That’s the only reason she took this boring class.

Orrin couldn’t even help her. If he somehow did communicate with her that he’d cast a [Ward] spell on the target earlier, she wouldn’t want him to do it again. Maeve’s non-nonsense attitude was refreshing but she was not one for subterfuge.

If I’d only arrived a few minutes earlier, Orrin thought but then dismissed the fantasy. It wouldn’t have helped. Both Maeve and Cade would notice the spell while studying the target so intensely. He could sneak back out of the room and re-enter. Tell Professor Cade that he’d been the one to bolster Maeve’s homework. That might keep her from getting dismissed from the class.

“Just as well,” Maeve said with irritation in her voice. “The more you taught, the more I realized I won’t learn what I want through you. I’ll find another way to get to the books I want. Good night, Professor.”

Scratch that idea, Orrin said to himself as he watched the old man have a conniption. His face turned red but he had no response to Maeve’s statements. Maeve spun on her heel and moved for the door.

Orrin moved fast, trying to beat her out. He didn’t know if she would close the door behind her and he didn’t want to get stuck inside with Cade. He was closer so it wasn’t much of a problem but he did catch the end of his shirt on the edge of a splinter as he moved a little quicker on the way out.

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The slightest tug and the splinter broke off. He stood against the wall directly outside and waited for Maeve to exit. He planned on following her a little before revealing himself. Nobody liked a snoop.

Maeve closed the door behind her and Orrin heard the sound of a table being thrown in the classroom. Cade was having a temper tantrum. She was barefoot as always but after closing the door, Maeve didn’t move. She glanced up and down the hallway before turning around.

“Hello, Casimir. What are you doing here?”

Orrin froze.

His spell wasn’t true invisibility but Orrin had found the spell was stronger since he leveled it up. Despite no mention of changes beyond [Camouflage] lasting a little longer and not being dismissed by attacking, he’d realized it was harder for people to spot him while using it. He’d kept to the shadows and stayed out of her direct sight.

“You brushed against the door on your way out and I can feel your movements through the ground. I know you are here still because I couldn’t feel you running away,” she explained as if hearing his thoughts. “One of my teachers growing up played a similar game with me. I find it helps keep me safe, although, I’m not sure that was her intention. Are you going to talk or are you doing something important? Should I not have told you I knew you were here?”

Orrin dropped his spell. “You’re scary perceptive. Sorry about that. I was looking for you but didn’t want to attract attention. I’m avoiding everybody at the moment.”

Maeve nodded like he was explaining the sun was bright in summer. “Sometimes I think about trying to find a spell to help me avoid people as well.”

An awkward silence for Orrin fell between them.

“You were looking for me?” Maeve prompted, shifting her books in her hands. “I’m not sure I’ll be any help. I failed Professor Cade’s class and won’t be returning so if you need my notes, I can give them to you.”

“I don’t care about his class,” Orrin said, waiving his hand and dismissing the class. He’d learned next to nothing from Professor Cade, who spent the class extolling the virtues of his own magic while belittling all other types. “I need you to come with me. We need to talk with Professor Wren.”

Maeve tilted her head. “Is this about another attack? I heard that Rhys left school for the rest of the semester while they investigated but nobody has come close to attacking me… except for you, I guess. But I don’t think you’d hurt me. You’re kind.”

Orrin was thrown momentarily, blushing at the sudden compliment. He and Maeve spoke enough during class that he knew she meant well with her words but either didn’t think or care about how things would be perceived. He forced a quick smile before explaining. “It’ll be easier to explain to everyone all at once, but Finley Madvarr will be there too. I think we can save a lot of lives and stop Odrana from plunging headfirst into another war.”

Maeve studied Orrin for a long few heartbeats. “Do you promise that coming with you will save lives?”

Orrin opened his mouth to hastily promise but stopped himself. Maeve was intelligent. She wasn’t asking for his opinion; she wanted a promise that he thought this was a good course of action for her as a powerful figure in Odrana.

“I think the Sanerris family is starting wars and sending people to die in a power struggle between mother and son. I want you and your father to help me stop them.”

Maeve nodded and turned her back, walking away from him. “Let’s go, then. Tell me everything as we walk. I’ll help as much as I can and I’m sure Dad will as well.”

Orrin scrambled to keep up. He talked in a quiet whisper, explaining the same things he’d told Finley. So much for explaining only once, he shook his head as they left the hallway and entered the other side of the school.

Finley was standing outside Wren’s door waiting with someone with a cloak on over their head. He waved as they approached, trying to get a glimpse under the hood.

“Did you get in touch with your family?” Orrin asked. “Who is that with you?”

“You don’t recognize me?” Iona turned to face him, letting the torchlight flicker across her face. “I’m hurt. I thought I’d made an impression.”

“It’s great to see you, Iona but what are you doing here?” Orrin went to shake her hand but she grabbed him, pulling him close for a hug.

“I never got to thank you properly for saving us. Lady Tonsa sends her regards and says you will always be welcome in Goldenhall,” Iona whispered before releasing him. “Madvarr here claims you have some important news for us?”

Orrin felt like all he was doing lately was blushing. “Yes, we should see if Professor Wren is here and then I’ll tell you all. Fin?”

Finley leaned against the wall, smirking at Orrin. “I sent messages to my father and Goldenhall. Iona teleported in a few minutes ago. I also received a message to proceed with his authority, so whatever we decide he’ll back us.”

Orrin was surprised that Finley was trusted with that kind of proxy power but it made sense that the Lord of Ronden couldn’t leave for meetings while protecting the borders of Odrana. “Let’s get Wren on board and see about saving some lives.”

Orrin knocked on the door. Wren opened it before his hand hit a second time.

“Maybe the next time you plan a coup, keep your voices down?” Wren scowled. “Get inside, all of you.”

Shuffling into her office behind the others, Orrin leaned toward the teacher. “What have you heard?”

Wren huffed as she closed the door and shook her head. She lightly pushed Orrin out of the way as she made her way to a bookshelf. Wren carefully took a box down from a higher shelf and laid it gently on her desk. Orrin peered over her shoulder at what was inside.

A dozen circular groves were carved into the bottom of the box and seven glass orbs rested inside. Before Orrin could ask what they were, Wren palmed on and threw it at the door.

A familiar pop of his ears answered his unasked question.

“Now that we can talk without uninvited guests overhearing everything we say, I want to thank you all. I’ve enjoyed my position as a teacher here for years and always knew that my students would be the death of me.”

Maeve, innocent as ever, said. “We didn’t come to kill you, Professor.” Then she turned quickly to Orrin. Did we?”

Orrin put his palm over his face. What had he gotten himself into?