In the morning, in the training yard by the library, his hopes came no naught. Someone did indeed try to set him on fire. Him and the whole class with their spellforged garments. The attempts were unsuccessful across the board, and Madge seemed pleased by this, The students tended to agree.Only one student was burned, having written his spell to protect the garment itself and not the wearer.

Madge’s only comment was “let that be a lesson for you.”

After that she set them to practice communicating by writing, much like how she communicated, but not exactly. they would write a passage saying a message came into the mind of whoever they wanted to speak with, and that person would hear their voice in their head.

She had them practice both this and many other simple spells for almost 3 hours before she told them they were finished for the day. They were all thoroughly exhausted by the end, and there was more than one hurrah shouted at madge’s announcement of this.

After the lesson, Daedalus and Zahria found themselves with rare free time. No lessons, no tasks demanding immediate attention, nothing. They returned home, and Daedalus fixed them both dinner, A whole roast partridge with mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. While they ate Zahria paused for a moment looking vaguely nervous, and said “I’ve been thinking of going back. ”

“To Tyros? So soon?” He understood her feelings, but the attack had barely passed.

“I want to see how they recover. And to see my friend.” He smiled bemusedly at the thought of an inferno walker as a friend. He decided it wouldn’t hurt, and when the meal was done they prepared to go.

Daedalus retrieved a notebook and pen, and wrote a door that would take them there. He and his student walked through, and he ripped the page out and destroyed it after, the door behind them dissolving to nothing.

Daedalus was still wearing his fireproof jacket, and Zaria a long hooded cloak Gerald had helped her with when they entered into the town square. Tyros was a far less busy place than it had been the day of the battle, with only a sparse scattering of people out and about. Just outside the city's barrier, Zaria's walker still stood at his post ever watchful.

They walked through town and looked at the various shops, speaking as they went. “So, what did you and Madge get up to while you talked after class yesterday day?”

She paused and looked thoughtful a moment before responding. “We just talked. She knew my uncle Darius. He left with the last ranging party almost 2 years ago. She says that she still has hope to see him again, but I think she was just saying that for me. He's dead, I know he isn't coming back.”

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Well. that certainly dropped the mood. He looked for something to raise it again, and saw just the thing across the street. “Would you like to stop in that sweetshop before we go to the local book store.” She gave an excited yip at that and seemed to be back to her old self. He took that as a yes, and led her to the brightly painted, wood fronted building.

Once inside she was as far as it was possible to be from the moody girl from just a few moments earlier. She made excited noises as she looked at all the different toffees, fudges, rock candies and other delights, and was so entranced looking at everything that Daedalus had to be quick to keep track of her. He hoped she did not spend too much, but he was not too worried.

Soon they were waiting in line to buy her a large piece of white fudge and two sticks of rock candy. She was bouncing with excitement, but Daedalus noticed a crowd gathering outside and wondered what it was. They got up to the counter, paid for the candy, and went outside to find something of a bustle, and Daedalus spied none other than blind Madge among them. What could bring her out to tyros today? He feared another attack for a moment, but he pushed that thought away as he approached and greeted her, but she spoke first to Zahria.

“They tell me you can see the flag they all carry to signal it’s them when they return, but I dont't need to see it. Zahria, they've spotted a person, returning for the wastes, no more than 2 hours out. Its him Zahria.”

Zahria Dropped her fudge, and anger, denial, joy and relief went to war on her face as she began to cry. “No, no it can't be...My uncle is dead...its been months…years...”

“Zahria, someone is coming back, and if anyone I know could do this it would

be your uncle.”

Her words soothed the girl a little, and even prompted a small smile. “Wait with me and see. Daedalus can wait with us as well. SIlas will not need you again for a while.”

Daedalus stared out into the distance, and after a moment he saw it, a rider carrying a great white banner with scholar's spire worked upon it in silver. The rider has a long way off, and there were fire drakes out the as well, thankfully all small ones, but these seemed to keep their distance from the rider, and to almost flee from him. He'd heard of spells like that, that could frighten away some of the weaker spellforged creatures of the scorched lands. A much more powerful version, done annually by the whole high counsel, formed the barrier which usually kept the threats of the wastes at bay.

The horse drew closer very slowly, and Zahria never took her eyes off the approaching figure, not once that Daedalus saw in the near two hours they waited there with Madge for a man to return from the land of the dead.Slowly but surely, the figure drew closer, ad slowly it became clear he was in rough condition, with tears in his clothing, and red patches in several paces.

Injured as he was, Darius was Smiling and sitting his saddle well as he rode through the magical barrier and into the town square. As soon as he came into the city Zahria had begun to run to him, shouting his name.

She ran all the faster, narrowly avoiding people as she went, and all but launched herself into him as soon as he was off his horse.She clasped him tight around he chest and sobbed into him.

Daedalus stayed back for a bit, giving the family their moment before stepping forward and mentally announcing himself. “Hello, sir. My name is Daedalus, and I have been tasked with your niece as a pupil.” Darius looked at him, appraising every aspect of this man who would teach his niece, a man who looked not old enough to be out from his own master.

“Teach her well master Daedalus. I will be watching over her, and if you ever need help, you need only ask.”

“Thank you very much. She is my first student, so I will need all the help I can get.”

“Its good to know you need help, rather than to be arrogant and take on everything yourself. Take care of her for me. I must speak to the counsel as soon as possible. I am going to the library with Madgera to meet them now. I promise I will explain everything to you, but first I need to speak to the counsel.” With that he left, and went to find Madge.