The news about the poisoning spread quickly. The next day everyone at the academy was talking about it. The students were wildly speculating who was responsible. The most prominent theory was that Ilestria tried to kill necromancers. And with that theory came a lot of talk about war.

During lunch I asked my friends: “What do you think will happen? Could this lead to a war?”

“Anything can lead to war.” Helena answered. “It depends if the dukes, or the crown, feel strongly enough about it.”

“The only one who would feel personally attacked is Duke Harold. The others could use the incident as an excuse, if they thought war was profitable.” Cassie said.

“I suspect it depends how much they make through trade and if they think they can gain territory.” Skadi mused.

Helena nodded. “Duchess Barkworth has the largest border. I think she will want peace. War could hurt her territory, if there is a lot of fighting in it, and she does trade a lot with Ilestria.”

“But she could expand her duchy, right? If she conquered parts of Ilestria. How would new territory be divided anyway?” I wondered.

“That depends.” Helena said. “The main army is led by the crown. The king would decide what happens. If the area is large enough there might even be a new duchy. Especially if there is someone who greatly contributes, like a general. Making one of the archmages a duke would add a powerful bloodline to the kingdom.”

“Of course, the existing dukes would not like that.” Cassie added. “None of them is an archmage. They would not like the competition, unless they could marry into the family and form an alliance.”

“How powerful are the dukes? And who are our archmages? We have eight, right?” I wondered.

Helena nodded. “Yes. So you know Erik Hailstorm, our headmaster. Then there is our king, William Wright.”

“King William is an archmage?” I interrupted her.

“Yes.” She answered with a smile. “Then we have Ernest Earthshaker….”

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I blinked. “Isn’t he a famous architect?”

“Did you think all archmages were soldiers?” Skadi asked.

“Yes…” I admitted.

“They certainly know a few powerful spells and might fight if there was a true threat, but a lot of mages prefer a peaceful life.” Cassie said. “Amelia Artley is an alchemist!”

“I did not know she was an archmage.” Skadi said.

“She is! She is amazing!” Cassie responded.

“I do know that Gale Moss is one, he is a smith.” Skadi said.

“Kyra Noyce is also an archmage and she is one of our generals.” Helena said.

“Is she the only one in the army? Who are the last two?” I asked.

“I have no idea.” Helena admitted.

“I think the headmaster of the Arcane Institute is an archmage, but I don’t know their name.” Cassie said.

“What about the Academy of Neth? Do they have an archmage?” I asked.

Helena shrugged. “I don’t actually know. Could be.”

“What about Ilestria?” I wondered.

“They have a high priest who is an archmage, I think.” Skadi said.

“It’s unlikely that we know everything they have. Well, hopefully our army knows but they would not just tell everyone.” Helena pointed out.

“I suppose. What about adventurers? Are there any archmages?” I asked.

“Possibly. Actually, the two we are missing could be adventurers.” Skadi answered.

“And the ninth one will be Koyuki…” Helena paused, then continued: “You need a last name.”

“It’s not like I can just make one up.” I responded.

“Well, you can, if you get a title. If a commoner is elevated to the nobility they can name their house, since a lot of commoners have no last name. Often they pick something, like their element. Or their nickname, if they are famous.” Cassie said.

“Oh. Is that why Hailstorm is called Hailstorm?” I asked.

“Yes. He is known for a rather devastating large storm he can conjure.” Helena confirmed.

“Isn’t that awkward for the descendants, if they don’t inherit the magic? If you are named after an element you do not have?” I wondered.

“Some might be embarrassed, others might just be proud of their ancestors.” Skadi said.

“Nobles try very hard to make sure their heirs marry powerful mages. And weaker parts often become branch families with a slightly different name.” Cassie explained.

Cassie was of such a branch family. While her mother tried hard to improve their status, Cassie seemed completely fine with it.

“So, how would Koyuki be called? Deathbringer?” Helena mused.

“Probably something death magic related. Maybe a death and frost combination?” Skadi mused.

“She needs to invent a big spell!” Cassie said.

“Since I don’t know my parents, I could already have a name.” I pointed out.

“True. But we have no way of finding that out. And you could just make your own name, even if you had a different one in the past.” Helena said.

“We are not good at naming things, we haven’t even found a proper name for Frank!” I pointed out.

“Hey, we named the Iron Beaks! That is a great name.” Cassie protested.

“And Chariot.” Skadi added.

“Hey, we should have a team name!” Helena suggested.

I groaned.