Unfortunately, Aiden had only been able to answer two of the three questions Kaitlyn had wanted answered. After he’d explained how she’d gone completely off the rails just after being summoned to the Administrators office, she had reacted as expected; that is, complete disbelief. It was only after telling her about the masked Warrior’s attempt to heal her and the reason for her mother’s injury, that she stopped pushing him for answers.

She’d been in this contemplative state ever since.

The Warriors finished up their work on Mrs. Perez and stood up to stretch their legs. One of them, a slim looking guy that looked about two sizes too small for his cloak, turned to look at the two prospects and asked, “Which of you is the relative?”

Kaitlyn shook her head to clear her thoughts before looking up towards the Warrior, “I am. Is she going to be ok?”

With a look towards his partner, the Warrior nodded, “She’s going to be fine. Whatever hit her did a number on her head though, so it’s best that we keep her sleeping for the time being. She’ll be fine here, so you guys should get up and stretch your legs, maybe get some food while you’re at it.”

“I hear the rations they’re distributing right now are the freshest they’ve got,” he added jokingly to lighten the mood. It seemed to work as both prospects rolled their eyes at one of the oldest military jokes in the book.

Aiden nudged Kaitlyn as he stood up, “Come on. You’ve been off your feet too long today already, let’s go get some air.”

She nodded in agreement, sighing, “You’re right. I feel like I’ve been asleep for a hundred years and just woke up.” Rising to her feet, she walked over to her mom and bent over to kiss her on the forehead.

“You guys look after her, ok? If anything happens to her, you know who I’m going to hold responsible.”

The two Warriors shared a laugh, despite the somber atmosphere, “Sure thing. Just keep an ear out for the bells. Come straight back here if they ring more than three times. That would mean that attackers have breached the walls, and they’ll be pushing for the Academy.”

Kaitlyn thanked the two for their hard work and left with Aiden to scrounge up some food. Stepping around the many villagers that had set up camp throughout the vast hall, the two wound their way across until finally managing to make it to the doors leading out into the entryway.

“What do you make of this attack?” Aiden asked in a hushed voice as they approached the doors, “Do you think the Guards and Warriors we have can handle it?”

Kaitlyn didn’t say anything for a moment, mulling over Aiden’s question. She turned her head to the side to look at him, emphasizing in an oddly aware manner, “I think we were lucky that we weren’t caught off guard like these guys had planned us to be. It would’ve been a slaughter.”

Aiden didn’t have a response for such a gloomy sentiment, the strange confidence that his friend had in her assertion also made him feel like she knew something he didn’t. Neither one of them said another word as they opened the doors and stepped out of the hall.

No sooner had they exited, they saw the Administrator walking towards them in deep conversation with someone Aiden recognized, a familiar looking, black cloaked Warrior. Similarly, a strange light appeared in Kaitlyn’s eyes the moment they landed upon the Warrior.

Aiden’s expression darkened instantly as he recognized the uniquely colored cloak, or, at least, he assumed it was the same Warrior. The only other black cloak he’d seen had belonged to the mysterious masked Warrior and she had clearly not been this guy. Could there be other blacked cloaked Warriors around? Sure. But ones with such close contact with Administrator Reed? He doubted it. That wasn’t to say Aiden didn’t have plenty of questions. Who was this guy? What had he done to Kaitlyn? Did he have any connection to the masked Warrior?

Aiden decided then and there that he was going to get some answers.

Pretending like he was zoned out, Aiden took a step into the Administrator’s path. Although his plan was to bump into her and create an opening for conversation, the Administrator’s enhanced senses meant that the attempt was futile. As soon as he stepped into her path, despite being focused on what the black cloaked Warrior was saying, Administrator Reed halted her steps and calmly extended her arm, intercepting Aiden by the shoulder.

“Careful, Mr. Wright. You could hurt yourself,” she chided with casual authority. Her eyes moved over from Aiden and landed on Kaitlyn who seemed startled by Aiden’s sudden action. Smiling, Administrator spoke warmly, “Ms. Perez, I’m happy to see you lucid. You had us worried earlier.”

Kaitlyn’s eyes narrowed a bit at the recollection of Aiden’s description of her previous state, but she recognized the sincerity in the Administrator’s words and expressed her appreciation for the sentiment, “Thank you, Administrator. I still don’t know what was wrong with me, but I definitely feel much better now.”

Attempting to salvage his fact-finding mission, Aiden coughed as if embarrassed, which, ok, he was a little, “I’m sorry, Administrator,” he looked to the Warrior at her side and squinted slightly to emphasize his ignorance, “My apologies to you as well, Warrior. . .?”

The Warrior’s eyes darted between Aiden and Kaitlyn, seeming surprised that he had run into the two prospects again so soon. Administrator Reed looked over at him and chuckled, “Seems like your plan to remain in the shadows has failed spectacularly, Warrior Cameron. Might as well introduce yourself now, don’t you think?”

Returning the Administrator’s amused look with a deadpan expression, Warrior Cameron's eyes dimmed with acceptance, “Seems dumb not to at this point. Probably should have seen this coming too, following you back here.”

The Warrior extended a hand to Aiden and Kaitlyn, "Mac Cameron. I'll be one of the two Warriors escorting you to the capital once this is all over."

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Aiden gripped the Warriors hand tightly, “Aiden Wright. We’ll be in your care when the time comes, Warrior Cameron.” Before he released his grip, Aiden took the opportunity to dig for more answers, “Your partner, she wouldn’t happen to be a blonde woman, masked, also wearing a black cloak?”

Warrior Cameron’s eyes widened visually, unable to hide the shock clearly present on his face. His grip on Aiden’s hand turned into a vice, “What did you just say? Did you say ‘masked’?”

Even though it felt like his bones were being ground to dust, Aiden’s confusion won out over the pain and he struggled not to grimace as he spoke, his discomfort adding an edge to his answer, “Yeah. Blonde hair tied up in bun. Wears a fancy wooden mask. Likes to throw people around with blasts of energy when attempting to heal people. Ring a bell?”

Administrator Reed didn’t quite catch what was being said, as if the words were being jumbled before they reached her ears, but she couldn’t miss the intense shift in the mood between the two men and frowned. “Is there a problem, Warrior Cameron?”

Warrior Cameron’s eyes narrowed into slits and, for what seemed like an eternity, his gaze bore down on Aiden with deep suspicion. Aiden became disconcerted at the sudden hostility.

‘What the heck did I say? Is that mask a sore subject for him or something?’

Still, the moment quickly passed and, before anyone knew it, the Warrior had released Aiden’s hand while laughing lightly, “No, nothing’s wrong. It’s my fault, Administrator. Something Aiden said seemed to have jogged a memory, but now it’s slipped away. Strange. Knowing that these situations may happen in our line of work doesn't make it any less embarrassing when they actually do. You know?”

Administrator Reed expression softened a bit as she considered the Warrior’s words, but she was the Administrator of the Academy, and she couldn’t have her students being assaulted by members of the Order. At least, not without a defensible reason. Definitely not in the middle of this crisis, where she needed all capable bodies sharp and ready for action.

“I don’t know what was said, and I honestly don’t care,” she spoke softly, but her words were brimming with threatening undertones, “Warrior Cameron. We don’t lay hands on the prospects here at this Academy, not unless it’s to teach or to reprimand. As I can’t see either of those things being the case here, I don’t believe I need to speak on the matter any further.”

Aiden was genuinely confused. What was this situation? How did things escalate so quickly?!

‘What does she mean that she doesn’t know what was said?? She’s standing right between us!’

Catching sight of Aiden’s bewildered expression, as well as the absent attempts to return feeling to his strangled hand, Warrior Cameron seemed to be chagrined, “I apologize, Aiden. I don’t know what came over me. It wasn’t my intention to hurt you. I can take a look at your hand if you’d like. It’s the least that I can do.”

Aiden was still massaging his aching hand, but, before the Warrior had even finished speaking his offer, the young man had already pulled the hand back and closer to his chest without even being aware why; almost like he was protecting it from further harm. Reflexive or not, the young man’s defensive reaction sent a clear message to both Warrior Cameron and the Administrator, who decided to take it as their signal to continue on to the main hall.

“Ms. Perez, Mr. Wright. It’s been a pleasure,” Administrator Reed stated with a slight nod, “If you’ll excuse us, we’ve got a city to defend and a battle to win.”

Kaitlyn reached over and pulled Aiden back out of the way, “Of course, Administrator. Thank you. You as well, Warrior Cameron.” She lowered her head in deference as the two Order members proceeded past them and into the main hall.

The entryway was filled with people both providing aid to the incoming villagers and preparing for the possible defense of the Academy. Although it was dark outside, the flickering torchlight within the entryway of the keep gave off a soothing and inviting light that played off the walls, helping to calm the nerves of the incoming villagers.

Outside, the fall air was as cool as one would expect nearing the winter months. The stars shone around a nearly full moon, and the dim lights of the fires that still lingered around the village created a reddish glow that was barely visible over the rooftops of the Academy. If not for the anxiety and knowledge of what was happening, combined with the clouds of smoke that still lingered about, it would’ve been a perfect evening.

Having dragged Aiden outside and away from the keep until they were alone and in the cover of darkness, Kaitlyn stopped and turned on him, confusion and anger evident in her expression and tone, “What the hell was that, Aiden?? Antagonizing a Warrior and interrupting the Administrator while they’re planning the defense of the village?? You do realize that my father is out there, right now, probably about to die to who-knows how many of those assholes, and you’re over here making it harder for the only people who might be able to prevent it?! WHY?”

Aiden’s mind was in disarray. He honestly had no idea why things had gone the way they had. He had simply wanted to find out who that Warrior was and what his connection was to the masked Warrior that had saved Kaitlyn’s life. How could he have known that the guy was so unstable?

“Well?”

Kaitlyn’s angry stare kept him pinned in place, and he found himself squirming slightly in discomfort. Unsure of what to say, he decided to just voice his own thoughts, “I don’t know, ok? I don’t. I just wanted to learn more about the guy. How could I have known that asking him about his partner’s mask would set him off like that?”

“Asking what?”

“What do you mean what? You were right there, you heard me ask him if his partner was the masked Warrior that saved you. That’s when he flipped.”

The cool air became still. Kaitlyn’s expression became more concerned, while her tone remained agitated, “I don’t know what you’re saying, Aiden. All I heard was a bunch of mumbling, like you two were whispering to each other, and you’re doing the same thing now. Is this some kind of prank?”

Aiden stopped; his pupils dilated slightly, and his breath caught in his throat. Even though he could see that his friend was being serious, he felt as if he were being messed with. He was saying one thing, but she was saying that he wasn’t. Was it him? Or was it her? An image of the Administrator came to him, followed by her words from just a few minutes ago.

‘I don’t know what was said…”

“You can understand what I’m saying now, correct?” he asked slowly.

Kaitlyn responded in exasperation, “Yes, Aiden. If you don’t tell me wh—”

Aiden held up a hand to stop her, “Please?”

Kaitlyn looked peeved but, seeing that he seemed to be trying to work through something, she didn’t say anything, allowing him to continue, “What about now? Can you understand me when I mention the Warrior’s partner?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” she said with more venom than intended, the entire situation seeming ridiculous to her, “I can understand the words that are coming out of your mouth just fine, though I don’t understand what Warrior Cameron’s partner has to do with anything. Is that what you two were talking about?”

He brushed aside her angry confusion, his mind racing with possibilities and one conclusion above all others started to push itself to the fore, as he pressed further, “Ok, now what if I mention his partner’s mask? Can you understand that?”

Kaitlyn’s face became pinched, “Understand what? You just mumbled a bunch of nonsense again.”

Realization dawned on Aiden, ‘It has something to do with the mask.’

Reaching out and gripping Kaitlyn’s hands, Aiden looked straight into her eyes. Her eyes widen slightly at the sudden move. Though she was furious, she didn’t pull back or look away. Ignoring the fact that they were alone, he spoke in a low voice meant only for her, “Listen to me. I don’t know what’s going on, but something is seriously wrong with all of this,” he took a slow breath, “And I think it has to do with that Warrior. Mac Cameron.”