"Caleb!", the deep voice of Rangar called out delightedly when he saw the visit.

After his conversation with the young healer, he had asked her to watch Grischa while he was away. She, of course, guessed that Cale would talk to the Eldest, so she accepted the request and stayed behind with Grischa. Cale had then walked out of the apartment with his jacket in hand, without informing Grischa of his intention. He could not wait any longer, he had to talk to the Eldest immediately.

"The young mage greets you, Eldest. High-Magician Castero", Cale announced politely, bowing slightly before he could hear Aaron's voice.

"Is the kid here?"

Cautiously, Cale peered up without straightening up again. Only when the Eldest allowed him to rise did he stand again and take a seat in the chair in front of him. They were currently in the Eldest's office; right next door was the blue salon. Very rarely were outsiders to be found here, the two rooms were like the heart of the Magistrat.

"He just came in, yes. Castero, would you please leave us alone for a moment?"

Somewhat offended, Rangar nodded, bowed, and stepped out of the office. Silently, meanwhile, Cale watched him go before turning his attention to the communications crystal. He lifted his head to ask the Eldest to speak among himself, but the Eldest beat him to it. He held his finger in front of his mouth and then pointed to the crystal.

"That meets well. It's about this creature, the Kormandent", Aaron began. He couldn't see his face, but he could hear his voice clearly. Aaron had to be alone somewhere and have the crystal close to his mouth, Cale rhymed himself that much. "I've been thinking about it, about what Yusuf Mirai mentioned and about what happened yesterday. It's not the Kormandent, it's the Kormandents. Plural. One group, maybe many, many more. The way it sounded, they share the mana among themselves, but only one of them had a actually connection to Grischa. When I get back, I'll take a closer look at the body, which brings us to the second point. His death. I heard that the daughter of Chief Merensen had given her mana to Grischa, but the creature had dealt with it. I therefore suspect that this was not a creature, but a..."

"...but a human", Cale completed the statement. He dropped into the chair and held his head as he wordlessly exchanged glances with the Eldest. "I have come to the same conclusion. The Kormandents are humans without mana, but they have the abilities to absorb other mana into themselves. I imagine they usually use creature mana to remain inconspicuous."

After Cale's statement, Aaron was silent for a moment before finding words again.

"The likelihood is there. The question now is: why? What is your purpose in hiding from the outside world? Basil Kama had told me that the Kormandents had invaded Tsuke quite a few years ago and killed all the inhabitants there. But he could not say where they came from or why they joined the rebels. If that's true, it may well be that the dead continent isn't as dead as we thought."

The statement gave Cale goose bumps. The Kormandents were not only here, but also in Tsuke? Quite possibly they were spread all over the world and Cale simply didn't know it. But what does that mean to him? Were these magic-less people on the side of the dragons, or was there some other reason why they showed up in Exarion? Why had they attacked the High-Magicians?

"We should be on our guard. Maybe they can do more than just steal mana and teleport", Aaron announced a moment later. In unison, Cale and Damian agreed with the statement. Something about the whole story didn't add up, and it worried them greatly. How were the Kormandents involved in the coming war between the creatures and the humans? They had to be hostile to the Magistrat in any case, but why, if they were also humans? "Anyway, the concerns I wanted to share with you. Is there anything else I should know?"

Cale didn't even get to give an answer, as Aaron continued to speak seamlessly.

"Perhaps something along the lines of: Aaron, the Prince of Sylve is traveling with you."

Surprised, Cale straightened up and the Eldest knocked an entire stack of books to the floor. With horrified eyes, the Eldest stared at the 12th seat, both instantly thinking the same thing.

"I didn't know it would matter to you", Cale admitted quietly, though he was getting rather nervous. He could think of only one reason how Aaron had found out about it: William had done something stupid.

"Of significance? You think that's meaningless, kid? You and I are going to have a talk in private sometime later, then I want to hear your definition of meaningful. What would have happened if something had happened to him on the way? I'd have to take the rap for it. Worse, the whole Magistrat could have had a real problem! Do you have any idea how dangerous it was here in Winstest?"

Relieved, Cale sighed. Aaron didn't seem to have any hatred for William, the way he was talking about him right now. On the contrary. He even seemed a little concerned about William, though possibly more worried that Altona might come into conflict with Sylve.

"Just keep an eye on the young prince, Aaron", the Eldest interjected into the discussion. The warning look continued to linger on Cale. "We need Sylve for support, that much is certain."

"I'm aware of that, Eldest. I just think I have a right to know who is in the Magistrat. Especially nobles."

"Sorry, Aaron. I deliberately concealed William's presence from the council."

"Don't just apologize for that after the fact now, kid!", Aaron scolded. "Do you know what a scare that gave me? It may be that William is a good swordsman, but he's still a child. If I had become inattentive, something else could have happened!"

"Didn't he save your life?" threw back Cale.

"That...!", Aaron raised, falling silent for a moment. "That's even worse! He could have died in those hours, Benjamin and Philippa as well. You can't just expect that your barriers would solve all problems!"

"Please? My barriers?"

"You gave him your Igrikum!"

"You did... what?", the Eldest spoke up in surprise.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"What are you talking about, Aaron?"

"Don't play innocent now, just because Raphael is present. William told me what happened and that you sealed your Igrikum in his arm", Aaron was now downright shouting, ignoring all politeness. He also seemed to have completely forgotten that Cale was not supposed to know what the Eldest's first name was at all.

"One has nothing to do with the other", Cale merely countered. "What I do with my Igrikum is my business."

"Have you completely lost it now?"

"What is your problem right now, anyway? The fact that William is of royal blood or the fact that I gave my Igrikum to him?"

"Both!"

"That you would ever worry about nobles", the Eldest muttered softly, but Aaron seemed to have heard the words, for he became abruptly silent.

"Please, let's not talk about this now, Raphael. I'm serious about this. Why did you give your Igrikum to a stranger?"

"Because I trust him", Cale replied simply.

"You don't know him at all, and what's more, he hardly knows anything about mana! Why William, and why not Yusuf - taking him as an example?"

"Is that a serious question?", Cale retorted mockingly. "As if I would trust Yusuf with my Igrikum."

"You're friends with him, aren't you?"

"So, does that mean I have to trust him too?"

"You...", Aaron lifted and fell silent for a moment. "You don't trust Yusuf? I thought you guys were like brothers?"

"Brothers?", Cale replied laughing. Cale had saved Yusuf from bullying back in his school days, and Yusuf had been running after him ever since. This strange relationship made Cale realize his potential. Nothing more, however. Never in his life would he see Yusuf as his brother. "You misunderstood. Not to mention, since when did you suddenly become interested in my personal life. For years, you barely exchanged a word with me."

"Which doesn't mean I can't worry about it."

"You're not my father, Aaron. And I'm not Grischa, who depends on you for help, either. Not back in the days and not now. So you'd better think of a better excuse."

"I..." began Aaron now for the second time and fell silent. "Sorry."

Surprised, the Eldest and Cale looked at each other. Had Aaron just seriously apologized to him?

"What are you apologizing for now?"

"It must have been pretty exhausting for you to work with me."

"Yes. For once, you're right. You're a fucking pain in the ass to work with, let alone talk to. You just can't stop looking down on me, can you?", Cale threw back, unintentionally bringing out all the anger he had accumulated toward Aaron. "I'm just a kid in your eyes, too."

"I didn't know you then."

"Back then? Back then! I'm talking about all those, last weeks. Not for one minute had you trusted my abilities, even on the day of the second wave you had to personally check that I wasn't doing anything stupid. Like I didn't realize how dangerous the whole situation was", Cale replied, annoyed, as the Eldest raised his hand to signal him to calm down. "Name one day when I've acted unreasonably. Just one day and then I'll get out of Exarion and leave you alone."

"I don't hate you, Caleb", Aaron interjected, which irritated Cale and Damian alike. Now how had he come to make that statement? Who had said anything about 'hating'?

"Hate and trust are two completely different things. I don't like you either, Aaron, but at least I trusted you and your abilities. I've always been aware that Altona's safety is your top priority, but how about you? Have you ever noticed how much work I've put into the future of Altona?"

"Yes", Aaron replied. "I've noticed that. Ever since the day you were with Sefra in the creature plains and you came back with the news about the dragons. I've always listened to you, Caleb, but I still worried. Just BECAUSE you were so young. How old were you then? 16? 17?"

"How about you two get to the point", the Eldest intervened. "You guys can't argue all night. Why don't you just say what's bothering you?"

"I don't want to be ignored", Cale brought to the floor truthfully. "It's driving me crazy. I may be young, but I'm not stupid or careless. I think carefully about every decision I make. And one of those decisions was to entrust my Igrikum to the Prince of Sylve. So that he can help in the worst case scenario when I'm not on the scene."

"And I don't want you to do anything like that without consulting the council. We don't have any significant comparisons of how the Igrikum would behave if William and you were to use it at the same time. That could get you killed, Caleb. We need you."

On the last sentence, it was Cale who could not produce a response. That he would ever hear Aaron say he needed him was something Cale never dreamed he would hear. But he couldn't trust Aaron anymore, not like he used to. Ever since he knew about his past, Cale was really worried that the High-Magician would hurt William or Ben.

"Was that so hard?" the Eldest interjected.

"Admitted... it..."

"Don't start with any explanations now, please. I meant that ironically", he immediately interrupted Aaron. "Is that the end of the discussion? There's something I need to clarify."

"Yes. I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time, Raphael."

"That's all right. Just be careful, please. We'll be in touch when there's news", the Eldest countered simply, followed by a brief farewell, which Aaron returned. A few moments later, the Eldest disconnected again and rubbed his temple with strain.

"I apologize, I got a little personal", he said.

"I don't blame you in the least. Living with Aaron is really... difficult", the Eldest replied, followed by a long sigh. "Didn't you said Prince William wouldn't reveal his identity?"

"I also do not know how this happened. William and Ben are very careful when it comes to their identities. I'll talk to them again and warn them to be careful."

"Do that, you never know with Aaron", the Eldest replied calmly, lowering his hands and staring at the ceiling for a moment before straightening up. "What did you come for and where is Vonstetten, anyway?"

"At my apartment, Aletta Merensen with him. I need to clear up a few things with you", Cale lifted, finally getting to the real issue at hand. "Sefra told Grischa about her insight, he knows what to expect in the future."

Surprised, the Eldest looked up, but Cale didn't give him time to say anything.

"And Grischa told me about his insight. He had his insight the day I was born. He was able to watch my birth and then see the death of my parents in the attack on Groka. The attack is the day I always wake up, Eldest."

"Is that perhaps why you keep being brought back? Groka?"

"I don't know, it's possible."

"Have you never protected the village?"

"Honestly? No. By the time I would have had the appropriate skills, I didn't really care about the village. I didn't grew up there, and accordingly, I don't know it very well", Cale replied calmly.

"What about your parents? Do you not care about them either?"

"Yes. They may be my family biologically, but emotionally they are not. For me, the only family I have has been William, Benjamin, Philippa and Aletta. With an exception or two, maybe."

For a moment, the Eldest was silent as he processed the statement.

"Shall we get smart about the others' insights?", the blond-haired man raised some time later, prompting Cale to nod in agreement. "Maybe we're missing something."

"I'd like to try, yes."

"We'll have plenty to do", the Eldest countered thoughtlessly as Cale continued.

"Miguel Heriog will come to the Magistrat tomorrow morning. I'll see about talking to the healers from Frignez tomorrow and removing the remaining Igrikum from Grischa. I will bring the matter of the Kormandent to you afterwards. About the flying crystal, I'll talk to Grischa and let you know as soon as I can. It would probably be better if you agreed to Sylve for now, until we get some results."

"We shouldn't leave the time travel thing out, either. When Vonstetten is fit again and everyone is in the house, then you should also start looking for answers", the Eldest noted.

"Don't the Kormandent have priority?"

"For the others, yes. For you, no. The sooner you know what's going on with you, the better."

"Where do you even want me to start?", Cale gave to word. If he was going to die again and everything was reset to the beginning, then it was all for naught.

"We'll see after we talk to the others. But you should be prepared to look for the dragon."

"Do you think that's a good idea? What if Altona is attacked again in my absence?"

"I have trust in my Igrikum and in the abilities of the other High-Magicians. If something should happen, you will be the first to know about it."