After I check out the book with a copper coin - plus a little extra to appease the disgruntled old man who didn't appreciate being woken up from his nap - and a document registering my information, my next stop is to go to Black Castle.

As I step out of the library, shoving the book into a pouch, I note that there are two problems with this plan.

The first and most obvious problem is Wolf, whose eyes I could still feel even when I was in the library. He'll certainly never let me go into the castle alone. Even though I told him that the King had nothing to do with my attack, he didn't look convinced. And if I somehow manage to convince him to let me go, he'll insist on coming with me.

In order words, there's no way for me to escape him.

But having Wolf there would make it extremely difficult to enact my plan.

Not to mention the second problem which is getting into the castle in the first place, but then my brain quickly moves to solve that second problem. I stand there on the street for a few seconds, listening to cat meows and the sound of a knife slamming onto a work-board. I mutter to myself as I work out the logistics of what I have to do, figuring a way out of my predicament.

And when I finalize a plan I think might work, I start toward Black Castle again.

I get very close to it, so close that the gates of the castle are but a few yards away, when a hand grabs my elbow.

Here we go.

I turn to meet Wolf’s stern expression.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“I need to go to the Black Castle.”

“Why?”

“Because I need to meet someone.”

“Prince Caster.”

“No. Well...maybe…”

Wolf's expression grows even darker, and there's a hint of judgment in his eyes that makes me defensive.

“It would give you a chance to meet Genya again.”

I regret the words nearly the second they leave my mouth, especially since Wolf looks at me like I'm crazy.

"Why would I want to do that?" he asks.

I shrug.

“To rekindle whatever was between the two of you,” I say. “I know it ended because of Caster, but I think she still has a thing for you.”

His expression doesn't change but I feel the stiffening of his shoulders.

“You don’t deny it.”

“Should I?” he challenges.

“So it’s true.” The words are like poison that I swallowed and have to spit out. “You and her…” I can't finish it.

He still isn't denying it. And then finally, he shrugs one shoulder, a reluctant acceptance. It's true.

I feel like I'm going to be sick. “How did you...How could you...“ The words die in the air. How could he be with a woman like her? I can understand his love for Savannah. Savannah is kind, brave, and strong. She's like a shining sun. How could he betray that love with a woman like Genya?

But he and Savannah are not in love yet. And also it’s not your business. You're being judgmental while you sold your self-worth for a man who never even cared about you.

The voice is my own, thankfully, and rightly admonishing me.

Shame overcomes my indignation in that instant.

I have no right to judge Wolf for who he's been with, especially when he's been kind enough not to judge me.

I just don't know how I could have gotten it so wrong. I thought he'd never kissed anyone but he'd been with Genya and now...

I swallow the questions, deciding to stop being such a childish brat. “I need to meet someone at the castle. I may need Prince Caster's help to meet him in which case I may need to meet Caster too.”'

Wolf frowns like he doesn't like the taste of what I said, but I add, “Please. This is also important so I can find your mom.”

His expression changes instantly, loosening up. “This person knows where my mother is?”

“Maybe. They may not know that they know where your mother is, but I'm sure I can get information that could lead to your mother."

I watch the struggle on his face. The need to protect me wars with the urgency to find out about his mother and it's so sweet that that's even a fight he faces. Warms my heart.

I gently extract my arm from his grip.

“Ok, here’s what I’ll do,” I tell him. “I’ll let you come in with me but you’ll have to wait in the courtyard.”

"Why?”

"Because,” I explain slowly. “The person I need to talk to may not talk to me honestly if you’re there. And I need them to be honest with me. I need to earn their trust. You said your sense of smell is good right?”

Wolf nods.

“Can you smell me from twenty paces away?”

He nods again.

“Then you’ll be able to smell if I’m in trouble. That is if I don’t squeal my head off. If I get stabbed or taken, you'll know right?"

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

He nods again.

“Good. That should keep me out of trouble. Deal?”

He seems reluctant but I take a page from his book, not waiting for an answer.

I simply turn and start heading towards the castle again.

The two Elite Guards straighten their spears as we approach, and one of them touches his sword with the other hand. Both their eyes flicker to Wolf who is likely scowling at them.

“Good day," I greet giving them my most submissive, but cheerful voice. “My name is Adria Elvswick. I am one of the hopefuls for the Elite Soldier Academy."

“We know who you are.” The one on the left says and he doesn't take his eyes off Wolf.

I shoot Wolf a warning look so he'll stop being so damn threatening. If he can help it.

Wolf cocks an eyebrow and doesn't relax his stance so I simply accept it and circle back to the guards.

“Well. I’m sorry to say but I need urgent medical assistance," I speak hesitantly, as though partially intimidated by them. “I was attacked yesterday and broke something inside me. All day, I've been bleeding out of...well, my intimate parts”

Both guards blush. “This is not a general infirmary. Go to the village square if you want a healer."

“Ah, but you see, the Prince advised me to come here if I was hurt. I got hurt in service to him, undergoing a top-secret mission that he didn't want anyone else to know about. If I go to a healer in the Village Square, they might start asking questions and suspicions can arise. And you know how that goes."

I wait, looking between the two of them for any signs of a give.

Neither man drops their frowns, but at least they're not telling me to leave which means they're considering my words. Time to really make it stick.

"You can confirm the story with Prince Caster if you want," I say. "But if you must, ask him directly. He was adamant that this be kept a secret, but I'm only telling you because it's necessary."

The guards share a look and then scan me from head to toe. Disapproval stamps on their forehead. They likely know of my past with the prince and think this all has to do with some secret rendezvous we're planning.

But it's okay. I don't care what they think of me. I've long since stopped seeking validation from strangers anyway. All I need is for them to let me in.

“I’ll go confirm personally." The one on the left finally says. “You remain here." He gives Wolf a final glance. “There are more guards inside in case you think of trying something funny.”

“We wouldn’t dream of it. Right, Wolf?”

Wolf raises his eyebrow.

“He wouldn't," I assure the guards when Wolf doesn't answer. With one final cautious look to Wolf, the first guard walks away, leaving us with the second guard's stony silence.

The silence is punctuated by frequent bird calls in the distance, and I think back to the Shrewk who we captured. I wish I knew then what I know now. I would never have captured the bird.

I would have found a way to win the other trials so I didn't have to subject that creature to death.

In fact, I would have followed in Wolf’s footsteps likely and pretended like I never saw the damn thing.

Would you really? A dark chuckle chimes as the voice that had been silent for so long comes back to life. I like how you have such a lofty opinion of yourself, but that is not tethered to reality. Once again, you're trying to assume the role of a hero. I told you you're not. I already have someone to play that role. You're here for another reason entirely.

Why am I here? I ask in my mind, but of course, the voice does not respond.

I just think perhaps it's toying with me right now.

Wolf shifts from one foot to the other and the guard jerks, hands flying to his sword hilt. I take steps back to nudge Wolf in the side and mouth, “Stay still.”

He nods but then a few seconds later he scratches his elbow, alerting the guard again.

I frown at Wolf again and he shrugs innocently.

I don't buy it.

Wolf is usually silent, more silent than I would like him to be. He's not the fidgety type and if he's fidgeting now it's most likely just to mess with the guard.

The next time he moves, I shoot him a look, and Wolf smirks.

I shake my head. He can be such a child sometimes.

Luckily the first guard arrives soon enough, saving his compatriot from Wolf’s antics.

He nods at us and says, “The prince has confirmed your story. I’ll lead you to the infirmary."

“I won’t be seen by the Farrow witch, will I?”

The guard shakes his head. “The Farrow Witch is reserved only for the King and his royal family. You will be seen by the apprentice.”

Perfect. “Alright.”

We're led into the courtyard and I give Wolf his cue to stop. He doesn't look pleased about it but he nods.

“I’ll wait here,” Wolf says. "To give her some privacy."

The guard blushes a little and then nods as he leads me further in.

The infirmary is in a square outhouse located by one of the castle watch towers. It's laid in red brick, with a curtain covering the wooden doorway. I hear intense coughing when I walk in followed by Seir's long-suffering sigh.

"If you would only take the medicine I prescribed, this would be over much quicker."

"That medicine tastes like cow piss."

"Maybe, but it's cowpiss that will save you a lung."

The man mumbles something in return that I don't quite catch.

But Seir apparently does because he says drily, "Calling my mother a whore won't make me wrong."

The coughing continues as the guard and I go down the walkway, lined by beds separated from us by curtains. At the end of the walkway, there is a desk where Seir is seated. He's reclining on a hard-backed chair, reading what looks like a medical textbook.

The guard blocks my view as he comes to a stop right in front of me.

“Boy.”

I hear Seir stand sharply at the Guard's call, banging his head on the lantern in the process.

“Ouch,” he says, massaging the sore spot and straightening his glasses. “Do you have a patient for me?”

The guard shifts and I step out from behind him.

His eyes widen. “Oh. It’s you.”

“It’s me,” I say smiling.

The guard's eyes dart between the two of us curiously, then he promptly decides that he doesn't care, leaving us to it. I slip into the chair opposite the one Seir was at.

“You look a lot better than the last time I saw you,” he comments.

“The last time you saw me was after I just battled a Mountain,” I commented. “So I truly hope I look better.”

“Of course,” Seir grins. “Well then, what can I do for you?”

"I was attacked yesterday and sustained a bruise to my side and my temple. It looked fine at first, but then it started hurting a lot today.”

“Might be a head injury." Seir walks around his desk. "Those are dangerous. I need to examine your eyes."

“Of course," I say and shift naturally in a way that causes the book to come tumbling out of my pouch. It lands on the floor with a loud thud.

“Sorry," I say.

"No worries." He bends to pick it up at the same time as I do but stops when he sees what's written on the cover.

"Klaus' Book of Alchemy," he remarks, his eyes bright, as he lifts the book from the ground. "You’re interested in alchemy?”

I nod. "Something like that."

He smiles wider than I've ever seen him smile before. “So am I. I haven’t met anyone else in the North who even knows what it is much less is interested in it.” He dusts off the cover and opens the book, turning each page gently as though it's a sacred thing. “And those who have heard of it, believe they’re just ridiculous stories brought on by the excessive drinking habits of our past scholars.” He suddenly pauses, eyeing me in consideration.“Wait are you–”

“I’m certainly a believer," I assure him. “A friend of mine used to study Alchemy fervently, and the things he told me were incredible. Like with the formation of the Indelible Sword. He also believed in the First Child Theory."

“You do know a lot about alchemy." He sounds impressed. “And this one is an ancient book. I haven't even read it yet. Where did you get this?"

“At the library,” I respond. “Although I probably shouldn’t have. I’m interested in Alchemy but this is written in an ancient script and it’s going to take me a while to read everything.”

“I can read most ancient scripts. Fluently. If you want I can teach you.”

“Really?”

"Yes." Excitement essentially oozes out of his veins. “How about if we can meet once at the end of every week? That’s the only time I can get out of here. We can meet somewhere in the library and I can read the scripts and explain it to you."

The thrill of success makes me want to jump for joy. So easy. “I’d love that. But I don’t want to interrupt your work."

“You won't. I'll only go for a few hours." He plants his hand on his waist, still watching me in awe. "I never thought I would find someone to discuss alchemy with in Accacia.”

“Well then I’ll be your alchemy friend,” I say and he grins back.

The curtain at the entrance suddenly swings open and we both start. Glancing back, my stomach immediately plummets.

Tyne is standing by the door, and may just have heard everything we said.