Chapter 36

The halls of the Mage’s Academy

Aren and Moren

Minutes after handing over their friends to be put in the academy dungeon, Moren and Aren were slowly walking through the halls of Horath. Both men were careful to observe and note any and all of the defenses that they might find, though they both assumed that most likely wouldn’t be obvious to the naked eye. The mage guiding them around was an older woman who wore the same blue and silver robes as everyone else in Horath. She prattled on about the history of the academy, about the great Kraeos who established it, and how they upheld his ideals. Aren had to stifle a laugh when she described what a “serious, caring and thoughtful man,” Kraevos was given what an eccentric person he knew the man to be. She talked about how the building came to be and how it was designed, which both Moren and Aren knew was only partial truth.

Every word that came out of the woman’s mouth spoke of the academy in the most glowing of terms. There were so many little bits about how the mage’s academy helped humanity fight back the chaos of magic, and how it furthered the intellectual pursuits for the good of everyone. Every word seemed overly rehearsed and both Moren and Aren felt like they’d heard the same speech the last time they had been at the academy. Regardless of the dull droning of the old woman, both men were on edge, knowing at the very least that they were being watched at every move. Every so often a room would slide up along the walkway just to move quickly after, giving them the briefest glimpse of what was really going on. Despite the mage’s best efforts, they were unable to hide these glimpses of the horrors going on in the rooms that would have better gone unseen.

After a while of lumbering through the hall, they reached what their guide referred to as the innermost sanctum of the academy. “This is truly a special sight to behold gentlemen,” she said, “This is one of the only two fixed points in the academy as per the design of Kraevos. No matter what the configuration, this room lies at the center of the building.” They opened the doors to the room and saw what seemed to be a courtyard that was at least twice the size of what should have fit in the space viewable from the outside. There were large gray stone arches covering the edges of the courtyard all working their way toward the center of the room. Partway through the arches began to fade and the brilliant oceansky from the outside came into view. Aren looked up at the ocean sky and felt at ease, Moren on the other hand felt more uneasy the deeper they went into the academy. The magical deception that allowed the view of the sky didn’t do anything to calm his nerves.

“You two may wait here for Headmaster Agrust,” The guide said. “He will be along shortly to meet with you and give you the rest of the tour of the academy. He would love to send all our regards to the new empress.” With that, the old woman turned and left Moren and Aren alone in the room.

“I don’t much trust this place,” Moren said to Aren. “This much magic concentrated so tightly only leads to bad things. Not to mention I can’t help but feel a little suspicious of a whole building just floating about above the ocean. I belong on the ground, not up in the air.”

“I don’t know,” Aren replied. “I kinda like the view here, lets you get a great look at the horizon.” He smiled at Moren trying to ease the tension in the room. “That said, yeah, I’ll take the seas and oceans over floating like this, my sea legs ain’t meant to be in the sky either.” Aren looked around, watching for any people or otherwise suspicious objects in the courtyard. “Though it’s the whole o the plan that makes me queasy. I don’t really like the idea of lettin’ the others go down into the dungeon like this. That crazy old man better knows what he’s doin’.”

Moren put his hand up to silence Aren, “Let’s not speak of that anymore. I Don't trust that we’re alone in here, whether we can see it or not.” Moren closed his eyes and sniffed the air, turning his head about to allow his senses to really drink in his surroundings. “I can’t pinpoint where, but something has been watching us this whole time. We’re on their home turf, the lay of the land is theirs and we must rely on our cunning.”

“How can you be sure of that?” Aren asked. “I can’t see a darned thing but us in this room.”

“I’m a hunter, I know when I’m the predator and when I’m the prey.” Moren tapped his nose, “Everyone thinks to mask themselves from sight, but the other senses are just as reliable if you know how to use them. Only a hunter thinks to mask their scent.”

Aren tried to sniff the air and made a face, “Well I’m gonna have to rely on you for that then. I don’t think I’ve smelled much aside from my own stink since I left Lazzure. I don’t miss much from that place, but I sure do miss the accommodations,” he said with a chuckle.

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As the two men chuckled and bonded, a man approached them quietly entering from the door they’d gone through. He was tall and slender, with razor-sharp features as though he was malnourished. His dark gray hair clung tightly to his head and his thin lips sat tightly pursed on his face. “Gentlemen,” he said to get Aren and Moren’s attention. “I expect that you have been enjoying this most splendid view?” Both Aren and Moren snapped around to look at Headmaster Agrust in surprise that he’d snuck up on them. “I do apologize for not being ready to see you the moment you arrived. If I’d had prior notice of your impending visit I would have arranged my schedule accordingly. As it is I had to cut an appointment short to meet with you without prolonging your wait. I am glad my fellow mages were able to access me and explain that this was for Empress Emeria. I must admit in my haste I did not get the reason as to your visit.”

Moren stood confidently and met the headmaster’s gaze as he replied, “We are here on the Empress’ orders. We apprehended several untrained magic users in the siege of Presidia and she wanted them delivered here.” Moren pointed to Aren, “My friend and I wanted to make sure one of the mages in particular is taken care of, the one called Greenbraid.” Moren watched as Agrust’s eyes lit up at the mention of Sani’s name. “Our empress believed this would be a perfect time for us to observe and get a better understanding of your protocols and expertise. After all, she has had scarce little time to try and make a trip here herself. She is however most interested in the intricacies and wonders within your halls, headmaster.” Moren was clearly trying to play to the headmaster’s ego, knowing that most academy mages were glory seekers with an inflated sense of self-worth.

“Well, I am most glad that the empress has taken such an interest in the academy. We do believe that under her rule, all of Surren can benefit, ourselves included. With greater backing from a unified empire, there is no telling what secrets we might uncover and what we might accomplish.” Agrust placed his hand in his sleeve and pulled out a piece of parchment that was already glowing with blue magic. “This is a map of the accessible areas of the academy. It updates itself every time there is a shift in the building, so it will help you two to navigate the particular passages within. It will take me a little time to make the preparations necessary to deal with Greenbraid.” He handed the map over to Moren, giving an all too practiced smile. “I will have my people prepare two rooms for you to stay in. The map will guide you to them, feel free to peruse the available spaces while you wait. Now if you don’t mind there are some matters I must quickly attend to so that I can turn my attention to Greenbraid.” Without waiting for a reply, Agrust turned and strode out of the courtyard, leaving Moren and Aren seemingly alone again.

Aren snatched the map from Moren’s hands and began to examine it. After a few moments, he scratched his head and sighed. “Well, this is a darn complicated thing. There are so many levels and moving pieces, it’s like I’m trying to figure out a puzzle but it keeps changin’. It’s not hard to believe at all that Kraevos made this place.”

“Moren leaned in, pretending to look at the map as he whispered to Aren, “That was the one who was following us, I have no doubt.” Aren looked at Moren skeptically. “Trust me, his scent is unmistakable, oils and inks mixed with magic like that. Agrust is definitely the one who was watching us.”

“Well, at least we already know he doesn’t trust us, better than us getting cocky and thinkin’ we pulled the wool over his eyes,” Aren replied.

“I suppose,” Moren said, still pretending to point at the map to keep up the ruse. “But it does complicate things. The question comes down to one thing. Is he watching us because he distrusts anyone he doesn’t control or is it that he knows why we’re here and what we’re doing?”

Aren stroked his beard and thought for a second, “I’m gonna figure it’s basic distrust. Far as I can figure, if he knew what we were doing, we’d already be in the dungeons with the others. I’m willin’ ta bet that he’s just this pleasant to all o his guests.” The two men waited until two rooms glowed and marked themselves on the map, meaning the rooms had been set aside for them. They then began walking down the halls, following the map as they attempted to view whatever rooms they could. They noticed though that far fewer rooms were on the move now and an even smaller number made the connection with the walkway they were on. Upon reaching the rooms, they entered and began to inspect them for any listening or viewing devices, again finding very little. Both men made sure to make an ample mess of the rooms, as though they were searching intently for something else. After all, Kraevos had told them to draw as much attention as possible to keep Agrust’s suspicions focused directly on them. Aren, finding himself comedic, made sure to burp and fart a few times, amusing himself that someone likely had to listen intently to him doing this.

After an hour or so of rummaging, resting, and making a general, albeit planned ruckus, there was a knock at each door. Both Moren and Aren answered only to find no one at the door. Instead, a magical window flickered to life and delivered a message. “Your presence is requested in Headmaster Agrust’s chamber,” As the speaking ceased the window flickered and disappeared.

The men stepped out their doors and Aren pulled the map from his pocket. They viewed it and saw where the headmaster’s chamber was. It was of course the room that was located at the very back of the academy, right above the dungeon from what they could tell. “Well, I know I don’t have your nose, but I don’t think I need it to sniff out a trap like this.”

Moren shrugged, “You’re probably right, but it’s not like we have much choice in the matter. This will be a good opportunity to see how much Agrust actually knows.” Moren grabbed the map from Aren and started to walk down the walkway, stopping to only smirk at his new friend. “Besides, if it turns into a fight I’ll get to show you just how much I was pulling my punches before.” With a laugh, the two men headed off to what they believed to be a trap.