It was a few weeks before Velaya and Rose got a chance to speak with Ingrid thanks in large part to their week spent in the archives. They’d all been so busy playing catch-up with their homework, and with their lessons getting more demanding each day, they hadn’t had a moment to talk with her about anything else. Poor Ingrid was so overwhelmed she had to be taken to the infirmary at one point and received a potion to help her sleep.

Velaya had only met with the Archmagus once during this span. The Headmistress had other more urgent matters to tend to so she cancelled all but one lesson which was brief yet again - another magical alignment test, which continued to show promising results.

The Dark magic had already caught up to her Physical magic and the two weren’t far behind her Light now. Her Elemental magic remained at the same speed and orbit as the first time, whirling around quickly above the others. Archmagus Ena had said she was pleased with her efforts and that in another week or two they would be balanced with one another.

Before dismissing her, Velaya had mentioned the heavy school load and the toll it was taking on her classmates. Without dedicated Mage lessons, as what used to be the standard prior to their year, she voiced that they were being forced to spend far more hours sequestered in their dormitory pouring over their assignments than the other classes were. The Sorcerers, Paladins, Druids and Shamans each got an extra afternoon free during the week and actually got to enjoy their weekends off.

“Is this the opinion of all your classmates?” Archmagus Ena had asked her, leaning back in her chair, to study Velaya closely with those mysterious periwinkle eyes.

“Yes madam,” Velaya had responded, nodding solemnly.

“Did they put you up to speaking with me on this?” Archmagu’s Ena’s eyes were shrewd.

“No. It was just something I’ve observed,” Velaya said, then added quickly, “We all understood that coming to Manatide Tower was going to challenge us and you won't see any of us shying away from that. I just worry for their well-being. We’re lucky to get more than four hours of sleep, and we haven’t eaten a proper meal in the Great Hall in weeks. I’m concerned that our mana pools are not getting enough time to recover properly.”

To Velaya’s surprise, the Headmistress smiled briefly. “I will consult with the Magi and see what arrangements can be made.”

“Thank you,” Velaya exhaled in relief, her posture relaxed. “I’m sure I speak for all my classmates when I say that any concessions would be appreciated.”

“Indeed,” Archmagus Ena said quietly before she dismissed her.

Since her conversation, the Mages had been granted an additional morning off, no longer required to attend the Mana and Magic of Aesor lessons. Which suited them just fine, as Velaya had already worked with each of them to ensure they knew everything the class would eventually teach them anyway. They’d also been assigned a slightly reduced amount of homework. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by Zyler Vance or a few from the other classes, although no other incidents had come up as a result of it yet. They had all avoided being in the same room together, aside from their lessons with Magus Tessa, and thankfully that didn’t require them to partner up anymore. Although Marika Dipit still remained friendly with Velaya and the Mages.

“Done!” Ingrid declared triumphantly, rolling up a scroll she’d been working on for a Divination assignment. She was sitting with Velaya, Rose, Otto, Lilian, Emilie and Zin huddling around the table in the Mage dormitory. “I can’t believe it. I’m all caught up! Thank Aesor!”

“Anyone else feel like they’ve gone easy on us this week?” Otto asked the group.

“I was wondering that as well,” Lilian said.

Emilie laughed. “You won't hear me complaining about it.”

“I for one am glad we don’t have Mana and Magic of Aesor lessons anymore. Velaya should’ve just been our Magus all along,” Zin said, playfully nudging Velaya’s shoulder. She smiled at them but said nothing.

She hadn’t told anyone of her conversation with Archmagus Ena and was pleasantly surprised that the Headmistress had followed through.

The door opened and the remaining Mages, Jessica, Victor and Devon strolled in, along with a blast of cool fall air.

“Your letters have been sent,” Jessica declared. Her and the twins had finished their work earlier and went to drop off the mail for each of them.

“Thank you,” Velaya said, as she pushed herself up from the table. “I need to stretch my legs. Do I need an overcoat?”

“Nah, you’ll be fine,” Devon said, taking her seat.

“Some fresh air sounds nice. You don’t mind if I join you?” Ingrid asked.

“Of course not,” Velaya smiled at her. “Anyone else?”

Rose was already standing. “I’ll come.”

“Count me out,” Otto said, pulling out a pouch from his pocket and emptying a bunch of oddly shaped purple dice on the table. “Now that we’ve caught up, I’ve got to make my money back.”

“Have you ever won a bet?” Emilie teased him, picking up a few of them.

“He’s a farmer, not a noble,” Zin winked at Otto.

“Let’s see you put your money where your mouth is, elf,” Otto shot back.

“That’s half-elf to you, human,” Zin laughed.

“This I have to see. Count me out ladies. Enjoy your walk,” Lilian said.

In the end, it was just Velaya, Rose and Ingrid who left the dormitories and walked down to the coast and up the shore under the twinkling lights of the stars.

“How are you feeling with all of this, Ingrid?” Velaya asked.

Ingrid smiled, tucking long strands of her brown hair back behind her ear, allowing the cool breeze to fully caress over her scared face. “Much better. After those first few weeks I really wasn’t sure if I belonged here. If it weren’t for all of you, I probably would’ve left.”

She had shown some dramatic signs of improvement. She was able to draw in all four schools of magic with ease and was getting better and better and controlling expelling each of them. She’d also surpassed Velaya in their Theology classes.

“We would have never allowed that,” Rose remarked.

“In fairness I’m not sure where I would’ve gone anyway,” Ingrid said softly.

From what Velaya knew, Igrind had lived her whole life in the secluded village of Jade Hill and had only left shortly after it was destroyed when she was recruited to Manatide, just before the school year started. She’d travelled alone to a port city on the Western coast of Bellaurose and from there set sail to Moongate. It wasn’t something she ever talked about, and no one ever pushed her.

“What about your parents? Would they not -” Rose was cut off when Velaya sent her a pointed stare.

Velaya didn’t know the specifics of Ingrid’s personal life, but based on what she knew of the village in her Kingdom, there were very few survivors. Anytime Ingrid did mention her parents during their Theology classes, it was always in the past tense.

Ingrid had stopped walking and lifted her face to the night sky, closing her eyes. Velaya and Rose stood quietly beside her unsure of what to say.

“My parents have passed over,” Ingrid eventually said. Her face scrunched as though her eyes were fighting to open.

“I’m sorry Ingrid, I didn’t know,” Rose said quietly, her face pained.

Ingrid just shook her head. “It’s ok. I don’t like talking about it. In part because… I can’t.” She took a deep breath. “At least not yet. I’m not ready.”

“That’s alright,” Velaya said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “If you ever want to, you know we’re here for you.”

Ingrid wiped a tear that had trickled its way down her scars, before opening her eyes. “I know. And I really should talk more about them. I do them a disservice not to.”

“It’s hard,” Rose’s voice was low and Ingrid nodded. Velaya looked over to her. “I lost a dear friend of mine not too long ago. She deserves to be honoured properly but I find it hard to trust myself to do her memory justice.”

Stolen novel; please report.

Velaya had been around death and seen the effects of loss first hand. Oftentimes her family went to visit families who had lost someone, but she’d been fortunate enough not to have lost anyone close to her. Her father’s parents had passed away when she was too young to remember them.

For a moment, a vision of Davis Leyro’s body laying in blood, speared by ice flashed through her mind. His family had all been killed and he had tried to take his grievances out on her. She swallowed, fighting back the vision.

“Who was she?” Ingrid asked Rose.

“Her name was Kilyn Daebalar. An old school friend. We were in the same grade and grew up together. She would’ve been a Mage here too, I’m certain of it. We often talked about all the things we could learn and what we’d do after. She would’ve been incredible.”

From the tone of her voice, Velaya knew it was more than just a school friend and found her heart breaking for Rose.

“When did you lose her?” Velaya managed to ask, despite the tightness in her throat.

“Two years ago,” Rose’s eyes had a far away look. “We were on our way home from the theatre and she’d wanted to go swimming in the river. I’d tried to caution that it was getting dark out but she insisted. It all happened in the blink of an eye. One minute she was there, the next she disappeared under the water.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “They found her body three miles down shore the next day.”

“Oh Rose,” Velaya said thickly, as her eyes welled.

“I’m so sorry,” Ingrid whispered.

“Me too,” Rose said looking down. “As you can imagine I shoulder a lot of guilt surrounding her death. It wasn’t until recently that I was comfortable going back in the water.” She looked back up at Ingrid, silver in her grey eyes. “She loved to swim. She’d never want me to give it up. So I wrestle with my guilt and do what I can to honour her. I don’t know that I will ever love the water as much as she did, but it reminds me of her so…”

Velaya and Ingrid both wrapped their arms around her, she was stiff at first, but a moment later relaxed and returned the hug.

“Thank you,” Rose said when they finally broke apart.

Velaya broke from the Archmagus’ regimented training and reached out for the Elements. She let loose a stream of water that hovered in the air above them, flowing together to form two words.

KAILYN DAEBALAR

Before slowly evaporating into the night beyond them.

“May Aesor bless her soul,” Ingrid said quietly.

“You two are assholes,” Rose sniffed and smiled warmly at them both, unable to keep her tears at bay. “Making me cry like this.” They all laughed quietly and continued their walk in silence for a while.

Again Velaya’s mind went to the man she had killed and the loss he must have endured. Endured at the hands of Corruption. Corruption that no one seemed any closer to solving. Corruption that was growing worse by the day.

She’d received a few letters from home. Her mother had wanted to ensure that she was alright and insisted that she return should anything foul occur again. Velaya had written back that she was well and to not worry about her - that their focus should be on the Kingdom and its troubles. The Queen’s response has been brief and while not specifically mentioning the Corruption, Velaya could discern that things were growing worse from the way her mother had mentioned that her returning letters may be delayed.

“Your parents were priests, correct?” Velaya asked Ingrid. Velaya noticed Rose watching her closely.

“That’s right.”

“Did they ever commune with Aesor?”

“The Goddess of Love and Creation?” Ingrid’s laugh was soft, affectionate. “Of course. They’d hardly make good priests if they didn't, I'd suspect.”

“Did she… Aesor, did she ever respond?” Velaya asked.

The priests of the world were interesting. More often than not they were spellcasters and their churches were always stationed atop ley lines. It was believed that those priests with exceptional magical talents may be able to tap into Aesor’s veins and communicate directly with the Goddess. That’s certainly what they all claimed and preached about in their sermons.

Velaya had always been sceptical of it - more out of fear than anything. She would send her prayers out like everyone else during service but the idea of receiving a response sent shivers down her spine. If she were to pray for Doriel’s safety, what would she think if the Goddess responded with indifference or refusal? The study of magic was rooted in the nature of the world but theology existed far beyond that - well outside of her comfort zone. She admired Ingrid’s bravery and passion for the topic.

“Yes, or so they claimed,” Ingrid said, and seemingly aware of what Velaya was thinking she added, “I do not know if they possessed mana pools. Our village was very remote with a tiny population. We had very little connection with anyone from outside of it. Our understanding of magic was limited to fairy tales. If anyone from home had the ability to use magic, none of us were ever aware of it. That was the case for me.” She tailed off, and grew quiet.

“Regardless of if they could draw on magic or not,” Rose said, trying to keep the dialog going before Ingrid withdrew, “how was it they claimed to commune with Her?”

“For them, I do not believe it was ever a conversation like this, but rather a reaction to the prayers they made to Her. During seasons of drought they would pray for rain and the next day it would. Or when someone within the village fell ill, we would pray for their health and soon after their illnesses would be cured.”

When Velaya wanted to open her mouth to question her, Ingrid stopped and looked up at her.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Ingrid said, her good hazel eye seemed bright from the stars reflecting in them. “Those are mere coincidences.” Rose chuckled. “And I would have been inclined to agree… had I not experienced it for myself.”

Velaya and Rose were still, a soft breeze blowing their cloaks, the only movement from them.

“What do you mean?” Rose’s voice was quiet, barely a whisper.

“I…,” Ingrid hesitated. She seemed fearful and turned her attention to Rose, searching for strength. Rose offered her a small, sad but reassuring smile and nodded. She inhaled deeply. “I heard Her. Only once and I have not again since. But there could be no doubt.”

Velaya had a thousand questions at the tip of her tongue, but caught Rose’s quick head shake and held them back.

Ingrid turned to look out to the sea, her good eye unfocused. It was quiet for a while. Only the lapping of the water against the shore and the crickets in the grass filled the heavy air around them. Eventually she spoke.

“My home fell victim to the Corruption. The beasts had been stationed in the surrounding mountains and one evening they grew tired of watching and waiting. We were unprepared.” She swallowed. “My parents and I hid within the church’s basement. But the walls were only made of wood and it didn’t take long for them to fall to the fire.”

Velaya felt her insides growing cold.

“We were trapped within.” Ingrid’s face was hard, determined. “We said our final prayers and said our goodbyes.” A tear fell from her hazel eye. “And that’s when I heard Her.”

Rose placed her hand within Ingrid’s, gently rubbing the back of her scars. “What did she say?”

“That she still had need of me. That I must find strength and uncover her secrets. That Manatide Tower would hold the truth.” She turned to face them again. “That’s when I felt it. My mana. I did not know what it meant at the time and fell unconscious. When I woke, the village and… and everyone was gone.” She wiped her face with her free hand. “Well, almost everyone. A lone figure stood on the ashes.”

“Archmagus Ena.” Velaya mouthed and Ingrid nodded.

Velaya was stunned. She had been wrong. She had believed that Ingrid’s mana had manifested after the traumatic events of her village’s attack and assumed that Ingrid herself had been the one responsible for the fire. A burst of Elemental magic of that nature would have gotten back to the Magi. But Ingrid wasn’t the source of the fire. Her magic had reacted to the ley lines and called out to Aesor. And Aesor had answered.

What made things even more concerning was that these beasts, turned by Corruption, were supposed to be mindless and bloodthirsty animals. But if they had been responsible for the fire… Velaya swallowed, trying to fight the dread and sadness that threatened to choke her.

“I’m sorry, Ingrid,” Rose sniffled. “Thank you for sharing with us. I know how hard it can be.”

Velaya nodded, and rubbed her hand down Ingrid’s back. “You’re incredibly brave.”

Ingrid closed her eyes and looked skyward, taking a few deep breaths, but then smiled. “Other than Ena, you’re the only ones who know. There is a certain relief to voicing it aloud.”

“You can be assured we will keep this to ourselves,” Rose said. “Anytime you wish to speak of it, we’ll always listen.” Velaya offered a soft smile in agreement.

“Thank you both,” Ingrid said, then looked at Velaya. “Why did you ask - about Aesor and communing with the Gods? I mean no offence, but Theology is really the only area of study you don’t seem to enjoy.”

Velaya let out an airy laugh. “None taken.” She glanced at Rose. “We just wanted to know how…” she struggled to find the words.

“Real they are?” Ingrid finished for her. Her face had taken on a lightness they hadn’t seen before.

“Something like that,” Rose said.

“From my experience? Very real.” Ingrid actually laughed then.

Hearing her capable of laughter after revealing what she had was comforting to Velaya, a warm blanket on a cool night.

“So if Aesor is real, then Saeligos must be omnipotent as well?” Rose said - ripping that blanket, leaving Velaya exposed again to the cool reality.

Ingrid nodded her head solemnly, “Yes. That is the belief. Although you won't see any churches built in his name.”

Velaya and Rose exchanged concerned looks.

“What is it?” Ingrid asked.

“Do you believe it’s truly possible that Saeligos is the one responsible for the Corruption?” Velaya questioned

Ingrid frowned. “You speak of what Magus Rufina said in our first lesson?” The others nodded. “Priests are often quick to blame Saeligos for any wrongdoing in our world. It would be easy to blame Him.”

“But what if it’s more than that?” Velaya pushed. “What if he truly is the root of it?

“I think,” Ingrid said slowly, “if that is true, then Manatide Tower would be the best place to discover that.” Her eyes suddenly grew wide. “Is this what She wanted me to confirm?”

“If we’re to stand any chance of defeating this Corruption, knowing what or rather, who is responsible for it will be of utmost importance,” Velaya explained and Rose nodded her head.

The colour drained from Ingrid’s cheeks. “Perhaps I should pray to Aesor that is not the case. The war of the Gods is not one meant for mortals.”

“Until it directly affects us,” Rose argued.

Ingrid voiced the question that had seeped into all of their minds, “But how do you stop a God?”