“The noble houses of Solwick are a fascinating bunch, and I’ve observed a few notable differences between them and typical nobility such as those found in the Empire. For starters, most of the nobles of Solwick don’t hire mercenaries; instead they train harder than most soldiers to ensure that they can handle any problem that comes their way. It’s a fascinating pseudo-martial culture, with familial bonds and proud legacies.” - Geddamp Volotharm, scholar and historian.

Tuesday Morning, First Week of Classes, the Arken Compound. Kira POV.

Even though it hasn’t even been a month since I was last here, the Arken compound feels more nostalgic than familiar. Still, it’s nice to be back among family, starting from when a few cousins on guard duty let me in. I revel in being able to stretch my thoughts out without worrying about accidentally whispering secrets into the minds of passersby. As I enjoy the catharsis of stretching my mind, I in turn pick up drifting thoughts and feelings from the whole family; it’s indescribable to someone whose mind is trapped in their head. A united web of thought, dozens of individual minds with their own perspectives and thoughts flowing through each other to the betterment of all. Searching for two minds in particular, I navigate through the warded stone corridors until I reach my destination: my parents preparing themselves a late breakfast. Wordlessly I join them, slicing up a loaf of bread. After all, why would we need words?

Kira! It’s wonderful to see you. How do you like Deepvein? Have you got a Triad yet?

My father’s thoughts are colored with excitement and curiosity, but I can feel the concern buried underneath. It’s a sharp contrast to my mother…

Shouldn’t you be in class right now? What’s so important that you would skip classes on the second day of school?

Her words are harsh and angry, but I can feel the undercurrent of concern.

It’s easier if I show you.

And I do: I show them my first encounter with Vreem, our ‘adventure’ through those tunnels, our conversation with Hoplix, and the last time I saw them. I even share what thoughts I gleaned from Vreem the last time we met! Weirdly, it’s that last thing that gets a reaction out of my mother.

You’re right. Whatever that thing is, it almost certainly isn’t your… ‘friend’. Few humans, and certainly none that young, know how to hide their thoughts like that on purpose. Some people simply think like that normally, but Vreem's movements are too controlled, too measured. It's called the scattermind technique, splitting your thoughts into as many separate paths as possible to make understanding your thoughts useless to a telepath.

Exactly. I came here today to ask the family for help; both to defend against what is almost certainly an ambush and to find the true Vreem. He may be problematic, but he is a member of my Triad; and I can’t allow him to go missing forever.

That’s when my father, chewing contemplatively on his bread, chimes in.

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To me, this reads like a standard false hostage situation. A shapeshifter imitates someone close to the target and lures them to an isolated location, where a larger force is waiting. Gretgar Avenue is in neutral territory, so if the family mobilises a fighting force there we could face serious consequences. Don’t worry though! We’ll give you a thoughtpulse projector so you can contact us in an emergency- no amount of consequences will stop us from being there if you need us! Especially with that lunatic Jindosh having broken out of the Lockdown again.... That said, let’s see if we can make sure you don’t need help. I’ll start organising subtle searches of the city, check with Arick to see if any of his people have gone rogue… in the meantime, how about you go with your mother to the armoury? Proper enchanted gear can’t do anything but help. Besides, there’s always a chance Vreem shows up to class…

Tuesday Morning, First Week of Classes, Lecture Amphitheatre. Mark POV.

Vreem hasn’t shown up to class. The amphitheatre is full, and the professor is surely talking about some fascinating things, but I don’t hear any of it. I’m utilising one of my many curses to the fullest: a perfect memory. I’m looping everything I saw of the fake Vreem, analysing every microexpression, every twitch, everything I possibly can. I’m not even sure what I’m looking for, or if I’m really looking for anything at all. What I am sure of, is that it’s getting very hard to ignore the elf tapping on my shoulder. They sidled up to me about a minute ago, and have been trying to get my attention ever since; dammit, can’t people just let me focus?! Whirling around, I utter angrily.

“What do you want? I’m trying to focus.”

Instead of being put off by my sour tone, the elf seems to be beaming with enthusiasm. Fortunately, he keeps his voice down enough to avoid attracting the ire of the professor, who is still giving a lecture.

“Hi! You’re Mark, right? Kaelan told me about you. I’m Olkyr! I’m in Kaelan’s Triad, and he was worried that Kira didn’t show up to class! He didn’t want to bother you though, so I’m handling it for him! Is everything alright? Can we help?”

I… hadn’t considered that. Could I recruit Kaelan and his Triad to help us? Kira’s going to try and get help from her family, but more reinforcements can’t be a bad thing.

“Actually… you can. Could you go gather the rest of your Triad? Tell them to meet outside 13 Gretgar Avenue- but don’t go inside. Let them know that the situation involves shapeshifters, and is potentially very dangerous. Me and Kira will meet you there after lunch- right before electives normally start. Understood?”

The moment I mention shapeshifters, the Olkyr’s face drops from naive cheerfulness to a smouldering stare- literally, their eyes burn like embers.

“Understood. I understand how messy things can get with shapeshifters. When we next meet, assume we’re imposters until we mention bread and cheese. We’ll assume you're imposters until you mention books. Clear?”

“Clear. See you in a few hours- and let’s cross our fingers that this is all unnecessary.”

Tuesday Morning, First Week of Classes, Headmistress’s Office. Hoplix POV.

As I re-read the note for the fifteenth time, I ponder the conundrum that has been presented to me.

To Hoplix, from Vreem.

Things to do in the city. I’ll be back within a week.

May you bring ruin upon yourself and your legacy.

Three short sentences, a letter delivered to me by an administrative thrall, and a Vreem who I’ve somehow lost despite the plethora of scrying anchors and seeking spells I placed on them during our last conversation. Fortunately, the scrying spells on Kira and Mark are still very much intact; and I can’t wait to see how this plays out.