Embers in the Dust

The sun had just started to rise, and Leaf was already awake. Sitting at a table in Lyrical Lute, he looked over some of the books he would be looking through today. As he ate his breakfast, one by one, his friends came down the stairs and into the small bar and dining room to let Mr. Evensense know what they’d like to eat.

“I want an omelet, but like, with everything you can imagine in it,” Lyla said in her groggy state.

“Everything?” Mr. Evensense asked.

“Yeah, Sarnorin. Like, five eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, spinach…”

Leaf smiled, listening to her order.

And she wondered why I called her meatshield.

Across from him, Myla and Mr. Muffins sat down. She had grabbed a small variety of fruit and stabbed at it slowly with a fork. Mr. Muffins only had his hot liquid in a mug, which he sipped at.

“What are you all doing today?” Rhokhishi asked once she had ordered and sat beside Lyla at the bar.

“Classes,” Leaf answered as he held up his book.

“I think I’d like to stop by VerdantKnoll for a bit,” Myla stated. “I’d like to see if any other oddities are happening around Midgard that might be connected to Zidingris.”

“I reckon I’ll be stopping by the academy too. I think the libraries might have some interesting finds,” Mr. Muffins added between sips of his drink.

“What are you two doing?” Myla asked Rhokhishi.

“We were talking last night about it. The Runesmith is here. I’d like to see Sky and see if I need any extra caring for the pet he gave us.”

Leaf looked over to the wall, where the clock ticked by softly.

“I’ve got to go.”

“Just a second, and I’ll join ya.”

Mr. Muffins stood and put his jacket on. As Leaf placed his books in his bag, Mr. Muffins gulped the rest of his drink, sighed, and gave the rest of them a lazy wave. Placing several silver coins on the table, Leaf turned and left the inn.

Not seeing Ana in the morning and having someone else make breakfast was weird. He wasn’t sure where she was but hoped that whatever happened, that she was okay. He pulled the bag up over his neck and placed it on his shoulder, then fastened his cloak closed as the icy wind blew through the street. It was cold, like Aramore, but magical fire sat at almost every corner, giving people a slight reprieve from the chill. Laborers had already come in the morning and melted the snow that had fallen at night.

Through the arcane dome, the heat hit quickly. Leaf could already feel the sweat clinging to his clothes within a minute. Stopping for a second, he placed his cloak in his bag. While optimistic that he was still warm, Mr. Muffins didn’t take his coat off. Not sure if it was a lack of care or being accustomed to the weather, Leaf thought it better not to ask. Passing the dormitories, he gave a nod to Mr. Muffins and turned down a separate path.

There, he noticed a strange feeling at the back of his neck. He saw that people were staring at him. Looking around, he detected that the students were all wearing similar attire: gray robes and black bags. While his bag was the same, his clothes were nothing close to a uniform. His cloak had been plain, but the robes beneath were special, having recently acquired it from the dragon’s hoard. It was black, fading to blue toward the ends, with small white and silver stars. Along the lapels, three bright red, star-like motes shone.

Very conspicuous, Leaf.

Adding to his embarrassment, he was stopped at the door as he made his way into the study hall. A tall loxodon, a bipedal, humanoid elephant, stood in the way, wearing a gray cloth to match her skin. Her tusks were shaven down, with small, rounded, golden caps at the end from where jewels fell from a chain.

“Mistress Breyum,” Leaf said while giving a slight bow.

“Ah, Leaf! It is such a joy to have you back here at the academy. Before you go in for today’s studies, I do have someone for you to meet.”

Sitting on a bench near the door, one of the drakewardens sat with their emerald drake. The drake didn’t look very old, just old enough to have had its wings functional but not old enough to carry a human. The warden was a little older than Leaf, with a half-plate armor and simple leathers. They stood and walked over. As they came closer, Leaf could see that they were taller than he but not as tall as most of his companions, and her left arm sat comfortably on a greatsword that was sheathed at their hip.

“Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Same to you.”

“This is Sam. They’re one of the drakewardens here in Berkton. Cerrin has commanded that you be guarded for the next few weeks as you finish your training,” Breyum explained.

“A guard?”

“There have been quite a few break-ins and issues in the city, and with you being, well… you know, the Archmage and all… they wanted someone to keep an eye on you.”

“Well, today is just class here with Breyum, so prepare for a long day of physics terminology and concepts.”