The rest of the day passed uneventfully after Linry's departure and Talien's assumption of control. Once the delegation and the Ikshari welcoming party had dispersed, the high maegi turned his attention to assigning the students under his care to their designated quarters.
'As a demonstration of inclusivity, both institutions have agreed that you will share lodgings with the academy's students.'
A murmur of discontent rippled through the Gorlean students, several voices rising in protest.
Talien remained calm, yet his measured tone alone was enough to quell the complaints. 'Are you questioning the college's decision?' He did not raise his voice, cast a spell, or make any overt threats – yet the authority in his gaze was absolute. 'You are here as representatives of Gorlea. As such, it is Gorlea's hierarchy that determines what you can, cannot, must, and must not do.'
Silence followed. No further objections.
'Good.' Talien continued, satisfied. 'Ikshar has a total of sixteen living towers. When I call your name, you will step forward, draw a lot, and reveal the number you receive. These assignments are final. You may not exchange or alter them. Understood?'
A collective nod of agreement followed.
Talien had already summoned the scroll acting as documents and began calling names. Each student approached in turn, reaching into a leather sack to draw a slip of paper. Upon revealing their number, they were directed to their assigned tower.
As the process continued, Riniock paid close attention, carefully noting each number drawn. When one of his peers pulled the number 15, Talien gestured towards a particular towe – the very one Linry had entered.
Riniock knew what he had to do. He had to draw that number – no matter what.
The list was dwindling, and Riniock felt the inevitable weight of his name being called. No matter how much he thought about it, no spell or trick he knew could guarantee him the outcome he wanted.
As his hopes faded and he resigned himself to fate, something caught his eye – Noidron, standing off to the side, his left eye glowing faintly with a soft green light.
It was subtle, but unmistakable. The lead staff member was using magick.
'Sir Noidron,' Riniock whispered, discreetly moving towards him.
Noidron remained focused on whatever he was observing.
'Riniock,' he acknowledged, not looking away. 'What brings you here?'
'Nothing much. I was just over there when I noticed your eye glowing. Is that a spell?'
At that, Noidron turned his head slightly, the glow vanishing. A flicker of surprise crossed his face – he hadn't expected anyone to notice.
'Y-You have a sharp sense for perceiving odh,' he remarked with a stutter, his expression shifting to something wary.
'So it was a spell?'
'W-Well, kind of,' Noidron admitted, lowering his voice. 'But please, keep that to yourself. I don't wish for others to know I can make use of it.'
Riniock saw his opening. 'Is it arcane sense?'
Noidron's eyes widened. 'How do you –' He cut himself off and quickly shrank back, glancing around to make sure no one else had heard. 'You shouldn't go around saying things like that.'
'I would never, sir,' Riniock assured him.
'Good. Now, go back to your group before the high maegi notices you lingering.'
But Riniock remained where he was, shifting his expression into one of exaggerated unease.
'Well, you see, sir,' he said slowly, 'I actually need your help.'
'My help?' Noidron repeated.
'Indeed. I need to be assigned to the fifteenth tower. And since convincing the high maegi is out of the question, I've come up with a better alternative.'
Noidron immediately understood what was happening.
Riniock hadn't approached him out of mere curiosity – he had a purpose, and Noidron had a strong suspicion of what it might be. Whilst he wasn't entirely sure of the details, he knew one thing: Riniock wanted him to use his ability.
He exhaled, already regretting his next words. 'What exactly do you need from me?'
Riniock's lips curled into a knowing smile.
'You probably can project your voice into people's minds,' he said smoothly. 'When it's my turn to draw a lot, I want you to use your arcane sense and telepathically guide me to number fifteen.'
Noidron's expression darkened with suspicion – and concern. If the high maegi caught wind of this, it would be his head on the chopping block.
Then again, if Riniock decided to let slip that he could wield arcane sense, it would cause him no small amount of trouble as well.
After a long pause, Noidron sighed in resignation. 'Fine. But you never breathe a word of this to anyone.'
Riniock blinked innocently and gave a firm nod.
Time passed, and at last, Talien called Riniock's name. Steeling himself, Riniock stepped forward, making his way to the High Maegi.
It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but he could sense it – the weight of Talien's gaze, the quiet uncalled disapproval behind those unreadable eyes.
He pushed the thought aside as he reached into the leather sack. At that precise moment, Noidron's arcane sense flared to life.
Move your hand slightly to the right – now towards you. Not the first slip your fingers brush against – the one just beneath it.
Riniock obeyed the whispered guidance without hesitation. A moment later, he pulled out his lot: Fifteen.
He wasted no time lingering for the high maegi's instructions. Moving with purpose, he strode towards the tower assigned to him.
As his fingers neared the handle, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind – cold, sharp, and unmistakably dangerous.
Don't think yourself clever, Mr. Tolgir. I've been made aware of your repeated insubordinations. If you so much as stir trouble within Master Fladd's tower, you will answer to me personally.
Riniock's breath hitched. His hand remained frozen over the door, his pulse hammering against his ribs.
In the reflection of the polished metal handle, he caught a glimpse of Talien, still facing the other students, betraying nothing of the quiet warning he had just delivered.
Swallowing hard, Riniock steadied himself, turned the handle, and stepped inside.
'Riniock!'
Linry stood waiting deeper inside, where no prying eyes or ears could reach.
Before he could say anything, she grabbed his hand and dragged him straight to her private quarters. As they neared the door, it swung open on its own.
The moment they crossed the threshold, Riniock felt a strange shift in the air.
'There's an array in this room, isn't there?' he asked.
'A soundproof one,' Linry confirmed without hesitation. 'I hate when people eavesdrop.'
She was more direct than usual.
Wasting no time, she settled onto a pair of luxuriously soft cushions, gesturing for Riniock to do the same. He sat across from her, taking in his surroundings. Her quarters were unlike anything he had seen before – unconventional, distinctly foreign.
Rugs hung from the walls instead of covering the floor. The furniture, if it could be called that, consisted entirely of cushions. No chairs, no tables. Anything of importance rested on the ground or atop ornately carved wooden boxes.
These were just a few of the peculiarities.
'It's been a while,' Riniock said at last, a smile tugging at his lips as he admired her.
'It has,' Linry replied, her own expression unreadable.
'I thought about you often during the journey,' he admitted. 'How have you been?'
Almost instinctively, her fingers brushed against her neck, where scorched fingerprints marred her skin.
'I'm fine,' she said, but her voice lacked conviction.
Riniock's gaze darkened. His expression remained soft, but his tone carried a sharp edge.
'Who did that to you?'
'Irgod,' she answered, her voice quieter now. 'When he found out you killed Arthian, he stormed into my cabin…and attacked me.'
Riniock clenched his fists. 'That scummy bastard. I'll kill him.'
Linry giggled, breaking the tension. Some of the ice in her demeanour melted as she absently rubbed the wound, lost in the memory of how Irgod had suffered his punishment on the upper deck of their ship.
As Linry's expression softened, Riniock let go of some of his tension and eased into his seat.
'What did you want to see me for?' he asked, settling more comfortably. 'Did something happen?'
'Sort of,' she admitted. 'I can't exactly explain it…it's better if I show you.'
Leaning forward, Linry reached for a locked box nearby. She conjured a key into her hand and unlocked it, revealing a stack of neatly arranged magickal manuals.
Riniock's eyes narrowed with curiosity. 'Are those spellbooks?'
'Some of them, yes,' Linry said, running a hand over the texts. 'But there are also techniques – techniques so valuable that the academy keeps them hidden from outsiders
Riniock leaned in, intrigued.
'I saw the way you and the others looked at us while we crossed the rock barrens,' she continued. 'You wondered how we had such an advantage…well, this is why.'