If there was one good thing about living in the Mage’s Temple it was the access to free magery-based healthcare. Out in the rest of the world, a broken rib and a fractured leg bone would have meant months of healing, unless of course you were rich and could afford the time of a mage yourself. Alexei was none of those things. But thanks to the healers of the Temple he felt as good as new within minutes. He did, however, feel incredibly hungry. Magery healing worked on the principle of accelerating natural healing so that a body would go through all the processes of normal healing in rapid time. It couldn’t regrow limbs or bring people back from the dead, but broken bones were childsplay. The only reason they hadn’t used it to wake Alexei up from his coma was that they had no idea if he ever would wake up from it, and using magery-induced healing could have done much more bad than good. “So, what’s the plan now for Alexei and Neave,” Risa said as Alexei sat up from his bed in th

In the past, Alexei had never been much of a morning person. But he had found that ever since becoming part of the Mage Temple mornings were one of his favourite parts of the day. There was something special about heading up to the loft space of the temple, sitting under the steadily brightening sky, and watching the sun rise over the observatory. Afterwards, he would head back to his quarters and wake Neave up with what had become her favourite breakfast food, pancakes and sausage meat. They would eat together in their room, and then part ways. They were both being instructed in the ways of magery, but seeing as Alexei already had a starting knowledge in the craft of weaving spells and enchantments they were placed into different groups. On the first day, it had been difficult for Alexei to convince Neave that it was fine for them to be split up throughout the day, and that she didn’t need to be watching over him every waking moment. It was clear that having him be unconscious

“Not seen either of you ‘round these parts before,” The barkeep said as Risa and Alexei drew close to the bar. His voice was as gruff and weathered as he looked. The man was tall with thick shoulders, but looking at his face Alexei could tell that he was older than his built frame might otherwise suggest. His face was heavily wrinkled and his head was bald. “We’re from the Mage Temple in Alandria,” Risa said, “Just passing through and hoping to take a couple of rooms for a night or two.” “Mage Temple in Alandria, eh” The man said, “Don’t get too many of your types through here at all, for the dungeon out down south I take it.” “That’s right, we’re looking for some herbs and ingredients that can only be found there,” Risa affirmed, “Or so our records say, at least.” “Well, can’t say there’s much love for the mages out here, but I ain’t got no quarrel with either of you,” The barkeep said, “It’ll be two pieces a night per room, third night goes for one piece if you pay upfront.”

Stepping back out into the blinding heat wasn’t exactly something that Alexei enjoyed doing, but if it meant he got to meet and hang out with some dragonhorses? That was something else altogether. The Academy had its own fleet of dragonhorses, of course, but only a rare few Initiates ever got to interact with them. Those that truly excelled in combat would be called forward to train in the ways of dragonhorse riding, being able to ride through the legions of the Shades atop the back of a mighty beast did a lot for the morale of those around the rider. It was only those Initiates, and the Dragonhorse trainers, that were allowed to get close to the beasts. It wasn’t because the animals were dangerous at all, it was just another way for the Academy to limit the experiences of their Initiates so that they minded less when they were sent out on the front lines to die for their kingdom. Being able to go face to face with one of the creatures had always been one of Alexei’s dreams, and

Travelling across the dungeon was actually easier than Alexei had expected. The Dragonhorse cleared the sand dunes with no issue, the wide pads of its toes giving each foot more than enough surface area to stop it from sinking through the sand. The skis of the caravan worked on the same principle, which allowed their vehicle to easily glide across the surface of the desert. They needed to stop a couple of times to rehydrate the dragonhorse and give it some food, which it was always appreciative of, but within an hour they had made it to the entrance of the dungeon. It had been clear that they were drawing close to the dungeon long before they actually made it to the doorway that served as the entrance to the place. A chasm had opened up in the desert before them, leading down out of the harsh sunlight and into a shade-covered crevice. As they wove deeper and deeper the chasm got wider, and the sand on the grand grew thinner until it revealed a blue and red coloured brick path.