When they returned to Darkfire's mansion, Arran finally got a look at how vast the place was. With over two dozen bedrooms, a library, several studies, and not one but two great dining halls, the mansion was clearly designed for to house dozens of people. And yet, Darkfire lived there by himself, without even servants to look after it. Moreover, from the state of the place, it was clear that Darkfire wasn't much of a decorator. If the mansion hadn't been clean and mostly free of dust, Arran could easily have believed it to be abandoned. "You can take any room you want," Darkfire said. "Other than my bedroom, I don't really use the place much." "Then why get something so big?" Arran asked. "The field outside is great for training," Darkfire replied with a grin. Arran picked out a large bedroom on the second floor, with a good view of the city and a massive bed

The group of Shadowblood novices looked at the woman with some hesitation. Even if she was dressed simply, her calm confidence even when faced with mages suggested that she wasn't just a random person. "Who are you?" one of them finally asked, a young woman with large eyes and a pouting face. "Who are you to ask?" the woman replied. "I'm a member of the Shadowflame So—" the novice began. "You're a novice," the woman interrupted her. "A novice who mistakenly believes he has enough status to impress others. " The young novice looked at her angrily, but still, she held her tongue, wary of the woman's identity and status. "Well?" the woman said, with a cold look at the group of novices. "Well what?" the novice said, some uncertainty in her voice. "Why are your insipid little faces still staring at me?" The woman's v

After Arran and Darkfire left the Governor's office, a servant escorted them to the guest quarters, which turned out to be an otherwise empty building with a handful of bedrooms, a dining room, a sitting room, and several bathrooms. Once they arrived, several other servants brought them food and drinks, then departed, leaving the two of them alone in the dining room. For some time, Arran and Darkfire sat in silence, eating their meals while drinking the Governor's fine wines. Finally, Darkfire spoke. "You can use magic," he said, a complicated expression on his face. "I can," Arran replied. "You didn't tell me." Even if Darkfire didn't sound angry, Arran could hear some disappointment in his voice, and he knew Darkfire's trust had been hurt by Arran's failure to tell him earlier. "I would have told you," Arran said, "

"You did what?!" Darkfire's stared at Arran in disbelief. "I took ten of the pills," Arran said again. "At the same time." They sat on the top of a hill about a mile from the estate, taking a short break from training. Ever since Darkfire had opened his Realms two weeks earlier, he had trained relentlessly, with Arran helping as best he could. "What the hell made you think that was a good idea?!" Darkfire looked like he had just seen a goat sprout wings and fly up into the sky. "It was either that, or get killed by an Archmage," Arran said, shrugging. "At least the pills gave me a chance." "And you survived." "Clearly." His shocked expression finally easing, Darkfire burst into laughter. "That Archmage must've had quite the look on his face, being defeated by a novice." "Initiate," Arran corrected him. "I only learned

Arran and Darkfire left the estate not long after Elder Batu. While they had months of travel ahead of them, there wasn't much they could do to prepare — Arran already carried multiple void bags filled with food and supplies, while Darkfire had only his sword, an armored coat, and some clothes. Now that Darkfire had opened his Realms he was able to use void bags, but since he had none of his own, Arran gave him the one that had belonged to Stormleaf. He filled it with food and other supplies, adding some of the remaining treasures from the Herald's stronghold as well. Darkfire accepted the gifts reluctantly. Although he seemed excited at having a void bag of his own, Arran could tell he felt uncomfortable at the help he was receiving. "My debt to you grows larger every day," Darkfire said. "At this rate, I won't ever be able to repay it." "There are no debts between friends," Arran replied. "Be