"Oh, I didn't give you that news, did I?" Rudious said. His voice had gone cold.
Jorald looked at him. "What news?"
"The sixth Academy. Thormanyam." He looked at the table. "The same place where Solaris led his attack. Where the Cultists were experimenting on children."
"But the Cultists were finished after the war," Jorald said. "And this sixth Academy — it was built ten years ago..." He paused. Then, almost to himself — "So they were already building their own plan. This was all their scheme from the beginning."
He went quiet. An Academy. A place meant for children. And they used it for that. He had seen what they did to Veil — the broken bones, the shattered veins, the seal that was meant to kill him slowly. And somewhere out there, there were more children like him.
"Possibly," Rudious said. "They were spreading their doctrine from inside the Academy walls. A new group — nothing confirmed about them yet."
Jorald raised an eyebrow. "If nothing is confirmed — how do you know they were Cultists?"
Rudious looked at him for a moment. Then spoke.
"Because of what they did. They worshipped something — a god or a demon, it isn't clear. They were trapping common people. Sacrificing children. Wiping out families who refused to follow them." A pause. "They caused enough destruction in the Western Barony that Solaris went himself. With the Dragon Knights."
"Ohhh." Jorald was quiet. Then — "But how do you know all this? Robert?"
"Yes. He brought me this news a few weeks ago."
"I see." Jorald settled back in his chair.
"As for Drake being identified —" Rudious said, a slight smile crossing his face, "we have already changed our names. Our identities. He will handle the rest himself." He looked at Jorald. "After all — whose son is he?"
"Yes," Jorald said. "That's true."
Rudious stood. "Come, Jorald. The night has grown late."
"Yes, My Lord. Thank you." Jorald said quietly.
"Yeah, yeah." Rudious waved a hand as he walked out.
---
The next morning, Rudious called a meeting.
Jorald, Jack, Arthur, Leo, Hans, Master Aldous, and John — all present.
"Hans."
"Yes, My Lord." Hans stepped forward.
"The first council of the year is approaching. Send notice to all members. If anyone needs to adjust the timing, it can be arranged."
"Understood, My Lord." Hans bowed and left.
Rudious turned. "Master Aldous — forgive me for calling you on such short notice."
*Cough. Cough.*
Master Aldous waved a hand. "It's fine. Leave it — tell us why we're here."
"Yes," everyone agreed.
"Alright." Rudious's voice turned serious. "I need to send Drake to the Academy."
*"Hmm hmm,"* everyone said together.
"And that will be in the last month of summer — before autumn."
*"Hmm hmm,"* they repeated.
Master Aldous stroked his beard. Said nothing.
"But he has one condition. He wants Veil's birthday celebrated first — he wants to see it before he leaves." A pause. "So when is Veil's birth date? We will celebrate it on that day."
"What?!" Everyone stared.
"I mean —" Rudious corrected himself, "when should we celebrate it?"
Silence.
Then Master Aldous clicked his tongue.
*"Tch. You are completely useless."* He stroked his beard slowly, thinking out loud. "Drake is leaving... hmm. So before that... hmm. Veil arrived in the last month of the rains... and if we count forward... hmm. Yes — second month of summer. We celebrate it then."
"Done," Rudious said. "It is the last month of spring now. Start preparations — for the birthday and for Drake's departure."
"Meeting dismissed."
Everyone left.
Jorald lingered. He held out a parchment.
"My Lord — the list. Talented mages and knights who can go with Young Master Drake."
"Good." Rudious set it on the desk. "Prepare for their departure too."
He leaned back. "And while you're at it — I need a full report. Capital branch first. How are the numbers this quarter?"
"Steady, My Lord. The silk trade has picked up since we expanded the Capital storefront. The luxury fabric line is moving faster than we projected."
"And the northern deal?"
"The grain and winter clothing shipments went through without delay. Sir Rodrick's people were satisfied — they've already sent word that they want to continue the arrangement into next year."
Rudious nodded slowly. "Good. And the other branches — the county and Dukedom locations?"
"The Dukedom branch is performing well. The county branches are slower — the road construction helped, but foot traffic is still building." Jorald paused. "The eastern branch needs attention. The manager there has been sending inconsistent reports."
"Look into that."
"Yes, My Lord."
"And the Pellamio branch?" Rudious asked. "We only just took it over. What's the current status?"
Jorald's expression shifted slightly. "Still being assessed, My Lord. Pellamio ran it poorly — debts, unpaid suppliers, staff that hasn't been paid in months. It will take time to clean up."
"How much time?"
"Two months. Maybe three."
Rudious was quiet for a moment. "Fine. But I want weekly reports on that one specifically. I didn't take it to let it sit."
"Understood, My Lord."
"And the iron mine output this season — get me figures from the Finance Minister. Full breakdown."
"Yes, My Lord." Jorald rolled the parchment back up. "I'll have everything on your desk by evening."
"Good." Rudious picked up his pen. "Go."
"Yes, My Lord." Jorald left.
---
When Veil's birthday arrived — Drake was more excited than Veil himself.
He dressed Veil that morning — fixing his collar twice, redoing his hair until Veil swatted his hand away. Then handed him the first gift before anyone else could.
Rudious gave Veil what he had been asking for since Drake's birthday. Veil held it for a moment. Then looked up at Rudious.
That was enough.
The viscountcy celebrated. People danced, sang, and feasted at the manor.
At some point during the evening, Veil found a quiet corner and sat down with his gift in his lap — just holding it, not opening it. Drake spotted him and came to sit beside him.
"You're not going to open it?"
Veil looked at him. "Later."
Drake looked at the gift. Then at Veil. Then shrugged and sat with him anyway.
Later that evening, the two of them slipped away from the crowd and sat on the steps outside. The town lights flickered below — small and warm against the dark. Somewhere down there, people were still celebrating. Up here, it was just the two of them and the sound of the wind.
Neither of them said much.
That was enough for one day.
---
A few days later — just before the last month of summer.
Rudious sent Drake and the other children for the enrollment exam. Leo, Clad, Jack, and Sir Arthur went with them.
---
Some days passed.
Rudious was working when a knock came.
*Knock. Knock.*
"My Lord — it's Hans."
"Come in."
Hans entered — slightly out of breath. He held out a letter.
"My..." A long breath. "My Lord."
Rudious looked at him. "Easy, Hans. Or you'll end up upstairs sooner than planned."
Hans steadied himself.
"My Lord — this letter has arrived."
Rudious took it. Looked at the seal.
---
**[Chapter 36 — End]**