-Derylini – October 7335-
The boat docked at the Derys pier at noon. The sun was high, the sky red and purple, and the smell of dried fish mixed with the smell of salt. Zirinos disembarked with his backpack on his back, the egg in his hand, and Zayan's letter in his pocket.
Luna stepped off behind him, her silver hair shining in the light.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"First, to the barony of Féris. I need to see Mira."
"And then?"
"Then, to the academy. I need to speak with Irina. And with Alice. And with Ethan."
"Many people."
"Many debts."
The road to the barony of Féris was short – an hour's walk, along a dirt road lined with blue pines. The castle of Ander Féris was modest, a tower of dark stone surrounded by a low wall, with a small garden where rare flowers grew.
"The baron is austere," commented Luna.
"He is loyal. It's different."
---
Ander Féris was in the courtyard training with a wooden sword when Zirinos entered. The baron, with his graying beard and tired eyes, stopped his movement and put away his weapon.
"Zirinos," he said, with a nod. "Mira asked about you every day."
"I know. I wrote to her whenever I could."
"The letters took weeks to arrive."
"Winter delays everything."
Ander looked at Luna.
"You're the daughter of the Marchioness of Lunos?"
"I am. Luna."
"Your mother speaks well of you."
"My mother exaggerates."
Ander almost smiled.
"Come in. The girl is in her room."
---
Mira was sitting on the bed, drawing on a piece of paper, when Zirinos entered.
"Zirinos!" she shouted, throwing the paper aside and running to him.
He knelt to receive her. His body ached, but he didn't mind.
"You're alive!" She threw her small arms around his neck. "I thought you had died!"
"Heroes don't die."
"Liar."
"Sometimes."
"You lie a lot."
"I know."
She laughed. Her laugh was light, like running water.
"I like you, Zirinos."
"I know."
Zirinos took a small wooden box inlaid with mother-of-pearl from his backpack. It was the size of Mira's hand.
"This is for you."
"What is it?"
"A music box. Magical. I bought it in Mercius."
Mira opened the box. A soft melody began to play – a lullaby Zirinos didn't know – and tiny blue lights danced in the air, forming flowers that opened and closed.
"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining.
"It's yours. Keep it. And don't show it to anyone."
"Why?"
"Because beautiful things attract ugly people."
Mira didn't understand, but she hid the box under her pillow.
---
Ander served wine in the dining hall. The table was small, made of dark wood, with two glasses and a clay jug.
"The girl is happy," said the baron. "Thanks to you."
"Thanks to her. Mira is easy to please."
"Children are like that. Adults are the ones who complicate things."
Zirinos drank the wine.
"We're going to travel the world, Luna and I. Until the Endomyar tournament, in Lunos."
"The tournament is in April. You have time."
"Irina gave me until January."
"Then less time." Ander scratched his beard. "You need to inform the director about what happened in Lunos. And in Ban. She needs to know."
"I'll speak with her."
"And don't forget: you can only stay away from the academy until January. If you don't return by then, your exams expire. And you'll be expelled."
"I won't be."
"I hope not."
Ander drank his wine in one gulp.
"Mira stays with me. I'll take care of her."
"I know."
"And you... take care of Linda's daughter."
"I will."
The handshake was dry, but firm.
---
Later, Mira fell asleep in Zirinos's lap, her head resting on his chest, her hand clutching his tunic.
Zirinos told her stories – of the Ban islands, the heat, the desert, the ships that flew with mana stones. She listened with half‑closed eyes, smiled, and fell asleep.
"I like you," she murmured, before closing her eyes.
"I know."
He laid her on the bed. Covered her with the blanket.
"I'll come back," he promised.
Mira was already asleep.
---
Luna was talking with Ander in the next room.
"Baron Refibus fled," she said. "Seru too. My mother is alone."
"Your mother is not alone. She has loyal barons."
"And the Krakeriar?"
"Dead. Zirinos killed it."
"And the conspirators?"
Ander poured himself more wine.
"When you return, I'll take care of the matter. Personally."
"Will you kill them?"
"I will. If necessary."
Luna paled.
"Baron Refibus is dangerous."
"So am I."
"My mother says you are one of the best warriors in Endomyar."
"Your mother exaggerates." Ander drank his wine. "But not by much."
Luna didn't insist.
---
Zirinos and Luna left the barony in the late afternoon.
The road to the academy was long – a few hours on foot, along a dirt road lined with blue pines and rare flowers. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky orange and purple.
"Ander is a good man," said Luna.
"He is."
"Do you trust him?"
"I do."
"More than me?"
"No. It's different."
She didn't ask why.
---
When they reached the academy, the gates were open. The guards, who already knew Zirinos, let them pass without questions.
"I'll go talk to the girls," said Luna. "Sara, Ariny, Ana. I miss them."
"Go. I'll talk to Ethan."
"We'll meet later?"
"We'll meet."
Luna walked off toward the girls' dormitories.
Zirinos went to the training yard.
---
Ethan was alone, training with a wooden sword against a dummy.
His strokes were slow, clumsy, but not as clumsy as on the first day. Repetition, stubbornness, lack of alternative – all contributed to a slow, almost invisible improvement.
"Ethan," Zirinos called.
The purple‑haired boy turned.
"Zirinos!" Surprise was written on his face. "I thought you were in Lunos."
"I was. And in Ban. And in Mercius."
"And now?"
"Now I'm here. I need to talk to you."
They sat on a stone bench.
---
"I learned a few things," Ethan said, after a few minutes. "About history. About magic."
"What magic?"
"Simple spells. Theory. Alice teaches me."
"You can't use them."
"No. But I learn anyway. So I know how to defend myself."
"You're smart."
"I'm stubborn. It's different."
Zirinos almost smiled.
"Listen," Ethan said, lowering his voice. "I think I managed to use magic."
"Use it how?"
"A candle. The flame flickered when I looked at it. There was no wind. The window was closed."
"And it was the first time?"
"The first. Then I tried again. I couldn't."
Zirinos fell silent.
"Don't tell anyone," he said finally.
"Why not?"
"Because you don't know what it is. It could be dangerous. It could be a trap."
"Do you think it is?"
"I don't know. But don't risk it."
Ethan nodded.
"And Ana?" Zirinos asked. "Is the repulsion still there?"
"Yes. She runs from me. She doesn't look. She doesn't speak."
"The chosen ones feel it. It's not about you. It's about what you are."
"I know. But it still hurts."
"The things that hurt are the ones that teach us."
"What do they teach?"
"That we can't control others. Only ourselves."
Ethan didn't answer. He just looked at the ground.
---
Zirinos told him about the fall into the elves' layer. About the eternal light. About King Thalior. About the trial.
"Alethea said I lied a lot," he added. "And she was right."
"You do lie."
"I do. But in the elves' layer, I couldn't. The light wouldn't let me."
"And you were expelled?"
"I was. Because the truth hurts more than the lie."
Ethan almost smiled.
"You're weird, Zirinos."
"I've been told that before."
---
Helena was in the room Irina had given her, reading a book about the history of Endomyar.
Her golden armor was disassembled on a chair, the pieces scattered on the floor. Her graying hair, loose, fell over her shoulders.
"Zirinos," she said, closing the book. "You're back."
"I'm back. I need to go to Aryster."
"Aryster? The kingdom across the sea?"
"The same."
"Why?"
"A man told me that if I go, I'll gain something very special."
"What man?"
"I don't know. He appeared at the camp. Said that and disappeared."
Helena frowned.
"Don't trust strangers."
"I don't trust anyone. It's different."
"What are you going to do in Aryster?"
"Find out. When I get there."
"Shall I take you?"
"You will."
Helena closed the book.
"Then I'll go with you."
---
Alice Marévil was in her office, organizing scrolls.
"Zirinos!" she exclaimed, smiling. "The hero is back."
"I'm not a hero yet, professor. Still an apprentice."
"Apprentices don't kill demon lords."
"This one learned fast."
Alice laughed.
"Sit down. I have two new spells for you. Simpler than the others. Fifty mana units each."
"What do they do?"
"Lightness. Reduces your body's weight. You jump higher. Move silently. Useful for sneaking."
"And the other?"
"Shadow. Creates a small area of darkness around you. You hide. Enemies can't see you."
"They seem useful."
"They are. And they're the only ones I've been able to teach to the advanced class students. The others... have no talent."
Zirinos thanked her.
"So far," Alice added, "only you and two other students can cast these spells. Use them carefully."
"I will."
He put the scrolls in his backpack.
---
Irina Graylor was in her office, standing by the window.
Her silver‑red hair, tied in a ponytail, shone in the afternoon light. Her hands, behind her back, were calm.
"Zirinos," she said without turning around. "What do you bring me?"
"A letter from King Zayan. And news from Lunos."
"King Zayan?"
"He wants to maintain the alliance. The grain agreement with Mercius continues."
"And Lunos?"
"The Krakeriar is dead. Marchioness Linda is well. The conspirators have fled."
Irina turned.
"Refibus?"
"Fled."
"Seru?"
"Also."
"And Ander?"
"He said that when Luna and I return, he'll take care of the matter."
"Ander is a loyal warrior. And strong."
"Stronger than me."
"Weaker than Irina."
"I know."
Silence settled.
"You have until January," Irina said finally. "To complete your missions. When you return, you'll have to take all the exams."
"If I fail?"
"You'll be expelled. Luna doesn't need to take exams. She's Linda's daughter. She has a guaranteed place."
"And me?"
"You are an apprentice knight with no master. Your place depends on merit."
"Then I won't fail."
"I hope not."
Zirinos bowed. Irina nodded.
The audience ended.
---
The library was empty.
The stone corridors, the tall shelves, the smell of old parchment. Zirinos chose three books: one on the history of Aryster, one on fire magic, one on elven legends. He put them in his backpack.
As he was leaving, he bumped into a woman.
She was thin, with dark hair, dressed in servant's clothes. Her eyes, green, flashed for a second – a gleam Zirinos recognized.
Ierály.
The leader of the Contraranures.
"Forgive me, sir," she said, in a voice that was not hers. "I didn't see you."
"It's nothing," Zirinos replied, moving away.
He did nothing. He said nothing. He just stored her face in his memory.
She is here. In the academy.
Why?
The answer didn't come. But Zirinos knew it wasn't a coincidence.
---
The boat to Aryster left at dawn.
Zirinos, Luna, and Helena said goodbye to Mira, to Ander, to Ethan, to the professors. The Derys pier was empty at that hour, the sea calm, the sky clear.
"Let's go," said Zirinos.
"Let's go," replied Luna.
Helena gripped her sword.
The boat pulled away from the shore.
Spring was approaching.
And Aryster waited.