“Trent!” Screamed the Headmaster of the First-Years, “TRENT!”
He was angry, the ritual was to be prepared and waiting for him first thing in the morning. His aged eyes noticed movement in the back room, and he stormed back releasing a bombardment of abuse on his underling. “Trent, I told you to have this set up before I even got...”

Rather than Trent, there stood 5 men at arms, one with gold detail and a white enamel... a knight in the King’s personal guard. “I have some questions for you, headmaster.”

“Me? This looks like official business to me. I’m a law abiding citizen, I don’t even cast spells outside of school grounds. I wouldn’t dare tread anywhere close to disturb the state or His Majesty’s will.”

“It concerns one of your pupils by the name of Trent the Cobbler’s Son of Chazwall.”

“I... I do not know anyone named Trent.” It was a moment of panic. The knight approached cool and calm and emotionless. He looked the headmaster square in the eye. Though a panel of spells were at his disposal, the Master Maji broke out in a cold sweat, his stomach acids boiling up into his esophagus. “I... I mean, he’s no apprentice of mine. He is a mere servant. We hold no conversations or anything. I tell him what I want, and he does it. If he messes up, I threaten to discharge him from my duties. That is all, I swear.”

The knight clapped his gauntlet upon the Headmaster’s shoulder. The older man winced in anticipation of a blow. He removed his hand. “So, allow me to make sure I understand. He is not a student of magic then?”

“No, most assuredly not. The boy is of no reputation and no discipline. He isn’t material to become even a low level Magi.” he quickly explained. The knight nodded in confirmation.

“And he is no soturi?”

“Sir, if he were a soturi, he is one of the least talented and least gifted, for he has great aspirations but often grumbles and complains about the misfortune life has given him. You would think that he would at least use his abilities to get a leg-up.”

“And ability aside from magic, would you say he is adept?”

“Hardly, he is adequate for simple duties. Even then he bungles things up now and again.”

“And his loyalty, would you say he has divergent political views?”

“He is a complainer, but he has never given me any indication of disloyalty. I would have reported him to the guard and expelled him if he did.”

“One more question, then. If he holds no skill or power... how was he able to enter the King’s throne room? Over the past hundred years, though there have been many attempts on his life, only 6 others have ever made it into His Majesty’s presence without permission. ALL were well conditioned and highly trained,” The Magi couldn’t help but release a flavored burp in panic. His greasy breakfast was not settling well with this day. “Let us hope your... servant is dead and replaced by someone assuming his identity. Because if not, we may have to reach the conclusion that you are... mistaken. And we DO have means of drawing those very fine details out of your head, though for now we will forgo the... discomfort.”