[B]Prologue[/B] Tiien had been lost in winter’s grip for a month now. Crisp white snow blanketed the ground, hiding flowers and once green grasses from the bitter winds that swirled about the air. Chill nipped at Cedric’s nose while his fingers, numbed now, held his cloak tightly against his thin body as he seemed to lose more warmth by each second long he was outside. A blizzard, harsh and unmerciful had crept in past his poor watch and now had left him to fight the frozen elements themselves. Sadly, he was only human. A losing one when pitted against the wind’s fury. Unable to turn back, his fingers tightened what little feeling they had about his cloak and dragged himself onwards through the high snowdrifts. Each step sank into the ground, the drifts brought up to his knee, to farther dampen his once dry boots. The gale lashed and pulled at his dogged form desperate for shelter which seemed to be lost from his intended path. His bright blue eyes shifted ahead to spot a faint yellow light within reach. It seemed a ways out from his location but the only shelter he had seen for hours and he feared the last chance to escape the storm. His sigh misted the air with the heat of his breath at his luck. There wasn’t much a choice in the matter as he pushed the pack farther upon his shoulder, his foot shoved forwards where it made a soft crunch and he redoubled his efforts to his goal. Twice he nearly fell into the banks but each time he managed to remain upright. It wasn’t until he stared at the door had Cedric realized he was right at the cabin door, ready to knock. Cold fingers curled up to pound any sort of life back into his hand. Thump, thump, thump. Every vibration from his knock had dusted flurries off his cloak’s sleeve while he stood there, his arms wrapped about his small form. The winter seemed to mock the young man and his feeble tries to keep warm. Beyond the door, he heard boots started to shift and footsteps that grew louder, their path paved for his direction. A small glimmer of hope had sparked within his chest. Through the time worn shutter’s cracks passed a shadow, the figure then passed by to open the door and revealed the woman. Age spots and wrinkly skin hinted she was well into her years; the woman’s stature caused Cedric to look down and examine her. She was fragile and small, even under the large bear skin that folded over her shoulder that trailed behind her while her eyes rose to look at him. Despite the slight haze that had filmed over the irises, he could still see the deep, brown traces within the irises. Her steady voice made his body jump at the sudden sound when she inquired his reasons for being at her door. “Who are you and why are you out in such weather?” “I-I’m s...s...s…sorry ma’am, but I was t-t-tr-traveling from Eania and s…s...seemed to gotten turned about when the b-b-blizzard arr….arriv..arrived, “ Cedric began through chattered teeth for only a bit until his voice gathered strength. “I-I-I was hoping to board here for the night…that is until the storm had passed?” The woman frowned at him. Her mind seemed to size him up and think on his request after she weighed the risk, not bothered to move away. Cedric didn’t blame her yet he couldn’t help but feel a slight frustration built in his heart. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t look the part of a robber or bandit. And likely any criminal would’ve had the sense not to go mucking about in this sort of weather in the first place. After what seemed to be the longest time in his life, the woman’s head motioned for him to enter then stepped back into the cabin. Appreciation was fixed on his quavered jaw and Cedric had needed little coaxing, his body pulled into the heat quick followed by abruptly shut door behind him. In a short time the young man had stripped himself of his many layers and was soon seated by the flames within the fireplace. It wasn’t long before he could once more feel his skin, the cold chased away by the warm glow. At the sound of the woman’s approach Cedric raised his head to see her hold out a metal cup to him and gratefully took it. “Thank you…” He said, waited for the contents, a murky soup, to cool. His eyes turned to watch the woman pull up another chair and let her figure to settle beside him, aimed to share the heat. “It’s a wondered you’re getting warm at all. The fire’s lowered a bit.” She replied, his gratitude casted off as immediately she snapped her fingers at the hearth. It happened suddenly. One moment his eyes studied the woman, confused by her, and then fire took his attention. It popped and whooshed into a furious blaze. Startled, Cedric’s arms rouse to protect his head. His chair flew back before it clattered to the floor. The impact sent his cup from his hand and broth spatter across the floor. He could see the heat of the fire engulf his body. Burned away the flesh, his clothed sizzled into a blackened crisp and felt …nothing. Cedric blinked when he slowly realized something. He wasn’t on fire. His head lifted upright then darted a look at the fireplace. He had half expected the fire to be running amok but instead, its blaze kept in place like an obedient dog. At his side, the woman merely blinked at his reaction. She seemed surprised only to climb upon her feet, her bones creaked and cracked in protest, and pulled to his side. “You’ve acted as if you’ve never seen pyromancy before-“she observed only to be cut short by Cedric’s exclamation. “Pyro-what?!?” “Pyromancy…,” the woman continued, her vowels pronounced slowly this time. She quickly added more at the man’s bewildered look, a withered hand held out to aid him upright, “Mageblood? Magic? Mages…Have you never heard of Twilight College? The mage school?” The young man shook his head and caused the old woman to take a disappointed breath. A small grunt had escaped her lips when she pulled Cedric onto his feet, her body gingerly returned to stand by the fire with a soft mumble, “What has this world come to when even the young have forgotten the stories of the past?” “I’m sorry I offend you…it wasn’t my intention.” Swiftly she waved off his apology then motioned for the chair the man already put back up. Once he sat, she eased his guilt. “It’s not your fault the world has forgotten. What’s the point in apologizing?” There was a long pause between them. His eyes looked from the wood floor and fixed there, uncertain what to say. His arm leaned across his thigh, only to have his voice break the silence that lingered around them. He leaned closer to the resting woman, his eyes held a familiar glint she had witnessed in many a youth’s eyes. “Why don’t you tell me about it?” The old woman let out a small sigh and pressed her thin lips into a light smile. “Very well… It took me years to gather all the stories of those within Twilight College but I finally managed it. The story begins on the College’s opening day, towards the end of the Summer Solstice when the new flood of students was due to arrive….” [center][b]~~~~~~ [/b][/center] [b] Blood Act I: ‘Ghosts of the Past’[/b] Location: Twilight College Time: Noon The land was a dull, grey and lifeless painting for which the Twilight College stood against the blood red sky. It seemed in time, Djarkel’s cursed lands had affected all jointed areas, including Aerta and Eania, to a lesser extent thanks to enchantments placed, leaving once green lands swallowed and deprived of the rich summer colors it once bore. Summer time was drawing to a close and with it, Rurik’s eminent arrival onto the College grounds nearer. His cart bound to be filled with wares to sell and trade amongst the college students. It was a time most enjoyed when their eyes ogled and awed at the goods from all over Tiien. It was noon when the enchanted bell, the only means to tell actual time in the school, tolled out with its loud, hollow sound. Students from different ages, background, and races flooded out of their classrooms in the oldest part of the school. Their eyes eagerly sought comrades and friends, chattering their way to the Dining Hall. In the kitchens was a flurry of activity. Many staff, mostly human, set upon their tasks to finish the noon meal’s preparations. Simple stews and roasted meat was being cooked over open fires, chopped variety of fruits to fill platters and morning bread spread out over the large table in a buffet style. It was simple and light due to the festivities to come later tonight: the Twilight’s Opening Feast. At any scores of students would arrive and flood the College grounds where they would be greeted by a red Esyire. His name was Khan Jevarath, the current head master. Dressed in a white shirt tunic, deer hide breeches, and simple high cut boots, he stood there in silence waiting for the students’ arrival at the ancient iron gates. His odd colored eyes, one brown and other green, causally glanced upwards at the gate keeper. A human, one of the oldest staff, was stationed there and stared into the distance. After what seemed like hours, he let out a holler upon sighting the small group that made their way into the College direction. “There! They are comin’!” he shouted down to Khan who nodded and replied. “Alright, raise the gate and let them in, Mathix …” “Aye, sir…” commented the aged man, his hand gave a signal to guards on the ground. Quickly their bodies pushed against wooden rods that fitted into a spoke, the wheel rotated and creaked against the men’s strain. The chains had wound upon the center where they overlap about to rise the gates. Soon they began to click clack upward, giving way to the approaching student mass who poured in behind the large stone walls. Students from all races, Esyire to human, Wood Elf to dwarf and more were chattering among themselves while the last managed to clear the entrance and enable Mathix to shut them. Once the Iron Gate closed and the arrival’s talking had died, the Esyire spoke. He had withdrawn a small smooth stone, a recently created rune, from his belt at his waist. Khan focused a bit of his mage blood into it, on activation, it give his voice an added magnitude and gather the entire group’s attention. “Hello, future mages. My name is Khan Jevarath and I’m the current headmaster of Twilight College.” Soon enough his sober expression softened into a warm smile and continued. “I want to give you a warm welcome to each of you. As you might’ve heard, it’s customary to have an Opening Ceremonial Feast but that is not until later tonight. Until then, feel free to visit the Dining Hall anytime during the day and the staff will be willing to serve you something light to nibble on. Throughout the Feast, each of the teachers will put on a small display of their magic to show what you’re likely to learn while attending the classes. Do bear in mind, it won’t happen overnight but takes years to learn if you chose to. Here at Twilight, we value our students choices and encourage them as long as they don’t harm others within these walls.” Khan paused, inwardly hoped the message would sink in as he started up again, “Now, we’ll start off with a tour. First off, let’s show you the dorms and allow you to get settled in. If you wish to explore the College then by all means do so before the opening festivities. Anytime you get lost, find a stone statue like this one,” the Esyire gestured with his hand towards a stone gargoyle that sat upon a small stone pillar at least 3 foot tall, “Merely press upon the pedestal then tell it where you would like to be lead to. The gargoyle will spring to life and guide you to where the area begins, unless the area is off limits, and then it will ask if you rather it stay or leave. Be careful though some of these statues have been around for a long time and tend to have developed…personalities.” At the last bit, Khan seemed to have found it slightly amusing before he finished off his lengthy speech. “Any questions before I have someone show you to your quarters?”