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As the night came to a close and the students went off to wherever they chose to spend the night, the staff of hoseforns wandered off to their own private study. It was a tradition every semester to gather and speak about how they would handle the incoming class and prepare them for the treacherous life of an adventurer. This year, however, felt different. The world was changing. It became more and more dangerous each day. And what was worse was that no one was entirely sure WHAT was causing the changes. 

The staff entered a well decorated and comfortable looking room. Chairs and couches were placed around a large crystal that hovered and spun slowly in its center. The crystal shifted colors, revealing it be a part of Athena, although a larger one then those present in the student’s rooms. 

[color=808000]“Well, that was a rather uneventful night. Only one fight broke out.”[/color] Gilor mumbled as a he hopped into a large chair. He kept his book firmly in front of him and never seemed to stop reading it even as he walked. 

Sir Vermont harrumphed a little. [color=C0C0C0] “Not even through their first day and I already have to officiate a duel. They will be trouble.”[/color] Vermont sat at a couch and picked up an already filled glass of red wine. 

Maya, who always seemed to dance everywhere she went walked around the back of the couch that Vermont had sat at and ran her hand across his shoulders in an attempt to sooth the large man. [color=9966CC]“It was bound to happen sooner or later. They are young, full of life, and have a lot to prove. If I remember right you weren’t so different at one time.”[/color] When she spoke her voice was soft and clear. It almost sounded as though she was singing.

[color=808080]“Almost exactly the same. Other then the stick you had shoved up your ass.”[/color] Came the muffled voice of Dex as he sat at a seat in the furthest corner of the room. It was always hard to tell with Dex, but it had almost sounded like he was making a joke. 

Vermont made a sound between a growl and a chuckle, his face not changing in the least. [color=C0C0C0]“It’s still up there I assure you.”[/color] Maya laughed as she came around the couch and sat next to Vermont, she too picked up a glass of wine and took a light sip of it. 

[color=D8BFD8]“How lewd.”[/color] Maurine laughed as she slithered into the room. As she moved across the floor the lower half of her body changed, the long snake like tail forming into a pair of long slender legs. She never seemed to break stride as she moved towards Athena’s crystal. It was obvious how hard Vermont tried not to look at her until a long white skirt materialized and covered the lower half of her body. [color=9966CC]“Prude.”[/color] Maya whispered to him teasingly. 

[color=D8BFD8]“Still, Vermont is right. This seems like a rambunctious group, promising or not we will may have to work extra hard to make sure they make it to graduation. I would hate to lose any of them. They all show potential, and we may need all the help we can get in the coming year.” [/color]

The last to enter the room was Hoseforn. He puffed slowly on his pipe, the crystal in it shifting colors as he did. He released a puff of rainbow colored smoke that twisted and turned through the air in an unnatural way. Hoseforn walked over to the crystal and the rainbow colored lights within it shifted until they revealed a young kitsune woman with pink ears and a fluffy tail. [color=00FF7F] “Selena, a kitsune. I haven’t seen one of her kind in centuries. Which raises questions as to why she here.” [/color]

[color=D8BFD8]“She will be hard to miss, I’m afraid. I think finding a way to disguise her for the time being may be wise. She is lucky Fenros found her first.” [/color]

[color=808080]“Regardless, the new’s that she is here is bound to get out. Someone will likely come looking for her. We will have to keep a close eye on her.” [/color]

The picture in the crystal shifted again to show the young archer, Finn.  [color=00FF7F] “Ahh, our young duelist.”[/color] Hoseforn said, studying the young mans mechanical arm with some interest.  [color=00FF7F] “How will that arm affect him in combat Dex?”[/color]

[color=808080]“It shouldn’t be much of a hindrance. Krum always does excellent work. As long as he keeps it well maintained he shouldn't have any trouble with it. Might even prove to be an asset.”[/color] Dex said without bothering to turn his head. It was always difficult to tell where that man was staring. 

The picture shifted once again, this time revealing a purple tieflling woman. [color=808000]“Heh, Fiddlefen’s student. Never thought that old gnome would take an apprentice on, she must be something special.”[/color]

[color=D8BFD8]“Almost more surprising that he would send her here. It will be interesting to watch how she grows. Though from what I’ve heard we may need to make sure the wards on the library books are touched up.”[/color]

The pictured shifted to one of the new magus who had enrolled. [color=D8BFD8]“Ixius, I believe his name is. He shows a great deal of potential as well. Though from what his teachers told me his attitude requires...refinement.” [/color]

[color=00FF7F] “A problem many young mages face. He believes to hardily in his craft’s superiority. A mistake that many only get to make once. Still, I think he will learn quickly once he is given the proper guidance.” [/color]

The picture shifted once more to reveal the other young magus who had joined their ranks. His blonde hair and bubbly attitude giving him a pleasant face. [color=00FF7F] “Calven. A unique gift, being able to imbue magic into food. Still, his unstable core is worrying. Mari, I think you will have to work closely with him and help him develop his gift. Perhaps find a way to cure his mana leakage.”[/color]

[color=D8BFD8]“Of course. He is not the first to have this issue. I’m sure we will discover something. A good magical chef is a terrible thing to waste.”[/color]

The picture shifted once more. This time it showed a young woman with long silver hair and pale skin. [color=C0C0C0]“Valencia, the daughter of Jaune Coquerdale.”[/color] Sir Vermont said Jaune’s name causing venom to leak into his voice, and his body to tense slightly. 

[color=D8BFD8]“A very interesting young woman. There is something odd about her. I don’t believe she is entirely human, though I cant be sure.”[/color] Maurine said as she turned to look at Vermont. [color=D8BFD8]“Vermont, I know your hatred of her fathers actions, however....” [/color]

[color=C0C0C0]“Don’t. She is her own person. The sin’s of the father are not the sins of the child. I will train and protect her as I would any other.”[/color] Vermont said, his body loosening up a little.

Maurine nodded, satisfied with the answer. They all knew Vermont’s hatred of evil, but his word was as binding as any contract. If he said that he would train and protect the girl, that was all that mattered. Once more the picture shifted to portray the young dwarf soldier, Arn. [color=00FF7F]“This one comes highly recommended. It seems he has talent. But he is still young for a dwarf, and too stiff. He has much too learn, especially when it comes to being a cleric. Obviously you will have to work closely with him Vermont. But Maya, I would like for you to work with him as well. See if you can work away at some of his...awkwardness.”[/color]

[color=9966CC] “Sounds fun! I think the roommate we placed him with will help.”[/color] Maya said with a smile as she sipped her wine again. It had been her idea to put Arn and Karya together. The picture then shifted too Karya, as if in response to Maya’s words. [color=9966CC] “She is already quite skilled. I think she will do well here once she has the experience she needs.”[/color]

[color=D8BFD8]“Yes, but her reasons for being here are...unsettling. Her sister disappearing. It might not be related...”[/color]

[color=00FF7F]“But its safer to assume that it is. We should look into the woods as well. If these disappearances have reached even the wood nymphs then we may be in for more trouble then we are prepared for.”[/color] Hoseforn said as he stared at the crystal. [color=00FF7F]“Dex, I know that I have already worked you too hard. But I will need your help even more in the coming weeks. That scroll you found is...unnatural. It is a language I have not seen before, and even Athena is having a difficult time deciphering it. If this is what I fear, all of Ealinata may be in danger.”[/color] His words hung in the air for a while, darkening the faces of every teacher. Even Maya, who had a talent for staying positive even in the most dire of situations frowned a little. 

[color=808080] “You know I will help however I can.”[/color] Dex said simply. 

After another moment of silence, the picture shifted once more. This time it showed a pretty young woman with long blue hair and piercing yellow eyes. Maurine’s face brightened just a little as she looked at the young woman. [color=00FF7F] “Is it her?”[/color] Hoseforn asked as he turned to look at Maurine. [color=D8BFD8]“Yes. I have no doubts now. She is older, and there is something more dangerous about her now, but that is certainly her.”[/color] 

Hoseforn nodded.  [color=00FF7F]“Good, its a relief that she is alive. I don’t know how much she’ll remember, but I think its important that we help her.”[/color] A [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mEIF3y_fjM]song[/url] began to emit from the crystal. It was the lullaby she had started to sing. The young woman may not have realized it yet, but small tendrils of magic leaked out of her song as she sang. [color=808000]“I don't think she knows how to use her voice yet, but she is close. It wont take much before she can use her singing to its full effect.”[/color] Gilor said, looking up from his book for the first time. [color=808000]“Yes, she has the talent. She just needs the guidance.”[/color]

After the song ended the picture changed once more. This time it showed a young man with tan skin and a muscular build. [color=D8BFD8]“Toma, his application was done by another paladin. Rather rare for your lot, isn’t it Vermont?”[/color]

[color=C0C0C0]“Yes. Tarkus’ student. I knew Tarkus a little, though not as much as I’d have liked. He was a good man. Said that the boy showed a lot of promise, he just needed refinement. And to get out and see the world.”[/color]

[color=808000]“His sword is odd. It’s very obviously magical. It looks like it has a great deal of magical potential as well. It’s not a normal enchantment though. Almost looks like it has a spirit inside of it.”[/color] Gilor said, the item seeming to have peaked his interest. Spirits bound to objects was not unheard of, but it was rare, difficult to pull off, and sometimes incredibly dangerous. 

After a moment the picture changed again. This time it showed a young half-elf woman with white hair. [color=D8BFD8]“Alexis. It seems she uses gambler magic.”[/color] Maurine said with a smile. She always enjoyed unique magic, and it didn’t get much more unique then gambler magic. [color=D8BFD8]“I will be most interested to see how she progresses.” [/color]

[color=C0C0C0]“Being a gambler doesn’t often lead to a long lifespan.”[/color] Vermont said, studying the young woman with interest. 

[color=00FF7F]“No, but those who manage to master it can become quite powerful, and pull off unique magics that few others can. We will just have to make sure she doesn’t accidentally blow herself up.”[/color]

The picture finally changed to that of a red skinned tiefling. The picture showed him earlier in the day as he had been [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOpAh5c6zKo]playing[/url] his lute. He seemed to play almost out of instinct. The teachers watched for a moment until the song ended, none of them saying anything until he had finished. 

[color=9966CC]“He plays just like Anabella used to.”[/color] Maya said. She was still smiling, but it was sadder then it had been before. 

[color=C0C0C0]“And he looks exactly liker Za-kei-al.”[/color] Vermont said. His face darkened and he spat the name like a curse,  his body visibly tensed. The room fell quiet, each teacher knowing that this was a delicate subject for the Paladin. [color=808080] “He isn’t Za-kei-al though. The similarities are certainly there, but you said it yourself. This sins of the father, are not the sins of the child.”[/color] Dex said. He had leaned forward, and his mask was turned to look directly at Vermont. 

Vermont’s shoulders slouched a tiny bit. [color=C0C0C0]“Yes, I know. I would never do anything to the boy. You should know I would never do anything to dishonor Anabella’s memory. The fact remains though that if Za-kei-al finds out about the boy….”[/color]

[color=9966CC]“He already knows.”[/color] Maya said, her voice almost a whisper. Vermont’s head whipped around to stare at her. He seemed barely able to mask his rage. [color=C0C0C0]“You spoke with him?! You have a way to contact that bastard?!” [/color]

[color=9966CC] “I wrote him when I found Rodrick. He doesn’t know where Rodrick is. Although he’ll assume that he’s here. He deserved to know that his son is alive at least. No matter what happened, he loved Anabella. And Rodrick deserves the chance to know his father. He’s been alone to long.”[/color]

[color=808080]“Does he know who his father is?”[/color] Dex asked. [color=9966CC]“No, I don’t think so. Still, he’ll find out. He’ll need too at some point. We owe him the chance at a family Vermont. We owe it too Anabella’s memory for not finding her son sooner.”[/color] This caused another pause. Vermont looked down, as though ashamed while Dex leaned back in his chair. 

After a moment Hoseforn cleared his throat. [color=00FF7F]“All of these young men and woman are here for a reason. They showed great potential. We will need them shortly, I fear. I know that you all are excellent at what you do, and one of a kind instructors. But we must work even harder in the coming months to make sure they are as ready as they can be. I don't know for sure know what’s coming, but if it’s what I fear, we will need every able bodied person we can find.”[/color]

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