-I didn’t know you were coming back to the Citadel on such short notice. I don’t suppose you received my letter, did you?
-As a matter of fact, no I didn’t. I was stationed in several locations, so it was probably difficult for it to be delivered. What was it about?
-Nothing important… I just tried to reach you and see how you were doing. I think you can imagine exactly why I was worried.
-Yes… I’m sorry I couldn’t keep in touch, but it was pretty hard to write a letter with arrows flying over head. Whatever moments of calm we had were used for resting and preparing for the next battle.
-Didn’t the Council say that the strength of the enemy was waning and that the citizens needn’t fear anything? Yet all I hear of are battles…
-The Council can say whatever they want… that doesn’t change the fact that we’re being constantly attacked, sometimes by enemies we know nothing of. Whoever is massing these troops doesn’t seem to bear a particular allegiance. Now we’re fighting rogue mages and the members of some secret order. I’ve never seen a coat of arms like theirs before… but, that’s of little relevance. The Council doesn’t want to stir the hearts of the citizens, at least not with fear. And yet they find no concern in our dwindling numbers or the swelling of the enemy’s ranks. That’s why I think you should leave the Citadel. That’s part of the reason why I came here.
-Leave? Where?
-The northern city of Delnas is safer for the time being.
-But Delnas isn’t even part of Noldera. They’re not even our allies.
-Nor are they our enemies. The Council has helped them before, so they hold no resentment towards the Citadelship. And the city itself isn’t of such high importance, strategically or otherwise. Even if the Citadel should fall, Delnas should be safe for at least a little more while.
-How could the Citadel fall? Even if its armies should fail, then the city is protected by the Conduit and the Council.
-Didn’t you listen to me? We have Voidweavers amongst the enemy. The kind that could break the barrier if given the right amount of power and time. Even the Condit can’t protect the Citadel from the onslaught that will follow. I’ve warned the Council about the threat, and they’ve responded by spreading my armies even more amongst the border territories. The magisters have either grown tired and senile, or they’re planning something that will mean the Citadel’s downfall.
-Can’t your father convince them?
-My father? He was the first one to be dismissed when he proposed something like that is possible. And that only serves to strengthen my belief.
-What about Beren? He’s viewed well amongst the magisters.
-Only because they intend to use him as a puppet. The Council was too anxious about bringing the Book of Judicators here. If mishandled, it can tear apart the barrier from the inside entirely. Yet another threat the magisters choose to ignore without any conceivable reason. Please, Aryiana, I’m only doing this to keep you safe. Trust me.
-And what about you?
-I’ll have to talk to my father. And then I’ll talk to the magisters themselves. If nothing should become of that, I don’t what the next course of action will be. The only thing I know is that whatever their plan is, it’s not heading into anything but destruction.
-Alright… I trust you. But promise me you won’t get yourself killed.
-You know I can’t promise that. But I’ll try to be careful. Here, take this…
Ceren took a little silver box out of his pocket and handed it to Aryiana. She reached for it, and stared at its framing a little bit puzzled.
-If trouble finds you, use that to bring word to me. You’ll see how it works when the time comes. I have to go now, but we’ll see each other again soon, I hope.
Ceren kissed Aryiana while embracing her tightly. He was afraid of what was to come in case she stayed in the Citadel and although he knew she would be safer outside its walls, he drew little comfort from the fact that he wouldn’t be able to look after her personally. He stared into her eyes, trying to find some flicker of hope or at least a glimmer of happiness. He didn’t understand why Aryiana was so distraught, neither did he have the time to ask. He hoped that his questions would find a time and place to give him some decent answers. And there were plenty of them to give…
Ceren opened the door hastily and rushed out into the street, quickening his pace as the night air seemed to grow thicker. The musky scent of the fog distracted him for a second while he made his way to a back alley of sorts. He kept his cowl over his head, despite the thickening fog that didn’t make recognizing him an easy task either way. The night would only grow darker from here on in…


