As they approached the exit to the Archives, Hatsune’s ears twitched slightly, her steps quickening as if she was eager to leave the building for the campus outside. For his part, Klarion couldn’t blame her. As much as he enjoyed being surrounded by books and the quiet, and the fact there was so much knowledge here that he had access to that no one from Earth even knew existed, he also knew that he was running against a clock that started from the moment he arrived on campus. And he didn’t know how much time was left on it before the next attempt on his life.


    Klarion quickened his pace, eager to reach The Hearth & Ember. The warm tavern offered more than good food — it would offer a chance to sit undisturbed for a while and dive into the book he had purchased on House Blacksword’s history. As thick as the book was, he hoped it would finally help him uncover enough about his House’s history to let him understand how he had been treated on campus and, especially, why so many other scions seemed to have a desire to kill him. Piecing together that information might even give him an edge in the challenges ahead. It also might give him a better understanding of what he needed to talk with Valdre and Redrek about once they arrived at the tavern.


    They had almost made it to the door when he heard her.


    “Scion Blacksword,” a voice called, lilting and melodic, like the song of a forest wind dancing through ancient trees. The ethereal quality of the voice that he recognized from a few days ago compelled him to pause mid-stride. Klarion turned, searching for who had called out for him.


    Standing partially obscured by the towering shelves off to the side of where they had just passed through was the same woman who had called out to him as he had gone with his class to the Hall of Bonds. She stepped fully into view, and his eyes again traced down the elegant antlers that curled above her head like the branches of an ancient oak. As his eyes came down to her face, he saw that she once again had her amber eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, the world seemed to narrow the space between them.


    Dizzy for a moment, Klarion shook his head, and the feeling was gone. Looking back at the woman, he saw behind her stood a bodyguard, a massive figure that had an appearance similar to that of a bear in humanoid form. An imposing figure, he towered over his charge. His muscular frame was covered in dense, dark-brown fur, and his bear-like features included a pronounced snout, sharp brown eyes, and rounded ears. Powerful claws extended from his massive hands, though what seized Klarion’s attention most was the long scar that ran across his left shoulder. With how deep and wide it was, it looked almost as if someone had taken a massive axe to him, like trying to fell a tree. Given that he was still standing here, whoever had struck the blow probably hadn’t gotten the chance to deliver another. He almost seemed to radiate an aura of restrained menace, his hand resting idly near the hilt of his blade.


    Klarion adjusted his grip on his books, his posture guarded but curious. Hatsune, however, stiffened immediately beside him as she stopped to see what had caught his attention. Her long ears tilted forward, and her soft features hardened, betraying her readiness to act at the slightest hint of danger.


    “Can I help you?” Klarion asked, his tone polite but wary.


    The woman’s lips curved into a faint smile, though her sharp, angular features maintained a regal air. “Allow me to introduce myself properly,” she began, inclining her head slightly, a gesture both deferential and commanding. “I am Yona Veyrith, scion of the Ducal House Veyrith.”


    She said her name as if it carried some weight, though because he did not know all the intricacies of the Houses that had scions attending the Academy, he was unsure how to react to her introduction. That being said, a Ducal House was just one step below the five Archducal Houses from the ceremony he had gone through. That combined with the composure she presented and the authority running through her voice pushed him to be polite and cautious. Not that he had been anything else with every noble he had met so far.


    “It is a pleasure to meet you, Yona,” Klarion responded politely, his hand lightly tapping the spine of one of the books as if grounding himself in the moment. “Since you already know who I am, may I assume you wished to talk with me about something?”


    “Indeed,” Yona replied, her melodic voice dipping with interest. “House Blacksword… It carries with it an interesting legacy, does it not? A legacy I find quite fascinating, given my current situation.”


    Hatsune’s eyes narrowed, and she took a subtle step closer to Klarion, her presence protective without being overbearing. “What’s your interest in my lord?” Hatsune pressed, her voice sharper than her usual soft-spoken tone.


    Yona’s eyes shifted to Hatsune, whom she regarded cooly, though not unkindly. “I appreciate your vigilance, bodyguard, but this is a conversation for scions,” she said smoothly before her gaze returned to Klarion, dismissing her. “I’ll admit, it’s not every day one encounters a scion of your background who has already managed to defy expectations as you have.”


    “What do you mean?” Klarion asked trying to keep the nervousness from his tone. He had assumed that Chadwick, Hector, and the others who had attempted to kill him by forcing him into the Dungeon would have wished to keep their attempt quiet to avoid attracting attention or censure. If they were freely spreading what happened around, he was less safe than he thought.


    “I would advise that you relax,” Yona said, picking up on the panic that was starting to bubble up within him. “Word of your recent actions has traveled swiftly, but they are still known to only a few, and even fewer care to get themselves involved.” Her amber eyes glinted. “For what it’s worth, just as you have continued to earn the enmity of Chadwick Copperhand, you have also earned my admiration.”Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Klarion’s jaw reflexly clenched at the mention of Chadwick, but he was able to keep his expression mostly controlled. “What exactly do you want, Scion Veyrith?”


    “Please, Klarion, I would prefer if you called me Yona,” she said as she took a graceful step closer. The weight of her presence seemed to press against the air in some way. As she walked, he was able to get a better look at her uniform.


    She was a third-year scion.


    “I would simply like to speak with you,” Yona said when she came to a halt an arms-length away. Hatsune was practically vibrating at his side with the need to step in front of him. “If you can spare a few minutes of your time, I believe our conversation could prove mutually enlightening.”


    Hatsune’s hand twitched near her side, and Klarion felt the tension radiating from her increase further. He reached his free hand down to touch her arm gently in silent reassurance, and she froze. “All right,” he said to Yona. “But let’s keep it brief.”


    Yona inclined her head again, a gesture of acknowledgment. “Follow me,” she said before turning, leading them deeper into the maze-like shelves of this area of the Archive. Her bodyguard moved with her, his silent presence a constant reminder of the need to be vigilant. This seemed like an opportunity for more information, but given Hector’s recent betrayal, it only made sense to be more careful.


    Klarion glanced at Hatsune, who gave him a pointed look but followed without protest. As they walked, he couldn’t help but feel as though Yona’s presence carried with it layers of unspoken meaning, her every step deliberate, her movements almost too perfect. It was both impressive and unsettling. He wondered what her stats were. Probably high as she was a third-year from a Ducal House.


    Hatsune walked beside Klarion, her ears twitching intermittently as she scanned their surroundings with subtle tension. She hadn’t said anything since Yona had introduced herself, but her body language was enough to tell Klarion she didn’t trust the elk-antlered scion. He couldn’t blame her — he didn’t fully trust Yona either. Yet, something about her intrigued him, her words hinting at layers of intent that he couldn’t ignore.


    Finally, they reached an open area along the wall where the light of the Archives seemed a bit softer, more dim. Set into the wall were several doors, and Yona led them to the nearest one. A sigil engraved on the wood glowed faintly as she placed her palm against it. With a quiet hum, the door unlocked and spun open, revealing a cozy study room lit by floating orbs of soft blue light. Inside was a table surrounded by plush chairs, the air having the faint scent of old books and pine. Klarion smiled as the room was revealed. He knew exactly where he would be studying in the future.


    “I reserved this room earlier,” Yona said, stepping inside after gesturing for them to enter behind her. “It’s warded for privacy. No one will overhear us here.”


    Klarion hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside, Hatsune close behind him. Yona’s bodyguard followed last of all, pulling the door closed behind him. The door clinked shut, and a sigil on its surface flared briefly. He remained standing by the door, arms crossed as he watched them.


    “Impressive,” Klarion murmured, looking around the room before setting his books down on the table to take a seat. Hatsune remained standing behind him, her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on Yona with suspicion.


    Yona moved to the opposite side of the table, lowering herself gracefully into a chair. She leaned back, her antlers casting faint shadows on the wall as her eyes studied Klarion. “Thank you for agreeing to this meeting. I realized my approach may have seemed… abrupt.”


    “‘Abrupt’ is one word for it,” Klarion replied, but he couldn’t conceal his interest. “So, what’s this about?”


    Yona’s expression shifted, becoming unreadable and he unconsciously tensed. “I’ll not waste your time with pleasantries,” she began, her bodyguard at the door shifting in place at her tone. “I’m aware of your conflict with Chadwick and, by extension, Caspian Brightcoin. I’d imagine you have been beginning to plan for how to deal with such a… precarious situation.”


    “Precarious would be one way to describe it,” Klarion admitted. “But yes, I have been… thinking things over.”


    Her smile returned, faint but as far as he could tell, genuine. “A diplomatic answer. Yet, you’ve already demonstrated that you’re more than capable of handling yourself. Surviving that Dungeon, for one. And now, you’re delving into House Blacksword’s history. Expanding your knowledge on what might possibly lie ahead, perhaps?”


    Klarion frowned slightly, unsure how much to reveal. Not that he had much to reveal yet. “Knowledge is power,” he said cautiously, opting to use one of the sayings his father had tried to drill into him growing up. “If I’m going to survive, it makes only sense that I need to know what I’m up against.”


    “Wise,” Yona said approvingly. “House Veyrith shares a similar philosophy. Which is why I’m here, talking with you.” She gestured lightly toward him. “There’s a storm brewing in this sector of the Empire, Scion Blacksword. One that has been building for some decades now, and will likely bear down on us soon. And whether you intend to or not, you’ve placed yourself directly in its path.”


    Klarion’s mind raced as he studied her, trying to discern her angle. “And you?” he asked. “Where do you stand in relation to this storm?”


    Yona’s expression grew thoughtful. “Let’s just say I prefer to observe, for now. But I see potential in you, Klarion. Potential that could reshape the very foundations of this sector, the status quo of which so many have taken for granted.”


    Her words hung heavy in the air, the significance of their weight pressing down on Klarion. He exchanged a quick glance with Hatsune, who looked skeptical but remained silent. Perhaps still cowed from Yona’s words earlier.


    “I’ll admit I am unsure as to what you’re alluding to,” Klarion said. “So what exactly are you suggesting?”


    “An alliance,” Yona replied simply. “Knowledge for knowledge. Insight for insight. Allies are scarce in the Empire, especially for someone in your position. I propose we help each other, even if only in small ways for now.”


    “And why could you be interested in me?” Klarion pressed, his tone sharper than before. “After all, I am only in my first year here, while you are already in your third.”


    Yona’s gaze softened, and for the first time, there was something almost vulnerable in her expression. “Because I know what it’s like to carry the weight of a legacy,” she said quietly. “And because I’d rather see someone like you succeed than be crushed by the kinds of forces that care nothing for those they destroy on their path to power.”


    Klarion’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying Yona’s face. Her words seemed genuine, and the vulnerability in her expression was disarming, but something about her tone — her careful choice of words — set off a faint alarm in his mind.


    “Yona,” he said after a long moment of thought. “I appreciate that, but there’s something else you’re not telling me, isn’t there?”


    Yona straightened in her seat, the brief flicker of vulnerability retreating behind her usual poise. “What do you mean?” she asked, though the way her eyes traced along his face, it was clear she was examining him for some reason. Perhaps because he hadn’t taken her words at face value?


    “You didn’t approach me just out of altruism or shared experience,” Klarion pressed, knowing he was on to something. “You said you want me to succeed, but why?”