The Mark of Aether

Magic lessons~Part II

Reading through the pages of my book, noise harassed my hearing. Despite the library being calm like always by this time, ruckus seemed to rule outside. I paid little attention to it several times. My book was deemed much more important as I swam through the litany of words, names, places and races. Learning about the diversities of Ardorians, expanding from the fae, the dwarfs, the mages, the spirits and all the more, was exciting. And in the same time, exhausting. So many researches had I needed to do only to relate each section to its common and formal name. Or to understand the point of a heavily-written seven hundred pages.

But as havoc seemed to grow, I couldn't take it anymore. Glancing at the sun, I assumed that I had still fifteen minutes before meeting with the court leader once again.

Closing my book and adding it to the pile, I cracked the doors open and stepped out. The previous noise became a full head-aching brawl. Searching with my eyes, I immediately spotted the source. By the open garden, a mob of trainees were gathered, fighting like no tomorrow.

Curious, I blended in the observing crowd, trying to get a glimpse of what was happening. A couple of lords, most likely to be Ramos's comrades, were settling everything down. At least, they tried.

A flash of red light glowed in the open air before thunder could be heard. A strike and then a cry. And then, another. Peering and making my way through the throng, I saw what was happening.

Two men, both around their early twenties, were fighting. Tearing at each other's throats was a more realistic statement. Both were covered in blood, weapons broken on the floor. When metal had failed them, magic was the solution.

''What happened?'' I asked the girl standing in front of me, leaning over her shoulder.

''I am not sure, no one really knows. Usually those two don't get along very well. Dark past, it always has been like this,'' she replied, dodging out of the way as some more trainees came in.

I watched with horror as one of the boys lunged a punch to the nose of the other, blood dripping from a torn wound. The other sent a wave of light that had him pinned to the ground. His hands beat the face of the earlier boy with such speed, such ferocity, that it made me sick to my stomach.

"What by the name of Ether is going on here?" asked an all too familiar voice, making the elder lords step back.

From the crowd, Leon and an older man emerged, both wearing a black expression. Everybody had gone still and firm upon hearing the voice of the shadow. The old man seemed as pissed as the first. As they strode, every single one in this garden bowed his head before running away. Only I stood there, still wondering what I was supposed to do.

The old man shot me a look that sent my bones to the verge, and it was then I understood why everybody fled like a swarm. Cold and sharp, the most fitting words to describe his eyes.

"I will not repeat myself,'' said the shadow, holding a demanding posture. If some sense existed in the brains of those poor students, it was the most fitting time to use it. Either a murderer or a hunter, they could not care less as he drew closer. One blast, it will be more than enough to chop their heads.

"No serious matter that demands for the presence of the lord of justice,'' replied one of the two.

"Not after what I heard,'' retorted the old man, his stares cold and tormenting. ''Breaking the first law of the norms calls for more than just normal justice. Follow me, young men, before I lash my wrath. Better seal this matter with me than with the higher lord.''

Both students went pale, the air around them turning from brutal to obedient. That alone made me think of what Ramos was capable of.

"You heard your lord and lead. If I hear another complaint from you, or I witness what happened today, my knives will be enough of a judge,'' warned Leon, his eyes never wavering as he watched them back away.