A week of training has passed, and all four of them enter the room they have been called to. It is the same one where they first met, and Novus is sitting on the throne, waiting. Once they are seated, he smiles widely and makes an announcement.

  “I am aware of how diligent you all have been in the past week, and I'm sure you want to test your abilities. Worry not, for the opportunity will soon come.”

  Hunter interjects, “I expect you to fulfill the promise made to me before you kidnapped me.”

  Vis and Astraea look judgementally at the brown-haired man, whose demeanor shifts from casual to serious in an instant. He stares at Hunter as he responds, “I was getting to that. Do not interrupt.”

  Silence fills the room. Novus clears his throat and his grin reappears, continuing as if nothing happened.

  “Hunter will have a private discussion with a representative of the Terras House. He’ll only be about an hour, so I will tell you all what I expect you to do after.”

  He pinches his fingers together and moves his hand, a parchment appearing out of thin air. Rolling it up, he continues.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “This is a map of the continent. You will make your way to the largest of the mountains and ascend it. There, the Church of Air is situated. They have put in a request for help, and I will be sending you. Officially, it will be the Emperor doing so, but that egotistical sloth is so unworthy of his title that he doesn't care about such things.”

  ?elare and Astraea glance at each other, taken aback by the words said so casually. Vis only looks amused, while Hunter has no obvious reaction.

  “I digress. The mountain is at the very southeast, and the fastest carriage lines are marked on. I trust you are capable enough to succeed in your first mission, and I will not set a time limit. Return here once you are done. Now, Hunter, you will follow me.”

  Novus stands up from his seat and walks out, beckoning Hunter, who follows behind him. As they walk down the seemingly endless corridor, Novus says only a single thing, his voice devoid of the usual sarcastic humour.

  “Whatever you do, don't tell him about me, or there will be consequences. You are here under the watch of Emperor Regulus.”

  Two minutes later, they arrive at an open door. It leads to a small room, empty save for a single table with two chairs. A middle-aged man sits at the far side, wearing a signet ring bearing the crest of the Terras family. He waves as Hunter enters, speaking with a heavy accent.

  “Ey! ‘eard a lot about ye, Hunter Fenn.”

  The bowman turns to look at Novus, who is nowhere to be seen. He shrugs and closes the door behind him, sitting opposite the man, who chuckles before continuing.

  “Or, I might say, Hunter Terras.”