Not trust my friends? What a sickening twist of fate. Finaly back where I thought I wanted to be and I was already being messed around.

No one escaped my ire as I lay there alone and in a state of misery. The whole house of Garazal was a given, but I found myself furious at the chancellor and Aazi Stormfront for sending me back into this den of vipers. Then there was Ressa!

No, there was no way she'd betray me. She was about to run away to Earth with me.

But we didn't! I went through the portal that she'd arranged… and ended up face to face with her father. A father who intended to use me.

But she didn't know that. She thought we were going. Didn't she?"

A fresh wave of nausea hit.

Ellaazi? She was legit. She had no reason to screw me over. Now that I'd met her father I was almost certain of it. I nodded to myself. Ellaazi was in the clear.

Torma? He'd helped me so much. Yoru too…

I rubbed at my face trying to massage life into it. I couldn't say for certain. But I was going to have to watch them carefully once we got back together. Pick apart what they said.

I hated that I had to mistrust them, but not half as much as how easily that mistrust came.

Thankfully I was tired enough to sidestep the cartwheeling fury that was my mind and I fell into deep and dreamless sleep.

When I woke, I still held the note, crumpled in a death grip. I sat on my scruffy bed roll. Funny, I couldn't remember it being so dirty on Marnis 12.

Who cared? Who cared about anything? I unfurled the note and read it again.

Take care Adam.

There are forces working against you in the academy. Elasin Garazal is indifferent to the dangers that you face. He believes that if you are truly worth our stewardship, then you will resolve the matters yourself.

But, you have earned my respect and I do not wish to see you harmed or betrayed by those you should be able to trust.

I do not know which of your friends have been working against you, but I know that at least two of them have.

I can say no more, but please heed my words.

Take care. Trust no one.

I rubbed my eyes and read it again. Without the bone weary fatigue and emotion, I grimaced at the words. It was the happy grimace of a man who'd freed himself of shackles by chopping off a hand.

Anso hadn't written his name. There was no evidence as to who wrote the note apart from a link to Garazal and that meant nothing at all.

Bastard.

I jumped to my feet, crumpled the insipid little document with all the disdain it deserved, then summoned a small Flame Burst to incinerate it.

I was angry again. This time not at the Archons, or my friends, but at myself.

One goddamn letter from an Archon that had bought me like livestock and tortured me, and I was suddenly second-guessing my only friends. People who had earned my trust.

What the hell had he done to earn my trust?

The answer was a resounding nothing. Sure, there may have been truth in the note, yet in the cold light of morning, it was far more likely to be a crafty way to separate me from my friends. If I was a conniving, piece of Archon shit, that's how I'd do it.

'Almost had me, you bastards.' I grunted, fists clenched. Yet, despite my anger, it was as if a great weight had been lifted. It didn't matter if one, two, or all four of my friends were working against me. They were the only thing here I'd chosen for myself here. If their actions led to my downfall or death because I gave them the benefit of the doubt, then so be it. I didn't want to live a life filled with constant hate and distrust. I wasn't Earl.

Decision made, I would go and find them immediately. I eyed the luxurious room with fresh eyes. I was under no illusion that it was another control tool. Sugar-coated poison. The highly polished marble floor, immaculate crimson drapes and ornate features did, however, highlight my own current condition. I still hadn't cleaned up since getting back. Dirt and grime smeared every inch of my body and my hair hung lank against the sides of my face smelling of stagnant cave water and blood.

It probably wasn't the best move to traipse the hallways searching for them in this condition. I would draw every eye in the place and no doubt I'd be bombarded by questions from everyone who recognized me.

Fighting the urge to storm out of the room, I shed my uniform with speed, and headed to the shower.

No sooner than I'd entered the steaming hot water, a knock at the door reached my ears. I ignored it and set about cleaning myself for the first time in a very long time.

When I came out of the bathroom, I found that a note had been slipped under the door.

It was a delivery note from one of the Academy servants. I pulled the door open to find a full new uniform including boots, and bedding, neatly piled on a trolly.

Dragging it into the room I threw on the uniform, trying not to let the simmering anger at Anso's note bubble over into full rage when I picked up the Honor pin.

Honor my arse. Control and nothing more. I thought bitterly as I pinned it to my chest.

Once ready, I headed directly to the reception to ask where my friends were roomed. I was absolutely not relying on the Dean to let them know I was back.

It was still early, and the hallways were practically deserted. Even so, I still drew a number of shocked eyes. No one I knew personally, so no one approached me, but it appeared I was recognizable.

The receptionist greeted me with a warm smile. Honored Squire Henshaw! What a pleasure to see you returned to us."

Two faced cow.

I offered an equally warm smile. "Thank you. I'm wondering if you could direct me to the room of Ressa Nessoran and Ellaazi Stormhold?"

"I… am not sure. I'll check and get back to you later. What's your first class?"

I suppressed the urge to scream at her. Not sure? Pull the other one.

"No idea. I don't intend to return to classes until tomorrow so that's something we'll have to work out over the course of the day. For now, I'm more interested in that room number. I'm happy to wait here for as long as it takes."

She frowned, looking like she wanted to say more, but apparently my folded arms, rigid upright posture and stoic expression as I waited, spoke loudly enough to encourage her into action.

I couldn't understand why it was such an issue. Was there a conspiracy even in the school to keep me from my friends?

She eventually found what I asked for. You will find the two girls in room 267, second floor of the front wing annex."

I knew the lay out of the floors. Room number 267 couldn't have been any further from my room while still being in the same building. I sensed Garazal's hand in this as much as I did in Anso's note. Still, it hardly mattered. I offered a slight bow.

"Thank you very much. It's appreciated."

She gave me a thin lipped smile. "If you wait, I can find your timetable and options."

It wasn't a question or a suggestion and I had a sneaking suspicion finding them would take even longer than finding the room number. At which point, I had no doubt the Dean would appear.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"That would be fantastic! While you search those out, I'll go and see my friends. I'll return when their first class starts to look over what you have for me."

As she mouthed wordlessly, I strode away from her little island of self-importance.

While I walked, I contemplated what was happening. From the alienation and poor treatment at the hands of the 4th regiment to the divide they wanted between me and my friends. Did they want me to get so fed up that I ran?

I shook my head. That made no sense. They'd invested heavily in me. There was something else at play here. It was almost as if they wanted me to feel so isolated that I'd lap up any positive attention I received from them.

Incredibly, that thought brought with it a vibration in my mind. A point in Mental acuity.

I paused mid stride, utterly bemused. Did the ascension process just answer a question for me?

It shouldn't have been possible but I was almost certain that it had. Even if it had just been a fluke, it left little room for doubt that there was a complex plot to manipulate me:

Name: Adam Henshaw

Title(s): Squire of House Garazal.

UCPF – Honor Sworn

Level: 25

Class: Warrior/Mage

Stats:

Toughness: 28 + 5 Durability

Mental Acuity: 23: +5 Reaction Speed

Harmony: 26 +5 Aetheric Connection +

Total: 77

Progress in Class:

Warrior, Level 25: 90/250

Level 10 Boon: +5 in Durability - Toughness.

Level 20 Boon: +5 in Reaction speed - Mental Acuity.

Tradesman, Level 0: 0/10

Mage, Level 23: 10/200

Level 10 Boon: +5 in Aetheric Connection - Harmony.

Level 20 Boon: 10% Increase to Mana Regeneration.

Mage Skills:

Enchant Item Level: 4

Regenerate (Personal) Level: 3

Spirit Burst (AoE) Level: 3

Spirit Blast (Projectile) Level: 4

Spirit Hand (Levitation) Level: 2

Spirit Strike (Melee) Level: 2 (Tier 2)

Spirit Fortification (Buff) Level 1 (Tier 2)

Flame Blast (Projectile) Level: 3

Flame Burst (AoE) Level 2

Water Blast (Projectile): Level 2

Water Burst (AoE): Level 1

At room 267, I raised my fist, paused a moment and sucked in a deep breath, oddly nervous, then swallowed and knocked. Sharp. Decisive. Terrified.

The door swung open to reveal a damp-haired, troubled-looking Ressa.

Her eyes widened as my appearance sunk in. "You…!" she hissed, then grabbed the front of my tunic and hauled me into the room.

I expected a hug, I received glowering. "Do you have any idea what you've put me through? I thought you were dead!"

Before I could reply, Ellaazi slammed into me with the hug I was sure I deserved after everything. Then, way too loudly for the time of days she yelled. "You're alive!"

"I sure hope so," I replied as I hugged her back.

As she peeled away, I looked hopefully at Ressa. She was still not in a hugging mood.

"What happened, Adam? We heard very little from the academy. Only that you were killed on a mission. Then absolutely nothing."

"Not killed. Just left behind on a Xeo filled Dross planet," I looked over to Ellaazi. "Named Marnis 12."

Her brow furrowed as she tried to work out where she'd heard the name before.

A horrified Ressa got there before her. "That's where you were?"

I nodded. "That's where I've been since the first failed assault. I got back yesterday courtesy of The Stormfront."

Ressa finally hugged me. "That must have been awful. How did you survive?"

Ellaazi butted in. "My father is back?"

I nodded. "Yesterday."

Her relief was palpable. "It was a dangerous mission. Did they fail again?"

I shook my head. "No. Your father is incredible. He fought an evolved Xeo and... well, I've never seen anything like him."

She nodded solemnly. "He is what I aspire to become. I will speak with him today and thank him for bringing you back to us."

With a gentle smile, I patted her on the broad shoulder. "Thank him again from me while you're on."

"I've spoken about you to him before. He didn't know it was you left behind."

"He knows now. We spoke during his mission. I knew a few things about the planet that helped speed things along."

The erratic Nyvren beamed. "This is such good news. I can hardly believe it."

"Me neither," Ressa snapped. "What in all the tunnels of the Underdark was Garazal thinking sending you against the Xeo!"

"To shake me up and keep me wrong footed I expect. The training period before going was not good. I was intentionally outcast from my unit and… well I'll tell you all about it once we have Yoru and Torma here. It's a story I don't want to keep repeating. I just want to move on from it, but you all deserve the full retelling."

"Did you just arrive this morning?" Resa asked.

I shook my head. "Last night. But I was escorted to my own room. A suite that was destined for Aeloria. They wouldn't tell me where you all were and I was so exhausted I just fell asleep."

"I will go and get the boys," Ellaazi said. Still only half dressed for the day, she sped out of the room before I could reply.

The moment she was gone from sight, Ressa jumped in my arms again and kissed me full on the lips. Because of her initial coldness I didn't know what to make of it at first and stiffened before relaxing into it.

She pulled back after a long moment, eyes glassy with un-spent tears. I can't believe you survived. That you're here. I'd just about accepted you were gone forever."

I smiled. "Can't get rid of me that easily."

"Evidently not. Come on, let's take a seat and wait for the others."

I followed as she led me to sit on the bed. There was a small table in this small room but nothing else. No kitchen or bathroom.

She saw me looking around. "Yes. A bit of a comedown from last year. Communal facilities for the full block of rooms."

"But you're a Velorian duchess! Ellaazi is the daughter of the bloody Stormfront. He's one of the most powerful men in the cosmos."

"You're completely right. Which means neither of us are Archons and the best academies are Archon institutions. The good rooms are all booked up well in advance. We knew before we came what it would be like. I won't lie. I'm looking forward to seeing your room. It is a bit claustrophobic in here with Ellaazi. Considering her size, she certainly knows how to fill a space."

I chuckled. "I know exactly what you mean."

I was cut short from saying more as Ellaazi returned with Your and Torma. It was clear from her grin and the surprised expressions on their faces that she hadn't told them I was alive and well."

"Adam!" Torma roared, hitting me like a charging bull as he wrapped me up in a hug.

Yoru was certainly more reserved in his welcome, but no less emotional in his own gentle way.

"It warms my bones to see you Adam Henshaw."

"Mine too," I said gesturing at the four of them. "It's very good to be back."

"So what the hell happened?" Torma asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet like he was about to explode.

"Take a seat, all of you, and let's get the mystery of my disappearance put to rest."

"Lessons begin in an hour," Yoru pointed out. To which they all glared at him.

Torma gave him a meaty, but friendly thump on the back. "Some things are more important than lessons big fella. I'll take the black mark if I need to." Then he turned back to me. "Now, spill the ingots, Adam. I'm cooling on the anvil over here."

So I did.

They all listened intently to my full story. Their emotions dipping and swelling as I spoke about Sergeant Brin, my Unalaran friends and the return of the Stormfront. Conscious of the Honor Pin and the likelihood of it overhearing me, I omitted a few details, in particular the offer from the Chancellor. I also had to make sure I could trust them still. Because, despite my decision to give them the benefit of the doubt, I wasn't a complete fool. I'd still be on the lookout for any oddities in their behavior.

"So… what now?" Ressa asked once I finished. "I know you have no choice, but how can you work for Garazal knowing all that they've done against you. They're going to get you killed."

I shrugged. "For now, I'm here, among you all again and I'm happy. As for Garazal, we'll see what the future brings." I pointed at the pin on my chest to remind them of the tight rope I walked. "Hopefully they'll see more value in me now and not be so risky with my life."

Torma grunted. "Let's see how happy you are in a few days. It's gonna be crazy for you, because as far as I know, everyone thought you were dead. Not a rumor or hint that you might have survived. I should know, I checked a lot."

"We all did," Ressa added.

Yoru cleared his throat. "We did. But your miraculous return is not the only thing that will stoke the fires of interest."

We all turned to him and he nodded at me. "I'm surprised no one has brought it up, but, you do realize that you're level 25 now?"

I burst into laughter. "Yes, Yoru. I was painfully aware of each and every stat and level as it happened."

His big bald head shook in disbelief. "It's an amazing amount of growth for so short a time."

"Yet, if I could give them back and not have been stranded on a hostile planet for the last half a year, I'd hand them back in a heartbeat."

It felt like the right thing to say. I felt as though I should mean the words as they tumbled out, yet, I didn't.

The ordeal had shaped me. Where else would I have been? Hiding from myself back on Earth? Being slowly tortured in the Archon barracks? Navigating the political cesspit of the academy?

No, in hindsight, It appeared being trapped on Marnis 12 was a good thing.

I chuckled to myself at the thought until I felt the concerned eyes of my friends on me. And waved it off. "I'm good. It was a tough time and I didn't think I'd make it back, but I did. All's well that ends well."

"And end well it did," Yoru replied. "You're in the elite for the year, Adam."

They all nodded and Ressa piped up again. "Anything else we need to know about your increases?"

"You should probably know I hit level 20 in my mage class and developed a new skill. The skill is called Spirit fortify and it strengthens my whole body for ten minutes at its current level. During that time I don't need to breathe, I'm immune to most damage and toxins and I'm faster and stronger."

Eyes widened at the news and I offered an embarrassed smile. "And before you ask, yes, it's another tier two skill."

Torma blurted out a laugh. "Of course, you just developed a new tier two skill. Why not?"

"Master Quesal is going to lose her mind when she finds out in Aetheric class," Ellaazi added. "I wonder if I can lean the skill, it sounds powerful."

A knock at the door interrupted my reply.

"Yes?" Ressa asked, darting over. She swung open the door to find an unfamiliar Master standing there. At least to me.

He was big even for an Archon, with a sour expression and eyes that swiftly focused on me and narrowed.

Name: Karash rekal

Title: Master of tactics

Level: 43

Class: Warrior/Tradesman

"Dean Erstine requests your presence Squire Henshaw."

His gaze swept over the others briefly. "There is to be an assembly this morning, so the rest of you should make your way to the hall before your first class." Then without further ado, he swept from the room leaving us all stunned.

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