"We should make haste," the knight said, tightening a few straps on his breastplate. "The tower isn't far—we've already traveled long—but I'd rather not arrive at nightfall."
His squire stood beside him, eager yet uncertain. His hands hovered near his belt, as if he couldn't decide whether to rest them or prepare for a fight.
Sonder set the stone down where she had found it before.
She stole a glance at Vell. He was already a few paces ahead, twirling his staff absently, as if they weren't marching toward something dangerous.
He hadn't questioned her decision to help. He had simply let her choose.
She wasn't sure how she felt about that.
The squire suddenly turned to her. "My lady," he began hesitantly. "Are you truly a wizard?"
"I'd like to think so," she said. "And my name is Sonder."
The squire's expression brightened. "You are so young, yet you divined the number seven before we even met. That must mean you have the gift."
"It's not like that," she muttered.
"The number," the knight said, his voice low, "has not left my mind since we began this journey. It repeated inside my head, over and over, until we found you."
Sonder thought about that. That must have been the mind she had looked into at the pool.
"Perhaps you could read the stars for us tonight?" the squire asked eagerly.
Vell let out another exaggerated sigh. "I think I'm getting sick of star magic."
The knight shot him a look. "Do you take issue with the stars, sorcerer?"
Vell grinned. "No, just with people who think they can read them."
The knight frowned but didn't argue. His whole journey was decided by the stars, and he wouldn't try to reason with those who didn't believe.
Vell stretched. "Alright, tell me about this wizard in the tower."
The knight exhaled, shifting his focus. "Not much is known. Only that he is old, powerful, and a danger to those around him."
"That sounds like most mages." Vell laughed, then waved a hand. "What's his name?"
The knight narrowed his eyes. "Why do you ask, dark mage?"
"Because," Vell said, "maybe I know him."
The knight hesitated, then relented. It may help on their journey if they knew more. "His name is said to be Griffonage."
He tapped his chin, thinking. "Griffonage… now that's ringing a bell." His eyes flickered with recognition. "And you said he found something dangerous?" He let out a short laugh. "If it's who I think it is, that's not surprising. Relics, powerful artifacts, things that should've been left untouched—that's his entire repertoire. Usually obtained by… questionable means."
The knight's expression darkened. "Then you understand why we cannot face him alone. But with two skilled mages—"
Can we stand against such a powerful practitioner of the arcane arts?" Vell finished for him. He rubbed the back of his neck, then smirked. "I think we can, but—" He raised a finger. "My apprentice here will be handling him alone."
Sonder's head snapped toward him. "What?"
"I told you, this is your job," he reminded her. "I'm just here for the scenery."
The knight looked between them, confused. "What are you saying?"
Vell clapped a hand on Sonder's shoulder. "For this little adventure, she's the dedicated wizard of the group. All spell-related concerns go directly to her—except in an emergency."
Sonder opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. He was the master, and she was the apprentice.
"Don't worry. She's stronger than she looks. Smarter, too. She just needs to believe in herself."
The knight studied her carefully, then gave a slow nod. "A seer and a battle-mage… Very well." He placed a hand over his chest. "We follow your lead, then, Lady Sonder."