The next morning was a rough awakening for the Gorleans. Still unaccustomed to the heat of the rock barren, their sleep had been restless. Most woke with droopy eyes and lingering exhaustion, though at the very least, they had slept in beds rather than on bedrolls.
Siegmun was amongst the first to rise and make his way to the academy's main tower.
As he stepped inside, a wave of familiarity washed over him. The main hall wasn't an exact replica of their own back home, but the atmosphere – the buzz of students having breakfast, chatting, and working on assignments – was the same.
His gaze swept across the room.
The tables here were unusually low, surrounded by flat cushions instead of chairs. Even the food was different – meats, milk, and bites unfamiliar to him.
The academy relied on sunlight for illumination, but to soften the heat, special glass panes lined the walls, filtering the light.
At the back of the hall, just like in their own academy, the masters sat at a long, low table, a single seat in the centre left empty.
'Nephew,' a voice called, pulling Siegmun from his thoughts.
He turned, spotting his uncle at a lone table.
'Uncle Talien,' he greeted, approaching. 'Good morning.'
'Yes, a fine morning indeed,' Talien replied, gesturing towards the cushion across from him in invitation.
As Siegmun took a seat, he noticed the unusual woodwork of the table – different from anything he'd seen before.
His attention, however, quickly shifted to the food in front of him.
'What's for breakfast?' he asked, inspecting the spread.
'Stellaridon milk and cheese,' Talien said, pointing at the selections. 'Different meats, too – dinone, politamus, marsupial…take your pick.'
Siegmun's gaze lingered on the meat. 'Is it any good?'
'A bit tough,' Talien admitted. 'Personally, I prefer Oribex meat from back home.'
Siegmun wasted no time digging in, reaching for the dinone meat first. He sliced off a piece and spread some cheese over it before taking a bite. The flavours were unfamiliar but pleasant. To wash it down, he took a sip of the milk, surprised by how refreshing it was.
His expression brightened. 'This milk is delicious!'
Talien, however, remained indifferent. 'I don't particularly enjoy it,' he said before shifting the conversation. 'But I wished to speak with you about something important.'
Siegmun, still chewing, raised a brow. 'What is it?'
'The acolyte named Riniock.'
Siegmun swallowed and tilted his head. 'What about him?'
'What can you tell me about him?' Talien suddenly seized his wrist, his grip firm and unyielding. 'Leave nothing out.'
Siegmun hesitated, caught off guard by the intensity of the question.
'He's an acolyte from this year's admissions,' he began carefully. 'Talented, skilled – outpaces most of his peers in nearly every subject. He excels in martial magick and –'
'And he killed a member of the delegation, leaving the other in a coma,' Talien interrupted. 'All under the claim of avenging himself for being accosted.'
Siegmun blinked, momentarily speechless. 'That's…correct. Why?'
'At first glance, nothing seemed out of place. But then I learned something odd – he faced no reprimand, no consequences for his actions.'
Siegmun frowned. 'And?'
'When have you ever seen such a thing?' Talien pressed. 'Acolytes are punished for far less. And then there's the matter of Sador's murder.'
'Sir Jorian's,' Siegmun spoke with a flinch. 'What does that have to do with anything?'
Without a word, Talien slid a stack of documents towards him. The papers bore the official findings of the investigation team from the day of the incident.
'News reaches me, even from out here,' Talien said. 'When I heard what happened, I discreetly requested a copy of the report. Read it yourself.'
Siegmun pushed his plate aside and pulled the documents closer.
'Report: Riniock Ev Tolgir,' he read aloud. 'Prior to the incident, the acolyte was reportedly sought after by the victim on multiple occasions, and the suspect appeared aware of it…On the day of the incident, during questioning, traces of soot were found behind his ears, his fingernails bore dark residue, and he smelled of smoke. His testimony was coherent, but his circumstances were suspicious. When we attempted further investigation, we were ordered to cease inquiries and lift the college's lockdown…'
Siegmun's grip on the pages tightened.
'Acolytes helped clear the rubble and clean up the house. He must have been among them.'
Talien took back the papers and scanned them himself. 'After interrogating an acolyte named Urael Flonderance, we learned that the suspect had a prior encounter with his group. Coincidentally, following their admission test, one of their members, Odrean Zigo, was found dead at the scene – supposedly killed by a Great Lidthrag.'
'This still proves nothing,' Siegmun insisted.
Talien's expression darkened. 'Siegmun, open your eyes! Zigo crosses him – ends up dead. Jorian investigates him – ends up dead. The two Iksharis beat him – one dead, the other still unconscious. He's a killer, and you're letting him stay close to you.'
'Well…' Siegmun scratched the back of his neck.
Talien's gaze sharpened. 'You knew?'
'I wouldn't go so far as to call him a murderer, but back on the ship, he suggested we kill Arthian after discovering he had leaked our location.'
'Tell me you're joking…' Talien's voice dropped to a near whisper, his eyes darting around as if expecting eavesdroppers. 'Tell me you didn't actually go through with it.'
Siegmun hesitated. 'I–I let him do it.'
Talien's expression contorted in disbelief. 'Have you lost your mind? What if the academy or even the headmaster finds out? What then?'
'We were thorough.'
'Thorough?' Talien scoffed. 'Did it never occur to you that a missing student – one who was aboard our ship – would raise questions? Just because no one's spoken openly about it doesn't mean they haven't noticed. At this rate, you're going to jeopardise the entire expedition.'
Siegmun averted his gaze, as if hiding something else. Talien caught the tell immediately.
'What else?' he demanded.
With a sigh, Siegmun relented. He explained the elantreas' attack, the discovery that Ikshari students were behind it, the destruction of their encampment, and the interrogation of the last survivor.
'So he didn't speak…' Talien murmured, biting his thumb in thought. 'He must have been bewitched.'
'That's exactly what Riniock said.'
Talien's head snapped up. 'He did?' He searched Siegmun's face, piecing the information together. 'And the survivor – how did you handle him?'
'I didn't. Riniock killed him.'
'Again with him.' Talien exhaled sharply.
'He's a good guy once you get to know him.'
'That may be, but his actions are far too blatant.'
'Then why hasn't anyone done anything?' Siegmun challenged. 'Maybe he's actually innocent.'
'Don't be ridiculous. The circumstances of these deaths are too conveniently tied to him. Someone is covering for him – erasing the consequences of his actions.'
Siegmun frowned. 'Who?'
Talien leaned forward. 'His last name is Tolgir. Take a wild guess.'
Siegmun's expression shifted as he turned the name over in his mind, searching for any connection. Then it hit him.
'You don't mean…the other high maegi?'
A small smirk tugged at Talien's lips. 'You're not entirely hopeless after all.'
This flood of information took time to settle in Siegmun's mind. As he processed it, his hand instinctively reached for his plate.
He chewed absently on a piece of meat, his gaze drifting, fixed on the unfamiliar etchings carved into the table.
'So, if everything you've deduced is true, am I supposed to just avoid him from now on?'
The high maegi shook his head. 'No. Your connection to him, no matter how deep, pales in comparison to our bond of blood. If the other high maegi has been covering up an acolyte's murders, I can use this as leverage for my claim to the arch-maegi's seat.'
Siegmun hesitated. 'But…is that really the right thing to do?'
Talien exhaled sharply. 'Both of my nephews are spending far too much time with this Riniock, but you are the only one I can rely on. I doubt Niann has the resolve to do what must be done.'
Siegmun lowered his gaze, conflict clouding his thoughts.
Talien's expression darkened as he caught the hesitation in his nephew's demeanour. His lip curled in irritation, and his tone dropped into something cold and edged.
'Your loyalty to your friends is admirable,' he mused, feigning a moment of withdrawal. Then, leaning in close, he whispered, his breath warm but menacing against Siegmun's ear. 'But if you fail me, I will kill him. And if I discover you withheld anything useful, I will personally see to it that you never rise in the college's ranks.'
Siegmun's breath hitched. 'Uncle, please don't make –'
'Silence!' Talien snapped. 'Your duty is to your family first and foremost. If you refuse this simple task, I will see you disowned.'