Cassian felt as though his knees might give out at any moment. He would have collapsed to the ground if not for Sabrina, who suddenly began coughing. Water spilled from her mouth. Too much water. He rushed to her side, panic flooding him. Not knowing what else to do, he started patting her back. That only made her cough harder.

  “I was only in there for a few moments,” she gasped between breaths. “And even if I hadn’t been… even if I’d held my breath… the water just forced itself in. Into my nose, my mouth… my throat.”

  “I-I’m sorry,” Cassian said desperately. “I should have warned you when she came in. She’s… she’s evil.”

  Sabrina coughed again with a shriek. Cassian was really scared now, not knowing what he would do if her condition worsened. Then he realized.

  She was laughing.

  “Oh,” Sabrina said between breaths, “don’t worry. I think I realized that at some point.”

  For a moment, Cassian just stared at her. Then, incredibly, he laughed too.

  “I mean,” he said, breathless, “she doesn’t exactly try to hide it.”

  They laughed together, loud and a little unhinged, until Sabrina’s coughing returned.

  “Okay, okay,” Cassian said quickly, steadying her. “Easy. Just… let’s just get your breathing back to normal. Deep breaths. Slowly.”

  She followed his lead, breathing in and out until she could speak again.

  “So,” Sabrina said at last, “was that why you were crying? Were you afraid of your cousins?”

  The words caught Cassian off guard. He had forgotten she’d seen him like that at his absolute lowest. But she’d given him an excuse. He decided to take it.

  “Well,” he said quietly, “you met them. I knew there was no way we could cooperate.”

  “No,” Sabrina agreed softly. “I don’t think there is.” She hesitated. “Oh, Cassian… what are you going to do?”

  “I… I don’t know.”

  “We should tell a teacher,” she said quickly. “Tell them your cousins are planning to attack you.”

  Cassian let out a sharp, humorless laugh.

  “Sabrina, the teachers chose the three of us. They know about the alternative path. If anything, they’d say my cousins were giving me fair warning.”

  She frowned, thinking. “Then… then maybe you should listen to your cousin. Siegfried, I mean.”

  Cassian stared at her. “What do you mean?”

  “Let him knock you out,” she said gently. “Take the easy way. So, you don’t get hurt.”

  Cassian went very still. It was an option. Siegfried had said no one would think less of him. And maybe that was true. Siegfried had already completed a Special Quest. He was older. Stronger. Built like a monster. Some people would mock him for going down so easily, but most would probably understand, he was a Viamnova yes, but so was his cousin and he was four years his elder. His reputation would survive.

  And yet… the aching in his chest did not subside.

  It was wrong. All of it was wrong. Cassian clenched his teeth, his hands shaking. Sabrina took notice immediately.

  “Cassian?” she asked, worried. “Is something hurting? Are you alright?”

  He opened his mouth. Closed it again. All the feelings he’d carried since he was five years old pressed against his throat. The frustration. The fear. The shame. Finally, he managed to say the thing he had been dreading for as long as he could remember.

  “I don’t want to be unworthy,” he cried.

  The words broke out of him, raw and desperate, and once they were out, he couldn’t take them back. Now it was Sabrina’s turn to look confused. She looked up at Cassian, fresh tears of frustration running down his face.

  “Unworthy?” she asked. “What does that even mean?”

  Holding back a sob, Cassian answered. “Not measuring up to what a Viamnova should be. Showing everyone I’m powerless. Giving up before I’ve even tried. Taking the easy way out.” His voice shook. “That’s unworthy. I don’t want that.”

  The sobs threatened to overwhelm him again. He doubled over, crying in earnest, until he felt a gentle hand on his clenched fist, wrapping around it softly.

  “Alright,” Sabrina said quietly. “Alright. Then we won’t do that. We’ll find another way.”

  “There is no other way,” Cassian replied, his voice hoarse. “My cousins… they’ll just-”

  “There is one,” Sabrina said, cutting in. She hesitated, then nodded to herself. “I think there is. It won’t be easy, but I’m sure you could manage it.”

  Cassian looked at her, confused. “Manage what? What are you thinking?”

  Sabrina met his gaze.

  “I’m thinking of a way for you to give a worthy performance.”

  They moved quickly. When classes were dismissed for the day, Sabrina had volunteered to inform Cassian. She didn’t expect it to take as long as it did, so they had a short window before he left the academy. They ran, weaving through corridors until they reached the banquet hall.

  Even when classes were over, people still gathered here. Meals were always free, and the quality of the food was quite good, which meant the hall was rarely empty. Sabrina scanned the room, then pointed toward a table near the back.

  “There he is!” she exclaimed.

  She grabbed Cassian by the hand, and they ran together toward a boy sitting alone.

  “Sabrina?” the boy said as they approached. “Good, I was about to leave you behin-wow. Why are you with him?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Cassian, this is Todd,” Sabrina said.

  The boy had the same common brown hair as Sabrina. His eyes were hazel, and if Cassian had to describe his face in one word, it would be forgettable.

  “Nice to meet you,” Cassian said, unsure.

  “Oh. Yeah. Nice to meet you too,” Todd replied awkwardly. “I mean, we’re in the same class, but… nice to meet you. Sabrina, we were going to go look at equipment and-” he continued.

  “That can wait,” Sabrina interrupted. “We need your help.”

  His help? Cassian thought.

  After such a lofty promise of a worthy performance, Todd was not inspiring confidence. He wasn’t in the top twenty of the class. And by the look on his face, he didn’t seem to like Cassian very much either.

  “Yes,” Sabrina said. “You might not know this, but Todd is the best Arbiter in our class.”

  “Best and only,” Todd corrected. “I did very poorly in the final exams. The teachers were like, ‘We asked you to do basic elemental spells.’ Arbiter spells are something they said we’d cover in second year. We really do go unappreciated,” he added with a good-natured laugh.

  Cassian was beginning to understand.

  “Oh,” he said. “So, you mean for him to teach me.”

  “Exactly,” Sabrina said, pumping her fist confidently.

  “I’m sorry,” Todd said, blinking. “Teach you what?”

  “He needs to learn Arbiter spells before the Special Quest,” Sabrina explained. “His cousins won’t let him take any other role, so he has to perform as an Arbiter. But they haven’t taught us any spells yet, so we were hoping to rely on you.”

  Cassian considered it. It wasn’t a bad idea. Since the academy hadn’t taught them any Arbiter spells yet, any knowledge he showed would be impressive. And more than that, this branch of magic intrigued him. His mother had taught him the knightly ways, his father sorcery, but both had neglected Arbiter spells entirely.

  Cassian had always assumed they thought he would learn them at the academy in due time, so they taught what they were best at. But secretly, he had hoped this would be different. That Arbiter magic would work for him. That the spells would come easily. That he would effortlessly take to it. That he would finally feel like a Viamnova. Like he was good. No, not just good but great.

  “It’s a good plan,” Cassian said. “Let’s do it.”

  “Yes!” Sabrina said. “I knew you’d like it.”

  “Now, wait a minute,” Todd said. “Why would I agree to teach you anything? I mean, I have-”

  “Help us,” Sabrina interrupted, “and I’ll buy you as much candy as you want.”

  Todd paused, considering.

  “You sure?” he asked. “I can eat a lot of candy.”

  Cassian stepped in. “Do this for me, and believe me, you’ll have your fill. And more.”

  Todd looked at both of them, shrugged, and smiled.

  “Alright then,” he said. “You’ve got my services. So where are we going? Your special training grounds?”

  “No,” Sabrina said. “You can’t go in those. And they’re kind of… in a bad state right now anyway.” She thought for a moment. “I was thinking there’s this beautiful park where magic use is allowed, and we could borrow enchanted wooden swords from practice lessons.”

  “No,” Cassian said firmly. “I have a better place.”

  They both looked at him.

  “We’re going to the Viamnova training hall,” Cassian said. “At Emeraldhold.”

  Todd whistled, impressed, as Cassian turned and led the way.

  Cassian felt a slight boost of confidence as the three of them left the academy together. It vanished the moment he saw what was waiting for him. A carriage stood at the gate; its sides painted with the shield and arms of the Viamnova family. The sigil gleamed proudly in the light. Inside, his cousins sat comfortably. Athena leaned out of the window, waving at him with a playful smile, while Siegfried stared out the opposite side, his expression as stern as ever.

  “There you are,” a rough voice spoke. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  Cassian tore his gaze away from Athena and turned toward the speaker. A large man stood before him, clad in full plate armor, save for his helmet. His eyes were a deep blue, almost dark, and his well-groomed beard showed streaks of gray amid its golden color. His head was perfectly shaven.

  “Uncle,” Cassian said. “It’s you.”

  “Well, I see your eyes still work,” the man replied dryly. “And it’s Uncle Ragnar, nephew. Manners are important, especially so for young men.”

  “Yes, sorry, Uncle Ragnar,” Cassian said quickly. “You said you were waiting for me?”

  “That’s correct. There’s something I need to tell you.”

  “And you came all the way here just for that?” Cassian asked, confused.

  “Don’t be presumptuous, child,” Ragnar said, impatience clear in his voice. “The head butler of our household informed me that my children have been selected for the Special Quest and asked whether preparations should be made for a celebration.” His expression turned contemptuous. “A celebration for what? I ask you. They have achieved nothing. They have merely been selected.” He crossed his arms. “Still, I agreed to come see them. I’ll need to re double their training, so they don’t embarrass our house.” Ragnar’s gaze shifted back to Cassian. “As for you, I expected my brother to be here. I don’t see him.”

  “That’s because, Uncle Ragnar,” Cassian said nervously, “he’s… um… on a quest. Both my parents went.”

  Talking to his uncle always made Cassian nervous. Talking about his father made it worse.

  Ragnar’s expression soured. “So, the secondary branch isn’t even worth informing of the primary branches’ movements,” he said coldly. “No matter. I suspected as much when I didn’t see him. It seems it falls onto me to tell you this.” He straightened to his full height, looming over Cassian. “Yes, perhaps it’s for the best that I tell you myself. Your parents pamper you too much. Do not bring shame upon the Viamnova name.”

  Cassian felt as if something was lodged in his throat.

  His uncle continued. “The entire academy will be watching the three of you. You are expected to uphold the reputation the Viamnova family has built over the past five centuries.” It was then Ragnar seemed to notice Cassian’s companions for the first time. He glanced at Sabrina and Todd with clear disapproval. His gaze returned to Cassian. “You’d better not be wasting your time lollygagging. Train properly so you’re fit for the task.”

  With that, he turned and walked away in that imposing, magnificent way of his. Just before entering the carriage, he stopped and looked back at Cassian. “Do you want a ride home?” he asked, as if the idea had just occurred to him.

  “No,” Cassian answered immediately. “I mean-no, Uncle Ragnar. I need to walk home.”

  “Ah, Yes You have to let the commoners see the main line, whatever would they do if they couldn’t?” He waved a hand dismissively, then he left out a resigned sigh as if thinking better of it. “Well, it is one of your duties, I shouldn’t scold you for doing it. Goodbye, nephew.”

  He stepped into the carriage. Athena gave Cassian one final wave as it pulled away.

  “That was one scary man,” Todd managed to say.

  “Todd, that’s his uncle,” Sabrina snapped. “Don’t be insensitive.”

  “It’s alright,” Cassian told them, trying to hide how awful his uncle had made him feel. “I know he can be very intimidating.”

  “That’s an understatement,” Todd said. “When he talked to us, I just wanted to run back into the academy.”

  Sabrina smacked him on the shoulder.

  “Shut up, Todd!” she yelled.

  The two of them immediately started bickering, which gave Cassian the chance to think about his uncle’s words.

  Do not bring shame upon the Viamnova name.

  That was exactly what he was trying to avoid. And yet, somehow, his uncle had made him feel like no matter what he did, it would never be enough. His uncle would personally train his cousins. And what was he doing?

  Learning from Todd? The thought made him feel foolish. Should he call this whole thing off? Send a message to his parents, ask them to come back and teach him Arbiter spells themselves? But if they couldn’t return, then what? He would be left with nothing.

  This was his only option. Still, the way Ragnar had looked at Sabrina and Todd, and then at him. As if he were wasting his time. As if this was worthless. Todd had been right. He was scary. Cassian had always thought so. He had even told his father once how frightening his uncle was, and how he didn’t think Ragnar liked any of them very much.

  His father had laughed it off.

  “Yes, he’s rough around the edges,” he’d said. “And he could learn to let his guard down every once in a while. But he’s, my brother. He loves me, and he would do anything for you. Trust me.”

  Cassian knew his father was the smartest person in the world. So, he trusted him. His uncle did love him. He had offered to take him home, hadn’t he? That had to mean something. And yet, some part of Cassian was still afraid. He’d been given another reminder of what was at stake. He needed to get this right. When Cassian finally came out of his thoughts, Sabrina and Todd were still arguing.

  “No, seriously,” Todd said. “The way he looked at us-”

  “See? This is why I’m your only friend,” Sabrina snapped. “You can’t shut your mouth.”

  Cassian stepped in. “Hey. We should probably start moving.”

  “Oh-yes, you’re right,” Sabrina said. “Come on, Todd.”

  And thus, the three of them set off together, making their way toward Emeraldhold.