They called him the Titan of Baleros and not because of his tread. In truth, the man was as impressive, or at least, as short as a mouse. But say that to his face and you\u2019d probably be dead. Say it to his [Soldiers] and they\u2019d kick in your face. Say it to Fraerlings and you\u2019d make an enemy of the whole damn race.<\/p>\n
Say it to his students and you\u2019d soon have medical needs. For Niers Astoragon\u2019s tiny boots were those of the greatest [Strategist] in the world. Of that, his students were all agreed. And this is the tale of the question they asked. Two students, a Lizardgirl and a Human who won the right at Daquin, nearly a month past.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the results are in! You all had a week to outfit and supply one of my smaller divisions with food, equipment, potions, and whatever intelligence and directions you saw fit! The goal was to march them nearly two hundred miles through swamp terrain upon which they\u2019d make camp for three days before joining an attack on a nearby city! And the results are\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Niers Astoragon stood on his podium and his class tensed. [Tacticians], [Strategists], even [Commanders] and other classes who used strategy as a tool, were all gathered in his class. It was one of his joint classes and as such, competition was high.<\/p>\n
Nerves were even higher. The Titan of Baleros waited, flipping through his page of notes as Perorn Sadiluc, another teacher who led such classes, shifted impatiently behind him. They could not be more different. Perorn, also known as Fleethoof, was a famous [Strategist], almost as famous as Niers Astoragon. But while she spoke in a crisp, no-nonsense tone and never wasted time\u2026<\/p>\n
Niers raised a hand and waited for the drumroll to die down. The [Drummers], all Dullahans, filled the lecture hall with sonorous thwooms<\/em> of sound, probably echoing the heartbeats of his class. Perorn stared at Niers.<\/p>\n \u201cYou actually brought [Drummers]? What is wrong with you, Astoragon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me have my fun, Perorn. I get old and cranky if I don\u2019t get to do this. Ahem!\u201d<\/p>\n Now there was silence. The [Drummers] packed up and left the room as Niers cleared his throat. He eyed the papers and announced to his students.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Of the eighty seven of you in my advanced class that were deemed capable<\/em> of the challenge, I regret to say that my prized division of fourteen thousand [Soldiers] died<\/em>, starved to death, got lost, or ran afoul of some malady or issue in their terrain that caused them to delay or miss the battle completely in sixty two<\/em> percent of the cases!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRounded down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRounded down!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n A groan ran through the classroom. The Titan cheerfully kicked off the painstakingly written budget reports off his desk. Each student had recorded food bought, supplies paid for, and information added from their own surveillance of the region or [Informants] and so on. Some had hired guides, others, adventuring teams.<\/p>\n It was all a front. None of them had actually bought anything. In truth, they\u2019d gone to an entire town that Niers had painstakingly set up with actual [Merchants], [Informants], and so on, all selling goods that his students had bought with actual gold\u2014but didn\u2019t actually go to this hypothetical army. Still, the challenge had been real, or unreal. Niers bellowed at the class.<\/p>\n \u201cSixty two percent failure!<\/em> Am I teaching the next generation of [Commanders] and [Strategists], or the next generation of Goblin-fodder? And don\u2019t let my bright smile fool you; anyone who has failed<\/em> this lesson will be going on the exact same march with an actual company of [Soldiers], who will take pleasure, great pleasure, in making sure you don\u2019t fail them when you\u2019re actually responsible for their lives!\u201d<\/p>\n A second groan, but louder. Niers looked at his students, savoring their dismay. It was just a bit fun to do this. Even Perorn hid a smile as Niers went on.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve all gotten arrogant. A bit prideful<\/em>. You think that you\u2019re the cream of the crop, the best [Strategists] in the world because you\u2019re all at the top of my classes here. Well, this is an actual scenario and most of you failed it. In fact, even the third of you that passed<\/em> leave much to be desired. You hear that, my starry-eyed little pupils?\u201d<\/p>\n He leaned over the podium and addressed a group of students in the front of the class. They were about\u2026twenty six or so, and instantly, their smug smiles disappeared. Niers looked at his personal class, who were actually able to lay claim to being the best of the best. He practically purred<\/em> as he looked from suddenly nervous face to face.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you think you all passed, hm? I\u2019m proud to say most of you did. But ah, a fifth of you did not. Shall we start naming names? Anyone care to volunteer to have me read their report out loud? Feshi? Cameral? Yerranola?\u201d<\/p>\n He addressed three students, a Gnoll, a Dullahan, and a Selphid. All three instantly ducked their heads, shaking them furiously. Niers looked about as Perorn shuffled her papers.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one? No one at all?\u201d<\/p>\n He was waiting for the inevitable response. And lo and behold, like the sun rising each morning, a huge, furred hand shot up.<\/p>\n \u201cSir! I volunteer!\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz looked around proudly. Niers raised one eyebrow as his lecture hall erupted into a single, unified sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cVenaz! You seem very confident.\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur nodded. He sat up straight, his horns polished, his posture perfect. He met Niers\u2019 eyes without flinching.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Professor! I calculated each step of my division\u2019s movements! Food, supplies, guides\u2014all were accounted for! They were prepared for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n He spoke as if there could be no doubt, and there wasn\u2019t. Niers raised one eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz hesitated, then nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely, Professor. I\u2019m confident in my own abilities. I will not fall for mind games.\u201d<\/p>\n His bravado was almost infectious. A few of Niers\u2019 students, like the officers who sat apart from the [Strategists], began to look hopeful. Niers smiled. And then, like a spider who has finally ensnared his biggest fly in a web, he pounced.<\/p>\n \u201cInteresting, Venaz. Because, and I\u2019m afraid to say this, your division never made it past the first three days.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The word erupted from Venaz\u2019 mouth along with a gale of laughter from above. He turned and glared upwards; a group of students were laughing their behinds off. Peki, a young Garuda from Chandrar, Merrik, a Dwarf [War Leader] from Terandria, Kelsa and Romin, two Centaur [Captains], and a group of the students from the officer class were enjoying his dismay. He turned back to Niers, looking furious and embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor, that can\u2019t be right! I did the calculations! I\u2019ve led<\/em> soldiers before! I didn\u2019t err\u2014I must demand to see the math!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you will! My fellow teachers and I have all gone over your budgets\u2014checked and double checked<\/em> them! We\u2019ll be passing them out\u2014er, someone will have to help unsort the reports I just kicked over\u2014but if any of you have any reservations, you may argue your case!\u201d<\/p>\n Niers waved at some of the other teachers. One of them, a Drake, shot Niers a look<\/em> as he bent to tidy up the reports. The Fraerling went on, addressing the Minotaur.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately though, in your case, Venaz, the math isn\u2019t even hard. Your company starved to death.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? But I arranged more than enough supplies! I paid that [Merchant]\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou paid a fraud<\/em>, Venaz! He was a [Swindler]! A good one! He ran off with your gold and your company got exactly nothing<\/em> to march with. To be fair, we gave them thirty miles before starvation set in, but with your foraging order, it wasn\u2019t enough. You get a few points for that, by the way, but your [Soldiers] deserted.\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur\u2019s jaw dropped and stayed dropped as Niers rifled through his reports. He fished Venaz\u2019s out and tsked<\/em> much to the amusement of most in the room. The sharper students were realizing that Venaz\u2019s performance might extend to them.<\/p>\n \u201cA real tragedy. I warned you all! Take this seriously<\/em>. And you all swanned off to our glorious city to spend the gold you were given\u2014a quarter of you never even managed to spend it all! It was stolen, you gave it to fraudulent [Merchants] or you were tricked into terrible deals with actual ones\u2014a few of you never even made it out of the red-light district! And yes, we have records of it all.\u201d<\/p>\n The class stared at the Titan. He casually flipped through another report. Then he looked up and he was grinning. His students had nightmares about that grin.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you really think being a [Strategist] was about pure logistics?<\/em> Have I taught all of you nothing?<\/em> The entire town was bought out! My precious students\u2014you can fight an army and supply it, but how will you do if you can\u2019t manage people?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait\u2014Professor! You mean everything that happened to us in that hellhole was scripted?\u201d<\/p>\n At last, the students began reacting. Niers grinned. Merrik looked outraged. The Dwarf slammed a fist onto his desk.<\/p>\n \u201cI was mugged<\/em> in that town!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot fatally. You fought them off, well done. But may I suggest that next time you don\u2019t walk around with all<\/em> your gold in your bag of holding? Well done on recovering it, though. Don\u2019t worry; the [Thief] whose arm you broke was a Selphid.\u201d<\/p>\n Merrik\u2019s jaw dropped. From below, another student raised her hand and called out.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were all<\/em> actors, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers smiled at the Lizardgirl who\u2019d spoken up.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery last one, Umina. Or rather, they were hired. [Prostitutes], [Merchants], [Thieves]\u2014some of them quite high-level! I\u2019m pleased to say that many of you navigated most of the threats well, but some of you\u2026well, let\u2019s just get to the analysis, shall we? And our first student is\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Perorn snatched the reports out from under Niers and checked the name at the top of the page.<\/p>\n \u201cWil Kallinad, your report. Passed.<\/em> Next! Marian Felthof. Passed! <\/em>Venaz of Hammerad. Failed.<\/em> Feshi Weatherfur. Passed! Yerranola\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Niers folded his arms, a bit hurt, but Perorn\u2019s efficiency and the other teachers beginning to call out names meant the students were soon reading their reports, most with deep dismay. Some were relieved\u2014and yes, many from Niers\u2019 special class. Venaz just stared at his report in a state of shock.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was an imposter? But he was so\u2014so\u2014trustworthy.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou idiot, Venaz. That\u2019s how you know they\u2019re fake!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Marian trotted over to him and gleefully looked over his shoulder. The Minotaur began to angle his papers away from hers, but then gave up and slapped it on the desk for all to see. He folded his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cHe seemed military!<\/em> He knew what he was talking about\u2014he must have been truly high level!\u201d<\/p>\n They all had been.<\/em> Niers smiled as he watched his students debate and bicker over the results. In truth, the test had<\/em> been hard. Niers had sent expert [War Merchants] used to haggling with company leaders to tear into his students and get the best deals they could. He\u2019d also hired criminals versed in trickery and artifice to do the same.<\/p>\n They\u2019d loved their roles. Niers had even hired some of the red-light district\u2019s finest to tempt his students. You could tell who\u2019d fallen for their wiles by the red faces. To be fair\u2014many of them had used their charm or seduction Skills liberally, but that was a valid danger for [Strategists] to fall into. And not just because they might spend money unwisely.<\/p>\n \u201cAmbushed? Oh, dead gods. My division got attacked because I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Merrik was groaning as he showed his report to his friends. He broke off, turning red and muttering into his beard. Peki just shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou suck. Ha. Ha. I\u2019m going to stay here while you march two hundred miles.\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda smiled. Merrik scowled at her.<\/p>\n \u201cHow the hell did you<\/em> pass, Peki? I had to hold onto my bag of holding with both hands with all those damn [Thieves] about! Not to mention prying a good deal out of my [Merchant]!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI flew. Obviously. And I bought food from a trustworthy person.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you know they were trustworthy, Peki?\u201d<\/p>\n Marian called up at the officers. Peki looked down and then leaned over her table to call down to them. Ever since the games at Daquin, the officers and strategist classes had gotten more friendly.<\/p>\n \u201cI watched how they stood and talked to the others. I learned that from\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Strongest of Pomle. Yeah, yeah. Dead gods, we got slaughtered<\/em>. How\u2019d you all do, you [Strategist] pricks?\u201d<\/p>\n Merrik groaned. He looked down at the [Strategists]. Venaz\u2019s head was bowed, but the rest looked fairly cheerful. Yerranola was covering her face, but most had passed.<\/p>\n \u201cI could also smell some of them out as liars. I suppose I had an advantage there, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Feshi was grinning as she showed her report to the others. Wil smiled and covered his report as she glanced sideways at it. Not out of embarrassment; the [Lord] had gotten the third-highest marks out of everyone in the class and only lost points because he\u2019d had a fourth of his gold stolen by one of the better [Pickpockets]. Umina sighed as she stared at her paper.<\/p>\n \u201cI managed to pass too, Merrik. Barely. I got mugged too, so I just gave them some of my gold. Wil, how\u2019d you do so well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014I\u2019ve met [Merchants] so I had some experience with them. I could tell who wasn\u2019t genuine. Venaz, there\u2019s a number of signs, but you have<\/em> to go through the Merchant\u2019s Guild or some other form of verification to hold them responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought I was buying directly from the source! And he had a certificate\u2014it even tested positive at the Merchant\u2019s Guild!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFake. They can do that. You should have checked his name via the Mage\u2019s Guild. The [Receptionist] at the desk was either blindsided or he bought her off.\u201d<\/p>\n By now, the class was calming down. The students who\u2019d failed were resigned to their fate. It wasn\u2019t a disgrace to fail in the Titan\u2019s academy. In fact, everyone in the class had failed at least a dozen times. It was a lesson Niers wanted to hammer into the students he was teaching: failure was inevitable. You failed, and you learned from your mistakes. They were also used to his unusual punishments, and while they were certain the march would be deeply unpleasant, it was also what they\u2019d signed up for.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright! That\u2019s all for today, my lovely students! The losers will take part in the march next week; don\u2019t worry, you don\u2019t have to do anything but follow our [Soldiers]! Although with that said, you might want to prepare yourselves\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Groans followed the Titan\u2019s statement and he smiled. Perorn was waiting by the door and the students were packing up their notes, quills, ink, parchment, or for the richer ones, paper, and looking expectant. Also\u2014a bit nervous.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see. No homework for today. Just be prepared to discuss your reports in your individual classes tomorrow. Oh, and one last thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked up. His students stared at him as one. The Professor\u2019s eyes twinkled and Perorn sighed<\/em> again. Loudly.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina?\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl jumped. Behind her, Wil sat up in his chair. Suddenly, the attention of all the students in the room was fixed on Umina. She stuttered.<\/p>\n \u201cY-yes, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked at her. He could practically hear her heart beating. He held the moment, smiling, and then nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations on your passing! But please, next time remember to put your name<\/em> on your report?\u201d<\/p>\n She turned bright red across her scales. The class exhaled; a few laughed, but mostly everyone just sighed. Niers smiled, leapt off his desk, and strode up the Fraerling-ways, the tunnels that ran the length of his citadel and were small enough for only his kind to pass through. He called out as he reached the door built into the side of the wall.<\/p>\n \u201cClass dismissed!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The students dispersed in groups. They had circles of friends, or pairs, or some were alone, but most had groups. They ordered by age, personality, and class. This particular group were made up of Niers\u2019 special class, his best students. They were varied in species, but they were friends.<\/p>\n More or less. Some, like Marian and Venaz, were more like rivals, or they didn\u2019t get along, like Xelic and Kissilt. But they stayed together because they were friends of friends. Classmates. It was a powerful bond for all the time that they\u2019d spent together.<\/p>\n It was another day in the Titan\u2019s academy in the city of Elvallian, headquarters of the Forgotten Wing Company, one of the Four Great Companies. However, it wouldn\u2019t be forever.<\/p>\n Summer was coming. And with it, a certain expectancy in the air. The students were groaning about the march, but not too hard. After all, soon most would leave for a while, and while it might seem odd, these students were passionate about their work. They liked <\/em>being here, and they didn\u2019t feel like leaving. But leave they would.<\/p>\n The Titan of Baleros believed in vacations. He gave his students time off to visit their families or return home during the summer and winter seasons\u2014or when the Forgotten Wing Company was engaged in the business of war. His students enjoyed the breaks too by and large; it was good to go home. But the group leaving the hall now were quiet.<\/p>\n Wil walked next to Feshi and Cameral, Umina trailing him with Marian walking by her side and Venaz dejectedly bringing up the rear with Yerranola. Some of the other members of the group passed them by, but the rest were just looking at Umina and Wil.<\/p>\n They were all getting worried because the summer break was coming up and a huge question loomed over all their heads. Or rather, two. Umina\u2019s heart was still pounding. She\u2019d thought it would be today. She\u2019d thought and\u2014<\/p>\n Venaz was the first to break the silence. He looked up and spoke, gesturing back to the classroom.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to ask! It\u2019s a test of courage\u2014no, self-worth! The Professor is testing<\/em> you two. He wants you to ask when it will be! Mark my words!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. But I really thought it would be today!\u201d<\/p>\n Umina shook her head. Marian sighed loudly.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s teasing us! You know he\u2019ll let you ask when it\u2019s time, Umina! Ignore Venaz.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I\u2019m right?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz was outraged. Marian turned and glared at him. But the spark wasn\u2019t there. She looked over at Wil. The young [Lord] was shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe Venaz is right. This is just like the Professor. Maybe we should ask.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou should! Everyone from our class wants to know what you\u2019ll ask!\u201d<\/p>\n That came from behind and lower down. Everyone jumped and turned to look at Merrik. He wasn\u2019t that<\/em> short\u2014he was five feet tall which still placed him well below everyone but Umina, but Dwarves weren\u2019t actually super<\/em> short. He stroked his beard as he stopped with Peki, a Dullahan, and one of the Centaurs in his class.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all waiting for the answer to the questions! You haven\u2019t asked already? Everyone in our class would!\u201d<\/p>\n They all fell into step, arguing as they went down the corridor. Marian was shaking her head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean, Umina and Wil should demand they have their question? You want to do that to the Professor?<\/em> In front of everyone?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a test. He\u2019s checking your willpower.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz asserted. This time Peki and even Jekilt and Kissilt were nodding. The Drake glared at Wil.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to march up to him and demand it! It\u2019s clearly what he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe. Or maybe he really is busy. You know he\u2019s been running around every day since Daquin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026True. I haven\u2019t seen the Professor so busy in a while. Everyone wants a piece of him after the game. But even so!\u201d<\/p>\n The arguing students came to an abrupt halt as they descended from the second floor to the first. They had caught up with the teachers. Perorn, a Selphid wearing a Dullahan\u2019s body, and Niers Astoragon were all conversing with\u2026no one?<\/p>\n Wait. It took most of the students a moment to realize that they were all turned and speaking to someone. Even though they were used to her presence, it took them even longer to make out Foliana, head of the Forgotten Wing Company. Three-Color Stalker, famously hard to detect and even more famously odd.<\/p>\n The teachers didn\u2019t even glance up at the students; after all, they often conducted business in the citadel that pertained to the company as well as instruction. Foliana on the other hand looked up, and gave the students an unblinking stare. Her multicolored eyes stopped the group in their tracks.<\/p>\n \u201cWell? Go on! Do it!\u201d<\/p>\n Kissilt hissed at Wil and Umina. But everyone had stopped. Three-Color Stalker was staring at<\/em> them and everyone knew her reputation. If Niers was the legend of [Strategists], Foliana was the nightmare of everyone who commanded. She\u2019d killed thousands, it was rumored. She\u2019d eat your favorite food and then kill you. It was her sign. Umina prayed that Foliana would never eat squid.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s right there. It\u2019s a perfect opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Merrik muttered, but he sounded intimidated. Perorn, Niers Astoragon, and Foliana were all standing together with [Commander] Isheil. Three legends plus a distinguished commander. Venaz cleared his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Even Venaz\u2019s courage failed him for a second. The students hesitated and Wil and Umina looked at each other. They burned with the desire to ask. But now?<\/em><\/p>\n It was the same thing that had kept them from asking the entire month. Umina was just about to suggest they bother the Professor when he wasn\u2019t so clearly busy talking to his superior and one of the most important people in all of Baleros, but she was interrupted. Jekilt, looking from face to face, snorted and pawed the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you two won\u2019t do it, I\u2019ll do it myself. Professor! A question!\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur [Captain] trotted forwards. Everyone, the other students and even teachers, turned to watch. Niers turned his head and raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cJekilt. How can I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n His tone was mildly reproving. Foliana and Perorn both looked at the Centaur, and Perorn\u2019s narrowed eyes made Jekilt draw up. But it was too late to turn back. Jekilt gulped.<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor. My deepest apologies for the interruption. However, I have to ask. When might you be available to let Umina and Wil ask their question? The one they earned at Daquin?\u201d<\/p>\n Dead silence followed his question. Everyone waited, breathless. Umina even saw some of the youngest [Tacticians] poking their heads out of a classroom with a teacher. Niers raised his brows, but he didn\u2019t look amused, as if Jekilt had found him out. He glanced at Foliana and she disappeared. With a sigh, Niers turned back to Jekilt, frowning.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t give you a solid date, Jekilt. My schedule\u2019s beyond full. This very night I\u2019m meeting with donors to the Forgotten Wing Company, and tomorrow I\u2019m due to inspect some of our company\u2019s cities\u2014I\u2019ll be travelling all day, so Perorn will be instructing you all. When my schedule clears, I\u2019ll let you know. But until then\u2014I have business to attend to. Foliana! You better not have run off!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy apologies, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Flushing, Jekilt retreated. Perorn gave him another reproving look as Niers, standing on her shoulder, hurled a quill like a javelin. It stopped in midair where Foliana had been and she grudgingly reappeared.<\/p>\n \u201cOh dead gods. You really made him mad! Fleethoof too!\u201d<\/p>\n Marian squeaked as Jekilt trotted back towards them. The Centaur just shook his head, too mortified for words. Umina stared at Niers as he turned back to Foliana. The Fraerling was frowning. But\u2014she felt a tug at her side.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil was looking at her. The Lizardgirl leaned over. He had sensed it too. The Titan had been unusually snappish. He had days like that, but he usually entertained questions. At least, intelligent questions. She hesitated and then leaned over towards him.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe he really is busy? Huh. My mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz was scratching at his horns. Jekilt tried to kick him with one hoof. But Wil was looking at Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe it\u2019s worth a shot. But it would have to be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Umina nodded. She whispered with Wil, and then the two of them hesitated. Their classmates saw them raising their hands and quickly throw a sign. It was sword-wand-shield, or, as some other people called it, rock-parchment-knife. Or fist-palm-fingers. It was a universal game.<\/p>\n Wil threw sword, an open palm. Umina threw wand, her two claws pointed. Wil groaned. He turned, adjusted his clothes, and strode forwards.<\/p>\n This time the entire corridor was breathless. Niers looked up from his conversation a second time, a clear frown on his face. Wil paused as the teachers turned to stare at him. This time even Foliana stared.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Wil? I\u2019m a bit busy. Foliana, perhaps we should take this to a private room later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm.\u201d<\/p>\n The Squirrel-woman\u2019s response was unintelligible. Niers waited, folding his arms. Wil bowed slightly, and then came out with it.<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor, my apologies. However, I would like to ask you a question. During the games at Daquin, we did earn the right to a question of our choosing, didn\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers paused. He looked at Perorn, who shook her head. He turned back to Wil with a sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did, Wil. Your memory does not deceive you. But as I just told Jekilt, I\u2019ve been too busy to honor the bargain. I intended it to be right after I returned, but with that emergency regarding the Hydra\u2014this really is inopportune, Wil.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man paled at the criticism. But he raised his chin. Umina saw him straighten his back and clasp his hands behind him, the picture of a young Terandrian [Lord].<\/p>\n \u201cI understand that, Professor. But, and I apologize in advance, your schedule seems unusually busy even for the summer. Given that we are<\/em> about to enter our summer break, I request the right to ask the question, Professor. Today.\u201d<\/p>\n Silent uproar. Marian\u2019s mouth was a silent \u2018o\u2019 of horror, and she wasn\u2019t the only one. Perorn\u2019s eyes flashed. She opened her mouth, but Niers cut her off. He looked at Wil, and he did not seem amused by the request.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want it to be today, Wil Kallinad? And that is your\u2026request?\u201d<\/p>\n Silently, Wil nodded. Niers turned his head slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you, Umina Caxical?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina turned white. Niers was staring at her and she could see it on his face. This was not acceptable.<\/em> But she had to trust to the same instinct Wil had had. So she nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n She could only croak that word. For a moment Niers paused, and Umina and Wil waited to be sentenced to some truly horrible punishment.<\/p>\n And then\u2014Niers exhaled. He nudged Perorn\u2019s cheek with one elbow. She smiled slightly and her frown disappeared.<\/p>\n \u201cTold you they\u2019d do it inside of a month.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDemand, not ask. Fine, you win, Perorn. Take your damn amulet. Wil, couldn\u2019t you have been more straightforward two days later?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked at Wil with an aggrieved expression. The young man paused. But the copper coin had dropped. Venaz exhaled hugely. Feshi stared at Niers as the Titan grinned. Jekilt was slapping his forehead with the palm of his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWas that a test<\/em>, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the Dullahans called out, scandalized. Niers turned his head, looking innocent.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Me? Test my lovely student\u2019s resolve? Never.\u201d<\/p>\n He ignored the accusatory looks and turned back to Wil. He smiled slightly. And the pride outweighed even his amusement. He nodded to the young [Lord] and then to Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. I\u2019ll clear my schedule. My personal quarters\u2014tonight. Sunset. Both of you be prepared with your questions. Now, I am busy\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He dodged Perorn\u2019s hand as she flicked at him with a finger. Foliana rolled her eyes and vanished. Laughing, Niers leapt onto Commander Isheil\u2019s palm. He turned and the teachers, minus Foliana, turned and walked down the corridor, suddenly in good spirits. The students watched them go. And then they erupted into chaos.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a test!<\/em> You did it, Wil! Dead gods, I thought he was going to tear your head off!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnother trick? I thought I offended him! Who knew Fleethoof could act?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd with Three-Color Stalker? Dead gods\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Students and teachers flooded out of the classrooms. Umina was blushing as Marian hugged her with glee. A month of waiting and it had all been another prank! He\u2019d been so<\/em> convincing, but\u2014<\/p>\n Venaz was pounding Wil on the back with glee, ignoring the shouts of pain. Feshi was grinning as Peki and Merrik laughed at the entire spectacle of it. Jekilt, red-faced, was accepting congratulations from Kissilt, Yerranola, and Cameral for being the sacrifice. For five minutes, everyone was giddy on the victory.<\/p>\n And then the excitement faded a notch and the students all looked at each other. Cameral shook his head, raising it with both arms so everyone could see him.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was an unworthy prank. I truly thought the Professor was offended. And knowing him, he would have kept up the ruse. Do you think he intended to let us wait the entire summer break if Umina and Wil did not demand the right to a question?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably. He might have kept us waiting forever if we didn\u2019t ask. But the guts<\/em> to not just ask, but demand?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Marian stamped her hooves, looking vexed and pleased. She looked at Umina. Still shaking with nervous energy, the Lizardgirl nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHe does it every<\/em> time. I still have nightmares about that test where every answer was in the same column!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust absolutely out of his egg-headed mind. The worst teacher I\u2019ve ever had that way. Even in Manus\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Kissilt growled. He paused as the Lizardpeople around him stared at the Drake. Kelsa shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think he\u2019s that bad to his opponents on the battlefield?\u201d<\/p>\n Yerranola exhaled.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, believe me. We were on campaign with him and he did a trick with the drums\u2014remember, Venaz?\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHe can be even worse, I heard. Imagine trying to fight a war against him?\u201d<\/p>\n All the students shuddered. They tried to imagine facing off against their teacher. And it might one day happen. They were students for now, but they were training themselves to take positions of authority on the battlefield. It was a sobering reminder of the future.<\/p>\n But for now\u2014Wil looked around. His cheeks were red with relief. They had done it. The Titan would answer any question Wil and Umina had. Any one question in the world. The excitement, that knowledge, was dawning on the other students. Umina felt dozens of eyes on her and trembled.<\/p>\n Any question within the Titan\u2019s power to answer. <\/em>Anything. And she would ask it tonight. She and Wil. The young man looked around. And then he raised his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get a drink. First round\u2019s on me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Two tables had been pulled together in the bar for the students to sit together. It was a crowd even by the pub\u2019s usual standard, and they were used to the students of Niers\u2019 academy. But everyone was there to celebrate Umina and Wil getting to ask the question. All of their friends.<\/p>\n All of them. Jekilt and Marian, Centaurs, Yerranola the lone Selphid of the advanced class, Feshi the Gnoll who was sitting next to the grumpy Kissilt, a Drake with mild ice breath and pale white-purple scales, Venaz the Minotaur, Umina, two other Lizardfolk, Cameral and another Dullahan\u2026and Foliana\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n And now Merrik, Peki, Kelsa, Romin, and four more officers from their classes. They were one of the larger friend groups that had emerged from Daquin. Now Merrik raised his mug.<\/p>\n \u201cA toast! To the Titan\u2019s question!\u201d<\/p>\n He downed his drink in one go as the others cheered. Venaz lowered his mug, looking put out that Merrik had beaten him to it. All the students drank and exhaled practically as one. They\u2019d done it.<\/p>\n It was odd how the jealousy and resentment of the first few weeks had faded into a universal expectation, Umina reflected. A number of students had not been happy about her snatching victory at the last moment, or Wil being awarded a question for his daring maneuver in bringing a fleet into Daquin. But the long delay had solidified the student body\u2019s sympathy for Wil and Umina. Perhaps, all as the Titan had planned. You had to admire him if that was the case.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, have you both thought of your question?\u201d<\/p>\n Yerranola was the first to break the ice. She leaned over the appetizers and drinks, staring at Wil and Umina. The other students glanced up expectantly. Umina paused in eating some of the shrimp.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014um, I think so!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n Kissilt demanded after a second. Marian nudged him hard.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be an ass, Kissilt. It\u2019s private!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it? We won\u2019t know the answer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt could be! If Umina doesn\u2019t want to say\u2014what about you, Wil?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil nodded. He didn\u2019t look as happy as Umina would have expected. He sipped from his lighter ale, picking at his corn bread side, richly buttered.<\/p>\n \u201cAll sorted. I know what I have to ask. I don\u2019t have much of a choice on my part.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. You mean\u2014you\u2019re going to ask on behalf of your family?\u201d<\/p>\n Yerranola exhaled slowly. Everyone leaned out of the way of her corpse breath. It wasn\u2019t too bad with fresh bodies, but\u2014the Selphid apologetically waved a scent-charm in the air. Wil was nodding.<\/p>\n \u201cMy family pulled a lot of strings to get that fleet to move into Daquin. I can\u2019t exactly ask a question for myself, can I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s the question<\/em>. You can\u2019t just ask on their behalf! Don\u2019t you have a burning question you have to know the answer to?\u201d<\/p>\n Merrik protested over his mug. Peki punched him. Not in the side; the Dwarf\u2019s head rocked.<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods damnit, Peki! <\/em>Don\u2019t punch me in the jaw!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be rude.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Martial Artist] looked at Wil. He was shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to, Merrik. But I\u2019m a [Lord]. I have duties to my family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf grimaced. Some of the other students not from Terandria looked perplexed, including Venaz.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that got to do with it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLoyalty to his family and kingdom, Venaz. Wil has to put his desires behind what\u2019s good for his family.\u201d<\/p>\n Merrik sighed. He looked sympathetic. Venaz looked perplexed.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand that. But this is an individual reward. One cannot expect Wil to give up all his desires. Let him ask his own question. What benefits him ultimately benefits his family. Isn\u2019t that so?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked around for support. Cameral was nodding, as were the Centaurs and Kissilt, but Feshi, Yerranola, and one of the other Terandrians were shaking their heads. The Lizardpeople students were, predictably, split. Wil sighed again, and Marian patted him on the shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cHouse Kallinad\u2019s a coastal duchy, isn\u2019t it, Wil? I know that the Kallinad family\u2019s wealthy. You didn\u2019t spend too<\/em> much, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about prestige, Marian. If I gave nothing back to my family, they\u2019d suffer politically more than financially.\u201d<\/p>\n Feshi frowned, wrinkling her furry face. The Gnoll looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cDuke\u2026duke\u2026it means punching something, yes? But it\u2019s also a rank. I forget Human nobility\u2019s titles so easily. What position is [Duke]?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust below a [Prince]. It\u2019s pretty much the highest rank of the nobility. Wil\u2019s important.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Yerranola grinned as she ruffled Wil\u2019s hair. He let it happen, resigned. They were good friends, like Marian, Umina, and Venaz\u2019s odd friendship.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t exaggerate, Yerranola. I\u2019m just a [Lord]. Kallinad\u2019s a big family. I\u2019m not even in the immediate line of succession. There are eight stronger heirs with a claim to the family head than me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? I thought you were a third son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but it\u2019s about bloodline, Feshi. Technically, my father had my sister with his, uh, first wife. And I\u2019m the product of the second. But that\u2019s not how Terandrians choose their successors.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll [Strategist] looked confused. Cameral leaned forwards, feeding his head with a spoon.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s first-born from each previous leader, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a lineal descendant, Cameral. Direct inheritance. We used to do that in Terandria\u2026a long time ago. Now though, it\u2019s ichorial descendancy.\u201d<\/p>\n The blank looks came from everyone this time, even Merrik, who was used to some of Terandrian politics. The [Lord] looked embarrassed as he tried to elaborate.<\/p>\n \u201cThe purest bloodlines lead each house, not the heir of each predecessor. If you marry into the nobility or even royalty of another family, your children are, uh, purer in descent. So that means my father\u2019s sister\u2014my Aunt Delicha\u2014has the strongest claim because she\u2019s married to a [Baron] of Ailendamus. Her children are first to inherit unless<\/em> my sister, Talia, gets married to someone with a bloodline at least as pure as\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Yerranola\u2019s eyes rolled into the back of her head. Umina tried to follow the convoluted explanation, but gave up. So did Wil as he realized he was losing his audience. Foliana drank out of Xelic\u2019s mug with a straw.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very complex. And houses can split or schism all the time when fighting over succession. Kallinad hasn\u2019t had one for a few centuries, which means it\u2019s probably time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods. And I thought politics in Baleros were messy. What\u2019s the point of all that?\u201d<\/p>\n Xelic got up to refill his mug. Wil shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cIntermarriage between the noble houses prevents strife, in theory. It\u2019s also hard to wipe out a house for that reason. Everyone of the peerage is distantly related to each other. Only a few bloodlines have been erased, sometimes due to war, or assassinations\u2014the Goblin King, the Necromancer\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBastard.\u201d<\/p>\n Kissilt interjected that comment as an aside. Merrik laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cA toast to dead undead!\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone drank to that, although most of the other students didn\u2019t share the same view of necromancy. The conversation circled right back to Wil. This time it was Venaz who was objecting to Wil\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you are beholden to your kingdom, aren\u2019t you? House Kallinad is still under the domain of the Kingdom of\u2026Pheislant. Hm. Cameral! Pheislant! What are the facts?\u201d<\/p>\n He turned to the Dullahan quickly. Kissilt, Cameral, Venaz, and Yerranola were all fans of flash-facts about other nations. They loved quizzing each other at random. The Dullahan instantly sat up and his hands scratched the top of his head as he replied.<\/p>\n \u201cNaval nation. Unit of specialty\u2014aquatic [Knights]? Strong navy; weaker army but entrenched fortifications along borders. Largesse means strong connections with [Knight] orders, especially Order of Seasons. Last war\u2014defeat. Against Ailendamus\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, good! But that means Kallinad owes loyalty to Pheislant. If you\u2019re asking a question on behalf of your house, shouldn\u2019t you ask one on behalf of your kingdom? I\u2019m just extending this logical train of thought. I still think you should ask your own question.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not that simple, Venaz. [Dukes] can refuse royal orders if they have good reason. In fact, sometimes they can overthrow the [King].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Kissilt looked as appalled as Venaz. The Drake shook his head, spilling his drink as he reached for a shrimp. Foliana shook the liquid off her fur as she stood next to him.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou damned Human anarchists. What happened to the order of law?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut it, Kissilt. No one wants to hear about the superiority of Drakes. It\u2019s as bad as listening to Venaz talk about Minotaurs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI resent that!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs do I!\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake and Minotaur glared at each other. Feshi cleared her throat.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of bloodlines\u2014how is it that the nobility don\u2019t have funny heads and weird noses, Wil? I\u2019ve seen bad inbreeding among Oldblood families back home. And it is not<\/em> pretty, no?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Kissilt and the Drake, glaring, nodded. Wil shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cWe make sure to marry distant blood relatives. And lots of the nobility have Skills to help with children.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSkills? What, like fertility Skills?\u201d<\/p>\n Cameral spat his drink out and glared at Yerranola. The Selphid cackled, greatly amused. The other Dullahans looked scandalized. Wil turned beet red.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! Inheritance Skills! You know, [Adroit Progeny]? Skills that allow you to pass on what the mother or father was good at\u2014like if the father was a [Lord] who was excellent at warfare, his children have a better chance of being as good as he was with a sword, or as beautiful as their mother?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked around. This time the side-eyes he got were deeply disturbed. Jekilt shook his head. His torso leaned over as his horse-half sat on the cushions.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me get this straight. Terandrian nobility have Skills that\u2026change<\/em> their children?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked appalled. Wil nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWait. No one else has heard of it? It\u2019s not rare. I mean\u2014come on. Really? It makes sense! A Skill that passes down appearance, or talent? No one\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The other species looked at each other. And then they pushed themselves back from the table, leaving the Humans and Merrik alone. They huddled together, glancing over at Wil. Foliana was stealing Kissilt\u2019s shrimp.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDead gods, that explains so much. Remember the other nobility we met? No wonder so many washed out!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s so freaky.<\/em> Terandria is weird.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t make fun of him! He\u2019s got a great body! Do you know how much it costs to buy the body of the nobility on the black market? Let alone a good one? Look at that jaw!\u201d<\/p>\n Yerranola objected, pointing back at Wil. Marian snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cHe probably got it from his father.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz nodded, looking deeply disgruntled.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was born with an advantage. Humans. Even with children, they have to put a finger on the scales\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t drag scales into this, Venaz. We<\/em> don\u2019t do anything like that in the Walled Cities.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Oldblood breeding programs, Kissilt? I know Drakes do that!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not the same as having Skills\u2014<\/em>hey! Who ate my shrimp? Marian!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake exclaimed as he saw his bowl was nearly empty. He turned and glared at the Centauress to his left. She folded her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t look at me! I don\u2019t like shrimp!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n Xelic, one of the Lizardmen, looked horrified. Umina sighed as she waved for another bowl of the delectable crustaceans. Alive. Drunken shrimp marinated in alcohol were the best<\/em>. Marian just shuddered as half the table ordered a second round of snacks. Foliana took another from Kissilt\u2019s bowl.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how<\/em> you eat them. They\u2019re awful! Fish, now, I like fish. But shrimp? They\u2019re okay if they\u2019re breaded, but raw? Moving?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Marian pointed at the refill a Lizardgirl [Server] was bringing over. The drunk shrimp met a grisly fate as Venaz picked it up and bit the head off. He shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cFood is food, Marian. It\u2019s not like this is a parasite or something. Now, some creatures have little eggs that if you eat them\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods, Venaz! Shut up! I\u2019m eating!\u201d<\/p>\n Someone threw a shrimp at Venaz. He threw the shrimp back, and the table was distracted for a few minutes. Wil endured more good-natured prodding at his ancestry and refused to answer which Skills his<\/em> parents had used in the bedroom. But at last, someone raised his voice for everyone\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n It was Jekilt. The serious [Captain] was older than the other students, and so commanded more or less silence as he rose to his hooves. He nodded, raising a mug to Wil and Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cI know Daquin was your victory, Umina. You won, and there is nothing else to say. Wil, you earned your question likewise. And you\u2019ll ask your question tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone nodded. The good cheer faded and they all looked speculatively at the two. Wil met Umina\u2019s eyes and both felt that tingle in their stomachs. Guilt too; the envy was clear on everyone\u2019s face and Umina still felt bad about undercutting Marian. But Jekilt wasn\u2019t done. He drank, and then came out with it.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve talked to the members of my old company, and they\u2019ve all put in gold. If you ask the Professor a question on our behalf, we can pay you one thousand, two hundred, and eighty nine gold pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina turned to stare at Jekilt. And then Kissilt burst out furiously.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Jekilt, you can\u2019t do that!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not? It\u2019s a fair trade. There\u2019s no rule against it.\u201d<\/p>\n Jekilt challenged Kissilt aggressively. The Drake shook his head as he got to his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you can\u2019t do that! Because I <\/em>was going to ask if they\u2019d take my question instead!\u201d<\/p>\n Laughter. Kissilt shouted, waving his claws and exhaling a plume of icy breath.<\/p>\n \u201cHear me out! Hear me out!<\/em> It\u2019s about classes.\u201d<\/p>\n All the [Strategists] paused. The Drake went on, spreading his claws, looking at Wil and Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cListen. One of you can ask the Professor for this. It could be you, Umina! All you need to ask for is a list of every possible class consolidation the Professor knows about, and what Skills you get and the advantages and disadvantages. Think about it! We all<\/em> stand to benefit. We could work towards our ideal class, and\u2014and<\/em> that information is worth gold<\/em> if we sold it!\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured around at the entire table. Marian blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s actually intelligent, Kissilt. But\u2014every<\/em> class? You think the Professor would really answer that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust [Strategists], then. Or commanding classes. Don\u2019t you all want to know what your possibilities are?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut that\u2019s such a general question. How does it benefit Umina and Wil more than you, Kissilt?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it benefits us all, so we\u2019d owe the asker a huge favor\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m offering gold. And my question is private. If Umina and Wil want to take it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Jekilt was looking meaningfully at Umina. She bit her tongue, but Marian shielded her.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina can ask whatever she wants. She won the right to a question, Jekilt, not you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo one\u2019s denying that, Marian. But Jekilt\u2019s right. She could stand to gain. Listen, I was going to bring this up later, but a [Merchant] friend of mine has a similar offer\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t pressure her, Xelic!\u201d<\/p>\n Marian glared at the Lizardman. Merrik slammed his mug on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, come on. Let\u2019s at least float our questions! Peki\u2019s got one about martial arts techniques, so that\u2019s probably out, but mine\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n All the students were looking at Wil and Umina now. Uneasily, Umina got up, raising her claws.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I don\u2019t want to make promises. I have my own question\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust hear us out!\u201d<\/p>\n Wil was fending off Yerranola and Feshi. Marian looked up, and then leaned over.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina, I do have one of my own\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMarian!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEnough! Wil, Umina, the door! Now! The rest of you, back off!\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz shot to his feet. He pushed back the others as Wil and Umina backed towards the door. The Minotaur was impossible for even the Centaurs to move in the press, and he fended them off as the two students fled out the back door.<\/p>\n Venaz followed them out. He wrestled the door closed, pushing back the rest of their classmates who were shouting their own questions. He turned to Wil and Umina as the two panted.<\/p>\n \u201cIdiots. You have a right to choose. And you would have accepted such offers beforehand if you had any intention of giving up your question, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina nodded sheepishly. She\u2019d gotten inquiries already. Some very generous. But\u2026it was her<\/em> question. Wil looked resigned as he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t ask anything else. And I bet you want to ask your question, right, Umina?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. I\u2014well, it\u2019s mine. I\u2019m tempted by the gold and such, but I really want to know, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstandable. Clearly understandable. No one can force you. Um. However\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz nodded a few times. The Minotaur cleared his throat, looking embarrassed. Foliana watched him with interest as she chewed on a still-wriggling shrimp.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c\u2014if you\u2019d care to listen to my idea, there is some merit in it.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil and Umina paused as they brushed down their clothing. It was nearly dusk; the time was coming soon. Venaz held up his hands as they looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cListen to me! My idea is very sound. The Professor is known to have a vast spy network. If you ask this question, riches are the least of what we might gain. To begin with\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He looked around conspiratorially and lowered his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cOf all the seafaring ships that sank in the last millennium, there are three that were known to have borne relic-class artifacts that were never recovered. Just one<\/em> would be worth a [King]\u2019s ransom, not to mention that the three ships I have right here are all rich enough in other treasures to set all of us up for life. If you ask the Professor, I know a Minotaur crew that could take us anywhere in the world\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He had a piece of paper with three names written on it. Umina stared at Venaz\u2019s serious face, and then at Wil. He glanced at her, amused, embarrassed, and gave her a sheepish grin. She returned it. They both glanced at Venaz and then they ran for it.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t hard to get back to her room or evade the other students. They\u2019d given up after the bar, and the few who saw her didn\u2019t press the issue. Rather, Umina\u2019s great challenge was drinking a bit of potion to sober up, and then picking a dress to wear.<\/p>\n She was nervous.<\/em> Meeting the Professor in his personal quarters? That was a right few students had ever earned! She was so busy rummaging through her clothes she didn\u2019t realize the sun was setting. Then she threw on her clothes and practically ran towards the citadel.<\/p>\n She met Wil at the gates. He was nearly as breathless as she, and the two slowed to walk up towards the personal quarters higher in the citadel. They were far from alone; the citadel\u2019s [Servants] and regular occupants all waved at the two as they passed. Some called out good luck, others just laughed at the two nervous students. Wil kept adjusting his clothing. He glanced at Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look good. Did you put on makeup?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust a bit!\u201d<\/p>\n Umina blushed. She\u2019d chosen her best dress for the occasion. She had to! It didn\u2019t feel right to just stroll into the Professor\u2019s office otherwise. And Wil had clearly done the same. He was wearing a doublet and expensive-looking leggings that out priced Umina\u2019s best wardrobe a few times over. He hadn\u2019t applied scale polish like she had, though.<\/p>\n Wil tugged at the ruff nervously and coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was all I had. I know it\u2019s stuffy, but I thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured lamely at Umina\u2019s dress and she nodded. It fit the occasion. The two climbed the stairs, ascending higher. The classrooms occupied the two bottom floors of the citadel. But higher were the quarters of the Forgotten Wing Company\u2019s staff. Niers Astoragon and Foliana both lived here when they weren\u2019t away.<\/p>\n There were guards too. Selphids, mainly. They let Wil and Umina pass; usually students were barred from the third floor or higher. One winked at Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations, you two!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t let the Titan pull another prank on you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll try.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil tried to smile. But his walk was growing increasingly more disjointed, staccato. Umina felt just as rattled. He began to speak again distractedly as they climbed another staircase.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, it really was kind of him to give me the right to ask a question. You won.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014cheated. Really, you gave me the distraction.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil shook his head adamantly.<\/p>\n \u201cA win\u2019s a win. That\u2019s what the Professor teaches us. I\u2019m just grateful I can ask\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He broke off. The two paused on the seventh floor. The Titan\u2019s quarters lay here. Wil looked seriously at Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say it in the bar, but I really am grateful for the opportunity to ask, Umina. If I hadn\u2019t won a question, I\u2019d have embarrassed my family and all the effort they put into helping me. I\u2019m glad both of us get to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe too.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina smiled at Wil. He wasn\u2019t her closest friend, but she felt a strong sense of connection with him in this moment. His uncertainty and nerves reflected her own. They were birds of a feather, with respect to Peki.<\/p>\n The Titan\u2019s door was very, very large. Or so it felt. It was large enough to accommodate a Centaur, so it had a towering impression. Umina and Wil stared up at it.<\/p>\n It was silly. Both knew that Niers didn\u2019t even use this door, but a personal one through the Fraerling-ways. Even so, the door alone gave Umina butterflies. Slowly, she knocked.<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor? It\u2019s us. Umina and Wil.\u201d<\/p>\n She waited. There was no sound from within. After a moment, Umina knocked again.<\/p>\n No response. She glanced at Wil. Were they early? But the young man\u2019s lips had compressed into a line.<\/p>\n \u201cI think\u2014Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n He hesitated, and knocked louder. There wasn\u2019t so much as a peep from inside. Wil glanced at Umina, pointed to the door, and mouthed silently. She groaned.<\/p>\n \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe would absolutely do that. I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil squared his shoulders and put one palm on the doorknob. He turned it and Umina held her breath.<\/p>\n \u201cUnlocked.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil looked at Umina. Then, pale-faced, he pushed the door open. Umina saw only darkness beyond. She inhaled. Oh no, he really was<\/em> gone\u2014<\/p>\n And then there was a flare of light. A shimmering orb of [Light] filled a glass orb in the center of the room. And the soft radiance illuminated a table.<\/p>\n Just a table. On the far wall there were shelves, huge shelves but tiny papers. An archive meant for someone far smaller than Wil and Umina. A painting hung above a scrying orb; another wall held what looked like an armory in miniature.<\/p>\n But most of the room looked like an office. Scrolls of parchment, velum, sheaves of paper, were organized on the desks and tables meant for regular-sized people.<\/p>\n This was a private room. But the bed, the chairs, and all the comforts of home could fit on one single table in the center. They\u2019d been pushed to one side today, however, the little magical chessboard, his wardrobe\u2014everything neatly tidied to a corner. On the table sat large bowls full of snacks. Several bottles that were giant compared to the tiny furniture. The glowing light orb.<\/p>\n And standing amid the dishes, smiling, was the Titan of Baleros. He too was dressed for the occasion in colorful clothing. He even had a hat with a feather. He swept Umina and Wil a bow, taking the hat from his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWelcome!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina exhaled in exasperation and wonder. Wil just sighed in relief. Niers Astoragon\u2019s eyes twinkled as he straightened.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in, both of you. Sit, sit! And you can relax. That was the last test, I promise. Fraerling\u2019s honor.\u201d<\/p>\n Warily, not believing him for a moment, the two entered the room. They couldn\u2019t help but stare around at the shelves full of documents, the tiny possessions next to the huge furniture. This was a Fraerling\u2019s room. They had never seen one before; few of the small folk ever ventured into society at large. Fraerling villages were hidden. Umina almost wanted to giggle as she saw the Titan\u2019s bed. She could pick it up, or hide it under a hat! But then she saw him sitting there and froze up.<\/p>\n Wil approached the table. There were two chairs at opposite ends. The Titan had one on the table itself. The [Lord] looked at the snacks and drinks.<\/p>\n \u201cIs this\u2014a meal, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n The Fraerling shrugged. He ushered Wil to one side, Umina to the other. He was smiling, looking as pleased and relaxed as they\u2019d ever seen him.<\/p>\n \u201cDrinks, really. But if you want anything else, I\u2019ll have someone make it. Come now, sit! I told you, the tests are over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally, Professor? You had us ask you this morning. And now the door?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina sat cautiously. The chair was lovely and comfortable and she practically sank into it. Wil did the same, but he sat upright, nervous. The Titan sighed, but his eyes twinkled.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was rather cruel of me. But I couldn\u2019t help it. You do have to learn how to speak to your superiors. A [Strategist] must be able to overrule a [King] if need be. Nevertheless, I apologize. And I do promise that was the last of it. You\u2019re here! Sit down. Take a bite of something. Relax. You\u2019ve done it.\u201d<\/p>\n So saying, he sat down and snagged a date. It was comically huge compared to him, but the Titan, undeterred, simply pulled out a sword and sliced off a hand-sized chunk. He laughed at the expression on Umina and Wil\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cI seldom eat with you all. But believe me, Fraerlings can eat quite a lot! It still makes feeding us ludicrously cheap. Not to mention alcohol! Help yourselves. If you\u2019d like a drink, you\u2019ll have to pour. It makes me a poor host, but at least I can serve myself.\u201d<\/p>\n He had a thimble-sized cup, and Umina was tickled beyond belief to see that each bottle had a tiny valve attached to it! Like a keg\u2019s spigot! They were made of metal and the Titan strode over to one and casually filled his cup.<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor, is that\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan\u2019s eyes twinkled.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, this? Just a Fraerling invention. We drill holes into a bottle and attach the spigot. Far easier than having something custom-made, isn\u2019t it? Help yourself! I think this wine is\u2026ah, yes. Saverian Red, quite a good one. I have a few others; if you want a juice, there\u2019s one in that bottle. Water\u2019s\u2014no, wait, that\u2019s alcohol. Ah, there it is. Magically purified water. And spring water. Help yourselves! Come on, now!\u201d<\/p>\n Bemused, Wil looked at Umina, before reaching for the Saverian Red. Umina helped herself to the magically purified water; she\u2019d had a bit too much to drink already. Still, the snacks were calling to her and she gingerly picked up a few chips made of Yellats. The spicy chips were made even hotter by sprinkled pepper and there was a beautiful dip just waiting to help her with it\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI thought we were asking a question, Professor. This seems more like a meal. If we\u2019re taking up your time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Wil\u2019s hesitation was waved away by Niers. He laughed as he settled back into his chair, munching on his date.<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all. I cleared my schedule, just as I said. I\u2019m free for the entire night. And you, Wil Kallinad and Umina Caxical, are my guests. We\u2019ll sit and talk, so eat and drink to your heart\u2019s content! Don\u2019t worry about the<\/em> question. While you\u2019re here, you may ask me anything you wish and I\u2019ll do my best to answer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The two students were astonished. Niers grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cWithin reason. Secrets are secrets. But if you ever had a burning desire, to, say, ask me about the inner workings of my company, or any of the rumors surrounding me\u2014ask.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014anything, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I said that, Umina.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you said we get one question!\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl tried to control her tail and neck frills, both of which were trying to move in excitement. The Fraerling\u2019s eyes twinkled and he winked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just what I tell other students. Did you think I\u2019d march you in here one at a time and you\u2019d ask a question and leave after I answered?\u201d<\/p>\n They had thought just that. Wil and Umina exchanged a glance. Niers laughed quietly as he got up to grab a chip and some dip. He carried it back over his head and tossed it next to his seat. It was hilarious to watch and he winked at Wil\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cLaugh, Wil! I know it\u2019s funny to see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t\u2014then what is tonight, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers sat back in his chair. He ran a hand through his beard. And he smiled faintly, looking up at his two much younger students.<\/p>\n \u201cI know we\u2019ve talked in class. But that\u2019s a different setting than now. Here, we\u2019re not student and teacher, but people. You ask me questions, I answer. We have a dialogue, not an examination. That\u2019s the prize. You two and me, getting to know each other for a night. The question is just the end of our discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina and Wil exchanged a look. The Lizardgirl felt another flutter in her stomach, but it was fading. Niers sat back, studying each face across the table. He lifted a cup.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, then. To your victories at Daquin. It has long been overdue. To you, Umina, and you, Wil. Congratulations!\u201d<\/p>\n The two lifted their cups and drank. Niers drained his cup in one go. Umina did likewise and had to fill it with something stronger. The unabashed compliment had already put a fire in her cheeks. Wil likewise. Niers Astoragon was smiling as he got up to refill his drink. When he sat down again, he looked at them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhenever I have a student in this room, it\u2019s always a mixed feeling. On one hand, I couldn\u2019t be prouder of you. Either of you. You did it. You defeated Tulm the Mithril and you won my game. Out of all your peers, you excelled. As a teacher, I\u2019m delighted. But also melancholic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSir?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers smiled as he looked at Wil.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it means your time at my academy, in my classes, is coming to a close. You two are nearing graduation. It might be in another year or two, or it could be sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n The two inhaled sharply. Niers nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a sign. Well, your class is all nearing that point. But this moment especially is significant. I may never have Venaz in this room, or Yerranola, or Feshi or any of the others. It\u2019s not as though I offer the opportunity to win a question all the time. But I try to make time to have a one-on-one talk before each student goes. Sometimes it doesn\u2019t happen, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd this is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina felt a pang in her stomach. Niers looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cNot just yet, Umina, my dear. And we might speak like this again. I hope so, in fact! So, let\u2019s not drag down this discussion\u2014you two aren\u2019t graduates yet! Especially after your report! Failing to write your name\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He laughed at the chagrin on Umina\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m joking, Umina. You and Wil did well! But we won\u2019t talk about that. As I said, this is a conversation. I believe I don\u2019t do all the talking, although I know I tend to dominate discussions.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked meaningfully from side to side. Umina jumped and Wil cut in.<\/p>\n \u201cEr\u2014that means you\u2019ve done this before, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, countless times! With many students! The winners of my games, obviously. As far back as when I started offering them.\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan waved a hand, smiling fondly at the memories only he could see. Umina was relaxing, or the strong liquid burning her forked tongue was.<\/p>\n \u201cThen\u2014you\u2019ve had all your students in here, Professor? Or the best ones. That means\u2014Professor Perorn? Fleethoof?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne of my first winners. I think she sat in your very chair, Umina.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers winked at the Lizardgirl. Umina turned bright red. Wil coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cShe didn\u2019t, Professor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, come now, Wil. Let Umina have her moment! No, she didn\u2019t. Centaurs and chairs don\u2019t mix. But she probably sat somewhere around where we are!\u201d<\/p>\n Niers laughed and Umina exhaled, grinning sheepishly. Niers waved a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I\u2019ve had conversations with many, many students here. Some for the question, others just because I wanted to talk to them before they left. As people, not in our usual relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2014if I may ask\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAsk away! There are no bad questions here!\u201d<\/p>\n Niers chuckled. Wil nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Tulm the Mithril?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina coughed on her chips. Niers paused. Both Wil and Umina remembered Tulm, and his overpowering presence at Daquin. But he too had been one of the Titan\u2019s students. Umina tried to imagine him<\/em> in one of their classes. But Niers just nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cTulm, oh yes. And oh, no. I certainly taught him and had conversations with Tulm, but not ever here. Not after he won my game.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n The two younger [Strategists] leaned forwards. Niers grinned ruefully.<\/p>\n \u201cYou both know how he won my games? Yes? Well, do you think he sat in this room after burning down an entire city to win my game? I sent him his answer in letter form. If he and I had been here, it would have turned ugly. I was furious at him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? But he won\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy burning down a city! And putting thousands of lives at risk! But he did win; I\u2019ve just never seen eye-to-eye with him. I\u2019ll admit, he got me, but Tulm was a troublesome student. Brilliant of course, but he could get under my skin! Still, he was as young as you two when I taught him.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers frowned darkly, then brightened.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you like to hear all about his embarrassing mistakes?\u201d<\/p>\n Spellbound, Umina and Wil nodded. Niers chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think you made a bad mistake by not writing your name on your report, Umina? One time we had an assignment to lead a group of [Soldiers] like this last project\u2014only in reality! Somehow, Tulm misheard the beach I wanted everyone to meet at and thought he was marching north. He made it three hundred miles and got hopelessly lost\u2014it was two weeks before we found him! He thought the monsters, [Bandits], and everything he ran into was part of the test!\u201d<\/p>\n He laughed. Umina giggled, trying to imagine that. Wil was trying not to, but he had to turn his head and chuckle. Niers went on.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he was hopelessly enamored with one of my other teachers. A Selphid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes! He wrote a love letter and it got mixed up with my homework. It was\u2014ah, poetic in that Dullahan fashion. I think he nearly hopped off the citadel\u2019s highest tower when he realized he\u2019d turned it in with his assignment. I still have a copy. Want me to find it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! I mean\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Umina was aghast. Tulm the Mithril?<\/em> Niers grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cJust remember he\u2019s a person too. And he was as young as you two! Of course, now he\u2019s a legend. But no one\u2019s perfect. Perorn\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He paused.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, maybe I shouldn\u2019t talk about her. She\u2019d probably stomp on me if I told you her<\/em> mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe made some?\u201d<\/p>\n The Fraerling hesitated as he looked up at Wil, leaning down. Umina did likewise. The Titan wavered and then tapped one side of his nose.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fishing incident. I dare say no more. If you\u2019re brave, you\u2019ll get someone else to ask Perorn about it.\u201d<\/p>\n He chortled. And Umina and Wil laughed too. They were relaxed now. Suddenly, Umina found herself asking Niers, the Professor, the Titan<\/em> questions. What was Perorn like as a student? And Wil was doing the same. They caught themselves, exchanged a glance.<\/p>\n It was a side of Niers they had never seen. And both of them felt it. This was a special moment. Something they\u2019d earned. The Titan was speaking to them like equals. But neither could dwell on it; he was still talking.<\/p>\n And now Niers was speaking of Daquin. They\u2019d gone over the game in detail in a number of lessons, but the Professor was speaking to Wil, looking up at him, smiling fondly.<\/p>\n \u201cBrilliant work, Wil. Moving an entire strike force from Terandria to outside of Daquin by sea, unseen, and timing their attack? As logistics go, you\u2019re already above most average [Strategists]. Hone that talent, lad. Don\u2019t let it be your only trump card, but know that you have an advantage there and everyone will remember that fact.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers held up a finger.<\/p>\n \u201cWith that said, you need work commanding a larger force. I don\u2019t expect any of my students to beat Tulm in a city-wide brawl, even with the element of surprise and the Order of Seasons, but your command, while good, was too straightforward. Tulm was expecting more surprises which never came, and when he found your measure he began pushing you back hard. Still, you managed to make him use one of his better Skills\u2014no, two<\/em> of them. That\u2019s something to be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil nodded, breathless. The Fraerling turned to the Lizardgirl, and she felt a surge of apprehension. But Niers\u2019 smile was kind.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina, I confess you weren\u2019t in the light as much as Wil, but your tactics were just as brilliant. Tunneling through a septic tank? That takes bravery! Especially to be able to create sappers and use them when everything was reaching the climax of the battle! Your coolness under pressure and the ability to think far outside your opponents is what I\u2019ve seen you grow during your time as a student. A deserved win! You managed to outpace an entire force of [Knights] and every single one of your classmates!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Professor.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, with that said, you didn\u2019t do it alone. What you lack, Umina, is the daring Venaz and Marian demonstrated, the willingness to take huge risks. Wil showed that too, come to that. You\u2019re acting like a [Tactician] among [Strategists] and while that means you cut deep with surprising maneuvers, you need to develop your own authority and presence as a commander, not a squad leader.\u201d<\/p>\n It was fair. Umina felt a small sting to her pride, but she knew he was right. She took a gulp from her drink. Niers did likewise as he looked from student to student.<\/p>\n \u201cThose are your strengths and weaknesses. As [Strategists], you two still have something to learn. But I\u2019d still put you against any ordinary company-level [Strategist] and expect you to win handily! Functionally, you\u2019re both at the level of any graduate of my regular classes. What I want to see is how high you\u2019ll get to before you graduate. And that\u2019s me in teaching mode. Back to conversation! I just had to tell you how proud I am of your victories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil\u2019s cheeks were red again. He reached for a few dates and ate them one at a time before taking some water. Umina had already finished her cup. She fidgeted.<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor\u2014can I ask\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be offended if you didn\u2019t. Go on, Umina!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay then. Professor, why do<\/em> you give out the right to ask a question for winning your game? Any question? Will you really answer it truthfully? What do you have to gain from something like that?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil looked up. And Niers\u2019 eyes sharpened.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, now you\u2019re asking the questions you really<\/em> want to know the answer to. Don\u2019t worry! That wasn\u2019t your question. And I\u2019m happy to answer it.\u201d<\/p>\n So saying, he got up and began to pace around the table. He snagged a bit of cheese as he walked past a bunch of cubes, slicing a bit off to munch and eat. He looked up at last.<\/p>\n \u201cI know I shouldn\u2019t, but I have to make it a lesson. Old habits. Tell me, what\u2019s the purpose of a secret, you two?\u201d<\/p>\n They were back in class again, only the pressure wasn\u2019t so high. Umina sipped from her drink, thinking.<\/p>\n \u201cKnowledge, Professor? A potential advantage over someone else?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. Accurate, but not what I\u2019m looking for. Wil, your thoughts?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen\u2014trust? Safety, perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cAll good answers. But to me, the answer is: constancy. The purpose of secrets is to prevent change. Because the secret is kept, the world remains the same. That\u2019s why you keep a secret. When you use it is when things change.\u201d<\/p>\n His students nodded, fascinated. Niers went on, walking up a wooden slope to slice a chunk out of a banana. His sword was enchanted, but he was using it like a table knife. And a fork.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do I offer a question? Well, to explain that, I\u2019ll talk about my world. I\u2019m second-in-command to the Forgotten Wing Company, one of the most powerful forces in all of Baleros. But not the <\/em>undisputed best, yes? We have the Four Great Companies of Baleros. And, why not? Let\u2019s throw in Jungle Tails in as well. They were a Great Company and they\u2019re still powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina flushed. Only a Lizardfolk Company would have such a playful name. Niers smiled, nodding.<\/p>\n \u201cNot to mention other companies who are powerful, if not as large as the top four. All of us big players, well, we\u2019re held by each other. No one wants one side to gain more power than we already have, so there\u2019s an unofficial agreement to ally to defend against an aggressor. If the Forgotten Wing Company moves now, two Companies or more will move against it. Stalemate, you see? We\u2019re too big, and all the alliances are too firmly entrenched. So we enjoy the luxuries of success without being able to break the status quo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you clash with other companies all the time, Professor.\u201d<\/p>\n He waved that away.<\/p>\n \u201cBorder skirmishes, Umina. Wars by proxy. There hasn\u2019t been a major battle<\/em> between our companies with hundreds of thousands of [Soldiers] on the line in over a decade. Even eighty thousand soldiers isn\u2019t much compared to what we can field.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl nodded. Niers went on, frowning.<\/p>\n \u201cThe trouble is, I don\u2019t appreciate the stalemate. I\u2019d like not to live the rest of my life like this. I\u2019d like the Forgotten Wing Company to gain even more power! But we can\u2019t. Not easily. We have too many enemies now. It might be different if it were easier to move abroad, forge alliances on other continents, even recruit and set up bases there. But the Iron Vanguard controls the seas and we have to negotiate hard to send armies to other continents. If we could expand\u2014but I\u2019ve tried making our own navies time and time again, and Tulm shuts down my attempts each time. You can\u2019t keep a fleet that secret.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil looked like he wanted to take notes. So did Umina. This was Niers Astoragon, talking about the challenges of his position candidly and openly. She had no idea that he\u2019d tried to make a fleet. The Titan grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cSo back to your question, Umina\u2014secrets. Why do I offer them? The better question is: what\u2019s stopping me? It\u2019s just a secret. Yes, it\u2019s valuable, but what\u2019s that to me? I\u2019m rich! What good are secrets if they\u2019re kept forever? Maybe I want to give my students some help. Maybe I think it\u2019s a worthwhile incentive. Maybe\u2014I\u2019m just tired of everything being so constant.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He looked pointedly at Umina and Wil. They analyzed what he was saying.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re helping us to destabilize the balance of power?\u201d<\/p>\n The thought was mind-boggling. Niers waved a hand, smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I don\u2019t intend for any one person to do that. I\u2019m just explaining, Umina\u2014I don\u2019t care if giving out a secret messes with the established order. I don\u2019t need<\/em> to maintain it. In fact, I\u2019m counting on you two. All of you young [Strategists] to generate some excitement for me. I\u2019d hate to die of boredom.\u201d<\/p>\n The compliment took the words out of both students for a moment. But then Wil asked a question next. He had to. This was their chance<\/em>. And oh, they had so many questions, rumors among the students they needed answers to. Umina couldn\u2019t imagine how much her classmates would kill<\/em> to have been here. They\u2019d be buying her drinks for weeks when she told them about this moment! And this wasn\u2019t even the question!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIs Three-Color Stalker\u2014I mean, Lady Foliana really<\/em> the head of the Forgotten Wing Company, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, are you doubting the chain of command, Mister Kallinad?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked mock-offended. Wil bit into a tiny fried fish, removing the bones before answering.<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all, Professor. But it\u2019s odd, given that she doesn\u2019t um, command? Wouldn\u2019t it make more sense for her to be second-in-command and you to lead?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hear that all the time. But she\u2019s been a leader for a long time and I have to say, it works.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers shook his head. He spotted an ant and kicked it; Umina watched it fly away.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn things. Must have come with the food; I have ward charms. Anyways, where was I? Oh, yes. Foliana.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s better at leading than I am, in a way. She\u2019s unpredictable, disappears on me, has no social ability\u2014but that\u2019s fine in a leader so long as I\u2019m here. She scares the flesh off of other rulers and company leaders and they can\u2019t make her do anything she doesn\u2019t want. It\u2019s a symbiotic relationship, but yes, when she gives orders, I obey. Rare as that is, there have been times I\u2019ve been grateful for it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo she actually is<\/em> in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina exhaled and looked at Wil. He winked at her, deadpan. Cameral owed Umina a gold coin! Niers laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cLeadership comes in different forms. And Foliana being our head means no one can truly ever figure out how we\u2019ll jump. Not even me! Besides, she and I have known each other for decades. Dead gods, over fifty years come to think of that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case\u2014that leads me into my question, Professor.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina almost raised a hand before she caught herself. Niers and Wil both laughed quietly. The drink was loosening tongues as well. And Niers wasn\u2019t using his bag of holding trick; his students had finally caught on to it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat made you decide to become a [Strategist], Professor? Everyone knows you were a Named Adventurer before you formed a mercenary company, but what made you\u2014uh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Umina fell silent because she didn\u2019t know how to say it without being offensive. Niers smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat made a tiny Fraerling decide he could take on the big, bad world? Don\u2019t worry, Umina. I get that question all the time. The answer is\u2026well, do either of you have cats?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCats?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina looked blank. Wil nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have some in the Kallinad household. Not many dogs; my mother\u2019s allergic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. Remind me never to visit the Kallinad estates. I hate cats. I\u2019m not keen on dogs either, or many \u2018pets\u2019. But cats I hate. You know why?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina didn\u2019t have to guess. The Titan was gesturing at his candle-sized height.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re a danger to Fraerlings, right, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. Cats love small objects. Even trained ones will kill anything as small as a mouse. Fraerlings are in danger around them. Cats are cruel, too. They kill things for fun. They\u2019re banned anywhere a Fraerling village exists, and everywhere where the Forgotten Wing Company holds power. They can stay indoors, but those damn things don\u2019t go outside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that got to do with you becoming an adventurer, sir? Or a [Strategist]?\u201d<\/p>\n If he says his family was killed by a cat, don\u2019t laugh<\/em>. Umina repeated it twice and saw Wil doing the same. Niers smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just bringing up cats because they\u2019re a good example. Cats are deadly to Fraerlings. But uh, how many of your people do you know that have been killed by a cat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, bobcats\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHousecats, Umina.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Two?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers and Umina both paused and looked at Wil. He looked embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cSuffocation. I have a third-aunt who was suffocated in her sleep by all the cats she kept. And I heard about another death the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s hilarious. Those damn furred monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers shook his head. He waved Wil\u2019s statement away.<\/p>\n \u201cPractically though, they don\u2019t savage you to death, right? Umina, you\u2019re no [Warrior] but I bet you could fight off a dozen cats if you had to. Fraerlings on the other hand? I know\u2026dead gods, at least twenty eight people who died to cats. Imagine that.\u201d<\/p>\n The statement was sobering. Umina paused as she reached for a drink. Niers went on, gesturing to his body.<\/p>\n \u201cA Fraerling is strong. An adult can lift things many times their weight. I could toss that cup you\u2019re holding, Umina, even lift it when it\u2019s full. But that\u2019s not much use when everything\u2019s so big<\/em>, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan sighed. He sat back down in his chairs and stared upwards. When he spoke, it was distantly.<\/p>\n \u201cI grew up in a Fraerling village. Like most Fraerlings. It\u2019s rare we live elsewhere. Sure, some of us have that classic story where we live in a house unknown to the owners, but let\u2019s be real: that\u2019s dangerous. It\u2019s too easy to be squished. And rats! You ever think about fighting rats? They don\u2019t fight you<\/em>, but to us they\u2019re like bulls. Big, vicious, and smart.<\/em> Cats terrify us. Now, imagine what it\u2019s like for Fraerlings to fight a Troll.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no point to being a [Warrior] if you\u2019re a Fraerling. Not if you want to do anything with the tall folk. Oh, you can turn the tides and we have ways of dealing with huge foes, but it\u2019s just a waste of levels when you get down to it. A Level 60 Fraerling [Warrior] can kill even a Griffin, but they\u2019ll still die if you stomp on them a few times.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about magic?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina offered that uncertainty. Niers snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cEver seen a [Fireball] cast by a Fraerling [Mage]? Size isn\u2019t everything where magic is concerned, but it matters. There\u2019s this book by a Drake that goes into body mass and magic. Grimalkin\u2014I think there\u2019s a copy in the library. Anyways, that can be better, but Fraerlings are still too small. It\u2019s literally too hard for us to weave larger spells; we can throw tiny [Fireballs] all day, but that\u2019s not exactly what you need, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Fraerlings have to hide because we\u2019re in danger. We can protect ourselves from rats; our [Warriors] can hack through a colony at high levels, but those are small threats. Big ones? No Fraerling can match an adventurer from another species. I knew that, growing up. I couldn\u2019t stand with other species as a [Warrior] or a [Mage]. I didn\u2019t want to be a [Crafter]. But there was one class that didn\u2019t care how big you were. And that was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Strategist].\u201d<\/p>\n Both his students exhaled. The Titan\u2019s lessons were often circular, but they always came back to the point via story or example. He nodded, his eyes flashing.<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. It was my dream to leave my village. To be more<\/em> than someone who had to hide from a stray housecat, or live in terror of an errant boot! And [Strategists] can affect any number of people! So I became one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust like that?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked vaguely offended.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need [Strategists] in Fraerling villages too, Wil. Here, pass that bottle, will you? The Drake one. Thank you. Put it there. Yes, we need [Strategists]. And I was good at my job! I helped clear out this damn hornet\u2019s nest on my first campaign, and I pushed back a boar herd.\u201d<\/p>\n He saw his students chuckling and raised his brows.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you laugh! But imagine fighting them with an army of people one foot tall at most? I was a higher-level [Strategist] than anyone else my age by the time I turned twenty! And when I left the village to go to an Adventurer\u2019s Guild, I could have stood toe-to-toe with any of you in my classes now. Think of that!\u201d<\/p>\n Umina did. She stopped laughing. Wil leaned forwards.<\/p>\n \u201cYou would have been an asset to a team, Professor. But I imagine it was difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes! A [Strategist] buffing a team of adventurers? Giving them orders? I knew I could be invaluable. But no one wanted to take me on. They just laughed at the tiny Fraerling or tried to humor me. I spent three years going from team to team until I met a team that welcomed me. Foliana was a loner, then. We joined up and when I found a group that would actually listen to me\u2014well, the rest is history.\u201d<\/p>\n He spread his arms. Umina nodded. She\u2019d read of the Titan\u2019s adventuring days. She edged forwards, picking at the dates as Niers continued. He was good at storytelling; it suited his personality.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst we were Bronze-rank. Bronze.<\/em> I wasn\u2019t, and neither was Foliana, but our companions were just starting out, hence them being willing to take orders from me. But we weren\u2019t that way for long. I was leveling fast, using my abilities to make my team take on bigger challenges. We became Silver-rank within the month. And we hit Gold the next year! Before we knew it, we were Named Adventurers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were a Named Adventurer.\u201d<\/p>\n You forgot that, sometimes. But the Titan had been one. Was he still one? His fame had eclipsed that rank, but there were so few Named Adventurers in the world. The Fraerling corrected Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cA team, not individual ones of course; no one would ever make me a Named Adventurer on my own. But I dare say we were some of the best of our generation! Thirty strong!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThirty?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Wil paused, looking surprised. Niers grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not? It makes sense! Numbers, if used efficiently, are strength! True, most teams can\u2019t sustain numbers higher than\u2026a dozen at best. Most are around four to five. It\u2019s not hard to understand why; maintaining a semblance of equality and balancing your income against maintaining families, gear, potions? Not to mention all the personalities you find in adventurers! Mine was different though; as a [Strategist], I could hold them together and get them to work on multiple missions at once. We were stronger than your average guild, in fact!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut why did you quit? What happened to the others?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina had heard all sorts of rumors. And here, at least, the Titan\u2019s openness wavered. He paused, and his expression grew bleak.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, many joined the Forgotten Wing Company. If you\u2019re asking where all of them are now\u2026many passed away. On our final mission\u2014or after we started our company. In battle, from disease, time\u2026it\u2019s been fifty years, as I said.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked around, tired. Umina and Wil sobered. After a moment Niers shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot all of them died; some just quit. In the end, it was just a handful of us left, the Forgotten Wing Company\u2019s original officers. And then\u2026it was just Foliana and I from the adventuring days. So if you\u2019re asking how I got from a Fraerling village to here\u2014it was because I wanted to interact with the big people. And being a [Strategist] means I can order anyone about. The rest of it? It was just natural progression.\u201d<\/p>\n He fell silent, and took another drink from his thimble-cup. Niers looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cAny more questions? Remember, the floor\u2019s open. Or table.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina and Wil hesitated, looking at each other. They had another big one, but\u2026Niers tapped one foot.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on. I told you, nothing\u2019s off-limits. If I don\u2019t want to tell you, I just won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled lightly, as if he could see right through them. And perhaps he could. Umina felt like the first day she\u2019d ever sat in his class. Awestruck at meeting a legend in person. And he was so small.<\/em> Until you looked at him and realized he was far larger than his actual body.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I may, Professor? I have to know this. Would you\u2014tell us about your battle with Queravia?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil broke the silence at last. Umina exhaled slowly. Yes. Of the big questions they had, that was the last one. Niers slowly raised his head. He stopped smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. My famous battle with the King of Destruction\u2019s [Strategist]. Queravia, the Gambler of Fates. You want to know how it went, I suppose?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve never told us in class. I mean, about the battle, but never the specifics. Does everyone ask, Professor? Everyone who comes here?\u201d<\/p>\n The Fraerling nodded, grinning.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course they do! They want to hear it from me. And to be fair, it\u2019s a tale worth telling. It\u2019s just not one I care to tell to the public. You know all about it, of course?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina nodded. She\u2019d heard Foliana give her speech about the famous battle three years in a row. The Squirrel Beastkin didn\u2019t even change her words, but it still got her applause each year with the retelling. But she had never heard the Titan telling his version of it.<\/p>\n \u201cWas there something secret about the battle?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Yes\u2014damn. Let\u2019s go from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnother lecture, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina teased the Titan. He scowled, and then grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, this isn\u2019t a lecture. Well, perhaps it is. We\u2019ve gone over the King of Destruction\u2019s tactics and the way he was able to so effectively crush his opponents with grand strategy. Everyone knows that. But I want to tell you some of the information I don\u2019t share about the end of the King of Destruction\u2019s rampage.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina and Wil exchanged another look. Secret information?<\/em> They edged even closer, rocking the table. The Titan nearly lost his footing.<\/p>\n \u201cCareful! My wardrobe\u2019s over there! Yes, secret information. Alright, scoot in. This is what I don\u2019t teach in my lessons. Part of it is due to caution; it could land me in trouble if I were accused of spreading rumors. And the other reason is because, frankly, there\u2019s little to learn. First, let\u2019s talk about the war. He\u2019d taken Chandrar and was splitting up his armies to invade both Izril and<\/em> Baleros at once.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s where he failed, right, sir? The Minotaurs ambushed his fleets at sea and killed one of his Seven. The Blighted King sent an army from Rhir and defeated Takhatres while the Walled Cities stalemated his armies. And in Baleros\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI killed Queravia.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers put his cup down. He stood, looking from face to face.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. And after that, the King of Destruction entered his slumber and his kingdom collapsed. But it wasn\u2019t that simple. You see, we teach that he was overextending, overconfident, and naturally he lost. But in truth, he was close to winning.<\/em> Or at least, his strategy might have let him throw two continents into war.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? But his decision to split his armies\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was intelligent. Risky, but he knew the world was coming for him. And like the Goblin King in decades since then, we\u2019ve seen that few people can fight every army at once. So the King of Destruction changed tactics. Rather than let Chandrar be invaded and fight a defensive war, he, or perhaps Queravia, devised a bold strategy. Occupy two continents in war and force the battles to happen there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut how would he fight on two fronts?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil was perplexed, trying to see ahead of the answer. So was Umina. She blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cWait\u2014was it\u2014the Gnolls?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil and Niers looked at her. The Titan\u2019s eyes glittered.<\/p>\n \u201cFull marks. Yes. That\u2019s what I believed at the time. The King of Destruction had declared war against the Drakes. But I thought\u2014perhaps he would reach out to the Gnoll tribes. Ally with them. Izril is divided. He could have reached out to the Humans too. And on Baleros? Look at our divided continent! Who might he have reached out for here?\u201d<\/p>\n Neither student had to think.<\/p>\n \u201cSelphids.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHalf-Gazers too.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers Astoragon inclined his head.<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. All the species who don\u2019t have power. Who are shunned, by most groups. I employ Selphids in the Forgotten Wing Company, but if Flos Reimarch offered them a chance to take back power? Their land? Gnolls. Selphids. Half-Gazers. Maybe even the Minotaurs, before they decided to oppose him. He would have been their champion. But you know what terrified Wistram and Rhir?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina and Wil inhaled sharply. Wil finished the thought.<\/p>\n \u201cDemons. But he wouldn\u2019t have allied with the Demon King. Surely not!\u201d<\/p>\n He looked appalled. Niers didn\u2019t answer at once. He looked around, meeting both student\u2019s gazes.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why I don\u2019t teach this openly. But yes, he might have. Who knows? It\u2019s just speculation. But I\u2019ll wager you diamonds to dust that Wistram used that to move the Blighted King to send an army against the King of Destruction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo that\u2019s why Rhir sent an army.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWistram is dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n That was just a fact. Both students nodded. Niers went on.<\/p>\n \u201cSo that was his strategy. And it might have worked! You\u2019ve heard Foliana\u2019s speech. Queravia landed with one army, separated from the King of Destruction\u2019s vanguard after the battle with the Minotaurs. She was cut off, but she made a stand and crushed an army sent by two Great Companies! She was waiting for reinforcements, daring all of Baleros to take her on. And she won.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Umina watched Niers walking back and forth slowly. His eyes were bright and glittering in the room, lit only by mage light.<\/p>\n \u201cIf she had kept going, he could have won. He lost one of his Seven against the Minotaurs, yes. But six remained. Amerys was fighting on Izril, holding down an entire Walled City! The Gnolls might have rallied if the King of Destruction had landed more armies there. And on Baleros? With more time, how many companies would have embraced Flos for a chance to rise in power? He could have done it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw it coming. And I took an army. Queravia had crushed one, but there was still a chance to defeat her. I gathered every force I could in a thousand miles and marched on her. Even so\u2014her army had leveled from her victories and she had his elites. His Dreamers as well. I was facing the best of Chandrar\u2019s forces, and cut off as they were, I knew it was a gamble. But I had to risk it. And that day I put myself against the Gambler of Fates. [Strategist] vs [Strategist].\u201d<\/p>\n And he won. But Niers didn\u2019t look proud. He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to know what happened on that day, Umina, Wil? The truth was that when we joined battle, from the first twenty minutes, I knew I was losing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded, staring backwards through time.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes. Queravia was a genius. As gifted as I\u2019ve ever seen. But it was her unique style that threw me. I realized in the first engagement why she had beaten two Great Companies. It was down to her Skills. Her\u2026personality. Her luck. Let me give you an example.\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan paced down the table. He came back with a chessboard Umina recognized. She inhaled as she saw the glowing magical pieces. They were in the middle of a game. The Titan carefully put it down and picked up two pawns. He showed them to her and Wil.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s say there was a matchup. Not a chess board; we know the outcome of each piece, but a real battle. Two units of\u2026pikes, say, charging each other. The odds are incalculable who\u2019ll win. You\u2019re too busy as a [Strategist] to analyze their levels or makeup; you just see the opportunity to clash or withdraw. What do you do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSee if it benefits me to take the charge, distract the opponent. If not, retreat?\u201d<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t really a good question for a hypothetical. Umina shrugged uncomfortably. Niers nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cFair enough. Wear them down if it\u2019s strategic, force them to spread out and fight. But if you keep getting those encounters, do you keep committing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir. That\u2019s too risky. I\u2019d always want a scenario where I can win, or delay at acceptable\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Umina trailed off. Niers nodded. He pointed to the two pawns, then put them back where they had been.<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. No sane [Strategist] gambles<\/em> with an outcome. We take calculated risks, but we always try to create areas where we win, sometimes at the cost of others. Pull in here, sacrifice this unit, but hammer the opponent where it hurts here<\/em>. Don\u2019t risk a pivotal outcome to chance. But Queravia\u2014she was a [Gambler]. And\u2014remember her title? She wasn\u2019t just a [Gambler]. She was lucky.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean in general, Professor? Or with dice\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The hair was rising on Wil\u2019s neck. On Umina, her scales were tingling. Niers shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I mean everything <\/em>about her was lucky. If there was any scenario where it was up to the odds\u2026sixty percent. Six out of ten. That\u2019s what I think she had.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSixty percent?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIf every time you flipped a coin, the chances were half and half of it being either side, Queravia had a sixty percent chance of it going her way. And that extended to uncertain matchups. She just had more luck than me. So if we met with two equal units\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He indicated the pawns.<\/p>\n \u201cSix times out of ten, she won. And sometimes, against impossible odds, her tactics would work. And that created a huge difference over time.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly, the Titan sat. And now his students could almost see the battle, reflected in his voice, his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was winning. It was like I was playing against luck herself. She\u2019d send in a group of swords to charge a flank I was sure<\/em> they\u2019d lose and they\u2019d cut through. Arrows would miss taking out a [Captain]. She lost, yes, but she was winning<\/em>. A unit of pikes would cut through an elite group. And suddenly they were heroes on the battlefield. That was how she fought<\/em>. She made heroes out of ordinary [Soldiers]. And they leveled with each victory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not fair.\u201d<\/p>\n It flew against everything Umina had been taught. Niers raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cFair? She just had an advantage on her side, Umina. An extra factor called \u2018luck\u2019. And she used it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl flushed. Wil just looked at Niers.<\/p>\n \u201cThen how did you beat her, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt first I didn\u2019t. I had more soldiers, and resources and she was defensive. But her luck kept equalizing situations. I dare say I was better in pure strategy by a bit. I like to think so, or I would have lost outright. But neither of us could win. We just\u2026hit each other. Again and again. It was a slaughter, but she was slowly overpowering my army. I knew it. So, in desperation, I changed tactics.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you do?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked up. Umina expected a grand plan, a speech, a lesson of strategy. But all he did was shrug.<\/p>\n \u201cI created a scenario where she couldn\u2019t turn the odds. I charged her front, tied up all her forces in an all-or-nothing assault. And in the confusion, I found her command. And I killed her.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Umina and Wil waited. But that was all Niers said. He looked around and filled his cup with the strongest alcohol there was. Wil croaked and reached for his own cup.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s it?\u201d<\/p>\n He drank.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s it. Nothing special. Remember when Cameral got you with an arrow in battle, Umina? He was losing the battle, but when you were removed, your force fell apart. That\u2019s all I did. There\u2019s nothing to teach; I just forced a confrontation and I won.\u201d<\/p>\n It was anticlimactic. Umina saw at once how it made sense. But she knew why the Titan didn\u2019t speak of it. There was something\u2026Niers tossed his cup down bitterly. He looked past them and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose I was the better [Strategist] since the attack on her command worked. It\u2019s a valid tactic. The one that walks away wins. But that\u2019s the irony of it. I teach you all that victory is what counts. But I can\u2019t help but remember that battle with guilt. She outfought me, Umina, Wil. She had just one weakness and I hit it. To this day, I feel like I robbed the world of a truly great mind. I wish there had been another way. But I won. And the King of Destruction\u2019s dreams fell apart there. That\u2019s all there was to it.\u201d<\/p>\n He sat down heavily and Umina and Wil looked at each other. Umina didn\u2019t know what to say. She only had one thought. No, two. The Titan spoke of Queravia with regret. She had been his better, or at least, so he believed. He regretted killing her, because he was alone. Alone but for\u2026her eyes lingered on the chessboard with the ghostly pieces. And then she thought of the second thing.<\/p>\n He had killed her. Himself. She wanted to ask how. But Niers was sitting still. He looked up, smiling faintly, and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m melancholy when drunk. Pass me some snacks, Umina?\u201d<\/p>\n She did. Niers broke off a huge chip and began to eat it.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough of that story. You have your answer. It\u2019s not glorious, but it is<\/em> a secret. The King of Destruction. Wistram\u2014dead gods, I hate the Academy. My scrying orb is warded against them, but I know they have eyes and ears everywhere. Let\u2019s talk of happier things. The night\u2019s not over yet. A few more questions. I get to ask you a few, about you two! And then\u2014well, we\u2019ll have time for one last question, won\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled. And Umina and Wil felt a surge of apprehension. They looked out the dark windows. It was nearly time.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Niers Astoragon sat alone in his room. On the table, in his chair. The bowls of snacks had been mostly depleted, and he himself felt stretched<\/em> from all he\u2019d consumed. Still, he wasn\u2019t about to succumb to exhaustion or alcohol or food comas yet. The most important moment of the night had yet to come.<\/p>\n It was a knock on the door. The Titan looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cEnter!\u201d<\/p>\n Wil Kallinad stepped into the room. The young man adjusted his clothing and walked towards his seat. He was more familiar now, but apprehension had returned his nerves. Niers chuckled softly.<\/p>\n \u201cSit down, lad. We were just talking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir. Professor. Excuse me.\u201d<\/p>\n Red-faced, Wil sat. Niers raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cDid Umina win the contest, or did you?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil blinked, and then smiled ruefully.<\/p>\n \u201cI won, sir. I wanted to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGet it over with?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked kindly at the [Lord]. Wil hunched his shoulders, and then straightened. He met Niers\u2019 eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cFrankly, Professor? Yes. I truly enjoyed our conversation. My question\u2014it\u2019s not fascinating to me. Should I ask you now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers waited. Wil sat up and took a deep breath. Then another. He came out with it in a rush.<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor, what is the most valuable piece of information that will aid the Kallinad family at this moment?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Niers. And the Titan stared back. He searched Wil\u2019s unhappy face. And then he reached for his drink. Niers thought better of it at the last second and pushed it away. Then he just looked at Wil.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s your question, is it, Wil Kallinad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil broke away from Niers\u2019 gaze. The Titan nodded thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cA good question. One that will aid your family. Did your father choose it for you? One of your family members?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil flushed.<\/p>\n \u201cThey had suggestions, sir. But I chose it myself. Do you think it\u2019s a wise question?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that your question?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers laughed softly and waved a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. No, to be frank, it\u2019s a fine question. And I\u2019ll answer to the spirit of it\u2014I\u2019m not some malicious monster, Wil. But let\u2019s be honest a moment before I answer. That\u2019s not really what you wanted to ask, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026No, sir. It\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers nodded softly. Wil hesitated, opened his mouth, and then shook his head. He rested his hands on his knees, squeezing them tight.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t change my mind, though, Professor. I owe my family a debt for the ships and all the effort they spent. Not to mention enrolling me here! I can\u2019t ask another one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand.\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan\u2019s voice was sympathetic. He paused.<\/p>\n \u201cOut of curiosity, Wil. If you could have asked, what would have been your question?\u201d<\/p>\n The young man looked up. For a moment Niers thought he wouldn\u2019t reply, but then the words spilled out of him in a rush.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is the greatest treasure or mystery of this world that you know of concretely that has yet to be uncovered, Professor? To clarify\u2014how may it be found? What are the dangers? Where would one begin searching?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked up, his eyes shining. And then he glanced down. Niers smiled wryly.<\/p>\n \u201cMultiple questions in one. But the spirit is good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t workshop the question, sir. I knew I wouldn\u2019t ask.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Lord] mumbled again. It was so at odds with the confidence the young man had shown at Daquin. Niers felt for him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy that question, Wil? If you could have asked?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, the possibility, sir. I don\u2019t know what the best thing to ask for is. A dungeon? A shipwreck? A\u2026a Dragon\u2019s hoard? A riddle with an artifact? But you do. So I thought you would answer me fairly. And I have the means to attempt to find whatever you told me!\u201d<\/p>\n Wil looked up, eagerly. He gestured to his clothes, only a bit stained by the night\u2019s frivolities.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Kallinad family is wealthy, Professor. And if I made the request, my father might grant me the resources and even forces I asked for. We have ties to the Order of Seasons and to our kingdom, Pheislant. I could request [Knights] to join an expedition, ask for volunteers among my classmates with the summer break coming up\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He paused.<\/p>\n \u201cThe greatest opportunity of a lifetime. It\u2019s romantic, sir, but even though I\u2019m a [Strategist], I\u2019d like to be a hero out of legends. Someone who found some great treasure, or did something truly amazing. Like Thivian Stormless. I know it\u2019s childish, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Niers. The Titan sat up.<\/p>\n \u201cChildish? Wil, I had the same dream in that Fraerling village. I wanted to be a hero too. Why do you think I was an adventurer all those years? It\u2019s not childish. It\u2019s a dream.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Wil nodded, eagerly, looking up, validation surging in his eyes. But then his face fell.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a risk, though, Professor. And it might not pan out. Even if it does, I could die. If it was just me asking, I would. But my family\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t change your question? I could answer it, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n That hurt him. Niers regretted saying it, but he had to ask. Wil hesitated, and then hunched down again.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir. My duty to House Kallinad comes first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil gritted his teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cI am, Professor.\u201d<\/p>\n The Fraerling watched him. And then he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have the right to ask me any question in the world, Wil. Any one at all. You chose, and so, to the best of my knowledge, I\u2019ll reply. What aids House Kallinad the most at this moment? I\u2019m honored they think I would know. The Forgotten Wing Company has no contracts with Terandria and I have visited the continent only a handful of times. However, somewhat ironically, I do know something of value. Worthy of the question.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil looked up. Niers stood, and took his cup. He stared into the clear liquid before turning back to Wil, and his tone was brisk.<\/p>\n \u201cWil. Your half-brother\u2014no, pardon me, your cousin, Girent, is engaged to a member of House\u2026blast, I\u2019m a bit drunk. House Havrington, isn\u2019t that right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe du Havrington family, yes, Professor.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil sat up, suddenly alert. The Titan nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think of them? Between us?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil was cautious, but he relaxed as he looked around the Titan\u2019s rooms, one of the most secure in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014know some of them. I can\u2019t say I\u2019m fond of their family, Professor. They\u2019re rather\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuman-centric? Bigoted? I\u2019ve met them too, Wil. This is just between us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll of the above, sir. But my father wants peace with them. Hence the marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he is marrying a girl. Thirteen. Lady Cassicel Havrington, who would be by bloodline next in line to the position of [Marquis] and fourth by blood to the Havrington\u2019s own line of succession. Correct?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014yes. It\u2019s just political. She\u2019ll live in our household. Girent isn\u2019t happy about it, but he doesn\u2019t have to live with the du Havringtons, and this is a big concession for them to end the hostilities between our families, so we\u2019re putting a lot into the marriage. What of it?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers took a gulp from his cup. The fiery liquid burned his throat. The Titan sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a sham. The marriage, I mean. The entire damn thing is fake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Lord] sat up, alarm written over his face. Niers held up a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t panic! This isn\u2019t an assassination at a wedding. Nothing so dramatic. Rather, it\u2019s political. Messy. Lady Cassicel is not<\/em> a pure-blood bloodline. In fact, her grandmother was a commoner. By marrying her, you\u2019ll invalidate your offspring unless you induct her as a Kallinad. Either way, it will be a disaster politically.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014but how do you know that, sir? That would be a scandal! If we married Girent and they revealed her blood wasn\u2019t pure, it would be a scandal! And we gave them\u2014would they reveal it now? No\u2014in a decade!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps when your father passed or later still. It would be used at the most opportune time to embarrass the Kallinads, perhaps if your family were trying to leverage your ties against the du Havringtons. Either way, they gain a truce and a weapon to use against you.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil nodded. He was aware of the politics, more so than Niers. He sat back, staring.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is huge. But how do you know this, Professor? This should be the most secret of information. Only the family of the du Havringtons would know this, unless there was a leak\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot that I know of. And I only know this information by coincidence. You see, Wil\u2014Lady Cassicel. I knew her grandfather.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil leaned over. Niers gestured at him to take a drink. He returned to his seat, speaking crisply.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a fantastic story. Back when I was first beginning the Forgotten Wing Company with Foliana, we were looking for officers. Recruiting anyone of talent, really. You know how it goes? Well, one of the people who enlisted was a [Lord]. Human. From Terandria, although he never said where.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA Havrington?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Lady Cassicel\u2019s grandfather. We didn\u2019t know, of course. We just called him Bedil. Good old Bedil. He was a [Lord] and he had decent Skills so I entrusted him with the command. He did good work, but he was running from something. He only told me who he was when they caught up with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis family.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers tipped the glass he was drinking, walked over to the water through the puddle. He looked back at Wil.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he ran away from his family. He had a few artifacts\u2014and it\u2019s not uncommon. He was a decent man, Wil. And his family wasn\u2019t. He served with me for six years until they came for him. Then it was [Bounty Hunters] and mercenaries, and Foliana and I found ourselves fighting Terandrians! We didn\u2019t want to give him up, but Bedil gave in when he realized his family wouldn\u2019t stop.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did they want him back?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers raised his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause he was theirs. Because he might embarrass them? Frankly, I think, because they wanted to marry him off. Either way, he gave in. His family took him\u2014they never said who they were and he only ever told me his identity, so I think they assumed we were in the dark. Typical arrogance. But there was just one hitch. Can you imagine what that was?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil was no fool. It took him only a second before his eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had a child.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA wife and a child. Two, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers nodded. He sat down, recalling it.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was married, actually. It wasn\u2019t a casual thing. She was\u2014oh, a Lizardwoman.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFertility spells. I think both their children were Human. Lucky for them. But Bedil did love her. And when they took him, they brought his family too. Can\u2019t have their bloodlines running about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut this is huge, sir. Other species marrying into a family like the du Havringtons? If it was Kallinad, it would be big enough, but\u2014they covered it up. I never heard of a Lizardwoman in the du Havrington family. But their servants?\u201d<\/p>\n Wil was pacing. Niers nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI can only speculate. I never heard from Bedil again; I don\u2019t think he was allowed much freedom. If he still lives.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe does, Professor. I\u2019ve never seen him except at a few gatherings, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. But regardless, I know<\/em> what his children looked like. And I can count. He has four heirs, doesn\u2019t he? And his current wife\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuman. They\u2019re all from her, or that\u2019s what the bloodlines say. But if two came from his first wife\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen they\u2019re not purebloods. In fact, they share Lizardperson ancestry. Maybe a few unobtrusive scales? Fertility spells have a few quirks. Either way, Lady Cassicel is descended from his firstborn son. So\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026All of his descendants are ineligible without having been inducted into the Havrington family. Which they might have been! His wife might well have been inducted by virtue of marriage. But\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Wil caught himself and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot in the Du Havrington family. It would be a huge scandal.\u201d<\/p>\n The Fraerling nodded. He looked into his drink and concluded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will<\/em> be a huge scandal. A blow to the Kallinad family, although not so much I daresay. It really only benefits the Havringtons to invalidate your marriage and end the feud between your families; they\u2019ve been getting the worst of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. And if they revealed Lady Cassicel\u2019s ancestry\u2014it\u2019ll be a feud again. But it will wreck our reputation as much as theirs. Damn them. This is low. And they\u2019re using Lord Bedil\u2019s children in other marriages! Their bloodlines are pure\u2014no wonder the Havringtons have been accepting marriages for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Wil trailed off. It was a foreign political system to Niers, but he knew a backstab when he saw one. And this was a good one, if Wil\u2019s expression was anything to go by. The [Lord] looked at Niers, hesitated, and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2014that\u2014it is very valuable, Professor. My father will appreciate the information greatly. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n And he would, too. Wil could only imagine how that tidbit would be used. It would wreck<\/em> the Havringtons if deployed correctly, and save his family some embarrassment. And yet\u2026Wil sagged. Niers watched him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t look too happy for someone who\u2019s received the answer to his question.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man couldn\u2019t answer back. He just hung his head. Niers looked at him sympathetically.<\/p>\n \u201cDuty is a hard thing, Wil. I can\u2019t tell you it\u2019s better to live for yourself; it\u2019s something you have to weigh.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil might have nodded. His head jerked and he looked up. He hesitated and bit his lip.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t asked, would you have used the information yourself, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean to threaten the Havringtons or warn House Kallinad? No, Wil. Some secrets you just keep. I have enough trouble without getting into Terandrian politics. You can\u2019t really ever get out once you put a foot in.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked amused as he shook his head. That made Wil feel a bit better. Even so, he rose slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve fulfilled my obligations to my family. The du Havringtons will pay for this. That\u2019s some consolation. Professor, thank you. The question was worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n Just not for him. Niers nodded. He watched Wil excuse himself, walk towards the door. Niers hesitated. And he looked at Foliana and she nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWil.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man turned back. Niers paused, and then spoke slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cYour dream of adventure. Don\u2019t give it up. If you look for it, Wil, it will find you. When it does, reach out and grab it.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil hesitated. Then he smiled and ducked his head.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Professor. I will.\u201d<\/p>\n He left. Niers watched him go and then the door shut. He paused, and then sighed, and took another gulp of his drink. One down. Then the Titan of Baleros raised his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Umina was nervous. Beyond nervous. Terrified, but so scared she was calm. She\u2019d seen Wil leave, looking unhappy and relieved. Now it was her turn. Umina walked into the room. She sat down at the Titan\u2019s bidding, and looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. You answered Wil\u2019s question, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I did. Whether it is to his satisfaction, we will see. I can\u2019t speak to you of it, but he has his answer.\u201d<\/p>\n The Fraerling\u2019s voice was neutral. Umina nodded, squirming. She looked towards the door as it closed. She\u2019d left it open. Niers waved a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cAutomatically closing doors. Handy for Fraerlings.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Professor. Um\u2014I know this is my chance to ask my question. But\u2014may I ask something before that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled at her. Reassured, Umina took a breath. She hesitated, but she had been able to talk to Niers this night. So it was only with a bit of difficulty she spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014um, Professor, this is a bit silly. But I wanted to ask about me. As a student.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers\u2019 eyes focused slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014am I special, Professor? Do I stand out? As a student?\u201d<\/p>\n The question exited Umina in a rush. The Titan blinked. He sat back slowly, as she looked at him. Then he smiled fondly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s an odd question. Of course you stand out! I\u2019ve never had a student pop out of the ground covered in\u2026sewer waste during my games! That was a surprise! You beat your fellow students!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir. But that was luck as much as strategy. I\u2019m talking about me as a student.\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan shrugged lightly. Umina watched him, her tail curled up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re gifted, sharp\u2014you come up with the most unorthodox solutions most often, which is what I like to see. Of course you\u2019re special!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor.\u201d<\/p>\n The Fraerling paused. Umina looked at him and spoke slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019re lying to me. Or\u2014telling half-truths. I need to know. What if I made it my question, Professor? Honestly, am I unique?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked at her. Really looked at Umina. And she felt a pit in her stomach. She\u2019d admired him. She wanted to be<\/em> like him. She\u2019d tried her best to excel, to be worthy of the legend of her teacher. So she knew the answer when he covered up his reply with his praise. And she knew the answer before he spoke now.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n The word hit Umina like a brick. Niers sat up. He looked at her. A bit sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did ask. And if you made it our question, Umina, I would say\u2026no. Do you stand out? Yes. But are you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpecial?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him. Niers shook his head slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. But if you\u2019re asking if I see something I haven\u2019t seen before? I don\u2019t. I see a brilliant young [Strategist], Umina. But you have to understand. I taught Perorn, Umina. Perorn, Tulm\u2014all of them. They were all my best students. And you know what? I didn\u2019t even think they were the best at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n The Professor sat back. He looked backwards and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of them stood out, like Tulm. Most surprised me. I can remember students I thought would change the world, replace me<\/em>, who died. Or just never became anything. Some of them were so gifted I couldn\u2019t believe it. Others had special talents, Skills, classes. That made them \u2018special\u2019. If you want to know if I see that spark\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head. Umina bit her lip. She wasn\u2019t going to cry. Niers was speaking to her like an adult, not a child. He looked up, kindly, but seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry to tell you like that. But if you were asking if I saw a great spark in you\u2014I don\u2019t. And overconfidence\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014Kills. I know, Professor.\u201d<\/p>\n Did you have to ask?<\/em> His gaze looked pained. Umina only dipped her head once. She\u2019d wanted to know. It was a bitter truth. It had soured the moment. After a moment, Niers sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine, Professor. Was\u2014was that my question?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. No, it wasn\u2019t. Ask. By all means.\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head firmly. That relieved Umina. She sat up. And he looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have any question in the world, Umina. Any one within my power. Ask.\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded. She looked him in the eye. And she channeled her pain, her disappointment, into a question that was the best she could ask.<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor, what is the identity of your mysterious chess opponent?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers Astoragon blinked. He stared at Umina. And she rejoiced in the surprise on his face. He stared at her, smiled, and then grew serious. He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cAsk me another question, Umina. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was my question, Professor. Can\u2019t you answer it?\u201d<\/p>\n She challenged him, shaking with nerves. The Titan laughed softly. He raked a hand through his hair.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d forgotten there was a question I could be asked that would bother me! Sudden developments\u2014to answer you, Umina. No. I don\u2019t know for certain. I have a guess. And I could tell you a number of things. But let me speak.\u201d<\/p>\n He held up a hand, forestalling Umina. The Titan got up, looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI know what I promised. But I don\u2019t want to tell you. I\u2014sometimes I advise students on what question they should ask. Or guide them to the right answer. I\u2019m doing the same now. Umina, ask me where some buried treasure is. I do actually know a cache or two. Ask me about something else. This answer won\u2019t bring you anything of benefit, I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s my question. Why don\u2019t you want to answer it?\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl persisted. Niers sighed again.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s dangerous. Some questions my students have asked in this room, Umina? They\u2019ve gotten them killed. Others are safer. This question? It\u2019s very dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy? Because of who your opponent is?\u201d<\/p>\n She was fishing. Niers ignored her question.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a dangerous question because I\u2019ll know that you know. And you might find yourself on the board against the deadliest of opponents. It touches my affairs, Umina. And that\u2019s a precarious spot to be in, even if I\u2019m trying to protect you. What would you do with the information? Use it? Sell it? Either way, you put a target on your back.\u201d<\/p>\n That was true. But Umina was certain.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to know, Professor. But if you want me to, I\u2019ll ask another one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes! Go on. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked relieved. Umina stared him right in the eye. Her neck-frills opened a bit. She felt powerful in this moment. She\u2019d bothered the Titan, the Professor. Now she asked the second question on her mind.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay then, Professor. Then here\u2019s my second question. What was the answer to the question Tulm the Mithril was going to ask you if he won at Daquin?\u201d<\/p>\n This time, the pause was even longer. Niers looked up at Umina. And she saw his indecision. At last, he turned and reached for his cup. He took a long drink, and then turned and grinned at her.<\/p>\n \u201cClever. I don\u2019t want to answer that one either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Are these questions so hard, Professor?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina almost felt like she was teasing him. It was a heady feeling. Niers waved one hand, shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly? Yes, Umina. Not many of my students ask questions that are so\u2026