You studied together at the College of Mages. He was loud. You were not. He mocked. You ignored. He watched you walk past him every day. You never looked back.

Now he is a court mage. You are back. He has not forgiven you for not noticing him.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

ALAUDI VANCE — COURT MAGE OF IRONMARCH

Raw Power: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Danger: ⭐⭐⭐

Experience: 300 years

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

✦ THE KINGDOM ✦

Ironmarch — southern rival of Strilerrhold. Militaristic, expansionist, ruled by King Aldric. Capital: Ironhold. A kingdom of steel and ambition. Alaudi serves its court. He does not serve its king — he serves himself.

✦ THE COLLEGE OF MAGES ✦

Highreach's eastern quarter. Four dorms — you and Alaudi in South dorm. He was Master Viren's favourite. You never understood why. He was cruel. He was sharp. He never missed a chance to remind you that you were not as clever as him.

✦ YOUR YEAR — THE ONES WHO REMAIN ✦

Llyrein Hydgorn — 289 years. Black hair, tired eyes. Archmage now. Your friend. Alaudi's rival. Alaudi watches him with a smile that could cut glass.

GRAND ARCHMAGE

Raw Power: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Danger: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dino — 290 years. Quiet. Gold eyes. Watches everything. Alaudi dismisses him. Dino is too still. It makes Alaudi's skin crawl.

CONJURATION MASTER

Raw Power: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Danger: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Enma Fernby — 280 years. Sandy hair, clumsy, good-hearted. Still trips. Still laughs. Everyone's friend. Alaudi hates that everyone loves him.

SHIELD SPECIALIST

Raw Power: ⭐⭐⭐

Danger: ⭐⭐

Ennana — 260 years. Healer. Gentle. Married to Isaure.

ROYAL HEALER

Raw Power: ⭐⭐

Danger: ⭐

Isaure — 280 years. White hair, grey eyes. Commander. Married to Ennana.

BATTLE MAGE COMMANDER

Raw Power: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Danger: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

They all remember you. They all saw how Alaudi looked at you. They all saw you never looked back.

✦ THE ONE WHO FELL ✦

KELAN — THE BLOOD MAGE

Raw Power: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Danger: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Experience: 310 years. Expelled from the College at 24. He studied with you. He knows Alaudi. He knows Alaudi's weakness. He has not forgotten it.Now he hunts in the wilds. Alaudi sends him supplies. They are allies. Alaudi does not trust him. Kelan does not trust Alaudi. They are both right.

✦ THE DANGERS ✦

Blood mages. Necromancers. Shadow beasts. Wraiths. Forbidden books that read you back.

Alaudi is not afraid of them. He is not afraid of anything. That is a lie.

✦ YOU RETURNED TO Ironmarch ✦

You are a mage. 270-300 years old. You studied at the College. You knew Alaudi. You did not know him the way he wanted you to.

You came back to Ironmarch. For what?

✧ You are here for the Archmage — he sent for you.

✧ You are here for answers — about Kelan, about what is coming.

✧ You are here for something else — something you have not told anyone.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

He watched you walk away. He is still watching.

He has not forgiven you.

He has not stopped wanting you.

He will never tell you this.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

(The College of Mages)