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T he next few weeks went without any issues.

They were now well into the coldest month, with ice frosting the windows and snow piling in the courtyard.

Deliveries from home came late. It had been almost a month since they were able to send out any letters or receive news from back home.

Deliveries were hard to organize, with Skilheim Stronghold being so far north.

It was a pleasant surprise when the students saw a large wagon in front of the school.

A backlog of letters, packages, and much needed supplies was being unpacked by the kitchen staff.

Fang was on top of the pile yelling names and tossing out packages.

“Lilith Hennan!” Lilith pushed her way through the crowd holding her hands up.

Fang tossed a big package and a stack of letters.

She gasped and greedily hugged her goods.

Running up to the dorm, she ripped open her package.

The thickest blanket was folded as well as some layering clothes.

She opened the first letter. It was from her father, wishing her a speedy recovery from her emergence and telling her to send some more letters.

He mentioned that work had been exhausting.

Along with the blanket, he had sent her a special book.

She found a thin dark green book entitled Translating Runes.

She flipped through the pages and squealed in delight. This was exactly what she needed.

The next letter was from her brother, Jasper. He had tucked in some leaves. The letter mentioned that it was an herbal tea that could be used for illnesses. He wished for her to send him some letters. She opened Arlen’s letter next. Her palms were clammy as she read,

Sister,

We haven’t heard from you in some time. I hope you are doing well.

I don’t know if you care, but Lord Elwin has sent his son from the academy.

It’s safe to say that Amiriel is now fully aware of your situation.

He’s asked about you and has mentioned something about joining the front…

I debated telling you this information. He can take care of himself.

I’m more worried about you. What is Skilheim like?

Has anyone given you any trouble? Have you gone through your emergence?

Send me word that you’re okay.

Love,

Arlen

This letter was a few weeks old. She quickly took out some parchment and started writing back to her family. She had sent letters to them after her emergence, but it seemed like deliveries were unreliable. Most of the girls were digging into their packages from home.

“I see you’re writing a letter back home. The envoy mentioned that they’ll be leaving in the morning, so any letters needing to be delivered have to be sent in by tonight,” Verrona mentioned to Lilith, opening up her own letters .

“Have you heard from your family?” Lilith questioned the siren.

Verrona lowered her voice, “From my mother. She’s aware of what happened before the tournament and she’s decided that we keep what happened between us.

There’s so much happening in our world that this news would only divide our relationship with the mainlanders.

Being a siren has many disadvantages. Our beauty is a curse.

I want to prove to my people that we can coexist with mankind. ”

“For what it’s worth, I am happy that you’re here. I hope that your encounter with that raging pig would not prevent you from reaching your goals,” Lilith said as she squeezed Verrona’s arm.

Finished with writing her letters, she dashed out of the dorm in search of a courier. They were camped out in the main hall, eating. A large bag was left open beside them with the note, “Outbound deliveries.” Lilith exchanged some coins with the courier and dropped her letters into the bag.

Tensions were rising inside of Skilheim.

Rumours that some of the teachers had been approached by the king to serve.

Prince Demetrius had been absent for weeks from the school.

Lilith was under the impression he had left Skilheim until she spied him arriving one morning on horseback.

She debated a while to herself, but then followed him into the stable .

“You look exhausted.” She came up to his horse and helped undo the saddle.

Prince Demetrius didn’t look at her. They moved in a quiet dance, removing items from the horse.

After they had finished, she waited a few moments before heading to the exit.

She felt him approach her, grabbing her wrist. He leaned his head onto hers.

“How fortunate that I found this goddess here.” He spun her around to face her, holding her wrist hostage in a firm grip.

“You haven’t been attending class these last couple of weeks. Where were you?” she probed.

He squinted his eyes and assessed her coolly. “I have been busy. Though I find your concern for me pleasing." He pushed her back so that she was braced against a wooden column, and then pressed into her. “You smell divine. A plum ready to be picked. Let me worship you.” He sank in for a kiss.

Lilith moved in closer. Part of her wanted to keep going, but another part of her realized he was a complication.

He was flirtatious, but never this brazen.

“You mistake my concern,” she said as he parted.

The prince went in for another kiss, probing his tongue along the seam of her lips.

His scent invaded her nostrils; it was overwhelming and his aura was overpowering.

She felt a nervous excitement to his close proximity, but this had to stop.

Kicking her leg around his, she managed to use her weight to toss him down.

“You are tired and are acting ridiculous. I will forgive you this once, but try that again and I will cut off your balls.” She made for the exit and didn’t look back.

The sound of laughter taunted her as she went to the main keep.

Riled up, she went to the main hall for breakfast. As one of the first ones there, she filled her bowl.

Her anger dissipated as she ate her meal.

The porridge tasted sweeter than normal.

The envoy that came through delivered dried fruits and nuts.

She sipped at her tea and unfolded the newspaper.

She hadn’t seen one since her failed mission to Tilton.

Rejection of Counsel Members

by Beatrice Bane

The king has sequestered himself to his room after removing most of his councilmen.

His newly appointed members are a part of the new religious group, The Apostles of the Reckoning.

Rumours circulate that King Amadeus has fallen into madness, driven by the pressure to hold against the recent expansion of the Void.

His popularity among the general public is at an all time low.

Many are wondering if he will abdicate his throne and pass his title to his son, or if this creates an opportunity to replace the monarchy entirely.

New Tax System Raises Prices

by Beatrice Bane

Merchants are voicing concerns over the recent rise in crime stemming from rebels trying to block trade going into the city.

With the new rules set in place by the Apostles, local merchants are not only struggling to supply goods, but also raising their prices due to the Apostles' new taxes.

Locals are worried that with these price inflations, a new threat of food and goods scarcity may be on the rise .

Lilith’s father was one of the councilmen that advised the king.

He’s been removed, she thought as she looked at the date of the article.

It was from last week. Anger seized her.

Did the prince know that his father fired my father?

she wondered. Lilith was easily swayed by her emotions.

She knew that if she let this anger fester, she would tarnish her relationship with the prince and her friends.

She had to play it cool for now. First, she would ask the prince what he knew.

“Woah there Lilith, you look really angry. Are you okay?” It was Taran.

She maintained her composure. “I’m fine.

I just found out some upsetting news.” She passed him the newspaper.

“I just need to take a moment before we have to meet with Mistress Rhodes. Please excuse me.” She didn’t wait for him to say anything back before pushing her way past him to exit the hall.

Once outside she saw Mistress Rhodes coming back from her morning run.

“Mistress Rhodes. Good morning.” Her face was flushed. “Would it be possible to start my run now? I need to release some bad energy.” She felt tears pooling. Hold yourself together.

Mistress Rhodes let out a huff of frustration, but nodded her approval.

“When you get back, I expect that you’re put together.

” Lilith thanked her and started up the markers.

The run had become rather therapeutic. Running uphill was easier after her emergence and getting through the obstacles was hardly a challenge.

The fire sprites had stopped attacking her altogether.

They just stood in the clearing and watched her pass.

She made it to the peak at a new personal record.

Looking down at the snowy landscape, she let out a loud, frustrated cry.

She had surpassed her threshold for all the problems that came her way.

When she was younger she fully believed that life would be simple.

She would follow in her brothers' footsteps and become a successful strategist like her father.

Life would be uncomplicated. She laughed bitterly.

Complications clung to her. Nothing was straightforward.

Then again, everyone experiences struggles.

She would endure. She breathed in the crisp mountain air, filling her lungs with its refreshing calmness as she made for the last part of her run.

She checked in with Mistress Rhodes, who told her that her classmates had just started.