A request from an old “friend”.

Ariane poured over the letter again, having read it several times. It did not seem right to her, but the words did not change not matter how many times she read it. A fellow student from the academy was asking for her help—and of her companions—a man she had not thought about in many years. He was planning an expedition into an old and nearly forgotten dwarven city, and more specifically of the dwarven tomb in that old city.

The elf gathered her friends around herself and showed the letter to them. She watched their faces as they all read it, “What do you think?”

“Sounds strange, Ariane. Why you—or us? He could hire any old band of adventurers,” Mira was sceptical.

“I think it sounds interesting, I’ve never been to dwarven ruins,” Lex said.

Khala nodded, “I say we at least hear him out, anything to put my mind to something other than… Giana.”

Ariane sighed, “I suppose meeting him and discussing it wouldn’t hurt, we could still decline if it sounds fishy. He and I… don’t have the best history.”

“Oh? Old lover who left you?” Mira smirked.

“What? No! Not in a million years!” Ariane protested.

“That bad, huh?” Mira giggled, “Alright, let’s visit him. I want to see this reunion.”

Ariane rolled her eyes, “Glad I can amuse you.”

“Well, no use sitting around then,” Khala jumped to her feet, “Let’s get going.”

The party finished their business in town and mounted their horses. Taking the King’s road, they started their journey to the Academy. Lex rode beside Mira while Ariane and Khala rode side by side a bit behind them.

“Chin up, little one. I’m sure you’ll meet her again,” Ariane tried to cheer up the depressed half-elf.

“It’s not fair,” Khala pouted, “Just when I find someone I like, they have to leave again.”

“Yes, life’s not fair sometimes,” Ariane said, “But you still have me, right? I still remember that night at the celebration very vividly.”

“You weren’t as drunk as I was or Gaia,” Khala giggled, “But the bits I remember were… nice.”

“Just nice?” Ariane scoffed, “Girl, I take offence to that.”

“Okay, it was wonderful, is that what you want to hear?” Khala blushed.

“It’s a start,” Ariane giggled, “Remember, little one. Any time you feel lonely, come to me and we’ll figure it out… together.”

Khala faintly smiled at the elven sorceress.

Lex chuckled, “Leave it to Ariane to make a move on the love-sick girl.”

“Jealous she isn’t chasing you?” Mira said.

“Maybe a little. That predatory glint she gets when she’s spotted her victim is quite something,” Lex laughed.

“Well, I’m sure she’ll still let you spy on her changing and bathing, ero-ranger,” Mira joked.

“I can only hope,” Lex chuckled.

The journey was rather pleasant, the sweltering heat of the mid-summer having mellowed to a nice and windy early autumn. It took them another
week of travel to reach the great Academy of magic.