The room was much larger than her chambers back in Xathia, and she had made it into more of her space. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with tomes she'd brought with her or confiscated from the library of the Academy, Arcane Spire.

A large table dominated the center of the room, covered in scrolls, quills, and half-written notes.

A magic circle glowed faintly on the floor near the far wall, remnants of whatever experiment she'd been conducting earlier.

Thamoryn stood by the window, her hands clasped behind her back. She turned as he entered, with her blank expression on her face.

"You're late," she said.

"I walked," Aiden replied simply.

Thamoryn studied him for a moment, then gestured to a chair near the table. "We have some work to do."

Aiden sat, and Thamoryn moved to the opposite side of the table, pulling out a scroll and unrolling it.

"Tutoring of the mages is to resume after the King's coronation so you were always going to get to this. But I don't see a harm in knowing it this early, so today we'll be working on summoning your messenger," she said. "Specifically, the summoning and binding of messengers."

"Wait, before we continue that" Aiden stopped her mid way. "That time when I need to leave Dragonhold is here"

Aiden was talking about going to Delheim.

Right after the war, Aiden had informed Thamoryn of the need to leave Dragonhold. Although he didn't say specifically where.

Additionally, the only reason he told her was because he needed her to make sure that Oberon stayed in line while he was away.

Thamoryn then replied, "Aiden, we've discussed this. I understand you need to go there. I've already told you I won't stop you. But the timing—"

"Again with the timing not being ideal?" Aiden

interrupted.

Right after Aiden had informed her the first time that he wanted to leave, Thamoryn practically pleaded with him to stay.

Citing reasons like his presence still being needed within the Kingdom, especially as the fear people had of him would make sure they all got in line. Thereby ensuring a smooth transitioning of the Kingdom without hassle.

And then ofcourse, there was still the fact that she was still making attempts to try and comprehend Aiden's magic capabilities.

Thamoryn sighed. Her attempts at understanding Aiden's capabilities were futile and the transitioning was complete.

But now there was a new reason why she still wanted to him, and that was the King's Coronation.

Aiden continued calmly, "You do realize I'm not asking for permission."

Now Aiden was only giving her this heads up, because to an extent she'd been a good tutor so far, and it was the least respect he could give her before leaving.

"I know Aiden, I know. Thamoryn repeated, turning to face him, then pleaded once more, "But can you atleast wait till after the coronation. Seven days, Aiden. That's all I'm asking."

Aiden looked at her with a puzzled expression, "Oberon is King. No one seems to be complaining about it. What does the Coronation have to do with me?"

Thamoryn goes on ahead to explain the situation regarding the other rulers. How there could possibly be secession from the treaty and how his presence at the Coronation ceremony would further instill the fear needed to keep these rulers in line.

After hearing all that, he replied, "But all of that is frankly none of my business Thamoryn. He wanted to be King Of Dragonhold, he should deal with what comes with it."

"Please Aiden, you've held on for thirty days, you can hold on seven more" Thamoryn pleaded again. "Stay until the coronation. Let the lords and ladies have a sight of the one who singlehandedly defeated a Kingdom"

Thamoryn's goal was to have Aiden's presence reflect well on Oberon's level of control, and instill that sense of fear to keep them in check.

Aiden was silent for a long moment. Then he exhaled slowly.

"Fine," he said. "Seven days. But I'm making this clear, Thamoryn. I won't bring this up again after then, i'd simply leave"

Thamoryn nodded. "Understood."

Aiden however had agreed to say for one reason. He would use that period to figure out how to tell Laela and Arianna that they had to wait a bit longer before the marriage ensued fully.

"Oh and one more thing" Aiden said, prompting Thamoryn to nod in anticipation of a request.

"Have the finest ring maker, make me two rings befitting of a Queen." Aiden demanded.

Without asking questions, Thamoryn agreed, "it'll be done. You'll have the ring in three days"

——

The tension in the room eased slightly.

Thamoryn then picked up the scroll again. "Now. Can we please get back to work?"

Aiden nodded in agreement.

She unrolled the scroll before him, and laid it flat on the ground. Inscribed on its surface was an intricate magic circle, with lines and symbols woven together in a complex pattern

"This," Thamoryn said, tapping the circle, "is a summoning circle. It acts as a gateway and a contract simultaneously. The circle itself does most of the work. Your job is to provide the mana."

Aiden then stood and adjusted himself, studying the design. "So I just pour mana into it?"

"In essence, yes," Thamoryn said. "But it's more precise than that. The circle will pull a magical creature from the realm of spirits, Eldergreen. The amount and quality of mana you provide determines what kind of creature answers the call. Once the creature manifests, the circle binds it to you."

She gestured to the symbols around the circle's edge. "These runes define the parameters. Size, intelligence, obedience. This particular circle is designed for messenger creatures only, so don't you don't summon anything else."

Aiden nodded slowly. "What sort of other creatures could be summoned?"

She replied "There's no telling, but one thing we know for certain is, there are certain creatures capable of reeking untold havoc. This magic circle was designed specifically to avoid that"

Thamoryn then took a step back and gestured to the scroll. "Go ahead. Place your hand over the circle and channel your mana into it. Let the circle do the rest."

Aiden placed his hand flat over the center of the summoning circle, his palm hovering just above the parchment.

He channeled his mana into it and the circle responded immediately.

The lines began to glow white light tracing the pattern across the scroll. The air above the circle distorted just a bit.

Thamoryn watched intently, to see what sort of messenger he pulled.

The distortions grew stronger.

Stronger than normal, which made Thamoryn's expression look puzzled a bit as It had never happened like that then.

Then with a faint sound like wind chimes, something began to take form.

Purple light gathered at the center, and tbe glow thickened, shaping itself into a large beast.

Lines of magic ran across the forming body; first the outline of its frame, then claws, fangs, and fur taking shape from the light. The circle pulsed once more, and the glow burst outward.

When it faded, a black direwolf stood in its place.

"What?!" Thamoryn exclaimed, and even Aiden looked surprised at the sight beast that just opened its eyes.

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