The group is walking south next to the Arcana mountain range and the Bottled sea, a stiff breeze is present, when Avias begins to caw loudly.

  What’s the matter, fellow? Recognize any of these parts? Kilian asks the bird. But it just keeps cawing. They spot another raven in the air. Then it flies off a little into the distance.

  We have to follow it! Kilian says. They follow the bird through the woods.

  It isn’t long before they spot a tower in the distance. The bird starts cawing loudly.

  There’s several birds roosting on its top. They make their way to the entrance and knock on the door.

  Who is there? The voice of an old man sounds.

  It’s me, Kilian, we’re a group of travelers, friends of a girl named Mona. Her bird brought us here.

  Mona? Desdemona? I haven’t heard that name in ages.

  He opens the door. Come inside.

  The man is dressed in Arcane robes, bearing the usual runic symbols and purple colouration.

  The house is filled with potions, trinkets and books, lots of books are scattered everywhere. Inside his house are several more ravens.

  You’re friends of Desdemona ay? Where is she?

  I’m sorry, but she died. Kilian doesn’t know how much information to reveal.

  Amaru feels uncomfortable about the whole situation, and rather wishes they were gone.

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  Who are you if we may ask? Her pet bird flew in this direction. So you must be familiar.

  I’m her old teacher. I teach arcane magicks in Satharak. But there’s a winter break now, so I traveled to my winter cottage.

  Amaru looks at Kilian. They all feel slightly uneasy. But their uneasiness is interrupted by the man’s speaking.

  I remember Mona. She was one of my best students. She had real talent that girl. That’s why she was recruited for the Arcane forces. An elite unit. What happened to her?

  She got into a fight with a high ranking general and lost the fight, Kilian says.

  Infighting? That’s not like her. She never caused any problems when she was under my watch. Excellent student. Always obeyed orders.

  Well truthfully, she ran away from the Arcana empire first.

  She ran away?

  The man's facial expression turns to a look of serious disappointment.

  That is the worst crime you could commit as a soldier. She wasted her life.

  And who might you be then? More runaways?

  No no we’re just travelers. We befriended her on her travels.

  Let’s get out of here, Amaru says.

  I’m afraid I can’t let those who betray the Arcana empire go so easily, the old man says. He quickly casts an arcane seal on them and roots them to the ground.

  Then he starts casting an arcane bolt.

  Everyone, attack! Kilian shouts.

  Achran fires scatter shots and interrupts the man’s spellcast, who now quickly changes his bolt to an arcane bubble to protect himself at the last moment.

  Amaru follows up with a spear throw, piercing the barrier and striking the man’s leg.

  The man looks over. I might be experienced but eight to one is ridiculous. You aren’t travelers, you’re adventurers or something. He claps his hands and teleports away.

  The arcane root spell wears off.

  We gotta get out of here. Who knows, he could be gathering allies or something.

  They walk away from the place. But Avias remains with the other birds. They’re his family, even if they serve dark purposes. They quickly hurry south to leave the surrounding Arcana valleys.