September 1, 1887

I wish to clarify a certain minor change I have made to this novella, in case it is causing any confusion. The dates have been converted from the Lessaenite to the human calendar for your convenience. 

-Dr. Yulah

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In the following weeks, Airel practiced his Aural abilities extensively under the guidance of Crescel. He became so absorbed in mastering his new gift, which he was now able to summon at will and shape into small figures, that he even began to neglect his bakery.

Thalayna grew concerned about his strange comings and goings at unusual times and increasing time spent outside of his home. Finally, after more than two weeks of this uncharacteristic behavior, she could no longer bear the uncertainty and took it upon herself to follow her husband on one of his late night excursions.

She stayed a safe distance behind Airel as he walked, carrying nothing but a hunk of dry bread for his dinner and a skin of water. He passed through the residential portion of the township, climbing up Glaisse Hill and descending to the edge of the Altair River. Thalayna remained on top of the hill, watching the proceedings below.

She could make out the shapes of two people walking out of the line of trees to meet Airel. When they turned their faces to the light of the moons, she was shocked to see that they were none other than Crescel Myers and Lianna Soren! This answered her questions in their entirety. Of course Airel had taken to weird behaviors, if he was moving with such unholy beings. 

However, what happened next thoroughly appalled her. The three of them lined up before the river and began to perform a strange ritual, distorting their Auras to abnormal shapes and sizes and using them to pick up sticks and to levitate water. Thalayna's heart raced as she thought about whatever dark cult the Aurologist had absorbed her husband into and she ran down the hill as fast as her heavy skirts would allow, determined to save him from the evil forces that acted upon him. 

"Airel!" She yelled, slamming into his back and disrupting his Aural stream. 

"Thalayna..." he turned around, confused. "You were to stay at home and care for Sakarus." 

"How can I allow you to destroy yourself like this?" She fumed. "How can I stand by while the one I love is subjected to such wicked influence?" 

"What wicked influence?" Lianna frowned. "We are only learning to harness the power with which we were all born." 

"Yes," Airel nodded. "Be at peace, we are completely right minded in our actions. Do you see how we practice in the glow of Lumys? If we are to leave the township, we need to have some way of defending ourselves against whatever wild things lurk in the world outside." 

"Do not waste your breath attempting to explain our noble task to her," Crescel sighed. "The daughter of an overly religious, uneducated Mystic Clan pig can be nothing better." 

"You have no right to insult a respectable woman of the township, solely because she will not succumb to your black magic," Thalayna spat. 

"Please, do not allow yourselves to grow passionate," Airel stepped in between them. "If we are to succeed in our mission beyond the wall, we will need to work together with no feelings of division." 

"Beyond the wall? I don't believe my father ever gave you permission to leave the township." Thalayna said coldly. 

"I am a free man," Airel retorted. "I don't take orders from anyone." 

"Stop acting like you're some kind of king."

"Who knows? Maybe, if I leave Glaisse-Altair, someday, I will be." 

"That's ridiculous. Kings and Queens only exist in fairytales. These people are putting insane ideas into your head, and I don't like it one bit." 

"Whether you like it or not, it's what this world needs. We need a leader, not a rich fool who hides away in his mansion."

"That's it!" Thalayna fumed. "At first, I liked your ideas, but now, you're taking this too far. You will never leave the township! I shall tell my brother all about your plans, and he will not be pleased!" 

"No! Wait!" Airel shouted, but she paid no heed, turning on her heels and sprinting back up the hill to the heart of the township. 

"Her brother?" Crescel frowned. 

"Devon," Airel spat, his expression one of pure disgust. 

"The Devon DeGlann? Future Magistrate?" Lianna gasped. 

"And serial killer. He should've been hanged twice, but escaped because of his position. He's an even bigger pig than his father, if that's even possible." 

"Indeed," Crescel nodded. "When I see who's next in line, I keep wishing Lord DeGlann was immortal." 

"Devon's extremely overprotective of his sister," Airel sighed. "We need to leave the township now." 

"And if we don't make it?" Lianna raised an eyebrow. 

"We're dealing with Devon DeGlann here. We won't be alive to try again."