"So what did you find, soldiers?" the innkeeper asked as they all filed back into the tavern and took a seat, all presenting a degree of confusion and disappointment. He frowned when they all vocalized as much. "Nothing?"

"No, we found something. Washed out runes and noted that the area mutes magic, but that's about it," Az explained. "We may need to call in a specialist."

"If they'll even send one," Nagan muttered.

"It still sounds like the Sunglare Circle didn't give you the answers you wanted," the innkeeper said before giving them a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry. That must've been quite a disappointment. Is this y'all's first assignment?"

Gath did a so-so gesture. "Kinda. Some of us—"

Milora, "I wasn't there."

"—were guarding a supply train as it was being transported. We got attacked, though, so this is our first investigative mission, and our prof—er, captain, isn't with us this time."

The innkeeper stared at them in shock. "You were attacked?"

"No worries! None of us were hurt. Most of us are combative spell casters, and all of us can wield a sword—Nagan, the blond one, is the best at it—so we're pretty prepared to deal with those things. But anyway, do you happen to know anything else about the Sunglare Circle?"

"Oh, actually—" the innkeeper busied himself with a glass as he tried to move on from the fact that children the same age as his nephew have fought in real life or death situations before, "—I was thinking a bit more about that while you were out. I don't know much more—I've only lived here for a couple years—but it occurred to me that I may know who can tell you something more. Well, there are several who can tell you more. Take Old Gamger, for example. Has lived here all his life and will die here. But he won't speak to you, that's a guarantee."

"Why not?" Carth asked.

"For one, he doesn't like people showing up uninvited and hates the majority of people in general. Second, he certainly won't like you two." He motioned to Nagan and Aitor. "But, there's someone else here who has also lived here all her life, and I'm sure she'll be happy to talk. She always has been in my experience. She'll talk your ear off if given the chance."

Az, "Who is she?"

"The mayor's mother, Madam Sivil. She lives just outside in a large mansion. You can't miss it as long as you follow the main road and take the first left you see beyond the gate. The only thing that may pose a problem is the guards. But..." He looked out the window to the sun that had since passed the afternoon and was now becoming early evening. "If you go now, you may catch her on her evening walk. She always 'works up an appetite' before settling for dinner."

Carth immediately stood. "Let's go now, then. You said down the main road and first left?"

"Yep, exactly that."

"Alright. Thank you for this."

"...Ok, now that we're here, I feel like we're doing something wrong. Maybe we should've at least given some notice? What if a whole group of soldiers is intimidating?"

"Gath, they all look at us and see kids," Carth said. "We'll be fine. The worst they'll say is for us to get off the lawn."

"I don't know, I've seen worse," Nagan added. "They could yell, they could throw something at you, they can—"

"Ok, ok, I get it. Maybe I'm being a little hasty, but this beats sitting in a room for the rest of the day and waiting for tomorrow." Carth looked ahead at the brass gates and stone walls. They didn't see any guards yet, but that didn't mean they weren't there. "Besides, we're already here. It'll look suspicious if we turn around now."

Accurate to what Carth said, the mansion loomed in the distance. Off-white bricks contrasted beautifully with the navy roof tiles. Some portions of the building faded off into weathered, dark wood and lime-washed daub. Deep green ivy grew up the sides, and sometimes they were dotted with pink roses, probably the last of the season before the weather grew too cold. Past the gate, they could see glimpses of hedges, a mix of colored deciduous and evergreens, but not much more than that.

No one else spoke as they approached the gate, and they had unconsciously formed a loose defensive formation: Nagan at the front with Carth just a step behind, Milora, Az, and Aitor in the middle, ready to break from formation if needed, and Gath stood in the back, watching over them all. By the time they got there, a guard had appeared from around the corner, and there was no doubt there was at least one more present. The rest of the group lingered back as Carth and Nagan stepped forward.

"When they said mansion, I thought it'd be..." Carth trailed off, frowning and tilting his head slightly to the side.

"Honestly? I agree. I think this house could fit in your ballroom, with some of it leaking into the parlor."

"Wait a second, how do you know—"

Nagan didn't let him finish, shutting him up with a disbelieving and mildly offended look. "I was at Turn of the Year this year, held in your home. Your father even talked to me there."

"Huh. I guess I didn't see you there. I saw Ica—Az there, though, along with the other Arclovens."

"Az might've done his job of keeping us separated a little too well, then."

Their conversation ceased when they stopped directly in front of the gate.

"Hello," the guard greeted amiably, but they didn't miss the suspicion in his eyes and the way he gave Nagan a once-over. "May I help you with anything?"

"Hello. I am Sergeant Carthadeus Honoria. We are soldiers under the Council of Thirds sent here to investigate the Sunglare Circle." Carth showed him the crest. "We have good reason to believe there's been a fair amount of magical tampering by a certain group. Madam Sivil, we were told, may have more information on it, both about strange events surrounding it and strange figures looking around."

The guard looked to the side—most likely to another guard—before looking back at them. He then eyed the swords at their sides. "I can ask if our lady wishes company, but we will have to ask you to relinquish your weapons and that crest here if you're permitted to enter."

Nagan raised an eyebrow. "I understand the weapons, but why the crest?"

"Just in case your claims are faulty. If you were to do anything, we would have evidence to present to the Council—their south encampment isn't far from here—that people are going around using their name."

For once, Nagan chose not to comment upon the tone change. "Weren't you informed that Council soldiers were coming here?"

"Yes. This is just to be sure you're telling the truth." The guard then turned and began walking away, presumably to talk to Madam Sivil.

"Maybe you should be the spokesperson from now on," Carth said almost conversationally.

"Don't patronize me."

"I'm being serious, I think it will be funny to keep forcing them to talk to you. It makes them squirm."

Nagan snorted. "How honorable of you, getting off on—"

"Never mind, shut up and never speak again. I don't want to know what the last half of that sentence is."

If they heard someone chuckling behind the wall, neither of them called it out.

They hadn't been waiting long when the guard came back. The answer must have been yes as he wordlessly unlocked the gate, letting them all through. Two more guards stood off to the side, one older while the other looked to be the same age as the first; not young, but not old. Probably the age that most of the Council soldiers were. The older guard looked vaguely amused when he finally caught a look at the group. He must have been the one that laughed.

"As agreed, please leave your weapons with us and the crest," the first guard said, holding out his hand. Nagan was tempted to give him his sword, but he knew the guard wanted the crest first.

Carth moved to hand over his crest—it was the only one to have been presented prior—but Nagan was quick to stop him and present his instead. The guard looked at him, stunned and clearly unaware they each had one and didn't move to take it.

"Keep your crest, Sergeant," Nagan said to Carth without breaking eye contact with the guard. "If they want a ranked crest, I'm sure Second Sergeant is acceptable."

If the guard would actually take the crest and check the back, he would find that it indeed said Nagania Elvar, Second Sergeant. The same applied to the rest of them, each crest holding their name and rank. As far as he knew, it would be very hard to destroy them. Who knew that alchemy was everywhere?

"Take the crest, Louk," the older guard said in an almost goading manner. "You did say you wanted a crest, didn't you?"

The first guard looked back and groused something quietly to the older guard. Without fanfare, he snatched Nagan's crest. "Hand over your weapons. All of them."

There was no more trickery involved after that, the teens knew better. Nagan handed over his sword, as did Carth and Az (but none of them commented on how the first guard's eyes widened when he saw Az's sword was practically a claymore), Gath his bow, and Milora her dagger. Aitor didn't carry any weapons. They then took off their cloaks as they were patted down, and Nagan was grateful that they brought over a maid to check Milora. When asked to leave their cloaks, it was Az to speak up.

"Why do you need our cloaks? We're at the beginning of the harvest, for one, and to take a Dragonmage's emblem is to dishonor them. Is that what you're trying to do?"

The guard quickly brushed it off, still a bit wary of the tallest member of their group. Nagan tried not to smirk at that. For a moment, Az sounded like himself, and he was honestly proud that his sharp words had rubbed off on his best friend after all these years.

The maid that had patted down Milora then led them to another area around the side, revealing more of the gardens. It must have been beautiful in the summer months. Leaves have already been falling away, leaving barren branches and empty vines, but they could still imagine the colors they must've held prior.

Just over some taller evergreen hedges, they could see the tip of a fountain. No water flowed through it, and just as they turned the corner, they could see cherubs and beautiful statues of women making up the rest of it. The teens all looked away at once, feeling as if they weren't supposed to look upon it. Instead, they focused their attention to the side where a line of marble benches were set up around a little table. On that table sat a pot of tea and a teacup, all before a plump, older woman.

The woman had greying hair pulled neatly into a bun, something that reminded Nagan of Aunt Cilara, but instead of a strict expression, there were smile lines. She looked like any other gossiping woman he would encounter at the market back when he and Az were still back in the villa, except that she was much more well-dressed. A creamy gown adorned her along with a pearl necklace. She waved them over enthusiastically just as another maid scurried away.

If anyone had noticed how Nagan's step stuttered or how the maid's jaw dropped in shock when she saw him, no one commented on it. Their attention was too preoccupied with the lady on the bench who was undoubtedly Madam Sivil.

"Oh, my," Madam Sivil gasped, covering her mouth briefly, "you really are young! And yet here you are, all done up in soldier's clothes! My, how clever you children must be! Oh, come, come, sit down. Tea will be brought in a moment along with other things to snack on."

"Ah, thank you, Madam Sivil. You are too kind," Az said, automatically switching to sugary words after years of experience.

"No need, no need. I am always happy to help. You said you had questions about this town, yes?"

"Yes, we do," Carth jumped in. "We were wondering if you—"

"Oh, aren't you a beauty!" Madam Sivil suddenly exclaimed after catching sight of Milora. "Darling girl, you must sit next to me! Then maybe some of your beauty may wash onto me and my aging frame." Her words faded off into laughter as she took Milora's hand, urging Milora to take the seat next to her.

Clearly caught off guard, Milora squeaked. "Um...th-thank you. If you insist."

A bit stunned at the interaction, the teens gradually sat down. Nagan next to Milora, Az after him, and then Carth on the other side of Madam Sivil followed by Gath and Aitor. Madam Sivil, however, wasn't done gushing over Milora.

"My hair used to be similar to your shade of color, if not a bit deeper. Yours has such lovely red hues now that the sun is out and shining upon it. And not to mention your eyes as blue as the sky!"

Milora gradually turned redder and redder as the compliments continued. Nagan, meanwhile, was conflicted between asking Madam Sivil to let up a little—Milora was clearly flustered—or letting it continue. It was when the conversation shifted did he almost go with the former.

"Boys must be lining up asking your father to court you! Of course, you can only choose one, so how heartbroken the others must be to lose you. Oh! Or perhaps there's someone you fancy among the boys here?" She looked at the boys coyly before pealing off into giggles, still grasping Milora's hand. "Pardon me, pardon me, perhaps I shouldn't ask you that. How could I make you choose amongst these handsome, strong, young men? But if you need more options—which I highly doubt—but just in case, I know several young men who may possibly be worthy of your hand."

"I've actually already chosen one," Milora said, carefully extracting her hands from Madam Sivil's and grasping onto Nagan's. "This one suits me just fine."

Madam Sivil's mouth dropped into an 'o' in an instant before her eyes lit up with glee.

"The exotic one! My, my, what exquisite taste! I don't think I could've chosen better, even though I loved my late husband dearly. A progressive young woman you are indeed!"

Thankfully, they were all spared from another torrent of words when the tea and a platter of cakes and sandwiches were brought out. They all collectively let out a sigh of relief. As each of them poured their tea and took at least one of each item—Madam Sivil insisted—they all carefully watched for the right time to begin speaking. Milora (bless her, the boys thought collectively) was the first to speak since it was apparent Madam Sivil was more excited to talk to her rather than the boys. The maid from before stuck around, ready to collect the inevitably empty teapot.

"Well, we know your name, Madam Sivil, so it's only proper we introduce ourselves. My name is Milora Ollengard," she powered on before Madam Sivil could even take a breath, "to your left is our sergeant, Carthadeus Honoria, next is Gath Farvell, Aitor Raumalaude, Icarion Arcolven, then Second Sergeant Nagan Elvar."

The maid's hands stumbled, the top of the teapot nearly slipping off before she caught it. She scurried away quickly before anyone could ask if she was alright.

"...Pardon her. She's not usually like this. I saw her a couple of years ago wandering the streets with a baby girl and in rags. So I thought, 'Poor girl,' and offered a job to work here. She didn't have anywhere she was going, she said, so I said, 'Perfect! You'll get along nicely with the rest of the servants and maids, I'm sure.' She's served me well ever since then. Well, until now. Hm...perhaps she's not feeling well. I'll ask her when she comes back."

Milora was quick to jump in as Madam Sivil took a drink of her tea. "Madam Sivil, can you tell us about the Sunglare Circle? We've found evidence that someone was there doing rituals, so we were wondering if you've noticed anything strange going on there or if something happened suddenly before returning to normal."

"You know, funny enough, you aren't the first to ask me that." Madam Sivil said, putting a thoughtful finger to her chin. "The first, I believe, was about ten—no, twenty!—years ago. It was a young man, but older than you lot, who had a dragon that sat just outside the town, rain or shine. It unnerved me, at first, as it was a great beast with black and red scales! A gentle one, though. Or I assume so. Perhaps there was one time when the dragon nudged the man a little too hard, knocking him to the ground. The man laughed it off, so I assumed he was fine."

The teens smiled, having had the same experience with their own dragons.

"He was such an odd fellow! Always talking about something that flew right over my head! But with such a handsome face, it was hard not to listen. Anyway, one day he went over to that circle, and I say, never in my life have I seen it glow as much as it did that night! It's always glowed in some strange way, or at least, I always thought it did. Some couldn't see it, but others could. The first man left a few days after that, flying away on his majestic dragon, and I never saw him since. Or if I did, he must have grown much older.

A few years after that, another man came by, but this time with dark and stringy hair. Did I mention that the first one was blond? No? Well, anyway, that man came and went, only asking about the circle briefly. I don't know if he ever went there, but he was only passing through. A decade later was the scariest occurrence with such a gaunt and ghastly figure coming up to my gate! I couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman, but their hair was all gone, and it looked as if their skin was thin enough to see through! Of course, I didn't let them in, but I had a guard show them to the Sunglare Circle. I don't know what happened to them, but thank goodness they never came here again!"

Madam Sivil took another sip of her tea, and her expression grew oddly solemn. "Recently, there's been odd groups of people going in and out of this town. Some had dragons, but they weren't like the trained dragons I'd seen. They seemed more...docile. They didn't move unless they were told to by any of those men."

Nagan and Az shared a glance as Madam Sivil continued.

"And ever since they've been appearing, the light from the Sunglare Circle has been growing duller and duller. I think those men have been somehow taking away the light, but how would I know? I'm an upper-class woman who only knows the outside world by strolling around the streets. Oh, how I miss the light from that circle. It had such a lovely glow." She paused, a distant look on her face as she stared ahead. However, after a few moments, she smiled and began to laugh. "Ah, but you aren't here to pity an old woman like myself! Let's talk about more exciting things. What have you discovered about the Sunglare Circle so far? Oh! You simply must tell me about your adventures!"

They inevitably spent dinner at the mansion. It didn't take much convincing on Madam Sivil's part. She reasoned that they were all still growing teens, and, well, were they supposed to say no? They continued to sit in the garden and were gradually served small portions of many things. Sandwiches, soups, meats, and sweets, and they all talked casually around the table, exchanging stories and thoughts. Madam Sivil calmed as time went on, her initial excitement of company fading, and she was truly a phenomenal conversationalist. They all gradually came to the conclusion that Madam Sivil was a very lonely woman and was happy for almost any company that came along.

By the end of dinner, the maid from before, the one who fumbled the teapot, came back for what could've been the last time. And this time, Nagan excused himself from the table and caught up to her. They were just out of hearing distance.

"Is he alright?" Madam Sivil asked Milora. However, Milora didn't know what was going on herself.

"I think they knew each other from before," she said, frowning in concern as the woman began to cry and gently touch Nagan's face. She wasn't sure if what she was seeing was correct, but she could've sworn she saw Nagan's eyes well up as well.

"What a strange coincidence for them to meet here of all places," Madam Sivil commented, watching the transactions carefully. Nagan had now moved to hug the maid, and the maid continued to sob at Nagan's shoulder. "Oh dear...she didn't come from a good place before this—ah, that's not my story to tell—but how interesting..."

They continued to exchange small talk, forcing themselves to not eavesdrop on whatever emotional conversation Nagan and the maid were having. By the time they had parted, the dishes had been fully cleared, and the rest of the Dragonmages readied themselves to leave. Carth was the first to stand, heading straight to Nagan and he walked back over. They appeared to have a brief conversation, Nagan waving off whatever Carth had initially said and Carth nodding in reply before both of them returned.

"Is everything alright?" Madam Sivil asked.

"Yes, everything's fine," Nagan replied lightly, but Az could hear the slight wobble in his tone, and the rest of them saw how Nagan's eyes tinged red at the corners. "She helped my mother take care of me when I was young. We haven't seen each other since."

"Oh. Well, I'm glad you two have been reunited, then! What a happy—or melancholy—coincidence this was that you happened to come here at this time."

The teens then departed, declining Madam Sivil's offer to stay the night. While she understood, that didn't stop her from offering her home if they should ever be in or near Celors again. However, it was as they were collecting their weapons (and Nagan's crest) when Madam Sivil rushed up to the gate.

"Young soldiers! I just remembered something!" She let herself gain her breath, and Az held her by the arm in a brief moment of panic. She patted his arm with a chuckle. "Oh, I'm alright; just out of shape and an old woman. But I just remembered that the man I mentioned before—the blond one with a dragon some twenty years ago—he left a journal behind. He stayed here for a couple days, and by the time the maid cleaned his room and found it, he had already gone. It may take me a while to find it, but do stop by tomorrow; I promise to have it by then. It feels right for you to have it, and maybe he wrote something in it that will help you with the Sunglare Circle."

Carth looked to the rest of his squadron, all giving him either a nod or shrug. "We will be back tomorrow, then."

As they left through the gate and got onto the road that led back into town, Milora crept her way up to Nagan's side, gently taking his hand.

"Who was the woman?" she asked quietly, still sensing the remnants of sorrow in Nagan's expression.

"Just as I said so before. She helped take care of me when...when my mother couldn't. All of the women there did." Nagan sighed. "I fled the brothel almost as soon as I saw her dead, not telling any of them what had happened or goodbye. Apparently, when they found her and then discovered I was missing, they all assumed the worse." He paused. "She said they all ran after the incident, hence why she made it down here, but she doesn't know where the others have gone. All we can hope for is that they have found better places, as well."

Milora silently hoped that for them, too. By the sound of it, those women deserved the world. Knowing that Nagan needed time to silently process what he had learned, she held onto his hand tighter, hoping to convey that she was here when he needed her. They all were.

She smiled when Nagan squeezed her hand in reply.

•___________________________•

Me, cruising around on social media: Haha, ok, I should probably get back to writing. I want to be in bed by 12am—

*Time is 11:37pm*

Me: ...2am it is, I guess.

(Jk, I went to bed and continued the chapter in the morning cause the melatonin was kicking in.)

But holy moley spicy guacamole, this was a long chapter. Pretty sure it took like eight hours to write over the course of three days. Like this chapter is 4229 words, and that's not counting me ranting down here (that word count would be 4385). I just genuinely couldn't find a good cut off spot any earlier XD.

Literally, this is the longest chapter I've ever written in my entire writing life. Previously that title was held by Chapter 16 in The Storm We Start with a hefty 3850 words, but Madam Sivil came up left field and said this is my time to shine.