Chapter 21: A Terrible Sin

Errik was sitting on the bed quietly leaning back against the wall. Veretta was sitting down silently beside him in deep thought. Tomas was also sitting across from them staring at Errik viciously. Despite the small size of the room, the distance between them all seemed to only grow with time.

They had just come from the Headmaster's office and received a severe reprimand for the events of the day before. It seemed although the college was appreciative of the Red General's service, their hospitality would only go so far. They were considering whether they would be kicked off the campus or not. Tomas and Veretta had decided on an emergency meeting without Yona present to discuss their options.

If they were kicked out of the college, they would lose any chance of getting close to Silthus. Veretta was racking her mind on how to solve this problem that she had herself created. Errik had offered neither explanation nor assistance in this endeavour. They had just been sitting quietly until the early hours of the morning.

Tomas scratched his head with a sigh. The silence was suffocating, "So, what's the plan now?" he asked. He had asked the same questions over an hour ago without a response.

"I..." Veretta faltered, "I'm not sure. I had an idea for a spell to trap Silthus on the campus. However, the students will be in danger so I've been trying to think of a way around that. We also don't know when he will arrive so that makes it difficult. What about you? Have you had any ideas?"

"Well, provided they decide not to kick us out, I also thought we could prepare a spell that incapacitates Silthus' guards. We could put it in the food or something?"

Veretta nodded. They were skirting around the real topic.

"Errik..." Veretta hesitated, "do you think that would work?"

Errik was staring at the door with a glazed look in his eyes.

"Do you think you'll be...able to help us?" Veretta asked in a small voice.

Still Errik didn't answer. Tomas inhaled sharply.

"Hey!" Tomas snapped in a loud voice, "don't you know why we're having this conversation? We've been asking you all week what the problem was, why didn't you say anything? You almost killed me and destroyed the college, black wizard. Now you're quiet? Why don't you say anything?"

Errik's eyes came back sharply, "What shall I say?"

"How about an apology?" Tomas answered.

Errik sat up straight and leaned forward viciously, "apology for what? You're still alive, aren't you?"

"You bastard!" Tomas met his gaze ferociously.

Veretta came between them at once and pulled Errik back. He glared at her for a moment then sank back against the wall and returned his gaze back to the door. Tomas began to shake his head.

"This is going nowhere," Tomas said through gritted teeth. He left the room angrily slamming the door behind him. To his surprise, Yona was standing outside. He paused anxiously wondering how much she had heard.

"Ah, Yona? You're up already?" he gave an apprehensive smile.

"I don't need to sleep," she replied.

"Right, you're a demon," Tomas inhaled sharply, "I keep forgetting...Actually, I wanted to talk to you anyway,"

Yona's red eyes blinked expressionlessly.

"I..um..wanted to thank you," Tomas said embarrassed, "you helped me in the woods before and you got injured yourself. You didn't need to do that,"

"You need not thank me since I was unable to protect you," Yona replied categorically.

"I mean the fact you tried is..." Tomas' voice trailed, "more than enough,"

"Not it is not," Yona returned, "my power is not enough to contain the wizard. I do not think your friends power will be enough either,"

"What do you mean by that?" Tomas asked fearfully.

"A contract based on magic supposes an unequal distribution of magic," Yona replied matter of fact, "As with all encounters between two magical bodies, one person' magic must surpass the other,"

Tomas listened curiously. He hadn't guessed her understanding of magic was so in-depth.

"If things continue as they are, your friend will most likely be overcome by the wizard's magic," Yona said quietly, "that is why necromancy is often a fatal art,"

Toma's eyes widened, "Wait..wait a second. Are you saying that Errik could kill Veretta? I thought that wasn't possible because she can command him at will, just like earlier?"

"While his mind is unstable, he cannot control the extent of his own magic, so I think it is possible," Yona replied.

"Why didn't you say anything?!" Tomas exclaimed with more force than intended.

Despite his severity, Yona showed no reaction, "because, that is the price of dark magic,"

Tomas stared at her sadly but could make no reply. Hadn't he known all along this was the cost of magic? To some extent, he had, though he didn't want to admit it. It was the reason he had run when Veretta said the words and why he had been so afraid of Errik even before he knew who he really was...the scent of death had been engraved in his mind since childhood.

It was a memory Tomas never wanted to return to...

"Your master,"Tomas said quietly, "do you think he would help us?"

Yona looked at him and for the first time a smile came to her lips, "Yes, he would, "

The blinding red sunrise brought the usual bustle of students in the college. After an uneasy night, the group were summoned back to the Headmaster's office. The short bulbous man was sitting behind his desk with sweat on his brow. Veretta wondered what was causing the uneasy look in his eyes.

"The damage to the school is extensive. If it were up to me, I would have you sent back to the north for punishment. However, we have received word the grand wizard will be attending the spring Ball tonight. It seems the Grand Wizard has been invited as a guest of the Red General as well,"

Finally, Veretta understood the reluctant obligation of the college to help the Red General. It seems he had an even farther reaching influence than she first thought. She didn't know whether to feel thankful or afraid.

They were sent back to the dormitory under the strict supervision of Master Rhy and even given clothes to wear. It felt like they were being children being reprimanded. The question was, by who?

By evening the college had over gone a great change. The white walls were decorated in flowers. All students were dressed up as they filtered out of the halls merrily. As Veretta looked at her own appearance draped in blue silk she felt a weight on her shoulders. She had resolved herself not to control Errik but hadn't been forced to do it nonetheless.

Now after a sleepless night, she had come to terms with the reason. She knew the moment she saw Errik surrounded by that red ice. It wasn't that she was afraid of him. She was afraid of herself and who she was becoming. Controlling him wasn't the hard part. It was facing her afterwards. How far would she go for this revenge? The answer made her afraid.

Veretta stepped outside her room and found the others waiting. Tomas and Errik were both dressed in lavish black suits. Anything of Errik's early discomposure was gone. He looked elegant and commanding. His hair was swept back neatly. He almost looked regal. Veretta wondered if this is how he had been in the past as the grand wizard. Perhaps he attende many events such as this...Upon meeting her gaze, there was something of surprise in his eyes but the wildness in his eyes was instantly subdued and he turned away.

Veretta inhaled deeply and turned her gaze to the others. Yona looked completely changed in a long red dress that hit the floor. Her white skin contrasted it well. She looked dazzlingly radiant even as her blank expression remained unchanged. Veretta at once noticed Tomas avoiding Yona's gaze with slightly flustered cheeks.

He looked handsome dressed in black. His curly blonde hair was also tied back. However he seemed very uncomfortable to be dressed up.

" Why does it feel like we're about to be eaten alive?" He murmured.

They proceeded awkwardly to the main hall. The room was long and grand with marble floors and high ceilings. The tables were dressed with white clothes and silverware. There was even an orchestra playing music and tables lined with exotic foods. Veretta was surprised by the grandeur of it all. The parties in the north never had such expensive taste. While most of the villages near hers barely had enough food for winter, the idea the college could expend it all so lavishly made her uncomfortable.

They were handed a glass of wine and ushered inside. The presence of the group seemed to be something of an attraction to the student body who stopped and stared at them.

"Are those the visitors?" Whispered around the hall.

Neither Veretta nor the others had a moment's respite before the music suddenly stopped. Everyone turned back to the entrance at the top of the stairs. The Headmaster was standing alongside with the other Masters of the college looking down. He cleared his throat whilst pinching his moustache.

" As you know we have many special guests today, I hope you make them all feel welcome," he glared at them with thinly veiled irritation, " and of course, we have the honour to host the Grand Wizard and the General today. Please welcome them,"

The crowd began to clap ecstatically and the trumpets sounded. Two figures descended from the staircase as everyone stared up in awe. The red general with his youthful smile and intimidating black eyes was dressed in a red suit. It was like a flaming trail wrapping him in dark velvet. Linked in his arms was a woman dressed in a pale blue robe. She had long platinum blonde hair plaited elegantly down her shoulders. She met the general's dark eyes with a smile. Anyone else might have been intimated by the intensity of his stare but her grey eyes were unwavering. He whispered in her ear as they reached the hall and she laughed lightly.

Veretta stared up at her awestruck. In truth she had always dreamed of meeting the current Grand Wizard - Leva Veral. The tenth grand wizard just as Veretta imagined. She had a powerful yet graceful air. Veretta had studied her work and found it quite inspiring. Yet in all Veretta's imagination, never had imagined meeting such a woman carrying this terrible sin.

As the crowd began to grow lively again with the music filling the ambient room, people took to dancing on the floor. Suddenly Yona grabbed Tomas by the hand and dragged him towards the dance floor. He gave a silent plea to Veretta which she answered with a sad smile. Everyone began to take partners Veretta felt a sinking feeling. She turned quietly to Errik expecting he too would have been snatched away.

To her surprise, she found his hand outstretched towards her.

She took his hand slowly and they started to walk. All the noise seemed to disappear as his hand took hold of the small of her back. His hazel eyes were Inscrutable as usual but once the tune began, he spun her around with great precision and deftness. Veretta felt embarrassed that her own skills were lacking the more they danced but Errik didn't pay it any mind. At the turn of the melody, he pulled her in close and Veretta felt her heart racing. She suddenly pulled back and broke from his gaze.

Veretta raced out to the veranda while she could still compose herself. She stumbled out onto it's balcony with a sob. The cool night air was cold comfort. The stars twinkled beautifully but Veretta couldn't see them through the tears. She gripped the railing to steady herself and inhaled uneasily.

"Why are you crying?" Came a voice.

Veretta turned back slowly, finding Errik watching her solemnly.

" Do I scare you that much?" He asked.

"I'm not afraid of you, Errik," Veretta gave a wryly smile.

"Then what is it? " he questioned flatly, "You hate me?"

"Actually..." Veretta sniffed, "I think I love you."