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Bk 2, Chapter 20: Awkward Reunion
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16hsTjoNGcQYkFqQ92kJAa7-jAcWFXASnErI0ZfcwmDM/edit?usp=sharing--Jeremy jumped back in surprise before clutching his chest. "Yeesh, Delphia, give a little warning next time, will ya? Scared me."Cayden had startled as well, though he told himself that was more because of Jeremy's perspective hopping around rather than Delphia's sudden appearance. After a full semester as her roommate, he was more used to her shrouded form popping up out of nowhere.Delphia was a shaeden, a naturally-stealthy race o...
Bk. 2, Chapter 19: Creaky Old Manor
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17HMQRtslxmy_nKyHJnby9GQp3NlUOwXDircpwWmBdj0/edit?usp=sharing--"It should be doable. Not easy, but doable."Cayden rubbed the back of his head as he looked down at the map Elise had folded carefully across the table in front of them, centering the area that was essential to their upcoming plans. Before pulling it from one of her borrowed spacial pouches, she'd thoroughly wiped down the table to ensure there were no liquids or anything else that could damage it. It had been a gift from her mentor, an...
Bk 2, Chapter 18: Chafing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uwMAgV2GuqWHYprvrLhIBc6aY6Z2l9LmhuSb2W8we8M/edit?usp=sharing--Cayden winced as he shifted in his seat on the ground, trying to find a position that was less painful on his sore body. Seven hours of running was enough to leave him sore in places he didn't even know he had muscles – and that wasn't even the worst part.Even with all his vitality and defensive skills, it wasn't enough to entirely prevent chafing.Luckily, it wasn't as bad as it could've been. His high vitality was enough to s...
Bk 2, Chapter 17: A Quick Jog
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11ompg7-uuysgYdAnh6WxuugEsxnP8CW5jqD2jOCfSPs/edit?usp=sharing--"So that's it?" Cayden asked as they huddled around the tiny orb resting on Tiana's palm."That's it," Tiana responded, but when Cayden reached forward to grab it she closed her hand into a fist and pulled it back. "Ah, ah, ah! What do you say, first?"Cayden sighed as a smirk pulled up the edges of his sister's lips. "Please and thank you?" he guessed."Please and thank you who?""Please and ...
Bk 2, Chapter 16: Runes
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pd56pnVp920ZuuGqk0TFJHw8UssshDCAdNLNw2nH36c/edit?usp=sharing--Unfortunately for Cayden and his friends, their delaying tactics had negative consequences. The expedition's wagons were packed almost to capacity, with the two long benches that lined the back of each wagon already crowded with students who'd boarded earlier. There were still spaces, but they were wedged between other groups of friends and teammates and certainly not together.Tiana was the first to board, quickly claiming a spot next to Ma...
Bk 2, Chapter 15: Running Late
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jds7PLIbQD5K7NgMbl7gGhLx76wM9d_d7kDy-Po83A0/edit?usp=sharing--It didn't take Cayden long to grab his bags and leave his dorm, locking the door behind him. He'd had to pay for the privilege of keeping the rooms reserved while he was gone, but he hadn't minded. It was expensive, much more than what his apartment back in Avernon had cost for an equivalent amount of time. But it was cheaper than what the princess had been paying for the same room during the semester – with the academy as empty as it...
Bk 2, Chapter 14: Good Deals
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Bp4tbpt1KevRUF_zplnKimTJIO6Lo0cWN3xDoX7IzXc/edit?usp=sharing--Cayden had never gotten around to finishing the conversation with Tiana about her offer of employment from the princess. There'd never seemed an appropriate moment; their time together walking to and from the dungeon had been pleasant, and Cayden hadn't wanted to ruin it with another argument. He knew it was foolish, but a part of Cayden had hoped that, as long as he didn't bring it up, Tiana might just...forget about it.He was now regr...
Bk 2, Chapter 13: Politicians are Idiots
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y1wuGXxdLVwK16AJR0IaNLMfZORJGqbiCPTTOIVTyAc/edit?usp=sharing--"That about lines up with what we've heard," Jeremy said with a groan. "Queen Aerilyn bit off more than she could chew, and enough nobles are united against her that she can't just kill or sanction them all. But neither is she willing to back down, not so soon after gaining her power."They'd found Jeremy and Tiana at the adventurer's guild closest to the academy, and were now stretching in the training yard reserved ...
Bk 2, Chapter 12: Nature of Nobility
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GGDQOEKHLMmSkMHbUfy4LHV_grZaqMIXyV88PpNEEVk/edit?usp=sharing--The only upside of Cayden's walk across campus was that his blindness saved him the embarrassment of seeing any observers.Not that he wasn't embarrassed. Just that he avoided the extra embarrassment of seeing them.His hearing was good enough to detect the steps of the occasional student as they hurried to wherever they were going. Perhaps his estimation of his noble classmates was lower than it should have been, because they surprised him b...
Bk 2, Chapter 11: Scenarios
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GZ64LXss59jkBMvHFli-CRVPF3Bxw1BMFQ4sSoIhMpo/edit?usp=sharing--The room was a cell. It was larger than the previous room with benches lining three of the walls and a disgusting-smelling grate in the far corner, and from a single glance the purpose of the room was obvious. But they were allowed to remain together and walk into the cell under their own volition, so Cayden didn't fight as the legionnaire held the door open for them.There had been a moment, a handful of seconds as the legionnaire leading the p...
Bk 2, Chapter 10: Interviews
https://docs.google.com/document/d/173NNsweYJaAtn6-Dhxt3cTGe7A2C8rBgc4G2SUSX3xo/edit?usp=sharing--"...and then I clipped its wing as it flew by, dodging the stinger at the same time!" Tiana explained, her perspective bobbing as she mimicked the action she'd used to defeat the queen dire bee. "It could still fly, but not fast enough. On the very next pass I skewered it, stinger to eyes, on my dagger – bee-kabob on a stick."Cayden just smiled, not giving a response. Tiana didn't need one – hadn't needed one for the...
Bk 2, Chapter 9: The Mind-Killer
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mM3fUbtLtkdbt2t_4bxKNXhrCZ4rbXA6gi3nt9CDSXs/edit?usp=sharing--They got to the dungeon just before sunset. Despite being further from the capital than most of the more popular dungeons, the adventurer's guild was careful to ensure it was cleared on a semi-regular basis to prevent dungeon breaks, so they had no trouble locating the dungeon itself. It was an open-air dungeon, the translucent blue dome that demarcated the dungeon's edge glowing faintly in the twilight.They had enough glowstones to clear t...
Bk. 2, Chapter 8: Hiking
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BtZSLOtGSvcnU2t__k87QabN43pYGNzby1ntUrlvNUY/edit?usp=sharing--"Thanks for coming," Cayden said to his friend as they exited the gates of Valtane, ignoring the pair of legionnaire guards silently watching them leave. It was unusual for guards to be legionnaires – the combat-oriented race was typically employed directly by nobles or the crown in more prestigious positions than simple guardsmen. But recently they had been more common to see in certain areas of the city."You've already said that...
Chapter 7: Spying
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WDlim-eEm1NXHQM0XlDU6Wd19A0DcKPZlFh5ycJ2yY8/edit?usp=sharing--"I want to come with you."Slowly, Cayden lowered the hand holding a half-eaten apple back to the table.He'd known this was coming. Ever since his apology and Tiana's promise that she wouldn't make any agreements with the princess without first talking with him about it, he'd been waiting for the other shoe to drop. This was their first major fight since she'd joined the fateweaver compound, but they'd had more fights...
Bk 2, Chapter 6: Making Moves
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pj85msJRniE9AzoTWcglvhCqozEtHcM-TwwrDcl69ik/edit?usp=sharing--"She...what?""The queen made her move against the nobles. One earl and two counts – three noble families, wiped out to the last. It could be more, though."Cayden stepped back and gestured, waiting until he heard Jeremy's boots clomp past him before closing the door. "To the last? Like...women and children, too?""That's what I heard. The guild was going crazy with the news this morning. It's all secondhand, ...
Bk 2, Chapter 5: Inspect
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zgyORE8pP4yj7ODqETWfi1PeGmhMOB7zu3zuakbxv8s/edit?usp=sharing--It was late by the time they left the arena. Elise guided Cayden by the hand as, with the other, he tapped the ground in front of them with his spear."What's got you grinning?" Elise asked as they finally made their way to the dorm, Elise holding the door open for him as he felt for the first step in the stairwell."Nothing. Just thinking about all the times I was the one guiding you around. Now it's the reverse.""...when...
Bk. 2, Chapter 4: It's Not You, It's Me
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nRv4SjoSUw1vwcbjbL4dawwlq8g3CfEkLBPgvEzhIxA/edit?usp=sharing--Unfortunately for Cayden and Elise, the academy was large enough that – despite the recent emptiness since the official end of the semester – they had no shot of tracking down Tiana unless they were extremely lucky. Fortunately, though, they didn’t have to track down Tiana to ensure she didn’t make a hasty deal with the princess out of spite.After a short walk up the stairs to the floor above his own in the dorms, he and Elise knocked on th...
Bk. 2, Chapter 3: Perks of Employment
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YB3XSBWIxtia6uf5wdtGYOho7xDCahqHZm13Xr0iXPE/edit?usp=sharing--Delver’s Academy prided itself on being separate from politics. On being above the petty squabbles that might embroil the rest of the kingdom. And though that wasn’t an expectation it could always meet – many of the students carried with them the prejudices and rivalries of their parents – the academy made it abundantly clear that the noble students weren’t to act on those inclinations, at least not overtly.Delver’s Academy would keep i...
Not a Chapter: Skills Reference
As a reference for anyone who might want a refresher, here's a link to a google sheet that has a list of all the skills Cayden has encountered/known about, including those skills that are higher tier and what skills combine into them, as of the end of book one. If you notice any I missed (or incorrect/inconsistent descriptions), let me know.https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xEOxCcUMtcuEXxV7vApqMcRIcPB0m_YEm87SsCIwHJc/edit?usp=sharing
Bk. 2, Chapter 2: Saving Progress
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OIHctP8VFlxymXmtLDQYCGPMb3aB2FfYhiN7Ax-IpAM/edit?usp=sharing--“Get rid of it?” Cayden scoffed.“Not permanently,” Elise hurried to respond. “Just remove it from your active skills with [Save Progress]. To make it temporarily inactive.”“...why?” Cayden said with a frown.With him learning [Dual-Speak] while his throat was healing, he’d already done more swapping of his [Borrowed Power] skills than he’d wanted to, and using [Save Progress] on [Immutable] would force him to start over on anothe...
Bk 2: Chapter 1: Rehashing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C5KxjoFwRAAjff__xvX7DRtuq1c0AB6JgCH4jJDJvRw/edit?usp=sharingCayden slashed out at the training dummy with bared claws, the practiced motions digging slightly into the runed wooden surface before sending it spinning. With reflexes honed from hundreds of hours training with identical dummies, Cayden ducked under where he knew the arm would pass, ready to rise just as quickly and strike with another quick combo.But for all of his training, Cayden wasn’t infallible. He wasn’t entirely sure what happened – p...
Epilogue: I Spy
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P0Mv4VN2vnM7KGWHz8ziHFDcvuJ2Ua92Pmmn7H9-iQY/edit?usp=sharing--Tiana closed the door to her brother’s room, the threads of fate binding them together passing through the solid wood as if it wasn’t there.They were as strong as they’d ever been, but Tiana took a moment to try and [Strengthen Fate] regardless. She dumped the entirety of her mana pool in moments, to practically no effect, and she frowned. She assumed it was his new [Immutable] skill blocking her skills, which could prove troublesome if he in...
Chapter 111: Rejection
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14V6zX1iYk-3bCMiQ-EVkpxwreZOLmaqUQlmG49HNaDA/edit?usp=sharing--Cayden repeated the name to himself several times as they re-entered the square where the princess and her bodyguards waited, deactivating [Dual-Speak] as he did. He was amazed and impressed with the power of the skill; so far, it had managed his outward words and expressions perfectly, simulating exactly what he might have done had Cayden actually been the one making the decisions, while at the same time never making Cayden feel as if his autonomy...
Chapter 110: [Dual-Speak]
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W54bjt9Jhxfxqko0jTv7S49sAM89tb34oVsLw1EJwXs/edit?usp=sharing--Cayden bounced his leg nervously as he waited next to the fountain for Tiana to arrive with the princess. As the weeks had passed, Valeria had given Cayden and his sister slightly more freedom in their interactions. Instead of being confined to the market square around the fountain, they’d been allowed to wander the market and other parts of the city. And while Cayden doubted they were ever completely unobserved, the princess and her bodyguards w...
Chapter 109: Back to the Norm
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TeeMKl9VjuWuCwWMbrnlISv4O1pK-e4nycCdxKI66UE/edit?usp=sharing--Cayden sat patiently as the rest of the students in Class Progression filed out of the classroom, standing and walking up to the desk at the front when it was empty.“Cayden, do you have a question for me? You can’t be due for another class upgrade already – was there an issue with the class you chose?” Instructor Tawny asked, looking up from the papers on her desk.Cayden shuffled awkwardly under the gaze of the helpful ratkin instructor. ...
Chapter 108: Obstacles
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I9h-q5EcskwAHclHvGqbkgHSOCXMs5siQd5i06HXQfM/edit?usp=sharing--For all that everything now seemed different, classes and life at the academy had no regard for the life-changing revelations that Cayden had experienced. And as much as he might have wanted to do so, he couldn’t simply skip his classes, not if he didn’t want to arouse suspicion.And after his angry march across the campus, the one thing he couldn’t afford was more suspicion.“...nobles jumping out of his way! Eyes glowing in anger! And on to...
Chapter 107: Purpose
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HEuakpSi29XV3GRPrYlk7ABUawitO7-cMgYNkcyPXw0/edit?usp=sharing--The flame of Cayden’s anger surged up upon hearing Delphia’s words, but he managed to tamp it back down. As much as he wanted to go on a rampage, confronting the princess and then charging toward whatever target she pointed him to, he knew that was foolish.He had friends. As much as he was reluctant to call Delphia ‘friend’ after what felt like such a short time knowing her, he trusted her…at least a little. Enough.Delphia knew more about...
Chapter 106: Dishes Served Cold
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i7KDryQhuq-NdB2B0Eq4EiEl3nxM8sQTO9Rl4MSqt9c/edit?usp=sharing--Velic made a strangled gurgling noise as Cayden’s sheathed claws tightened around his throat, and the boy’s eyes were wide without their usual calm superiority.But then Cayden felt the cold touch of metal against his throat and looked down to see Marvenal holding a tiny blade against him. It wasn’t one of Marvenal’s usual blades; it was only an inch long, and emitted a strange pale light. A drop of blood beaded from where the blade touched ...
Chapter 105: Races
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SN2X_2Bx6c2qTKPM6EF4J2JykJtwz7P-oRwmcB5ku-o/edit?usp=sharing--“...and so, we begin with perhaps the most humble of races: the halfling. The halfling is most easily identifiable by their small size, larger waistline, and affable demeanour. The halfling gains three racial skills: [Affable], [Nimbleness], and [The Great Escape]. [Affable] is a passive skill that makes others predisposed towards liking the user. [Nimbleness] is also a passive which makes any other skills that have dexterity as the ‘base’ st...
Chapter 104: The One Who Watches
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZzZwVGNbcePLnDoKUBskgh5Oa3KuRWzB2Glyyaejwww/edit?usp=sharing--Surprisingly, Cayden seemed to be the one least bothered by their team’s loss – aside from Marvenal, of course, who seemed to care for nothing unless it affected Velic’s safety.Velic was clearly angry from the way he stomped back to their seats from the tunnels. He didn’t say anything out loud, but it was obvious he blamed the loss on Delphia’s failure at the end of the match from the way he kept shooting her glares.Which Delphia seemed t...
