Klause and Caelen leave the flooded courtyard together, laughing off the duel as water drips from their boots. The phoenix and griffin follow close behind, their elemental forms shedding harmless warmth and dust.
Klause’s burned palm remains uncovered except for the covenant’s heat, which seals nothing and only dulls the bleeding ache with each pulse.
Serin Vale
Stop. Both of you. That was not a lesson anymore. You turned an unstable courtyard into a dueling ground and nearly pushed its wards past failure.
Serin Vale
Power does not excuse recklessness, and laughter does not make the danger smaller. You will report the damaged circles after you are examined and rested.
Serin’s sharp gaze lingers on Klause’s bleeding palm before he steps aside. Caelen offers a solemn nod, then starts walking again, barely containing another laugh.
Caelen Aris
He is right about the wards. Still, your landing was impressive, and I admit the look on my face after the earth ring was worth the lecture.
In their dormitory, Caelen clears a quiet space beside the window and guides earth into a low resting bench. The phoenix and griffin settle nearby as the family crystal gives one soft pulse from the trunk.
“Liora visits me then and looks at me wow you look like you've been in a fight then looks at caelen and shakes his hand introducing themselves”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +0)
A light knock sounds at the dormitory door. Liora enters, her gaze immediately finding Klause’s uncovered, burned palm before shifting to the phoenix and griffin resting by the window.
Liora
Wow. You look like you have been in a fight.
Her concern softens the teasing edge of her voice. She crosses the room, then turns toward Caelen as the elf mage rises from the earthen bench.
Liora
I’m Liora. Klause and I trained together before the academy, and I’m glad to meet his roommate.
Liora extends her hand. Caelen accepts it carefully, his damp sleeve brushing the edge of his earth-shaped bench as he studies her with open curiosity.
Caelen Aris
Caelen Aris. I am glad to meet you too. You arrived at an excellent time, if not an excellent state of repair.
Liora
Then I came at the right time. Someone should make sure he rests before he challenges another friend to a duel.
“Just then the door barges in as a beautiful orc walks in scanning the room then looking at caelen saying hello brother”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled +1)
The door barges inward. A beautiful young adult orc woman steps through, tall and athletic, with moss-green skin, long black braids, ivory tusks, and a crimson traveling coat.
She scans the dormitory, taking in Liora, the earthen bench, the phoenix and griffin, and Klause’s injured palm before her gaze settles on Caelen.
Brakka
Hello, brother.
Caelen goes still. The dampness around his sleeves evaporates as his earth-shaped bench creaks beneath his sudden grip.
Caelen Aris
You came here without sending word.
Brakka
I wanted to see you before the academy taught you to ignore unexpected visitors.
Liora shifts beside Klause, curious but alert, while the phoenix lifts its head and the griffin watches the newcomer with bright, steady eyes.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn why Caelen’s sister came
“And she is caelen is asking looking at them”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +2)
Klause larent
And she is? Klause asks, looking between Caelen and the orc woman.
The orc woman’s tusks show briefly as she smiles. Caelen releases the bench, though his shoulders remain tense beneath his damp sleeves.
Caelen Aris
She is my elder sister, Brakka. She serves as a caravan guard and has a habit of arriving wherever she pleases.
Brakka
Brakka Aris. Caelen’s sister, as he said. I came to see whether academy life was making him stronger or merely more dramatic.
Brakka’s gaze shifts to the phoenix and griffin, then returns to Klause’s injured palm. Her amusement fades into a frank, assessing concern.
Brakka
You must be Klause. My brother’s letter mentioned the prodigy with the impossible elemental companion. What happened to your hand?
Liora
A duel that became too ambitious. Serin already ordered him to rest, and I intend to make sure he obeys.
Quest Complete
Learn why Caelen’s sister came
“Ok, I say looking at her then realizing your the legendary swordsmen brakes, i say shocked”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +1)
Klause larent
You are the legendary swordswoman Brakka Aris?
Recognition widens Klause’s eyes. The name and reputation align at once: Brakka’s athletic frame, battle-worn confidence, and controlled presence belong to a swordswoman spoken of across Elara.
Brakka
Legendary is a generous word. Swordswoman, certainly. I have survived enough battles to earn the rest of the description.
Liora straightens, her attention sharpening, while Caelen exhales through his nose as though he has heard this reaction many times before.
Caelen Aris
She dislikes the title, but it follows her wherever she goes. Brakka has defeated opponents I would not dare challenge.
Brakka
And now I find my little brother surrounded by summoned creatures, damaged wards, and an injured prodigy. You have both been busy.
Brakka
If this Klause truly wants strength, he must learn whether his control survives when admiration and danger arrive together.
✓ Quest Accepted
Prove Klause’s control under Brakka’s scrutiny
“You pretty tho I say blushing a little and but are you looking to challenge me”
SUCCESS (Good Persuasion, rolled +0)
Klause larent
You’re pretty. But are you looking to challenge me?
The compliment leaves Klause with a faint blush. Brakka’s brows rise, while Liora’s ears twitch and Caelen turns his cough into a poorly disguised laugh.
Brakka
Pretty and legendary, am I? You are bold for someone with a bleeding hand. Yes, I was considering a challenge.
Brakka steps closer, studying Klause’s palm without touching it. The covenant mark pulses sharply, reopening the ache and drawing a fresh bead of blood.
Brakka
Not a duel today. Serin would throw us both out. I want to see how you stand, how you watch, and whether your confidence survives a harmless test.
Liora
A standing test sounds harmless only when Brakka says it. Klause should rest, but I want to see what she means.
Brakka
Then stand beside your creatures, prodigy. I will give you one opening, and you will tell me when you see it.
“Ok, then I say moving to infront of her and I then go to hit her back with a air palm when she deflects it, damn gues you got me did i prove myself”
SUCCESS (Legendary Arcana, rolled +1)
Klause steps in front of Brakka, placing himself within her reach. The phoenix and griffin remain behind him as the room’s wards hum softly.
He drives his palm forward, releasing a compact burst of air aimed at Brakka’s center. The strike is controlled, but fast enough to test her reaction.
Brakka
There you are.
Brakka turns her hips and catches the air palm against her forearm. The pressure bends around her guard, dispersing harmlessly into the room while her other hand marks the opening at Klause’s shoulder.
Klause larent
Damn, guess you got me. Did I prove myself?
Brakka lowers her hands, her crimson coat settling as the last current fades. Her expression holds approval beneath its hard, assessing calm.
Brakka
You proved you can close distance, strike without losing control, and accept being read. That is a beginning, not a legend. Rest your hand, then I will show you what you missed.
Quest Complete
Prove Klause’s control under Brakka’s scrutiny
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Good→Great