<div style="text-indent:1em;">Alma walked along the road, his bag of assorted belongings carried on his shoulder.  He should be arriving at his destination in two days time, though if he pushed through the night he could be there by mid day.  He wanted to be there when the new students began arriving, so he was deeply considering this option. He suddenly stopped, ear peaked to the whistle of a nightjay.  Nightjay's were nocturnal, and the sun wouldn't set for hours.  Dropping his bag, Alma turned to face the sound of the noise, and a trio of armed men stepped into his Sight.</div><br/><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"You look lost sir, what you doing out here by yourself?"  The lead man said, weapons not even drawn.  The two men at his side were equally relaxed.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"How many of you are there?" Three? Five?"  Alma said ignoring him, clearing his mind in preparation.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"Wow, got it right in one, you a seer?"  The old man asked in jest, his companions laughing along.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"No, just lucky."  Alma said, then raised his right hand towards the man.  He was covered in ice to the waist before he could so much as yell.  The man to the left was the quicker, getting to his sword before Alma reached him.  As Alma dashed forwards he slid his left hand across his body, a shaft of ice forming beneath his hand.  Grabbing the end, he swung at the bandit, who raised his blade barely to intercept. When icicle hit the blade it erupted into a cloud of frost.  The ruffian attempted to retreat from the mist, but his leg was cut from under him.  On hitting the ground he went to raise his weapon, but too late.  A blade of translucent blue rose from his chest, Alma then pulled the blade out and faced the other bandit.  The lead was now completely frozen in ice, and the third held his blade in a shaky hand.  As the man wavered between charging and running, Alma placed his hand to his chest.  Pulling it away, the fabric began to stretch, forming a handle from the black cloth-like substance of his shirt.  Soon a full blade had formed, and Alma began walking towards the terrified bandit in slow patience.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">The man cracked, leaping forward with a scream.  Alma parried the blade aside with Frostedge, and Duskedge rose to relieve the man his hand.  Alma then stopped the mans forward momentum with a swift knee to his gut, dropping the man to the ground.  As he lay there weeping, Alma placed the two blades on either side of his neck.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"Now that you've came to reason, I have one question for you."  Alma asked, the man's fearful eyes staring back.  "Do you have a horse?"  The man nodded.  Alma raised Duskedge, and it dissolved into the evening air, he then lowered his now free hand to the bandits forehead.  His voice was laced with magic as he spoke. "<span style="font-style: italic">Bring it to me.</span>"</div><br/><br/><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">Alma rode the horse into town, another tied to a lead rope behind him with his bag.  The lessons should begin soon, if everything was going to schedule.  Patting the horse, he road forward until a sign entered his sight.  Dragons Den,  the old place brought back memories, Alma smiled a bit as he stopped.  He hollered for a stable boy until one approached, the handed him the horses reigns and grabbed his bag from the second.  He walked into the inn, and quickly strode towards the sounds of a kitchen until he found the bar.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"I'll take a chicken, two pieces of bread, some ale, and whatever is giving that delicious aroma from the back."  Alma said aloud, knowing someone would hear and service him.  He then sat on a convenient stool, waiting for his food to arrive and his employer to find him.</div>