All was silent in the great hall of Melfyridor save the tapping of the boot of its most powerful water mage. Its ceilings towered above the dark marble pillars that stood in rows along the chamber. Ordinarily students bustled about the room to other passages of the keep while visiting magical dignitaries and scholars would await the master mage’s council. But silence occupied this space now.<br/><br/>The lights were dim save only a few of the torches which were scattered along the sides. In their faint blue light, cobwebs lit along the pillars that once shined in majestic dark beauty. Some of the books that lined the shelves along the walls were scattered on the floor, and scrolls with various quills lay strewn about the tables.<br/><br/>The fireplace had old ashes in it and above it, etched in wood over the mantle read<em>An Organized Life is a Fruitful One</em>.<br/><br/>After what seemed an eternity of silence, the east doors opened and a thin, wiry initiate slinked into the hall. He wore the traditional green robes of the alchemists but they looked like they hadn’t been washed in days. His face was smooth and he looked young, but his eyes were sly as if nothing of what he said was exactly the complete truth.<br/><br/>Seeing Reira he stopped for a moment, then adjusted himself and slowly walked forward putting on his finest diplomats face.<br/><br/>“Why look what the storm brought,” he grinned with very white teeth. “It’s good to see you Reira. Do you remember me?” He covered his hands within his robes and continued. “I’m Corvus of the Kurakai. We were summoned here by Kastadel himself.”<br/><br/>As he approached her, he stopped and changed his look to worry. His facial muscles seemed too practiced as if they didn’t show the conflict in his heart, or the complexity of real emotion.<br/><br/>His dark eyes pierced at her with an unfixed gaze as he spoke in a low whisper, “The master is not well but he asked me to relate a message to you should you arrive.”<br/><br/>He walked to the side of her for a moment and looked around the dark and damp hall. “Such a tragedy of late, that this hall should come to this.”<br/><br/>Shaking his head, he looked back at her. “Go to the southern island of Mazadryn and seek out Varien Moracryn. You are to continue your studies with him.”<br/><br/>As he walked back towards the doors he gave her a dark look, "Go and do not concern the Master with this any longer."