The Sun was past the middle of the word and the sky was filled with clouds. In the distance a storm brewed, and flashes of light streaked across the sky. The air was humid and hot. The dull sound of wood being hit against wood could also be heard as Cylus’ students spared in the grove. 

Cylus, himself, was buried in thought. He was attempting to put the pieces together with the happenings of the demons. [i]Bile openly attacking a village, though clearly not exerting himself.[/i] He rubbed his chin. [i]If his intentions were to destroy it he could have easily gone by me and done so . . . perhaps the beast was enjoying itself?[/i] Cylus put the students to do their next activity. [i]What are the demon’s intentions? If they wanted to kill all of the humans, it would have been done. Could they-[/i] “Master Cylus!” The call came from a young man, Edward. “There is a man in town to see you!” Edward was on the edge of the grove.

“Go to him and say that I am coming!” The boy nodded and ran back to the village. Cylus turned to his students and finished explaining the day’s lesson. He then began the walk back to Astoria. 

The gate was not very impressive, it was fashioned from logs and was sturdy enough to be used in defense. The gate parted as he and his students approached, the village slowly coming into view. Cylus walked into the village and was stopped by the boy once more. “I’ve told him that you’re coming. I’ll show you where he is.” The boy turned and Cylus followed, his hand on his blade. They came to a house near the gate. 

“So he’s with Martel then?” the boy knocked on the door then opened it. 

“Martel, Cylus has come.” Edward told the woman, who had streaks of grey hair. 

Cylus saw the man who Edward had told him about. The old man walked over to the younger man and observed him, head to toe. He’d noticed a few things about him, this man was a noble, though he’d been fighting for years by the looks of him, but he hadn’t lost the noble demeanor. He continued observing for a moment, and found something even more interesting . . . “How does the head of the House of Valeria find himself in a town such as Astoria?”