Myriel stood in the yard the moon after squad four won the evaluation. Next to him, Mareth betrayed no emotion. The faces of thirty eight expectant students stared at them, plus their instructors. They were waiting for one more. He had been one of the last to go down, and the amount of poison in his system delayed his revival.

Cavaar strode through the inner gate and made his way to the front of his squad. Myriel noticed him clasp Yarik on the shoulder as he passed.

"Squad four has won the evaluation, congratulations." Mareth announced. The students beamed. "Based on your results we have chosen one student from each squad to attempt to join with the Black when the Cataclysm happens." Students and instructors composed themselves.

"From squad one: Gwen." A tall, pale girl with black hair and brown eyes stepped forward, smiling.

"From squad two: Isadora." Another girl, short and dark skinned answered the summons and bowed.

"From squad three: Sloan." Sloan bowed his head, which was covered in red hair. Green eyes smiled from above his freckles.

"From squad four: Cavaar." The boy stepped forward with a smile on his face.

The squad leaders were all so proud. Myriel began to feel sick.

Mareth continued. "Each of you will report to me tomorrow in my study. The rest of you will continue training under your instructors. Dismiss-" The high note of a horn from the east cut him off. Everyone in the courtyard turned towards the sound. Though Myriel's eyes were failing him, the librarian could make out red rays glinting off steel in front of an approaching dust cloud.

"Get the students into the keep." Mareth barked. The instructors obeyed, herding the bewildered squads through the inner gate.

Myriel and Mareth surveyed the approaching troop of Dindrans. Their interrogation of Albert had been pointless. He did it for money, which they had already guessed. Half was paid to him by an anonymous traveler in Seagrim, and the other was to be paid upon the destruction of the gate. The most troubling piece of information was that Albert had been told exactly where to find the diagrams for a bomb in the forbidden library, as well as where to collect the materials to make it, which meant whoever hired him was familiar with what was in the forbidden library.

"What are you going to do?" Myriel asked.

"I don't know Percy, they are here early." Mareth said.

"Do you think they're peaceful?"

The Prelate frowned. "We sent for a repair team, not a regiment. There must be at least a hundred well-armed troops on that road." Myriel had forgotten that Mareth's eyes could see much farther than a normal man's.

"What if they try to-"

"We won't let them. They cannot gain access to the Chamber under any circumstances."

"You are positive about the Cataclysm? That it will occur in the next three moons?" Mareth asked.

"Yes, I triple checked the charts with Albert... " Myriel began.

Mareth flicked his eyes at him.

"...And without him. There is no error."

The Prelate continued to examine the approaching company. The instructors returned from the inner yard and joined them. The particles of dust kicked up by the Dindran's glittered under the red sky like a shower of blood.

"They have a headsman with them, that shouldn't be necessary." Mareth said to himself. His jaw was loose and uncertain, but it tensed as he grew closer to a decision. He turned to Myriel and the instructors. "Dmitri, Geoff, get the students into the barracks. Percy, I want you to take the squad leaders to the Chamber. Explain the situation to them. Forgo the normal preparations and allow them to enter. These... soldiers," he waved a hand at the growing dust cloud, "will not interrupt the ritual. Do you understand?"

Myriel stayed silent, protesting with his eyes.

"Do you understand?"

Mareth's black gaze was boring into him. There were few that could withstand it. Percy Myriel was one of them. "I do, but the students may not."

Mareth's right eye twitched. "You will have to make them understand." He turned his back on the librarian. "Mena, Haestus."

"Sir!" The two instructors snapped to attention.

"Remain here with me. We will welcome this party from Dindra."

"Sir!" They moved to stand at his side but Myriel was in their way. The old librarian shook his head and pushed between them. He wasn't planning to defy the Prelate's orders, and they were probably the best course of action given the circumstances, but that didn't make what came next any easier.