Dinner was a quiet, comfortable affair with their small group and Sophie's parents. Most of the conversation centered on the manticore battle—its preparation, teamwork, and lessons learned.
"I helped a little with figuring out what the predator was," Sophie told her parents. "The Academy library has this huge book of rare and dangerous creatures. We pieced it together from the quest details and figured it out."
Clara, seated further down the table, sighed heavily and ignored the conversation. "I couldn't get Spud to come inside. He's still catching rats."
Cane chuckled. "Good. Let him finish the job."
He leaned back, glancing across the table. "Oh—and the raid gear worked great. Maybe we'll try a night mission next time. We'll need to replace the soul gems first."
"Good thing we grabbed a few extras in the bear cave," Fergis added, just as Relen entered the dining room.
"Young Master," Relen said with a polite bow. "You have visitors. First Knight Meya Rowe, escorting Miss Violetta."
Fergis shot to his feet. "Violet is here?"
He was halfway to the door before Cane could stand.
"I've got this, Relen," Cane said, following with a curious smile. "Who's Violetta?"
They stepped into the entryway—just in time to see Fergis hugging a tall young woman, beaming like a child on festival day. He was entirely oblivious to the First Knight standing nearby.
"First Knight," Cane said with a nod, falling into respectful etiquette.
Meya Rowe smiled and stepped forward to hug him. "I guess I'm not invisible to everyone."
Cane grinned. "Have you eaten? We were just finishing up."
He gestured for them to come in, and only then did Fergis finally look up.
"Cane!" he said excitedly. "Let me introduce my younger sister, Violet."
Violet was tall, slender, and moved with the kind of unconscious grace that hinted at training. Her blonde hair and bright green eyes didn't match Fergis, but it was obvious how much she adored her brother.
Cane accepted her hand, noting the subtle strength behind the slender fingers. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Violet smiled, assessing him openly. "I'm surprised. From Fergis's letters, I was expecting someone ten feet tall and strong enough to throw buildings."
"That's not far from the truth," Fergis said defensively.
"I've taken Violet as my martial student," Meya explained. "She has solid psi potential and wants to amplify it through melee combat."
Fergis frowned. "Melee? I thought you were learning archery."
Violet blushed slightly. "Fergis… that was something I told our parents so they wouldn't panic. Have you ever seen me hold a bow?"
Fergis's frown turned into a smirk. "Since when are you this sneaky? You're turning into Uncle Harnsworth."
"Pfft. You're Uncle Harnsworth."
Before Fergis could fire back, Meya turned to Cane. "I wanted to speak with you—if now's a good time."
"Sure," Cane said with a nod. "Let's head to the smithy."
Out of habit, Cane lit the forge and picked up a hammmer while scanning his metal stock.
"I wanted to talk to you about something important," Meya said, leaning casually against the workbench.
Cane pulled out a single bar of silver, no longer than a finger. "I'm listening."
If Meya had shown up in full plate, in person, it was probably important.
"There's been talk of assigning you a bodyguard," she began.
Cane frowned, but she held up a hand.
"Listen… you don't understand. Even with Telamon trying to keep a lid on things—Cane's Folly, the prototype cannon on the Defiant, the sinking of the Avenger, and now a newer, stronger version built at the Academy—the Zuni Empire knows who's behind it all."
"I hardly did all of that myself."
"Maybe not," Meya said, stepping closer, "but I know none of it would've happened without you."
She placed a hand on his shoulder—firm, not unkind.
"Why are you even asking me, then?"
"Rumor says Terror already made an attempt on your life." Her voice softened. "You're a first-year cadet, and Legion Commanders are hunting you."
Cane narrowed his eyes. "You're leaving something out. What is it?"
Meya sighed. "We had to ask Telamon's permission to assign a guard. He left the decision to you."
Cane didn't hesitate. "Then respectfully… no."
Too many secrets. And if Telamon had left it up to him, that meant the Archmage still had cards in play.
"I thought you'd say that," Meya smiled faintly. "You're a very stubborn man."
Cane lifted the small bar of silver. In a breath, twin stars flared overhead.
Meya's hand drifted to her sword out of reflex, but Cane was already immersed.
The silver twisted, folded, and shaped under his will, clean and effortless.
When he was finished, he handed the object to her.
Meya blinked. "When did you learn…" Her voice faded as she turned the silver rose in her hands. It was impossibly detailed—curved petals, etched veins, delicate balance.
She lowered her head to smell it without thinking.
Cane laughed. "I'm not that good."
He held out a hand, waiting.
"It's not a present?" Meya asked.
"A silver rose?" Cane shrugged. "Do you like roses?"
"I love roses."
"Great. That's for Sophie."
Meya gave him a wicked smile. "Think you can take it back?"
Cane raised an eyebrow. "If I wanted to."
He placed a hand on her forearm.
In an instant, the metal of her arm guards and gloves fused—melded into a single piece.
"What?" Her eyes widened as she tried to move her fingers—and couldn't.
Cane plucked the rose from her frozen grip, then gently touched her arm again.
The armor released.
"I heard recently that you defeated Regor Nyle in single combat," Meya said, flexing her fingers. "I discounted it at first—Regor might be a terrible person, but he's a deadly fighter."
Cane grinned. "He didn't look like much after I locked him in his own armor. They had to cut him out."
Meya burst out laughing. "I would've paid money to see that."
"Thank you for the concern," Cane said, meaning it. "I promise to remain vigilant."
Meya rolled her eyes and tossed her hands up. "Fine. Then make me a rose—copper this time. I want to see what it looks like when it patinas."
Cane pulled a small piece of copper from his stock, and again, twin stars flared overhead.
Meya watched them, her voice quieter now. "A pulsing blue orbiting a white… it's beautiful. When did your eyes start glowing?"
"A week ago," Cane replied. "During some... unique metallurgy training."
He shaped the copper with care, adding a stem and thorns, then handed it to her. "Careful."
"Goodness," Meya murmured, her smile lighting up her face. "Thank you, Cane."
When they returned to the main house, they found Fergis and Violet surrounded by the group.
"You'll be joining the Academy next year?" Dhalia asked, curious.
Violet nodded. "That's the plan." She glanced toward the door as Cane and Meya entered. "There he is—Mr. Star Eyes."
Cane didn't miss a beat. "Uncle Harnsworth."
Violet narrowed her eyes, smirking. "I see why you and my brother get along."
Cane walked over to Sophie and handed her the silver rose. She took it gently, blushing as she studied its perfect form.
"I made this at the forge," Cane said softly.
"Oh... it's so beautiful," Sophie whispered, lowering her head to smell it.
Cane laughed. "Like I told the First Knight—I'm not that good."
Clara leaned in. "Could you make me a gryphon? Or a dog?"
"Out of metal? Sure," Cane replied, only to instantly be overwhelmed by a flurry of requests.
"I'll be happy to—but no piling on. One per person."
Clara's freckled face twisted in mock agony. "Fine... a gryphon. No, wait—a dog. Ugh, why are you doing this to me?!"
The room burst into laughter as Clara dropped her face into her hands, clearly suffering from a crisis of indecision.