Luckborn

"You're probably wondering why I've asked you all here," Otter said.

He stood at the head of a narrow table tucked into one of the Library's quiet study nooks; the shelves curving in around them like walls. His friends—Milo, Liora, Jasper, Erin, Levi, and Sage—sat around the table, watching him with varying degrees of expectation, exhaustion, and mild annoyance.

Milo looked around at the assembled team. "No. I'm pretty sure we all know why we're here."

Otter sighed. "Yeah, yeah. But before we talk plans—I want you all to see the compass for yourselves. Come on."

They filed out of the nook and made their way through the quiet halls toward where he thought the Museum Annex should be. This part of the Library had a funny way of rearranging itself when you weren't looking, and it took Otter a few tries of going down the wrong corridor before he found himself somewhere familiar. He walked ahead of the others, nerves taut, the chill of anticipation threading through his spine.

"A moment, Mr. Bennett," a voice called from behind.

Otter stopped and turned to see Archivist Dane striding briskly toward them, skirt swishing, clipboard in hand.

"Blackwood sends his regrets," she said, "But he asked me to relay a few things. And to assist."

She led them into the Annex, past the high glass cases and velvet ropes, and unlocked the cabinet holding the compass. "You may proceed," she said.

The moment Otter stepped forward, the needle sprang to life—spinning wildly, as it had before. The face of the compass glowed. The air around them chilled. Whispers tickled the edges of their hearing, distant and indistinct, like voices carried on wind through stone corridors. Sage's eyes darted around, and Milo visibly stiffened.

The needle continued its frantic revolutions, but slowed with each turn. Then…

It stopped. Unwavering. Pointing northeast.

The whispering voices faded to nothingness.

Everyone stared.

"That's new," Otter said.

Dane nodded grimly.

Otter looked at his team. "Any questions?"

Milo, Sage, Levi, and Erin all raised their hands.

"I figured." He placed the compass back in its velvet lined case and closed to lid. Dane relocked it, then gestured toward a door off to the side. "There's a conference room through there. It is warded for privacy. You have one hour, then you'll have to return to your dorms."

The conference room was small but well-lit. Several maps—one of the Academy grounds, one of the greater Aurelia region, and one of the known world—were pinned to the wall. A pot of lukewarm tea sat on a rectangular table that took up most of the room.

Otter and the others found a seat around the table. The arrangement of chairs felt formal, with several feet of space between them.

Finally, Otter go up and took the map of the Academy off the wall and placed it on the table. The others got up and crowded around the map.

The map wasn't necessary, but the act of coming closer together was what they needed.

"Did everybody get a good look at the compass?" Otter asked.

Nods all around.

"Milo, did you recognize the runes on it?"

Milo shook his head. "No."

"Okay. Here's what I think. Similar markings have been found in the ruins beneath Ironside Keep. Something happened the other night when I sketched them out next to the ones I saw on the compass. It was like a vision or something. They're connected. I don't know how or why, but I think that's our starting point."

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He tapped Ironside Keep on the map.

"Haven't those ruins been fully explored?" asked Jasper.

"No," answered Milo. "I read that there were ancient ruins here when the founders built the original Academy. The current one is built on top of the ruins of that one. No one knows how deep they actually go."

Levi whistled. "A real dungeon delve, then. We're gonna need some things."

"Exactly. That's why I wanted you all here. I have no idea what to expect down there. No way to make an actual plan. The best we can do is to be prepared for whatever we find. So let's brainstorm ideas. Make a list of things we might need."

"Light sources," Erin said. "And climbing gear. Rope, hooks. If things are collapsed…"

"Potions," Milo said. "Healing and Mana regen."

"We'll need provisions," Levi added. "High-energy rations. And water purification kits."

Liora leaned back. "What about communications? If we get separated?"

"I have a spell that can help with that," Milo offered. "It's pretty basic with a short range, but I can use extra mana to boost it."

"I wish we could get a couple of those devices I've seen the professors use," Otter added.

"Those are expensive," said Milo.

"I'll ask around the Enclave," said Sage softly. "See if I can find anything to help with that."

Jasper glanced at Liora. "We should talk about weapons."

Liora nodded. "I was thinking the same. Not sure I want to lug anything too heavy down there."

"Agreed. Longsword is about as big as I want to go."

"Light blade load-out, then."

"Don't forget about ranged weapons," Erin added. "Short bows for tight spaces?"

That reminded Otter about his sling shot. He hadn't spent much time practicing with it, but it was better than nothing.

"What about defensive wards?" Levi asked. "Can anybody handle those?"

"I've got a few charms tucked away," Sage said. "Nothing crazy. But they might buy us a few seconds in a pinch."

Otter looked around the room, watching his friends as they plotted and debated and scribbled. Despite his nerves, a strange feeling bloomed in his chest. Pride. And a sense of belonging he'd never allowed himself to feel before.

After too short a time, the conference room door opened, and Piper stuck her head in. "Dane says your time is up."

Otter nodded, and they all tucked their lists and writing utensils in pockets.

Levi clapped his hands together. "This is going to be the coolest break ever."

Otter hoped he was right.

***

The rain was relentless, hammering the Academy's stone walls like it wanted in. Thunder cracked overhead, rattling the ancient panes of the dormitory windows. The room was dark, save for the occasional flash of lightning, his candles long since having gone out.

Otter lay in his bed, wide-eyed, staring at the ceiling.

He'd tried reading. Tried breathing exercises. Even tried counting the seconds between lightning and thunder. None of it helped. Something in his bones felt off, like he was walking into a test no one had told him to study for.

Finally, he gave up on sleep. Pulled on his boots. Slipped out of the dorm room and into the quiet corridor.

The halls were only dimly lit at this time of night. Shadows swayed along the floor as he paced in slow loops up and down the stone passage.

Near the stairwell landing, he paused by one of the tall windows that overlooked the rear courtyard. The storm surged outside, wind driving rain sideways against the glass. Lightning forked across the sky—

—and in the flash, he saw someone standing on the rooftop across the way.

A figure. Still and silent. Cloaked, unmoving. Watching him.

Otter's breath caught. He stepped back from the window instinctively, heart suddenly in his throat.

The corridor was deathly quiet, save for the low creak of timbers and the patter of rain. He pressed his forehead to the cold glass, squinting through the downpour.

Nothing.

Just rooftop tiles and rushing water. Maybe he imagined it.

Another flash—and the figure was suddenly there_._ Right outside the window. Its dark hood concealing whatever face lay beneath. Otter stumbled backward, startled. Then it was gone.

Otter spun, fearing the thing had somehow gotten behind him, but the corridor was empty.

Nothing but the soft flicker of lantern light and his own shallow breathing.

Then he heard a loud bang, like wood crashing against stone, coming from the direction of his room.

He rushed back, flinging his door open. Inside, his own window had come loose, the howling wind knocking it free to bang against the wall. Rain blew in, drenching his bedclothes. Gusts of wind picked up loose papers and scattered them across the floor.

He rushed in and relatched the window. In the sudden silence, all he could hear was the dripping of water as it fell from the windowsill. He put his face close to the glass and peered through, but saw nothing but the dark courtyard outside.

As he pulled back, he noticed a strange pattern in the rivulets of water running down the window. He watched, trying to make sense of it until he realized the water was forming letters.

It read: Paths diverge. Choose wisely.

The words became clear as day and imprinted themselves on his brain. But what did they mean? And why was this strange man giving him these messages in the first place?

His train of thought was interrupted by a sound behind him.

Otter whipped around, heart leaping into his throat. Cal stood behind him, bleary-eyed. "You okay? I thought I heard something down here."

"Yeah…yeah…just my window came open somehow. Must not have latched it good before I fell asleep."

Cal looked around the room. "Your bed is soaked. I'll get you some dry sheets. You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Everything's fine."

As Cal turned and left, Otter looked back at the window. The words were gone. Just raindrops running down the glass.

Something told Otter, however, that things were definitely, very much, not fine.