The mess hall was enormous. With inside and outside dining and a separate room for the faculty. A table and seating was brought in for the party and placed by Professor Xuliaga and the other professors. Professor Xuliaga led in the party and showed them to their seats. Explaining that when the dinner bell rings, that’s when they find their seats and the meal will be served.

  An Aarakocra shuffled his feathers and came over to the party, still being debriefed by the professor.

  “Headmaster Urreek, these are the guests I was telling you about.” Professor Xuliaga said,

  “I have been told much about you all.” The headmaster said looking at each party member with heavy scrutiny. “I hear one of you ran afoul of the Black Antlers.”

  “We all got tangled up but yes, we needed someone with healing specialties.” Thunder said. “Do you happen to know more about the cult?”

  “Afraid not. I’ve only heard of them due to the Religions teacher; Madame Filchbach.” Headmaster Urreek said. Clicking his beak together with every word. “She’s been keeping an eye on their movements.”

  “She sounds like someone we’d like to talk to.” Jiit said, “Is she here?”

  “No, I believe she’s taking dinner in her study tonight.” Headmaster Urreek said. “You are welcome to find her later after dinner or tomorrow. I just ask you keep your interruptions of the classes to a minimum.”

  “Of course,” Kilek said. “We don’t want to cause any further disruption than the wedding already has.” The mention of the wedding had the headmaster’s feathers ruffling and his beak clicking.

  “It is none of my business.” he said, very sourly. “Excuse me.” The headmaster turned and went to chat with another group.

  “I didn’t mean to offend.” Kilek said to Professor Xuliaga. “I thought it would have been a safe topic of conversation.”

  “Headmaster Urreek was an advisor to the king and queen until their daughter announced her sudden engagement.” Professor Xuliaga said. “It’s a sore topic for him that I should have warned you about.:”

  “Sudden engagement?” Mayhem snorted. “This marriage ain’t gonna last.”

  “That’s more or less what the headmaster said and it’s what got him sacked.”: Professor Xuliaga said quietly. “But that’s not something I said.” Mayhem’s grin widened as she caught on.

  “I don’t think I get it.” Shaynen said. Mayhem patted his shoulder.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll explain later.” She said to him, a loud bell rang and everyone began wandering to their seats. Headmaster Urreek directed his table to be moved. Surprising the party when his seat came to the other side of them. Professor Xuliaga shrugged in the same confusion they were in and took his own seat.

  The first course was a light vegetable soup that came around in a giant cauldron. The kitchen staff served it one at a time. With some performing prayers before beginning to eat.

  “Forgive my curiosity,” Headmaster Urreek said once he and the party had all been served. “But I would like to know more about your travels. Specifically, this cult and your appearance here.”

  “That would be due to clues we found,” Jiit said, “they led us here.” Jiit pulled the letter from his pocket and handed it to the headmaster. The Aarakocra looked over it and nodded, handing it back to Jiit.

  “That is alarming.” Headmaster Urreek said. “Are you versed in cult hunting?”

  “Not… together.” Jiit said, looking at his group. “But we have our own experiences that we bring to the table.”

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  “So… no.” The headmaster chuckled. He took a drink of his wine. “Maybe that’s a good thing. You might get farther that way.”

  “Farther?” Jiit scoffed under his breath. “I don't feel like we're getting anywhere.”

  “Yes, but that gives you the edge.” Headmaster Urreek said. “Being underestimated is what gives you the chance to show what you're really worth.” Jiit stared at the stew and thought about this. He looked at the crew he found himself stuck with and wondered if there was any real worth between the five of them. Dinner passed with more tales from Kilek and small talk. After the meal the party went back to the dorm they were using.

  “You know, that headmaster took a shine to you Jiit, maybe you could negotiate us using the room for the rest of our stay.” Mayhem said, elbowing Jiit. “I mean it’s either that or sleeping in a pile on the floor with the other performers.” Jiit winced.

  “You might be right.” Jiit said, “I’d take sleeping on a floor in a private room over sleeping in a crowded room with others.”

  “It’s warm at least.” Mayhem shrugged. “Now, who gets what bed? I want a top bunk.”

  “Sure, grab one.” Thunder said “Shaynen, pick a bed. You’re going to sleep tonight.”

  “I-What?” Shaynen asked.

  “If you have more dreams, we want to know.” Kilek said and pushed him lightly toward the bed he’d slept in already. Mayhem leapt up and laid in the bunk above him. Tossing her boots off and slipping out of her binder and tossing it to the floor as well.

  “I want a bed.” Jiit said, climbing into the opposite bottom bunk. “Do you have to make a mess?”

  “It’s not a mess,” Mayhem insisted. “It’s just my clothes for tomorrow.” Jiit and Mayhem continued to argue as Kilek and Thunder prepared for bed and looked at the last remaining bunk.

  “How do you want to settle this?” Thunder asked.

  “Play for it?” Kilek asked, bringing out a deck of cards.

  “Possibly, have a game in mind?” Thunder asked.

  “Cheat?” Kilek suggested and Thunder grinned.

  “Try not to make it too easy for me.” She said, the two sitting down and Kilek shuffling the deck.

  “Try not to let this match go on all night.” Kilek chuckled. He dealt the cards and the match began. Mayhem watched for a while but after too long she began snoring. Jiit had turned away and placed a pillow on his head to sleep and seemed to be. Shaynen laid out, staring at the top bunk, trying to sleep.

  “Ya gotta close your eyes to sleep.” Kilek said. “I have three two’s.” He put down three cards.

  “I have a queen pair.” Thunder said and she put down her two.

  “I.”: Shaynen tried to find something to say but was coming up blank. He turned over and leaned on his elbow to watch the card game. “I just don’t know if I want to.”

  “One three.” Kilek put down a card. “How come?”

  “Four sixes.” Thunder said. “Unsure of what you’ll see?”

  “Lair.” Kilek said and turned over the four sixes. He frowned at it. “No extra cards,”

  “It’s called cheat.” Thunder said, as Kilek picked up the discarded cards. “We can separate the decks later.”

  “Are we planning on sleeping tonight?” Kilek asked. “Let’s keep this game brief and the next one we can go to the death.” Thunder chuckled softly as she rearranged her cards.

  “Yeah, the last time there were such expectations on me, I…” Shaynen swallowed hard. “I didn’t exactly deliver.”

  “Oh?” Kilek said, “ Four sixes,” Thunder stifled a chuckle.

  “Two fours.” Thunder said. “We don’t have any expectations for you. We just want to know if you dream.”

  “But what if I don’t?” Shaynen said.

  “Then you don’t.” Kilek said. “Two fours, and I don’t see any queens. Pair or otherwise.”

  “That’s part of the game and I think you’re lying.” Thunder said, turning over the two pair to reveal two fours. Thunder clicked and picked up the deck. “If you don’t want to sleep then don’t. But get rest some how, cause we have a lot of investigating tomorrow.,”

  “One ace.” Kilek said. “Oh, right. We have the alchemist’s quarters to look through.”

  “Mhm, so hurry up and lose.” Thunder said. “four sixes.”

  “Not so fast,” Kilek said with a grin. “Three fours.” Thunder narrowed her eyes at him, her pupils narrowing to slits.

  “Four sixes.” She said. Kilek's face turned as she was holding one card after putting down the four cards.

  “Well played.” He said “bed is yours.” Thunder grinned triumphantly, then put the last card down face up. It was a six of spades.

  “Next time we play, we play for real.” Kilek said. “I won't roll over so easy next time.”

  “I look forward to it, “ Thunder said as she sat on the bed. She looked to speak to Shaynen but found him sleeping. Head still resting on his hand.

  “All right, kid. To bed with you.” Kilek said gently and he pushed. Shaynen back into bed.

  “Goodnight then.” Thunder said and she turned over to sleep.