The entire next day was spent testing infiltration methods, but while several attempts could have succeeded, none inspired confidence. Getting in might work. Getting out was another story.
As evening fell, both teams circled the fire, sky above them streaked with the last pink light of day.
"The fog worked," Clara said, seated beside Dhalia. She'd taken over as the Jonas stand-in. With the help of Dhalia's ice ring, they'd summoned a fog thick enough to blind even Pudding.
"True," Fergis admitted. "But the second a fog bank rolls in, they'll know something's up. How many high-tier mages do you think can sniff that out?"
Zen shifted restlessly. "Could a beastmaster charm the ravens?"
Tor rubbed his chin. "One or maybe two, briefly. Four? No chance. Their owner would feel the interference."
Clara snapped her fingers. "What about that bird-woman—Dread Ravena? Illusionist, loads of ravens."
"Oh… right." Cane pulled out the bracer they'd taken from her. "Too bad we don't know how it works. Would've helped."
Tor reached out. "Let me see."He studied the bracer first with his eyes, then his senses. "Definitely has a beast command element. But we'd need the Archmage to get the full breakdown."
"Who's volunteering to be the raven queen?" Cane asked with a grin. Zen raised her hand hopefully.
"I meant someone from our team," Cane added, chuckling.
"I'll do it," Dhalia offered. "Fergis has DPS and runes. Clara's got control and the blunderbuss. It makes sense for me to take a second role."
"I'm sold," Cane nodded. He knew Dhalia sometimes felt like her healing wasn't as flashy. This would give her a chance to shine.
The next morning, the group broke camp and began the journey back to the Academy. Sophie rode in the wagon beside Cane, leaving the gryphons to Tor.
"I can't believe you gave up flying to sit here," Cane teased as she leaned into his side.
"It's not the wagon," Sophie said softly. "It's the driver." She hesitated. "You've got a plan, right? If the Archmage can read that bracer?"
"Yeah. If it controls ravens, we capture a few today and have Dhalia study the bond in the ringworld. If not…" He shrugged. "We let them go."
"That what you were talking to Tor about this morning?"
"Exactly. Just covering bases."
Zen rode up beside them, eyes twinkling. "Poor Bly. Looks like he's destined to pine alone."
Sophie raised a brow. "Bly?"
"Second-year psi-user," Cane supplied. "Has a crush on the 'Voice of the Academy.'"
Sophie blushed. "Well… I'm taken."
"Cane told him he'd put in a good word," Zen said, grinning.
"You did?" Sophie turned to Cane. "Let's hear it."
Cane smirked. "Judging by his size, he's got a good appetite. No scars. Nice thick hair. Second-year psi-user."
"That's it?" Sophie laughed.
"Yep."
"Oh, wow." Zen groaned. "Worst wingman ever. Remind me never to ask you for help."
Sophie leaned in and kissed Cane's cheek. "Thanks for the update, but I'll stick with my current boyfriend."
"Ugh." Zen made a face.
Cane grinned. "Hey, I tried. Be sure to tell Bly."
Back at the Academy, Cane reported directly to Telamon's office—and was surprised to find the twin Psi instructors already there.
"We're back, Uncle. Professors." He greeted them with a polite nod.
Telamon, in an immaculate white robe, smiled warmly. "We were just discussing your surprising psi talents, nephew."
Cane didn't correct him. He suspected the twins had questions about his abilities. "You could've just asked."
Chanzi tilted her head. "It's just… your psi feels off. Like it's not natural."
(Psi-Link: Drake): Oh gods, he called him nephew. Drop this now.
"Is that why you tried to read my thoughts in class?" Cane's tone cooled.
The air in the office thickened. Telamon's face remained calm, but the grip on his cane tightened.
"Is that true?" he asked quietly.
(Psi-Link: Drake): You can't lie to the Archmage.
"I apologize, Archmage," Drake mumbled. "Answer the question, Chanzi."
Chanzi bowed her head. "Yes. His psi felt so strange, I reached out without thinking."
"Unacceptable," Telamon said.
"It's fine," Cane offered. "Professor Chanzi can make it up to me—with private lessons."
"I'd be glad to," Chanzi said quickly.
After a pause, Telamon nodded and dismissed them. "How did the training go?"
Cane handed over the feather-braced band. "The raven watchers are the issue. Think this might help?"
Telamon examined it. "It's empty. But yes—this is designed to capture and control ravens. Just don't kill them, and don't erase their mission. Their handlers won't notice."
"Anything else?"
"Two other features. One: it can create loyal ravens from wild ones. Two: a mass raven attack spell."
Cane nodded. "Thank you, Uncle."
"Do your best, nephew."
Back at Seven Tower, the team was already assembled. Tor stood with a half-dozen ravens, Dhalia by his side.
She looked unsure. "This is really going to be a month for me, and just a minute for you?"
"A minute here." Cane gave her a reassuring smile and patted her head. "I have faith in you."
Dhalia and Tor disappeared into the ringworld, leaving Cane, Fergis, and Clara behind.
Cane lingered near the window, chatting quietly with Fergis while Clara and Sophie whispered from the bed, their words lost in occasional giggles.
Exactly one minute later, Cane summoned them back from the ringworld.
Dhalia emerged in a long, black cloak made entirely of raven feathers. The cool calm she usually carried now felt dangerous—sharp around the edges.
"It worked," she said, adjusting the cloak's collar. "I can handle those ravens. I'll take control before we're even close."
Cane clapped once, eyes bright. "Perfect. We're a go."
He tapped his room's psi-rune, sending the confirmation to Telamon.
"Wow," Clara grinned, reaching out to fluff the cloak like it was a throw pillow. "We officially have the coolest-looking healer."
"I wasn't cool before?" Dhalia raised a brow.
Clara wrinkled her nose. "Talented. But kind of boring."
"Thanks," Dhalia deadpanned. "I think."
Still, the way her fingers curled around the cloak's edge said it meant something to her.
Cane turned back to the group. "Uncle will open a rift that drops us just outside the neutral zone. From there, I'll follow the same river I used when we captured Brea."
"Wait—what about us?" Clara asked.
"We'll be in the ring," Fergis answered. "It's easier to move solo on foot. Cane can summon us if needed."
"Plus he's the fastest," Dhalia added. "Let him finish."
"I'll pull Dhalia out when it's time to deal with the watchers. Once they're neutralized, I'll shift to Jonas's location and place him into stasis."
Clara raised her hand. "Why not just drop him in with us?"
"Because we don't know what Terror did to him," Cane said simply. "He could have a death geas, a mental tripwire—anything. Stasis preserves exactly how he is in the moment. The Archmage will unravel whatever's there."
"So," Clara nodded slowly, "we basically wait unless the plan goes sideways."
"Exactly. But be ready."
They talked strategy a little longer. Sophie stayed until the last moment, slipping her arms around Cane and kissing him softly.
"Come back safe," she whispered.
"Take care."
As soon as she left, Fergis stepped in, expression sharp. "We going with the option we discussed in private?"
Cane didn't hesitate. "Once Jonas is safe in the ringworld—be ready."