บท 379: A Quiet Departure

Kaleesh left Lady Raina's chambers as ordered, though not before giving Arran an apologetic look for abandoning him. And as the captain stepped outside, Arran turned to face the Lady, his expression calm.

"What is it you wish to know?"

"There are many things I wish to know," she replied. "Though I doubt you can give me all the answers I seek. But let's see what I can learn from you." She frowned in thought, then asked, "This Academy you mentioned, have you had dealings with them?"

"I have," Arran replied flatly. "They're the reason I fled the Empire."

"Is that so?" Lady Raina gave him a thoughtful look. "What did you do to earn their enmity?"

"I killed one of their mages," Arran answered without hesitation. He'd prepared the story well before he entered the Imperium, and there was enough truth to it that telling it required little thought.

"You killed a mage?" She raised an eyebrow. "Any particular reason?"