"Ugh" was all Ethan could manage as he fell forward on his knees. It was like the world was falling in around him. He struggled to stay conscious as stars danced before his eyes mockingly. I've gotta fight back. I can't just let them win! What did Professor Ardeneaux say... elemental rune arts... use what you can... The rain pounded all around him and he called upon it to help him. He began chanting again and he felt the water gathering at his command. Another attacker came toward him, but was blown back as he expelled the water with as much force as he could manage. It wouldn't last for long. He tried to force himself up off the ground, but went rolling from a hard kick in the side.
"Think you're so smart, don't you?" Jacob Thompson mocked.
Ethan could barely keep his eyes open and he was fairly sure that the coppery metal taste in his mouth was blood, but he pushed himself up into a sitting position. Now what's the best response here... I can stay quiet... or I can at least get a few more verbal slams in... If I can even think straight... That could be a little difficult... "I---" he started.
"Did anyone tell you that you could speak to us pauper?!" a foot slammed into his ribs and he was quite certain he heard more than a couple cracks. Everything was just a haze. And pain. lots and lots of pain. Ethan put a hand to his ribs and watched as the circle around him slowly got smaller and smaller.

* * * * *
How DARE he! Briar Rose stomped up the steps to her home. That two faced arrogant poor little snot! He ought to have been honored just to have been able to take her to the ball! She pushed the front door open and threw her cloak into the closet before stalking up the stairs and to her room. What's his problem anyway?! I just don't understand his logic! All I did was try to compliment him and he starts insulting me left and right! She threw one of the pillows resting gently on her bed across the room with all the force she had and grabbed a second one. She was angry, but at the same time she felt like crying her eyes out. Honestly! What did I do to deserve that?!
I can't believe that peasant boy was even able to get into the academy! Not only that, he got an apprenticeship with Professor... why can't I think of the name... Ardy... Ardi... Arden... no... that's it! Ardeneaux! Wait... She dropped the second pillow. Ardeneaux! That's the one in Dad's journal! It has to be! I can't believe I didn't make the connection sooner! It's all that stupid Ethan's fault. If he hadn't been so mean, I would have thought of it earlier! She threw off her ball gown and pulled on something simple before dashing back out of her room and down the stairs. She picked up her coat from where it lay messily upon the floor and draped it over her shoulders. She pulled the hood up over her head before she opened the front door once more. The rain hadn't let up a bit.
Briar Rose raced toward the stables. The thick scent of horses and hay assailed her as she ran in. She spooked a couple of the horses, but made her way solemnly toward the one she knew best. "Bramble! Shhh..." she petted the soft brown and white nose on her favorite horse before setting a saddle on her and making sure the bit was securely in her mouth. She gave Bramble a few softs clicks and the horse was off.
The rain stung as she raced through it. She was fairly certain where the elven Rune Artist lived, or at least she hoped so. She'd heard mention of an old elven occultist that lived on the edge of town. Didn't come out much, but what could you expect from elves?
It didn't take long. The quick clop clop clop of Bramble's hooves carried them speedily through town. She dismounted and tied the reins to a post when she arrived. She was pretty sure this was the place. She balled her hand into a fist and pounded loudly on the door. "Excuse me!! Professor Ardeneaux? I have to speak with you! It's very important so please-"
The door swung inward and Briar Rose looked up at not at all what she'd imagined. From what she'd heard of elves, they were dreadful ugly creatures. This man was clearly not. He raised one perfect eyebrow as he finished rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Good heavens child! What are you yelling about at this hour?!"
"I... um..." was all she could get out, "I think I might have the wrong house... I'm looking for Ardeneaux..."
The man sighed, "Then sadly yes. You are at the right house. Come in out of the rain now and I'll make some tea... Do you take yours with sugar?"

Briar Rose felt suddenly self-conscious as Ardeneaux returned with the tea. He wore a modest nightcoat that covered him from head to toe, but it didn't hide his delicate hands and beautiful facial features. Not a hair was out of place. Briar Rose smoothed her skirt and accepted the tea gratefully as Ardeneaux took a seat across from her.
"Now," he began, "may I ask who on earth you are and why you felt the need to wake me at this ungodly hour?"
Briar Rose swallowed a small mouthful of the sweet warm tea. "I... I think you may have known my father..."
Ardeneaux sipped at his tea, then began to stir more sugar into it. "His name? and yours please?"
"My father was Darren Morely. I'm his first daughter Briar Rose Morely."
Ardeneaux sat bolt upright and suddenly looked very, very nervous. He set his tea down on the table with a slightly shaky hand. "I'm sorry... you must be mistaken. I've never met a man by that name."
Briar Rose looked very confused, "But... but you must have met him! He mentioned you several times in his journal!"
He laughed nervously, "You must have mistaken me for someone else. Ardeneaux is a pretty common elven name..."
"no! I'm certain!" she set her tea down and looked him in the eyes, "why are you hiding it? I just want some answers!"
Ardeneaux looked anxiously about before moving his hands in a graceful pattern in the air. Something like a small purple bubble appeared to float between his fingers. He threw it into the air and it expanded with explosive speed. She felt something pass by her, like a breath of air and looked in awe as the purple bubble had now surrounded them.
"What is this?" she breathed.
Ardeneaux looked shaken, "It keeps out unwanted listeners..."
Briar Rose laughed nervously, "listeners? There was no one---"
"That doesn't mean anything. One doesn't have to be present to listen..." the elf stated. "At any rate Miss Briar, yes. I knew your father. It's dangerous to say more than that."
"Dangerous?"
"Yes. You would be best to leave it all alone. Just forget your father's journal and go back to your world of make believe." He crossed his arms.
"I can't do that! I... I want to know what happened to him!" Tears, hot and salty, began to fall freely down her cheeks, "Just one day, he was suddenly gone! They never told us what happened. If he was out fighting dragons or if he was just murdered in the streets. We had to go to the funeral and see all the people that he'd known that we'd never even heard of! They smiled and said they were sorry, but their hearts weren't breaking like ours were! I..."
Ardeneaux licked his lips and took a breath, "That's not true. I knew Darren very well. You and your family are not the only ones that can still feel the sting of his passing."
Briar Rose looked at him with pleading eyes, "Then help me... please? He was doing research with you... on a book.. wasn't he? What book was it?"
"It is not that easy to explain..." Ardeneaux's eyes were downcast. "Just speaking about it could alert them to---"
There was a soft knock on the door. Briar Rose and Ardeneaux's eyes were glued to the heavy wooden door only meters away. He waved away the purple bubble and carefully opened the door just a crack.
"Yes?" There was no one at eye level before him. He cast a glance downward and saw a mess of a human being laying on his doorstep. "Ethan?!"

Ardeneaux dragged the soaking broken boy inside and lay him down on the floor. Briar Rose took a step forward, "Ethan? Is he..."
Ardeneaux shook his head, "he's barely conscious." Ardeneaux started peeling off the wet cloak that sat haphazardly around Ethan's neck. As he touched the back of Ethan's head, his hand came back sticky with blood. He calmly pressed his hand gently on the large wound and gasped as his hand began to glow with the healing art and the wound slowly closed.
Briar Rose fell to her knees on the carpeted floor. "Ethan..." She looked worriedly to Ardeneaux, "Who would do this?"
Ardeneaux waved her away, "please. I need to concentrate. This is difficult work. Either go home or be of some use and fetch me some blankets, towels, and warm water."
"yes... I'll get right to it!" Briar Rose pulled herself from the ground and raced about the unfamilar house for the items. Ethan... what happened to you?

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