Khazan quickly scrambled inside his house and brought a few things with him. A magical book and a few rings and some proper clothing that shapeshifted into the college clothing, and when he was done the trio quickly made their way towards the house of dimensions. But on the way there they stopped by Emma's house.
Samuel and Fraudren waited outside while Khazan quickly went inside and the only thing that Samuel saw through the window was him putting a hand each on Sonya and Emmas cheeks. After that he came outside looking more pissed than ever, "You truly didn't lie to me... keep protecting and helping my family like this and I might just start liking you!" Was the first thing he said to Samuel after they had left the house.
Samuel simply nodded and together the unlikely trio passed through all the security gateways together, several students saw Khazan and pointed their fingers at him and whispered. "Let us wait here for a few minutes!" Khazan said and Samuel realized they still had time to do so.
So wait they did and a few minutes later about twenty or so students belonging to the third year arrived roughly at the same time. "Oh shit, I had almost forgotten because of everything that happened!" Fraudren whispered behind Samuel.
Samuel turned around and looked at him inquisitively and Fraudren looked at him with big eyes, "Khazan has one of the largest factions of the third years, which makes me really wonder why they messed with one of his sisters. Surely they knew about Khazan, so something doesn't make sense!"
Samuel nodded, he had no idea that Khazan had such a big faction. There were elves, devilkin, half elves and dragonkin assembled among his followers.
So it definitely didn't make sense. Something was happening here, something bigger than just a petty squabble. But Samuel held his tongue, because he didn't actually know what was at play here, maybe some idiots had made an actual stupid mistake and were now going to pay the price for it.
The group assembled by Khazan didn't ask any question right away, but Khazan told them the gist of it after they had exited the portals down to the city. Many of them started cracking their knuckles or smiling at the thought of an upcoming fight.
Khazan made sure to walk side by side with Samuel as he guided the way, "I have been there myself before, so I know the way." He scoffed at Samuel, but Samuel shook his head. "Then let me reintroduce myself, I am Samuel Gillfall and you are about to be invited into my home."
As Khazan heard those words he sighed and nodded and assumed a slightly more friendly approach. The Gillfall soldiers stood at the ready when they saw the large group appear until they saw their young lord.
"There will be another group coming around very soon, the one leading them has one of my rings so please let them in!" Samuel told the current watch captain who saluted. "Yes my lord!"
"Is my mother at home currently?" He stopped to ask the captain, the captain shook his head. "Her Lady Gillfall will be away for a few days on a business journey to the west."
Samuel felt relief when he heard those words, it meant that he wouldn't need to explain anything at the current moment. He led the way up the path all the way to the center of the estate where he gave an order for the big hall to be prepared with a few tables and some simple food.
The maids and butlers quickly did as ordered and had everything done. Khazan's group looked around in awe most of the time, they started getting a bit interested in Samuel as well and looked to their leader questioningly.
But Khazan remained seated with a very angry face and none dared ask him out loud. "What are we even waiting for? You have a few friends coming?" He almost yelled at Samuel as the minutes were going by.
"My faction!" Samuel replied, he had not mentioned anything about his faction while telling Khazan what had happened, many of Khazan's faction members looked even more surprised and intrigued now. Khazan raised his eyebrows and held up his hands, "Look at the people I have assembled, do we really need a few more people!"
"I wouldn't call us few!" Vuloc spoke up as he entered through the main doors, following him were about 15 people. "It is good to see so many allies assembled for what we are about to do!" He walked in confidently and grinned, Khazan was taken aback.
"The fucking Gengers are a part of your faction?" He turned to Samuel and asked with a half shocked half annoyed expression. Samuel smiled and turned to look at the white marble pillars and the large windows that allowed one to see outside into the large beautiful gardens of the estate.
"Brother, we are the officers that set up the faction!" Vuloc spoke before pointing at Samuel, "But that man right there, is someone that everyone of us owes something to. He is our leader, like you are the leader of yours!" He gave the members of the Khazan faction a bow.
"For today we are all allies!" Samuel spoke out loud as he walked over to the higher steps that were indoors. "You have all been informed of why you are here I hope?" His question was answered by many people nodding their heads.
Khazan walked up next to him and turned to them all, "Then you know things might get bloody. But whatever you do, don't kill anyone. Maim them, cripple them I do not care. But we are not murderers, we are future mages of Rejuan and we have a code to follow!" He clenched his fist while holding it in the air.
Samuel could see why people respected him, he wasn't just an asshole. He was an efficient leader at the same time. It was hard not to get drawn in by his natural charisma and charm.
Samuel turned to his own faction and for the first time saw them all assembled. He of course recognized Vuloc and his three sisters; Tyva, Ylva & Alyv. He also recognized Markar and Zalbas, then there was Fraudren who had joined them.
He did not recognize the other eight people however. One of them stood next to Zalbas, a human woman that looked pretty generic, dark brown hair and eyes, regular size and height, with pretty smooth regular features.
But when his eyes met with hers there was a small spark within them and a smile, Zalbas also grinned and Samuel understood who she was. But the other seven he had no idea whom they were. Khazan started planning with his group and Samuel walked over to his where they all tapped their chest with their fists.
A huge lionfolk stepped up, "You have not met all of us personally, but we all owe your family or you a debt in one way or another. My name is Xara Ironmane, I am a proud lion woman that studies the martial arts at the college of war." Samuel looked at the lion humanoid woman and the firs thing that was hard to miss was that she was almost as tall as Markar.
But whereas Markar had no weapons she had two greatswords on her back, her completely white fur almost seemed to blend in with all the white the building was made out of.
The others introduced themselves as well, there was;
Elrik Fireborn, a well armored red dragonkin warrior, he was also in the war college. It was hard to see anything underneath all the armor he had strapped on his body.
Ceda Felhammer, a human warlock who had pretty blond hair that matched her attire of white clothes. It wasn't hard to tell that this woman was packing dangerous weapons that stuck out.
Fabian Twighorn, a wood elf ranger that excelled in the use of the bow. He wore clothes that would easily blend in with any environment as he was almost fully cloaked.
Sandra Qarthal, a small packed dwarven lady that had the typical armor and clothing of a cleric. Her red hair made her stand out, but her healing power was the real deal. The last two were human looking so he assumed they were.
Derek Varson, he had the weirdest attire of them all and Samuel couldn't quite figure out what he did, but he could see the magical weapons the man had holstered by his sides. The weirdest thing was the round hat.
Ren Farsight, he wore a magical college attire as well and was a second year just like Samuel, he looked pretty regular compared to the rest of the group, with a big book on his side and black hair with glasses on his face. He just smiled calmly as if he knew he seemed like nothing special.
"Looks like quite the ragtag bunch!" Khazan said while he approached, "We have a plan, because we know where they are probably hanging out, they own a large private warehouse close to the river in the northern middle of the city. Not too far from here."
"The plan is of course, bash the door down and rush straight in, with your faction as backup you will all sneak in on the sidelines!" Khazan smiled, hoping to take all the glory.
His smile quickly disappeared, "Of course there is a very big chance someone set this up to happen to begin with, why else mess with one of my sisters... So your faction that has a nice mix of people of all skills will be the perfect backup, to ambush the ambush that is most likely laying in wait."
Samuel nodded and looked at his group, whereas Khazans faction was mostly comprised off mages at the college his faction was made up of warriors of defense and offense and mages of defense and offense and utility. They even had a proper healer.
"You make sure to follow us from far behind!" He gave Samuel a tracker stone before walking off to his faction members and giving them the final rundown. Meanwhile Vuloc had made a group plan for who should stay with who.
He was indeed skilled as a planner, knowing who to stay with who based on their skills and matching personalities. "The only problem is that I don't know who you want with your team?" He turned to Samuel and asked.
"I want Markar, Zalbas and his friend!" Samuel quickly replied. "I still wish to talk to Zalbas and his friend in private before we leave, so let's do that right away, I will let you continue your planning!" Samuel said and left Vuloc in charge of the details.
Vuloc grinned and accepted his job with grace as the people of same kin walked off to talk on their own, at the same time Khazans group were taking their leave and Khazan gave Samuel a final nod that he quickly returned.
Khazan was clever enough to have figured out that it was probably a trap, he was smarter than he let on. It was almost scary how different he could be from his regular womanizer behaviour.
Samuel opened the door for Zalbas and his friend and stepped in behind them after closing the door to the small sideroom where they could discuss together.