“Families” with animal crests. If I learn nothing else from this conversation, at least I have a starting point for understanding where Jackal came from.

“Over time the Families grew less dependent on the ancient rulers and began serving their own agendas,” Ash continues. “They built their homes in secret locations, they elected their own governing councils, and they even worked with Families from other empires to bend and shift historical events to their will.” As Ash talks, it’s hard to ignore the enthusiasm in his voice, like he’s been telling stories his whole life.

I catch myself leaning toward him and readjust. “Are you saying they were less dependent on the rulers or decided that they were strategically superior to them?” I ask.

Ash grins. “Well, perhaps a little of both. The rulers probably thought they were in charge at that point, but let’s be realistic. Vincit qui se vincit.”

“Beauty and the Beast,” I say.

“Pardon?” Ash says, and takes his hands out from behind his head.

“Vincit qui se vincit—‘he conquers who conquers himself.’ It’s etched on the stained-glass window in the Beast’s castle,” I say.

“Seriously?” he asks. “You’re referencing a fairy tale?”

“An animated movie,” I correct him, and he gives me a puzzled look, like I might be from another planet. “But I didn’t mean to interrupt,” I say in a rush. “Please finish your story.”

Ash sits up a bit, and I can tell he’s trying to sort something out about me. He’s silent for a couple of seconds and then clears his throat. “So, as you know, the ancient civilizations eventually became too big and too politically complicated. They collapsed one by one. But by this time, Strategia had evolved, and as the great civilizations broke apart, Strategia saw the opportunity for true independence. Over time Europe divided itself into smaller kingdoms and the Greek, Persian, and Roman Strategia splintered off into further divisions—Britain became the Lions, making up the modern UK territory, the Franks became the Deer in France and Germany, and the Spanish became the Foxes in Spain and Portugal. Though, of course, these days you’ll find Family members in all countries all over the world. We’ve gone global, as it were.” He smiles.

I concentrate on what he’s telling me so hard that I’m sure my face looks strained. So there are the three original Families and then the three newer ones, but nowhere in there did he mention Aarya’s animal crest. “And the Jackals?” I interject.

He raises an eyebrow at me. “Thought I was going to miss a detail, did you?” His expression turns mischievous. “No one’s sure exactly when or where the Jackals formed. They’re the rebels of Strategia. They didn’t originate in any one country but are thought to have come together from everywhere, and to have formed their own coalition independent of bloodlines. And like the animal they chose for their crest, they prefer to live in small groups. They proudly lack the organization the rest of the Families enjoy. Now, of course, it took centuries before Strategia formed their own UN, if you will, known as the Council of Families, to establish a central order. Around 500 CE was the very first time members of all the Families came together. It didn’t take long before the Council agreed that passing down centuries of acquired knowledge could never occur in typical ways. And that brings us to the glorious Academy you have joined,” he says, and spreads his arms out, gesturing at the courtyard.