“Looks like it didn’t matter,” Aldric grumbled. “I distinctly recall mentioning several months ago that something like this could happen.”

“And I recall we said it wouldn’t matter,” Zasia countered. “That there wasn’t anything out there that would scare us away from helping you.”

Kedrin and Balrus nodded sagely in agreement. Balrus hadn’t said as much, but Aldric would bet anything that he would have dropped everything to help if the other two had asked him to. Oaths and honor were something Aldric’s friend took extremely seriously. By disclosing his king’s plans in the first place, he was effectively betraying the trust of his sovereign, one of the most powerful people alive, just for Aldric’s sake.

The dedication these three showed him was equal parts humbling and terrifying. Aldric had long lived in fear that his friends would pay the price for his problems. It seemed that was becoming more and more likely with each passing day.

“Enough with that face, Aldric.” Zasia grabbed his hand and put it between her own, settling them in her lap. “We are, as always, with you all the way. Say whatever you like, but you’re stuck with us. Permanently.”

“We have always been stronger together than apart,” Kedrin added. “We knew it would probably come to this one day, and have been preparing accordingly. There are now more resources at our disposal than ever before, and we will not be easily bested.”

“I had sworn many years ago to protect all of you,” Balrus said. “Any oaths that came after that place second in my eyes. Merely say the word, and I will do all I am able.”

Aldric scanned each of their faces and found nothing but determination. He swallowed past the lump in his throat before finally saying, “Right, if you’re all done with the mushy nonsense, what are we actually going to do?”

His tone didn’t match the snark of his words. He tried to ignore how hot his face felt as all three of them chuckled together.

“We have an important question to answer, though,” Kedrin said, bringing them all back on topic. “What should we do for now? I imagine trying to move Aldric again would only bring more attention down on us. This school may officially be politically neutral, but we still have to rub shoulders with important people just to keep it that way.”

“In all likelihood, there are spies within the academy, as there would be in any influential organization,” Zasia added ominously. “Even if we were to do our best to stamp out all rumors, so many nobles being in the same place means we’re going to miss information leaks occasionally. I believe our approach should be less reactive and more proactive.”