The door slams behind her as she storms off. There are a lot of young Guild members around trying not to stare. “Uh... Ms. DeLuc?” A young Elf approaches her.

“What!?” Trillian snaps at the Elf, who is now shaking.

“I was uh... Well, you see...” He tried to speak, but chose the worst time to do it. Trillian had just had an argument with her best friend Fredrich, something that seems to be happening quite often these days. “I needed some help... with a spell...”

“Not. Now.” Young, frightened Guild members cleared a path for her. She walked to the same place she always goes to cool off, a small arena in the Warrior's Guild where her father once tested new applicants. This arena has since become obsolete with the Guild's emergency open door policy. She sat in the empty bleachers and buried her head in her hands.

“Why the long face?” The only other person who still used this place limped in using a cane. At one time he wore powerful, heavy armor and wielded an equally powerful sword, but now he's just a crippled old man.

“Hi dad.” Trillian looked up to see her father Jocken DeLuc sit beside her.

“What's on your mind kiddo.” Trillian had always looked up to her father. He was known worldwide as a dragon slayer and was the winner of the Champion's Tournament, but was also extremely kindhearted and loyal.

“It's just all this pressure on me.” Trillian said. “I really can't take it. The Guildmasters lock themselves up in their office all day and night, only showing up to give orders once a week, and expect me to handle every little problem that pops up! Eblan and Jenny are supposed to be handling the load with me, but they're too caught up in their own stupid misadventures to  actually give a crap about the war! Don't even get me started on Freddy”

“Hm... There isn't an easy solution to your problem.” Jocken said. “You know I'm always here to help, but in my condition all I can offer are my words. I'm sure your mother would help too, if it weren't for the fact that she volunteered to look after the refugees.”

“The problem is... I don't think I want help, if that makes any sense.” Trillian said. “I've been spending the past ten years trying to carve my own path, and not just following you or mom. I want to prove how strong I am once and for all.”

“You don't have to prove yourself to anyone.” Jocken said. “Let those losers say what they want, everyone who matters already know you're the best.” Trillian smiled just as a bird flew in and dropped a letter on her lap.

“The Guildmasters want to talk to me.” She sighed after reading the letter.

“We can finish talking later.” Jocken said. “Give'em hell kid.”

---

Trillian entered the main Guild hall, where the Guildmasters have shut themselves inside. “You called?” The annoyance in her voice wasn't very subtle.

“Sorry it's been so long since we last talked to you.” Arkhos, master of the Warrior's Guild, said. “But there has been some troubling discoveries lately.”

“Yeah, we found out this Necromancer leading the whole invasion has had spies inside the Guilds for an undetermined amount of time.” Said Ladron, leader of the Thief's Guild.

“We caught one two days ago.” Magier, leader of the Mage's Guild said. “He killed himself with a poison pill before we could interrogate him.”

“And you think there's more?” Trillian said, all bitterness left her when she realized the seriousness of the situation.

“Unfortunately it gets worse.” Ladron said.

“The spy had an unusual form of magic coursing through it's body.” Magier said. “It was unlike anything I have ever seen. The spy's body changed as it died.”

“What?” Trillian felt her heart sank as she realized what has happened.

“For all we know they could be impersonating anyone.” Arkhos said.

“How do I know it's really you then?” Trillian said, slightly panicked. “Tell me something that only you would know.” The Guildmasters looked at each other.

“I got nothing.” Ladron shrugged.

“Hm... I don't believe an impostor would know about the time when you were thirteen and came to me for advice.” Magier said. “You were very upset about a rather unusual dream you had about Je-”

“Okay, I believe you!” Trillian yelled. “Now shut up!” Magier smiled as the other two looked confused. “What do you want me to do.”

“Pay close attention to all Guild members.” Arkhos said. “If anyone one does anything out of the ordinary, bring them in.”

“Also, tell Eblan to set up a good stealth team.” Ladron said. “Have them hang in the shadows and watch out for these scumbags.”

“Be careful.” Magier sternly said. Trillian nodded her head and left.

---

“You have got to be kidding me.” Trillian leaned on the door. She could feel things starting to fall apart. Now she can't even trust guild members?

“Um, excuse me ma'am...” The young Elf mage from earlier walked up to her.

“Hm? Oh, I'm sorry about earlier.” She said. “I'd be happy to help you.” At least she had her students, she thought. Something was looking up for her. “What kind of spell did you need help with?”

“Well...” It was then that Trillian noticed that no one else was around. “The kind that can be used to kill you.” He smiled as his skin peeled off and hair fell out. Trillian glared at the spy as he revealed himself.

“Oh, you really picked a bad time.” Trillian gripped her staff tight as she started to glow red with Mana.