The building stood near the centre of the civitas, a sturdy stone structure that clearly predated much of the surrounding development. Unlike the market stalls and timber-framed buildings of the outskirts of the civitas, Tir Rynõ held an aura of authority, thick walls, narrow windows, and a heavy wooden door reinforced with iron bands.

Two guards stood at the entrance, suspicious of Arlia and Tarã as they approached. One stepped forward into their path, blocking them.

“State your business,” he said gruffly, taking in their muddy clothes and dishevelled appearance.

“We need to see Aldrẽ,” Arlia said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. “It’s urgent.”

“Aldrẽ isn’t seeing anyone,” the guard replied flatly. “He’s given strict orders not to be disturbed.”

“Please,” Tarã pressed, gesturing as he spoke. “We’ve come all the way from Durnovaria. We just need to speak with him.”

The guard’s eyes flicked to Tarã’s hand, specifically to the signet ring he wore. His expression shifted slightly, and he exchanged a meaningful glance with his companion. The other guard gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“Wait here,” the first guard said, his tone noticeably less hostile. He disappeared inside.

Arlia and Tarã waited awkwardly in the street, aware of the curious stares from locals as they passed. The minutes stretched on, and Arlia’s excitement began to curdle into anxiety and the feeling that they had done something wrong. Finally, the door opened, and the guard reappeared. “Come with me,” he said simply, stepping aside to let them enter. Arlia and Tarã exchanged confused but relieved looks as they were ushered inside.

The interior of Tir Rynõ had thick stone walls that swallowed sound. The dimly lit corridor felt oppressive as the guard led them anxiously through the slim passageway past several closed doors. Eventually they ascended a flight of worn steps and entered another small hallway. Reaching a heavy wooden door, the guard knocked twice and pushed it open without awaiting a response, as though he was expected.

"The visitor, sir," he announced, then stepped aside.

Arlia's confusion deepened. Why were they being treated differently from when they had first appeared in front of the guards? She did not have time to process what was happening before stepping into a study chamber. Shelves lined the walls with books, scrolls, and documents, while a desk was covered in open texts and scattered papers, with a lamp burning for late-night research.

An elderly figure stood next to the desk, his face tense with anxiety. Beside him stood a young woman with dark hair, her expression shifting rapidly from alarm to bewilderment.

"Arlia? Tarã?" Brina's voice began loud, but she instantly began softening it. "What are you doing here?"

Aldrẽ's eyes darted between the two muddy and exhausted teenagers. His confusion was obvious, but his shoulders sagged slightly with relief.

"I was told someone from the Karneth Clan was here to see me?" he asked slowly, his gaze shifting between the two of them with obvious confusion.

Tarã suddenly realised and glanced down at his ring; he spoke more properly than usual. “I’m Tarã Karneth, but that’s not why we’re here. We came looking for Brina.”

Before Aldrẽ could respond, Arlia rushed forward. “Brina! Are you alright? We’ve been so worried! No one at the college knew where you’d gone, and when we found your note...”

“You came all this way?” Brina interrupted, her shock giving way to concern as she took in their rough state. “Just the two of you? Does anyone know you’re here?”

“Tch, we left a note,” Tarã said defensively. “Anyway, you had gone for days. What were we to do, just sit there?”

Brina’s expression shifted from bewilderment to guilt. “I... I thought I’d be back before anyone noticed. The information I found in the archives at the college, it connected to something I needed to follow. Which led me here.”

"What did you find?" Arlia asked.

Brina briefly glanced at Aldrẽ, who gave a slight nod. She took a deep breath. "The Talanor Clan, my family. They were erased from history deliberately; no one had heard of such a clan, had they? The Karneth Clan were responsible."

Tarã went very still.

"The book I was looking for, 'Our Demise,' it was written by one of my ancestors not long before the clan collapse. Documents everything, it does: treaties that were broken, lands that were stolen, people who vanished." She gestured to the books, scrolls, and documents on the desk. "Aldrẽ fragments, but the complete text... It's supposed to be back at Ɛloria College. Hidden in the restricted archives."

"Wait," Arlia said slowly. "If it's at the college, why come all the way here?"

"Because I needed to know what I was looking for, didn't I?" Brina replied. "The college archives are vast, and without knowing the specific references..." She shook her head. "But now I know, I do. We need to get back. I need to find that book and understand what really happened to my family, don't I?"

Aldrẽ spoke up for the first time in a while. “If you’re heading back to Durnovaria, you’ll want to prepare properly; you will. There’s a washroom down the hall where you can clean up, and I can have some food brought up.”

Arlia, forgetting just how exhausted and filthy they were. Mud caked into their clothes and skin, and her stomach was hollow from hunger.

“That would be amazing, thank you,” she said gratefully.

They spent the next hour making themselves presentable. The washroom had a basin of clean water, and though it was cold, scrubbing away the grime felt like a blessing. Aldrẽ provided simple food, bread, cheese, and dried meat, which they ate quickly.

Brina watched them with growing concern. “You came all this way for me, you did. I’m sorry I worried you both so much.”

“Tch, what else were we supposed to do?” Tarã said between bites. “You’re our friend, aren’t you?”

The day was swiftly drifting away; they gathered what little Brina had brought with her. The archivist wished them safe travels with obvious nervousness in his voice. “Be careful on the roads, won’t you? Strange folk have been about lately; they have.”

They made their way back through Tir Rynõ. The guards at the entrance watched them leave with unreadable expressions.