"The mortals still think they're honoring the balance, don't they?" A ponderous male voice echoed around a cave.

"If you consider ignoring the wisdom of some of our chosen honoring the balance, then they're doing an admirable job." A female voice replied with a hint of laughter.

"Shall we implore Vaelion to intercede?" A third voice croaked. "This at least touches on his wheelhouse, so he should be willing to do something."

"Wouldn't he want to give them more time to fix their mistake, Orhalis?" Another female asked in a quiet voice.

"They have had four centuries to rebalance themselves. Ever since we stepped in and compelled them to create that school." A sageous voice replied.

"If Vaelion doesn't want to step in, we should descend to the mortal realm and burn it all down and start again." Another male voice growled.

"Let's not go that far, brother. Our mortals are basically children." A mild voice came from behind the gathered group. "But they do need a small reminder of what it means to be in balance."

"What shall we do, Vaelion?"

"I think the best route would be to intercede with the next round of Wyrmgate entrants. Since you select your favorites, I shall take one of my own this time."

Celestra looked up from her pack as her mother entered her room. She was almost ready to head off to Wyrmgate Hall, the prestigious school that helped people unlock and master their classes. She'd passed the testing the week before allowing her entrance to the academy with a small selection of others who'd managed the same feat. Of course, they still had to unlock their classes and learn how to utilize skills that came with that higher power.

"Hi, Mom." She said, casting a look around the room for anything she'd missed. "Is something wrong?"

The older woman shook her head with a sad smile. "No, I just can't believe my baby is leaving home. Your father wanted to be here to see you off, but he got called up for an important meeting with the Duke."

Celestra shrugged. She was used to her father not being around. He was a decently powered warrior with a highly specialized skill set, so the Duke was always calling on him for assistance with border skirmishes with neighboring kingdoms and Orcs.

"I know he would be here if he could." She replied with little conviction. "I'm sure I'll see him when I return home for the Gift of Fires."

"I know, sweetie. If your father wasn't the man that he is, we wouldn't be able to live as comfortably as we do." The older woman hugged her daughter. "He's certain that you'll follow in his footsteps into the Stoneguard and continue our family's work with the Duke. You know the last four generations of our family have helped the Duke's family keep our part of the border as secure as we can."

"I know, mom. He was the same with Garret when he went off to school, too." She tried not to feel resentful towards her father, since he was doing important work. Part of her wished that her brother had followed their father into the Stoneguard, so she didn't feel as much pressure but her brother had ended up in the Mindforge. He'd come home for brief visits over the last couple of years and was already a formidable artificer.

"Do you think dad will be upset if I don't become a Stoneguard?" she asked, hoping she didn't sound too desperate.

"Your father will still love you no matter what. And he might bluster about family tradition, but he really does just want you and your brother to be happy. Besides, the Duke does employ more than just Stoneguards."

Celestra gave her mom a quick smile. "Let's hope I don't disappoint dad too much then. I should head out to catch the wagon to school. See you at the Fires?"

"Travel safe, sweetie, and write when you can." Her mother gave her an almost rib crushing hug before letting her go. "See you at the Fires."