"Peter? Peter Om?"
Hailey confirmed it. "That's the name, all right. Word is he's a rank-one full-fledged Mage. Molan is the biggest city on this stretch of coast, and some of its resources are vital to the Om family, so they couldn't just abandon it the way they did the ordinary towns. The family headquarters sent a full-fledged Mage to guard the resources."
Shirley caught the odd note in Adam's voice and asked, "You know this Magefoe?"
Adam didn't explain. He simply agreed. "I'm in. But is it just the three of us?"
Hailey frowned. "More people would be better, of course—he's a full-fledged Mage, after all. But my sister and I don't trust anyone else, and the people in the War League are just too insufferable, so..." Afraid Adam would decide it was too dangerous and back out, she rushed on, "My sister and I are strong! The magic we work together is only a tiny bit short of a real Mage's!"
Shirley was more careful than her sister. Her eyes went to the pendant at Adam's neck, and she said with confidence, "That's an active seal crystal at your chest, isn't it?"
Adam nodded and reached up to close his hand around the pendant.
"Which means you're an apprentice past the critical point. But my sister and I together are no weaker than you."
