Dread Mage

"Ah, the college of Eraf. Lots of important scholars and mages have been educated here. I've attended a few summers here too long ago. I wonder if they recognize me." Vell said.

Sonder didn't remember if she had ever been to a place such as the College of Eraf.

In the distance, she could see that it was a giant building made of stone, with many parts held up by large white pillars.

But she couldn't imagine that she would have been. From what she remembered and could figure out through context, she was just a farm girl, nothing more.

When they were close, it suddenly got a lot colder, and a good distance from the gates made of some golden material, Vell stopped.

"That's strange..." he said.

"What is?"

"The gates are closed," and then he realized that Sonder wouldn't know what that would be strange, "the Eraf slogan is 'Our gates are always open'. They only close them for special events, such as celerations, or when there is something dagerous going on inside the collge that shouldn't reach the outside. Now, Sonder, do you have any ideas why they would be closed?" He asked her.

Sonder thought for a moment and looked around. "There don't seem to be any kind of festivities. If not, then that only leaves the danger, right?"

"That's quite right. Good job," he pointed forward. "The college is sealed off, completely. Nothing can get through. The power of multiple of their strongest mages has been used to create a barrier."

"The gate?" Sonder asked.

Vell laughed, "No, that wouldn't be secure at all."

He hunched down and put his hands on Sonder's face, "Att Ver." And then removed them.

When Sonder next looked to the college, there was a giant blue-ish barrier surrounding it, which started just a bit before the gates and rose far into the sky, like a bubble.

She wondered at the barrier for a moment, straining her neck against the sky. "Should we return another time?"

He scratched his chin, "...No. I have a bad feeling about this, and I want to see what's going on. You'll come with me, right?"

"Yes," she responded.

"Take my hand, then?" He stretched it out.

She took it, and he pulled her close to him, in an embrace.

"Pac Urm Eraf College." Vell said, and the two of them disappeared and then reappeared within the bubble around the college.