Night had already cast her shadow over Fiyorin, as Aidan continued to sort through his spells. Only a season ago, he had been promoted from Journeyman to full mage, and he had been working past sunset ever since. Aidan yawned as he separated his beginner fireball spells from the more mana demanding advanced spells. The candlelight flickered, and the words on the scrolls became more and more blurred. He rubbed his eyes, and continued sorting.

The door opened and Aidan turned around stifling a yawn. Libelle stood in the doorway, she was wearing a robe, and was continuously yawning, all the while an expression of disbelief on her face.

"Aidan, did you not remember it is your shift for guarding the Dragon's Claw?" She demanded crossing her arms. Aidan put down his scrolls, and stood up.

"Yes, my shift is not until the Witching Hour." He protested stiffly . Libelle sighed and shook her head in disappointment.

"It is the Witching Hour, as ." Aidan yawned again, flicked the candle flame out, and followed Libelle reluctantly, glancing back at his quiet, dark and inviting room. "Try to stay awake." She turned onto the Journeyman corridor, and without a backward glance, disappeared into the dark.

Aidan continued to the Great Hall, where the Dragon's Claw, the symbol of the fire mages, was kept. The pedestal on which the Dragon's Claw sat was engraved with flames reaching up towards the Claw. The Claw itself was a curved golden claw, said to have belonged to the first dragon, Drache. It was they symbol of the Order of the Dragon, had been with the Order since its founding.

Aidan passed Payur in the Hall, and quickened his pace. He couldn't stand the other mage.

"Almost on time. Aidan, I think this is the first time you have ever been late for anything." Payur stretched, grinning. Aidan shrugged in response, and nearly ran to the Great Hall. He glanced around the Hall, checking for any unlikely intruders, then headed towards the chair a few feet from the pedestal.

Aidan took his place beside the Dragon's Claw. The Hall was dark, silent and peaceful. He leaned back in his chair, yawning, and closed his for a moment. He thought, drifting off to sleep.

A shadow moved across the hall, scanning for any possible obstacles. Nothing. The hall was dark, and empty. The shadow crept closer, but nearly tripped over the edge of the overly decorated carpet. Slowly the shadow approached the sleeping mage, and raised his dagger.

Aidan heard someone approaching, and sleepily opened his eyes. The shadowy figure in front of him hesitated, holding a dagger. Instinctively, Aidan shot a quick stream of fire. The shadow dodged it, getting slightly singed in the process.

".Someone hel." Quickly, the figure struck him across the face with the hilt of his dagger, and raced towards the Claw. Aidan fell, crashing into a nearby table, and causing several glass vases to shatter on the ground.

The shadow disarmed the protective spells around the Claw, and ran for the outer gates. The fire mages on duty watched the shadowy figure run, and shot several streams of fire. Surprisingly, they all missed, and the shadow escaped over the wall. Several mages ran into the Great Hall, illuminating it with flame. Libelle hurried over to Aidan.

".." Aidan winced and waved an arm at the pedestal of the Dragon claw. All eyes followed, landing on the empty pedestal. Payur knelt beside Libelle.

"Aidan, where is the Dragon's Claw?" He demanded urgently. Aidan's arm dropped, and he fell back. Payur cursed and stormed over to the empty pedestal. He could see nothing out of the ordinary. Several sparkles suddenly caught his eye, and he peered closer. Water droplets.

Libelle shook Aidan, looking over at Payur. "What's wrong? Where is the Dragon's Claw?" She gasped, and turned back to Aidan.

"Aidan! Aidan! Where is the Claw? What happened?"

"It's gone." Payur spat, glaring at Aidan.

High Mage Darnus swept into the Great Hall, examining the scene. He was the oldest and wisest of the Order of the Dragon, and undisputedly the strongest mage in the area. Payur and Libelle immediately bowed and moved aside as the great mage looked around. "Who do you suspect?" He croaked, investigating the pedestal.

" Mages, perhaps." Payur answered nervously. "I found a few water droplets at on the pedestal." Darnus nodded sagely.

"And how is he?" Darnus asked looking pointedly at the peacefully sleeping mage. Payur and Libelle glanced at each other.

"Just a slight blow to the head, he'll be fine." Libelle answered eagerly. Darnus nodded again.

"When he awakens, we will find out what happened."