A year had passed since Peirft Perot's arrival at the Citadel, and he had become a familiar face among the novices and maesters alike. Despite his initial misgivings, he had found his footing within the ancient halls, his thirst for knowledge driving him forward.

One evening, as the last rays of sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, Peirft found himself in the depths of the Citadel's archives. The air was thick with the scent of ancient parchment and the soft glow of candlelight cast long shadows across the rows of shelves.

Lost in his studies, Peirft was startled when a voice broke the silence. "You look like you could use a break," it said, and he turned to see a fellow novice standing before him.

The newcomer was tall and lean, with dark hair and piercing eyes that seemed to hold secrets untold. His name was Kael, and he had arrived at the Citadel only a few months earlier, his past shrouded in mystery.

"Kael, isn't it?" Peirft said, offering a hesitant smile. "What brings you to the archives?"

Kael shrugged, his gaze wandering over the rows of books and scrolls. "I find solace in the quiet of these halls," he replied cryptically. "And you? What drives you to seek knowledge in the depths of the Citadel?"

Peirft hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I suppose I'm searching for answers," he said finally. "Answers to questions I'm not even sure how to ask."

Kael nodded, his expression thoughtful. "We're all searching for something, aren't we?" he said quietly. "But sometimes, the answers we seek are hidden from us by those who came before."

Peirft frowned, intrigued by Kael's words. "What do you mean?" he asked, but Kael only smiled enigmatically, refusing to elaborate.

As they continued to talk, Peirft found himself drawn to Kael's mysterious aura, sensing that there was more to him than met the eye. And as the evening wore on, he couldn't shake the feeling that their meeting was no mere coincidence, but the beginning of something much deeper and darker.

© WordHeavy