by Phoebe Brown
As she approached a table and reached out to take up a scrap of fruit, someone brushed her hand away. She looked up to find Myren seething at her. For someone who was trained to be tactical, the Cenobyte had no sense of danger. If she had, she would have known better than to touch Gaia.
“Commoners should not touch the king’s food.” Myren said with a pleased glint in her eyes, “Eliza should have been here. You usurped her.”
Gaia’s eyes widened and she looked at the girl as if she had lost her mind. Although they were the only guild of the five that didn’t possess any powers, they had been groomed to be wise leaders and expert fighters. Myren was never wise, she wore her emotions on her sleeves which gave Gaia all the advantage she needed. As she looked at the other girl’s sneering lips, the urge to remind her of her vulnerabilities almost overwhelming.
“Go ahead and embarrass yourself orphan.” Myren teased.
Gaia inhaled, filling her lungs, and sidestepped her. She glimpsed a door at the end of the room and decided that even if it led to Mortoh, the dwelling place of the undead, it was better than being in this room with Myren.
Walking past the students who were milling around the room, she went to the door and opened it gently. She checked to see if Myren was watching her, but the girl had found a new friend and together they were chatting idly at the other end of the room. She didn’t want to attract any attention to herself.
Slipping outside, she found herself on a balcony overlooking a massive garden. She wondered if the sea was close by and in an instant, she got the answer when a wave came slamming against the containing wall. The palace stood firm despite it and she felt a light mist of seawater in the air.
Walking over to the ledge made of stone, she decided to meditate before going back inside. It was guaranteed to calm her emotions that had become more volatile since leaving the temple. It was as if something inside her had been unleashed and she had no way to control it. Her mind flashed to Solomon, the old king and suddenly she felt crippling fear. This wasn’t like her. She had seldom found any challenge she thought to be unconquerable.
Ignoring the knots in her stomach she deftly climbed unto the smooth stone surface, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath centring herself. Doing the moves in this environment was hard but the risk of falling made it more effective. She lowered her centre of gravity and was about to lift and bend one of her feet when she heard something shifting in the air around her.
Peeking out through one eye she realized she wasn't alone on the balcony. She was looking down at the prince who gave her a quizzical look and a smile.
“Are you going to jump?” He asked.
She was both annoyed and embarrassed.
“If you bother me I just might jump.” She replied lashing out a bit too harshly.
This was, after all, the crown prince.
“Well, I guess today is your lucky day.” He replied, “I hear you’re quite fond of jumping.”
Her eyes flew open and she looked down at him. His eyes dared her to deny it but she simply tilted her chin and looked away.
“Why are you skulking in the dark prince?” She asked, “Can't find any friends?”
“Any number of those people would kill to be my friend.” He said comically, “I bet we could even wager who makes a friend first.”
“You have an unfair advantage.” She replied steadying herself.
“What’s that?” He asked.
“I’m already hated by two from my guild and with no parentage or connections, you couldn’t expect me to go up against the beloved prince of the realm.”
She could feel his smile and her annoyance melted away into interest. It was a strange sensation but somehow, she knew he was grinning.
Suddenly she heard the balcony doors swinging open. Someone else had decided to come outside. She opened her eyes and stared quizzically at the boy standing before her. He was much thinner than Kirk but just as tall. His hair fascinated her. It was long, much longer than hers, and braided in a fashion she had never seen before. It was almost as if the strands had been woven together. His skin was the colour of amber but his eyes were bright and brown with flecks of what looked like yellow in the moonlight.
“Is she going to jump?” He asked looking over at Kirk.
“I’m right here!” She insisted.
“Ah, my bad,” he said rubbing his head, “I didn’t want to startle you. Are you going to jump?”
“I may as well now.” She muttered under her breath.
Her plan to come to the balcony for air was not going as well as she thought it would have.
“Who are you?” She asked looking at the newcomer.
“I’m Tafari.” He replied giving her a comical grin, “You?”
“I’m Gaia.” She answered.
“Gaia,” he said reverently as if her name meant something important to him, “ruler.”
His words were whispered reverently, and she felt a small tremor go through her. She could tell Kirk was watching them.
“You two know each other.” She said realising that Tafari wasn’t intimidated by the prince. He seemed almost familiar with him.
“My father is the ruler of Mildac, the nation of the Shango. I’ve been coming here since I was a child.” Tafari replied, “Kirk and I have been friends since then.”
Gaia nodded and was about to crouch into her pose when the door swung open again. Two girls walked out chittering. They stopped short when they saw the scene before them.
“Umm, we should.” One said flashing them conspiratorial looks.
“Don’t go,” Kirk said holding up a hand to stop them.
She watched as he gave his command.
“We were just talking this young girl down from this ledge. Maybe you ladies could be of assistance.” Kirk said giving them a pleading look.
Tafari’s laughter ruined Kirk's ruse and she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.
“Are you really going to jump.” The smaller girl asked worriedly.
She was tiny, almost the size of a child but her eyes were so enchantingly beautiful that Gaia wondered if she could ever look away.
“Uh, no,” she answered wondering why her throat has suddenly felt so dry.
“Good.” The other said with a nervous smile.
She walked over to the ledge and reached up a hand for Gaia to take.
Gaia looked at the outstretched hand for a moment wondering if this was some elaborate prank. She was so used to having only herself to rely on that this person offering her help was new and scary. She looked down at all their faces. It seemed as if they were all waiting to see what she would do. She took the outstretched hand which was much stronger than she had initially imagined. Leaning on the girl's support she jumped to the ground.
“I’m Helen,” she said, “and this is Khar.”
The smaller girl waved and gave a charming smile.
“Why aren’t you inside with the rest of your clan?” Tafari asked.
He seemed overly concerned about her being outside on the ledge alone.
“We don’t get along,” She replied simply.
“I see.” Khar replied, “I guess we’re all a band of misfits.”
Gaia could see tears welling up in the corner of the girl’s eyes and she felt a surge of panic. She had no idea what to do in moments like these.
“Oh, never mind,” Helen said pulling the small girl in for a hug.
Helen turned to them and mouthed.
“She’s the smallest of them.”
Gaia heard muffled laughter from Tafari and Kirk but as she turned to look at them, their laughter turned into coughs. She shook her head and gave them her best disapproving look.
“We should go in,” she said realising that they might draw attention to themselves if more people decided to follow them unto the balcony.
“No-one else will come unto the balcony,” Khar said weakly turning to face them again
“How can you be so sure?” Ga
ia asked.
Everyone turned to look at her and she wondered again if she had put her foot in her mouth.
“You really are a temple dweller aren’t you.” Kirk teased.
She shrugged and looked back at Khar.
“I’m not unwilling to learn.” She said, “I don’t see the point of teasing if you won’t enlighten me.”
“Khar’s gifts allow her to control emotions.” Helen explained, “Before we came out, she forced everyone to feel fear at approaching the balcony. They can't break the spell unless she wills it.”
Gaia felt confused for a second before realization finally hit her. Here she was, surrounded by some of the most powerful children in all the kingdoms and she had no idea what powers they possessed. All she knew was that she possessed none.
Chapter 7
The rest of the night went much better than she could have imagined. Not only had she made friends, but she was also quickly realising that the life she had lived back in the temple was a lonely one. Although at the time she had ignored it, she had longed for companions her age who didn’t resent her.
“Attention!”
The call came from the main entrance and she looked over to see Lu Orel standing in the doorway. He was observing them patiently.
“The ceremony is over.” He said, “You must all retreat to your rooms. Classes begin at dawn.”
Gaia heard the protesting groans, but she didn’t feel the same. In truth, the journey had exhausted her and now she wanted to sleep to get some energy for the following day.
“Off with you now.” He said waving his hands around in the air.
Together they began streaming out of the room and she followed Helen and Khar. She assumed that because they were female, they also lived in the same quarters. Khar stepped aside motioning for her to walk between them. Noticing her intent, Gaia stepped forward and walked with them.
“You’re so tall.” Khar observed, “I’ve never met a girl as tall as you.”
“I have.” Helen replied, “But she is oddly tall for a Cenobyte.”
The attention made her blush. It wasn't something she was used to.
“Maybe my parents were tall.” Gaia replied, “Why are you so short?”
She motioned to Khar who had to take extra steps just to keep up as they made their way down the long hallways towards their quarters.
The boys had gone in the opposite direction after streaming out of the room. Somehow, she had lost track of Tafari and Kirk when they got swept away in the crowd of boys. The thought of Kirk made her stomach do a little flip and she pushed the thought of him from her mind. She decided that she would need to figure out what had caused that. She wanted to prevent it from happening again.
“I’m short, but so are my people.” Khar answered, “We’re short but powerful.”
Gaia didn’t doubt it. She was slowly realising just how disadvantaged she was surrounded by so many powerful people.
“What about you?” She asked turning to Helen.
Gaia thought for a moment that Helen had to be the most beautiful person she had ever seen. She was so good looking that Gaia had noticed many in the room staring at her. The other members of the Anduanna guild had the same lure to them and Gaia wondered what their powers were. Was it the power to make others see them as god-like beings?
“We can control the elements,” she answered, “everything in nature responds to us.”
“Wow,” Gaia replied.
As the hallways became more familiar, Gaia realised that they were almost at her room and the others hadn’t left as yet.
“I’m here.” Helen said pointing to one of the doors along the hall.
Gaia could see other girls walking towards their rooms and her eyes quickly scanned to see where Myren would go. Myren ignored her and stopped at a door a few paces behind her. She didn't think it was wise to ignore someone who thought of her as an enemy.
“And I’m there,” Khar added pointing to the room adjacent to hers.
“Perfect, I’m just next door.” Gaia beamed
“I hope you sleep soundly.” Helen said flashing them all a dazzling smile.
Gaia waited until they were both walking away before going to her room. As she neared her room door, she felt a prickle of apprehension. She spun around expecting to find someone standing behind her but saw no one. She began walking again but the feeling persisted.
Gaia reached her doorway but an urge to keep going filled her. She tried to ignore the strange feeling, but it would not relent. Giving in to her curiosity, she decided to take a chance and see what was beyond her room. She walked further down the corridor and realised she was in a different section of the palace.
As she walked, a steady unseen hand seemed to guide her around corners and past closed doors. She was winded by the time she felt the urge to stop just outside a large open doorway. Peering around the entrance, she realised she was standing outside a library. She was so excited to see the old books that she rushed in.
The library was massive and beautiful. Books clung to shelves that started on the floor and went to the ceiling. They hugged the corners of the room and stood in rows across the floor. Gaia wondered for a moment just how long it would take her to read all these books.
As she walked over to one of the shelves, another sensation of fear gripped her, and she suddenly felt the urge to hide. This time the urge robbed her of the desire to disobey. There was a table in the far corner that didn't seem to get much use. She rushed over to it and crouched beneath, shielding herself from view. The fear that filled her was irrational, but it was real and for whatever reason, it terrified her. She was grateful because, at that moment, she heard muffled footsteps coming into the library.
“Are things in place.” Came the sound of a man's voice.
She recognized the voice, but she couldn't place it.
“Yes, my Lord,” another man replied.
It was Lu Radock and he was addressing Solomon.
There were only two of them and she listened as they shuffled around the room before settling.
“And the girl.” The old King asked.
“She's strange.” Lu Radock replied, “She's a temple orphan with no family.”
The old King was silent, and she wondered what went through his mind when he thought of her. Would he be upset that she was here? Did he hate orphans?
“Everyone has a family Radock.” He said in a measured tone.
“I’ve found nothing.” Lu Radock replied, “I've asked all around the little village. Nobody knows where she’s from. They all remember her as a child but there was never any mention of a family. Just a girl by herself living with the Templars.”
Gaia was shocked that the man had been inquiring into her past.
“Do you want her to be removed?” Lu Radock asked.
Gaia's heart froze. The thought of coming this far only to be sent home chilled her.
“You said he chose her himself?” Solomon asked.
“She was his first choice.” Lu Radock replied, “He let the Templars advise him on the other two.”
“Don't send her away.” Solomon replied, “If she's that impressive I'd like to see what he sees in her.”
Radock was silent.
“Are you thinking she would join us?” He asked.
“If she's good enough she will have no choice.” Solomon replied, “If she's no use to us then we'll leave her be.”
“I would warn you that she's unpredictable.” Radock replied, “She crashed the ceremony on the back of a Veclantem. From what I could tell, it seems she does that kind of thing regularly. I haven’t seen an animal like that since my childhood and certainly never seen it being ridden.”
“The Veclantem are not just wild beasts Radock.” The King said, “If this is as you say it is then she's much more powerful than you understand.”
“What do you mean?” Radock asked.
By now Gaia had stopped breathing. She didn't understand why they were discussing
her and why this felt so sinister. The old King was her enemy. It was her first thought upon seeing him. Now as she crouched behind the table the feeling grew even more intense.
“I can't explain.” Solomon replied, “Just keep an eye on her. Report to me every night. Someone must always be watching her.”
There was a hurried shuffling in the room, and she wondered if they had realised someone was there and would come to seek her out. Fear gripped her and she covered her mouth to muffle her panicked breathing.
The shuffling continued but the sound grew farther and farther away. She realised then that the men were leaving.
“Is everything alright?” Radock asked sounding farther away than before.
“I need to think.” Solomon replied, “Remember my instructions.”
The shuffling faded and she remained still until she felt it was safe to move. Casting a furtive glance around the table, she made sure it was safe before she stood. The fear left her in an instant, but she trembled anyhow.
Brushing away specks of dust that clung to her dress she decided to make a hasty retreat. Before she could move, something on the old table caught her eyes. It was a book. Much older than the others. To her, something about it seemed strange. All the other books on the table were covered in dust but this was clean and dust free.
The book called out to her and she reached down to pick it up. As soon as her hands clasped it, the necklace began to burn. Her first reaction was to throw the book across the room, but her hands wouldn't move. The intensity of the burning grew more powerful and she wondered if she had just fallen into a trap.
The pain was so strong that she almost buckled and fell to the floor. In an instant, something in her mind clicked. Her master had warmed her not to forget what she had learned. She picked her brain as pain racked her body. The burning began to spread, and she fell to her knees.
She had to master herself, master the pain. Taking a deep breath, she tried to ignore the intensity of the pain. She began going through the motions of self-control she had been taught. She let her body go and began to feel the pain ebb. Soon she realised that the necklace and the book were connected but they were only connected because of her. She was in control here but only if she didn’t allow this to cripple her.