by Phoebe Brown
“That’s a long time from now.” She replied, “And there’s no guarantee that I will even be chosen.”
“I have faith in you.” He said pinning her with a serious look, “Do you doubt yourself?”
“Do you not?” she asked, “I can tell you I don’t know what everyone does around here.”
She was ashamed to say it, but she didn’t know how else she would find out if she didn’t ask.
“I knew that, and it’s been bothering me. I thought the Templars of all people would have taught you all this.” He said a bit irritated.
“They tried” she replied, “I didn’t make it into the standard to learn the depths of the power within the Guilds. Still, even if they wanted to teach me, I was more interested in being a warrior than anything else.”
She looked down at her hands which she had been clutching in her lap.
“I see.” he continued, “Orphans aren’t allowed to become masters.”
“We aren’t.” She replied.
“I can teach you,” he continued, “if you teach me to fight.”
“You would?” she asked, “But why?”
“If you don’t learn Gaia,” he said, “you’ll never understand what’s going on in our classes.”
She chuckled nervously as her thoughts moved to earlier in the day when the headmistress had been rambling on about the Dorylus. She had been completely clueless.
“Do you know the origins of our powers?” He asked.
“Only a bit.” She whispered.
“The story is commonly told.” he started, “The Gods Solin, Ceno, Dhor, Shanto, and Adrine came to our world to live among human beings.”
“I know that much,” she interrupted.
“They lived alongside us human beings but then they began to war against each other over territory and so Lod, the God of Gods commanded each to choose a region. Soon, they were divided and began to rule over the human beings who they lived amongst. After hundreds of years, they decided to leave us but before they left, they decided to bestow powers on the human beings they left behind to rule.”
“So, they chose who they would give power to?” She asked.
“Somewhat,” Kirk replied, “the gods gave powers to everyone they ruled over. The people decided if they would use their powers. Those who chose to master their powers became stronger and those who didn't use it lost it.”
She was surprised to hear this.
“And what about the Cenobytes?” She asked, “Why don’t they have powers?”
“They were excluded because they have been protected by Lod all these years. Power doesn’t come solely from the ability to do supernatural things.” He said, “Power also comes from being able to control one’s self and others. I believe that’s a Cenobyte saying.”
She smiled and nodded. Master Morrel had taught her that one at an early age, but she hadn’t quite taken to it.
“How do the powers work?” She asked.
“I am a Mistral,” he said, “it means that all my senses are heightened. I can see as far as the horizon, hear things that are happening inland and feel the winds from other lands.”
She sat up for a moment.
“You can hear everything everyone says?” She asked wondering if he might have heard what his grandfather had said the night before.
“The powers have limitations.” He said, “If Mistrals use their powers too long or too often, they can lose the sense they abuse. I can go blind or deaf. I can lose all feeling.”
She shook her head wondering how he did it.
“Khar is a Dorylus.” He continued, “She’s a master manipulator. She could convince you to jump to your death if she wanted to.”
His words made her laugh. Sweet Khar was too unassuming to do anything so menacing.
“They’re like that by design.” He continued, “The more unassuming a predator, the more reckless a prey. Don’t worry, she hasn’t used her powers on you. Her weakness is that she feels all the emotions she interferes with. She too feels the fear she inflicts on others. I think that’s enough for her to not use it too often.”
Gaia felt a deepening sense of respect for Khar.
“Tafari?” she asked wondering if his powers were as troubling.
“He is the most interesting to me.” Kirk admitted, “He can control the weather. He can make it rain for days on end with little effort.”
“Have you ever seen him do it?” she asked.
“As a matter of fact, I have.” He replied with a wistful smile, “I wanted to prevent my father from leaving the palace once and Tafari made it snow in the middle of summer.”
Gaia couldn’t help laughing.
“Does it hurt when he uses his power as well?” She asked.
“Strangely, he should have headaches.” He replied, “But he seems almost immune to the side effects of overuse. The Shango people are interesting.”
She nodded thinking of how eccentric Tafari was.
“Helen is the least volatile. She might look tame, but she is the strongest of us all because she controls the four elements: water, fire, earth, and air. She can crush you with her a flick of her hand.”
Gaia’s eyes shot to his face and she realised he was smiling.
“You really are trying to scare me.” She said.
“She really can do it.” He replied with a shrug, “Her weakness is that she cannot use her power if she is overwhelmingly angry. To be the most effective, she must always be at ease.”
Gaia smiled as she thought of Helen’s serene smile and beautiful face.
“I don’t fit in.” She said after some time.
“Power without control is chaos.” Kirk said with more conviction than she had ever felt, “The king might lead us Gaia, but he is useless without his generals.”
She nodded thinking of how the masters had always insisted that they learn to be level-headed in times of crisis. They had spent half their lessons on self-control and now she understood why. These powerful people had little control over how their powers affected them.
“Thank you for teaching me.” She whispered.
“It was a selfish thing,” he said, “what you know will help us all.”
His words were sincere and suddenly she was once again shy.
“I should go,” she said, “we have a long day tomorrow.”
“I’ll walk you back.” He said.
“Thank you.”
They exited the garden and she felt a sudden sense of loss which was unusual. As they moved towards the main corridor, she saw Lu Radock walking towards them. When he saw her, he let out a sigh of relief.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he said, “Kun Solomon needs to speak with you.”
Kirk flashed her a curious look.
“Why?” she asked
“He’ll let you know when you get there.” Lu Radock said.
She was wary of the servant, but she didn’t want to give any impression that she knew what he was.
“Very well.” She replied looking over at Kirk, “I will see you in the morning Prince.”
She knew Kirk would be a bit put off that she had used his official title, but she wasn’t sure exactly how to address him when there were others around. As they walked away, she could see the quizzical expression on his face. If only he knew what she knew.
High Lord Solomon’s office was not far from Kirk’s garden. The room was a massive semi-circular room with bookshelves that went all the way to the ceiling. There was a single table in the centre with two chairs, one in front and one behind. The old king was standing at the bookshelf when she walked in.
“Kun Solomon.” Lu Radock said.
The man didn’t turn to face her, but she watched as Lu Radock retreated to the door. She understood now what was happening, she was trapped in this room. She inhaled slowly and looked around. There were five ways to subdue both men with little effort if needed. With that assurance, she stepped forward.
“Ahh, the Cenobyte.” Solomon said i
n a low measured tone as he turned to face her.
He had a sinister look in his eyes. She took a step towards the massive desk in the room and glanced lazily towards the window where she saw the sun making its final descent on the horizon.
“Kun Solomon,” she said respectfully before dipping into a low bow.
“How have you been?” He asked, “I assume you’re settling in fine?”
“It’s only my first day.” She replied, “There is a lot to get accustomed to but I’m confident I will.”
He shrugged as if what she had said made no difference to him.
“I wanted to talk to you about an animal I heard you’ve been seen with.”
She feigned surprise.
“What animal?” she asked.
“A Veclantem” he replied, “They’ve been extinct for over a hundred years.”
“Then surely I couldn’t have been seen with one.” She said mockingly
He seemed surprised at her response but then a smile broke his expression.
“I see, I see,” he said, “children are rarely eager to give up their pets.”
She was about to correct him and tell him she was no child, but she held her tongue. Self-control.
“I have no pets.” She replied, “As I said, if you say the animal has been extinct for over a hundred years, then I couldn’t have been seen with it. I wouldn’t even know what a Veclantun looks like.”
“Veclantem!” He corrected much too sharply, “It’s called a Veclantem and it’s the Elekyrean Eagle. Please do not try to convince me you don’t know what that is.”
“I’m not a liar,” she said, “but the biggest eagle I’ve ever seen was about as tall as a small child.”
She was being honest. The Veclantem was no eagle. Her masters had taught her that a long time ago. The animal was a species of bird that descended from the Shango Dragons. They were ferocious creatures except, they did not breathe fire. She had always assumed they thought so because they’d never seen Roc do it.
She watched as Solomon turned to face her. He was looking at her curiously and she was suddenly on guard. She listened behind her to see if Lu Radock had moved but he had not.
“You’re an odd Cenobyte.” He said, “Nobody can account for a parentage, yet you study in the best Tyrian school.”
“I was fortunate to have been left with Master Morrel.” She replied, “I never said I was a Cenobyte.”
He nodded at her answer but continued to stare at her.
“And your parents were Cenobytes?” he asked.
She shrugged.
“I was left at the temple as a child with nothing but a basket and a blanket.”
“I thought no-one could get to the temple without alerting the Templars.” He said, “Were your parents invisible.”
“I would love to figure it out too.” She replied without hesitation.
It was clear High Lord Solomon was used to having his way, but she was also used to having hers. If it was a battle of wills he wanted, he would get it.
“I love children, don’t you Radock.” He said looking over her shoulder as if she wasn’t in the room.
She ignored the dated power tactic he was using. Not only was he denying her presence, but he insisted on referring to her as a child.
“Will that be all?” she asked casting a purposefully nervous glance towards the windows.
She wanted them to think that their presence overwhelmed her. In all tactics she had studied, it was never good to let your enemy understand just how powerful you were.
“Are you afraid young one?” the old king asked.
He was sneering at her as if somehow pleased to think that he had intimidated her.
“It’s just that I, I have a task tomorrow and I’d like to prepare.” She said adding the stutter to make herself more convincing.
“I see.” He said, “I should let you go, but before you do, what’s this thing between you and my grandson?”
The question threw her off guard. Not only wasn’t she expecting it, but she had no idea how to respond. The prince had told her that he found her interesting but that was not the same as being interested in someone.
“What could there be between the prince and me?” She asked lowering her eyes.
“I was just curious,” the old man said, “the prince is a gem and I wouldn’t want him getting mixed up with the wrong set of people.”
She knew his remark was meant to hurt, and, against her best effort to not let it hurt, it still sent shattering pain through her chest.
“I would assume you mean as a Cenobyte?” She asked.
“An Orphan.” Solomon corrected, “You should always remember that no matter what happens he will always marry a woman of superior birth. Not an orphan from Tyre.”
She would have been hurt if it had been said by anyone else, but she knew Solomon was trying to hurt her. Even if she did have intentions on Kirk, he had no say in how she felt.
“I can guarantee you that whatever you think is there between the prince and I is a mistake,” she said in a low calm tone that betrayed nothing of how she felt inside.
The old king’s nod confirmed her previous suspicion of him. He was still trying to control things from behind the scenes even though he was no longer the king.
“Can I ask you a question?” she asked
“Sure.” He replied,
“How is it that you are no longer the king?” she asked, “you look young and healthy enough to still rule, yet your son sits on the throne.”
His eyes narrowed and she could tell that she had landed on a sore subject.
“I apologize for prying,” she said nervously and apologetically as if she hadn’t meant to say so much. “We don’t get these kinds of news frequently in Tyre.”
“I am no longer King,” he said in a low measured voice, “because I have to step down once my son is of age to rule and as long as the kingdom deems it fit.”
She nodded realising that the king harboured some resentment towards his son for usurping him.
“I see.” She replied, “So which was it? Was he old enough to serve or was the kingdom ready for you to leave?”
Solomon’s head shot up and he stared into her eyes. It took every inch of her self-control not to smile at her small victory. The old man was virtually seething.
“He was of age.” He replied between clenched teeth.
“Oh, that makes more sense.” She said, “I would have had you lead the kingdom much longer if the choice was mine.”
He looked at her thoughtfully and she saw something flash across his face. It was so fast that by the time she noticed the change in his countenance, it was gone and he turned to her.
“I will see you tomorrow.” He said, “I hope you’re ready for the challenge.
“I hope I am too.” She replied.
She turned and walked out of the office slowly. When she was in the hallway, she let out a heavy breath. She looked around and thought for a moment that she had no idea where she should go. Someone took hold of her elbow from behind and urged her on. She was about to protest but when she glanced back, she realised it was Kirk. She followed without a sound.
He led her back in the direction of his personal quarters. This time, instead of going to the garden, he led her onwards and through an opened door. Once inside, she saw that they were in his private chambers.
“Why did you take me here?” She asked.
He held a hand to his lips before shutting the door. When it was closed, he looked over at her again.
“Are you alright?” He asked.
She was too shocked to answer.
His room was massive; much bigger than the one she stayed in. There was a large bed, a shelf filled with books, an enclosed bathing area, a mirror. In one of the corners, she saw a few vials sitting idly in the sun and she began walking towards them.
“Hey, did you hear me?” He asked.
She shook herself out of the trance and faced him.
�
��I shouldn’t be here.” She said.
“What, are you afraid I might have devious intentions towards you?” He asked.
For a moment she was confused and then it dawned on her.
“You were listening!” She whispered.
“Of course I was!” He insisted.
“But why?” She asked.
His smile faded and she could tell that something was up.
“Kirk.” she said, “Is there something wrong?”
“It’s nothing.” He replied, “Are you alright?”
She nodded and turned away from him.
“I’m worried about you.” He said, “I don’t like that my grandfather has taken an interest in you. I would warn you to stay as far away from him as possible. He’s a good man but he likes to control the lives of those he loves.”
He didn’t have to tell her twice. Still, she wanted to know why he felt the need to tell her all this.
“Why would he want to know about my pet?” She was hesitant to ask but she’d assumed by his actions that the room they were in was impenetrable from outside listeners.
“I don’t know.” Kirk replied, “His interest in your parents also strikes me as odd.”
That had puzzled her as well. Kirk crossed the room and came to stand next to her.
“Gaia.” He said, “Be careful in the palace, if anything happens, just whisper my name and I will find you.”
He said the words with such conviction that she couldn’t help the sudden flurry of butterflies in her stomach. It was becoming increasingly hard to ignore how powerfully she was drawn to him.
“I will.” She whispered.
Kirk said nothing else. Instead, he walked over to the door and opened it. They left the room together and he walked her to the edge of the female dormitories. It was as far as any male student could go.
“Goodnight.” He said before turning and walking away.
She watched him for a few moments before turning and rushing towards her room. Lolita was nowhere to be found and she remembered that she had gone into the town to get clothes for her. As she undid the latches of her dress, she remembered that she was wearing the necklace that Master Morrel had given to her. After opening all the latches on her dress, she was left in her chemise with the necklace hanging on the outside. She clutched the red stone in her hand and felt an overwhelming pressure beginning to fill her.