It looked like Jak wouldn’t have her choice of seating as Semwei led them to a reserved space. Thankfully, it was in the back, so Jak didn’t have to worry about passing all those people ahead of her. Maybe she could slip out quietly if she needed to. She managed to find an end spot, sitting next to a strawberry-blonde girl with a cheery face she didn’t know.
“All rise!” A clear voice echoed through the cathedral, seeming to fill all the space at once. People obeyed, and wooden benches creaked as everyone stood.
Jak could see the man who spoke, a man wearing red robes at the head of the cathedral, next to some kind of altar. He continued.
“His Holiness, the Royal High Priest, keeper of the sacred Relics, our nameless advocate with the beyond, and advisor to Her Highness the Queen.”
The man stepped back and gestured to one side. Jak looked to see a man dressed in over-the-top ornate robes, though not as decorated as those she had seen on the queen herself. He wore a flowing red robe, laced with silver and gold. His head bore a crown of sorts, though it was shaped like a perfect sphere, markings etched into it. It... it looked like a Relic.
When she finally looked at the man’s face, she recognized him. It was the same High Priest she had met the day before, the counselor to the queen. She hadn’t liked him much then, and she was no more impressed now that he wore all that cerimonial drapery.
The Royal Priest approached the altar, gave a brief nod to the man who had introduced him, then turned to face the audience.
“My dear friends and joint recipients in the blessings of our Holy Relics, welcome. You may be seated.”
Muffled thuds sounded throughout the room as everyone obliged. The Priest extended his hands upward. “Let us pray.”
Everyone started to chant with him.
“Oh, mighty Adam, our father’s father, bestower of Relics, and the architect of magic, we thank thee. We thank thee that we have greater opportunity in life compared to our lessers, that we may use that opportunity for the betterment of all. We thank thee that we are thy holy children. Thou art holy, thou hast made us holy. We pray for thy blessing that we may never stoop to the level of our lessers, that we may remain holy…”
Jak couldn’t believe what she was hearing. These people were actively saying they were better than other people. And it sounded like they were referring to the poor and other less-privileged members of the city.
Jak glanced around at the other students. Most weren’t reciting the pledge, though only because they appeared not to know it from memory. Some, however, like the cheery-faced girl sitting next to her, kept their lips firmly sealed. Semwei, Jak noticed with satisfaction, was among those who said nothing. In fact, the stern mistress looked ever sterner. She clearly did not like this part of the ceremony. So why did Semwei make sure all the students went to church if she didn’t agree with what was said? Perhaps there was more that Jak was missing.
She turned her attention back to the Royal Priest as the prayer ended. His arms lowered, and he met the eyes of people in the congregation. For the briefest of moments, Jak almost thought she saw his eyes linger on her.
“Thank you, my friends. I have here one of the Holy Relics.” He plucked the orb off his head and set it in front of him. “I pray for your faith as we invoke its blessing.”
Jak heard several mutters among the crowd as some of the members expressed their support in hushed tones. Jak, for once, was intrigued. Was the Priest going to activate a Relic right here and now? She wondered what it did?
White light poured from the Priest’s left hand. His brand had activated. Jak couldn’t quite tell what brand it was from her place near the back of the room, but it wasn’t something she instantly recognized. And now that she thought about it, she wasn’t sure she had seen his brand the day before.
Whatever it did, the Relic in front of them began to glow, first only out of the inscriptions it held, but then the whole sphere poured light in every direction.
Cries of joy erupted all around Jak. She looked from one to another. Everyone had a look of pure extacy on their faces. What was…
Then she felt it. Waves of pleasure rushed into her, a warmth so wonderful, so pure, that it had to be divine. She felt it course through her veins, filling every part of her with love and joy and…
An unexpected wave of revulsion replaced the pleasure. She doubled over, clutching at her sides as she felt actual pain. Where she had felt joy, she now felt anger, where there had been peace, she felt a growing sickening discomfort.
Unable to do anything about it, she vomited on the floor to one side. Her classmates yelped and did their best to remove themselves from the blast zone. Though many did not even notice, still caught up in the euphoric waves emanating from Relic.
Jak heaved again, feeling everything she had eaten for breakfast come spilling out of her mouth. She rose to her feet but bent over, facing the floor. When there was nothing left, she kept dry heaving, still feeling nothing but utter disgust. What happened to her?
As suddenly as it had come, the pain and revulsion died. So too, it seemed, did the pleasure received by the rest of the patrons. Only then did those around Jak notice the pool of sick on the ground. Mutters spread from where she crouched, still bent over from the ordeal.
“It would appear.” The cold voice of the Royal Priest cut through the crowd. “That we have a doubter.”
Jak turned to face him. There was uncertainty in his eyes, though that expression quickly vanished. Instead, he smiled and addressed Jak directly. “My child. Tell us your concerns so that we might best convince you of the truth.”
Jak stood straight, wiping a drizzle of vomit from her mouth. Everyone in the building was looking at her. Her classmates had given her a wide berth, and even Semwei looked puzzled. Of all the places to make a scene…
“I... I don’t think I had any doubts,” she lied. “I just must have eaten something spoiled for breakfast. Just that.”
“Oh child, it is far more complicated than that.” The Priest was still smiling but in that unnerving sort of way that she had seen in him the day before. “This is the Relic of Bestowal. It grants each of us an experience that mirrors our commitment to the faith. If you had shown more investment in the words we say here, it would have healed your... spoiled breakfast.”
Every instinct Jak had told her to turn and run out of the building. But a small part of her kept her feet frozen in place. Running would only make things worse. If she was forced into the spotlight, and there was nothing she could do about it, then maybe she could use the exposure to do some good. Breaking eye contact with the Priest, she looked around her.
“I think I understand why people come here,” she said softly. “The Relic, it gives you pleasure. I felt it for a moment there, and I don’t know why I grew sick. If the Royal Priest says it is because I doubt, then maybe that’s true. But I’m confident I’m not the only one here who has issues with the words that have been said.” She spared the briefest glance for Semwei, who narrowed her eyes at Jak.
“And what issues would that be?” said the Priest.
He licked his lips, as if eager for Jak’s response. He knew her story, why was he so eager for her to elaborate in front of all these people? Jak felt it again, the urge to turn and run from this place.
“Putting yourselves above others and those that cannot be here.”
“But surely you understand that our choices dictate what happen to us? We made wise choices, and therefore are here. They made foolish choices, and therefore cannot be here. It is the same as those who choose to be demons. They meddle in magics they cannot understand and bear the consequences.
Jak thought that through, and she could see heads nodding and mutters of agreement throughout some of the richer-looking patrons. “That’s...not right at all. I’ve seen demons, and most of them aren’t Gifters, they couldn’t have mutated themselves without help.”
“So, you’re saying that rogue Gifters are to blame?” The Priest’s smile wi
dened. “Perhaps we should keep closer tabs on those we allow to carry the brand.”
Jak swallowed. She had walked right into that one. She looked at the other students and Semwei. The older woman had her head down, a look of defeat on her face. Several of the others were shaking their heads. They were all Gifters, and Jak had just implied they were a threat.
“I... I didn’t mean it like that.”
“My friends,” The Priest addressed the crowd. “Pay no heed to what this young one has to say. She is young, but furthermore, I know something concerning her story. She arrived only two days ago from Foothold.” A murmur ran through the crowd. “Yes, you’ve heard the reports. A demon army, and other new varieties of demon that some are calling the Fae.”
Jak felt her face grow hot. This was what he had wanted all along. To discredit her in the face of everyone here. She opened her mouth. “But they aren’t…”
“Hush child,” Semwei moved to her side and whispered quietly to her. “You can’t make things better here.”
“As a student of the college, you are all, of course, welcome.” The Royal Priest extended his hands to Jak and the others. “We are grateful for the chance to raise our young ones, so they can avoid the mistakes of the fallen and come with us to partake of the blessings of the Holy Relics. We are here to help you, young Jak.”
Jak looked at him. It was the first time he had used her name. That had been intentional, she realized as she saw the look on his face. Now everyone would hear about the young Gifter who rejected the blessing of the Holy Relic. Even those who weren’t here and couldn’t recognize her face would find out eventually who she was. Her initial impulses had been right, she should have left while she had the chance.
Without another word, she turned on her heal and made a beeline for the door. She didn’t bother to look at anyone. They were all watching her, she knew. Nothing she could do about that now. She used the pedestrian entrance to exit the building, not even bothering to acknowledge the puzzled glances from the two beefy men standing guard outside. She hadn’t liked this place from the beginning, and now she knew that she would never come back. Not if Semwei gave her all the chores in the college.
She eventually stopped at the base of the hill, overlooking the large market square, and feeling the cool wind on her face. Emotions welled up in her, and she felt her eyes burn. She needed to see Naem. He was the only one she could talk to in times like this. Making a right hand turn, she marched towards Watcher High Command.
It wasn’t long before she arrived, and two Watcher guards stood at the entrance to a large complex. Through the door, Jak could see the barracks and training fields. It looked like Foothold, only nicer, and with more space.
“State your business,” one of the Watcher guards said as she approached.
“I’m here to see Sergeant Naem? He’s a Watcher.”
“Does he know you’re coming.”
“Uh... yes. He’s supposed to train me. I’m at the college, but I’m supposed to train with the Watchers. General Wilva said so.” That wasn’t exactly why she was here now, but they didn’t need to know that.
One guard turned to the other and jerked his head behind him. The man nodded and retreated inside. Jak waited in silence, and the other guard said nothing as they stood there together.
A few minutes later, the guard reappeared. Naem was not with him. “I’m sorry, the Sergeant is on pressing business for the General. He is not here.”
“Oh…” Jak felt her shoulders slump.
“I did confirm you’re meant to visit throughout the week,” he said and handed her a small letter. This will get you through the next time you come.”
“Thank you.” Jak accepted the letter. Well, that was something at least.
She traveled back to the college, glancing at the merchants and the beggars lining the streets. None of them gave her a second thought, but she figured that might change once word got out of what happened in the church. It was probably best if she just stuck to her studies. And right now, the library sounded like the best option for her. If she got back soon, she could beat the other students there, grab what she wanted, then retreat to her room. She could only be grateful that there weren’t enough students to warrant giving her a roommate.
When she arrived at the college, only the staff were present. Semwei and the other students were nowhere to be seen. She stepped upstairs and borrowed a large book called The Shape of Branding from the library. Then she took it to her room and sat down to read.
She had had a chance to read through some of the books already, but as before, she realized that she still had so much to learn. The book was full of helpful advice on how to make a brand stick, which was the problem she still dealt with. Of course, she technically could make a brand stick, but then it would cease to function. In the case of the Flamedancer brand, it would cause the subject to explode. She needed to find a way to keep the brand stable.
Turning to the section on Flamedancer brands, she read and soaked up all she could. But it wasn’t long before she was interrupted.
A knock sounded on her door. Jak grimaced. Hopefully, it wasn’t one of the students come to gloat. She rose from her bed and opened the door.
It was Semwei, and she carried a plate of food. Her stern, pale face looked somewhat softer now. “I figured you wouldn’t want to eat with everyone else today. So, I brought you some food.” She held out the plate.
Jak accepted it gratefully. “I... I don’t know what to say. I didn’t want…”
“It’s okay child.” Semwei entered the room and sat down on Jak’s bed, indicating Jak sit next to her. Jak saw no way to refuse so she did as requested. Semwei continued, “the Head Professor told me a few things about you. He didn’t elaborate, but I got the feeling that you were something special.”
“Ugh, why do people keep saying that?” Jak felt her frustration leave her in a huff. “I’m just a kid who had to learn the hard way how to survive. I didn’t want any of this! All I wanted was to come here, learn how to be a Gifter, and return in the summers to visit my... father.” She choked.
Semwei looked unsure of what to do at the moment. Ultimately, she extended an arm and wrapped it around Jak, albeit gingerly, like she half expected Jak to explode.
“I understand,” she said after Jak had a moment to quiet her breathing. “And what that Priest said and did to you… no one deserves that.”
“Why do you even go there? What could they possibly have to offer? Is it the Relic, the one that makes you feel good? Is that why you go?”
Semwei averted her eyes, and Jak almost thought she saw a hint of a shame there. “Perhaps,” she said after a pregnant pause. “It wasn’t always like this. The Church of the Holy Relics was once something true and pure. Now it is only a large branch off a dead tree. But some truth can still be found there, from time to time.”
Jak considered that. Yes, she supposed it was really the Priest who was the problem. Jak didn’t know the church well enough to understand their core doctrines. She knew a few things about the Annals of Adam, and she had no doubt that those words, at least as they had originally been given, came straight from their father’s father. But that clearly had nothing to do with what the Priest taught now.
“I think I would rather look for the truth elsewhere.”
Semwei nodded. “I would normally ensure that all of our students go. It’s important to at least be aware of such things.” Jak opened her mouth to protest, and Semwei put up a hand. “But... I am willing to make an exception after today. I don’t know what happened when you felt the power of the Relic of Bestowal, but I’m sure you don’t want to risk it happening again. But don’t let that make you think that you can shirk off in other areas of the college. I expect you to do all your chores and attend all your classes. Is that understood?”
Jak nodded. At least Semwei was understanding if a bit uptight.
“Well then, I’ll leave you to your studies. There’s some learning to be had in tha
t one.” She indicated the book Jak had open on the bed. “I trust you to take full advantage of that fact.”
Then she left, leaving Jak feeling at least a little better than before. She quickly did as instructed and took up her reading again. The Flamedancer brand, probably the brand Jak was most familiar with by now, even though she had yet to get it right. So, what exactly was the problem?
She scanned each page closely. One paragraph stood out to her. ‘The Flamedancer brand requires a few unique behaviors during its branding. Unlike most brands, the Flamedancer requires a more fluid imagination, not unlike the flames it represents. Where some brands require the Gifter to imagine them with complete detail, the Flamedancer brand requires an extra step. First, imagine the brand in its entirety, then imagine it like a flame, dancing…’
This was new to Jak, who had never heard of any other conditions to specific brands. Perhaps that was the reason why she had never managed to make it stable. Did the other brands have extra conditions like this? And if so, why hadn’t Gabriel mentioned them? Perhaps he was just planning on doing so later.
This could be the link she was looking for. Could she? She almost scrambled out of bed right then, but soon slumped back down. Students weren’t allowed to practice branding outside of the classroom.
But the more she sat there, the more she realized that she couldn’t put it off. She had to know. She had to practice.
Tiptoeing outside, she managed to avoid most of the others as she found a small tree and picked up a dead branch lying next to it. When back in her room, she broke it up into several pieces and readied some water and her blankets, just in case it didn’t work again, and the small wood chips erupted in flame.
Taking the first chip, she laid it on the stone floor and touched it lightly with one finger. Closing her eyes, she ran through the motions. The first step was to speak true to oneself. She usually went with something mundane like ‘I felt uncomfortable today.’ which worked like a charm in this case. The brand on her left hand began to glow with a bright light.
Growing Ripples: An Epic YA Fantasy Adventure (Roots of Creation Book 2) Page 4