They retreated down the way they had come, then Amelia split off to go find Semwei. Jak and Naem ran up another hallway where they had last seen Estel.
“You don’t suppose she took the Relic with her?” Jak asked Naem as they ran.
“No, the door was still mostly shut, and it didn’t look like she was carrying anything.”
That was something at least. But still, they needed to see where Estel was going, and perhaps discover why she was there in the first place.
The passage they ran through eventually led to the courtyard. “This way,” Jak said. “She probably made for the exit.” They ran as fast as they could to close the distance, eventually making their way out the exit to the crowded street beyond.
Jak peered at the rise in the street, leading up to the main square and the castle. Dozens of people lined the streets, but through a stroke of luck, Jak caught a glimpse of someone stumbling away from them at the top of the hill.
“There!” she pointed.
Naem followed her gaze and started forward. Jak followed, finally arriving at the top of the street.
From there, they had a much clearer vantage point. Not far ahead, they saw Estel taking uneven steps away from the college. She looked like she could be headed towards Watcher High Command, though the market square and the Palace were in the same direction.
Now that they had a clear view of the culprit, Jak and Naem kept their distance. It didn’t help that Estel kept glancing behind her as if searching for followers.
So they kept to the busy areas of the street, pretending to be interested in the merchant’s shops. But Jak barely lets her eyes break away from Estel. They followed her until they entered the main market square, which was so busy they almost lost her. But Estel was limping, and that made it easier to find her again.
“Look!” Naem said after a few more minutes. “She’s not going to the Watcher camp.”
Jak saw that he was right. Estel was climbing the switchbacks that led to the palace and the cathedral. Those were the only two destinations in that direction. They followed as far as they could, but the gates to the ornate buildings were guarded by several of the city’s militia. They might have made it through with a good excuse, but they had none. So instead, they watched Estel disappear above them.
“There aren’t too many people she could have gone to see up there. Probably the queen or the Royal Priest.” Jak felt her brow furrow with worry. “You think she’s going to tell them about the Relic?”
“I think it’s likely she already told them,” Naem said, still looking up where they had last seen Estel. “I’d say they probably sent her to get it, or even more likely to use Estel as a way of testing Gabriel’s defences.”
“Meaning, they probably knew that Estel would fail.”
Naem nodded, but he looked troubled. “That doesn’t explain everything though. I mean, Gabriel could just hide the Relic somewhere else, so maybe Estel wasn’t supposed to try and take it yet.”
They stood there, thinking it through before Jak said. “We should probably head back soon.”
“Oh, you can go. I actually have to go back to Watcher High Command for duty. Are you going to drop by sometime?” His face looked hopeful.
Jak smiled, glad to have Naem back. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Naem smiled back. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“I mean, I literally can’t miss it because General Wilva orders me to be there, so…”
Naem laughed. “Okay I get it, well I look forward to seeing you all the same.”
Heat rose in Jak’s cheeks. “Me too.” was all she managed to say before Naem turned away.
They split as Jak returned to the college and Naem left to join the other Watchers. Jak didn’t like the worry that replaced the butterflies in her stomach. Who was Estel reporting to, and what were they planning? She really wished Gabriel was around, but he spent most of his time now away from the college, coming back only for short breaks to relax and restock. Who knew when he would be back.
Hopefully, he would come before whoever was pulling strings in the palace made up their minds on what to do next.
9
Semwei, to her credit, did not take the intrusion into Gabriel’s room lightly. She set up regular rotating schedules for one of the teachers to constantly watch the area until Gabriel returned. Jak and Amelia both volunteered to help out, but Semwei refused, warning them that Gabriel’s wards were “too dangerous for those with less experience.”
Jak was pretty sure she knew enough about wards to navigate them safely, as long as she didn’t try to enter the room itself. But honestly, she was grateful for the rejection. It just gave her more time to learn and practice.
She was getting better too. Brands came naturally to her now, and she had successfully stuck five separate brands during her classes. Teachers now invited her to try some of the more advance brands, and Professor Gona nearly lost her mind when Jak successfully pulled off a Flamedancer brand.
“Never in all my life seen someone... usually takes years of work.” And she went on muttering to herself like that for a while until she realized that the rest of the class was waiting for her to continue teaching.
The students, except Amelia, grew more and more bitter towards Jak. It seemed they not only thought of her as a doubter, but it also annoyed them that she surpassed all of them in their classes. It was especially bad on High Morning when all the students would return from the cathedral while Jak stayed at the college. No doubt they experienced the euphoric effects of that Relic the Royal Priest kept. By now, Jak was sure that the Relic held no other value than to make people feel good, leaving them open to manipulation by the Priest.
But while Semwei had relaxed her requirements for the students to attend, most returned anyway, probably eager to experience the same pleasures again. Every time the students would return and treat Jak like she was the only problem in their lives, tripping her while she tried to get food at the dining hall, knocking books out of her hands, even going so far as to slip a load of mice through her door while she was sleeping.
Semwei and the teachers defended Jak if they ever caught someone treating her poorly, but the students were wise enough to find moments when no one was looking.
All in all, Jak didn’t feel much animosity towards the others. She still had her friends in Amelia and Naem and used her friendship with the young Watcher as an excuse to get out as often as she could. Though she had to wear a cloak because even the villagers appeared to have heard of a young raven-haired girl with a red streak in her hair. What they had heard, Jak wasn’t sure. Some of the richer citizens looked at her much as the students did, but some of the beggars and merchants appeared to have a different attitude. Some would tip their hats or smile as she passed by.
Oddly enough, this made her even more uncomfortable. Gone were her hopes of just blending in and focusing on her schoolwork.
She was on her way to the Watchers now, doing her best to hide beneath a hood and cloak that Amelia lent her. It was a little short for Jak, but it did the trick.
When she arrived at the market square, the first thing she noticed was a familiar figure purchasing a bit of cheese from a local merchant. The figure turned and saw her too.
“Well, I was beginning to think we’d never see each other again.” Seph’s face broke into that smile of his.
Jak smiled back. “You haven’t returned to the library.”
“Oh, I’ve been there once or twice, but never saw you around. Have you read anything from the book I gave you?”
“Ah, yes.” Jak had almost forgotten about the book. She’d read most of it since it wasn’t a very long book, but her studies had distracted her. And that one passage about the so-called “Oren” had troubled her. She hadn’t read much after that. “I haven’t finished it yet, but what I read was interesting. I’m headed to the Watcher camp to train with a friend, you can follow if you want.” She began walking ahead towards the Watcher camp, waving Seph along
.
“Do you believe it?” Seph’s face was completely serious as he fell in step beside her. He wanted her to believe.
“I’m not sure. You seem to have the definitions of the Fae right. They match up with what I’ve seen.” She didn’t tell him about the Water Fae, and how their descriptions in the book had matched exactly, even though they had only been around for a matter of weeks. “But some parts seem a bit far-fetched. Like the bit about the Orens, people who could give multiple brands?”
“It’s true, Jak. If you don’t believe it, believe me. There were once people who became heroes among the people because they could give and hold multiple brands.”
“So where are these people today, how come no one has ever been able to give or receive more than one brand in, for all we know, centuries?” She didn’t even want to think about Naem and his brands. The brands she had given him.
Seph spread his hands to indicate he didn’t know. “There could be any number of reasons. Perhaps it was a specific bloodline, or perhaps other circumstances were surrounding their birth that we just don’t know about now. But Abel and his brother…”
“Yes, who is this Abel?”
“He was the son of Adam, eventually killed by his brother, who I’m sure you read about.”
Jak nodded. “How do you know he was killed? It’s not like he could have written that down.”
Seph’s smile returned. “I just know.”
Something didn’t quite match up about Seph, but she found herself intrigued. There was just one problem that she didn’t like, the prophecy of an Oren coming to save these races. She certainly wasn’t capable of any such thing. She had only given Naem his multiple brands under unique circumstances. She couldn’t replicate it.
Though honestly, had she ever even tried?
“I actually wanted to find you to tell you something,” Seph said as they approached the Watcher camp. “The people who follow me, we meet on High Morning for a brief... I guess you could call it a sermon. I would like to invite you.”
Jak thought it through. “I haven’t exactly had the best experience with churches.”
“Yes, I heard about that. But I think you’ll find we’re a lot different than the traditional cathedral experience.”
“No pleasure Relics?” Jak asked, the hint of a smile on her face.
Seph chuckled. “No pleasure Relics. We believe every man and woman should choose for themselves what to believe, and not be influenced in such a way.”
“Well, I’m with you there.” Jak looked ahead and realized they were almost there. “I’ll think it through,” she said, turning to face him.
“Great, I look forward to it. We meet at the coast, down where the Palace cliff meets the water.”
“Hey, Jak!” Jak turned to see Naem trotting towards them. “Who’s your friend.”
Seph held out his hand. “My name is Seph. Pleased to meet you.”
Naem took Seph’s hand in a firm shake. “I’m Naem. You a friend of Jak’s?”
“Yes, you could probably say that.” Seph glanced at Jak with that special smile of his.
Naem frowned, and so did Jak. Seph was going to give Naem the wrong idea if he wasn’t careful where he threw that smile around.
But Seph’s smile faded suddenly as he held Naem’s arm. He looked from Jak to Naem, and back again, then inexplicably his eyes turned to look at Naem’s other arm, where Naem had covered his brands with a long sleeve. Did he…?
No sooner had his smile wavered, then it was back again. “Well, I’ll let the two of you get on with things. Hope to see you again soon!” The last part was for Jak, as he turned and marched back down the hill.
“He seems... interesting,” Naem said, still staring at Seph.
“He is,” Jak replied. “I think he’s good person though, which is more than can be said for some.
“Well then, are you ready to start practicing?” Naem changed the subject.
“I’m ready,” Jak said with a grin. They had met several times so far, and it was beginning to feel familiar to Jak, like old times. Training with Naem was one of the few comforts she was afforded now. “More sparing?”
“I actually thought we would try something a little different. We’ve done a lot of training to combat against demons and those with non-combat brands. But what about, say, a Flamedancer?”
“Why would I ever fight a Flamedancer?” Jak laughed, confused. “Most of them are Watchers or in the militia. At worst the only people they get to fight are drunks in the street.”
“Hmm...you’d be surprised.” Naem looked thoughtful. “Regardless, it pays to be prepared. So, any ideas?” He led Jak to the open grass between the Watcher tents and command buildings.
“Um, well, not get in their way?” She half chuckled, but Naem nodded.
“Easier said than done, but that’s essentially the long and short of it. Flamedancers can only shoot fire in a single direction, and they can’t make anything spontaneously combust. They have to be in range and line of sight with their target.”
“So, stay away and hit them with a ranged attack?”
Naem nodded. “Or find a way to be unpredictable to get inside their defences.”
Jak tapped a finger to her lips. “But I thought Flamedancers could influence flame beyond their hands?”
“Only if the fire already exists. They can manipulate it from a short distance, like put it out or redirect it. That’s the reason that Flamedancers are often called to put out fires. But they can’t attack too well with those methods.”
“So, what’s this have to do with today’s training?”
“Well,” Naem grinned. “You’re already learning archery, but you’re not going to have a bow with you all the time.”
“These days I don’t carry any weapon with me all the time.”
Naem ignored her. “So, we’re going to practice the javelin. Comes in useful if you need to take a Flamedancer out from a distance. And at other times too.” He winked at her.
Jak hid her smile. Naem had saved her life on more than one occasion by hurling his spear into an approaching enemy. The second time it happened, it had actually annoyed Jak at the time, who was deprived of taking out the demon herself. But she was glad, now, that Naem had saved her the trouble. Back then, she wouldn’t have lasted two seconds against the demon. Now...well now was different.
“Well then, let’s get started.”
Naem set up a target at one end of the Watcher complex, far out of range of the barracks. Did he not trust her to hit her mark?
But to Jak’s chagrin, Naem was right to give them a lot of space. Her first attempts fell far out of range, and she sent Naem a murderous gaze when she caught him snickering. Of course, when Naem gave her a demonstration, to try and teach her how to improve her form, he hit the center circle dead on. But he had the gift of Grace aiding his hand-eye coordination. That wasn’t exactly fair.
After an hour of practice, Jak was starting to get better. At least she hit the target now, most of the time. Her arm was beginning to feel flimsy. Occasionally, Naem would adjust her posture just slightly, and Jak could feel his hands linger as they guided her arms. What was worse, she found she didn’t want to complain.
“Well, not bad for your first try,” Naem said after they began wrapping it up. “Care for a bit of sparing to end the day?”
Jak felt her muscles protest but nodded anyway. She liked sparing with Naem.
Naem went and got two quarterstaffs, and they faced each other. Jak was the first to make a move, launching herself at Naem using every technique she had ever learned. And of course, Naem blocked her onslaught with ease, gently sidestepping and whacking her across the shoulder.
Jak yelped with the sharp pain and rubbed her shoulder.
“That should teach you to be so aggressive.” Naem grinned. “Let your enemy come to you.”
“If we both use that technique we’ll get nothing done,” Jak goaded.
Naem’s smile widened. �
�True enough.”
He darted forward, and Jak caught his first blow, then the second, with her quarterstaff. She was on the defensive, and she needed to get out of it, but at least she was holding her own.
That is until several strikes later Jak felt another sharp pain along her arm as Naem’s staff left a large red welt there.
“You don’t have to hit so hard.” Jak protested, but Naem ignored her, coming again and again.
They continued for a while, Jak growing ever more focused as they fought. Soon, the number of times she got hit grew fewer and fewer, and she found herself building up enough confidence to take the offensive once or twice, causing Naem to take a few steps backward.
Parry, swing the staff downward, bring the other end up, parry again. Jak felt her muscles lean into the routines, responding automatically when needed.
Thwack! Jak’s staff landed a blow, squarely in Naem’s side. He broke their engagement, more out of surprise than pain.
“Oh, you got me!” He clutched his side and covering up his surprise with mock pain.
“You have Toughness and Healing now, you can take it.” Jak whacked him again, this time on the thigh. She held no sympathy, feeling multiple bruises forming on her body. It was only fair.
“Good job, though!” Naem said, positioning his quarterstaff to stand upright. “That’s the first time you’ve legitimately landed a blow.”
Jak grinned. “I was going easy on you the whole time.”
“Were you now?”
Suddenly he lunged forward, taking her completely by surprise. Her feet were knocked out from under her, and she found herself tumbling to the earth. She caught Naem’s quarterstaff on her way down and pulled hard. Jak laughed as Naem tumbled after her, doing his best to roll out of the way.
Naem joined her laughing, and they lay there, side by side for a moment as the laughter subsided. Jak rolled to one side to face him, and he did the same. They stayed that way for a long time. Then Naem leaned forward and planted a kiss on her lips. Jak let it happen, kissing him back, needing this. It was the first time they had kissed since Foothold… since Marek died...
Growing Ripples: An Epic YA Fantasy Adventure (Roots of Creation Book 2) Page 9