Gabriel strode forward to examine the student. “No one must know of this.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.” said the professor.
Jak glanced down the hall to see several other students, probably drawn out by the noise. Gabriel cursed and stood straight. He glanced at Jak for an instant, and Jak saw exactly what she expected to see. Blame. This was her fault. If she had just left well enough alone.
She ran down the hall, away from it all. Gabriel called to her, but she ignored it, running as fast as she could back to her room.
Slamming the door, she collapsed on her bed and let the tears flow. It was the only thing she could do right now. It was all her fault. Amelia’s transformation, Seph’s capture, now this poor student who had no choice but to be mutated into a Fae. Perhaps the Royal Priest was right. Maybe the Fae were dangerous, or at least the Relics that turned them into Fae were so.
But then again, her own mother was a Fae, and she didn’t seem to mind. They weren’t demons, that much was clear, even though people like the Royal Priest would like to implicate as much. It was a traumatic change, and the victims had no choice in the matter. That was the dangerous part.
Still, others would persecute the Fae for no other reason than they were different. Clearly, those that changed did not choose to do so. Why should they suffer for something that just happened?
Jak’s thoughts raced, turning from despair to fiery anger. Gabriel was right, she needed to do something proactive.
A bell tolled in the college courtyard. It couldn’t be time for classes to begin yet, could they? Had she been up all night?
Slipping out of her bed, still dressed, she patted down her hair and found herself joining several other confused students, some of them looking like they were just getting out of bed. Together they assembled in the courtyard.
It was definitely too early for classes. Semwei stood at one end of the courtyard with Gabriel at one side. Professor Gona and several of the other teachers were there as well. Jak swallowed. Where they going to tell everyone about their classmate? What would they all think when they found out that she had mutated a fellow student?
The air was still dark, almost too dark, but Jak could see some light in the east. Morning was coming. Students continued to fill the courtyard, rubbing their eyes and scowling. Jak also wanted to go back to her room, though for completely separate reasons. She hoped Gabriel would leave her out of this, whatever he and Semwei were planning. The darkness seemed to settle around the teachers. Something bad was about to happen, Jak could feel it.
“Gather round,” Semwei called out once there were enough students present. After a pause and a nod at Gabriel, she stepped back to give him the floor.
Gabriel cleared his throat. “We’ve called you here today because something has happened to one of your classmates, and you need to hear about it from us before rumors begin to circulate.”
Jak closed her eyes as she heard concerned mutters run through the crowd. She understood what Gabriel and the teachers were doing, but this would not end well, especially for her.
“Do not worry, he is still alive and well.”
“That’s not true!” one of the students shouted.
All heads turned to face the speaker. Jak recognized him as one of the students who saw the newly-formed Water Fae earlier.
“I saw him. He’s alive, but his legs are gone, replaced with a giant... something. I’ve never seen magic like it. It must be Gifting gone bad.”
That brought more concerned mutters. Gabriel put out his hands to try and calm the crowd. “We do not yet fully understand the nature of the transformation. But it does not come from rogue Gifting. We are in possession of a Relic that has already caused several such transformations, including four of my personal students who found the Relic not far from here. I have contained the Relic, so it cannot do more harm.”
Harm, Jak thought. Yes, it might not be on the same level as creating demons, but the Relic was dangerous. If people were turned into something against their will, how was that any different from demons who were forced into their circumstances.
As if reading her thoughts, another student called out. “Are they demons?”
“Of course, they’re demons,” said the first student before Gabriel could respond. “What else would you call such a dramatic transformation. And I don’t know about this Relic, but I think I know who has something to do with it.”
Jak put a hand to her head. Here it comes.
The boy pointed straight at her. “She’s the one. I saw her just a few hours ago talking to the Professor and the student. She didn’t look at all scared to see him. Like she had seen the like before!”
“Young Jak has nothing to do with this.” Gabriel tried to calm the student. But it was too late.
“It’s like the first time she came with us at High Morning.” Another student squealed. “She got sick when his Holiness used his Relic. I knew there was something different about her.”
Another student joined in. “I heard she experimented on demons over at Foothold.”
“I heard she defended the demons and told everyone that they’re good.”
“She doesn’t belong here!”
“Always was too good at Gifting to be a beginner.”
The talk continued, with students talking over each other until Jak couldn’t make out any more specifics. The teachers, including Gabriel, were shouting as well, trying to get everyone to calm down. Meanwhile, a gap had opened around Jak, leaving her alone with everyone staring.
Just a few days ago, she would have been devastated, and probably run away to her room, gather her things, and leave the city. Something was different now. It was almost as though an invisible hand grasped her shoulder in support, holding her up.
She strode forward to where the teachers stood. She walked past them to the stone wall behind, where a small ledge stood some three or four feet high, enough for her to climb and look out to see everyone.
Some of the students quieted down, but most were still shouting, some at her, some at the teachers, some at other students. It was a mess.
“QUIET!” she yelled, feeling a power in her voice that hadn’t been there earlier.
It filled the entire square. Everyone quieted down. A glance at Gabriel showed her the regret in his eyes. Clearly he had imagined this going differently. Semwei had her usual pursed lips, but the remaining teachers eyed her curiously, as did most of the students. They were genuinely interested in what she was about to say.
“You’ve all heard a lot of rumors about me. All I wanted was to study, so I ignored most of them. I see now that was a mistake. So, allow me to set the record straight.” She felt venom enter her voice with that last sentence. “My name is Jakniteksnewodheghoma. I grew up in a farming and grazing province called Riverbrook. Less than a year ago, it was attacked by demons, and I lost my father, and many of my friends. I joined the Watchers, hoping I could get revenge. Then I discovered a people some of you may have heard of… the Fae.”
That provoked a reaction, though no one said anything. Even the one student who had riled up the crowd looked at her expectantly.
“I call them the Shadow Fae.” Jak went on. “They too were changed by a Relic, but they were still people. I learned very quickly the differences between them and demons could not have been more pronounced. I’ve heard it taught that the Fae are merely a new kind of demon. But I’ve seen them, and it is false.”
“How can we believe you!” A student called out. She ignored him.
“What you may not know is that there are several types of Fae. And more are prophesied to come.” She didn’t tell them that those prophecies were only contained in the original copy of the Annals of Adam and in Seph’s little book. They didn’t need the details yet. “So far, I’ve seen three. Fae of Shadow, Light, and most recently, Water. I expect there may be more.”
“You’re lying!” the troublemaking student said.
“I can confirm
everything she’s said.” Gabriel chimed in. His face was completely passive. “I’ve even met the same Fae.”
“My point is this,” said Jak. “Yes, the change has happened unexpectedly, and usually there’s a Relic involved. And I don’t yet know why these changes are happening now. But I do know that the Fae are not demons. They are people like you and me, but with different appearances, and different abilities. Think of them as possessing new, undiscovered brands.”
“My friend will never walk again!” Said the student. So that was why he was so upset. The latest victim had been his friend.
“I’m sorry for your friend.” Jak went on, still feeling unusually calm. “This power must be contained, I agree. But all I’m saying is that he’s not a demon. None of the Fae are.”
She thought she saw some of the students nodding in thought. Perhaps she could get through to some of them.
“Oh, my sweet little girl. I’m afraid you couldn’t be more wrong.” A voice called from the back of the courtyard.
Every face turned to see who had spoken. Jak, from her vantage point, could see clearly. Into the courtyard stood the Royal Priest in his flowing black cloak. To his side stood Wilva, General of the Watcher armies. Behind them, multiple armor-clad Watchers filed into the open square.
“Gabrielinaystrome,” said Wilva, using the formal name. “And Jakniteksnewodheghoma. You are under arrest.”
18
Everyone in the courtyard sprang into action. Students yelped and moved out of the way of the Watchers. Semwei tried to say, “On what charges?” but was drowned out by the noise of the students. The Watchers moved forward as fast as they could manage while the students made way for them. Was Naem among them? She didn’t see him, but there were a lot of them.
Gabriel stood alone, facing down the Royal Priest and General Wilva while the Watchers came for him. He turned to Jak, and shouted two words. “Get out!”
Jak did not need to be told twice. She had escaped Watchers before, she would have to do so again. Stooping to pick up some rocks that had chipped off the wall, she imbued one with an imperfect Flamedancer brand and threw it at the approaching Watchers. They shielded their eyes as the rocks exploded in a shower of dust and grit.
She ran for all she was worth.
This was becoming far too common. There was a single back entrance in the courtyard that led to a series of steep stairs that led to streets below. It was her only option.
“You have allies in the city!” Gabriel continued shouting at her as he threw himself at the Watchers that pursued her. Within moments he was bound and on the ground. “Look for them in the shadows!”
His advice barely registered as she flew through the back door. Several Watchers were right behind her, so close one even reached out as she went through the door. She jumped down the first flight of stairs, feeling her knees nearly buckle as she hit the ground hard. Turning, she launched herself at the second flight of stairs, just missing the Watchers that followed. A good thing none of them was a Telekinetic or this chase would have been over by now.
One of them did a fancy flip and landed in front of her. The elegance of his movements told her this one had Grace. She was going to have to fight, but without her spear and with more soldiers coming through the back door, she had no hope.
Suddenly the Watcher’s eyes furrowed in confusion, and he looked all around. “Wh... where did she go?” he said.
Jak looked from him to the Watchers behind her. All of them were staring around in confusion as if they couldn’t see her standing right in front of them.
Whatever was happening, she needed to take advantage of it. She pushed past the Watcher blocking her way. He yelped as the somehow unseen force caused him to topple onto the steps. Not very graceful after all.
She didn’t stop running until she was far from the college, on the edge of the city near the south gate. Ducking around a corner, she took a moment to catch her breath. What had just happened? One moment the Watchers had been chasing her, and the next it was like she was invisible. How did… Wait a moment. Jak felt her excitement rise. She knew of some people who could stay invisible. Could one of the Shadow Fae be here?
She glanced around herself, suddenly aware that a Shadow Fae might be right next to her, and she wouldn’t even know it. Feeling exposed, she walked a bit further and found an isolated alley next to the city wall. She didn’t see anyone around, but was it her imagination or could she feel a pair of eyes watching her?
“Is... is someone there?” She called out into the nothingness. Her eyes scanned the shadows. Had this been what Gabriel meant? Were the Shadow Fae in the city?
“You know!” A voice breathed to the left of her. “You’re not a half-bad runner.”
Jak’s face brightened. She knew that voice! A second later, her mother materialized in front of her. Her dark skin and green eyes seemed to fill the shadows around her, but there was no mistaking that smile.
A thousand emotions suddenly welled up inside Jak, and she threw herself at her mother in the biggest hug she could muster. She felt her eyes begin to burn as tears welled up.
“Mother!”
“I missed you.” Karlona returned the embrace, allowing Jak to melt in her arms. It was the best feeling Jak could imagine. For the first time since arriving in Skyecliff, she felt completely safe.
When they finally broke the embrace, Jak couldn’t help but stare at her mother. “Why are you here?” she asked. “I thought you were helping Skellig rebuild Foothold?”
Karlona’s lips made a line. “We were, but someone from Skyecliff was sent to depose Skellig. She was demoted and had to flee for her life.”
“What?” Jak said aghast.
It couldn’t be. Skellig was one of the best officers she knew, and the only reason they had been able to successfully fight Kuldain and his demon army.
Her mother nodded. “Apparently the order came from the highest level. She was to be court-martialed for betraying Kuldain.”
“But Kuldain was…”
“I know, but that made no difference, it seemed. But Skellig got away. Last we heard she was heading to the Southeast Mountains to investigate some reports we’ve had of more Fae residing there.”
That got Jak’s attention. “There are more Shadow Fae in the mountains?”
Karlona shook her head. “Not Shadow Fae as far as we know. But the queen has had a steady supply of armor and weapons coming out of those mountains, and none of it comes from trade. We suspect Fae are the cause.”
Jak nodded. She had seen the constant flow of wagons coming and going. And Naem had mentioned guarding some merchants, something a Watcher would rarely be called upon to do.
“What do you think they need it for?”
Karlona shrugged. “It’s hard to say, but it almost seems like they’re preparing for war.”
“So why are you here?” she asked again.
“Well, ever since... well ever since we met you, we’ve increased our spy network far wider than before. As you can imagine, we make great spies.”
Jak smiled, but her mother continued.
“We began to hear strange reports of demon activity in this region. Demons infest the area, yet no one sees them. Even we have trouble spotting them sometimes. But they’re there, surrounding the city and the land around it.”
Jak frowned. “I haven’t seen a single demon since arriving here, and I’ve been out of the city several times. Why wouldn’t they attack?”
“We don’t know, but they appear to be restrained, just like the demon army at Foothold. We don’t know how, or rather, who is doing it.”
“Do you think they’re the reason the queen is stockpiling the weapons?”
“Possibly, but we’re almost certain they don’t know about the demons. Whatever it is, it’s big, and so I came here with several of my people to investigate.” She put both hands on Jak’s shoulders. “And to warn you.”
“Thanks, but I think I have other problems at the moment.”
“Yes, you have definitely caused a lot of trouble.” Karlona grinned at Jak. “But from what I’ve heard about some of the goings-on in this city, I would have expected nothing less.”
Jak smiled for the first time since before she lost her friends. “With your help, we can get the rest of the Water Fae out.” She could save her friends.
“Ah yes, Gabriel was telling us a bit about them this morning when I first arrived.” Karlona leaned against the stone wall and crossed her arms. “What can you tell me about them. Are they anything like us?”
“Well, not really.” Jak scrunched up her face in thought. “They’re like a cross between a man and some kind of large fish. But they do have some things in common. Their abilities are elementary, and they were transformed by a Relic.”
Then she proceeded to fill her mother in, starting from the very beginning when Gabriel had taken her to see the first of the transformed students. She told her mother about how the queen had taken them, and the Relic, and how she had gone to rescue them just hours ago, only to find that the Relic had transformed several dozen more, including Amelia.
As she finished the story, she smacked her forehead. “And I just remembered I promised to meet the few we saved outside the city.”
“Well, you’re probably safest away from here anyway.” said her mother. “Why don’t you let me keep an eye on the situation here, while you go find your friends.”
Jak felt her eyes moisten again. She wasn’t sure why. It was stupid to cry when your mother tells you what to do. But having someone else to rely on, to work with, it was more of a relief than Jak thought possible.
“Okay, I told them I’d meet them at the head of the Trade river. If you need to find me, that’s where I’ll be.”
Karlona nodded. “I’ll send someone.”
In the blink of an eye, she disappeared completely from view. Jak was glad that she hadn’t transformed into a Fae, but there were sometimes she envied their gifts.
Growing Ripples: An Epic YA Fantasy Adventure (Roots of Creation Book 2) Page 16