by R N Skye
“Nice try, Brenner, but this host has Elios blood. The power I have from him is so delicious. No Allyant on this world can stand against me.”
“Ah but Pechor, I am the only one that answered your call and I nearly had an Elios neophyte of my own. I cast the sickness into her. If she succumbs then I like you will have an Elios host as well and if I take the Arc I will have the lumen of this entire world I will be like the Great Ones”
“Your reach is beyond your grasp Brenner. The Song of this world is more powerful than any I’ve seen. This seed world is far more important to the Elios than any the Allyant have known. We must harvest these seeded Luion that now have the blood of the Elios coursing their veins before they know their lumen potential.”
“Relax Pechor they have no Dernier Chanson when we have harvested enough in this land we will have enough lumen to destroy the Arc and the remaining song. I have searched there is no Dernier Chanson. The Elios did not have time to prepare one. Let it be as you have planned we will march city by city until we have minions enough to destroy even the most powerful Lumen Mage. We will then siphon the collected lumen and destroy the Song and the Arc and will return as Great Ones and heroes.”
“I’m glad you agree, Brenner. I have prepared lumen and energy siphons in the form of arm bands. Take the arm bands that have the red stipe and make sure that the mage-works continues to manufacture them in sufficient quantities to give to all of the soldiers and the captives. Take the bands with the purple stripes and do likewise but distribute them only among the conscripted magetechs. We will start with Jehhet and move up the coast to Lu Y Onton, we then will sweep west across the continent. When this continent is ours we will mop up the few that remain on Coholo then we will destroy the Arc.
Tomorrow I will bring the fleet back to Jehhet and make them ready to blockade the port cities.
A knock at the door awoke Ava who had fallen asleep in a chair at Shane’s bedside. Glancing at the window she saw that it was still dark outside. Looking at the clock she saw that it was nearly three thirty in the morning. The knock came again more loudly this time. Ava got up and went to the front door surprised to see two men dressed in sandals and a long white robes trimmed in gold one had a long robe length navy vest and a wide gold colored cloth belt around the waist the other a green robe length vest with a white belt.
“Hello,” greeted the man with the gold belt. “My name is Ahhan my companion here is Jahnon. We received an emergency call stating that young Shane is very ill. May we come in?”
“Oh thank heavens, please come in and thank you for coming. He is down the hall the second door that is open.”
As they were walking down the hall Laura who had slept as little as Ava had, emerged from her room rubbing sleep from her eyes. When she saw the men she fell to her knees and in a language Ava didn’t understand burst into tears and began sobbing and talking at the same time. The man introduced as Jahnon walked up to her and lifted her from the ground giving her a big hug and in the same language spoke soothing words that comforted the women until her sobs ceased.
Without waiting Ahhan walked into Shane’s room and placed his hand on his head for a moment then releasing it. “Jahnon, can you assist me please?”
Jahnon gently removed Laura’s embrace kissed her forehead then turned and entered into the room.
“I’ve seen worse,” commented the blue vested man, “But we need to act quickly. If you will hold the sickness in check I will shield his lumen.”
Jahnon nodded and both men placed their hands on Shane’s forehead.
“Do you have it,” Ahhan asked conversationally.
“All sealed up,” responded Jahnon.
“Ok I’m going to boost his lumen and then shield it. As soon as I’m done I’ll put up the quarantine and then you can release.”
“I’m ready.”
Ava watched mesmerized not knowing what to make of the situation. The men seemed so calm; how could they be so calm with Shane so ill? She was about to ask what they were doing when a golden cocoon of glowing light formed around Shane. Both of the men pulled their hands away from his head and stepped away from the envelope of light.
“Pretty good for an old man,” Ahhan smiled at Jahnon.
“I’ve seen worse my eye. Where, in the armpit of an Allyant Great One? That was one of the worse cases I’ve seen. His trainer should get a swift kick in the pants for not preparing him more quickly.”
“He was on schedule. This was completely unforeseen.”
“Ahem,” Laura cleared he throat. The men silenced and hung their heads as if being reprimanded.
“Sorry little sister,” apologized Ahhan. “It’s not often I get Dad to go with me on these. I guess the patient being a grandson has its perks.”
“How is he?” Ava asked with puzzled look and a little more impatience than she intended.
“He’ll be fine,” answered Ahhan with sensitivity and empathy. “The infection is contained, it will take a couple of days but it will start to starve soon. Don’t be surprised if you see lightening as it tries to escape. If you do see lightning then so much the better because it will starve out more quickly.”
“Why don’t we go into the kitchen and have a seat and you can fill us in on what happened,” suggested Jahnon.
Once seated at the table Laura introduced Ava mentioning that Shane and Ava were very close, and began making tea, when Ava tried to help she wouldn’t hear of it and told her to sit tight. Ahhan made introductions that were a little bit more forthcoming. He explained that He and Laura were brother and sister and that Jahnon was their father.
“So Shane is Elios?” asked Ava.
“Well yes and no,” Said Jahnon. “His Parents are Elios but he, technically, is Eliom, as are you and everyone else born here. I believe that he is the only one on the world with that claim at this time. Most everyone else is of mixed heritage.
You see many of the Luion on this world have mixed Elios and Luion blood. This gives them the potential to become like the Elios. It has taken many generations sense the time that the Luion were brought to this world to mix the genealogies but it eventually happened.
When the Luion were discovered and it was determined that their sun would go super nova, an agreement was made that they would come and live among the Elios on a world that had been prepared for the rescue of their civilization. When we found out that notwithstanding the great many machines that the Luion had created using basic properties of common physics that they were all non-potents our hearts went out to them. We knew that over time that if our races intermarried that the bloodlines of the Luion would eventually become like unto the Elios. We call that the pursuit of happiness. Some of our enemies call it seeding. Seeding is a tasteless and disparaging way to term a planned evolution.
All we did as the shepherds of this world is invite any single Elios male or female that was looking to settle down to join the Luion colony and if they fell in love then happy day we had a wedding. If not then there are other fish in the sea. Eventually we had to leave as we have other things in the wide expanse of creation to attend to, so when it was determined that there were significant lumen potent progeny living on Eliom we moved on. There are many other worlds out there and there is a particular race of nasty individuals that thrive on conquest and destruction only. Our purpose is to serve one another, meaning: if you can help then you should. Therefore we do what we do.
As far as Laura and Soaris go they both happen to be Elios by birth. Before the main body of us left it was decided that a protector should be left behind. Soaris volunteered. Not long before Shane was born a young Elios maiden happened to come to visit the protector with her older brother. As you can see they fell in love and had a baby; fast forward here we are.
To answer your first question, Shanes’ parents are Elios and Shane has Elios heritage, but Shane is actually Eliom as this is the world that he was born on. If he should grow to become a Lumen mage or master he will be sufficiently able to
survive Elios which is our home world and would be welcome there.”
“Now,” interrupted Ahhan, “How did Shane happen to contract the lumen infection or lumen sickness?”
Laura explained the trip to Valee and the possessed magetech and how Ava was near death when Shane showed up and was able to do something magical and pulled it out of her and into him.”
Jahnon looked at Ahhan who said,” a little glyph mastery first aid I put on the instructor. You got to give me points for that, Dad. You should give points to Shane too, that’s pretty advanced. If he’s dabbling in mastery already it won’t be long before he is ready for lumen magery.”
“On a serious note, “Jahnon said with concern. “Is it ok if I examine you and make sure you completely well?”
“Sure, do you need me to lie down or anything?”
“You’re fine where you are if you’re comfortable.”
Ava smiled, “Ready when you are Doctor.”
The elder Elios put his hands gently on Ava’s head and she felt a tingle and thought she imagined a sense of light; then it was over.
“Right as rain,” commented Jahnon as he removed his hands. “Shane did a thorough job. I can’t even detect any physical ailments.” He looked at Ahhan, “Your instruction is excellent as is his aptitude.”
“Thank you father.”
“Ava,” Jahnon spoke looking back at her, “you have a very strong lumen potential. What do you know about being a glyph mage?”
“Shane and I studied together for the last year at university and he figured out how to make an instructor. He told me about a dream he had of the Arc of Wisdom and that he was certain that he would soon be making devices similar to what the ancient Elios and Luionese made. We were separated for a bit because of school commitments but he promised to teach me as soon as possible.”
“How would you like to start that training now?”
“Soaris said something similar, something about learning to recognize my lumen. I was hoping that Shane would teach me but if I’m going to be attacked by these dark things I need to know all that I can to protect myself.”
“Ahhan, would you please provide us with an instructor. Kero, Guerit, Sun, Sun, I think.”
Ahhan held open his hand and a brass plate framed in mirrored steel appeared in his hand. A line of light formed at the top of the plate and slowly moved down to the bottom leaving glyphs precisely etched in its wake. When it was finished he handed it to Ava.
“It’s beautiful,” Ava whispered as she ran her fingers across the newly etched glyphs. “I notice that my corner glyphs are a little different than Shane’s. I heard you mention Guerit?”
“Guerit is a healer’s glyph. You will find that your instruction will be highly geared towards healing and well-being.”
“Why healing?”
“Would you like to know a secret?” Jahnon said leaning in. “I can sometimes see the future. I have it on good authority that you will marry a very important mage one day and he is something of a magnet for opposition. A wife that can heal would be a good match.”
Ava and Laura both laughed.
“So what do I do now?” asked Ava looking at the metal device she held.
Ahhan told her to look at the glyphs then close her eyes and imagine that she still see them. She nodded that she could. I want you to look at the light inside you. You will see a glow. Ava looked and miraculously there was a glow. Now I want you to will the light from your glow into the bottom corner glyphs. She did as she was instructed and the glyphs all took on the same glow.
Ava opened her eyes excited. “I did it. I actually activated a glyph device; it’s so easy. How did I not see this before?”
Laura, her brother and her father all laughed.
“Not quite done yet, young miss,” spoke Ahhan from the mirth. “You need to bond to it so that it is your instructor and another student won’t use it by mistake.”
“What next?” Ava quieted.
“Do the same thing you did with the bottom glyphs with the top glyphs.”
Ava repeated the lumen imbuement process with the top glyphs and suddenly a crystal sphere appeared with strange words orbiting its equator and a voice in a language that she didn’t understand. Acting on a hunch that the language process was the same as at the record centers she spoke to the device saying, “Elios infinity dialect please.”
“Impressive,” commented Ahhan.
The voice of the instructor changed and the words: “Please place your right hand onto the globe,” matching the words scrolling around the sphere.
Soon she was bonded with her device Ahhan said, “Instructor, make sure you schedule the operator instructions at least after twelve hours from now.”
Laura cleared her throat and looked at her brother rather sternly.
“…and disable all practical jokes by Ahhan,” he hastily added.
Laura looked at her brother. “It’s a good thing you did that, If you hadn’t I would have had a talk with mother.”
“Our time is short and I’m afraid that it is time to go,” Jahnon said standing, “Ava, tomorrow when you begin your instruction, request that your first few sessions be lumen shielding and protection. When Shane wakes; suggest the same to him. Your uncle Ari will be here in a few minutes his Sicam training should be enough for his protection and his lumen has already been shielded but he can learn a lot about disabling the lumen of his enemies so remind him to do the same.”
“Uncle Ari is a mage?”
Jahnon laughed and turned to his daughter and gave her a generous hug with another kiss on the forehead. “That is from your mother as well. You raised him well, Dear One. He has a true heart of an Elios.”
“Thanks you for coming Father, I was dying with worry inside. I’m sorry I broke down when you came. I was just so relieved. How did Soaris ever find you?”
“It was Ahhan that found me. It seems that your Shane had the presence of mind to have his instructor locate Ahhan and explain the emergency, before he lost consciousness. Tell Soaris we are sorry we weren’t able to stay and say hello.”
Jahnon turned and also gave Ava a hug. I’m sorry that you have had so many travails because of the association with our family. Your concern for my grandson means much.” To Ava’s surprise the elder Elios gave her a kiss on the forehead too. “My grandson is lucky to have you in his life.”
Ahhan gave his sister a hug as well. “J’erine says to tell you hello.” Turning to Ava he added, “It was nice to meet you Ava I look forward to next time.”
Jahnon and Ahhan both smiled and waved then in a blink of an eye they were gone.
Shane felt surrounded by darkness. He felt a gentle hand on his forehead and struggled to open his eyes. To his relief there was Ava, strong and well; her green eyes alight but concerned. “Hey you,” He said barely able to summon the strength to talk, “How’s my girl?” How beautiful she is he thought. The possibility of him not pulling through seemed to pull him back toward the darkness. “I’m sorry we didn’t have more time together… I think I’m falling back asleep. I love you.”
The darkness came again. He reached for the lumen and pulled it into him like a glyph and for a moment he felt peace, but bit by bit the darkness seemed to consume any lumen that he drew. He seemed to lie in the darkness for an eternity growing weaker and weaker. Suddenly the darkness was pulled away. He felt weak and exhausted; as he tried to pull lumen into himself again it came like a flood. In absolute contrast to the previous darkness the light was brilliantly blinding.
“Lie still,” said a familiar voice in his mind. “I am Ahhan and this is Jahnon, we are containing the infection.” Shane could see the room as if he were standing next to it; he could see himself lying on the bed; he saw two men standing over him with their hands upon his head. A golden veil of light surrounded his body and the men stepped back. Shane felt himself pulled back into his body. “Your lumen is shielded,” Said a different voice from the first. “Rest your body and mind while the i
nfection dies. When you see the darkness vanish then you can remove the golden shield and you may rise.”
It was two days later when Shane awoke and he saw no sign of the darkness. Using his lumen sense he could not even detect the smallest sense of it. Reaching with his thoughts he pulled at it like removing the lumen from a glyph and the golden light dispersed.
Opening his eyes he sat for a moment; he felt very refreshed. Looking around he saw his duffle; Ari must have brought it from the ship. After getting dressed he walked out into the hall and found his way to the kitchen led by the overwhelming smell of fresh baked bread and something made from cinnamon.
The kitchen was empty except for his mother who was washing something in the sink with her back to him. Spying a pan full of freshly glazed cinnamon rolls he couldn’t help but liberate one and stuff most of it in his mouth. After one delicious bite he couldn’t contain the moan of “These are so… good,” that escaped his stuffed mouth.
“Shane, you’re up.” His mother hurried across the room and gave him a hug. “Thank the stars you are ok. Hey don’t eat those they are for dinner. I haven’t had one of your sticky buns forever, mom just a couple”
“Just one,” she slapped his hand as he went for another.
“Shane!” He heard the sound of someone running down the hall. He turned around and was nearly bowled over by Ava running at full speed who nearly tackled him in an embrace.
“Hey you,” Shane said enjoying the closeness. He suddenly realized that she was shaking and crying. “What’s the matter? Are you ok?”
Ava stepped back wiping her tears then with the angriest expression he had ever seen on her face she poked a finger in his chest. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again, Shane Chason, or so help me I’ll, I’ll…I don’t know what I’ll do but it won’t be good for you, mister.”