Another hand went up. This from Chari. Again Professor Reivus pointed, smiling as he encouraged her to ask her question.
“Why is it only nobles can use the Glimmer Stones, professor?”
Professor Reivus frowned thoughtfully but didn’t seem upset. “Yet another good question, Miss Silvencor. I must say I am rather encouraged by this year’s batch of students. But yes, on to your excitingly inquisitive question. Why can only nobles use the glimmer stones? To be honest, there’s no proof that they are the only ones that can.” He paused, listening to the murmuring from the class. “Does that surprise you?”
“That’s ridiculous, professor,” growled a voice from the boy sitting next to Ashrak, “everyone knows that if a commoner tried to use a glimmer stone, they would die. My father told me he’d seen one combust, once. Said it took days to get the ash out of the carpet.”
Professor Reivus’ eyebrows shot up like two furry caterpillars trying to fly off of his face, then he leaned forward peering towards the back to see who it was who’d spoken. “Ah, Mister Dolgren, yes that is indeed what many nobles say will happen. That commoners will combust, explode into bits of warbler pie, or even dance a jig, yes? I’ve heard far more outlandish fates, but no one I’ve ever spoken to has seen this happen. Despite the very well-touted word of your father, I would suggest waiting until you’ve seen it for yourself, yes? That being said, what is a fact is that it is on pain of death for a commoner to handle one. That is the law as agreed to by all of the Ducal Council. Something I’m sure you all know. Altogether, a rather terrifying set of circumstances that should keep any sane commoner from even trying.”
Chari had turned, listening to the boy and Professor Reivus as they spoke before interjecting another question. “How do commoners mine the stones in Feldar? Or work them in the crystal fields? We know for a fact that they can touch them then and do not die, don’t we?”
Professor Reivus nodded. “Correct, they do not. But technically the stones are not active at that time. Just simple gemstones at that point. Only after being exposed to a breeder stone do they truly become glimmer stones, and therefore assumed deadly. Still, there is little active proof. In fact, prior to a certain time in our past, this was not even spoken of in the histories. A curious thing, at least to those that study such.”
Professor Reivus waited, but no more hands went up. Clearing his throat, he proceeded with the day’s lesson. “Now, if there are no more questions? Unlike our Lords Golgamere who are both rather keen on the idea, it is quite likely that the rest of you will not pursue this area of study past this introductory course. That being said, you are nobles, and it is part of your birthright that you should be aware of how the process works. We won’t be doing the construct behind us, but one far simpler,” The professor turned, erasing the old equation while he spoke and then began writing another in its place, one that was far more simple and only consisted of a few numbers.
“This is a simple plate. When completed, it will be approximately ten centimeters wide by ten centimeters high by one centimeter thick. The simplest numbers that can be done other than a ten by ten by ten block, though we wouldn’t want you to strain your precious muscles lugging one of those around. While extraordinarily light, even glimmer steel has a bit of weight to it if enough of it is in one place.”
The professor then walked over to a small, portable table with numerous holes in its top. Inset in these holes were forms that looked much like a frame for a picture though with nothing between them. He carefully removed a box from his robe and opened it exposing a faintly shimmering stone within. Removing it, he placed it in a small oval indentation on one of the forms and turned back to the class.
“Now, to create the plate is quite simple. You must hold the equation in your mind. It must be clear, precise, and uninterrupted. You will find that it will require at least one to two minutes of intense concentration for the plate to form. If your equation is interrupted at any time, the creation will falter and collapse, forcing you to begin again.”
He reached down and turned several knobs on the table, tilting it at a gentle angle so it was facing the class. As he did so, and despite having seen this several times in the last few years, Aiden pushed himself forward to watch. He had always felt there was something soothing about watching the glimmer material form in the mold and then solidify, like watching honey flow over a piece of glass. The professor straightened and turned back to the students.
“You’ve all had focus class and have learned how to hold ideas in your mind without the normal flickering of most people’s thoughts. Much like meditation, this will serve you in creating glimmer steel. Once you have the formula in your mind, you must then push it into the stone. This will cause the stone to react, and then pull the glimmer steel into the form for solidification. While it appears easy, I suspect most of you will take the full two weeks to perform this exercise.” The instructor paused before uttering his final words like a stage performer. A dramatic hush settled over the students, most of them leaning forwards in their seats. “Watch, and learn.”
The gnarled old man placed his hand on the glimmer stone, hiding it from view and closing his eyes. Surprisingly his usually quirky fidgets and facial tics disappeared as he focused his mind. It was almost mesmerizing to the students who only stared more intently as a sheen spread out from where the stone lay under his hand and oozed to fill the forms on the table. There was no difference in how the glimmer material moved, disregarding gravity or any other force as it flowed into place.
Time passed before the plate looked complete with several more minutes plodding by as the old man continued to stand without a sound. Suddenly, he shook himself and took a deep breath, blinking rapidly. “Oh, my, well I can’t say that is not unpleasant. I think I fell asleep.” He turned, stretching before reaching out and touching the semitransparent pane of glimmer steel that now rested before him. He slowly lifted the forms out from the holes in the table, and effortlessly pushed them away from the pane of glimmer steel, holding it up for them all to see.
“Much like meditating, such focus can feel somewhat refreshing, but that is only for the simpler creations. The more turns, curves or other mathematical differences with your constructs, the longer the equation and therefore longer you must hold the image in your mind. It gets easier with practice, but even for the masters their more complicated creations can take days and drain them significantly. No one has a clue how the ancient artifacts were created, and by our best estimates, even the simplest item that remains today would have taken a year or more of uninterrupted thought. No one could survive that.”
The professor stepped down from his dais and handed the plate to one of the twins. “Pass this around. You will note how light it is, and that when you flick it with your finger, it will make a very dim tone. When you make yours, you will most likely not hear anything. Yet another anomaly of the creation of glimmer steel is that the more solid and longer lasting it is, the more it will create a sound not unlike ringing metal, thus its name being glimmer steel. It is said the more real it sounds, the longer it will last and tougher it is.”
As the plate was passed, the professor watched for a few moments before walking back up to the podium. “The arms and shields made for the duke’s men are said to almost sound like real metal, and last for decades. As impressive as that is, they pale in comparison to the ancient artifacts that have lasted for thousands of years, but they are the best we can do today.” Professor Reivus picked up several tokens attached to pieces of string, holding them towards Aiden and directing him towards the doorway. “Your first assignment will be to create one of these plates. I am going to give you two weeks starting today, and will be available anytime for questions on how the process works. At the door, Aiden will hand each of you a badge which you will exchange for a glimmer stone.”
He slapped his pointer onto one of the books on his desk. “You should find the equation and reminders on how to focus as well as set up your forms on page
thirty-two of your books. Do not deviate from the equation. If you try to experiment, neither I nor the school will be liable for the engineers chucking you off of the cliffs into the bay. I repeat, do not change the equation.” The professor eyed all of the students, meeting each of their gazes as Aiden made his way towards the exit.
“I’ve reserved the period directly after this one for your use, so please do not dally in the hallway making goo-goo eyes at each other, eh? Ashrak?” Professor Reivus gave Ashrak a pointed raised eyebrow and got a roguish smile in return.
“Aiden will also be guiding you to the Stone Hall and show you how to work with the tables or perform any reasonable mundane task. Please do not abuse him. He’s not your personal servant, eh? I will get a report from the hall guard, so keep that in mind. You don’t want any bad marks this early in your class.”
Aiden groaned. He had hoped to have next period off so he could run and get something to eat, but it was not to be so. Glowby floated up and bumped up against his cheek as he sullenly stood at the door and began handing tokens to each of the students that passed. Sure, he couldn’t feel anything, but it was the thought that counted, and he smiled between hand-outs. Glowby bounced a bit more happily at that. It was important to recognize kindness, even if from something not really there.
Ashrak and his crony didn’t even pay any attention to him as they walked out, but he did get thanks from several of the other students, including the Gavin. That was a good sign, at least. The burly one with the scraggly beard only nodded politely, moving gracefully by in a warriors swagger. As close as he kept to Gavin, he wondered if he might be some guard. Shrugging, he tried not to think about it. Just another good reason not to call attention to himself. He could just imagine one of those huge fists coming at him and shuddered. No, it was far better that he just skulk way behind the rest of them and avoid their attention.
The last one out was Chari who took her token and then, surprisingly, slipped her arm into Aiden’s before walking quickly to catch up to the rest of her friends. He noticed Glowby freeze, buzzing and turning white for a moment, probably reflecting his terrified surprise as he was pulled along. He ended up directly into the thick of them as they towered over him with their good looks and powerful families. He tried desperately not to panic, but Chari giggled anyway. It was not an unkind laugh, but more of one where she was trying to set him at ease.
“By the Circle Stone, Aiden, relax. You look like you’re about to wet yourself. We’re not going to do anything horrible to you. At least we won’t. I can’t say as much for Ashrak or his bully boy. Your name is Aiden right?” She smiled as he nodded. At this range, her silver eyes were even more sparkling and interesting.
As they walked, Chari began to point to the other five that walked with them. ”I’m Chari, obviously the best of the lot,” she said, smiling charmingly, “shining cherub of light and happy greeter of new friends.”
“That’s Gavin up front, being all tall and bossy. Despite what everyone says, he won’t bite.” She rolled her eyes playfully as Gavin turned and grinned back at them, sticking his tongue out at Chari. “The big one next to him is Markam. You’ll probably pick out that he watches Gavin like a hound at the dinner table,” She whispered. “That’s his bodyguard. Gavin’s father wouldn’t let him come to school without one, but overall he’s fairly nice if a bit straight-laced.”
She picked her voice back up, completely ignoring the irritated look that Markam gave her and continued to point out the others in their group. “This is Trilka or Trill for short, and the two up near Gavin are Jonders and Serent.” Trill, a tall, pale girl, waved at him somewhat shyly. The two twins also nodded before going back to their animated discussion.
Aiden waved to them all, still feeling a bit panicky but so far they seemed nice. Almost like real people even. “Um… Hi everyone,” he said, sounding nervous and like he was about to pass out. He was almost thankful that Chari kept a tight hold of his arm. He was pretty sure if he did pass out, she’d drag him through the hallway chattering away like nothing had happened. He was determined that wouldn’t happen, if at the very least because he didn’t want to be quizzed later.
He smiled as he listened to Jonders and Serent talk excitedly about their upcoming assignment, mentioning some things that the professor hadn’t covered yet. He suspected they would be some of the ones that stuck with the program after these introductory lessons. Not a lot did, but enough second or third sons and daughters kept with it to keep the Engineers Guild staffed up. He sighed softly, thinking about that. He loved the subject of glimmer steel himself, but there was no way he could do anything but be a helper in their ranks. He might still do it, just to stay close to the process. He wouldn’t stay a kid forever, and they didn’t like adult orphans roaming about the campus. It tended to make the students nervous unless they became teachers themselves.
Finally, they crossed the commons and made their way towards the front entrance to the Hall of Stones. It was an impressive building, large with intricate designs etched into the walls and columns by the mason’s guild. He’d always liked sitting out front of it for some reason and even Glowby dimmed in awe within the shade of the huge building.
Chari led him up to the front as they all stood there, staring up at the walls of the large building. “Ok, Aiden. Well, we’ve never been here before so…where do we go? Lead the way.” Gavin gestured grandly and gave a graceful bow. On anyone else it might have appeared mocking, but on the young man, it seemed polite.
Aiden straightened his shoulders and gave a clumsy bow back which got Gavin to smile, nodding encouragingly. He cleared his throat and moved toward the front doors, pulling them open and stepping inside with the rest of the students following him. “Ok, well as long as I don’t get thrown in jail for presuming to walk in front of you all, follow me? No stabbing either, ok?”
The students laughed, grouping up behind him as he moved into the dark interior. He thought he heard Ashrak’s amused voice in the back. “Dammit, I knew I should have brought my dagger,” but chose to ignore it.
It was dim inside but not overly dark, lit by several gas lamps. Aiden led them all towards the side where there was a counter attended by a thick man and a woman, both armed with swords and wearing the colors of the Engineers Guild.
The lady, an older professor by the name of Onyxine with dark olive skin, stepped forward. She had a patch over her eye with a scar peeking out from under it and even though she smiled, she didn’t look like someone that amused easily. What was also apparent was that she kept herself in shape, moving with the same kind of graceful walk that Markam displayed. Stepping up to the counter, she waited patiently for Aiden to speak.
“Um…Students from Professor Revius’s class here for their assignment? Professor Reivus said he booked one of the rooms? I don’t know which one though.”
She tilted her head, not unlike a raptor might before nodding and gesturing for the students to come forward, making them all crowd forward. “We were expecting you lot. Thank you for not dallying about, I’d have had to tell the professor and he’d have given you some marks for sure if you didn’t show. Do you all have your tokens?” The students all held theirs up for inspection, eliciting a nod from the woman. “Ok, good. Bring them up one at a time, and I’ll exchange them for your stones. Once that’s done, Aiden will show you to room seven. He knows how the equipment is to be used, but remember he can’t touch the stones so please don’t ask him to. You know the laws.” She paused, giving them all a stern look to make sure they understood and received sober nods in reply.
She carefully handed one stone to each student. The stones themselves were small, almost puny looking roundish things that glowed only faintly in the dim light. As Professor Reivus had said, these were the most basic of Glimmer stone and almost weren’t even that. Still, they were able to hold a charge from the breeding stone and therefore counted. Glowby made a small pass over them, but didn’t seem overly excited and went back to inspecting one
of the dark corners of the hallway.
“When you finish, be sure to bring the stones back here and turn them in for your badges. Don’t try to take them out of the building, don’t even forget to turn them in. I don’t care who your fathers or mothers are; you’ll get thrown in the school detention cell overnight. I trust you don’t want that?”
She raised her eyebrow, but all of the students shook their heads in response, including Aiden. He didn’t figure she was talking to him, but best not to make a mistake when it came to detention. After they had all gotten their stones, Aiden led the way to their work room. Professor Onyxine had made an impact on the students, and they were talking about her as they paced down the dim hallways.
“Did you see her eye? I wonder how she got that scar,” Trill said, looking back over her shoulder. She spoke quietly, but they all could hear. Ashrak’s friend, a stringy dark-haired boy by the name of Skeeve, spoke up. “My father said she had it burnt out by some pirates in the Ferenz straights when she was in the Navy. Father said she blew some operation and got a whole bunch of men captured or killed. They had to be rescued by the Ochoran navy of all people. He said she’s kind of stupid and to steer clear of her.”
Aiden turned, scowling back towards Skeeve. He knew Professor Onyxine and while he wasn’t close to her, he still liked her. “She’s not stupid. She’s a Master Engineer. On top of anything else she may have been, that means she can’t be stupid. They don’t let stupid people into the Engineers, nor allow them to protect the Hall of Stone.”
The Glimmer Steel Saga, Boxed Set, Books 1 - 4 Page 2