Empyreal

by Helsel, Spencer

  Alone with her homework.

  Chapter Nineteen The following day Dani awoke to Mastema slapping her awake. “What the hell!” She screamed, stumbling out of bed.

  Her mentor frowned. “You were sleeping.”

  “Yes! That’s what people do in the morning, you psychopath!” “We need to train.”

  Outside, dawn hadn’t even broke. “You woke me up early.” “An early dawn staves off the early grave.” He called over his

  shoulder as he walked out the door. She glowered at him from the floor. “Uh-huh. And do you have a saying for when your Novice murders you in your sleep?”

  “No.” His voice floated back.

  Her bird friend took post at the footboard and stirred awake from under its wing, glaring at her like it was her fault they were up so early. Dani ignored it and got dressed.

  Mastema waited for her in the pavilion.

  “No weapons?” she asked, somewhat relieved. “Are we going to do some yoga?”

  “No. Push-ups.”

  And so began the most grueling hour of Dani’s life.

  She went to the gym in Los Angeles twice a week. She hit the punching bag when she needed to relieve stress. She ran when she wanted to relax. But the workout Mastema put her through was neither relaxing or stress relieving. It was brutal.

  Push-ups. Fifty of them. In quick succession.

  Sit-ups. More than a hundred.

  Knee strikes, burpees, hand-stand push-ups, cardio.

  She threw up in the bushes by the time she was done.

  “Well done, Novice.” Mastema handed her a wooden goblet of water, which she chugged down to sponge the sting of vomit out of her mouth.

  “I hate you.” She croaked.

  “Good training will make you feel that way. Come. You are late.”

  “For what?”

  “The rest of your training.”

  Dani was already dressed. She grabbed some hair ties—the centaurs had actually left ties for her hair!—and Mastema handed her a bowl with some cooked chicken from an outdoor fire he started, with leaf-like veggies and an apple.

  “Eat quickly.”

  “Why?”

  He pointed. Uphill, just beyond her village, she spotted brown uniforms—Novices—trekking from Novice Village.

  “Where are they going?”

  “Combatives. Hand-tohand training. Your first lessons of the day.”

  She nearly spit out her food. “I’m late?”

  “Yes.”

  “But—But—!”

  “I would run if I were you. Elder Azariah does not like his pupils to be tardy.”

  The bird made a sound. From its perch, it turned it’s beak uphill. The Novices were gone, already ahead of her.

  Awesome. Her enthusiasm would rival the lowest pits.

  She took off at a sprint. The trek wasn’t exactly short and she tried to keep up a good pace, but she was over running everywhere. She hoped that some kind of modern convenience like cars or magical horse-drawn carriages would exist here, but nope. She was stuck running. She ran past gifted homes after the Novices that disappeared over the crest of the hill. Overhead, small groups of black-clad Guardians soared past with their Novices in tow.

  Of course they won’t be late, she thought to herself. Their Guardians actually like them. Hers, on the other hand, stayed at her house. She couldn’t believe Mastema was going to make her late AGAIN!

  Groups of people passed her; gifted on their way to the bridge market, Gatekeepers coming off-duty, miners headed towards the bridge for work. Some stared as she passed, ever the sideshow freak.

  The Training Grounds were towards the top of the hills, near the peaks where the clouds hung. In the distance, Dani thought she saw part of the peak move. When it did, she saw eyes. A giant?

  But she pushed that aside and ran towards the Training Grounds. Cluttered with weapon racks, archery ranges and open rings, it was massive in size and cooler than down the slope. Dani, sweat ridden, shivered as the moisture frosted on her skin.

  When she arrived, the Novices and Guardians had already assembled into groups. Each grouping of two aeries formed at different stations: archery, swords, the bowstaff she was all-too-familiar with. She spotted Nathaniel grouped to one side with his aerie and started that way, but he caught her eye and shook his head. Dani paused. He nudged his head towards the far side of the open space. Dani glanced over and saw an Elder looking pointedly at her from the front of the assembly.

  Great .

  Everyone waited. White banners hung on poles along the front of the columns. Emblazoned on the one in front of Nathaniel’s group was a circle with a Zlike tail and a dot in the middle; a symbol she didn’t recognize. Another had a D-like shape with a bolt through looking like a bow and arrow. A third showed a simple circle.

  She trotted up and stood behind the nearest column, unsure of where to be. The Elder she didn’t recognize wore no armor like Asaph or Heman, or a long flowing robe like Jeduthun. Instead it was short, simple and reminded her of a wrestler’s uniform. He had grey at the temples of his jet-black hair, a thin beard that ran along his jawline into a goatee, and strange, piercing golden-brown eyes. His stern expression turned directly to Dani.

  Once in line, she waited. The Elder continued to stare at her. It was silent; so much so she could hear the wind across the open plains around them. After a few seconds, the Elder cleared his throat. When no one responded, he did it again. Dani realized he grunted at her.

  “Yes…Elder?”

  The stocky man flicked his eyes right to another banner. It bore a drawn, bird-like stick figure. She remembered that the Arn, her home, supposedly stood for ‘eagle.’

  The Elder cleared his throat one more time. And once more, he gestured to the other banner. This time, he growled, “Find your guidon.”

  “My what?”

  “The symbol of your aerie, Novice.”

  Dani got the message. The banner was for her. She moved over to stand in front of the eagle; the only one in her aerie.

  “Thank you.” He muttered.

  Could have just said so, she didn’t say.

  “My name is Elder Azariah.” His voice was hard. “I am one of eight Arbiters of the Elder Council. This means I, like Elder Heman and others you meet today, am one of those responsible for your training. I instruct in the ways of hand-to-hand combat and physical weapons. Today, every Novice begins their formal training here and the Keep. This marks not only your commencement into our ways, but serves as a fundamental for how you will train.”

  Dani raised her hand. Azariah’s eyebrows shot up. “Yes Novice?”

  “Will we have to continue to do morning training with our Guardians like today?”

  Azariah looked confused. “As in, you have been training even before this session?”

  “Yes. Hasn’t everybody?”

  “No.”

  His one-word response got a few chuckles down the line. Dani burned with embarrassment and anger. Only she had to get up at the buttcrack of dawn?

  “Training is done in sessions.” He continued. “You—the aeries Aether, Gylph, Corona, Meridian, Pinnacle, Ethereal, Crux, Nexus, Coronach, Halycon, Aerial and Jubilee—are the newest to receive training. This—.” He stuttered to a stop, and then added, “I meant to say all aeries, including Arn.”

  A few people snickered.

  “This is training. It is strict and structured. You will begin as one at the start of the morn and then split into groups. You received a scroll this morning with a schedule. You will follow it.”

  Dani hesitantly raised her hand again.

  “Yes Novice?”

  “I didn’t receive a scroll.”

  Again, more laughter. Azariah grimaced in irritation, continuing. “Today will introduce you to the fundamentals of our society. The trumpets announce when new lessons begin. Everyone will gather together again for Studies in the Anthenaeum.”

  “You should rely upon your Guardian to learn, but also learn
from one another and the twelve,” he paused, glancing at Dani, “thirteen aeries present.”

  He reached down and retrieved a thick piece of wood. For the first time, Dani noticed what made this Elder much different than most. His hands looked large and broken, but what she mistook for cracked skin were in fact scars; jagged, fleshy scars. His hands were beat to hell and back. How could he still use them?

  But when he flexed, the thick piece of wood splintered. They still had strength in them. Azariah wasn’t just an Elder. He was a tough Elder.

  “You will not always have a weapon.” He told them. “You will need to rely upon your body to be your weapon. Break into partners with your Guardians.”

  Dani looked around. Mastema was nowhere to be seen. She raised her hand once more.

  Azariah frowned for the third time. “Yes Novice?”

  “I don’t have my Guardian. Is he supposed to be here?” She heard more than a few chuckles from the group.

  Azariah was not amused. “Then you must train with other members of your aerie…” He quickly realized she was on her own.

  “How am I supposed to train?”

  Azariah frowned. “With no Guardian, there is very little you can do.”

  “So, what? I’m supposed to just stand here with my finger up my nose?”

  More laughter, though now at both Dani and Elder Azariah. She silenced them with a glare.

  Azariah’s scowl went deep. “Your Guardian was to be here. He is not. As such, his choices have hampered you. Who is your Guardian?”

  “Mastema.”

  The laughter died at the snap of the fingers. No one thought Mastema was funny. Even Azariah looked shocked.

  “Mastema? The moor?”

  “I think he just prefers Mastema, but yeah.”

  It was difficult to read Azariah’s face. He looked afraid, or at least something close to it. Who the hell was this guy the Elders stuck her with?

  Dani was about to give up when Kleos, the Guardian from the first day, stepped out of the crowd. “Elder Azariah? If I could, I would like to offer my services.”

  “Where is your charge, Guardian Kleos?”

  “Absent, sir.” Kleos glanced sidelong at Dani. “He was unwell.”

  “Unwell?”

  “I apologize for Novice Ailbe’s truancy.”

  Dink? Dani knew Ethan was Nathaniel’s Guardian, but not that Kleos was Dink’s.

  “As my Novice and her Guardian are absent, I would like to offer my services.” Kleos continued. “Unless you see anything wrong with aiding her?”

  Elder Azariah was about to answer when she heard footsteps behind them. A Guardian trotted up the hill, but it wasn’t Mastema. It was Ethan. He strode to the front and bowed, touching two fingers to his forehead. Azariah did the same.

  “Yes Guardian Ethan?”

  “I’m sorry for my lateness, Elder Azariah.” He apologized, a little out of breath. “I would have been here sooner to inform you of Novice Dani’s situation.”

  “Novice Dani?”

  “Novice Daniella, I mean. Her Guardian was brought before the Elder Council,” he bowed, “with your acquiescence, of course.”

  Azariah frowned. “The Council convened?”

  “I thought you were aware.”

  “I was not.”

  “I apologize for bringing such ill tidings. I assumed the Council informed you. They must not be in need of you.”

  There was something about the way Ethan spoke; like he was baiting Azariah. The Elder looked upset.

  “Novices,” he declared, “there are tasks which require my attention. I leave you today in the hands of your Guardians. I will return once the Elder Council has concluded.”

  With that, he stalked away. Dani didn’t know Azariah from Adam, but he was every bit as angry as someone on a murderous rampage.

  Ethan joined Dani, with Nathaniel in tow, the slightest grin at the corner of his mouth. “Sorry I’m late.”

  “You did that on purpose.”

  “What?”

  “You made it seem like the Council left him out of their meeting.”

  He shrugged. “I only told him the truth.”

  “The truth that made it sound like the Council didn’t consider him important.”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about.” Which, clearly, wasn’t true.

  Kleos didn’t believe him either. “You will get yourself into trouble one of these days.”

  “One of them hopefully in the future and not today.”

  “Where is Mastema?” Kleos asked. “I haven’t seen him in a spell. He does not strike me as someone who leaves his Novice destitute.” Then, rethinking his words, he bit his lower lip, ashamed.

  “What is with that guy?” Dani demanded, hands on her hips. “Why is everyone so afraid of him?”

  “It’s not fear.” Kleos told her. “Not really.”

  “Then what? Is he some kind of outcast?”

  Both Ethan and Kleos exchanged a look. Ethan said solemnly, “For right now, that’s not your concern. What is your concern is training.”

  Kleos nodded. “Yes. Let’s get to it. The other Guardians are beginning. So should we.”

  Guardians took over training. Ethan and Dani moved into an open space. Some around them began sparring, others learning how to stand or hold themselves.

  “Ever fought before?” Ethan asked.

  “Once. I broke the guy’s nose.”

  “Good. You are a natural fighter. Has Mastema taught you anything yet?”

  “How to take a beating.”

  “Also good.” He stood next to her and Nathaniel. “Every fight can be broken down to three things: how to stand, how to attack, and how to—as you put it—take a beating. Now, the combat stance is important. Bend your knees. Place your dominant foot forward, the other behind and slightly to the left, toes pointed to your attacker.”

  Dani followed his instructions. Once she got the feet, they moved to the hands; up near her temples, elbows tucked tight to defend her sides. Ethan showed her how to move, how to dodge, and how to throw a punch. Kleos supplemented; explaining how to use her shins to deflect low shots and forearms for the upper body. It wasn’t how Dani envisioned learning to fight, but it was simple and effective.

  They moved into sparring for a few minutes. Dani noticed that each Guardian had his own style. Ethan’s was something like boxing. Kleos was more fluid; striking with kicks and using hips to swing the legs. Once she started, it wasn’t too difficult to repeat.

  “Don’t think about kicking an opponent in the face.” Kleos told her after they were both breathing hard and Dani took a few practice punches. “Use your hands for that. With your feet, strike to the top of the foot,” he pointed, “the side of the knee or the ribs.”

  “Do demons have feet, knees and ribs?”

  “Don’t worry about demons just yet. Practice on Ethan.”

  She faced him. Tensing, she kicked. It was slow and Ethan was able to shift his shin into a block, but he nodded. It was a good hit.

  “And remember what I showed you.” Kleos said, going back to an earlier move. “If an opponent charges, you put your foot in his sternum and fall back. Let his bodyweight and momentum carry him and toss him over your head.”

  “Right.”

  Before she could say anything else, someone shouted loudly, “So this is the girl?”

  The voice belonged to a black-clothed Guardian. He looked older than Ethan or Kleos; Middle Eastern, with beard and hair trimmed into a continuous wrap around his head. Like all the Guardians, he was in fighting shape. Even in his raiments, he was clearly fit. His Novice—a burly, barrelshaped boy of seventeen with dark skin and serious eyes—stood at his back.

  “Nazir.” Ethan bowed. “This is Dani.”

  “Yes. I have heard so much.” Dani couldn’t place his accent. He extended his hand. When she gripped it, it felt like iron. “Mastema’s pupil. I’m surprised they gave him one.”

  “And why’s t
hat?”

  He seemed shocked. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard.”

  “Well, surprise, surprise, I haven’t.” More than a few Numen were complete buttholes. Nazir was no exception.

  The Guardian showed nothing to her sarcasm. Showed, anyway. “I would think it was important for a Novice to know about their Guardian.”

  Ethan voice was a warning, “Nazir…”

  “Not many would want the failure to be their teacher.”

  “Failure?”

  Joking with her now, he sneered, “I will let him tell you. By the by Ethan, I noticed that you have not been attending vespertide recently. Why is that?”

  Ethan’s expression didn’t change except the barest flick of his eyes in Dani’s and Nathaniel’s direction. “Should we really speak about this now?”

  Nazir’s smile widened. “Elder Azariah is not here. Why not?”

  “Now is not the time.”

  “Vespertide?” Dani remembered Shea and Roxelana hinting it was how Numen and gifted mingled, but didn’t know anything else.

  The other Guardian sighed. “Another time, then. For now, why not a little sparing between Novices? Michael against Daniella? What about it, Novice? A sparring match?”

  “I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.”

  “Why not? I’ve heard so many things about you. They say you are exceptional.” Nazir’s tone took on a nasty tease. “You claimed to lead three other Novices past the centaurs and the Tigris yesterday. You claim you even took down a centaur. Why not show us that skill?”

  Other Novices and Guardians noticed. A crowd was forming.

  “Nazir, that’s not appropriate.” Ethan told him.

  “Why not? It is only sparring. Why not give the pupils something to liven things up? They are both of equal skill. At least, she claims to be. Did you not boast your exceptional skill to Elder Heman?”

  She wanted to hit Nazir. This guy did not think for one second she was exceptional. More than a few Novices and Guardians had the same look. Talk about a hostile crowd. Only Kleos, Nathaniel and Ethan were sympathetic, with a few in the crowd not particularly comfortable with the mob.

  “What do you say, Novice Daniella?”

  Some began whispering and grumbles sifted through the throng.