“That sounds like a wise choice, Al,” Neepa approved. She used her given plate before eating. Such a simple act of courtesy, yet it conveys so much about her polite nature. A shame people choose to ignore everything about her as a person and chastise her for the sins of her family; it’s cruel. And she takes it silently. Even though she was extremely excited to get a chance to be within Lucinia, Neepa can’t be allowed to enjoy it.
Unless…? The gears in my head turned and I made a mental note.
The atmosphere had lightened dramatically and we were able to enjoy our breakfast in pleasant silence while enjoying the azure abyss offered by the view.
Neepa didn’t touch any of the meat, making her plate only of the sliced pear-like fruits and what looked like steamed carrots. Eva and I had our fill of the meat, leaving only a half of a grilled fish. Oddly enough, the fish looked and tasted almost exactly like grilled mackerel, so that was a nice surprise.
I had a mild buzz once my hunger was sated. Forgoing anymore wine, I helped myself to some tea. The taste was different from Neepa’s herbal brew, this being bitter with a subtle sweet spiciness. Refreshing, but still disappointing. Of all the basic luxuries I’m going to miss, caffeine by far is number one.
Eva poured herself a cup of tea while Neepa continued through her fifth glass of wine. Since spending over a week with her, I’ve taken notice of her drinking habits. It was part of her routine to drink and read in her chair by the fireplace, and, on occasion, fix herself a nightcap before bed. Since confiding in me last night, I worried about how much of her drinking habit stems from drowning her demons.
Koko knocked and let herself in sometime later with two different servants, two women this time, but still dressed in the same livery. In Koko’s arms looked to be a folded set of clothes.
“Was everything to your liking?” Koko asked, only ever to be addressing me.
“Yeah, we enjoyed it,” I said after I finished my tea. “So I’m good for the talk?”
Koko nodded. “I’ve also prepared a replacement for your clothes.”
In her hands was the traditional robe garb that was the standard apparel for men, featuring the popular theme of white and blue. The tailoring looked pristine and the fabric looked incredibly crisp. They were a stark contrast to the pants I wore, which were the same ones that I fought Emre in. My thigh was visible through the slit and the dried blood left an extra dark stain in the black fabric. The long-sleeve shirt I wore the day prior also featured a sizable bloodstain from where my arm was cut.
I gave the offered garments a long look and couldn’t help but make a face; wearing them would make me feel too goofy. “Sorry, but I’m good. I have a second set of clothes in my things, and I would prefer them.”
“Of course,” Koko replied.
One of the servant girls took the bundle from her, while the other began loading the dirty plates on the food cart they brought. The one taking the plates gave my bare chest a prolonged stare as she reached for my plate. I caught her gaze and she blushed, backing away with her head lowered. Taking that as my cue to get decent, I excused myself to change.
After dressing into fresh clothes, and retrieving my other boot, I came back into the main room. Eva and Neepa climbed to their feet, most likely to get ready themselves.
“I planned on going to talk with the Grand Mage and Julika alone,” I informed, stopping the two women. Eva knitted her brows and Neepa looked at me incredulously. “This seems like it’s going to be really personal, so I’d rather it just be me and them.”
Eva plopped back down into the seat, while Neepa slowly lowered herself, clasping her hands atop her lap.
“If… that’s what you prefer…” Neepa mumbled, her gaze to my feet.
The corner of my mouth curled into a small smirk. I turned to Koko. “You mentioned a library, right?”
“Yes. It’s the largest library in the region.”
I nodded. “Impressive. Think you can show my friends around, answer any questions they may have?”
Neepa looked up, another incredulous look on her face. Then her head turned to Koko to await an answer.
It took Koko several seconds before she replied, “Yes.” Those crimson eyes of hers turned towards Neepa, the witch immediately averting hers and sank further into her seat.
“And since they’re with me, they get the same privileges, yes?” I specified.
Koko took a long, silent draw through her nose and exhaled softly. “Yes.”
“Great,” I said cheerfully. “Shall we get going?”
Koko whispered something to one of the servant girls and then answered, “Yes.”
The girl she whispered to opened the door for the other, who was pushing the food cart out. Koko stepped out into the hallway and I followed.
“Al,” Neepa called.
I turned to see her standing, her fingers tugging at the fabric of her dress near her stomach.
“I… um… it’s just … I …,” she fumbled.
I went over and snatched up her hat from the couch. I perched it atop her head, silencing her nervous rambling. “You’re free to do whatever you want, but it’d be wasteful to pass the opportunity, wouldn’t it?”
She didn’t say anything else. Instead, she lowered her head, hiding her face with the brim of her hat, but I was able to see the small smile on her lips.
“Same thing applies to you, Eva,” I said. “But do keep Neepa company for whatever she decides to do. Unless there was something you wanted to see while we’re here?”
Eva climbed to her feet and scoffed. “Nope.”
“And keep my cloak warm,” I added. She looked down at what she thought was a blanket and made a face of disgust. She threw it on the floor and stomped off to her room. I’d almost be insulted if it weren’t such a funny reaction. I returned my gaze to Neepa. “I’ll catch you later, okay?”
“Okay,” she said quietly.
I gave her one last appreciative smile before I walked into the hallway where Koko was waiting. The servant girl was still holding the door gave me a curt nod as I passed, then closed the door behind me. I assumed she was staying behind to take up the task of being Eva and Neepa’s guide. The other servant with the cart had long since left.
Koko lead me down to the stone wall that hid the glass elevator. The doors parted at her touch and she strode onto the waiting platform easily; I took slow, hesitant steps, trying not to look down at the sheer drop with only a thin layer of glass under my feet.
Would it have killed them to paint it or throw a carpet down?
We ascended to the top and were ushered out by the door keepers, and then made our way down the hall towards the same grand portal as yesterday. Koko racked her knuckles twice on the door. The great doors opened slowly with a groan by some unseen force. Koko led me across the space and into the side sunroom where Julika and the Grand Mage waited.
They sat at the rectangular table in the center of the room, Merula at the head, her disciple sitting adjacently. Several books, many of which were open, and papers were strewn about the table, looking like someone frantically studying for their exams. All the notes scribbled in thick lines of ink in the same glyphs I’ve been studying. The writing too dense and complicated for me to make out a single word.
Julika looked up and smiled. She set the quill she’d been writing in the holder off to the side and rose to give me a deep bow.
“The best of mornings to you, Al,” she said warmly.
“Morning.”
The Grand Mage, unaware of my arrival, kept her face hovering over the pages of the book in front of her.
Julika lightly cleared her throat and said, “Master.”
“No sugar, thank you, dear,” she said with a wave of her wrinkled hand.
“Master,” she said in a strained whisper, “we have a guest.”
She looked up then. “Ah, Al, it’s been ages.”
“The name’s––oh, never mind. And we met yesterday, by the way.” The short exchang
e alone made me wary of Merula’s position of authority. Was it just a title that grandfathered whoever happened to be in a certain position?
At least Julika appeared to have all her marbles in place.
Julika walked around the table and pulled out the seat that was directly facing her, putting Merula between us. “Your guard and… host won’t be joining us?” she asked while gesturing to the chair.
I accepted the seat and said, “No. If this is about me, then only I should be here. And I don’t want them caught up in any more surprise death matches you two might have planned.”
The remark was meant to be playful, but it was enough to make Julika bear a hurt look.
When she reached out slowly to take my hand in both of hers, I didn’t stop her. With my hand held close to her generous chest, she apologized grievously.
“Forgive me, Al. It is my duty to uphold the Grand Mage’s will. Emre was told to put forth a challenge, but never maim or kill you. It seemed appropriate at the time, but inconsiderate. Is there anything I can do to earn your forgiveness?” She squeezed my hand tighter, bringing it deeper into her chest, revealing the womanly softness beneath her fine robes.
It took me a second too long to realize I was staring at her chest. However, when I quickly looked at her face, she didn’t seem to mind all that much.
“I-it’s fine. Asking just goes a long way.” I gently pulled my hand away, Julika seemingly reluctant to part with it, but she eased her grip after a second. “I was just in a mood after being battered around.”
“If there is anything I can do to make you more comfortable, don’t hesitate to ask.” Her gaze traveled the length of my body, then she quickly turned to Koko. “Al wished for a private audience. You may be excused.”
“Of course.” Koko bowed and backed out of the room. Her footfalls grew distant, then the rumble of the doors closing marked her departure.
The snapping of a book brought my attention to Merula, who finally seemed to be aware of what was going on around her.
“Tea?” she asked.
“Um, sure.”
With a flick of her hand, three pieces of papers swept up into the air as if caught by wind, but I felt nothing and the other papers remained undisturbed. The floating sheets folded in and around themselves, and then three paperman cutouts touched down on the table. They broke huddle and each took on a task.
One pushed a single teacup and saucer toward me, while the second hoisted the teapot up and began filling the cup. The third pushed forward a bowl of sugar cubes and proffered one.
“Ah, none, thanks,” I said to the paperman.
The thing shrugged its shoulders before it replaced the bowl on the tea tray. Together, they shuffled over towards the other pile of loose notes and unfolded themselves, transforming back into innocuous sheets of paper.
“What did you wish to discuss?” Julika asked as she took her seat.
My eyes flickered back and forth to the paper and my cup a few times before I processed her question.
Once the shock of the magical display passed, I got right to the point. “I want to know more about this Resonant thing. As it stands, I think you’re all crazy and there is no way that I am what you think I am. So far, all of your ‘proof’ is a glowing rock, something about ancient fables, and me having perfect teeth or something.”
“Very fine teeth. Very fine,” Merula commented with a raised finer and wrinkled smile.
“Al, do not forget that you were able to use an artifact,” Julika reminded.
“Yes, the unbreakable wooden sword,” I said dryly. A holy weapon as impressive as a cup that can’t be spilled. “That alone can’t mean much, can it? Am I the only one ever to be able to use an artifact?”
“Well, no,” Julika admitted. “We do seek out acceptable candidates who seem capable of wielding certain artifacts we have an acute knowledge of. The most knowledgeable of our mages analyze and test each artifact to the best of their abilities to deduce their workings and inner natures, searching for unique characteristics. Select individuals who have the affinity we’re looking can typically wield an artifact.”
“Okay. So me being able to use the sword doesn’t make me a Resonant, then.”
“But you are,” Merula said, ignoring what was just said.
An annoyed sigh escaped my lips. “And how can you be so sure oh wisest and greatest of mages?”
Merula took my inflection without missing a beat. “Julika, would you grab the odsci?”
Julika left her seat and went over to one of the bookshelves on the far wall. She pulled something from the shelf and returned to hand the object to her master before sitting back down. The elderly woman then placed a glass tetrahedron in front of me. I studied it for a moment then looked at her for further guidance.
“What’s this?”
“It’s called an odsci,” Julika informed. “It’s a tool used for young students to determine which of the three principles they fall under. Master has been informing me more on the lore of a Resonant while we’ve been researching. Since the remnant has been charged by the Great Seed, the energy within reacted to you, showing that there is a strong affinity you have with the One. This will just confirm my master’s hypothesis.”
“What hypothesis?” I asked, giving the fancy paperweight another look.
She smiled and reached over the table to pull the odsci closer. Then, she brushed her wheat-colored hair over her ears and let out a steady breath as she touched the tip of the prism with her index finger. Within the glass enclosure, very fait wisps of blue began to form, seemingly pouring from Julika’s finger like dye spilling into water.
“Blue is the color of matter—my principle. I am capable of manipulating most forms of nature, as well as certain construct bases.” Julika carefully placed the tetrahedron before Merula. “Master, would you kindly display your talents?”
The Grand Mage smiled and extended one dark, bony finger atop of the point. However, the wisps of color she produced were a lighter-cyan than Julika’s ribbon-blue.
“My master is capable of using both principles of spirit and matter, a testament to her prose as a mage.
“If she were strictly under the principal of spirit, then her color would be green. Those who are strictly under the principle of energy would produce red. Of course, for the rare few who can use two, they would produce yellow for the combination of energy and spirit, and pink for matter and energy.”
Julika moved the magical instrument back in front of me. “Please try, Al.”
I reached out with great trepidation towards the magical item. Before my finger made contact with the point, I withdrew and eyed both women harshly.
“If this is a trick, this is the last time I’ll ever be speaking to either of you,” I warned in a taught voice.
Merula cackled. “If I were to trick you, then I’d pour ink in your tea to make your teeth black.”
Julika looked at me sincerely with those sapphire eyes of hers. “I wouldn’t fathom it.”
Putting aside my doubt, I pressed the pad of my index finger on the point.
And nothing happened.
“Does this mean I was right?” I asked flatly.
“It just means you’re doing it wrong. Do it right,” Merula chided. “Focus your energy.”
“What energy?” I snapped. “Magic was fantasy in my world.” The most magical thing to ever happen to me was when a family friend bit off a quarter and spit back the chunk; it was a trick coin.
“It’s okay, Al,” Julika said soothingly. She reached over and gently held my hand over the odsci. “Just close your eyes and take some deep breaths.”
I complied and exhaled my frustration of the hag in a rush.
“Good. Now, I want you to focus on two things: your heartbeat and the warmth of my hand,” Julika directed.
The rhythm of my heart was easy to find, and Julika’s warmth even easier; her hands were tremendously soft.
“Focus on the beating,” she said quietl
y. “Feel the beat radiating from your chest until you feel it quaking through your body.”
It took a couple of minutes to clear my head until all I could think about was the steady rhythm in my chest. A few more until I felt the tips of my fingers and toes began pulsing with the beat. Gradually, like a bass speaker kicking, the beat of my heart sent one solid thump through my whole body.
“Good. Now, direct those subtle vibrations of your heart to the warmth of my hand. Don’t force it, just let it flow. Tame those beats, focus them down your arm and into my warmth.”
Her instructions didn’t make any sense. A person can control their heartbeat with enough focus, but to control where vibrations travel? Impossible.
I opened one eye. Julika still watched.
“Focus,” she said lightly.
I sighed internally and tried to get in the zone. After a few minutes, my beat was back, strong and steady. The beat went everywhere. Trying to focus it was like trying to touch a cloud.
“Focus,” Julika whispered, then continued to repeat the word. Each reminder growing softer and softer.
Cloud?
Clouds are just made of individual water particles that have condensed. Julika isn’t asking me to grab something intangible, just to consolidate the beats. Doing as instructed, I focused on the warmth of Julika’s hand, a burning torch in my dark, meditative space. Imagining my heart in the center of a pond, I visualized the waves caused by the concussive thump. Focusing on containing the ripple, I imagined a well. Deep underground, completely still, the walls gradually closing in, making the ripple smaller and smaller, the light from well’s top shrinking till it was a pinprick in the dark space.
For a brief moment, I wasn’t in that sunroom. Julika’s voice droned out into a faint murmur, then it was silent. Everything faded away until there was nothing but the strong, steady rhythm of my heart and the warmth. A calm washed over me unlike anything. A tingling cascade started in my chest. Then it pooled together and traveled across my torso, over my shoulder, and down my arm like water flowing in a stream.
“Oh, Al…” Julika breathed out.
Heart of the Resonant: Book 1: Pulse (Resonant Series) Page 21