The Year of the Lumin

by Andrew Ryan Henke

  “What were you out doing when you found us at that shrine?”

  “I think it is my turn to ask a question, Noir. What were you doing when we found you?”

  Noir had to think fast. Ratt had said that place was a temple to the Lumin and that it was holy ground. He said this year was the year of the Lumin, whatever that meant. “I was looking for the Lumin. My family and I were travelers from a nearby village. We wanted to find him so he could cure a sick man from the village.” It seemed fairly convincing to himself.

  Grandel grunted. “We shall see later if those are words of truth. Now, on to more important matters.”

  “Sir, you never answered my question.”

  “And I shall not as of now. Do not test my patience as you did yesterday.” Grandel stopped pacing and sat down in the chair across the table again. “About your lux abilities. They could be of great use to us. Our goals are only for the defense of ourselves and our people. When we are inevitably discovered, there will be battle. No military force survives without their share of Luxins. We have two Luxins in our group already. They both defected from Tier originally. However, two are not enough to support the hundreds of fighting men that we have.” He leaned forward toward Noir. “So, I must ask you. If we trained you in the use of lux, would you fight with us?” Grandel noticed the surprised look on Noir’s face, so he stood up, walked over to a small bookshelf and said, “Take a moment to answer if you need it, though we do not have limitless time.” He pulled out a book and scanned its pages.

  Noir thought on all that he had recently learned. He certainly wanted to learn how to use this power that was said to be in him. He couldn’t believe it was actually real. But he wasn't sure if spending his time with this group was what he should be doing. What about Aimee and Uncle Steven? He couldn't stay with this group and forget about them.

  “I will help you if you agree to a few conditions.”

  Grandel slapped the book closed with one hand, and turned on his heel. “Name them and I will see what we can do.”

  “While I am learning how to use my vigor, you need to get my family back here from wherever they went.”

  Grandel sighed. He walked forward and laid the book on the table. The book had thick leather binding with a colorful symbol in the middle. At the base of the symbol, it had a yellow ornate tree pattern with wide spreading branches. At the top of both sides of the branches were two more symbols. The one on the left was in a deep blue. It was a flattened diamond shape with intricate, symmetrical curved lines inside. The shape on the right of the golden tree was a red circle with two pointed protrusions. They were bent in opposite directions so they looked like spinning blades.

  Noir’s attention was brought back to Grandel. “I'm afraid that isn't possible. If they’ve not already been sold, both of them are probably already a day and a half's ride away in who-knows-what direction. If they have been sold, then there is no way to get them back without releasing our identity and jeopardizing our whereabouts. I'm sorry.”

  Noir thought, “Great. So I won't see them for who knows how long.” Then he said, “Well if I help you, you must let me leave to attempt to find them whenever I desire.”

  “Certainly. Anyone is free to leave whenever they like. They just need an escort to make sure they get to their destination unhindered.”

  “All right.” Noir said. That would have to do for now. “Also, I want Ratt released.”

  “Who is Ratt?”

  “The guy who I was sharing a prison cell with.”

  “Oh him!” Grandel laughed. “That can be arranged. We were going to release him tomorrow anyway.” Grandel then stood up and stretched his hand out over the table. “So, what do you say? Are you our newest member?”

  Noir really hoped that this was the right decision, but he was eager to learn about this “lux” thing. He grabbed Grandel's hand and shook it. “As long as I get to go search for my family members, I'm in.”

  Grandel released his firm grasp with a smile on his face. “Excellent. We’ll take you for your Luxin training tomorrow. First,” he slid the book with the symbol on the front toward Noir, “take this book and skim it before tomorrow.” Noir picked up the heavy book and put it under his arm.

  Grandel gave Noir an odd look. “I'll bet you don't have any tali, do you?”

  Noir looked at the bearded man blankly.

  “Figures,” Grandel said. He walked to a small wooden box on one of the shelves, opened it, and pulled out a small cloth bag. He placed it on the table in front of Noir. “It's only a few. You won't need many because most everyone in town just trades without the use of tali. But you should have them just in case.”

  Noir said carefully, “Sir, I'm sorry but we don't have tali where I'm from. What are they?”

  “Lumin blind me! You don't know anything.” It was exasperated but playful. “It's money, Noir. Both kingdoms use it. They are very small enchants, which you'll learn about later in your Luxin training.”

  Noir pulled the leather string and poured the contents into his cupped palm. Twenty small silver beads fell into his hand. When they made contact, they each glowed very faintly white and yellow.

  “That's how you know they're real. They glow white.”

  Noir inspected the small shiny orbs more closely. On each tiny sphere, there was an etched emblem that looked like two overlapping hour glasses.

  “Anyway, you have some tali if you need them. Now go get acquainted with some of the townsfolk. By the time you get back here, we should have a room ready for you for the night.”

  ~~~

  A man pretended to look at a dagger that the town blacksmith was selling. Though his eyes were on the dagger, his focus was actually on the young man in his peripheral vision who had just walked out of the command building. The young man had on an odd style of clothing and walked with a limp. He matched the description of the one who walked out of the cave. The fact that he was now outside with no guard around him implied that he had joined this pathetic group. It meant that the young boy was to be trained in his vigor and he would be off to meet Fafnir probably the next morning.

  The man handed over the few tali that the dagger cost, and walked away from the blacksmith's shop. After he got out of sight, he ducked behind a clay hut. Letting out the held in anger, he balled his hand into a fist and gritted his teeth. Adeel was dense enough that she would never catch onto his plans. But a third Luxin could pose problems. The man’s gritted teeth turned into a vicious smile. The new Luxin boy had to be dealt with.

  Chapter 8

  Luxin Adeel

  Noir exited the building. It was the first time in this world that he had had the freedom to go where he pleased. The very first thing he did was turn and look at the two glowing orbs on the sides of the doorway. He got up close and inspected all sides of it. There were no wires for electricity. No place to hold batteries. He couldn't figure out where the power for the light came from. Even though he was getting confused looks from the guard stationed by the door, Noir reached up and touched the light. It was perfectly cool unlike the light bulbs that he was used to. He turned to the guard who was already looking at him and asked, “Excuse me. What makes this thing work?”

  The guard gave him a strange look and said, “You have got to be kidding me. You have never seen a glow sphere before?” Noir shook his head. The guard sighed, grabbed his belt, and hoisted it up a bit higher. “Chakra makes it glow. A Luxin enchanter made it. Quite expensive, especially when you're so far from most any enchanters. They're handy for night watch though.”

  The answer satisfied Noir. He wasn't sure what enchanters were or how lux or chakra could be enchanted in something, but that's what he had the book for. He figured he'd read about it later; his feet were itching to explore.

  Noir explored the town. When people passed by him, they gave him confused but intrigued looks. They were all dressed in either the leather armor he had seen before, or in simple brown, tan, and white clothes. Noir tried to politely greet
every person that caught his glance, but they were mostly apprehensive. Perhaps his odd clothes were putting them off.

  Noir walked for a while. Even though his damaged leg hurt from all the walking the day before, he went all the way to one side of the village and then back to the other. A stone wall about chest high surrounded the small village. It seemed only partially completed, taller and shorter in various places. The sun climbed up the morning sky as he explored.

  As Noir walked, he heard the clang of a blacksmith’s hammer on metal. His curiosity drew him toward it. The blacksmith’s shop glowed a dull orange in the morning shade. There were wooden racks with swords, axes, hammers, shields, and bits of armor hanging on it. As he approached, an older woman behind the counter greeted him.

  “Hello, young lad. I do not see a sheath at your side. Need a weapon to fend off those nasty straghs and Tierians, do ya?” The lady gave him a warm, inviting smile.

  Noir was about to answer when he heard a man’s deep, rumbling voice from the back of the store yell, “Oy, Kavin! More those pesky Chiron that he needs to worry about.” It was a playfully defiant tone. The lady continued to smile as if nothing had been said.

  She held out her hand toward Noir for a shake and said, “The name’s Kavin. My old crabby husband back there is Gonn, Talik’s blacksmith.”

  Noir shook her hand and said, “My name is Noir. I guess I’m the newest resident of Talik.”

  Kavin stifled a chuckle. “Are you now? Not to be rude, but everyone has to pull their own weight around here. Most men are soldiers, but with you being such a young lad and having that limp, not much of a soldier you’ll make.”

  Noir said, “I’m not going to be a soldier. Captain Grandel said I can use lux and I’m going to be a Luxin.”

  The steady hammer strikes from the back of the shop stopped. Kavin then seemed to look at Noir in a new light. “Oh, well then… it’s lucky we have you. Luxin are rare to come by.”

  From the back of the shop, a tall skinny man with tight muscles walked forward. He looked to be about the same age as Kavin and was wiping sweat from his brow with his forearm. Kavin stepped aside. The man said in a deep, calm tone, “A new Luxin, are you? You are very welcome here. The two Luxins we currently have do what they can, but are not enough.” He shook Noir’s hand and said, “I’m Gonn Holdark, Talik’s blacksmith.” He placed his large hands on the counter. “Well, you here for a weapon or armor?”

  Noir looked at the dark iron items hanging on and leaning against the racks around him. He said, “Well, no sir. I don’t know how to use any of these. And besides, I don’t have much money. How much does it all cost?”

  Gonn waved his hand as if that did not matter. “We all live and work here together. I only charge people the tali it takes to make all of this, and only then if they can afford it. I can spare an item or two for the new Luxin.” He shuffled over a few different things on the racks. “Well, you probably won’t need a shield once you are into your training, but you can always do with a good blade.” He pulled a sword off the rack and handed it, hilt first to Noir. The blade was not as long as some of the others, and the handle was wrapped in tightly weaved, flat cloth. A crescent shaped metal piece separated the blade end from the handle.

  Noir put the book that Grandel had given him on a wooden counter and reached for the sword. He grabbed the handle and lifted it up. The sword was heavier than the movies made them look. As he studied the blade in his hand, a woman’s voice came from behind. “Handing out weapons to kids, are we Gonn?”

  Noir turned around and saw a woman in bright armor. She wore the armor over green cloth and had a long straight sword in a sheath at her side. She had a white hooded cape with yellow seams. It was brown at the bottom from being drug in the dirt and mud. Noir recognized her as one of the two who were meeting with Grandel earlier. Gonn smiled and said, “Ah, Luxin Adeel. Good timing. This young lad claims to be a Luxin in training.”

  “Yes. Grandel told me about him. Noir is his name.” She strode up beside Noir who was still holding the sword. She was a beautiful woman who looked to be around thirty years old. Her hair was separated into many small braids that came down to her shoulders. She spoke very confidently but with a kindness in her voice. “Do you know how to use a sword, Noir?” She motioned to the sword in his hands.

  “I’ve seen ones used a few times,” Noir said sheepishly. He had seen them used by actors in Hollywood movies, not true warriors.

  “Seen? That won’t do. If you are to be a Luxin, you will take part in more than your fair share of combat.” She held her hand toward the sword. He gave it to her hilt first, just how Gonn had handed it to him. She grabbed it and took a step backwards away from them. She held it up in the fading light and looked at it from tip to hilt. Then she held the hilt to one eye and studied it. Suddenly, with a burst of motion, she whipped the sword around her body and stabbed in multiple directions. Her feet and body moved in precise motions all fluidly leading into each other. Then with one final graceful flourish, she stood up and handed the sword back to Noir. “That is a good blade. Gonn is generous to give you such a well made weapon.”

  Gonn handed Noir a leather sword sheath that fit his new sword. Then he turned his back to the group and walked back into the shop from where he came. “Anything to help a new Luxin.”

  Kavin then made a shooing motion toward Noir and the sword he was holding. “Go on. That sword should serve you well. Good luck, Noir. We’ll see you around.” She then turned and followed Gonn into the back of the shop.

  Adeel put a hand on Noir’s shoulder, turning him away from the blacksmith. They started walking and Noir put the sword into the leather sheath. “I am traveling with you tomorrow to go see Fafnir,” she said. “She will awaken your lux and train you in how to use it, but it is a few days to get to her lair.”

  Noir thought, “Lair? What kind of woman lives in a ‘lair?’”

  Adeel continued, “We will start out early tomorrow, so you should go take the evening to relax then get some rest. But before you sleep, you should study the book that Captain Grandel gave you.”

  Noir stopped in his tracks and said, “The book! I forgot it at the blacksmith’s!”

  Noir started to turn to go back and get it when Adeel said, “Yes, you did forget it.” She produced it out from under her white cape. “You should be more careful. We can’t have the wellbeing of Talik resting on the shoulders of a forgetful boy.”

  Noir was embarrassed. He took the book from Adeel and looked at the cover again. “What do these symbols mean?”

  Adeel turned to Noir and gave a smirk. “And that, young Noir, is why you should go read it.” She turned away and said, “See you tomorrow, Noir.” She walked off with steady strides.

  Noir watched Adeel go. It was the first time that he had seen her from behind. The white cape had the same yellow tree symbol that was on the book. But the blue and red symbols were not on her cape. “If she is a Luxin, that means she can use lux. So that golden tree is probably the symbol for lux.” He looked down at the book again. “Those other two must represent the other two vigors: din and sye.” Noir turned and started walking slowly back toward the larger building where Grandel said his room would be. He opened the book and flipped the pages until he saw the symbol that was on the front. It was near the beginning. As he walked, he learned that the blue, ornate diamond represented sye, the mental vigor. And the red circle symbol with pointed protrusions represented din, the destructive vigor.

  Noir walked and read, learning why each of the symbols stood for each vigor. He flipped a few pages later and read that the three vigors are actually avenues to using an inner strength called chakra. Every person has a certain amount of chakra in them. Most have a very small amount. This chakra is the energy that fuels a person’s vigor. Noir understood what he read, but believing was another story.

  He read until he arrived at the building. A guard at the door greeted him and led him to his room. When Noir arrived, there was a c
andle next to an uncomfortable-looking bed. There was a table in another corner with another candle. It wasn’ t much, but it was better than the prison cell. A chair was pulled out at the table and Ratt sat in it, leaning over a plate of bread and soup. He was eating hungrily but looked up when Noir walked in.

  Swallowing a bite of bread, Ratt said, “Hey, Noir. They let me out of that cell, thanks to you. My room is next door, but I figured I’d eat my food in here and wait for you. Just call for someone and they’ll bring you a plate too.”

  Noir didn’t realize how hungry he was until he smelled the soup. He put the book and his new sword down on the bed and made a request with a man in the hall. Noir sat down on the bed, which seemed to be no more than straw wrapped tightly with cloth. He picked up the book and started flipping pages again. Ratt grabbed what was left of the bread and walked over to Noir. Ratt said, “I asked, but they won’t let me come with you tomorrow. They said I had to either stay here and be useful or be escorted to the nearest Tierian town.”

  Ratt sat down on the side of the bed next to Noir and looked at the book over his shoulder. He said, “Hey, I’ve seen that book before. That’s The Three Vigors. You really are going to learn how to do that stuff, aren’t you?” Noir flipped through the pages. Most of the pages were covered with words and diagrams, but occasionally sketched drawings would appear. Noir flipped one page to reveal a sketch that filled up both pages. The drawing was of a winged lizard resembling a dragon from the mythology of his own world. A quick sketch of a man to the left side showed the scale. The top of the man’s head reached to about the knee of the dragon. The sketch of the dragon had both arms and legs on the ground with closed wings going up behind its massive shoulders.