The Year of the Lumin

by Andrew Ryan Henke

  Ratt hurried Noir along, “Well? What?”

  Noir wasn't sure how to say it. “In my head I've been calling it the catalyst. It was a strange glowing orb on a pedestal. It’s what started all of this; our being here.”

  “Catalyst, huh? Could it be some sort of enchant?”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. In our world, I embraced lux for the first time and channeled it into the catalyst. That’s when the world changed around us.”

  “Strange.” Ratt took the book that Noir had been holding and skimmed its pages.

  Noir sighed. “So far I haven’t found anything about an enchant being in the cave.”

  Ratt said, “It says here that the cave predates the shrine. They have no idea what the cave is for other than its connection with the Lumin.”

  “Right. That’s what all the books say.”

  Ratt put down the book after a moment and struggled with how to say something that he had been churning over in his mind. Noir picked up on the emotion and said, “What’s wrong?”

  Ratt started hesitantly, “Well, it’s just… I was wondering. Let’s say tomorrow you figured it all out. You figured how to get home and could do it.” There was a long pause. Ratt did not finish the thought but the question was obviously there.

  “I don’t know what I’d do, Ratt. The whole point of all of this is finding my way home.”

  “So you’d just leave?” Ratt seemed agitated as though this had been on his mind for a while. “There’s a lot going on here that you are a part of.”

  “I don’t know, Ratt. I’m not really sure of anything.”

  Ratt sighed then said, “If the, as you said, 'whole point' of all of this is for you to find your way home, then why would you nearly give your life defending those people in Talik?”

  Asiada came into view around one of the bookshelves and was walking toward the two. Ratt said in an exasperated way, “Look, just forget I brought it up.”

  Asiada walked up carrying the sacks that they had left at the inn. When she approached, she said “You two sure have a lot of junk.” She slung them off of her shoulders and set them in front of the two young men. She picked up on the mood and said, “Whoa, did I walk in on something, boys?”

  Noir looked up at her and said, “No. It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”

  She said sarcastically, “Riiight. Anyway, your friend wasn’t at the inn.” She meant Grandel.

  The news broke the tension. Noir asked, “What do you mean? Where was he?”

  “He left a note with my dad.” Asiada presented an envelope that was already ripped open. “I took a peek out of curiosity. Hope you don’t mind.”

  Noir took the letter from her hand and asked, “Was it sealed when you got it, though?”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “Okay. That means no one found out who he was. Good.”

  Ratt said, “Read it out loud.”

  Noir looked around and saw no one near in their row of bookshelves, so he read. “Dear friends, I have left to go back and help where I can. I brought you here successfully, so you have no more need of me. Remember that you promised to come back once you found them. May we meet again soon in good spirits and health.”

  Noir guessed that the brevity was for security’s sake. He also was surprised at the last part. He had assumed that Grandel had released him of his promise to come back and use his gifts for Talik. But once he thought about it, the man never had said anything of the sort.

  Ratt said, “Well, I’ll miss old beardy pants. Even if he did mess with me all the time.”

  Noir asked Asiada, “Anything else? Any news?”

  Asiada replied, “Nothing more than the usual news of another small battle along the Tierian boarder. I don’t know why they keep trying to invade our towns. What’s the point?”

  Ratt replied, “Hey, Missy. The Tierians are just defending their land. It’s you all who took it years ago.”

  Asiada took a step toward Ratt and let out a mocking laugh, “Oh, ho ho! So now he’s a Tierian, is he? The little rat’s story becomes more clear now.”

  Ratt smiled despite the insult. “At least I didn’t stay under Daddy’s wing until I was seventeen.”

  “First of all, bud, I’m eighteen. And second--“

  Ratt cut her off with a mischievous grin. “Even worse! You’re eighteen and still living with Daddy!”

  Asiada’s mouth hung open and her eyes darted all around as if trying to find something to help her. In the end, she just let out a grunt, flipped her hair, and walked away. She called out, “Rodent!” as she walked away.

  Once she was gone, Ratt saw Noir’s jokingly disapproving look and said, “Oh, come on. I know you’re thinking exactly what I’m thinking.”

  Noir let the self-control go and burst out laughing. “Okay, you’re right! She’s cute when she’s angry.”

  “What!?” Ratt joined in the laughter. “I was thinking she’s fun to mess with, but whatever you say lover boy!”

  The two went back to their job of finding and scanning books. Once Ratt had left to search for more books, Noir thought more about what they had talked about. The three of them were very good friends, even though they had just met Asiada. He realized how much the two of them meant to him, but this wasn’t his home, his world. He couldn't stay here with them. He shook his head, dismissing the growing dispute for another time.

  ~~~

  A few more days passed with Ratt spending much of the day gone with Godo. Noir was becoming frustrated with his search since he had now scanned every book in the library that was related to the Lumin. If he wanted to continue his search, he would have to actually read the related books, or flip through every book in the massive library. Through his studies, he had learned much about this world, but he was beginning to feel like the library was a dead end.

  Early that evening, Steven asked Noir to come over and join the Syeters. They had not formally requested his attention since his first day there. Noir put down the book that he had been skimming, and followed his uncle out of the rows of books to the sye circle. All of the Syeters had their hoods up and sat perfectly in the circle. There seemed to be more in the room than he had ever seen before. Steven sat in his usual spot in the sye circle. Jotunar was awake signifying that something was out of the ordinary.

  Noir felt his mind being opened and entered. He had mixed feelings about communicating through sye connections like they did. The benefits were that you never had to strain to hear or understand someone. Their words were simply implanted in your mind. You could also communicate with Syeters in other areas of the Tower as if they were right there. However, Noir had found it hard to filter out unwanted thoughts, though the Syeters seemed to have no issues with it.

  “Welcome, Noir,” he heard Jotunar’s voice ring in his head. “We have much to discuss. Take a seat.”

  Noir found a spot in the circle that was unoccupied. There was another empty seat next to it. Noir lowered himself onto a pillow designed for sitting. Another Syeter’s voice came to him, “We have discussed and decided on what to do about the Azurite Knights.”

  Syeter Taleem's voice said, “After much calculation and pondering, we have come to a conclusion.”

  Steven’s voice said, “We’re calling them to trial and we want you present, Noir. Ratt has been summoned as well and should be here shortly.”

  Noir thought, “What exactly is the trial about?”

  “We are trying them under suspicion of treason against the Syeters of the Azurite Tower.”

  As Noir had found a few times before, it is easy to filter spoken words, but it is hard to disallow thoughts. Despite his efforts, Noir thought, “It took you nearly a week to decide that?”

  Steven replied confidently, “Noir, we use our connection to determine all possible future outcomes and scenarios. Every branching possibility has been examined. There is not a possibility that we have not gone over collectively. This decision yields the best results.”

&nbs
p; Again, Noir tried to stop his thought process, but it was already in motion, “So instead of actually doing something about it, you thought about it for a week? They could have captured Ratt with him being away like he is, or done anything in this amount of time.”

  Steven cautioned, “Easy, Noir.”

  An unseen Syeter responded, “To a laymen, it may seem foolishly dawdling, but every decision must be carefully weighed before action is taken.”

  Noir’s mind started another thought that he was sure to regret when the main hall doors opened. Noir turned and looked at the distraction. Ratt entered and closed the doors behind him.

  “Ah, he is here. Then we can begin.”

  As Ratt walked forward, he suddenly shook his head in surprise and said aloud, “Ahh! Stop doing that! Warn me first or something.”

  A Syeter's voice said out loud, “Come in and sit, Ratt. You must partake in this. We have already summoned the knights.”

  Noir heard Ratt’s voice in his head. It was slightly deeper and more gruff than his real voice. “So what’s the deal?” He closed the huge doors behind him.

  “The Azurite Knights have broken their code of honor and a trial of grievance will be held.”

  “We must gather all the information from them that we can in this trial.”

  Ratt’s voice came to Noir’s mental ear again, “Wait. What? Aren’t you all mind readers and stuff? Just dive in and find out what you want.”

  Noir felt the mental equivalent of a sigh come from many of the Syeters. He had read in one of the books a short section on the knights in preparation for Ratt’s new armor. The helmet section of an Azurite Knight’s armor did two things. It connected the other parts of the armor to the wearer’s consciousness so they could each be activated with simple thought. It also shielded the knights from any sye attacks, scans, or attempted takeovers. The only trump the Syeters had on the Azurite Knights was their telekinesis.

  Ratt responded with recognition to the thoughts that Noir inadvertently sent through the connection. “Oh.” Noir was startled when he realized what he did. He mused on the self control that the Syeters must have in order to not allow their thoughts through. Perhaps they controlled it with some sort of sye trick.

  Ratt walked over and took the open spot next to Noir. Just as he sat, the large doors opened again and revealed two Azurite Knights. Noir felt a quick moment of confusion from the Syeters. The names Mende and Keel came to him through the connection. Apparently this was not what the Syeters had expected.

  An older Syeter that Noir had learned was one of the most respected in the group spoke with his physical voice, “Azurite Knights Mende and Keel. Why do you not come with your captain?”

  The two knights walked forward and knelt on the designed marble floor before the Syeters. One knight said, “Master Syeters. We come of our own will, apart from the will of Captain Osarik.”

  “You have doings beneath the view of your captain? Tell us the reason, Mende.”

  “His intentions are not aligned with the preservation of the Syeters. They go against the code.”

  Jotunar’s voice rumbled the hall, “And your intentions do not?”

  “No, great Jotunar. We serve the Syeters of the Azurite Tower, not Captain Osarik.”

  Jotunar said, “Rise.” They slowly stood. “If you are truly loyal to the Syeters, then remove your helmets so we may scan and see how deep this fissure within the knights goes.”

  The two knights removed their helmets without hesitation and held them under their arms at their sides. For the next few moments, Noir did not see anything happen and nothing came through the connection that the Syeters had provided for him. But he knew their minds were being quickly flipped through by the powerful combined force of the Syeters.

  Before Noir could figure out what had happened, the huge hall’s door flung open once again. A blur of motion came in through the doors and surrounded Mende and Keel. A ring of swords, axes, and spears were leveled at the two knights by the time Noir comprehended the scene. Captain Osarik’s stocky figure stood in front of the other knights facing the Syeters. His weapon was sheathed, but he seemed tense, as if ready to draw.

  Jotunar stirred and quickly rose. Noir could sense the tension and frustration from the Syeters and the dragon.

  Jotunar’s low rumbling voice shook the hall, “How dare you enter our chambers thus? These two are an audience of the Azurite Tower Syeters.”

  Osarik said with a forced calmness, “These two are under my command. They are under my authority.”

  One of the Syeters said harshly, “Be careful of your words or you will lose that authority.”

  Osarik held an open hand toward the center of the circle behind him. “My actions are always for the better of this tower. These two have gone against my orders and our code. They should--“

  Bearing massive white teeth, Jotunar raised to his full height and growled, “Fool! We have seen their minds. We know of your treason.” His massive voice echoed and shook the large hall. “We know of your desire and attempts to usurp the prophesied Lumin from us.”

  Osarik’s body tensed and he quickly glanced at Noir and Ratt. “These two could be dangerous. Our duties are to protect the Azurite Tower. We were performing those duties when we apprehended the one.”

  Jotunar ignored the captain and rumbled at the other knights, “Your captain’s actions are against the will of the tower. Stand down, Azurite Knights, or face banishment from the tower and kingdom.” At that, most of the knights looked at their captain with resolve. However, a few looked doubtfully at the dragon.

  The tense atmosphere and the drawn weapons bothered Noir. He embraced lux and made two flows. He put a small light barrier around the encircled Mende and Keel, and a large one creating a wall between the knights and himself and the others. The barriers shimmered faintly and Noir realized how little of his chakra these barriers took. Two months earlier, it would have drained him in a few moments.

  Captain Osarik turned his glance to Noir and laughed. “Boy! These small barriers could not stop the onslaught of the Azurite Knights if we chose to attack.”

  Noir heard Jotunar’s mental voice come to his mind. He seemed to be speaking to the Syeters. “I have heard enough.” A quick series of images flashed through Noir’s mind. They depicted dozens of flows of blue energy flowing into the knights. The blue energy looked exactly like the yellow that Noir saw whenever he used lux. Noir was not sure what the images meant, but the Syeters apparently did. They all responded with quick mental agreement.

  “The decision is made,” Jotunar growled at those before him. “All who stand defiant are stripped of title. Remove your armor immediately or be banished from the tower and kingdom.”

  A moment passed and Osarik turned and looked at his men. Three knights dropped their weapons, took a step back from the others, and removed their helmets. Noir then understood the images that had been passed to him. Osarik’s form suddenly burst into a blur toward one of the relenting knights, but the Syeters were ready for this. An immense force blasted the captain away from his target. His form scraped and rolled along the marble. The knights who retained their positions were also flung away from the others.

  Captain Osarik sprang to his feet with amazing speed. He seemed unharmed from the attack, though the marble showed long gouges. The other knights were also to their feet, and with bursts of motion, collected behind their captain as he spoke. The captain spat disgust into each word. “Long have we served you complacent fools like dogs. You trifle and plot but do nothing! We will find the true Lumin through our actions, and you will do nothing through your thoughts. Rot in your own stagnant filth, cowards.” He turned to those behind him. “Come, knights! Let us leave these stagnant fools.” With a blur of black, white, and bluish-green, they were gone.

  The five left behind all had looks of pure shame. Noir released the light barriers as Jotunar stepped forward over the heads of the Syeters. His figure seemed less tense and almost sad. “You thre
e who stood against us, remove your armor for it is the property of the tower. Mende and Keel, your loyalty is firmly noted. Do not leave this chamber for the next few days; I fear what Osarik and his followers might do.”

  Noir couldn't help but think, “They're not going after them?” He was sure the thought had been picked up by the Syeters, but no attention was brought to it.

  The mood of the Syeters was solemn. They broke away into smaller groups, no doubt mentally discussing the events that had just taken place. Noir and Ratt looked at each other dumbfoundedly. Steven’s thoughts came to Noir through the connection. “I think this day is one for the history books.”

  Chapter 36

  Return to Talik

  Grandel let out a sigh of relief as he crested another small hill. He had been traveling for nearly a week by foot. He stayed in Hess`erabi and Kuli as he traveled the dirt roads that connected the towns. Kuli’s inn seemed to be in working order after the commotion before the destruction of Talik. Another innkeeper besides Assai had taken over, so there was no worry of being recognized.

  Grandel had come across three groups of wandering straghs. They were in groups of twos and threes, which were not too much of a struggle for him to dispose of. What troubled him most was the sudden influx of straghs in the area. They were more a thing of stories than a common sight. As the rumors went, they were not born naturally, but twisted from normal humans, though their birth place had never been found. He worried about where the poor people for these straghs were coming from.

  As Grandel traveled, he cared for his new fledgling companion. He had tried to sense how she felt in relation to different names, but it was hard to interpret her emotions. He felt they were slowly getting better at communicating simple emotions, but the animal was young and desired mostly food and rest rather than communication. Grandel eventually decided on a name that Kahmi had said she wanted to name a daughter if she ever had one. The name Isis fit the young hawk well, and Grandel was beginning to feel inseparable with the animal.