by Ian Gregoire
“Thank you for your time, Isko,” she started. “I apologise for the short notice, but I’ll be departing for Temis Rulan shortly and I’ve decided to leave you in charge of overseeing the campus until I return.”
“Of course,” replied Isko, somewhat surprised. “Is there some kind of emergency? This will be the first time you’ve returned to Temis Rulan since you were assigned here.”
“No emergency,” she assured him. “Though it is an urgent matter. I’m not sure how long I’ll be away for, that’s why I’ve asked Elsa to join us.” Addressing the Sister, she said, “I would like for you to be at Isko’s service should he need to delegate any tasks while I’m away.”
“Certainly,” replied Elsa, with a nod of the head.
Addressing Isko, again, Fay said, “Ideally, I don’t want my absence to distract you from your teaching duties, as you are the best instructor here. So, please, don’t hesitate to make use of Elsa’s assistance. She has always been a great help to me.”
“Will do,” agreed Isko. “Anything else I should know?”
“Um…” Fay hesitated for a moment. “There is one more thing I should probably mention. I’ll be taking one of the apprentices with me.”
Both Isko and Elsa looked surprised by the announcement, Isko more so. “The Council agreed to that?” he asked, clearly astonished.
“Yes, so if anyone should inquire about the absence of Kayden Jayta, she will be with me.”
Elsa inquired, “Does this have anything to do with the training exercise last night?”
“You could say that,” Fay said. “But more than that, no one needs to know.”
An awkward expression appeared on Isko’s face. Fay realised he wanted to question her about something, but he was always such a tactful person—reticent to say or do anything inconsiderate or impertinent, unless he had no choice.
“If you have something to say Isko,” said Fay, “please do so.”
“Well,” he began awkwardly. “What should I tell Kayden’s instructors if they should ask about your reasons for taking her to Temis Rulan? If I can’t provide an answer it will only lead to even more rumours about you and your, uh… Well, your attitude to this particular apprentice.”
“As I said, no one needs to know,” Fay reiterated. “Rumours are of no consequence.” There was a finality to the response that discouraged further questioning.
Fay rose from her position on the arm of the couch, then casually walked to the other sofa opposite her two colleagues. She promptly sat back down to resume the conversation across the tea table between herself and them. “Kayden should be arriving here, soon, but in the meanwhile I’d just like to go over my schedule for the rest of today, and tomorrow. You shouldn’t have any difficulty keeping on top of things while I’m gone.”
CHAPTER SIX
Suspicious Mind
Kayden stood in front of the dorm room’s only tall mirror, looking at her own reflection. The ceremonial attire she was wearing was certainly very fetching—much more so than the everyday uniform she and the other apprentices were accustomed to. The clothing wasn’t just made from finer quality fabrics; its design was more elaborate, too, though not to the same extent as the uniform worn by full-fledged Sanatsai. Nonetheless, it was certainly a step above the garb she usually had to wear.
While she admired her reflection, Kayden couldn’t help but lament that there were so few opportunities for her to wear the ceremonial outfit. It was usually only worn for graduation ceremonies at the end of each training level, or during visits by dignitaries—either government officials or members of the Order. Wearing it made her feel like a bona fide Sanatsai, not just an apprentice.
All the while, Neryssa stood behind her continuing to diligently brush her long raven hair for her. Kayden was rather bemused to witness her counterpart fussing over her like a proud mother would her daughter. She was only two years her senior, after all.
“You really should be wearing your hair down all the time,” said Neryssa, wistfully. “You have such great hair. It’s a shame you insist on keeping it in a ponytail or that dreadful braided bun at the nape of your neck.”
“It’s easier to fight when you don’t have to worry about hair getting in your face,” replied Kayden.
Neryssa finished brushing Kayden’s flowing locks, then gazed over her roommate’s shoulder to evaluate her own handiwork. “I suppose,” she said absent-mindedly, admiring Kayden’s reflection.
Kayden frowned as she noticed the weight of Neryssa’s scrutiny. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m just remembering the first time I ever saw you on campus.” Neryssa had that wistful cadence to her voice again. “Being born and raised in Mirtana, and never having been outside the kingdom before, I had never seen anyone of Vaidasovian descent until I saw you. But I had frequently heard it said, by many people, that Vaidasovia is home to the most beautiful women in all the world, so when I was told you are a Vaidasovian girl, I knew immediately the saying had to be true.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh, come off it, Kayden! I don’t believe for a moment you’re oblivious to just how beautiful you are,” replied Neryssa. “Your hair is as black as the sky on a moonless night, yet shines like the stars. It’s softer than silk to the touch, and smells like a warm summer day. Your skin is so flawless I have to resist the urge to touch it, just to be certain you are real. And those stunning, almond shaped eyes…they’re simply captivating. You could make people throw themselves to their death with just a look.”
Kayden began to feel uneasy about where the flattery might be heading.
“And your lips are a shade of pink so delicate, they draw eyes to them as a naked flame draws moths.”
Kayden turned away from the reflections in the mirror to face Neryssa directly. “If this is an attempt at seduction, I suggest you stop, now.” There was more than a hint of threat in her voice. “I cannot be taken advantage of. No matter how much you flatter me, you won’t get what you want because you have nothing that I want.”
Neryssa was visibly taken aback. “You really don’t make it easy to be friends with you. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother.”
“Well, we’re not here to make friends,” said Kayden irritably. “At least, that’s not why I’m here. Besides, why are you so eager to be my friend?”
Neryssa didn’t reply right away. Her face took on a contemplative air; she appeared to be reminiscing.
“My father always says,” she began finally, “it is better to make friends than to acquire enemies. I realise you probably feel differently, but you cannot tell me, in all seriousness, you want to go through life shunning friendships entirely.”
Kayden was unable or unwilling to offer a response. After a drawn-out, awkward silence she turned back round to face the mirror, before sweeping her hair back to tie it into a ponytail as Neryssa looked on.
“If I misinterpreted your intentions,” she said. “I’m… I’ll try not to repeat that mistake.” She turned around again to face Neryssa. “For what it’s worth, I appreciate your help in getting ready.”
Neryssa smiled; it was probably as close as she would ever get to hearing Kayden say she was sorry. “Apology accepted,” she said. “And think nothing of the assistance, I’m probably more excited about your trip than you are.”
That was certainly true, Kayden realised, though not difficult under the circumstances. She wasn’t at all convinced by Neryssa or Yanina’s assessment that she was being taken to Temis Rulan to be honoured in some fashion because of her exploits the previous night. On the contrary, she suspected a far more sinister motive for the alleged journey.
“Now that you’re ready, it wouldn’t do to keep Master Fay waiting any longer,” prompted Neryssa. “And I need to get going myself.”
Making the first move, she headed towards the door.
“I’m right behind you.”
Kayden followed behind Neryssa as they made their way out of
the dormitory building on to campus grounds, walking side-by-side on the way to their respective destinations.
“So, how long do you reckon it takes to get to Temis Rulan?” asked Neryssa.
“Without knowing where it is, I cannot even guess,” Kayden conceded. “There are numerous locations throughout the Nine Kingdoms where it could have been established.”
“I guess you’ll know soon enough,” offered Neryssa. “I wonder how long you’ll be gone for?”
If that woman has her way it will be permanently.
Kayden didn’t give voice to the thought. If Fay Annis was intending to get rid of her, and the alleged journey to Temis Rulan was just a smokescreen to get her away from campus, she would cross that bridge when she came to it. “You seem so certain I’ll be coming back,” she muttered under her breath, louder than she meant to.
“Why wouldn’t you?” asked Neryssa.
Kayden didn’t answer. How could she explain her suspicion that the administrator was luring her away from campus to murder her, based solely on a look that briefly passed over the Sanatsai’s face the night before? Neryssa would never believe such a thing. She—like many others—idolised the woman. It was better to keep her suspicions to herself, to minimise the likelihood of inadvertently letting Fay Annis know that she was wise to her machinations.
Unfortunately, Neryssa was too perceptive not to notice her reticence to answer the question. “What is it you’re not telling me?”
“Neryssa, there are many things I don’t tell you.”
“Stop being so flippant, I’m asking you a serious question. Is there some reason why you think you won’t be coming back?”
“Of course I’ll be back, Neryssa. So you needn’t concern yourself with how long I’ll be gone for.” The reassurance was uttered in Kayden’s most unaffected tone. “You will see me again before you’ve even noticed I’ve been away, and that’s a promise.” She felt as confident of that as she sounded; she would not allow Fay to make a liar of her. “But for now, this is where we part ways.” She stopped in her tracks to gesture at the lecture building on their left, where Neryssa had a class to attend, while her own destination—the armoury—lay directly ahead. “You have a class to get to.”
Neryssa came to a halt, likewise, to face her counterpart.
“All right,” she said. “You can tell me all about your adventures with Master Fay once you’ve returned.” She held out her right hand to Kayden who offered her own in response. They clasped each other firmly by the forearm. “But before you go, though you may not like or respect her, please try to keep in mind the reason for this honour Master Fay has seen fit to bestow upon you. She obviously sees something in you that she doesn’t see in any other apprentice, something that sets you apart from the rest of us. You’re a very special person, Kayden. I knew it the day I first met you.”
Kayden didn’t know what to say to that. Neryssa’s words were heartfelt, but they were nonsense, all the same. At some unspecified point after leaving campus with Fay Annis, either she would die at Fay’s hand, or Fay would die at her hand; that much was certain.
She released her grip of her roommate’s forearm. “Farewell, Neryssa.”
Kayden stepped away to continue her walk to the armoury, leaving her fellow apprentice outside the lecture building.
“Good luck,” Neryssa called out. “And try to keep out of trouble.”
Moments later, Kayden was approaching the armoury where she was to collect her weaponry for the journey, but her attention was drawn away from the building by something else—or more to the point, by someone else. She saw Vartan being escorted by four Sanatsai. His arm appeared to have healed completely, while the minor bruising on his face indicated the broken nose she had given him, only an hour or so ago, was well on the mend, if not already healed. Their eyes locked instantly as he caught sight of her. Although she had, on occasion, witnessed disdainful looks on people’s faces aimed at her—usually because of her background—what she saw, now, on Vartan’s face was something else entirely. It was unrestrained hatred, and not because of any ethnic bias. This was personal.
“You!” shouted Vartan. “This is all your fault!” Two of the Sanatsai escorts had to grab him by each arm as he attempted to dash towards her. “I get kicked out while you escape any punishment. It’s not right! It should be you being expelled! You’re the one who doesn’t deserve to be here!” He continued struggling futilely against the hold of the Sanatsai.
Kayden was of a mind to ignore the outburst—to simply continue on her way into the armoury. But she just couldn’t resist getting in one last dig at Vartan’s expense. “Oh, what are you crying about, you big baby?” she taunted. “I’ve done you a favour. You would have failed the training sooner or later; you’re just not Sanatsai material. At least now you get to go home to spend the rest of your days tending pigs on a farm. You’ll be much more in your element there.”
“Apprentice!” snapped one of the Sanatsai not busy restraining Vartan. “If you have somewhere to be, I suggest you go there, now.”
She smirked then proceeded towards the entrance to the armoury.
“Kayden!” shrieked Vartan. “You think you’ve won, but this isn’t over. I don’t care how long it takes; someday, soon, I’m going to kill you. You’re going to die screaming, you slant-eyed bitch! Do you hear me?”
It appeared several people could hear his vitriolic tirade.
While Vartan was dragged away by his Sanatsai escorts, Kayden noticed more than a few faces peering out from a number of windows of the nearest lecture building, observing the commotion.
“You know where to find me,” Kayden shouted back, smirking.
Her gaze remained on Vartan until he finally accepted his fate, allowing the Sanatsai to lead him away without further resistance. Her smirk disappeared as she muttered under her breath, “And if you are stupid enough to ever come looking for me… I’ll be waiting for you.”
Kayden eventually tore her gaze away from the departing dunderhead, to complete the rest of her short walk to the armoury.
Inside the armoury, the array of weaponry the apprentices were trained to use was stored away in the vast storage space behind the sturdy oak counter. There were two Sanatsai on guard duty, one standing on either side of the entrance, both of whom fell silent when Kayden entered the building. As they fixed intent glances on her, she couldn’t shake the feeling they had just been talking about her, though she didn’t dwell upon it. She headed directly to the counter where she was pleased to see Master Solen on duty.
The ever-genial Sanatsai was of mixed heritage: a father of Yantashan descent, hence the tightly curled, kinky hair, and a Karlandrian mother. Though principally the campus armourer, Solen, in his capacity as a weapons master, frequently acted as an assistant instructor in various martial disciplines, including swordsmanship. Kayden had benefited greatly from his instruction, and he was one of the very few instructors whom she had never fallen out with.
“Kayden, I’ve been expecting you,” he said jovially as he walked out from behind the counter to greet her.
She noted that her sword was laid out upon the counter along with her two daggers. “Greetings, Master Solen.”
“Quickly!” Solen held a baldric in one hand then picked up Kayden’s sword in the other. The two-handed, straight, single-edged blade, known as a Shilla, was the weapon of choice given to all Sanatsai of the Order. “Let’s get you kitted out, right away. You don’t want to be late for Master Fay.”
Kayden quickly removed her black hooded cloak in order to put on the baldric that would allow her to wear the sword at her back. Once done, she sheathed the sword into place—its hilt peering up over her right shoulder in easy reach, so the weapon could be drawn at a moments notice. She put the cloak back on while Solen retrieved the two daggers to hand them over to her. The two blades she neatly put into place; one on either hip.
“Now you’re good to go,” Solen said with a smile.
�
�Master Solen?” She wasn’t quite ready to enter the lion’s den, not while several questions remained unanswered. This would be the last opportunity to acquire those answers. “I take it you’re aware of where I’m going?”
“Master Fay did mention it when she was here earlier.”
“As I understand it, it’s not the norm for an apprentice to go to Temis Rulan before being inducted into the Order.”
“It’s unprecedented,” Solen amended. “It has never happened before.”
“So, why am I being taken there?”
“That is a very good question.” Kayden was not at all thrilled by that response. It could only mean Solen didn’t know himself. “But if Master Fay has persuaded the Council to make an exception for you, then, rest assured, she has very good reason for wanting to take you.”
Kayden was more than a little alarmed by the notion Fay could induce the Council into violating its own rules. “Are you saying she has the power to influence the decisions of the Council?”
“She certainly holds a lot of sway with the members,” Solen confirmed. “Not to mention she is a close friend of Ari Shinadu.”
Kayden wasn’t really getting the answers she wanted, but she did just learn a few things about Fay that were unknown to her previously. Master Ari Shinadu was the founder of the Order, as well as the ostensible head of its ruling body, the Council. If what Solen had said was correct—that Fay was a close friend of Ari, and held a lot of sway with the other members—then it was likely Fay could do just about anything she wanted and get away with it; like making an apprentice disappear without trace.