by Ian Gregoire
She rolled over onto her side to glance at Ari. He was lying on the other side of the red and white check tablecloth separating them, covered by a blanket, with his back to her. It looked as though he was sound asleep, but there was no harm in finding out for certain.
“Master Ari,” she called out, tentatively. “Are you still awake?”
She heard a deep sigh in response.
“Would you believe me if I said no?” replied Ari, wearily.
“Sorry for disturbing you, Master. It’s just that I can’t sleep while I have so many questions running through my mind. Not until I have some answers.”
Ari rolled over to face Kayden.
“What is it you need to know?”
“I was wondering…” She propped her head up with an arm. “What does it feel like to have your Zarantar bound? Does it hurt?”
“Well, I’ve never experienced it myself, of course, but to the best of my knowledge there is no pain, though I have occasionally heard it described as being like losing a limb.
“I can only speculate, but I assume that the longer someone has had their Zarantar the worse it would feel to lose it. For someone like myself, I imagine it would be more akin to having my very being ripped from my body, leaving an empty shell.”
Kayden suddenly felt nauseous. Ari’s answer was worse than the one she was anticipating. While it was true she hadn’t possessed her Zarantar for very long, in that short period of time it had become such an integral part of who she was, the thought of having it taken away filled her with a deep regret.
“Is there a reason why you needed to know that, Kayden?”
“I… I just wanted to prepare myself—to know what to expect when the time comes.”
“So, you’re planning to abandon your apprenticeship?”
“No, of course not.” Kayden couldn’t conceal the surprise in her voice. “I’m going to be expelled…aren’t I?”
“I can’t think of any reason why you should be. Can you?”
Slowly, she sat upright.
“But… I thought…” Ari’s response had her tongue-tied for a moment. “I just assumed the purpose of this excursion to the middle of nowhere was to confirm that I should be kicked out and have my Zarantar bound.”
“It was never as simple as that,” said Ari. “But I am satisfied that no such action will be necessary. And while, ultimately, I’ll leave the final decision in your Master’s hands, I can assure you if Fay wanted you gone she wouldn’t have brought you to me in the first place. She has always been on your side, Kayden. As I mentioned earlier, you and Fay have much in common.”
With a sense of overwhelming relief, Kayden slumped back down, laying her head on her knapsack once more. She began to giggle, in spite of herself, as she held both hands to her face to conceal her obvious delight.
“What’s so amusing?” Ari inquired.
Kayden removed her hands from her face.
“Nothing, Master,” she said once she had her fit of giggles under control. “It’s just that…for most of the day I’ve been worrying about what being brought to Temis Rulan actually meant for me. At first I thought I was going to be killed, then I was certain I was going to be expelled. But now you’re basically saying I was worried for no reason.”
“So it would seem,” affirmed Ari. Then he added, “Now, what about all the other questions keeping you awake?”
“They’re no longer relevant, Master. All of them were in relation to what the future held for me once I was expelled.”
“Does that mean I can now try to get some sleep?”
Kayden chuckled. “Of course, Master.”
She heard him roll over and start fidgeting, attempting to get comfortable. She absent-mindedly stared up at the stars without a care in the world, hoping to doze off quickly herself. Then it suddenly dawned on her, she had one final matter gnawing away at the back of her mind.
She rolled onto her side, propping her head up with her arm.
“Master Ari, there is one more thing, actually.”
Ari sighed deeply before replying,
“Yes?”
“Earlier tonight, you never quite finished telling me about the events of the final battle of the Great War. You said you couldn’t bring yourself to kill the Rogue, but you didn’t get any further than that. However, every account of the Great War I’ve ever read or heard states that the Rogue died at your hands. Now I can’t help but wonder… If all the accounts are wrong, what did happen to the Rogue at the end of the war?”
Rolling over on to his side, Ari faced her again. He silently held her gaze for a moment—perhaps deciding whether he should tell her the truth—before eventually replying.
“That is a rather long tale, Kayden.” Meaning, he had no intention of narrating it to her right there and then, or at all, she thought. “But if you really must know what became of the Rogue at the conclusion of the Great War, you could just ask her yourself the next time you see her.”
In that moment, Kayden was sure that if she could see her own face she would surely see a picture of befuddlement. By this point she thought she had grown accustomed to Ari’s cryptic, roundabout way of answering a simple question. But she was at a loss this time. What exactly was he trying to tell her?
Suddenly, she sat bolt upright, staring at him with incredulous eyes. Realisation had just set in. She knew exactly what Ari had just revealed to her.
Fay Annis was the Rogue.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Mission Accomplished
Kayden had a spring in her step as they continued their trek back to Temis Rulan. It was a brand new day and, in many ways, she felt like a new person, too. So much had changed in such a short space of time. She had unexpectedly been given a new purpose in life, and was looking forward to what the future would bring. It was as though a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She couldn’t wait to return to Antaris campus to resume her apprenticeship without the burdens she had been carrying.
Making their way steadily across open country in the glow of the early morning sun, Kayden found she was able to appreciate all the sights and sounds of the return journey to Temis Rulan so much more than the initial journey away from the city. She had no concerns or anxieties to distract her from the beauty of the environment and its wildlife. It probably helped that she and Ari hadn’t exchanged so much as a word during the hour or so they’d been hiking. And she was perfectly content to walk in silence. Everything that needed to be said had already been said at the crack of dawn.
Upon being woken by Ari at first light, Kayden felt truly invigorated, much to her surprise. She had slept peacefully and contentedly in spite of the shocking revelation about Fay Annis—a revelation that should have kept her up all night, especially because of Ari’s unwillingness to elaborate.
As they were gathering up their things in preparation for the trek back to Temis Rulan, Kayden briefly contemplated broaching the matter with Ari but decided against it. She suspected he regretted revealing the unbelievable truth about Fay to her. But once their knapsacks were packed, it was he who finally brought up the previous night’s revelation.
“So,” he began, as he hoisted his knapsack over his shoulder, “regarding the matter we spoke of last night, concerning your master.”
Kayden’s ears pricked up. Was Ari going to tell her the whole story now?
“The number of people alive today who know the truth about her past can be counted on the fingers of one hand—including you. Needless to say, you cannot repeat it to anyone else.”
She gathered as much, though who would believe it anyway?
“It is obviously a very sensitive subject. If it were to become common knowledge that the Rogue still lives, and is a senior member of the Order, it would be politically very damaging to us—perhaps fatally so.”
“Then why did you tell me, Master Ari?” asked Kayden. “I find it hard to believe she would have asked you to reveal something like this to me.”
“She
didn’t,” Ari affirmed. “But I deemed it to be in your best interest to know. I just hope the truth doesn’t further sully your feelings towards Fay.”
Ari’s fear was unfounded, Kayden suddenly realised. The moment she heard the truth about Fay, her opinion of the woman had immediately and irrevocably been changed…for the better.
“As strange as this might sound, Master,” she said, “now that I know the truth about her, I feel like I understand her better. I can finally appreciate where her attitude and actions towards me, these past three years, have been coming from.” Fay had not been persecuting her after all. “I guess when she said I reminded her of someone from her past, she was referring to herself?”
“Yes. Your master was not much older than you are now, when she went down a dark path that led to her becoming the Rogue. And I know how much she would have hated for you to make the same mistakes she made.”
Hearing about Fay’s past didn’t make it easier to reconcile how the woman she knew could ever have been the infamous rogue Sanatsai.
“It’s still difficult to believe that a woman like her could be the same person who is so reviled in our history,” she confessed. “How and why did she become the Rogue?”
“That’s not really my story to tell, Kayden.”
“Should I ask her?”
“I’ll leave that to your judgement,” he said. “Now, why don’t we get going? We can make it back to Temis Rulan in time for breakfast.”
She hoisted her knapsack over her shoulder.
“Very well, Master,” she said. “You lead, I’ll follow.”
They continued their silent trek across open fields until, eventually, Kayden realised how odd it was they hadn’t encountered any other people, or seen any towns or villages—or habitations of any kind, for that matter. The same was true of the previous evening’s hike.
“Master Ari?”
“Yes, Kayden,” he replied, without looking back at her.
“I’ve just noticed, since leaving Temis Rulan yesterday we haven’t seen any other people about, nor come across any villages. Why is that?”
“When the Sisterhood invited us to the island to establish a permanent headquarters for the Order, we were told we could not build any settlements north of where we eventually chose to found Temis Rulan.”
“Why?”
“I have no idea. But I’m sure they have their reasons.”
That concluded their conversation, reinstating the silence that had been briefly intruded upon. Neither made any further attempts at small talk as they continued on their way. The serene quiet was perfect for contemplation, and Kayden soon found herself preoccupied with thoughts of Fay. She couldn’t wait to see the administrator again once she and Ari arrived back in Temis Rulan. She wasn’t sure what she was going to say to the woman, but she knew she wanted to thank her—if nothing else.
It was just after half past Seventh Hour when she and Ari reached the outskirts of the city. She silently followed his lead while he navigated the way back to the Order’s headquarters at the centre of Temis Rulan. It was somewhat surprising to her that the city was already wide awake. Although the streets couldn’t be described as teeming with crowds, as they were during her two previous journeys through the city, there were certainly a lot more people roaming around than Kayden anticipated. Once again, Ari had his hood pulled up over his head to conceal his identity while he led her to their destination. It was obviously an effective measure because few people gave him a second glance as they passed by.
The pair eventually arrived at the northern gates of the perimeter wall surrounding the complex that was the headquarters of the Order, some time after Eighth Hour. They were warmly greeted by the sentries on duty who promptly permitted them to enter without fuss. Kayden strolled alongside Ari as they paced the grey brick path leading towards Kassani House, wondering if Fay had returned from her trip yet.
“Would you like to head straight to the mess hall for breakfast,” began Ari, “or will you return to Master Fay’s quarters to freshen up first?”
Kayden hadn’t given any thought to sitting down for breakfast until that moment. She wasn’t particularly hungry anyway, not to mention she had more pressing matters to attend to.
“Well, I could do with a bath right about now,” she admitted. “Breakfast can probably wait until I get back to Antaris.” She suddenly wondered if she would be going back to campus that day. “Assuming, I’ll be going back to Antaris this morning?”
“I don’t see why not,” said Ari. “I imagine your master will want to take you back there as soon possible, once she returns.”
“Oh, so she’s not back yet?” Kayden was surprised at how disappointed she sounded.
“I don’t know. I suspect you’ll know before I do, if you’re going up to her quarters.”
“She never did say where she was going,” said Kayden, recalling the last time she spoke to Fay. “Do you know where she went?”
“I had a task for her that she believed could be completed in short order while she is here. If she hasn’t returned yet, then she must still be elsewhere taking care of the matter.”
Kayden contemplated asking Ari about the nature of the assignment Fay had undertaken for him, but decided it didn’t matter. Now that she knew just how powerful a Sanatsai Fay truly was, it was safe to assume she was more than capable of executing whatever the task may be without difficulty. And though she was concerned by her recollection of Fay’s intimation she might no longer be the administrator of Antaris campus upon her return, there was little cause to be concerned about her safety. Fay would return as she had said, and once she did, the two of them would spend some time alone together—to talk and mend fences. She was determined to ensure their relationship became a more positive one, moving forward.
While she and Ari continued their approach towards the north entrance to Kassani House, Kayden could see Sister Idelle, dressed in her cream and beige robes, standing at the threshold awaiting their return—or, more likely, Ari’s return. Seeing the elderly Jaymidari’s wizened old face, Kayden suddenly wondered if Idelle was one of the people who knew about Fay’s infamous past. It made sense that she would be. She was a serving member of the Council, and she certainly looked old enough to have been alive during the Great War.
“Master Ari,” she said, in a low voice. “When you said the number of people who know the identity of the Rogue can be counted on one hand, am I right in believing Sister Idelle is one of those people?”
“Indeed, she is.”
Idelle greeted them with a warm smile once they reached Kassani House. She was the kind of person it was impossible not to like, Kayden realised.
“I’m pleased things went so well out there, last night,” she said, directing her words to Ari.
How could she possibly know how things went last night? Kayden wondered.
“Your master will be most relieved to know that,” she continued, addressing the apprentice. “She won’t admit it yet, but she’s rather fond of you.”
Somehow, Kayden knew Idelle’s words to be true, though she was at a loss to understand why Fay would be fond of her, at all. It wasn’t as if she had given the woman any reason to be.
“So Fay has returned, then?” Ari inquired.
“Not yet. But she’ll be returning soon enough.” Idelle fixed her gaze on Kayden. “If you could excuse us, Kayden, I have some matters I need to discuss with Master Ari.”
Not so long ago, Kayden might have taken umbrage at being dismissed so the ‘grown ups’ could talk. But things were different now; she was different. Besides, how could the lovable old lady ever aggravate her?
“Of course, Sister,” she replied before tipping her head at Ari. “Master Ari.”
Stepping away, she crossed the threshold into the building, but didn’t get far—she was halted in her tracks when Idelle called out to her.
“One more thing before you go, Kayden,” said Idelle, peering over her shoulder. “If I do not see yo
u again before you return to Antaris campus, it was an honour to meet you.”
“The honour is all mine.”
Kayden continued on her way, wondering why Sister Idelle would be honoured to meet a mere apprentice. Perhaps she was just being courteous? Whatever the case, Kayden didn’t dwell on it as she headed swiftly back up to Fay’s quarters without further delay.
She stopped outside the door and knocked first, though she knew Fay would not be in. As expected, there was no reply so she let herself in. She set her knapsack down upon one of the armchairs as she made her way through the living area en route to Fay’s bedchamber. She paused in the doorway, recalling Fay telling her how to call for someone to attend her if she needed anything. Well, she needed to have a hot bath, and for the uniform she had borrowed from Fay to be cleaned; that was reason enough to take advantage of the assistance.
Kayden stepped away from the doorway of the bedchamber, and strolled to the mahogany desk in Fay’s study. She waved her hand over the glass sphere sat upon the desk, invoking Yuksaydan to activate it, as Fay had instructed. The sphere briefly glowed, indicating she had successfully alerted someone, somewhere, that she required assistance in Fay’s quarters. She had no idea how quickly this person would arrive to attend her, so she decided to take a look inside Fay’s bathroom, having neglected to do so while nosing around the previous day.
She pushed the door open and ambled into the bathroom. It was rather compact in comparison to Fay’s bedchamber, but Kayden was still impressed, nonetheless. Firstly, Fay had a bathroom for her own use—she had grown so accustomed to sharing the campus bathhouse with dozens of other women and girls—and, secondly, everything in the room was in such immaculate condition. She was especially impressed by the sight of the large tub that dominated the bathroom. It must surely take an age to pump up enough water to fill it.