The Exercise Of Vital Powers

by Ian Gregoire

  “Ready when you are, Danai Annis,” he replied.

  Kenit watched Fay march forward and enter the portal, disappearing from his view—but he didn’t follow immediately in her wake. He hesitated. So much had occurred in the short space of time since Fay enlisted him to join her on her errand to the Kingdom of Lirantana. For one, the trip was by no means the uneventful one she had insisted it would be. On the contrary, it proved to be an incredibly perilous adventure that culminated in him having to save the life of his legendary counterpart.

  Or had he?

  Realisation set in. Kenit suddenly knew what it was about the events in Sharadi Forest that had been bothering him. Finally, he proceeded to enter the portal, feeling reassured, but also uncertain of how he would confront Fay to confirm what he suspected.

  For the second time in two days, Fay stood within the confined interior of the disused windmill overlooking the village of Adara. While she waited for Kenit to emerge from the portal she began to wonder if he might have decided not to return to the Order. Just as the thought crossed her mind, he appeared in front of her, and the portal opening blinked out of existence behind him.

  “Finally!” she said with mock impatience. “I was beginning to wonder if that pretty young Sister had tempted you to stay in Lirantana.”

  “Why would you think that?” Kenit asked, obliviously.

  Fay noted he was looking at her strangely. It was as though he wanted to say something to her, but was concerned about the response he might receive.

  “Come along,” she said, hoping to dissuade him from getting it off his chest. “I have places to be, and people to see.”

  She promptly turned on her heels and strode towards the open exit of the windmill.

  Turning right when she exited the disused structure, Fay was greeted by the sight of the many farmhouses of the village downhill in the distance. It was a bright sunny morning with blue skies and wispy white clouds overhead. She marched purposefully down the hill towards the village where a couple of horses would be waiting for them. Already she was able to see scores of villagers milling about, which was to be expected—the time here was three hours ahead of Lirantana. She estimated arriving back in Temis Rulan some time after half past Ninth Hour.

  Fay heard and felt Kenit fall into step on her right hand side, but she did not look at him. She wanted to avoid encouraging the crush he so clearly had on her. After having successfully boosted his confidence, to allow him to walk into harm’s way and fulfil his duty as a Sanatsai, it would be most unfortunate to have to dent that newfound confidence by making it clear she would never reciprocate his feelings, whether romantic or sexual.

  Marching silently downhill, drawing ever nearer to Adara, she could see from the corner of her eye Kenit frequently casting glances in her direction. With an imperceptible sigh, she knew she was going to have to bring the matter to a head and just get it out of the way as quickly as possible, whether she wanted to or not. It was time to let Kenit down gently.

  “Kai Darbandian!” Finally, she glanced at him. “If there is something you wish to ask me, now is the time to do so.”

  For a moment Kenit looked uncertain.

  “I don’t have a question, as such,” he managed to say. “But something has been bothering me ever since I woke up this morning.”

  “And what might that be?”

  “There was no outbreak of violet fever at The Sisterhood seminary, was there?”

  What is he getting at here? Fay wondered. “I thought that much had been established already,” she said, carefully, “when Sister Inara informed us that the quarantine was a case of mistaken diagnosis.”

  “Well…yes,” Kenit acknowledged, having seemingly forgotten that little detail. “But that’s not really the point I’m trying to make.”

  “What is the point you’re trying to make?”

  “I’ve heard many stories of your exploits on behalf of the Order,” began Kenit, “and last night, in Sharadi Forest, I got a small glimpse of what you are capable of. But in the midst of all the danger, I lost sight of one simple fact.”

  Fay could tell from the look in Kenit’s eyes that he knew—or at least had good reason to believe—he’d been duped. If so, what would that mean for her efforts to preserve his status as a member of the Order? She thought last night had been a success. Was she wrong?

  “A Sanatsai as powerful as you would never require help from someone like me,” Kenit continued. “I didn’t really save your life yesterday, did I? You were never in any real danger, were you?”

  “Kenit,” she interjected, “I—”

  He cut her off. “It’s okay, Danai, there’s no need to explain. I don’t need to know what really happened in Sharadi Forest—it doesn’t matter. But I guess I should be thanking you for going to so much trouble on my behalf. Even though you don’t know me, you did not give up on me, nor did you allow me to give up on myself. I really appreciate that. You’ve helped me to realise I cannot use past failures as an excuse to shirk my responsibilities today, or in the future. I may not be as powerful as you, but I have a duty to use the power I do have to the best of my ability, for as long as I am a Sanatsai of the Order.”

  She looked intently at her counterpart. It appeared her plan had worked even better than she hoped. Last night was an unqualified success after all.

  “In that case,” she said with a smile, “the mission has been accomplished.” Now her only concern was whether Ari had been equally as successful with Kayden.

  She returned her focus to the village up ahead, content to walk the rest of the way in silence. But, as luck would have it, Kenit had other ideas.

  “Danai Annis, there is one more thing I’d like to discuss with you.”

  “Go on,” she replied.

  “It’s of a…personal nature,” he said, awkwardly.

  Oh, no! She had almost forgotten about Kenit’s burgeoning infatuation. She glanced to her right.

  “Well, spit it out,” she prompted.

  “I realise this may be inappropriate, so please forgive me,” began Kenit, “but I need to ask. If someone such as myself wished to court you, would that be a possibility—if not today, maybe in the future?”

  Fay stopped in her tracks, prompting her would-be suitor to do the same. She no longer had concerns about the fragility of Kenit’s state of mind, but she still wanted to be as tactful as possible. He needed to be told, once and for all, there would never be anything between them.

  “Kai Darbandian,” she addressed him, formally, “you may not know this about me, but I am a widow, and I have been for many years now. Since I lost my husband, I have never been with anyone else, not even for a single night. In truth, I cannot envisage the day when I will ever want to be with someone else. And while it is possible I may feel differently, someday, I advise you not to wait for me. Who knows how many other opportunities for love would pass you by if you did?”

  “I understand,” Kenit replied.

  “I hope you’re not too disappointed.”

  “I suspected the odds were against me,” Kenit conceded, “but if I hadn’t asked the question, I would have spent the rest of my life wondering, ‘what if?’ and driven myself mad.”

  Fay smiled at that. “If it makes you feel any better,” she said, “you’ve had a lucky escape. I come with a lot of baggage—the kind few people could cope with.” She resumed the downhill march towards the village. “Come along now, let’s get you back to Temis Rulan while breakfast is still being served.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Mending Fences

  The journey back to Temis Rulan from Adara was wholly uneventful—in stark contrast to the same journey Fay had made with Kayden the previous day. She and Kenit were provided with horses and travelled the short distance to the banks of Haradeen Bay, where a boat manned by four fellow Sanatsai awaited them. The quarter-hour boat ride across the water brought them to the port town of Rindas on the southern coast of the hidden Haradeen Isle, where the
y acquired horses to take them inland to Temis Rulan.

  When they were admitted through the southern gate of the perimeter wall surrounding the headquarters of the Order some time later, Kenit thanked her again for taking him to Lirantana before dashing off, citing his eagerness to return to active duty. Fay, for her part, was eager to find out if Ari had returned with Kayden. The woman most likely able to tell her was standing alone on the grey brick pathway, half way between the southern gate and Kassani House in the distance. She marched forward to meet Idelle, and inquire about Ari’s whereabouts.

  “Welcome back,” said Idelle, greeting Fay with affection. “And yes, Ari returned with your young apprentice a couple of hours ago.”

  Trust Idelle to answer a question before it was asked, thought Fay.

  “Thank you, Idelle. It’s good to be back.” She was also relieved to hear Ari was already back. But was his time with Kayden a success or not? “Did Ari happen to say anything about Kayden or the time they spent together?” she inquired.

  Idelle looped an arm around Fay’s arm, gently tugging her forward to commence the walk to Kassani House.

  “No,” she replied. “But I did not ask. However, I’m sure Ari will tell you what you’re yearning to hear when you speak with him. You need not worry about the path your apprentice will walk.”

  Fay never ceased to be amazed by Idelle’s keen insight and intuition. Her contemporary always seemed to know what was on her mind.

  “Why don’t you tell me about your little adventure in Lirantana,” Idelle continued. “Nelda informed me of your plans for the troubled young Kai.”

  Fay smiled down at her shorter companion. “Do you really need to ask, Idelle?” she said. “You always seem to know more than you let on.”

  “Humour me.”

  She proceeded to give as brief a summary of events in Lirantana as she could about the elaborate ruse in Sharadi Forest made possible with the help of the Sisterhood, despite the short notice given. She noted how Idelle was highly amused upon hearing of Kenit’s infatuation with her.

  “Upon your gravestone, Fay, we shall surely engrave the epitaph: The Breaker of Many Hearts,” said Idelle.

  Fay understood the sentiment, though she couldn’t bring herself to laugh about it. She had certainly spurned the advances of numerous men over the years—so many she had lost count.

  “You think it foolish I’m not open to the possibility of finding love again with someone else.” The words came out sounding like a statement rather than the question she intended.

  Stopping Fay in her tracks, Idelle looked intently into her eyes.

  “Fay, I would never tell you such a thing,” she protested. “I remember well the love you and Renik Katarnian shared. I also remember how much it affected you to lose him. If you are unable to get over your loss, there is no foolishness in that.”

  “But it’s been over twenty years,” she reasoned. “More than enough time to let go of Ren’s memory, and find love with someone new.” She paused for a moment. “Sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong with me.”

  “Fay, do not place a time limit on your grief. It’s entirely possible you will never fully get over your loss,” said Idelle. “As for finding love again, there is no law requiring you to do so—try to remember that.”

  She gently tugged Fay’s arm to prompt a resumption of their walk to Kassani House. As they set off once more, Idelle spoke again.

  “While we’re on the topic of love,” she said in a more cheerful tone, “I’d like to remind you that love takes many other forms besides romantic love: the love between parent and child, for example. Someday, soon, you may discover that another kind of love will fulfil you in ways romantic love never will.”

  There was something about the way Idelle said those words that caused Fay to wonder what her friend was really trying to tell her; the elderly Sister obviously had some insight she wasn’t privy to. She would have asked for an explanation, but knew the response would be a variation of, ‘you’ll understand soon enough,’ so there was no point.

  As the pair approached the southern entrance to Kassani House, Fay began to think to herself whether she should return immediately to her quarters to find Kayden, or seek out Ari first. It probably made more sense to speak to Ari first, especially if he had bad news to impart.

  “So, I take it you’ll be wanting to speak to Ari before you return to your quarters,” said Idelle. “You can find him in the Council chamber, he said he had some matters he wants to attend to before we convene at Tenth Hour.” Her ability to address questions not yet asked was uncanny. “As for myself, it appears my attention is wanted elsewhere.”

  Fay caught sight of the trio of Sisters a short distance ahead, standing at the foot of the steps leading up to the entrance to Kassani House. The women did appear to be waiting for Idelle, which proved to be the case once she and her counterpart reached them.

  After a brief farewell, Fay left the leader of the Sisterhood to attend to her fellow Jaymidari, while she entered the building to find Ari. She made her way up to the top floor and navigated the corridors en route to the Council chamber, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

  She finally arrived in the circular corridor surrounding the chamber, and proceeded immediately towards the double doors of the south facing entrance where two Sanatsai sentries stood—one one either side of the doors—while a further two sentries were patrolling the corridor, walking in her direction. She acknowledged the roving patrol with a nod of her head as they passed by, before stopping outside the guarded double doors.

  “Please inform Rendai Shinadu that Fay Annis is here to see him,” she requested formally.

  “Unnecessary, Danai Annis,” replied the sentry on the right hand side of the door. “Rendai Shinadu said you should be admitted as soon as you arrive. You may enter right away.”

  The second sentry opened the doors to allow her to proceed inside. She acknowledged both men with a slight nod of the head then stepped across the threshold into the chamber. She waited for the doors to be closed behind her before advancing any further.

  Directly ahead of Fay, at the centre of the chamber, was the area where sessions of the Council convened. There were twelve rostrums dotted in a large circle around a circular mosaic of the insignia of the Order on the floor. This central spot was where Ari would stand to chair meetings of the Council while each of the remaining twelve members of the thirteen-strong body would stand at their designated rostrum. Each of the positions was currently unoccupied, including Ari’s. He was on the west side of the chamber, standing before a large screen allowing Ari to see and communicate with someone beyond the city of Temis Rulan.

  Noticing her arrival, Ari briefly glanced back over his shoulder to silently beckon her forward before returning his attention to the conversation he was engaged in. As she approached, Fay recognised the man whose image appeared on the screen speaking with Ari. It was Milo Lukatoni, the administrator of the Belisaris campus in the Kingdom of Astana.

  “Greetings, Fay,” said Milo as she walked into his field of view to stand behind Ari. “Ari mentioned you were back in Temis Rulan.”

  “Only for a short while,” she replied. “And please forgive the intrusion, don’t stop on my account.”

  “It’s quite all right, Ari and I have concluded our business.” Milo directed his focus back to Ari. “I will make the necessary arrangements at once, and I will see you here first thing tomorrow.” Addressing Ari and Fay together, he concluded, “Farewell to you both.”

  After bidding his counterpart farewell, Ari waved his hand across the screen, invoking Yuksaydan to deactivate the Zarantar based communication system. The image of Milo in his office quickly faded, replaced by swirling lavender mists. Moments later those mists dissipated, and the screen became a mirror, reflecting Ari and Fay standing in the chamber.

  “Welcome back, old friend,” Ari said, placing his hands behind his back. “How did things go with Kenit Darbandian?�
��

  “Better than expected,” she replied in her matter-of-fact manner. She gestured at the mirror behind Ari. “So, what was that about? You’re going to Astana tomorrow?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” she inquired.

  It had to have something to do with Kayden—she was born and raised in the Kingdom.

  “There was a murder in the capital several years ago that was covered up. I’ve asked Milo to arrange a meeting for me with the relevant authority within the City Guard as I have recently acquired new information that will ensure justice is finally done.”

  A murder cover-up? Fay wondered. What does that have to do with Kayden?

  “Who was killed?” she asked.

  “A story for another day, old friend,” replied Ari. “Why don’t we discuss what you really want to know?”

  It was the moment Fay was dreading. She was about to learn Kayden’s fate. Ari would either inform her that Kayden was condemned to death, or she was free to return to Antaris to resume her apprenticeship.

  “What is to become of Kayden?”

  “I think you’ll be pleased to hear she’ll be returning to Antaris with her master,” Ari said with a smile.

  Fay released the breath she was holding. She remained speechless for a moment, then threw her arms around Ari and held him tightly in her embrace. Eventually, she found her voice.

  “Thank you” she said, with palpable relief. “I knew if anyone could get through to Kayden, it would be you.”

  Ari waited until she was ready to relinquish her ardent hold on him before replying. When she finally did, he gently stroked her upper arm.

  “For a while the outcome was in doubt. Your concerns about where Kayden’s anger and bitterness might lead her were certainly justified. However, I am satisfied there is no longer any possibility of her following in the footsteps of the Rogue. You can now stop worrying about history repeating itself on that front.”