by Ian Gregoire
Again, Fay disappeared, and again Kayden sensed the tell-tale Zarantar—this time behind her back. She spun around quickly to see Fay reappear, standing with a close-lipped smile on her face.
“Like that, you mean?” Fay asked rhetorically.
Nodding her head in admiration, Kayden replied, “Yes, Master. Just like that.” She was suitably impressed by the confirmation of what she suspected. “I’ve never read or heard of any Sanatsai being able to do that. I assume no other members of the Order have mastery of this particular application of Zarantar?”
“When I was first admitted into the Order, I was never successfully able to teach it to anyone other than Ari. Eventually, I just stopped trying, and once the network of campuses was established the Council made the decision that only those abilities that can be mastered by every Sanatsai would be taught to the apprentices.”
Fay paused for a moment, looking contemplative.
“It wasn’t until I discovered you at Antaris, three years ago, that I could entertain the possibility of passing on my knowledge to someone else. Before that moment, I had more or less given up on the idea.” She resumed walking. “Come along.”
The apprentice diligently continued at her master’s side.
On account of Fay’s words, Kayden was really beginning to feel the weight of responsibility on her shoulders. She was the only apprentice who could inherit the knowledge that Master Fay had to bestow.
“How did you come to know you could do the things you can do?” she asked.
“My mas—”
The abrupt way in which Fay caught herself told Kayden that the slip of her tongue had just aroused some bad memories. Though the perturbed expression was quickly eliminated from her face, it was obvious Fay would be treading uncomfortable ground if she answered the question.
“A former mentor of mine,” said Fay, correcting herself, “was very good at persuading me I was capable of so much more than I thought was possible. His constant encouragement helped me to push beyond what I believed to be my limits.”
She had to be referring to Josario, the Usurper King, Kayden realised.
“Having said that, he was not a Sanatsai himself, so he couldn’t actually instruct me in expanding my capabilities. Most of my repertoire was self-taught through experimentation.”
Sneaking a glimpse at her master, she could tell from the expression on Fay’s face that the admission was not a source of pride. In fact, it was easy to discern that unpleasant memories had been dredged up. Kayden took this for confirmation the ‘former mentor’ referenced was indeed the Usurper King, so she quickly decided to steer the conversation away from areas touching upon Fay’s infamous past.
“Can I then assume, Master,” she began, “that you have overcome a limitation of our Zarantar that seems set in stone on campus, but one I have reason to believe is actually just a limitation of the power of most Sanatsai?” Again, Kayden’s mind was thinking back to her encounter with the rogue doppelgänger. When she first entered the clearing where they duelled, she had been assailed by a volley of incendiary orbs that initially seemed to come from nowhere. But it transpired her adversary was invisible, while levitating several feet in the air, meaning her doppelgänger was able to simultaneously invoke Balatlaydan, Raytandushay and Makfayshulat.
“Which would tie-in to what you said about the Council deciding that apprentices only be taught that which every Sanatsai can learn to master.”
“And what limitation might that be?” queried Fay.
“On campus, conventional wisdom stipulates that many of the high level applications of Zarantar can only be employed one at a time, so it shouldn’t be possible to invoke multiple applications simultaneously.” Something she now had every reason to believe wasn’t entirely true. “But is there some reason why I—or any other apprentice—cannot learn how to invoke Raytandushay to become invisible, while at the same time invoking Naymutandushay to walk through a wall, for example?”
Fay glanced quizzically at Kayden. “For you…?” She paused briefly then returned her attention to the way ahead. “I see no reason why you cannot learn to do what you just described—and more besides.” It was the answer Kayden hoped and expected to hear. “But with regard to your fellow apprentices, the power required to invoke just a single high level application of Zarantar, will always preclude them from being able to concurrently invoke a second. They just aren’t strong enough.” Fay glanced at her again. “No other apprentice on campus will ever be as powerful as you.”
Kayden was sure she could see respect and admiration in her master’s gaze, but she remained silent, taking a little time to let Fay’s words sink in. That she had already believed this to be the case for a long time was one thing, but to hear confirmation of it from the lips of someone eminently more qualified to make that judgement, was another.
“It’s not often I have you at a loss for words, Kayden,” said Fay, breaking the silence. “Perhaps I should refrain from voicing my belief that no other apprentice anywhere in the Nine Kingdoms today will ever be your equal—you might never speak again.”
Kayden wondered if the smile accompanying Fay’s words should be interpreted as teasing. But Fay never struck her as the kind of woman who said things she didn’t mean.
“You don’t have to stroke my ego, Master Fay.”
“That’s just as well. Your ego doesn’t need stroking, Kayden.” Now Fay was teasing her, at least briefly. The mirthful expression on her face swiftly gave way to a more serious look. “I just have high hopes for you.”
Not knowing what to say that, she just kept pace at her master’s side. They were now emerging from their sparse woodland surroundings, walking out into open fields.
“I’m curious, Master,” she said moments later to get the conversation back on track. “How many different applications of Zarantar have you mastered?”
“How many are there?”
Assuming the reply was rhetorical, Kayden didn’t try to come up with an answer. Instead, she contemplated how best to broach her next question. It was the one she most wanted an answer to, but it also had the most potential to raise a red flag if she asked it. And given her awareness of how well things were going with Master Fay, the prospect of jeopardising that, gave her pause for thought. Was alarming Fay really worth the risk?
“Kayden, you have that look again,” said Fay, after the silence between the pair had extended. “I’ve already said you can ask me anything.”
“I know, Master. It’s just…” she trailed off.
She knew she couldn’t inform Fay of the duel against her doppelgänger, but the encounter had raised an obvious question she had never considered beforehand. A realisation she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about ever since: the doppelgänger’s demonstration of the three expressions of Zarantar.
“The truth is, during my excursion with Master Ari I witnessed something that has sent my thoughts to places it probably shouldn’t go. I’m now left with a question I’m worried to ask you. Yet, by the same token, you’re the only member of the Order I feel I can risk asking.”
“Why don’t you just get it off your chest so you can stop worrying?”
“I’m concerned you might find it troubling that I would think of such a question.”
“Your questions cannot trouble me, Kayden,” insisted Fay. “Only what you choose to do with the answers.”
That was reassurance enough.
“All right,” she said. “My question relates to the three expressions of Zarantar. I know that the Jaymidari have mastery of Zarantar Jist, the Sanatsai have mastery of Zarantar Shayd, and the Saharbashi have mastery of Zarantar Najist. But what I want to know is…is it possible for one individual to have mastery of all three expressions of Zarantar?”
Fay glanced at her then mused, “Whatever Master Ari showed you last night has certainly made you inquisitive.” She scrutinised Kayden with a studious gaze. “Now I understand why you were worried about asking me. It is a dangerous
question to ask.”
“Because asking,” Kayden interjected, “could be interpreted as a desire on my part to learn Zarantar Najist.”
“Which would be very problematic given the prohibition of learning the ways of the Saharbashi,” continued Fay. “Merely possessing such knowledge, regardless of whether one intends to use it, carries the death penalty.”
She was fully aware of the forbidden nature of Zarantar Najist. Nonetheless, if her experience the previous night was in any way prophetic, as she suspected it might be, then it was likely that at some point in the future she would have mastery of the three expressions of Zarantar. She idly wondered if Fay had already accomplished this specific feat which, given her history, made sense. If anyone could master all three, it would surely be the woman who had been the Rogue. But she decided against putting her master on the spot by asking such a loaded question.
“Still, that doesn’t really answer my question, Master,” said Kayden, as neutrally as she could. It was probably best not to seem too pushy about this particular matter.
“Theoretically, a single individual could master the three expressions of Zarantar,” confirmed Fay. “In practice, however, the odds are heavily stacked against anyone doing so—there would be no feasible opportunity to learn all three, especially not in the Nine Kingdoms.”
Finally, Kayden had confirmation of what she more or less already knew. Now she could voice her theory on the type of person who could achieve what Fay had confirmed. “Such a person would have to be a female Sanatsai, right?”
The intensity of Fay’s scrutinising gaze increased. “How exactly did you reach that conclusion?” The lack of denial implied Kayden was correct.
“It’s the only thing that makes sense. There’s no plausible way anyone other than a female Sanatsai could wield the three types of Zarantar.” Kayden now felt versed enough at reading some of Fay’s non-verbal cues to recognise the indication to elaborate further.
“Firstly, a woman can choose to join the Sisterhood, thereby learning to master Zarantar Jist, an option that will never be open to a man because—for reasons that remain a mystery—men cannot wield this expression of Zarantar. Any man who is inclined to do so can pursue the path of the Saharbashi to gain mastery of Zaranatar Najist, instead. And while it’s highly unlikely any Jaymidari would ever seek to learn the ways of the Saharbashi, I’m not aware of an actual impediment, other than ideology, that could prevent a Sister from mastering Zarantar Najist as well.”
She paused briefly to give Fay the chance to contradict the assertion, but no correction came, so she continued.
“Though it is well known that the Jaymidari and the Saharbashi are diametrically opposed to each other, the one attribute they share in common is that neither can ever master the Zarantar of the Sanatsai. To wield Zarantar Shayd one must be born a Sanatsai. Our calling isn’t a choice; it’s a birthright.”
Master Fay appeared to be following her line of deductive reasoning thus far, so she continued. “So, by default, the Saharbashi will only ever have mastery of a single expression of Zarantar, while the Jaymidari, on the other hand, can, in theory, have mastery of two. But the end result is the same: it’s not possible for an individual from either group to have mastery of all three expressions of Zarantar.” Again, she briefly paused to allow Fay to contradict the assertion, but again Fay offered no refutation, so she continued. “As for my conclusion that only female Sanatsai can master each of the three? Well, our male counterparts are in the same boat as the Saharbashi—they can never wield Zarantar Jist. But there is nothing preventing you or I, as women, from doing so. Plus, female Sanatsai also have the option to master Zarantar Najist…if they were outside the jurisdiction of the Order, that is.”
Fay’s appraising gaze upon Kayden quickly lost its intensity, and a subtle smile curled her lips as she returned her focus to the trail ahead of her. It reassured Kayden that she hadn’t needlessly created trouble for herself.
“You never cease to impress me,” mused Fay. “You possess a very sharp mind, Kayden. And you are, of course, correct in your conclusion. I doubt any of your peers would even think about the possibility of mastering the three expressions of Zarantar.” She fixed her gaze upon Kayden once more. “Having said that, you should refrain from speaking of such things with anyone else, especially the notion of mastering Zarantar Najist.”
Kayden noted how the look on Fay’s face made it abundantly clear that ignoring her advice on this matter would be unwise.
“I understand, Master.”
She was content for their discussion to remain between the two of them. She was also relieved. Her questions had been answered without causing problems between them; now she could simply walk at her master’s side and allow Fay to steer their conversation in any direction she wished, for the remainder of the journey.
“You have no more questions?” asked Fay after a prolonged silence.
“No, Master. You’ve told me everything I wanted to know, thank you.”
“Well, I estimate we have an hour, at most, before we make it back to campus,” said Fay. “Is there anything else you’d like to discuss with me in the meantime?”
There was nothing in particular Kayden wanted to talk about, but the remainder of her time alone with Fay was a good opportunity to get to know the woman better. “Well,” she began hesitantly, “if you don’t mind me boring you with small talk, the trip to Temis Rulan has made me realise just what an intriguing woman you are, Master,” she hoped her words weren’t construed as flattery, “so, I would really appreciate the chance to get to know more about you, assuming it’s not inappropriate for an apprentice and her master to get to know each other personally.”
“I have no issue making an exception for you, Kayden,” admitted Fay. “Nothing would make me happier than for the two of us to get to know each other better. Though, for now, we should probably avoid allowing any small talk to get too personal.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Master,” Kayden said light-heartedly, “I don’t want to hear about your sex life any more than you want to hear about mine. Besides…” Her voice lost its mirthful tone as she added, “there are much more interesting things I’d like to learn about you.” Again she was able to read Fay’s non-verbal cue to elaborate further. “For example, while I was alone in your quarters, back in Temis Rulan, I noticed a number of books written in Zenoshanese sitting on your bookshelf. Does this mean you can speak it?”
“Indeed, I can. Though, regrettably, I get few opportunities to do so,” replied Fay in fluent Zenoshanese.
Kayden was both impressed and surprised by Fay’s fluency. “Given that we only study other Karlandrian languages on campus, it never occurred to me that a member of the Order would speak any Vaidasovian languages.”
Master Fay continued to be full of surprises, she realised—this inevitably led to even more questions.
“When did you learn to speak Zenoshanese? Have you been to Zenosha?”
“I studied the language at Tamarini University, many years ago.” Fay had a faraway look on her face as though she was reminiscing. “It was over half a century ago, now that I think about it. And, yes, I have been to Zenosha.”
The reminder that Fay was significantly older than her appearance didn’t throw Kayden off as much as the revelation she had studied at the renowned university in the Kingdom of Shintana.
“You mean the Order allowed you to attend Tamarini University?” she asked.
“Believe it or not, we are not on duty every waking moment. It is possible to have a life outside of your obligations to the Order.” This was news to Kayden. “I have always been fascinated by Zenosha—its people, its culture and history—and my interest eventually led me to enrol at Tamarini University to study Zenoshanese history and learn the language also.”
“How were you able to visit Zenosha?” wondered Kayden. “I’ve always heard the empire forbids entry to members of the Sisterhood and the Order.”
“On the two o
ccasions I travelled there I entered covertly on clandestine missions,” Fay revealed. “Sadly, this meant I was unable to experience much in the way of what the civilisation has to offer.”
It dawned on Kayden for the very first time that the well-known hostility towards Zarantar, and those who wield it, prevalent throughout the continent of Vaidasovia, meant she would never be permitted to visit the birthplace of her parents. “I guess once I’ve been inducted into the Order, I will never have the opportunity to travel to Zenosha,” she said ruefully. “At least not openly.” Though she had no plans to visit Zenosha, the realisation that the opportunity would likely be denied her, if she did, was a bitter blow.
“I didn’t realise you had never been before,” said Fay. “Did your mother never take you back when you were a child?”
“No. Mama couldn’t face going back.”
“If it makes you feel any better, while you are correct about not being able to visit Zenosha openly as a Sanatsai of the Order, the truth is, once you take off the uniform, no one would be able to distinguish you from any ordinary traveller—despite the bogus claims of Zenosha’s Border Guard that they are able to detect wielders of Zarantar.”
The notion of having to hide who and what she is had no appeal for Kayden. If she ever set foot in the motherland, she would do so openly. For now, however, the mention of removing her uniform brought something else to mind. “Master, since you brought up being out of uniform,” she said mischievously, “I have to ask you about your wardrobe. Some of the dresses you own are rather risqué. When do you ever get to wear them?”
It was maybe a little impertinent to ask, but by the laws of the Nine Kingdoms all members of the Order were required to be in uniform when in public.
Fay gave her a stern look, eyebrows raised. It would have been easy to interpret the expression as confirmation that Fay did, indeed, regard the question as impertinent, and was displeased by it. But there was something in her eyes telling Kayden that Fay was amused by her front, so she smiled sweetly at her master. Fay’s expression immediately softened and she returned the smile. So Kayden was right. Perhaps she was starting to get the hang of reading Fay.