Tail of the Dragon

by Timothy Reihm

  Chapter 15

  The upper floors of the academy library were an intricate maze of rooms. Ecrits, the fifth year that escorted them, attempted to explain the layout.

  'Each floor is dedicated to the subjects that you will study during a particular year of your classes. Here on the first upper level all of the necessary background materials useful for first years are housed. Second year class resources are on the floor above. Third above that, and so on.'

  'What if we are trying to find something that is not available here?' asked Ariel.

  'We have a couple of scholars, I guess,' their guide said. 'You are not limited to this floor. The subjects are just arranged this way for convenience sake, but you are welcome to explore any of the upper levels as well. You can search by subject via the array and it will indicate the location.' He walked to the array, typed in a term and pointed to the alphabetized list. 'This first number indicates the floor, these initials label the different rooms, and the series of numbers and letters point to specific locations within the room itself. Or save yourself the trip and view an image of the item right here.' He tapped an entry and a long article about cellular cohesion appeared above the array.

  'So everything in the library is accessible right here?' Gadreel asked.

  'Almost. We are continually adding to the collection and sometimes there is a lag between an addition being acquired from somewhere in the universe and its entry into the system.' He ran his finger down the list of entries and found one that was yellow, instead of white. 'Here is one. This is a study just brought in from one of the more remote systems and has yet to be replicated. But you will notice a location is still given, so you would go up two levels to read the article itself.'

  'And what do the red entries mean?' Gadreel asked.

  'Those require a higher level of access. They are either confidential records or contain information not open to general inquiry.'

  'But why would they be hidden?'

  'Most likely they involve some sort of criminal activity. Since those who transgressed have either paid for their crimes or been pardoned, any record open to the public would act as a continuing punishment. Another possibility is that the record details some discovery or technology that might be dangerous in the wrong hands.'

  After Ecrits left, the two pulled chairs up to the array and began entering search terms-energy bolts, secret meetings, directing lightning, offensive powers, destructive force all yielded no results.

  'Try arellian rebellion,' Gadreel suggested.

  A list of red entries appeared in the viewing field.

  'That is interesting. Look at this cross reference- dark energy. Try that one.'

  Again a catalog of restricted references populated the results.

  'What made you think of that term?' Ariel asked.

  'I'm not sure. It just popped into my head, but why is this information blocked. What are they hiding?'

  'He told us why it is restricted,' Ariel answered.

  'And that satisfies you? I don't understand why someone who breaks the law deserves to have their past hidden. And why are we expected to accept the fact that certain things are too dangerous for us. I mean, whose to say what is and what isn't available. We can't be sure of what is even contained in those records.'

  'What we can be sure of is that Azazel has it in for me and I've got to find a way out of this mess or I won't be graduating with the rest of you. And if we don't get moving we will be late for his class.'

  As they prepared to leave, Gadreel said, 'I've seen him sabotage you on at least four different occasions now, Ariel. Let's just confront him and reason this out.'

  'I'm not sure reason is going to work with Azazel. Plus, I'd rather not get you any more involved. He doesn't have it in for you, but if you stand up to him, we will both be in the same position. I believe the Kings are going to help me with this.'

  'So, you will petition the Kings?' Gadreel asked.

  'I'm considering it.'

  Although the issues with Azazel were upsetting, the rest of Ariel's first year work was going smoothly. All of his testing had gone well and he was becoming one of the best students academically. He had a quick mind and was able to master the subject matter assigned, including the coursework in Elemental Science. His sole area of concern was the practical application component. He excelled during practice sessions and was proficient in his ability to control the elements in their daily exercises outside of the classroom. In class, however, he seemed to hit one obstacle after another. Fortunately, Gadreel was getting better by the day at recognizing Azazel's interference in his situational assignments.

  Despite the frustration of his trainer's hindrance, he could see that having to find ways to accomplish tasks while someone tried to stop him was making him stronger. Several times he had managed to find different solutions to problems that circumvented Azazel's attempts to stop him. Though these successes always met some sort of public rebuke from Azazel, he took some pride in his developing ingenuity dealing with the impediments. And the look on his trainer's face when he was able to find alternate solutions was incredibly satisfying.

  He developed a strategy for approaching upcoming assignments. He would examine the material being covered and try to guess how they would be challenged, then he would attempt to find three alternate ways to accomplish an outcome. He discovered that having the ability to examine the problem from several perspectives not only gave him the ability to surprise his teacher, it helped his understanding of the elements academically, and made him a better student. However, the knowledge that Azazel had the ultimate control over his ability to pass the class filled him with a great deal of anxiety.

  Today's assignment was concerned with the ability to alter materials with their auras, by utilizing their knowledge of the element and their understanding of the laws governing it. Azazel informed the class he would be breaking them up into pairs. They would take turns attempting to cut a piece of quartz into a specific shape, while their partner attempted to prevent them.

  'This is different,' Gadreel whispered.

  Azazel announced the pairings and Ariel was dismayed, though not surprised, when paired with Helel, who along with Gabriel, were the most talented members of the class.

  He felt uncomfortable working with Helel. Although they had managed to be civil since the confrontation, they had a strained relationship and attempted, successfully, to avoid being alone together. As they took their seats behind the partition separating them from the other groups, he caught Helel's eye and smiled. His attempt at a friendly greeting met an icy glare.

  'This should be fun,' he thought to himself and grinned.

  Azazel rotated between the pairs to observe the exercise. As they awaited their turn, each familiarized themselves with both pieces of quartz. It was immediately apparent to Ariel that Azazel had orchestrated this exercise thoroughly. The two rocks, though similar in appearance, were radically different in terms of composition and grain. Ariel could sense that even without Helel's defense, his target would be difficult to manipulate the way he was supposed to. On the contrary, the quartz he was to defend might collapse into the required shape if subjected to a slight breeze.

  He reminded himself that he had been able to find solutions to difficult problems before and focused on the task at hand.

  Azazel strode up behind Helel and grasped his shoulders affectionately, telling them Ariel would defend his quartz first.

  Immediately he sensed Helel move against the quartz, probing its structure. Ariel had been expecting this and quickly countered, drawing energy from his own body heat to strengthen the bonds in the rock. He shivered slightly as his body helped fuel the defense.

  It was some satisfaction when Helel's forehead crinkled in surprise. It didn't last long as Helel changed tactics. Ariel's invisible battles with Azazel had served him well. He was able to fend off one attack after another, sometimes dealing with several ploys at a time. He distantly heard Azazel clear his throat, but focused
intently on his task.

  An icy sleeve gripped both arms and climbed toward his shoulders. At first he was confused and then realized Helel was drawing energy from Ariel's own body. He started to protest this tactic, but was suddenly unable to draw air. Some invisible gag was blocking his mouth. He couldn't breath. In a panic, he withdrew his defense of the quartz and focused on defending his body.

  The icy grip and the blockage disappeared at the exact moment that the quartz shattered neatly into a perfect pyramid.

  'Well done, Helel,' Azazel exclaimed enthusiastically.

  'Well done? I know you saw what he did,' Ariel began angrily.

  'Enough, Ariel. He beat you. Accept and learn from it. Now you try,' Azazel answered coldly.

  Ariel found himself shivering from the loss of energy the exercise had cost him. The cold in his body was somewhat offset by the fiery rage engulfing his brain. He had never known such a palpable sense of injustice before. This activity had been a mere excuse to attack him. His thoughts raced as he stared at Helel, and attempted nothing.

   

  He sat in his chair staring at Azazel as the last of the students exited the room. This had to stop. Azazel looked up and met his eyes. A slight, twisted grin formed on the edges of his mouth.

  'Is there something I can do for you?' he asked.

  'I know what you've been doing. Each time you block my attempts in class, I see your aura. I have seen it for several weeks now.'

  He watched as a flicker of doubt passed across his teacher's face. The satisfaction that this gave him somewhat compensated for the guilt he felt at lying.

  'And I'm not the only one who has seen it. There is someone else documenting your sabotage. I know that if I went to your superiors, or to the Kings themselves, it would be pointless. First years don't develop their ability to see and it would be my word against yours. But if two of us file a complaint, they would have to at least investigate, wouldn't they, sir?' he asked in a voice dripping with contempt.

  Azazel fought hard to maintain his composure, but Ariel knew he had struck a nerve. The trainer's left eye twitched and his hand nervously strummed the top of his desk.

  'What happened today was the end. You allowed one of your favored students to utilize their skills to physically attack another telmid. I am not versed on the laws related to this type of conduct, but I suspect you are, and that it can't be good for you. So, this is what is going to happen. I don't want special treatment. I just want you to stop trying to sabotage me. If you do, I will let this go. If you so much as breathe on me in an aggressive way, I will file a complaint. Is that clear?'

  Azazel sat in stunned silence for a long moment. He swallowed rapidly and looked as if he wanted to be anywhere else in the universe. In a surprisingly calm voice he answered, 'Ariel. I'm not sure what you are talking about. You have been doing wonderfully in this class. In fact, you are one of my best students. That's why I paired you with Helel today. I thought you needed more of a challenge. I am here to help you and I will in any way you need.'

  He said the last sentence slowly and with added emphasis. Ariel noted the resignation in his instructor's face. He would have no further issues with Azazel. He turned and walked out the door.