by Ben Hale
Rox rose to her feet. "Then let's surf. The only thing it appears we can do now is wait and act normal."
The suggestion brought a smile to Tess's lips. It did appeal to her. After all, what else could she do? And hadn't Rox once said that it was a great way to practice? "For now," she said, "but you never answered my question."
"Of course we are going to help," Rox said in exasperation. "Did you expect us to bail on you?"
"I lied to you," Tess said. "I guess I expected you to be angry."
Derek surprised her by laughing. "It's hard to be angry when the person just saved you from plummeting to your death in a disintegrating ball of glass."
"We'll watch your back," Iris agreed, and then laughed as well, as if the statement was a private joke.
Derek then touched Tess's arm, drawing her attention to him. He didn't say anything, but the look in his eye did. Emotion rose into her throat at the display of support, and she stood to join Rox.
"So," she said with a sigh, "I guess we get to surf some more."
Rox's grin said it all, and within a minute the two of them were gliding across the lake. Rox banked in a tight arc, sending water spraying in a nice fan. Then she sped away. Tess did her best to follow. The surfing did make her feel better, but her heart remained heavy.
After an hour a pair of other water mages entered the lake on the opposite side. Even though they could dry themselves easily, they took their shirts off and began doing tricks on the water. Rox skidded to a stop next to Tess, drenching her with the side spray.
Tess pulled the moisture from her clothes with an annoyed flick of her wrist. Then she jerked her head at the boys. "Do you know them?"
"No," she said. She eyed one as he did a double corkscrew on his liquid board. He landed flawlessly on a new wave. "But I'd like to. Let's go meet them."
As if they had heard her, the two boys changed their course to intercept them. Tess shook her head. Not that she was averse to talking to attractive, glistening, muscled, shirtless surfers. She just wasn't in the mood.
"Just because you are the . . . you know, doesn't mean you can't have fun." Rox said it in an undertone, but Tess shook her head.
"Not today, Rox. Have fun though."
With that she banked her board away from the approaching boys and zoomed toward the shore. She formed a small wave under her feet that crested as she reached the edge. Once she was above the dirt she dismissed the spell. She landed with the wave's remains, and then walked to the bench where Derek sat with Iris.
"Didn't want to meet them?" he asked, raising his eyebrow. His mouth twitched like he was hiding a smile.
"Not today. Do you know them?"
"One. He's a year older than me, and as you can see, pretty talented for his level. I think they are going to advance him after this quad."
Tess shrugged and looked away. She really didn't care. The surfing had alleviated a great deal of tension, but it had left her feeling empty and tired. She watched Rox flirt with the boys for a while, and then sighed.
"I'm going to skip dinner and get some rest," she said, rising to her feet.
Derek nodded as if he'd been expecting it. "I figured as much. I got this for you while you were surfing." He handed her a pouch. At her questioning look, he added, "Eat it. It will make you feel better—and I know how much you like the raspberry bread."
Tess accepted the bag with a grateful smile and said goodbye. Then she strode toward the walkway. Without a word Iris joined her, and together they walked toward their room. Tess looked back when she felt someone's gaze on her, and caught Derek's lingering glance as he turned away. Shrugging, she wearily climbed the stairs to her room and collapsed onto her bed. For the second time, she slept in her clothes.
Chapter 28: The Library
Tess managed to get through her classes without drawing too much attention from her professors. The students were another matter. Everywhere she went they whispered, pointed, or outright stared. The snatches she overheard made it clear that they wondered who she was. She left her fire class in a rush, anxious to escape the scrutiny. For the first time in weeks she skipped her fire practicum.
She took to the overcast skies the moment she was outside. Still tired from the ordeal, she flew just high enough to keep the other students from recognizing her. She outright avoided contact with the other flyers.
For the first time in weeks she had to don her glasses to know where to go. Her private lesson with Hawk was clearly marked on her schedule, and the gold filament guided her south. She passed the earth and water schools, and flew right over the stadium. She slowed as she soared above the shield, and watched the handful of students practicing within.
When they spotted her she pretended not to notice. Drake turned in her direction, but remained where he was. For a long moment she met his gaze as she glided past. It seemed that Shorn looked up as well but she couldn't be sure. Reaching the other side, she came to a halt in the air. Two structures stood within view, and they couldn't have been more different. The one on the right was sleek and jet black. Mirror smooth walls curved and swept sharply in various directions, inspiring a sense of intrigue and danger.
She blinked as she realized it was the Unknowable School, where anti-magic, lightning, and memory were taught. Only a handful of students approached or left the building, their demeanor echoing the building's.
The other structure was from another era. Gray stones formed aging towers, walls, and a weathered keep. It even boasted a rusted portcullis. The citadel appeared ancient, even more so next to the building beside it. The only similarity between the two was the prevailing feel of forbidding mystery. The thought was magnified with the backdrop of the cloudwall behind them, and Tess realized the structures were the last before the southern tip of the school.
The thread led toward the castle, so she dropped into a smooth dive that took her into the courtyard. Alighting close to the huge double doors, she eased one open and strode into the darkened interior. She'd expected to find something out of time, but instead found herself in a library. Enormous bookshelves lined the cavernous space of the former great hall.
A large fire crackled merrily from the expansive hearth, and a handful of comfy-looking chairs were arrayed around it. The scent of paper and warm dryness permeated the space, giving the chamber a surprisingly homey feel.
She glanced around but saw no one, so she stepped close to one of the shelves to examine its contents. The brass plaque on the end identified it as containing books from 4S-7980 through 4S-7989. The inscription meant nothing to her, so she passed it by.
The solitude and the familiarity of the physical books made her think of home and her parents. She almost called her mother, but then she noticed a plaque that was different from the others. The number sequence displayed 4S-300 through 4S-399, The Second Draeken War: Preceding and Subsequent Events.
Curious, she stepped into the row and scanned the books. Collected in a neat line, the twenty or so books appeared older than those around them, but had been well preserved. Starting from the beginning, she read the titles. The Second Draeken War, Vol. 1-4 appeared weathered by time and use. The others were no less worn.
Many of the names were unfamiliar to her, such as Azertorn, Before and After, The Dark Elf Migration, and Lakonus vs. Taryn. Others made her curious, such as a trio of books titled Tale of a Thief, Vol. 1-3, and Tryton's Tale. Then she reached one that caused her to pause:
Siarra's Story.
Tess felt a chill as she saw the author to be Siarra Elseerian, her ancestor. She glanced around, and then pulled the book from its place. She cracked the binding and touched the first page, feeling the softness of the paper. It looked and felt ancient, and she wondered how old it actually was. Swallowing at the sudden dryness in her mouth, Tess read the first line . . .
My name is Siarra Elseerian, and I survived the war—
A tinkling alarm sounded from her glasses, startling her into dropping the book. Instinctively she reached out to c
atch it, but it caught itself. A foot off the floor it came to a stop, and then it soared back to its slot. With the muffled murmur of leather on leather it slid home. Tess breathed a sigh and turned off the alarm with a glance. Then she realized why it had sounded. She was late.
Annoyed at herself, she reactivated her guide and followed the gold thread to the back of the hall. It led her down a long corridor and up the winding staircase of a turret. On all sides she passed rooms that were equally filled with books. Some were large, and held shiny signs signifying their source. Others were much smaller. Near the top of the turret she passed a tiny alcove that bore a dimmed plaque.
The Age of Oracles, she read as she ascended. Reluctantly she passed it by. After another level her legs began to burn with fatigue, and so she stepped into the air. Flying up the staircase, she landed at the top and strode into a high-ceilinged chamber.
Twin fireplaces crackled on opposite sides of the room, and lit the towering bookshelves that lined the walls. Across from the entrance a massive bay window displayed the southern side of the stadium. The topmost branches of the dormitories and a few of the larger schools were visible in the distance.
A flash of light drew her attention upward, where she saw that the ceiling was made of glass. On a clear day the sun would have streamed into the space, but today the clouds had darkened further. Rain splattered the roof as lightning flashed.
"You're late," Hawk said from a chair next to the fire.
She jumped at the sound, and then smiled apologetically. "I got caught up with the books downstairs."
He lifted the volume he'd been reading. "I know the feeling."
"What is this place?" she asked, and moved to sit across from him.
He tossed the book aside and it caught itself before soaring to its home. "It used to be Tryton’s Academy of Magic." His voice was oddly nostalgic as he swept a hand outward. "It was built more than nine thousand years ago by Siarra, the last of the ancient oracles."
"What changed?"
"Time," Hawk said with a sigh. "As the newer buildings were constructed this one became obsolete. For a while it served as the school's library, but has seen little use since the omni-glasses were created."
"Why?" she asked. "It's beautiful."
"You voice my sentiments," Hawk said with a smile, "but alas, few of the newer students view it that way."
"Is that why we’re meeting here?" she asked shrewdly. "The solitude?"
His lips twitched. "Partly," he admitted. "As far as I know there is only one monitoring mote here, and it hasn't been maintained well."
"What's a monitoring mote?"
"The aurens would think of it as a wireless camera, but it's an inorganic eye that connects to the techno grid." He issued a sigh of regret. "They get smaller every year—and harder to avoid."
Their conversation was interrupted as Stel unwrapped from Tess's arm. Curving as if he were stretching, he then flowed to the floor and turned into a silver cat. He threw a glance back at Tess and then began to prowl the room.
"I see you have made a friend," Hawk said.
Tess shrugged at the amusement in his tone. "I guess so. Iris said he chose me. Most of the time he stays a bracelet or necklace."
"That's because he's getting to know you," Hawk said. "Grends like to watch their new masters for a while. It helps them in their bonding process."
He reached down when Stel passed his chair. Tess raised a hand in warning, but it proved to be unnecessary. Hawk absently scratched the back of Stel's ears. The grend opened its jaws in a giant yawn before curling up beside his chair.
"How did you do that?" Tess asked. She was fascinated. Stel had hardly moved since she'd gotten him, and she'd begun to think of him as a piece of jewelry.
"Animals tend to like me," Hawk said, "even grends."
Tess stared at the complacent Stel, feeling like there was something she was missing. After a moment she had an idea that reminded her of their interrupted conversation. "Can a student tap into monitoring motes?" she asked.
"No," Hawk said, "or at least they are not supposed to be able to. The grid is maintained by the Bureau of Magical Technology."
Despite the confidence in his words, Tess was unconvinced. How else did Iris see so much? Still, it seemed impossible for one student to be better at her craft than an entire organization of techno mages . . . or was it? How many times had Iris known the impossible?
"Can I ask you a question?" Tess asked.
"Of course."
"Are the Harbingers killing people?"
His eyebrow shot up, and then knit together. "Iris."
She nodded, causing him to sigh. "Yes, Tess, they are."
"A lot?"
His expression was solemn as he held her gaze. "They are expanding at an alarming rate—and they are growing bolder."
"What are they trying to do?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out," he replied.
She looked away, and then said, "Can I help?"
"You will. For now you need to practice."
Her expression soured, but instead of agreeing she asked, "What about The Guild?"
His expression betrayed his surprise. "Where did you hear that?"
"Iris mentioned that some in the Spirus think the Guild is behind it all, but she hadn't been able to confirm that it even existed."
"Do they now," he said, and his fingers intertwined on his lap. For a moment his brow was furrowed in thought, but then he shook himself. "We will discuss The Guild another time. Shall we begin today's lesson?"
She knew she had been deflected, but his expression made it clear that they needed to move on. "Are we going to practice magic in here?" Tess asked, gesturing at the books that suddenly seemed fragile.
"Of sorts," Hawk said. "The attempts on your life indicate to me that we have less time than I had hoped for, so we will have to accelerate your training. From our previous session I know you have been developed your fire skill to an impressive level, but you won't be using your power today. Get comfortable, and shift into your magesight."
"Attempts?" Tess pounced on the word. "How many have there been?"
Hawk’s expression made it clear that he was considering what to tell her. Then he shrugged. "There have been three to my knowledge. I'm sure you can recall two of them."
"And the third?" she asked. Had the marked one spoken the truth?
"It happened a week before the mid-quad exams," he said quietly. "One of my men stopped it—and before you ask, yes, I have several people placed to protect you. Speaking of which, it might be best if you don't take any more late night excursions."
She jerked in surprise. Perhaps someone had followed her that night. "Sorry about that," she said. "But I did learn some things." She told him about the conversation she had overheard.
He issued a rumbling grunt. "You did well—but were fortunate not to be caught. You must be more cautious in the future."
She wanted to ask more but Hawk raised a hand. "In time. Right now we must practice. It is more important than anything else, and time is short."
"But—"
"I promise I will tell you everything," he said. "But if I take the time to tell you now it will leave you vulnerable later."
His refusal only served to magnify her curiosity, but she could not ignore the sincerity in his gaze. Reluctantly, she swallowed the host of questions. "If you think that's best . . ."
"I thank you for your patience. Now . . . shift into your magesight."
Tess did as requested, and the world became a vibrant display of colors. She was not surprised to see a thread of purple in every book on the shelves.
"You know by now that the colors represent magic and energy," Hawk began, "and that mages can only see what they can manipulate. You should also know that some types of magics, such as earth and body, require more of an innate sense than the magesight. To me, this room is a dull gray except for the red of heat, which is concentrated in our bodies, and the fires."
"I see that, and a thousand more colors," Tess said.
"Excellent," he said. "Now, there is much more to your magesight than just energy. Because you can see all energies, you can see everything from emotions, to memories, and even a person's race. You just have to learn how to identify the more subtle combinations within people. If you examine me, you should see that the complexity to my energy is distinct from anything else."
"And brighter," Tess said, and felt the urge to blink. The red within Hawk was like the sun compared to the fire next to him.
"I believe the stronger an emotion, the more powerful the magic, and the more intense the thought, the brighter the color will be."
"How do you know all this?" Tess asked. "Have you seen it as well?"
"No," Hawk said with a wry smile. "But I had a good tutor, and she helped me understand what you would see." Tess was about to ask who, but Hawk continued. "The other thing that is unique about you is your farsight, which is the ability of an oracle to see the future. It's how the prophecy of your destiny came about."
"Siarra?"
Hawk gave a slow nod. "And her mother, Ianna. Both prophesied about you, and both took steps to help." He raised his hand to stop her question. "For now, what is important is your own farsight."
His refusal to share was beginning to grate, so she said, "I thought you said you wouldn't withhold things from me."
He regarded her, a slight frown creasing his features. "Would you have me waste time giving you knowledge you can't use now—and leave you weak later? Or help you get stronger? You may make the choice if you prefer." He put his fingers together and waited.
She was tempted to choose the information, but satisfying her curiosity seemed like a poor excuse. The correct choice was obvious, and not just in the way Hawk had phrased it. Whenever he spoke there was frank honesty to his words, as if he never held anything back.
Besides her parents, no one had ever treated her in such a manner, or believed she was smart enough to make her own decisions. The way Hawk talked to her made her want to rise to the level of respect being given. Fleetingly she wondered if that was part of Hawk's design, or what he believed in everyone.