by K M McGuire
“No, no! Its fine! It only surprised me!” Andar screeched as his hand gripped the steel. The helix clenched together as he spoke.
Koruza looked him over, his lips twisting into an odd smile. It seemed to Voden that Koruza was pleased, not at all surprised by this unexpected occurrence. The strange smile vanished suddenly as he returned his attention to the parchment in his hand. “Well, anyway, the reason you are here.” His eyes scanned over the letter, before he spoke again. “You obviously are quite familiar with the Well of the Will which protects the city. I imagine you have at least that much wit about you.” Voden and Andar nodded quietly. Koruza continued, “The High Priest, Eigan, has been studying it for quite some time. Recently, he’s noticed it seems to be losing its potency. It seems to be running dry.”
Voden felt a ping of shock which was mirrored on Andar’s face. How could that be possible?
“You understand why we could not talk outside,” Koruza said, as he waved them forward, walking back to the main room. “We suspected this may happen in time, unfortunately. We have been searching relentlessly for a solution, as you can guess, but we have done so in a very secretive manner.”
“Why would you keep this a secret?” Voden asked.
“How would you explain to a city, blanketed by nearly a thousand years of peace, that they would soon lose the only protection they had against slaughtering marauders and savages? I think that sort of knowledge is less than beneficial to a population who would have difficulty coping with even the thought.”
Voden suddenly saw the cloud from his dream spark inside his mind. He shook the thought away. “So you want us to help you solve this problem? I would think there are many others better equipped.”
“Oh, we know the solution,” Koruza exclaimed, walking through the threshold. The sun threw warm shadows across the ground. Already, it had reached midday. He handed the letter to Voden.
Koruza,
As you know, our research has taken us only far enough to maintain The Well of the Will for approximately another year or so. That time frame, however, can no longer suffice for the wellbeing of our city. I have scoured the texts and records, and my attention is continually drawn to this Lady of the Lake who seems to have come from the old civilizations of man, who retained the secret knowledge of the Beyond. If not for the wars, perhaps there would be a city to contact in the north, but it appears that there is nothing responsive in those regions. However, she has finally returned my letters, and she seems to know the secret to The Well of the Will’s vitality.
I have also been keeping track of our citizens, if only to find an individual or group who would have the courage to do what I suspect is far beyond what we could ask of anyone in Adetia. Fortunately, the proper candidate will graduate shortly, and if he is to go, be sure that he brings his close friend with him. You, of course, know of whom I speak. Do not disturb the populous with this. There is too much at stake. The timing is perfect, and I see it as the divine timing. Set the necessary precautions, I have other preparations I must see to. Be sure to explain to him why Adetia cannot know this mission. This will bring a new age for Adetia, whether the people know it or not. Do not spoil it with our involvement. The priority is that the elixir must go into the Well as soon as possible. If it makes it easier, they are to go directly to the Well and finish the mission. Once you have him enlisted, I will give you further instructions on the proceedings.
Regards,
Eigan
Voden looked at the specks of people scurrying around outside, unaware of the famine just under their feet. His mind washed away the sunshine and replaced the image with desolate streets burning, bodies strewn haphazardly along the grey stone. But he had been chosen for some reason to make sure that could never happen. “The solution to our problem,” Koruza continued, breaking Voden’s thoughts, “can be found outside the city. Far north, beyond the woods of Septium. We have found an ancient magic that can replenish the blessing, but there is only one who is known to have the answers to its secret. I am not in any state to retrieve it. Well, mentally perhaps, but my physique is much too old; frail like unbaked clay. Of course, Eigan would go, but you must understand, he has much to look after here.”
Voden looked thoughtfully at Andar. He could see the interest in Andar’s eyes. Voden could feel the appeal as well, venturing to places few Adetians had seen. That alone enticed him with wild fantasies, and a strange comfort relieved him of any thought of his place in the city.
That would be worth doing, he thought. He handed Andar the letter.
“So, all we have to do is find this person, obtain the cure, and pour it into the Well? That’s rather straightforward,” Andar muttered, trying to stifle his excitement.
“Yes! Exactly!” Koruza sang, his yellow teeth shining. “You have to find the Lady of the Lake. She has the elixir to purify the Well. It is most important that we gather it from her and pour it directly into the Well.” He scanned the lab and ran down the stairs. He continued talking as Voden and Andar hurried to follow him. “She is not one to trifle with. She…ah!” he cheered, pulling a sheet of browned parchments from under a mass of books, which came tumbling down at his haste. He held it up, revealing a map. “Just beyond the woods, you’ll find the Echoing Lake. That is where the rumors have her placed.” He looked at them. Voden tried to absorb the information. Perhaps they had taken too much on. “Just mind yourself around her. She is not without her rage, and her subjects are not so welcoming to interlopers.”
Andar gulped hard. “You think this is wise?”
Koruza patted him on the back. “It is, if anything, the right thing to do. But don’t worry,” he said warmly. “We have taken as many precautious on your behalf. We have been in contact with the Lady of the Lake. She is aware you are coming. Eigan is quite the diplomat in such affairs. As many doves as that man sent between the two of them, you would think they were long lost lovers.” He chuckled, gazing off a second.
“You were able to send doves?” Andar asked.
“You think the Dome keeps everything inside?” Koruza laughed. “I suppose the Missions have been rather nonexistent as of late, but no, the Dome is meant to protect against invasions. I think to fear an army of flying creatures is nearly laughable!”
Voden took a moment to process. It felt rather counter to all he had believed, but as he considered it, there was nothing he had learned that actually detailed the power of the Dome, other than it protected the city.
“So, what say you? You think you can manage?”
Voden looked at Andar, who mindfully processed the words. He turned to Koruza, hoping to find any answer in his expression. There was nothing he could decipher. “Do we have much of a choice?”
Without blinking, a flavescent smirk split Koruza’s face, brushing up against his ears. “I suppose you do. Fate on the other hand, would determine you don’t.”
Koruza rubbed his brow, irritably mumbling as he scanned the list in his hand. Over the past week, Koruza had them running from one end of the city to the other, searching for dried foods and flint, as well as other odds and ends which he claimed were things they would need to survive beyond the city. They were told not to divulge any information about their adventure to a single person. Instead, everyone close enough to ask questions was told they were doing research for the science department and could not share much detail other than they would be leaving for a time. Andar’s family had questioned the strange gauntlet attached to his friend’s arm.
He had explained it was part of their research. It wasn’t much of lie.
“It’s better to limit how much they know,” Koruza had explained, when Andar protested lying to his family. “It’s for the sanity of the city.”
Eigan confirmed what Koruza said with the few appearances he made during their week with Koruza, always sharing encouraging words, and then he would take Koruza aside to discuss what Voden assumed was their progress. Koruza would always return slightly sweaty from the interaction. Eigan
was much better at explaining the situation than Koruza, reminding them what was at stake. The secrecy was a bit uncomfortable, but Eigan assured them all would be revealed upon their return. All for the sake of security.
“Gracious, Voden!” Koruza cried, looking up from his parchment. Voden knelt on the floor over a mound of kindling, struggling to light it. Andar had already shown success, but as always, Voden seemed to struggle where Andar had not. “You need to strike it like you mean it!” Koruza pulled the stones from his hands. “Like this!” Tiny sparks whipped at the small clump of kindling. He blew at the smolder. “Honestly, I was assured you were more competent than this! Let’s try again!”
He thrust the flint back into Voden’s hands and snatched more kindling for him. Koruza mumbled to himself about how unfortunate it would be if there was any sort of weather, but Voden was already too abashed to defend himself. He clicked the stones together. Finally, a tongue lashed out at the hay. Excitedly, he began to blow, praying it would ignite. The flame finally took and wrapped the ball with cheerful light.
“Excellent,” Koruza sighed. “I suppose you two are about ready then.”
“Sir?” Voden said softly. He looked at Andar who sat propped against one of the columns holding up the loft. Koruza extinguished his small flame, stepping out the light. He scanned their bags quickly, making sure he had not forgotten anything.
I don’t know how we’ll carry these, Voden thought. The room was bleached a bloody orchid, heralding the coming night. Koruza had vanished.
“I suppose,” Koruza’s voice echoed from a side chamber, “I can’t allow for you to go unprotected, though, I suspect Andar’s new toy would be sufficient if he could ever learn to activate it.”
Andar looked down, rubbing the metal along his arm. “You act like I’ve had this all my life.” His fingers ran along the grooves of the polygons.
“This,” Koruza declared, appearing almost magically behind Voden. Koruza pulled his hands from behind his back, holding an unusual barrel-shaped object, “is for you, Voden. It’s a prototype of my own design. It’s similar to a crossbow. Here, take it!” Voden held it in his hands and examined it. It had a grip under the barrel, with a small section carved out for the trigger. Koruza pointed to the rectangular protrusion that angled up from the side of the cylinder. “You see, it is steam-powered! I have designed little canisters that can be filled.” He pulled out another contraption that had a crank and a small port where some kind of cylinder sat. “You turn this wheel to draw in air, and as it turns, it presses it into the canister. When you pull the trigger, it releases some of the pressure, firing a bolt, as the other components inside set the string and drop another bolt in place! It takes all the work out of notching your bow.”
“That’s impressive,” Voden muttered, turning it in his hands. He observed the weight, which was fantastically light. It seemed to fit so well in his hands. He held it in front of him.
“No, not quite. Look, boy.” Koruza pulled the device from his hands and placed what he called “the butt” against the ball of his shoulder. “It will serve you much better like this.”
He handed it to Voden, who mimicked the action. He could not argue with how much sturdier it felt. “Excellent,” Koruza said. “Here, I’ll place a few of these canisters in your bag.” He found a small pocket and shoved them inside. He stood, peering out the window into the magenta sky, deepening the aura of his pride. “Please take care of my things,” he uttered, concern shifting through his eyes. “I would hate for it all to go to waste.”
Andar moved from the column and walked over to Koruza. “I think we can manage that. I really appreciate your kindness in helping us.” He held out his hand and offered it to Koruza. “We won’t let our people down.”
Koruza inspected Andar’s determination. Finally, he drew a curt smile and nodded. “I don’t believe you would try to.”
Voden strapped the crossbow to the front of his bag. The sun was almost behind the mystical mountains. The gates to a world Voden was so curious to see. The city was beginning to settle in for the evening, as shops closed their doors and blew out their lights. Voden bit his lip, thinking about the question he had had for a few days now, but never had the courage to ask. He needed to be sure.
“Koruza,” Voden said, “I don’t mean to offend you. It’s just…I would like to ask you something.”
“You may ask.”
“Why is it that we must find someone outside of the city? Why don’t we have a solution here? Surely someone has considered this before now? I just keep wondering if we—if I made the right choice.”
Koruza stroked his chin. “Come now, boy! Not all of the answers can be found in the same place. It’s a very rare artifact. Its origins were lost for so long, we struggled to find any references to where it had come from. The knowledge to replicate it doesn’t exist here. But she knows. She has seen many seasons, and her people are very much aware of the old ways. They cling to their mysteries much like your people cling to their sanctity. She will, at the very least, be able to guide you to it. Take comfort in Eigan’s planning. He has gone to great lengths to be sure he isn’t asking anyone for more than they can handle. Come.” He headed towards the main door, and Voden and Andar hoisted their bags to pursue him.
Koruza placed his hand on the latch, and as if by some sudden inspiration, he paused and turned to them, “It must be quite strange for you,” he said, looking at the both of them. He laughed thoughtfully. “You are very much in the world, but I find it queer how few of you actually know anything of this Earth we call our home. Hah! A bit strange to be at the center of it all, yet be so completely detached, unaware of anything else that exists. I suppose you will learn. Complacent lives leave no room for growth. They are the true wanderers of the dark. Perhaps it is very true to say ‘there is ignorance in bliss.’”
He shrugged and pulled open the door. Again, he smirked. “You have the map, Andar?”
“Yeah,” he murmured, as if waking from a dream. He fumbled in his pocket and showed him the square of parchment.
“Well then, off you go! Remember, there is a small canoe at the north end of the island waiting for you. Do everything the Lady of the Lake asks of you. It is the only hope Adetia has! Do return in one piece, will you?” He smiled once more and closed the door, leaving Voden and Andar staring at the wooden barrier. Loneliness seeped into Voden’s mind. He looked at Andar, who seemed a bit hurt by the abrupt farewell.
“I guess that’s it then,” Andar sighed. He shifted his weight for his bag to sit more comfortably on his shoulders.
“I suppose so,” Voden agreed, still staring at the door.
They turned and walked down the hall in awkward silence while Voden tried to cope with the new reservations he’d started to feel about their journey. His stomach knotted uncontrollably with each second he spent in silence, trying to find something to say to his friend as they walked through the halls, but Andar looked just as anxious as he felt. Voden found the introversion awakened the nagging question he refused to consider: why them? It seemed the walls knew how to press his lips tighter together.
They made their way to the main foyer and walked down the staircase, exiting through the northern entrance. They entered a large garden courtyard. Voden could hear Koruza’s words reminding them it would take roughly a day to find the edge of the Dome.
They walked along the path that cut through the garden. Birds whistled cute songs of joy, stringing through the trees to join in each other’s rumors. The trees felt old, and they protected the small flowers below them. The marble fountains placed throughout the garden churned arches of liquid into fancy bowls, spilling out into a small brook splitting the walkway. Here and there, a bridge, made from a similar material, stitched the paths together. They had found some peace wandering through the garden, when they noticed a man dressed in a humble white gown, reading on one of the benches.
He looked up as the two approached. “Ah, Voden! Andar! I wondered when you
would come this way!” He set the book aside and greeted them warmly, pulling each of them into a firm hug.
“Hello, High Priest!” Voden said humbly, tilting his head in respect. “We weren’t expecting to see you again until we returned.”
“Ah, you must think so little of me!” he said calmly, he smiled at his own jest. “Besides, I like to reflect here, take some much needed alone time, you see.” His grey hair shined a bit in the moonlight, and his eyes glowed with a kindly light. He wasn’t terribly old, at least for a High Priest. He must have been maybe a decade younger than Voden’s grandfather.
“I’m elated!” he said, squeezing their arms. “I am beside myself that you two have taken up this mission! You two were most interesting to watch growing up, out of all your classmates. The way you two work together is just impressive. I’ve never seen friends pull each other through so much! What, you thought your teachers had sealed lips? Ha ha! Boys, they pass on so much information to me, it would baffle you! How else are the guilds able to accept you for jobs? I would be a bad shepherd if I allowed for a slow-minded individual to take up a robe. Extraordinary! Our entire faith is bound to this, you know!”
Voden shivered. The thought of it began to press against Voden’s shoulders, knowing he could not turn back or shake it off.
“Please, you mustn’t worry so much, Voden,” Eigan said softly. “I understand this is a massive burden to carry. It’s a lot to take in. But don’t forget, doing the right thing will bring you courage to push for your goals!” He sat back down on the bench. The fireflies meandered through as the frogs and crickets orchestrated the evening sonata. It relieved the pressure Voden felt.
“What is it, Andar?” Eigan pried.
Andar looked confused. He held his arms tightly across his chest, his eyes moving around listlessly, pondering a thought long away from them. “I’m…I’m not really sure, sir,” he mumbled. “I can’t stop thinking why, out of the thousands of people in Adetia, it has to be us. Surely, there are those better equipped for this assignment? I’m not opposed to help when I’m asked to, it just feels like a lot to absorb.”