by T. Mikita
“When faced with the otherworldly in moments of intense emotion, you gain knowledge, and perhaps something more. In those moments of high emotion, especially fear or pain, you instinctively grasp for the magic within you, and that instinct may save you. For a time. But there will be times when you need not just instinct, but true power. That power is within you. It seeks to express itself. As you grow as Guardians, you will find that fighting some creature or otherworldly entity will leave you with something from the experience. This is especially true for the Legacies, but even others with the gift will often return from an otherworldly encounter with some new power or ability.”
“Like experience points,” Galina interjected as she took notes in practically unreadable handwriting. “Cool.” She and Dorren were sitting a little in front of him and Joel was on one side. Kenny had gone to the nurse after combat class again, and Phoenix had chosen a seat next to Connor far in the back of the room. Asher tried to ignore them. Unfortunately, Lacey and his gang were on the other side.
“You can never be sure what will be gained.” Professor Stellanovich went on. “It may be some part of the power of the creature itself, or it may be a counter to that power.”
Galina raised her hand to ask another question.
Asher just shook his head at Galina’s exuberance for this particular topic. He had thought that she was shy when he first met her, and he supposed she was to some extent, but when prompted, he found that she could talk for hours about her favorite subjects. She loved dungeons and dragons and martial arts style combat and was quite good at it. She anticipated movements with a certain grace, and he knew that she had some of this power from one of the creatures she had fought. Since in that fight, she probably lost her mother, someone she loved, he did not ask about details. He did know she had a keen sense of intuition, but wasn’t that just human? He didn’t know. Nonetheless, Asher supposed that a keen intuition would be supremely helpful in fighting monsters.
Thinking about what Galina acquired from her own monster, made him wonder if he gained anything from the creatures that he had fought; the basilisks at the convention center or the undead one. The stories in his early life, which seemed a world away, had said getting bitten or scratched by things like werewolves actually turned you into a werewolf, but apparently that was not true. Shifters, wolves or otherwise, were born, not made. Go figure. Asher wondered how much of the power you really got from an attack…a bit of super speed or super strength would be welcome. Actually turning into an animal, not so much. His stitches had healed unnaturally fast though, so that was something he supposed.
Galina voiced the question Asher was thinking. “Can it be dangerous? I mean can you get too much power, or unfavorable attributes?”
“Anything can be dangerous,” Professor Stellanovich answered. “But to go against the Otherworlders without anything but your own fragile human abilities is perhaps even more dangerous. Pure humans are actually quite weak.”
Galina nodded. “Yes, but isn’t there a risk of your getting something you don’t really want… or losing something valuable.”
“Is that what happened to your tits?” quipped Lacey in an undertone.
Teague, who was sitting beside him, sniggered. “Those were never valuable,” he commented.
“A demerit,” said Stellanovich looking at Lacey and then Teague. “For each of you.”
Phoenix flipped them the finger from under the table, but Stellanovich either didn’t notice, or didn’t take demerits for that.
Asher did realize Professor Stellanovich had exceptionally good hearing since she heard Lacey’s comment some paces away at the very front of the room.
Lacey scowled at Galina as if it was her fault, he lost the points.
“The point of facing creatures in a controlled environment is to keep you safe from… such unfortunate circumstances,” Professor Stellanovich said answering Galina.
“At least safer,” Joel said.
“You are correct,” Professor Stellanovich said. “Nothing can make you completely safe. The Otherworlders know of your bloodlines. They can sense your innate power, so they will come, whether you will it or no. It is best to prepare, but we endeavor to make your magic more accessible to you without undue trauma,” she said.
“That’s a first,” Joel muttered softly. He had a black eye and a split lip from this morning’s class, and Asher could see that he was a little bitter about it. Asher had to agree that trauma seemed to be the order of the day at this school. The teacher continued to outline what would be on the next test, when Asher leaned in to answer Joel.
Galina shushed them both and glared at them. “But how is it transferred?” She persisted. “And if they…the Otherworlders… smell our innate power, then…” Galina said with a frown on her face. “I just wondered, does it… like change your DNA or something?” She shrugged. That was Galina. Always looking for a scientific explanation for magic.
The class ended before Galina got an answer, and the other students, anxious to get to dinner at the end of the day, began the rush to the door.
“It’s magic,” Joel said with authority as they headed for the dining hall. “It doesn’t have a scientific explanation.” He draped an arm around Galina’s shoulders and whispered. “Don’t add more work for us.”
“It’s an interesting question though,” Dorren said. “Perhaps if…“
“Stop. Just stop,” Phoenix interrupted throwing up her hands. “I already have so much information my brain is about to explode.”
“But…” Galina began.
“I’m starving,” Joel confided as they headed to the door. Galina would have stayed behind to ask Professor Stellanovich about exactly how the power was transferred or gained, but Phoenix dissuaded her.
“If you ask this, she will put it on the test,” Phoenix said. “You know, she will add a whole new section, and we will have to learn a bunch of new shit. I have enough with trying to memorize all the fucking crystal properties for Professor Stark.”
“Okay, fine,” Galina said glancing over her shoulder. Asher wasn’t convinced that she wouldn’t go back and ask about it later. “I just wondered if we can control the power we get in some way. If it’s just random then…that kind of sucks.”
“I’m sure it’s not completely random,” Dorren added shoving a myriad of notes into his bag as they walked.
“Did you make a copy for Kenny?” Joel asked Dorren.
“No, but I will,” he said.
Kenny had been sent to the nurse again. Asher hoped he was at dinner. Last night he missed it completely, and Joel brought him leftovers.
“Personally, I don’t want to get anything from the Otherworlders,” Phoenix muttered forgoing notes entirely. “I just want them dead.”
As a student, Asher tried to find a happy medium between Dorren and Kenny’s obsessive note taking and Phoenix’s devil may care attitude. Joel had solid fighting skills and was average at the theory, but he managed to charm the teachers with his earnest intent to learn. At least, Joel appeared that he had a real desire to learn when the teachers were around. Asher wasn’t so sure. He thought Joel was still afraid of the things that killed his family, as much as he pretended bravado.
Asher really didn’t know much about Galina. She kept to herself with her quiet smile, but mostly she came through when they needed her. She didn’t share her notes like the others, but she did seem quite intense, especially when she wanted to know something particular. She would help explain any topic you didn’t understand. Even if she would drill it down to such minutia that no one quite followed her logic.
Dorren on the other hand just seemed to be naturally smart. He usually finished assignments first. Then he spent the extra hours helping the others catch up. Asher wondered if he had an eidetic memory like Jules. Thought of her made him feel suddenly homesick.
Throughout dinner, Asher’s mind kept jumping to the day when he and Jules had fought the things at the convention center. The day his fat
her died. Asher liked his new friends, but Jules had been his best friend forever, and he felt like a total ass for leaving her in the mundane world while he was here. He had written to her, but it was wholly unsatisfactory.
Talking to his aunt about the subject had gained him absolutely nothing. Jules wanted to come to the school, and he wanted her here, but he also wanted her safe. Was Aunt Evelyn right? Was it unsafe for her near him? As children, their adventures had always included each other, but there had never been real danger.
Professor Stellanovich seemed to like him. Maybe if Asher explained, she might talk to his aunt about Jules coming to Whitehall. Asher didn’t know how to bring up the subject, and didn’t want to look like he was fishing for extra credit points.
He wasn’t really a brown-noser, but Professor Stellanovich was one of the kinder teachers, and he felt comfortable with her ever since she had talked to him supper first night here. Asher didn’t know if she had office hours this late, but he decided to stop by anyway. If nothing else he could slip a note under her door and ask her to meet him before class tomorrow. Maybe she could help him figure out what to do about Jules or the sorcerer who wanted him dead.
20
Talisman
When Asher found Professor Stellanovich’s office, he realized that a light was on under the door. He paused a moment and then knocked.
Stellanovich looked surprised to see him. “Mr. Pendrick,” she said. “What brings you here? Did you have a question about something we talked about today?”
“Not exactly,” Asher said, with a smile. It was amusing how all of the teachers used the British style of addressing the students by their last names. He liked that Stellanovich used Pendrick as his name instead of insisting on calling him Pendragon.
Stellanovich smiled back at him. She had a very nice smile. Asher suddenly wondered what skills she had gained from fighting monsters. It was not something you could see at first glance and the thought made him a little nervous. He shrugged, blinking and looking down. “It’s not really a question. At least not about the lesson.”
“So, you understand it then?”
That might be going a bit far. Asher understood it in principle. Actually doing magic would be another thing altogether. “Yeah, I got the gist of it,” he said.
“What is on your mind then?” She turned aside to neaten some papers on her desk. Asher realized she had been grading them. He felt less nervous with her cool blue eyes turned elsewhere.
He took a breath and tried to see how to begin. He hedged, unable to think of a way to smoothly bring up the fact that his aunt seemed to be blocking Jules from the school. He didn’t know that for sure. He only felt it, and yet, Stellanovich talked about a Guardian trusting his feelings... Asher shook his head with the thought.
“Mr. Pendrick?” she asked.
“I know everyone thinks I am of Arthur’s line, but I want to achieve things on my own merit, not on some bloodline,” He said with surety.
“Admirable,” she said. “And how are you doing with your focus?”
“I think I will need some practice on this meditation. I’ve never really gone in for the new-age stuff.”
“Meditation is actually very old-age,” she said.
“I guess.” Asher took a breath and came back to the topic he wanted to address. “Actually, the question isn’t really for me. It’s for a friend of mine. A friend who is still back in Pittsburgh.”
“Sit,” Stellanovich invited. “Tell me what troubles you about your friend.”
Asher was so relieved that unlike his aunt, she did not dismiss the notion of Jules out of hand. Professor Stellanovich was fast becoming his favorite teacher.
“Well, I’m sure she saw the Otherworlders,” Asher began. Stellanovich started straightening the papers before moving the books to the bookshelf. “In fact, Jules shot one of them. Exploded it’s head.” Stellanovich paused, but did not turn to look at Asher. Perhaps he should not have just blurted it out like that. Exploding heads took some getting used to, but Dame Versha Stellanovich was a Guardian and a Knight. She should be used to violence and unpleasant topics. Could someone ever really get used to it, Asher wondered? Would there ever come a time when it wouldn’t bother him?
“She must be an excellent shot,” Stellanovich commented.
“Yes,” Asher admitted. “Better than I am.”
“And the shot she used?”
“Pardon?” Asher asked, stifling a yawn.
“What was the ammunition?”
“Oh, it was my father’s,” Asher said, stifling another yawn. “Sorry I haven’t been sleeping well.”
Stellanovich leaned back at her desk, and looked at him. “Nightmares?” she said.
Asher shrugged.
“You know, it is quite common, considering what most of us have experienced.”
Asher nodded. He didn’t want to talk about himself or his nightmares. “The point is,” he said, “Jules should be here.” He paused and then continued in a heartfelt voice. “I’m worried that whoever or whatever killed my father will go after her if it can’t get to me. She is my best friend. She should be protected here at Whitehall, but my aunt thinks she is safer in Pittsburgh.”
“You mean with her family?”
“Well, yes, but see, she doesn’t have any family really. Her father left when she was eight, and her mother, well…” Asher broke off. He didn’t think it was his place to say that Jules’ Mom was an alcoholic. “She isn’t much help to Jules. Jules was always at our house growing up. Her mother was never there for her. My step-mother Sharon was. And now, she’s dead. I’m here, but Jules is really the one without family.”
“I see. That’s terribly sad.”
“Yes,” Asher said seeing some hope. “You see, if Jules could come here, she wouldn’t be alone, and mostly, she would be protected, even if she is not a Guardian…But my Aunt Evelyn…” Asher broke off. He didn’t want to disparage his aunt, but on the other hand, he thought she was dead wrong.
Professor Stellanovich seemed to mirror his thought. “You are worried about your friend. That seems logical. I’ll have you know that I don’t always agree with Lady Pendragon,” she said. “But she is the headmistress. I can’t go against her will, and I can’t make any promises, but I will see what I can do.”
“Thank you,” Asher said feeling a load lift from his shoulders.
“You are most welcome, Asher Pendrick.” Stellanovich’s smile seemed to radiate a calm serenity, encouraging him to relax and be less confrontational. Was that magic, Asher wondered suddenly? Were teachers allowed to do magic on the students? That thought made a chill crawl up his spine. Oh, who was he kidding? They were allowed to almost kill them every other day in PE class. Doing magic was a given. Stellanovich just wanted him to be less anxious. There was nothing wrong with that.
“Since you are here, there is something I would like to give you.”
“What?” Asher blurted, a frown on his face.
“Have you learned about amulets yet in Professor Palmer’s class?” Stellanovich asked.
“Yes,” he said. “Blessed objects for protection. Often made of gold.”
“Very good. You have been studying.” She opened a drawer, drew a box from her desk and lifted the lid. In the box was a golden coin hung on a thin gold chain.
“Do you know how amulets are meant to be used?” she asked.
Asher answered as if she had asked him a quiz question, right from the book, just like Professor Palmer liked his answers. “Protective amulets should be kept on the person. Best is next to the skin, which is why so many of them are put on chains to hang around your neck or formed into jewelry, but they can also be carried in a pocket as long as they are nearby. But being further away lessens their effect.”
“That’s right,” Stellanovich said smiling brightly, “so you should keep this with you.” Then she held out the box in both hands, and spoke with more formality.
“Take this, Asher Pendragon, Acolyt
e to the Order of Lancelot. Keep it close,” she said. “And you shall be watched over.”
Asher reached out and took the coin from the box. It was unlike any coin he had ever seen before. It was golden, but when tipped on its side, he could barely see it at all, but it had an unnatural weight to it. It felt warm to the touch. His fingers tingled a little bit as he held it. He stood turning it over in his hand.
“What does it do?”
“It keeps you safe from prying eyes,” Stellanovich said fiercely, and then she smiled. “And perhaps it will help you to sleep.”
Asher stood looking at the gold glinting in his hand and a smile came across his face as well.
“I feel safer already,” he said and found he truly meant it. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. Mr. Pendrick,” she said. “But it would be best if you wear it under your shirt or keep it hidden in your pocket.”
He slipped the coin into his pocket.
“We wouldn’t want Lacey to get wind of it. The kozol will be screaming that you are getting special treatment.”
“Undoubtedly,” Asher said. Thinking that even Stellanovich had noticed the other boy’s strong dislike of him. He stood uncertainly on the doorstep.
“Did you have another question? About the lesson, perhaps?” Professor Stellanovich asked.
“No,” Asher said. “I guess I just have to practice.”
“Yes,” Stellanovich agreed. “You do that.”
Asher started for the door and turned back, unease still niggling at him. He felt there was something else he should say. “About Jules,” he began.
“Yes. Don’t worry about her,” Stellanovich said.
“Thanks, Professor,” Asher said. He put his hand in his pocket. The weight of the coin was reassuring.
21
Nightmares
Despite Professor Stellanovich’s assurances that the charmed coin would ease his sleep, Asher’s nightmares returned. As usual, he was forced to relive the last moments at his home. Fighting the dead thing that killed his parents, only this time, he and Jules got there a bit earlier. Together they helped his dad to kill the basilisks.