by Kenna Bardot
After a few minutes, he smiled and gestured with his cane. It must have been a planned signal because Docent Frost stood up immediately, bow in hand.
“Are you ready?” He nocked an arrow, and I felt all the color drain from my face as I could only make strangled sounds. A bright red light swirled around the tip of his weapon before he loosed it straight towards my face.
I started but, following my instincts, I pulled my sword from its holster and knocked the arrow back. Unsurprisingly, it whipped back and was joined by another of its kind.
“Stop my attack by wielding Air, Miss Shaw. Show us you are deserving of becoming an Air Mage.” Two more arrows flew and the sweat dripped down to my eyes as I flipped them off as best as I could.
“Stop using your sword in such a mundane fashion. PROVE. YOURSELF!” Docent Frost shouted at me and rage distorted his face. I gritted my teeth as an arrow sliced at my hand at the same time that another punctured my arm. In surprise, I dropped my sword to the floor with a clatter and felt another arrow slice at me before they turned around to return to Docent Frost.
When I bent down to try and pick up my sword, I was stopped by a hard wall of Air. Docent Frost had changed tactics and was instead trying to stop me in a different way. “Do you have Air, Miss Shaw?”
I don’t. I wanted to sob but the red haze in my eyes was pushing me to fight. I was scratching to get my sword, an almost animalistic instinct to fight - my hands were red and raw, my nails were cracked and very nearly bleeding. The hard wall swelled, and I felt it envelop me before I went skidding across the floor. I hit the wall at the opposite side of the room with a thud.
“Enough, Maksim,” ordered Headmaster Stewart. “I think Miss Shaw has proven to us that she doesn’t deserve to be here. This concludes your exam.”
At his words, I felt my world turn upside down - I had failed. I had failed, because I hadn’t been who they wanted me to be.
Just like I had my entire life.
✽✽✽
Gale
You fucking asshole. I wanted to shout - rage - as Archie failed Kaia Wren, but instead I controlled it. With clenched fists, I walked towards Kaia. She looked dazed, but I was relieved to see that she wasn’t bleeding and looking better than I thought she would. The tiny thief was a strong woman even if she didn’t believe it herself.
“Are you okay?” I asked, and she nodded, holding her head as she did so. My mouth formed a thin line as I spun around and walked forward.
“No, I must protest. It’s not fair to fail her on these grounds alone. She’s been preparing hard, studying day and night and training until her arms all but fall off. You have to remember how much time it takes before a reborn child’s power manifests especially for an Air Mage. Miss Shaw was not given any time whatsoever before being pushed into InkHaven. That was two months ago; however, she has managed to choose a weapon off the wall, perform decently in her classes and protect herself in the Tumult. You can’t just end things here.”
“Docent Porter, you overstep.” Headmaster Stewart thumped his cane, and I could see he was displeased at me.
“You forget who you are talking to, Gaylord,” Frost spoke up. He scowled at me and his hand tightened around the arrow he held in his left hand.
I ignored them both and turned to the two people in the room who had yet to say a word since we’d walked in. “Docent Ho, Docent Woods. Please.”
Woods, who had been staring at the proceedings with a steady, unmoving gaze hummed. “Well, Gale, you certainly speak passionately about someone who is a mere student. And one who doesn’t appear to have any Zeevar blessing at that.”
Ho spoke up in that sweet voice that hid an unshakeable strength - velvet-coated steel, “Tomos, you speak too harshly. Headmaster, Maksim, you have been too hasty. Gale, tell me, does your charge know enough? You mentioned she studied and trained long and hard.”
“Abigail,” Headmaster Stewart warned as he waved his cane.
“Archie. As your deputy, I have a say in this. Furthermore, I am the head of the Air Department and that gives me even more of a say on who I let into and kick out of it. Since you failed to inform me nor ask my permission before you let Miss Shaw into my program, I think it fitting that I decide if she goes.”
Headmaster Stewart huffed out a breath. “Fine.”
Ho turned back to me and gestured with her thin-handled knife. “Please, Gale, allow your charge to prove herself. Any objections, gentlemen?”
The two other men shook their heads even though Maksim looked very displeased. Ho smiled at me and winked. I wanted to run up and kiss her but instead, I turned around and walked to Kaia, held out my hand to help her up. “Come, Miss Shaw. Stand up. You’ve gotten a second chance.”
Thank Zeevar.
✽✽✽
Kaia
I looked up to Docent Porter’s hand reaching down. My head reeled from the pain of banging against the wall, but more from the overwhelming miracle of being given a second chance. I grasped his hand, and he pulled me up gently. He led me forward, which I appreciated as I had a bit of a limp.
I faced Docent Ho, who gave me a gentle smile. “Miss Shaw, I wish to ask you a few questions. Are you well enough to stand?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but she interrupted, shaking her head with a chuckle. “Oh, who am I kidding? Maksim slammed you against that wall so hard I’m actually quite impressed that you’re conscious.” She waved her knife and a chair moved from behind the wall the four of them made and landed behind me.
“Please,” she gestured, and I sat down gratefully. Docent Porter gave me one last glance before going back to his previous position.
“There, much better. Now, Miss Shaw, can you tell me when the most recent event of mass stolen sacrifice was? Kindly elaborate on that event as best you can.”
Zeevar, what an obscure question. But it was a story I had come across in my fascination to research crime. “219 years ago, Rawfe Ashford of the noble family of Ashfords, abducted and killed women who were 48 hours away from their rebirth day. He managed to take the life of eleven before he was caught by the Air Mage Beatrix Lebar.”
“Yes, good. What conduits did the Founding Four have?”
“Chrilam had exactly five 6-inch silver-hilted knives that legend says were forged from the silver he had earned when he was an assassin working under then King Andavac. Zimyle had a gold-tipped stylus of pure obsidian which is why the Ink Mages’ color became gold. Ifera wore a leather glove with a purple gem in the center. The gem was a gift from her uncle, the king. And finally, Jator had no conduit because he insisted that his hands were more than good enough. That is why Fires, to this day, still don’t have one.”
“You have a great memory, Miss Shaw. Which sect has the fewest number of women?”
I smiled at this question, because it was one I could have answered even through observation. “Air, Docent Ho. As evidenced in this room.”
She laughed and so did the man beside her, the one they’d called Woods. “Too true, Ms. Shaw. Too true. Until what age can a child be reborn?”
I cringed as the question hit close to home, but I decided to simply stick to facts. “Sixteen. However, less than a hundred years ago, it was ten. It was changed when the number of Order members became dangerously low and Inkeds an all time high.”
“Yes, indeed. Why is InkHaven made of stone?”
“Because Earths are able to produce stone the easiest out of all building materials - Ifera the Ingenious lived in a castle made of stone and so it was close to her heart. When she was asked to make an Academy for Zimyle and Chrilam, she did it out of the material she preferred most of all.”
“Gaylord was right. You studied well. Woods?”
Docent Woods stood, and I was struck by how impressive he was - in height and width. “Miss Shaw, Air Docent Tomos Woods. We haven’t met, but I teach Critical Thinking for third year Rooks and fourth and fifth year Disciples. Perhaps I’ll be your teacher before the year ends.” He
held out a hand that had on it a spiked brass knuckle of dull silver. On his palm lay a perfectly round orb of bright red. “Tell me, Miss Shaw, what is this I hold in my hand?”
“Ah.” I strained my memory. “May I move closer, Docent Woods?”
“Please.”
I stood and though I cringed when I put weight on my right foot, I limped forward. I repeated, “Ah. Unless I am mistaken, it is likely a linking orb. Used by Airs to communicate in dire emergencies.”
“And what makes you say so?”
“The perfectly round shape, Docent. The roundness allows a voice to be trapped inside, thus ensuring that the receiver would hear a message as though the speaker were in the same room.”
“That’s correct. Even 3rd years sometimes have trouble discerning this from other uses. Storage, shields, and even weaponry require shapes, but a perfectly round shape is not completely necessary except for linking orbs.” He gave a brief nod and turned to Ho. “I vote in.”
Docent Ho smiled up at him. “So do I. Headmaster.” She bowed at Headmaster Stewart whose scowl deepened before he turned to me with a smile I can only call evil. “Seems I am overruled. It appears you get to stay, Ms. Shaw.”
“Headmaster,” Docent Frost spoke up, but the headmaster simply held up his cane.
“Maksim, congratulate Miss Shaw.”
“Congratulations, Miss Shaw,” he said obediently, lips thinning as he did.
Docent Porter started clapping and Docent Ho turned towards him. “Gale, I advise you take Miss Shaw and allow her to celebrate. Perhaps help her with her injuries as well. We’ll see you in class next week, Kaia. As a second year.”
“Thank you, Docents, Headmaster.” I beamed at Docent Porter as he rushed towards me and led me out of the room.
I barely restrained myself from reaching up and giving Docent Porter a hug but talked myself out of it by reminding myself that the other docents would not be impressed by my display of familiarity. Besides, I wasn’t sure how Docent Porter would react.
I rushed out of the room, almost skipping, and turned to him instead with a big smile as he closed the door behind him. “Zeevar, I can’t believe that happened. So many highs and lows in one night. But I have you to thank for that don’t I, Docent Porter? Thank you for defending me.”
“You deserved it, Miss Shaw. I know that I’d originally told you that I was helping you for my own gain and while that’s still partially true, I hope you know that I defended you because of how impressively you’ve performed - what I told them was no lie, you’ve trained and studied more than an ordinary person could have.” His voice went soft and calm as he spoke, and I felt my eyes sting from emotion - it was getting very difficult not to express myself in a more physical way.
I sniffed back the tears but spoke up in a watery voice, “Thank you, Docent Porter. You don’t know how much it means to me. If I could repay you in any way, I would.”
He started at that, and I saw him turn to me, eyebrows raised. “Any way, huh?”
The way he said it had a frisson of excitement run down my spine and a hot sensation pooling in my belly. I gulped down my nerves and nodded.
“Great. Then call me Gale or even Gaylord if that’s what you prefer. Docent Porter makes me feel so much older, and you’re Ronan and Alec Gaius’ age.” He turned and started walking away. I could only stare at his back in surprise.
“What, that’s it?” I blurted out. I wasn’t sure what I’d wanted him to ask from me, but it had been simpler than what I’d been expecting. What I’d been hoping for.
“Yes.” He turned to me, small smile in place. “What were you expecting?”
“Not sure, Gale,” I evaded, choosing to ignore the wishful thinking I’d felt that he might ask for more sexual favors than purely calling him by his given name. “Hmmm. Gaylord.” I tried out the names and decided I liked the old world feel of Gaylord and nodded my head at that. “I like them both but, yes, Gaylord has a nice ring to it.”
“Alec Gaius prefers Gaylord. He tells me it suits me.” He shook his head, but I could see the humour in his eyes.
“Mhm, it does suit you. Well, they both do, but either way I have to use them a bit more to get used to it.”
“You’ll get used to it, Miss Shaw. By the way, before I forget, here you go.” He handed me a small bag that jingled as he dropped it on my outstretched hand.
“I only just discovered that you had no allowance so I got that for you.”
“I get an allowance?” My voice must have radiated shock because Gaylord chuckled.
“Sure you do. Every Order member does, it’s how our society is built. Since we spend our lives in the service of Zeevar, we’re not exactly paid in the way Inkeds on the outside are paid. However, we are still human, mortal, so it’s important that we be able to meet basic human needs. Thus, allowance. There are shops and stores in the Order premises. Thank the Earths for that, they do a good job making sure we’re all clothed and fed either by making the things themselves or procuring them from outside. For normalcy, we have money but everyone is basically equal.”
“I’m grateful to them, to everything. And you, especially you. Thank you.”
“Seems to be your night to thank me, doesn’t it?”
“It does, yes. Ah, Gaylord? Gale?” I blew out a breath. He hummed at me, and I felt a connection with Gaylord. The feeling bolstered me. “Can you tell me what your tattoo is about?” I reached out to touch his arm where I knew his tattoo was underneath the soft leather of his coat and felt him stiffen under my touch. I immediately pulled my hand away and clasped the other behind my back.
“Sorry,” I apologized. “I first saw it that day we met in Headmaster Stewart’s office, and I’ve wanted to ask ever since.”
“No need to apologize, Miss Shaw. I’m just surprised you haven’t asked the boys,” he said, referring to Alec Gaius and the others.
I shrugged at his statement. “I respect people’s privacy. It’s your tattoo. Also, if I’m to call you Gaylord, I don’t think that it’s fair you still call me ‘Miss Shaw.’ You might be surprised to know, but I too have a first name.”
“Fair point. Kaia then. It’s not a big secret, my tattoos. The one you’re referring to was my first - a stupid mistake by a rebellious teenager.”
The plural term piqued my curiosity since I didn’t know he had more tattoos than the one I could actually see. “A mistake? Do you regret getting it?”
“Not particularly. At least not now. My tattoos give me a certain peace because they remind me of where I was and what I have accomplished through Zeevar’s guidance and blessings. Had I not found my way here, I would have self-destructed. Zeevar, I was thirteen when I got this tattoo and got such grief for it.”
“Thirteen?” I gaped at him in shock. “Zeevar, my parents would have walloped me if I’d gotten a tattoo at that age.”
“Yes, well, I didn’t escape that fate,” his voice took on a bitter edge. “It only made me rebel more. But, if they could see me now? A teacher, a respectable figure in a school? Not only would the boys I used to hang with not believe it, but neither would my family.”
“I’m sure they’d be proud of you. I would have been.”
“I certainly hope so. Thank you, Kaia,” he said my name in such a low, soft voice that just stopped me in my tracks to expel a low, shaky breath.
He must have realized I no longer walked beside when he turned around to give me a curious stare. “Are you all right, Kaia?”
I shook the feeling off me and caught up with him. The confused concern on his face just begged to be kissed away, but I contented myself by bumping my shoulder against his arm. “I’m fine. So, tattoos huh?”
“Sure. I have a few more in less conspicuous places.”
“Interesting. Perhaps you’d let me see them some day, Gaylord.” I wanted to gasp. Who was this bold woman?
“Perhaps. Some day,” he agreed enigmatically as he opened the door to his classroom and announced, “We’re
back, and Kaia passed the exam.”
I had no time to ponder what he’d said when Alec Gaius descended on me to hug me tightly and claim my lips in celebration. I fell into the moment but at the back of my head I could still hear Gaylord’s voice when he’d said my name in the hallway.
Nine
Kaia
“Come on, you can do this. Baby, I’m so fucking proud you passed your exam yesterday, I really am. But it’s just going to be harder from this point forward.” Alec Gaius’ voice should have been soothing, but instead all I wanted to do was rip out his vocal cords, trample all over them, and douse them with acid. And then, maybe, afterwards, I could make him feel real pain. Whatever high I’d experienced after passing the exam was gone - completely gone. The slave driver was bringing me down.
“I thought we’d established two nights ago that I can’t, in fact, do this,” I hissed at him. “Look, I’m ecstatic that I passed that exam. But I really failed, and if Gaylord hadn’t been there and insisted that I be given a second chance I’d be gone from here. Little old me isn’t meant to be an Air Mage. I don’t know why you all think I am.”
“You called him Gaylord,” Alec Gaius teased.
“Which is his name,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Sure. I know that, but you’ve been calling him Docent Porter this entire time.”
I shrugged and sighed, “He asked me not to. Made him feel old, he said.”
“Well, he is an old man.” Alec Gaius smirked at me. “But regardless of age, Gaylord is the best of us. If he believes in you, then it’s time you believe in yourself as well.” He crossed the distance between us to stand in front of where I knelt on his bedroom floor.
“There’s nothing there, Alec,” I insisted as my insides remained stubbornly silent. I might have passed the first exam, but that was because I had read, studied, and memorized until my eyes felt like falling out. I hoped I’d still have time to do so moving forward given how much Alec Gaius kept me in bed.