Magic Underground: The Complete Collection (Magic Underground Anthologies Book 4)

by Melinda Kucsera

  “What will we do?” Finyaka asked, trying to keep his mind focused on placing one foot before the other. He was becoming jittery, the slightest bump made him want to lash out with his Radiance.

  “We are almost through the gates. When we are, we can leave the main thoroughfare and make our way to the Temple District. I have paid that scoundrel Nahbas what is owed, so we are free to take our leave.” Her voice was as calm as if she were sitting in her home sipping tea.

  Finyaka released the bridle of the camel and walked toward Asho, placing a hand on the wise woman’s arm. Her strength flowed over him, taking his mind from all those around him that were swirling with the taint.

  “When will we meet the mage-priest?” he whispered so only she and Matasa could hear him.

  She placed a gnarled hand on his. “Soon. There are certain procedures. Life here is far more regimented than what you have been accustomed to and Elder Sheekara was always a stickler for protocol. Do as I say, and all will be well.” She patted his hand. “The Golden City, it hasn’t been long enough.”

  Two days later found them standing before a massive building in the center of the city known as the Hall of Knowledge. The golden nimbus which haloed the building allowed Finyaka to contemplate its size. The Radiance within that edifice was strong.

  As Finyaka, Matasa, and Asho entered the hall, Finyaka shielded his eyes against the golden Radiance exuding from an intricate cabinet ahead of them. He had never seen an aura so bright. It was warm and reassuring, like a fire on a cold night, or the embrace of his mother. He wondered how she was now that his father and brothers were gone.

  “Are you alright, Finyaka?” Asho’s concerned voice echoed around the massive hall.

  “There is a Radiance here that is hard to look upon.” That golden splendor washed over everything, causing even Asho’s bright aura to pale.

  “That’s the Repository, where the three hundred and sixty-three clay tablets of the Song of the Great Sun are kept.” She made the symbol of the sun disc as she bowed toward the sacred relic.

  “T-t-t-the Song! T-t-t-the one written by t-t-t-the First Singers!” Matasa’s voice was full of awe.

  “Yes. The Hall of Knowledge retains a vast collection of the written works of the Seven Peoples. This is where the Council holds their judgment, and where they interpret the writings of the First Singers of Anuu. The Council Chamber opens onto the Repository, so all their decisions are made in sight of the clay. The Song is the only thing worth seeing in the Golden City for someone of the Faith.” Finyaka noted a touch of reverence in the wise one’s voice.

  Given the significance of the work that shone before him, he could understand her statement. If someone told me I’d be standing here, I’d have called them a liar.

  “Welcome to the Hall,” the voice was raspy and hard to understand in the vast hall. Finyaka could barely make out the yellow aura of the speaker.

  “Greetings, most learned. We have an appointment with the Council. I am Mage-Priest Asho Umu Sonu bawa Onubaki, and this is my adherent Finyaka Umu Salani and his cousin, Matasa. We are expected.”

  The yellow aura bowed and disappeared through what seemed to be a set of doors.

  “We have been acknowledged. Be on your best behaviors. The individuals you are about to meet are the most powerful mage-priests in the lands of the Seven People.” Asho adjusted her stole before fusing over Finyaka and Matasa.

  The yellow aura appeared again and bowed. “The Elders of the Council will see you.”

  As they entered the Council Chamber, Finyaka was shocked by the brilliance of the five individuals before him, the features of each easily defined by their aura. He followed Asho’s lead, taking three steps into the chamber before bowing, then stepping forward to place their hands on the smooth surface of an ancient plinth. The soft golden glow of the Radiance emanated from the stone.

  The raspy voice said, “Before you are the Elders of the Five Orders, speak when spoken too and address them with the courtesy they are due. They are most revered Doki of Aspiration, Sheekara of Resolution, Foinotai of Affirmation, Iksa of Erudition, and Kabonapa of the Pillars.”

  The ever-shifting blue aura, Sheekara, addressed them in a strong, resonant voice. “We see you, Asho Umu Sonu. You are a mage-priest in good standing and a wise one in the village of Onubaki. Is this your apprentice? He wears an armband of our Order, yet he is not upon the rolls. Why does he wear the band without having walked the Dance of Days? It is against the laws of the Council to do so. We can only presume that is why you, someone who has always shown a somewhat disdainful attitude toward the Golden City, has taken the time to bring us this young Aboki… adherent.”

  Asho bowed deeply. “Most revered Sheekara, he wears the band of his first mentor, the deceased Sinaya Umu Salani bawa Nkuzumna. She died protecting him. He is gifted with the Radiance in a way I have never seen before, and I felt it was pertinent for the Council to witness his capabilities.”

  “We see you and understand, Asho,” wheezed the calm purple aura of Elder Doki. “So, boy, you have the Radiance, do you? Look at me and let me… By the Great Sun what happened to your eyes?”

  “I gave them to the Great Sun, most revered,” Finyaka answered calmly, though his mind raced.

  Matasa fidgeted beside him.

  The Elder mage-priests at the table were quiet until the blazing red aura, Foinotai, leaned forward and scoffed, “you want us to believe you have some forgotten form of Radiance that we, the most experienced Chosen of Anuu have not been aware of? Do we look like fools?”

  “Don’t be so hasty as to dismiss this proposal revered Foinotai,” Iksa of the wispy green aura interjected. “I remember reading a tablet from the early days of the Seven Peoples, during the time of Ankari, the second Queen of the Seven Peoples. The inscription spoke of how the Seventh Order encountered those whose Radiance was unlike that of the Five Orders. They recruited some of them to the Orders, though it has always been assumed that they merely accepted…”

  Foinotai interjected, her red aura burned as bright as the fire in her voice, “You mean to tell me the Orders once accepted unbelievers?” Her aura blazed even brighter.

  Iksa took the interruption in his stride and the bookish little man continued, “As I was saying, my studies showed me the Orders may have included individuals with an alternative Radiance, though I am unsure. It has always been assumed the First Singers recruited individuals who had already walked the Dance of Days. However, if what Asho says is true… Tell me, boy, how did the Radiance manifest in you?”

  Finyaka felt for the calm and found a swirling mass of confusion and uncertainty. He placed his free hand on Matasa’s shoulder and drew from his cousin’s silent strength. “It manifested itself when I tried to save my mentor, against my family. My brother had stabbed her in his rage, and I released my fear against him with such force I thought I had killed him. Sinaya gave me her band and told me to find Asho. Since then I have been able to lift a man into the air, hold a man against his will, heal wounds, and call to my aid the wild beasts. I am also able to discern auras. Even though I am blind to the real world I can see each of you because of your auras.”

  Doki leaned forward, her voice seemed clearer, more engaged. “So, you claim you can do all this, yet before me, I see a young boy with golden eyes clinging to his companion for support. Prove to me you have the Radiance.”

  Finyaka concentrated his Radiance and releasing it ever slowly, rose into the air with a jerking motion which forced him to continue his hold on Matasa. Given how unpredictable his Radiance was, he doubted his eyes shone as they normally did when he performed this feat.

  “Outstanding.” Iksa laughed, his aura shimmering with the sound.

  “I feel no air being circulated about his feet, how is this possible?” Foinotai stepped about the meeting table to better see the demonstration.

  “Those eyes,” wheezed Doki as she turned her face away.

  Their gaze was upon him, and for the brief
est of moments, it felt as if they were going to dissect him, take him apart, undo him. Frightened, Finyaka released his Radiance and buffeted the Council with its force as he pushed himself back toward the door. Foinotai took a step back, adopting a defensive posture.

  “Finyaka!” Asho’s voice, as always startled him to the present. He let go of his Radiance and dropped in a heap to the floor.

  Matasa was at his side. Finyaka’s knees shook and he was exhausted. What is happening to me? Strong hands lifted him to his feet and held him firm. The hands had the yellow aura of the most learned who had led them into the chamber.

  “Such power.” Sheekara approached him. The ever-shifting edge of the Elder's aura was a blue so deep, as to be black while the center pulsated with mesmerizing intensity. Finyaka could not pull his eyes away from it.

  “I am sorry, most revered. He has not been himself,” Matasa’s tone was protective.

  Asho held her ground at the Truth Stone, head bowed. The blue of her aura almost white in comparison to Sheekara’s.

  “Your Radiance is wondrous. If it would please the Council, I would learn more of what this boy is capable, since he wears the band of my Order and was delivered by a sanctioned member.” Finyaka’s skin crawled at the cold touch of the old mage-priest’s hand against his cheek. The grip of the most learned strengthened.

  Kabonapa’s deep voice rumbled throughout the room. “Is he actually of the Light? Has the Great Sun chosen him? He released his Radiance using Fear. Could he be of the Darkness?”

  “I concur. We have never seen his Radiance before, so we have no way of knowing if he was chosen.” Foinotai’s words cut into him. Finyaka feared he may have created a powerful enemy.

  Finyaka’s stomach fell. His Radiance was of the Great Sun. He had given his sight to the deity. He had fought the Darkness, was repulsed by it. He felt his face grow warm as his hands balled into fists. How could they doubt him?

  “I will explore this hypothesis further. But for now, we need to address the situation at hand.” Iksa leaned heavily upon his staff as he hobbled toward Asho. “I remember a passage. It was in the early writings of the scholars of the Song, sometime around the first century, when the Orders were relatively new. It was about the time Ashanti had discovered the Darkness Behind the Light if I recall my histories correctly. There might still have been those alive that knew the First Singers, had conversed or even been taught by them. I believe the scholar's name was Bainibu Umu Shashari, though I may be wrong. He claimed the lineage of Hashari, the first of my Order, the Erudites. Oh, what was his name! It's a passage from the Glory of Radiance tablet, though part of that tablet was missing even when I was a young acolyte-apprentice…”

  “The point revered, Iksa?” demanded Foinotai.

  The old scholar's voice was frigid with the interruption. “Yes, well then, sources are of great importance, revered Foinotai. Without them, we have nothing but conjecture.”

  The Elder of Affirmation turned her back on the small scholar and took her seat.

  “Bainatu, that was his name, Bainatu Umu Shashari, of the Madu. He states the First Singers when they shared the Song of the Great Sun would glow with the Radiance of Anuu. Similar to our young goatherder here, though I am unsure if they levitated above the ground. If they did, I could see why so many flocked to the Great Sun.”

  “Perhaps Sheekara has a valid argument. I say we the Council allow the most revered Elder to explore the youth’s capabilities. What say you?” Doki’s voice chafed as she challenged the Council.

  “I would see the source of the adherent’s Radiance understood,” rumbled Kanonapa as he stamped the marble floor with his heavy staff.

  “As would I. If the Elder of Resolution needs anything from the Hall, I will happily obtain it.” A certain glee had entered Iksa’s already whimsical voice. He placed a hand on Asho’s shoulder. “I assume the advocate will remain Asho? As she found the boy?”

  Matasa tensed at Finyaka’s side, though the most learned released his hold on Finyaka. Sheekara peered down at him. There was something about the ancient mage-priest that bothered Finyaka, but he couldn’t place it.

  “Asho is his advocate, she and I shall study the boy together.” The words dripped from the old mage-priest’s lips.

  Finyaka shuddered.

  “I go with him.” Matasa’s words were forceful and abrupt.

  Sheekara chuckled. “Such bravery. Yes, I will have use for you as well. It is settled then.”

  “I will be heard, Elder.” Foinotai pointed a long thin arm at Sheekara. “I cannot but think your design for this youth is dubious at best. However, if you agree to bring him before the Queen during the Gala of the Chosen, I will stand by the Council’s decision.”

  “If this pleases the Council, I accept,” Finyaka noted a challenge in Sheekara's voice as he spoke.

  Elder Doki stood, as did the other members, and they stamped their ebony staves against the marble floor. “The Council has decided. We expect updates once the adherent begins his studies.”

  “Where will they stay?” Foinotai almost sounded concerned.

  “I will take them in, after all, it will give me more of a chance to spend time with the boy.” Finyaka's mind exploded with visions of the old mage-priest siphoning his Radiance away and replacing it with the foul, oily substance of the Darkness. He shuddered and involuntarily took a step back.

  Sheekara gave him a predatory smile. “Let us prepare you for your meeting with the Queen, shall we?”

  Sheekara slammed his golden goblet upon the workbench with such force he twisted the stem, spilling the chilled mint sekanjabin everywhere. He grunted through clenched teeth and beckoned a servant to clean up the mess. Perturbed, he shuffled to the stool in front of the filigreed writing desk and sat down heavily. He rubbed his arthritic hands across his furrowed forehead and closed his eyes. Being around the young adherent was intoxicating. He had such designs for the young adherent. Yet entering the room with the youth made his head spin. The Light was so strong within the lad, and Sheekara needed a way to convert it. By the power of the Darkness, how am I going to do that? I need his power if I want to succeed!

  He accepted the new goblet proffered him and drank from it deeply. He needed to evaluate the situation. Only Elder Doki of Aspiration and himself stood against the Court. Kabonapa firmly stood with the Queen, but the old stoic took forever to move. Sheekara was unsure of Iksa’s allegiance, but his spies believed the whimsical Elder favored the Court. If Foinotai would choose sides, then there would be a chance to move forward, but the Elder of Affirmation had never shown her loyalties, though Sheekara assumed they were to the Queen.

  He took another sip, trying to calm his mind. He was shaking. It had been a very long time since his own emotions had become this unchecked. Sheekara rubbed his forehead and eyes and began the Mantra of the Adherent, a simple chant to soothe the mind. A chant he hadn’t used in over fifty years. By the Darkness but I feel old.

  The sacred courier in his traditional amber and teal smock, stood waiting to escort them to the palace.

  “Finyaka is prepared for the ceremony, revered Elder. Shall I fetch him?” Asho was dressed in her simple stole and armband. She looked peasant-like compared to the extravagant regalia donned by Sheekara.

  “Yes, yes, bring him forth.” He released her dismissively.

  “As the Elder wishes.” Asho bowed stiffly and retreated.

  He sighed. If he removed Asho from the equation he may be able to ply more pressure to the boy and learn more. If Finyaka discovered, however… Sheekara scoffed and began pacing. The damned goatherd had him so irritable of late. He swore again and made his way to the food platter in the center of the ornately furnished receiving room, taking a cup full of dates and making his way to a comfortable lounge. Sheekara felt old, which angered him more. As a mage-priest, he still had many decades before him, if he was careful. He needed to concentrate his energy on the boy's conversion. He was halfway through the cup of date
s when Asho returned with Finyaka and Matasa.

  Both were dressed in formal garb befitting a noble.

  Sheekara placed the cup of dates on the table beside him. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. Time to play the game. “Finyaka, stand before me!” There was power in his voice.

  The goatherd responded, taking a reluctant knee. The youth did nothing more than stare at the ground.

  Sheekara was relieved he couldn’t see the boy’s golden eyes. Why am I so cowed by those eyes? It’s not as if the Great Sun were looking into my soul. Or was it? Could this wadi born child be so blessed? He could not be weak, not now.

  Sheekara closed his eyes and sighed. Clasping his hands, he addressed the young adherent. “You are the adherent to a mage-priest. Let me explain something for you, just so you are clear as to how the world around you, functions. Matasa, take heed as well. Gone are your days as simple herdsmen from the wadi. Finyaka, you have come to the city wearing the armband of a mage-priest, carrying the staff of that office.” Finyaka looked up at him. Sheekara forced himself to hold that golden gaze. “The reality is you are an adherent of my Order. I accept you, and I will have your name entered upon the rolls. Your Radiance is unlike any we have seen before, and dangerous if left unchecked. I cannot in good conscience let you go untutored. Do I make myself clear?”

  Finyaka’s face was unreadable. “Yes, Elder.”

  “Asho has trained you well, but there is one last obstacle for you to pass to be proclaimed a mage-priest before the Council and the Queen. The Song of Fire. I will teach you that Song if Asho would be so kind as to look on my other adherents.”