Finyaka gasped.
Asho bowed deeply. “I am humbled, Elder, and would submit to your will.”
Sheekara took a deep breath and counted to ten. Those eyes unnerved him so. Feigning empathy, he addressed Finyaka. "You have a gift; unlike anything we have seen before. A gift so profound that you have the power to possibly change everything we thought we knew about the Great Sun and the Dance of Days. How many others have this ability and were never noticed? How many more might we find?"
Sheekara adjusted his stole and shifted the grip on his staff, thumping it against the floor. “Now stand. We attend the Gala of the Chosen where you will meet the Queen of the Seven People. I will stand with you as your advocate.”
Finyaka’s eyes went wide. Was that fear?
Sheekara smiled and locked Finyaka's gaze. "Yes, the Queen wishes to converse with you. Do you realize what that means boy? I have only been called before her a handful of times in my seventy years as a mage-priest." The young goatherd's back straightened. It seems the young fool may be grasping his situation.
“I will stand with him.” Yes, Matasa the faithful hound. Sheekara had almost forgotten about him.
“That will depend upon the Queen. Otherwise, you will stay by my side.” Matasa deflated before him. “Now, let us go to the Court.” He placed his hand on the Finyaka's back and directed him to the waiting sacred courier.
“I shall do my best.” Finyaka was quiet but had the humility Sheekara had wanted. It was a start.
“See that you do. This is your first lesson. You have entered a world where people will use your weaknesses against you. Weaknesses you have not even discovered yet. Your opponents — and you already have opponents my young adherent — will find whatever means they can to apply leverage against you, to your allies, to your friends, so they might remove you from their path. You have something other people want, and they will use every measure they can to obtain it.”
He patted the boy’s back. “I know how this game is played, and how to navigate its dangers. I can teach you this as I teach you how to utilize your Radiance, though the political stratagems may be easier.”
“I am beginning to understand most revered.” The boy squirmed from his touch and stepped from the small apartment into the bright noonday street.
Finyaka's reply had some spunk to it, which was refreshing. Sheekara would need to watch Asho and Matasa, have them removed if need be. He didn't want to lose this resource. He would also have to devise a way to keep the slow influence of the Darkness flowing into his other adherents. Visiting them every morning should work. I may be able to turn Asho as well.
As he stepped into the warmth of the day, he wondered how hard it was going to be to bring Finyaka to the Darkness. The taint had taken hold. He could tell from the turmoil that swirled within the boy’s emotions. It was possible.
For the time being, however, best to focus on the game at hand. A visit to the palace meant he had to be ready for any eventuality.
The Palace of the Seven Peoples stood in the center of the Golden City, across the square from the massive Temple that was home to the Hall of Knowledge. Dressed in her brass and white robes, her hair woven through her elaborate brass crown, Ayanyi, Queen of the Seven Peoples sat on her simple polished marble throne sweating rivers. With the impressive crystal dome above her, and the Great Sun at its zenith, its Light bearing down upon her, it made the throne dreadfully warm. The people called this moment the Glorification, it was the event that gained the Queen the sacred honorific of most illuminated. Ayanyi called it torture, yet she dutifully endured the moment. It was a reminder the Queen should always put her people first. The two Brass Guards who flanked her, wearing their brass etched armor and white trappings, endured it with her. My guards suffer for the people worse than I.
Time to begin the rituals. Sometimes it felt as if her life was nothing but daily rituals. Such was the burden of the Queen. She stood to signify the beginning of the ceremonial confirmations of the chosen who had been accepted by the mage-priests after the Dance of Days. The sheer number of chosen in the assemblage and their raw power meant the hierarchy of the mage-priests would be challenged over the next few decades. She needed to gain favor with as many of these adherents as possible, bring them to her cause and keep them from Sheekara, though reports told her he had already claimed some of the strongest for himself. As he did every year.
In a strong voice that easily carried throughout the hall, Ayanyi spoke the ritualistic greeting to begin the ceremonies. “The Dance of Days has come and gone, and in its wake, the Great Sun has chosen those worthy of its Radiance. I would meet those chosen and confirm their worthiness.”
The adherents and their advocates assembled in the Hall and awaited to be called forth. Ayanyi received the first of the thirty-three novice-aspirants, whose advocate was Elder Mage-Priest Foinotai of the Order of Affirmation. The chosen did the proper genuflection, then approached as far as the ring of red stone that surrounded the dais. It was the closest a non-member of the Court or a sitting member of the Council could traverse unless called into the Queen's confidence.
Ayanyi believed her to be no more than fourteen. From the mountain nomad tribes to the far south, judging by her facial tattoos. This elevation would bring the young girl’s family great honor. Ayanyi used her Radiance to inspect the girl’s emotional state. Strong, confident, proud. This one would go far within the mage-priest’s ranks. Ayanyi was surprised that Sheekara hadn’t taken her. “With what name do they address you, Chosen of Anuu?”
“Tamashuu bawa Inyana most illuminated one.”
“Does the Radiance of the Great Sun flow through you?”
After making the sun disc with her forefingers and thumbs, Tamashuu turned her palms skyward and began the Song of Fire. A bright dancing flame spanned across both palms yet gave off no heat. A rather impressive feat for a novice-aspirant, especially one raised so far from the epicenter of the mage-priests.
“The Great Sun has indeed blessed you with its Radiance. We see you in the Light and we name you among the Apprentice-Acolytes of Anuu, may your name be entered upon the Rolls of the Mage-Priests. You shine praise upon your family. Go forth with the Light banded one.”
“Thank you, most illuminated one, may the Great Sun cast its Light upon you and your line.”
Ayanyi gave one of her rare smiles to the girl.
The formalities had begun. Thirty-two to go.
Thus, went the afternoon, each adherent spoke the ceremonial words and produced flame, which became less and less impressive and more and more unpredictable. Not as bad as some years, mind. The last of the chosen produced a flame that was more a spark that popped and then fizzled out in a puff of smoke.
After the last adherent had turned away, Ayanyi stifled a yawn. The monotony of the ceremony was draining. She surveyed the Court to see if anyone would approach the throne yawn. Certain of the completion of her duties; she signaled her portly majordomo that the Court could speak freely. He rang a small stone bell and the hushed tones of conversation filled the room.
She massaged her aching neck and beckoned a sacred courier to her confidence.
“Find the young adherent named Finyaka Umu Salani, he should be somewhere in the palace with Elder Mage-Priest Sheekara. Bring them to our presence.”
The messenger bowed and went to search for the young man, his amber and teal smock flowing with his measured haste.
Ayanyi clapped her hands and a small group of musicians played while the four male singers accompanying them performed a perfect harmony. She closed her eyes, lost in the tranquil peace of the music.
“Most illuminated, the sacred courier has returned.” The voice of her majordomo brought her back to the present.
The sacred courier stood at the entrance of the hall with Sheekara, the old fox was flaunting his office and wealth in the most ludicrous combination of colors possible. At his side were two young men. One was a tall lad in a well-cut sarong, his chest and sides
scarred, the other a slight young teen with close-cropped hair, wearing an expensive but simple white cotton sarong and the blue sash of a servant of the Order of Resolution. This boy could have passed for a servant save for the sapphire adorned gold armband on his left bicep and the ebony staff he carried.
This must be the much acclaimed Finyaka my spies have told me about. He has already taken the band, and chosen an Order, hmm, that may complicate matters.
She beckoned her majordomo to approach. “Allow the young apprentice-adept in but deny his advocate. If the Elder mage-priest rebuts, explain that we wish to speak privately with the gifted one before the Elder speaks for him.”
The majordomo inclined his head. “As the most illuminated wishes, so shall it be.”
The portly man made his way gracefully to the old fox, speaking to mage-priest behind his hand as if to a conspirator. Sheekara hid his emotions well, giving her a rather short bow as any means of a retort.
The majordomo looked to Finyaka and asked him a question. Ayanyi almost laughed as the young man went red and nodded, replying quickly. She could almost hear him tripping over his tongue. Then the majordomo entered the room, and with his brass inlaid staff thumped the floor three times. The assembled guests quieted. “The adherent Finyaka Umu Salani, as requested, most illuminated.”
The gathered dignitaries made quiet conversation as was the custom when someone new was introduced to the Court. The majordomo waited for the sounds to lull before taking the youth's hand and leading him to red ring about the dais. The boy's eyes were closed. What insult is this?
Her majordomo whispered into the boy’s ear. The diminutive teen nodded and awkwardly performed the genuflection, waiting to be addressed before rising. Sheekara had at least attempted to teach the boy ceremony.
She furrowed her brow and tried to understand why the boy kept his eyes closed. She touched him with her Radiance and immediately withdrew. He was a tumultuous quagmire of warring emotions so strong as to be overpowering. Ayanyi had never experienced anything like it. Forcing herself to remain calm, she said, "Rise, Faithful one, and be seen in the Light by your Queen."
The boy unfolded and stood, his hands behind his back, his face cast downward, eyes still closed.
“Look upon our face. We would see why you do us a disservice by closing your eyes,” Ayanyi commanded. He opened his golden eyes and a gasp rose from the Court. Ayanyi barely retained her composure. “You are the wonderment the Council has been speaking of. We have heard many astounding acts attributed to you. Tell us, does the Radiance of the Great Sun flow through you as the Council has stated?”
Sweat shone upon the boy's brow. This at least she understood. She found his eyes haunting. He swallowed hard and said, “I can do many things with my Radiance, most illuminated. Some I am told have never been done before. However, I am still unable to perform the most basic of Songs. I am unable to create the fire which would mark me as a Chosen of the Great Sun.”
“If you are unable to perform the Song of Fire, then how were you chosen?” She touched him again with her Radiance and withdrew. The chaos his emotions were in was intensifying.
Finyaka closed his eyes and opened them again. He was trying to maintain his composure. “I reacted to a situation that occurred. Someone dear to me had been mortally wounded and I reacted. I thought I had killed the attacker, but he lived.”
She nodded. This course of discussion seemed to pain him. “Who were they?”
Again, the closing and opening of the eyes. “My mentor the wise Sinaya was stabbed by my brother Nahrem.”
“Your brother stabbed a mage-priest? Was he dutifully punished?” Ayanyi leaned forward on the uncomfortable throne. The boy’s struggle was beginning to percolate to the surface. Her guards had tensed, they noticed it as well.
“He received a punishment, most illuminated, I saw it carried out.” She was astounded at the pain in the boy's voice. Is he grieving for his brother or his mentor?
“You grieve for both?” The Court had gone silent. It had been a while since they were privy to such an interaction. The boy’s emotions were almost palpable.
“Yes. I grieve for both, but for different reasons. My mentor should never have had to die. My brother should have been given a chance to live.” The boy's free hand had balled into a fist.
Should I push this further, find out how powerful he truly is?
“We have heard you can see the auras of those about you. Tell me what you see within our aura.” Ayanyi wondered how he could channel anything with the chaos currently broiling within him.
“I can see the auras of those that are blessed with the Radiance, most illuminated.”
“I see.” Did he know her gift was something that few knew of, or was he unable to do as he had said? How could he see anything with those eyes?
“If you concentrate say, upon our presence, do you see an aura? We have heard you see your cousin’s aura and he cannot wield the Radiance?”
“I see in you, something similar to what I see in him. I see the strength of your Faith in the Great Sun. Both of you have been touched by Anuu.” He gripped his staff with both hands.
The monarchs of the Seven Peoples had always been empaths, and their Faith in the Great Sun had never been questioned. The boy had found an answer that was believable and did not belie her position, though it did compare her to a common herder. Perhaps he is a better player of the game than I had initially given him credit. She touched him again with her Radiance. He was a complex assortment of fear, frustration, awe, and despair. She was genuinely shocked by how raw his emotions were. She had never been able to read someone so easily or be so concerned by them.
Ayanyi glanced at Sheekara, but the old fox was unreadable. Someone had fetched him a stool to sit on while he waited. She would allow that, for now. The tall youth with the old mage-priest though, he stared at her with defiance that made her start. The defiance in his stance was not born of servitude.
“Where is your cousin?” Could that defensive servant be him?
“Awaiting my return with my advocate.” Submissive but calm.
Ayanyi cleared her mind and continued her questions. “You move people about as if they were dolls, and heal people whose bodies are near death?”
“I have done all that, and more. I can also bond with animals. They will do my bidding for me. In some cases, further, than I wish.” The boy's voice had gone quiet.
She understood that. Underlings could be unpredictable sometimes. Still, bonding with animals could be useful. “Although you are capable of strong powers you are cautious to use them.”
“I am cautious, most illuminated. I nearly killed myself by overextending my Radiance. I do not wish to do that again.” Finyaka could not hide his wide-eyed fear.
She had never heard of a mage-priest dying by using their Radiance. “How so?”
“I pushed myself beyond my limits, and in doing so, my Radiance consumed me. It took me a few days to heal, and I am still not back to my full capacity. I am unsure if I ever will be.” He sounded matter of fact, blunt. It was a change from his normal passive voice.
“What other secrets does your Radiance hold?” She had not meant to speak that last bit aloud.
“My brother, Nahrem, was able to break my hold on him… though he too had an aura I could read.” Finyaka was trembling.
“This aura frightened you?”
The intensity in his gaze was unnerving. “In giving up my sight to the Great Sun, I have been blessed with the part of my Radiance that frightens me the most. It allows me to see the Darkness Behind the Light. I see its presence everywhere, and it leaves me concerned. I have confronted it, and it too nearly killed me.”
Ayanyi was surprised by how open this boy was. “Is the Darkness present here? In this room?”
Finyaka stood in thought for some time, pondering his answer. “It’s everywhere, though few seem to have embraced it fully. I see it crawl about the streets of the Golden City. I see it slink wi
thin most of those present in the room.”
The Court erupted into a heated debate as a few of those tainted by the Darkness thought they had been made by Finyaka's gift. Ayanyi was not shocked by this. The Darkness was everywhere. Ayanyi knew there were those within her Court who would kill her without thought. Men were driven to decisions that chipped away at their Faith. The burden of command did that, as did the greed for coin and power.
“Silence.” She waited for the Court to quiet, which took longer than normal. Sheekara’s spies were fearful for their lives no doubt. “Your Radiance is a gift of the Great Sun Anuu. How far have our Court proceeded upon the path of Darkness?”
He seemed to inspect the Court. “The Darkness I see does not actively consume those who it has encompassed. They feed it and it grows, but it does not actively consume them.”
“How does this make a difference?”
“Those that feed the Darkness, have done so willingly. They have allowed the Darkness into themselves. They can purge that Darkness if they choose to, and make themselves whole again within the Light, though the more of the Darkness they have fed, the harder it is. Those who are consumed are, but a puppet of the Darkness and they are far more dangerous. Still, if the most illuminated wishes, I will show her which of her subjects in the room have the taint, and how complete that taint is.”
“How would you use this information?” Ayanyi sat back on the hard throne and placed her chin in her hand. This boy was fascinating.
“I would ask those that carry the Darkness to repent. To become better people. I would make them aware of what the taint was doing to their souls.” His emotions spoke volumes his voice did not.
In some ways, she envied his innocence. It was a luxury she had never been able to afford, not since she had been named first among the noble heirs at the tender age of six. She had come a long way in fifty years. She was the Queen of the Seven Peoples, the Lion that fought the Darkness, the first among the Noble Court. It had its price, and she had paid it, many times over. She looked once again on the naïve boy that stood before her. She would not feel pity for him.
Magic Underground: The Complete Collection (Magic Underground Anthologies Book 4) Page 212
