by Ian Gregoire
The words were met with silence.
Cocking her head slightly, Fay observed the change in her apprentice’s deportment with concern. Kayden’s lips were quivering, and her almond shaped eyes were glistening with moisture. Suddenly, a single tear trickled down her cheek.
“Oh, I… I’m sorry,” said Fay. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m not upset, Fay. I’m happy,” insisted Kayden with a sniffle. “This is the sweetest, most considerate thing anyone has done for me since… I don’t know when. You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you.”
Fay reached out and wiped the tears charting a course down Kayden’s cheeks. The flawless, porcelain skin was as smooth and soft as it appeared. “How about we sit down and cut this cake of yours?” she said. “I’m sure it will taste as good it looks and smells.”
“Can… can I give you a hug first?” Kayden asked hesitantly.
Caught off guard by the unexpected request, Fay replied, “Oh… yes. Yes, of course you can.”
Quick as a flash, Kayden threw both arms around Fay, as if fearing permission might be rescinded. For a moment, Fay froze, surprised by the fervency of the embrace. Recovering her composure, and the ability to move her limbs, she slowly reciprocated and wrapped her arms around her apprentice.
“I love you, Fay,” Kayden murmured in her ear.
The words hit Fay like the incoming tide crashing against the shore of her heart. She didn’t doubt for a moment the sincerity of the proclamation, but it had been so long since the last time someone had verbalised their affection for her in those three words that she didn’t know how to respond. Unbidden, her right hand moved up to the back of Kayden’s head. The thick, raven locks were like silk beneath her fingertips.
“I know you do, Kayden,” she said gently while stroking the back of Kayden’s head. “I know you do.”
No longer was it possible for Fay to ignore the maternal feelings she had for her apprentice. For the better part of a month, the previously dormant instinct had been fully roused, and only now did Fay understand that she loved Kayden like a daughter.
Hands resting upon the south-facing parapet, Kayden stared out across the campus from the roof garden atop the administration building. Somehow, when viewed from above, Antaris always seemed otherworldly when bathed in the pale blue glow that illuminated the grounds at night. In the distance, she could see that ten minutes had elapsed since the clock had announced the arrival of Twenty-Third Hour. She smiled. Time seemed to have slowed down specifically for her surprise birthday celebration with Fay. Together they had spent ages speaking of the future, while eating birthday cake and sandwiches, washed down with cups of camomile and spiced apple tea.
Having stepped outside moments ago for some air, Kayden waited alone for Fay to join her in the roof garden. Though she had eaten all the cake she could manage for one night, she couldn’t say no to Fay’s offer to brew a fresh pot of her favourite herbal infusion.
On the grounds below, the sight of a dozen Sanatsai sentries moving at the south entrance, in addition to the multiple sentries roaming outside the campus perimeter wall, was now the new normal. After the raid on Antaris at the start of the month, new arrangements had been instituted for all campuses of the Order, mandating heightened security from sunset to sunrise. Kayden’s eyes were drawn to one of the internal roving patrols marching northward along the western side of the campus. The two sentries appeared to be holding hands as they strolled across the flagstones, and she shook her head in response. How unprofessional, she thought. If they want to be lovey-dovey with each other, why don’t they wait until they are off duty?
Her disdain for the display of impropriety morphed into bewilderment a short while later. Once the marching couple came level with the women’s bathhouse, they were close enough for Kayden to recognise them both. She wasn’t observing a roaming patrol at all. The sentries were actually fellow apprentices: Neryssa and Lazar.
Lips pursed, Kayden frowned. She didn’t need to guess why the pair were walking hand-in-hand together, their body language told her everything. The easy gait of their slow walk, the carefree swing of their arms, the lingering eye contact. It all pointed to a level of comfort with each other’s company that meant they had moved beyond being just colleagues and friends. Wherever they were returning from, Neryssa’s absence from campus now made sense. She’d obviously gone away with Lazar so they could ‘get to know each other better’.
The euphemistic thought stung Kayden. At the end of the day, what it actually meant was that her two counterparts had probably laid down together, multiple times. While she couldn’t blame Neryssa for succumbing to temptation, that didn’t entitle Lazar to a free pass. He knew perfectly well that he’d previously been laying down with one of Neryssa’s friends.
Unable to look away, Kayden watched them come to a halt outside the women’s dormitory. They turned to face each other, and Kayden could only guess at what was being said as Neryssa looked up at Lazar standing several inches taller than her. Suddenly, Neryssa threw her arms around the back of his neck, hugging him tightly as his arms snaked around her waist. The ardent embrace ended with Neryssa pulling away, and turning on her heels to head for the entrance to the dormitory. Before she’d taken more than a single step, Lazar grabbed her by the arm to stop her leaving, then pulled her body against his. Neryssa offered no resistance. Slowly, he craned his neck down towards her, while she rose up on tip-toes. Their lips met halfway.
Kayden knew with certainty it wasn’t their first kiss; they were kissing like they invented it.
“That could have been you down there.”
Startled, Kayden’s head spun around to see Fay at her side, holding two porcelain cups that she duly set down on the stone parapet in front of them.
“With Lazar?” said Kayden rhetorically. She glanced down at the spectacle below, then returned her gaze to Fay. “I don’t think so. Neryssa is more than welcome to him. I’ve had a lucky escape if you ask me.”
The dismissive retort was met with a protracted silence. Fay stared at Kayden, looking concerned. Finally, she spoke up to say, “Kayden, I realise we’ve never spoken about this before, but… You do understand that not every man in this world is like your father or your stepfather, don’t you? Don’t assume that Lazar, or any other man you might meet in future, will abandon you in your time of need, leaving you holding a baby, as your father did to your mother. Likewise, don’t assume you will be subjected to physical abuse at the hands of someone who is controlling and violent like your stepfather. There’s no reason why you should share the fate of your late mother.”
Swallowing a half-hearted protestation, Kayden held her tongue and stared intently at her master. “Even if you’re right, Fay,” she managed after a drawn-out pause, “I’m not going to give any man the opportunity to do either to me.”
Fay reached out to caress Kayden’s cheek and tuck her hair behind her ear. “I wouldn’t trade the decade I had with my later husband for anything,” she said wistfully. “Maybe someday, when you least expect it, you’ll also find someone who is worthy of your time and affection. Try to remain open to that possibility.”
Turning her attention back to the grounds below, Kayden saw the kissing couple parting ways—Neryssa heading towards the women’s dormitory, while Lazar headed in the opposite direction. Without saying a word, she rested her head on Fay’s shoulder and put an arm around her waist. She felt Fay’s arm snake around her shoulder in reciprocation. Letting out a contented sigh, Kayden took comfort in the gesture that confirmed the increased closeness of the friendship she shared with Fay. The day was ending on such a high, and in that moment she realised how it no longer upset her to be in Fay’s shadow. There was nowhere else she would rather be.
Epilogue
Kayden stood outside the assembly hall, passively observing the staid festivities of Graduation Day taking place on the grounds. Dressed in her ceremonial uniform, she had participated in the morning ritual
in which she and twelve of her level ten classmates were officially conferred with the status of novitiate Sanatsai of the Order, having passed the end of level tests. It meant that only four of her colleagues had failed at the final hurdle. The ceremony had been attended by dignitaries from Temis Rulan and from the Mirtanese government, and Kayden felt tremendous pride to stand before them, having completed her ten-year apprenticeship in just seven years.
An hour had elapsed since the conclusion of the ceremony inside the assembly hall, now the whole campus was caught up in the restrained revelry of the final day of term, with no more classes until the new year. Hundreds of apprentices were milling around the northern third of the grounds, enjoying the outdoor spread provided from the mess hall, and looking forward to the commencement of the final holiday of the year.
Looking around her, Kayden couldn’t take her eyes off her fellow graduates celebrating with proud members of their families who’d travelled for days to attend the momentous occasion. She smiled on the inside at the sight of Danya Shaylanis with her parents, surrounded by a host of immaculately attired retainers. The livery on display was a reminder that her willowy counterpart was born into the nobility, which somehow made Danya’s graduation all the more impressive. It was an unfair perception, Kayden noted. As annoying as the gossipmonger could be, Kayden couldn’t fault her mastery of Zarantar. Eventually, Danya would become an accomplished Sanatsai, just as long as she took the role seriously.
Lost in thought, Kayden failed to notice Neryssa amble to her side. All she could think about was how much she envied her fellow graduates.
“What are you doing standing over here all by yourself,” said Neryssa, taking Kayden by surprise. “You should be mingling and enjoying the celebrations.”
With a turn of the head, she glimpsed her friend and noted immediately that Neryssa wasn’t hand-in-hand with the Lazar. The pair were now three months into a courtship which had seen them become almost inseparable, so it was rare for Kayden to find herself alone with her friend. Fortunately, she no longer experienced any jealousy about the burgeoning relationship between her friend and former lover.
“I am enjoying the celebrations,” said Kayden without conviction.
“Could have fooled me,” said Neryssa. “You look and sound miserable. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just not in the mood for frivolity. I’d rather be taking Onyx out for a ride.” Changing the subject, Kayden asked, “What about you, have you given any more thought to whether you will abandon the final year of your apprenticeship so you can join the Sisterhood?”
“No, I haven’t. And nice attempt at changing the subject,” said Neryssa. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“The future.”
After the coming weekend, Kayden and her twelve successful classmates would leave Antaris for the last time, and be transported to Temis Rulan to begin their lifelong tenures as Sanatsai of the Order. From that moment on, Kayden’s life would be dedicated to the precept for which the Order was founded: to prevent the abuse and misuse of Zarantar.
“Kayden, you do realise I can tell when you’re being evasive, right?” Neryssa persisted. “I’m your friend, I know when something is wrong. Today should be one of the most momentous of your life, yet you look sad. Why is that?”
A resigned sigh escaped Kayden’s lungs. There was little point trying to brush her colleague off about what was bothering her. “The truth is, Neryssa, I’m envious of every one of my classmates who graduated today,” she opined. “They each get to share this once in a lifetime moment with their proud families, but I don’t have anyone to share it with. Any family I might have probably don’t even know that I exist, so today is yet one more landmark I have to experience alone.”
“I see,” said Neryssa. “Now I understand. But you’re wrong, by the way.”
Frowning at her friend, Kayden waited for elaboration.
“You’re not alone, Kayden. You do have someone.”
Neryssa pointed a finger, drawing Kayden’s attention to the top of the administration building. She saw Fay standing at the parapet, looking directly down at her as the breeze blew her burgundy hair. Kayden knew that Fay was supposed to be entertaining VIP guests inside the building’s reception hall, yet she was taking the time to watch over her as the day’s festivities continued.
You promised that you would make me proud, Kayden, came Fay’s mental voice via mind-to-mind contact, and you have kept your promise. I couldn’t be any more proud of you than I am today.
Lips quivering, Kayden smiled in response to the affirmation. Neryssa was right, she realised. She wasn’t alone. She did have someone. And though her induction into the ranks of the Order meant that she and Fay would no longer be master and apprentice, they were and always would be the greatest of friends.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The reclusive Ian Gregoire is a taciturn introvert residing somewhere in London, where he was born and raised. Of all life’s diversions, reading and writing are the only ones he ever deemed worthwhile enough to be passionate about. This eventually led to his belated decision to pursue his true calling in life as a fantasy and science fiction author. His debut novel, The Exercise Of Vital Powers, is just the first of many books he intends to inflict upon an unsuspecting world.
On the occasions he steps out of his reading and writing comfort zone, Ian has a fondness for computing, melancholy music, retro gaming, and Asian Cinema. Ian also loves peace and quiet, something that is in frustratingly short supply in his life.
To find out more about Ian visit his official website and be sure to sign up to his newsletter to be kept up to date with all his future publishing plans.
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REQUEST FROM AUTHOR
I would like to make the following request to those of you who enjoyed The Apprentice In The Master’s Shadow: please help spread the word so more readers may discover it. You can do this, first and foremost, by leaving a review and rating at one of the main online ebook retailers and Goodreads. Don’t worry if you aren’t able to write a detailed, thousand word critique; it’s enough to simply state that you enjoyed the book.
In addition to the above, word of mouth remains one of the most effect forms of promotion, so please don’t shy away from recommending my books to family, friends and anyone else you know who might also enjoy them.
