Masters of the Veil

by Daniel A. Cohen

  “See?” Sam threw his arms up in frustration. “He’s not the nicest thing to come out of the Veil. I think I would rather have pulled out a swarm of angry echo flies. At least those things make up their minds. They like someone or they don’t. Simple.”

  “Careful what you wish for.” Glissandro’s eyes flashed to Sam’s naked palm. “By the way, what have you been telling others about that fancy mark on your hand?”

  Sam looked down at the black swirl. He curled his fingers, concentrated, and felt the rush of the Veil against his palm. “I don’t know if you have noticed, but not too many people are interested in talking to me these days.”

  “I don’t know if you have noticed, but you haven’t been in town for almost an entire moon-cycle. I think you’ll find things different than you think.”

  Sam relaxed his hand and the energy subsided. “I hope so.”

  “You will. You’re Bariv’s first real student, ever. Everyone trusts Bariv.”

  “Doesn’t mean they’ll trust me.” Sam stuck his hands into his pockets. “I don’t blame them, either.”

  Glissandro reached behind his robe and pulled out a brown object. He tossed it underhanded to Sam.

  Sam caught it one-handed and examined it. It had a bumpy, brown exterior with a white strip down the middle. It looked almost like—

  Sam laughed for what felt like the first time in a long time. “Where did you get a football?”

  “I made it.” The corners of Glissandro’s mouth turned up. “I was saving it for a time when you needed it.”

  Sam ran his fingers across the pebbled skin. “You just can’t let a guy wallow, huh?”

  Glissandro gestured to the open field. “How about that catch?”

  Sam raised an eyebrow. “You know how to throw?”

  Glissandro was about to answer when a loud bleat from the woods cut him off. The noise sounded like it was coming toward them.

  All of a sudden, a black blur emerged from the woods. It took Sam a moment to realize what it was. His panther was holding a dreckler in its jaws by the scruff of its neck. The sheep-like creature blathered at the top of its lungs. The panther scampered forward and set the dreckler next to Glissandro. Once back on its feet, the dreckler stopped screaming and looked up at Glissandro with gentle eyes.

  Glissandro reached down, pulled off a small tuft of the black cottony candy fur and began to nibble it. After swallowing, he played a soft cooing lullaby on his horn.

  The dreckler then looked over at Sam with the same wide-eyed stare. It seemed relieved that its abduction had ended in such a gentle way. It lowered its face to give Sam better access to its coat.

  Sam bent down to grab a tuft of candy when the panther roared. It was a deep, thundering growl, and it made the dreckler rush back toward the woods, bleating even louder than before.

  The cat looked up at Sam and snarled. It turned and raced back into the shadows of the trees.

  “Seems perfectly nice to me,” Glissandro played, and then chewed the rest of his dreckler cotton.

  “Yeah, he’s a real delight.” Sam smirked and put the football under his arm, plucking another tuber from the ground. He brushed it off and hurled it in the direction the panther had gone.

  Glissandro closed his eyes as he finished the cotton. “Maybe it’s because you didn’t name him yet?”

  “You’re real big on this naming thing.” The tuber crashed through the treetops. “What’s the big deal?”

  Glissandro played a wispy tune. “You might not look like it, but I know you’re smarter than that.”

  “You’re just a riot today.”

  Glissandro gave a toothy smile.

  “You know what I don’t get?” Sam tossed the football to Glissandro. “If names are so important, and getting permission to use someone’s full name is, like, the highest compliment, why do the Mystics keep changing their names? And why doesn’t Bariv’s snake even have a name?”

  Glissandro played a darting melody, causing the football to spin like a top on the tip of his index finger. “I don’t know, Samuel, why don’t you tell me?”

  “I think,” Sam snatched the football, “the Mystics drink too much, and I know some people call the snake Karundi Kai, but I don’t think it has a real name.”

  “Maybe not,” Glissandro played the ball back to his hand and bounced it up and down. “Or maybe you’re wrong, as usual.”

  Sam grinned. “Will you shut up already and have a catch with me? Think you can reach the other side of the field?”

  Glissandro tucked his horn in its sling and held the ball with both hands.

  Sam gave a single clap. “Guess we’ll find out.”

  Sam took off across the field, moving across the joker-grass with long strides. He turned his neck just as Glissandro released the ball. It was a surprisingly good throw: a tight spiral that spun beautifully through the air. Sam picked up the pace of his run. He stretched out his arms and watched the ball arc toward him.

  The ball was just about in his hands when a hulking figure snatched it out of the air. Sam watched as his panther hit the ground and ran off with the ball.

  Sam kicked the grass. “Are you kidding me?”

  As the panther reached the woods, it let out another loud growl.

  Sam massaged his temples. Bariv had told him, “Your connection to the panther will be like nothing else you could ever experience. It didn’t just come out of the Veil because She was being utilized; it is one of a kind, bound to you. And you are bound to it by a link stronger than iron, a link that spans all of creation.”

  He wondered if they were talking about the same animal, because it seemed to Sam that his link to the panther was about as strong as wet paper that spanned all of two inches.

  He jogged back to Glissandro.

  Sam held his palms up in an innocent gesture. “How about making me another one?”

  Glissandro’s eyes narrowed as he stared off into the woods. “I don’t think I’ll need to. I have a feeling he’ll be giving it back.”

  Sam let out a huff of air. “I think you’re too trusting.”

  “Am I?” Glissandro raised an eyebrow and nodded. “I think maybe you’re right. I think that maybe I shouldn’t believe that people can change. I think maybe—”

  Glissandro played a sharp blast and Sam was tossed on his back by a strong gust of wind. Glissandro bent down and placed his knee on Sam’s chest. “Maybe I should be worried about you. Still feeling like you need to destroy the world? Still have that itch?”

  Sam laughed and held his hands up in surrender. “Will you get off me, you psycho?”

  Glissandro grinned and stood up. He offered his hand and helped Sam to his feet.

  “You win.” Sam brushed the small white flakes off the sides of his robe. “You trust just the right amount.”

  “Of course I do.” Glissandro tapped the side of his head. “I’m very wise, you know.”

  “I know, I know.” Sam flexed a bicep. “But I’m still better looking.”

  Glissandro ran a hand through his curly hair. “You wish.”

  Sam made a dismissive gesture. “Fine, you win that, too.”

  “Speaking of good looks,” Glissandro played, “don’t you have somewhere you have to be?”

  “Where?”

  “I don’t know.” Glissandro bobbed his head in contemplation. “Maybe on a date that I never thought would actually happen. Why she even asked you…”

  “No, that’s not until,” Sam looked up at the sun, which was just about to dip below the tree line. He grimaced. “Now.”

  Glissandro played a note and the rest of the white flecks dropped off of Sam’s robe. He played another, and Sam’s head felt suddenly colder. Sam reached a hand to his hair and found that it was short and neat again.

  Sam turned around and saw a coating of wavy blond hair on the grass. “What’d you do?”

  Glissandro pursed his lips and nodded, admiring his handiwork. “I’m guessing you haven’t looked in
a mirror lately?”

  Sam shook his head. “I don’t think Bariv’s cave has ever had a mirror.”

  “You were getting a little shaggy,” Glissandro played, his notes wild and erratic, “so I trimmed you up a bit. I happen to know that Daphne prefers the clean-cut look.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Let’s be serious.” Glissandro played. “That’s the only possible reason I could see for her apparent lack of interest in me. You better hope I never cut my hair.”

  Sam lightly punched Glissandro in the arm. “This is the funniest you’ve ever been.”

  Glissandro gave a nonchalant shrug. “I’m in a good mood.”

  “Why’s that?”

  Glissando gave Sam a debonair grin. “I had a good night.”

  Sam’s eyes widened. “Helenia?”

  Glissandro went red.

  Sam looked out at the field and saw the sunlight had begun to wane. “I want to hear all about it, but I got to go.”

  “Don’t worry pal,” Glissandro played. “I bet you’ll do great.”

  “Who said I was worried?” Sam gave a conceited smile. “Don’t wait up.”

  He took out his second-skin, pulled it over his hand, and ran back toward the walls of Atlas Crown.

  ***

  “You’re lucky we’re here,” Daphne said as Sam arrived in front of the restaurant.

  It was an impressive bit of architecture that couldn’t have been done if the builders had not had an extensive knowledge of how to use the Veil. The metallic building was situated next to the biggest river in town—the one that crossed underneath two sections of the stone barrier that surrounded Atlas Crown. A tube of water branched off of the river and threaded through the restaurant, magically suspended in the air, weaving in and out of windows.

  “I know. Impressive right?” Sam took a moment to catch his breath. “Fernando got us in. I heard you have to make reservations for months in advance unless you have done something impressive for the Wapawche clan.”

  “No, not here.” There was a hint of irritation in her voice. “I meant in Atlas Crown. In the outside world, a girl might get upset if her date kept her waiting.”

  Sam broke into his winning smile. “I kind of like the liberal definition of time here.”

  Daphne grinned. She looked stunning. She wore a pink dress that matched her second-skin and had her dark hair pinned back, which showed more of her delicate features than normal. With her hair out of the way, Sam could see the light patterning of freckles on her cheeks more clearly. Her bright, blue eyes sent a shiver through his body.

  “I’m glad you’ve found something to exploit.”

  Sam ran a hand through his hair. It was nice to feel properly groomed again. He tried to remember the last time he bathed, and hoped that Glissandro’s magical haircut had gotten rid of some of his musk. “Exploit is such a strong word.”

  Daphne shook her head. “Remind me why I asked you to take me out?”

  Sam flipped his palms out in a helpless motion. “I guess you’re powerless against my charming personality?”

  “Yeah,” Daphne arched her eyebrows, “real charming.”

  “You look beautiful, by the way,” Sam said, making a point to lower his voice. “Gorgeous, even. Definitely pretty enough to be seen with me.”

  Daphne leaned in and lowered her voice as well. “You mean Atlas Crown’s resident public enemy?”

  Sam grimaced. “It was a phase.”

  “It better have been.” Daphne poked Sam in the chest rather hard.

  “Don’t worry.” Sam bowed and gestured toward the front door. “Shall we?”

  “Sure.” She flicked her hair back. “Let’s just hope this date goes better than the reenactment.”

  Sam bit his bottom lip. “Was that a date, then?”

  “I hope not,” she said with a smile.

  Sam pulled back the red, velvety flap over the door and they entered the restaurant. The first thing he noticed was the thick cylinder of water—about five feet thick—cascading in a series of twists and loops through the entire restaurant. The water moved at a slower pace and was clearer than the river it split from.

  The vast interior was furnished with all kinds of polished decorations. Everywhere Sam’s eyes looked, he saw sculptures of the Wapawche clan symbol—a triangle within a triangle design—done in different types of metal and gemstones. The water traveled through a giant gold symbol situated at the center of the restaurant that must have weighed a ton. On the ceiling were tiny triangle symbols made of emerald stone that hung down like teeth. Dim white lights covered by shades of rosy quartz hovered throughout the restaurant, casting things in a soft red glow.

  There were twenty or so impeccably shiny silver tables set up around the restaurant. In the middle of each table was a patch of bright green grass, about the size of a chessboard. People wearing the most extravagant outfits Sam had ever seen were sitting at the tables watching the water eagerly, waiting for something to happen. They wore complicated silk gowns, handsome robes, and jewelry with diamonds and sapphires the size of baseballs. Most of the patrons had the Wapawche symbol located somewhere on their luxurious outfits.

  Since Sam had been spending so much time in Bariv’s cave over the last few weeks, he wasn’t surprised by the fact that he didn’t recognize a single face.

  “I’ve never been in here before,” Daphne whispered. “This is exciting. It’s really nice.”

  “I suddenly feel underdressed.” Sam double-checked his robe for any joker-grass residue. “And underage.”

  “Well, technically we both still are. Do you want to just go eat at the—”

  “Welcome.” A matronly figure strolled toward them, her chin up and shoulders level, giving her a lofty posture. She was tall, lean, and had a touch of grey in her hair. Her dress shimmered with the colors of peacock feathers and was decorated with fingernail-size Wapawche symbols. She gave Sam a friendly but reserved smile. “You must be Sam and Daphne.”

  “You’re good.” Sam stuck out his hand.

  “I try.” The woman’s eyes darted to Sam’s second-skin and then to his face. She gave a wary smile and shook his hand as quickly as humanly possible. “My name is Kanti. We’ve been expecting you. I was delighted when Fernando said you would be joining us tonight. I was very much hoping you both would accept our invitation.”

  Invitation? Delighted? Sam scratched his head. These people know who I am, right?

  At this point, people began to notice Sam and Daphne’s presence at the entrance to the restaurant. Whispers sprouted about the room, and Sam watched as the water became the second most interesting thing in the room.

  Sam felt his stomach tighten up. He knew it was too soon; the people of Atlas Crown couldn’t be ready to forgive him yet. What was he thinking; how could he expect everything to be like it was before? It hadn’t been great, but it had been better than how things had been recently.

  He was just about to turn and walk out, when someone from the closest table literally jumped out of his seat and shuffled toward Sam at a good clip.

  The man advancing toward Sam was tall, broad, and handsome. Even though Atlas Crown didn’t use money, Sam thought he had an air of wealth about him. He was dressed in a long, silky robe, which billowed behind him as he walked.

  Sam tensed up and prepared himself for a fight. He curled his fists into balls and clenched his teeth.

  The man reached Sam, but instead of throwing a punch, he gave the lowest bow Sam had ever seen, low enough to kiss the floor if he decided to purse his lips.

  Sam looked at Daphne and raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

  She returned the look with a cunning smile.

  “We of the Wapawche clan,” the man spoke loud enough for the entire room to hear, “are forever in your debt. We hope that you will care for this, and keep us in mind as your future clan. By making you temporary steward, we hope to instill the fact that we trust you completely, and hope that you may feel comfortab
le enough to one day call yourself a Wapawche.”

  With his head still lowered, the man extended his hand.

  In the man’s palm was a polished wooden box. He kept his head bowed and opened the box, revealing something that looked like a porcupine quill. The item was bone white, with a thin metal strip down the center, and a jade Wapawche symbol at the end of it.

  Daphne gave a quick gasp and covered her mouth.

  “Me?” Sam tried to keep the confusion out of his voice.

  The man said nothing and stretched his hand out even further. Sam hesitated and then took the box. The wood was smooth and had a slight warmth to it.

  Sam shrugged. “Thanks?”

  A round of cheers and applause crowded the room.

  Sam closed the box’s lid and felt utterly baffled. He looked around and saw that instead of glaring, people smiled at him. A young couple in the corner actually got out of their seats to give Sam a standing ovation.

  After the applause, Kanti poked the man in front of Sam lightly on the back. “You were supposed to present it after the meal.”

  The man stood up straight and looked at Kanti with a furrowed brow. “Really?”

  Kanti crossed her arms across her chest and tapped her foot audibly. “We rehearsed this.”

  The man shrugged and reached out to take the box back from Sam.

  Kanti lightly slapped the man’s hand and sighed. “Oh, Haplon, just go sit down.”

  The man’s face blushed a deep red. He turned and walked back to his table, sitting down next to a gorgeous redhead who was shaking her head, irritation written all over her face.

  Kanti turned back toward Sam. “This item represents something precious to us, please take good care of it. I have a table in the corner all set up. If you’ll just follow me, the show should be starting any moment.”

  Sam looked around for a stage. “There’s a show?”

  “Oh, yes.” She motioned toward the flowing water. “This is a salt-water streak. Comes from the ocean, travels through the river, and heads back out.”

  Daphne’s eyes lit up. “So do you think we’ll get to see—”