“You’ve scolded me before, Bailey.”
“Because I thought you were strong enough to take it.”
“I am.”
“Then you won’t mind if I say a few words to you now.” A corner of Bailey’s mouth raised as she waved him forward. “Come walk with me. We have some things to discuss.”
“I have an appointment with the Discipline Squad,” Aidan said.
“Yes, and you’re a few minutes late by my assessment. Don’t worry. I’ve already taken care of your problems. Just come.”
Aidan raised his eyebrows in surprise and obeyed, trying to keep up with her stride, her long legs taking only one step for each of his two. She walked like she was marching, as if she were heading to the next battle. He could only imagine how she slept.
“You covered for me?” Aidan asked as she led them back to the village center, no doubt heading to the far west where the brewing shop and the dining commons building were located. She had often told him that food was the most important catalyst for a smooth conversation. Whether that was true or not was still yet to be seen. She was the type of person that strove to improve herself on a daily basis, but made little progress, regardless of her good intentions.
She lived in the North End of Lowsunn, where many of the adults lived, yet her business primarily resided in the South, with many of the youth whom she mentored. Depending on what her kids needed, she would have to go back and forth between the North and South, retrieving notes, sensitive information on allergies, and things of that nature. There was nothing odd about this.
What was strange was that instead of running straight down the middle of the village, she would jog along the diamond shaped perimeter, corners and all. Aidan had asked her why. Why in the world would she do that when it wasn’t required? When no one asked her to? When no one cared. All she could say was that it was cheating to make your own way, and maybe if Aidan was more conscientious of order, he would understand. Like many adults, she had her established quirks, and so he let that particular conversation slide. He only hoped that if he was dying at one end of the village and she was at the other, she would ignore order that one time.
After they had walked from the East to the North to the West, where their destination remained, she began craning her neck forward, examining the small and empty round tops outside of Zorin’s Brewing Shop for a respite. There were already twenty villagers sitting in various spots, giving their orders to the few waiters and waitresses that were employed there.
Zorin was no fool. Having no desire to fight for his life in the outside world, he had immediately used all three of his wishes to establish his legacy in Lowsunn. The first, gave him his power – the ability to concoct elaborate potions that gave the consumer temporary abilities. Although they only lasted a few minutes at most, they were absolutely essential for the scouting missions, giving the adventurers superhuman strength, speed, new abilities, or even invincibility when they needed it most. They not only were awe-inspiring concoctions, but they also had a pleasant, sweet taste as well, making their consumption recreational on top of practical.
His second wish was to ensure that no one in all of Obsidian could replicate his power.
And the third – was for a permanent residence, right smack in Lowsunn, before it was rebuilt by the current Elders. He said he felt a good vibe coming from that area.
The Elders couldn’t refuse the man, even before they met his jolly disposition and oversized beehive of a beard. They said that he was the real reason the shields were erected – so no other outsider could wish for permanent residence again, though Aidan knew that couldn’t be true.
Bailey hummed in delight once she found the exact table she wanted. “Are you hungry?” she asked, pointing at her discovery.
“Not at all,” he replied. A couple of teenagers excitedly took the table with the invisible reservation and Bailey shouted out a Hey to get their attention. She shooed them away and they scurried off. Aidan let Bailey choose her seat first and then he sat across from her, falling into his wicker chair with a heavy sigh. Under the shade of the straw canopy above their heads, her eyes were more intense than ever, and he struggled to remain calm.
“Aidan, how old are you?” she asked. That was not a question he had expected.
“Twenty-one,” he said.
“Do you consider yourself an adult?” she asked, stressing the A in adult as if it were a separate word. He studied her face carefully for clues as to what she was aiming at.
“I do,” he said with a frown. “Why?”
“If you’re an adult, why are you afraid of me?” she asked in concern. “I’m not that frightening, am I?”
“I’ve seen you do some things that could put fear into a person. But I’m not saying that I’m afraid of you.”
“But you know that you shouldn’t ever have to fear me though, right? I may be a little harsh, but it’s never towards you. You’re my sponsor, but also my friend.”
“I realize that.”
“Then can I ask you, as your friend…what are you doing?”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
“You have two strikes against you. Today would have marked your third, and resulted in your expulsion. Now, if you want to leave, that’s okay, but at least give me some time to further myself before you make that decision. You know how poorly your actions look upon me?”
“I understand.”
“Then you also realize that you’re causing suspicion to fall upon us? That you might be putting all we’ve worked for in jeopardy?”
“I get that,” Aidan said, clenching his fists. Bailey noticed the gesture immediately and glanced down at them.
“Aidan, we’re just talking. Relax.”
“It sounds like you’re making accusations. It sounds like you’re saying that I could care less about what happens to you and Isaac and anyone else who’s working for the Movement.”
“Well, I’m right, aren’t I?” Bailey asked, leaning forward in her chair and placing an arm over the small table. “You’re here in Lowsunn because I asked you to come, and you felt indebted to me. Not because you believed a word I said. Not because you cared. Stop me when I’m wrong, Aidan. You’re barely attending the classes, and I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been spending a lot of time with one of the Elders’ daughters. Please tell me it isn’t true.”
“Rumors aren’t always fact.”
“So you were not seen sleeping in her bedroom the other night?” Bailey asked casually.
“It’s not what you think,” Aidan said, giving her an intense glare.
“It better not be,” she huffed. “The last thing I need is a fling destroying our progress.”
“It’s not a fling,” Aidan said flatly. “If it was, I wouldn’t be trying so hard to keep it a secret.”
“Oh! So there is something going on with the two of you.”
“I don’t see how it’s any of your business.”
“Are you really going to talk to me like that?”
“What?” Aidan snapped. “Don’t like how your own medicine tastes?”
Bailey sat back with a huff and stared at her young protégé with a smile in her eyes. “I enjoy it thoroughly, as a matter of fact. You’re the one who’s getting upset.”
“I’m not getting upset.”
“Emotional then…like a little girl.” Aidan was taken aback and stared at Bailey for a moment. He took a deep breath and then put his arms onto the table, staring deep into Bailey’s eyes.
“Why is it…whenever I start sparring with you, you begin insulting me? Why can’t you just tell me that I’m being –”
“ – ornery,” Bailey said with a smug smile.
“That’s not the word I was going to use.”
“Well, I am your mentor. You have to mind your manners.”
“Why is it you can’t just talk to me like a humin being? Huh?”
“Because it’s impossible to do so when you’re always on the defensive.
If you were Isaac, sure. I could sit here, order a drink, and discuss with you in detail what mistakes you’re making – and a great deal of progress would be made. But then again, if you were him, we wouldn’t be sitting here in the first place, would we?”
“You could still try – given our history.”
“History is meaningless if you haven’t learned from it,” she chuckled, putting a finger into the air as a signal for an observant waiter to go and retrieve her usual. “I’ve told you how sensitive our operation is, but you can’t see beyond your own two hands. You don’t see the labor that many of us are putting in, and the overtime that is being thrust upon us due to your actions. You know I’m right. I saw it all over your face the moment I walked up. You know you’ve been bad, but instead of taking the lecture like a good and faithful soldier, you start barking back like you actually have some kind of validity.”
“So what you do you expect me to do? Apologize?”
“I’m a big girl. I don’t need to watch your poor acting performances. Just watch yourself. That’s all I require.”
Aidan sneered and began cracking his knuckles, looking out beyond the tacky tablecloths and into the open where so many were walking to their survival classes or snug cabins. They were all so controlled, so manipulated, and they couldn’t even see it. No, it was worse. They did see it, but they followed through anyways, hoping that those in charge would reward them in the end for their obedience. They lied to themselves and believed that those on top actually cared for their well-being, just because they were of the same organic composition.That’s what was sickening to watch, and Bailey, who knew him more than anyone, was now asking him to comply and become one of the drones.
“That’s not true,” Bailey said suddenly, placing a calloused hand over Aidan’s. “I would never ask that of you.”
“What are you talking about?” Aidan asked, though he knew Bailey had just opened him up and peered deep inside.
“We’re both actors on a stage,Tallawah. Both of us. You may think that I’m tapped into the network - that some part of me believes in the village’s mantra. But I am merely giving a performance. What you fail to remember is that the Elders compose the audience, and they are watching our every word, and our every step, making sure we’re following the script. Don’t let them see through your mask and costume. We need you…I need you.”
“I told you before we came here that I would be more trouble than I’m worth.”
“And yet I took the risk, because we need you more than you think.”
“I still don’t understand why I’m so important. What’s so unique about getting pissed off all the time? That’s a detriment, not a skill. And I’ve been waiting for nearlyfive years. Five years, and nothing has happened. What am I waiting for?”
“Perhaps explaining it to you would help the situation, given that asking for your compliance obviously hasn’t worked.”
“Your mistake in trusting me,” Aidan said, and Bailey shook her head in amusement.
“Okay. I’ll tell you the truth. One thing I like about you is that you don’t listen to someone just because they’re older than you. They have to earn your respect. As an adult, I want to knock you over the head, but as a visionary…I see how valuable your attitude could be, if properly channeled. No matter how much someone tries to persuade you to their side, you won’t go out of fear or hope of reward. You have to believe in the notions that they’re spitting at you. Some might see just another angry kid. I see a passionate, potential leader that could win over the hearts of thousands, because people want to fight against the status quo. They want to be saved, but they don’t have the strength. They need someone to carry their burden.”
“So now you resort to cheap tricks, Bailey?” Aidan scoffed. “Flattery?”
“No tricks,Tallawah. Not a one. You know what I had to give up in order for the rest of the Elders to take you in.”
“A seat in their company,” he said under his breath, remembering the exact words she had said to him on his first day in Lowsunn. He had shrugged his shoulders then, but now he understood just how big a deal that was. She had been in a position of great power, and considering the goals that she had in mind for the village, there was no way she would have given up her ambitions without something of equal or greater value in exchange. He couldn’t see in himself what she saw, but her actions were clear: he was more important to her than being an Elder. The least he could do was behave while she got the rest of her plans in order.
“I remember,” he said finally, taking his hands away from hers. “But I still don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to understand,” she said. “Just continue to trust me. Remember that the original purpose of fire was not to consume, but to provide warmth for others. I’m not asking you to change who you are. Just to turn down the intensity.” He turned his head and stared at the villagers who were walking past once more, examining their defeated strides and expressionless faces.
“I will,” he said. “From this point on, I’ll do my best to behave.”
A burst of laughter interrupted their conversation and Aidan spun around to see a couple of adolescent boys, who immediately tried to hold in their giggles, once they saw they had been caught. Aidan snapped his fingers and instantly the jam sandwiches on their bark trays flash-evaporated, consumed by Aidan’s power. The boys’ jaws dropped in shock and one of them gave Aidan a pained face. The other ran off to find an adult who would listen.
“We weren’t even talking about you!” the boy who stayed behind cried out, but Aidan ignored him. As the boy angrily got up from the table to retrieve replacements, Aidan turned to face Bailey who had closed her eyes and firmly planted the palm of her hand against her forehead.
“Sorry,” Aidan replied, holding up both hands in surrender. “Now I’ll behave.”
Chapter 3 – Judge
All his life, he had carried an assortment of visual goals for his anger: the different faces of the adversaries who had inflicted wounds upon him. Whether it was a heckler from behind, an insolent adult from in front, or a beast that sought to devour him – there was always a face. Like an assembly line, they passed through his thoughts, met him en route, engaged in an unforgettable battle with him in the recesses of his mind, and then continued on their way, forever changed by their interaction with the angry young man.
And Aidan hadn’t even had his Fire Arts back then.
But this was different. Whoever was responsible for the deaths of his people had not just wounded his body, but his heart as well. In spectacular fashion, something…no, someone…had destroyed his friends, his neighbors, and everyone he had known from birth in one fell swoop. But this time, for the first time - there was no face. Like a coward, the enemy (whoever he was) had sent nature to do his dirty work and then ran off in into the shadows, so Aidan couldn’t inflict his own nature upon him.
What was there to do now?
The village and mountain were completely gone. His people had become one with the soil. His family…his family! That’s right! His father and mother had gone off with his youngest sister, Diana, on an expedition. Like they had done with him when he had turned five, his parents had taken her off of the mountaintop and into the world, to see how there were different kinds of plants and berries and landscapes, far more exotic and lavish than anything they could witness in Quinn, with its rocky terrain and high altitude. But how far had they gone? Did they get caught in the storm? Did they even know what had happened?
Aidan stood and squinted through the thick soot that hung in the air like a mist. It stung his eyes, and they watered so much that he was afraid they would soon go dry. But if he was going to find his family, he had to keep his eyes open in order to see them, and so he bore the pain. Trying to breathe as little as possible, he waved his hands through the fog as he walked, coughing and batting at it like he was pushing aside leaves from within the thickest of rainforests. He kept walking, but where was he headed exactly? He had no way o
f knowing where his family had gone or if they had even survived. If they had been caught in the firestorm, they would have been reduced to ash and he would never find them.
Aidan stopped to think, closing his eyes to give them some rest. It was eerily silent, and though he doubted anything would come of it, he decided to shout out the name of his little sister. No voice answered him in return, and he stood there shaking, overcome with the unknown. Whether he stayed or went, it was all chance. There were no guarantees to how his life would play out now.
Though the sky was still as red and orange as fire, he could feel a chill starting to crawl up his arms. The heat from the firestorm was passing, and the night frost was beginning to creep back in. He remembered he had put his shirt up into a turban on his head and quickly reached for it, but of course, it was gone, having been obliterated in the chaos. The rest of his clothes as well. Suddenly he longed for the cloak and robe that his father wore daily.
Aidan rubbed his arms and then stopped suddenly when he felt a slight but strange indentation in his skin. He glanced over at his right forearm and saw it with clarity this time.
Tattoo markings. Three of them. One was dark and faded, while the other two were glowing a metallic blue-white color. They were humming both visually and audibly like a beacon, and he tried to wipe them away. They didn’t come off, but the flashing became more rapid, blinking faster and faster. His mind raced to find the answers - the key to this strange branding. Only when he contemplated what had just happened over the last hour did he remember.
The voice.
It had asked him a question. It had asked him…what he wished for, at that moment.
I wish, he thought. I wish that…
And then he wasn’t in the soot anymore. He was in a large circular room. The walls were composed of massive, midnight blue bricks, and a manmade fire the size of his entire body hung upside down in the middle of the ceiling like a chandelier. The floor was of granite, and the same marking that was branded into his arm three times was displayed in the middle of the floor in grand fashion. A sword, with a small, medium and large organ pipe on each side. On top of the center of the colossal marking sat a man, leaning forward on a small wooden stool that was far too short for his long legs. He was wearing a long, dark purple hooded robe, and his head was bowed as if in prayer. Aidan surveyed his surroundings, not sure what to make of them, when he came to a realization.
The Works of Julius St. Clair - 2017 Edition (Includes 3 full novels and more) Page 29
