by Sam Ferguson
“Alright,” Erik replied. He shifted his right leg farther under him in an effort to get comfortable.
“When we first met you wondered at the fact that I could see the painting in the entrance halls. You thought that I was blind.”
“You aren’t?” Erik asked. Marlin held up his hand to silence him. Erik felt slightly embarrassed.
“In the way you think of the ability to see, I am completely blind. But, you have read about the gift of True Sight. This is the type of sight I possess. True Sight is a gift to members of our order. It was given to us by the Father of the Ancients, and has since been passed on by the prelate of our order.”
Erik swallowed hard. Was he to be given True Sight as well? Is that what the prelate meant?
“When a man begins his service in the temple he has his natural sight. The neophytes, as new members are called, spend several years at the temple. They clean the temple, cook for the other members of our order, and purchase supplies from other cities if need be. The neophytes are not allowed to sleep here though. They are not yet ready to live at the temple full time.
“Once a neophyte is chosen to become an apprentice of our order, he spends six months in training. He studies the history of the Ancients, martial arts, and meditation. These studies prepare the apprentice for the test of Arophim. During this test, the apprentice must show that he has the ability to judge truth from error. If he passes the test, his natural sight is taken from him and replaced by the gift of True Sight.
The gift of True Sight enables fully initiated members of the order to see things as they truly are. In other words, natural sight allows you to see the physical. You see my body, you see the decorations on the wall as the work of a man’s hand, and you see the forest as green because of the trees. To me, I see not your body. I see the spirit within. I can judge your true intentions by this. I do not see the forests as green. I see the spirit energy that flows through the trees and other plants. I can spot animals as easily, if not easier, than any hawk because I can distinguish their energy from that of the trees and shrubs they hide behind. So, you see, in a way I can see better than you ever have imagined.”
Erik thought about that for a moment. It was a little difficult for him to comprehend it fully, but he had been observing the others who worked at the temple. All of them seemed to see him, despite being blind. He had also noticed many in practice sessions in the yard. They fought with their weapons just as ferociously and accurately as any warrior Erik had ever seen. Somehow, he knew that Marlin was telling the truth.
“You wish to ask a question,” Marlin said. Erik noticed that Marlin was stating the fact rather than asking.
“So, what happens if an apprentice fails the test of Arophim?” Erik asked.
Marlin smiled gently before speaking. “Then he loses his natural sight and is cast out from the temple.”
“That doesn’t seem fair,” Erik said.
“Fair or not, that is how things are done. The decision to pass through the test of Arophim is never forced on neophytes. It is something that should be carefully considered. Though it may seem harsh punishment for failing, it was the Father of the Ancients who designed the test, not us. It is designed as a test of a man’s spirit and a test of whether he has the ability to seek out and follow truth. Those who fail the test are found to have impure intentions. They would seek to use the gift of True Sight as a way to gain power over others. Imagine what would happen if this temple were run by a warmonger.”
“So, the punishment is there as a safety measure. It ensures that only the right people ever attain the gift of True Sight.”
Marlin nodded. “And the punishment ensures that those with impure intentions pay dearly for their covetous and evil desires.”
“May I ask another question?” Erik asked.
“Of course,” Marlin said.
“If the gift of True Sight enables you to see my spirit, or the spirit of others and discern their intentions, then why would you allow a man with impure intentions into your order?”
“Ah, well, we do not let evil men into the order, if that is what you are asking. We let men in who appear to be mostly good. Over their time as a neophyte we try to test them and discern their innermost desires and ambitions, but for us it is not always that simple. Sometimes a man enters the temple and over time starts to become a little more greedy, or taken by other vices. All men have vices, you know. If their will to suppress these vices is not stronger than the temptation of the vices, then they will fail the test of Arophim.” Marlin sighed. “It is hard to explain in minutes things that take a lifetime to understand. Just know that the test of Arophim opens your heart and searches it to see what kind of spirit you have. If the courage and strength exists to seek out and pursue the path of truth and righteousness, then you will do fine. If not, then you will fail the test.”
“This time you said ‘me’, am I to take the test?” Erik asked.
“Yes, you are to take the test,” Marlin replied.
“I wish I understood what it is I am to do,” Erik said aloud as he sighed. He didn’t want to take the test. He didn’t want to give up his natural sight, even if he was able to pass the test.
“I can not tell you everything. That is for Master Lepkin to do,” Marlin replied. “But I can tell you a couple things. Your test will not be the same. You have been brought to take the Exalted Test of Arophim. This test has greater rewards, and greater punishments.”
“What do you mean?” Erik asked.
“The exalted test has two levels of reward. The first is to grant you the gift of True Sight. The second is to grant True Sight in addition to your natural sight. In other words, you won’t be blind like me, but will have both natural and spiritual sight.”
“And what of the punishment, how is it worse than the regular test of Arophim?” Erik asked.
“The Exalted Test of Arophim is only to be taken by a certain kind of person. If anyone else takes the test they will not go blind as with the original test, they will be destroyed by fire.” Marlin sighed heavily and watched Erik’s aura shrink and ripple with dark blue colors through its normal yellow energy. Marlin knew that his words had deeply disturbed Erik. Blue was the color of sadness, and darker shades meant that there was a deep confusion in the boy. “I wish Master Lepkin was here to explain it all. I think that would put a lot of your uneasiness at rest.”
“I don’t know what to think,” Erik said.
“Erik, you should know that Master Lepkin has a mission as the Keeper of Secrets,” Marlin said.
“I know, he is to protect Nagar’s Secret,” Erik offered.
“That is true, but it is not all,” Marlin replied. “He is also sent to seek out and prepare candidates for the Exalted Test of Arophim. He is first bound to his duty to protect the book, but know that he would not have sent you here if he did not truly believe that you could pass the test.”
“But, you said that neophytes study for years before they start preparing for the normal test, and then they train heavily for six more months. How long am I to train?”
“I admit, time is against us,” Marlin replied. “I will train you every day until Lepkin arrives here at the temple. Once he is here, he will tell you the rest of what you need to know.” Marlin watched Erik’s aura shrink more and become darker. More blue energy flowed around the boy, but there was still the bright, egg sized, white energy at the center of the aura. White was a good sign, Marlin knew. White possessed the power of truth, and if that was at Erik’s core, then he stood a good chance of passing the test.
“Has anyone ever passed the exalted test before?” Erik asked.
“Two have attained the gift of True Sight through the exalted test.”
“But no one has ever achieved the gift of both sights?” Erik pressed.
“No, no one ever has come close to that before.” Marlin crossed his arms and knelt down before Erik. “I can promise you one thing, my young friend. This test shall not be forced on you. You ma
y choose to do it, or you may choose to reject it.”
“Master Lepkin may not agree with you,” Erik said. A flash of red energy flowed through Erik’s energy.
“I see that he has forced you into pain before,” Marlin said. Red was the color of pain. “I have known Master Lepkin for many years, Erik. Whatever he has put you through has been for your good, and for the good of the kingdom. He has trained you hard because you need to be strong. Not just strong enough to win the battles ahead, but also strong enough to endure the pain that will come. I promise, if you reject the test, Lepkin will allow you to walk away.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
“Then I will deal with that if it comes. Even the Prelate would face dire consequences if he defiled the temple by compelling someone to unwillingly take the exalted test.” Marlin watched as green energy swept through Erik’s aura. The color of healing, growth, and hope; green was a good sign. The blue and red energy faded away slowly. Marlin knew that Erik trusted him. “Erik, your role in the events to come is critical. I ask that you train with me for the test. Even if you decide not to take the test, the training will still help you in the battles to come. Will you submit to my training?”
“Yes,” Erik said resolutely.
“Good.” Marlin stood up and backed away. “Watch me carefully, Erik. I told you that the training is to grow your natural ability to discern truth from error. Your first task is simple. I will create shadows of myself, false copies. Your task is to decide which copy is real. Begin now.”
Erik watched carefully as three more personages, identical to Marlin stepped out from behind the man as easily as cards stacked behind one another. They fanned out into a single line and stood before Erik.
“May I get up from the stool?” Erik asked.
“If you wish,” all of the Marlins said in chorus.
Erik got up and stretched his tingly legs. He eyed each one carefully, but he had already chosen the true Marlin. He walked up to Marlin and poked the man in the chest. “This was too easy,” Erik said. “You should have made me close my eyes. You never moved from your spot.”
“You have chosen well,” Marlin said. “For a fool,” he added. The image that Erik poked faded into the air, vanishing from the room.
Erik’s mouth dropped open. How could he have chosen wrong? He watched Marlin the entire time, making sure not to lose the real one as the others had fanned out around him.
“Forget your natural eyes, Erik,” the rest of the Marlins scolded. “Your natural eyes lie to you.”
Erik walked slowly up and down the line of Marlins. None of them moved. They all stood perfectly still, allowing him to inspect them all time and time again. Erik looked for differences between them, but all of the Marlins were exactly identical, even down to the small thread hanging from the hem of the left sleeve.
Erik took in a slow breath and concentrated harder. How could he choose without using his eyes? He stood staring at the Marlins for well over the space of an hour before finally remembering something Master Lepkin had told him. Master Lepkin had once said that Erik practiced sword-strikes when he walked so that others may judge him for it. That experience was designed to give Erik wisdom when he judged others so that he would seek to look beyond the physical.
Erik closed his eyes and tried to use a power he wasn’t sure he even had. He tried to feel with his heart which man was the true Marlin. He focused hard, thinking back to the time he had broken the warlock’s spell. He knew he could do it, if he could figure out how to harness the power within him. He opened his eyes and walked up and down the line again. This time, he did not look at each Marlin closely with his eyes. Instead, he stopped briefly in front of each one and tried to feel the difference between the false Marlins and the true. He walked up and down the line for more than an hour before stopping in front of one of the Marlins. He couldn’t be sure, but his intuition told him that this was the real Marlin. Erik pointed.
“You have chosen truly,” Marlin said with a smile and a nod. All of the other Marlins melted away and the two were alone again. “I have never seen anyone pass the first trial so quickly.”
“That was quick?” Erik asked.
“It may have seemed like it took a long time, but I have had students work on the first trial for weeks at a time. No one has ever passed this trial on the first day, let alone on the second try.” Marlin laid a hand on Erik’s shoulder and led him back to the stool.
“What is next?” Erik asked.
“Now we do it again,” Marlin replied. “But this time you may not come so close. Sit on the stool and wait for a moment.”
Erik did as he was told and watched as Marlin disappeared into a closet and emerged with a brown bucket. Marlin dipped his hand into the bucket and pulled a tin cup from it. He carefully poured a white, chalky substance on the floor as he walked around Erik.
“I get it,” Erik said. “You are making a ring and I will have to stay inside of it this time, is that it?”
“That is correct,” Marlin said. “I will make this ring for the second trial. After each successful trial I will make a new, smaller ring, until you can pass the trial without leaving the stool.”
Erik sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He was both excited and dismayed by the news. He wasn’t sure if he could even repeat the success he had the first time, let alone improve upon it. He wondered if he would still be working on this ring by the time Master Lepkin arrived. Then he wouldn’t even be able to try to take the test.
“Have confidence, Erik” Marlin said, as if reading his thoughts. “I will work with you until we get it right.”
Once the ring was complete, Marlin set the bucket down and nine more copies of him appeared. Erik knew that the second trial had started. He jumped down from the stool and walked around the ring. The white boundary kept him two yards away from the Marlins. He tried to feel the differences between the false Marlins and the real again, but he couldn’t feel anything. He walked around his ring for over two hours before he became too frustrated with himself to focus.
“You,” Erik said, pointing to one of the Marlins. Marlin smiled softly and then vanished like a ghost. Erik turned to the Marlin to the left and pointed at him. “You,” he said. Again, the image vanished.
“Focus, Erik,” the Marlins said. “On the battlefield you will not have the option to guess. You must know the truth, not discover it through a process of elimination. Feel it, Erik.”
“I’m trying,” Erik grumbled.
“Close your eyes and walk around,” the Marlins said. “Feel the truth.”
Erik closed his eyes resentfully and walked around, peeking at the floor every once in a while to make sure he didn’t cross the line. He walked around with his arms out, feeling the room around him. After a few minutes he felt a spot in the room that was warmer than the others. Could this be it? Could truth be accompanied by a physical sensation? Erik opened his eyes, hoping he was right. No one stood before him. There was only a torch mounted on a nearby stand.
“You are improving your abilities,” the Marlins said. “But unfortunately, you are still relying on your physical skills. Feel with your heart Erik.”
Erik went and sat on the stool. He was frustrated. He pulled his legs up under him and set his elbows on his knees. His chin went down to rest in his waiting palms.
“You aren’t giving up, are you Erik?” the Marlins asked.
Erik tilted his head to the left to let his right hand escape and dismissed the question with a wave. He was thinking. He thought about quitting, but he didn’t want a simple magic trick to get the better of him. So he sat. He turned inside his own mind, looking for the key to discovering truth. He couldn’t rely on how he had broken the warlock’s hypnosis. He had seen through it only because the warlock flinched at a wound. That was a physical tell. The wound! Erik thought to himself. He had somehow stabbed the warlock when no one else was able too. How had he done that?
Erik thought back over his training w
ith Master Lepkin. He recalled the ghost and the wolf that guarded Lady Dimwater’s study. He had defeated them too. How had he done that? He had controlled his fear and replaced it with something stronger. With the ghost and the wolf he had replaced the fear with courage, and the will to live. Erik thought again about the warlock. He hadn’t been afraid to die then, so the will to live had not been a factor, but courage had been, and so had love. Erik realized that he broke through the warlock’s magical defenses with courage born of the love for his adopted father. Could it be so easy?
Erik looked up to the Marlins. He tried to focus on the love he had for Lord Lokton, and gather courage. He hoped it would banish the false images and leave only the true. He focused on the thoughts for several minutes before giving up. Nothing had happened. All of the Marlins still stood around him and he felt nothing from them. Erik felt angry at his failure. If his role in the events to come was half as important as he felt in his heart, then he needed to be better than this. He knew that failure would let down not only Master Lepkin or House Lokton, but the whole of the middle kingdom. His anger boiled inside him and he longed for the ability to discern the truth.
All of the Marlins disappeared, save one.
“Why did you stop?” Erik asked. “I wasn’t giving up. I was just-”
Marlin held a hand up in the air. Erik noticed that the man’s mouth was hanging open. “In all of my years, I have never heard of anything like this.”
“What?” Erik asked.
“I did not stop the trial,” Marlin said. “Erik, somehow you have harnessed a power so great that all of my magic was not enough to sustain the false images in your presence.”
Erik looked around. “You mean, I did that?” he asked. He then realized that he was still sitting on the stool.
Marlin nodded slowly. “From the stool, you have torn through the false magic to discover the truth. I have never even thought that such a thing was possible.” Marlin crossed his arms and thought for a moment. “Return to the dwarf and assist him with the chores he has been given. I need to go and speak with the prelate.”
