by Chris Miller
Niparret eyed him guardedly, counted the credits and slipped away without an answer. With the trouble over, the crowd began to clear.
Mr. Swift moved to Philan’s side and lowered his voice ever so slightly, “You sure you don’t need any help rounding them up? These outsiders can’t be trusted.” He shot a wary look our way as if he expected us to run off at any minute.
Philan smiled, “Thank you, Mr. Swift, but I think I’ll take my chances. Good rest to you!”
“And to you,” the guard grumbled disapprovingly as he strolled off to attend to his peacekeeping duties. When at last he was gone, Philan spoke first.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my old friend, Hunter Brown,” Philan said, gripping my hand in a firm handshake and pulling my shoulder into a partial embrace with the other. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Thanks, Philan,” I replied. “Your timing couldn’t have been better.”
“I seem to have a knack for saving you, don’t I?” he smiled jokingly. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“No, but you have. You’ve grown up fast in three years,” I noted. “Last I saw you, you hardly seemed ten years old. What happened?”
“I was actually thirteen, but I looked younger. You’re not the first to think I was that young. I guess my body just made up for lost time all at once. Actually, I’m Lieutenant Philan now, but it’s only a title. All Codebearers are equal in the eyes of the Author. Just means that I volunteered to help lead others in battle. But enough about me, what happened to you? Last I’d heard, everyone thought you were dead!”
“I was, but the Author wasn’t finished with me yet—it’s kind of a long story but well…here I am again,” I answered, knowing the explanation was less than clear, but also aware that it was neither the time or place to elaborate on what had happened.
“Indeed, I’m glad you’re safe. Who are your friends?”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, pointing to each of the others. “This is Stoney, Rob and Trista.”
Rob and Stoney nodded in response to my introductions.
“Pleased to meet you,” Trista said.
“The pleasure is mine,” Philan answered with a bow of his head. Trista seemed somewhat flattered by the gesture, but if Philan noticed he showed no signs of it.
“So then, what brings you to Torpor, my friends?”
“We’re looking for Saris actually. We have an urgent matter to bring before him. Do you know where he lives?”
“Know it? Of course, I live there with him. Several of us are working to convert the old monastery into a Resistance training ground of sorts. I’ll take you there; after all, you owe me some work if I’m not mistaken.”
“Oh right,” I answered, not entirely sure if he was kidding or not.
We followed the boy through the tangled web of roads that angled this way and that until we came to the edge of the city and the base of the crater cliff. There, we found a thin ledge of steps carved into the side of the cliff, leading up to a small cave door. Philan didn’t break stride, but led us up the steep climb at a quick pace. Stoney brought up the rear in a decidedly slower manner—pushing the limits of both his legs and the aged stairs with his expansive waistline. He eventually made it, sweating and wheezing when he finally walked through the door.
Inside, we found ourselves in an expansive hallway lit by what must have been a thousand beams of light shining down from narrow shafts that were carved through the cave wall behind us. They were not visible from the outside because of the sharp angle in which they were drilled, but from within the artistry of the design was breathtaking. The effect was not unlike a giant stained glass window, only without the colors and with more space between each pane. The image it portrayed was of a giant tree consumed in flames.
“Amazing,” Rob gawked, staring at the image.
“Isn’t it?” Philan replied. “The Xin carved this monastery hundreds of years ago. We were fortunate enough to inhabit the space when they disappeared. I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to be hidden.”
“The Xin did this?” I asked, pointing up at the tree window.
“Yes, and that’s not even the half of it. They were extraordinary artists. You’ll find many of our halls are rife with imagery such as this. Come on, there is something I want to show you.”
He led us back down a series of passageways. The walls and ceiling sparkled with embedded luminescent blue designs that seemed to glow with surprising vibrancy all their own. The effect was similar to the glow-in-the-dark paint I had used in one of my pranks back home last year.
As we went, a handful of people passed by; all of them wore the Author’s mark around their necks and carried Veritas Swords at their sides. Philan explained that men, women and children inhabited the space.
Impressed by the size of the facility, I asked, “How many people can you fit in here?”
“A lot more than we do right now. The meeting hall alone could probably fit close to five hundred, but we’re rarely more than fifty strong at any given time. It’s been frustrating trying to get much turnout here on Torpor. People just don’t want to spend their time studying, training…or identifying with the Codebearers now. They get caught up in doing…well, nothing.”
I could hear the discouragement in his voice.
The place he was taking us to was a training room where a lesson in using a Veritas Sword was being given to children by a white-haired woman with her back turned toward us.
The scene, although smaller in numbers, was reminiscent of the Sanctuary Acadamy where young ones were taught the ways of the Code of Life. I had to chuckle to myself when I saw several slabs of Tempering Stone gathered in the center of the room. The young Codebearers in training were swinging wildly at the stone with no effect—many of them frustrated and dumbfounded at their inability to command the sword.
“This is the Training Round where we practice and teach the ways of the Code of Life. Look familiar?” Philan smiled, remembering how we first met.
“Does it ever—I feel like Sam should be standing right here beside me, shouting out his lecture. He was a great teacher.”
Philan nodded in agreement. “His students are now the teachers. Naturally, part of our duty is to train these young ones the best we can in the use of a Veritas Sword. Care to take a shot at it?”
“Well, I don’t think I better, you know…interrupt the kids and all…maybe later I can.” I began to look for a way out of the situation.
“Nonsense, they’d love a demonstration, I’m sure. Besides, class is almost over for the day,” he said. Before I could argue further he called out to the instructor. “Alice, can we interrupt for a moment? You remember Hunter, don’t you?”
As it turned out, the instructor was a teenager, not an elder. She was dressed in purple robes and her long, flowing white hair was pulled back in a ponytail. When her silvery eyes caught mine, I remembered right away Philan’s friend, Alice.
“Oh, thur thing, Philan,” she said with her characteristic lisp. Even though she now resembled a young woman, her voice had hardly changed. “I’ll gather the thudenths; come on over.”
In a matter of moments we exchanged warm greetings and soon every student’s eyes were trained on the three of us.
“Tho claths,” Alice said, “Hunter here will be tharing thomthing about the Veritath Thword that he learned when he wath here before. Lithen clothly and give him your attention, okay?”
She gave a gracious bow and backed away, leaving me standing in front of a half-dozen students and one taunting white block of Tempering Stone. With every eye trained on me, I cleared my throat and began to share.
“Well, it wasn’t that long ago that I was in your shoes,” I said, still unsure of what I was going to say. The pressure of having so many kids hanging on my every word was not something I was comfortable with. Still, I swallowed and continu
ed, allowing Sam’s words to speak through me.
“Sam was my instructor back then, and he taught me about the Code of Life. One of the things that helped me the most was to know that we don’t fear anything but the Author himself. If Sam were here today, he’d probably say the same thing to you. By fear a man appoints his master,” I explained.
“This will come in handy when you are in the heat of battle. I know it did for me.” Then turning to the stone, I lifted my Veritas Sword and realized for the first time that as funny as it sounded, I was actually afraid of the Tempering Stone. I was afraid of failing in front of these kids, of not being able to use the Veritas Sword to make a mark in the stone…perhaps even afraid that the Veritas Sword wouldn’t work for me this time, or ever again for that matter. I closed my eyes and let the words I had just spoken to the students be a reminder to myself.
By fear a man appoints his master, I thought. Help me to not be afraid.
Then, holding the Veritas Sword above my head, I opened my eyes and faced the stone.
“By fear a man appoints his master!” I shouted and lunged at the stone, swinging the sword in a downward slice. To the delight of the students and me, the sword blazed to life in a glowing arc of light, severing the stone down the middle. The gash I made was deeper than any I had managed before. I pulled the glowing blade out and the mark in the stone began to heal itself almost instantly. A smile of satisfaction spread across my face. The truth hadn’t let me down. It still worked, even after all this time.
“Well done, Hunter,” Alice said, leading her students in a round of applause. “Thank you for tharing what you have learned with uth.”
“It was my pleasure,” I replied.
Alice gave a wink and a nod of approval and then gathered the attention of her students once again. I turned to face Philan and the others.
“That was fun,” I said.
“Good. I’m glad you thought so,” Philan replied. “Teaching is one of the most noble things you can aspire to. Every Codebearer needs to invest his or her knowledge into others. I hope you don’t forget to pass along what you have learned. Come on, we have some guest rooms prepared down the hallway that you can use. Saris is in council right now; I’ll take you to him after you’re settled.”
As we left, I glanced back over my shoulder at the students who were now swinging their swords in the air and shouting “By fear a man appoints his master” at the top of their lungs. There was a brief flicker of light in the middle of the group, followed by a round of applause. My chest swelled at the sight. I had helped another just as Sam had helped me.
Chapter 17
Saris’ Council
Winding through a labyrinth of stone-chiseled hallways, Philan led us toward our rooms. The torch-lined halls eventually ended in a square common area with slightly higher ceilings. In the center of the room was a large stone table and matching benches, all of which appeared to be carved up from the floor. A large spread of fruit, bread and cheese was already waiting for us on the table. It was a welcome sight for everyone, especially Boojum, who had been cautiously watching from my backpack. Having spotted the food, he bounded out of my pack and eagerly helped himself to a red banana before the rest of us had time to claim it.
“Mine, mine,” Boojum said, his large eyes sparkling with happiness as he gobbled down the food.
“Boojum,” Trista scolded, “where are your manners? You didn’t even ask.” If he heard her, he didn’t show it, still munching away hungrily on the snack.
“It’s okay,” Philan said. “Help yourself to whatever you find here. I’ll let you get settled in while I make arrangements for a meeting with Saris. I’m sure you are exhausted. There are four bedrooms connected to this quad. I’ll be back within the half hour.” With that he bowed and darted away.
“Well, that was lucky, finding your friends here,” Trista said. “And just in time too. Can you image what might have happened if the guard had taken us to prison?”
“Luck had nothing to do with it, Trista,” I answered. “The Author is watching over us. The Flame led us here for a reason.”
“Oh right,” she sighed, “I keep forgetting that!”
“Not to sound like a downer or anything,” said Rob, “but what are we hoping to accomplish here anyway? Do you think Saris is one of the seven we are looking for?”
“I don’t know for sure; I just know the spark told me to come to Torpor. After that I guess I’m as lost as you,” I reasoned.
“So, you think it’s safe to tell Saris about the Flame then?” Rob asked.
“Why not? He’s one of the captains, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, but I just get the feeling that things aren’t what they seem here…you know?”
“How so?”
“I don’t know, we find them hiding in a Xin temple and our greatest threat just happens to be the rogue Xin assassin who killed Petrov. Think about it, you said yourself he was using a Veritas Sword. Where on earth would he learn to use that unless another Codebearer was training him? Doesn’t that concern you or am I the only one who is a little worried about this?”
Until that moment I hadn’t considered the fact that we might be treading into a trap. The Veritas Sword connection was a strange one. After all, Codebearers were the only ones who knew how to use the sword.
“Are you saying that Saris and Philan are somehow aligned with Xaul? That they plotted to have Petrov killed?”
“No, what I’m saying is that maybe we should be more careful about what we say…just until we’re sure,” Rob replied.
I ran my fingers through my hair and held them there, trying to devise a good plan for discovering whether or not Saris was involved with Xaul. Nothing came to mind.
“I know I’m new to this and all,” Trista said, “but can’t we just assume that if the Author brought us here for a reason he’ll give us the sign we need to reveal the Flame to Saris…when the time is right?”
It was a simple statement, but one that carried truth in it.
“She’s right, Rob; we do need to be careful, but the Author will make it clear if we should keep the Flame hidden,” I said. “Who knows, Saris may already be marked.”
“We’ll know soon enough,” Stoney said. “Here comes that Philan kid.”
Sure enough Philan had returned and brought with him the good news that Saris would be ready in a matter of minutes. The four of us (five if you counted Boojum, who rode on my shoulder) were led down the hall to a foyer just outside the council chambers, where he would meet with us. The double doors that opened into the chamber were made of a thick wood, engraved with elaborate markings that resembled the terrain of the Shard of Torpor. A pair of guards flanked both sides of the doors, stoically holding their spears at attention. Even from a distance, it was obvious to me that they were not Codebearers. Their rich robes were striking in that they were distinctly half blue and half green, seamed down the middle vertically with ornate patterns of gold around the trim. The design was unmistakably matched to the flags we had seen flying from the larger sky ships up at the dock.
“So, who are they?” I asked Philan as we made our way up the corridor.
“The Emissary’s guards,” Philan answered, though with marked annoyance. Slowing his steps, he explained in a hushed tone, “She claims to act as a neutral party between governments, the Resistance and Shadow alike. Each time she visits it is for promoting some new treaty or deal. I can only imagine what it’s about this time. Between you and me, I can’t wait for them to leave.”
As we reached the waiting area outside the council chamber, I recognized the slow, drawn-out speech of Captain Saris rolling out through the open doors.
“…Of course I want peace. The Resistance is as tired of war as anyone, but…peace at what cost? Negotiating to give the Shadow an embassy here in Torpor just seems…dangerous. Perhaps we can find another way…”
“There is no other way,” a deep-throated man groaned impatiently. “Captain, haven’t you been listening to me? King Zagzabarz has already signed his name to the Embassy Treaty. As his ambassador, I am authorized to inform you that if you do not sign it as well, the Codebearers will, at best, be viewed as an intolerant threat within the Torporian kingdom and at worst…”
“If you please, Ambassador Narcole,” a commanding woman’s voice interrupted. Assuming control, she continued in a soothing manner, “Captain Saris, I appreciate the weight of your decision. Serving in my unique position, however, I have already helped the Codebearers on many of the other shards to negotiate similar agreements, and I am pleased to report they are now enjoying the fruits of newfound peace today. Think of it: seven years of peace between Shadow and Codebearer across all of Solandria. Torpor can be next. Zagzabarz wants to bring this gift to his people. You only have to ask yourself if you are willing to be part of the movement.”
I couldn’t believe what we were hearing. Had others in the Resistance already embraced this treaty with the Shadow? Looking over at Philan, I could see he was especially concerned for his captain’s resolve.
Letting out a long sigh, the beleaguered Captain Saris finally replied, “I don’t know. This would go against the core of our principles. We simply cannot ally with the Shadow. How can I ignore what has been clearly defined in our teachings for ages?”
“I understand,” she replied sympathetically. “But is it not also wise to question our beliefs from time to time, to take a fresh look at them in light of our present circumstances? Often when we do, we are rewarded with a… fresh… perspective.” It was unnerving how the Emissary’s tone had changed during the careful delivery of those final words. Continuing in the deliberate, low intonations she cooed, “Don’t you agree?”
“Yes,” Saris answered slowly after a brief pause. He almost sounded dreamy as he said, “I will…sleep on it…and…I will give my answer to the King in…the morning. And perhaps if nothing else comes to me, I will sign…the treaty…with him.”
