Rota Fortunae

by Isu Yin

  “But I want to learn your dialect.”

  “Learn the first form, then I’ll teach you the Fox Clan dialect.”

  “A bargain? Okay, I’ll do that. What should I say to my elders if I can’t say vien?”

  “Oh, right. Vien’ou. If you made a devastating mistake, vien’ou ya do.”

  Fate leaned against her hand and riddled over the phrases. “What’s the difference?”

  “Vien is just ‘sorry.’ Vien’ou is ‘I am sorry.’ Vien’ou ya do literally means ‘I am sorry twice.’”

  “Twice?” She laughed hard into her hand. “I’m sorry, but that sounds like something a child would say. It’s too funny.”

  “That’s usually the case. That might even be where it came from. I’m not sure. In old tradition, the Elders believed that children were gods. In my family, children are often called with the suffix yan, which used to just mean you, but pronouns aren’t used too often, so it came to mean honorable one.”

  “How should I put it? When you start speaking in the Language of Ages, your speech patterns disintegrate. It’s cute.”

  “That’s because the languages are very different. The sentence structure for the Language of Ages is TOVS, where the subjects are rarely addressed,” Hero said.

  “TOVS? What’s that? Time-Object-Verb-Subject? You told me that you just knew the language. You didn’t learn it?”

  “That’s correct, and no. I used to have unusual dreams about Undal. Maybe I read too many books. That’s what everyone said... except for Chi. I think she wants to believe I’m somehow a survivor of the fall, even though she’s my mother’s sister. It’s odd.”

  “You’ve never told me this before.”

  “It never became relevant. It’s not something a normal person says out of the blue. Only Abyssus would do that.”

  “What were your dreams like?”

  “It’s hard to remember. I had them before I was branded.”

  “I’m surprised you remember having them at all, or even the language.”

  “It’s because I wrote about them. Although... I’m not sure why I remember the language. My memory of the dreams may have triggered it.”

  It had been a while since she heard the word. It took her back to the first time that Chi told her about brands and seals. “Triggered.... Do you mean that memories can be restored by being exposed to different things?”

  “That’s how seals and brands function. That’s why it’s dangerous for me to be exposed to certain elements. If I accidentally trigger a memory and break the seal, I’ll die. That’s what they say, anyway. The language doesn’t seem to affect the seals, though.”

  “That’s scary.”

  “In any case, maybe we should review Abyssus’ journal. Do you read quickly?”

  Fate averted her gaze. “How quickly? I can probably read that in a day or so.”

  “I’ll read it then.”

  “Hero, there are some history books I’d like to read. I know it’s a lot to ask, but can you translate them for me?”

  “It’s not a lot. It’ll help, right?”

  “Ye,” she said in jest. “Is there something I can do to make it easier?”

  “Huh?” He experienced that involuntary twitch, as though he couldn’t process her response.

  “Did I say something odd?”

  “Ah, no. I’m not used to the help. That’s all. I don’t think you need to do anything. I will be done reading the journal soon. Just collect the books and some materials so I can translate for you.”

  “What about food?”

  “Food? Oh.”

  “Oh? That’s it? Don’t you ever eat?”

  He gaped.

  “Okay. I’m starting to get the picture. How about you move into the back room? I’ll go and find something for us to eat.”

  “Do you have money?”

  She mimicked Fortuna’s haughty tone of voice. “Survival tactic number one—always carry money.”

  Hero laughed softly. “I see. Okay, I’ll move. Sorry for the trouble.”

  “Trouble? You’re doing the hard part. Sorry I can’t be of more help. Ah, what is it? Vien’ou ya do.”

  “No, this is enough. It helps. If you want to say something, say meil ou ya do, instead.” He collected the journal and exited with a smile strewn across his face.

  “What does that mean?”

  He leaned out of the doorway to the back room. “I’m going to start working. I need to focus, but I’ll try to finish quickly. You’re welcome to come in, just don’t ask me too many questions.”

  “Yeah? You must feel pleased right now. Just wait, I’ll figure out what you said.”

  He sat down by the window seat. “Please make a stack of the books you’d like me to translate. Ah, and send a messenger to Nex with a list of items. We left everything behind. I’d rather not waste money.”

  “Oh, something I can do! Okay.”

  “Of course. You’re smart. If you train, you’ll be very wise.”

  “I just need to train my mind instead of my body.”

  She searched for more books on the shelves and left the stack on the floor beside Hero’s knee. “Is this too many?”

  “I’ll translate them in groups of three, but you may stack as many as you like. I’ll get to them as quickly as I’m able.”

  She left the room, glancing back to watch him study the new journal. It occurred to her that she couldn’t ask a messenger to retrieve the other journal; it needed to be secret.

  This is something I can do. It’ll give him time to review and translate. He won’t be mad, will he?

  She stepped outside, to the Centre, and the ocean breeze caressed her cheeks. The tall glowing trees of the Ussan lit up the sky and filled the air with bell-like chimes. She crossed the Centre, towards the group of guards standing outside the perimeter of the forest, and patted Chi’s arm.

  “Oh! Fate, I am so glad you have stepped outside.”

  Fate nodded politely and interrupted before Chi’s whimsical stories could chase away the task at hand. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’ve asked Hero to help me translate some books. I wanted to do something to help, so I came to ask what I should do about food. I also need to visit Nex and collect some things.”

  “How about you send a messenger?”

  “It’s complicated. There are some personal things I need to collect.”

  “Oh, then how about you take Firmus with you? I am sure you want to see him. He will be overjoyed to see you are well. When he heard about your condition, he nearly jumped out the palace window and ran to your aid.”

  “I’d love to see him. Where can I find him?”

  “Hmm... I will send one of my men to fetch him.” Chi removed an ink pen and a journal from her pocket, scrawled something, and gave the ripped-out paper to Fate. “Head uphill until you reach a long staircase. It runs from the palace to the beach, so you will not miss it. That is Inoue Community. There are many shops. Take this note to the shop with the crystal wind chime. The shop owner will treat you to a meal. If she offers stew, tell her that you are with Hero. She will double your order.”

  “Thank you.” Fate bustled up the hill and gazed over the wall at the violet sea. “Wow!” The breeze blew her hair over her shoulders, as she leaned over and looked below at a gathering of crystal at the edge of the sand.

  I want to visit the beach. I wonder if Hero will come with me later.

  She scolded herself. “Enough of that, Fate. You must complete every task you set your mind to.” As she walked towards the community, she gasped. “I forgot to ask Chi about what Hero said! I feel cheated.”

  The sun set over the edge of the buildings, all of them nestled roof-to-roof down the incline and towards the beach. The Capital was isolated from the rest of Mu, a peninsula that rested at a slope. Fog draped around the low buildings like a blanket.

  She searched the small buildings while admiring the various pieces of art and lights in each shop and house. It seemed that the people
both lived and worked in these buildings.

  She discovered the crystal wind chime when she heard its resonance. The sound resembled a song more than a simple ring, as though the crystal lived.

  A dark-haired woman with glowing golden eyes stepped up to the front desk and trailed Fate’s gaze to the wind chime. “Does it interest you?”

  “The sound makes me feel like I’m in a dream. I drift off when I hear it.”

  “They say the Ussan sings at night, like a lullaby. Since it can absorb anima, it also stores memories.”

  “How?”

  “You must be a visitor. An Iu too! How peculiar. They say that memories are reflections. In other words, they’re light. To conceal them, you touch them with darkness. To restore them, you touch them with light. Crystals absorb anima. Therefore, they’re rumored to hold the memories of people we’ve lost. That’s why they sing. Their song might feel melancholic, but try to think fondly of it. I’m sure the lost souls of Undal would want us to be happy.”

  “You believe in Undal?”

  “Maybe it’s a trait of children raised here. The Elders often gather at the Centre to tell stories at night. Those of us raised with those stories often grow up believing in it.”

  “May I ask your age?”

  “Hmm? I’m twenty.”

  “This might be a long shot, but do you know Hero? That sounds like something he would’ve been interested in as a child.”

  “Ohh! Are you his friend? Ah, or maybe his consort.” The young woman raised a brow and grinned.

  Fate might’ve taken offense to these words if they hadn’t come from an Ignis. Their ways had baffled her on numerous occasions. “We’re good friends. I think.”

  “What does that mean? It sounds mysterious! My sensors are tingling!”

  “It means it’s still to be determined.”

  “Ma has this special tonic. I can slip it in your order, and no one will ever notice.”

  Before Fate could retort, Firmus appeared and patted her head. “Don’t be a bad influence,” he told the woman.

  He had grown even more handsome and charming than the first time Fate met him. The fear and hesitance had left his touch, and his eyes blazed with determination.

  Fate questioned her morals as she battled her disappointment. She didn’t wish ill of Firmus, but it shocked her to see him looking so brilliant. She reminded herself that months had passed since her brother had left them.

  She handed Chi’s note to the Ignis woman. “Chi gave this to me. Hero is waiting, so I should hurry.” Her thoughts coiled around the idea of Firmus and his newfound strength. The emotions brewed a toxin inside of her soul. She turned to him. “You look happy.”

  A faint smile broke on his face. “A lot has happened. I’m relieved to see you’re feeling better.”

  “Yeah, I’d like to say the same.” The words slipped from her mouth too easily. She hated it.

  He analyzed her with his Ignis gaze, and his expression lightened. “I’m sorry. That’s vague. I seem to have upset you.”

  “No, I’m not sure what’s wrong with me. I’m usually not like this.”

  “Could it be that you’ve spent a lot of time with Hero?”

  “I’m beginning to think that the miasma simply fuels what’s already present. I was upset. This must sound rude, but how can you be so happy?” She disliked herself for using the miasma as an excuse. It hadn’t affected her in the slightest. Instead, it provided an excuse for this blunt manner of expressing herself.

  “Hmm....” He pressed a hand to his chin. “I’d like to tell you, but I’m not sure I can.”

  “Say what you can.”

  “You’ve met Akira?”

  “Recently.”

  “He introduced me to someone who helped me recover. I owe him my life.”

  “You owe Akira or this other person?”

  “Akira. I realize that others find him problematic, but he’s helpful.”

  The Ignis woman brought back two large cylinder containers. “Hope you enjoy!”

  “Thank you,” Fate said.

  Firmus collected the containers, and the two of them proceeded to cut through the passages between the buildings, on a shorter path to the Centre.

  She gripped the corner of his sweater. “You said you met someone? Like an acquaintance, or a friend? What kind of person?”

  He stopped in front of a round planter near the Ussan. “Fate, it might be hard for you to understand the predicament. I don’t know how to explain any of this to you. I’d like to tell you more, but I’d need permission.”

  “From Akira?”

  He frowned. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’ll ask him myself, then.”

  He turned one side of his body towards her. “May I ask what you received from the shop?”

  “Chi said something about stew, but I’m not sure.”

  “That’s what I feared... if we return to Hero with this, he might rebel.”

  “Rebel?”

  “He hates stew more than anything in the world. I think Chi was trying to tease him, or she might’ve been testing you.”

  “Oh.” The storm raging inside morphed and a subtle sadness simmered. “Even though I was shocked, and I thought of you like a stranger, you still know much more than me. I feel like I’ve failed.”

  “The act of caring can be helpful and meaningful. Abyssus often worried about being helpful. He wanted to be stronger, but we always encouraged him to be proud of his intellect.”

  “I can’t even read the material that I need to study. Hero is translating everything.”

  “But why is he doing it?”

  “He’s trying to help me learn and gather information.”

  “He’s helping you because you have a task to complete. Delegating tasks doesn’t make you unhelpful. While you’re waiting, you can complete other assignments. It might help ease your concerns.”

  “Thank you. You’re right.”

  “Then, we should finish our run. Didn’t you want me to travel to Nex with you?”

  “Yes. I know it’s dangerous, but do you think we can sneak into Macellarius Palace? Abyssus may have left useful information hidden in his room.”

  “Perhaps. We can try.”

  “By the way, what does Hero like?” Fate turned towards some of the food stands around the Centre.

  “Hmm... his choices of food have little to do with taste. He simply likes his food separated. The best option is to make it.”

  “I see. He doesn’t like the taste of anything in particular?”

  Firmus glanced at Chi’s cottage. “Not to sound prejudiced, but he’s like a dog. As long as it suits his sense of smell, and looks presentable, he will eat it. In any case, we should first check to see what else is in these containers. Since Hero is well-known by the citizens, they may have added something for him to eat.”

  They took the containers back to the cottage to sort through the food. Upon their entry, they ran into Hero leaving the back room.

  He took two steps back and hid behind the door. “You smell like stew.”

  Firmus set the containers down on the table. “Like I said, the nose of a dog.”

  Fate opened the door fully and pulled Hero out by the wrist. “I’m not going to make you eat it. You’re already coming out?”

  “Ye, I finished reading. I think I know where the other journal is, so I was going to find you. I thought I would pounce on you for ruining my rest, but you came back sooner than I expected.”

  “I can see naps are valuable to you.”

  “Sleep keeps the mind alert. Since you’re here, let’s go and collect the other journal.”

  “Wait, did you read anything useful?”

  “Maybe.” He dragged Fate outside without mentioning his intended destination, or greeting Firmus.

  This struck her as unusually rude and abrupt, even for Hero. “Say, do you know any curse words in the Language of Ages?”

  “Say L.o.A. It’s easier. The word for ‘
really’ can also be used to curse.”

  “What is it? I want to know it so I can curse at you when you’re being unreasonable.”

  “You only think that now, but it’s kui’lla. Kui for short. Your tone of voice will determine if you’re cursing. Also, don’t say kui to your elders.”

  “Thanks. Are you ready?” She staggered down the steps of the slope, faster than she could keep up. “Kui! You can’t just drag me off without saying anything to Firmus!”

  “Vien.”

  “That wasn’t even polite!”

  “I solved an interesting riddle, but we need at least one more journal. Don’t you want to find it?”

  “Of course I do!”

  He faced her and tilted his head. The colored lanterns strung around the community cast a warm light on his face. “Then come with me. There’s something I want to show you. Only you.”

  She studied his outstretched hand. It was small, like her own, with long, slender fingers.

  I once said there is no such thing as magic, and I still believe this is true.

  Magic has lost its meaning due to its various interpretations and uses. When I think of it, I think of natural elements of the realms around us, and extraordinary moments that can’t be surmised with words alone.

  Inoue Community holds some of my fondest memories. To this day, it follows me in dreams and, when I’m lost, I find myself searching its stairway for what I’ve misplaced.

  If there is anything I regret losing, it’s my innocence. It’s the glimmer of hope and faith I saw in everything and everyone around me. That pure perspective helped me see beyond the cruelty of our elders, and led me down a path I chose, rather than the one chosen for me.

  For a moment, my soul resonated with Hero’s. We shared a connection unique to Bound and, for the first time, it reignited something long lost.

  The call of the Ussan, and the love I held in my heart, reminded me of words we once exchanged, that of a language I could not yet understand. , Although I could not understand my own deductions, I had faith in the feelings that were being restored.

  The crystal chimes sang with the breeze, and their sound stirred a foreign and nostalgic emotion in Fate’s heart. She drew Hero back by the wrist before he could continue forward.