by Unknown
“Iris means us no harm. She won’t cloak her desires in deception. If you ever have a question, just ask her. That’s what I do.” He nodded toward the chest. “Let’s try to lift it. You stand on one side and I’ll take the other.” He waited till Tulip indicated she was ready. “Lift on three. Here we go. One, two, and three.”
Unexpectedly, the box rose rapidly off the floor. If they hadn’t had a firm grip on it, the box would have been tossed into the air.
Zeal, surprised, exclaimed, “Whoa! This is light!”
Tulip caught her balance. “Yes, it is. Zeal, let go. I want to carry it. Because I am bigger, its size won’t make it too awkward for me to manage.”
Zeal understood that Tulip desired to be the one to deliver the box to Iris. He wanted Tulip to come to know Iris as he had and was pleased by her intention. Plus, her face beamed with a happy smile. “Sure, you go head.” He let go and looked around the room. “You know, this would make an excellent meeting place for us on the Temple grounds, once we’ve all met Iris. We could store things here we don’t want anyone to find.”
“I like your idea. It would be nice to have a location where we can gather, talk freely of Trade business, and practice, when away from the study hall.” Tulip gestured with the strongbox. “Shall we go now?”
Zeal followed Tulip out the door. The kitten scampered past and left the room ahead of them. Once in the corridor, the light turned off, plunging the room and corridor directly outside the room into darkness. Then the door shut. Zeal closed his eyes as the cat rubbed against him; the gray image of the passage became apparent.
“Are you ready?” Tulip asked.
“After you.” Zeal took one last look at where the door was located. The indentations blinked their pattern for him one more time.
To Zeal, the journey back felt quicker. Soon they were at the head of the steps. Once they passed the boundary of the dais, it slid back into position, again hiding the presence of the passage.
Iris sat and took up the kitten, placing it and the babe in her lap. The feline went still, all evidence it was once animated no longer apparent. “Set the box down between us and sit. Zeal, under the embossed trap, you will feel faint indentions. Press them in the same pattern you used to open the door below.”
He complied with Iris’s request. Tulip sat close to him and leaned forward, so she could watch. Zeal closed his eyes and pictured in his mind the lid’s carved surface as he felt and found six subtle depressions. He applied force against them in the remembered sequence. The lid moved up against his hand after the last click was heard.
He opened his eyes and lifted the top, seeing six daggers in sheaths. “Look what’s inside!”
Iris leaned forward without disturbing her charges in her lap and took two of the weapons, handing one to each of them.
Zeal examined Iris’s gift. The sheath had a flower embossed in the leather and two adjustable straps. He freed the weapon. The pommel was unadorned and wire-wrapped. The blade was patterned with the same blossom as on the sheath; the matte finish did not reflect the light.
Tulip was actually bouncing in excitement where she sat. She stopped suddenly and tested the blade’s edge with her thumbnail. “I know this bloom. It is an iris. The petal’s pattern does make the dagger beautiful.”
Zeal couldn’t stop smiling. Tulip sure had an appreciation for fine fighting implements.
“The blossom belongs to me. I choose where and when it grows. The plant, flower, and scent serve me.” Iris reached over and closed the lid. “The remaining contents you may give to your companions. One day, you may tell them how you came in possession of your Fangs.”
“I like the name Fang.” Zeal held his to the light to appreciate the pattern on the blade. “There is no way for me to repay you.”
Tulip bowed deeply at the waist. “I echo Zeal. Please accept my thanks.”
“You both can repay me by being responsible in the use of your Fangs. Think before you draw any weapon, especially these. They are not toys. Pass this caution on to your friends when you present them their gifts.” Iris took Zeal’s sheath and placed it on her forearm. “For now, wear it here or above the elbow, hidden under your clothing.” She moved it to her lower extremity. “You may also place it on the thigh or calf, covered by skirts or trousers. Worn thusly, it will remain unseen till you desire to use it.”
Zeal pulled up his tunic sleeve. Iris strapped the sheath on. Zeal drove the blade home, drew his sleeve down, and covered the Fang. “It is so light, I can hardly feel it.”
“Zeal, I can’t even tell the Fang is there. Your sleeve is not disturbed in the least. Both arms look the same.” She turned to Iris. “Will the straps lengthen enough to belt the Fang on my torso? I would prefer to rest the weapon under my tunic, in the small of my back.”
Iris extended her hand. “Let me hold the sheath for a moment.”
Tulip gave her the weapon’s cover. Zeal saw the scabbard glow green momentarily, followed by the scent of blossoms in the air.
“Come closer. Turn around and lift up your top.” Iris leaned forward and buckled the sheath where Tulip desired.
Tulip reached back and guided the Fang in place. “That feels right. Thank you, Iris.”
Iris looked toward the door. “Obin, our guests are ready to leave.” Smiling, she addressed Tulip and Zeal. “Please return soon. We appreciate having visitors.”
Zeal gave Iris a hug then picked up the box. Together, he and Tulip left the mausoleum.
CHAPTER TEN
Seasons leave behind all wants. A Challenge may require a direct response.
—Book of Seasons by T. A. Feneas
TULIP, WHILE WALKING back to the Temple with Zeal, couldn’t stop thinking about meeting Iris. She wanted to believe Zeal was correct in his insistence she could give Iris her trust and figured time would tell.
“Zeal, I have a question for you.”
He pointed out the opening in the hedge he used as a short cut to and from the mausoleum. “What is it?”
“Why is it you let Torin harass you? I know that he is no real threat to you, after all we have learned from Master Turk.”
As if saying his name had summoned him, Torin moved from behind the toolshed with one of his gang, approached, and stopped in front them. “What you got?”
Zeal tried to step around Torin. The boy with Torin blocked him. “What I have does not concern you, Torin. Please leave us alone.”
Torin leaned toward Zeal and smiled. “Open the box and show me what’s inside. I might even let you keep whatever it is.”
Tulip waited. Zeal stood still for a long moment before kneeling to set the box on the ground. He nodded to her as he stood and faced Torin’s ally.
Torin reached to brush her aside. Tulip slid forward, grabbed him firmly between the legs, and began applying pressure. With her other hand, she grabbed his shirt at the collar and twisted, making it difficult for him to breathe. She heard a thump as a body hit the ground. Zeal was sitting on the back of Torin’s immobilized, whimpering companion.
Torin began to struggle as he yelled, “Let me go or I will make you both sorry!”
Tulip gripped tighter below and twisted above until he stilled. Torin yelped when she pulled his face closer. “You will be watched. If at any time you bully us or anyone else at the Temple, I will take your down-theres and feed them to you. Do you understand me?”
Torin hissed, “You both believe you are so special, you and the rest of your group. You won’t hurt me. I am not afraid of you.”
Tulip used the same move on Torin that Lady Landis had shown her with Master Martell. She made sure Torin’s head hit the ground hard enough to hurt him yet leave him conscious, and then she slapped him. “Oh, you can be sure we will hurt you, Torin. You will learn to fear us. Next time we have to have a discussion, I won’t be this gentle. But you have it wrong. We don’t think we’re special. We know we are.”
Tulip slapped him again. “Don’t forget my warning, and don’t even thin
k about retaliating.”
As she stood and picked up the chest, she kicked Torin’s buddy in the side for good measure. “Zeal, it’s time to stop playing with your toy.”
Zeal jumped up, taking the chest when Tulip handed it to him, and they walked away together. When Tulip looked back, she saw Torin and his buddy limping away.
As soon as they were out of sight of the two bullies, Zeal broke the silence. “There were two reasons why I put up with Torin. I figured that, by letting him focus his attention on me, it would keep him away from the other kids.”
“That’s one reason. What is the other?”
“I was afraid that I would hurt Torin badly when I stopped him. So I avoided confronting him.”
Tulip put her arm across Zeal’s shoulders. “Allowing Torin to harass you was very noble. But the only way to stop someone like Torin is to do what we just did.”
Zeal nodded. “Iris told me I needed to stand up to him or any other bully. I knew the moment was right when Torin tried to take our chest. Thanks for helping me. I think you being there made it easier for me to keep control of myself.”
Tulip laughed. “Excuse me, but where have you been hiding this other side of yours, and why have I not seen it before?”
Zeal chuckled. “You make me feel better. I have never told anyone this, but I think something is missing within me. I don’t know what it is, but I feel empty inside. I don’t want to let anger fill the space and prevent me from doing what I know is right.”
“Thank you for trusting me enough to share. One day, you’ll discover whatever it is you need. Till then, you will always have family to help you. Let’s go find Mehrle and the others. We have gifts to present to them.”
***
After the evening meal, Zeal, Fronc, and Nester had gathered together in the room shared by Tulip, Liddea, and Mehrle.
Mehrle settled on her sleeper. “Why did you want us all to meet here?”
Zeal took the chest out from under Tulip’s sleeper and sat on the floor with it on his lap.
Tulip positioned herself next to Zeal. “Fronc, watch the door. Everyone else come closer but make sure Fronc has line of sight. The Mouse and I have something for each of you.”
Nester, joined by Liddea, sat next to Mehrle. “You have a pet mouse?”
“No, she means me.” Zeal showed them the top of the box. “See the creature? He is determined to defeat the trap and get the cheese.”
Tulip pointed to the engraved animal. “Look at its face. That is the same expression Zeal has when he is solving puzzles and picking locks.”
Liddea laughed. “You’re right. It does look just like him. Now show us what is inside.”
Zeal fingered the depressions in sequence, opened the lid, and, with Tulip’s help, passed the container’s contents to the others.
Mehrle slowly studied the sheathed weapon she’d received. “How did you get these out of the Trade armory? You know Master Turk doesn’t think we should carry a weapon.”
Zeal caught Tulip’s eye and shook his head before answering Mehrle. “I can’t tell you how we acquired them. Prove Master Turk wrong. Just because you have a Fang doesn’t mean you have to use it. Let’s show everyone that we can act responsibly.”
Fronc, from where he leaned against the door, asked, “Why do you call this a Fang?”
Tulip smiled. “That is what Zeal and I call ours. We thought it would be nice if we all did. Every animal has a natural weapon it defends itself with. So should we.”
Nester pointed to the empty box. “I wondered why there were only four of these in there. Where in here do you have yours hidden, Tulip? Zeal, yours must be back in our room.”
Zeal stood and set the chest on the sleeper behind him. “I am wearing mine. You can’t tell, can you?” He held his arms out and turned in a slow circle. “Tulip and I will show you how to wear them so they will be hard to detect.” He took off his shirt and revealed the Fang hidden under his sleeve.
Nester whistled softly. “I would have sworn you weren’t armed.”
“I can show you different ways to equip it.” Zeal removed his trousers. With Tulip’s assistance, he used his body and Fang to demonstrate to the others the variety of places the weapon could be placed, on both the arms and the legs. Soon everyone had daggers buckled in their preferred places. Zeal had just finished dressing when there was a knock on the door. He quickly shoved the chest under a sleeper.
Startled, Fronc opened the door, and Lady Landis entered. “Here you all are. Zeal, I have been looking for both you and Tulip and thought you might be together somewhere.”
Tulip glanced Zeal’s way and stood. “I am sorry, Lady Landis. We didn’t know you had need of us.”
“My first thought was to discuss this with the two of you alone. But now that I see you’re together, I think this concerns all of you. Torin complained that Zeal and Tulip attacked him earlier for no reason.”
Zeal quickly spoke in their defense. “Excuse me, but did Torin tell you that he and another were bullying me?”
Landis laughed. “Of course he didn’t. I know, given the instruction you girls received from Martell and me, that Tulip alone could have sent Torin to Patrice for healing.”
Zeal exchanged a glance with Tulip and tried not to grin. Good thing Lady Landis doesn’t know what Master Turk has taught us, he thought.
“Tulip, did you really threaten to tear off his stones and make him eat them?”
Tulip looked toward the floor. “I did.”
“If you ever do rip them off, just hand them to him. That way it will be easier to try and reverse the damage. The mentors have known of Torin’s behavior and should have already addressed it. Personally, I don’t mind your continued assistance. However, I can’t have it appear that it’s acceptable for any one of you children to intimidate another.” Landis took Tulip’s hands in hers. “You and Zeal are assigned kitchen duty for the next half moon.”
Tulip looked up to find Landis smiling down at her. “I understand the reason for the punishment. But Torin had better watch himself.”
Mehrle moved off the sleeper and stood next to Tulip. “I think I speak for the rest of us. We are all going to be there. You won’t do kitchen duty alone.”
Landis chuckled. “I think Cook is going to have more hands than she needs then. Now, you all get back to whatever it was you were doing before I interrupted.”
Zeal closed the door behind Landis as she left. He decided, as he joined the other apprentices, that later that evening he would return the container to the room in the mausoleum.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Seasons cycle with darkness and light. Are you truly blind when you are without sight?
—Book of Seasons by T. A. Feneas
SLAG STOOD WAITING as his young apprentices entered the warehouse where their training had begun three and a half seasons ago. They had recently conducted their instruction in the more secure and remote location the children referred to as the Study Hall.
He pointed toward the area’s center. “As you can see, the wire is back. I know you think you’ve mastered it, but you haven’t. Several of the skills you have acquired are going to be elevated to handle a new level of difficulty.” He pulled a black cloth object from behind his back. “I have here what I refer to as the hood. You will practice till you are proficient without the use of your eyes. This will enable your other senses to become keener. Another unique phase of your training will soon begin at night” He handed cloths to the instructors. “Now, who is going to be the first on the wire wearing the hood?”
Tulip raised her hand. Slag paired everyone with a mentor. “Tulip, you and Nester stay here with Bell. Mehrle, Fronc, go with Master Turk. Zeal, Liddea, you’re with Kaid.”
Slag pulled up a chair and sat. As Tulip stood, sightless, on the wire, he wondered how his charges would adapt to the unfamiliar. The distraction provided by being able to listen to each other’s frustrated attempts to succeed at their assigned tasks was part
of the challenge for them.
Unable to sit back and just observe, he got to his feet and approached Turk’s group. Turk, who wore the hood himself, had Mehrle and Fronc wielding staffs in an attempt to score a touch on him.
Slag listened while Turk instructed them. “I can hear and smell you both. Stop bathing with scented soaps, and Mehrle, you and the other girls are to wear fragrances no longer. Fronc, step, don’t slide, your feet. I put sand on the floor for a reason.”
Slag appreciated Turk’s teaching technique. By demonstrating the skill he wished Fronc and Mehrle to learn, Turk proved to them that it was possible for them to also acquire the ability to fight an opponent without sight.
A half mark later, Turk stopped them. He removed the hood and placed it on Mehrle. “Mehrle, I am going to start slowly and gradually increase the pace of my attacks. See if you can deflect any of them.”
Slag looked on as Mehrle took a defensive posture, her staff at the ready. Turk slowly circled her and tapped her randomly with his staff, hard enough to sting but not injure. He used no pattern and would abruptly alter how and where his attacks were directed. At first, Mehrle stood still, listening. Slowly, she began to shift position and, for short periods, matched Turk’s movement. After a quarter of a mark, Turk called a halt. It was Fronc’s turn under the hood.
Slag left them and moved over to join Kaid, who sat across from Zeal and Liddea, both of who wore a hood. Kaid was giving each a turn to sniff a series of small vials he held under their noses; he then asked them to identify each vial’s contents. Slag took a seat at the table and quietly listened while Kaid recorded their answers.
Kaid put the vials away. “Now I am going to have each of you taste something I have prepared. I want you to convey to me a detailed description of what you are given. Which one of you wants to try first?”
Zeal raised his hand. “I do.” He then turned toward Liddea, who sat on his right. “That is unless you really want to go before me, Liddea.”
