“You’ve probably discovered why most Seers don’t live too long,” the Seer said.
“I will lend Kosai to you once he has healed and no sooner,” the Captain said firmly. He stretched out a hand, and the Seer took it.
“You have done a great service to this city and its people. Far greater than I think you have realized. Come, let’s join the others. They are earnest to hear your report.”
They walked up the stairs, down the hallway, past the entrance and into the first door on the left. The ceiling looked like the underside of a wooden ship. A long rectangular table was in the center of the room. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling. Where candles should have been, little balls of yellow light hovered. Around the table were fifteen high backed chairs that looked similar to those found in the Capital Council room. All but two were filled. Jaiken was the first to notice their arrival.
“Ah, Captain, glad to have you with us,” Jaiken said, gesturing to the two open chairs next to him with an open hand. The Captain and the Seer walked up to the table and sat.
The teacher who sat at the head of the table stood. He was taller than the Captain and broad in the shoulders. He wore a white shirt with laced sleeves. A purple stripe ran down each side of his shirt. He held a long thin staff in his left hand that was decorated with various marks and intricate burns. Any muscular definition was hidden beneath his loose white uniform. He wore a tan cloak and had a short, white beard and mustache. When he stood, the room quieted and everyone turned their attention towards him.
“Captain, thank you for coming here today. My name is Daius, and I am the principle and head teacher of the School of the Faye. Before this meeting begins, I think it would be appropriate for each of us to introduce ourselves to the Captain. Why don’t we start with Theo?” Daius gestured to a man that sat at his left.
Theo explained that his official title was Assistant to the Head Teacher, but was more commonly referred to as the Assistant. He was from Anteperil and was average height but thin in the face and hands. The Captain studied him quickly, searching for some characteristic that would make him stand out in a crowd. His nose protruded like a parrot’s beak and he spoke with a calm, quiet, deliberate and slow, airy voice.
The next teacher was Viktor from Linnouse. His small blue eyes, nose, and ears, combined with his short, well kept hair made his face look too large. He spoke succinctly, but those short words carried a tone that carried experience and command.
Xidan was from the country of Caite. Her hair was as black and shiny as a polished obsidian stone. Her natural tan complexion and slanted almond eyes were some signature characteristics of one from Caite, but she spoke without a dialect, as if she was raised in Tessír.
Isaac was from Linnouse and was a round, overly plump man. The sight of one who was so well fed made the Captain’s stomach turn. Supposedly, it was a glandular issue, but even as he introduced himself, he spoke with a mouthful of chewed chicken, freshly bitten from the leg in his hand.
Alkine was from Port Rasmú and was just the opposite of Isaac. He was short, thin, frail, and stuttered when he spoke. He mentioned his passion for books and then sat down.
The Seer was next, but didn’t stand, instead gesturing past the Captain to Chaerell. She was from Anteperil and explained that she came from a family of merchants that existed before the Three Brother’s. She was a tall woman and was in good physical condition. Her muscles, though small, showed the Captain that she knew the value of work.
Faeris was from Noiknaer, and when he stood, a small tendril of fire licked off from his shoulder, but no one said anything. He spoke of his family and how they had starved to death, even with the assistance from the government caravans.
“I’m telling you this Captain, not for your pity, but for your trust,” he said, then sat down and the next teacher stood.
“I am Emalee,” she said. She looked at Faeris tenderly. “Faeris is a man full of passion, and dreams of a day without hunger. I think you can appreciate that Captain.” The Captain nodded. “I am from Noiknaer as well. My father was a teacher here in this school, and was murdered by the Dark One, as well as my mother.” She was a smaller woman, with brown curly hair that went down to her shoulders. When she sat down she whispered something in Faeris’ ear, but the Captain couldn’t hear what was said. Faeris nodded and the next teacher stood.
Jacqueline was from Port Rasmú. She was tall and slender woman with long blonde hair and green eyes. She, like Alkine, didn’t say much but watched the Captain with a studious eye. The Captain smiled back at her.
The next teacher stood slowly, and with a great deal of effort. The last female teacher who sat at his right helped him stand. The Captain guessed she was Mearto. The teacher introduced himself as Wysen. He was an older man, with scraggly grey hair that flowed from his head to his beard like a tangled ball of white thread.
The last teacher stood, introduced herself as Mearto, and sat back down. She wore a brown robe over a plain green dress. Her braided red hair flowed down to the small of her back. Daius looked at her, shrugged, and then stood.
“On behalf of this school, and the teachers that are present, I wanted to personally thank you for the sacrifice you gave of sending your best student into uncertain danger. Jaiken has informed us that you have a report on his encounter, and with humility, we ask that you would give it.” When Daius finished speaking, he gestured to the Captain and the Captain stood.
“Kosai is stable for now. It will take an extreme amount of time for him to recover from his wounds. His back has been broken and there is severe muscle damage to his left arm from a lindworm bite. It may take up to two years before he has fully recovered, if it is the will of the Faye, he might be able to keep his arm. His encounter with the hooded figure was… odd,” the Captain said. He relayed to them Kosai’s story in every detail he could remember. He also mentioned that the Dark One carried a vile filled with a black substance. When he finished speaking, he sat down and Mearto stood.
“I believe one thing that still baffles all of us is how the Dark One seems to have gained the ability to be both a specter and material being. Captain, concerning the black vial that was in the Dark One’s hand, did Kosai relate to you anything about it?” Mearto sat down when she finished speaking and the Captain stood.
“There was a stream of purple lightening from the black vial when one of his strikes connected with the figure.”
“I would venture to argue that this vile has granted him a form of immortality,” Daius said as he stood up. “Captain, we must be honest with you. The Dark One has, in previous years, attacked nomadic tribes. These tribes would then blame Tessír and attack the caravans. Then, according to our resources, the Dark One disappeared for a time. Kosai survived the attack, but I believe it was by luck. Seer, I believe you have something to add on that effect.” He gestured towards the Seer with an open hand. After the Seer stood with some effort, Daius and the Captain sat.
“Kosai is the one I Saw who would defeat the Dark One. The Captain has agreed to lend him to us. Simple axe and sword cannot kill the Dark One, nor can rock or arrow. He acts like an apparition, yet he has not died. If he is going to attack again, and he will, Kosai must be prepared to use the skills that we teach and we must begin teaching him as soon as possible.” The Seer sat down. Mearto stood next.
“And who exactly is going to teach him? He has not shown promise; else we would have taken him. The Awakening could very easily kill him too if he is over eager and we would be without one of the more talented guardsman.” She stayed standing and gestured to the Seer for him to speak.
“That is why you will teach him,” the Seer said calmly. Mearto flushed in frustration and sat down hurriedly. “You are the only other to survive a forced Awakening and you know firsthand what to expect.” The Seer turned to the Captain. “The Awakening is a necessary process for each student to go through here. For those who are naturally attuned to the Faye, it is quick and pa
inless, but it is very dangerous for those who are not. Rest assured, I saw Kosai kill the Dark One, so he will survive.”
“Captain, I thank you for giving us Kosai,” Daius said. “I ask that he report to us when he has healed and no sooner.” The Captain nodded and looked down at the table. “With that, this meeting is adjourned. I would ask all of you to be on guard and be watchful. The Dark One may strike at any time.” The teachers stood and began to walk away from the table.
“Excuse me,” the Seer said. “I would think it to be a great disservice if we were to leave without telling the Captain the history of the Dark One and why we need his student.”
“You didn’t tell him?” Daius asked.
“I mentioned that it would be brought up in this meeting,” the Seer said, wiping sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his robe. The Head Teacher shook his head.
“Captain, why then did you agree to it?” the Head Teacher asked.
“If what the Seer saw is true,” the Captain said, “and I am under the assumption that it is, than I have nothing to fear. His absence will be a hindrance to the Barracks, but I want to know exactly what Kosai will be getting himself into and why the Dark One is such a threat to you,” the Captain said. The Head Teacher looked at the Seer, shook his head and sighed.
“Murder is the only offense that we hold against the Dark One,” Daius said. “I must clarify however that it is not just the offense, but the events surrounding it that worry us. When our school was young, our second Head Teacher who was named Zenith decided to trek out into the desert to meditate and cleanse his mind. He returned with a mass of knowledge which greatly advanced our understanding of the world and its energies.
“The grandeur of his return was cut short when he came to our school with his son, intending to burn him on an altar. He even convinced a few of the teachers and students to help him. When the rest of the Teachers caught word of what was happening, they ran to the child’s aid. The child had already been placed on the altar and fire set upon him, but somehow, only his clothes and hair had been burned. The child remained unharmed. Somehow he had managed to kill Zenith and a few of his cohorts. Those of us who weren’t in league with Zenith took the boy as our own and cursed those who had conspired to kill the child as Nameless.
“He grew through the ranks and became an assistant to the Head Teacher, and then betrayed us. One by one, he secretly killed many of our Teachers. By some strange method, he managed to drain the bodies of their blood. When he was discovered as the murderer, the head teacher, as well as those who were still alive, attempted to curse him as Nameless and then kill him. They failed. The Dark One, as they named him at that time, was impervious to their attacks and did not fight back. He left on his own accord.
“We don’t know how your son is going to defeat the Dark One, we just know that he will.”
“I can see now why the Seer was reluctant to tell me about the Dark One,” the Captain said, glaring at the Seer.
“Captain, we are asking much from your student,” the Seer said. “If there was another way, I would have it. Kosai is our only hope against the Dark One. I ask again, will you lend him to us?”
The Captain nodded.
“Then this meeting is adjourned,” Daius said. “Thank you Captain for your attendance,” The Teachers and Jaiken left the table and exited the room. The Seer and the Captain remained seated.
“Captain,” the Seer started, “I cannot thank you enough for allowing your son to come study with us. I also hope that his reputation will precede him and he will make quick work of this investigation.”
“There is a reason he is called the wolf of the Capital Barracks,” the Captain said with a grin.
“Thank you Captain. I will send Kosai’s uniform sometime this evening. I am looking forward to his arrival. You will also be receiving a Council summons letter to request of a warrant for the Three Brothers.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Enter,” the Seer said. Jaiken walked in. “Oh, Jaiken, good to see you again. What were your thoughts on the meeting?”
“I think that it’s good for everyone to be on the same page. There is an anxious feeling among the Teachers. It is bothersome that we don’t know what the Dark One is up to. Should I escort the Captain out?” Jaiken asked.
“No, no, I will do that,” he said as he turned to the Captain. “You and your guards are making quite the sacrifice for us.” There was soft, determined look in the Seers eyes. His brow was slightly bent and his hands were still.
“You’re welcome,” the Captain said softly.
“Jaiken, if you would please, go to the Head Teacher and see if there are any errands that he needs done with the Council. I have nothing else for you today.”Jaiken bowed softly and left. The Seer watched the door long after it closed and held up a finger to his mouth, gesturing to the Captain to be silent.
“He makes me nervous,” the Seer whispered. “Come, I will show you the way out.” The pair walked in silence out of the school and into the pavilion. The two guards continued to chant softly with their metal pans in front of them and their arms outstretched.
People walked down the dusty roads, the sounds of trading and bartering from the market washing over the pavilion like a soft breeze. A seemingly never ending crowd of commoners filled the street. The breeze carried smells of fruit, harsh spices, salt, meat, sweat and excrement, creating a lingering aroma similar to a damp, moldy rag. The water from the fountain gurgled and splashed like an unending fit of violent hiccups.
“You are concerned that Jaiken may have heard too much,” the Captain said. The Seer nodded.
“It is as I said before. The trust in our school seems to be as thin as parchment. I fear that my words may have placed you and your student in more danger than was already present. Forgive me.” The Captain furrowed his brow and looked down at Seer.
“He will suit you well. If he can survive the desert, my training, and being mauled by desert lizards, then I think he will be able to survive whatever danger your school may put him in.”
The Seer nodded again.
“Thank you again Captain.” The Captain nodded to the Seer, said goodbye and turned out into the city, heading back to the Barracks.
The populace moved out of his way as he walked down the center of the streets. He kept his stern, stoic look as he walked, but his thoughts were turned to more sensitive subjects.
When he reached the Barracks, he went straight into his office and sat in his high backed chair behind his desk. The chair was similar to the style that the council had, though not as tall. The desk was made from a heavy, deep red wood. Carved roses and lily flowers decorated the trimmings of the desk. A white and red floor rug with the emblem of Tessír in black was laid in front of the desk, extending to the doorway. Bookshelves filled with books and trophies lined the left wall. Some of the trophies were from the combat competitions of his youth. Others were the fangs from lindworms that he killed. A steel coat rack was to the right of the door. It was as tall as the door and at the top, sprouted into four different hooks.
“All paid with blood,” the Captain said. The Captain ran his hand along the desk, feeling the smooth resin polish.
Some years ago, he took a small band of guard and tracked down a group of nomads that captured a carpenter’s family. He and his guard rescued the family and killed a few of the nomads, though it was not without a loss. He and a few of his students were put out of commission for a couple months. During the recovery, one of his students passed away from infection.
The desk was given to him as an anonymous gift, though he knew exactly where it came from. When he confronted the carpenter, the carptenter quickly changed the subject. When pressed, the carpenter denied knowing anything about the matter.
The rug was given after the Captain and a few newer guards who were on patrol stopped a band of thieves from stealing bolts of cloth from a textile and fashion school. The thieve
s carried short knives. They stabbed and slashed at the Captain, drawing blood on his arms and chest. The Captain did not want to kill the thieves, so he did not draw his sword. He ordered his patrol to incapacitate the thieves, but not to cut them.
After the thieves were beaten and rendered unconscious, they were taken to the gate keeper and sentenced six months of gate duty. When the owner of the school caught word of the deed, he and his students conducted a ceremony to openly thank the Captain with the floor rug.
The coat hanger was given as a gift from Ellene, his sister, when Kosai was delivered to the Barracks as an infant. Raising him was filled with blood and injury. A knock at his door roused the Captain out of his reminiscing.
“Come in,” the Captain said. One of the guards entered carrying a wooden box.
“Sir, these just came in for you, two letters and a package.”
“Yes, bring me the letters and set the crate next to the coat rack. You’re dismissed.” The guard set the box down next to the coat rack, handed the two letters to the Captain, saluted, and showed himself out the door. The first letter was folded in fourths while the other was folded in thirds and sealed with a wax impression of Tessír’s mark. The Captain unfolded the first letter.
“Captain: here is Kosai’s uniform as well as the summons for the warrant. I thank you again for meeting with me and the teachers of our school. Give Kosai my best and I wish him a quick and full recovery.
The Seer”
Satisfied with the Seer’s prompt efforts, the Captain went to check on Kosai’s recovery.
CHAPTER 3
Kosai groaned as his arm and chest shook and shivered. Cold, damp sweat blanketed his body. He groaned load as the pain intensified and grew to a crescendo.
“The pain is good for you, it will make you stronger,” a voice said from the corner of the room. The deep tones, though harsh in nature, brought to comfort to his wounds.
Emblems of Power Page 6
