Or was it?
The Archamethyst had said he could eat at the table in the apartment. Maybe it worked the same as the apprentices dining hall.
Only there wasn’t a menu laid out.
Well I was able to order items not on the menu plenty of times in the hall.
“Fried eggs, toast, and coffee.”
A plate and mug appeared, along with cutlery.
Note to self: ask Richard how this works.
Ren made a point of eating with his back to the window. The light shining in warmed him, and soon the chill in the air was gone. The way they’d managed to adapt to the change of temperatures without the use of technology was impressive. Obviously magic permeated every part of the island, but the natural heating and cooling was accomplished through mathematically sound engineering principles. The mathematicians back home would be eager to study it. He leaned back in his chair, finished with breakfast, and allowed his food to digest.
Ren? Richard transmitted.
Yes?
Are you free to meet with me?
Of course, Ren transmitted.
Where? Ren transmitted after he realized the Archamethyst wasn’t going to be forthcoming.
I’m in my office.
On my way, Ren transmitted.
Why was he so distracted? Ren thought to himself. Normally he speaks his mind, to the point of oversharing in many cases.
Those thoughts stuck with Ren as he left his apartment and climbed the stairs to Richard’s office. The floor above Ren was home to the council’s chambers, and large steel doors made him uncomfortable as he climbed passed. Almost as if they were watching him.
But that’s absurd, Ren told himself. Doors can’t watch people, all the same the back of his neck tingled as he climbed to the next floor. It was laid out in much the same way as Ren’s with the Archamethyst’s apartment on one half of the floor and what Ren assumed was another apartment across the hall.
On the next floor Ren knocked on the now familiar office door.
Come in, Richard transmitted.
The Archamethyst was seated behind his desk with piles of papers overflowing around him. A tiny patch of desk was cleared, just large enough to house a single document, a pen, and a mug of coffee?
“Morning, Ren.”
“Morning.”
“Please sit,” Richard didn’t look up from the document he was reading. “I’m quite literally buried under paperwork this morning. Damn council can’t make up their minds, and here I am left to clean up after them. Someone has to be responsible enough to ensure the governance of this island continues. But enough about my morning woes. . .”
“Well. . . you asked to see me?”
“Ah, yes,” Richard filed the document away and looked up to Ren while grabbing the next page in the stack. “It’s of the utmost importance that you learn to voidwalk as soon as possible.”
“Why?”
“What?” Richard asked looking up from the document he’d been reading as he filed it away.
“Why is it so important for me to learn voidwalking?”
Richard stared at him for a moment before he said, “So you don’t have to climb stairs of course.”
The Archamethyst laughed at his own joke, but Ren had the distinct impression he was being lied to. True, it would be convenient for Ren to learn to voidwalk and thus not climb stairs. But Richard had said it was of the “utmost importance,” and that didn’t make sense for avoiding stairs.
No.
The Archamethyst was hiding something from Ren.
But what?
“Sir?”
“Yes?” Richard said.
Ren knew something was off. How many times had Richard insisted on Ren not using formalities?
“Should I go back to my apartment while you work?”
Richard filed another paper and looked up to Ren. “That’s up to you. I have a chess board somewhere in here if you’d like to practice. It’s enchanted to offer the right level of competition based on how you play. Great way to keep your mind sharp.”
“No thank you.”
“I understand. Chess isn’t for everyone. Plenty of other games. Are you a cards man?”
“I think so . . .”
Ren would never forget the hand he lost in the Sapphire Nation’s thieves’ market—he’d won more than he could earn in a year back home during that game. There was no denying he had talent. The question of if he was cheated out of his money plagued him every time the memory came up.
“There’s a nightly card game on the 20th floor,” Richard said. “It’s where many sorcerers choose to unwind. Typically, a pupil wouldn’t be allowed to visit the floor alone, but as you’re my pupil I think an exception can be made. You must grow comfortable to life in the tower. It’ll be your home for many years.”
Why does that sound like a threat?
“Okay. I’ll go back to my room then and you’ll call me when your done with your paperwork?”
“Excellent plan,” Richard filed away another document.
What a waste of time, Ren thought as he climbed his way down to his apartment.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“NO. NOT LIKE THAT.”
Ren was laid out, face down in the grass, feet away from the red circle. The source-light hung low on the horizon—night would be upon them in less than an hour. He’d already wasted an hour trying to voidwalk the twenty feet between him and the circle. The red rope taunted him as he picked himself up from the grass—the tingle in his arms and legs reduced to a bearable level. Richard had been right about growing accustomed to the pain.
“You must fold the distance between where you stand, and where you wish to go,” Richard explained for what felt like the hundredth time to Ren.
Ren brushed off the last bits of grass from his robes. Thankfully they were black—else the green stains would show—only a wet spot was left to remind him of the fall. That, and his bruised ego.
How does he expect me to pull this off? Ren thought, and not for the first time.
He couldn’t figure out why Richard had such high expectations of him. After all, he was no better than Shaya and the others, maybe a little less impressive if he was being honest with himself. Thoughts of Shaya made him feel uncomfortable so he pushed them down into the depths of his stomach before returning his attention to Richard.
“Envision the void,” Richard’s voice was as tranquil as a lake on a calm day. “Ren, focus.”
“Okay.”
Ren had indeed not been focused on the task at hand, instead thinking again of Shaya and the others.
“. . . the void . . .”
Ren’s mind was already there, he felt the nothingness of the void. After spending what felt like an eternity searching for Shaya in the void, there was no way he’d forget that feeling any time soon. Allowing his eyes to slowly close of their own accord, he found himself emerged in the blackness of the void.
Excellent, Richard transmitted, now follow my voice. You’re approaching the precipice of the rift. Now fold the space between you and the rope.
Ren felt Richard’s mind fade into the nothingness around him. He was both on the grass and in the void. The distance between himself and the red circle was only a perception in his mind. There was no field between him and the rope. Only the void.
“Fuck!” Ren screamed out as he held to his knee.
Another failure, and this time to drive home the point, his knee had managed to find the one rock in the sea of grass. Sharp pains burrowed into the depths of his knee. It felt as if he’d never walk again.
Richard laid his hand upon Ren’s knee, and instantly the pain began to dissipate. A couple breaths later and it was a minor dull ache.
“How does that feel?” Richard asked.
“Much better. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me,” Richard said. “I should have caught you. I really thought you had it that time.”
“I did too,” Ren said as he accepted a hand up from Ric
hard. “Try again?”
“No,” Richard said. “Not today. You should rest. You might not feel it, but every time you try to voidwalk and fail it takes a significant portion of your stamina. Tonight, you’ll sleep like a rock.”
Richard chuckled at his own joke, and Ren joined in for once. The laughter helped distract from the pain, and for a brief moment it wasn’t there at all. Practicing back to back, increased his resilience. Listening to Richard’s advice was proving beneficial to Ren.
CHAPTER NINE
“WHERE ARE WE HEADED?” REN ASKED.
After another morning of unsuccessful attempts to voidwalk the Archamethyst had agreed to let Ren shadow him for the day. If it went well, he’d be allowed to shadow him on a permanent basis, same as any other pupil. True, Ren and Richard’s relationship was slightly different than the others, but Ren was still a pupil and Richard chose to be a mentor. It’s only right he offered the same benefits to Ren as any other mentor would.
“You’ll see,” Richard said as they climbed the stairs.
Rather, Ren climbed, Richard hovered inches above the stairs as they ascended the staircase.
“How are you able to do that?” Ren asked in awe of Richard’s talent.
“Focus,” Richard said in a curt tone.
Ren was convinced the Archamethyst was disappointed in him again. In their lesson this morning, he’d been so close to voidwalking, but came up short. At least this time his knee wasn’t hurting. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to climb the stairs otherwise.
They passed the dining hall on the 23rd floor.
So much for lunch, Ren thought to himself as his stomach offered a low growl in protest. That settles it, he’s punishing me.
By time they reached the 40th floor Ren’s legs burned and sweat dripped into his eyes, he was forced to wipe it away between steps. Exhausted, he hoped they were headed to his room so he could take a nap, but he watched as his room pass by as the Archamethyst continued to ascend to the council’s chambers.
The solid steel doors opened outward toward them as the Archamethyst approached, and for the slightest moment, Ren thought he heard music. Were the doors announcing the arrival of the Archamethyst? Was it possible to enchant a door to play music?
Ren loved magic, but every day he was left with more questions than answers. It was enough to drive anyone mad. He felt like he would never get closer to knowing enough.
The chambers were vacant. Rows of tables stretched from end to end aside from a gap in the middle, which created a walkway from the doors to a larger table at the farthest end of the room. Four sorcerers sat waiting. Ren quickly deduced these were the Archamethyst’s advisors—they didn’t greet him in the obnoxious manner that Ren was becoming accustomed to from passing sorcerers.
“You’re late,” an older man said, his back turned to them as he had his chair facing the wrong way.
“My pupil and I were busy with lessons,” Richard said.
The man turned and Ren recognized him instantly as Marcel. The same sorcerer who’d seen to it that the Belfry’s sign a contract with him.
“Ah, Ren,” Marcel said. “I’ve heard great things about you. We’ll have to catch up some time. I’d love to hear about your adventures in the Sapphire Nation─”
“However,” Emil interrupted, “you’ll have to excuse us now. There’s council business to discuss.”
Ren looked to Richard. Was he being dismissed? The Archamethyst looked to Ren and back to the council.
“Don’t fret. It’s just a boring meeting you’ll be glad to miss. You can wait in your rooms,” Marcel said. “We’ll let you know when the meeting is finished.”
“I’m shadowing the Archamethyst,” Ren said. “He’s my mentor, and as his pupil it’s only right that I learn from him by observing him in his daily duties.”
The council room fell silent. Emil’s face betrayed none of his thoughts.
“Looks like the boy isn’t going anywhere,” Richard said. “How about we begin. The sooner this is over, the sooner we can get back to our training.”
“Very well,” Emil agreed.
“Grab a chair at one of the tables,” Richard made his way behind the elongated table, and took his seat in the center of the four sorcerers.
Ren found a chair and took a seat. As he looked up at them it felt weird to not be behind Richard. But as they spoke, he decided this way was better. He could see the other sorcerer’s faces, and hear their conversation.
Not that Ren found their discussion interesting.
In fact, Ren quickly lost focus as they began to discuss trade disputes between the Sapphire and Emerald Nations. As far as Ren was concerned, trade was unimportant and would work itself out. He didn’t understand why a council of sorcerer’s would occupy their time by acting as arbitrators.
“The Onyx Nation has been preparing for—”
“Not in front of the boy,” Emil’s voice caught Ren’s attention.
“At some point we are going to have to come to terms with the boy being Richards pupil,” Marcel said.
He looked up to find the five sorcerers looking down upon him.
“I agree,” Mao said. “We can’t keep stopping the meetings to discuss this issue.”
“I must insist the boy leave,” Emil continued. “He can’t be allowed to overhear these affairs, even if he is your pupil.”
“Very well,” Richard said. “Ren, please return to your apartment. I’ll find you thereafter.”
Ren wanted to protest out of principle, but decided against it. It wasn’t as if he wanted to hear more about trade issues.
“As I was saying…” Treasa started in a hushed tone.
As Ren reached the end of the room two phrases stood out from the murmuring behind him, “Impending war...” and “Rift opening...” Ren didn’t flinch—not wanting to give away the fact he’d overheard. The steel doors opened into the hall before he could touch them. The moment he cleared their swing radius, the doors closed behind him.
What war? Ren thought. Which rift?
CHAPTER TEN
THE ARCHAMETHYST NEVER ARRIVED AT REN’S APARTMENTS. By time the source-light began to set, Ren was exhausted from spending the afternoon fretting over what he’d heard. Ren watched the last rays of light fade beyond the horizon as the complete darkness of night overtook the sky. With one final stretch he left the embers of the fireplace to burn out and headed to bed.
The mattress was warm and inviting as he crawled under the blankets. This high up, the nights would reach well below freezing. The fireplace in his bedroom was already lit with a small fire that would last the night. The magical enchantment, like the dining table, would never cease to amaze him—an obvious sign he grew up in the Pearl Nation, where magic wasn’t fused into daily life. But he didn’t care, the wonder kept his mind busy.
Ren was mid thought about why the Archamethyst hadn’t called upon him, like he promised, when sleep overtook him. The sigils on the bed frame worked as designed.
A set of lanterns hung from a long chain—Ren was in a cave, but not just any cave. No, this was the same cave he’d dreamt of before leaving the Pearl Nation. Cautiously, he approached the lanterns, and as he did the throne beneath them came into focus. A figure cloaked in black sat upon the throne, but the sheer size of it made them appear child-like. It was only an optical illusion, Ren knew this. Unlike last time, there was no one else in the cave.
“Hello Ren,” the figures voice was deep and thunderous.
Ren could feel the voice inside his bones. It was as if by speaking his name, he gained some power over him.
“I’ve been waiting for your return,” the man continued. “Come closer so I may see you.”
Ren tried to fight the command, but his body lurched forward against his will.
“Ah, yes.”
Ren crossed into the circle of light created from the lanterns. The throne sat elevated upon three stairs, and he was forced to look nearly straight up to see the man cloaked in
black. A chill ran through his body as every one of his nerves screamed out for him to run, but he was frozen at the bottom stair.
“You look just like your mother you know.”
Ren tried to ask how the man knew this, but found he couldn’t speak.
“I knew your mother.”
Can he?
“Yes, I hear your thoughts. It was foolish of you to return.”
This is only a dream.
“No. This is real, and you’re here with my empire. Though you’ll know it as the Onyx Nation. The real question is how?”
The man waved his hand and Ren was struck with a burning pain in his gut, but he was unable to fall to the ground, the enchantment kept him still as a statue.
Richard! Ren transmitted, hoping his desperation would carry the message through.
“Why have you come?”
Richard!
“Perhaps this will help.” With a wave of his hand a cut sliced across Ren’s chest and dark blood ran freely, creating a small puddle at his feet.
Richard!
CHAPTER ELEVEN
WHAT’S SO IMPORTANT? RICHARD TRANSMITTED.
Where moments before Ren’s shirt had been stained with blood, now it was drenched in sweat despite the icy chill of his room. His blanket had been thrown aside during his sleep.
Sorry, Ren transmitted, I’ve fixed the issue.
I see, Richard transmitted, well as we’re both awake meet me in my office.
Right away.
Ren looked out the window and realized it was still in the dead of night. It was hard to think clearly over the sound of his heart racing. Had it only been a dream? If it were just a dream, it left him with a feeling unlike any dream he’d ever had before. The memory felt real. Not slippery and lacking in fine details the way he always recalled dreams.
As he headed to the bathroom for a quick shower, he peeled off his wet clothes: a drenched sleeping tunic, and a pair of oversized thin cotton shorts—he hoped were wet from sweat and no other bodily fluids. The memory of Mr. Griffin beating him for wetting the bed as a young child came rushing back as he allowed the scalding hot water to wash away the salt crystals built up from sweat.
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