Father is alive!
The same thought ran through SoYa’s mind over and over again. His heart pounded with bounding exhilaration as he rounded the corner of the Apprentice’s quarters. Green eyes flickering with excitement, he lifted his fist and pounded on his brother’s door.
Just wait until TsuYa hears!
The Apprentice began to rock back and forth in front of the door, impatiently waiting for an answer. Then, in a flurry of eagerness, he banged on it again. “Tsu! Tsu, open up! I’m back! I’ve got a lot of crazy stuff to tell you!”
Once he filled TsuYa in on everything, SoYa planned to ask his brother to join him to find their father. The sparrow at the Host Gate said that Aunt SaRa would be able to help them.
It’ll be just like old times, when we used to journey to Arddun and back for Market Day.
A soft grin crossed SoYa’s face.
Tsu used to love sleeping under the stars and sitting around the fire for hours.
The Apprentice leaned his shoulder against the wall, craning his head back in thought.
It will be good to spend some time with him, and to see Father again. Surely, everything will be just like it used to be.
A slow scowl was working over SoYa’s face. TsuYa had still not answered his door.
I guess Tsu’s not home after all. I wonder if they’ve called a meeting. I’ve probably missed so many classes and meetings because of everything that’s happened… I really should be there.
With a slight bound to his step, SoYa made his way through the hall, down the stairs and outside into the warmth of the afternoon sun. As his green eyes squinted against the light, the small man extended his thoughts to seeking.
SoYa had discovered at an early age that he was an Athrylith. A mind mage. Manipulating thoughts and mind patterns was a rare ability to have, but it came so easily to him.
The unwieldy powers of the Athrylith were the most feared of all the magic spheres. Because so little was really known about mind powers, those who had such abilities were often unjustly scorned. It was an honest fear, though, since such power could be easily abused. The Council had chosen to shun the teaching of mind magics and to restrain anyone who could use them.
That was why SoYa had told no one that he was Athrylith. Not even his brother knew.
That was how Father wanted it. He said to me — “Promise me that you will keep it under your hat, just for now, SoYa. One day they will understand you better.”
SoYa had promised, and kept the promise at a high cost. He had endured many years of baleful stares by those who looked upon him in disappointment. After all, as the eldest son of the great ZenToYa, there were high expectations to meet. Though SoYa was best known for mediocre healing abilities, even those were very pale next to what some of the mid-ranking Apprentices could easily work. Only he knew that his healing was just a second-rate ability compared to his true talent.
For years he faced the disillusioned frowns of those around him. Even TsuYa had that light of pity in his eyes every now and then. It hurt most when it was coming from his brother. That was the time he wanted to speak out. After all, TsuYa was his most trusted companion, next to AsaHi.
AsaHi was the only one that never looked down on him. Maybe that was what drew him to her when they were younger. Over time, her companionship turned from trusted friend to his Promised. AsaHi’s own lack of magic often earned her similar treatment, since her brothers and sisters were attending the School and she was not.
AsaHi… I hope above hope that you are safe.
The passing thought rippled through SoYa’s mind as he located his brother’s consciousness in the distance. A flickering image pulsed in his mind’s eye. With a subtle nod, SoYa turned on his heel and made his way towards the Meeting Hall.
So the Council IS calling a meeting.
As he strode down the long corridor, he could see that the large double doors at the end of the hall were shut. This wasn’t unusual, given the activities of the Council lately. But in the days of his father, the doors to the Meeting Hall were always open and welcoming.
SoYa pressed one hand against the cold wood, hearing nothing but a stern silence from the other side. But he could feel them. And TsuYa was among them.
Fumbling under his robes, he drew out the small flat key that he always kept in his pocket. As quietly as he could, SoYa pressed the key into the lock and turned it. A quick door open, a side-step, a door shut. He was inside with none the wiser.
The members of the Council were standing in a semi-circle around the dais at the far end of the room, their eyes fixed on a central point. No one seemed to notice as SoYa shouldered his way forward, standing on his tip-toes to see over the shoulders of those who blocked his view.
Finally, with a quiet frown, he turned and whispered to the nearest Council member, “Hey, what’s going on?”
Just then, SoYa realized his mistake. The man that stood next to him was none other than KoGuRai himself.
It seemed like it was the hardest thing in the world for KoGuRai to pull his gaze away from the dais. When the man recognized him, he frowned deeply, “SoYa. Is that you?”
“It’s me,” he replied, not quite certain if he should even continue the conversation.
“Where have you been?” it was almost an accusatory tone.
“I was out on an errand,” SoYa answered lightly. “What’s going on here?”
KoGuRai pursed his lips.
“What’s wrong?” a sinking feeling began to churn inside of SoYa’s stomach.
“You’re too late,” the other man narrowed his eyes shrewdly.
“Too late? What do you mean?”
KoGuRai’s tone was low, “Did anyone see you come in?”
“No. I’ve only talked to you,” SoYa replied.
“Come with me,” was the curt command. Without stopping to look if SoYa was following, KoGuRai turned and made his way towards the balcony stairs.
That’s just like him. Always throwing orders around.
SoYa blew one stray curl out of his eyes and followed silently. They made their way up the single flight of wooden stairs, finally inching out into one of the balconies that overlooked the procession below. He was more than a little nervous to find himself alone, in a possibly precarious position with his greatest rival in the Council at his side.
But for once, KoGuRai’s attention was not fixed on him. Instead, the man pointed below.
The white robes dotted the Meeting Hall like quilt pattern, all facing inwards. In the center was something that SoYa did not recognize. It looked like a perfectly round pool, though rather than being filled with water, it was overflowing with white-hot pulsing energy. Even more unusual, it hovered a foot above the dais.
A low hiss escaped SoYa’s lips, “What is that thing?”
“I don’t know, but it creeps me out,” KoGuRai muttered. And when something could creep KoGuRai out, it had to be serious. “I only came because I was told it was mandatory.”
SoYa choked, “Who called this meeting?”
KoGuRai scowled as his hand rose to indicate the group of men standing on the upraised platform, next to the eerie white pool. SoYa followed the line of sight down, squinting.
“What?” SoYa’s teeth ground together as he stared.
A group of high-ranking Council members gathered on the dais, wearing their official scarves and sashes. But what caught his eye was the midnight-blue robes worn by the man in the center, standing with his back to the meeting.
“Those robes!” he heard himself exclaim.
They were Father’s! That is the robe of the High Guide of Nefol!
“Shouldn’t those belong to you, SoYa?” KoGuRai asked quietly.
“I… well…” he blinked, admitting, “Technically, yes, they belong to me.”
“Then why is TsuYa wearing them?”
