CHAPTER 28
Falcon, Aya, and Faith walked down the busy city streets. The usual loud banter of vendors flowed through the air, and dozens of messenger boys scurried through the streets. It seemed to Falcon as though he couldn’t go a second without someone almost knocking him over.
“I’m so glad you decided to come with me to the library,” said Faith. “It’s so big in there and full of history.”
Falcon threw up a little inside. Books signified everything he despised about school. Was there anything more boring than a bunch of letters crumpled together into hundreds, sometimes thousands of pages? Why would anyone ever want to sit reading countless scribbles of ink when they could experience anything they wanted first hand in the field?
“You’ll get nowhere with this one,” said Aya. She had decided to accompany them as well, which in itself wasn’t surprising. Aya was one who enjoyed getting things done in a hands-on manner, but she could also get lost for hours within the pages of her books. “He doesn’t understand the pool of knowledge a book or scroll can provide. I don’t think he’s ever read a book in his life.”
“I have, too,” countered Falcon. “I tried reading that poison wielding book last year, remember?”
Aya looked at him with a sly smile. “That book was meant for children, Falcon. It had more pictures in it than a coloring scroll.”
“It didn’t have that many pictures,” lied Falcon.
“There it is,” said Faith, as they turned the corner and came face to face with the large building that was the library. It was surrounded by a black gate. Countless flowers ran alongside the outer walls of the library.
“I planted those yesterday,” said Faith proudly. “The Master Record Keeper of the library gave me his permission.” She opened the gate and ushered them in, leading them to a set of blue roses. “Aren’t they lovely?”
“Yes,” said Falcon, welcoming the change in subject.
The door to the library opened. A chubby man stood at the door. He looked as old as Zoen had been. But despite his age, he appeared alert. His wide eyes darted from wielder to wielder. “I thought that was you I heard out here, Faith.”
The holy wielder embraced the elder man. “Yes. I couldn’t stay away for too long.”
“I see that you brought more lovers of literature.”
Faith faced the man. “This is Linius. The Master Record Keeper of Missea.” She then motioned to her companions. “And my friends are Falcon Hyatt and Aya Nakatomi. They’re both Rohads from Ladria.”
Linius stroked his hairless chin. “Hmmmm… Indeed I’ve heard about you two from Zoen. In particular you, young Falcon.”
“Me?”
“Oh, yes. Zoen and I were good friends for many, many years. He was my predecessor.”
“Zoen was a Master Record Keeper?” asked Aya, clearly as surprised as Falcon.
“Yes. It was he who helped bring books and knowledge to the forefront of education in Missea. Before him it was mostly swords and wielding.”
Sounds like my type of place
, thought Falcon.
With his cane, Linius ushered them indoors. The inside smelled of old pages and fresh oil. There were high towers littered with books of different colors and sizes. Clear draperies covered the long windows. Every table was polished to perfection, without a single visible speck of dust.
“What a very nice library,” said Aya. “You’ve done a great job.”
Linius acknowledged the compliment with a nod of the head. “I have Empress Latiha to thank for this. She’s a lover of knowledge. It is through her that I’ve been able to keep the library in pristine condition, and it is through her funding that I’ve been able to gather many ancient texts.” Linius trudged behind a desk that rested at the center of the library and laced his fingers around a long scroll. It was ripped and crumpled in a few places. A faded blue outline ran along the outer edges. “Speaking of ancient scrolls, I managed to secure the parchment you’ve been seeking, Faith. The library at Belwebb had the last copy. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy getting them to let me borrow it.”
“Thank you so much,” said Faith. She gently took hold of the scroll.
“You still haven’t told me why you’re so interested in this scroll,” said Linius, still holding on to the parchment. “The power to have an emblem within you died alongside the Golden Wielder, and he himself didn’t even know exactly how it worked.”
Falcon recalled that Faith had expressed interest in Aadi’s ability to wield without a physical emblem back when they had met the Golden Wielder. Like Linius, Falcon found himself wondering why Faith was so intent on learning about this strange power.
The questioning glances did not go unnoticed by Faith.
“I’m simply curious,” she said, smiling warmly. Before anyone could say anything else, she took the scroll and sat alone at a far-off desk. She unrolled it and began to scan its contents.
Linius rubbed his generous-sized belly. “I have much work to do, but you two are welcome to look at any book in here.”
Aya left to find information on Scaiths, while Falcon went to the second floor in search of books that would shed more light on the warrior they could end up facing: Neikan Demons or Northern Barbarians.
Unfortunately, he had no luck finding anything on the Neikan Demons. It was almost as if they didn’t exist. He did, however, manage to locate a book on the Northern Barbarians. It proved of little use. It spoke of their homeland over the northern mountains. They were a rugged people who etched a living in the wild and often unpredictable frozen lands of Lasteria. Their main source of food was meat, meat, and then for good measure, more meat. Falcon thought that may be the reason they were all so large. They were obsessed with animal fur, almost to the point of worshiping it as a gift from the gods.
Besides the long passages on culture, Falcon didn’t learn anything useful for battle. Though the absurd idea of using fox pelts to bribe the barbarians to their side did cross his mind.
~~~
It was when Falcon closed the door to the inn that he heard Hiromy’s voice and his insides rejoiced.
Faith and Aya heard it too. Together, they dashed up the stairs and into the room. Sure enough, Hiromy was sitting up in her bed. Her face was a shade of mild green and yellow, and she appeared to be groggy. Her eyes flickered as she took in her surroundings.
Sheridan, who had not left her side for a minute, looked up excitedly. “She was mumbling for a while, and then she just got up!”
Faith rushed over to check on her while everyone stood back awaiting her verdict. After a few minutes, she looked up somberly, and Falcon knew the incoming news wouldn’t be good.
“We should step outside,” she said.
Hiromy grabbed Faith’s arm. “It’s all right. Whatever you have to say you can say in front of me. I know I’m damaged and will never be the same, but I’m not stupid.”
“I don’t think—” began Faith.
“Tell me, please,” begged Hiromy. “You are my friend. Don’t hide—” She stopped and clutched her head. “I can handle whatever you have to say.”
Falcon steeled himself as he toyed with his fingers. The scent of the dirty, muddy water in the vase only enhanced the sense of hopelessness that hung in the air.
Sheridan bit his nails, looking even more nervous than Hiromy.
“The poison is still spreading through your brain.” Faith’s tone was neutral, but Falcon could hear the sadness in her voice. “I can’t stop it. I’m so sorry.”
“How long?” asked Hiromy.
Faith took a deep breath. “You have a few days at most.”
Chapter 29
From what Falcon could see, Hiromy was taking the news better than anyone else. He wondered whether she truly understood was going on or not. There were times that she seemed like her old self. At other times, however, she would rant about the most trivial of things. Like the colors of the wall, the number of heartbeats in a minute, or the amount of time it would take to walk from one capital city to another.
Sheridan was trying to keep a brave face, but Falcon could see his facade crumbling with each passing day. The first after the news he seemed to be in denial. The second and third days he passed with Hiromy, tending to her every wish. At nights, Falcon would hear him deep breath into his pillow. Despite Falcon’s deepest urges to console him, he just couldn’t. There was nothing more to say or do.
Aya and Falcon spent their days busy in training. It was the only thing they could do to keep their mind off the fact that at any moment they were about to lose one of their own.
The late-night dinners with his brother were now nonexistent. Albert had been granted the position of Temporary Grand General of Missea, a position not held by anyone since the Golden Wielder. The entire army of Missea was now under his command, which meant that his brother spent his days supervising men, attending military meetings, and passing in and out of the palace.
Faith, on the other hand, would divide her time between the library and healing sessions with Hiromy. She couldn’t do anything to save her, but she was trying her absolute best to keep her alive as long as possible while she searched for some type of miracle. A miracle everyone knew wasn’t going to come.
The only good in an otherwise bleak time was that he not been subjected to those boring concentration sessions Faith was so fond of. That all changed the afternoon of the third day.
“We need to go over one more scene,” said Faith, as she came back from the library with a dozen scrolls under her arm, and Falcon was again forced to question what in Va’siel Faith was researching.
“Do we have to?” he said. He had just come back from a long training session. His legs ached, his head was pounding from within, and his entire body was begging for a long, warm shower. To top it all off, he was beyond hungry. Laars and Lenka had brought a few nuts and slices of dried salami, but that had barely been enough to sate his ravenous hunger.
“Yes,” she said, setting her scrolls down on her bed. “I have one more scene to show you.”
Falcon swallowed. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
He followed her to the outskirts of the city, beyond the golden walls and past the road. They found a large rock and settled themselves on top of it. There, under the orange-reddish glow of the setting suns, they held hands and closed their eyes.
Then he was falling down a dark pit. Black fog surrounded him, compressing into masses. It didn’t take long for the black mist to take the form of a home, surrounded by trees. The grass was covered in snow, though the severe storm from their first vision was absent. The weather was much cozier this time, perfect for a family outing.
He looked over at the cabin door, which had now flown open. A boy and a woman Falcon recognized as Volcseck and Lunet made their way out. The beautiful red-haired woman handed the young boy a mug of what appeared to be steaming warm milk.
Faith patted Falcon’s shoulder. “Do you remember that Lunet took Volcseck in and nursed him back to health?”
“Yes,” said Falcon. He indeed did recall the time when Demetrius had showed them a vision of his first meeting with Volcseck. Demetrius had wanted to turn Volcseck away, but Lunet, being the caring person that she was, invited Volcseck into their home and treated him like a son.
“Hurry up!” said Volcseck excitedly. He still looked a bit skinny, but the dark circles around his eyes had mostly disappeared. Falcon presumed this meant that he had been under Lunet’s care for some time now. “The market will close soon.”
“He looks much better,” said Falcon.
“Yes,” said Faith. “Now pay close attention, because what happens next will shape Volcseck’s life in ways I don’t think even he imagined.”
Falcon expected some grand revelation to happen. Perhaps a holy cleansing. But nothing quite that grandiose occurred. Instead they walked down the mountain deep in conversation. Quite some time later they arrived at a small village nestled around a body of water. It had no gates, so it was easy to see the few grass and mud huts that had been erected. Children played with rocks and sticks, chasing each other and pretending to be wielders. Two scraggly dogs followed them where they went, barking after them.
Before they even stepped foot in the village, Volcseck’s expression turned sour. “I’ll wait for you here,” he said, motioning at a dead tree stump.
“Nonsense,” said Lunet. “With Demetrius out hunting, I need a strong young man to help me carry the bags.”
“But I—”
“Besides, this will give you a chance to make some friends. Go play with the boys while I get the food.”
“If I can’t wait here, then I’d rather stay with you.” Volcseck’s voice was timid, and Falcon wondered what it was that had put him in such a state alertness.
Lunet studied him for a second. “Fine, then. But next time I expect you to play with the boys. I want you to make some friends. All those hours you spend alone in your room can’t be healthy.”
He nodded, though he did not seem the least enthusiastic about her proposal. They moved past the children and into the village, their footsteps smacking softly in the muddy ground.
“Why is he so scared?” asked Falcon.
“Watch,” was Faith’s only response.
Falcon noticed that Volcseck was doing a superb job of keeping out of sight. He kept close to Lunet with his head down. Whenever someone would walk past them, he would do something to cover his face. Sometimes he would scratch his cheek, rub his eyes, or run his hand through his hair.
“Good morning, Lunet,” said a woman with a mustache that could rival any man’s. She was covered in what appeared to be a potato sack, tied at the hip with a rope. Her arms and legs were the hairiest Falcon had ever seen. “Come for more cheese?”
Lunet nodded. “Yes, Mrs. Helfa. I was hoping to make some blue cheese broth for my two special men.”
Volcseck blushed.
“
Two
?” This was obviously news to Mrs. Helfa, for her lips twisted in confusion. “I was unaware that you and Demetrius had a son. Where have you been hiding him for all these years?”
Lunet giggled softly. “I haven’t been hiding him. He’s my adoptive boy.”
There was a low
oh
by Mrs. Helfa. Her eyes zeroed in on the small boy. “What’s your name?”
Volcseck hid behind the holy wielder.
“Go on, Volcseck,” urged Lunet. “Introduce yourself.”
“Volcseck!” Mrs. Helfa’s eyes grew wide. “Lunet, get away from that monster!”
“Monster?” Lunet seemed at a loss for words.
The few villagers nearby rallied behind Mrs. Helfa.
“Get back, creature!” cried a short man who held a knife in his hand. He had a bloody apron that identified him as the butcher.
Volcseck took a few steps back, gritting his teeth, and Falcon couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry for him. He, himself, had faced the prejudices of people back in Ladria, and it wasn’t something he wished on anyone else.
Lunet put herself between the villagers and the boy. “Step back, Mr. Loomis. You too, Mrs. Helfa. My little Volcseck is no monster.”
As if itching to prove her wrong, Volcseck’s skin turned deep brown with shades of black. Lunet gasped and her eyes widened, but a second later her features returned to normal.
“See?” said the butcher. “He is the son of the witch who lives on the mountain pass. The last time he was here he nearly killed my youngest one with his unholy power. He needs to die!”
The following events all happened in a matter of a few breaths. Mr. Loomis moved in with his long knife, determined to end the boy. In his rush, he tripped over his own legs and staggered to the ground. A low scream escaped his mouth, followed by a grunt. He turned around, revealing that the knife had dug into his ribs.
“Serves you right,” said Volcseck. “Now to finish you off.”
Lunet moved quickly. First she set her hand on Volcseck’s head. The boy’s normal features returned to him. Then, she turned her attention to Mr. Loomis. She pulled out the knife, which sent a wave of screams trough the scared villagers. Lunet then applied pressure to the wound. Her holy emblem glowed and a moment later the wound had closed.
The butcher’s breaths returned to normal.
“See?” said Mrs. Helfa, spitting at the ground beside Volcseck. “That boy brings with him nothing but misfortune.” The villagers nodded in obvious approval. “I think I speak for all of us when I say that you’re welcome here any time you want, Lunet. That creature of yours, however, isn’t.”
Lunet’s eyes flitted past the angry woman and to the people behind her. She looked sad but determined. “I’m sorry you all feel that way. If my boy is not welcome here, then neither am I.”
There were a few protests from some of the women, begging for Lunet to reconsider, but their words landed on deaf ears. She took Volcseck’s hand and led him out of the village and back into the mountain.
Night had enveloped the land when Volcseck dared to speak.
“Why did you protect me? I’m a monster, you saw it yourself.” Despite Volcseck’s tough exterior, Falcon noticed he was breaking down inside. He could see it in his shaky hands, the long breaths he took, and in his watery gaze. Obviously he had not expected anyone to stand by him after he’d revealed who he really was.
“You’re my boy now,” she said, holding him in a close hug. “And even if you weren’t, you have a special gift that should be shared with the world.”
Volcseck’s tears flowed freely as he returned the hug. He was sobbing into her dress, leaving deep wet marks on the cloth.
The scene dissipated, and Falcon found himself sitting atop the rock, staring at Faith.
“He found a mother that day,” she said. “The same way you found a father the night K’ran took you in.”
Falcon was at a loss. “What was the use of this? To show me that I’m destined to become a heartless criminal just like him?”
“No.” Faith met his gaze. “This is to show you that Volcseck isn’t as heartless as you may believe him to be. He was touched by the spirit of a holy wielder once.”
“Yes,” countered Falcon, feeling angry. Why was she defending the man who murdered both of their mothers? “A holy wielder that he killed, or did you already forget that?”
“He killed her physically, yes. I don’t think he killed the spirit she gave him, though.”
“Now I’m just lost. I don’t know what you expect me to do when I meet him. Holy wield him? We both know that I’m no good at that.”
“I don’t expect you to do anything. You will make your own choices, as you have always done. I do hope, however…” Her voice cracked. “That when you meet him, you remember that killing isn’t the only solution.”
Really? Does she know who she’s talking to?
“You may be able to forgive and see the good in everyone, but that’s not me. It’s my lifetime goal to make Volcseck pay for what he did. I’m not going to let anyone take that away from me.”
“Hyatt, Hemstath!” came the shout. It was Sheridan. He was running toward them waving his hands in the air.
Falcon readied himself. It seemed that every time Sheridan looked for him, it was to deliver bad news.
Sure enough, Sheridan did not break the norm. “The Suteckh are here!”