So passionate was the self-taught mages speech that it made Milian doubt his choice of the ambasiath path in the end. Milian Corvus did what he had never thought he would ever do: he dared to consider becoming a mage himself! But the fragile idea had been broken almost instantly: some thug, annoyed with the tardiness of the crowd, smacked Milian on the head as he was elbowing his way through. It hurt, both physically and emotionally, but it helped Milian sober up and get back to reality. He and Pai had things to do, they couldnt both have their heads in the clouds.
Thanks to Milian, they reached the inn just in time.
It got very quiet in the room when they closed the door behind them. Everyone dropped what they were doing, only Orion kept cleaning the sword Oasis had left him for safekeeping, but there was a silent question in his eyes as well.
Well, what did you learn? asked Juel.
He was looking at Pai as he said that because it was Pais mission. But Pai Prior was in no position to speak coherently, so Milian had to do the talking.
We talked with one of the magisters, he explained. He told us that the mages powerful enough to cast Transvolo are out of the city now, they may not return for months.
Pai was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, busy with following a pattern of dancing tigers on it with his eyes, his thoughts still somewhere far away. His voice sounded very far away too when he said, Thats enough time for me to learn Transvolo myself.
Nobody dared to laugh.
How much time do you need exactly? inquired Juel.
A month. Maybe two, mused Pai, his idle fingers brushing through the carpets fur.
Too long, the Faizul shook his head.
Orion gave Oasiss sword, now as shiny as a new mirror, a last look, sheathed it, and cleared his throat.
As far as I remember, he said in a matter-of-factly way, Sainar gave us no deadlines.
Yes! And Transvolo may prove useful! Bala joined him.
Agreed, nodded Lainuver. We could use some more time as well. While Pai is busy with Transvolo, we can learn a thing or two about the No Mans Land and its dangers. Id hate to go there unprepared, if you get what I mean.
We cant afford that, Juel stopped the arguments. We dont have enough money for rent and food
Someone knocked at the door. Hard. Probably with a boot.
And here goes the hero that will solve our rent money problem, guessed Orion. That said, he stood up and headed toward the door.
The late visitor turned out to be Oasis. The teams urban jungle specialist was tired, bruised, sweaty, and angry (for being left behind the door for too long) but glad at what he had found.
Hi, pal! Orion greeted him cheerfully. I've cleaned your sword. Take good care of it from now on.
Whos beaten you up? asked Jarmin, his eyes wide with worry.
Ah, that Oasis waved his hand and made a bored face. Local street urchins. A whole gaggle of them, strength in numbers and all Well, I think Ive taught them a lesson. Knocked down five of them; the rest ran away. Scum.
Another ambasiath elephant made a jingly run through a pottery store. Just great
I hope you havent killed anyone? frowned Juel.
Of course not. Oasis sprawled himself on the soft carpet, pure joy on his dirty face. To tell the truth, I almost grabbed my knife when they started throwing stones but I managed without it. Ah, its been years since Ive had a proper street fight. I used to be good even before my apprenticeship; now, its all childs play. Oasis rolled to the side, his face suddenly serious again. Almost forgot: I found us a cheap place to live. No carpets there but its still cosy.
Juel and Orion exchanged glances. Pai watched them both with burning hope in his eyes.
Fine, yielded the Faizul. Well stay here to learn about the No Mans Land and Transvolo.
Huzza! Orion winked at Pai, Do your thing, mage!
Chapter 5. Child of the night
Our food tastes like ashes to them, it allows them to survive but they can not thrive on it. Often, they hibernate for centuries to conserve energy but they can not remain in that state forever. Once in a while, they have to hunt. The only food that can satisfy the hunger of a child of the night is human flesh
Helga-Vlada and Sereg, Tome of Dark Creatures
The Order of Hot Obsidian is an elusive thing. You will never find it unless you know exactly what to look for. And even then, all you can see is just the tip of the iceberg.
There is a famous ambasiath, known to Omnisians as Hansai Donal, a rebel, a romantic, and a powerful speaker. There are his ten children and their apprentices. Twenty one members in total. There used to be twenty-two when Gerdon Lorian, Sainars step-brother, was alive, but that was a very long time ago
After having been scattered around Omnis for many years, the members of the Order had reunited again, ready to fulfil their oaths, but there was no unity among them. Instead of being a single ray of light meant to slash through the darkness, their moods were a swarm of wandering fireflies, harmless in their disconnection. Only Abadar and Orlaya remained unfased, the rest of Kangassks were full of doubts and worries rekindled by their fathers strange behaviour: after his latest speech, Sainar barely talked to anyone and averted his eyes often.
Had they known about the true purpose of their apprentices mission, it would have been the end of the Order, indeed. But they didnt know. Soothed by their ignorance and by the enchanting beauty of the diadem forest, Sainars eight younger children did worry about their boys, of course, but, most of all, they were glad to be together again.
***
Mornings were still chilly, the kind of mornings that only poets and artists might enjoy.
That morning, two people met at the Temple balcony to watch the dawn together: Eugenia and Lar, the youngest of Sainars children, if, of course, you dont count one Kuldaganian boy he had left and forgotten along with his mother
Eugenia was twenty-three, Lar was thirty-one. They had been best friends since they had first met, one bright, sunny summer, when Sainar took little Eugenia from her mother and brought the little girl here, to the Temple of Life. Magrove forest was golden with ripe fruit; when the fruit fell on the ground, they sometimes burst, scattering their sweet, ruby-red seeds around.
Sainar and Gerdon went inside the Temple to talk about some important matters in private and left three-year-old Eugenia all alone in the yard. The unfamiliar place scared her even more than the unfamiliar man the father Eugenia had never seen before he had appeared out of nowhere and taken her away from her home. No surprise that the little girl started to cry. But she stopped the very moment she heard Lars kind, lively, and very concerned voice say, Hi! Im your brother! Did someone hurt you? Just tell me and Ill beat him up!
Lar was eleven Oh how long ago that day seemed now!
Good morning sis! Lar smiled at her, spreading his arms for a hug.
Morning, answered Eugenia, embracing her brother.
Why are you up so early today?
I wanted to speak with a trader from Firaska, to learn something about our boys.
Any luck? Lar looked her in the eyes. I just know it: youve learned something interesting! Your eyes are shining.
They must be having a problem with getting a Transvolo or maybe theres some other reason why theyve decided to stay there for a while said Eugenia.
Lar noticed that his sister was shivering, so he held her closer to himself and threw his cloak over her shoulders.
Youre so caring, Eugenia smiled, just like I remember you.
I know, grinned Lar proudly, Im a good big brother. So, how are the boys?
Like elephants in a pottery store! Eugenia laughed.
Oh well! Lar raised his brows in a silent exclamation. Father must have foreseen what a TEAM of ten ambasiaths could do. Even though it has been over twenty years already since his last visit, the people of my city still remember him and his epic misadventures.
Brother and sister laughed together, just as carelessly and wholeheartedly as they did when they were children But, suddenly, Eugenia fell silent.
Father Hes a good man, she said, looking her brother in the eyes. Why does he need that war? Whys he doing all that to us and the boys?
I dont know Lars face turned grim as well. I hope that he truly wants a better future for the whole Omnis and isnt just mad with the thoughts about revenge.
Revenge for Erhaben! said Eugenia bitterly. Its been poisoning countless lives all those centuries Why keep the hate alive?
They were silent for a long time watching the world turn dawn-red and golden like a fallen diadem fruit.
Ill tell you one thing, sis, Lar finally broke the silence. I taught my Orion that hes a free man and that once his education is finished, he can decide whether he stays in the Order or not. I think you should talk to your Jarmin about this as well.
I will, nodded Eugenia and hugged her brother again. And now, she smiled shyly, as if being afraid of scaring the new hope away, lets hope that our boys wont do anything stupid or
Dangerous? Lar sniffed. Cmon, sis, youre an ambasiath yourself. You well know they have a right to their own adventures. And that they need some danger and mistakes in their lives to grow up
***
They were paying their rent in copper instead of gold now that they moved out of the inn, but that was fine with everyone: both the landlady and the Lifekeepers team. The flat the boys now lived in was in a crooked building clinging to the inner side of the city wall like a swallows nest. Only one of their rooms had a window and that window opened into a small enclosed pocket of space between the house and the wall. A tiny balcony bridged the gap. You wouldnt fall from it even if you wanted to so no one minded Jarmin sitting there for hours, busy with his painting.
Slowly, one small patch at a time, the boy was filling the grey canvas of the wall with beautiful things, weaving a tale of an alien world. There were immense towers of glass and steel, each as tall as Vladas or Seregs, metallic, machine-like birds with angular wings, and a maze of bridges and roads.
Jarmin bought his paints and brushes himself, using the pocket money Kangassk Eugenia had given him. Juel scolded the little boy at first but even he came to like the alien landscape eventually. He didnt take his words back, though, for the paints were expensive and the team was on a limited budget.
Jarmin knew what he was doing when he chose the best paints that Firaska could offer: with the paints of such quality, his alien landscape was going to stay there forever and neither rain nor sunlight, neither time nor flames would be able to ruin it. It was going to stay there no matter what, outliving its master for centuries to come.
Ambassa makes any talent shine and Jarmins was no exception. But, unlike his brethren, he was the quietest of the ambasiaths around.
Time passed slowly. While Pai and Milian were busy with learning Transvolo, the rest of the boys found something to occupy themselves as well. Oasis dived into Firaskian urban life, making friends and enemies, breaking old street rules and establishing his own. After Lainuver, who was older and more experienced in the way of shadows, had joined him, the duo turned into a force to be reckoned with.
Juel and Irin spent most of their days training with young Crimson Guardians. All Lifekeepers are skilled warriors, often being taught to fight since turning three, so the boys guidance was very welcome at the college training grounds. Several young mages, impressed with Juels swordplay, removed the handguards from their swords. Several days later, they were already calling the Faizul master and followed him everywhere like ducklings, eager to learn anything he was willing to teach them.
Irin became a regular at the college shooting gallery. He gained some fans but not apprentices like Juel as well. Every Crimson Guardian, young and old, wanted to see him shoot. Irin never missed. Wind, fog, darkness nothing could stop him from hitting his target. But, despite his shining talent, no one liked the grim boy. Ambassa makes many things shine, and some of them are not nice. There was an aura of cold, menacing danger around Irin and people subconsciously felt it.
While most of the team kept their activities consistent, Orion, Bala, and Kosta didnt. Orion could join Juel and Irin at the training grounds (young Crimson Guardians enjoyed his company) or Oasis and Lainuver at their shadow business, or Pai and Milian in the library. Sometimes, his wanderers spirit became so infectious that the other boys followed his example. Then you could see Pai and Milian spar with the college students or Juel and Lainuver spend a day in the library (Einar Sharlou gave them his permission to do so). Those two always sat in opposite corners of the reading hall but borrowed the same books from time to time.
Bala and Kosta spent their days differently from the rest of the group.
Bala, who was always hungry for stories, dedicated his time to gathering all the stories Firaska could offer. Since he always valued listening to stories over reading them, his main hunting grounds were Firaskian taverns. Soon all the tavern regulars, travellers, and barkeepers knew and welcomed the cheerful dark-skinned boy. Bala had little money to spend but was always generous and irresistibly charming when it came to sharing stories. He told people of his travels with his master, of North and South, of Ebony Islands and Chermasan Sea; he sang foreign songs and narrated foreign legends; he knew a good number of teasing verses too, both from Mirumir and Adjaen. Whenever Bala Maraskaran visited a tavern, curious folks followed him and the tavern owners business got a pleasant boost because of all the drinks and food they bought.
Kostas case was more complicated.
At first, hungry for knowledge, young Ollardian used to spend his days in the college library with Pai and Milian but then his illness got worse. On his last visit to the library, he borrowed a book titled Tome of Dark Creatures. That was how he spent his time now: bedridden, coughing, and reading the darkest textbook imaginable. Kostas breath was wheezy, superficial, difficult; if he tried to breathe deeply, his cough returned, making the boy painfully bent double in his bed. It seemed that his lungs were slowly filling with liquid with every passing day.
Kostas teammates, concerned with his condition, didnt hear a single complaint from the stoic boy.
Its all right, he always said. It happens to me sometimes but it will pass.
One can only guess how painful his life must have been that he had learned to accept such suffering as normal.
Kosta's condition worsened with each passing day. First, he put his book of horrors aside because even reading became too difficult for him, and then he stopped talking.
Bala brought a foreign healer to him once, a powerful mage who had happened to visit the city tavern Bala was a regular at. After examining the patient, the mage healer said, perplexed,
Physically, he's fine. His illness resembles a severe case of magical addiction but its unlike any case Ive seen. He turned to Kosta. Tell me, my boy, have you ever been to the No Mans Land or the No Mans Waters?