They had their last Sabbath while traveling. It was strange to think by this time next week, Indenuel would be sitting in the glorious worship hall of the Cathedral of the Savior’s Coming. The towns continued to be nicer, and this chapel had to be the nicest one yet. It was made of stone, with a domed roof, and there were gold bowls for incense in the meditation rooms. A large choir sang before the sermon and after. And yet he was assured the Cathedral would be even more glorious.

Indenuel listened to Martin’s sermon. It was about the creation of the gifts. God created the first man and woman, training them in the four gifts, promising them more as they improved in paradise. But the devil deceived the woman to follow him and learn his powers instead. God, crestfallen that the woman attempted the corrupted powers, was forced to kick her out of paradise. God gave the man a choice, to stay in paradise and perfect the powers, or follow the woman. The man, having fallen in love with her, asked God if he could find her and bring her back so they could continue to perfect the powers together. God promised, if she remained free of corruption, they could both return to Him after they spent enough time following Him in this life and in the afterlife. Then God would collect them at a time He appointed, which is probably why Indenuel couldn’t meet their spirits in the afterlife.

The man left paradise to help the woman return to God. The promise was passed down to their children, and their children’s children, and therefore to everyone in the world. Indenuel couldn’t help but wonder if the Kiam believed the same thing.

Nathaniel spent the entire day with his family. Tomorrow he would leave to meet his troop, and Indenuel did not want to take any more time away from his family than he had to.

“Are you going to train me once Nathaniel leaves?” Indenuel asked Tolomon as they sat in his room, away from other people as Nathaniel was with his family below.

“No, that wouldn’t be wise,” Tolomon said, drinking his tea.

“What? Why not?”

Tolomon squinted out the window into the trees, most likely searching out a possible threat before his face relaxed. “Someone might use corruptive poisons to control your body and force you to kill yourself. It’s better if you don’t have the muscle memory to weaken me.”

Indenuel’s heart both dropped to his stomach and skipped a beat before he managed to gain control of his ability to speak. “Like demon possession?”

“Yeah. That too,” Tolomon said.

“That too. You mean there’s something else besides demon possession that could cause that?”

Calm as ever, Tolomon sipped his tea. “This would be where you accidentally ingested something that would make it so your body was controlled by someone else.”

Indenuel didn’t know if he could ever get used to this. They would start to have somewhat normal conversations, and then Tolomon would casually mention different ways he might die. A reminder that he was the Warrior, and one of the most targeted individuals in this war right now.

“Wouldn’t… wouldn’t you be the one who would get that devil magic on you since you try all my food anyway? Wouldn’t you then try to kill me?” Indenuel asked.

“I know what that corrupted poison tastes like. The second it touches my lips, I’d slit my throat before the connection was made.”

He continued to stare at Tolomon. He didn’t know what made him more uncomfortable. The calm way in which he admitted that, or how quickly he volunteered the information.

“And… and you learned this while earning the title of Graduate?” Indenuel asked.

“It is my job to be prepared for anything that might happen. I must take my job seriously.”

“And… how often do you think this might happen to me?”

He drained the rest of his tea before setting it down on the table. “Doesn’t matter how often it might happen, just that I’m prepared for whenever it could happen.”

Indenuel leaned back, staring out the window at the beautiful day that felt as warm as early spring. “So… poison dart? Right now? Aimed at the heart?”

“The range, though far, would be one I’d still notice, and I would throw you out of the way, or throw anything I could in front of you, even if it means myself, to block it,” Tolomon said.

“Thrown dagger?”

“Same principle.”

“A hundred soldiers?” Indenuel asked.

“I’d be the distraction to make sure you’d get away safely.”

“You’re not even bothered that it’s a hundred of them?”

“I’m more bothered you feel concerned and might do something stupid like stay with me.” Tolomon said this all with a straight face, except for the smallest smile, which made him smile too.

“How many soldiers can you take on by yourself?” Indenuel asked.

“Depends on the group. About thirty-five Santollian soldiers, fifteen Kiamese soldiers.”

Indenuel felt a little worried. “Is Kiam that much better than Santollia?”

“No. But the average Santollian soldier doesn’t really want to kill me, so they hesitate just enough. The Kiamese soldier, however, they do not hesitate.”

“And poisons? Is there any poison you don’t have an immunity to?” Indenuel asked.

“The ones that are impossible to get an immunity or antidote for. But those are the super corrupted liquids and powders that could only take a devil marked individual to conjure. Kiam doesn’t have one of those, as far as we’re aware. My God-given gift of healing saves me from most of the other poisons.”

“Oh, so you have healing?” Indenuel asked.

“Yes, but we don’t develop our gifts nearly as much,” Tolomon said. “Enough to heal myself from the types of poisons that could kill me without the need of an antidote, but not enough to heal you from it.”

“What about Graduates that don’t have healing?” Indenuel asked.

Tolomon poured more tea into his cup, giving it a sniff before taking a sip. “They continue to build their immunity, though some still require the use of an antidote. There are advantages and disadvantages to having a Graduate with a different type of gift. Since healers can’t use it on ourselves unless it is a life-or-death situation, our immunity to the more deadly poisons comes in handy. Tree talkers tap into the trees to sense exactly where the threat is at all times, or to relay information to others as quickly as possible. Speakers to the dead I’ve heard have had dreams about dead comrades who ally with them and are able to scout through enemy lines to get intel. It’s rare, but extremely valuable. And weather controllers, well, they might be the hardest to use their powers, considering they need more than one person to do anything relating to weather change. But never underestimate them. They’re still powerful on their own. Six or seven Graduates with weather controller, and they could take an entire army down.”

Indenuel gave a small nod as the silence descended on the two of them.

“Probably not the best topic to talk about on a beautiful Sabbath such as this,” Tolomon said.

***

They hadn’t gone far on the road that morning when all the carriages stopped. Indenuel poked his head out to see another road with a guard holding the reins of two horses. Nathaniel stepped out of his carriage and turned. Adrian jumped into Nathaniel’s arms and wrapped his arms and legs around him, holding him tightly.

“Come on, let’s say goodbye,” Tolomon said.

Indenuel nodded as he got out of the carriage, a little embarrassed to feel a lump in his throat. He stayed behind, watching from a distance as he had done with everything else in his life. Nathaniel set Adrian down as his other boys all hugged him. He kissed Rosa. Once they broke away, Rosa took Adrian who buried his face in his mother’s skirts. Adosina gave Nathaniel a hug before Martin approached and the two of them talked. Indenuel was too far to overhear, and he didn’t feel like it was his place. He did notice Martin’s face had softened as he gave Nathaniel a hug. He looked far more authentic and almost relaxed in this role as a father. Granted, he looked comfortable as a High Elder, but there was something more. It was a side Indenuel hadn’t seen much in him.

Martin broke away and brushed something off Nathaniel’s Captain uniform, saying something that made Nathaniel laugh. Indenuel looked down at his feet, starting to feel guilty about how much time Nathaniel had spent with him instead of his family. He had absolutely needed his guidance, but he still felt guilty all the same.

He walked over to Indenuel and Tolomon. The anxiety rose in his chest. He didn’t want Nathaniel to go.

Nathaniel gave Tolomon a firm hug. “I shall see you soon on the battlefield, brother.”

“I better, brother. Someone’s got to save your noble ass,” Tolomon said.

He laughed as he broke away before turning toward Indenuel. He tried to smile back. “Thank you.” It wasn’t enough to truly express how he felt about the guidance and the teaching.

Nathaniel gave a bow. “It is honor, Warrior Indenuel. In no time at all you will be on the battlefield saving me and your bodyguard both.”

Tolomon’s smile turned tight as he shook his head.

“Tolomon warned me not to save him, or I’ll go to hell,” Indenuel said.

Nathaniel gave another laugh before hugging Indenuel tightly. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to be hugged. “Despite being a Graduate, Tolomon is far too aware of his own mortality.” He let him go. “Has he already given you the rundown of every possible death in your future?”

“Yes,” Indenuel said.

“Well, not every single one. That would take too long,” Tolomon said.

“But you have thought about every single one,” Nathaniel said.

Tolomon shrugged. “It’s my job.”

Nathaniel patted Tolomon’s shoulder. “Keep an eye on Rosa and the boys, when you can.”

He gave a small bow. “You have my word.”

“Then I will not worry.” He smiled again before turning toward the road. Rosa was there and he offered his hand to her. They walked toward the guard, who bowed to Nathaniel. He bowed back before giving Rosa a final, lingering kiss.

Indenuel watched Tolomon out of curiosity. Either he had learned to lie while being a Graduate, or he genuinely felt happy for the two of them. Indenuel liked to think it was the latter. Tolomon turned away, either to give them privacy or something else. Indenuel wasn’t sure. He wanted to know but wouldn’t pry.

The guard and Nathaniel mounted their horses. He gave a final wave before turning the horse around and disappearing among the trees. Indenuel knew he would see him again, but it would most likely be on the battlefield. With Kiamese soldiers, wanting to kill him. With death and carnage everywhere.

He turned toward his carriage, feeling nauseous. He said nothing as he climbed into the carriage to sit down. Tears pricked his eyes as he realized how many people depended on him. Once again, the overwhelming expectations crashed on his shoulders. He was supposed to end the war, and he still struggled with the sword. And he still struggled not using his corruptive powers in fear.