Chapter 9

Behind Doors

- Who shall hear of a moonlit tryst or a secret meeting such as this? -

Felix walked hurriedly, his robes swirling around him like a night storm. Moments ago, he was somewhere else. Now, hundreds of miles away, he was here, and was about to speak with someone. He felt slightly sick. Corridor travel always made him feel slightly sick in the stomach. Nevertheless, he hurried through the dark and silent chambers, his thick boots barely making any sound upon the marble floor. The hallways were lit with candlelight and there were many statues displaying anthems partially illuminated by the dim glow. He entered a stairway by the side that led to an even deeper chamber. At the end of the chamber was a single door. He paused and waited.

"State your business", spoke an almost otherworldly voice from behind the single door.

"Anyarin", said Felix. And the door opened.

Standing before him, hooded and enveloped in a dark cloak was a figure whose head was bowed as though in solemn prayer. The figure did not move or flinch, barring the way through, obstructing Felix's passage to the interior. But Felix waited, staring at the cowled figure. The figure's head shifted slightly toward him. Then a voice from further inside the room spoke. It was a weary voice. A voice that spoke of pain and loss. "Let him in Marcus. It is cold outside."

And the figure stepped aside, allowing Felix into the room. The door closed softly and the hooded guard took his place once more, watching the door. The room was extravagantly furnished, all in red and black colours, as was fitting for a man of such high standing.

The weary voice had belonged to a man. A tall and gaunt man who now stood before Felix dressed in the blackest of all black robes. The tip of a long blade could be seen protruding slightly at the hem of his robes near his feet. This was intentional. The colour of ash, only those with incredibly sharp eyes could see the hidden weapon. Having been only able to see it once before, Felix summoned the fearsome image of the blade to his mind. The blade, made of the purest alluvatalium, was slender in form and beautifully crafted.

Anyarin. All must die.

Felix had seen him draw the weapon before, but only once and the memory was forever etched in his mind. For the blade could cut through thick stone like paper. Few knew the blade had a name, hence the choice of password at the door.

"Hail, Felix Vanyaga. Surely it is not concerning the expedition again? I am afraid that that is now out of my sphere of influence or jurisdiction. As the Council has dictated, this is now a matter under the purview of the Unity and out of the realms of discussion or debate", stated the tall and gaunt man, conversationally, as though discussing the weather or what sort of food he liked. He strode to a furnished table on which was arranged and prepared a small basket of fresh fruit. The tall man selected a red grape with his eyes and with a deft and fluid motion a hand emerged from within his robes. A pale finger and a thumb plucked the grape from its bunch. He proceeded to roll the grape along the length of his finger, and then between his fingers before finally placing it into his mouth, chewing upon it in slow deliberation. He turned to Felix, his face an expression of perplexity.

"But I sense that this is not your purpose in coming here to see me. Is it not?"

"Greetings, Lord Damon. Lord of Blades. Foremost of the blade classes", began Felix. But the man cut him off.

"Dispense with the formalities Felix", said Lord Damon, a wry smile on his sunken features. "What do you require from an old man?" In the light, Felix could see that Lord Damon had aged considerably in the last few years. The memory surfaced in his mind again. A tall man, not yet gaunt or thin, but much younger of age. His face was the face of a demon. He looked at Felix as he wiped blood from his blade calmly without a trace of emotion. The bodies of his enemies lay scattered around him. Felix forced the memory into the back of his mind and looked down before replying.

"It is not regarding the outer expeditions. I have come to you at this hour because I require your help to persuade the Angardian Council to allow a certain boy to attend a Testing", replied Felix, his voice deep, resonating softly.

"Ah yes, I remember the unusual matter you had brought before us last week. Most strange indeed", muttered Lord Damon to himself, this time pouring himself some water from a nearby jug. “The boy from city below.”

“Yes”.

“Intriguing. But there is something else, is there not? Something you have seen in the boy."

Felix did not answer but reached into his robes, pulling out something small.

"Here", said Felix, handing a tiny device to the Lord of Blades.

"What is this?" enquired Lord Damon, his eyes studying the device intently.

"It is a playback", replied Felix in answer. "I have tracked the boy for some time now. The playback contains many scenes of interest. In last scene, I saw the boy’s enemies begin creeping up on him as he made his way to the college. I began recording as soon as the boy was surrounded.”

“You did not intervene”, observed Lord Damon. “That is unlike you.”

“Indeed”, replied Felix with a tilt of the head in acknowledgement.

“But that is precisely why you have come to see me. And I take it that there was something in the playback you did not wish the council to see?”

“Yes”, replied Felix. “I saw something that would be of interest to you.”

Lord Damon raised an eyebrow. “In the boy? What could that be?”

“Remnants of the past age coming back to haunt us”, whispered Felix, his face becoming dark. “The blight of genesis tech.”

“Genesis technology”, murmured Lord Damon, scratching his chin in thought. “You are sure of this?”

“I am.”

“Then we must act.”

“We must.”

“Before the others do.”

“Agreed.”

Lord Damon met Felix’s gaze for a moment before taking the device from Felix's outstretch hand and placing it into a socket buried in a nearby wall. A holographic image suddenly appeared before them and expanded to form a virtual black screen in midair. The screen started to hum as a projection formed upon it. With a low vibrating hum, an image appeared, the characters within it moving, mirroring a scene as clear as day, taking place before the very eye. A scene unfolded. A scene wherein five large boys advanced on a single boy standing alone upon the edge of a roof overlooking the marketplace.

"It is the boy", said Felix.

But Lord Damon, intrigued, stared at the screen, watching, as the playback began.