Chapter 12

Cat

“Now that each of you is able to Call a sprite successfully and each time you try, we can move on to learning how to utilize these blessed creatures.” Priestess Rose instructed her students.

Cat smiled, she was actually enjoying her time here with the Hathan priests and priestesses. They all had fascinating stories about where the world came from and how it was made, and the ability to Call on such magical creatures like the Sprites was just wonderful.

Priestess Rose’s smile turned stern as she locked eyes on her students. “I know I told you this before, but it bears repeating. You must never, ever try to take in any of Hatha’s servants within yourself; Corana’s servants in your case Cat. The last person who tried was almost three hundred years ago, his name was Kinathe. Kinathe was a rogue caller; he rejected the service to the gods and his people and sought out more power for himself. Calling on the gods servants without serving the gods wasn’t enough for him, he drew a Totem of Selena within himself and it drove him mad. He gained great power but at the cost of his mind and his soul. He became a creature of destruction. Kinathe nearly tore the lands asunder, until all six orders worked together and stopped him.” The priestess let out a deep sigh. “He is not the only one to ever attempt such a desperate act. Some attempted it for power or glory, while others tried out of the need to help another. Regardless of the motivations or the strength of will, the results were all the same, madness and destruction.”

Pausing for a moment to let the warning sink in, the Priestess looked into the eyes of each of her students. Hints of fear and worry filled most of their eyes. Cat’s eyes shone with fierce determination, unlike the rest of the students. With an inward shake of the head Priestess rose continued with the lesson.

“On a brighter note; we will learn how to use one of the more useful abilities, the ward. This skill ranges in complexity depending on the kind of ward you are setting up. The simplest ward is the alarm ward. This will notify you if anyone or anything crosses the line. Now Call your Sprites and I will show you how to direct the sprite to form your first Ward.”

* * *

Irnoc

“Irnoc, congratulations on your first Calling. It’s a truly awe inspiring feeling isn’t it, that connection strait from the gods.” Kadeem said with a deep sigh and quiet smile of shared bliss.

I looked up from examining a rather expensive looking tapestry hanging in the hall. It was after dinner, but not yet time for all good acolytes to be in bed. I looked around to see if anyone was close enough to hear before, in a low voice, I asked “is there any word on Cat? It’s been three days already.”

“The Master has found out some information and is ready to meet with you. He wants to talk to you personally and will tell you what he knows in person.”

“Are you here to take me to him finally? Learning to Call is great, but the rest of the lessons are just a waste of time. Cat needs me and I must find her, sooner rather than later.” I tried to keep my voice low, but the heat in my chest made it difficult.

“You may need to exercise a bit more patience, but yes it is time to meet the Master. Once we leave the temple, there is a quiet side entrance we will use; your sight will need to be bound temporarily. Secrecy is of the upmost importance and until the Master is sure you can be trusted. It will be removed once we arrive, just not to or from the location.” Kadeem told me, keeping his voice quiet yet firm.

Being blindfolded would make it more difficult to know where I was going, but not impossible. I was trained to work in both near and total darkness and felt confident that I could find my way back if I felt the need. Though likely this secret meeting place won’t be the home of this Master person. If I were setting this up I wouldn’t bring someone like me to my home, and I would have guards out of sight just in case. I need to go into this carefully, too eager and they will be suspicious and too distant and they won’t help me find Cat.

“I understand, let’s go.” I said, projecting certainty and confidence. Light shimmered before my eyes for a moment, and then everything went dark. No crude cloth blindfolds or hoods for them, magical blinding, guarantees I can’t see a damned thing, wise of them. Though not wise enough to knock me out. I thought as I was carefully led out of the temple. I could feel the temperature difference, and slight breeze tickled my cheeks and the evening sounds reached my ears.

I heard a carriage pulled by two horses approach, when it stopped I was guided inside and sat on one of the deep plush cushioned benches. I could practically feel the wealth this carriage represented. It smelled clean, no hint of dust. Only the light creek from the springs and the iron shod wheels made any noise as it rolled forward. The lacquered wood under my fingertips was smooth, no rough spots or splinters. In short it was well maintained well-built and extravagant by most standards. This master person is obviously rich, probably one of the high nobility, not that it’s really surprising. It would take someone of vast means and power to contend with the temples.

After riding for at least half a candle mark, the carriage pulled off of the cobbled streets of the heights and onto gravel. A few moments later the carriage pulled to a stop and I was guided out. I picked up the scent of green growing things, a true luxury in this hot and dry land; I was guided down the gravel path for a short distance, then I heard the sound of a latch and a heavy door swinging open.

“You have done well so far Irnoc, we will now be going down some stairs so be careful.” Kadeem told me quietly. I nodded in response and carefully put my foot down on the first step, feeling my way through the darkness imposed on me, it wasn’t nearly as unsettling for me as it would be for most. I knew darkness, I thrived in it.

Twelve steps later I stood on solid stone floor, I heard the echoes of breathing, the snap and hiss of fire from torches. I was brought to a halt and the darkness faded from before my eyes.

I had to squint in the harsh light of the torches. While blinking several times trying to get my eyes to adjust, I tried to pick up a few details from the room I was in. The room was fairly cool and dry and, from as far as I could tell, made from squared stone blocks, the room was fairly bare except for a table between the torches and me. A shadowed man sat on the other side of the table, the torches positioned behind him so I couldn’t make out his features in its glare.

“Thank you for coming to see me Irnoc, I am pleased to hose the chosen one.” The shadowed man, the master in all likelihood, said in a smooth cultured voice.

Chosen one? What in the abyss is this Master person talking about? I pondered for a moment then remembered that Kadeem told me something along those lines back after getting Assayed. Something about the blood of Kim, or Kohath or something like that. Skepticism rose up within Chosen one, yeah right.

He must have seen something of my confusion then skepticism on my face when he continued. “Ahh I take it our mutual friend here didn’t tell you much of the prophesy and your fate. Please come have seat and I will tell you about it myself.”

My eyes finally adjusted to the glare of the torches and I looked closely at the table, there was another chair there that I didn’t notice before. Cautiously I stepped forward, I could feel the presence of magic, but I couldn’t tell what it was doing. I sat down and looked and the man before me. At this angle the glare from the torches no longer left him in complete shadow. I could see the red and gold silk robes with gold scroll work on the hems and sleeves and the heavy gold signet ring with a large carved ruby depicting an eagle in flight set. When I tried to see his face however, it was like there was a heat shimmer covering it. I could see his eyes and his expression, but his features were warped and waivered before my eyes. That was the magic I sensed.

We both sat there for a moment, I was sure the “Master” expected me to say something, but I knew better. It is better to be silent and wary than it is to talk with no point, you can give away more than you intend with careless words and in this situation I couldn’t afford any mistakes.

“You are what we call, The Blood of Kinathe. Hundreds of years ago Kinathe was a powerful caller, blessed by not one but all six of the gods and goddesses. During a time of great strife he rose in power and saved us all from constant war and destruction. After he brought peace to the land and unified the nations under one banner the temples worked in secrecy and sent assassins to kill him in his sleep. He was a threat to their plans to control this new empire, reducing the rightful rulers of the land to mere puppets and paws in their desire for power.”

I nodded slowly, it didn’t surprise me any. After all the temples seemed to gather anyone with the Calling ability, and they sent men to kill my parents. After a moment passed while he let me absorb this information, I finally spoke “what does that have to do with me?”

“After his death several of his followers had visions in their sleep. Kinathe visited them from beyond the veil and told them of what was to come. From the blood of my blood, will another rise, he will take up my mantle and free the people from the repression and tyranny that the temples will enforce. These followers went into hiding to escape the executions the temples ordered through the mouths of the new puppet regime. All of Kinathe’s officers and powerful supporters were executed. Those who had the visions and heeded the warnings they represented formed the Order of Kinathe, to keep the prophesy alive and to prepare for your eventual arrival.”

“A mysterious vision and prophesy is all well and good, but it means nothing to me. My friend needs my help, she was sold into slavery at the same time I was and I doubt her time since has been as pleasant as mine even considering the river monster sinking the ship I was on and nearly dying in the desert from giant scorpions, the slavers and the bloody heat. All I care about is finding Cat and setting her free.” I let cold hard determination fill my eyes and set my jaw. On this I wouldn’t budge. “I bear no love for the temple, they sent men to kill my parents eight years ago, left me orphan and I had to fight to survive on the streets. If you can help me find and save Cat, like Kadeem here implied you would, I will help you.”

“I understand your need to help your friend, and you have no reason to aid us in our fight against the manipulative and tyrannical temple orders yet. I am willing to put my considerable resources to aiding you in saving your friend. I hope in time you will be able to direct that considerable and admirable loyalty you hold to her to us as well.” He seemed to be projecting understanding, concern and respect in his tone. He was very good at it, but I knew conmen when I saw them. He was far from the best at projecting sincerity. But if it really did help in saving Cat I was willing to play along.

“While my men are searching out your friend, they must act discreetly of course they can’t bring too much attention to our order, we will supplement the training you receive at Corana’s Temple. They can teach you much about fire magic and the calling of Corana’s servants, but we will show you how to access all of your formidable array of talents. Before long you will be able to reach into each of the Gods realms and Call upon their servants, allowing you to have more power at your fingertips than any priest of any order.” He said

“We have secured a private residence on the Rise; we have placed a young woman there who will pose as your elder sister. Tomorrow she will arrive at the Temple seeking you, young temple acolytes with family in the city are allowed to visit family every seventh day. She will have enough information about you to satisfy the priestess Rihanna that she is your sister. Once that is settled you will be allowed each week to visit this residence. Once there we will quietly train you to reach the other five realms. Is this acceptable for you?”

I was glad they didn’t try to have someone pose as one of my parents. That I wouldn’t allow, but I never had any siblings so pretending she was mine would be no hardship. Extra training while Cat was being tracked down wouldn’t hurt either. The more power I had; the better of I was and the easier it would be to keep Cat safe, not that I would ever be stupid enough to actually tell her that. “This arrangement is acceptable, as long as we find Cat before anything happens to her and bring her safely home.”

“Your new sister’s name is Iona and looks enough like you to pass off as a relative, she came to us from our Lundness chapter where I’m sure at least one of your parents came from” he said.

I figured one or both of my parents came from up north, given my relatively fair skin, hair and greenish blue eyes.

“Kadeem said he would tell you what happened to me and Cat, have you started looking for her yet?” I asked

“Actually we have. My men have managed to find out that a girl fitting your description was sold then led to the docks with several other slaves, they then took ship. There are only two likely ports they would have gone to, either Lundness or Tai Koku. Depending on how this meeting went, I planned on sending men to both locations to try to find where she ended up and if possible for them, to bring her home immediately.”

“What do you mean if possible?” I asked, suspicion rising within me.

“Depending on who she was sold to, it might not be easy for my agents to re-acquire her. If they can’t then they will send word to me with the details and we can plan a way to get her away safely.” He said, trying to be reassuring.

I took a deep breath, calming myself down then said “If you can save her; I’ll help with whatever you want, but only if she is brought back safely. I want to know about any updates as soon as you get them.” I couldn’t entirely rid myself of the hard edge to my tone.

He smiled, “I wouldn’t expect any less from a friend as devoted as you are.”

* * *

“Excuse me, Irnoc?” a young page boy approached me as I finished another delicious and filling breakfast packed away in my stomach.

“Yes, what can I do for you?” the warm feeling of full belly spread contentment through me.

“Priestess Rihanna wishes to speak with you” the page said with a slight bow. “If you would follow me I will take you to her office.” I got up, took my empty tray to the bin at the end of the dining hall and stacked it with the rest then followed the page.

The page left me at the priestess’s door with a small bow. I knocked on the heavy wooden door and heard the muffled reply through the door “Come in Irnoc”.

I entered into her office and gave a polite bow, I learned quickly the proper manner of address to the priests; I don’t care for scrubbing dishes or the floors. “You called for me Priestess?”

“Yes Irnoc, I have received an unexpected visitor for you. It turns out your sister was looking for you and managed to finally track you down here.” She said in a level tone, looking at me carefully.

I stood there for a moment, blinking a couple times as my mind churned in confusion. Then I remembered the plan I was told last night. “Iona is here?” I asked, letting some of my previous confusion slip into my voice. “I never thought I would see her again.”

Priestess Rihanna just looked at me as the silence stretched on.

I let my head hang a bit and looked at my feet for a moment then continued my lie. “After my parents died, my sister tried to take care of me. But I ran away and became a street thief. Not long before I was caught and sold into slavery I went back to where my sister and I used to live, but she was gone.” I looked up a bit to gauge her reaction. Her eyes looked a bit softer, and her head nodded a bit.

“That would explain why you didn’t mention that you had family in the city. Well it is Seventh day; if you wish it you may spend this day and every seventh day with your sister. This is normal practice for the acolytes with family nearby. The break from studies and training refreshes your mind and enables you to learn more and faster.” The priestess paused for a moment and then added “you do wish to visit your sister do you not? It isn’t mandatory should you wish to cut ties, some of our acolytes do, especially when they come from… ahem, humble beginnings.”

“Yes Priestess, I believe I would like to visit my sister. It was foolish of me to run away like that, and could have easily left me a mine slave instead of being brought here.” I said with as much sincerity as I could muster.

“Very well, your sister is in the entrance hall. I had her wait there for word if you were coming or not.” She smiled then “I believe you can give her that word yourself.”

I smiled back at her, turned around and left her office.