Master Zuroch was already waiting for Mira as she entered the school. The tall women stood with one hand rested on the reception desk and a cup of steaming tea in the other.
I could use a little tea after last night . . .
“Morning, Master,” Mira said.
“I’ve managed to fit you into four classes for today,” Zuroch said, handing her a schedule. “Most began a few weeks ago, so you will have some work to make up.
Mira peered over the list of teachers; Soter, Zenodar, Invorus, and Zuroch herself. She had taken classes with Invorus before, but the other two were new. Even though it was only four classes, they filled much of her day. She certainly isn’t letting my time go to waste.
“If that works for you, then we should pay a visit to the bursar. I assume you’ve brought adequate payment?”
Mira felt at her pouch. “Three gold talents. Will that be enough?”
Zuroch frowned. “It should suffice. We’ve raised our rates since you were last here, but I’m sure we can make an exception, given your circumstances.”
And here I thought three was going to be too much.
They walked down a series of corridors until they arrived at a cramped office. Behind a tall counter, the bursar greeted them. When Zuroch explained the situation to the old man he refused to accept anything but the full amount or else shorten the lessons, so Zuroch offered to cover the extra amount herself. Mira truly the women’s generosity. They handed over Mira’s talents and received a slip of paper as a receipt. The page had a date scribbled on it signifying her last day of classes.
“I trust you remember your way around?” Zuroch asked as they walked back to the lobby.
“Of course!”
“Then I’ll see you later this afternoon.” She reached out and shook Mira’s hand. “It’s good to have you back. I look forward to watching your growth over the coming weeks.”
They parted and Mira stood alone staring at her schedule. The History of the Mage, her first class, was scheduled to begin in twenty minutes in one of the upper classrooms. She folded the schedule back into her pack and climbed the curved stairwell to the balcony above.
A history class, eh? Haven’t had one of those since my first year.
Back then, that subject would have seemed boring in comparison to the more hands-on classes, but now it sounded like a useful opportunity. Even if it was information she had learned before, perhaps she could discover some clue that she missed. As fun as the applicable studies could be, she had to be efficient with her time.
She found her way to a familiar lecture room and peaked inside. A few students were already sitting at desks, waiting. Mira didn’t recognize any of them, and they gave her odd looks. Ignoring their stares, she chose a seat along the far wall. She pulled out a journal and proceeded to wait with the rest of the class for Master Soter to arrive.
After a few minutes, a young man, maybe in his late twenties, strolled in and dropped his bag by the front lectern. He pulled out a large book and opened it to a marked page. “Hmm . . . yes, that’s where we left off.”
He looked up and noticed Mira. “Ah, the new student! Welcome to the History of the Mage. My name is Master Soter. Please meet me in my office before class tomorrow to receive notes from the previous lessons.”
He turned towards a slate board behind the lectern and began writing notes. “The oath of a Mage, something everyone learns at a young age, but few take the time to grasp the true depth of those words.”
He looked back at the class. “‘I pledge my servitude to the Kingdom’. Seems straight-forward, right? But, if you ask a dozen Mages what the oath means, you’ll get a dozen different responses.”
“Becoming a Mage is deeply personal, yet at the same time universal. All who take the oath must complete the Pilgrimage. They all must meet Ishum and be worthy enough to receive his blessing. They all say the same words. Get branded the same.” He raised his left hand to show the Baelon flames burned into his skin.
“Although certain requirements must be met, each person’s Pilgrimage experience is exclusive to them. People’s motivations for attempting the trial differ. The challenges they face in the desert are unique. The conversation they have with Ishum is special; only between them and Ishum.”
A teenage girl in the back raised her hand. “But how do we know each person’s conversation with Ishum is unique if no one is allowed to talk about their Pilgrimage?”
“Good question! It’s hard to explain without revealing too much, so you will just have to trust me on this one. Ishum is very wise and bestows his wisdom on those he deems worthy. That wisdom is tailored specifically to each Mage.”
“And this is why the oath’s meaning differs between Mages. The experiences that shaped me in the Tyran were entirely different than any of the other masters in the school, and therefore I have my own understanding of what it means to ‘serve the Kingdom’.”
He pointed toward the girl. “What do you think it means?”
The girl set down her pen and thought for a moment. “Well, the Mage would serve Baelom, which means they would serve the monarch.”
Master Soter smiled and looked around the room. “Anybody care to respond?”
A skinny, bald man around Mira’s age turned to face the girl. “You would agree that the Mage has the best interest for Baelom in their heart, correct?”
The girl nodded and the bald man continued, “But what if the monarch doesn’t? Let’s say that in some bizarre twist of fate, King Arbras decides to invade Madai or Mildrona and commit mass genocide. Would it be right for the Mage to follow the orders of a deranged king, or would the oath instruct them to depose the king for the sake of the kingdom?”
Interesting point . . .
The girl jotted something into her notebook. “So, the oath instructs people to serve the idea of Baelom. An idea that transcends whoever may be sitting on the throne . . .” She stopped writing and looked puzzled. “But how would a Mage know when to make that decision. Who gets to decide if the monarch is acting in the best interest?”
Master Soter beamed with excitement. “And there lies the crux of the issue, class. Who has the authority to decide what those words mean?”
Mira joined the conversation. “Ishum, obviously. I mean, he is the one who presumably came up with oath in the first place.”
“And you would be correct, but we don’t get to share our discussions with him outside of very special occasions. So, ultimately, we are left to ourselves on how we interpret the words, and trust in the wisdom Ishum bestowed upon us during our Pilgrimage.”
“So, in reality, Mages are serving him.”
The master frowned. “Well, no . . . it might come across that way for someone like you, but Ishum does not lead Baelom. He merely provides insight and guidance with his eternal wisdom. Graciously, he gifts us with the free will to shape the kingdom in our own way.”
But he alone decides who becomes a Mage, and through his ‘wisdom’ directs the monarch and thus the nation. The master’s logic didn’t quite make sense to her, but she decided to simply continue listening.
Master Soter continued asking the other students what the oath meant to them. As they each gave personal takes on the words, Mira realized she had no firm answer to the question. She had no ties to Baelom. Would she even swear the oath when she made her Pilgrimage? I suppose I should at least try to receive Ishum’s blessing. Wouldn’t want to end up soulless. Still, the idea of becoming a servant of Baelom meant nothing to her. A sudden thought dawned on her.
“What if the kingdom means more than Baelom?” she blurted out.
Everyone turned and looked at her. Most of the students looked confused, yet Master Soter appeared pleased.
“Ah yes. A much rarer interpretation, yet a valid one, nonetheless. Some Mages believe the ‘kingdom’ is not a physical nation, but instead all humans collectively. That is why you can find our Mages in many of the nations across Thera. I personally know of a few that are currently stranded in the North.”
Mira knew of the Mages doing contract work outside of Baelom, but she never made the connection to the oath before. The class discussed the meaning of the kingdom a bit more, but Mira found herself struggling to work out what the oath would mean to her. To serve all of humanity . . . what does that even mean? How can I serve something that doesn’t even agree on what was right? Humans are so divided. Just look at the High Sons and Daughters. Always fighting for the empress’ favor. On one hand the idea of serving all humans sounded noble and just, but on the other, it was borderline arrogant. Who am I to say what was best for everybody?
Eventually Master Soter ended the lecture by talking about famous Mages throughout the nation’s history such as Melthalo Grennith, the architect behind the Flame and Lesser. There was also Yovine the Cleric, who pioneered many techniques used in modern medicinal casting. These stories intrigued Mira, but they provided no clues or hints about the Pilgrimage, nor the origins of Airiya.
“Well, that’s all we have time for today. Tomorrow we will cover some of the common vocations Mages choose,” Master Soter said, closing his book.
Mira slipped her journal back into her pack and exited the classroom with the rest of the students. She only had fifteen minutes between classes, so she hurried across the school to the next class, Applied Casting.
Master Zenodar, a plump old woman with short greying hair stood impatiently at the front of the class when Mira arrived. The master began class on the hour exactly.
While Mira had never heard of this teacher before, she had taken similar courses. Zenodar spent the entire period explaining the most efficient casting methods used to shape stone into building components.
“With Airiya it’s possible to create walls and a foundation out of the ground, though it requires a tremendous amount of energy to not only harden foundations, but to grow walls, floors, and a roof from only the ground.”
That makes sense . . . it’s one of the principal rules of casting.
Castings could usually be separated into three different categories: the manipulation of existing matter, the growth or expansion of existing matter, and the creation of new matter. Manipulating existing matter used the power within the soul of that matter as a source of energy. Shifting or moving that matter around only required kinetic or thermal energy. This type of casting had the least amount of energy cost for the caster.
Growing new matter out of existing required not only kinetic or thermal energy, but new soul energy altogether. This placed a higher burden on the caster, and as such, most new casters were forbidden to attempt this level of casting until they learned how to bond Airiya more efficiently.
The final category created new matter out of nothing. With no starting point, the entirety of the matter stemmed from the caster’s own soul. The average caster in Thera had trouble bonding that amount of Airiya without becoming soulless, but Mages were required to be able to perform such castings on a regular basis before even attempting the Pilgrimage.
Master Zenodar continued, “Therefore it is wiser to bring individual units such as bricks or wooden beams to the site and fuse the elements together. That being said, there are some circumstances when the delivery of materials to a project site might be difficult or even hazardous, and builders will expend the costs for growth style castings.”
Mira found it difficult to pay attention. She had been hoping for a more practical lesson rather than a long-winded lecture. She listened to the intricacies of construction and design for the next couple of hours before Master Zenodar dismissed the class.
After a quick break for lunch at a street cart down the road, she returned for her third class of the day, Medicinal Casting – Mastering the Green Hue.
Master Invorus leapt from her chair when Mira entered the classroom. The tall woman hurried over to embrace her. Outside of Zuroch, Invorus was the master she had learned from the most. She was a brilliant Mage and the most proficient healer within Phaeros, having been taught by the great Queen Mariem Amahn — formerly of house Mizrakellen.
“It’s good to see you again. I trust you are doing well?”
“You could say that. I’m glad to be back and advance my skills.” she replied with a wide smile.
Invorus looked away for a moment. “About that . . . well since this was late notice, my more advanced courses won’t start until next week. Zuroch said it wouldn’t hurt though to have you sit in on this entry level course until then.”
“Any lesson from you is worth the tuition, Master,” Mira said with a formal bow.
She glanced around the room and saw just three other students. Green hue users are a rare breed. She discovered early on that she was exceptionally adept with green Airiya, and Master Zuroch enrolled her into these specialized courses to develop those skills.
Master Invorus went up to the demonstration table near the front of the room and pulled out a potted plant and a caged rat.
“As you are aware, Airiya can be bonded as eight different hues during the bonding process. Each of the different hues grants us dominion over certain types of energy manipulation: red and blue hues for control over thermal energy, yellow for electrical energy, violet for gravitational, and white, indigo, and orange which each kinetically controls different phase states of matter — gases, liquids, and solids respectively. Green Airiya, however, is a bit different from the rest. It transfers soul energy from the caster to another living organism. In this manner, the transference of energy promotes accelerated growth for the linked subject. Throughout Thera, the green hue is mainly used in two applications. The first is to control organic material such as this cactus.”
The master pushed the potted plant to the front of the table. A bright green aura glowed from her hand, and the potted plant started growing. At first it grew straight up, but then angled sharply. It turned back ninety degrees and twice more to form an angular shepherd’s crook. Three buds of growth grew on top completing the image. The Baelon Crest. Invorus had used this same demonstration before in Mira’s first year, which meant that she wouldn’t be too keen on what came next.
“This was merely a small illustration of the power Mages can wield with green Airiya. In some nations, there are those who can manipulate entire forests.” The master continued, sliding the plant to the side of the table. Next, she uncaged the rat and held it up by its tail. The small creature squeaked as it tried to squirm free from the master’s grip.
“The other application will be our focus in this class.” Abruptly, Invorus swung the rat by its tail slamming it down hard on the table. The other students gasped. Crying out, the poor thing writhed in pain, legs and body clearly broken, blood trickling out of a fractured skull.
Invorus placed a glowing hand on the rat, and it calmed down. The bleeding stopped, and beneath the animal’s skin, she saw its bones slide back into their rightful place. Soon the animal was back to normal, and it tried to run off the table. Invorus snatched it up and returned it to its cage.
“Curative casting can be a great tool to both accelerate the body’s own natural healing process and reshape broken bones or organs. It works by forging a link as you would with any piece of matter you wish to manipulate. The difference being the soul energy you are linking with is sentient. This can cause certain . . . side effects.”
She placed her hand into the cage and began to cast again.
“When the link is forged, if a person’s mental fortitude is weak, as is the case with this rat, their thoughts and memories can be accessed by the caster. Right now, I can sense the fear and confusion this rat feels. I know that it arrived in Phaeros from a merchant’s ship and eventually found its way up to the school where I caught it last week.”
The master gave the class a stern look. “While this might sound like an appealing power, I warn you that the link can be reversed if the subject’s will is strong enough, and you can do much more harm being in someone’s mind besides just knowing what they ate the night before.”
The rat suddenly broke free from Invorus grip and began running in frantic circles, clawing at the floor of the cage.
“You can inflict intense anxiety, depression, or even break their mind completely. That is why curative casting isn’t always well received by anyone other than a renowned doctor or other expert. In the wrong hands, green Airiya can do some truly horrendous acts. That is why in this class I will not only instruct you to avoid prying into your patient’s minds, but how to protect your own.”
Invorus reached into the cage and reset the rat’s mind leaving it to fall asleep. She put the cage and the plant onto a shelf then turned to the class. “Now let’s get started, shall we?”
Even though the material was rudimentary, Mira saw it as an opportunity to review the basics and prepare herself for the more advanced course to come.
Master Invorus finished the class by having each of the students link with the rat and provide it energy. It was a simple exercise, but it allowed the students to become familiar with forging links between living creatures. As they exited the class, the other students chatted in excitement. Mira remembered all too easily that same feeling. Finding out that she could bond green Airiya and enrolling in these exclusive courses gave her a sense of belonging that she never experienced elsewhere.
Her final class of the day was Master Zuroch’s very own Defensive Casting course. Judging by the clock in the main lobby, she had almost a half hour before the class began, but she opted to go early and wait. Perhaps there would be someone she recognized from her previous years.
The training hall she entered was a large mostly open room. On the far side, a small group of desks were clustered next to the wall. Some students were already waiting as she expected, though only one person stood out amongst the students – the bald man from earlier in the morning. He noticed her and waved her over.
“Two classes in one day. What a privilege,” he said flashing her a smile. “The name’s Malach.”
“Mira Noniven,” she said sitting in an adjacent desk.
“You are in for a treat with this class. Master Zuroch is the best.”
She smiled. This could be fun.
“Oh, am I? Good to know.”
“The second half of the class is always the best, but I won’t ruin the surprise.”
“Sounds exciting,” she said, straining to not roll her eyes in the process. Luckily, he didn’t seem to notice her sarcasm.
“How long have you been in the city?”
“Ship just arrived yesterday morning.”
“Really? And you are already taking classes?”
“Yep! Is that unusual?” she asked, putting on her most naïve expression.
He stared at her confused. “I mean . . . yeah. It is.”
Before she could respond, Master Zuroch walked into the room and welcomed the class.
“Alright, looks like everyone is here so we’ll start early today. Over the past week, we have looked at the importance of situational awareness during a fight. For the next week or so, we will be addressing one of the fundamental aspects of casting. Efficiency.”
She looked out across the room. “Can anyone explain the importance of efficiency?”
Malach quickly raised his hand and Zuroch nodded.
“Efficient use of Airiya minimizes the amount needed to bond, which will delay our penances.”
The master crossed her arms. “While that may be true in most applications of casting, there is an even more important reason during a fight. As you become more efficient in the bonding process, having more Airiya at your disposal means you can last longer in a skirmish. It means having less casting sickness. It means survival.”
Silence filled the room until one student began to copy down what the master said. Zuroch paced in front of the desks and continued with her lecture.
“Casting is a terribly inefficient transfer of energy by its nature. Even when we bond Airiya, our soul energy escapes from us in the form of light.”
“For the most part, all humans have a similar amount of soul energy. What differentiates good casters from poor casters is how effectively they can use the Airiya they bond. At a young age when we are first learning how to cast, it takes a tremendous amount of energy just to heat a pot of tea or move a rock, but as we grow older however, we can perform those same tasks with a fraction of the Airiya. It’s a concept we all know and intuitively grasp, but in a fight, it is of the utmost importance.”
Master Zuroch bonded the orange hue. “Training ourselves to conserve Airiya during a fight changes the way we think about an encounter. Nomadine, please stand across from me and assume a battle stance.”
A middle-aged student stood up and took her position facing the master.
“Let’s say I want to trip my opponent. I have a plethora of options available to use. I could condense the air around her ankles with white Airiya, or I could shift the ground beneath her feet with orange Airiya. I could also pick up a chunk of stone near me and propel it at her. Now which one of those three options would be the most efficient yet effective casting?”
Malach’s hand once again shot up. “Throwing the stone would require the least amount of Airiya since the casting takes places closest to your body.”
Zuroch smiled. “An accurate statement. The farther away an object is, the more energy required to manipulate it. But my question was efficient yet effective. Throwing a rock at Nomadine won’t necessarily trip her up. I could aim the rock in a manner to which I force her to dodge in a certain direction, but she could very well also just block the attack since it would take time for the rock to reach her.”
Mira chimed in. “Well, by that logic, condensing the air around her would be the most effective as it would provide her almost no warning.”
“Also, sound logic. The problem with that method though, is the energy cost to do so. Condensing a gas into a solid requires a tremendous amount of Airiya, and for me to bond that much of the white hue would give away my intentions.”
With a flash of orange light, the ground beneath Nomadine’s feet slid forward causing her to land awkwardly on the ground.
“The correct answer was option two. It uses more Airiya than flinging a rock but is more effective. Learning how to make these distinctions in a fight is crucial. Another key element in combat is utilizing what Airiya you have already bonded. In that previous example, I had not bonded any of the white hue. Doing so would only make the casting sickness worse. Sometimes the right choice requires a different type of Airiya, but for the most part, learning how to fully utilize one hue in creative ways is the preferred method.”
Zuroch helped Nomadine to her feet and strode toward the open part of the hall. “Find a sparring partner and follow me.”
Malach nudged Mira and grinned. “What do you say? I promise to go easy on you.”
I’m sure you will.
“Alright, why not?” she said innocently.
Zuroch sectioned each pair into separate rings etched into the floor.
“For the next week we will be focusing on using only one hue at a time. Today’s hue will be white. The objective is to knock your opponent off their feet. Take your stances and begin!”
Mira set her feet awkwardly and met Malach’s eyes. Bright and carefree, they showed he wasn’t taking this seriously. They both drew in breath and bonded Airiya.
“You ready?” she asked.
He nodded and assumed a battle stance, feet planted and hands up. She entered the Eye and took a step forward, shooting a blast of air from her palm. The attack was straightforward and painfully obvious, allowing Malach to parry it with little effort. She shot two more blasts, both of which were also deflected.
“Attacking straight on won’t get you anywhere. In a fight you have to conceal your motives!”
That’s right. . . take the bait.
She drew in a little more breath and sent another attack his way.
Again, he brought down his own slice of air to parry the attack. “I thought I told you that wouldn’t -”
Before he could finish his sentence, Mira solidified a strip of air around his feet and pushed a bit harder than she needed. Malach’s feet flew behind him, and he fell face first onto the floor.
“You were saying?” she asked with a sly grin.
He knelt with a groan and glared at her. “Hmm . . . guess I deserve that. This isn’t your first time here, is it?”
“Sure isn’t!” she said, taking a serious stance.
He reset as well. The once bright eyes of his were now cold and calculating, masking his emotions. “I won’t fall for that again.”
She nodded and Malach went on the offensive. He sent two slices of air her way, each from either direction. She chose to parry both upward with gusts of her own, but as soon as she let loose her casting, Malach shot another blast at her straight on.
He’s not messing around this time.
There wasn’t enough time to fully block, so she spun to her left. In mid spin, she took control of the surrounding wind and pushed herself to the side barely dodging Malach’s attack.
My turn now.
She inhaled sharply and rushed Malach. As she ran, she sent two blasts at him — the first at his head and the other at his feet. He parried the first one but didn’t have time to block the next, so he jumped over it.
Mira was now in striking distance and threw a punch at his face. Malach’s eyes widened in surprise, yet he managed to condense the air to catch her fist. She then spun low and kicked his feet out from under him. While falling, Malach attempted to push himself back up with a gust of air, but Mira was already prepared with a much stronger gust of her own and slammed his body onto the floor.
“That’s twice!” she said, breathing heavily.
Master Zuroch walked up to their circle. “Nice use of both casting and physical attacks, Mira, but ease up. This is just sparring after all. Be more deliberate with the amount of energy you put into each strike.”
“Yes, master,” she replied. standing up hurriedly.
Malach glared up at her. “You were really going to punch me, weren’t you?”
She gave him a questioning look. “Well of course! You ready for round three?”
He narrowed his eyes and returned to his feet. They reset and began again. He was clearly angry, yet he managed to keep his attacks calculated. Wave after wave he sent attacks, giving her just enough time between attacks to parry the next. Ever so slightly, he slowed down his attacks, leaving her in a rhythm of parries. Abruptly, he sent the fastest attack he could manage, catching Mira off guard, and she found herself on her back, the calmness of the Eye vanishing. A wide grin spread across his face.
“Alright, don’t get cocky now,” she grunted, sitting up.
They sparred for another half hour; trading blows and each taking victories. Mira won more than she lost of course, but Malach proved himself to be a worthy sparring partner. He was quick, adaptable, and he never fell for the same strategy twice, which kept her on her toes.
“Alright that’s enough for today!” Master Zuroch called out. “Everyone, gather around.”
Mira let go of the remains of her bonded Airiya and joined the crowd of students.
“Most of you are still feeling the effects of casting, but listen up. I saw some decent casting, but all of you need to improve the efficiency of your attacks. Over the next few days, you will cut down the amount of Airiya you are using by half. Rest up tonight. It’s going to be a tough week!”
After the dismissal, Zuroch promptly exited the training hall, and Mira and Malach walked over to grab their packs.
“Last class of the day?” he asked.
“Yep.”
“Mine too. Care for a walk?”
She hesitated. It’s not like I have anywhere else to be.
“Sure.”
He beamed with excitement. “I have to run over by Master Soter’s office, but we can meet out front by the fountains. I promise it won’t take long.”
They parted ways in the corridor, and Mira left to go wait at the fountains. It had been an exciting first day back in classes, but she wasn’t anywhere closer to finding the source of Airiya. Like Zuroch’s lesson, she needed to be efficient with her time here.
“Sorry for the wait! Ready?” Malach called, hurrying out of the school.
They walked onto the main road towards the Sun Palace. Malach seemed to have a route in mind, so she followed his lead. They walked in silence as they meandered along the main road past the palace and towards the bridge towards the north. When they reached the bridge, Malach strode to the railing and looked down at the river.
“So, how long have you been taking lessons?” He asked as she rested on the railing next to him.
“Around four years.”
He looked up surprised. “Seriously?!”
She shrugged. “Well off and on . . . I was only allowed to study for a year at a time.”
“That explains why I haven’t seen you around before . . . I only enrolled last fall.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Quite impressive for such a short amount of time.”
“Thanks, but I’ve been casting since I was little. I only moved here so I could better my chances at becoming a Mage.” He looked out past the Flame and to the ocean. “. . . You’re really from over there then?”
She gave a weak laugh. “What gave it away?”
He met her gaze and held it. Those dark eyes of his focused on hers.
“That eye of yours is striking,” he said softly. He shook his head nervously and turned to look back at the ocean. “Sorry . . . I’ve only met a few of your people before. But never up close.”
Mira looked away. “I . . . don’t know if I would say they are my people. I am not a Pure-Eyes.”
“But your eye,” he said confused. “I mean, don’t all Ragnerians have red eyes?”
Though not by intention, his words dug at her. “No. Not all born in Ragner are of the Pure-Eyes.”
“But aren’t you one of them?”
Frustrated, she pointed to her left eye. “Does this look pure to you? I’m a ward . . . cursed the moment I was brought into this world. Born out of wedlock, I was cast aside for this eye. A stain upon the family. My parents didn’t even bother giving me a name. Mira Noniven is just something the orphanage came up with.”
She glared out over the water.
“That’s awful . . .”
Mira let out a long sigh. “Sorry, touchy subject.”
There I go making things awkward . . .
A better part of a minute passed before Malach broke the silence.
“So, what is a ward doing across the world studying casting?”
She relaxed a little. “My master was commissioned to send a student here to learn what we could about Airiya.”
“I see . . .” He stared distantly. “It’s true then. There really isn’t any Airiya over there?”
“Yep.”
He took a deep breath. “I’ve heard stories from deckhands who’ve sailed far enough to lose the presence, but it’s hard to imagine an entire civilization without Airiya. No casters to build roads, no healers to mend the sick, no one to foretell the weather . . . and yet you were the ones to manage a voyage across the world to find us.”
That made her smile. “We’re clever people. Casting has left you complacent, too reliant on its power.”
Malach scratched the stubble on his chin. “Hmm . . . that’s what we say about Airacite users.”
“Enough about Ragner though. You said you moved here to become a Mage. Why?”
He looked up at the Flame. By now, the setting sun lit up its sandstone walls, reflecting bright sunlight. Compared to the creeping shadows covering the canyon, it shone like a beacon.
“Both my parents are Mages. Their parents were Mages as well, so for years they wanted us children to make the pilgrimage too. You know . . . family tradition. Forgoing formal training, my parents decided to teach us casting themselves, just as they were taught.”
He took a deep breath.
“Eventually my older brother, Eros, grew of age and began his Pilgrimage. It was a momentous occasion. Everyone in the family saw him off, and well . . .,” he paused. “He never returned.”
For a moment, Mira saw pain in his eyes, and she felt her stomach tense.
“Dad took it hard, but Mom almost left the Order altogether. She forbade the rest of us from attempting the Pilgrimage.”
He looked down at the back of his hand. “To be honest, for years I felt the same, blaming the system . . . Blaming Ishum. I thought for certain that Eros must have died before he even found Ishum. Maybe mugged a few days out of the city. Or perhaps got ill. They say the journey is extremely dangerous. He could have died by some trial that’s out there. I wanted so badly to believe these possibilities, but after a while I slowly accepted the truth.”
His voice was steady, but his hands trembled as he spoke. “Eros wasn’t worthy. We should have seen the signs . . . comments he made. Anger issues growing up. That’s when I realized that I must speak to Ishum myself. To know for certain and to prove to my mother that there was still hope in the Order.”
He took a deep breath. “So, I left Asandri and came here. Master Soter thinks I’m almost ready to attempt my Pilgrimage.”
He slouched over the railing. “You probably think I’m crazy, but I still believe in the Order.”
“I think it’s noble! Anyways, I’m planning on meeting Ishum too,” she said.
Malach jolted upright. “Seriously?”
“Of course!” she said arms crossed. “I plan on asking Master Zuroch about my attempt soon.”
The pain from before crept on his face. “No offense Mira, but are you sure you’re really ready for that?”
Quickly, she inhaled and bonded six hues of Airiya letting her body glow in an array of colors. Malach’s eyes widened as he took a step back.
“Six hues . . .,” he whispered.
“I’m already a much better caster than you. I proved as much in today’s class, so if Soter thinks you’re good enough then surely so am I.” She let go of the Airiya as quickly as she bonded it.
“Four years of casting and you can already bond six different hues. All at once too,” he said, impressed. “There are many Mages that can only manage three or four, let alone six.”
Mira grinned. “It’s only a matter of time before I can learn to bond all eight. I bonded violet once a few years back, but I just can’t remember the feeling of it.”
He stared as if truly seeing her for the first time. “It’s extremely rare for someone to master all eight hues . . .”
“Oh, come on, it can’t be that uncommon. Zuroch can bond seven.”
He looked back up at the Baelon Crest. “I can only think of one person off the top of my head. Gerick Amahn, the prince.”
“Oh yeah. I’ve heard Zuroch mention him before. Some prodigy or something. Is he really that good?”
“Some prodigy? He mastered all eight hues when he was ten, and by age twelve, he made his Pilgrimage. Youngest person ever to do so and return.”
They let a child venture out by himself? She had known the prince was talented, but she didn’t bother learning the specifics of the Baelon monarch.
“Isn’t he the only heir to the throne? What would’ve happened if he wasn’t deemed worthy?”
“Well, I suppose then it would’ve been better to find that out early before he became king.”
“I guess . . .still seems risky.”
He pushed himself away from the railing and walked further across the bridge. “I’m surprised you didn’t know about his Pilgrimage. Everyone was talking about it for years.”
She followed quickly behind him. “I suppose I just didn’t pay much attention.”
“Well, if you’re interested in learning more, I’m sure there are plenty of books in the library about him.”
They finished crossing the bridge and came to an intersection. Mira began to follow the road leading back to the inn, but Malach paused.
“I’m over by the theater. You?”
“Lightridge, see you tomorrow then?”
“Tomorrow.” He nodded before turning down the road.
Mira started for the lift. On the way, her mind drifted to the tale of a twelve-year-old boy making his Pilgrimage. She decided to take Malach’s advice and diverted towards the library.
Once there, she had a clerk help her locate any works regarding the prince, and before long she had a whole stack of volumes. For hours, she read, desperate for any clue or hint about the Pilgrimage. Sadly, none of the books discussed the journey itself, but Mira found herself engrossed in learning about the boy’s life. She knew he enrolled in the School of the Monarch but was surprised to find out that Zuroch was his sponsor. Eventually, the clerk came by and told her the library was closing, so she ventured back onto the streets of Phaeros.
She probably should have returned to the inn, but there was one place she hadn’t visited yet since her return. Quickly she made her way towards the northern city gate where the doors were wide open to the desert beyond. She passed through and followed the road until coming across a large flat stone slightly off the paved path.
Climbing up to the top, she sat crossed legged looking up at the vast night sky. This was her spot. She would come here most days to practice bonding Airiya. Something about getting away from the city made her feel more connected to the world.
Facing away from the lights of the city, Mira could see the endless array of stars above. Instinctively she looked for the Heroes of Ragner’s past. Of course, the first one she located was Mirin Draysonare – the Binder of Ragner. The man who led his people to conquer the continents. No enemy could stand before his will to shape and dominate the world.
She thought back to when Clara, the owner of the orphanage, took her outside Jaesraheim one evening and showed her the Heroes and the Star-born Beasts they fought. They went through each hero and their story, and Mira remembered enjoying everyone. But, when they got to Mirin, she pulled Mira real close and whispered. “You are named after this next one. He started off as nothing, but he refused to let anything stand in his way. He rose above his beginnings and forged a new path for himself and eventually his people.”
She had held onto that ideal ever since. No matter her status in life, she could rise above it. She too could shape the world.
Her stomach growled. Can’t change anything if I don’t eat.
Reluctantly she hopped off the stone and made her way back to the inn.
When she walked into the common room, Jin and Mikel were sitting alone in the empty room.
“Coming back a little late I see,” Jin said, looking up from the stack of papers in front of him.
“Spent some extra time at the library,” she replied.
“Hah! Feeling a little homesick, are you?”
Mira scowled. “Not in the least bit.”
“I’ll be sure to tell Tharis that!” Jin laughed.
Mira just rolled her eyes and strode up the stairs. When I return to Jaesraheim, I’ll be returning as a hero, not a ward.