Chapter Eight

“Wait,” Xyr’lian objected, standing in front of the High Council. “I don’t see any free will at work here.”

The mild-mannered Finn approached them. “We willingly accepted our destinies three years ago, when the High Council found us. They trained us after we made our choice.”

“You!” Luna faced Gavry. “I’ve seen you before. You’re the guy in my vision. You made those illusory walls.”

Gavry’s mouth curved into a slight smirk. “They were good, weren’t they? I spent weeks copying the real barriers to make them look just right,” he said, a certain amount of pride evident in his voice.

Azdariel pursed her lips. “What’s Finn capable of, in that case?”

“Simply put, he can heal people,” Gavry supplied.

“Let’s see it then,” Xyr’lian said as he slouched in his seat.

“I knew he was going to say that,” Luna whispered to Azdariel.

Finn pushed up the sleeves of his shirt. “Could you come here?” he asked Celdon. The tall redhead did as he requested. “The healers mentioned to me that you’re wounded,” Finn told the younger man.

“They say it’ll take four more weeks to heal,” Celdon ruefully admitted. “It doesn’t hurt too much, so I can manage,” he said, pointing to his wound for proof.

“I’ll try something, all right?” Finn asked Celdon. When the latter nodded, Finn placed his hands over the wound. Everyone in the room watched as a small orb of light with a dullish red tinge emanated from Celdon’s bandaged wound. It hovered in Finn’s hand, getting smaller with each passing second. The glow of the orb dimmed considerably before disappearing completely.

A tentative Celdon moved his shoulder, and then ventured to take off the bandages. He ran his fingers over the previously wounded area and grinned. “It’s gone,” Celdon said in amazement.

“Finn’s really gifted in that field. He got you all to fall asleep by mixing those plants of his,” Gavry told them.

“In three days’ time, you will continue on your journey. You shall go to Ysvare, and will receive further instructions there,” Brother Balan conveyed. (Azdariel gasped inaudibly. “I didn’t know we’d be going there this soon… Oh well, it’ll be a pleasant surprise,” she whispered under her breath.) “Like Frater Pietro said, there are other talented ones who will oppose you. Be prepared, for they will find ways to divert and eliminate you.”

Griffin spoke up. “Could we at least have an idea of what they look like?”

“We are certain that they will make themselves known to you.”

“It’s all about the hunt,” Xyr’lian said. “There’s a greater sense of thrill and danger when the hunted know the hunters.” His cold assessment silenced everyone.

Frater Pietro coughed. “That is all for now. You may go back to your quarters. It is best that you reflect on the knowledge you have recently gained.” Celdon and the others filed out.

Xyr’lian stayed behind. He had seen Balan discreetly gesturing at him to do so. In time, he was left in the antechamber with Balan and the High Council.

“We do not renege on our promises. Go to the conservatory right after supper. Balan will meet you there,” Frater Pietro told the assassin before exiting the room. The other Elders followed him out.

Xyr’lian was the only person left in the foyer. Finally, he was getting answers about his past.

For the first time in his life, Xyr’lian felt fear.

It was easy for Xyr’lian to slip out that night. The others wanted to know Finn and Gavry more, and were participating in Luna’s ‘bonding sessions.’ He recalled that phrase with particular disdain. He simply did not want to go with them. No explanation was needed. There would be enough time to know the newcomers.

The fluid music of the piano greeted the pensive Xyr’lian as he entered the conservatory. Balan gently tapped the keys, a contented look on his face. Xyr’lian deliberately made noise while walking for the monk to notice him.

“Ah, Xyr’lian.” The notes stopped. “We finally talk face to face.”

“How do you do that projection of yours?” Xyr’lian asked, mainly to fill the void.

Balan shrugged his shoulders. “That is the work of the Elders, not me. Enough of this.” He stood up. “I have something to show you.”

The two walked the halls in silence. Balan led Xyr’lian through several passages, each more ancient than the previous one. They finally stop at a mostly-unlit hallway. “The people here do not like the place to be too bright,” Balan told Xyr’lian. He led the latter to one of the cells. “Please don’t make much noise. They don’t like being startled.”

Xyr’lian braced himself, clenched his fists, and peered through the small window.

She slept on her side, curled up into a ball. Her unruly hair partially obscured her face. Xyr’lian recalled how he had frequently caught strands of her hair in his fingers, laughing while he unsuccessfully tried to mess her hair. She had been a great beauty in those days. He clenched his hands tighter at the thought.

“How long has she been here?” Xyr’lian asked, his gaze still at the sleeping woman.

“Thirteen years. Ever since she came here, she’s been in a trance. It’s like she’s caught between two realities,” Balan said. “She’s never really spoken coherently all that time. Would you like to come back when she’s awake?”

The assassin was still focused on the woman in the cell. “No. This is fine. I don’t think she can answer my questions anyway.” He finally turned his attention to Balan. “Can the Elders tell me what I want to know?”

“I’m afraid I do not know for certain,” Balan admitted.

Xyr’lian took one last look at the woman. “I’ve seen enough.” He turned his back on her and started to walk away.

Someone then screamed, “My son!”

Xyr’lian barely noticed the noise the other people there began to make. He ignored Balan’s plea to help calm everyone and went back to the cell. He found himself staring into eyes as blue as his own.

His mother had visibly aged. Lines framed the corners of her mouth, her unkempt hair dotted with white strands. Though it had been thirteen years since Xyr’lian last saw his mother, she looked far older. Her face still held traces of the beauty she had possessed, but the look in her eyes betrayed her current state.

She looked like she was on the verge of madness.

“The voices are right once more,” she proclaimed. “And so the jury has appointed the chosen.”

Xyr’lian gripped the window bars. “What are you talking about, mama? Why are you like this?”

She continued rambling. “They were so sure that I would bring forth the one hope of this world… Do not fail this appointed task of yours, son!” she hysterically shrieked. “The destiny of the world lies upon your choice alone, anointed one!”

“I don’t understand, mama,” Xyr’lian choked out in uncharacteristic fashion. “Is that why you left me at the Isle? I’m the anointed one? What kind of reason is that? You could’ve stayed. You were respected, you were the midwife… They needed you there… I needed you there.”

“The voices repeatedly said that it was necessary,” his mother replied in a sing-song manner. “The anointed one had to live like the other children in the land of the assassins – separated from everyone. There was no other choice, my child…”

Xyr’lian drove his right fist into the door. “Damn all that! I didn’t want the only family I had left to run away from me!”

The whole place became silent.

The assassin faced Balan. “I’ve had enough. Let’s go.”

Balan took a look at the battered cell door and wordlessly nodded. The two walked away when a voice rang out. “Ask the princess! She’s going to find out,” Xyr’lian’s mother screamed. “The princess will know!”

A chorus of voices joined in.

“The one with the heart of stone!”

“She will know!”

“Greet the prince for me!”

Xyr’lian quickened his pace. “Get us out of this madhouse.”

Luna hummed an upbeat melody as she made alterations to the dress Finn had given her. “Celdon, could you hand me the scissors?”

The young man momentarily stopped making rosettes and got the scissors, giving them to the blonde girl.

“Thanks!”

Moments later, Finn and Gavry entered the room. The former had lace and a roll of ribbons with him. “Brother Raymond sent me with these when I told him of your request, Luna,” Finn announced before setting them on the side table.

Luna grinned. “That’s great! I have more material to work with.”

“Do you need anything else?” Gavry asked. His reserved demeanor was gone, though he still needed to get used to being with Luna and the others.

“Well…” Luna surveyed her surroundings. “Ooh, bring some water to drink. We’ll all need that later, after all the work is done.”

Gavry nodded. “I’ll get a pitcher from the kitchens,” he said before leaving.

After a while, Xyr’lian stepped into the room, preoccupied in thought. “Celdon, we’re all leaving tomorrow. You have to pack –" his eyes fell on Celdon, who was twirling some cloth or ribbon (Xyr’lian wasn’t sure). “I’m not even going to ask.”

“I’m making rosettes for Luna’s dress,” Celdon cheerily volunteered the information. “It’s really very easy. Want to try?”

“I didn’t ask,” Xyr’lian answered flatly.

“Hey, you’re talking now! You creeped us all out when you didn’t talk the whole day yesterday,” Luna told him. “Hold this, will you?” She handed Xyr’lian one end of the cloth, who was forced to do so since Luna let go of it. He winced somewhat upon holding it with his right hand. This action went unnoticed, because Luna addressed Finn. “Hold the other end,” she directed, smiling at him.

“Why am I holding this?” Xyr’lian demanded.

Luna replied, “Because Finn can’t hold the cloth up by himself. It’s too long. You’re helping me redesign my dress.” She grinned.

“I’ll have no part in this,” the assassin told Luna, moving to let go of the length of cloth.

“No! You’ll ruin the chiffon!”

“The what?”

“Chiffon! That cloth you hold in your hands is very delicate.” Luna continued pinning sections of the cloth. She stopped after a while. “I’m out of pins…” she groaned.

Finn spoke up. “I can get some from the supply closet. Brother Raymond will be more than happy to provide some.”

“That would be great! Oh, wait, someone needs to hold up that end…” Luna spied Griffin, who was just passing by. “Griffin!”

Upon hearing his name, Griffin stuck his head into the room. “Yeah?”

“Hold that, please.” Luna pointed to Finn’s end of the chiffon. Griffin was obviously puzzled, but did as she asked.

“I’ll get more pins then,” Finn said and promptly left the room.

“Why am I holding this?” Griffin asked, curious.

Xyr’lian’s answer was immediate. “Because you’re gullible. I was roped into this unwillingly. Celdon over there is making rosettes.” He said the last word with revulsion. “He’s having the time of his life.”

“It’s always nice to learn something,” Celdon explained. “Besides, I’m also able to help Luna, which is good.”

“You’re hopeless,” Xyr’lian declared.

“Why are you all in here?” Azdariel asked upon her arrival. She crossed her arms. “The last time I checked, my only roommate was Luna.”

Griffin looked uncertain. “Uh… we’re here to visit you?”

“Make a decent excuse, not something I’ll be caught dead doing,” Xyr’lian said monotonously.

“Don’t mind those two,” Luna told Azdariel. “Anyway, I had them all help me spruce up the dress I got from here.” She finished sewing on one of Celdon’s rosettes on the pink dress she held. “You have one too, in fact.” She rummaged around the drawer. Luna soon pulled out a plain dark blue dress. “Want me to trim the neckline and sleeves with lace for you?”

Azdariel looked at the dress. “Lace makes me itch.”

“How about I sew on some beads, put decorations on your dress?”

“I don’t see the sense of doing that. The dress is perfectly wearable as it is,” Azdariel reasoned.

Luna frowned. “But it’s plain, Azdariel! You’d look even nicer in a dress that’s not plain,” she said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Seeing the other girl’s expression, Luna tried another tactic. “Please, Azdariel? I’ll be very happy if you let me redo your dress.”

Azdariel took a long look at Luna. “Fine. But make it minimal.”

“All right!” Luna grinned. “I’m thinking a ribbon or two here, to cinch your waist.”

“You may as well be speaking in a foreign language,” Griffin said. “We have no idea what the heck you’re talking about.”

“Oh, shush,” Luna told him. “Just hold up the chiffon.”

An hour later (Xyr’lian was sure they’d been there for a longer time), Luna was putting the finishing touches to the dresses. Finn and Gavry had rejoined them, the latter bringing much-appreciated food and drink.

“I like you two,” Azdariel told Gavry and Finn with a smile as she took a cupcake. “You think of everything.”

“Food!” Griffin’s eyes lit up. He moved to take a piece, but Luna stopped him.

“You’re not getting any bread crumbs on those bolts of cloth!” she scolded.

“What cloth?”

“The ones you and Xyr’lian are going to put in the closet,” Luna said, pointing to a couple of rolls of cloth.

Finn spoke to Luna. “Gavry and I can do that, we haven’t been of much help anyway.” Gavry nodded.

“Quite the opposite, I must say,” Azdariel interrupted. “You’ve seen to it that we won’t go hungry, and that’s more than enough for me.” Griffin wordlessly nodded, having just taken a bite from a sandwich.

Celdon finished drinking some water. “Why don’t you and Azdariel try on those dresses, Luna? It would be nice to see how they look on you two.”

“That’s a great idea! I’ll be able to check if the dresses need more alterations.” Luna handed the blue dress to Azdariel. “You wear that, and I’ll try this one,” she said.

“I could’ve been finished making pendants had you not detained me, you know,” Azdariel replied, still looking at the dress with some apprehension.

“You always have those semi-precious stones with you, while I’ve only had this opportunity to prettify our clothes,” Luna pointed out. “Think of it as us making a statement,” she said with a grin.

Azdariel rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay. I get the point. But is ‘prettify’ even a word?”

Luna gently pushed Azdariel to the changing quarters. “Stop analyzing everything I say and just change into your new dress.” The blonde then turned to the others. “You stay put, all of you. We’re going to need comments.” Luna disappeared behind the room divider.

Griffin, Celdon, Xyr’lian, Gavry, and Finn all silently looked at each other. The assassin stood next to the archway that led to the balcony, quietly throwing pins at the cabinet opposite him as he observed the others. Finn and Gavry had just finished putting away the bolts of cloth, and sat next to the dresser. Griffin continued eating, halfway finished with his second sandwich. It seemed to Celdon that he alone was bothered by the uneasy silence. He chose to say so out loud.

“We’ve gotten used to the monks here. They only talk when it’s necessary,” Gavry explained.

“That’s right,” Finn said. “Mostly we just do our share of work. What did you do before, Celdon?” he asked kindly.

“I took care of the horses at the Isle. Lived there all my life,” Celdon said.

Griffin finished chewing. “Oh yeah, I remember that. You were placed in the communal home with us some time after you were born.”

“Communal home?” Gavry was shocked.

“It’s perfectly normal in the Isle. All the children born there are separated from their family. I don’t even know who my parents are,” Griffin said. “It’s the way the society functions. Family ties are nonexistent, so your loyalty is to the assassin fold. It’s like a clan of sorts, I guess. Anyway, all the children live at the communal home until their purpose has been determined. When I was seven, I was transferred to the assassins’ hold. I reckon the same process happened to Celdon.”

Finn remarked, “It’s a foreign concept for me. I assume that was the case with you too, Xyr’lian? You lived at the communal home?”

“No, I didn’t.” Xyr’lian threw the pin he held with greater force, driving it halfway through the cabinet’s plain face. He immediately added, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

The silence hung heavily in the air.

“Come on, Azdariel,” Luna’s voice cut through the room. Moments later, the two stepped in front of their companions, wearing Luna’s creations. The younger girl turned, the added layer of chiffon gracefully moving along with her. “What do you think? Do I look pretty?” Luna asked, fiddling with the rosettes she had attached on the right shoulder.

“Nice indeed,” Gavry said.

“Aye to that,” added Griffin.

“But Luna, you always look pretty,” Celdon said honestly, drawing a bigger grin from Luna.

“See? I told you it’s all right if you don’t redesign the dresses. You’d still look great,” Azdariel told her.

Luna waved her hand dismissively. “Live a little, Azdariel! Besides, I think adding that decorated strip of fabric as a belt tops your whole look off. It accentuates your figure,” she said while adjusting the studded turquoise sash. “Don’t you think it’s very fetching?”

“I consider functionality before aesthetics, honestly,” Azdariel replied.

Finn said, “It looks really good, Azdariel. You look nice.”

“You’ll stun them all without using your power,” Griffin remarked, placing the glass of water he had just emptied onto the side table.

Xyr’lian cleared his throat. “Well, it looks like things are done here. I’ll go and arrange our transportation for tomorrow.” He walked past them all and quickly exited the room.

“That was rude,” Luna commented after some time, pouting. “He didn’t even say anything about our work.”

“I’m afraid that may be my fault. I think I hit a sensitive nerve when I asked whether he lived at the communal home like Griffin and Celdon,” Finn told them.

Seeing Luna’s confused expression, Celdon motioned to her and mouthed an ‘I’ll tell you later.’

“Xyr’lian was a special case. He lived with his mother – she was the recognized midwife at the Isle,” Griffin said. He explained further at Gavry’s puzzled look. “The Isle’s not that populated, so it’s fairly easy to monitor births. After all, it’s easier to train children who are already familiar with and integrated to the system. I know what you’re thinking, Azdariel, and yes; the children get the raw end of the deal. It’s unfair. It’s one of the reasons I was glad to leave the job,” he told the brunette, who grimly nodded. “As I was saying, Xyr’lian’s mother was the midwife at the Isle. The position’s accorded due respect by everyone because of its importance to society. Xyr’lian was better off than most of us.”

“The subject seemed very sensitive for him,” Gavry said.

“Yeah, well, imagine our surprise when he was carted off to live at the assassins’ hold one day. He refused to talk about why he was there. It turned out his mother left him. It’s common knowledge at the Isle.”

Luna gasped. “That must’ve been hard for him!”

“I honestly can’t relate, but I suppose so. Anyway, don’t go treating him differently,” Griffin said.

“With the way he is? Don’t count on it,” Azdariel muttered.

Celdon kept hold of his horse’s reins, occasionally steering the horse to follow Xyr’lian. The monks had provided each of them with their own steed. (Azdariel was apprehensive at first, but Frater Pietro had insisted. “It is better for all of you this way,” the old monk had told her. “With Finn and Gavry joining you, the wagon will not hold.”) He thought the monks of Jora Cadem were very helpful. They even gave Xyr’lian a small bag of money. (Celdon was almost positive Brother Balan had murmured “As we agreed upon” when the monk handed the bag over, but it didn’t make any sense.)

Finn called Celdon. “Tell me, are you all like this?”

“Pardon?” asked Celdon.

“Let me rephrase that. When you travel, do you all act like this?”

Celdon tried to look around and listen to the others. Behind him, Luna chatted with Gavry.

“You just copy whatever’s put in front of you?” she asked.

“Yes,” Gavry replied.

“Don’t you try putting in bits and pieces of your imagining, making your illusion more unique and believable? Somehow, a picture perfect illusion is more obvious for what it is. You know, easier to spot as fake.”

Gavry looked confused. “That doesn’t make sense. Why do I have to put my defining mark? Do I need to do that?”

Luna pointed to the clouds overhead. “What do you see?”

“Is that a trick question?”

“Gavry! Just tell me what you see!”

“Uh… clouds?”

“No! Let me make it clear for you. See that one? It looks like a flower…” she then pointed to another cloud. “That one’s shaped like a hat, see?”

Gavry remained silent. He then spoke up. “Those look like cotton.”

“Cotton? Gavry, you’re as imaginative as a wall! You’re the only one I know who’s failed the cloud test!”

“That was a test?”

Celdon chuckled, turning to Finn. “Oh, you mean Luna? She really is like that, animated. She’s very fun to be with. Never a dull moment.”

“Yes, but I also meant Griffin and Azdariel. Do they always fight like that?” Finn asked.

Celdon tried to listen to Azdariel and Griffin, who were right behind Luna and Gavry.

“…try practicing not waving your hand. It’s a giveaway: they’ll know you’re up to something when your left hand moves,” Griffin said.

“I’m aware of that, Griffin. I didn’t know any better when I found out I could get my bracelet without actually reaching for it. The hand waving has become a habit. It’s not like I intentionally flick my hand every time,” Azdariel said.

“I always thought you discovered your power while getting a book or something… Anyway, you said it’s a habit, so you’re aware that you do it. That’s intentional…”

Celdon returned his attention to Finn. “Oh, them? They always talk to each other like that. Azdariel and Griffin discuss even the smallest things. I guess it’s become a habit for them.”

Finn laughed quietly. “Something’s always happening with you, I see.”

Xyr’lian suddenly wheeled his horse around. “Can we have less chatter, please? I’m trying to listen for possible dangers, and I can’t do that over the current din of noise.” He just as rapidly resumed his bearings.

“In case you were wondering, Xyr’lian’s always in a testy mood.” Celdon murmured to Finn, who nodded in understanding. Their attention was then diverted to the path ahead of them.

A lone woman holding a flute was headed in their direction, apparently oblivious to her surroundings. Her eyes lit up upon seeing them, unaware of the thieves who suddenly sprang out of the bushes.

“Watch out!” Celdon called out, concerned for the unknown woman.

It immediately dawned on him that he shouldn’t have worried.

She took one look at the five ruffians closing in on her and sprang to action. She hurled the flute high up in the air as she dismounted her horse in one smooth and swift motion. Two of the thieves attacked her with swords; she crouched and swept one leg under one of them, then just as quickly drove her arm behind the other’s knees. Another man swung his sword downward at her – she did several back flips to distance herself from him. When she stood, she undid the scarf tied around her neck. The female warrior whipped it at her next attacker while dealing him several calculated kicks, driving him to the ground, immobilized. The two remaining men went after her from opposite directions, but she easily dispatched of them. She used a nearby tree stump to launch herself in the air and delivered a series of kicks and punches to them. She finished just in time to catch the flute she threw earlier.

“Whoa,” Gavry managed to say.

Celdon was stunned – and so, it seemed, were everyone else. He knew from her quick dealing with the thieves that she was at least Xyr’lian’s equal in fighting prowess. They went to the peculiar girl. Azdariel immediately dismounted; at her action, everyone did the same. “Are you all right?” Azdariel asked her.

The girl stood still, apparently in a trance. She then exclaimed, “The meaning of my life is to love!”

Celdon was sure he wasn’t the only one baffled by the girl’s actions. He quickly looked to see who she was fixated upon; he turned his head, his gaze landing on Xyr’lian. Celdon didn’t know whether to laugh or feel bad for the assassin, who seemed to have come to the same conclusion. He looked horrified.

The girl who was fighting moments before then ran to Xyr’lian and flung her arms about his neck. “I’m in love!” she exclaimed.

Finn and Gavry looked stunned (in varying degrees). Luna bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud, while Azdariel looked bemused. Griffin, meanwhile, was red from laughing at Xyr’lian, who unsuccessfully tried to free himself from the girl’s grip. “Let – go,” the assassin demanded in vain.

“Xyr’lian doesn’t seem to be suffocating… is he?” Luna remarked to Celdon.

The foreign girl let go of the appalled assassin. “Xyr’lian? I just love your name! Goes well with mine. I’m Sachi. Just listen – Xyr’lian and Sachi,” she told Xyr’lian, obviously smitten with him. At that point, Luna gave up and laughed out loud. “I knew the moment I saw you that you were someone special,” Sachi dreamily recounted.

Griffin laughed even more, making him cough violently. Azdariel thumped his back, smiling in amusement at Sachi and the hapless Xyr’lian. “I take it you’ll be traveling with Xyr’lian, then, Sachi?”

His icy blue eyes clouded momentarily as he released his hold on the random peasants he previously controlled, all of them near death. The warrior, Sachi, had easily gotten rid of them. Not all was lost, however, for he had seen enough to confirm that the people she encountered were the others. That information alone was enough – for now.

“I look forward to the day we will all meet,” he murmured, his eyes glinting as he turned away with a sweep of his cloak.

Author’s Notes: I finally got to post this one… I got bombarded with a load of exams. So sorry…I’m trying my best to upload on a regular basis. Anyway, any comments on the characters’ interactions? Please review this chapter. :) Next Chapter: Who is this Sachi? Who the heck is that unnamed guy at the end? It’s an overload of emotions in the next chapter!