Rowan wasn't sure what to make of the Kairosi Fire Monk. His words appeared genuine, and his story aligned with everything Amran had told her. At the same time, he was a complete stranger. Then again, so was Alena when they first met and now they were lovers. Not that Rowan expected a similar progression with Vas, as while he had a lot going for him in terms of his physical appearance, she just didn't see him in that light. Either way, it wasn’t a reason to reject him as an ally.
“I'm still not sure if I understand your reason for being here,” Rowan admitted. “Your promise of aid is appreciated, and I understand the reasoning behind it, but I'm struggling to see the river you followed to reach this point.”
“I would be as well if I only knew the destination. While many Fire Monks stay in Ka’varit To'ruun, there are those of us who seek the flame. It is how we find ourselves and help the people of Tia Luna.”
“Tia what now?” Rowan asked.
“Tia Luna. In your tongue, she is Illyria. Those of us who take the pilgrimage of flame will do all that we can to stop her from burning. Were it not for my sister, however, I would not have travelled so far.”
“Is she okay?” Seres asked. Rowan smiled at her sincerity.
“She was when last we spoke. That is not why I am here. My sister is blind. She does not see the world as we do. To her ash-veiled eyes, there is only Resonance, for she was born with the Gift of the Soul.”
“I'm not sure I follow,” Seres confessed.
“I would be surprised if you did. Though you share her Gift, you are young and seeing. The echoes of war and strife are felt the world over. As are the songs of promise. Something happened in the North, and Alia was able to sense it. Sparks were flying. The risk was too high. Someone had to investigate. That is why I'm here.”
“And the teaching?” Rowan asked.
“It is my way of saying thank you. Wisdom is the flame that helps Tia Luna thrive.”
Rowan had nothing else to say. She was more or less satisfied with Vas’ reasoning. Silence followed.
Eventually, Vas prompted a different line of inquiry by asking, “Shall we proceed with your orientation? I understand if you would rather delay, as it is getting late.”
“That depends,” Seres answered. “We haven't actually been told what to expect.”
“Not even by your peers?”
“One of them said something about a tour of the campus, but nothing else,” Rowan admitted.
“Then you know what to expect. Orientation is meant to highlight where your respective faculties are located along with your nearest clinics, the library, and any other facility that is likely to benefit your studies. If we hurry, it will only take a few hours.”
It was getting late, and the sun was deceptively fast in Winter.
“What do you think, Seres?"
The princess looked to the west.
“We’ll be fine. Even if the sun sets, the lights will stay on.”
“If you say so.”
“I do. Lead the way, Master Vas.”
*****
They started with the Department of Resonance as it was the closest to the Gallery of Scribes. Well, second closest. The Awakened Lounge was technically closer, but it was also closer to home, and Vas decided there was little reason to backtrack.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
When they arrived, there was no denying the magnitude of the department or its significance at the university. For one, there were Resonance Arrays on display that Rowan had never seen before. She was able to comprehend the simpler ones, but there were configurations on display that defied reason. How did one discover the inconceivable? Such questions were beyond her. Then again, Rowan’s understanding of Resonance was fundamental at best.
Not wanting to dwell on the Resonance Arrays, Rowan shifted her focus to the heart of the department — a garden of stone. It was perhaps the purest expression of Resonance Rowan had ever seen. It spoke to her. A harmony of ripples. Peace. Serenity, Power. The way of a Stoic.
There was an answer to be found in the gravel, but it was not an answer she was seeking.
After the Department of Resonance, they found the College of Harmonies. Despite being one of the smaller faculties at the university, it was one of the more influential ones. Rowan couldn’t think of a single person who would object to good entertainment, and the college was dedicated to understanding the performing arts and sharing them with the world. As an Ardent and a dancer, Rowan approved.
“I’m surprised we haven’t seen anyone singing or dancing,” Seres remarked as they made their way past a practice hall.
“They probably do most of their practising inside,” Rowan offered. “That way, they don’t need to compete with other performers.”
“Point. I didn’t consider the competition.”
“If you wish to see the students performing outside, I recommend returning on a day of rest or first thing tomorrow morning,” Vas suggested. “While Rowan Pa’tia is correct in assuming they do most of their practising inside, they are encouraged to create new harmonies without direction on these days.”
Seres gave Vas a happy smile and said, “I’ll have to remember that,” only for her smile to shift questioningly. “What does ‘Pa’tia’ mean, and why do you keep saying it whenever you mention Rowan?”
“It is the Kairosi word for Ardent. It means ‘ash walker.’”
“Why is that?” Rowan asked.
“Why does your word for Stoic mean ‘silent promise?’” Vas retorted.
Rowan hesitated. Vas raised a good point. She didn’t know.
Vas continued. “When translating between two unrelated languages, there are bound to be concepts that make little sense when translated directly.”
“Point taken,” Rowan conceded. “What now?”
“There is a medical centre nearby,” Vas replied. “I will take you there. After that, I will show you the Flower of Wisdom. That is where we will find the library and the majority of the facilities you will need for your studies. It is also within throwing distance of the Awakened Lounge.”
“Lead the way.”
*****
The sky was bleeding crimson as Vas led them to the Flower of Wisdom. By the time they arrived, the sun was dipping below the horizon. Even so, the Flower of Wisdom shimmered with the light of the Goddess. The grand entrance greeted them with the words of the Sær Ni Valaren, the Azure University.
Miri na korveia, ma veilan del rand.
Miri na elvariin, ma elan fær del kora.
Miri na senka, ma leiva riin del forin.
Rowan repeated the words back to herself.
“In this place of learning, the mind flourishes. In this place of emotions, the Ardent Flame soars. In this place of meditation, the Stoic Spirit whispers.”
“The words are a promise to everyone who has studied at the university,” Vas whispered. “May you find the answers you seek.”
His tone was respectful. Even if his personal philosophy was different as a Kairosi Fire Monk, it was clear he held the university in high regard.
*****
The library was simply incredible. Rowan was catching flies; there were so many books. How anyone knew where to start was a mystery to her. Vas’ guidance was fairly limited as well. Besides etiquette, he mostly directed Rowan and Seres to the librarians. Rowan had to wonder if he was being hasty because they were running out of time. It was a good thing she had Alena to guide her instead.
*****
When they were done with their orientation, Vas took them to get something to eat. Seres was absolutely famished and Rowan wasn’t doing much better. Neither of them were expecting to be out so late when they first arrived at the Gallery of Scribes. If they had, they might have said something. Alas, hindsight is blind to the present.
“Help yourselves,” Vas said. “It is my fault for not realising your hunger or delaying the orientation.”
“We should have said something,” Seres argued.
“We should be the ones paying,” Rowan added.
Vas shook his head. “Even if you admit fault, I am here as a representative of the university. I should have been more observant. If you still wish to pay, you can do so for your bodyguards. The cryptic one is already enjoying his meal.”
“The cryptic one?” Rowan asked.
Vas motioned to Landras and Liadra.
“I will not be paying for them. They are your responsibility.”
He really was Amran’s teacher.