After that, it wasn't long before we reached the city center and found Estra waiting for me in front of the shaman's headquarters. I was relieved to see him after such a heavy conversation. Estra greeted Rastari formally and quickly escorted me inside. I had noticed the night before that Estra didn't seem to like Rastari very much. He was always formal and stiff with him and had avoided talking to him at dinner. Rastari was either oblivious or simply didn’t care, so the conversation never became awkward, but I couldn't help but notice the shift in his demeanor.
The inside of the shaman headquarters was nothing like the rest of the city. The outside of the building was just like the rest of the trading city, appearing like it had risen from the desert sand rather than been built, but the inside somehow felt like I was back in the forest. No, was I back in the forest? When Estra opened the main doors, the space inside looked completely dark, as if someone had turned off all the lights. However, once we’d passed through the threshold and the door closed behind us, I realized that we were in a short corridor, barely illuminated by an unknown light source. The floor beneath us wasn't a floor at all, but rather a dirt pathway. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I noticed that the walls looked like they were made of trees, hundreds of saplings intertwined, with large leaves forming the ceiling. My mind could not comprehend such a sight while still within the confines of the desert city.
“Welcome to the shaman headquarters,” Estra said to me as he led me down the relatively short corridor, towards what looked like the side of an enormous tree. Estra pulled on a knothole and a section of the tree’s bark opened like a door. Again, there appeared to be nothing but darkness beyond the threshold. “The place you are about to enter is a place that has never been seen by human eyes. Regular beastmen are also denied access, however I’ve been granted a special exception to bring you here today. There are, of course, some rules you will need to abide by. The first is that you must only go where you are explicitly given permission to go. Unless you are told otherwise, you must not stray from my side. The second is that you must do no harm to anyone or anything you come across here. The last is that you must never speak of anything of the secrets you see within, including to your mate. If you are prepared to follow those rules, we can proceed.”
“I am prepared to follow those rules, but how do I know what is secret and what is not?” I inquired, wanting to ensure I understood the rules properly.
“If you aren’t sure, assume it is a secret until you can ask me,” Estra advised. “Like as not, you won’t see anything secret, as you are not yet a shaman and won’t be shown anything we wouldn’t want others to know. We do not hold any world shattering secrets, but we value our privacy as we develop new tools and magics to serve the Beastlands.”
“Understood,” I confirmed, “but, why are they allowing me in here at all?”
Estra chuckled and beckoned me to follow him. He gestured for me to go through the door, while answering, “Because they, like I, are very interested in the human who can open his third eye and touch his magic. I told you before that it was quite impressive that you managed to partition your own mind, didn’t I? Your potion making success also created quite a stir when I brought it up. There are quite a few who want to pick the brain of the human that managed to awaken its magic.”
The way he said it made me a little nervous. If that was the case, wouldn’t that mean I was about to repeat the experience I had with the marshal generals?
I hesitated to step forward, thinking it might be better to just turn around and go back to the inn. Estra began to look impatient as I stood in place without moving, so I explained, “I thought you brought me here so I could meet potential mentors or something, but it sounds like I’m here for them to interrogate me. I don’t want to be interrogated again.”
“I can promise you won’t be interrogated,” Estra responded with a sigh, seeming to understand the source of my concern. “However, I make no promises about being asked questions. The whole point is, in fact, for you to find someone willing to be the master under whom you can apprentice. Do you really think you’ll find a master that won’t question your skills and motives?”
“I suppose not. I guess I’m still feeling on edge from dealing with the marshal generals yesterday,” I admitted.
“It won’t be like that at all,” Estra assured me, “the shamans you’ll meet won’t be anything like the marshal generals. What we’re concerned about is honing and expanding our craft. Here, you’re a curiosity, something novel and new that can possibly answer old questions and create new ones. Those marshal generals were only interested in making sure you weren’t a spy or something ridiculous like that. Now, come along, I’ve gathered a very small group that are interested in talking to you but are unlikely to trouble you.” He repeated his gesture from earlier, and this time, I walked through the door.
The space on the other side of the door definitely didn’t look like it belonged in the middle of the desert. It was almost as if we were inside a giant tree, but there definitely couldn’t be a tree of that size growing inside the building. I'd have seen it from the outside, wouldn't I?
The open space had a grassy floor and wild flowers grew sporadically. The walls, if you could call them walls, were made of smooth but unpolished wood and there were several corridors leading to other unseen areas.
The room we’d entered seemed to be a meeting space, but one designed for casual use. The leaves that made up the ceiling had what looked like sunlight shining through the tiny spaces between them, even though it was a two-story building and there should be more rooms above us. The glimmers of sunlight illuminated the space, making it feel like it was a temperate spring day. With ample space between them, there were various sitting areas, some with tables and chairs, others with couches, and some that were simply blankets laid upon the ground-like floor. It was a bizarre indoor-outdoor space that felt out of place in the middle of a desert city.
“Unlike the beast army, we do not stand on formality and structure here. This main area is a gathering space where we can meet to discuss our work, or simply enjoy a conversation with like-minded individuals,” Estra explained as I looked around at the marvelous space. “If you follow the corridors, there is a formal meeting room and spaces where we can experiment with potions, treatments, and other magics.”
Beastmen milled about the tables, enjoying a much more casual pace than those outside. The seating areas were well separated enough that, unless someone was speaking loudly, one could have a private conversation without anyone overhearing. Most of the seats were already taken by beastmen, some having intense, quiet conversations, others shouting and good-naturedly arguing about whatever topic was on the table.
“Ah, this way,” Estra said, indicating a blanket off to the side, where three people were already sitting, looking comfortable and somewhat bored. The three people on the blanket looked up at our approach and stood to greet us.
“Is this him?” one of the beastmen inquired as soon as we were close. He stood and extended his hand to me, “I’m Herman and you must be Falyn. Estra has told me quite a bit about you."
I shook his hand and replied, “Good to meet you. I appreciate you taking the time to meet me.”
His dark eyes took me in and he smiled, “No need for appreciation. I’m here to satisfy my own curiosity. I heard some interesting things from our little owl friend here and I wanted to see for myself if those things were true.”
Herman was about my height and had to be over fifty years in age. His dark eyes were surrounded by laugh lines and his hair was entirely gray. He appeared to be from another avian tribe, judging by his feathery hair, and he spoke to me in a warm voice that made me think of what a grandfather would be like.
I was invited to sit down and introduced to the other two on the blanket. After Herman, there was a wolf beastman by the name of Antony, who looked like he’d be more at home with the army generals if not for his soft voice and surprisingly gentle manner. The two males seemed to be familiar with each other and quite friendly. The third person was a female beastman of the lion tribe, named Adelia, with bright amber eyes and a mane of wild, tangled hair that hung in blond colored ropes down her back. All three were visiting the trading city for various reasons, but would eventually return to the lion village where Andrian and I had decided to settle.
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“Estra was quite excited to talk about you, but we wanted to hear about it directly from the source,” Antony said, getting straight to the point after the introductions were done.
“Yes,” Herman added, “we were told you successfully partitioned your mind, despite being a human in a land with no magic.”
“Well, yes, I did,” I answered, “but I don’t know how much I can tell you about it. I didn’t do it on purpose. I did it to survive.”
“But how was it possible?” Antony asked, “From what I’ve been given to understand, humans don’t possess magic due to that stunt with the borderland.”
“Ah, well, I did spend a lot of time in the Beastlands as a child,” I replied, “When I was around nine or ten, ten I think, I got it in my head that I wanted to see the borderland with my own two eyes. I suppose I did see it, but I didn’t realize I was seeing it and ended up lost on this side of the border. That’s how I first met Andri. He was still a cub and found me crying my eyes out, completely lost.”
“Andri?” Herman asked with a confused expression.
“As in General Andrian,” Estra answered for me, “Shouldn’t you be aware of that, considering you’re here for their joining?”
“When I got here, it was a joining for Rastari and some Duke’s daughter,” Herman shrugged, “How am I supposed to keep track of what the high and mighty army decides. It doesn’t really matter to me who’s getting joined anyways. War’s over? Good enough. I’m too old to worry about the politics… So you’re getting joined tomorrow?”
I was a little taken aback by his nonchalant question, but I was also somewhat relieved. I’d thought Estra would have told them about my past. I guess he’d only talked about me in terms of magic.
“Yes, I am. That Duke’s daughter you mentioned is my half sister,” I said and quickly returned to the original topic. “Anyway, because I met Andri, I returned to the Beastlands many times over a number of years. Humans aren’t incapable of magic, we just don’t have access to it. Or so I was told. So my time here left me with enough magic to create a partition when the need arose.”
“That makes sense, but I don’t understand how you could perform such intricate magic without any knowledge or intent,” Antony commented, “What were the circumstances at the time? You must have consciously done something to trigger it.”
“I’d prefer not to talk about the circumstances, but I can tell you I was young, traumatized, and scared out of my mind. It was more of a survival response than a conscious act, but it allowed me to immediately place the memories I couldn't handle into a space where they couldn't reach me. That partition existed for over nine years, but I didn’t realize it until Estra told me what I'd done,” I admitted, "I wish I could tell you more, but it's more like whatever magic I had did it on its own."
“Hmm…” Antony considered my response for a moment. “Well, you’ve certainly given me a lot to think about. If something like that could be done unconsciously for the sake of self-preservation, and by an unskilled novice with no concept of magic, no less…”
“It makes me wonder if we’re overemphasizing the importance of routines and recipes, taking away the freedom of our magic’s abilities,” Herman interjected in response to Antony’s musings.
“Not only that, but think of all the folks out there with the capacity to use magic but chose another path,” Antony added, his soft voice becoming excited, “Could it be possible that some of those people are unconsciously using magic to perform small miracles without knowing it? It’s assumed that simply having the natural ability isn’t enough to harness the power of magic, and that you have to train the ability to do anything of note. But if all that’s required is just the ability and need…” Antony trailed off but gave Herman a meaningful look.
Herman seemed to understand Antony's expression and they both hastily got up and excused themselves. They disappeared down one of the many corridors that led further into the building, whispering fervently to each other. It seemed they'd both had the same idea and were inspired to do something about it.
I felt a little disheartened as I watched the two of them walk away. Two out of the three possible mentors had just walked away as soon as I’d answered a couple questions. Based on their questions, I’d assumed that they came here to sate their curiosities and weren't seriously considering me, but I hadn’t expected such an abrupt departure. I glanced back at the two people who were still sitting on the blanket with me. Estra gave me an apologetic look while Adelia shook her head at the recently departed shamans.
“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised,” she said, “Estra, if you’re looking for a master for the boy, it would help if you informed the potential masters in advance.”
“You’re probably right, but then they wouldn’t have come at all. Neither is looking for an apprentice right now. The only way either of them would take him on is if he caught their interest and they suggested it themselves,” Estra replied with a shrug. “Besides, they meant no harm and he was coming here to meet you anyways.”
“As per usual, you can’t say ‘no’ to anyone,” Adelia muttered before turning to look at me. “Unlike the other two, I actually came to the trading city to look for an apprentice. I run a small apothecary and need an assistant to help make the potions. I’d have to test out your skills before I can consider you, of course.”
My eyes widened at her words. Discouraged by the other two leaving so quickly, I hadn’t thought that I’d have any better luck with Adelia. I couldn’t help but ask, “You’d really consider me?”
Adelia laughed and replied, “I wouldn't have come if I wasn't going to consider you."
“Ah, well, to be honest, where I definitely want to find someone to teach me, I didn’t have high expectations for today,” I admitted, “It was our first time meeting, I have limited magic, and I’m a complete novice. I was just grateful to meet people who might be able to point me in the right direction. If you'll consider me, then I'd like to give it a try.”
“Your limited magic is exactly why I thought you’d be a good choice for Adelia, by the way,” Estra informed us, “The more advanced potions are tedious, specific, and time consuming. Those with greater abilities generally shun the whole process. However, you have enough magic to be an excellent potion maker, without the capacity to grow beyond it.”
“What he's trying to say is that all shamans have a basic knowledge of potions and can make basic recipes, but very few are willing to master the craft,” Adelia explained, “I’m tired of taking on apprentices who leave after a few moon cycles. I don’t care if you’re a human with limited magic or if you know nothing about potions. As long as you’ve got potential and won’t quit as soon as I’ve taught you the basics, you'll work out just fine.”
“I won’t quit!” I announced earnestly, “If you would accept me, I’d very much like to learn from you!” I ducked my head down as I finished speaking, somewhat embarrassed by my sudden outburst. But knowing that my limitations wouldn't be a problem had given me a burst of confidence.
“Then let’s go test you out,” Adelia offered, ignoring my reddened face. “There should be a free lab for us to use. Follow me.”
Adelia stood up and led us down one of the corridors, which looked similar to the one we’d entered through. We soon came to what looked like a dead end, but Adelia used another knothole to open a door to a staircase. As we entered the stairway, it felt like we’d returned to the desert city. The walls were made of the same sandstone I was used to seeing, and the second floor was filled with windows that opened up to a view of the dome.
We entered what I assumed was one of the labs, an unmarked room off the main hallway. The walls were lined with shelves filled with various herbs, roots, and other ingredients. Other supplies for potion making were scattered about the room. Having only made potions in Estra's small tent, I felt somewhat intimidated by the scale of the room. There were many ingredients and instruments I didn't recognize.
“Should I guide him, or shall you?” Estra inquired.
“You,” Adelia immediately replied, “It’ll be easier to observe if I’m not involved. Have him make a potion he’s already made, and I’ll watch the process.”
With that, Estra began instructing me to gather ingredients. Having only created a few successful potions, I was able to recognize that we were making another healing potion. Determined to do my best, I focused all my efforts on following Estra’s careful instructions and soon forgot that someone was watching us.
When I was done, I happily looked at the potion, which was exactly the right shade and consistency, and presented it to Adelia. She pulled out a knife and calmly slashed her arm, creating a gaping wound on her forearm. Undeterred by the blood pouring from the wound, she calmly poured my potion on the slash and watched as her skin knitted itself back together. Once the wound was healed, she moved her arm around, testing its flexibility and range of motion.
She looked at me with a satisfied expression and said, “Very well done. I think I'm a little bit impressed. There’s no residual muscle damage left under the healed skin, and I wasn’t displeased with how you work. Very well, when you return to the village, I will take you as an apprentice.”