Chapter 34 - Perception

Arnest jumped up in his cot, slightly moistened by a cold sweat and rapidly rasping in air. His hands were tightly gripping the single burlap sheet and his entire body was taut like a twisted towel. It took some time before he could start to relaxedly release the built up tension once he realized he was no longer dreaming.

He looked out to the window on his right as a warm orange glow filled the room. It was still early, at latest the end of dawn, so Arnest wasn’t feeling especially wanting for food. But as he got out of bed, his dry lips and parched throat left him with a longing feeling for something to drink. Remembering the Mente wine, he ducked into the lower closet and pulled out a bottle. Soon after finishing half the bottle, Arnest felt much better, as a calming sensation filled his insides and his mind settled down.

Another glance out the window and Arnest thought to himself, “Might as well go back to sleep.”

A few hours later, Arnest was awoken by Zorr, his senior classmate whom he met with before. He offered to show Arnest around Guardia which he happily accepted. Zorr took him to see the library, dining hall, and his own room which was on the thirty third floor. After spending quite a bit of time in Zorr’s room, it was getting late so they said their goodbyes and Arnest retired to his quarters.

This type of day repeated itself for about two weeks, where Arnest would relive the strange dream of the tournament, drink a bottle of Mente wine, and spend the rest of the day with Zorr within the confines of Guardia’s barracks.

“So Arnest, what’s Instructor Maest like?” Zorr asked, as he scraped the edge of his sword against a whetstone.

Arnest looked at Zorr who was grinding the sword with such strength that forced sparks.“I’m not really the person to be asking,” he said, before looking up and away. “I only met with him twice.”

Zorr paused the sharpening, inspecting the blade against his thumb. “Even so, there must have been something that was interesting about him.”

“Well…”

Arnest started to think about what happened during their last meeting and remembered how Maest told him to keep the wine a secret. Zorr diverted his gaze towards Arnest with a steady anticipation.

“He’s old, I guess.”

Zorr looked down, back at his sword with a self-deprecating smirk. “I’m a fool, for thinking he’d tell me anything useful.” Zorr’s voice rang in his ears, yet his mouth was closed shut.

“Did you say something just now?”

“Huh?” Zorr had a puzzled look on his face. “I didn’t say anything.”

“Did I accidentally say that aloud?” Zorr’s voice clearly rang out again.

This time Arnest didn’t shrug off his intuition. He concentrated all his attention towards Zorr.

In an instant, the room and Zorr disappeared into a bright void. Zorr’s figure reappeared, but there was something off about him. One of the most off putting parts about him was the fact that he was now the same height as Arnest, however the Zorr he knew was at least two heads taller than himself. His facial features were also proportionally larger, making him look more youthful compared to the sharp eyes and small mouth Arnest remembered.

Arnest recognized this place as being the first floor, right before the door which lead to where the instructors were. Zorr entered and passed the attendant who sat at the front desk, with his stanch black glasses and a small book in hand. The two of them ignored each other as Zorr headed down to the end of the hallway, turning towards the eastern door.

“Why is he heading to Maest’s room?” Arnest thought.

Zorr knocked twice and entered the room. Inside was the rocking chair that Arnest had seen Maest sitting in, however now there sat a much younger man, who looked to be in his mid-thirties. His hands were clasped together, resting on his lap, as he stared out of the window.

The man turned towards Zorr. “I am your new instructor. My name is Celso Maest. You may call me Instructor Maest.”

“My name is Zorr Bosque. It’s a honor to be your student, Instructor Maest.” Zorr said, while bowing.

“Let me ask you something, Zorr Bosque...” Celso said, while rising and picking up a sword that was leaning against the wall next to him.

“Is it a honor to be my student?” he said while raising his sword, “Or to be the student of the son of the famous Instructor Maest?” Celso asked, whilst pressing the sword against Zorr’s neck.

Zorr didn’t flinch, saying in an unhurried tone “To be your student, is a honor. Instructor Maest.”

Silence filled the room as Celso continued to press the blade on Zorr. The bowing student eventually raised his own head, forcing the two of them into a staring contest. Zorr kept a stern appearance that was neither defiant or submitting. Both parties were unnaturally calm. So much so that an onlooker might mistake this menacing situation as a quiet discussion between a new pupil and their mentor. At least if it weren’t for the threatening sword that was slowly slicing off a thin layer of Zorr’s skin.

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With a laugh, Celso threw the sword to the side and it clanged when it hit the ground.

“Either answer would’ve been fine. I’m just wondering what kind of person my student was.” Celso said.

Zorr rubbed his neck, which was nicked red. “So what kind of person am I?”

“Well,” Celso leisurely fell back into his rocking chair, continuing “It’s obvious you’re a liar who wouldn’t hesitate to flatter your superiors to get what you want.”

Celso started to smile deviously. “I had a feeling from the moment I saw you. You really are my ideal student.”

The scene suddenly changed back to Zorr’s room, where he was still pressing his blade against the whetstone in an uniformed repetition. Arnest looked around the room and quickly got up.

“What’s wrong?” Zorr asked.

“Nothings wrong…” Arnest said, thinking of an excuse. “I just remembered I have to go see Instructor Maest today.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll see you later then.”

“Yeah, sometime soon.” Arnest eked out a small smile before leaving.

Arnest headed down to the first floor and walked into the hallway, where the spectacled clerk glanced over at him before returning to his book. He headed the Maest’s room and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

The door slowly creaked open and Arnest peaked in, head first. “Instructor Maest.”

Maest glanced over at Arnest for a moment and immediately closed his eyes. “So the wine seems to be showing its effects.” he said, opening his eyes and muttering “Good…Good…”

Arnest figured Maest had invaded his mind again somehow. He could also sense a strange sensation when Maest closed his eyes. The feeling of his head being vigorously massaged quickly subsided but unlike before, he didn’t have to relive the memories.

“Instructor Maest…” Arnest said, looking down. His hands were tightly balled up and he unconsciously grit his teeth.

“Hmm?”

“I don’t…” Arnest paused before raising his head and finishing, “I don’t think I want to know what’s inside other people’s minds.”

“Has that Bosque boy’s thoughts scared you?”

“I thought we were friends but now I’m pretty sure he was just using me to get information on you.” Arnest’s eyes started to slightly dampen and his slouched figure was downcast.

Maest smiled with a grandfather’s charm. “Don’t you think you’re being a hypocrite? Didn’t you come to Ralom to use its people to your advantage?”

“No relationship starts out with one person kindly helping another with no other intentions. There has to be some give and take. An exchange of sorts.” Maest said, holding up his small leather change pouch.

Maest removed a bronze coin from the purse. “Some people want wealth.” He played with the coin, twirling it across his boney fingers. “Other’s are looking for a good time.”

“Think of what Zorr Bosque has helped you with. If he just wants some information on an old man like me, why not just give it to him?” Maest tossed the russet coin back into its pouch.

Arnest wiped his tears with his sleeve, “Is this really okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine. You can go see him later today, but right now, we need to discuss what comes next.”

“Since you can hear other’s thoughts, you’re ready to go on your first mission.” Maest reached for a rolled up parchment that was tied closed by a brown string.

He unravelled it and spread the paper across the table. “I’m going to send you to the Kille islands to practice subjugating monsters.”

Arnest recognized the parchment as a map of the surrounding area. Ralom was situated at the western side of the map and Maest was currently pointing to a nearby series of islands that was in the north eastern quadrant.

“Aren’t you going to teach me any fighting techniques or how to use the powers from the Mente wine?” Arnest asked.

“You may have heard the saying that ‘Ralomans are born Ralomans’. Here at Guardia we say ‘Officers are born after leading a hundred battles.’, so it’s better if you start fighting monsters sooner than later.”

Arnest frowned, protesting with “But I don’t know how to fight monst-”

Maest interrupted, explaining “Your subordinates will all be veterans so they can teach you how to fight. As for the other effects of the Mente wine, you’ll learn about them naturally in due time.”

“Go talk to Damon about getting some soldiers and supplies.”

“Who’s Damon?”

“He’s the principal of Guardia. You should’ve seen him before coming in here…” Maest held up his hands like binoculars to his face. “He wears glasses like this and is always reading books.”

“He’s the principal?”

“I say principal, but he’s more like a quartermaster and watchful eye sent here by the King. Guardia is supported by the royal family after all.”

“But what about the-”

“I’ll give you another two cases of Mente wine for your trip. It shouldn’t take longer than a few weeks so you should have more than enough.”

“But-”

“Just go already!” Maest yelled, shoving Arnest out of the room and slamming the door.

Arnest turned back to the unwelcoming shut door and back towards the empty and dead quiet hallway. He continued down the corridor, thinking of his third meeting with Instructor Maest until stopping in his tracks when he realized something.

“Why couldn’t I hear his thoughts?”