The group returned to the medical tent. Thanks in no small part to Shiira’s expertise, it was a lot less crowded than it was last night. Adults often healed a lot quicker than children. The only ones who remained in the tent as patients were Sancta and Lillith.
“Here to visit?” Shiira asked, seeing them come in.
“We are.” Argo said simply, “Thank you for looking after our friend.”
Shiira nodded, “Actually, I think I need more than gratitude from you. I need an explanation.”
Everyone fell silent. What was Shiira talking about?
“Kaara, if you don’t mind I would like to speak to them in private.”
“It’s fine.” Argo said, “I trust both her and Arik. You’re going to ask about our tattoos right?.”
“Smart boy. I suppose you knew I’d see them if I helped.”
“Getting help for injuries was more important than keeping that secret.”
“Tattoos?” Kaara asked.
“Venator Knight tattoos. Used to mark the children of Venator Knights both as heirs and future inheritors of a Venator Knight’s soul mark.” Shiira said, “But that’s not everything I want to know.” She pointed at Argo, “What is your connection to The Gray Order?”
Argo looked confused, “The Gray Order? I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“The amulet you’re wearing, and the one on your drake. It’s a symbol of Loktiir.”
Loktiir. There was that name again.
Argo held his amulet, “I still don’t understand. How do you know this is a symbol of Loktiir?”
“I suppose not many people would. That particular symbol is not known to be connected to Loktiir by anyone outside of the order. Savekio is trying to send me a message specifically, then.” She smiled, “You’re his last, aren’t you? You don’t look like his kid, though. I have to wonder what he saw in you.”
Kaara was confused, “Last what?”
“Last disciple.” Shiira said, looking at Argo, “Am I wrong?”
“You’re not. And if you’re asking what he sees in me, I still fail to find that answer even now. What is your connection to him? And what is The Gray Order?”
“That old xio, I swear. Always leaving the explanations up to other people.” She leaned back in her chair, balancing on its hind legs, “I am a member of The Gray Order. Our job is to document, protect, and teach. Knowledge is power, but power corrupts. And corruption begets greed. Those who have knoweldge and power inevitably keep it away from future generations. As time goes on, our societies will rise and fall on this principle. The Gray Order exists outside of kings, emperors, and nations much like the Tibur. We rarely ever have to intervene in the rise or fall of nations, though sometimes it’s unavoidable. The Gray Order’s job is to ensure we know our mistakes and continue to learn from them. So we document and teach until the powers that be no longer allow it to be so. After all, if we allow our societies to decay too much we will lose our world to the Malaki.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“And what does it mean to be Savekio’s final disciple?” Argo asked.
Shiira smirked, “Some knowledge is best discovered on its own. How far along are you? Has he gifted you a dagger yet?”
“How did you know?”
“That old xio has a lot of things he does which can only be recognized by the ones who are within the order.”
“Was Vilkus within the order?”
Shiira laughed, “Surely not! Savekio knew he was too power hungry from the start. As far as I know, I am the only member in camp.”
“Vilkus? You mean Vilka’s dad?” Kaara asked.
“The very same,” Shiira said, “Back on topic. Have you learned from the dagger?”
Argo nodded, “I have. And well-” He glanced at Kaara, “I taught it to others in camp too.”
“That’s alright. I would think Savekio would advise you not to do so if he did not want you to. I guess I should show you where I hid the other scrolls.”
Kaara felt a jolt run down her spine, “Um-”
“I think I’ve already read a few of them, actually. Although I was not the one who found them,” Argo said, glancing at Kaara.
Kaara’s mind raced. He had already read them? Were they talking about the same scrolls? All this stuff about secret orders and Shiira being a part of it was scrambling her brain. Not to mention the name Savekio. The very same one she had raised in an Ux dream from a child. Was it the same one? She recalled the dream that led her to the scrolls in the first place. Why had she been led there? What was it that led her there?
“Kaara, do you have something to tell me?” Shiira said.
“Um, well. You see, I- we”
“We who?”
“Me, Arik, Rorik, Amaro, Anitus, and Raktus found a few scrolls deep down in a cave a few kilometers from camp,” Kaara coiled her tail around her leg, looking down at her feet, “And then Deka and Vilka found out, stole them from us, and said he’d help us read them if we helped him during the war games.” She looked up to see Shiira’s unamused look.
“Those scrolls were not meant for you.”
Kaara fiddled with her hands, “Sorry, we didn’t know.”
Shiira sighed, “But the fact that you retrieved them means you were at least worthy of them.” She stood up, “I suppose it saves me some trouble. Where are the scrolls now?”
“I can show you where they are.” Kaara said.
“And how much have you read from the scrolls?” She asked Argo.
“I’ve solved two scenarios so far.”
“Out of hundreds. Although I suppose that is still quite impressive. I’m beginning to understand why you were chosen over others.” Shiira leaned forward to put all four legs of her chair on the ground again, “Kaara, have you told anyone else about the scrolls?”
Kaara shook her head, “No ma’am.”
“And how much have you or anyone else learned from those scrolls?”
“We haven’t learned anything.”
“Not surprising. If you were never taught by Savekio you wouldn’t be in a good position to know the answers. Lead the way to the scrolls. There are only three days left before the Siren Ceremony, and there is still much that needs to be done.”