Jal noticed that the oak and maple trees were starting to turn colors as it flew to Eiske’s farm several months later. Three vehicles sat next to the house, and Jal wondered if there were an emergency. It picked up a crate from the backseat and went to the back door. Jal knocked and went in when there was no response.
Jal could hear voices in the medical rooms and looked around. The living area was tidy, but the kitchen was a mess. Jal looked at the collection of things sitting out, filled the sink with soapy water, and began to wash dishes. When it was finished, it looked at the items lined up on one counter, saw the recipe book and recognized that Eiske was going to make an apple cake.
When Eiske came through the door into the kitchen, he could smell the cake baking and saw that everything was put away. “Who’s here?” he hollered. Baffled, he walked through the house, looking in each room.
At the back door, he looked toward the garden. Jal was kneeling in the middle of the rows of beans. A big bowl sat alongside the patch. Jal looked up when the door slammed. It rose to its feet. “Eiske!”
“Jal! It’s so good to see you!” Jal towered over Eiske as the two embraced. “You’re the person who cleaned up my messy kitchen and put the apple cake in the oven!”
“I did. I hope you don’t mind that I made myself at home.”
“I don’t mind at all.” They talked as they tugged the rest of the ripe beans from the plants. Eiske told Jal about the emergency injuries he had treated; the result of a fight at the school. “All three boys needed stitches, and one arm was broken.”
“Bullying?”
“Yes. I see the same kids over and over. You’d think they’d learn. All three have been suspended again.”
As they sipped tea and ate apple cake, Jal told Eiske about the gift it had received from the Dignitary. “It doesn’t seem very fair. You’re the person who convinced her to get medical treatment!”
“That’s okay, Jal. I’m just glad she was treated right away.” He glanced over at Jal. “How have you been? It seemed to me that something was bothering you when we were in Nik, but we really didn’t have time to talk privately.”
“Yes,” Jal said quietly. “I wanted to talk to you some time ago. I just didn’t know how to bring the subject up.” Later, Eiske poured tea into cups and waited. “Giel Moti has signed papers surrendering his parental rights. Sage Elvan has asked me if I’d like to stay.”
“That’s good!” Eiske grinned. “That will be a good place to be until you go to the university.”
Jal swallowed. “Jan says I would be there permanently, Eiske. I would return there when I’m done with university.”
“Return there? I’m not certain I understand, Jal.”
Hesitantly, Jal told Eiske about the conversation in which Jan suggested Jal would be the next Ridali heir and the possibility of having an experimental farm. “I don’t know what to say to Jan. My stomach goes into knots when I think about it. I’m afraid I’ll let it down.”
“Jal, are you sure it’s not more than that?” Jal couldn’t make itself look at Eiske. “You’re feeling torn, aren’t you? You feel like you should still be here.” Eiske shook his head. “You don’t owe me anything, Jal.”
“But Eiske! You’re my uncle! It’s more than that. You’re my family.”
Eiske contemplated what to say. “It seems to me that you have a lot of opportunities with Sage Elvan that you wouldn’t have here.”
“But you – you're my family,” Jal whispered. “And we had talked about keeping this facility open as a sanctuary.”
“You could do that at Ridali later, if Sage Elvan approves.”
“I could?”
Eiske explained that he and Siedeske had visited the sanctuaries in Nek and then in Shifos. They had met with representatives of the Protectorate and gone through an approval process. “Being connected with the Protectorate is a significant factor in getting approved.”
“I can’t just walk away,” Jal said quietly.
“No one’s asking you to.”
“This is so weird. I know we’re different, but in here,” Jal tapped its chest, “You’re my uncle.”
“Jal, if you’re asking me for permission to live permanently with Jan, you have it.” Jal couldn’t speak; its chest ached. “There’s something else, isn’t there?”
“Eiske, are you,” Jal stopped.
“Come on, Jal. Tell me what’s bugging you.”
Jal felt so awkward. “Are you an android?”
“What?”
“Are you an android?”
“No, Jal. I’m of Aphyxian descent. Just like your birth parents and grandparents.” Jal let out a huge sigh of relief. “Tell me how this came up.” Jal told him about Solrio and how it wondered whether she really cared about it.
Eiske wasn’t sure what to say at first, then he took a deep breath. “Jal, you’ve told me that you didn’t feel you really belonged at Geldou and Haerm’s. Solrio took you to the Enclave. She filled a role that a parent would have done, giving you a sense of safety and making sure you got medical treatment for your vision. Then you came here, and just as you were getting settled, Solrio and I took you to Ridali Tower. You grew attached to her and I and now Jan. That’s normal. The things that have happened there have been mostly good, haven’t they? You’ve had school, crafting and magic lessons, and defense training.” Jal nodded. “You feel like you belong there?”
“Yes.” Jal’s voice wavered.
“Maybe you could consider your days here as steppingstones. In each place you’ve picked up more skills, met more people, and had different experiences. I want you to know that you are always welcome here. You can call to talk or come here anytime.”
“Thanks, Eiske. I felt like if I agreed to accept a permanent home there, that I was being disrespectful to you. You’ve helped me and supported me since I left the Brons. I really appreciate that.”
“I know. You’ve told me many times.”
“I have something for you.” Jal went to get the crate it had left at the back door.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Eiske unwrapped a series of identical-sized cannisters with names of herbs neatly lettered across them. Each cannister had a matching lid. “Wow, Jal! Your work looks professional. Tunne often tells me that your wares are selling well. Your decision to become a potter was a good one. How about the herbology? How’s that going?”
“I’ll have the test for the next level in just a few weeks.”
“I hope it goes well.”
“I’ve had good instructors, but this last set of plants was tough. They’re very similar.” Jal paused.
“I hope you’ve been doing more than working on your crafts all the time.”
“I have. I go with Jan to work three days a week.”
“I’m not kidding, Jal, I mean that, too. Are you taking time off?”
“Today and tomorrow are my days off. The next day is a day off, too, so we’re going to see Lu Kan again.” It inhaled slowly. “Eiske, do you know anything about character boards?”
“No,” Eiske drew out the word. “Why?”
“I wondered what the board showed for a doctor.”
“I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about. Wait, do you mean a skill board?”
“I guess you could call it that.”
“Can you make it so that I can see it?” They each displayed their boards. “I was taught this was a skill board. I’ve not paid a lot of attention to it.”
“Jan says that if I can see where my weaknesses are, I can work on improving them.”
“I don’t think people here on Iragos pay much attention to this sort of thing.”
“Okay. I just wondered which skills would transfer from being a diplomat to being an explorer or a healer.”
“I really can’t help you, sorry. What I do know is that a person doesn’t need to keep the same job for his entire life. For example, I was an apprentice to my father to be a bootmaker as a youth, which is part of leathercrafting. In my late adolescence, I thought I would be a teacher, then a storekeeper. It wasn’t until I went to university, that I decided to be a healer. I could still decide to teach medical classes or be a researcher.”
Jal was very interested to hear this. “I could be an adventurer for a year, then come back and become a student with a healing focus. Is magic part of it?
“It is, but I’m not sure exactly how.” He thought for a moment. “You might check the community resource center. They might have some books in the personal development section.”
“I’ll do that,” Jal decided.
“What are you doing today?”
“I thought I might go to Dagmon.”
“Is there anything special you’re planning to do there?”
“The elbows of my work shirts and the knees of my jeans have worn through. And I have some charms that I’d like to trade. Want to come along?”
“Sure. I can pick up supplies.”
***
Standing on the street in Dagmon, Jal eyed the big chunk of obsidian in the window of the magician’s shop. “I wonder what that’s worth,” he said to Eiske.
“You could find out by casting an identify spell,” Eiske suggested.
“Would it work through the window?”
“I don’t know.” Covertly, Jal cast the spell. It didn’t work. “It’s black obsidian. Let’s go see how much its worth.” Eiske wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but he followed Jal into the shop.
“What can I do for you today?” the wizard asked.
“I’d like wires, clasps and glue so I can wear my charms on a necklace.” The shopkeeper went to the storeroom for the supplies.
Jal went to the side of the shop where Eiske stood. “Look at that, it’s a beautiful stone. Black obsidian. I wonder how much that one is.”
“Why would you want such a big stone, Jal?”
“Play along with me, Eiske,” Jal whispered. “I want to know what a piece that big is worth.” He said loudly, “It would be something for my friends to talk about. I would probably have to save up for years for it.”
“Most magicians who are jewelers would never sell a gem that big. The bigger stone can be cut into smaller pieces as they are needed,” the magician told them. He opened a drawer. “See? I mount them into rings, necklaces, bracelets, and belts.” Jal pretended that it was curious about the obsidian as the proprietor closed the drawer. “I’m sure that you’re aware that a white stone, such as this one provides a small bit of defense power, a gray one, more, this dark one even more, and the small piece of black obsidian in the ring in the window, provides the greatest defense.”
“Oh,” Jal murmured. It turned to Eiske, “Let’s get that black one and skip all this other stuff.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Aw, please?”
“How much do I need to save up to buy one of those?” Jal said to the storekeeper.
“Fifty thousand mu-toc.”
“You’re teasing me,” Jal said accusingly.
“I’m not.”
“We don’t even a little bit of money towards that,” Eiske played along.
“Maybe a stone that’s bigger than the ones I have would have more power? I would be stronger than all the other students with a single big stone on my belt.”
“That’s not how it works,” the magician said, shaking his head. “One big piece of obsidian has just as much power as a small one. If it’s carefully broken apart, the pieces can be placed into settings in a shield, gloves or on a weapon. Only if a piece is interacting with other pieces, does it give more strength.”
“I didn’t know that. My instructor teaches me how to use magic and make potions, but the explanations behind them, well,” Jal shook its head, “that hasn’t part of the training. Maybe it will come up later.”
“It sounds like it should be brought up now, if you are interested.”
“Yes. Perhaps I need a new instructor. Do you have students?”
“I have two. But they are in and out of the city. I only see them once every few months.”
“If I were to work with you, I would have to come by speeder. It likely wouldn’t be more often than once a month. I would have to work things out with my master.”
“Who is your master? I could have a word with him or her.”
“Sage Jan Elvan.”
“You are the sage’s latest apprentice? You are very fortunate! Are you presently working with a magician?”
Jal smiled. “Wyrran Sarlana.”
“Hm. I heard that he went to Nik, because he thinks it’s warmer there. “I’m Kende Lajos.” He extended his hand in greeting. “Have you talked to Wyrran lately?”
Jal introduced himself and Eiske. “No, he hasn’t been home for quite some time. Let me bring up the subject with Master Elvan and see what it thinks.” Jal unzipped a pocket on his belt. “I wondered if I could sell some charms.”
“Let me see what you have.” Jal handed him a brilliant amethyst.
“These are not common on Trazene.” He set the stone on a small scale, then handed it back. “Let me look in my book.” Moments later he said, “I’ll give you two hundred mu-tok for it. Courage is a good thing to have when entering into unfamiliar situations. Are you sure you want to sell it? It seems to me that you said you were going to university some time ago.”
“I’m sure.” Jal opened its leather belt. “Do you have any topaz stones?”
“Nobody buys those. I have a single turquoise stone. You are aware that it boosts one’s spiritual acuity?”
“Yes.”
The wizard looked it up in his book. “Two hundred mu-tok.”
Jal placed four pieces of obsidian and three more amethysts on the counter. The magician’s eyes became huge.
“Why are you trading away the obsidian? You could have these put into many different things.”
“I kept one. I hope I don’t need to use it for a long time.
“Are you certain? There is a metal worker on the other side of the bay that knows how to attach them to fighting gloves and belts.”
Jal hesitated, but only for a moment. It thought of the huge pieces it had. “I’m certain, thank you.” As the magician looked each one over, he smiled. “Where did you get these?”
Jal didn’t answer the question. Instead, it asked, “Is there any chance you might have a dendritic agate?”
“I’m not sure what that is.” The wizard went to his reference book.
“It might be listed under proficiency.”
He looked. "I don’t have that. I do have a coyomito agate.”
“What is the price?”
“I’ll trade you the turquoise, the coyomito agate, two major healing greens, the supplies and 1000 mu-tok. You give me the four amethysts and these four obsidians.”
Jal silently added the value of the items. “Four amethysts and two obsidians.”
“Let’s split the difference. Four amethysts and three obsidians.”
“And three magic lessons.”
“What happened to talking with your master?”
“It’ll tell me I made a good trade.”
“Did Sage Elvan tell you to come here?”
Jal laughed. “No, but I was going to ask if you knew who was giving instruction. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Master Lajos. I’ll contact you in a few days to set up a lesson time.”
“Jal, are you thinking of becoming a bahut at the Sanctuary by Ebenbell?”
“No.”
“Usually, the Spirit Guardian presents the turquoise to a candidate who becomes a bahut.”
“I see. That’s good to know.”
“It looks like you need a haircut. If you bring me some long black chains made from your hair, I’ll give you a good price for them.”
“Thanks. What about the other colors?”
“Most people don’t care about them. Artisans sometimes ask about orange, but not often.”
“I’ll keep you in mind. Thanks for the trade.”
As they went to the speeder, Eiske remarked, “You know how to get people to tell you what you want.”
“Who, me?” Jal laughed softly.
“Jal, where did you get the obsidian and amethyst stones?”
Jal told him of his hiking adventure. “If I continue to sell stones occasionally, I’ll eventually have enough currency to go across Shifos.”