It was more than three hours past sunrise by the time Hayvik and I finished with our meditation and sparring. Once I’d connected with Lo’Kryn the dance fell into place, every step practiced and effortless. It no longer felt like my body was being taken over by the instinctive knowing, but instead as if this was something I had been doing myself all my life. There was an ease, a naturalness to the movements, and a kinship in feeling that Lo’Kryn and I were finally working together in this.
I was just wiping my brow on towel when I heard Cambrin’s voice in my head. I frowned, concentrating on the words of his message. “Meet us at Book Baron’s. We need to discuss an urgent matter with you. Tell no one you are coming. Please confirm you received this message.”
I had no idea how to confirm but I muttered a short, “Okay,” hoping that got through. I’d have to talk to Cambrin about how that thing works. If it was anything like the message spell from 5e then whispering a response should be enough. It would also mean that the twins hadn’t left yet, perhaps I could catch them up before they reached the tavern if I left now.
I glanced at Hayvik. He was watching me curiously but said nothing about it. Instead, he said, “You did well today, Lo’Kryn. I am pleased to see you instinctively tuned into your Ki energies. There is much power to draw from that source.”
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to hone and shape those skills, Hayvik. I appreciate all you’ve taught me over the years.” I glanced at the stairs, wanting to chase after the twins but I sensed Hayvik had more to say.
He bowed his head low, and as he lifted his gaze to me his yellow eyes shimmered. “My heart aches today, Lo’Kryn.”
“Master, why?” I responded, suddenly concerned.
“There is both pride and sorrow, Lo’Kryn. You have come far in the years of my teaching. And now you are chosen. I sense you will be leaving to follow a quest greater than anything through which I could hope to enlighten you.”
Yesterday, Cambrin, Ceylas, and I, had been talking of visiting one of the temples of the Pantheon of Balance. All three were a distance of significant travel. I don’t know if any of us are prepared for such a trip. There was still so much more we needed to learn. There was more, I was sure, that Hayvik had yet to teach me. “You could come with us,” I suggested, lifting a hopeful gaze to him as I ran a hand through my hair.
Hayvik chuckled, shaking his head. “No, this is a quest for the young. Your journey only just begins. But when you return, when you visit, or when you need greatest aid, ask for me. I would see you again, someday.”
Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.
I took a breath. “What makes you think I’m going now?”
Hayvik paused, watching me. Then he looked up at the high ceiling with its wooden beams. He glanced around at the windowed walls. Sunlight dappled against the glass as it cascaded down from above. Eventually, Hayvik closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. His chest swelled, shoulders rising as his nostrils twitched. He seemed to absorb the very essence of the energies around everything. Finally, he opened his eyes again and gazed at me. “Can you not sense it?” he asked. “The air smells of change, Lo’Kryn.”
Silence fell between us and I shifted on my feet. I was nervous. I knew very little of this world and I was being asked to step out, into it. To save it? That seemed a bit far fetched. Still, at the very least I was called to aid a cause I knew nothing about.
Eventually, Hayvik released a long, heavy sigh. He fixed me with a firm look. “Hold courage in your heart, Lo’Kryn. And trust to the law of balance.”
“Will I ever see you again? Truly?” I asked, feeling like a child letting go of a parent. Hayvik was all the father Lo’Kryn had known for a decade. There was a sadness within as I wondered about the parents he’d left behind. His brothers, his little sister, and a mother and father with too many mouths to feed and a farm that had helped keep him from idle hands but could not hope to have brought him this kind of future. He’d been chosen, even then, to become something greater than his birth and circumstance. There was a swelling of pride within. But we both knew, there was never any going home. Not truly.
Hayvik’s words drew me back to the present. He touched his brow, dipping his hand in a gesture of respect and integrity. “We will meet again, Lo’Kryn. I’m certain of it.”
I drew a steadying breath and clapped a hand against Hayvik’s shoulder. He bowed his head again. We touched foreheads paused there a moment. I felt Hayvik’s breath, slow and heavy, in pace with my own and although my heart raced I wanted to take this moment to honor all this man had been to me. “Hayvik,” I whispered, “I thank you.”
The words weren’t enough, but they were all I had.
As I turned away, Hayvik added one last thing, “Lo’Kryn?” I paused, turning back to look at him over my shoulder. “When the path seems obscured, trust that you were chosen for a reason. And you are not alone.”
I nodded, then turned to dash up the stairs. Cambrin and Ceylas were sure to be gone by now. But they’d asked me to meet them at the Book Baron Tavern. Something important.
There was no reason to think I wouldn’t be back here someday, but as I rushed up the stairs, my hand brushed the wooden railing, feeling its warmth. I drew a breath, glancing through the windows that looked out on the street from the reception hall. I tipped a nod of acknowledgement to Ammeros as I passed the front desk. And I spared one last backward glance as I stepped onto the road. The Palladium Rise towered over the street, stories high. It was as broad as an ancient stone keep. Although, I supposed, in this place such things were not ancient.
Still, I paused a moment, saying goodbye, because somehow, in my heart, I knew it would be a long time before I’d be back.