The Sanctuary, Murder Beach

Renzo leads his three roommates, Edith, Luscin, and Teum to the under-town sanctuaries town hall entrance. Nervously pumping the two defenders for any information on Malo that he should know so as to not offend him.

Teum is all too happy to help, “The first thing you need to know about Malo is he suffered hearing loss before his gift emerged. You’ll want to talk loudly and make sure he can see your mouth when you talk so he can read your lips.”

Renzo nervously takes it in, “Thank you, Master Fox.”

“Oh, and you know he’s royalty, right?”

“I do recall that he was adopted into a small provincial kingdom.”

“Yeah, well don’t imply Brust Valley is anything but a powerful kingdom. He touchy about that and insists on being addressed as Lord Defender Brust unless he tells you otherwise.”

“Lord Brust, right.”

“No, Lord Defender Brust and don’t get on his bad side he takes first impressions seriously.”

Luscin has almost had enough but doesn’t see the harm. Edith is finding this advice a bit incredulous considering how well they spoke of the boy in the past.

Renzo is too nervous to consider using his ability to evaluate the advice and nods along and asks, “Anything else I should know?”

“Umm, don’t be surprised by his size. He’s touchy about his height, being as short as he is he can sometimes compensate by being aggressive.”

Luscin snickers as the quartet rounds the last stair landing.

Renzo stops, holding up the procession, “That’s him. I recognize that feeling. I couldn’t feel him once he entered the under-town. Now that we’re so close and inside the sanctuary it’s unmistakable.

“You all fee this too, right?”

Miss Jones whispers, “I do, it’s like that day in Mosquito Beach. I’ve never heard of anyone having such an aura.”

Teum adds, “I’ve heard of one other being that projects an aura that can be felt by others; the Free’er.”

Luscin isn’t sure if Teum is baiting them or not, punches his stomach just in case.

Taking the lead, Luscin pushes forward, “Let’s go. It’s Malo not the Free’er down there.”

Teum at her side, they descend the last flight of stairs and enter through the open sanctuary door.

Renzo finally gets his first look at Lord Defender Brusk, does a double take, burns two minutes inwardly berating himself for being gullible before looking to Teum then Luscin, “None of that was true, was it?”

Luscin rolls her eyes in answer.

Malo is struggling to assemble a podium to replace the one he broke. Dressed in his Defender blacks holding a hammer in one hand a board with a bent nail in the other, he could not look more out of place.

Teum loudly interrupts, “Don’t tell me you’re trying your hand at carpentry?”

Looking up at hearing a familiar voice, “Teum!”

Dropping everything Malo bounds down the aisle to greet his friends.

Malo scoops Teum and Luscin up in a hug that surprises both of them.

Luscin is the first to speak, “Glad to see-you-too-please-put me down.”

Releasing his friends, “Oh sorry. You’ll never guess who I met in El’Hat!”

“I imagine you’re right, so tell us.”

“You remember the Dragon from the lava fields?”

Teum questions, “Is there another?”

“There kind of is…”

Now it’s Luscin’s turn to interject, “What?”

“I met her in El’Hat, she’s the same dragon but she has a human body now.”

Nobody knows what to make of this news. It was too incredulous to be real.

After an awkward moment of silence, Edith clears her throat.

Luscin meekly turns, “Everyone, please accept my apology.

“I should have made introductions right away. Malo, I’d like to introduce our dear friend, Miss Edith Jones and her companion, Missionary Renzo.”

Renzo nervously shuffles forward, talking loudly, “It’s a pleasure…” Remembers Teum was making everything up, he finishes in a normal tone, “to meet you.”

Offers his hand, which Malo gladly takes and gives a hearty shake.

“Nice to meet you, what’s a missionary?”

Taken aback, Renzo wasn’t expecting a need to explain his title to what he considers the source of his religion.

Renzo burns an hours’ worth of time formulating the perfect response in a single heartbeat.

Before he can deliver his perfect response, Malo talks over him, “Wow, I’ve never witnessed someone consume so much time to quick-think. I wouldn’t have noticed anywhere else, but down here it’s so quiet that noticing something as subtle as time being eaten becomes noticeable.

“How long do you think you took?”

Nerves suddenly soothed, Renzo feels completely at ease, “I’d say about an hour.”

“Bang-up. I want to compare notes on your ability and some of mine. There’s so little known about the use of time as an energy. Maybe you can help me become stronger.”

“I’d like that… ahh Master Def.. Brusk.”

“De’Brusk? You can call Malo, and we can talk about your title later.”

Next Malo greets Miss Jones, taking her hand in his, he gives it a gentle squeeze and bows his head.

“Well met Miss Jones. These two have told me a little about you, I hope to help you with your problem. Though I don’t know where to start.”

Edit, visibly pleased at the offer, “We’ve been discussing some possibilities while awaiting your return. Renzo has some insights on finding the study in Vorg that will save you some time.”

Perplexed, “Why would I have trouble finding a study?”

Miss Jones, gives one of her secretive smiles, “You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Ok, we can talk about that later. For now, I thought I was going to fix this podium thing and be on my way. I have a lot more to do here than I expected.”

Teum breaks in, “Let me take care of the podium.”

Seeing the mess on the dais, Renzo corrects, “Altar, it’s called an altar. It’s so much more than a podium What did you do with the sanctified one?”

“Sanctified? Dais? I don’t know those words; you can teach me later when we share what we know about burning time.

“Call it an altar or podium, I could certainly use some help putting it together. As for the one I broke, the mayor hauled it out when I said I wanted to replace it.”

Relief floods Missionary Renzo at news the very surface where Malo received his fifth ascension is safely secured by Mayor Fetter. That broken altar is physical proof that the prophesies are real. Losing it would be a terrible loss for their budding church.

Taking Teum by the elbow and turning away from the group, “Come on Teum, show me what I’m doing wrong.”

Luscin stops Renzo when he tries to follow, “Leave them, they have a lot of catching up to do.”

Sad to lose the opportunity to assemble the new altar alongside Malo, Renzo sighs in acquiescence.

The room’s perfect speaker-oriented acoustics carry Teum’s words to the trio as they leave.

“We’re going to need more lumber than I see here. Did you even have a plan?”

“I had an idea… there’s a lumber yard on the other side of town. I was told to take whatever I needed.

“But don’t worry, I paid for everything I took so far and will cover whatever you may need.”

Teum knows the answer but asks anyways, “Are you hungry? Because I am and you can pay for my labor by feeding me.”

The group turns the corner and misses Malo’s reply.

Once alone, Teum abruptly changes the subject, “I need to see it, and this is the safest place for you to show anyone.”

“See it?”

Malo thinks for a second, “You mean my spirit?”

Teum looks at Malo like he’s stupid, “No your manhood. Of course, your spirit!”

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. It’s grown a lot since we first met.”

“That’s why I need to see and get a feel for it. You know in case I have to…”

“Don’t say that! You promised not to.”

“Malo, I don’t want to, but this is bigger than either of us. You of all people should know that.

“Now drop your cloak and show me, you big stupid-face.”

“I won’t drop all the cloaks, just the top one. That should shield your mind enough where you won’t get any dumber than you already are.”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Teum smirks and waves his hand for Malo to continue.

Dropping the outer of three cloaks, Malo waits for less than a second before reapplying it.

Teum becomes catatonic.

Scared, Malo uses all of his senses to observe Teum’s mind and spirit. They are both in disarray but seem to be stabilizing.

Coming to, “Malo why did you leave it exposed for so long. That felt like days to me, how long was I staring?”

“Less than a second, then you checked out for a few minutes and now your sitting here looking at me like I’m the crazy one.”

“Don’t let me do that again, tell me no next time. It felt like watching the birth of a universe and the whole time knowing with certainty where I was in that ever-expanding space, and it was made clear to me how insignificant my presence was. It kept growing and I became less important with every passing millennium. But the weird part was the voice.”

“Voice? What did it say?”

“I could never tell for certain, but I think it was asking me my name.

“At some point I remembered where I was, and a design for this altar we’re building came to mind. That was when I woke up.

“Come on, we’re going to need far more supplies than I first thought.”

Two days, and two trips to the lumber yard and three trips for tools and supplies, the new altar was complete.

The town had moved services to the upstairs community hall to stay out of Malo’s way. The feelings of the townspeople are a mixture of awe and fear. They are all in awe of his presence and can barely work when he exits the sanctuary and its energy cage. Half are jubilant that he’s here and the other half are fearful he’ll turn his wrath on them, similar to the way he grieved the loss of his aunt. Had anyone else done what he did they would be outraged. Because of whom he is, while they may have felt violated, it was by someone they’ve venerated all their lives. Emotions mixed, and actions curbed by faith in the part he will play in The Return, the faith of the descendants of val’Air deepens.

Malo couldn’t be more pleased with Teum’s work. The new altar is both practical and special. At first, he didn’t understand what Teum was thinking, but then he explained what the sanctuary is used for and why the people of old val’Air hold him in such high regard.

“Thank you Teum. I didn’t fully realize what was going on here. Nobody will talk to me about this place.”

“That’s because they don’t want to interfere with the prophecies. If you knew what was written and chose not to do some of those actions, it would blow up their whole religion.”

“This is crazy. I may be a catalyst for The Return but it’s not like I’m doing anything on purpose. Most of my life… no all of my life has been happening to me, I’ve been reacting to one event after the other. Event after event, there’s never a choice but to forge ahead. It’s like these prophecies have already mapped out my life for me.”

“Malo, I’m no wise man and I’m probably less educated than you, but that’s a pile of inu-shit. Every event or obstacle that you’ve faced has presented a choice. Just because you don’t hesitate to make the correct one doesn’t mean you’re not choosing. I’ve never seen you back down from a challenge. And I’ve known you from before you understood how indestructible you are. You’re no slave to these prophecies; the prophecies in that book are vague nonsense that can be interpreted to fit many circumstances. The fact that so many can be ascribed to you, is proof of the impact your decisions are making in the world.”

Malo takes a moment to appreciate the compliments, since he left Brusk Valley he doesn’t get many of those.

“Well, thank you for that, and thank you for building this bang-up altar. I think the people here are going to love it.

“Was that the right way to use that word?”

“Yeah, and I think you’re right. They will love it.”

“Great, let’s go find Luscin and get out of here.”

On their way out they let the mayor’s office know they were done, and the sanctuary is available to use once again.

When Mayor Fetter hears the news, he checks in to see how good of a job the two did. What he found brought tears to his eyes.

Teum used the knowledge he learned under the tutelage of his father as a carpenter to craft a replacement that had a base designed to appear as the original broken altar, with wood artificially splintered and stained to appear broken and aged. Atop that homage to the past, using lumber stained a lighter color he built up from the broken foundation a new mensa. The final creation, a fresh start built upon a battered foundation. This is exactly what they need as they spread the word of Grace. The broken altar, undisputable proof of the prophecies, will be displayed in every church they build, now and forever.

Mammatus Study

Circling the study once before setting down, Teum observes, “Nique and Sheen should have arrived yesterday. Do you think it’s ok if we let them wait a day while we check in with Master Adara.”

Luscin nods, “Sure, we said we’d give them three days. Day three is tomorrow, and we really should make sure the study will take them on before we bring them over.”

“I don’t think it’ll be a problem. Can you imagine the kind of crazy stuff Master Baily and Sheen could come up with? Baily is a genius, and Sheen is a mad scientist through and through. The two working together will make some incredible inventions.

“Next imagine defenders with skills learned from Master Blackwell and drilled into them by Nique, they’ll be some of the most formidable fighters in the world.

“I know those two were misguided before, but they came around to reason eventually. I think they’ll make excellent additions to Mammatus Study.”

Luscin likes what she heard, “You said that well, I’ll let you take the lead when we talk to Master Adara.”

Teum wasn’t planning on taking the lead, but hearing the confidence in his wife’s voice inspired him to do so and to do his best.

“What do you think Luscin, land in the back courtyard or risk a roof top landing?”

“Come on you’re not taking what Master Terius at his word are you?”

“I cracked the study roof! If I do it again, I’m not allowed to fly until he tests me.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“Two months is not a long time.”

“You land where you want. I’m using the roof. Let me go first and I’ll spot you.”

Luscin, having learned her lessons the hard way, makes her approach a shallow, easily controlled angle. Doing the same, Teum lands just as gently.

There’s a lever on the wall next to the roof access doorway attached to a rope that disappears into the building. Luscin gives it a quick pull, ringing a bell outside the headmaster’s office. It’s a new installation necessitated by the increased number of Defenders that have taken up flying.

A page if on duty will be dispatched to greet them. None intercept them as they head down the single flight and hallway leading to the room with the now silent bell.

Instead of finding an empty antechamber, they see the young page Roos sitting slouched in her chair. Eyes puffy from crying.

Seeing who it is, Roos knocks on the office door and voice cracking, “Go on in.”

Master Vania Adera stands up when they enter, already on their feet are Master Kail Blackwell, an older student they barely know named Torsha, and Master Terius.

Vania is glad to see the duo appear at such an opportune time and lets them know it by issuing an invitation, “How would you two like to help us capture a spy that has lived amongst us for more than fourteen years?”

Teum blurts, “Already?”

Luscin follows up with the more important question, “Who?”

“We’ve had nearly two months to smoke him out. He’s clever and well placed, it seems obvious in hindsight.”

Teum checks off who could have been around for more than fourteen years and not be a study master. If it were one of them, they wouldn’t be so cavalier. A teary-eyed Roos is the last piece he needed to make an educated guess.

“It’s Leven, isn’t it.”

Nobody denies it.

Luscin gasps, how did she not see it? All those years ago, she said it herself. He reminded her of Alfie, the biggest traitor she could have ever imagined. But he said all the right words and gained her trust anyways, just like Alfie.

She feels like this just became personal, “Do we know where he is right now?”

Master Blackwell answers, “We do, but our interrogator won’t be here until the four o’clock train arrives.”

Teum is surprised by that word, “We have interrogators?”

“We did, but he recently departed our company. That duty belonged to Master Robles. He was trained by one of the best mind probers in the world. She’s called Arachne, she’s a Master in a secret study in the heart of the Peoples Province of Vorg. The place they send political prisoners to be debriefed and re-educated. Since he is no longer available, we sent for someone younger who has received the same training, or so we hope. We actually have no idea if she completed that leg of her practicum.”

“Wait, do you mean Sanne? Those two were best friends. I can’t imagine I’m saying this but what if she had been working with him?”

Kail quietly answers, “We’ll find out soon enough.”

Terius interjects, “Sanne isn’t the kind of person you’d recruit to be a spy. While she would be easy to blackmail into doing anything. Her attitude and substance abuse habits would make her a huge security risk. The fact that she’s alive tells me she can’t be involved. At least not knowingly, I’m sure she divulged plenty of information while impaired over the years. The staff knew that and kept her clear of sensitive information whenever possible.

“I’m sorry Master La Fox, one of our few lapses in that regard was the letter from your mother.”

“Funny, I was just thinking back to that time myself. Don’t fret over the past, it all turned out for the best.”

Luscin pushes down the invoked memories, the battle between Master Adara and the Hag, the encounter with her old windrunner master. The memories from that moment on are headache inducing, as many of them were erased, replaced, or fabricated, until Malo fixed her head and bequeathed her a true-spirit.

Teum has been meaning to ask something and figures this is as good a time as any, “You keep referring to us as masters, but we’ve not taken our oaths. Is there something I missed?

Master Adara, with her butt perched on the edge of the headmaster’s desk, “Don’t worry, you’ve not been promoted to Defender status in secret.

“Our Dean of Testing and Evaluation has elevated you from student status to that of faculty on the merit of your actions in the field.

“Something he does not do lightly or often.”

Luscin and Teum both look to Terius incredulously and receive a nod of respect from their mentor and friend.

Both bow their heads in return while saying in unison, “Thank you Master.”

City, Province of Rebirth

Thinking of the Governor of the Southern Shores has Lady Terara distracted, she barely pays attention as her driver revved up the flywheel that powers her carriage. The deep buzzing of hundreds of ball bearings, allowing the thousand-pound wheel to rotate smoothly at 500 RPM, provided the perfect white noise to help her tune out her surroundings. He was everything a woman could want, handsome, powerful, confident, and single. She should be receptive to his obvious advances, but it’s too soon. She still weeps at night at the loss of her husband.

Climbing into the carriage assisted by the same carriage driver, she settles into the passenger seat as he walks around to the other side, sits, and takes the wheel. Inu drawn carriages are still common amongst many of her contemporaries when they wish to flaunt their wealth and power, while electric carriages are used for day-to-day travel. Her late husband didn’t return to Rebirth often, when he did, he liked to make a statement; a carriage capable of 600 inu power does that.

Distractedly watching the street lights flow past, she barely notices the driver walking the transmission up and down the first three gears as he navigates the city traffic. When the street lights disappear, her gaze returns face forward and watches the street roll unending, illuminated by the coups headlamps.

Half an hour later, she barely notices the carriage slowing to navigate the turn off to her new home away from the valley she knew and loved.

She blushes with the thought of that word, if only she knew it when Jgeorg was still alive, she would have expressed her love in words every day. She briefly wonders if having such a word would have led to trivializing the feeling. Without it, she had to find ways to show him how much he meant to her and he to her. Eyes misting at the thought of him, she shakes her head and tires to regain her composure.

“It’s ok, Lady. We all miss him as much as you do.”

“Thank you, Clovis. You always know what I’m thinking.”

“When you start to cry every time you ride in his carriage, it’s obvious. I could procure a different vehicle for your use. I may be uniquely qualified to operate this one, but I can control a draught driven carriage as easily as electric.”

“You’ve made the offer before and my answer hasn’t changed. I enjoy the smooth feel and the dangerous power this carriage exudes as much as Jgeorg did.”

“Of course, milady. Will you be remaining at the house for the night or should I keep the carriage at the ready.”

“You know very well that I have nowhere to go, please assist me out of this cramped little seat.”

Clovis had his door open and was halfway around the carriage, while the whine of the flywheel dropped from its high pitched scream to a low groan. Opening her door the wheel is nearly out of energy, he offers an expected but unrequired hand that is gratefully accepted and pulls the lady from her seat as the flywheel gently stops.

“Thank you clovis, I’ll not require your services for the rest of the evening, you may retire.”

“Of course.”

Clovis doesn’t object but his duty as bodyguard does not end just because she says so.

Escorting her to the front door, which opens on their arrival.

“Welcome home Lady Brusk”

Terara is still reconciling her quasi royalty status from the valley to her mere upper-class status as a member of the powerhouse Brusk family of Rebirth. In many ways she’s paid much more attention here than back home and it can be unsettling. In the valley she was royalty by title, but public servant by nature. Here she’s a highly ranked member of the second largest employer in the wealthiest city in South Cenoka.

Sylus her butler and cook as well as Clovis her driver and bodyguard, while always professional, they’re too subservient for her comfort.

“Thank you, Sylus you didn’t have to wait up for me.”

“I know that, but I prepared a delicious pot of Cavi bourguignon and wanted to make sure you didn’t go to bed on an empty stomach.”

Terara wasn’t hungry, but then as his words reached her ears, the scent of cavi stew reached her nostrils. She was about to beg off eating when her stomach let out a yearning growl.

“The formal dining table is set for two.”

Turning to the driver, “Clovis you should attend the Lady, she has an unexpected guest who was very persuasive to receive an audience with the lady tonight.”

Pulling his vest tight, Sylus reveals two slashes that had gone unnoticed until now.

Clovis flicks both arms, dropping weighted lead balls into each hand. Holding enough kinetic to generate a sustained six hundred inu power he hopes it’s enough.