Chapter 1: Anathema
“But, human flesh is sweet,” I complained, “Sweeter even than the apples of Liancor. And there are so many of them. Didn't you say that their lands have become overpopulated, Archmagus? Couldn't we benefit from culling the herd at least somewhat?”
“Mirrors can’t eat people,” the Archmagus reiterated. “In their world, human flesh is poisonous to us. I can not tell you how many Mirrors have thought ‘I shall have just one bite, one tiny bite’ only to perish from that momentary lapse of judgment. No matter how good they smell, no matter how hungry you become, you must never sample human flesh within their world.”
I huffed in irritation and looked up at the sky, an orange-red sky. The color of the sky did not remain constant in Anathema, but instead followed the mood of the land itself. Today, the land was angry. It showed its rage by setting many of the trees on fire and causing a high-pitched buzzing everywhere. On my way to training, I saw a belligerent pack of squirrels gnawing off a human slave’s hand. He shrieked and begged for my help, but who can be bothered by the silly requests of humans? I told him to stop messing around and to get back to work.
“Soon you all will become full-fledged Mirrors,” the Archmagus continued. “But, do not think that such a job is simple or safe. Our ancient pact with the human world has eroded over time due to the curses of their magical protectors. Sure, we’ve managed to snuff out most wizardry and witchery now, but the blood of Prometheus is still believed to flow. Be ever on the lookout for dormant magic and powerful artifacts from bygone eras.”
“There haven’t been magical humans in hundreds of years,” Lady Celida replied, sitting up straighter. “Do you truly believe, Archmagus, that some might exist?”
“Yes. And if you find one, you must bring them to Anathema immediately for subjugation. Promise whatever you must, break whatever laws or rules you must, but do not let them slip through your grasp.”
I grew tired of the training. All these things, I knew. I’d drilled on them since I’d entered the Mirror Academy. I knew everything there was to know about humans. I’d studied their cultures and languages. I’d spent countless hours watching them via the Forest of Mirrors, emulating their strange habits, and discussing their nonsensical lives with my peers. I’d dissected humans, pulling them apart and then putting them back together again. Countless times, I’d eaten human flesh ripped from a live human, savoring both their misery and their taste.
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“On the morrow, you will go to the Forest of Mirrors for your first assignment,” the Archmagus concluded, turning a page in his great tome. Rarely did an Aesidhe look as old as the Archmagus. Immortality meant that our bodies normally did not age, but occasionally you’d come across an ancient-looking Aesidhe. These Elders had fought in the War of the Dawn, or the Cleaving Battles and thus were due the respect of others for their great sacrifice. “Sleep well this night, for tomorrow you shall take your first steps into the land of humans.”
He dismissed us, and I stood, stretching as I moved away from the stone step I'd used as a seat. The Academy’s outdoor theater was sunk deep into the ground, a semi-circular pit of obsidian and black marble around a sunken floor with a podium for the speaker. Several of the Uaisle snickered as they passed me, and one even tried to shoulder-check me, though I turned away too swiftly for him to manage it. You have to be quick when you’re a Garbh among the Uaisle and Mhaithe.
“Are you hoping for any particular assignment, Master Kyrnoth?” As usual, the voice came from the one person among the Uaisle that would speak to me. I turned to find Lady Celida stopped on the step nearby, holding a book clutched to her chest. “You’re so good with your knives. I would assume you hope to be assigned to Elimination?”
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I nodded once. I probably should have said something more, and asked her if she was nervous about tomorrow, but despite my time at the Academy, I still had difficulty speaking to the Uaisle. They radiated an unrivaled intensity of intimidating beauty, and their commanding presence made it difficult for a Garbh like myself to think properly. Of course, Lady Celida would be assigned to capture humans to bring back to her house, House Nnatrima. There was an understanding that the Uaisle who supported the Academy didn’t get shuffled off to other work. They came for human slaves, and human slaves they would get.
“May you obtain your desire, then.” She inclined her head and began moving away. I watched her the entire time. Even though the steps were higher than should have been easy for someone of her small stature to descend, she appeared to float to the bottom, a vision of regal elegance. She wore an ephemeral white dress barely thick enough to be considered fabric, and through it her perfect coal-black skin could be seen. The enchanted fabric always moved just enough to cover anything I might want to see a bit better. When my gaze focused on an exposed thigh, the fabric there thickened. If I tried to look at the curve of her shoulder, the fabric bunched. The Uaisle made themselves frustratingly desirable through every trick of the trade. Though, I admit, I felt slightly bad devouring the woman’s body with my eyes when she’d been one of the few who had been kind to me.
I didn’t rush to leave. The Garbh dormitory smelled of desperation and was always noisy. I disliked trying to do anything among others of my rank. The competition to succeed, and to be seen as valuable and worthy, made it dangerous to spend time among the Garbh. You never knew if you might get stabbed in the back by someone pretending to be your friend. Instead, with anticipation and anxiety, I decided to go find a tasty looking human to sample. Their succulent flesh is one of the few things that brings me solace and delight.