“Honestly, I feel a little foolish.”
“What’s wrong, Mender Uttara?”
He rakes his fingers through his hair and forces a half-hearted smile. “Wrong? Nothing. I’ve just witnessed a miracle!”
Melina offers him a glass of cold water from the enchanted cold box on the side of the studio. He takes it with a grateful look and gulps it down. “It’s just that this entire time I thought I would have to rein in a rogue [Enchanter] who was abyss-bent on selling you crazy schemes and scandalously irresponsible promises. Now I see that I’m completely outclassed.”
“We couldn’t have done this without you,” I tell Mender Uttara. I’m telling the truth, but by the carefully blank expression he cultivates, I can tell that I’ve missed the mark. Ah. I’m probably coming off patronizing.
“You needed me the way a chef needs an egg to cook an omelet,” Uttara replies with a hearty laugh. At least he seems quick to understand his role. I hope he doesn’t resent me for it too much.
“At least we didn’t scramble up your insides after we cracked you open,” Rakesh says, immediately back on familiar footing now that he has an edgy joke to crack.
“Given the horror stories I’ve heard about those with metaphysical powers, I suppose I should be grateful that didn’t happen,” Uttara says. He stares at the healing rod with longing in his eyes. “When we left the campus, I swore to myself that I wouldn’t let you risk hurting anyone else. Sounds absurd now, doesn’t it?”
“No it doesn’t,” I say, more forcibly than I intended. “It makes me trust your judgment more, honestly.”
“Kind of you. But I see I was operating under faulty assumptions.”
“If you have concerns, then we’d be stupid not to listen to you,” I say without hesitation. “I’m tired of acting without regard for consequence. Too many people have gotten hurt because of my impatience and arrogant assumptions that my way will always work out.”
Mender Uttara puts down his empty water glass. He walks over and sits on the edge of my workbench, rubbing his cheeks under his eyes. Only now do I see how exhausted he looks, with dark circles and two day’s stubble. He doesn’t answer for a few minutes while he collects his thoughts. “My usual reservations hardly seem to apply in your case. I’d still prefer that you just work with the [Headmistress] to resolve everything, but you seem to have things in hand.”
“We have our differences with the Menders,” I say, unwilling to make accusations against his colleagues without a clear understanding of his own sentiments and loyalties.
“That’s obvious to anyone with eyes,” Uttara says with a chuckle. “I don’t know how you got on the bad side of my esteemed coworkers, but you seem like nice folk to me.”
I take that as an implicit admission that he won’t pry or work against us. It’s nice to know that at least one member of the Menders isn’t corrupt, power hungry, or, worst of all, indifferent. [Lady] Saphora probably thinks of herself as a freedom fighter. I might not like her underhanded tactics, but her allies probably think highly of her efforts. By contrast, some of the Menders act so jaded that I wonder why they took a healing Class at all. Once upon a time, they resonated with helping people. What caused them to become so uncaring?
Maybe they got worn down by bureaucracy, or overwhelmed by all the suffering they’ve seen. Regardless of how the bad actors in the group ended up the way they did, there are still good men like Mender Uttara, so the excuses of the others ring hollow to me by comparison. I crack my neck and put that trail of thought aside. We have work to do.
Melina sits next to Mender Uttara and pats his arm with an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry. We modified the enchantment so that it shares the vitality draw between the entire team. You won’t be alone this time.”
“And if anything does go wrong,” Rakesh interjects, “we can just use the other wand that runs off healing potions to fix everyone up. Foolproof plan!”
Mendor Uttara gives him a complicated look. “I suppose I should be concerned that you’re putting us out of business, but there’s always more work to be done than people to do it. Somehow, I doubt that the Menders will lack for business.”
I shoot a warning look toward Rakesh, who’s practically bursting with unspoken secrets. His mouth snaps shut, though he’s vibrating in place with the effort of not telling Mender Uttara about our plans with the [Inquisitors], but he glares at me for ruining his fun.
“Do you think your wand could help the [Headmistress]?” Mender Uttara asks. He frowns as he sees our guarded looks. “I know you’re not the biggest fan, but please do what you can to help her. She’s trying her best.”
“I’ll . . . see what I can do,” I make myself say, though I know it’s a terrible idea to reveal what we can do.
“Thank you,” Uttara says with genuine emotion. His eyes mist over. “She’s paid the price for keeping the Menders afloat. We’re strong because she’s weak.”
My thoughts flow back to the conversation I overheard with her bodyguards, and I find myself pitying the woman for the unenviable position she’s in. At the same time, my sense of justice is offended; she might make personal sacrifices, but she also allowed rot to fester in her organization instead of excising it like a good healer ought. A firmer hand and clearer sense of duty might have solved many of the problems with [Lady] Saphora.
I clear my throat. “I can’t make any promises. But we’ll do our best to make things better. For everyone, not just Gilead’s elite.”
Rakesh snorts. He looks like he’s about to complain that I’m hinting at his secret plans, so I press down on him with my Domain for a brief second. His eyes widen. He folds his hands in his lap and keeps his peace.
No one else says anything for a while, either, since we all seem to sense the delicate nature of Uttara’s mood. The gentle healer pushes himself to his feet, laces his fingers together, and flips his palms around, pushing outward to crack his knuckles. “No point putting things off. Let’s go make a miracle!”
“Hey!” Rakesh says, looking supremely offended. “Catch phrases are my specialty.”
The team’s chuckle releases some of the tension. I walk with them toward the door of the hot shop. “Remember, write down everything.”
Rakesh rolls his eyes at me. “Who do you think I am? My thesis won’t write itself.
I blow out my cheeks and remind myself who I’m talking to—of course he will document every single detail in precise, accurate language. I slap myself lightly on the face to get back into the right mindset.
“Sorry,” I mumble. “I’m just frustrated playing the waiting game again. This is—what? The fiftieth time you’ve retraced your steps from the studio to the campus, while I’m stuck here just watching through the scrying mirror?”
“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” Avelina says. “It’s only been a handful of times.”
“Still too many. I should be there.”
“Don’t get arrested next time. Easy!”
I narrow my eyes at Avelina, who’s smirking at me with undisguised glee since she’s got a point I can’t refute. “Love you too, Ava.”
“Naturally. I’m always lovable!”
Mender Uttara glances between us all awkwardly as we tease and laugh. He steps up and shakes my hand before they all depart. “For what it’s worth, Nuri, I didn’t vote to ban you from the healing center. I understand the desire to save a life. I’ll do my best to take care of your friend. Come what may.”
My lips pull into a thin smile. “Can’t lose a promising student, after all.”
To his credit, Mender Uttara meets my gaze with clear, steady eyes. He nods with steely conviction that catches me off guard. “Life is worth preserving, young man. Even if Lionel were the worst student I’d ever met, I’d do what must be done. ”
My smile blooms into something warmer. I catch Rakesh’s eye, and he returns an almost imperceptible nod. We’re in agreement with our assessment on the man’s character. We’ll make our report to the [Inquisitors] who are currently moving into place around Gilead. Let’s hope our good word counts for something.
The rest we’ll leave up to fate.
When I’m alone again, I feel my friends’ absence more keenly than I care to admit, as though someone has scooped out a portion of my chest with a shovel and left a cavity behind. I’m almost certain that if I looked inward with my Domain, I’d see scarlet wounds on my soul. I snort, berating myself for my moment of sentimentality. Months on the road, and I still can’t handle myself solo.
Still. It’s an intangible pain that’s worse than any physical agony I’ve suffered. I’d rather burn apart in a thousand Rifts than go through life alone.
I scrub away the tear threatening to well up in the corner of my eye before I embarrass myself any further. Ozana is probably watching me through her own scrying mirror, and I don’t want her to think I’m unstable or emotionally stunted.
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With extra time to kill, I turn back to the furnace and get a blow pipe. “Might as well make myself useful,” I mutter. I take my time feeling out the viscosity of the batch before I get a new gather of glass. Although I know it’s just an excuse so I don’t have to confront just how isolated I feel, it’s still nice to get to make something purely because I want to and not because I’ve been commissioned for a job.
It occurs to me that I wouldn’t be stuck here if not for my house arrest. I’ve really gotta stop that habit. New resolution: No more arrests in the next year.
Of course, I’ll never admit that aloud, or Avelina will mercilessly tease me till the end of my days. It’s not like I’m trying to get arrested. Authorities are just too quick to overreact!
“Yeah. That’s it,” I say aloud. “I’m just a misunderstood genius.”
Somehow, the lie makes me feel better. I resume working with a faint smile on my lips.
=+=
A little glass flower emerges by the time my friends return to Lionel’s room. I don’t imbue the flower or use either my [Arcane Domain] or [Greater Heat Manipulation] to assist with shaping the creation. Relying on old-school glass techniques feels therapeutic, and my anxiety fades away little by little.
“Nuri? We’re ready if you are,” Mikko calls through the paper birds. He’s standing in front of the scrying sensor, which is still mounted in the upper corner of Lionel’s room. It can’t spin a web like an actual spider, but the little glass golem I created has spiked legs that allow it to stick to walls and ceilings wherever I send it.
They’re all arrayed in a semi-circle around my comatose friend. Mikko’s standing by the head of the bed, flanked by Mender Uttara to his right. Rakesh is next, with Melina taking up her positions next to him to assist with notes. Avelina sits on the foot of the bed, a basin of water in her lap and a pile of bandages stacked up neatly beside her.
“This is your show! I’m just watching over here,” I say as brightly as I can. I very carefully don’t mention how much I wish I could be with them.
“All right. We’re beginning,” Mender Uttara says, taking over now that he’s back in his area of expertise.
Everyone links hands, much to my surprise. I didn’t think physical touch was necessary to share the vitality required for the restorative healing, but I’m sure that Melina and Rakesh signed off on any changes to the plan.
Uttara lifts the healing wand and it begins glowing with a faint outline of power as mana initializes the first set of inscribed runes. Reverence shines in his expression, which makes me uncomfortable until I realize it’s not directed at me. All this talk of miracles is way outside of my realm of experience. I’m just doing the best I can for my friend.
Mana glimmers around the healing wand, coating each layer with blazing light. Layers of energy gather so densely that I can barely see anymore through the haze of mana, and it’s only intensifying as the wand continues to draw on the amplifiers I added to the arrays. The glare is far beyond my expectations, building up to blinding brilliance, turning the entire scrying mirror pure white as a latticework of strangely familiar glowing fractals fill my sight.
I clench my fist in helpless frustration. I should be there!
“He’s in good hands. Trust them, Nuri,” I whisper to myself. It’s hard to listen to my own advice. One day, I swear I’ll find a way to truly spread my Domain to my glass creatures. More than carrying a touch of my mana signature, they’ll extend the range of my senses, working like beacons or relays to expand my sphere of influence.
For now, I have to believe that our research and practice over the last few years will pay off. Rakesh and Melina are skilled scholars. Mender Uttara is an advanced [Healer] of no small repute. Mikko is brimming with vitality and strength; he could probably power the transfer of life all on his own. Avelina is overflowing with warmth and compassion for Lionel. And, of course, I can’t forget that I designed and hand-crafted the foundation for the entire process.
I straighten at that reminder, standing tall and proud. My contributions weren’t minor.
If we can’t pull this off, then the [Headmistress] probably can’t, either. Just because the original Azure Rod is famous doesn’t mean that we can’t surpass his efforts with our combined talents or innovate on the runic arrays. Applying imbuing principles alongside a more meticulous and studied method has to bear fruit.
Melina and I are also Masters of glass. I’m confident that only an [Enchanter] in the high Second—or maybe even Third—Threshold could surpass our new and improved creation. Or, at least, that’s what I tell myself since I can’t see what’s going on in Lionel’s room.
Light flashes, exactly in time to interrupt my frustrated inner monologue. The mirror goes dark a split second later. Screaming in terror, I wrap it in the authority of my Domain, desperate to figure out what’s going on.
The image on the top of the table-like golem’s mirror returns a moment later, although it appears dull and dim compared with the sun-bright, all-consuming fire of the powerful healing array in action. Faces flicker in my vision a few times before the scrying transmission settles down at last.
Lionel is sitting up, a healthy flush in his cheeks. He’s holding his hands out in front of his face, staring at them with wonder and confusion on his features. He grins and kicks the covers off, swinging his legs over the side of the bed to stand on his own two feet once more. He’s solid and steady.
If I had any doubts about his condition, he dispels them by leaping around in a circle as he whoops and hollers. “Take that, ya old witch!” he hollers, grinning broadly. “Can’t keep me down.”
“It worked,” I whisper.
“It worked!” Mikko shouts, his echo far louder than my words. He steps forward, staggers for a moment, and rights himself in time to engulf Lionel in a massive hug. The others are on his heels, swallowing up Lionel in a group hug and blocking my view of my friend.
I narrow my eyes, looking closely for any signs of dangerous side effects, but other than general weakness, they all seem fine. They did it. They did it!
First to break away from the crush of bodies is our [Researcher]. Notebook in hand, he’s writing down everything that just happened. “What was that surge of power at the end?”
My eyebrows lift at Rakesh’s question. What does he mean? Did something unexpected occur that I couldn’t sense since the scrying system only transmits sight?
Lionel struggles to extricate himself from the team. He accepts Avelina’s offered glass of water, but otherwise waves off attempts to assist him. “I’m fine. Really! Stop treating me like a fragile bit of glass.”
“Can you blame us? You almost broke,” I say into the paper bird in my hand, my tone halfway scolding, but full of affection.
“Not even close,” Lionel shoots back, his signature lopsided grin twisting his face as he speaks. “I knew you had my back. Never a shred of doubt.”
The Linas exchange a glance fraught with meaning. Mikko snickers. But Rakesh is not so easily sidetracked by humor.
“What happened, Lionel? I’ve never seen anything like that. The energy readings were all within expectations—then your eyes opened and they went crazy!”
Lionel chuckles. “Oh, that? Yeah, I learned a thing or two from the way that hag Saphora reversed my healing Skills. I still can’t believe she’s a Mender! We gotta kick her out. She’s not fit to go anywhere near patients. Anyway, I took over the healing spell at the end. Didn’t want all that sweet, sweet mana to go to waste!”
“You assisted in your own recovery? That’s awesome!” Avelina says, high-fiving Lionel. She sways afterward and sits down on the edge of the bed, looking weaker than usual.
“Yep. That was the easy part, though. Bet not even Nuri has pulled off anything as crazy as what I did next,” Lionel brags, crossing his arms over his chest and looking smug.
Realization hits me like a bolt from the blue. “You evolved your Class!” I shout, unable to keep my excitement to myself. “I knew I recognized that shimmering mesh of power.”
Lionel’s jaw drops open. He blinks up at the scrying sensor a few times, then scowls as if someone just stole all his dessert. “Leave it to Nuri to make me wish I were back in a coma. You just had to be more amazing than I am, huh?”
His light tone reassures me that his sour words don’t mean anything, and sure enough his smirk breaks out again. “Remember when I hit the First Threshold and you still only had a single measly Skill? Ahh. Those were the days! To be fair, you’ve been playing catch up ever since, so I’ll be gracious and let you have this win.”
“Lio! Stop preening and tell us what you got,” Melina interrupts. She’s even paler than usual, her lips pressed together, but the joy of uncovering knowledge still shines in her eyes. She’s a scholar born, no matter what her Class.
“I’ve earned a new Skill. It’s yellow-white. That’s Iridium rank, right?” He grins, basking in the shocked gasps. “Looks extremely complicated. Nuri and I can take turns showing off later to see who has the most amazing Skill structures.”
“What’s it called, Lio?” Rakesh fairly explodes. His fingers grip his mana pen so hard he’s shaking, and I wonder if the condensed energy pen can shatter like glass.
“Oh, you want the name?” Lionel asks innocently. “The banner says [Runic Restoration]. Ever heard of it? No? Wow, fancy that. I know something Rakesh doesn’t!”
Rakesh writes down the name, peering at Lionel with unsettling intensity, as though he can split open our friend and extract his secrets. I’ll have to remind him later not to give in to the temptation; one Scalpel was enough for a lifetime.
“Anyway. I assume it has something to do with that crazy artifact my teacher is holding. Good to see ya again, Uttara. Thanks for keeping me alive and all.”
“It was an honor,” Mender Uttara responds solemnly. He bows toward Lionel. “And it was the least I could, considering one of my colleagues is responsible for the pain and suffering that you endured. Rest assured that I will submit a formal complaint.”
“Don’t bother,” Rakesh says. “We will take care of everything shortly.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Mender Uttara replies in a dry voice. “With your kind of power, you could bring down her entire family. I hope that I don’t have to remind you that her relatives are the reason your friend Nuri has a restored core and channels.”
“I won’t forget what I owe Shiphrah and Rashad,” I assure Mender Uttara. “But Rakesh is right. What is in motion cannot be undone.”
Uttara shivers. “Ominous.”
Even Lionel drops his jocular attitude. He turns to look straight into the scrying sensor. “I know it has to be done, but I hope you know what you’re doing, Nuri. I’ve had a lot of time to think while trapped inside my own body. I don’t want to play these kinds of games anymore. As much as I’m teasing everyone, I want to help and heal, not spy and fight. I’m not—I guess I’m not a kid anymore.”
Somber silence reigns after that pronouncement. Uttara looks more concerned than ever before, but I can’t tell him what’s going on. Not yet. He’ll find out soon enough as it is.
I swallow the lump growing in my throat. “I understand. I’m proud of you, Lionel. I’ll miss you, though.”
Avelina scrunches up her nose. “What do you mean, you’ll miss him?”
Lionel sighs and clasps his hands together. “Nuri’s good at taking the fun out of things sometimes, huh? Well, he guessed it. I’m staying here with teacher Uttara to heal people who need my help. I won’t be joining you for the journey home—which sounds like it’s just around the corner, if I’m picking up the clues correctly.”
“No! We just got you back!” Avelina cries, reaching out to Lionel as though she’s afraid he will turn into smoke and drift away on the wind.
“You’ll always be family,” Lionel says, his voice thick with emotion. “Now go get super rich so you can afford to travel to visit me all the time.”
Mikko grips Lionel’s shoulder and squeezes gently. “We will. Promise.”
Lionel’s grin returns. “Counting on it! Now, seriously. Enough with the moping everyone. Take me to Nuri. It’s time I put my new Class into action and spread some joy in this dreary old world.”