The moon rested, waning in the sky. The door to the Oracle shut behind Valen and Farra, echoing throughout the darkness enveloping the temple grounds. The enchanted stones hanging upon pillars served as a gloomy light in their attempts to provide guidance in the darkness, but also seeming to underscore the very shadows around them. The faint moonlight mostly served to highlight the outlines of the various spiraling mountains behind the western back of the temple grounds, or the low-sitting cliffs in the distance which rose from an elevation below. Valen and Farra both spoke between the clasping of the gate, exchanging hastened and hushed words carrying over from a conversation within the tower.
“I will sleep in the top of the tower then?”
“Yes. It simplifies matters for the time being.”
“It will not be seen as any sort of special treatment?”
“It certainly will, however as much as the war faction lauds and attempts to award soldiers on the grounds of merit, it would be imprudent to not consider the possibility of one who cannot realize their potential without ample investment.”
She nodded, and the two carried off across the promenade, toward the direction in which a large shadowy structure Farra presumed to be the temple rose, dwarfing every other building. It was the first time Farra took time to look upon it, and her mouth could not help but gape in awe of the marvel that should be impossible to exist in a world like this. Though she had gone from mere huts to a quarry, a significant shift in surroundings already, this temple seemed as if it simply defied what could exist in these darkened lands.
“Valen...ah excuse me, Lord Valen.”
“Yes?”
Only every few steps Farra took could be heard, the rest were muffled by the smack of Valen's greaves to the ground. Farra was garbed in a fashion similar to what she wore on the expedition southward. Because they were on temple grounds and Farra would be training with Erres, she was not sporting any mail, rather keeping an outfit that was light and focused on allowing movements.
“The temple...that's it isn't it? How does that exist?”
“Did you not observe it before? It is a structure that has long since been erected at the apex of these grounds. The Warlords saw to its construction with aid from soldier and slave alike. It serves as none other than the bastion for our faction, a place where no warrior, friend or foe shall disrespect. There are plans to append certain lodgings either conjoined with or close to the temple, for the purpose of promoting solidarity. Although warriors travel far to meet on these sacred grounds, we in fact lack the necessities that would support a lengthened stay. It is mine and others beliefs, that this can be a cause of division, for rather than seeing one another as warriors fighting under the same god, many merely see one another as common warriors.”
With another nod, the both continued to walk on in silence. The promenade curved a slight amount to accommodate both the mountainside and hilltop. As they passed an intersection from which a road stemmed into toward the temple's daunting entrance, Farra could feel the gaze of sentries upon Valen and her from atop a staircase leading to the stronghold. But Valen had told her that visiting the temple would come another day, one when it was time to acknowledge Farra’s progress as a soldier.
Some point after descending down the hill upon a stone staircase, Farra and Valen came around to a pit carved from the ground. Around it was a bench all around, fashioned from the same stone as the ground, elevated to act as seating. Two perfectly symmetrical partings in the stone came to present the square pit as an arena of sorts, likely for duels. To the far side a figure that was in part masked by the darkness leaned against the wall. Farra knew this to be Erres. Beside him was his blade, tip lodged inside a crack in the pit's flooring. Opposite to that side were two blades, both shorter than his sword, but longer and slimmer than any armament Farra had seen save for Verrika's rapier.
“Lord Erres.” Farra called in a hushed voice, stepping down into the pit. Valen followed with one leap, his jump catching Farra's attention even when she saw it beforehand, feeling his sheer size blowing up the dust lying on the ground. Erres picked his blade off the wall, walking toward the both of them.
“It is good to see recent events have failed to make either of you worse for wear. Unfortunately, recent events have also resulted in a more pressing schedule than we otherwise anticipated.” Erres spoke, holding his blade out to Valen, who reciprocated by reaching, taking hold of the handle then holding the blade in both his hands, looking over its structure.
“If we had not issued an increase in the pace of the ore mining, then we might have found ourselves in a compromised position.” Valen affirmed, touching a finger to inscriptions on the blade and causing a soft red glow filling the surroundings with a sweltering heat. With another touch the rune faded, and the cool dark returned.
“It only provides a brief diversion. Dividing elements feel emboldened by the results of the expedition. I'm disgusted to say they would perhaps be less aggressive if we had not found what lies south to the desert at all, instead they would think only a vain death for Verrika to be more purposeful.”
Farra's body twitched uncomfortably at the mention of Verrika. She could not understand the full context of the conversation, but to hear the mention of Verrika from Erres himself could not help but unease her.
“You do Verrika a disservice by suggesting her death would be vain if not for the discovery young Erres.” Valen secured Erres' blade through a ring in the waist-side of his armor. “You must do better to not be so shortsighted and conciliatory. It was in part because of Verrika that Farra has come this far. It is because of Verrika's death that both of you harbor the feelings you now do, and so you should use that to steel yourselves and form a bond just as Verrika would have wished for. Fools will seek to dispose Farra as being a burden and our favor being misplaced. My expectations have been appeased thus far, and I trust your initial judgment that she possesses a potential that would bolster our ranks. Verrika herself deemed it worthy of taking the plunge in a monstrosity for her.”
“Your counsel has been received Valen.” Erres said succinctly, a sign to Valen to drop the matter.
“I will take your blade and make the requested modifications to the runes. There is ten moons until the next council. An order has been issued for Farra's attendance as we expected. They desire to evaluate her abilities.”
“She will wield a blade proper in four.”
“Then it will take eight. I must have her for studies each day.”
“Eight then.”
Farra looked on, quiet as the two exchanged curt words back and forth. She felt a tenseness not only for the situation, but in Valen's lecturing toward Erres.
Valen departed, ascended the height of the pit with another leap and returning back to the direction of the ground's summit. Erres stepped back with a crimson eye that crossed Farra's own indigo orbs, then taking the two blades remaining against the wall. The metal of each blade was dull and sealed tight within the heft. Erres handed it to the girl, facing the tip down toward the ground.
“They are both arms of identical design that fall from favor with any of our soldiers. Perfect for the purpose of training someone of your size. Each time we train, I will swap the two blades we use, that way you personally feel the advantages and disadvantages of varying sizes and lengths for yourself.”
Farra clenched both her hands around the handle, stepping back and measuring the balance of the weapon in her grasp. The handle was not over-sized. It was akin to that of the dagger and Verrika's rapier, small enough for both her hands to wrap around together. Despite the blade being longer than to what she was use to, it was short enough so that a downward swing did not send her plunging after the blade. She looked forward, seeing Erres holding the same blade with a single hand as if wielding a knife.
“I will ensure you know the basics. However in our sparring, you must come to the conclusion using your own talents and capabilities what is the best way to approach a fight. You shouldn't expect any two opponents to be perfect replications of each other, and so I will be changing up the weapons I use and the way with in which I use it in an attempt to instill that in you.”
Farra affirmed the words as Erres spoke once more.
“Make no mistake Farra, we are training with actual weapons even if dulled. I will take care not to kill you, but even in training you may end up wounded if not treating it in a serious manner.”
“I understand Lord Erres.”
Her tails bounced as she shifted to the side, holding the blade out in both hands and recording how it felt to shuffle in a lateral motion while maintaining her grip. Erres chuckled under his armor, rushing forward and swiping at the blade from the side.
Farra's mind focused, she saw the intent behind his actions, and though Erres was more than a quick combatant, she knew him to be holding back some amount, enough to discern his actions for her own interpretation before each resolved. It was a swipe meant to disarm the blade from her hand. The feirin stepped back, pulling the blade back with her to ensure it evaded the edge of the sword. Just as she made this motion Erres changed his movements, slamming the blade down on top of her. In a panic she held her blade forward and above her, steeling herself when the edge caught Erres' own blade, sliding along in a clash.
“Be wary of the adjustments your opponent can make in an attack. Don't trap yourself into a maneuver if your enemy hasn't committed fully. Fix your positioning quicker if you don't have the strength outright to compensate.”
The blade pulled back, Farra knew it would not have come to cut her, but the feeling of it hovering over her body, separated only by her fleeting strength remained with her.
Swallowing with a nod, she adjusted her stance. Erres swung again, Farra recognizing it to be the same disarming strike. She stepped back, creating distance between them. Erres rushed forward with another downward swing. Farra stepped to the side, not committing to any motion and instead watching Erres movements for his next action. The lord turned about his heel for a swift and elongated swipe that would have glanced Farra's cheek if not for her opting to duck the blow. She leaned her blade downward and with a kick of her legs, dashed forward. Erres side-stepped the blade, pressing his free hand down on the blade's back and catching Farra.
“Better.”
He pushed her back, creating distance between the two, opting to hold his blade with both hands this time. Despite his initial stance, Erres turned the blade in Farra's mind, readying to unleash a flurry of slashes. Farra knew her strength to be no match. Before Erres tilted his blade, she stepped from the side she foresaw the strikes coming from.
“Hold.” Erres relaxed his stance, Farra following suit.
“Along the same lines of you avoiding an attack if you see yourself unable to handle it, you can also lay your own trap should you see an attack you can take advantage of.
Farra nodded her head, and both resumed combative stances.
Training proceeded for unknown time, but Farra would not allow fatigue to better her now. Erres would rush forward again, Farra would be confronted with an ever-increasing number of options and factors to consider with every variation to Erres' motions. Most often Erres would fight her into a corner using a series of quick movements that eventually trapped Farra into one singular defense. Occasionally a bout would occur where Farra managed to perceive Erres next movement to betray his defenses, and so she would come close to a blow that Erres deemed worthy enough of conceding it a victorious effort. Their movements evolved into a match of wits. Erres stressed strategy as much as he relied on his brutality, constantly forcing Farra to consider how close her back was to a wall, or whether Erres could outright overpower her which he sometimes did.
Stolen novel; please report.
“Lord Erres, I understand this is training in many aspects, but you could not have possibly expected me to do anything but crumble before that blow. I am not strong enough.”
“And there will be times in battle where you won't know if you're strong enough.”
“But I do know in this situation if I am strong enough—and I am not.” A flustering Farra spoke, her blade scraping against the floor. Her teeth gritted as her head sank to Erres' feet.
“Raise your head.” She obliged, her indigo bulbs peered into Erres' crimson eyes. Both remained silent before Farra gathered the resolve to continue on.
“It must be difficult to hold back from fighting how you are truly use to, but please my Lord. Keeping up with your strength and speed right now, I simply cannot.”
“Then you must consider another manner of approach.”
“What options might I have my Lord? This arena hardly favors one who must continually dodge. And often that is all I can do.”
“This is why we are training you, you will in time realize how to confront adversaries given your limitations.”
Farra's hand shook, clenching the blade. Her breath was audible, her head sinking again as tears dripped down her cheeks. Erres stood still when she grabbed the hilt of her blade with both hands, swinging forward at Erres. He held his blade at a side with one hand, holding the back of it with his other, catching Farra's strike that carried all her ferocity and frustration. Erres sized her strike, taking note before pushing off, deflecting her blade. Her force sent her body forward after the blade was deflected. Erres held a fist out with his free gauntlet, low enough to where Farra landed her stomach on it, effectively absorbing a punch as she began to reel in painful tears. Her blade dropped, clinking against the ground several times before she fell along with it, clenching her teeth and holding her stomach.
“Lord Erres.” She spoke in wincing and short breaths, filled with a mixture of pain and sorrow. “I feel so much less than other soldiers, than Verrika. I am sorry.”
“Many are less the soldier, companion, and friend than Verrika was. Not just to me, but to many.” Erres crouched, setting the blade down beside the other before shifting to sit next to her as she recovered. “Allow me to apologize, I could've caught you rather than let you gut yourself. And apologize for the maybe unreasonably harsh approach. But I firmly believe this is within your reach. Whether or not you make for the same companion or friend Verrika was, that's not something I can say. But I think you will surpass Verrika as a soldier given the time.”
“I am sorry again Lord Erres. I cannot help but feel that I am meant to fulfill a void her death has left.” Farra winced on the ground, her voice struggling between catching her breath and choking.
“Carrying out your training or life in such a manner will only disappoint you. You are not and will never be Verrika. But that doesn't mean you can't surpass her. It is true that many others of our faction are seeking to paint you as a sort of replacement, but do not let their foolery misguide your thoughts. They will look at your potential for being a soldier for numerous reasons, not for your being a soldier as you are now, lest anyone is pitiful enough to compare themselves to a child for comfort in their own lacking capabilities.”
Farra picked her head up, wiping her tears and sitting back onto her legs.
“Lord Erres, I wish to ask a poor question.”
“Go on.”
Silence settled in for a moment, Farra taking a breath, partly continuing to gather herself through a cracked voice.
“Why do you think Verrika died?”
Another silence set in. Erres turned from Farra's inquisitive gaze, looking up toward the walls of the pit. He took the blade he just had set down.
“Don't throw it into the wall, it would be wasteful.”
Erres scoffed, setting the sword back down before glancing back her way.
“For you to not shy back in fear, but instead reprimand your superior. Maybe I was wrong, you’re a bit more like Verrika than I previously thought.”
“To see this side of you my lord, it is quite unexpected. But I think that I saw a bit of Lord Valen's side as well. It is reassuring to me, to see the both of you passionate. I was very afraid at first, but it was only because I was more afraid of what would happen to me if I chose to remain the quarry and be useless. The fear gave me the energy to keep up with everything. Then Verrika helped carry me forward, and then Teilve and everyone else. Everything until then had felt similar to how it was back in my tribe, handled in a manner that felt cold and disregarding. But...I think I would say you are more interested in what's best for everyone than my tribe was.”
Farra's tears subsided. Her voice carried an ache and stomach felt a soreness coming over it, but she found herself able to look past it.
“Verrika was a loyal soldier and good friend whose radiance at times seemed out of place in this dreary world. She was more than a faithful companion, whom at times I found frustrating and out of line. I couldn't bring myself to punish her idle banter or antics. As Valen said earlier, I have been unbecoming of one who seeks to unify and lead us by dwelling over her death in such negative lights. I would have called it irony that in an attempt to recognize and bring up one who would have lived and died as a slave to have been rewarded with tragedy. But to curse fate in such a way would be no more than forfeiting blame as a leader. In that fleeting moment, I made a move that jeopardized both your and Verrika's lives, and it was Verrika who took the initiative wherein I failed. The battlefield is fraught with unpredictability and danger. You warned us, as per my directions. Yet I failed to fulfill my duty in kind. To answer your question, I think she died because of my failures as a leader.”
A sorrowful smile managed upon Farra's lips, looking toward Erres with shut eyes before glancing back away, head tilted into her knees.
“I see. I must disagree my lord.”
Erres' gaze tilted toward her.
“That is your rightful answer, as our leader. To take that blame on yourself, and to see where you could have done better. But as a soldier. I must point to Verrika being weak.”
The lord found himself at a brief loss for words.
“What do you mean?”
Farra pointed to the blade in front of her.
“I think...the job of a weapon is to strike and obey its master however that turns out. But if the weapon is dull and breaks, then it is the weapon that failed the master. The master could take the blame for having chosen to use the weapon or whatever other reason. But the weapon broke. You trusted us to conduct ourselves as soldiers. Verrika chose to save me. I was too weak to save myself, and Verrika was too weak to save the both of us. I don't know what instinct came over me, I feel it is a miracle that we did not die in that very moment. But it doesn't change how things are now I feel. You can blame yourself all you like Lord Erres, but Verrika chose to take an action she was too weak for. And so I want to make sure I am strong, so I can take the actions needed, on your behalf.”
The feirin's ears perked, hearing an uncharacteristic sound. Erres leaned his head back up into the sky, starting with a chuckle, then beginning to laugh. Farra sat blankly, looking on and unsure how to respond.
“The things you say, they piss me off. But you are a child, speaking truths from your heart that most others would be too fearful to ever say. We will conclude training until tomorrow, I fear I'll shatter your blade with another strike.”
Farra gulped, wary of his remarks as Erres sat up.
“Farra. Promise me something here and now. To hear this kind of frankness from my own soldier, it is refreshing and enlightening. Something I fear I might have lost with Verrika. Do not let this conversation make you shy of speaking your mind to me, rather I would appreciate it.”
A last tear rolled down Farra's cheek, smiling it away and nodding fervently.
“Of course my lord.”
As agreed upon earlier, the two concluded their training and Erres escorted Farra back to the Oracle. The trek back was uneventful. Farra felt a change in the eyes of those who acted as sentries for the temple grounds, recognizing certain gazes that changed locations. Upon reached Valen's tower, she held her hand out, touching it to the gate which glowed and parted.
To her surprise, a familiar face she had not seen since coming to the temple grounds was inside.
“Ah Miss Farra, I have heard you are hard at work, it is quite well to see you in good spirits. It is my understanding you are staying this tower?” She nodded at the demon who maintained every bit of gentlemanly quality since they last spoke. “It is good to see you are well too Kaladin.”
“Quite, there are ever things to learn and time does not slow. Valen asked me to procure a certain book for you to take with you upstairs, he is awaiting there for your arrival. I must confess my envy at the our lord's dedication to you, however in his eyes it must be a ripe opportunity for ensuring the passing of knowledge in the manner he most desires.”
“Thank you Kaladin.” She took the book from his hands, glancing a smile before looking about the room, filled with a handful of individuals who did no more than cast a sideways glance before returning to their studies.
“I will return the next moon for you. Treat Valen's teachings as serious as you would your training.” Erres remarked, giving Kaladin a nod of acknowledgment before turning from the tower and exiting.
Kaladin returned to his desk, opening an intimidating book with a spine thick enough to where one could imagine its ability to guard against a strike. The tower floor felt busy as opposed to usual, but Farra found it pleasing to see that the individuals here seemed to pay her little mind given the importance that was placed upon her and the expectations for the next council meeting. She sighed, looking at the large spiraling stairwell designed for Valen. She set the book on the first step, raising her knee to her chest and hoisting herself up the step, repeating the process each time. She made sense of the studious individuals below paying little mind to her. From what she understood it was a number of people antagonistic to Erres and Valen whom would most likely hold animosity toward her. And though she knew both the lords to strive for unification and share of resources from how Teilve spoke, it seemed unlikely that any opposing elements would come to study Valen's arts in his own tower. Farra peered over the edge of the stairwell, finding a myriad of different lights below, followed by a small crackle before one pupil began to frantically shift about, another rushing over to extinguish the rune that had been roused.
Upon reaching the top, Farra found the tower's highest room to be glowing a distinct amethyst shade. Across a table lie Erres' sword upon which every rune glowed softly.
“Though you may not understand runes fully yet Farra, with each additional bit of knowledge you add profound meaning for how they interact. Erres' blade is one of my finest and most joyous works, and I am pleased to find he has decided to seek an alteration of its enchantments.”
“You're making it stronger?”
“Yes.”
“Lord Valen.” She sat into a desk specially set up for her next to an alcove. In the alcove was a small window, outside of which there was only darkness. In lieu of the view, she decided to stack all her books that she was taking time to go through, finding that she needed to cross-reference many books at a time depending upon the content in order to understand the applications of certain runes.
“Can you make me stronger? With runes?”
“You will accomplish just that with your studies.” His response was surprisingly curt, to the point and betraying the intent behind his words to her.
“I mean could you make me stronger, not just through knowledge but in body as well.”
He turned his attention from the blade sitting on top of the table, the towering figure turning his full attention toward Farra.
“It can be done. It would fall under the umbrella of augmentation, though I would more closely relate it to a form of affixing and live experimentation. It is dangerous, and a lack of knowledge and respect for any procedure involving such gravity could end in tragedy.”
Farra gazed back into the abyss of his helmet.
“You are the one doing it are you not? Is there anyone more knowledgeable in rune magic than you?”
“I cannot speak of what I do not know, but I could perform the procedure yes. I have performed such experimentation before, but I’ve also come to deem it far too risky given the benefits. Most soldiers stand not to benefit from such strength as they do a faithful and proper weapon or armor. The issue of knowledge regarding such runes is not with the one who applies them so much as the one utilizing them. In which case you would be. A lack of respect toward both the sensitivity and power of the runes on your part could kill you.”
Farra, glanced down to the book ajar in front of her, looking over its filled pages with markings she still needed to come to understand.
“Then is that not what my studying is for? For becoming familiar with and learning how to respect these magics?”
“I will not lie to you. The thought has occurred to me that you may benefit greatly from such an enhancement. But at the same time you are young, your strength is not yet realized, to approach such power so early would be more than hasty.”
“Why has the thought occurred to you?”
Valen gazed back into Farra's eyes, an intrigued intensity becoming more and more palpable.
“I have only tampered with affixing onto live beings so much, and to varying success. Truly there is but one case I can boast of being a tremendous success. Nearly all others have yielded mixed if not inadequate results. I retired studying that aspect of rune magic out of a shift in purpose. With something such as what you are requesting, I find it more than feasible. But am I willing to risk one I have come to treat as a dedicated pupil to pass my knowledge to, one that both Erres and I are vesting so much into? I know he would be displeased with the notion.”
Farra bit her lip and returned her eyes to the book.
“Lord Valen, what was the one success you would brag about?”
“Even to you young Farra, it is not something I can disclose the detail of for the time being.” Valen turned back to the blade upon his worktable, setting a jar of black ink closer to the blade.
The feirin decided against pursuing the matter further, though the thought lingered in her mind as she read through rune after rune, wishing to understand the use for runes as a means to dispel her weakness.