đ LASTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SOON đ
Chapter Eighteen
đ Welcome to Westwind đ
Kon read the words on the ground below him. Enclosed by a round path of golden bricks, âWelcome to Westwindâ was arranged in bushes of soft pink flowers, their fuzzy, featherlike petals flapping open in a glowing green wind. Though unusual to find in this clime and place, Kon recognized the flowers immediately. They shared their name with his friend, Laferil.
âVery funny, Hazen!â the girl shouted. Instead of walking the dirt path with Kon and Vigor, Lafer let gravity carry her down the grassy hill. Her blood-red armor rattled with each one of her bounding steps. âWhere are you and Lush hiding?â she continued. âI know the two of you are around here somewhere!â
Without so much as a word of warning, Vigor ran to join his Seer. Hot dust was kicked up in his wake.
Kon halted immediately, shutting his eyes and coughing.
âSorry!â the fae exclaimed.
Kon grumbled to himself as he waved the cloud of dust out of his face. When he opened his eyes, Lafer and Vigor were standing in front of the flowers, the former on her knees and grasping a bush like she was about to rip it free. The brick path continued on beyond them, stretching through a gap in the trees of a well-kept and flourishing garden. Every single tree was different, and as the path went deeper, increasingly more strange. Most of the trees Kon recognized shouldnât have been able to grow here, and the ones he didnât were unusual. Sparks of magic were glinting in their patterned bark and colorful leaves.
âI swear, Hazen, if you donât show yourself now, Vigor will set every one of these flowers aflame!â
â…I will?â the giant rumbled.
Lafer shushed him, slashing the air between them with her free hand.
The former princess must have really hated her full name.
Konâs fae glided on ahead, drawn to the sound of wood groaning, followed by an exasperated sigh. One of the trees behind the flowers was opening. Its thin layer of striped blue-and-white bark chipped and peeled as a crusted figure stepped into view, bits of wood falling as moss shed from the manâs skin.
Hazen was shorter than Gul and significantly more plump, his gut visible through a branch-woven tunic. Though most of his head was still covered in long, mangy hair, the top of his head was balding, making his wrinkled brow seem impossibly large. Various gardening tools were sheathed in numerous belts on his trousers, including a trowel, shears, and a hand rake. Jrana used many of those tools in her line of work. His feet were dirty and bare, as were his arms. His biceps drooped like he had recently lost weight.
Compared to every Seer that Kon had met so far, Hazen was a tad underwhelming. He didnât look fit enough to fight in a war.
âIâm right here, alright? Donât you dare harm those innocent flowers, Vigor. Lafer! Itâs good to see you. But whoâs this, standing awkwardly in the distance? Come say hello! Youâre the whole reason Iâm waiting here, after all, strange man!â
Hazen drawled out the words sleepily. Tiny bits of wood fell out of his blinking eyes, tumbling down his face and bulging stomach.
Behind the Groundskeeper, the tree he hid in continued to unfold and reform. Kon stared as the trunk wrapped backwards around itself, moss spreading out from its center while the branches lowered to its sides. Roots pulled themselves free of the earth, joining the branches as they coalesced and twisted into four distinct limbs. Leaves spiraled to the ground as the trunk molded into a slim torso. Not long after, a head with mossy skin and bushy hair sprouted at the top. Sap glistened in the faeâs eyes and on her smiling lips.
Lushâs voice sounded like rustling leaves. âHello new friend,â she greeted, lifting an arm and a branching finger for Konâs fae to land on. On contact, the orb of gold and silver lute strings trilled happily. The music beckoned for him to join them.
Kon obeyed, but mostly because he was at the edge of Vigorâs aura. If the giant had run any further, his body would have probably collapsed with exhaustion.
Hazen rounded the arrangement of flowers to, of all things, fist-bump Lafer. He turned to Vigor and gave him a lazy bow. As Kon approached him with a hand outstretched, Hazen turned suddenly, lunging to embrace him.
âWelcome to your new home,â the man said, his arms suddenly hanging over Konâs shoulders. Fingers gently clenched his upper back. âIâm the Groundsmaster of our humble Academy, but Iâm sure Lafer already told you that. I am her favorite. Arenât I, Lafer?â
Kon sniffed as the man pulled away, catching a hint of aromatic smoke. Though Hazen was dry, his tunic smelt of earth soaked with rain.
Shia.
âYou know it,â Lafer replied, her voice tapering off with a giggle. The Groundsmaster proffered a fist for her to bump again, which she hit reluctantly, then bowed to Vigor, as if he was just seeing them for the first time.
Hazen faced Kon abruptly, then lunged to hug him again.
Stepping out of the way, he plucked the Groundsmasterâs hand mid-motion as it flailed out beside him. Clutching it firmly, he pulled him back and balanced him, then briefly shook it. âKon,â he greeted, forcing a grin.
âHazen,â the man answered, laughing as he grasped Konâs hand with both of his. âDonât worry about any fancy titles with me. Groundsmaster isnât too bad, but Sir, Seer, and Professor are far too formal. Unlike my colleagues, I prefer to use the names our parents intended. Hazen, offspring of Zena and Hael of the Green Beaks. Itâs a pleasure to meet you, Kon, offspring of…?â
âThe late Kir and long-departed Non of the Pale Hawks,â he murmured, letting go of the manâs hand.
Hazen nodded as he straightened, his slack expression becoming sober in an instant. âIâm sorry for your loss.â
Before he could reply, Lafer cleared her throat, drawing both of their attention. âHey Kon. How about you show your new professor your first Westwind Academy salute?â
Vigor chuckled at the look on Konâs face.
âThatâs alright,â Hazen interjected. âSave your first salute for someone more appropriate. Either Nise or Topek should do. I prefer normal human interaction.â
The Headmaster and the Armsmaster. Apparently Hazen was on a first-name basis with everyone.
And normal human interaction? In what way was this normal?
When Kon wasnât looking, the Groundsmasterâs fae sneaked up behind him. He turned and startled at her moss-covered face.
âLush,â she greeted. âI can sense your fae is ripe with potential. Sheâll be so beautiful when she blooms.â
In the background, Vigor raised his arms and bellowed. âI said the same thing!â
Kon reached for Lushâs free hand. Instead, the fae used the other to place his fae on his palm.
Lafer stepped into view and cleared her throat again. âIâm surprised no one else is here to greet us. Iâm sure the Headmaster is busy, but whereâs Wilm and Rugged?â
âNise is quite busy, yes. Heâs currently holding a meeting with the Fated King and the other Headsmen. As for Wilm and Rugged, theyâre serving as the Barracks Officer today.â
Kon cocked an eyebrow at the balding Seer.
âDonât worry about that now,â said Lafer. âIâll explain the B.O. to you later. How are you doing, Lush? Sorry about threatening to set your babies on fire. Vigor wasnât seriously going to do it… right Vigor?â
He pumped a molten fist in the air. âI would never do such a thing! Promise!â
Lush sprouted a fan of leaves from her hand and swept it in their direction. âYou better not. Iâm doing well, Lafer. Thriving in fact. Iâm glad to see you and Vigor made it back from your mission unblemished.â
âThatâs all thanks to Kon,â said Vigor. âWe killed our first wraith because of him. Kept it busy and crippled it just before we struck it down!â
âReally now?â Hazen grabbed Konâs shoulders from behind, then pulled him down to embrace him. âVery impressive. Only a few budding Seers have managed to cripple a wraith. Ripe with potential indeed!â
Kon shook the Groundsmaster off him and gained distance. âThanks,â he muttered, feeling restless. Unless he was performing a song, it was embarrassing to hear praise from a stranger. Especially one that was so touchy-feely. âA bit crazy,â Lafer had said.
More than a bit.
âAny orders from above?â asked Lafer. âFor me or your new student?â
Hazen strained his face, humming in thought. âNot that I can remember. Do you recall anything, Lush?â
âLucid ordered Topek to leave his new recruit alone until Valday. In the meantime, Kon and Lafer have the next two days to relax and acclimatize. Topek expects his new recruit to meet his fellow students on the Training Grounds at sunrise, when everyone is back from Enday break.â
âWait, really?â snorted Hazen. âI donât remember any of that.â
Lush smiled and nodded at her Seer. âYou must have not been paying attention. She told us while you were busy fawning over the new avokado sprouts.â
âOhoho, I remember now! Theyâre so long already, itâs almost like we grew them with magic, but that wouldnât be half as fun!â
As the exchange went on, Kon observed the Groundsmaster and Lush with scrutiny. It seemed that Kinjraâs fae shared many similarities with Lush, though she and Hazen couldnât be more different. His daughter was only half as friendly with the people she was close to, and because of Jranaâs teachings, extremely wary of strangers. The excitement in his voice when he talked about his plants, however⌠It reminded him so much of Kinjra when she talked about nature; wondrous and full of love.
âWell, Hazen and Lush, as fun as it’s been catching up, weâre going to bring Kon to the barracks now. Weâve had a long journey and heâs very tired. Right, Kon?â
His heart had been pounding, so naturally, she felt it. âOh, yes,â Kon said, nodding quickly. âVery tired indeed.â
Hazen peered into Konâs eyes, blinking. âAlright then. Weâll have to wait âtil Valday for us to speak at length. My class will be meeting here at Eleven. Donât forget!â
âI wonât.â Before Hazen could try hugging him again, Kon ran to join Lafer and Vigor, who quickly led him around the flowers and into the garden. A quick glance back showed the Groundsmaster and his fae kneeling in front of the laferils. Hazen smiled as he poked at one of the unopened buds, oblivious to the world around him.
âThank you for getting me out of there,â Kon said.
âNo problem. At first, Hazen can seem a bitâŚÂ much, if you catch my drift.â
âYeah. He seems pretty harmless, though.â
âIn that sense? Yes.â
Kon frowned. âWhat other sense is there?â
âWell, letâs just say that Hazen and Lush have killed more wraiths than the rest of the Professors at Westwind combined.â
Another glance back revealed the Groundsmaster lying among the flowers. Lush sat beside him as they watched their garden sway in Zephyrâs glowing breeze.
âYou canât be serious,â replied Kon, pointing a thumb in Hazenâs direction. âThat man has killed more wraiths than a former Knight and a powerful Sorcerer?â
âYup. Though the Headmaster has the second most. Seers can really surprise you if you let them.â
âIâve heard the adage. Donât judge a book by its cover, right?â
Lafer smiled and nodded, then looked ahead. Kon followed her gaze and was not disappointed. After their long descent into the valley, Westwind Academy was both closer and higher. They could only see the top two floors, yet it was three-times as tall as Vigor. The castleâs variegated, emerald walls shined with their own inner vibrance, though pale in the sun. On either side of a massive, half-opened door, panes of reflective gold cast back a surreal image of the gardens. Kon and his fae could hear multiple voices chattering inside.
âRight through those doors is the mess,â said Vigor. âHazen and Lush grow all the food for our Academy. Youâll often see chefs picking ingredients from this garden. When Lafer had time, she would even offer to help, knowing fully well how sad I was that I couldnât help too.â
âWhaaat?â shrieked Lafer. âDonât you dare try to make me feel bad for being a good person! The chefs work hard to feed us humans every day! The least I can do is help them pick some fruits and vegetables!â
âHey now,â Kon interrupted, waving a hand to get both of his friendsâ attention. âThereâs no reason for you two to fight, especially about something like this. Just calm down and-â
Lafer smiled. Torches flared in Vigorâs eyes.
âYou two are messing with me, eh?â
Both nodded eagerly.
Kon flashed them a smile of his own. âIn that case, Iâll have to retaliate.â He glanced at his fae. âYou know what to do. Itâs Quiet Time.â
âQuiet Ti-â Lafer started. Before she could finish, a loud ringing overpowered her voice. A faint sheen of silver light resounded from Konâs fae and enveloped the both of them. Laferâs lips continued to move, but no words came out. Vigor waved his hands, then grasped his throat, the torches of his eyes burning even brighter.
âIf you two promise to behave, Iâll let you speak again. The second you break that promise, though? Weâll make sure you canât speak for an hour.â
Lafer and Vigor nodded more eagerly than before.
Another loud ringing dismissed the effect.
Kon walked on proudly.
âWhen did you learn to do that?â Vigor exclaimed at his back.
âIâve been thinking about it for a while now, though my fae and I never tried it before. A bit surprised it worked, honestly, but when you were fighting, she was genuinely worried, like me. Emotions make for stronger magic. Right?â
âRightâŚâ muttered Lafer. âSorry for making you two worry. I thought it would be funny.â
âIt was,â Kon conceded. âBut still, not cool. Especially when you promised to find me a bed.â
âRight! In that case, we wonât stop to get something to eat. By the sound of it, Lili, Ora, and Dowen are in there, anyway. Better that we just wave and walk on by.â
âAlright. You can take the lead then.â
Vigor ran on ahead instead, opening the thick emerald door with a quick sweep of his hand. As Lafer and Kon passed by, he bowed over them. âMâlady. Mâlord.â
âWhy thank you,â said Lafer, curtsying like a proper princess. Her armor rattled and shone bloody under Vigorâs light.
Within the wide, open space of the mess, breezes of glowing wind circulated near the ceiling. Every now and then, one would glide down to fetch empty bowls from the solely occupied table. As they were carried to the open counter of a kitchen, smaller winds caressed the ground and vacant tables, picking up dust and sweeping it outside. Kon felt a gentle tickle as the wind passed around his feet.
Kon recognized his fellow students immediately from Laferâs explanation. Ora was the giantess sitting on the far end of the long table. Knotted dreads of obsidian black hair flailed around her as she hungrily gulped the contents of bowls in a single bite. The uniform she wore – emerald green with gold trimming – had its sleeves torn at her shoulders, revealing large arms dense with corded muscle. Whenever she finished a bowl, she left it tipped aside on the table for a bright pink glob of a fae to slide in. When the glob left them, the bowls looked as if theyâd been licked clean.
Lili sat two seats beside her, her thin, sun-darkened figure slumped over the empty portion of the table. Wisps of grey hair curled down over a giant mass of writhing slime. Her fae, Leach, was wrapped around her midriff, his skin a cold blue that ran and glowed with crimson veins. Her Westwind Academy uniform was torn to give the fae access to her back and stomach.
By process of elimination, that left the small boy with the dirty blond hair sitting across from them as Dowen. Though Lafer had mentioned he was an orphan, he had the posture of a noble. With a napkin over his lap and a spoon in his hand, he ate from his bowl like a noble too. A rigid backpack was strapped to his back, which seemed to help him remain upright. It moved and jingled like an animal was inside it, playing with the backpackâs contents. More likely it was the kidâs absent fae.
âHey you three,â Lafer shouted, drawing a glare from Ora and a turn of Dowenâs head. With a breathy sneer, the giantess yanked the boyâs attention back to his food, then began chewing her food louder than before. Lili didnât even bother to look. âWeâre still on a mission, so we canât talk right now! I know youâre all excited to meet your new colleague, but he will have to introduce himself another day.â
For a moment, Dowen looked like he was about to turn again. A sharp look from Lili reached him first, causing his gaze to fall. She looked close to Laferâs age, yet her face was as gaunt as Commander Sapâs. Her uniform hung loosely over her emaciated form. It seemed like Leach was draining her rather than feeding her. Her upper lip was drawn back as if in pain.
Vigor didnât bother waving as he led them between two long tables. Through an open door, they entered a wide hallway.
Kon barely heard Laferâs whisper. âLike I said. Not a very talkative bunch.â
They walked down the variegated corridor in silence, passing a gold door etched with the word Kitchen on their left and another with Professorsâ Lounge on the right. Judging by the corridorâs length, both rooms were as large as the Mess. Clattering and rumbling could be heard on both sides.
Banners hung from above, spaced out along the tall ceiling, waving in a soft, glowing breeze. There were dozens of them, and each depicted a Seer and a fae. On one, Hazen and Lush were woven in root-thick threads as the silhouette of a plump man inspecting a leaf under a flowering tree with glassy eyes and a grin. On another banner, a bald man in green and gold robes with a long, colorful beard was slumbering in a bed under a mirror â an actual mirror, stitched into the cloth. Lucid waved a hand as Kon, Lafer, and Vigor halted underneath.
âYou finally made it,â her voice rang. âI was wondering how long the Groundsmaster would keep you. I trust youâre all doing well?â
Kon spoke before Lafer or Vigor had the chance. âAs well as we can be, thanks. Lush told us we donât have to be anywhere until Valday, but I was hoping to meet the Headmaster sooner rather than later. If itâs not too much trouble, could you ask him to see me before then? Iâm hoping to ask a few questions.â
Lucid chimed brightly. âI can do that for you, Kon. Nise is excited to meet you too, and he has many questions of his own. Heâs already made time for you on Enday. Just let me know when youâre ready by using the mirror in your barracks chamber, and Iâll make sure heâs available.
âAs for you, Lafer and Vigor, Nise would like to see you both at your earliest convenience. Your old chamber is ready for you. Wilm is waiting upstairs with both of your keys. The three of you go on and get some well-deserved rest.â
All three nodded in unison, prompting Lucid to fade. In her place, a dim sliver of light remained, as if the mirror was embedded with radiant silver.
Smiling, Lafer motioned them onward. At the end of the hall, four pairs of stairs waited, two sets going down, the other two going up. Steps half as tall as Kon sat next to steps that only reached his calves. It was only when Vigor began climbing the giant steps that he realized why, though Lafer bounded up them, too, glowing with brief flashes of strength.
Kon took the smaller stairs. There were a lot of them.
After what seemed like his most rigorous climb yet, Kon finally reached the next floor. At the lip of the last stairs, a statue of a man wearing nothing but a loincloth waited, his bare legs, chest, and arms jagged with muscle. Though not as large as Vigor, the statue had an aura of its own that made it just as intimidating. A kind of heaviness or resistance. Slowly, the statue turned its head toward Vigor. Its throat made a sound that resembled grinding.
âI heard you coming a league away. Youâre getting slow, old friend.â
In a blazing flash, Vigor leaped up and crashed into the statue, hugging him at first, but eventually pulling him to the ground. Kon stumbled as the stone rocked beneath him, both palms slapping against the wall for support. Lafer ran up the remainder of the stairs to stop them.
âWhat are you doing!â she screamed. âCome on, Vigor, go for the headlock!â
Kon sighed deeply as he crawled up the last of the trembling steps.
âThatâs enough!â boomed a voice from down the hall. âVigor! Let go of Rugged this instant!â
Grumbling, the giant obeyed, unwrapping his arms and legs from around the statue and rising. Vigor clutched Ruggedâs open hand and pulled him onto his feet.
At the end of a short hall, a figure was standing within an enclosed desk. Wilmâs face was stern as they leaned over the counter, both palms laid flat against it. Their Westwind Academy uniform was unblemished, compared to the others Kon had seen, although it was undeniably tight around the bulges of their arms, shoulders, and abs. Like Rugged, Wilmâs muscles were jagged, the angular edges making their biceps seem like boulders. Both wore long orange hair pulled back into tight ponytails, though in Ruggedâs case, it was just painted stone that ran down his spine.
âI donât care if youâve graduated, Lafer! You know the rules: No roughhousing in the barracks!â Wilmâs voice pounded against Konâs eardrums like a hammer. Though they sounded angry, they wore a broken smile. Multiple teeth were missing and replaced with dark, polished stones. âGet over here so I can hug you already!â they shouted. âYou know I canât leave the desk unless itâs an emergency!â
Lafer giggled as she burst across the room in a flash of red light. Kon blinked until his vision was clear. Across the hall, Lafer and Wilm were clutching each other by their shoulders, jumping up and down with glee.
Vigor and Rugged bumped fists before walking off, leaving Kon to stand in stunned silence.
What just happened?
Singing a bright duplet, his fae soared off to join them. Sparks of light beckoned for him to follow.
The Seers and their fae talked like best friends reuniting after years of separation. Kon caught bits and pieces of Lafer and Wilmâs tumbling whispers of gossip. It was as if they were trying to fit an hour-long conversation into the span of minutes. He could hardly keep up.
All was quiet by the time he reached the desk. Vigor and Rugged wandered down the hall on their right and began comparing biceps.
âAnywaaay, like I was saying. This man right behind me is Kon. Heâs kind of awesome? I think youâll like him a lot.â
Wilm straightened and appraised him. Though they were nearly as short as Lafer, they exuded that same aura of intimidation as Rugged. Kon hesitated before taking Wilmâs outstretched hand. He felt so heavy and small in their presence. Though Wilmâs palms were as rough as dirt, they clenched his gentle and quick.
âItâs a pleasure to finally meet you, Kon. It feels like I know you already. Lafer has told me so much about you.â
The girl chuckled beside them, bringing a smile to Konâs face. âIâve heard a lot about you as well. Vigor mentioned you do extra training sessions in the evenings. I need a lot of help if Iâm going to get strong, so Iâm hoping to get to know you better then.â
âYou’re welcome to join us any day,â Wilm replied, their widening grin revealing more polished stones. âBut donât worry about that now. I know youâve had a long journey. Vigor and Rugged will take you to your barracks chamber so you can finally get some sleep.â
âPerfect,â Kon said. âI assume youâll be here if I need help?â
âFor the next nine hours, at least. Ora is Barracks Officer tomorrow, though it was supposed to be Saietâs shift. Bastard keeps paying the others to take his for him. Iâm thinking of bringing it up to the Armsmaster.â
âDo it,â encouraged Lafer. âLet him burn.â
Wilm nodded, then suddenly looked beyond Kon. âSpeak of the devilâŚâ they muttered. âGreetings Saiet! When did you get here?â
âOnly this very moment,â came a voice over Konâs shoulder.
He startled and stepped aside, finding a lean young man wearing a pristine academy uniform that was trimmed with actual gold, not just golden string. Two pairs of diamonds glittered on his fingers and the hilt of the golden rapier on his hip. A wide mane of fluffed-up hair cascaded behind him in feathery patterns of white and yellow. As Saiet moved past Kon, his hair flapped against his lower back like a cape.
Soundlessly, he walked before Lafer and bowed deeply, his right hand clenched in front of his chest and his left arm bent up and over his back. âSeer Lafer,â he greeted, his tone gentle. âIâm pleased to see youâre in good health.â
âWell duh,â Lafer sneered, pointing at Vigor. âWhat else would you expect?â By the time Saiet rose upright, the girl had crossed her arms and taken a step back.
âIâm sure youâre eager to relax, so I wonât get in the way of your bed any longer. If itâs not too much trouble, I would also be pleased to walk the gardens with you on Enday eve. Iâm very curious to hear about your excursion to the Coastwatch Eyrie, and truth be told, thereâs a personal matter Iâd like to discuss.â
âNot gonna happen,â she told him curtly. âI gave you a bridge and you burned it already. Go find someone else to walk the gardens.â
Kon had been watching intently enough to catch the momentary frown on the boyâs face. As if noticing Kon for the first time, Saiet looked and faced him. Perhaps expecting someone younger, he took a step back and blinked, then bowed formally.
âIâm sure youâve heard my name already. Alas, I am not so fortunate. Who might you be, good sir?â
âDonât answer him,â said Lafer. âHeâll just find a way to use your name against you when you least expect it. Right, Wilm?â
Wilm grunted noncommittally. âThis is between you two, and frankly, this isnât the place for it. Saiet, I assume you were going to your room? Donât let us keep you. I just need to give our new rookie a rundown of how things work here real quick.â
Saiet faced Wilm and saluted, two fingers held against his forehead and his other arm crooked behind his back. Wilm returned the salute and dropped it quickly.
Without making a sound, Saiet moved toward the hall where Vigor and Rugged stood, their arms crossed as they leaned against either wall. As he passed by, he whispered. âWeâll speak another time, Kon. Get some well-deserved rest.â
The way he said it⌠Lucid had said those very words, hadnât she? He knew his name too, despite asking for it. Had he been hiding and listening? If so, where? And why reveal it now? Kon stared as the young man squeezed his body through the gap between Vigor and Ruggedâs hulking forms. Neither Lafer or Wilm seemed to hear his comment.
âAnyway, letâs just give him a few minutes to settle, then Iâll let you two go. Kon! Lafer told me that youâre a musician and that youâre interested in going dancing with us. Well, she and Vigor, to be honest. Rugged and I are usually standing at the edge watching everyone else like a couple of rocks.â
Kon smiled at the pair as Saiet faded into memory. âIâll be standing at the edge with you, then. Iâm assuming not a lot of people my age go to these events.â
Lafer chuckled. âIâve met a couple of grandmas and grandpas, actually. I think youâll find that Zephyrâs Cradle often defies your assumptions.â
âIâll keep that in mind then. So, whatâs this Barracks Officer thing? Some kind of guard shift?â
âEssentially,â said Wilm. âEvery day, a student has to be here for twenty hours straight, though we do get a few hours of relief from a Professor shortly after midnight. Itâs our job to make sure nothing crazy happens, like students breaking into each other’s rooms and setting everything on fire. Itâs pretty nice because I get to miss classes and people bring me food every few hours, but it also means I canât work out. Iâm trying to use the time to study, but itâs kind of hard to focus. When itâs quiet, Rugged and I end up filling the silence with useless chatter. When itâs loud, itâs probably because Gaj and Rej are fighting again. I just yelled at them for roughhousing ten minutes or so before you got here. Your room is next to theirs, so donât be alarmed if you hear one screaming in the middle of the night.â
âThatâs alright,â Kon said. âMy fae can use magic to silence people and enclosed spaces. Did Lafer tell you that too?â
Wilm smiled. âShe did. Quiet Time? Love it. Iâve often wished for that kind of power when she gets maniacal. I suspect weâll need it often during my training sessions.â
Kon looked at the girl. âYouâll be there?â
âOf course,â said Lafer. âAssuming that Lucid doesnât give us new orders, Vigor and I will be there tomorrow. If youâre feeling up to it, youâll likely find us there. Otherwise, Iâll send Vigor knocking on your door to keep you updated.â
He nodded. âHalls are separated by gender, Iâm guessing?â
âYeah. My room is the second door on the left in the hall behind me. Barracks Officer is here to stop anyone from crossing that boundary. Youâll have to send your fae to ring at my door if you want to find me.â
âGot it,â Kon said. âSounds reasonable enough.â
A loud thump in the hall behind Kon indicated that Saiet had entered his room. After that, Laferâs posture visibly relaxed.
âIn that case, I may see you two tomorrow. Before I go, I just need to know one thing. When is food served in the mess?â
âWhenever you want it,â answered Lafer. âThanks to Lush, weâre never low on ingredients, and the Headmaster pays the staff well enough to man the kitchens twenty hours a day, five days a week. You saw the counter for the kitchen, yeah? Just go there and ask for a menu. It changes day-to-day.â
âGot it. That should be everything, then. Does Rugged have my key?â
âHe does,â said Wilm. âRugged! Show this nice man to his chamber!â
âWilco!â the statue shouted. It sounded affirmative, but Kon had never heard the term before.
He waved goodbye, then followed after the already-walking giants. His fae stayed behind to chime a bright melody. It took less than a second for her to catch up.
Konâs room was the last one at the end of the hall. Ten doors stood on both sides, all golden with rectangular slots meant for placards. He passed Wilmâs room first, then Morus and Dowenâs. After a gap of empty rooms, Saietâs stood alone, and after another gap, Kon found Gaj and Rejâs. One room, not two. Both were yelling, a sound like hands slapping on the floor reverberating through the emerald walls.
Across from them, Kon discovered his own placard. Vigor and Rugged stood on either side of him, the latter retrieving a golden key from a pouch on his loincloth. Kon took it reluctantly, glancing at the flapping cloth for only a moment, before unlocking the door. A wide, open room waited inside, its corners stirring with a gentle breeze.
Kon looked up at Vigorâs burning eyes. âCan you wait here until I yell that Iâm in bed? I donât want to pass out before Iâm ready.â
âNo problem. In the meantime, Rugged and I will say hi to Grit. He knows better than to let the twins get this loud.â
âThank you,â Kon said. âYou too, Rugged.â Facing the statue, he outstretched his hand.
Rugged appraised him much like Wilm had, though his gaze lingered on Konâs gut, his lips curled with a hint of smugness. Though gentle, his giant hand was as cold as his stare. âI look forward to seeing you on the Training Grounds.â
âMe too,â Kon lied. Lafer, Vigor, and Wilm? Sure. But at this moment, he wasnât excited to spend any time with Rugged.
âThereâs a window you can slide open on the inside of the door,â said Vigor. âIf you tie a string to the bolt, Rugged can close it when we leave. Has to be thin enough for him to snap though.â
Kon nodded as he stepped through the door. He had seen the golden windows from outside, but within, they were all transparent, with dark black curtains hanging in tied-up bundles at their sides. A lacquered desk stood beside a bookcase, the former stacked with notebooks and a green-and-gold manual, the latter filled to the brim with large tomes and texts. Two smaller rooms lined the opposite wall, their open doors revealing a bathroom and an empty closet. Beneath the windows, a rounded bed was set into the floor, covered in thick blankets and pillows.
Upon further examination of the desk, Kon found a one-legged, circular picture frame that spun top-over-bottom to reveal a mirror on the other side. Lucid had said he could reach her here. As he turned it back over to the empty frame, he considered what to put there. Kon had carried many photos with him, though he hadnât looked at them since leaving his family behind.
Tomorrow, he thought. Right now, I need a string.
Kon unslung Gulâs sack and gently poured its contents into the empty closet. He would organize his clothes and instruments tomorrow, too. Whenever it was that he woke up, exactly.
From the haphazard pile, he dug out his oldest tunic, found its fraying sleeve, then slowly unraveled a string. At the door, he slid the window open, looped the string around its bolt, then closed the door.
âGood man,â said Vigor, stepping away as Kon threaded the string through the window. âIâll turn around so you have some privacy.â
âThanks again.â He watched the giant step back and spin, leaving the only visible part of him his molten backplate.
Beyond, Rugged began knocking at Gaj and Rejâs door. Kon waved to his fae, conveying the thought. She rang loudly, filling his chamber with silence.
It had been a long time since he last showered, rather than bathed. A decade at least. Not since Jranaâs and his honeymoon phase. He retrieved his best smelling sleeping tunic and washed himself up quickly, not pleased by the unusual sensation of bursting rain. A green-and-gold towel was folded on the sink, ready to dry him.
Fresh and clean, Kon stepped out of his bathroom a new man. Vigor was patiently waiting at his door, so he wasted no time getting to his bed. Before jumping in, he untied the blinds and let them fall. They slapped heavily against the foot of the wall, shrouding the light of the setting sun. Kon lifted a blanket with his foot, grabbed and pulled it to his waist, then jumped right in.
The bed felt heavenly. Kon was sure heâd never felt something this soft in his life.
It would be so easy to ask Vigor to leave and slumber, but there was still one thing he had to do. Kon beckoned for his fae, drawing her away from the instruments in his closet.
You want me to dream again, donât you? To stop avoiding my reality and face it?
Slow, the orb of glittering strings nodded, keening softly. The sound rang in Konâs ears like a request.
Alright then. Time to face the music, I guess.
His fae buzzed happily, then soared off to burst the bubble of silence.
âHey Vigor! You can have Rugged shut the window now!â
âGot it! Sleep well, friend!â
âYou t-â Kon began, only then recalling that fae didnât usually sleep. Especially not Vigor.
The giant chuckled as the window suddenly pulled shut. In darkness, Kon lay.
But only for a moment.
Chapter Nineteen
đ Looking Back No. 2 đ
Konâs thoughts scattered and crashed as a torrential storm rushed through his weary mind. The dark mass of swelling mist had arrived suddenly, his plummeting body carried by a turbulent stream of emotions and memories. He drowned in an ocean of aching grief and deep-seated regret, leaving only the angry flashes of Jrana shouting to bring clarity to the noisy emptiness.
Iâm not letting you go! Iâll drag you kicking and screaming if I have to! Fate has taken enough from me already. I wonât let you abandon me too!
Yet Kon had abandoned her anyway. Jrana had not dragged him kicking and screaming. Instead, he had walked away without so much as a kiss, a hug, or a word goodbye. There was a reason he kept pushing himself, in spite of Lafer and Vigorâs many protests. He had not wanted to sleep knowing it meant reliving that night.
From the beginning, you told me your greatest dream was raising a family! You told me over and over that you wanted a better life for your daughter. A million times you told me that you wanted a better life for me!
Raising a family was still his greatest dream. Kon didnât want his daughter to grow up without a father like he had. He didnât want Jrana to lose her husband like her mother lost hers. But it wasnât like he asked for Fate to give him the Sight. As soon as She did, he knew Fate would take him eventually. The best he could ever do was delay. Delay he did, and thus he faced the consequences.
Was every sweet word you told me just a puff of wind? No truth? No substance? Just a few hours ago, you promised me that Fate wouldnât take you anywhere! You asked me to have faith in you and I did! Maybe I was a fool, but either way, you were a liar! Youâre nothing like the Kon I married. The man I fell in love with would never break his promises this easily!
Kon knew she was right. It stung, hearing Jrana tear him apart, ripping up the very foundation of his self. The decision he made went against everything heâd ever told her; everything heâd ever told himself. All lies, in the end. Kon wasnât half as good of a person as heâd spent his life tricking himself into believing.
Youâre a coward! If you werenât, youâd⌠youâd run with us. I know what you can do with your fae. I know you can get us far away from here and hide us when the Seers come searching. Kinjra already knows the plan. Sheâs distracting that girl in armor as we speak.
In the noisy void, Jranaâs whispers were no quieter than her shouts. Like nails scraping against a chalkboard, the words carved agonizing furrows in his eardrums. The wounds continued to burn in the sudden lull of silence. A breathâs worth of consideration stretched out into a breathless hour. Kon struggled as he sank into the darkness, tightly gripping his throat. It took him letting go and shaking his head to finally breathe again.
If thatâs your answer, then go. Get out of here and donât ever look back. As soon as youâre out that door, you can consider me done and gone. Iâll take my daughter somewhere you can never find us. Iâll keep your promises for her and give her a better life. A life without her father, but a better life nonetheless.
Kon continued to drown in his own tears. It didnât matter if he knew Jrana was lying. He could hear it in her voice then, when it was meager and broken. Now it exploded in his head. Even knowing they were lies, he cried anyway. Kon never wanted Jrana to hurt like this. Never wanted himself to hurt like this. Helpless and alone, he suffocated. As dark as the storm around him was, a deeper black started to bleed in at the edges.
Then, a sound. A gentle, melodic strum in the distance. A star in the void, helpless and alone like him.
Kon approached the light at speeds he could never dream to fathom. In seconds, it grew to fill his entire vision. Music swelled around him as he crashed into the swirling orb of gold and silver luminescence. It blinded him, searing his vision. He blinked the pain away furiously, panicked screams bursting from his lips.
Abruptly, the music vanished; soon too did the light.
Kon stood in dark silence. He was no longer falling. No longer alone. Before his eyes, his fae was hovering solemnly, twinkling faint sparks of silver and gold.
He reached forth. Took her in both hands and brought her close. Tears spilled off his cheeks, falling against her knotted shell like thick drops of rain. Each time one landed, a scream rang in his ears. Not Jranaâs, but two others. A pair of voices Kon hadnât heard in a very long time.
His mother and brother.
Kon shut his eyes to hold back the tears. Again, he welcomed the darkness and silence.
He opened them again and found himself standing in his attic. In his hands, he held an open photo album. On one page, a dark cloth stirred like the writhing mist of a storm. On the other, a black and white photograph screamed.
A five-year-old Kon was clutching the leg of his mother, his eight-year-old brother leaning down and hugging his shoulders. The pain of sharp nails dug into the back of his head, just like it had on that day. Unlike his younger self, the Kon in the attic crumpled under it. Tears were streaming down his eyes and dripping onto the photo. Before the ink could smudge, he patted the image dry with his sweater, then with a sigh, wiped his own face.
Be stronger, Kon demanded. Be as brave as you were that day, and actually look.
His mother, Kir, looked so beautiful. She always looked beautiful, her eyes and smile forever radiant, but on that day, something was different. Light seemed to bleed from her very soul, filling her up like a vessel with endless warmth. Kon had been strong and brave enough to bear Rinâs nails because of her.
His brother had been beautiful too, in his own way. Even while he tried to make Kon cry as their photo was taken, Rin was staring off into the sky, his gaze as vast and unknowing as space.
Though none of their fae were visible in the picture, Kon could remember where they had floated. His motherâs was above her head, a ring of sunlight raised on its side. His brotherâs lingered in front of his face like a cloud of shadow and velvet starlight.
Kon could remember his own fae, too. At the top of the photograph, she appeared, drifting from above. A dancing tangle of gold and white light that bloomed with rings of illumination, each ring brighter than his motherâs fae had ever been.
Terrible lies shone bright on that lone photograph. A childhood spent in denial, followed by an adulthood of repression.
The fae had always been there. Kon just refused to see them. His fae had always been there, but he let her cries go unheard for so long, she eventually grew silent. Because of his fear and his selfishness, his fae spent decades hiding where he couldnât find her. It wasnât until he witnessed the mountain-sized corpse rampaging across the Last Talon, Vaska Toma, that her voice cried out again. Again, he ran the other way. Too afraid and selfish to accept his Fate.
It was all built on lies. The foundation of his reality began to crumble. Kon could no longer avoid the colorful shapes dancing around his classrooms. He could no longer look at his wife and daughter and not see their fae. They often caught him staring into space and asked questions he couldnât answer. Instead, he turned to his best friend. After all, Gul had known since the beginning.
Kon flipped the page.
Another photograph, still in grayscale. Gulâs parents stood above a pair of nine-year-old boys with bright, fluffed up hair. Though Lumâs hand was laid gently upon Konâs shoulder, the kind woman could never replace his mother. No more of a father than his had ever been, Gin loomed above Gul, a proud spark in his eyes. Gin had always favored his actual son over the orphan that did nothing but make his life harder. It was a small miracle Ginâs face in the photograph had faded over the years.
At nine-years-old, Kon should have outgrown the Sight. Gul believed there was a reason, but Kon insisted on the contrary. Heâd seen what the wraith did to Kir and Rin. Instead of helping, heâd just run away.
Gul never believed Kon lost the Sight, but after a long season of angry silence, he relented. His best friend encouraged his lies until they became a reality. Not long after, Kon started calling him brother.
He soon discovered his passion for music. That passion carried him across the world for years until he met the woman he would marry. At first, it was their many similarities that brought them together. With time, it was their stark differences that kept them together. So long as they had each other, they felt invincible. Like they could go anywhere and do anything they dreamed.
Both dreamed of having a family.
Kon choked on his own breath, unable to hold back the tears. For so long heâd spoken of the importance of truth and the nature of secrets. How lies could fester and grow so large they collapse into caverns so wide, they rip the closest people apart.
Kon flipped the page. On it, a vibrant photograph of himself, Jrana, and Kinjra was shining, depicting the three of them standing in front of a precarious ledge. Like in the picture with his mother and Rin, Kon actually felt brave despite the Grand Rift yawning behind him. In ignorance, their happiness gleamed in their eyes and their smiles. A few weeks later, the Battle of Vaska Toma would take place.
Suddenly the light behind the photograph dimmed, casting the scenery in darkness. The faces of his family were no longer visible, their bodies faint silhouettes in the glowering ringlight. Down by the Grand Rift, the Skyblade truly evoked its name, cutting apart the sky like a radiant scimitar, devouring the light of the stars it kept from reaching their world.
A great crack ran down the photograph, like a bolt of spectral lightning cast down from the crumbling Skyblade. The crack forked out like a trident, splitting his family apart. Jrana was safe, standing a little off in the distance, though Kon’s head was severed completely. One of Kinjraâs arms was in his hands. Spiritfire burned in the background.
Kon shut his eyes, relishing in the darkness. Why are you showing me this? His thoughts screamed.
Like the sigh of an angel, her voice resounded. Look.
Kon opened his eyes to brightness, then wiped the blurriness from his vision. In the picture, his family had been reunited. Although the Skyblade continued to glower with its hollow radiance, happiness still gleamed in their eyes and their smiles.
Together, his fae cried.
Kon sighed with understanding.
The greatest mistake Kon had ever made was not accepting his Fate. By cowering in secret, heâd only brought his dreams to ruin. But so long as he and his family were alive, there was still a way for them to be together. Heâd met Ebiâs husband and daughter, seeing firsthand the kind of reality they had. It devastated him to see a family that resembled his, united and happy while his was divided and suffering. That had been the core of why he refused to stay the night in Underfall.
The experience seemed different in retrospect. It meant that he could have that too. All he needed to do was convince Jrana to accept their Fate, and they could be together and happy when he wasnât being called away to defend their world.
Kon pulled the photograph out, then closed and dropped the album. A sensation like crying heralded the light of his fae, who began to pour from his eyes. Droplets of silver and gold liquid that coalesced into a sparkling orb. She beckoned for him to follow, flying around his head and across the chest-filled attic. At the open shaft of the ladder, she slowly drifted below.
Kon moved for the ladder, head high and chin straight. I donât know how but I know what to do. So long as my family is alive, I can find a way to fix this. We can be together, and thatâs what matters the most.
He would go down those steps and listen to Jrana scream at him again. He would memorize every word if he had to, just so he could understand the pain he had put her through. He would replay the words again and again until he knew exactly what to say to make her forgive him. He would do whatever it took to be by Jrana and Kinjraâs side.
Kon was determined. He could not fail. Together, his family would face the coming War and survive it. All three would bear witness to the paradise that awaited humanityâs victory against the wraiths. No matter what Fate throws our way.
Kon descended after his fae.
Chapter Twenty
đ A New Day đ
Kon awakened to a radiant light and a cheerful duplet. His fae floated above his bed, shining like a bright star in the otherwise dark room. Her lute string shell â it was larger, somehow. Closer to the size of his fist than his eyeball. A significant physical growth to match an equally significant change in Konâs self.
He had always been a Seer. For more than 30 years, Fate had been kind enough to let him live, while other Seers â like Jranaâs father and brother â suffered and died. Perhaps it was because She understood how much pain the wraith had brought him by possessing his brother and murdering his mother before his eyes. Or perhaps She knew he would be no good to Her, depressed and directionless as he was. Either way, Fate had given him a chance to find love and happiness. To find his reason to live again.
Kon realized now that on the night that Fate had been defied, Sheâd had no choice. If Her Seers had not come, the souls of his family and friends would have been devoured. No paradise for them. Only excruciating pain and then⌠nothing. Fate had given Kon more time than he deserved, but it was clear now that She needed him. His reason to live also needed to be his reason to fight. And so fight he would.
Just not today.
Konâs body was beyond sore. The muscles in his arms, legs, and back were on fire, as if composed of magma. Swollen, too, though Kon only realized that after struggling to worm his way from underneath his blankets. Simply lifting a limb was like moving through a liquid thicker than water. Not impossible, but difficult, and more than a little exhausting.
Despite the state of his body, Konâs mind felt well-rested, like heâd just had the best sleep of his life. It took barely any time for him to transition into reality. A hum accompanied his every thought, filling him with eager energy. Thousands of questions had been built up over his three-day journey, and now that he was finally at Westwind Academy, those questions felt ready to burst from his ears.
The answers found in his dream last night only made things worse. Kon could recall every moment of it vividly, but in the end, the revelation spawned a thousand more questions than it solved. Of them all, one stood above the others:
How are the people I love?
Grunting, Kon mustered the strength to rise from his bed. He opened the windowâs pitch-black curtains to find Zephyrâs Cradle lit with the molten colors of the sunset. It seemed that since the darkness first hit him, an entire day had passed. That meant at least twenty hours of uninterrupted slumber.
UnlessâŚ
Kon prayed to Fate that he hadnât slept until Enday. His gut felt as cavernous as the Grand Rift, and his mouth was too dry to even gather spit. He moved as fast as he could to the bathroom, nearly stumbling along the way. There, he quickly drank from the faucet, only to recoil in discomfort. The water tasted of metal. Kon wasnât used to roostfolk plumbing, but he was so thirsty. He forced himself to drink until his belly couldnât hold anything more.
Kon would need a proper meal, and he would need it soon. For now, other matters awaited.
In his closet, Kon stumbled upon four uniforms hanging on the hooks in the back. He must have not seen them in his rush to find a string for Vigor. Kon grabbed a Westwind tunic and laid it against his front, then did the same thing with a pair of trousers. Both seemed fitted to his size already. He considered putting the uniform on, yet it didnât feel like the right time. Instead, he selected his nicest earth-toned blouse and a pair of sand-colored slacks, then folded the rest of his outfits and stacked them on the shelves. That left a pile of instruments, his songbook, and a few ration pouches on the floor.
After dressing, Kon tried to chew on the nuts and seeds, but found them too hard to swallow. He brought the pouches to the desk along with his other belongings. His bells chimed as he moved them, attracting his faeâs attention. She landed on his lyre as he placed it on the desk, then strummed a merry duplet.
âNot now,â Kon told her. âI have to do a few things first, but I promise we can play some music later.â
The twinkling orb rose into the air and bobbed excitedly.
âFor now, please give me some room to work.â
She rang in agreement, soaring over to the window to listen beyond its glass. Kon could hear birds chirping and people shouting above. Sounded like something was happening on the rooftop field. Wilmâs extra training session, he realized. Lafer and Vigor were probably there now. He figured the giant would be knocking at his door if heâd been sleeping for longer than a day, but still… Kon needed to know for certain.
He eyed the tiny green-and-gold book on the desk; the words âWestwind Academy Seer Manualâ were boldened and embossed on its cover. He opened it and briefly glanced at the table of contents, which included various sections for a course schedule, campus rules and regulations, something called the Seer Creed, and what seemed to be a short book written by Headmaster Nise titled The Clarity of Self.
Kon would read through that later, perhaps while eating dinner. For now, he pocketed the palm-sized manual and began cleaning up the desk. There was a free row on the bookshelf for the stack of empty Westwind Notebooks, and plenty of space on the back of the desk to line up his instruments. Bells in one corner, lyre propped beside it, followed by flute and bodhrĂĄn. Kon tied his harmonica around his neck out of habit. Heâd needed it often since his journey began at the Coastwatch Eyrie.
Kon had laid his songbook beside the empty picture frame for a reason. After dusting the dirty white cover, he carefully opened it to the last three pages. Within each fold, a photograph was tucked away carefully. Kon caught a teardrop before it fell and marred any of the images.
Wiping his face, Kon placed each photo on the desk an equal distance apart. He had taken these three knowing they represented the most important people of his life. The warmth of his mother and the wonder of his brother. The best friend that supported him through the worst part of his life. The wife and daughter he loved more than anything, even more than his love of music. The picture frame was right there, empty and waiting.
As important as his mother and brother were, they were both long gone. Kon had come to accept that fact around the time heâd deluded himself into believing heâd lost the Sight. Though he knew it was important to be reminded of everything they meant to him, he also knew the danger of living in the past.
As grateful as he was for everything Gul did, his picture was a testament to Konâs biggest regrets and greatest failings. After last night, he knew he couldnât ignore them any longer, but he also knew he couldnât dwell too much on them either. Time moved forward, not backward. His focus was better elsewhere.
The third photo⌠it fit into the picture frame perfectly.
Kon could not change the past. The future, however? That he could change. Kon would find a way to make amends with Jrana while fulfilling his duty to Fate. No matter what, he would find a way to be with her and Kinjra. Most importantly, he would find a way to keep them safe.
Resolved, Kon pulled out the deskâs cushioned chair. As he sat down and settled in, he turned his familyâs picture over and checked himself in the mirror. Upon smoothing out the wrinkles of his blouse and slacks, he took a deep breath, then tapped on the mirror three times. Colorful numbers flashed in the middle, then counted down from 16.
He must have caught Lucid at a bad time. Still, when the countdown reached zero, she appeared as divine as always. A bright silhouette of a woman that radiated with colors. Today, those colors were green, silver, and gold.
âGood evening, Kon. Iâm sure you must be wondering, so yes. It is still Gilday.â
âThatâs a relief,â Kon breathed. âI trust since Iâve been asleep this long, the world isnât burning? Itâs hard to tell from the view of my window.â
âThe world isnât burning,â she assured him. âAll is quiet on TĂr.â
âNo more surprises?â
âNone so far.â
âIâm glad to hear it. Itâs hard not to worry, considering everything thatâs happened. Are you and the Headmaster doing well?â
âKon. Out of respect, Iâm going to be honest with you. I canât hear your heart in your voice, though I appreciate the sentiment. If thereâs something you want to tell me, you need not worry about how Iâll react. I promise it wonât change anything.â
âIâŚâ Kon hesitated. âYou knew I was going to ask about the day, didnât you? Did you Divine this conversation?â
âI did not,â she replied curtly. âI can just see you clearly.â
Konâs head fell, his breath stuttering. It wasnât as easy to admit the lies aloud than it was to himself. Especially not to one of Tairnâs most powerful fae. Heâd been determined before, but now the doubts crept in. What good would it do if you knew anyway?
A light twinkled in the corner of his eye. His fae was here, supporting him.
âLucid. Iâm not the man you think I am. Iâm not the hero that people keep saying. Iâm a coward and a fraud.â
Her prismatic head nodded, dismissing the kaleidoscope of colors. It was just Lucid in the mirror now. No more distractions, and no follow-up statement. She would give him all the time he needed.
âIâve always had the Sight,â he whispered. âI chose to ignore every sparkling miracle until eventually my mind just stopped processing them, like the fae werenât really there. I lied to myself and everyone I loved for nearly my entire life, and I- Iâm not even sure I should be here.â
Konâs heart sank when Lucid didnât reply to him immediately. Her body language told him nothing. He would give anything to perceive an expression on her face.
âAnd why shouldnât you be here? You are a Seer, arenât you?â
He began choking on his breath. âYou heard what I said, didnât you? Iâm a deserter of Fate.â
Lucid quickly vanished and reappeared three times, as if he was blinking. âI donât see a deserter, Kon. I see a student ready to learn. I see a husband and a father who would do anything to keep his loved ones safe. Thatâs why you agreed to go with Lafer instead of running, isnât it? To train and to fight so they never have to experience that kind of fear again?â
âI- how do you know that?â
âI can see possibilities, Kon. Even the most unlikely ones. I glanced at your Fate the moment I first saw your reflection. Not in the mirror, but in your flute as you battled that wraith. I knew you would defeat it even before I saw Lafer and Vigor rush into clarity. The face I saw that day? The determination? One look and I knew you would win. You are a hero, Kon. Maybe not before, but you are now.â
â33 yearsâŚâ he whispered. âI neglected Fate for 33 years. How can you or Her forgive me so easily?â
âBecause you stepped up when it matters. I told you this before. After the Battle of Vaska Toma and most recently, the unprecedented Omens, the Fated King needs every Seer he can get. Carrion, deserter, you name it. He doesnât care. What Fate and him care about is that we are united and victorious.â
âBut what of all the good I could have done if I wasnât a coward? How many souls were consumed by wraiths because I hid in delusion?â
âIf we could know, which we canât, it couldnât be changed anyway. Focus on the lives you can save in the future instead.â
It took an incredible amount of effort for Kon to nod his head. In and after his dream, heâd come to the same conclusion. Even so, it was still validating to hear.
There was still another truth he wanted to tell. The one regarding his daughter, Kinjra.
âThank you, Lucid. I- hm. I was hoping you could check on my family and see if theyâre doing okay.â
âI might be able to do more than that. Iâll need a reflective surface to peer through, though. It’s dark enough that windows could work, but the image would be blurry. Do you happen to know where theyâd be?â
âWe usually dine around this time. The Pale Hawksâ canteen, maybe? My best friend, Gul, should be there too.â
âIâll see what I can do. Just give me ten seconds.â
Lucid faded, leaving another countdown. On the six, colors began rippling in from the edges. At zero, those colors formed into an image. A moving image.
Gul was standing by the canteenâs kitchen and taking orders from patrons while Cres glided between the many round tables to deliver meals. Leb and Belen were there, though Etal and his family were nowhere in sight. In the shadiest corner of the room, Jrana and Kinjra were pecking at their food in silence.
âTheyâre alive,â sang Lucid, walking into the image. Every fae in the canteen was visible, too. The oblong green seed at Kinjraâs feet glowed the brightest, though Lucid didnât seem to notice, even as she looked at them. âI can see they miss you, but theyâre both well otherwise. I hope seeing them like this helps ease your sorrows.â
âIt does.â Kon felt lighter, like a great weight in his chest was suddenly lifted. âBut it doesnât erase them completely. I know this must sound selfish, but Lucid- youâre the best person I can turn to. How can I unite my family again?â
âWell thatâs simple. Not in execution, sadly, but certainly in concept. Headmaster Nise has given you three weeks to graduate from Westwind. After that, he will do what he can to help bring your family together.â
âThree weeks?â Kon sputtered. âHow can he possibly expect me to graduate in three weeks?â
âWith a lot of help and encouragement. The Professors and their fae – him and I included – will be at your disposal to ensure you pass all your exams by then.â
âBut why? I donât understand.â
âBecause we need you, Kon. TĂr might seem quiet now, but us fae? Every one of us can feel something terrible brewing. The Fated King is brewing something of his own, and for that, he needs Seers like you and Lafer.â
Kon swallowed. Not for himself but for his friend. A battlefield is no place for a little girl, Vigor had said.
âSheâs going to serve in his army?â
âYes. But not yet. Lafer wonât leave without you. Nise’s orders, not hers. Though I donât need to see the future to know sheâll agree.â
âLafer doesnât know yet?â
âNo. Sheâll come to the office after Wilmâs extracurricular training.â
Kon nodded, his eyes on the image of his wife and daughter.
âThank you for everything,â he told her. âBut I think itâs time I go. Seeing all the Pale Hawks eating has reminded me of the pit in my stomach.â
âI understand,â Lucid chimed, dismissing the image. âIs there anything else I can help you with, or anything else you wanted to mention?â
Kon shook his head. Knowing where Lafer and him were heading⌠he couldnât drag his daughter into this. Not yet.
âNothing I can think of, except for my meeting with the Headmaster. Can you let me know tomorrow what times would be best?â
âOf course. Turn the mirror to face the ceiling and Iâll flash it when I want to speak. Goodbye, Kon.â
âGoodbye, Lucid.â
The fae vanished, leaving only his reflection. Despite Konâs swollen body, his face almost seemed thinner. Probably just gaunt from hunger, he thought.
Rising from the chair was as hard as rising from his bed, but as soon as he was on his feet, his fae rang an eager duplet that helped buoy his steps. In moments, Kon was unlocking and walking out his door.
A new day awaited, even if it was almost night.
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