TCO: Chapter Nineteen

Syam gave the warriors the rest of the day off from studying to relax. Relaxing was the last thing that everyone seemed to want to do, however, for the group was excited about the lesson. They extended their conversation about the day's events beyond the classroom walls. Gyan had a feeling that Syam intended for this continued speculation to occur.

"I wonder how they simulated the attack," Jarek pondered aloud as the warriors lounged in the west wing lobby of the temple.

"Malik," said Gyan. "It had to be. It wasn't a coincidence that he wasn't there during the class. Besides, no one else knows how to do that kind of magic."

"Well, whoever it was should be thanked after all is said and done," said Valora. "I feel better than I have in weeks. Trying to remember the number of skills I thought I needed to graduate to a master was making me insane."

"You couldn't get any more insane than you were before you got here," Brogan said, casually pushing Valora in the head as he got up to grab some of the tea Sorda had just brought in on a tray. He laughed and quickly moved to dodge a return blow from Valora as he passed by her chair.

The conversation carried into the evening before Gyan finally excused himself to rest. He was too keyed up from the day's events to return to his room, so he decided to look for Jalena and ask her more about what he read in the Libran.

After speaking to several temple ascetas, however, he was disappointed to learn that Jalena and Shamira had not returned from their trip to Feyla Forest. He left word with Sorda to let Jalena know that he was looking for her and proceeded to wander through the temple grounds for a short time before heading into the temple library. He was flipping through a book in the library entitled Walking in Light: A Collection of Warrior Legends when a voice spoke behind him.

"Make sure you read the part about the light warriors meeting the notorious twin warriors and then bring it up in class. Sir Malik will really be impressed."

Gyan turned quickly, almost dropping the book. "Jalena."

"Shhh!" said a stern-looking librarian who was putting books away on a nearby shelf.

Jalena glanced at the librarian and then smiled. "She's always cranky," she whispered with a wave of dismissal. She peered at Gyan's face closely. "Are you all right?"

"What? Yes…of course."

"Well, Sorda said you needed to see me about an urgent matter and that if I didn't find you, you would have a mental breakdown." Jalena peered at him closely. "You look good to me, though, so…"

Gyan blushed and dropped his gaze. "Said that, did he?" he mumbled.

"Word for word."

Gyan checked out the book and Jalena followed him into the temple courtyard. As they passed a nearby hedge of blue monarosias, he absentmindedly picked one of the flowers and handed it to her, trying to remember the exact words he had read in the Libran.

Jalena took the flower from Gyan's hand, looking at him sideways with a curious expression. "Umm…thanks." She smiled. "So…maybe you are having a mental breakdown, and I didn't read enough beyond surface distractions to notice? Why did you need to see me?"

"I wanted to talk to you about the Mensa Elab Libran."

"Malik introduced you to the book then?"

"Yes, before class today."

"What do you want to know?"

"Why it refers to you as an empress of light, and what the writings that appeared earlier today mean."

"What did it say exactly?"

Gyan recited something similar to what he had read.

"I don't know if it is my place to reveal who the writing is referring to yet, Gyan. All I will tell you is that what we have learned concerns the Divakae people in the Feyla Forest. We have uncovered something of great importance to the Order. More needs to be addressed on the matter before we understand all of what the book is saying. However, our discovery will be revealed soon in Council."

Gyan nodded. "I understand. So, should I start calling you the Empress of Light?" he teased.

Jalena rolled her eyes. "The book just makes up names for people, I think. It doesn't make any sense since we are all light warriors. Doesn't mean that there is any special relevance to it. The only time I have seen it write someone's given name is when the names of the next generation of light warriors appear in the book."

"The book reveals who the warriors are before their transformation occurs?" asked Gyan in surprise.

Jalena nodded.

"Then why don't the elder masters just reveal who the warriors are at birth?"

"Light warrior children have sometimes been treated differently from other siblings if the parents know of their identity before their abilities appear. Sometimes parents will expect too much or put too much pressure on a warrior child before they are ready. As a result, the elder masters thought it best to wait and allow the transformation to reveal a warrior's identity. Besides, the elder masters believe it should be a choice rather than a requirement to be a light warrior, so they consider it fair to allow the warriors to live as normal children before they are subjected to warrior responsibilities. Although…I do not think anyone born a warrior has ever refused to follow the path.

"The Libran, however," Jalena continued, "is one of the greatest reflections of Sir Malik's genius ability. The Order has never encountered another book in any other civilization like it."

Jalena and Gyan discussed Malik's magical abilities a little longer, leading into a conversation about the events that occurred earlier in his classroom. Gyan had just finished telling Jalena what had happened when Hoshi joined the two in the courtyard.

"Sorry to interrupt," Hoshi said while rubbing her hands to fight the cold, "but we were supposed to practice the Damsé this evening, Gyan."

"Oh…right." He tried to keep his disappointment from showing in his voice.

"Well, we can discuss more of this later, San Gyan. I will see both of you in Master Jabari's next class, if not before."

With a slight bow and a small wave, Jalena turned and walked back to the temple. After a few paces, she turned back to the two. "Just a word of caution: you both should remember that Sir Malik and the other masters will have more tricks up their sleeves to test your skill. This will not be the last you see of their staged attacks, so you may want to warn the others."

Gyan watched Jalena walk the entire length of the courtyard until she reached the east wing entrance. He smiled as he saw her lift the flower to her nose.

"You're pathetic."

He turned to see Hoshi watching him closely. "Whatever," he replied, giving her a little shove toward the chinálei. "Let's get to practicing…it's freezing out here."