The Jewel of Orlegon

Chapter 21: A leaked secret

A heavy silence fell over the arena as the two adversaries remained motionless for a moment, suspended in the still-charged air, their altercation having kicked up the sand. Alteria immediately sensed the worry etched on Rev's face as he lowered his leg to the ground and abruptly stepped back from the Selven of Emerald. The novice spectators around them dared not react, stunned to see their comrade succeed so effortlessly where even the most seasoned had failed. The silence was eventually broken by a faint exhale, which was the closest thing to a laugh that the Selven Soran, now standing upright with a faint smile of approval, could muster. It was, however, Selven Gemia who spoke up.

"Impressive mastery," she simply declared as Rev and his fellow novices returned to their places within the novice circle.

The young victor acknowledged the compliment with a slight nod, and Alteria noticed that he had regained the impassive mask he typically wore. At his side, Dyros and Zao'wi still seemed to be processing what they had just witnessed.

"As for the rest," Gemia continued in her ever-jovial voice, "don't worry. Despite appearances, we have learned much more about your abilities than you might think, and I am very pleased with your level."

A skeptical murmur rippled through the crowd, with most novices exchanging astonished glances, while Alteria wondered what level of skill Gemia expected from them to be happy to have witnessed such a debacle.

"I also hope that this exercise serves as a driving force for the weeks to come," Gemia went on. "In a month's time, your training here will be considered complete, and each of your groups will be assigned a nahori, a mentor from the Sapphire division, whose role will be to continue your apprenticeship."

Whispers grew louder at the mention of the premature end of their shared training. Alteria, on her part, felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. She had certainly improved since her arrival in the Enartian city, but she was still far from the level of the twins, who continued to master the skills they were not already experts in with each passing day. She couldn't see how such a difference in aptitude wouldn't be a hindrance to her own or the others' progress. Soran emitted a slight whistle through his teeth as discussions heated up, and the silence immediately fell once again. Everyone still had the recent fate of Saosa fresh in their minds, and no one wanted to repeat that experience.

"Quiet, please," the Sapphire Selven reiterated, although it had been unnecessary after the earlier warning from her counterpart. "The assignment of your nahori will also mark the end of your confinement in Agathil. Once attached to them, you will follow your nahori as they are assigned tasks."

Despite the almost religious respect for the earlier silence, excitement among the novices rose a notch. Agathil was a fortress city whose sole purpose was to always provide a haven of security for the Enartians, but for many, it lacked the vibrancy and excitement of the other cities in the Empire. Life there was simple and orderly, with no surprises or novelties. Alteria appreciated the comfort of this routine, which she sought refuge in to forget the turmoil that her discovery of Orlegon had already caused her. However, this was not the case for Saosa, who seized every opportunity to lead them on explorations around the city. Many shared her eagerness to return to the outside world.

"Do not delude yourselves," Soran declared with the same dryness in his voice as when he had challenged them earlier. "The missions assigned to your nahori will never be more than acts of aid to the population."

"Their primary mission will be to train you," Gemia continued as if she had anticipated the Selven's interruption, "and yours will be to follow their instruction. Put aside any fanciful ideas; you would be mistaken about what will be asked of you."

A mixed sigh swept through the gathering, with various reactions ranging from palpable disappointment to genuine relief, depending on each person's fears.