The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 11

After the quiet and open space of the desert, the busy trade town of Carmi embraced them in a bustle of everyday life. It seemed like every possible spot along the roadsides had been transformed into vending booths. There was mayhem everywhere. Small carriages pulled by men would turn with no indication or observation and it wasn't uncommon to see them lying overturned, with occupants and pullers yelling at each other over the paid fees. Cyan dismounted to lead Aphrachia through the chaos, as she wasn't sure the desert horse would cope well with the noise and flurry of Carmi. All the way along the road, vendors were vying for their attention and eventually Cyan stopped trying to respond politely and just kept walking. Nobody tried to barter with Kael who rested his hand lightly on his sword hilt. He opted to sit atop his new chestnut gelding he'd named Flannan.

'We'll find an inn here and rest for a day, I think,' he said. 'Day after tomorrow we can set out for Noring. We won't have a bed to sleep in 'til we get there, so might as well make the most of Carmi.'

'Well, I hope it's worth all this mayhem,' muttered Cyan, which awarded her a laugh from Kael. Even Jesse seemed slightly amused at her discomfort with the crowds although Cyan couldn't help thinking it wasn't well-meant amusement.

The inn was near the west side of the town and looked rustic from the appearance of the bar downstairs. Jesse ordered two rooms while Kael led the horses to the stables. Cyan could barely keep awake for dinner and a bath and fell fast asleep the second her head hit the pillow.

The next evening at dinner in the quaint inn's dining hall Cyan, feeling refreshed from a day of resting on the roof of the inn, took her opportunity to ask more about the I'tes.

'Well, the I'tes are considered elite in the sense that we're excellent fighters and hold jurisdiction in all countries of Tebel except Skotonia and Insko,' said Kael, grabbing some bread from the basket on the table. 'An I'te is accountable to his own king and to the I'te Provocateurs who're responsible for trials of student I'tes and for seeing that rogue I'tes are disciplined.'

'I've never heard of those though,' interjected Jesse quickly.

'Me neither,' said Kael. 'Anyway, normally, only noble born men train to be I'tes if for no other reason than the training is expensive. Also, training only happens in the capital of Kratos – Bayit, where Braeden and I are from originally. Youth are sent by their families to trials at the age of twelve. After a rigorous period those who are accepted stay at the palace, while the others are given the choice of joining the Kratos army or returning home. Joining the army means gaining citizenship in Kratos, which also means that Kratos has the largest army in Tebel. This is also why many countries have started discouraging their youth from going to trials or finding competitive strategies to get them to return. In fact, most nobles in other countries have made it law that the firstborn male may no longer train to be an I'te so that their families can retain an heir.'

'So you're both second born nobles?'

'Good guess, blue-eyes.' Kael smiled at her. 'But in Kratos many firstborn are encouraged to go to trials. Obviously their families don't mind as their children are already citizens and can still run their fiefs as soldiers. Roban is my older brother – he's also an I'te. Jesse is from Perets, which borders Kratos. Isn't that right, Jesse?'

'My older brother took over our fief when my father died,' said Jesse, looking bored. 'There's not much for me back home now. I've actually been thinking that I may end up going back to Kratos after we finish at Noring, Kael.'

Cyan's head buzzed as she tried to keep up with this. 'So, I'm not sure I understand – if you train at Bayit, why are you both studying at Noring?'