The War of the Roil: The Knight and the Warlock

Chapter 11: A Rose in the Sand

Edmund's head fell into his folded arms.

"You're making me shovel Titan shit." He groaned.

"Not familiar with that one." Camilla said from her position of sitting on the table before him, "But just try it again."

"Camilla, I really hope you realize you've been telling me to talk to a plant this last hour." Edmund muttered.

Of the three flers he was capable of using, Faithflers were the worst. Yes, the third ability to heal was powerful, but the rest of it was donating power to others and talking to non sentient beings.

"I really hope that you realize this curriculum is not of my design." Camilla said, "I have no idea how to use Faithflers and frankly most Preservers come off as pricks to me anyways."

"Why can't I just stick with Lawflers and Truthflers?" Edmund asked.

"Because if you want to use Brondumancy, you have to at least be able to cast all three of your flers." Camilla replied.

Edmund sighed and moved his gaze back to the potted plant before him. It seemed as though it had just sprouted no more than a week ago. Edmund's stare intensified as he focused on...speaking to the plant.

He repeated the message in his head with increasing annoyance.

Hello, I'm Edmund. How are you?

Hello. I'm Edmund. How are you?

Hello!

And so on.

When he felt his temples start to pulse with an ache, he sat back.

"Bronduk's thumbs!" he groaned.

"Camilla?"

Both Edmund and Camilla looked to the entrance of the library as Elius entered.

"Would you mind not sitting on the furniture, save for that which is to be sat in?"

"Apologies, Archcaster." Camilla replied with unnerving propriety as she slid off the table and into a chair.

The old man was sporting fashionable gold, white and black robes.

"How goes today's lesson?" Elius asked. The Archcaster had been sitting in on portions of their lessons with increasing frequency.

Camilla looked down at the floor in disappointment that she wished not to express. She was clearly expected to complete this portion of training earlier.

"Not well, I take it." Elius muttered.

"Sir, Archcaster, Mister Elius, whatever I'm supposed to call you-"

"Just Elius is fine, Edmund." the man interjected.

"Elius, how in the Abyss am I supposed to talk to a plant?" Edmund asked.

Elius smiled gently and nodded, "Faithflers aren't coming so smoothly? I see. Camilla, is that how you described it? Talking to plants?"

Camilla nodded, "I said communicating, but yes."

"Ah. It is not your fault child. Nor is it Edmund's. It is a fault of the human mind to assume certain things." Elius sat at the table, "It will be best if I explain this portion to him. You're excused, Camilla. Take the day off."

Camilla bowed wordlessly before leaving the library.

"This is actually a good opportunity to explain something vital to you." Elius said, "It is often we assume that when one tells us to communicate, they are telling us to impart our words unto others. But remember, communication is a mutual interaction. So instead of talking to the plant, perhaps try..."