Last Messenger - Chapter 19

Chapter 19 – Aael

Aael sat on the floor of his room and juggled four stones, the moon his only light. The repetitive motion quieted his misery. A week ago he’d nearly died and every day since had gotten worse.

Today, his parents had gone to Hylt and left him in the Abbey, like an infant that needed protection. Padda had embarrassed him in front of Mia, something about a lack of focus. Mia had avoided him since the night of the fight, and it made him anxious because he didn’t know why. His disease had spread further into his feet and arms causing him to walk with a limp now, and his left elbow wouldn’t flex past ninety degrees.

Tomorrow would be different, because he would finally meet Washer. Washer was coming to pick up his Li’Aln daggers that Bacchus had crafted. Aael had spent months on the scabbards, made of clear quartz patiently hollowed out, perfect homes for the blades whose glow would be visible even when sheathed. It would be the best day of Aael’s life.

Doubt surfaced. What if Washer didn’t like the sheaths? Aael admired Washer, wanted to be loved and feared like him. The thought of disappointing Washer made Aael want to vomit.

Aael heard his parents enter the house. It was hours past sunset and he should have been asleep. He caught the stones and placed them on the dresser. Limping to the bed, he crawled under the sheet, and closed his eyes.

The door to his room opened, the metal hinges groaning softly. If he opened his eyes he knew he’d see his parents.

“Even asleep you’re a terrible liar,” Caden said.

“Pretender,” Saniel added.

Caden chuckled. “Being a bad liar is good, Aael, natural ones are always pointed at trouble.”

Aael opened his eyes, sat up, and frowned.

“Why so glum?” Saniel asked as she sat next to him.

Aael didn’t know where to start, but he needed to say something. A long pause was rich soil for a listener’s worries. “I disappointed Padda today. I still can’t empty my mind.”

Saniel sighed. “Because it’s impossible.”

“It is possible,” Caden said.

Saniel ignored Caden and continued. “Your mind is like a fight. Stray thoughts should be maimed and destroyed. Simple.”

Caden shook his head. “It’s hard to believe you started as a Green.”

Saniel turned to Caden. “Should I hug them, hum them a song, and gently shush them from my head?”

“I would love to see that,” Aael said.

Saniel turned and glared at Aael, but he knew it was an act. For the first time that day, he smiled.

Caden sat at the foot of the bed. “There is harmful magic that requires a clear mind to circumvent. We can talk about it tomorrow.”

Saniel raised an eyebrow. “No, tell us now. I want to know this secret Mind Mage method for an empty mind.” Saniel cupped her hand over her mouth and whispered loudly to Aael, “Your father was blessed with one at birth.”

“Thalt help me, this is going to get me in trouble,” Caden said.

“It looks to me like you’ve already arrived,” Aael said.

“So your mother isn’t wrong—” Caden started.

“That’s code for your mother is right,” Saniel said.

Caden pinched the bridge of his nose and Saniel patted his leg. 

“Go on, you were saying I was right,“ Saniel said.

Caden glanced at Saniel and then faced Aael. “It’s nearly impossible to empty your mind, and most things don’t require it so there is no reason to learn it. The ability to focus, however, is critical, which requires a clear mind.”

“What’s the difference between empty and clear?” Aael asked.

“Empty is just that, empty. Clear, is free from distractions,” Caden said.

“They’re the same,” Aael said.

Caden shook his head. “Not exactly. Your mind produces images and thoughts to reaffirm itself. To empty your mind you need to quiet your soul, which requires a level of self-understanding beyond most.”

“I don’t care about the secret anymore, this is boring,” Saniel said, but she didn’t leave her perch on the bed.

Caden ignored her. “A clear mind doesn’t require understanding, just a more powerful thought.”

“Distract myself with a distraction?” Aael asked.

Caden pressed his lips together. “Not exactly. The secret is to fill your mind. A full mind has no room for distractions and will allow you to focus.”

“Clear my mind by filling it,” Aael said thoughtfully. “What do you use?”

Caden hesitated and glanced at Saniel.

Saniel noticed and in a quiet voice asked, “Yes, Caden, what do you use?”

Aael smiled, it was the most uncomfortable he had ever seen his father.

“It needs to be powerful and smothering. I use a person,” Caden said.

“A person?” Aael thought about the images his dad had shown him, “Anyone I know?” Aael pressed.

Caden swallowed hard and licked his lips. “At the Spires I had problems with another student. When I thought about her, everything left my head, like the rest of my mind found her unbearable. It’s worked ever since.”

Caden turned to Saniel and winked. She growled something unintelligible and punched Caden in the shoulder. Caden winced and rubbed at the pain.

“See,” Caden said.

Aael laughed. He thought about Mia, she was always there in his head. The way she smelled, the way her hand felt, the way she smiled, her sarcastic laugh…

“Aael?” Caden said.

Aael focused on his dad. “I think I did it wrong. I just had a hundred thoughts at the same time.”

“If it was easy, it wouldn’t take years to learn,” Caden said.

Saniel used a finger to turn Aael’s head until their eyes met. “A terrible secret and not worth learning. A clear mind is a distraction. Spend as little time in your head as possible. Rely on intuition, muscle memory, and action. Thoughts slow you down and get you killed.”

Aael waited for his dad’s response but Caden kept silent, a neutral look on his face. His dad recognized a fight he couldn’t win.

“What did you find today?” Aael asked.

“I know why you were targeted last week,” Saniel said.

“I was targeted?” Aael asked.

“Nothing happens by chance,” Caden said.

“Who?” Aael asked.

“Your precious fighters,” Saniel said.

“From the Blood Dance?” Aael asked.

“There is a belief, somewhat justified, that mage blood provides power,” Caden said.

“Cure diseases, grant visions, stop pain, you name it. It’s valuable,” Saniel said.

Aael rubbed the hard patch on his elbow. “How can my blood cure a disease when I’m covered in one?”

Saniel touched Aael’s arm. “People love a shortcut and an advantage, your blood is both. You’re different and the word is out. You’ll never be safe in Hylt again.”

“But it’s not true. I’m sick!” Aael said.

“They don’t care. You have something they want,” Caden said.

“There are rumors mage blood was used in the fights this year. True or not, everyone will try to get their own to level the field,” Saniel said.

Aael thought about the unfairness of it. His body was broken, his blood bad, and he was going to be hunted and killed for it anyway.

“I’ll have to get a disguise the next time I go to Hylt,” Aael said innocently.

“You will never enter Hylt again,” Saniel said.

Aael sat up straight. “What!”

Caden leaned toward Aael. “They know you’re here. You are like a candle in a dark room, impossible to hide. I know you disagree, but it’s for the best.”

Aael started to argue but Caden held up a hand. “None of this matters. The Abbot is taking some students to the Cloud Temple, and you’re invited.”

“I’m leaving?” Aael asked.

“If you want to go,” Caden said.

“They might know how to make you better,” Saniel said.

Aael slumped. He was dying but an entire city wanted to kill him for his blood. His parents were leaving and now Padda was too. They wanted him to abandon everything that was familiar on a hope. He might never see Hylt again, or fight in the Blood Dance. This was a disaster.

“There’s more,” Caden said.

Aael looked at his father, numb.

Caden took a deep breath. “The prophecies of The Last Messenger have been purposefully obfuscated. I believe there were three, but hundreds more have been created. I’m telling you because you’re bound to find some. Don’t believe them.”

“I’m going to kill everyone, except I only have a month or so to live, which means I need to get busy,” Aael said.

“Don’t joke, Aael,” Caden said. “You are special, powerful, and you’ve given your mother and me more than you know.”

Saniel grabed Caden’s hand. “You’ve given us back our freedom.”

Aael lowered his head as his vision blurred. His parents were leaving, everyone wanted him dead, he wouldn’t live to see next year, and he’d never get to prove himself in the Blood Dance. His short life had been pointless.

Aael’s parents hugged him. Their affection felt good, but he didn’t hug them back. His despair robbed him of any action. After a few seconds his parents leaned away and he laid back down. Nothing mattered anymore.

His mom ran a finger across the nape of his neck.

“Life is like juggling,” Saniel said. “Always pay attention to the ball in your hand, not the ones in the air.”

Saniel kissed the back of Aael’s head and then his parents left. The darkness Aael felt had never been closer or more powerful. How could things get any worse?