The Book of Ominiue: Starborn (36 page)

‘They look like particle trails,’ Shayne observed, running his fingers over one of the curves. The monk gave them a brief glance but made no reply. They came into a decorated hall, it was not grand in size, but it was deep in design. The room was carved directly out of the stone as all the rooms were, with the windows fitted with stained panes so that when the sun shone a golden light flooded the room. At the end of the hall held a raised platform, for a speaker or teacher to talk from. Behind it was a complex Kérith-Árim dragon banner that spanned the width of the room.

All three UeShádarn’s and Pan’arden were there, plus a couple of other senior masters. They all stopped speaking and turned to the cloaked figures. Pan’arden wore her armour, but she had since polished it. The three masters had their formal long shawls on; the scholar blue cloaks were embroidered with intricate patterns made from silver thread and held different patterns showing their areas of mastery. 

‘Welcome, Afra’hama,’ Dun’karter greeted with a bow. Kreadark sat by his feet; it gave half a purr and half a meow in greeting. The black cat looked small and vulnerable next to the great tiger Thyman, but they both sat close to each other as if old friends.

‘You may remove your cloaks now,’ Níurthan’s soft voice rang through the room. They took their disguises off, carefully placing them upon a side table near the entrance.

Pan’arden grasped the Earthmen on the shoulders in the motion of friendship, first Shayne and then Hanniver. She smiled fondly at both of them. ‘It is good to see you again.’ Thyman also seemed to grin up at them; his yellow eyes gleamed with joy. Shayne looked carefully at the two since learning the true meaning of Maltat. They did appear as one person and he wondered why he was unable to connect them sooner, but what rational man could ever conceive such a thing? He still did not know if he believed it, if not for his dreams of the man they called Anótole he would dismiss it, but now he was not sure of anything.

‘Tayos’darka,’ Dun’karter called out to the young lionman under-master. ‘Go and find Kíe, but take your time,’ the old lionman had a sly look as he said this. Tayos’darka bowed formally before leaving the room.

‘Hama’ Ta’Orian’s,’ Dun’karter returned. ‘May I introduce the third UeShádarn of the Teaching Halls, Day’kídan,’ the small human bowed to them. Tal’dorfin also motioned two other scholars, who both took a step closer.

‘And here we have our clearest and fastest scribes,’ she turned to a female lionman and human. One wore the under-master’s robes and the other wore the full rank.

‘If you wish to start now I can take you to the palace,’ Hanniver replied.

‘We will discuss that afterwards,’ Tal’dorfin nodded and acknowledged. ‘They can both return to the palace with you and write in their own time.’

‘But we do have other business to discuss before the young journeyman arrives,’ Dun’karter seriously indicated. ‘A few others will probably join us in that time as well. Tayos’darka was the beacon.’ His smile broadened. Dun’karter indicated some seats by the windows of the building. They all moved over to them, any formal approach now dropped; except for Níurthan who remained standing. Day’kídan opened one of the glass panes; letting in warm sunlight. Only the occasional cloud passed over them now and people were beginning to venture out again.

It was a good view of the city, closer than the Palace and higher up. Shayne peered down at the people below; he could see the training areas for
The Order
and the city shytarda. There were half a dozen members of
The Order
practicing the moves of some form of martial arts; they shifted in unison with increasingly complex movements. He also saw the orderly layout of the guards’ quarters which backed upon a fighting arena they could not see beforehand. The stadium was half sunken into the ground, with stands for seating and a square dirt centre; wooden pillars of various lengths were scattered on the arena floor, some had ledgers and platforms made for more dangerous duelling.

‘The Journeyman has come to us with a proposition, and he makes a good argument,’ Dun’karter sat down, his large black cat jumped up onto his lap. Shayne took his attention from the city below and concentrated on the conversation at hand. ‘He states that you seek ambassadors.’

‘That is correct,’ Shayne replied. ‘Standard procedure is at least five for each planet, ideally though we like representatives from all major cultures and five rarely covers that need.’

‘The journeyman wishes to train to become one,’

‘I did offer the position to him,’ Shayne concurred. ‘The Brigadier and I think he has the potential.’

‘And his mind seems to be set,’ Day’kídan added. A few people started to trickle into the room; mostly young, between apprentices and training masters, but some older ones also entered: fully trained masters and teachers.

‘It does not mean he will be selected,’ Shayne added. ‘It would be like any other school, where some will continue and others will not. Regardless of outcomes what we teach him will be of use and he will benefit.’

‘There is a small problem with us granting the request,’ Dun’karter began to pat his cat, which stretched out with pleasure. ‘He still has four years of his journeyman-ship’

‘We are aware of his obligations.’

‘And the places selected for your city are too far away for him to continue that obligation, but he has informed us that he can continue his work with your people.’

‘That’s correct,’ Hanniver said. ‘He has much he could teach our people, and many will be glad to learn.’

‘I would not think your people would need teaching from us,’ Tal’dorfin mused.

‘Depends on what you mean by teaching. We know nothing about your way of life: your politics, your religion and your history. There are many things we need to learn,’ Tal’dorfin was pleased to hear these words from the Earthman.

‘Understanding forges great friendships,’ she agreed.

‘So if we give the journeyman’s services to you then you will return those services by means of educating him for ambassadorship?’

Hanniver nodded.

‘He also,’ Shayne added, ‘expressed an interest in a specialised field, one which I can teach him. What he calls
the path of the Shingah
.’

Dun’karter laughed and smiled broadly. ‘Always the dreamer, that one, and that is why I like him so much.’ Níurthan directed his attention to Shayne, his head slightly tilted in thought though he remained silent. The old lionman continued. ‘I believe we have no reason to deny this request to him, so long as he is to maintain his duties. Also to report back after his term is up to further evaluate his position.’ The Earthmen agreed.

‘We should take our places,’ Day’kídan indicated the room which now held a small crowd; most of which were watching them. The other two UeShádarn’s agreed and rose from their seats. ‘Stand where you please Afra’hama. We will talk some more.’ The three then went to the head of the room. The people present arranged themselves to make an aisle and there they waited patiently.

Kíe came up the steps, with his friend Tayos’darka following close behind. He froze when he saw the ensemble of people lined up to the three masters. Kíe’s expression turned from his normal grin to a flat and serious look. His eyes searched the room, until they fell upon the small group standing by the window. The High Captain beamed with joy. Kíe shifted his attention to the two Earthmen; his expression softened a moment as he laid eyes upon Shayne.

‘Come forward child,’ Dun’karter gestured with one of his arms stretched out. Kíe slowly walked up the aisle of people and took the two steps that rose to the platform where the grandmasters stood.

‘From witness reports of great Ta’Orian and Fa’Orians; by the testament of your teachers; the recommendations of the villages you served and the words and events concerning the Afra’hama. It is time, bearer of the ancient cub name of Kíe, you were given your full name.

‘To Kíe: who sang songs to the star Ta’Orians, and taught stories to children, to bravery of the Wayel-Éaa where he committed to passing through the silence, and the honour you gained from the slaying of a dikean-wolf; and to the bridge that was forged, to the finder of those who possess more than they seem and the loyalty he gives to his friends. Discretion is your friend and joy your companion. You have climbed mountains and sought adventure as if you were one of the true children of Tain. May your mane grow long and you forever follow the path of Keean. We your teachers have chosen your name; may you wear it with pride,’ Kíe knelt in front of the three masters,

Dunkarter raised both his arms and said, ‘From this day forth you will no longer carry your cub name. You leave today with two names, for great are your actions and deeds that one name would not sit. So we name you Kíe’arathorne: the one who sees light and also Kíe’athraden: the wise seer.’ Kíe rose to his feet and faced the onlookers. The small crowd then cheered, filling the room with raised voices and shouts and as he passed through them they all reached out to grasp his shoulder and slap his back. The crowd talked excitedly amongst themselves, though it was not uncommon for some to have their given name changed during their lives it was almost unheard of to be given two names at the same time.

Níurthan turned to both humans as the praised continued. His soft voice slightly difficult to hear over the rumble of the scholars, ‘You must never call him by his child name,’ he informed the two. ‘It would be considered an insult. From now on he has a new name, use it,’ Hanniver acknowledged the monk with a nod. The journeyman made his way through to the Earthmen. He had an impossibly large grin upon his lionish face. He grasped Shayne in friendship.

‘Which name do we call you? Or does it not matter?’ Shayne inquired.

‘I believe it would take many years for me to become truly wise,’ the young lionman informed, ‘and I do not wish to be serious and without humour yet so you can call me Kíe’arathorne.’

‘You are to be commended,’ Níurthan addressed the journeyman, ‘but do not underestimate the power of light; for wisdom is nothing if held in the hand of a bitter heart. Your name bears a great weight, both names. I prey to the Kéaran that you will live forever by them.’ Kíe’arathorne bowed his head formally to the monk, his eyes dancing in the praise given.

The next hour the small group talked openly. Namings typically occurred in group ceremonies, with the afternoon spent feasting. The private naming was both an honour and also due to Kíe’s temporary visit. Celebrations would not be as grand, but that would not stop them from having a good time.

‘They will probably be here late into the night,’ Níurthan commented, ‘and others will come, I suggest you put the cloaks on again.’

‘That’s fine with us,’ Hanniver said. ‘We should probably get to work converting our proposition.’ The Earthmen then went to the door and collected their cloaks, wrapping them once again around themselves. Some of the natives watched; a knowing smile printed on their faces. Níurthan collected the two scribes, who were not too pleased to leave behind the festive atmosphere and they made their way down the many flights of stairs; often passing other academics who were making their way up after hearing rumour of the naming.

When they were out in the daylight Shayne raised his head to allow the warm sunshine fall upon his face. The ground was still damp but patches of dry spots were scattered along the road as it warmed and evaporated with the sun’s touch.

Shayne broke the silence, ‘What is the difference between a student of the teaching halls and a student of the Kerwin?’ Níurthan briefly glanced at Shayne; his strange eyes glinted in the sun, but it was too difficult to see them behind the mask. He thought they were blue but he could not tell.

‘The Kerwin are also warriors,’ the monk informed. ‘They spend their entire lives learning the wizards’ path, along with the skills of war and weapons.’

‘Are they wizards?’

‘No,’ the monk shook his head; he did not often gesture, so the faint movements he did make had more impact. ‘They train in the ways of the wizards, but they do not hold the power.’ They walked past the monks’ monastery. The structure was a stark contrast to the guild buildings around it, it was plain and simple, designed for its singular purpose to recruit and train. It looked abandoned except for the occasional movement to and from and the sounds of fighting instruction from behind.

‘What do they do outside of learning?’ Shayne asked.

‘We are sent all over the lands, if a nation requests our services then someone is sent.’ Níurthan glanced briefly at him then his eyes turned to the Brigadier. ‘Slouch over more, you look too tall.’ Hanniver instantly complied. The monk then continued to look ahead as they passed the statue and the gates, turning right on the boulevard towards the palace. 

‘What kind of services?’

‘Whatever is asked for and we deem as an acceptable request,’ Níurthan replied without emphasising anything. Shayne imagined that some of those requests were not very pleasant.

‘Do
you
often leave the country?’

‘I do not leave Kérith-Árim,’ the monk simply said and the two remained quiet for the rest of the walk. Upon entering the palace Níurthan gave his name as well as those of the two scribe scholars who accompanied them. They were admitted without trouble.

Red Rocket was overjoyed when Hanniver returned; jumping up and licking him. He scratched the striped back vigorously, causing her to thump a back leg. Hanniver, the droid and the two scholars went to another room, where they began the long progress of converting the books. Hanniver gave each of them an earpiece and the droid split the content into two and instructed them on what to expect. They were distracted at first by the strangeness of the technology along with the perfectly cut paper and the strange pens the sky Ta’Orians provided but they soon fell into a professional manner and started scribbling madly while the robot dictated. It would have been easier to have them write on an electronic tablet, but Hanniver decided this way would be more comfortable for the natives.