Chapter 8 - Part 1

The air outside was deceivingly still and warm, while the winds beyond the Academy's walls rebelled in frozen fury against the unnatural forces of the surrounding barrier. From the inside, it looked like everything was calm and white, not even the maddening roar of quick winds and hail could be heard. It has been blizzarding for two days before it started affecting classes. Headmistress Vice decided that not even the will of the Creators will meddle with the education of the future Wielders of the Empire and with not even the faintest of sign of strain, simply by raising a hand, she created the barrier that now stood between them and the frozen hell outside, protecting them continuously for over four days. Thanks to her amazing abilities as a Wielder, which only enforced her role as a leader and headmistress of the Academy, students could now go back and forth from classes without being knocked out by hail the size of a fist.

The smell of ink and fresh parchment filled the classroom while Master Parvell rambled mindlessly on about the first five tribes of men in written history, while leaning in his chair with his feet gracefully placed on his desk. Not as excited as the history of the Empire itself, but alas, he had to close the chapter and move on to the next. And so, he quickly summarized the history of the tribes and a few traits that distinguished them from each other.

The Hundui tribe, known for their peaceful way, spirituality, and communing with the fallen. The Az'teh tribe, known for taming the awakened ones that shared hidden ancient knowledge of the Creators with them. The Yunubur tribe, war driven and merciless, is said to have the strongest wielders of all. The Numui'y tribe, known for their prophecies and clairvoyance. The Ulo'ma tribe, known for their abilities to levitate and soar through the sky along with the mighty Balastor giants. Legends of the Ulo'ma speak of powerful Wielders who reached the three sisters and settled on them, away from all of the senseless wars spurred by the Yunubur.

"Master Parvell!" a girl in the back raised her hand and drew his attention.

"Yes, miss Nola?" He raised his eyebrows and peaked through his unnecessarily small spectacles.

"What tribe is the Empire?" She asked.

"Oh! What a fine question, miss Nola! Quite unexpected," he said under his breath, used to the obviously idiotic questions the young woman would frequently ask in his class. He took his feet off the desk, planting them firmly on the floor preparing for a long lecture. "The Empire's origin is thought to stem from the Yunubur tribe, powerful, relentless, and fearless - at the very least the latest discoveries located the ancient tribe within Empire territory, however, a very long time ago, the five tribes' borders and population slowly merged forming one united nation, known as the era of peace. It's still a mystery to this day why such peace ensued on E'a and because of it, there is no way of knowing what tribe we actually came from or what exactly happened, as E'a became a melting pot of cultures that gave us the modern nations we see today. I think that we should be thankful of the...." Master Parvell droned on about the tribes and how they started the greatest Empire in all of E'a in a never ending tangent that, to him, was more interesting than the actual lesson. Haiden stopped paying attention again, his mind kept drifting to the other night where something had happened that was purely inexplicable. An unknown force had come into his room and showed him, after many tries of his own, the exact page where the information he sought resided. The force had just as mysteriously vanished without any trace, but the faintest trail of static. Haiden does not know who or what it was, but he sure was grateful. Now, all it was left, was to understand what all of it meant. Regor, the sparkling howler, the book, everything. He had spent many nights trying to figure out what he was supposed to do with the information from the book. He read the page over and over again, and only mentioned the sacred flower of mother E'a, or Hana'E'a, through which the Hundui tribe communed with the dead. Haiden assumed that the Sparkling Howler was a much more modern name for the same plant, hence his inability to find it by blazing through the book just looking for the words. The book stated that the Hundui people in sacred ceremonies would surround themselves with the flowering plants and the spirits would reveal themselves to speak their final peace.

But how would this free Regor? He asked himself, as much as he racked his head around this question he could not answer it. Haiden already inhaled a Sparkling Howler seed back in Master Rwoy's class and it only brought forth the apparition of Regor. He recalled more of the contents of the page and it said something about the priestess of E'a bringing forth a spirit to guide her path in life and beyond. But, surely that didn't mean freedom, did it? A lifetime of servitude with no will of his own, no more than mere...slavery. The thought disgusted Haiden. If he needs to be freed, it means that he is trapped, somewhere, I don't know where; but I will free him.

The hourglass had run out and Master Parvell cut himself off. "Well, that's it for today." he said, taking his leave, eager as the rest of the class.

"I thought he'd never finish!" Maree yawned while he stretched his arms above his head and leaned backwards to catch a glimpse of Haiden. His striking blue eyes were like two gemstones polished to a mirror finish. His gaze a smidge too intent for Camilla's liking, earning him a jab in the ribs with her elbow and a disgruntled look of disapproval. Clearing her throat in a loud and obnoxious manner she sat up and turned to Haiden.

"Ready for lunch?" She asked.

"I'm not coming to lunch today, I have some things to do in my room." he said while collecting his parchment and ink.

"Don't be a sourpuss! Come on." Maree grabbed Haiden's bag and headed for the door. "Your erotic self asfixiation can wait till we're all asleep." he said disappearing through the door.

"Maree!" Camilla gasped, as blood rushed to her face almost turning purple.

"Self - what? What does he mean?" asked Haiden confused. Camila's jaw dropped, she took a moment and a few deep breaths to calm down and shook her head.

"Ah, to be young and innocent again." she said turning around and going after Maree.

"I think I'm older than you..." he said under his breath following suit.

Maree walked in front of his two friends with Haiden's bag in hand. His ears still red from what he said earlier. They went on one of the winding stone tiled ways heading towards the dining hall, and it just happened to be the way that's close to the Ashen training pit. As they drew near, the clang of metal was paired with grunts followed by the cheer of a group of people filling the chilly still air with a cacophony of sounds.

Haiden imagginied that Tasgal might be one of those people in the pit or encouraging his friends on the side. The thought of seeing Tasgal made his heart light with elation only for it to sink into his stomach. Regor's face flashed into his mind, making him nauseous with guilt. How could Haiden feel such happiness while Regor was somewhere, Creators know where, trapped. He threw a glance over his shoulder making sure no one's watching him as he continued on the stone tiled way, trying to take his mind off Tasgal, regardless of how much he missed him. He had been trying to avoid any accidental or intentional meeting with the man that saved his life ever since the incident with the Sparkling Howler. Haiden had to hide behind walls, doors, Camila, or even run away. He could not face Tasgal with Regor in his mind and heart split in two.

Haiden traced the scar on his palm and it seared with grief.

I thought I had lost you forever, he said in his mind, thinking back to the hug that made his heart race, on Regor's giant paws as gentle as a fall leaf in the wind on Haiden's face, and his big stupid beautiful face and his big stupid kind eyes. His smile. Haiden sighed heavily. He never had a chance to be true to his feelings, he hid behind mean jokes and sarcasm, trying to deflect any remnant of desire he had for the big oaf. He now knew what a big mistake that was and it was gut wrenching. If maybe, just maybe, he had been true to himself, things would have gone much differently. Who knows what would have happened? Even if Regor would have rejected him with disgust, at least they would have parted ways and he would have lived. Haiden's heart pounded with pain searing his chest. He held back his tears. It was not the time or place. He didn't want to look vulnerable in front of Camila and Maree. He probably was doing a bad job at hiding his feelings, but as long as he didn't burst into full blown ugly crying he was satisfied.

"Look what the Siret dragged in." a very familiar voice said from behind Haiden in a playful tone. At first he thought his mind was playing jokes on him, due to the current state he was in, but quickly realised that this was no simple auditory hallucination as someone grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. "I'm talking to you, little guy!"

Summery sky blues met Haiden's ambers with annoyance. Tasgal's eyes seemed a shade darker with his brows furrowed with aggravation. His hand still on Haiden's shoulder he squeezed as if he was making sure he was real, scanning his face and body.

It took Haiden a few minutes to recover from the shock. He didn't expect to see Tasgal, at least not now when his mind is filled with conflicting thoughts. And definitely not without a shirt, with his wet messy dark hair, and sweat dripping down the side of his temples. Haiden audibly gulped. He didn't know what to say.

"Unhand him!" Camila stepped in.

"No." Tasgal said without even looking at her.

"Listen here, buddy! Master Rwoy put us in charge of this chump's well being and no one will come between me and my lunch!" Maree interjected making Camila palm her face.

"Food can wait, you baby! Now, if you'll excuse us we were headed to the dining hall." Camilla turned to Tasgal.

"No, Haiden's having lunch with me." He said and grabbed Haiden by his hand pulling him away from his friends. He looked back at them speechless, he didn't know what to do or say but let himself be dragged by the man who owned half of his heart.

My bag! Was the only thing that Haiden managed to think as he remembered Maree had it.

Tasgal led him around the training pit towards the Ashen dormitories. Haiden noticed Tasgal's visible breath in the chilly air so he extended his heat cloak to him as well. This made Tasgal stop in his tracks, confused. He looked at his arms and then at Haiden.

"Heat cloak." Haiden managed to say, trying to avoid looking Tasgal in the eyes.

"Oh, so you do still have a tongue. I heard you were in the infirmary." he said.

"Yeah, I guess I got on someone's bad side." he joked, unsure what to tell him.

"You? I just cannot picture it?" He said in mock disbelief. His crooked smile dimpled his left cheek. Haiden's heart skipped a beat and he had to turn away. "Sorry I couldn't come visit, Istrek went crazy after I got released." he said with regret, Haiden could tell he was genuine. "I tried to come and look for you after things quieted down with him, but whenever I came you avoided me like a mron infected with gildies disease. I thought you were angry with me."

"No! I'm not angry. I didn't mean to avoid you." He lied about the latter.

"I saw you as you looked me in the eyes, panicked, and bolted away, Haiden."

"I, uh... I had... I didn't..." he fumbled over his words trying to find an excuse but his mind shut down. He sighed and gave up. His cheeks were flushed from embarrassment.

"If you don't want to be friends just say so. I'm a big boy, I can handle it." He said with a stern face.

"NO!" Haiden said much louder than intended. "I mean. No, I still want to be friends, Tasgal."

"Thank the Creators." Tasgal breathed in relief, his face relaxing. "I couldn't have taken it," he chuckled.

Being with Tasgal almost made Haiden forget all about Regor. The pressure on his chest lifted and the guilt evaporated into thin air. It was as if someone Wielded all the negativity away. At that moment Haiden decided to tell Tasgal everything. Well, some of it. He was the first friend he made in Elo'yn, albeit through an unusual circumstance, and came to trust and hold him dear to his heart. The time he spent hiding away from Tasgal was insufferable and his mind conflicted between his friend, Regor, and Wielding. At least some of that pressure will be taken off and he will have someone to talk to about all of this.

The possibility of them growing closer together by him opening up to Tasgal made his heart race and his blood rush to his lower body.

Shit! This is not the time, little guy. His eyes widened realising he used the same nickname Tasgal uses for him. Just thinking about Tasgal addressing IT as little guy made his blood rush even quicker. Of course, Tasgal half naked didn't help at all. Luckily he had his cape around him and nothing was protruding to the outside world.

"Me neither." He confessed, blushing at his current predicament. "You said something about lunch?" Haiden asked, trying to steer his mind to more safe thoughts and gave a once over around the surroundings to make sure nothing's stalking in the shadows.

"So you really want to get lunch together?" he asked to which Haiden nodded. "I thought you'd just kick my shin, tell me how stupid I was and storm off." He laughed. "You know your usual sna-"

"Don't you dare call me that!" He interrupted, pointing a threatening finger ath him.

"Alright, alright! We need to stop by my place so I can get cleaned up and then we'll go to the Ashen dining hall." he said smelling his armpit and making a face. "It's this way, come on." Haiden and Tasgal walked in silence. Once at the Ashen dormitories, Haiden noticed a stark difference between the Wielder one and the one standing before him. It lacked the fine detail work of the facade and elaborate handcrafted trimmings. This building was square and big, much like its denizens. Once inside, the unmistakable stench of a few hundred men living together brushed his nose. He quickly raised his hand to cover his nose. "Yeah, not as pretty as the wielder one, I'll grant you that. And the smell, you get used to it." he said.

"Do I need to come with you? I'll just wait outside for you to get ready." Haide said, trying to avoid being alone in a small room with Tasgal. His body was already very reactive to his presence

"Yes! Something's serious must've gone down if Master Rwoy had to put those two to guard you. You'll be where I can see you." He said with a smile that revealed both dimples on his cheeks. Haiden wasn't sure what that particular smile meant but he gave in. He didn't want to embarrass Tasgal and make a scene.

"Fine!" he ceded and followed Tasgal up to his room on the third floor. Everything was wooden with any embellishment or finery stripped off the walls. Only the necessities in the long hallways. Tasgal opened the door with a key, which was strange for Haiden and held it open for him.

"Welcome to my humble abode." he said. And humble it was. Haiden thought that his room had the minimum of furnishings, but Tasgal's room was reminiscent of that of a slave. "I know it's not much, but it's home." He said with a big smile made every awful odor in the room turn to fresh summer flowers. "You can sit on the bed while I go clean up and get a fresh shirt."

"Alright." Haiden relecutently sat on the straw bed that was covered with two brown blankets. He brushed his hand over the bedding and his heart skipped as he thought how Tasgal laid in it. Shaking his head of any impure thoughts he looked around the room, but that only made it worse. It was very small. It had the bed, a dresser and a window, along with a door that probably opened to the lavatory. The walls remained the raw wood of the structure as well as the floor. A small lamp sat in a corner next to some shirts and breeches thrown lazily on the floor. In the other corner there were a few pairs of undergarments piled up. Haiden swallowed his heart as he adjusted himself. His head became light as blood was rushing away from it quite quickly. He needed to calm down fast, so he went for the window and pulled on his Fios. He Willed cold fresh air to burst inside. "Thank Creators," he told himself. It was refreshing and helped him regain his senses.

"For what?" Tasgal asked, standing in the doorway with his hair dry and a new white shirt and a coat on. He sniffed the air a few times and raised his eyebrows in realisations. "Oh! Sorry, sometimes I forget to open the window and my training attire kinda catches a funk. Thanks for airing my room." Haiden was relieved that that's what he thought he did.

"Yeah, no problem." He laughed it off. "Now, let's get something to eat, I'm starving!"