Chapter 12 - Part 1

The Academy grounds were dusted with specks of green and signs of life. Early budding and grass began to sprout every which way. The skeletal shrubs that flanked the stone tile ways were no longer brown sad bones, they were renewed. Ice and snow dripped away into thin strands of trickling water along the ways.

Hidden could smell the early Spring in the air as he sat in Master Omnelia's class. For the first time in months they kept the windows open for fresh air. But in spite of the Master's calming voice and soothing atmosphere he was restless. Haiden tapped his boot against the wooden floor incessantly. Maree and Camila gave him annoyed glances.

Camila was trying to listen to Master Omnelia's teachings on advanced mote properties for Compounded Minor spells while Maree was plain annoyed. But he paid them no mind, he was lost in his own thoughts.

The class soon ended and Haiden left among the first. The threat of Bras had disappeared seemingly as through magic after he vanished more than a week ago. No one was aware of his whereabouts and if they did they kept their quiet. Haiden never gave it a second though, he thought it for the better. At least now he could relax, especially since he was bailing on his and protection by proximity to Camila and looking for Tasgal for the past two weeks. It seemed that this time, Tasgal was the one avoiding Haiden, and he was doing it with the expertise of a highly trained spy. He was invisible. After the first week worry had crept within Haiden that the man he was looking for wasn't even on Academy grounds, but quickly proved wrong by Vick, Kip, and Mav when he asked them. The only reasonable thing that came to Haiden's mind was to stalk him out. So, he had chosen the only place where he could blend in and hide and keep watch without being too obvious. The training pit.

For the fear of causing another incident Haiden decided to avoid any open area or seating space. Instead, he hid behind one of the six pillars that circled the wide circumference of the training pit that held the score boards. The rough stone was harsh and cold on his skin as he took a peak behind it at the two small figures battling it out. Haiden tried to keep his gaze at the faces of the fighters Creators knew that it was too much of an ask, especially since one of the men in front of him was no other than the Ash'en he was looking for.

Tasgal, as always, fought chest to chest shirtless exposing his overly worked and defined body. It was as if he was chiseled by the Creators themselves. Blood rushed to Haiden's head as he took in every inch of the man. The tight leather pants constrained his movements and creaked with each lunge or dodge but clang on everything that Haiden hoped it did. The gravel crunched under Tasgal's foot as he expertly reached over for his opponent falling to the ground and pinning him in a swift motion. The other man, just as trained as Tasgal, tapped the ground, groaning in pain as Tasgal was grappling his arm. Tasgal let him go and they shook hands with large grins on their faces exchanging a few words before grabbing some towels that were set aside. Haiden took that as his que and sneaked towards the side entrance, the one that led towards the Ash'en dormitory.

Haiden didn't have to wait as much as he thought until he was met with a partially naked Tasgal. For a moment Haiden's world stopped and all he could see was a pair of blues so clear his heart stopped. But the second Tasgal's eyes looked away in awkwardness the moment was gone. Both of them didn't say anything for what seemed like eternity until the other Ash'en passed them greeting Haiden in a hurry.

"See you tomorrow, Tas." he shouted over his shoulder as he went on his way.

"Haiden..." Tasgal broke the silence. Haiden didn't know what to say. For those days spent looking for him he didn't even once thought what he would say. The man had every right to run given the danger he had put him through, even more, making an enemy of someone extremely powerful. "I'm sorry." Haiden finally said and bowed his head in defeat. He couldn't force Tasgal to be friends with him, and of course he wouldn't want to be now after all that had happened. "I'm sorry I put your life in danger...again. I understand you don't want to be friends anymore," his stomach sank. "I will respect your wishes to stay away. I just wanted to make sure you're alright and Bras hasn't targeted you too, he's been - "

"Wait, Haiden." Tasgal reached and grabbed his forearm. He looked in his amber eyes between creased brows. "You're thinking too much into this..." another pair of Ash'en interrupted him and he quickly let go. He greeted the two as they went down in the pit. "Let's go to my room and talk," he said with a sigh.

Haiden nodded and kept quiet, he didn't know what to think of it, his heart fluttering, a thousand scenarios went through his head but the one that stuck was that Tasgal didn't want others hear him breaking bad news to a Yeva'Ah. Tasgal's heat lingered on his forearm as he followed him in silence avoiding any gazes that were thrown towards them. Once inside Tasgal's room, it became even harder to think. His smell clang in the air like an intoxicating aroma.

"Do-do you mind if we open the window?" Haiden asked shyly. "I don't like cramped spaces." he lied.

"Way to brag about your luxurious room in the Wielder's dormitory." Tasgal laughed and obliged. He waved Haiden to sit on his bed and he sat next to him. "Now, who told you I don't want to be friends?" he asked. His voice was not harsh, but kept his heavy grumble.

"No one, you just...disappeared and I thought - "

"So you took the decision for me?"

"No, that's not what I... After what happened with Bras I didn't know if you'd ever want to be friends with me. It's too dangerous, Tasgal." Haiden couldn't look at Tasgal so he looked anywhere but, admiring the simple and modest small room with barely anything in it.

"Let me decide who I want to be friends with." He thumped his fist on his chest. His eyebrows steady and focused as rock but his smile soft and boyish. "Besides, that little shit doesn't scare me. Ever since we were young he was a jealous little asshole." he said, his smile widing even more and let out a snicker. Haiden pushed back to his feet in surprise.

"You know Bras?!" he asked incredulously.

"You could say that." Tasgal leaned on his elbow and looked in the distance as if he was remembering something. Haiden had never seen this expression on Tasgal before. He sighed and began. "My family was poor, we were farmers in the far west in Tharst, next to the border. Back then Tharst was not part of the Empire, yet. Empire made incursions into Tharst territory hoping to get more fertile land beyond the mountains. They were inching closer each year, until one day, they reached my family's farm." Tasgal looked away from Haiden as to hide his expression and sighed again. "They took my mother and two older sisters. I tried to fight back but I was only eight. They took me and flung me like a twig and broke several ribs." Haiden sat back on the bed, listening to Tasagal, with his heart pounding in his chest he reached over and took Tasgal's hand. It surprised Tasgal, but he didn't snatch his hand in disgust. He simply continued. "My father, an alcoholic, could barely stand on his own two feet. He didn't even know what happened. Councilman Ameral was back then the Corporal leading the incursions. He stopped the soldiers from killing me and took me in. Once I was in good enough health, he threw me to his guard to train and when I became of age I entered his personal guard. During that time I met Bras for the first time. He always was jealous of everything his father paid attention to. He was a sadist even back then. I remember all the hoony his mother kept as pets I had to clean off the walls. His father kept a steady supply coming in each week so his wife didn't notice. He knew what a monster Bras was. He didn't want to deal with him, so even he kept his distance. One time, Councilman Ameral praised me for defeating two bandits while they were in a caravan towards their vacation home. Later that night, I found a dead hoony in my tent and poison in my drinking water. Luckily for me, Councilman Ameral, barged in while I was writhing on the ground and trying to help. He removed the poison from my body with Wielding and healed the damage. So, I suppose, you can say I do know Bras, but not in a friendly way." he gave a soft chuckle.

"Tas, I'm so sorry you had to go through that." he squeezed his hand. Tasgal was still looking away. Haiden noticed his red ears. He knew how hard it was to open to someone and felt for Tasgal. He probably had many more unimaginably cruel moments in his life due to Bras. His rage for Bras burned ever brighter.

"It's alright, Haiden. Everyone here, even the Wielders, have been through some shit one way or another. You, probably more than most, here. It's made us who we are." He had never seen this mature side of Tasgal. The warmth under his hand became more apparent but he didn't want to let go.

"How did you end up an Ash'en?" Haiden asked. It was rare for Tasgal to talk about himself, and now he knew why. His past was not a bright and cheerful one and his connection to Bras' father could have negative repercussions.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know. One day, Councilman Ameral came fuming from a meeting at the Red Keep. He shouted a bunch of nonsense about how unstable the Emperor was and made arrangements from me to travel here the next day." he turned towards Haiden. "Councilman Ameral decided to visit Elo'yn, he left the other day. That's why i couldn't come to lunch. That's why I couldn't see you."

"Creators, Tasgal. I...I don't know what to say." Haiden looked away in shame. Haiden beat himself mentally. How could he be soon self absorbed to think that everything would revolve around himself

"Don't have to say anything. In truth, I'm rather happy you thought of me." The corner of his mouth twitched in a boyish smile. "I would never not want to be friends with you. Makes life more exciting." He laughed then began to count. "Let's see...I fought a bunch of thugs the first day we met, I got stabbed and you put me in a coma, we went ghost chasing or breaking out of the other wired I still don't know which, and last but not least getting swallowed by a huge hole in..."

Alright! Alright I get it. Fuck, you me sound like a shit friend." he laughed. "You're certain you want to be friends after all that shit?"

"I'm certain." He said locking eyes, he turned his hand upwards and their hands clasped together. He was holding Haiden's hand and squeezing it gently. Haiden was certain the deep red of his face plastered in shock with his mouth ajar was beyond attractive. His heart pounded so loud he could hear it in his ears. Tasgal's darker complexion than Haiden's was lightly dusted with pink. Haiden attributed this to his earlier workout. After an unnecessarily long pause Tasgal snatched his hand and quickly got on his feet, snapping Haiden from his daze. "Besides, who's going to teach you how to fight?"