TBC: Chapter Fifteen

The stars of Elsaria rested briefly on the horizon as the warriors, tired and drained more than any other training day that Gyan could remember, shuffled slowly out of the forest. As the group passed the Temple of Kya, Gyan heard hushed voices near the side temple entrance. With more effort than usual, he opened his senses further to hear the conversation.

"Have you reached out to her?" Malik said.

Gyan turned in Malik's direction, debating whether to approach Malik or corner Aderes to talk more about Lesiana. Gyan glanced at Aderes, who was walking by himself, slightly away from the others. His jaw was set, and a determined look shadowed his eyes. Deciding that it was better to wait to approach Aderes, Gyan took the path of least resistance and moved as fast as his fatigued legs would allow across the temple lawn to Malik.

Brogan turned to watch him and blinked slowly. "Gyan," he called out in a hoarse voice. "You that tired? Home is this way." He laughed and pointed in the opposite direction.

Gyan smiled. "I'll catch up in a minute."

Hoshi's tired voice filled his mind. You okay?

I need to speak with Malik, he replied.

She nodded lazily and continued walking.

Gyan turned his attention back to the voices near the temple.

"Have you been able to decipher any more of the prophecy?" Gyan heard Nyhra asked Malik.

"Not yet," Malik answered. "But, I think it concerns the new masters."

Gyan paused.

"I will try to reach her tomorrow to find out more," she said.

"Do you still claim that Master Aderes's future is unrevealed?"

"Yes."

The elder master and Malik stopped speaking and both looked to the edge of the building where Gyan stood out of sight.

Malik raised his eyebrows. We have a visitor.

Nyhra nodded. "Master Gyan," she called. "Did you need something?"

Gyan approached them and the three bowed to each other. "Yes. I apologize for interrupting."

Nyhra turned to Malik. "I must go, but I will contact you as soon as I speak with her."

"Actually, Elder Master Nyhra," Gyan interjected. "What I have to ask Sir Malik may also be something you can help me with."

"What is on your mind?" Malik asked.

"It has to do with an old woman in Yevani named Affera," Gyan said.

Malik and Nyhra looked at Gyan in surprise.

Despite his fatigue, all his thoughts about Affera suddenly spilled from Gyan without pause. "She keeps coming to me in my dreams and I don't know why. I thought maybe you would know of her, Elder Master, because her eyes look like yours, and I just haven't had a chance to talk to you about it, but it is on my mind a lot lately because ever since we moved back into the domusé, I thought about the first time I met her, and I'm confused because none of my team has met—"

"Master Gyan," Nyhra interrupted in a soft voice. "Let's go inside the temple so you can sit down."

Gyan nodded. He put his hand against the temple wall to steady himself before following Nyhra and Malik through the temple door. Nyhra led him down the stone passageway and entered a small classroom. Gyan quickly dropped into the nearest seat and closed his eyes.

"The day's training has proved effective, I see," Malik said.

Nyhra joined Malik and took a seat next to Gyan. "Your hand please, Master."

Gyan gave Nyhra a puzzled look but held his hand out as she commanded.

Her eyes lit up as she grasped Gyan's hand, and he breathed in the renewal of energy. He smiled in gratitude as the fog lifted from his mind.

"Better?" Nyhra asked as she released her grip.

He nodded. "Thank you."

"Okay now, Master Gyan, start from the beginning," Malik said.

Gyan recounted his experience with Affera from the first time he saw her in the domusé kitchen. He explained that she stressed the importance of fulfilling his purpose and that he didn't really know what she was talking about but assumed she meant to trust his intuition. Gyan also told of the dreams of Affera that he had been experiencing since that first meeting.

"I saw her walking in the Ceiabré Forest once, but she was gone the instant I blinked."

Nyhra cast Malik a look of concern.

"What?" Gyan asked as he looked back and forth between the two.

"Master Gyan, Affera is my mother," Nyhra said.

"Oh," he replied with a look of relief. "Well, that explains your resemblance to each other. Does she still work at the domusé? I haven't seen her there, but maybe you could tell her I've been having these weird dreams, and she can offer her opinion on why they occur. She seemed knowledgeable. Of course, it could mean nothing, but what if I'm supposed to warn her of something or she is trying to warn me of something, and since we never see each other, it only comes in the form of a dream—"

"Gyan," Nyhra interrupted him again.

Gyan stopped rambling and took a deep breath.

"Master Gyan, Affera is not a worker at the domusé," Malik explained. "She was once a Seyn that worked for the Order."

"Oh," said Gyan.

"I have the same ability as she does," Nyhra stated.

Gyan nodded. "We learned of the charisma types today."

"Affera arrived in Yevani over two centuries ago and met a light warrior by the name of Darvaun, whom she married," Malik continued.

"Darvaun is my father," Nyhra added.

"But I thought Darvaun was the warrior that turned against the Order and joined the Nardan armies of the South?" Gyan said, recalling his history. "Wasn't that in—? Wait, did you say over two centuries ago?"

"Seyns can live longer than many others, Master Gyan."

"Does Affera not work for the Order still? Did she betray the warriors along with Darvaun?"

"No, she is now one of the high priestesses."

"But, that would mean she is nonphysical," said Gyan, shaking his head. "She can't be…" his voice rose an octave,"…I mean—I saw her…" his eyes widened, "…drinking tea."

"Master Gyan, the high priestesses can take on whatever form they wish," explained Malik.

"But, why is she coming to me and no one else?"

"I am not sure," said Malik. "From what you have explained of her initial visit and of the dreams, it seems as if you are a key to a specific event unfolding. There is obviously something that the priestesses wish you to do."

Gyan gazed at Malik in confusion. "Why don't they just tell me what it is then?"

"Because it has to be chosen by you," Nyhra said quietly.

Irritation flashed across Malik's features. "Goddesses that speak in riddles…" he mumbled.

"The priestesses oversee the balance of the planets," Nyhra continued. "However, there is only so much interference that they can do."

Gyan stared at the floor in silence, trying to gain order from his thoughts. What was it that the priestesses wanted with him? The thought of it all made him feel nervous but increased his desire to speak with Affera at the same time.

Nyhra watched Gyan closely. "Take care Master Gyan of what my mother says to you. Although the priestesses' wisdom is sought from many leaders, you do not have to do what they ask of you."

"It isn't that," replied Gyan. "I just wish I knew more. Whenever she speaks to me it is like she is helping me, as if she is trying to get me to remember something or help something inside of me surface."

Nyhra nodded. "I understand. I only can advise you to listen to her words with caution. The high priestesses do not work in anyone's favor. They seek to influence and take action from a broader purpose that may or may not be beneficial for you."

Gyan took a deep breath. "Thanks, Elder Master."

"Master Gyan," Malik said as the three stood, and he opened the door to the classroom, "if she contacts you again, please let me know."

"I will," said Gyan. "I'm certain I'll need your help to decipher the meaning."

"There are few who do not need assistance with their riddled prophecies," Malik replied grudgingly.

The three exited the temple, and Malik teleported from sight.

Nyhra walked along with Gyan back to the domusé. "Try to put it from your mind for now, Master Gyan, so you can be fully energized for tomorrow's work."

He nodded, although he doubted he would be very successful at doing so. "Goodnight, Elder Master," he said as he bowed.

Nyhra bowed and left Gyan standing with more questions than he could possibly find all the answers to.

Rather than entering the domusé through the front, he followed a stone path around to the back garden, where he sat down on a bench. He stared up at the two moons of Elsaria, appreciating their consistency. Things were changing faster than ever it seemed, so he was comforted by anything that seemed stable at the moment. He thought of Aderes and the instability of his friend's energy due to his unresolved past tragedy. He thought of what Malik said about Nyhra not being able to see Aderes's future. Now the priestesses were trying to send Gyan a message. Why now?

Gyan yawned as he stood and stretched. His thoughts kept flowing despite his physical fatigue, which was overtaking him again. He supposed he would have to get used to the uncertainty of events if he was to maintain his mental balance. The only answer was to focus on his state of being rather than the ever-changing conditions around him. He smiled as he realized that even after years of practicing how to maintain a balance of mind, managing thought was not always easy.

***