TBC: Chapter Nine

Gyan entered the domusé to find the other warriors gathered around the dining table, immersed in chatter about the night's events. Brogan's master robe was spread out on the table before the group.

"Have any of you seen the symbols before?" Brogan asked.

The rest of the warriors shook their head.

"Why do they look familiar?" Hoshi asked.

"Because you haveseen them before," Gyan said as he joined the group. "They are similar to the engravings on the round table in the Thesarei. I remember them because I accidentally turned on the holographic projection of the table before the Ceremony of Pyhron."

"I remember," said Aderes, nodding. "They surround the Lumsigne symbol that's in the middle of the table."

Gyan was talking about the large room found in both the Temple of Kya and Celestine Temple that the warriors met in to hold council.

"I wonder what they mean," said Valora as she ran a hand over Brogan's cloak.

Gyan shrugged. "Now, that, I don't know."

"Well since we are talking about the unknown, what I wanna know is what Elder Master Zareb does for the Order," Aderes said with a slight frown. "Why did Malik need him tonight?"

"It must have something to do with his charisma," Valora suggested.

"We hardly ever see him unless it's at ceremony to give a speech," Jarek said.

"He is in charge of the spies," Tarak said. "I assume we never see him because of how well he does his job."

The others cast Tarak a surprised glance.

"How did you find that out?" asked Danika.

"He questioned me after I was rescued from Mordán, and I asked him what his position in the Order was."

"He could tell that the dark energy tonight was female. When I felt the energy invade the clearing, I felt the thickness of it, but I could not tell the characteristics of who it came from," said Valora.

"That must be part of his charisma," Gyan stated. "In some of the readings on the old wars we studied last year, there were warriors who were called Felsans. They could not only see one's meridians with less effort than other warriors, they also could sense the unique presence and details of one's energy."

"So, he can sense who is around before seeing their face…" speculated Valora, "…makes sense."

"And when they meet people for the first time, Felsans supposedly store a record of one's energy pattern that is automatically recalled when their energy is felt a second time," Lorcan said. "I remember the reading."

"Okay, too much knowledge for one night," said Jarek. "You scholar nerds take it easy. I'm going to bed."

Most of the warriors followed Jarek up to their rooms.

Gyan entered his room a little later to find Aderes lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling.

Gyan raised his eyebrows. "I know that look," he said as he studied Aderes's expression. "What are you up to, Master Rebel?"

Aderes flashed a small smile. "You haven't called me that in a long time…since we were apreidus."

Gyan returned his smile. "Well, our titles may change, but some things never will. You were the reason I got into so much trouble with the temple ascetas when we were young."

"Yeah, right. I just opened the door to the inner you...you know, your edge."

Gyan smirked. "So, what is it that you're thinking so hard about?"

"Zareb's in charge of the spies."

"Yeah?"

"He may be the one I need to talk to about establishing a plan to retrieve Lesiana."

"I knew it," replied Gyan with a sigh. "He may be in charge of the spies, Aderes, but he doesn't act alone. You know all areas of the Order collaborate."

"Yeah, but I want to still speak with him directly."

Gyan dropped onto his bed and put his arms behind his head as he laid back. "I guess that won't hurt."

Aderes turned onto his side to face Gyan. "If he refuses to help, I may have to do it on my own."

"You can't be serious."

The look in Aderes's eyes told Gyan that he had never been more serious.

"Aderes, you are trying to take action without knowing the broader picture of what Mordán is up to. You have to wait for more information. The Order holds Council to make decisions together."

"That's why I hope Zareb will help get me what I need tomorrow. In the end, I have to do what I can—especially if no one else will."

"It isn't as if they aren't going to get Lesiana back. But, her direct connection to Mordán makes it more complex."

"So, she has to suffer until the Order thinks it's the right time?" Aderes asked in frustration.

"They said she is not suffering—that she is being treated well."

"Anyone who is being suppressed is suffering, despite what it looks like to others."

"I understand and agree, but you can't tell me that when you think of rescuing her on your own, there is no warning in your heart. You seem to be ignoring that. We have to think about other factors."

"The only factor I'm considering is my sister's freedom." Aderes looked at the ceiling again. "If we have been given the power to protect others, we should do so. The light warriors have had the means to remove Mordán from the throne but have done nothing. I should not have to wait any longer."

"The Order does not operate that way, Aderes," replied Gyan, feeling repetitive. "We may have the power to take out many, but we were also taught to respect the balance and synchronicity in life."

Aderes turned his back to Gyan. "If you will not help me, Gyan, then you should at least stay out of my way."

Gyan stared at Aderes's back for several moments in silence, taken aback by his friend's abrupt demeanor. He thought Aderes would at least comply with the elder masters even if he did not agree with their decision.

With a wave of his hand over a triangular mark on the wall, Gyan shut out the lights in the room and fell into bed. If the day's events had not fatigued his mind, he would have tossed all night thinking about more of the possible problems Aderes could unintentionally cause due to his wavering emotional control.