TCO: Chapter Nine

Gyan woke to find himself slumped in the same seat of the Tritumhe had passed out in. He could sense that the ship was no longer moving. He opened his eyes slowly to find Jalena standing near him. She bent down in front of him, so they were eye to eye.

"This is the second time I find you asleep on the job, San Gyan," she whispered with a wink.

Gyan smiled in response, his heart speeding up at the nearness of her.

The other warriors began to stir beside him, and Jalena stood to address the group.

Valora and Jarek immediately threw questions at Jalena but fell silent as she held up her hand.

"Save your questions until I am done explaining. First, I want to apologize. The storm masked the trace of our attackers. I sensed the attack only moments before it occurred. We do not know who they were. Neither I nor Elder Master Syam recognized the ships. However, thanks to all of you, both have been destroyed."

"You mean that the light we produced destroyed—?" Aderes said.

Jalena gave a quick nod but held up her hand once more for silence as several in the group started talking at once.

"The ring of light, or what we call the Lumfáinne,occurs at the will of a light warrior group. It is a defense mechanism used for protection or to balance energy within the environment. At times, the Lumfáinne is used to transport the group, as a whole, to a specific destination.

"Transport? You mean—" Jarek started.

Jalena smiled as Hoshi hit Jarek in the arm.

"Sorry," Jarek said.

"Sometimes the two occur simultaneously if needed in battle," Jalena continued, "serving to both protect the warriors by removing them from danger and to instantly rid the surrounding area of enemy threats.

"Forming the Lumfáinne is one of the most prized gifts of a light warrior. This is why it is easy for you to do once your will is set in unison. When the energy intensifies within each of you and you are near each other, the energy transfers across members of the group until the vibration is stable and balanced. The energy bonds each warrior together and builds in power until it can no longer be contained. The light is then released in the form of a solid and powerful ring around the warriors, destroying anything in its path.

"You will learn to control the release of energy more as the circle is formed so that it extends only as far as you will it to. This control will prevent the light from destroying everything in the surrounding area."

The warriors gazed at Jalena, now in silence, attempting to ponder everything she said.

Gyan felt uncomfortable when he thought about the amount of power the group could produce.

"Do not be unnerved by the amount of power you possess," said Jalena reassuringly, guessing the reason for the warriors' silence. "Remember that along with any power you have, you also maintain the capability to manage or control it."

"You are already more synchronized as a team than other light warrior sans have been in the past, which will instinctively serve you when you're on assignment together," interjected Syam as he came up behind Jalena. "The exhaustion you experienced after forming a Lumfáinne is normal in the beginning. As you get better at balancing your internal energy and become more experienced at managing the light energy, you will not feel the same amount of weariness after forming the circle."

"How was I able to hear your voice inside my mind, Elder Master?" asked Gyan.

"Your brain releases its barriers to telepathic communication in stressful or dangerous situations. This is why you all were able to hear my voice," answered Syam. "As you further your studies you will develop the ability to communicate telepathically at any time. However, we will speak more of this later… Now that your energy is somewhat restored, it is time for all of you to explore your new home."

Jalena put her hand on a rectangular strip near the ship door. Her eyes lit up briefly, turning the strip from red to green. The side door the light warriors had entered hours before in the howling wind and rain lowered to the ground. The rainy sky had cleared, and rays of orange, pink, and violet greeted them as they stepped out of the ship and onto green grass.

Gyan's mouth opened in awe as he stared at the largest gold, silver and blue-stoned temple he had ever seen. Rays of the setting day stars reflected off the temple, projecting beams of golden light in every direction.

"Welcome to the Celestine Temple," spoke Syam as he followed the warriors out of the ship.

The Tritum rose into the air, the door drawing up from behind them as Jalena flew the ship into a nearby hidden bunker.

Three men in hooded, black robes met Syam and the sans in the middle of the temple courtyard.

"We received word of the attack, Elder Master. We have already sent the message to our spies to begin the investigation."

"Although Androsa lies further south than where we were attacked, alert our spies to search there as well. We need to know if Mordán is behind this."

One of the men gave Syam a short nod and walked back to the temple.

Syam turned to introduce the warriors. "Our newest group of sans."

The warriors bowed to the two hooded men.

"Ah yes," said the shorter of the two men as he walked toward the warriors. Although there was something familiar about the man, Gyan could not place him. A square dark jaw and thin mouth was all that could be seen underneath the man's hood.

Syam swept his hand toward the hooded stranger in introduction. "Master—"

"Elder Master, if you please," interrupted the hooded man, holding up his hand. "I think this group, being as skilled as they are due to the excellent training they have received, should wager a guess as to who I am. If one shall properly guess my identity, perhaps they will get fed tonight. However, if one should wager an incorrect guess…well, we must skip the evening meal and begin training immediately so that our intuitive senses are sharpened."

The master began circling the group, scrutinizing each of the warriors closely. Gyan's stomach growled as if to protest the delay.

"Are you sure you wish to put them to the test of logic so soon after their first battle, Master?" asked Syam with a serious tone that contrasted the twinkle in his eye.

"Absolutely."

"Well then, warriors, do your best. I hope to see you all in the dining hall soon." Syam bowed to the warriors. "Excellent work today." He turned and walked to the temple.

"So…I hear that all of you possess fair skills on the training field, but I wonder if you are as mentally astute," the master said.

"Master?" inquired Lorcan.

"San Lorcan."

"If we have never met you, how could we possibly know what your name is?"

"One does not have to know what you think you need to know in order to know, San Lorcan."

"Huh?" Lorcan looked at Jarek, who shrugged.

"I will give you several clues," said the master, ignoring the expressions of bewilderment on the faces around him. "If your reasoning is sharp, my name will come to you."

The man rubbed his hands together and brought the tips of his fingers to his mouth. "Hmm…." He began pacing in front of the group for a short time before stopping in front of Brogan, who towered over the master. The master tilted his head up.

"Clue number one; I appear to you early in life."

He began pacing again. "Two." The master paused in front of Hoshi. "I begin with a sharp maneuver."

Gyan immediately attempted to recall all the names of the fighting moves he had learned over the years.

"Three; I return to guide a warrior…and four;" he stopped pacing, standing directly in front of Gyan, and spoke slowly. "I will always question your questions."

Gyan smiled broadly as the master walked away from him. He knew of this master, without having to analyze the clues. He paused before speaking to allow the other warriors a guess. No one in the group said a word. Gyan, unable to contain his excitement spoke up boldly. "Forgive me master, but you seem quite small for a master warrior."

Hoshi gasped. "Gyan!"

The other warriors turned to Gyan in shock as the master appeared before Gyan in a flash. A short staff Gyan hadn't noticed before had appeared instantly in the master's hand.

"Is height not only a perception dependent upon an observed angle?" the master retorted. "Would you like to test this perception now, young san? If your skills are as sharp as your tongue, then you may match me on the field yet, even with your lack of experience."

"You might be surprised, Master, at how well I can…." Gyan paused and looked down at the master, "…jab."

Unmoving, the master remained facing Gyan. Gyan steadily gazed down at the master with a slight smile.

The corners of the master's mouth twitched.

After a short moment, the master spoke softly. "From what I recall, young San Gyan, if your jabs are as painful as I have known them to be, then that is one skill you need not improve upon here."

Gyan laughed and bowed. "Master Jabari. I have missed you."

Jabari removed his hood, revealing his shiny, bald black head and light blue, red-haloed eyes. He returned Gyan's smile as Gyan instantly grabbed his old master into a bear hug. The others gathered around to greet their old master, laughing nervously, relief on their faces.

"So, you shall be fed today then, my young sans," Jabari laughed and reached to put a hand on Gyan's shoulder. "But first, meet another of your closest companions while you remain in Solara…" Jabari extended his hand out toward the tan-skinned, dark-eyed man behind him. "Asceta Sorda Kasé."

Sorda walked closer to the group and acknowledged the warriors with a nod.

"He will guide you to your chambers so that you may wash and change," Jabari continued. "You will continue to wear your current san robes while in council. However, black robes, as what I am wearing now, have been laid out for you in your rooms. This ensures that we blend in with the residents here so that our presence remains disguised.

"After you are refreshed and changed into your new robes, meet Sorda outside your rooms and he will guide you to the kitchens. Once you have eaten, he will also give you a quick tour of the grounds before you return to your rooms. With regret, I must leave you now due to necessary duties, but I will see you soon enough so that we may make up for our lost time together. In the meantime, know that my heart is lightened at seeing your young faces once more."

Jabari bowed to the warriors again and hurried across the courtyard, leaving Sorda to lead the warriors further into the temple grounds.