TCO: Chapter Thirty-Seven

Several hours had passed after his argument with Aderes before Gyan returned to his room. After crawling into bed, it was only a couple of hours later that he woke with a start, his hand over his racing heart.

He had dreamed of Affera, the elderly worker he had met at the domusé in Yevani. She had attempted to push him into the deepest part of Gawl Forest, telling him that he must go where others do not. He was surprised at how strong Affera seemed in the dream as he struggled to resist her while repeatedly telling her he was not ready.

Gyan shook the dream from his head and glanced at Aderes's unmade bed, realizing that Aderes must have dressed and left early on purpose.

The increase in cold, rainy weather matched the melancholy mood that hung over the warriors in the temple the day after Aderes's outburst. The warriors kept quiet about Aderes's behavior, especially when Gyan was near, fearing that he might become defensive in response to any gossip about his close friend. Gyan, however, was sure that the news of Aderes's outburst had already spread throughout the temple, which only intensified his conflicting feelings of pity and anger toward Aderes.

Aderes attended a private council with Syam, Cahira, and Jabari later that afternoon. He was still avoiding Gyan and the other warriors, so Gyan had not seen him since their argument. Feeling the need to get out of their chambers, Gyan pulled on his robes to go for an evening walk when Aderes entered their room.

"You were right," Aderes said as he closed the room door. "Syam agrees with you about my mind recreating the memory."

Gyan nodded and looked away.

"I have to spend extra time with Master Asia to work on controlling my thoughts and altering the memory. I'm going to see her before the evening meal. Given that the memory is tied to deep emotion, the masters said it may take some time to rectify my thoughts, but that it's still possible."

Gyan remained silent.

"Anyway…just wanted you to know that I'm trying. Part of me still doesn't regret the fight—the part that is satisfied with finding revenge, I guess. I'm not perfect, Gyan." Aderes shrugged and turned to leave. "I'm not you."

"Don't be ridiculous," snapped Gyan, irritated that someone would categorize him as anything near perfection. After several moments he added softly, "I'm not perfect," realizing Aderes's claim was most likely a way of apologizing.

Aderes shrugged. "Ask anyone in Yevani."

"Right. Uh…you mind going over to the east wing and reminding Jalena of my perfection? She must have been gone when Yevani citizens made that claim."

Aderes laughed. "Come on, walk with me. She will see soon enough."

Gyan rolled his eyes and followed Aderes out the door.

After walking Aderes to the meditation room, Gyan took off across the temple grounds toward the grove. The cold, wet breeze eased his cooped-up feelings somewhat. As he walked, he took in the natural beauty of Solara that surrounded the temple. The contrast of deep greens against the soothing browns of winter felt comforting to him. Although the Celestine Temple had begun to feel like home to him, Gyan felt no city could ever come close to how he felt about Yevani. His chest tightened at the thought.

At times throughout the winter, Gyan had wrestled with a sense of nostalgia for his hometown. He often received letters from both his parents and sister, who kept him informed of what was happening in Yevani, but lately, due to his recent restlessness, the desire to visit his family had intensified. He knew he wasn't the only one who missed his family either, for he often saw Danika staring at an old faded picture of her brothers and sisters that she kept in her robes.

As Gyan entered the Grove of Amasu, he saw a small black cat ahead in his path, crouched low, readying to pounce on a small bug perched on a wet leaf. Gyan peered through the trees on either side of him, searching for Jalena, but found Eclipse alone.

"Eclipse," Gyan said as he approached the cat. The cat rubbed up against Gyan's damp cloak.

"Where is your mistress, huh?" he asked as he knelt to pet Eclipse. "The one that lingers like a shadow upon my heart."

Eclipse purred loudly.

After several moments, Gyan sighed and stood, drawing his robes tighter around him. "It's cold out." He looked down at Eclipse. "But I'm sure the air feels good to you. You could come back to the temple with me, you know, and expand to full size right before we enter the dining hall…give everyone a good fright."

Gyan laughed at the thought and then frowned at Eclipse, who sat staring up at him with her wide gold eyes. "Great, I'm talking to a cat now…like Valora."

Eclipse rubbed up against Gyan's leg again in response.

"Well…at least you're good company. It's been a pleasure, Master Eclipse…hope to see you soon." Gyan gave Eclipse one last scratch between the ears and turned back to the temple grounds.

Upon his return, Gyan received a letter from his mother announcing his sister's engagement to a mutual childhood friend. He became excited at the thought of the possibility of returning to Yevani for the wedding, making a note to bring it up with Syam as soon as possible. He did not have to tell Syam anything, however, as the elder master made the engagement known to the entire dining hall that very night during the evening meal.

"I have an announcement," Syam said to the warriors as he entered the dining hall. He held a letter up in his hand. "The san warriors are all to pack your bags immediately for your next important assignment. Apparently," Syam looked intently at Gyan, "I am being criticized by a nán who claims to be missing a son."

Gyan smiled as the warriors broke out in a buzz of conversation.

Syam waved the letter back and forth and cleared his throat. "The letter reads:

Warrior or not, to take one away from their family for this length of time is not healthy for the unity of the kingdom and damages the bond of family. You of all people, Elder Master Syam, should understand this. The Order claims that it is important to strengthen the bond between warriors to increase their power. Well, the same principle should be applied to the bond of family. Given this, you should know that I would not allow my most prized possession to leave my side for very long without protest, nor would I allow him to miss the wedding of his only sister. I request that you send him home immediately so that he may prepare for this joyous event.

The warriors laughed as they all turned to Gyan. Gyan's face flushed as his heart warmed at the words of his mother.

"There you have it, young warriors…prepare for travel," Syam said, his eyes twinkling. "We leave in two fortnights. Otherwise, I will have to… What was it again?" he looked down at the letter once more, "…face a nán's wrath and this, I must confess, is the last thing I wish to do."

The warriors laughed louder as Brogan and Jarek pounded Gyan teasingly on the back.