Chapter 78

TERRENCE came up the stairs, adjusting the new robes that denoted his formal promotion with the nervousness he felt when he was first accepted by the Illaini Magus as his apprentice. The upper level was silent, dimly lit by the storm muffled daylight from the balcony. "Master Ash?" he called uncertainly.

From behind the curtained divider to his sleeping area, Ash responded in curt tones. "What do you need, Senior Journeyman Terrence?"

Terrence closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steel himself. "I need to speak with you, Master." When there was no response, the young man moved the curtain aside, looking in before entering.

Seated on the bed in a vain attempt to find solace through meditation, Ash did not even bother to open his eyes as Terrence let the curtain fall closed behind him. Uncertain, Terrence stood, waiting in silence until his master's deep azure eyes opened, fixing on the younger man coldly. "So speak. Then leave. I wish to be alone."

Terrence pressed his lips together. "Master, I know you are upset about Mistress Storm's decision to return to Desantiva." He looked down as Ash glared at him. "But is it not better she be where she would be happy?"

"She will not be happy," Ash said sharply. "She gave what we call Soul Oath to Master Almek. Even if he is permitting her to leave, the decision will tear her apart. And there will be no one with her who can save her from herself."

The young man frowned as he sat on the trunk at the foot of the bed. "You believe she will die if she leaves." Terrence tilted his head. "She is the most incredible fighter I have ever seen. How can you be sure?"

Ash smiled bitterly. "Because I know what she will do, Terrence. She will feel shame she could not fulfill her vow to Master Almek. She will throw herself into her duties to the exclusion of all else. Take risk after risk without taking time enough to recover properly until something mercifully ends her torment." The bitter smile faded as he looked down, clenching his fists. "I know, because it is what I would do in her place."

Terrence’s eyes went wide, standing quickly. "Master Almek must know about this! He wouldn't allow her to die—"

"He is quite aware of what will happen to Storm. He can see all the possible futures." Ash fixed his gaze on Terrence's. "But he is a man who believes in allowing people to make their own choices. Even if the choice knowingly kills them." Bitterly, he grumbled, "Even if it damns the world."

Terrence frowned in thought. "Mistress Storm wouldn’t be so selfish as that. I am certain of it, Master."

Ash growled as he stood. "That is the problem, Terrence. She is not being selfish." Rubbing his face then pinching the bridge of his nose, he paused to compose himself. "She believes herself a danger to the rest of us."

"A danger?" The young man stared at Ash uncomprehendingly. He started to open his mouth to argue that, then closed it again as he remembered the numerous times Ash had endured Storm’s violent explosions of temper, and the wounds he suffered without complaint. "I can see why she would believe so," he said quietly. After several moments, he sighed heavily. "I feel so sorry for her."

The Illaini Magus looked sharply at the young journeyman’s odd tone of voice. "Sorry for her?"

"Yes, Master." Terrence met his master’s intense gaze. "Everyone here sees her as a master of weapon craft. Which she is," he said hurriedly before Ash scolded him for even hinting Storm was anything less. Looking down, the young man touched his temple. "I... still remember many of the things Dzee knew. To be Swordanzen is so much more than knowing how to fight well.

Ash’s bitter expression melted into one of blank surprise. "Of course," he responded automatically. "She knows how to survive the harsh environment of Desantiva’s wastelands, how to protect the life there to sustain her people. She is a keeper of her people’s history and traditions."

Terrence lowered his hand from his temple, looking at Ash. "She is to Desantiva as an Illaini Magus is to Forenta." Terrence smiled sadly. "But it didn’t mean much of anything to be the Illaini Magus in Desantiva. You knew nothing of their language or their culture. You just happened to be a very powerful wielder of magic."

"Get to the point, Terrence," Ash said impatiently, crossing his arms.

"Master, when we went to Desantiva, we knew we would not be there long, and none of us plan on ever returning. There was little reason to learn more about the Desanti, though I am sure Mistress Storm would have taught us if we had asked her." He leaned forward, looking up at his master. "But none of us asked because... well. We don’t think much of Desantiva. Desantiva is a lost, forgotten land we are eager to forget again. Because it reminds us of our ancestors' mistakes and makes us uncomfortable.

"Terrence—"

"Master, allow me to finish," Terrence stated so firmly, Ash blinked in surprise and fell silent as his student requested. "If the Desanti would remain with Master Almek, they know they are likely never to see their home again. Everyone treats both Storm and Skyfire as masters. But they aren’t. Not here. Here, they just happen to be two people who are very good using weapons.

"You taught me yourself, a master is both teacher and student. Part of the Swordanzen patterns must include those aspects. Especially Githalin."

With a hint of urgency, Terrence asked, "Master. Who is teaching the Desanti? Who is learning from them? No one. Why should Mistress Storm consider herself necessary when all of us, even Master Almek, dismiss almost everything about her but her warrior skills as unnecessary?"

Ash opened his mouth to answer, then shut it again, frowning.