Chapter 4.5 Part 2: Questions

“I understand your concern, Matriarch. But rest assured, that the School of the Chosen will not remove the children in your care without good reason.” Amalie bowed to the fabled Matriarch. She couldn’t be ignored atop her ‘throne’. Amalie decided to give her a false bone. “Should their faith be insufficient, then we will not waste our efforts to teach them at our prestigious academy.”

She noted the subtle twitch of the Matriarch’s finger. This was a partial lie. If the children showed the black, then they would have no choice. They would kill them and force the final stage of the artifacts, removing them from the Jinshari clan. If needed they would destroy the artifacts as well. Someone who rejected the Silver Flame, especially after seeing it, would be too dangerous. However, even a flicker of red would be enough.

She nearly flew at the kids when they closed their hands on the embers, an insult—a declaration—against the Silver Flame, but the boy showed his arm and this caused her to pause. Even her men were shocked. The burns were massive and they glowed a brilliant blue. The girl did the same and her eyes glowed yellow—flickers of blue within their depths. Amalie prevented her mouth from dropping. This was beyond her expectations. Red was low faith, and yellow was a step above. Blue was above that. Just what had the Matriarch taught them?

“It would seem these two would have sufficient faith,” Amalie announced, finding her voice. Her guard against the Matriarch grew. She faced the throne, eyes gentle, veiling her emotions.

“We ask for your cooperation as they attend the School of the Chosen.” Her tone carried her threat—gaze catching the delighted expression peeking from behind the fan. Amalie stilled her fist. The possibility that the Matriarch knew the kids were Alinta was growing. She would not let this woman weaponize these kids. She waited for the refusal, any reason to call in their shadows. She hated playing nice to the prideful and arrogant.

“Of course.” The Matriarch purred. “I would not hold back such talented children of my beloved sister and our devoted Vassal family.” Amalie silenced her tongue. She forced a smile, trying to imitate Arnold’s persistence.

“Then we should leave at once,” she announced. The Matriarch moved, but Amalie wielded her words with more cunning than her artifact could. She dismissed the protests and refutes one by one. There was no logical reason to have the kids stay even one day longer. Amalie dismissed the kids to pack, and the Matriarch wrenched back the control giving the same order. Amalie smirked. If this witch believed she could out-manipulate her, she would loose. 

Amalie had taught too many greedy children at the School of the Chosen to have one woman keep her from her prize. Especially once she brought up their neighbor, the Nauthire. Her veiled threats to reveal the children to that enemy nation kept the Matriarch in check while the kids packed.

Once the bags were brought, Amalie had the knights and proctors guide the kids away. She left one final jab.

“Your support is appreciated, Matriarch.”

Then left.

It didn’t take long for the carriage to be loaded. Amalie realizing how precarious their flight would be, loaded the kids in her carriage. She wanted to ask them a few things as well, but more than that, they needed to depart. She could figure herself out on the road, but she wasn’t sure about the sheltered little souls.

As she entered the carriage, she watched the girl tug at a mask that covered everything below her soulless eyes. The boy subconsciously played with his ring on his left hand. Were those the artifacts? Amalie inwardly sighed. They would have to do better at masking them in this world.

She settled into the seat—facing them—eyes searching.

“I’m sure you have many questions. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the White Flame, Amalie Ernested. As for you two, I have heard quite a bit about you, but I want to hear from your mouths what the truth is.” She rambled, trying to get them comfortable.

“Truth about what?” The boy’s brows dipped slightly—his guard against her increasing. Seeing his home situation, she wasn’t surprised, but a bit disappointed.

“Let’s start with something simple. How old are you two?”

“Sixteen,” the girl answered. The boy’s leg shifted slightly and the girl straightened. He would be the one she had to crack.

“My, you’ll be adults soon,” Amalie said warmly. The girl snickered while the boy nodded silently. The reaction was strange, and the silence grew. Amalie looked them over, finding another way to pry into a conversation. The burns were unnaturally large. She let her face darken as she looked at his arm, and her eyes.

“Your burns…” she let her words hang. “Did your family do this?” she asked. Chances were that they were pure sacred burns simply due to the artifacts they held. That fact alone kept the idea down, but she still asked, trying to figure out what was safe to discuss with them.

“No.” The boy answered. Amalie’s heart swelled. An answer.

“Families burn their own children?” the girl asked, her voice barely containing her horror. Amalie smirked.

“You two must have lived sheltered lives,” she remarked, seeking a reaction from Jun.

“Secluded would be a better word,” he answered. This was working. She pressed on.

“Same thing. Oh, your seclusion also means I never heard your names.” She waited till the silence barely became uncomfortable. The boy let out a gusty sigh—eyes daring her to keep trying her luck.

“I’m Mei, and this is Jun.”

“Well, Mei and Jun, sacred burns of this size,” she indicated to Jun’s limp arm. “Are rare.” She let that tidbit for them to digest. Mei squirmed.

“Well, what about mine?” her finger pointed to her eyes. ‘Want to be special, eh?’ Amalie thought she offered an amused smile to the girl.

“I’ve come across a few facial burns, but usually it’s on one side, and only one eye. You’re the first I’ve met who is like this.”

She answered truthfully. Any relationship she wished to foster with these poor kids, needed to be honest and dependable. Mei sat back, but she seemed to quiver with excitement.

“Is that all you wanted to know?” Jun’s tone conveyed his dislike for her snooping. Amalie realized he was protecting the girl. She sorted through her information. They were engaged, betrothed. She took another look at them. The way he behaved… he might as well have no romantic bones in his body. At least that was the impression she got. If anything, it was like a grumpy uncle or overprotective brother. Mei didn’t seem to mind, so Amalie left the idea alone.

“Hardly,” she chuckled, answering after some silence. “But I can tell when I’m being too nosey. How about this. I won’t pry into your secrets. Instead, I would like to explain what your lives are going to be like from now on. You went from living in the Jinshari clan, to traveling on the road to a place you have never been.”