Chapter 6 Part 2: A Plan

“Missing home?” another voice asked. Jun let his head drift, catching golden hairs just outside his line of sight.

“Amalie?” he asked, forcing his voice to stay level.

“Well?” she restated, arms resting on the rails. Jun followed her example, letting his face stay outward, hiding the moisture in his eyes.

“No. I’m glad to be free,” he said. Amalie stayed quiet, her gaze penetrating.

“Liar.” Her words caused him to flinch. “Even though it was hard, you have people you care about and who cared about you. It’s alright to miss them.”

She wasn’t exactly on point, but he could use this.

“Why would I miss them? It’s not like I wanted all that anyway.”

“The betrothal?”

Jun’s face hardened. Why would she assume that? Amalie’s laughter rang out in the cool night air.

“After watching you both for the past few months, you don’t think I wouldn’t have noticed?” She pushed into him a little, playfully teasing. Jun rolled his shoulders.

“Noticed what?”

“Now you’re just playing hard to get. Oh, Jun. I can tell that you both care for one another, and like family, but definitely not romantically. More like a big brother or something. So… are you trying to break your engagement with her? Have someone else you fancy?”

“You said you wouldn’t pry.”

“Only if it wouldn’t be harmful for you to keep secret.” She reiterated. Jun stayed silent. Just how much did she know?

“Relax. I’m not your enemy. I’m amazed you’re even alive.”

“Really?” Jun asked, stretching his head over the rail to watch the waves below.

“Of course. The Matriarch does not like men. She’s killed off many male descendants, even her own to make sure that women will be in charge in the Jinshari, and only those she approves of.”

“So you think she approved of me?” he gawked. She certainly hadn’t given that impression.

“Hardly. I think she realized you were alive around the time you got the artifact and she decided to raise you as a tool.”

Jun paused, trying to digest what she said.

“Artifact?”

“Oh right. This isn’t normally what you could even learn in your first year, but it’s important.” Her hand moved to his ring and he shifted away from her.

“Figured. Even you recognize its importance. That’s your artifact. And since you saw god, eventually… no… that’s something you will learn later. Mei’s mask though… that’s her artifact, isn’t it.”

Jun reached for his sword. He didn’t understand this whole artifact thing, but, for her to pick up on the items housing their memories, she was more dangerous than he had thought.

“Don’t even think about it. Arnold and I could squash you here and now, brat. I’m revealing this for your own good. You two need to do better. It was obvious the way you fingered it, and the way she tugs on her mask and wears it all the time that those are artifacts, divine items from the Silver Flame. And if I could tell that quickly, it’s not surprising the Matriarch knows.”

Jun’s breathing was shaky, but he tried to keep it silent.

“And what exactly are artifacts?”

Amalie looked around the deck and then placed her hand on her hip. Her wand morphed, changing into a silvery whip.

“Arnold,” she said softly.

‘I’m here, my radiant light,’ a cheery voice said. Jun’s eyes widened as he saw the figment of a young man next to her, clothed in silver flames.

‘How interesting. You can see my full form then? How delightful.’ This ‘Arnold’, clasped his hands together before circling around Amalie and putting his arms around her neck. Jun’s jaw tightened as Amalie gave him a strange look. His left hand raised, ready to point before he brought the closed fist to his mouth and pretended to cough.

Amalie didn’t seem to notice Arnold at all, but she clearly was aware of him.

“You can hear his voice now, correct? Arnold is an artifact. A sentient one. Something that you will eventually become as well.” Then her eyes glared at the whip.

“And what do you mean true form? You stupid-“ She flew into a string of curses and insults. Jun watched as Arnold danced around her shaking fists and laughed at her insults. He was nuts!

Amalie recomposed herself.

“My apologies. He just gets on my nerves sometimes.”

“Then why keep him around?” Jun asked.

“Sentient artifacts choose their wielder, not the other way around. I could leave him in a ditch…” her warning glares seemed pitiful. “but it’s better to have him around. He was the one who sensed you and Mei and allowed us to have enough reason to bring you two out. Besides, it’s a white flames responsibility to use all the tools of the Silver Flame.”

‘She’s just mad that she wasn’t chosen by one of the others. It’s a bit of pride. Though the darling is adorable when she get’s mad.’ Arnold zipped about. Jun’s eyes followed, confusing Amalie.

He shook himself and then pretended not to see Arnold as he flitted about.

“Thank you,” Jun said softly. Amalie and Arnold stilled, eyes boring into him. “For rescuing Mei and I. And… you are right. Neither of us want the betrothal.”

“Can’t say I haven’t heard it before, Jun.” Her hand clasped his shoulder. “But you will have to work extra hard these next few years if you want enough power to stand against it.”

“We know.” Jun’s quiet steely gaze made her lips tug into a smile.

“Ha. I shouldn’t even be telling you this, but just because I know of your plight, I’ll let you in on it. The first month is full of tests.” She leaned her back against the rails—elbows resting languidly, still clutching the whip. “It starts with a ceremony, but it’s really a test. You and Mei will want to have your prayers going as much as you can before then. After placing in the tests you will be recommended to certain teachers. However, if you do well, you can be chosen by some of the higher teachers. They’re picky, but if you get chosen, it will already build your reputation. Make sure you both are going after this.”

She continued on with other tidbits, though remained vague enough not to be giving away the whole ordeal. Jun however bowed in gratitude when she was finished. He couldn’t have asked for a better first step, and she had laid out the red carpet with what she had revealed.

“Still… Why would you do that when you could get in trouble?”

Amalie put her whip away, Arnold vanishing with a huff.

“Simple really. I too used the school to break off my engagement. Though really, it was one sided. He still wanted to marry me, the fool.” Her eyes darkened and Jun didn’t press further.

“Ha. You really sidetracked me, kid. Look at the time.” Amalie breathed in deeply. “If you are that desperate to get a stellar reputation and all that, then meet me in the morning. There is something you and Mei could do before we even reach shore.”

She left after that, not waiting for him to ask for more details. Jun felt the corner of his mouth curve. She had been an excellent distraction, but he still recalled that feeling from before and he returned to stargaze, searching the darkness, hoping to feel Ellen’s calming presence once more.