Chapter 8 Part 1: Pent up Impatience

In times past, Alinta and those who bore the sacred marks were hunted down as monsters. One by one, they perished, were executed for being chosen by a wicked god. However, one Alinta, whose ears were burned, heard the voice of the Silver Flame and found others like him. They gathered to an island on the seas, and created a sanctuary, a haven for those who trusted the Silver Flame. With time, their strength grew, they wandered out and spirited away the persecuted. With the gathering of these Alinta, they traded what they learned and taught one another, accelerating their growth. With the Silver Flame guiding her Alinta, they learned of Runes and advanced their technology. With those advancements, they forced the nation to give them the island in exchange for peace. Such was their might. They continued unabated, advancing the world and changing it. It could no longer be called a sanctuary, but a nation, a kingdom. However, the Silver Alinta warned of their destruction. Instead of creating a kingdom, the island would become a school, a haven for the chosen. Bakabeli, wanting to control this school, waged a terrible war.

Jun looked over at the map of the world that hung in the class. The concept was interesting. Because no one had heard the voice of the Silver Flame up to that point, she chose one person to gather the others, becoming like a pope and a hero at the same time. This dispelled the witch-like hunts and turned the burns into blessings. The history of why they became a school instead of a nation was also unique. However, Amalie’s words rang in his ears. They were seeking total independence from these nations. That was against the words of the Silver Alinta.

‘I warned them, but times are different.’ The Silver Flame tickled his right ear. Jun looked to Mei as she listened to the lecture. ‘If they don’t break free, then this place won’t be safe.’

His eyes narrowed. They were beginning month three on this island. Tests were done. Classes were figured and that meant some history, along with any classes they wished to study in. Economy classes would begin next month along with world politics—the teachers were running a bit late.

Jun closed his eyes as he leaned back against the wall. His seat was at the edge of the class and allowed him to relax a bit more.

“What do you mean?” he internally began to pray, storing the prayer into his storage organ. He didn’t want to alert Mei to his actions and wanted answers. “Does that mean my family isn’t safe?” It had only been two months, but he still hadn’t found a single clue about their whereabouts. Even the Silver Flame did not answer his pleas.

‘For now, you are safe.’

Her speaking was more fluid, even conversational compared to the one or two words of the past.

“But?”

‘There are forces in this world that seek to destroy it. That is why you and your family were chosen.’

Knowing of the Silver Alinta whose ears were burned, Jun wasn’t sure he liked where this was going. He found it infuriating. He didn’t want his family to be facing danger in this foreign world. One of his eyes peeked at Mei as she looked at the professor—soulless eyes flickering as he moved.

‘Your family is here. All of them. I promise.’

“But you won’t tell me where they are.” He grumbled. A bit of heat began to slip into his body from his organ and he clicked his tongue. This would be all he could do unnoticed.

‘I… can’t.’ Jun wondered what that meant. The Silver Flame was revered as god. Why couldn’t a god do something?

His frustrations mounted as the lesson came to an end. At least their next class was combat studies. With Amalie there, he could vent a bit.

Inside, he approached her and bowed his head.

“Can I spar with you?” he asked. Some were surprised at the forwardness of his question. Amalie only smiled.

“Of course,” she hummed. Her eyes catching onto the turbulent emotions.

She took him aside to a forest and into a small clearing. On her signal, they drew their weapons. Amalie brought out Arnold and he sat back, letting the two fight.

“What’s wrong Jun? Something on your mind?” Amalie teased, her whip coiling around his sword and pulling. Despite the sharpness of his blade, there was no fraying in the artifact. After pulling him off balance, she avoided his assault, forcing his sword into the bark of the tree. Jun growled as he shifted around, yanking it free. Her eyes turned cold as the fight drew on.

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Amalie had an inkling as to why Jun had asked her to spar. His confident approach and biting of his tongue showed the state of his mind.

She drew him away from the crowd and he didn’t spar a glance at Mei. Something was bothering him and she would probe into it.

During the past few months he had attended her classes each day, on top of his tests and studies. She was becoming acquainted with his fighting style. Well, it helped that he had learned from the same master. It also made him easier to read. To his opponents and enemies he would be unpredictable, but in his current state, he was an open book.

There was… tension in his movements. Something she hadn’t seen in his drills. She forced his sword into the tree and his frustration mounted. He wasn’t thinking, but reacting. Well, if he was this emotional, she would wear him down, help him regain his senses. This likely wouldn’t be the first and certainly not the last. She could only imagine the stresses he had undergone in the Jinshari estate.

She withdrew the whip’s form and channeled her prayer into the wand, forming a blade of fire. Jun jerked back, sensing it. Amalie came at him, keeping her movements predictable. He wasn’t needing guidance or humbling—just a place to release his pent up emotions.

At least like this, he was like the other children, but the fact that he was calm and collected about it, even being respectful in how he had asked her—she found it hard to treat him his age. His hand shifted and he pulled his blade back, avoiding her feint, seeing through her movements.

“What did you hear?” she asked. His steps hesitated and she wondered what news had relayed to him to cause him to snap.

“…The Jinshari have infiltrated…” her brows drew together, raising. He was stalling, avoiding what was bothering him. She was aware of their infiltration, and he was aware that she knew. So what else was there?

“Jun…” their swords clashed and Jun was pushed back. “What’s really going on?” He needed to stop keeping secrets. Sure, she was willing to spar and help him sort through things, but there was more to him. Else why would she have broken her own commitment and chosen him and Mei for her tutelage.

Jun rose, eyes wide and then looked away. He didn’t come forward and she dispersed the prayer sword. He at least seemed to be cooling his head now. A thought occurred and she folded her arms.

“Is it about an old flame?” she asked and his eyes grew wide, bewildered. Amalie chuckled. “Sorry, what I meant was… rather, you seem impatient. Are you thinking about someone whom you love?”

Jun’s jaw clenched, a sure sign she had part of it correct.

“Obviously it’s not Mei. Was this old flame a chosen?” As she probed he became more closed. She was on the right track. She stopped prodding him and waited, knowing the cracks would either shatter, or mend. They mended.

“A bit of patience, Jun. Whoever it is, you’ll find the answers you seek and the answers you need.”

Jun nodded and then excused himself. He wandered into the woods and Amalie sensed his location, alert in case of wild animals or the Jinshari.