Adept Story, Chapter Three A

Chapter 3 is complete. Enjoy.


CHAPTER THREE

Siona awoke in her bed. She rubbed her eyes, wondering why the taskmaster had not come to wake her. She closed her eyes again, thinking that maybe she had actually woken up too early.

Her eyes shot open as she remembered. She sat up immediately, realizing that she was not actually on her sleeping pallet, but an actual mattress. She surveyed her surroundings and saw that she sat in a small bedroom. The room was bare of any furniture save for the bed and a dresser standing against the wall at the foot of the bed.

Quickly, she threw off her sheets, and stood. Her shirt and trousers were gone, replaced by a white nightgown. For a moment, she began to panic, wondering what exactly they had done to her.

Calm down, she told herself. If they wanted, you would be dead already. Obviously they want you for something.

Taking a deep breath, Siona closed her eyes for a second. Her instincts told her to flee, to get as far away as possible from this strange place, but she could not. She remembered everything that had happened the night before, but none of it made sense. She needed to know who—or what—those people were.

She stepped up to the dresser and opened the top drawer. A clean pair of trousers and a shirt sat folded inside. Unlike her old clothes, these were not torn and stained with perpetual grime. She pulled off the nightgown and dressed herself, relishing the feel of the new clothing.

She moved toward the door and peeked out, looking in both directions. No one was outside. She pushed the door open the rest of the way and walked out into the hallway. To her right was a stairwell leading downward. Unsure of what she would find, she slowly descended.

She found herself in a large dining room. Square tables dotted the area, complete with four chairs apiece. In the center of the room, the man Lynx sat, eating what looked to be some kind of meat. He looked up as she entered.

“Ah, you’re awake,” he said, smiling. Like her, he wore simple clothing. Siona had almost expected him to still be wearing the black uniform he had worn the night before.

Siona approached the table. “Where are we?” she asked.

“Alandon,” Lynx replied. Siona drew in a sharp breath. “Now don’t panic. We are completely safe here.”

“This is Alandon,” Siona stated. “No one is ever truly safe.”

Lynx shook his head. “Don’t worry so much. Take a seat; I’ll find you something to eat.”

Siona took the chair across from him, making sure she had a good view of both the front door and the back doorway. He stood and moved into the kitchen at the back of the room and returned a moment later. He carried a plate with a piece of cooked meat and vegetables. He set it down in front of Siona and handed her a fork. She eyed him suspiciously.

“Eat it,” Lynx said. “It won’t kill you, I promise.”

Siona picked up the fork and jabbed at the meat. It was surprisingly tender and came away easily. She took an experimental bite.

“It’s…delicious,” she said in amazement. She began eating in earnest.

Lynx chuckled. “That’s not very ladylike, you know,” he said as she shoveled the food into her mouth. She shot him a glare and continued eating, slowing her pace somewhat.

“I’ve never eaten this well is all,” Siona pointed out between bites.

“Well, get used to it,” Lynx replied, returning to his chair. “Raven has taken a special interest in you. It seems that you are staying here for the time being.”

Siona swallowed the last morsel of the meat. “Where is Raven?” she inquired.

“She’s probably off gallivanting around the city,” he answered offhandedly. “She usually doesn’t return until afternoon.”

Siona glanced toward the window and realized that it was already past midday. “How long was I asleep?” she asked.

“We put you up there as soon as we arrived here,” Lynx said. “That was just last night. You did well, actually. I’ve seen other Adepts take up to three days to come out of the shock of their first time using a travel stamp.”

“That was that paper you used, right?” Siona asked.

“Correct,” he replied. “We use those to travel to a specific place instantaneously. The shock of the experience knocks out everyone the first time. I’ve only used them a handful of times.”

Siona started in on the vegetables, mostly beans. “I don’t really remember any of it. What happened?”

“Nothing bad,” he answered. “You went unconscious as soon as we appeared on the roof.”

“On the roof…” she said, trailing off. “Who are you people?”

Lynx paused. “I can’t tell you much, right now. Raven may have brought you here, but she does not part with secrets easily. You two are a lot alike, actually; neither of you really trust anyone.”

Siona looked away. “I’m sorry, Lynx,” she said. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“You didn’t, so don’t sweat it,” he said, smiling again. Siona sensed that was his reaction to everything. “Anyway, I know what it’s like in the compounds. I was there once, too. Not at Lord Irawen’s plantation, of course. I was rescued over a year ago, when I was nineteen.”

“How long were you there?”

“Four years,” he said. “I managed to lay low in the city for a while, but eventually I got cocky and tried to steal from a restaurant. The owner caught me and sold me to a plantation. I managed to break his arm in the process, though, so it was not a total loss.”

Siona nodded. Lynx really was a large man. “So, what about Raven?” she asked. “What’s her story? Why did she come to the plantation last night?”

“We were hired to do so,” Lynx explained. “We’re part of an organization that works with…special cases. We don’t ask our employers why they want a job done, we just do it.”

“But, what about those symbols she drew?” she persisted. “What were those? Why was Raven surprised that I could see them?”

Lynx chuckled. “Patience,” he said. “Raven will explain everything in due time. She’s the boss here.”

Suddenly, the front door burst open. Siona jumped, surprised by the sudden motion. A woman entered, closing the door behind her. She was not much taller than Siona, with long honey-blonde hair.

“Hello you two,” she said sweetly, smiling at Siona. “It’s nice to see you’re awake.” She moved past them into the kitchen, humming softly.

“That’s Karissa,” Lynx said. “If you think I smile and laugh a lot, wait until she starts talking.”

“I heard that,” Karissa called from the other room. She returned holding a plate containing food identical to what Siona had just finished. She set the plate on the table, turned her chair backward, and plopped down.

“I didn’t expect you to wake up for another day at least,” Karissa said, “as small as you are.” She stuffed a bite of meat into her mouth.

“You’re one to talk,” Lynx retorted. “You aren’t much bigger than her.”

Karissa shoved him playfully on the shoulder and continued eating. Siona was taken aback by their almost childish banter. She had expected them to be much more serious, like Raven had acted the night before. They were not worried that they were in Alandon, the center of the Red Empire.

“So how was your trip?” Lynx asked.

“Uneventful, as usual,” Karissa replied with a mock sigh. “The citadel is as locked up as ever. They really take security seriously. Honestly, the Emperor is nigh invincible; I don’t think he needs to worry about being assassinated any time soon.”

Siona looked at Karissa, jaw dropping. The woman acted as though the Emperor were of little importance. “You went to the citadel?” she asked.

“Of course,” Karissa said, nodding. “I’ve been there lots of times.”

“Aren’t you afraid of being caught?” Siona asked in disbelief.

“Why should I be?” Karissa replied. “I’m dressed just like anybody else walking the streets.”

“But, it’s the Empire,” Siona insisted. “The Emperor can order his soldiers to kill anyone on a whim.”

Karissa shook her head. “He could, if he ever left his stronghold.”

She turned her attention to Lynx and began a new conversation, but Siona was no longer listening. Why had they brought her here? What did they expect of her? She knew nothing about them, other than their apparent disregard for danger.

The Red Empire had stood strong for five hundred years. The first Emperor had conquered over a dozen different nations, forming them into a single, cohesive empire. When it was all over, he had returned to the city of Alandon, the greatest city built by man, and established it as his capital.

Now, the third Emperor ruled. Like his predecessors, he lived longer than any normal man, and yet no one had really ever seen his face. It was rumored that he attended court gatherings in full armor, never allowing even the richest lords to see him. Siona wondered how anyone could speak of such a man without feeling a sense of dread. Provided that he really was a man.

Siona felt as though everything she knew was now being turned upside down. As a slave, life had been simple. She worked to stay alive; there had been nothing beyond that. Before then, the same rules applied to living in the streets. As grand as Alandon was, it was not devoid of its slums. Many people were forced into lives of hardship. Siona had been abandoned when she was only ten because her parents had decided they could no longer take care of her, and had simply left her in the market one day. From there, she had joined a gang of other orphaned children. They had been fairly successful, until a high lord discovered them rooting through his garbage one day.

Sitting in this building with Lynx and Karissa, who seemed so unconcerned about the havoc they had already caused—and most likely planned to continue—was strange and alien to Siona. Yesterday, she had been a slave; today, she was not sure what she was.

“Why am I here?” Siona demanded, causing Lynx and Karissa to falter in their conversation.

“What do you mean?” Lynx asked.

“Why did you bring me here, to Alandon?” Siona said. “What can I possibly do for you people? I don’t even know who you are.”

Lynx leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. “So, are you telling me you were more content with the life you had before?” Siona paused, taken aback. “I know this is hard to accept, especially after living like that for so long, but you are in good hands. Your life is changing for the better. You’ll see.”

Siona pursed her lips, thinking. He was right, though. Working at the plantation had become her life. That was all she was good for, and ever would be. Her chance encounter with Raven had been different, drawing Siona like a magnet.

“I know what you’re thinking, Siona,” Lynx continued. “I thought the same thing. When a person is forced to live a certain way, it becomes the only way. Such a drastic change is difficult to accept at first.”

“I think I understand,” Siona replied. If Lynx was to be believed, he had been in her situation before. One thing still bothered her, though. “But I still don’t know why you brought me. What good am I to you?”

Lynx sat back, chuckling. “That again. You sure are a curious girl.” Siona blushed, causing to laugh again. “Raven will explain. It’s her duty to tell you.”

Siona nodded, but she still was not fully convinced. They obviously expected her to do some kind of task for them. Nothing in the world was truly free. Before she could press the issue further, the front door swung open again, revealing a tall woman. Like Karissa and Lynx, she wore the traditional clothing of the peasantry, although she managed to wear the outfit like a queen. Jet-black hair fell to her shoulders, framing a beautiful face.

Seeing her in the daylight, Siona barely recognized Raven. Siona was not prepared for how breathtaking she would be. It was nearly impossible to connect her to the same woman from the night before.

She closed the door and strode to the table, standing behind the empty chair. Lynx and Karissa waited patiently for her to speak. Siona held her breath, noticing the silence that had descended on the room. Lynx had not exaggerated; Raven truly was in control here.

Finally, Raven flicked her left hand. A knife slid from the sleeve, dropping into her waiting palm. The entire piece was of one solid metal, painted black. Siona guessed that the extended triangular blade was about six inches long, leading into a hilt ending with a small metal ring. She turned the handle toward Siona.

“Take it,” she prompted.

Hesitantly, Siona took the proffered knife delicately. “Why?” she asked in confusion.

“You found that last night,” Raven said. “I took it from you to clean it. Consider it my welcoming gift.”

“Thank you,” Siona said, hoping that was the correct response.

“Mark the handle with your name,” Raven said. “That way, everyone will know that was your first knife.”

Siona nodded, unsure what the point of the knife was. She was hardly a fighter, considering her size. However, she had no intention of doing anything that might procure Raven’s displeasure.

“Now, down to business,” she said. “The meeting will be starting shortly. I see you have all eaten. Karissa, prepare yourself; you’re the Watcher today.”

“Yes!” Karissa exclaimed, jumping up and fairly running upstairs.

Lynx shook his head. “Lucky her,” he said. “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to attend the meeting today.” He stood and followed Raven to the door.

Raven looked back. “Get up,” she said to Siona. “You are coming with us.”

Siona was taken aback. “Why?” she asked.

“You will see,” Raven answered. “This is the first day of your new life. Come with me, and I will explain why I brought you here.”

She placed a hand on the doorknob and pulled it open. She stepped outside. Lynx looked back at Siona and smiled. For a moment, she almost believed that there was sincerity behind the expression. Regardless, Raven had knowledge that she wanted. She needed to know as much as possible.

And then she would leave them.