“I am,” was Jovib’s calm reply.
“It’s the name of the worldholders’ minion!” Irion growled.
“For a Lifekeeper, you’re too fast to judge, Irin,” Orion shook his head. He remained unruffled under the younger boy’s angry gaze; there was even a tone of pity in his voice. “The world is not black and white, it’s not even grey. There’s always a No Man’s Land between good and evil where any anomaly can happen.”
“Go back to sleep. Everyone.” That was Juel’s voice. Low, cold, commanding voice. “I’ll set a lookout so we all can feel safe. Irin, you will take the first watch. Orion will change you in two hours. Then Lainuver. And kill the light lest it blinds the lookouts to the dark.”
The team followed Juel’s orders. Despite all the fears, the rest of the night was calm, calm and boring.
Chapter 4. Transvolo from Firaska
“Teach me
Lots of all sorts!
Teach me
New facts, new thoughts!”
I dreamt,
I questioned,
But I was taught by Fate’s contempt -
Taught my lesson.
I didn’t know I’d see
the day’s end
When malice and night on me
descend.
But the thrawn mind
learns night-lore too;
A new teacher I’ll find
When I’m new.
Milian Raven, from the “Thorn poem”
Aven Jay Zarbot heard two young voices crying out her name. Again. And just when she was finally going to have her lunch! Those students! Those stupid, stupid kids… Aven took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I’m a Crimson Guardian on duty, an experienced mage, and a responsible adult,” she repeated her daily mantra in her mind. “I’m going to be super patient with those kids even though all I want is to strangle them both. Let’s consider it a punishment for me being a stupid kid myself once…”
“Master Zarbooot!” the young mages cried again.
Aven stifled a curse.
“What!” she roared, the soothing mantra instantly forgotten.
“Take a look at the road! There are visitors. What do we do with them?”
Aven sadly glanced at a sweet diadem bun she had been hoping to eat in peace and put it into her pocket, with much regret.
“What do we do with them! Hah! Oh, why can’t these youngsters just work it out for themselves for a while? I can’t babysit them all day!” she grumbled as she was making her way upstairs to the lookout tower. Once there, she grabbed a spare pair of binoculars and took a look at the visiting party.
Great! More stupid kids!