Bones of the Earth (The Equilibrium Cycle Book 1) Page 5

  "Well, he was not mistaken. An odd thing for the young ones to enjoy. But, so it is."

  She raised her glass to Laila.

  "Do I have to?" asked Laila.

  "No, Laila, I simply wanted to congratulate you."

  This was her mother's way of showing her acceptance of Laila's new Citizenship, a fully active member of the society of Terus. Regardless of her feelings toward the odd liquid in her glass, Laila could recognize the sentiment. She raised her own glass in response to her mother, and they both took small sips.

  As soon as the liquid hit Laila's tongue, she nearly gagged. She caught herself before she did, swallowing the liquid as it burned its way down her throat. She too coughed, much more than her mother had, and put the glass back down before she dropped it.

  "Already introducing her to the joys of being a Citizen are we?" asked a voice from behind Laila.

  She turned to see Dio walking toward them.

  "Dio!" Laila blurted, standing to rush toward him.

  "Hello, child," he said as she nearly tackled him off his feet.

  "You can't call me that anymore!"

  "Fair enough," he said, disentangling her from himself. "Good day, Dame Wardein."

  Lunete raised her glass in response. "And you, Diodatus."

  "I was on my way to join in the festivities," Dio said.

  Laila perked up. "Can I go with him, Mother?"

  "You don't have to ask my permission any longer, Laila-sa. If you want to go, go. This is a day for you and your friends. Enjoy it." She waved her away with another smile.

  Laila grabbed Dio by the arm and rushed into the crowd. As they made their way through the sea of people, Laila noticed Selene. Her dark hair was similar to Laila's but cut short, hanging just above her shoulders. It gave her face a round look.

  "Selene!" Laila called out.

  Selene turned to see who had called her and came rushing over when she saw who it was.

  "You're finished!" they both said simultaneously. "How did you do?"

  They caught themselves and laughed.

  "I don't know," answered Selene first.

  "Me either, but we'll find out tonight." Laila smiled at her friend, hoping that her own apprehension did not show through.

  Selene's parents were both Guardians, like Lunete, and Selene had always expressed her concern over following their path. She often worried for her parents, living in a small house with her grandmother while they were away.

  "Have you heard about the strange prophet?" asked Selene suddenly, trying to change the subject.

  Laila shook her head, but Dio spoke up. "So, there is something going on."

  Selene nodded her head. "Yeah, he's on the other side of the center. He's getting more and more of an audience as the day goes on."

  "An audience for what?" Laila asked.

  "He's talking all kinds of crazy stuff. About how the world is out of balance, that Terus is doomed, those kinds of things, I guess. Should we go see?" Selene responded, a mischievous smile crossing her face.

  "Alright," answered Laila. Dio had already began walking in the direction Selene had indicated. Laila felt strange. The old man she’d spoken to yesterday had seemed harmless enough, speaking of magic and stories, and she couldn’t stop herself from wondering if this was the same man. The discussion in the Consulate came to her again, as it had last night. What if he was a Magus? As much as Laila wanted to see what all the fuss was about, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was going to end poorly. But she followed Selene as she turned and sped off through the crowd, following Dio's path.

  As they approached the other side, they could see the clump of people surrounding something. They drew closer and could hear a man's voice speaking out to the gathered people.

  "The time has come! The balance has shifted!"

  They broke the edge of the circle surrounding the man and Laila immediately wanted to turn around and run away. It was the same old man, Icarus, with his heavy, dust-covered robes, the dark hair slightly matted at the ends. His face was tight from speaking to the group, not the calm face Laila had seen yesterday.

  She began to turn, deciding it would be better if she just left, but Dio caught her.

  "Where are you going? Don't you want to see this?" he asked.

  Laila turned back and saw the ridicule on the people's faces as they watched the old man.

  "Not really. I...it just seems mean. He's just an old man," she answered.

  "Let's at least hear what he's got to say," continued Dio. "As a Citizen, you'll need to keep up on what's going on in the city. Especially as a Consul..." he teased her.

  "Fine."

  She stepped behind Dio, looking just past his shoulder, trying to stay out of the old man's line of sight.

  "The balance must be restored!" the old man said. "Terus and the Confederacy cannot stand against what's coming!"

  "And what's coming?" yelled someone from the crowd.

  "War! Death!" the old man spun toward the voice, but he could not see where it originated. "I've come to warn you. There is something in this city, something that's eating away at what once made you great. It must be cut away, like a cancer. Otherwise, all may be lost."

  The crowd had become quiet now as Icarus's voice calmed; he no longer needed to shout to gain attention.

  Dio stepped forward from the crowd, leaving Laila exposed, and addressed Icarus.

  "How do you know?" asked Dio.

  "A fair question, son. I know because I am a harbinger of balance. My life has been devoted to it. You and your people would know this too had you not cast out my brethren from your city, years ago."

  There were a few audible gasps. That statement could only mean one thing. Torin had been right. This man was a Magus.

  "That's not good," Laila said under her breath.

  "What?" asked Selene.

  “Nothing," Laila answered, brushing off the statement.

  Another commotion began on the far side of the circle. A large group was pushing their way through the crowd. Laila could not tell who they were at first, but the crowd parted for them as they came closer to Icarus. The lead man in the group stepped through and Laila saw it was Torin, followed by a group of young Guardians. Of course, she thought. He'd been waiting for this opportunity since yesterday, as soon as he had heard the rumors.

  Dio and Selene turned to see the group to. Dio stepped back, next to Laila, and leaned in.

  "This doesn't look good for him," he whispered.

  Laila just shook her head.

  Torin stepped into the small circle and confronted Icarus.

  "You must cease your preaching at once!" he demanded.

  Icarus’ face took on the calm demeanor Laila had seen the previous night as he looked at Torin. He tilted his head to the side as he studied the tall man. He seemed to be judging Torin, seeking some secret information about him.

  "And if I do not?" he responded.

  Torin motioned for the Guardians to approach. They quickly surrounded Icarus, hands on their weapons.

  "I will be forced to remove you from Terus, Magus!" The word snapped out of Torin's mouth.

  Any who had not understood the significance of the old man's earlier statement now knew.

  "My preaching is not meant to harm, Consul." Icarus lowered his head deferentially. "I am simply here to warn. You of all people should take heed. Is not the good of the city in your best interest?"

  "The good of the city is my best interest. And it will not be served by listening to the mad accusations of a wandering priest of a dead religion!"

  "Dead religion? Do you not still speak of the elements and the Aspects?"

  "Enough!" shouted Torin. "Take him!"

  One of the Guardians behind Icarus stepped forward and grabbed the old man by his arm. As she watched, Laila felt the hair on her arms and neck rise and an odd sensation passed through her, like something moving down her spine. Icarus raised one foot and then stepped back down.

  Th
e dust and dirt that covered his robes burst off of him in a large cloud, pushing the Guardian back, forcing him to lose his grip on Icarus’s arm. The Guardian stumbled backwards, almost falling, before he caught himself. The cloud of dust and dirt hung in the air, stationary, surrounding Icarus. Laila saw that his robes were now clean, pristinely so. The colors of his garments shown brightly in the midday sun, and he looked as much the important and regal figure as Torin.

  The crowd stared in wonder. Icarus looked pointedly at Torin, and then he took a deep breath. As he did, he seemed to draw in the cloud, and it settled back onto his robes, giving them the dusty, road-weary look once again. The tingling sensation down Laila's spine disappeared as soon as the cloud did. She shuddered involuntarily.

  No one said a word. Everyone stared at Icarus. Laila wondered if that had been magic. The magic he had spoken of with her yesterday. She had never seen anything like it before. Even Torin's face betrayed his shock, eyes wide, mouth open. Icarus waited patiently. He had made his point; none of the Guardians tried to approach him. Finally Torin snapped out of his stupor.

  "Weapons!" he shouted at the Guardians.

  The five young Guardians drew their swords, but the uncertainty was clear on their faces. None of them approached Icarus.

  "Magus!" Torin began. "Submit to the will of the Consulate. Your kind is not welcome here."

  Icarus looked around at the brandished swords of the Guardians. Laila thought he was considering something. Then, with a deep breath, he raised his hands in peace. Torin nodded and motioned to one of the Guardians. The young man stepped forward slowly, waiting for Icarus to respond. When he did nothing, the young man grabbed his arm forcefully, pulling it around behind his back.

  Torin stepped forward once he was sure that Icarus was not going to do anything more and struck Icarus across his face with the back of his hand. The blow rang out through the crowd, and a few people let out a cheer that was quickly picked up by the rest of the group.

  Laila could not believe the sound. Why were they cheering? Because Icarus was a Magus? Was there still that much hatred toward them after all this time? No one alive today had been alive during the Purge.

  "No, this isn't right," she said, mostly to herself, disgusted with how Icarus was being treated as he had done nothing wrong.

  "What?" Selene asked.

  Torin looked up, having heard the brief exchange as he was only a few feet from them now.

  "Is there a problem, children?" he asked.

  Selene lowered her head and stepped back, not wanting to offend a Consul. But Laila did not step back. She felt the fear grow in her, but she could not stand by and watch Torin abuse the laws of the city. Regardless of whether or not Icarus was a Magus, he deserved fair treatment.

  "Why?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly.

  "Why what?" responded Torin.

  She was not sure what she was going to say exactly, and Torin had always intimidated her. But she couldn't stand by and watch this happen.

  "Why is he so bad?" she asked, her voice a little steadier this time.

  "Did you not hear what he was saying? War, death, the end of Terus. Are those not insufferable things?"

  "They are, but he wasn't saying he was going to bring them. He wants to warn us." With every word she felt more confident. She noticed Icarus looking at her from under his heavy eyebrows, his eyes intent.

  "He wants to warn us," she continued. "Shouldn't we at least hear him out?"

  Torin laughed. There was no joy in his laugh, though, at least none directed at Laila.

  "You are still a child, aren't you, Laila? No matter what your father thinks of you. Too full of compassion to see what's really happening around you. Much like your father, actually. And to think, he thought you would be a Consul..." Torin let the last statement hang in the air.

  Many in the crowd had begun to leave, wanting no part in a confrontation with one of the Consuls. But those who had stayed, especially Dio and Selene, were shocked by Torin's last statement. As a Consul, Torin would have knowledge of where Laila's Test would place her. What role she would fulfill in the city. But it was against all tradition to reveal that information before the end of the day.

  Laila's resolve faltered. "But...but he's done nothing wrong." She stumbled over her words. "I... I don't understand."

  "And you're not meant to."

  Laila hung her head, defeated. She felt Dio's hand on her shoulder, urging her to leave. Torin turned away from her and started to move away with Icarus. Before they could leave, however, Icarus caught her eye. He bowed his head to her and whispered one word.

  "Magusari."

  She looked around, but no one else had seemed to hear it. Dio's hand urged her to leave and the Guardians pushed Icarus forward, following behind Torin. Magusari? What was that? she thought. She had never heard the word before.

  Dio and Selene pulled her along through what remained of the crowd. Their cheerful attitude had worn off, even though the festivities of Testing Day continued. They reached one of the fountains that dotted the city center, and Laila found a need to sit and calm herself.

  Not only had she been publicly humiliated by Torin, which was her own fault for standing up to a Consul, he had revealed to her that she would not be a Consul herself.

  "Are you okay, Laila?" asked Selene, taking her friend's hands and sitting next to her. The calming sound of the fountain brought Laila some peace.

  "I'm alright," she answered after a moment. She took a deep breath and sat up straighter. "Yes, I'm fine."

  "Are you sure?" asked Dio, standing beside the two of them. "That was…a lot. I don't think I've ever seen anyone stand up to a Consul like that. Especially Torin. He's a little intimidating."

  "Not that it did much good," Laila said.

  "Still, it was impressive." He smiled at her, trying to cheer her up.

  "Thanks."

  "What do you think will happen to that old man?" asked Selene.

  "Don't know," Dio shrugged. "Probably just kick him out. There hasn't been a Magus around for a really long time."

  Laila wanted to move on, "Doesn't matter now. Let's go find some food. I'm getting hungry."

  They moved off to one of the many tables covered in food. Laila felt Dio glance at her intermittently, concern on his face. She was thankful that he did not push the issue any further, but even so, Laila kept running that word through her mind.

  Magusari.

  Four

  Exile

  Eventually, the night came, and the festivities in the city center died down. People moved their merrymaking to other parts of the city, especially those who were not waiting on the judgment of the Consulate. Those who had just taken their Test made their way back to their homes, waiting for the messengers sent out by the Consulate to inform each new Citizen of their results.

  Selene had headed home before the sun set, leaving Dio to walk with Laila back to her house. They said goodbye at the gate and Laila stepped inside. The torches were lit around the garden, indicating someone was home, though who that would be, Laila did not know. Her mother enjoyed Testing Days; they were one of the opportunities she had to come into the city on non-Guardian matters. Though as it was her daughter’s Testing Day, Laila hoped she was already home. Her father, on the other hand, could possibly still be at the Consulate, as she had not seen him during the festivities. It would actually be best for her if he were still there. She was not sure that her confrontation with Torin would have made it to his ears, but it probably had.

  Sure enough, as she walked through the garden, she heard her father's voice call out.

  "Laila." There was no immediate threat in his voice, but Laila knew the tone well. She was about to be disciplined.

  She turned and stepped into the side room that served as her father's study when he was at home.

  "Yes, Father?" she said as she entered.

  He was standing, facing a window that shared the same view as her own room, looking out onto the
harbor. His dark silhouette filled up most of the window, blocking out the dim light from the still-rising moon and stars. He was no longer wearing the formal robes of a Consul; now he wore a simple house tunic, tied at the waist. Laila could see the set of his shoulders, drawn back, much like her mother looked while practicing her swordplay, ready for battle.

  "Have my results arrived?" Laila asked, hoping to preempt her father.

  "We will get to that," he said, turning from the window to face her. His face was drawn, much as it had been the day before at the Consulate, tired.

  "Laila-sa, would you care to explain to me what happened earlier today?" he asked.

  "What do you mean, Father? There was so much going on," she continued, avoiding the topic she knew was coming.

  "Enough! You know what I'm talking about. Your...encounter with Torin?"

  "I... I was just trying to do what was right," she tried to explain.

  "What is right? Laila, you know our history. The Magi are not welcome in Terus or in any city in the Confederacy, for that matter. We didn’t even think they still existed until today. Why would you defend one?"

  "Torin didn't have to be so mean. He hit Icarus for no reason." She caught herself, but it was too late.

  "Icarus?! Who is Icarus? The Magus?"

  "Yes... I... That's his name..." Laila couldn't back out from it now.

  "And how do you know that?"

  Laila hesitated a moment. "I met him yesterday."

  "When?"

  "On my way home from seeing you."

  "I sent Nia home with you."

  "Not all the way. I left her before we got to the house."

  "Oh child." Alain sank into a chair near the window. "What have you done?"

  "What do you mean? I just talked to him a little. I didn't know he was a Magus at that point."

  "Yet you did this afternoon?"

  "I figured it out. So did everyone that was there."

  "And still you defended him?"

  Laila did not respond immediately, she simply lowered her head.

  "Laila, child, you have no idea what this entails. Torin is far more dangerous than you know."