Tragic Providence Page 5
“Parish wouldn’t be so foolish as to return tonight, himself, would he?”
“No, Teacher. I’m quite certain that he’ll return tomorrow—for practice—and continue as if nothing has changed until we—or dire circumstances—make it clear that he should do otherwise.”
Jay turned and started to pace, putting a finger to his lips as he thought. “This may be good for us. Perhaps I can bolster Wil’s training as I have and will continue to do with yours.”
“Then you trust him, Teacher?”
“If he is half the man your rat is, then yes. Based on his timing, I can only assume that he came here suspecting your possible presence. Others may have done the same and must be watched closely. But Wil Parish has been a model student since starting, progressing well whatever his true motivations may have been.
“I am prepared to treat him as I am treating you. You two, who have done so much for Pine, who’ve lost so much, deserve no less. We must still be careful, though. Your progress with the Leaf, while exceptional, means that you have skipped ahead of many of your seniors, a fact not all of whom would understand or readily accept. Mere jealousy can break nations. Making enemies within these walls because of secretive practices and apparent favoritism would be just as destructive.
“I don’t know if Wil Parish would be a good candidate for the Leaf, but we must find out soon and expedite his and your training. The sooner you two can rise in this school publicly the better. If it were just you, we could rely on secrecy, but with two of you, there is no other way. If Wil is a good candidate, this will go a long way towards ensuring rapid advancement. This will yet earn you the enmity of some of your fellow students, but you both will be in better positions to justify the level of teaching you’re receiving.
• • •
Jay stood at the head of his students, his arms behind his back, his expression difficult to read.
Pylas wasn’t entirely sure what Jay had decided, but the gravity of his decision seemed clear.
“Today is a special day,” Jay said, his voice booming easily throughout the courtyard. “For the next few weeks, perhaps months, our doors will be closed to new students. I know all of you, some better than others, granted, but no one here is unknown to me. You may notice that Constable Silestry has joined us today. He is here by invitation and on business. Many of you may not realize that he is in fact your older school brother.”
This drew a murmur from the crowd. Many students bowed or nodded acknowledgement to Silestry, who smiled and nodded in return.
“I, like all living things, grow ever older,” Jay continued, “and as yet, have not transmitted the full knowledge of Divine Pattern to a chosen successor. Indeed, I have had many students over the years, but most have sought only the physical benefits offered by the art, and on achieving those, they moved on. There is more.”
Silestry bowed his head at this.
“I can teach you principles. I can direct your movements. I can help condition your body. I can take you to the door, but you must pass through it on your own. This is especially true of the higher, secret teachings of Divine Pattern. There is a test, and all of you, down to the youngest of school brothers, will be able to take it. This is a choice. You will not be forced, your continued training will not be in jeopardy if you decide against the test, but the window of opportunity is now and will not reopen in the foreseeable future.”
“What sort of test is it, Teacher,” Barz asked from the front row.
“A test of the mind. Some of your training up until now may aid you, but this is a test of potential. Unfortunately, many will fail. Many of you may lose your wits. Some of you may not recover your faculties. As this is a test of potential, failing once eliminates you as a candidate to inherit the full transmission of Divine Pattern. Understand that this is not my sentence upon you, but the limiting constraints of your own capacity. Should you fail the test, you will still be welcome within these walls, but your training, no matter how long you endeavor, will progress little beyond the physical.
“If you can accept that, we will begin immediately. There is an object upon which you must look. It will mesmerize you. This is its effect on everyone. If it robs you of consciousness or sets you to seizing, the test, for you, is over, and your pursuit of Divine Pattern will be cut short.
“Are there any questions?”
Though more murmurs swept through the students, there were no questions.
“Those of you who wish to proceed with the test, please step forward.”
As a body, the rows of students moved forward without a break.
Jay cast his eyes upon Silestry.
“I know you have an important function, Constable Silestry,” Jay said, “and any interruption in your duty might prove troublesome, but the test is open to you as well.”
From his position near the front gate, Silestry grinned and stepped forward. “Thank you, Teacher.”
“Excellent,” Jay said, nodding. “Groups of five will be admitted to the chamber housing the object. We will go in order of seniority—uh, with the exception of the constable, who will help ensure that everything proceeds in an orderly fashion.”
Pylas understood that what Jay was offering was an invaluable treasure. His allowing everyone the same opportunity showed his trust in his students, but people sometimes changed when tempted by greed or ambition which is why Silestry—and a contingent of six of his men waiting just outside the wall—was there.
“As each group of five goes,” Jay said, “the rest of you are to engage in drills and free practice. By day’s end, we will know who is to proceed. The nature of all our practice will change as a result.”
Jay motioned for the first five to follow him. Silestry trotted across the courtyard and accompanied them as they all entered the house.
Wil Parish turned to Pylas and the two broke off from the rest of the students to begin practicing drills.
“What’s this all about, Tai?” Wil said.
Pylas shrugged. “Expedience. Having second thoughts?”
Wil shook his head. “It’s not why I came here, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“Indeed it is. My only advice to you is to try to make order from chaos.”
Wil’s eyes widened and he whispered, “You’ve already taken the test.”
“You’ll pass, too,” Pylas said. “I’m sure of it.”
Wil grinned. “That you live and breathe, defying odds and fate, convinces me.”
• • •
Within ten minutes, the next group, which included Barz, was summoned, but before they could begin their test, they returned bearing all but one of the original five upon simple stretchers. They eased the men down onto the paving stones, leaving them to Brit and Jemmy, who’d also emerged from the house. Jay instructed the still-conscious student, Fynn Taos, to fetch a doctor just in case. He left immediately.
Wil stopped mid-drill and stared, open-mouthed, at the senior students lying senseless. He swallowed hard and shot a look towards Pylas.
Pylas pursed his lips, shook his head. “You’ll do fine, Wil.”
“I hope you’re right,” Wil said.
Another student, one who’d started around the same time as Wil, drifted towards Wil and Pylas.
“Crazy, huh Wil?”
“Crazy.”
“You ever see anything like that in Palas? It’s Tai, right? I’m Enzo.”
“Yeah, no,” Pylas said. “I’ve never seen anything quite like this.”
“Either of you thinking of backing out?” Enzo said.
Pylas shook his head.
>
“Nope,” Wil said. “You?”
“Nah. I just hope that that’s,” he said, pointing with his chin to the still-insensate students, “not permanent if I don’t pass.”
Wil nodded unconsciously.
Once Brit and Jemmy had the situation under control, Jay wasted no time in ushering the next group forward.
Another ten minutes later, Jay came out alone, motioned for the next group to retrieve the stretchers and for them, along with Brit and Jemmy, to follow him back inside. Every man of the second group came out upon a stretcher—not a one of them was a candidate for transmission. By now, most of the first group had come to their senses. They were sitting up, getting their bearings, fighting vertigo and nausea. None looked as though they’d suffered any permanent damage.
After the second group was settled and tended to, Jay took the third group in for their turn.
It continued like this, with those waiting their turns more and more unable to focus on anything but what lay ahead. This was not lost on Jay each time he came to get help and then collect the next group, but nor did he blame or chastise his students for this.
The doctor had come and had made no secret of his disgust at what was being done, though in no case could he find anything seriously the matter with any of the students. Everyone who came away from the test was disoriented and suffering from varying degrees of vertigo. Those who failed the test could not recall what it was they had looked upon. They remembered entering the room and then regaining consciousness in the yard. Some recalled vivid but meaningless dreams during their incapacitation. Barz was visibly upset, and insisted to the doctor that he’d been drugged.
Jay overheard this statement and responded personally but loud enough so that his voice carried across yard. “Barz Hengler, you have trained here for four years. You have made steady progress, but have never stood out from among your peers. Today all of you were treated as equals and given an opportunity, which you and all of your fellows might have refused. If you truly believe that you have been singled out in this open forum, itself a rarity, I assure you, then perhaps it’s time we ended our association.”
Barz looked stricken. “No, Teacher. I. . . I. . .”
“Indeed,” Jay continued, “Dr. Sopes, can you confirm or rule out the presence of an illicit substance?”
Dr. Sopes sighed. “With blood samples, yes.”
Several students were now eyeing Barz with anger or disgust.
“Depending on how you fare,” Jay said, “some of you may decide to end your training here after today. I have already told you that you will be welcome to stay no matter your test results.” Jay shot a look towards Barz. “And as long as your behavior befits the reputation of this school. But should you decide to move on, there will be no ill feelings. Even without the full transmission—which very few could ever expect to receive in any case—Divine Pattern still offers a rich and varied store of readily applicable martial knowledge. Cross fists with Constable Silestry and find out,” he said with a grin.
Of the first fifteen to take the test, there’d been one successful candidate: Fynn Taos. The next fifteen produced two successful candidates: Bron Molono and Ursin Lim. The last group—Enzo, Wil, Pylas, and Silestry—followed Jay into the house. Pylas couldn’t help feeling a little guilty since the Leaf would be no real challenge for him. It had been, though. As Jay had said, it was a test of potential, so it didn’t really matter when he’d passed it. He hoped against hope that Wil would pass it, too.
On entering the chamber, Pylas was stunned by the vibrancy of the Leaf. He’d only gone a day without seeing it directly, but this was the first time ever without his glasses. He felt like he was standing before the sun, with currents swirling, eddying, reaching out towards him with arms of coiling heat. He was shocked—almost overwhelmed—but mastered himself. He could not understand the force of its presence in his near blindness when every other Pattern was beyond his focus. It was something to consider at another time.
They all knelt down in a semicircle around the gate framing the Leaf. Once they were in place, Jay left them alone in the room and shut the door. Only Pylas could take his eyes off the Leaf. Enzo collapsed instantly like a boneless rag doll. Sadly, Silestry soon succumbed as well, though he remained upright, with only his head dropping until his chin met his chest. This surprised Pylas. He’d assumed that Silestry would pass as a matter of course and was now concerned for Wil. He had to force himself to look at Wil, but when he was finally able to, he grinned broadly. Wil’s eyes were open and wild. His mouth moved, perhaps trying to put into soundless words the animate chaos he was witnessing.
The relief Pylas felt for Wil made him wonder at his comparative lack of concern for Silestry, but it couldn’t be helped. Silestry had always impressed him as The Corpse, indefatigable, above reproach, morally and physically implacable. Failure or not, Silestry was in no way diminished in Pylas’s opinion.
Jay cracked open the door and gestured for Pylas to feign dazzlement, an unfortunate but necessary ruse. Jay closed the door and returned momentarily with a number of students who’d already recovered from the test. These were warned not to look at what was suspended at the middle of the gate. They obliged their teacher, collected Enzo and Silestry onto stretchers, and bore them back out to the yard, while others helped keep Wil and Pylas steady on their own feet.
Jemmy saw to the doctor’s financials before escorting him out.
The mood, initially somber, lightened over time. Jay allowed everyone to recover at his own rate until finally all were standing, and the yard was full with the noise of their voices.
“Now,” Jay boomed above the din, “you’ve all had the same opportunity. Five among you have passed the test: Fynn Taos, Bron Molono, Orsin Lim, Wil Parish, and Tai Sonsen. From today onwards, they will receive my direct instruction. I trust that this will not create any unnecessary, unpleasant dynamics among you. Rest assured that you will continue to receive instruction as you have.”
“Teacher,” Silestry interrupted, “I have maintained my practice in private since leaving, but if possible, I would like to return to the school and help out.”
Jay beamed. His appreciation was clear, and he was nearly brought to tears. “You are always welcome here, Aren Silestry.”
Jay addressed the rest of the students again. “Today has taken its toll on all of you. Please go home and get some rest. Those of you who passed the test, I’d like to meet with you individually before you go. And Constable Silestry, if you wouldn’t mind. . .”
Silestry nodded.
The students gathered their things and began to file out through the front gate.
Out of earshot of the others, Jay met with each of the five students in order of seniority until only Pylas, Wil, and Silestry remained. At a signal from Jay, Silestry went to the front gate, dismissed his men stationed on the other side, reentered, and closed the gate behind him.
Silestry walked back the length of the courtyard to where all four had come together, and extended his hand to Wil Parish.
“I didn’t think we’d ever meet,” Silestry said.
Wil’s eyes darted from Pylas to Jay to Silestry before he nervously extended his own hand.
Silestry shook his head and took Wil’s hand. “You’ve nothing to fear here. You’re among friends.”
Wil let out a long sigh, his anxiety draining out of him. He turned to Pylas, stared for a moment, then embraced him with sudden fervor.
Jay and Silestry broke off and left the other two to themselves for a short time.
Wil relaxed his hold and stepped back. He stared after the retreating Jay and Silestry then eyed Pylas expectantly.
“Friends,” Pylas said.
Wil shook his head. “I can’t believe it.”
Pylas grinned. “Certainly you can. You found your way here.”
“Your family. . . I’m so sorry, Pylas. I didn’t know. If I’d known I would have warned you, I would have been there, I would have stopped it,
I would have—”
“Hey, hey, Wil, it’s okay. How could I blame you?”
“I’m just so glad you’re still alive,” Wil said.
“How did you find your way here?”
“The night of your com-cast with Tila Barto, Brasso bragged that the rats in the walls would be running free again by morning. That’s when I found out. It was already too late. I snuck away and got to your house as soon as I could, but it was empty. There was blood on the ground, enough to follow by lamplight. I followed the blood here but the constabulary had already arrived. I hoped that you were inside and that the blood, if yours, wasn’t enough to be fatal. I had to hope that you were alive inside and that you were safe with Govan Jay and the law. I made my way back to your house, sopping up the blood the best I could so there would be less of a trail.”
“It must have worked,” Pylas said. “You’re lucky you weren’t picked up as one of the killers, though.”
“I wasn’t thinking about that at all, but, yeah. Next day Brasso said something about the whole thing going half-wrong. Your man Silestry got them all, huh?”
Pylas pursed his lips. “All but the man who set them in motion.”
“We’re going to get him, Pylas.”
“So, you came back, joined the school?”
Wil nodded. “Seemed like the only thing to do. That kind of coincidence might have stuck with some, but Teacher is famous. No one would think twice about me coming to learn from him. Not unless they already suspected something.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t know unless I tried. Once I started, I didn’t know what I should have expected. I hoped that you were inside, alive and safe, but I had no way of knowing. I found that the training agreed with me, though, as it obviously agrees with you. And now here we are, together, both of us stronger. You have my word, Pylas: together, or separately, as long as there’s breath in my lungs, Sol Sachs will answer for his crimes. Either by these hands or First Order Justice.”
Jay and Silestry had rejoined them. Jay clapped his hand upon Wil’s shoulder. “Let’s hope for First Order Justice, but prepare your hands just the same.”