The Last of the Sages (Sage Trilogy, Book 1) (7 page)

“What is going on in here?” he yelled to no one specifically as he looked down at his bare feet, suddenly feeling the cold tiled floor beneath him. James raised his head just in time to catch a fist to his left cheek. He cried out sharply as he tumbled over his pant bottoms and skidded to the floor below, hitting the back of his head with all the grace of a rock. The laughing stopped immediately.

“I’m not getting in trouble,” one boy yelled out as he sprinted past James and out the door.

The crowd agreed with the assessment and everyone began scurrying out of the room. James tried to say something, but his head hurt too much. In seconds, no one remained but him and the girl who had struck him. James moaned and squinted at her. She was standing still above him, trying to hold back feelings of contempt for interrupting their fun, but then she smiled, sighing in acceptance that the night was over. Her smile became even warmer as she reached out her hand.

“I honestly didn’t think I hit you that hard,” she said as she helped to pull him up.

“Well, it wasn’t so much the force as it was the surprise,” he commented, rubbing his cheek.

“So you’re saying that I have no oomph? No strength?” she asked, pulling off a wig of jet black hair from her head, revealing a full head of curly, brown hair.

“Um, I wouldn’t say all that…” James muttered as she began wiping her face with her sleeve, revealing a very different face than the one she had been sporting a couple of seconds ago. Whoever she was, she sure caked on the make-up.

“But you are thinking it,” the girl commented. “Why don’t my punches hurt? I’m curious to know.”

“So tell me something,” he said, ignoring her, touching the back of his head and sighing in relief when he found no blood.  “What is all this?”

“What is all of what?”

“The running around hitting people blindfolded thing.”

“We were playing tag.”

“Tag? That was tag? I mean, I’m no expert at how games should be played, but that didn’t look like tag to me.”

“Did you hit your head that hard, or do you always talk so strange?”

“Well I think it’s safe to say it wasn’t the punch to the face that jumbled my brain.”

The brown-haired girl shook her head in amusement and stared at her soft, light, olive-skinned hands. James cut off the quip he was about to pull out when he remembered what Arimus had said earlier
.
You and every other student that has or will enter that gate
.
He cleared his throat and decided to not cut her down any further.

“I’m sorry I said all that about your strength. I mean, you did knock me down.”

“Why the sudden apology? Feel bad because I’m a woman?”

“No, that’s not it at all, I just…” he stared at her open palms and then back at his, noticing how even her hands had seen more action than he had.

“It’s not like graduation is tomorrow,” she said, realizing what he was thinking. “We still have plenty of time to become a Sage.”

He nodded, unsure of what to say.

“Anyways, my name is Catherine, 5th class.”

“Class?”

“You must be new here. Our class tells us how far along we are. There are ten classes. Number one being the highest. Once you get past that, you’re into becoming lieutenants and generals and all that. You’re probably a grunt 10th class right now or something.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“You’ll find out your class tomorrow after Arimus is done with your initiation. Unless you fail of course - then this will probably be our last conversation together.”

“Otherwise it won’t be?” James grinned, trying to put on the façade of a ladies’ man.

Catherine raised an eyebrow and laughed as she walked around him to leave the hall.

“Get some sleep,” she chuckled as he studied her.

“But I didn’t tell yo
u
m
y
name!” he exclaimed.

“I don’t care yet!” she called back, disappearing into the gray. The throbbing of his wound increased as he smiled uneasily, hoping he had made a friend despite the rocky start. He could already hear his father’s words.

Maybe you can finally get a girlfriend.

James shook the thought out of his mind as he slowly made his way back to his temporary room. It was true that she was cute, but nothing like the angel he had envisioned his wife would be. His wife was supposed to be a voluptuous beauty of divine stature with mesmerizing eyes and a smile that could melt any man’s heart, yet out of all the suitors that came her way, she would decide to be with James and James alone - partly due to his stunning charisma and striking good looks. The other reason, a very recently acquired reason, would be because James was a Sage. A man radiating with power, strength, and rippling muscles that would make any woman swoon. A perfect match.

And something Catherine was not. Especially with the amount of freckles he had seen covering her cheeks after the make-up was removed, not to mention that he wasn’t a fan of curly hair, and she was a little feisty. Something his dream girl couldn’t possibly be. Then again, he had never really put much thought into the actual personality of his dream girl, but, that was a project for another time…

Still, all dreams aside, he had work to do if he was going to become a Sage. His father had sent him to join the infantry, but he didn’t care anymore for second tier. A Sage was cool, and sounded like something to aspire to - an infantryman did not. That just sounded like death. James chuckled as he decided that very moment that if he didn’t become a Sage, he would just quit the Academy and try a life elsewhere, like he had originally planned all along. As far as he was concerned, it was top notch or nothing at all.

Top notch or nothing at all…

James liked the sound of that, and nodded as he drifted off to sleep
.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, Jame
s
, he thought
.
First things first. You have to prove to Arimus tomorrow you deserve to be here.

James fell asleep with confidence, unaware of Kyran’s presence, hovering on the rafters above, a predator’s glare in his eye…

Chapter 3 - Tests

James woke up with a pounding headache, but otherwise in a chipper mood. Eager to begin the day, he was about to rush off and look for the cafeteria when he nearly bumped into the plate of scrambled eggs and sausage that steamed on the book case next to the bed
.
Where did that come from
?
James wondered as he sniffed it suspiciously. He decided that he hadn’t made any enemies yet, and proceeded to wolf down the plate’s contents.

As he ate, James looked around the room, realizing that he must’ve slept hard. The fire had long gone out of the fireplace so it was cold now, and not even one ember was left glowing in its stead. James quickly gobbled up the breakfast, warming his stomach and satisfying his appetite as he dwelled on the previous night’s game.

The nerve of that girl. Didn’t even want my name.

James shook his head and chuckled as he thought of Leidy and how aggressive she could be. They were so similar in attitude that they would probably be the best of friends.

Two Leidy’s…that’s a scary thought…but at least Catherine smells nice. And she’s a lot cuter. Of course, you can barely see what Leidy really looks like through the grime.

As he quickly put on his shoes, James made a note to one day throw Leidy into a river so he could see her true features. Just as he was wondering how he was going to get a bath after the upcoming test, Arimus urgently burst into the room. James jumped in surprise and stood at attention to his superior.

“Right on time, I see,” Arimus said, examining the empty breakfast plate. “If you were still sleeping when I arrived, I was going to throw you into the swamp.”

“The way I smell, that might have been a good thing.”

“Indeed…” Arimus replied, raising an eyebrow. “Come along.”

James followed nervously as he listened for signs of life coming from the west wing. Was what happened last night just a dream? On cue, the throbbing in his head started back up and reminded him it wasn’t. Arimus noticed the bruise as well, but he kept silent, opening the massive oak doors to the courtyard while he hummed a tune. James shivered, remembering he left his jacket behind in his quarters.

“Arimus? Can I go get my jacket? I left it on the bed.”

“No you cannot. One thing you will learn here is that preparation is an obligation, not a privilege. If you are not ready for what’s to come, you must face it as is.”

“But I’m cold.”

“Then the memory of your frostbitten bones will act as a reminder in the future.”

“Fine,” James sulked as he and Arimus crossed their arms for entirely different reasons. James was already thinking of his warm bed back home. He wouldn’t be up yet, but in several more hours, he, Jennings, and Korey would be heading over to the meadow for sparring practice. Or they would be seeing what Leidy was up to. It felt like years ago, but he had last seen them only yesterday…

“Now, we will begin our first test,” Arimus said, grabbing James’s attention.

James sighed loudly in anticipation. This was it. This was where he was to test his mettle. Arimus began explaining the test as if his voice was on automatic. No doubt he had said these words countless times to new, doe-eyed students.

“The first test is of loyalty, James. As you know, a Kingdom divided cannot stand. Like a plague, one infected person can cause a ripple effect on others, creating an epidemic of the soul. No man lives their life without affecting countless before and after him. And no matter what you believe, this is a fact. When we are born, we immediately inherit a family we did not choose, a life we have no control over. However, as we grow, we make decisions that have a profound effect on everyone we meet. You are probably wondering what the point of this lecture is. Well James, the point is that a group, no matter how massive, is only as strong as its weakest member. If a group is in sync, all with one goal, and one purpose, that unit will be very powerful indeed. But the smallest dissent could cause a fissure that would weaken the group, and inevitably lead to their destruction.”

“So if someone had different motives separate from the common goal…”

“Precisely, this is nothing you didn’t already know, I’m sure. However, it is good to remind you of such things throughout your tests and your future training. In our code, the first rule is that loyalty is everything. Everything, James. You must ground that into your very bones. Loyalty. With every breath you take, loyalty must be there. With every thought – remember that you are not your own. Do you understand what I am saying?”

“Yes.”

“Good, now. I will ask you for formalities sake, and I will ask you only once. Do you belong to another Kingdom?”

“What?” James asked in confusion. What kind of a question was that? Of course he was of Allay. Perhaps he didn’t hear him right.

“Liars hesitate, James - to come up with tall tales,” Arimus stated as he placed a firm hand on the hilt of his blade, resting just underneath his cloak. It was the first time James had noticed anyone carrying a sword. Had it been there last night too
?
N
o
, he thought
.
It doesn’t matter
.
James figured he’d better answer, and quickly. If Arimus wanted him dead, he soon would be.

“I’m not, Arimus! I’m not!” James cried, waving his hands in emergency at Arimus’s grip. Arimus did not relax his hold.

“How do I know you’re not lying?”

“I - I don’t know. I just - my father was born here, and I was born here, and -”

“ - what of your mother?”

“My mother? She was born elsewhere, but that’s just what my father’s told me. I don’t actually know if it’s true!”

“Which Kingdom, James?”

“I don’t know! He’s never told me more than that!”

Arimus studied him carefully as James felt his own pulse racing, to the point it felt like the veins in his forehead were about to burst. James’s mind told him to strike at Arimus - maybe catch him off guard and run away before he was killed, but he knew that wouldn’t happen. He had never seen Arimus in action, but his very aura radiated danger. He was calm, but he was like the quiet kid in school that no one messed with. Sure, he looked harmless, but like everyone else, he too had a past that gave him that cold glare whenever he placed his fingers to the sword. Such a look did not come without in-depth experience.

James shuddered, hoping Arimus would arrive to the right conclusion. He knew he wasn’t guilty, but he was sure he looked the part. The sweat and the shaking probably weren’t helping.

“Okay, James. Calm down. I believe you,” Arimus stated finally. James noticed he still hadn’t relaxed his grip.

“What does it matter if my mother was from another Kingdom or not?”

“Nothing in and of itself. I have no prejudices, but people tend to have a strong sense of culture and family. Someone could be traveling with a person they hate for years. All of a sudden they find out they’re cousins and they become best friends or they suddenly feel protective of one another. Should we meet your mother’s kin, the fact that they are related to you by blood should have no bearing on the fact that they may be our enemy. I expect you to do your duty and follow orders if the occasion arises. I’ve seen many give up their allegiances in the name of blood.”

“Did that ever happen to you?”

“You really have no tact when it comes to personal questions, do you, James?” Arimus replied. James decided he wasn’t going to ask another question after that. He also figured Arimus wasn’t going to answer the question. Arimus merely sighed upon seeing James’s disappointment and continued. “To answer your question, no, it didn’t happen to me personally.”

“Oh.”

“So now that that’s out of the way, this first test can continue.”

“I thought that was the test.”

“James, I believe your words, but that doesn’t mean you’re not lying. We must know for sure.”

“I’m not lying.”

“I know,” Arimus said matter-of-factly. James threw up his hands incredulously.

“Then why do we need to test my loyalties further?”

“James, don’t be so defensive. If you have nothing to hide, then relax. The fact of the matter is, we don’t know who you are. It would be different if we’d served together side by side for years and suddenly I question your loyalty. Your wounded emotions would be warranted.”

“I guess so.”

“Now,” Arimus began, raising a hand toward the academy entrance.” I would like to introduce to you one of the generals in the highest division - ”

“ - like Kyran?”

“Yes, like Kyran. General - ”

“ - what rank?”

“What do you mean rank?”

James eyed Arimus oddly. Did Catherine lie to him last night about the ranks? Otherwise, how could Arimus look at him with such confusion?

“You know
,
ran
k
,” James stressed, as if that explained everything.

“Oh yes, rank. General of the 8th class,” he spat out as if he were making it up. “General - ”

“ - do you even know?”

A war cry echoed throughout the courtyard from the academy entrance as the oak doors slammed open and a short, but menacing-looking woman stormed toward them like they were about to engage in battle, her violent red-purple hair swinging in the wind as if it was a whip, swatting at the air as if there was a swarm of gnats. Her thin scarlet breastplate had the symbol of an orange-red flame and her sword’s sheath glistened despite the lack of sunlight. But besides some steel knee pads and forearm gauntlets, it didn’t look like she had any other armor on, and from how furious she looked, James could only imagine why she didn’t need it.

“Who’s this lady?” James asked abruptly. She immediately thrust her nose into his.

“My name is Scarlet, okay? Scarlet: scar - let, with a scar in there. Got it? GOT IT!?” Her yelling sprayed spit in James’s face and he tried to decide whether to wipe it away or not. He raised a hand to do so but quickly let it back down out of fear.

This lady is nuts!

Scarlet lifted her head back toward the sky and screamed again in frustration. Arimus struggled not to smile.

“What’s so funny, Arimus?” she demanded, turning to face him. He smiled warmly.

“It was just cute the way you stormed out here, all - ”

Scarlet smacked him across the cheek and then immediately put her hands to her hips. She was about to say something when she suddenly changed her mind and slapped him again even harder. She huffed and puffed and nearly turned the color of her hair as Arimus cupped his mouth.

“I told you! I told you not to call me cute! You never learn! I don’t care who you are, you still have to respect me! Think about it – you’re standing here calling me cute in front of a recruit! How is he going to respect me!”

“You didn’t have to slap me twice,” Arimus stated calmly. “One was sufficient.”

“Two for flinching!” she retorted.

James gulped as she shook her head in amazement and began calming herself down, muttering little prayers and meditation exercises. Arimus almost let a smirk slip but Scarlet had already raised a hand in anticipation. Arimus cleared his throat and patted Scarlet on the shoulder lightly.

“This is General Scarlet, James. Although you can address her as Scarlet the same way you would address me or Kyran. She is here to continue the first test. I als
o
apologiz
e
,” Arimus stressed as he glanced at Scarlet’s turned back out of the corner of his eye, “for not introducing her properly. She is your superior after all, and she deserves all aspects of the word respect. She does get fired up when you mention the forbidden word which you now know, but otherwise she is a well-tempered, level-headed individual.”

“Thank you, Arimus,” she said. James realized she wasn’t so evil-looking when she was calmed down.

“You’re James, right?” she asked him. James wasn’t sure what to say.

“Correct.”

“Now this is nothing out of the ordinary. I just have an innate ability to sense if someone is from another Kingdom.”

“Oh.
”
Nothing out of the ordinary she says…

“Just relax,” she whispered as she placed a hand on his forehead. James didn’t know what to expect, whether there was going to be some pain involved or if she was reading his thoughts, which was the last thing he wanted since he was trying not to think about how lovely her hair smelled. He knew calling her cute was heresy. What other offenses he dare not commit were still unknown.

“He’s clean,” she said matter-of-factly before backing away. “Well, not in every sense of the word.” Scarlet wrinkled her nose.

“Thank you, Scarlet. James, you’re free to go for the day.”

“That was it? Seriously?”

Arimus chuckled.

“I know what you’re thinking, but believe me, this was as serious a test as any other. If you were from another Kingdom, I would have killed you seconds ago.”

“Besides,” Scarlet chipped in. “This test is nothing. All it determines is where you come from. The second test won’t let you down, rest assured.”