I sat down on a bench coordinating the training of the new one star mages of Clan Hakorhi. Well. I was not really doing anything but sitting and hunting for talents.
And by talents I mean those that were doing very badly in swordplay. Iria and I had talked the matter of me having disciples over and she had suggested I form a sect purposely meant for training alchemists. It would contribute greatly to Hakorhi's strength, for as my disciples their loyalty would be to me.
At first I was disturbed with the idea. I didn't have a lot of plans as an alchemist-- I only felt obliged to pass on my skills to Rudolph so he could protect himself without me. If that ever happened.
But now, I had plans. Rudolph was doing just fine (without me), I watched as he wrestled his opponent to the ground skillfully even when he had been disarmed. I felt proud. He was growing so fast.
I motioned to the soldier training them. Iria had introduced him to me finally-- Alistair, the one who had been following me about; who knew all about me and Arhid, and wasn't all too pleased about it. He didn't tell Iria though-- he didn't need to. Within several days of arriving Hakorhi Iria already knew and was teasing me silly about it.
"My lady?" he bowed.
"What are the names of those children?" I asked.
"Which ones, my lady?"
I pointed them out. A kind of short haggard boy, his hair long and rough. And a girl who might have won miss Hakorhi rather than make it into the Rebellion army.
"Mel and Kira, my lady," he replied.
I nodded.
"Send them to the mountain where I train,"
"Yes, my lady,"
***
I smiled as they filed up towards me, dressed in matching tunics; blue and white, Rudolph's favorite colors. My first disciples. Besides Siva and Lena there were a boy and girl who were so bad at martial arts they weren't making any progress.
"Teacher," the four of them bowed but there was no keeping the excitement out of their faces. After all, alchemists stood at the helm of the martial universe.
I had them seat cross-legged on the flat rock which was so flat broad it could hold thirty people cross-legged. It was almost like a custom-made training platform.
I produced a parchment and passed it to Siva.
"Write your names. This parchment is indestructible and it will hold all the names of Sky Fountain Sect's disciples forever."
Nodding with heated expressions, the empty parchment soon had four lines of ink smudged across it, names; Siva, Lena, Mel and Kira. Oh, and Rudolph Hakorhi (whether he liked it or not, but he was not here).
***
He looked through the bars of the cell with a twisted expression. His only source of information were the prison guards gossiping away as they ate. He involuntarily wondered how they could have an appetite to eat in this dark damp stech-filled place.
"And where is he?" someone barked. The two guards jumped up at once.
"My lord, this way."
"Bring him into the questioning room," the shadowed profile of the man refused to proceed.
"Yes, my lord,"
There was a loud clanking and squeaking as the first guard opened the rusty door. The other roughly grabbed the prisoner and hauled him out through the corridor and, arriving at a door off the hallway, pushed it open and shoved him in.
"My lord, the prisoner is here,"
Now he could see the man in the flickering light cast by a lamp on the table. Someone from the IBO, based on his uniform.
He was shackled to a chair and the second guard bowed and left. The two men stared at each other for a while before the officer decided to speak first.
"You are a survivor of the Great War,"
The prisoner said nothing.
"What was your offense?"
"Oh I'd like to know," the prisoner finally chucked, his voice dry due to disuse.
"Your name?"
"Rhamir,"
Rhamir, Rhamir, uttering his name brought back bitter-sweet memories.
"What clan did you belong to?"
"What do you know about magic user clans?" Rhamir growled.
"I am the one asking questions and I want to be answered." The officer looked stern, "I have other methods,"
"You think I'm scared of your pins and needles? What am I a magic user for?"
"You still have your powers?" The officer drew in a sharp breath.
"Wondering why I've not broken out of the jail already?" Rhamir sneered, "you're in luck. I'm of the water affinity,"