James Islington - The Shadow Of What Was Lost

Davian leaned forward. “And who is ‘we’?” He focused on the strange man. He’d know if they lied to him, at least, even if they tried to mask it.

“The sig’nari. You might know of us as the Prefects,” replied Driscin. “We serve the Augurs, are their eyes and ears, carry out their wishes. And search out new Augurs, when they appear.”

Davian’s eyebrows rose. “The sig’nari?” he said dubiously. “I’ve heard this story before.”

“It’s the truth,” supplied Ishelle. “I’d heard rumours about them for years before they found me.”

“At the beginning of the Unseen War, we went into hiding,” continued Driscin. “But we kept watch. We waited. When one Augur dies, another is born within a few years; that is the cycle. So we knew that on that night, when the war began, new Augurs would soon be brought into the world. We have been vigilant ever since.”

Davian frowned. “Let’s say I believe you, at least for the moment. How did you find me?”

“Talmiel.” Driscin watched him closely. “A man there of… somewhat unsavoury repute helped two young boys across the border into Desriel. He robbed them, but immediately afterward he collapsed. Almost died. Three days later he awoke with no memory of the incident at all, and two years of his life missing into the bargain.” Driscin shrugged. “Talmiel is a superstitious town at the best of times. Word spread, and one of my men heard the tale. From there, we managed to piece together your journey as far as Thrindar.”

Davian grunted. “And after that?”

“I found you,” spoke up Ishelle.

“Shel has an unusual gift, even for an Augur. One touch, and she can know where someone is for the rest of their life,” explained Driscin.

Davian stared at the young woman. “I remember you,” he said suddenly, eyes widening. “The girl from the market. I bumped into you, knocked you over.” Ishelle smiled, and Davian sighed. “Or so it seemed.”

Ishelle leaned forward. “I tracked you all the way to Deilannis, but once you entered the city it was like you just… vanished. We knew you were on your way to Andarra so I waited here, assuming you’d come along this road eventually.” She scowled. “Waited here, in this backwater village, for a month. A month . I was only days away from leaving when I felt you again.” Her eyes narrowed as she stared at him. “How did you do it? I’ve never had anyone disappear from my tracking before.”

"Maybe I’m just special," said Davian.

Ishelle made a face at him and he restrained a smile, relaxing a little. Whatever their methods, he was beginning to believe that these people had no intention of harming him.

Davian leaned back. “So how many Augurs have you found thus far?”

Driscin shifted. “Including you and Ishelle? Two.” He held up his hand. “Understand, this is no easy task. It was difficult enough back when the Augurs were ruling; it’s a thousand times harder now that the Treaty exists.”

“I suppose I can see that,” Davian conceded. He crossed his arms. “So. You were going to make me an offer.”

“Come with us.” It was Ishelle, her voice pleading. “Help me find others like us, Davian. We can teach them; we can teach each other.”

Davian shook his head. “To what end?”

"This invasion came from Talan Gol," said Driscin seriously. "We don’t know much about it yet, but it seems clear the Boundary is weakening. Without the Augurs, there will be no way to strengthen it against whatever threats are beyond."

Davian hesitated. "And I do want to help with that," he admitted, " but the invasion hadn’t started when I was in Thrindar." Driscin wasn’t lying, but he clearly wasn’t telling Davian everything, either.

"True," said Driscin. "I suppose that has been a more recent shift in our focus. Originally, our aim was simply to gather the Augurs - to keep them hidden from Administration, let them learn from one another. Then, to eventually pave the way in the Assembly for the Treaty to be changed. Maybe have the Augurs return to a semblance of power one day." He shrugged. "Ultimately, that’s still our goal."

Davian stared at Driscin in bemusement, thinking back to some of his conversations with Wirr. "I don’t know much about politics, but that doesn’t sound like something that could happen anytime soon. Maybe not in my lifetime," he said quietly.

"It was always a long-term plan," admitted Driscin, unfazed by Davian’s pessimism. "But as it happens, this invasion may have changed that. Thousands have died, and as awful as that is, it has also reminded people of how important the Gifted are.”

He leaned forward. "The way the king has been acting towards us over these past few weeks is starting to make people nervous - it’s shining a light on the fact that Andarra’s most powerful weapon, its best defence, could be made impotent by one man’s prejudice. When all this is over, I guarantee that there will be an argument for changing that - renewed support for the Tols both in the Assembly and amongst the people. Andarra may not like us, but they are beginning to recognise our value. And the more that happens, the more sway we will have."

Davian gave a slow nod. "That’s good for Tol Shen… it doesn’t mean anyone will feel differently towards the Augurs, though," he noted.

"When we tell everyone that the Augurs are the only ones who can seal the Boundary, I suspect that may change too," said Driscin. "It should be enough to have the Treaty amended, to remove the ban. That’s more progress than we could have dreamed of a few months ago."

Davian leaned back, heart rate increasing a little as he assessed what Driscin was saying. Much still had to go right, but he couldn’t see any flaws in the logic. It was possible. "And if that happens, you want the Augurs to be overseen by Tol Shen. You want me to join Tol Shen," he concluded after a moment, enthusiasm suddenly waning again.

Driscin nodded. “The Athian and Shen Councils are too at odds to work together on something like this, and any association with Athian is political poison at the moment. The Augurs need to be unified, allied with somebody… reliable, if the Assembly is to ever take them seriously. Tol Shen is the only realistic option.”

Davian shook his head, unable to hide his reluctance. It all seemed perfectly reasonable - and yet he knew Tol Shen’s reputation. They were power-hungry, manipulative. The idea of their exerting any measure of control over a group of Augurs, over him, made him uncomfortable.

"No," he said after a moment. He glanced at Ishelle. "Once these invaders have been defeated, I will work with you to fix the Boundary - but that’s all. I don’t want to join Shen."

Ishelle made a face. “Because we’re all evil, I assume?” she said, sounding more amused than annoyed. “That’s what they teach you in Athian, isn’t it - that Tol Shen are more interested in power than what’s right, while every single Gifted from Tol Athian is a shining beacon of the standards of El himself?"

Driscin spoke up before Davian could respond, making a calming gesture in Ishelle’s direction. “You’ve grown up in an Athian school, and you’re reluctant. I understand.” He rubbed his forehead. “If you are concerned about the types of people you associate with, though, perhaps you should take another look at your friend Taeris Sarr before coming to a decision.”

Davian flushed. “You’re talking about what he did three years ago? That’s a poor example to choose, Elder Throll. I was the boy he rescued - he saved my life by killing those men. Hardly a black mark against him in my book.”

Driscin shook his head. “But you don’t know the whole story,” he said quietly. “Haven’t you ever wondered where you came from? Before the school, I mean.”