James Islington - The Shadow Of What Was Lost

Ilseth shook his head. “I worked at the palace, so they were around, but I never met any personally. I wasn’t much past a student myself, back then.”

“But you saw them use their powers?” Davian tried to keep his tone casual.

Ilseth raised an eyebrow, looking amused. “The Augurs? I suppose I did – a few times, whenever I went to watch them Read petitioners. Though honestly, there was nothing to actually see . Someone would come in with a claim. The Augurs on duty that day would stare at them for a few seconds, discuss, and then pass judgment. It was about as exciting as watching the king and the Assembly do it now, I imagine.”

Davian frowned. “So… they didn’t use Essence to Read people?”

“No. Of course not.”

“You’re sure?” Davian held his breath. He’d long suspected this, but had never been able to get a straight answer from either the Elders or any of the school’s few Administration-approved texts.

Ilseth snorted. “Lad, what have they been teaching you at that school? Think about it. Essence can only affect things physically - pick things up or break them apart. Pull, push. Harm or heal. How could it possibly be used to read someone’s mind?”

Davian nodded, too fascinated to feel embarrassed. “But the Augurs could use Essence too? Like the Gifted?”

Ilseth adjusted his glasses. “Well… yes. I remember one man who tried to lie to them – there were a few who thought it was possible, believe it or not - ran when he realised he’d been caught. The Augurs had him wrapped up in Essence before the guards could even move.”

Davian digested this information in silence, a flicker of relief in his chest. His other ability wasn’t the problem, then. It didn’t solve anything, but it was one less factor he had to worry about.

“So they could Read people, and See the future. What else?” he asked eventually.

Ilseth shook his head, smiling. “You’re a curious one, aren’t you?”

Davian flushed. “Sorry. I’ve always wondered about what it was like before the Unseen War, but the Elders won’t talk about it.”

Ilseth scowled, and for a moment Davian thought he was angry at him. “They’re fools, then,” said the older man, and Davian realised he was talking about the Elders. “I don’t care what the Treaty says. The Loyalists burned half our knowledge when they destroyed Tol Thane. We can’t let the other half just evaporate through cowardice.”

There was silence for a few seconds, then Ilseth sighed, calming. “In answer to your question – nobody really knew what the Augurs could do, except the Augurs. They were nothing if not secretive, and there were only maybe a dozen of them at any one time. The only abilities we know they had for certain are the ones mentioned in the Treaty.”

“So Reading and Seeing.” Davian knew that part of the Treaty all too well.

Ilseth nodded. “Beyond those, lad, you’re into the realm of rumour and speculation. And we have enough of that going around from Administration without me adding to it.”

Davian nodded, trying to conceal his disappointment. He kicked a stone along the road idly. “Do you hate them?”

Ilseth frowned, puzzled. “The Augurs? Why would you ask that?”

“The Elders won’t talk about it, but I can tell that they blame them for the way things are.” Davian shrugged, trying to hide his discomfort. "Administration say the Augurs were tyrants, and I’ve never really heard anyone claim otherwise."

Ilseth considered for a moment. "Administration will also tell you that we were their willing accomplices - that back then, every single one of us used the Gift to take advantage of those less fortunate," he pointed out. "For the most part it’s just rhetoric, taking the exception and presenting it as the rule. The Augurs were far from loved - feared, mostly, to be honest - and sometimes they did things that were unpopular. But until just before the war, people accepted them. Understood the value of having them in charge."

Davian frowned. "So they didn’t oppress anyone?"

Ilseth hesitated. "I don’t think they ever meant to… but at the end, when they realised their visions were no longer accurate, they panicked. Didn’t tell anyone what was happening at first, not even the Gifted. Covered up the worst of their mistakes. Refused to cede any authority once people found out, and instead tried to create stricter laws and harsher penalties for any who opposed them - which they then tasked the Gifted with enforcing." He shrugged. "They were just trying to buy time to find out what had gone wrong with their visions, I think, but… things got messy after that. Fast."

He sighed. "So yes - with the way they acted just before the Unseen War, they are at fault. Undoubtedly. But do I hate them? No. I suppose I understand why others might, but I don’t.”

Davian nodded in fascination. “So what do you think happened to their visions?” Another matter on which the Elders were always tight-lipped.

Ilseth raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps I can tell you the location of Sandin’s Emerald, or give you the names of the five Traitors of Keth while I’m at it?” He laughed. “It’s the greatest mystery of my generation, lad. I don’t know. Nobody does. There are a lot of theories, but none with enough evidence to give them any merit. They just… stopped getting things right.” He sighed. “I was there that night, you know. I was in the palace the night that Vardin Shal and his men attacked. The night the Augurs died.”

Davian felt his eyes widen. “What was it like?” he asked before he could stop himself.

“Chaotic,” replied Ilseth grimly, apparently not offended by the question. “People running everywhere screaming. The Gifted not knowing about Traps, not understanding that they couldn’t use Essence, dying where they stood. It wasn’t the glorious battle the Loyalists would have it be, that’s for certain.” He shook his head. “I’d been studying late that night, and it saved my life. Those asleep in the Gifted quarters had their throats slit where they lay. Even the children.”

Davian blanched. He’d never heard details like that before. “That’s awful.”

Ilseth shook his head. “That was tragic, despicable even. Walking into the meeting chambers and seeing every Augur in Andarra dead – that was awful.” His face twisted at the memory. “It’s difficult for your generation to understand, but they were more than just our leaders. Their passing meant the end of a way of life.” He fell silent, remembering.

Davian burned with other questions – the Elders he’d met were never this open about the Unseen War, and certainly not about the Augurs – but he bit his tongue. He’d learned more in the last few minutes than he had in a year of quietly searching, and he was a little concerned that Ilseth would become suspicious if continued to press right now. Visiting Elders rarely stayed at the school for less than a week, anyway. There would be time for some more carefully-worded questions later.

They walked on. Ilseth seemed lost in thought, and the distraction of conversation had already done much to calm Davian after what had happened in Caladel, so he remained quiet.

Eventually Ilseth stirred again. “Speaking of changes,” he said with what seemed to be forced cheerfulness, “are you prepared for tomorrow?”

Davian frowned. “Tomorrow?”

“The Trials,” said Ilseth, raising an eyebrow.

Davian barked a nervous laugh. “The Trials are not for three weeks – at the Festival of Ravens,” he assured Ilseth.

Ilseth grimaced, saying nothing for a few seconds. “Ah. They haven’t told you yet.” He laid a sympathetic hand on Davian’s shoulder. “Sorry, lad. For various reasons, we had to move the Trials up this year. That’s why I’m here - I’ve been sent by Tol Athian to oversee them.” He bit his lip as he watched Davian’s reaction. “I’m truly sorry, Davian. I thought you already knew.”