James Galloway - The Tower of Sorcery

"I think you can stop with the subtle games, Tarrin," she said with a little smile. "If you are trying to connive yourself into my good graces, you may stop."

He flushed slightly. "I didn't mean it like that," he said. "I just didn't want to offend you."

"You have put quite an effort into trying to talk to me, and befriend me. Why?"

He looked at those intense blue eyes, and decided that blunt honesty was the only recourse. "When I saw you, you looked very lonely," he told her. "I didn't want you to be here and be unhappy. And aside from Dar, my roommate, and the two Novices that travelled here with me, none of the other Novices will so much as talk to me. I thought that since you're not human either, we could talk to each other on the same ground. If you understand me, that is."

She gave him a long, penetrating look, and then put a hand up against his cheek. "You are very perceptive, Tarrin," she told him honestly. "I do not want to be here, and I do feel a bit lonely and homesick. I am touched that you would put yourself out so much for my benefit when you do not know me. You have much honor, Tarrin. I would be honored to call you friend."

"I would accept it gladly," he replied.

She smiled. "My name is Allia. Allia Do'Shi'Faeden, of the clan Faedellin."

"That's a pretty name," he said.

"Thank you."

"How did you come to be here?" he asked.

She sighed. "It was not by choice," she said. "My father, the clan-chief, decided that a better understanding of the humans would be a wise thing. The lands of our clan rest by the mountains that separate the desert from the place you call Arkis, and over the recent years more and more of them have appeared in our lands. Some seek trade, but most come seeking to take from the land that which is for the Holy Mother Goddess. Our lands are rich in the metal gold, and many come to steal it from our lands. Gold is sacred to our Holy Mother Goddess, and we do not take it from the ground, but the Arkisians take without regard to the wishes of us or our Goddess. My father decided to send one clansman here, to this place, to undergo the learning that is offered so that we may better understand the humans, and to find ways to stop this thieving without having to wipe Arkis from the world. My father chose someone else for this task, not I. Not long before he was to make the journey, a katzh-dashi appeared at our camp. He took my father aside for some time and spoke with him. After they were finished the katzh-dashi left, and my father told me that I would go in the stead of he who was chosen. I was not happy about the choice," she said sourly. "I do not like humans. I think that the thieving swine Arkisians should be driven from our lands and made to come no more. After I made my feelings known, my father demanded twice over that I be made to do it. He told me that a wise chief always considers all options before making such decisions. He even made me swear a Blood Oath on it," she said with a sour grunt. "That was not nice. I am honor bound to treat those I hold in contempt with a respect I do not believe they have earned."

"Not all humans are the same," he told her. "I used to be human, before this happened to me."

"No, not all humans are," she agreed. "I understand that, but I still do not like them. I feel that any other breed of human would do the same as the Arkisians, should our desert be by their lands."

"I really can't say," he said. "Probably. Humans are driven creatures, and greed is a powerful motivator. Besides, they probably don't even realize they're taking something your people hold sacred."

"They do so once," she said with a note of finality. "It has long been the custom of our people to kill all who seek to invade our lands, save only merchants, who are given safe passage. For a long time, that was enough to keep all but the honest away. But lately we have had to kill more and more gold hunters who ignore the laws and the dangers."

"Well, things will work out," he told her. "Much as I like it here, we'd best not tarry. Odds are they either have people watching us, and they'll notice we're missing. And I don't want them coming in here looking for us."

"Truly," she said. "I have noticed such watchers throughout the day."

"We'll have to come back when we can slip away," he said. "I like it here, but the idea of others tramping around in here offends me."

"An interesting notion. Why?"

"Because this place almost seems holy," he told her. "I get the feeling we're welcome here, but I'd rather not insult whoever watches this place by leading others in here too."

Allia looked around. "Maybe you are right," she said slowly. "I have been honored to feel the touch of the Holy Mother Goddess upon my soul, and the feeling of this place is something like that. I think that some God or spirit does keep watch over this courtyard."

Tarrin was pleased to know that he'd not been far from the mark. Not long after they'd left the hedge maze, the Keeper herself approached them. She was alone, which said much about how safe she felt in the confines of the Tower grounds. Her face was pleasant, even serene, and when she spoke, it was with a calm, light manner. "Ah, Tarrin, Allia," she said. "I've been looking for you."

"Yes, Keeper?" Tarrin asked after he bowed to her. Allia also bowed, but it was a very stiff one.

"I've been thinking about you two, and I thought to approach you with an offer."

"Speak on then," Allia said in her calm voice.

"Neither of you are suited for the chores of a Novice," she said. "Both of you are warriors. If it does not offend you, Lady Allia, would you two like to spend your afternoons with the Knights? Both of you can continue to study the warrior ways, and perhaps our Knights can learn from you. And maybe you can learn from each other. Tarrin, you are an adept in the Ways, and Allia, you are an adept in your people's style of combat."

Allia looked at Tarrin. "I did not know this," she said. "You know the Northmen's hand-fighting?"

"I am one of them, Allia," he told her. "Well, I was, and only on my mother's side, but yes, I learned it."

"Long have I wanted to see if the Northmen were worth their mettle."

"So the idea pleases you, Allia?" the Keeper asked.

Allia gave Tarrin a speculative look. "The idea does please me," she said.

"Good. Oh, just one word of warning. As you can see, Tarrin isn't human. He's a Were-cat, and if you're not familiar with his kind, they have magical capabilities. One of them is that their blood and spittle can change other humans into Were-kin too. We honestly have no idea what effect it would have on you, Allia, since you are Selani. So you should exercise a bit of caution. Don't put yourself into a position where his blood gets into your mouth, and Tarrin, please don't bite her."

"I'd never dream of it, Keeper," Tarrin said in shock.

"Nothing is without risk," Allia said philosophically.

"Good," she said. "You may go back to your exploration now. Have a good day." And then she turned and walked away.

"You did not tell me you followed the path of honor," she said, a bit accusingly.

"I don't make much of an issue of it, Allia," he told her. "People are afraid enough of me as it is. I don't need for them to find more reasons to not like me. Oh, and the fact that I can change people is kind of a secret, Allia. Please don't repeat it."

"It will not pass my lips except when we are alone," she promised. Then she wiped at an arm. "I am in need of a sweat tent," she sighed. "I have not cleaned myself in some time."

"You don't smell it," he said. She gave him a cool look. "Allia, I'm not human either. My senses are very acute. Trust me, you do not smell."

"Well, if I must use that bathing pool, then that is what must be."

Tarrin sensed that she was very uncomfortable with that notion. "If it doesn't sound too forward, do you want some company?" he asked.