Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Training

Flames and smoke curled along as a woman called out. Symon reached out to grasp her hand, when the dreamscape swirled into nothing. The darkness bled away to a dim brightness and eyelids pulled back.

Symon let out a small groan as he slowly woke up. Slowly, he sat up in his comfortable bed and looked at the window, morning light filtering through glass panes. The tendrils of a fitful night’s sleep slipped away as new energy filled tired muscles. Blanket tossed aside, he launched himself out of bed and crossed the room to the closet. He grabbed a set of black clothes and began dressing himself.

The young raven was about to turn and leave his bedroom, when a thought touched his mind. He walked over to his bed and lifted the bedding. He peered down on a book and he picked it up with his free hand. Dropping the bedding, he turned and sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on the book.

A memory glowed of Symon returning to the cave and retrieving his only true possession. There was a sting of nostalgia when he was in the cave, spending many months within it, trying to keep warm and make a life for himself. Now that his new life was beginning, the book he held whispered of his past life.

Opening the book, he glanced down at the left page, words scribbled in the inside of it.

May stories be the key to places of great magic and untold adventure.

Symon stared at the words, seeing his mother’s handwriting. The memories spun on of that last night. He recollected how distraught his mother and father were. They grabbed special packs that were prepared for emergencies. His mother grabbed his hand, telling him to take one possession. Symon didn’t hesitate, taking the book titled “The Star Knight”. It was his favorite book, one he read over and over again of a knight that traveled Norr, slaying monsters and protecting towns against great evils. They rushed to a waiting carriage, Symon remembering his parents speaking of a night where they may have to run. It didn’t matter that they had to run, as long as they were together.

The memory soured as Symon stared at the book. His mother took hold of the book and wrote the saying on the inside cover before giving it back to him. He took it and held it to his chest as the carriage bounced along. After a day, they arrived at Bella’s mansion that night.    

 A pain crawled along his heart as his parents left him with Bella, saying they would return in the future, but it never happened.

Symon closed the book and slid it under his bedding again.

It was a fairy tale to think everything would turn out alright. Bella is dead. My parents have been gone a long time. I had nothing for a long time. But now, it will be different. I won’t let others stop me from making a better life for me, and my new family. I swear it to the Star Goddess!

Symon nodded to himself and stood up. He crossed the room, opened the door and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

After a quick walk to the stairs, he made his way down as the smell of cooking flowed into his nose. His mouth began to water as he made it to the main floor and stepped toward the kitchen. Once he walked in, he smiled.

Everyone was gathered at the table, plates of eggs and sausages on them. Nyana and Qin sat beside each other. Cedric was on the other side, and to Symon’s relief, Olivia was there, lifting up a morsel of scrambled egg to her mouth.

She didn’t run. Maybe we will all be able to make this work.

Serafina had a plate of food in each hand. She walked over to Symon and stuffed the plate into his hands.

“Eat up. I want everyone with full stomachs before we begin,” the elder raven commanded.

Symon took the plate and walked over to the table. He sat down, picked up a fork and began shoveling food into his mouth.

Olivia eyed him as it looked like he was a feral animal devouring its food.

“You get used to it,” Cedric said plainly between bites.

Serafina sat at the head of the crowded table, a plate of food before her. “I have plans for each of you, but before we begin, I need everyone here to have an open mind.”

Everyone at the table stopped eating and turned their attention to the woman in black.

Serafina gave them all an amused smile. “Don’t look at me like that. I assure you all, I will not put your lives in too much peril. If we all perform our parts well, the plan will successful.”

“Aren’t our lives already in peril?” Olivia said with a snide edge.

“Then you should feel right at home,” Serafina stated simply.

“I’m excited,” Cedric said as he looked at Serafina with adoring eyes.

“Nothing new there,” the elder raven shrugged as she picked up a piece of egg with her fork.

Qin and Nyana looked at each other before turning their attention to Serafina.

Nyana spoke up. “Qin and I have been speaking and we wanted to know, will the plan endanger our chances of joining the academy?”

Serafina shook her head. “No. The parts you both will play will be in such a way, no one will ever know it was you. The plan does require you both to do something you many not be comfortable with at first, that is why we will test it a few times so you get used to it.”

The two kobolds blinked, unsure if her explanation helped, or made things worse.

Symon parted his lips to speak, when Serafina began speaking.

“I know you all will have questions, but at this stage, you will have to simply do as I instruct. Once you have the basics down, each one of you will have a chance to speak your mind.

“After we finish our meal, I will be breaking everyone up into different rooms. I spent part of the morning preparing your individual tasks. We have three days to prepare, and it should be plenty of time to know your roles.

“When we are ready, I will reveal the name and place the same day of the job.”

Heads nodded.

Olivia continued to look down at her food as she spoke, “I have to pick up a few things from my room at the inn. I will also have to tell my manager that I can no longer be part of the troupe.”

Symon looked over to Olivia, “You are truly giving it up to stay with us?”

Olivia simply nodded. “The theater troupe was a means to an end. Now that I have been discovered, if I stay with them, the guilds or others may come looking for me.”

Symon smiled, “I’m glad to hear it.”

Serafina eyed Symon from across the table. She smiled as she looked back down on her food as she talked.

“Olivia, you may pick up your items from the inn, but leave a note for your troupe manager. Symon will go with you to watch your back and help you with anything you have to bring back here.”

“It will be useless to protest? I don’t need a chaperone,” Olivia said with a dour look.

Serafina nodded as she stabbed at a piece of egg and lifted it up. “Yes, it will be useless. You can pick up your things the evening before the job. Speak to no one,” she said before placing the piece of egg in her mouth.

Olivia gave a slow, annoyed nod.

The mood became uneasy around the table. Symon noticed the friction between Olivia and Serafina, and he guessed everyone else felt it too.

“We’ll be quick, in and out,” Symon said, trying to be upbeat.

The tension remained as everyone looked down as they ate.

We just need some time. After a while, we’ll be one big, happy family.

Serafina lifted her eyes and met Symon’s gaze.

“So everyone knows, I will be watching over the job, but Symon will be leading it. I have my complete trust in him,” she said.

Everyone lifted their eyes and looked at Symon. The young man looked down and shifted in his seat. Nyana smiled. Qin nodded. Cedric grinned. Olivia gave him a half smile and looked back at her food.

One big happy family.

Symon continued to eat as the morning sun shined in through the windows.

***

Cedric sat at a desk with a stack of blank scroll paper on it, a feathery quill, and an ink well. Serafina approached him with a box in her hands. The writer turned his head to the approaching Serafina and smiled brightly.

“I’m ready,” he grinned with edges of excitement in his eyes.

Serafina ignored him as she opened the box and pulled out a few, rolled up scrolls. She placed the scrolls on the desk and closed the box.

“Unfurl them,” she ordered.

Cedric picked up the scrolls and unfurled them, as he was instructed to do. He glanced over them, reading each one in turn. His excitement began to wane as he saw they were three formal letters, each from a different mortuary.

Before he could finish reading them, Serafina began to speak.

“For your part, you will write a hundred copies of each scroll. Study the handwriting and copy it exactly. Understand the nuances of each letter and wisp of ink,” she instructed.

“A hundred each will be three hundred copies,” Cedric said with an astonished tone.

“Good, you know your math,” Serafina said with a sarcastic edge.

Cedric looked up to the woman in black, “I don’t need to make a hundred copies of each. I’ve forged letters before. I can do it after a few copies.”

Serafina shook her head. “That is not the point. There are only three mortuaries here in Gray Gate. You’re not copying them for one job. You’re copying their styles for many future jobs. I want it that you are living, breathing, their styles.”

Cedric blinked. “Okay, but it seems excessive.”

“You will stay in this room and take your meals in here. There is a water closet and you can use the bed here to sleep for the night. Do not leave this room until you’re finished and I approve it. Do you understand?”

“What if I need to clear my head, or get a drink?” Cedric asked.

Serafina simple looked at him with gray eyes.

Cedric slowly nodded. “Right, stay here and make copies.”

“I’m glad we understand each other,” Serafina said before walking to the door.

Cedric watched her leave and close the door. When he heard the lock slid into place, a key being used on the other side, his heart dropped a little in his chest. He turned to the stacks of paper and the three scrolls.

“Better get to it, if I was to see daylight again,” he said as he dipped his quill in the inkwell and began scribbling on a black piece of parchment paper.

***

Olivia sat in a room. Before her was a big work table, one side covered in worn out tools of many different types. She looked them over, recognizing some of them, but others were a complete mystery.

The door to the room opened and Serafina stepped in with a metal safe in her hands. It was small, but still heavy as she struggled to hold it. She made her way to the table and placed it down in the middle beside the tools. She placed her arms on it and was catching her breath.

“I had to get this out from storage. It’s a lock you will have to know and understand by heart,” Serafina explained before pointing to the sets of tools on the side. “You may know many of these, but the others work specifically with this lock. Get to know every one until you have it mastered.”

Olivia looked at the tools and shook her head. “I can’t work with so many tools. Their weight will slow me down.”

“I’ll take care of that. Your job is to simply learn and open this safe.”

Olivia looked up at the elder raven. “I can’t do this in three days. I need more time.”

Serafina gave the young woman a sinister smile. “I knew motivation would be an issue. To help you, the windows and door will be locked. Don’t bother to try and open them, because I will be alerted if you try to tinker with them.

“Inside the safe is salted meat, wrapped bread, fruit, and a canteen of water. If you don’t get it open, you will not eat or drink. There is a bed in the corner for you, should you need to rest, but if you want to eat or drink, I suggest you learn this lock as quickly as you can.”

Olivia’s eyes widened a hair. “This is barbaric!”

Serafina nodded. “Yes, it is, but it will help you learn everything you need to know about this particular lock.”

Olivia parted her lips to protest, but Serafina was already to the door. She slipped out and closed it behind her. Several locks slid into place before her footsteps could be heard walking away.

Olivia turned back to the lock with flustered eyes. She mentally pushed away the frustration and picked up a few tools. She silently began to tinker with the safe as morning sunlight painted the floor beside her foot.

***

Symon carried a large, round cylinder into a room. Serafina was already in the room, connecting the metal tubes with elbow pipes. He put the cylinder down and stood up, his hand scratching the back of his head.

The whole room was filled with a maze of large pipe cylinders. They were each connected to each other, forming a disjointed maze in the large room. The two of them spent hours putting it together, but Symon didn’t have the heart to keep asking. He asked once when they started, but Serafina didn’t give him an answer. She simply instructed him to fetch more pipes when she asked for them. He made many trips back and forth from a deep closet, so he couldn’t see her put each piece together.

Serafina attached the final cylinder and twisted it until it locked into place. She stood up and stepped back to admire her handy work.

“I remember when I was younger, some of the smaller members of the guild had to learn how to navigate pipes to get into places. There is always a way to get inside, if you’re small enough to fit,” she said as she looked at her creation.

Symon took it all in, pipes connected into a maze network. Some of them curled over each other in a stacked pattern. Others split into Y or four-way connections. The one thing he did notice was that the pipes varied in sizes. There was nothing else in the room but the odd pipe maze.

“Your job will be to navigate the pipe maze and retrieve a key hidden someone in it,” Serafina said simply.

“I won’t be able to fit,” Symon pointed out as he saw he was too big to get his shoulders in.

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Serafina nodded. “You won’t be able to fit, but your other form will.”

“Ah,” Symon said as he understood what she was training him to do. “This should be easy then.”

“Give it a try,” Serafina said.

Symon nodded before his body began to change. Fur sprouted as his form grew smaller, thinner. Bones and muscles shifted. A fluffy tail sprang from his lower spine as he contorted and fell onto all fours. Clothes fell off as he stepped out from them in his fox form. He looked up at Serafina and she gave him an approving nod.

“Go on. Give it a try,” she smiled.

Symon padded over to the entry pipe and peered in. It was dark, and foreboding, but Symon didn’t let it stop him. He bent down on all fours and crawled in. The pipe grew darker as he slowly made his way along. Soon, it was pitch black.

I should just feel my way around. It can’t be that hard to make my way through the pipes and find the key.

Serafina stood by and watched. The pipes moved slightly as the fox crawled through.

“You have to be a little stealthier than that. If you keep banging your way around, you’ll alert every servant or guard that may be making their rounds,” Serafina said loud enough for him to hear.

The fox huffed as he slowed down and tried to creep through without moving too much. Symon quickly found out how difficult it was to move in such a confined space and be quiet about it. Front and back paws moved silently as the air quickly grew stuffy.

“Control your breathing, and whatever you do, don’t panic,” Serafina said as she looked at her nails.

Symon did as he was instructed, controlling his breathing as he made his way deeper into the pipe maze. When his paw touched a weird groove, an electric shock zapped his paw and his whole body crashed around in the pipe he was in.

“Yes, I’m sure that stung. To give you a little history, these kinds of water pipes are used to funneling water outside or into water collecting barrels. To prevent vermin, like rats or such, there are runes placed through out these systems to deter them from entering homes. You are a little larger than a rat, but it will still you just the same.

“Figure out how to get past them, or get used to their shock so that they do not stop you. I’ll check on you in a few hours.”

Symon grew very still in the dark, knowing there was a rune before him. He heard the door open and close, Serafina walking away. The fox took in a deep breath and tried to crawl through the pipe.

From outside the pipe maze, there was a zap and a yelp as the cylinder rocked back and forth. After a few moments, there was another zap and a growl.

***

Serafina led the way as Nyana and Qin followed. The kobolds nervously glanced at each other was they were led down the main corridor to the home.

“Are either of you afraid of small spaces?” Serafina asked over her shoulder.

“We’re kobolds. We enjoy small spaces. Many of our people used to live in caves and tunnels under mountains,” Qin responded.

Serafina nodded as she reached a door and placed her hand on the knob.

“Before we enter, I want you both to know, we will not let anything terrible happen to you both. I admire your bravery, especially after your loss. Understand, for the next part of our plan to work, both of you must trust me and your fellow ravens, we will not let anything happen to you.”

Qin gave a hesitant nod. Nyana gulped first and then nodded.

The elder raven opened the door and stepped in. The kobolds stepped in and looked around.

The small room had a single lantern, and no windows. Shelves were filled with small items, but they weren’t interesting enough to keep the kobold’s gazes. They looked down at the floor in the middle of the room. Two small coffins lay with the lids open. The two kobolds then turned their attention back to Serafina.

“On the evening of the job, I will be giving you both a potion that will slow down your heart rates to the point where you will hover between life and death. You will be locked in each of these coffins for a few hours, at most. Two of your fellow ravens will have the antidote for your state. I will speak to more details as we get closer to the evening of the job.

“For now, both of you should practice being locked in a confined space. You must not talk, or move much, to conserve your energy.”

“If we are going to be given a potion to feign death, why do we need to practice being locked in a coffin?” Nyana asked.

Serafina nodded. “Sometimes, the potion has a reduced effect on some. I cannot give you the potion at this time because your body will build a resistance. Should you wake up, you must be familiar with being inside the coffin. It will be locked from the outside.

“Being in a dark, confined space may play tricks on you and there is a chance you may panic. But if you can endure, we have a greater chance at success.”

Serafina moved to a coffin and pointed at it with an open hand. “Please, get in.”

Qin and Nyana looked at each other. The pair of kobolds took a breath and walked closer. Each one stepped into a coffin and laid down within. The coffin was child-sized, the pair of kobolds fitting in them easily.

Serafina loomed over them with kind eyes. “I’ll be back in an hour to check on you. After that, I’ll check in after two hours.”

The kobolds nodded as Serafina closed each coffin lid in turn and snapped the sliding lock into place.

The elder raven stepped to the doorway. She gave the pair of coffins a long look before closing the door and walking away.

***

Two days passed.

The first triumph was Symon bursting out of his room with disheveled clothes and stinging hands and feet. He rushed into the main room to see Serafina drinking tea. His eyes were wild, as was his hair and ruffled clothes.

“I did it! I made it through!” he shouted as he held up the key at the end of the pipe maze.

The maze burned, electrocuted, and nearly drove Symon mad. Crawling in the dark, in fox form, turned into a test of willpower. Many attempts were made, the young man having to crawl out to catch his breath before going back in. Runes blazed hot, sending shocks through his body until her learned to contort his body to move over them, with barely any space. He discovered very quickly that pressure caused the rune to shock him and he had to be careful moving over them. Some were above him, or on the sides, surprising him with a shock. After dozens and dozens of shocks, he was able to not only discover the runes, but slip past them without them going off. The last leg of his trial was spent reaching the end and grabbing the key. With a push, the end of the pipe came free and the fox spilled out, huffing with the key between his teeth.

The next triumph was Olivia stepping out of the room. She was haggard, smelled, and was still chewing her food as she was finally able to open the safe with the odd lock. She walked into the kitchen and rushed to a bowl of fruit, grabbing more and devouring them one by one, the food in the safe not enough to satisfy her ravenous hunger.

The third triumph was Cedric shouting at the locked door. Serafina went to him and opened the door. The author came out with haggard eyes and a trembling hand. The ordeal was magnified because he went three-hundred copies, nearly reaching a thousand. Cedric grew manic, ensuring each copy was perfect. When he noticed a mistake, or a missing tail to a word, he threw himself back into it. He was consumed, unwilling to admit defeat. His own demons harassed him to work harder and better. He demanded perfection, and after two days, he achieved it.

Cedric presented his masterpieces to Serafina. She looked them over, subtly impressed because she couldn’t tell the forgeries from the actual scrolls, she gave him.

“These will pass,” she said and handed it back to him.

Cedric’s excitement died in his eyes. “These will pass? These are masterpieces!” he nearly shouted.

“Only amateurs say their work is a masterpiece,” she said before turning and walking off.

Cedric stared with incredulous eyes and fell to his knees with a look of defeat.

“If you weren’t so beautiful, I would give you what for!” Cedric shouted on his knees before letting out a maddening chuckle.

The fourth triumph was Serafina checking in on the kobolds. She slid back the bolts on each of them and opened the lids, one at a time. She peered in to see the kobolds were perfectly still. Concern etched into her brow as she reached down to check Nyana’s pulse. When her fingers were close to the kobold’s neck, Nyana’s eyes fluttered away and she yawned.

Serafina smiled as the kobold sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“I was having the best dream,” Nyana said in a sleepy voice.

Serafina nodded before looking over to see Qin remaining in the coffin and yawning.

“Wake me in a little while. I love the dark,” the kobold said before snuggling to the inner side of the coffin.

The elder raven looked at them with proud eyes. She helped Nyana out of her coffin as Qin stayed in his to sleep a little more.

***

The sun set behind the distant horizon.

The kitchen table was surrounded by refreshed faces. Large plates with food sat in the center of the crowded table. Big spoons were lifted of mashed potatoes, soups, chucks of rabbit and chicken, before being dumped onto plates.

Serafina looked at everyone gathered with proud eyes. Everyone else at the table ate like hungry wolves.

“After dinner, I wish to collect my items,” Olivia said.

“You may. Bring Symon with you. Again, speak to no one,” Serafina instructed.

Olivia nodded.

“I’m excited for tomorrow,” Cedric added.

“For our first job together, I’m feeling confident,” Symon smiled.

Heads nodded in agreement.

“Don’t get too cocky,” Serafina added. “No job goes as planned, but I will be there to aid all of you. Now, eat up.”

Symon nodded and was about to lift a fork with meat on it, when he caught Olivia’s glance. She looked away, but there was a pink glow in her cheeks. He smiled and carried on, the good feeling remaining as he continued to eat.

***

The cobblestone street in Old Town was bustling with activity. Symon and Olivia walked side by side. Despite their black clothes and jackets, they still blended in with the crowd of black robes and other colorful clothes. An excitement filled the air, visitors taking in the evening splendor of the city.

Olivia turned down a side street and Symon followed. A look of concern filled his brow as he glanced around.

“This isn’t the way to the inn,” he said, remembering where it was when he was searching Olivia out before she joined the guild.

“I know,” she said and darted down a thin alley.

Symon followed. The alley was barely wider than his shoulders. He looked ahead to see Olivia putting her hands and her feet on the walls. She began to climb upwards with little effort.

Symon did the same, following her up as they climbed.

The pair reached a pair of roofs close to together. Olivia made her way across a roof and reached an edge. Symon followed and looked down at her. Olivia’s hand reached into a roof plate and pulled it up. His eyes drank it in as he lifted out a medium-sized sack that clinked with coins.

“I never thanked you for saving my life,” she said as she put the plate back and stood up.

“I didn’t want to see so much talent go to waste,” he said.

“So, you only like my talent,” she said with a wry smile.

Symon’s eyes widened. “No, that’s not what I meant!”

Olivia waved at him with her other hand. “It was a jest. I know you and Serafina needed new blood in the guild. It’s not a mystery, and I do have to say, I’m glad you took the chance. Anyone else would have turned me in.”

Symon simply smiled, unsure what to say.

“How many silver knights do you need to improve your rank?” She asked.

Symon hesitated. “Um, forty-four knights.”

Olivia nodded. She opened the drawstring to the sack and pulled out a fistful of silver knights. She put the bag down and counted it.

“You don’t have to…” Symon began.

Olivia ignored him. She counted out the silver knights and handed them over to Symon. He lifted his hands and she put several stacks in them.

“A thank you, for saving my life,” she smiled.

“You don’t really need to do this,” Symon said as he continued to hold the coins.

Olivia nodded. “I know, but by tomorrow, we should all be a little more richer.”

“What about your items and clothes at the inn? What about leaving a note for your troupe manager?”

Olivia let out a happy giggle. “I don’t need things from my old life. We will earn enough coin to start a new life. I only wanted to get the coins I liberated. My old life is dead and good riddance.”

Olivia turned her gaze to the city. Lights stabbed up from streets or glowed along tower windows. The city was alive as the sun was long gone from the sky.

“I think I’m going to like this new life,” Olivia said in a low tone as she looked out at the cityscape.

Symon looked to her and smiled. “Me too,” he said as stars twinkled high in the dark purple sky.

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