Bloodflowers Bloom (The Astral Wanderer Book 2), D'Artagnan Rey [essential reading .txt] 📗

about the upcoming mission,” Devol told her and hopped up to sit on the rail. “And about the trials later down the line.”

She nodded and tapped her claws on the metal. “Yes, I’ve thought about that too.”

The young swordsman folded his arms and looked from one to the other. “Both of you seem worried about those.”

“Well, yeah,” Jazai stated flatly. “It’s a nice gesture, I suppose, but I have to admit that taking part in the Oblivion Trials was not something I contemplated personally until today.”

“It can’t be that bad, can it?” Devol asked. “Almost all the mentors have completed it.”

His companions both sighed. “True, but they also completed it when they were older. I believe Wulfsun and Freki were around twenty years of age when they attempted it. I am unsure how old Vaust or the grand mistress were, but potentially centuries,” Asla explained.

The apprentice shook his head. “Honestly, even the experience that comes with age doesn’t automatically guarantee victory. I’ve heard that many older magi—even those from other realms who vastly outlive humans—have fallen in the trials.”

“Really?” The swordsman seemed unconcerned as he returned his focus to the stars. “I understand if neither of you wants to participate. It is a big risk. But I have to admit I’ll be lonely without you.”

Jazai stared at him, his expression one of confusion, and he moved closer to him and leaned against the railing. “Wait—what? You’ve already decided? I thought you said it was too far away to worry about right now.”

Devol shook his head. “Oh no. I made my mind up before we were dismissed from the meeting. I merely think it’s too far away to be troubled by it at the moment.”

Asla hopped onto the railing and steadied herself on the balls of her feet. “Might I ask what makes you so confident, Devol? Do you truly not understand what awaits you in the trials?”

They waited in silence while he considered the question. “Well, I suppose I don’t, not entirely, but isn’t that the point? It’s supposed to be mysterious, isn’t it?”

Jazai looked like he thought he might be dreaming and should slap himself out of it. “Yes,” he said finally, “but the one thing you do know is that there is a very high mortality rate.”

“The same could be said about the mission we are about to do,” Devol replied. “In this case, we know people have either died or simply disappeared and we aren’t sure what is causing it other than some vague dark magic. That isn’t stopping any of us from taking the mission, is it?”

His companions looked at one another and their surprised expressions acknowledged that he had made a good point. “Fair enough,” Jazai began, his face pulled into a thoughtful frown, “but that’s different. For one thing, Wulfsun will be with us and he—”

“We’ve hoped to not be followed by an elder Templar while on a mission,” Devol countered before he could finish. He seemed a little bored as he began to do a handstand on the railing, “Unless you were more comfortable facing those flayers and that giant creature in Rouxwoods because you thought we had backup.”

This also surprised the other two, who realized that perhaps they had suspected, albeit not consciously. If anything, Devol would probably have been the only one, at least on the first mission, who truly believed they were alone, even if Asla and Jazai only vaguely thought of it in the back of their minds.

“That’s quite astute of you Devol,” she responded.

“Thanks, but I’m not trying to discourage you at all.” He raised one hand and balanced on the other. “I’m glad Wulfsun is coming with us, both because I want to see him in action and I take it as a sign that they are putting their trust in us. If I joined the guard, I would be under the supervision and the orders of others for years, even decades. We’re undertaking a mission that requires a Templar of Wulfsun’s ability to be at the head. That’s exciting, right?”

“From your point of view, certainly,” Jazai remarked with a casual grin. “But I get you. It strokes the ego if you think of it like that.”

“I’m curious, Devol.” Asla went into a handstand to mimic him. “What do you hope to gain by competing in the trials? As mistress Nauru said, you can earn a place in the Templar in time. If it is your path—and similar to mine—to aid them, aren’t the trials superfluous?”

“Not at all,” he said confidently. “It allows me to do more so much faster. And there are those missions I can do with only one of those markers. I see it as a challenge.” He placed both hands on the rail and flipped off to land on his feet. “People keep saying I’m gifted and all that but I’ve heard of gifted recruits in the guard and army. Some simply live a normal life and those who truly stand out show they are gifted by accomplishing things few others can. I suppose if I want to prove not only myself right but also everyone else who believes in me, I need to do something similar.”

His words left his friends speechless. Asla climbed off the railing as he put his hand out in a similar gesture to the first time the three had stood on this balcony. He gave them a reassuring smile as they held their hands out and placed them on top of his and returned his smile. The moment lasted mere seconds before they departed and headed to bed. Jazai and Asla might still have doubts, but they now felt similar to Devol. They merely had something else to accomplish first.

Chapter Twelve

“All right, lads and lassie! Rub that sleepy dust out of yer eyes. It’s time to get this mission underway,” Wulfsun shouted from across the bridge as Jazai, Devol, and Asla wandered out of the gate. Beside him stood Nauru, Vaust, Freki, and Rogo, surprisingly enough, who