20 July 2012
Part 1 Iwane
Chapter 1 Sight
If you ask, I will tell you I am blind. If you listen they will say I cannot see. Two things that are supposed to mean the same thing; but tell me, how many people can truly see? When it first began they thought my blindfold was a fashion statement- and a poor one at that. My... Friends thought I was 'slipping' in my popularity due to my unconventional headwear. Only I was privy to the truth, only I knew that this was only the beginning- only I knew, that I was one of the few who could see.
"Cailyn, Jayx is waiting." A soft nod was all he got as the dirty-blonde pulled her ponytail tighter and slipped around him. She knew better to speak casually- or at all- with the guards, she had learned it the hard way. "Mm, yes, come in." The man known as Jayx wasn't know by sight to Cailyn but she knew what he looked like all the same. She reached out a hand slightly, a silent question. "Yes Fire-Bringer, you my see me." A soft smile curled at her lips as her hand was clenched in an adult's worn, calloused hands, so unlike her own, and brought gently up to a faintly lined face. She traced his familiar cheeks and ears, heard his silent intake of breath as she ghosted her fingers over his eye-lids, his lips. "Jayx." She felt a smile pull at his cheeks as she confirmed his identity. "Yes my little Sparker, it is really me." Cailyn had inched forward was she examined his face with her sensitive touch. She was practically pressing against him at that point- but his face twitched into a solemn frown. "Enough Cailyn." She recoiled quickly, as though just realizing what she was doing and took a hasty step back. "Forgive me Jayx" He knew she truly was sorry but that didn't stop her from doing it every time they spoke. "Yes, anyway- down to business. Caairn has been found- apparently Tiwa has gone rogue, leaving him half-dead in a gutter. We're lucky Anya even found him." Cailyn cocked her head to the side as though she were examining him thoroughly- but he knew she couldn't be, her blindfold made that fact obvious. "What does this have to do with you calling me?" She was smart, it had been obvious from the beginning so instead of answering Jayx waited. "But... Surely- Master Jayx! I still haven't finished my sight training! How can I be of help tracking her down when I am blind?" Jayx knew he must have shocked her- considering that she rarely- if ever- called him 'Master' anymore. "Yes, I knew you would see that problem, but we will continue your training even as you leave into the outer world." "How?" Her lip was trembling now and she knew it. From the sigh she received he did too. "Only Mortia has the proper ability to train me like you are... And you never leave Iwane." She felt herself close to tears. "Pathetic, even after all this training you're crying about training with another Master." She shook her head fervently at his accusation and pressed up against him once more. "No! No Master Jayx, you know you taught me better!" Her fingers were tracing his taught jaw as though trying to convince herself that it would loosen. "What else am I to think Cailyn?" She held a finger over his lips, still shaking her head. "You will still Speak... Right? If I leave, do you promise me?" Jayx face was strangely distorted under her fingers. She could hear the strangely breathy incredulity in his voice when he spoke, "You... Are you crying because you'll miss me Fire-Bringer?"
Chapter 2 Rumors
They call me Caairn; fact. They think I am weak; fact. I will prove them all wrong; hypothesis.
Deep amber eyes blinked hazily open, wandering over the canvas ceiling. A frown made its way onto the tan face and dark lips grimaced. A hand moved to clutch at his long black hair, freezing at the tone of address, "Dislodge those bandages Caairn Desmet and trust me- what Master Rhode does for training will seem like a walk in the park." Caairn lowered his arm slowly, turning to face the irritated matron, Anya, a dumpy woman with braided brown hair pulled up out of her face. He swallowed and tried cautiously, "Would it help if I said that even that would be difficult right now?" Anya scoffed, "Maybe- now lie back down young man before I make you." Caairn did as he was told, watching the ceiling quietly for a moment. "Did anyone find anything that might have served as motivation for her?" Anya stilled momentarily as she checked one of his many bandages- knowing without having to ask that he was talking about Tiwa. She sighed, "No, I hear Jayx is putting his apprentice on the job though." Caairn snorted. "You mean Cailyn? She's little more than pedophile bait with her blindfold and her ridiculous need to touch everyone." Anya gave him a disapproving look, "What? You know as well as I do the possibility of the rumors about those two being true is high." Anya shook her head is exasperation. "She is his student he can do what he likes- and she's old enough to make decisions by herself." "He's ancient!" Caairn pointed out indignantly, "And she's well... Not." "He's thirty-two Caairn, stop over exaggerating. Turn over so I can get the bandages on your back." Caairn did as he was asked. "And she's sixteen- he's twice her age." If he could see Anya's face he knew she would be rolling her eyes. "Just sleep Caairn, you can rant about Cailyn not choosing you tomorrow." Caairn spluttered indignantly as Anya sauntered out- a smug smile firmly planted on her lips.
Chapter 3 Curses
I am cursed from a blessing- no, a wish granted to a foolish boy. When you're young all you ever want is attention, be it physical or emotional. The fool boy I was chose physical- and unlike most teenagers, this idle wish still haunts me.
Jayx was a man who appeared to have been overwhelmingly attractive in his teens, his looks only receding as he neared his late twenties and fully submerged himself in his role as a Master in Iwane. Currently he was kneeling on the flagstone- paying penance for the sin he had committed, the sin of liking his curse. "Jayx." He twitched briefly then sighed and stood, turning away from his alter-that-had-always-only-been-there-for-show-and-nothing-more. Master Anya- the resident healer- was watching him closely. He cut her off before she could start, "What news of Tiwa? And how is Caairn recovering?" The medical questions caused her to go into professional mode- the side of her that wanted answers buried for the moment. "Caairn was looking for the same thing so if he knows anything it's very little. He has numerous broken bones and bruises but it looks like he can return to Master Rhodes' tender care within a fortnight." Jayx nodded to himself, "Sooner than I- ah, I forgot who I was speaking of- on that matter has he come to you about secondary training in his element?" By now Anya had completely forgotten the original reason she had wanted to talk to Jayx but answered all the same. "No, but the damn boy's too stubborn for his own good. He 'fails to see the point' of healing magic." Her aggravated huff showed just how much she thought of that. Jayx smiled. "Ca- ..." he trailed off suddenly. Anya just shot him a knowing look but he ignored it in favor of assessing a thought that had popped into his head suddenly. Almost everything he talked about involved Cailyn- and he had her name in almost every conversation. He could have groaned but settled for face-palming. "Cailyn only has one element unlike Caairn so she's probably easier to handle." Anya offered, hoping to break the depressed-yet-bitterly-amused feeling that was in the air. He shot her a glance, "She's a Fire-Bringer Anya, how is that easier to control than a healing-knowing boy?" Anya just sighed and turned back towards the healing tent. "You're going to have to tell her why she feels the need to crawl all over you eventually." She stated quietly as she passed him and he let out a barking laugh. "Yeah, and have her end up in the hospital because there's no other fire-elemental to help her and she's scared of me. " Anya just shook her head.
Fire-Bringer (Chapters 1-3) • Opuss № I