Page 86 of A Touch of Stars and Stones
And after them, Ravi and Azur arrive. I try to offer a weak smile as they join us, and Azur smiles back and nods a little stiffly, but at least it’s something. His pitch-black hair sets off his amber skin and dark lashes. He’s quite handsome, although he doesn’t have the muscle or build of Ten or Calix. He’s also a Guard, like Ten, so I make sure to clear my thoughts. I don’t want another embarrassing moment like the other night in the hallway. Although maybe I could practice with Ten now I’ve got a grasp of how to do the control thing.
“I’m surprised to see you so early and together, considering yesterday.” Azur’s dark eyes slide between Calix and me.
“I’m pretty sure I’d choose to go back and sleep for the rest of the day if I could get away with it. Actually, could I? Get away with it?”
Azur looks to Ravi, who has similarly jet-black hair, longer and wilder, but close to the scalp at the sides, with a coppery skin tone and a thinner frame. His narrow nose and chiselled cheekbones say he’s pretty rather than handsome.
They all laugh, and I look between them. “I’ll take that as a no.”
“Rowan would have us all running drills as punishment. He treats us all like we’re in the army. Good discipline, apparently. The requirements of training are clear.”
“Are they?” I ask. It’s a genuine question as I’m still fumbling through.
“Well, yeah. Follow the schedule. At least, that was until you arrived. Learn. Complete the trials, or as many as you can until you’re kicked out and then leave.” Calix makes short work of the timeline. But I already know most of this.
I snag the pastry and take a bite as I stand. “See you in class, then.” I walk off, pleased to escape before anyone else arrives.
“Ever?” Perrin’s voice calls after me just as I think I’ve cleared the hall. I stop, turn, and wait for him to catch me. He doesn’t say anything. Just stands in front of me and runs his eyes over me. “You took the tonic.”
“Yep. Thanks.”
“And how do you feel?”
“Fine.” Like my body is weak.
“Okay then.” He turns and heads back into the hall, and I’m left to make my way to my room.
The precious schedule that Calix and the others were talking about has us scheduled for archive study this morning, and I’m grateful for a few extra hours to allow my body to recharge. I still feel exhausted.
But it’s only a reprieve. Physical training—touch—with me at the centre will resume in the afternoon. At least now, with the practice with Kyra last night, I feel closer to knowing what might happen. I imagine the well in my chest and take a breath.
And I’ll get to see what might happen with Ten. Intentionally, rather than the few times we have touched. The graze or brush of skin we’ve stolen here and there all seemed to envoke different reactions, as if he’s a wildcard when it comes to touch, and I look forward to it. Although I’d prefer it without the rest of the class’s eyes pinned to us.
Now, I’ve got my head in a book about the chronicled strengths and weaknesses of the Orders. But no matter how many pages I rifle through, I can’t find any information about the strengths and weaknesses of a Fifth.
Just like every other book I’ve read in class.
If it weren’t for Kyra’s book, I’d think no one had ever written anything about the Fifth.
“The first account of the Orders was recorded years after they were first granted power from Aslendrix. We know this from what the Maker has told us and the histories we have gathered over the years. Each generation, each Head, Triune, and Custodian has added to them.” Aurelia walks up and down between the desks as we all look over the pages of the book she has us working from.
“Aurelia, why is there nothing in here about the Fifth Order if this is about the strengths and weaknesses? Unless a Fifth is an Order in itself?” Silence drops over the class at my question.
She eyes me, boring her greys into mine, but she can’t hide from this, not a direct question, surely.
“The Orders are the construct of our society. They each have a purpose, a role, within Kirrasia and outside its bounds, to support and nurture the peace of the world.” Nobody interrupts her, as if we’re all waiting to hear what she has to say. “Each Order has grown over generations. Slowly, steadily. And each person’s power has contributed in some way, either combining through their Triune to serve Kirrasia or to use their gifts in leadership, teaching, or in one of our outposts. That is our way. A Fifth is a rare power. So rare that it’s unusual to know more than one or possibly two in any one person’s lifetime. Because of this, they don’t function in the same way as the rest of the Orders. They will usually exist alone, with no other members of their Order to pull strength from. Certainly, no Custodian exists for the Fifth, nor is there someone to lead them on how to work with the rest of us.”
The silence remains, but what she’s said just enrages me. They’ve known this, yet have not shared. “Surely, that’s all the more reason to record anything that’s known about them—us,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Ever, please,” she placates me.
“But—”
“But nothing. You will continue to learn all you can from the lessons we deliver to youall. Every trainee, everyone at The Court, completes training, and while you may find it difficult, with the limited information and resources available to you, it will become easier as you adjust to both arriving here in Kirrasia and the knowledge of your power. There are members here who will document and record you, just like there have been recordsbefore. But to answer your original question, you or rather, a Fifth, is not an Order recorded as the others. Now.” She gestures around the room. “Who can tell me what the most common weakness is for Elementals compared to Guards?”
There are records. That’s what she said. So, where are they?
The question and my simmering anger distract me from partaking in any further questions in class, and I sit and dutifullyread the pages and pages of text that list influence, shielding, and emotion as common weaknesses of the Guard Order. There is a similar list of the strengths, too.
