Chapter 31: Soup (1)

Chapter 31: Soup (1)

The proposed post-dinner meetup never happened. The instructors seemed intent on enforcing the schedule, especially the routine of study and meditation. The next day featured two shorter, back-to-back lectures by different Archons.

The first lecturer was Archon Shabadras, who had gaunt cheekbones and a crooked nose. He started the morning by saying, Think about the base components used for Nasaru, Asgagu, and Balatu spells respectively. Desert sand. Talcum powder. Beach sand. All of them are dry and granular. Its for this reason that we often classify those three orders of magic.

Xerxes rested his chin on his hand and looked in the direction of where the red-haired girl was sitting. And from that point forward, he hardly caught a word the Archon said. As he sat there, he envisioned himself asking her what her name was. Regardless of the answer, hed be ready to respond with a compliment.

What a beautiful name, hed say. Im Xerxes, an Asgagu mage from Mannemid.

Xerxes? Ive heard about you. Except, youre a lot more handsome than I thought youd be.

Oh, you flatter me. Did you know I killed an Abhorrent in battle once? Also, I can catch knives. What? Youve never seen something like that before? Its really a trick, like what jugglers do, but its still impressive. Id be happy to show you!

Right now? I cant wait to see!

The second lecture of the day was slightly more interesting, as it focused on practical aspects of battlefield formations. Back on Mannemid, mages were treated like wildcards, not integral parts of the military itself. But things were different here, as a major part of their training was going to revolve around strategy, tactics, and leadership.

Different mages have different strengths and weaknesses, said the lecturer, a tall, broad-shouldered Archon named Adonia, who reminded him vaguely of Captain Ishki, except she had black hair and black eyes. What are the four primary types of troops fielded in war?

Gandash was one of a handful of Seers who raised their hand. The lecturer pointed in his direction. You.

Cavalry, heavy and light. Infantry, heavy and light.

Archon Adonia nodded in acknowledgment. Yes. According to Macrides Unifying Military Treatise, which is the primary text well be referring to, certain mages lend themselves to specific troop types. For example, lets talk about heavy infantry, which are the armored soldiers who engage in front-line shock combat. What mage types would do well working among or as heavy infantry?

Numerous Seers raised their hands, and she called on one. You.

Probably Asgagu.

Adonia nodded. Good. Any others? You. She gestured at a mage on the opposite side of the gathered crowd.

It was not his chance, as she never looked in his direction, nor did he get close enough to speak to her.

At lunch, he somehow got separated from Gandash but was happy to find himself at the same table with Jad and Enusat.

Hey, guys, sorry about not following up on the sword thing, he said. I didnt realize theyd keep us so busy.

Its fine, Enusat said. We might have to wait until the weekend.

I saw you looking at Katayoun, Jad said. Shes a looker, eh?

Xerxes opened his mouth to deny that hed been looking at anyone, then paused and grinned. So, thats her name. Katayoun?

Slurping some soup, Enusat said, The red-ead? Yeah, I eard some of the Ashlultum fellas talking about er.

Xerxes gave an extended sigh. Theres something about her. Not just the way she looks. But you know. Her heart. Her spirit! I feel like its connected to mine.

Jad grinned. You saying shes your soulmate? Thats pretty heavy stuff.

Soulmate? Xerxes paused with his spoon dunked in his soup. I never thought about it like that. But maybe so.

Jad licked his spoon clean and used it to gesture at Xerxes. In that case, I think we have a more important mission than sword practice.

Xerxes looked at him. Oh?

Yeah. We need to make sure she knows about you.

Youre going to make sure she knows about me? How exactly?

Jad and Enusat exchanged a glance.