“I remember staying with my aunt and uncle for a short time. They sent me to the Schola when I was very young. I do not know their reasons. Sometimes I think they did not want me. Sometimes I think that it was so that I could become a great person and make them proud. Sometimes I don't care and I have nothing but hatred for them.” She lowered her head and pulled at a loose thread at the base of her simple white cotton robe. Gen saw that it had been ripped recently and guessed that was where she had gotten the cloth that was now upon his head.
“All the teachers here have been as parents to me, Master Ambern especially. He tells me how proud he is of me, all the time. His words make me smile and warm my heart. Have you ever felt that?” She didn't turn to him. Just let the question hang in the air. The crickets filled in the silence for several long moments. When he spoke she jerked slightly as if not expecting him to speak.
“I do not know the face of my mother. She died bringing me into this world. My father, I remember vividly. He was a good man and did his best for me. He told me several times how proud he was of me. I remember the look on his face at those times. His eyes would shine and he would smile so large I thought his lips would split. His laugh could always cheer me up and his stories at night before I went to sleep were my favorite thing in all the world.” Gen was silent for another long moment.
“I also remember the look on his face as the blade that killed him pierced his heart and came out his chest. I remember his warm blood as it struck my face. I remember the metallic taste of it upon my lips. I remember that warm feeling in me die as he did.” He pulled the cloth from his head and placed it upon her lap. He stood, ignoring his legs as they told him they did not like this idea. He turned and started walking down the trail back to the Schola.
“Gen?” He stopped but did not turn back. He heard her stand and let her circle around him. His eyes locked onto hers once more. The pain in his chest rushed back into him, an almost tangible thing. He felt his control go and his legs give out. He felt her try to catch him as they both fell to their knees. He felt her arms around him as she held him in a tight embrace. He stiffened but she maintained her hold and eventually he sagged back. His head lay upon her shoulder.
In his mind, he saw a large traveling trunk. It was strapped tight and bore a big lock. He saw her then. She stood, glowing white, beside the trunk with a large silver key in her hand. He called out to her to stop, but no sound came forth. He tried to move, but his body wouldn't obey. She put the key to the lock and cracked open the trunk. Pain like none he remembered ever feeling before, flowed through his heart and mind. It was more than he could handle and it threatened to consume him. He screamed in rage and sadness. Tears flowed, unhindered down his face and dripped onto Meeka's shoulder. Through it all, she held him tight, never letting go.
After an eternity the pain eased. He lay exhausted upon the ground, with Meeka's arms still around him. He felt empty but in a good way. Almost like the feeling of sore muscles after a good run. He started to laugh then. After a few moments, she joined in. The last thing he remembered was the sound of her laughter and the feeling of her arms about him.
V
The Dream
Night had spread her dark blanket over the sky. All was peaceful. The crickets sang their song that only they understood. A circular meadow of soft, green grass lay in the middle of a dark wood. In the center of the grove sat a young man. The boy was in a relaxed state, his mind clear. Softly, he incanted the words of magic that kept his body levitated a few inches above the ground. The secret grove was his, created by his hard work and spell casting. This was his safe haven, the place he called home. He had achieved the rank of the Gray Robe at the age of fourteen and was now almost at the next rank. Lying back, he let his mind wander back to that time.
The day had been a good one for him from the start. Waking with the sun, he arose and dressed in his tattered beige robe. Looking in the mirror, he brushed his raven colored, shoulder length hair and washed his face. Hearing a knock on his door, he walked swiftly across the room to see who was there. On the other side was Meeka.
"Morning, Gen. Ready to go?" Meeka asked with a large smile, her hand set playfully on her hip.
Gen tried to keep a straight, solemn face, took one look at Meeka, and lost all control of the expression. Meeka could always make him smile.
He managed to blurt out a quick "Morning," before she snatched his hand and dragged him down the hall. As he tried to catch his feet up to her speed, he mumbled, "Do we have to hurry?"
"Yes!" she exclaimed back at him. "We can't be late!"
He was just as eager as she was to get to the chamber where the ceremony was being held, but his body was protesting for putting it through this much exertion without having eaten first. With an abruptness that startled them both, they arrived at their destination.
"This is it," Meeka stated, as her demeanor grew somber. She glanced over at Gen, her green eyes glistening. "Are we ready?"
"Let's go," said Gen. The stern look had returned to his face.
They entered the chamber, hands still clasped together. This was a big day for both of them. They had achieved their new rank at almost the same time, so the masters had decided to hold a rare, double ceremony.
The two walked down the main aisle toward the circular, elevated stage in the center. The Schola's Headmaster stood calmly waiting on the stage. Gen and Meeka bowed low before him and rose at his command. Their teacher smiled at them and then turned away to address all those present.
"These two students have studied long and hard this past year to achieve one goal, the Gray Robe; now all their work pays off." He turned to the two standing before him."Take off those tattered robes and assume your proper place."
They promptly removed their robes, not embarrassed by their nakedness, although it took all Gen's self control to keep from looking at Meeka. The teacher presented each student with their new robes, and they dressed hurriedly. Gen's eyes drifted around the room at the faces of the crowd. Thomas wore a grin that was almost ear-to-ear. He nodded and winked. Next, his eyes met Aaron's. Aaron wore a look of pure hatred. He spit on the ground and pushed through the crowd toward the exit. Gen looked down sadly and sighed. Aaron had hated him since he and Meeka fell in love.
Jealousy must be a powerful emotion.
He looked at Meeka and forgot about Aaron. She looked beautiful as ever in the new robe, her reddish, auburn hair shown in the sunlight streaming through the temple windows. Her green eyes flashed with excitement and her cheeks were blushed from the crowd’s applause.
The memory left him and he sank slowly down to the ground and into a deep sleep.
When he awoke the next morning, he was surprised to find Meeka asleep in his arms. He didn't stir, didn't want to wake her. This was not the first time he had found her here with him upon wakening, but it was the first time she had let him hold her. Looking down into her hair, he realized that he felt very good with her in his arms. Closing his eyes, he was almost asleep again when he felt her stir and wake up.
"Good morning," she said softly.
"Yes, it is," he replied, with a whisper at her ear.
She turned to face him. "I had a strange dream that you were in trouble," she explained as she gently touched his face, running her fingertips over his cheek. "It was so real... I had to find you so that I knew you were safe."
"I see you found me."
"I'm glad I did," she replied contently as she settled back against him.
They were both silent for a time enjoying each other’s warmth and closeness.
"We'll be late for class," Meeka said suddenly, realizing that it was mid-morning. "We should go."
"Yes, we should," replied Gen. Gently, he took his arms from around her waist and sat up. Meeka sat up and stood, stretching. Gen followed her example. The sun was just starting to peek over the tops of the tall trees surrounding the grove. He reached for her hand and they walked out of the woods and onto the trail, hidden from all eyes save his and hers by a basic illusion.
"Tell me more about this dream," Gen asked, interested, as they walked.
"I'd rather not," she replied hastily. "Besides, it's fading now," although the fear in her voice suggested otherwise.
Gen knew not to push the matter. She would tell him when she was ready. He looked over at Meeka and noticed how dirty and disheveled she looked. The pine needles in her hair somehow suited her though. Her deep green eyes flashed in the captured early light and he smiled.
"What are you smiling about?"
"You are so lovely with all those needles in your hair." She blushed at his words and he smiled again.
"We better clean up a bit before we go to class or the master will take the brush to us," Meeka said jokingly. The two walked on in silence till they reached the walls surrounding the Schola. They entered the main gate and walked toward the bath house.
"Come on, I'll draw the water and you get some towels."
"Yes, Milady. Is that all Milady?" Gen asked trying to raise her spirits.
"Why yes, good Sir. That should do for now," she answered, a sly smile appearing on her lips. "Now scoot, before I think of something else for you to do."
Gen left the main room of the bathhouse in search of towels while Meeka started pumping the water into the tub and singing the spell to heat the water enough to bathe in.
Gen returned to find a naked Meeka lying in the large, tile-lined tub, steam raising lazily from its surface.
She looked up at him, casually pinning up her hair and displaying her comely figure. "Come on then, Gen. Stop staring and get in," she ordered, and with another sly grin she added "And close your mouth."
Gen was stunned. Who was this newer, bolder Meeka? He didn't ponder this long. The sight of her young firm body was just about too much for him to handle. Taking off his robe, he stepped into the hot water, ever aware of Meeka's eyes following his every move. Meeka stared at Gen's nude form. He looked so frail with his robes on, but now that she could look at him, she saw that he was nothing but muscle. Though he was very wiry, all his muscles were dense and he reminded her once again of a cat with his movements. She smiled a bit. Where did he come from? She knew that his past hurt him to talk about and had not pried into it much. She knew he would tell her when he was ready. As he settled himself into the hot water, Meeka moved into his arms.
"Tell me that you'll never leave me," Meeka said, the fear unexpectedly returning to her voice.
"I'll never leave you," Gen said seriously. They had played this before but this time something in his tone told her that he meant it.
Relaxing, she gave herself entirely into his care. He washed her back and neck and poured water from a pitcher over her hair rinsing all the dirt and needles into the clear water. Then she took the washcloth and returned the favor. She loved him. She knew that now. The dream had told her that much. She couldn't stand the thought of him leaving her. She only hoped that he felt the same.
"Tell me about your home," Meeka said as she relaxed in the hot water. Gen's face turned somber and he was silent for a long time. She thought maybe he wouldn't respond but eventually he spoke.
"My father was a merchant. We never really had a home to speak of. Memories of my time with him are filled with ships and the vast ocean, so beautiful and yet so terrifying at the same time." He was silent again and his eyes were distant. "After my father was....after he passed away. I grew up in a small village in the mountain region of Nipangu. Life was hard but I learned a lot. When I turned twelve, I felt that I should go. I left on a ship and arrived here. The rest you know." Gen looked down at the cooling water and sighed. He knew he was being rather vague with Meeka, but if he told her the things that he had done in his childhood, she might leave him. It was best she never know.
"At least you have seen the world. I don't remember much before coming here. I remember the great forests of my homeland. I remember seeing my father, his face covered in odd symbols drawn in blue paint. When he didn't come back the next day, my mother took my sister and I to live with her sister. I don't remember much after we arrived here. The vision started then. I was six when my aunt and uncle brought me here and all I have left from my father is his last name." Meeka looked down as well but Gen could see the tears running down her cheeks. He moved across the tub and placed his hand on her cheek, ever so gently. He tilted her face up and looked into her eyes. He kissed her tears away and then softly kissed her lips.
"I love you. I will never leave you," he said as he stared into her deep green eyes. He held her close till long after the water had grown cool.
VI
The Challenge
“So, what were you and Meeka up to this morning?” Thomas jokingly asked his friend after the noon meal.