When War Calls(87)

All three watched as they saw Jaden walking up to the other side of the hollow, coughing so loudly that they were able to hear him clearly from where they stood.

‘His sickness remains,’ Vennoss added.

‘Maybe you are wrong,’ said Adonis. ‘It is not milayiss.’

‘If not milayiss, what could it be?’

‘He may just be sick,’ said Blair. ‘The essence does not destroy him, it keeps him alive.’

‘No, that cannot be,’ assured Vennoss. ‘He has no knowledge of the arts.’

‘He may not need any,’ said Adonis, looking meaningfully at Vennoss. ‘He would not be the first to show signs of power without our aid.’

Vennoss shrugged off the comment. ‘Although possible, it is unlikely. There are few capable of becoming Daijuarn, and even fewer who can do it on their own.’

‘How do you explain his power?’

Vennoss paused. ‘At this moment, I will not. Tomorrow he will be tested further … then we can get some answers. Perhaps after Tarsha has talked some sense back into him.’

The Daijuar exchanged concerned looks, but agreed, and then all three searched where they had last seen Tarsha and Jaden before silently retreating into the temple.

Tarsha was sitting patiently with Jaden, among the trees and out of sight, just below one of the shrines. She dared not say anything. Jaden’s head was in his hands. He was refusing to acknowledge her as the minutes slowly passed them by. When Jaden finally stirred, he did not look at her, nor did he lift his head.

‘Are they dead?’ he asked.

‘No,’ said Tarsha.

Jaden seemed to breathe easier as he lifted his head to rest it again his left hand, while he put the other out in front of him, making it glow with white.

‘I feel it inside,’ he said softly. ‘It’s taking control of me. I can’t fight it.’

Tarsha moved forward to better hear him. ‘Fight what?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Jaden.

With a sigh, Tarsha leaned back. ‘I cannot say what you are going through, so I will not try to reason with you, but perhaps I can help you in another way.’

Jaden said nothing in reply, still toying mindlessly with the light coming from his hand.

‘I know a little about the Daijuar,’ Tarsha went on. ‘I might be able to tell you where you’re going wrong. It might help to try without your grandfather standing over you.’

Tarsha waited out the following minutes, deciding she had said all she could for now. There was nothing else left to do except let Jaden tell her what he wanted. The minutes crept on by without any sign, but she remained. She thought with all that had happened, what Jaden needed most right now was a friend, so she did not mind.

She was happy to be able to rest for a change, and enjoyed being able to finally sit in a Daijuarn place. She had often dreamed of what this would be like, but she had never guessed how it would make her feel. There was so much history, so many centuries worth, and knowledge that many could never have imagined to be true. It all seemed surreal and timeless, and everything was so much more vibrant and alive. The energy was high, she could sense it herself, and she guessed that this was what Jaden needed to learn to feel if he were ever to become a sentinel.

Jaden stood up unexpectedly and began walking higher up on the slope of the hollow. Tarsha followed only a couple of steps behind. They stopped at the shrine, Tarsha at its edge, and Jaden in its centre so that the Daijuarn symbol was under his feet. He studied it for a few seconds, but then closed his eyes.

‘Why is he angry with me?’ he asked.

Tarsha moved to one of the benches on the left and sat down. ‘I do not think he is angry with you,’ she replied plainly.

‘Then why has he changed?’

‘That is just how he is,’ said Tarsha.

‘He has never been like this.’

‘In your village, no, perhaps not. He was at peace there. But the world is at war. He feels there is never a moment he can rest while it remains so. This is the person I have known for all these years, I’m afraid. He has not changed from what I can see.’ Tarsha waited a moment for Jaden to understand what her words meant to him before going on. ‘He is fond of you, I know that much. If it were anyone else up there, he would have shown anger. He is a stubborn man when he wants to be, he is known for it, and he is very particular in everything that he does. He expects results, for things to be done as he thinks they should be. He has no time for those who cannot achieve what he wants them to. But he has time for you.’

‘I have disappointed him,’ said Jaden.

‘No, do not be so hard on yourself. He understands what you have been through.’