Aldric stepped into the center of the pit slowly. His shoes dragged along the wet dirt floor, kicking debris toward the owl woman.
"State your name, child," she insisted, extending a hand to offer him the floor to speak. He glanced up at the peering eyes of wrens above them, back at the wide eyes that sat inspecting him.
"Aldric, but my friends call me Al," he managed, trying his best to maintain eye contact.
"Ah, yes. I've heard much about you, dear boy. I must say, based on your aura, I expect your reputation precedes you," she said, gawking happily at something just above his head.
"My aura miss?" He wondered curiously.
"Yes, dear boy, the essence of your very existence. The light and color revealed to those talented enough to search for it. Funny things, aura's." She fingered whatever it was she was looking at.
"No matter how hard you try to hide, they will always show your truth," she finished, smiling softly at the boy. His face held a confused expression, but no more questions seemed to form. Up close, he was even more mesmerized by her beauty. Her nose was short but hooked, accentuating her naturally pursed lips nicely.
She swiftly spun away from Aldric, her gown's frills briefly ticking his nose. He snorted loudly and rubbed the itching tingle from his snout.
"So, what kind of person would you like to believe you are?" She asked, turning heel and facing him.
"I-um, I would like to believe I'm a strong person," he stammered, fiddling his fingers.
"Ah yes, no doubt there, but strength is not everything," she said, tapping her temple with her clawed finger.
"I'm smart?"
"Are you asking or are you telling?"
"I'm smart," he corrected.
"Yes, it seems so. How else would you describe yourself to others?" she asked, focusing heavily above his head. Her eyes seemed to trace his outline almost avoiding his eyes completely.
"I'm a curious person," Aldric admitted, as he began to think about his window. He didn't do it out of spite, or because he could. He did it because he wanted to know what was beyond the veil.
"There we are," Aves chuckled, as if fireworks had just launched from his head.
"Young man, you have successfully listed each and every layer of your aura. Each layer develops over time for everyone. Your layers are derivative of the life you've lived. As such, your layers will most likely be multiple colors until such a time where they merge to form your true aura," she scribbled a crude drawing of a human on the board.
"Blue auras surround those of us who feel strong emotions and feelings for others, that is called empathy. Green auras are the aura of the intellectual, usually vibrant and sometimes overpowering," she drew two winding lines that surrounded the stick figure.
"Then, we have red auras. Red is for strength and determination. Red is one of the most visible auras in people, and will surely tell you who and what you are dealing with," another scribbled line went above the other two.
The boys all scribbled down their notes, but Aldric focused on the board intently.
"Are those the only colors?" He asked, interrupting just before she could speak. Her head cocked, and she squinted curiously.
"No, they are the main three aura colors, but auras can change as an individual grows. Sometimes, we learn that certain characteristics are mixtures of others as a person ages," she began, finally meeting the small boy's eyes.
"For example, a person who seeks power, but strives to better the world, may glow purple," she explained, her eyes darting above his head then back to his eyes.
"Now young Al, before we use up all of our time discussing auras, let's first learn to see them," she insisted, extending a hand and inviting the boy closer. He hesitated slightly before inching forward.
"Seeing auras is similar to other castings, but it does not require a rune. Aura reading can be achieved with internal focusing techniques known as emotional manipulation. Does anybody know what emotional manipulation may be?" She focused above them at the crowd of faces.
Nobody's hand went up. She smirked and went back to the board.
"Emotional manipulation is in the same practice as internalization and manipulation. Except, you won't be required to expel your internalized energy. Instead, that energy will be directed and focused on the iris's of the eye, allowing the caster to remove a barrier known as the ethereal blinders," her hand scratched along the board quickly as she made more crude drawings.
"After removing your blinders, you will be open to seeing and reading auras and energies. I, however, have been instructed to inform each of you that, while it is a relatively safe practice, there are risks that come with aura reading," she turned back toward the group.
"Exceeding your body's capabilities and attempting to drop the ethereal blinders beyond seeing color waves could cause you serious harm. The ethereal plain is land to those who have left our world. To see it and to be within it are two separate matters.To see the plain is to understand it, and maybe control it. To exist amongst those who roam the plain is to be dead," she finished.The air was quickly sucked from the room as all of the boys sunk back in their seats.
"Do you understand this warning, Al?" She asked, kneeling and meeting the boy at his level.
"Yes ma'am, I understand," he said, never leaving her gaze.
"Good, please return to your seat, and open to page thirteen," she instructed, waving the boy back up. He slowly marched back up the stairs, feeling Aves' eyes piercing the back of his head. His unease slowly faded as he reached his seat again.
"That was an odd demonstration wasn't it?" Harden asked, scratching his head.
"Demonstration?" Seemed more like a sizing up to me," Peyter chimed in from the opposite side of them.
"What are you on about?" Harden asked, rolling his eyes dramatically.
"Don't know, she seemed a little too keen on volunteering; the only person who didn't volunteer himself. Either she likes to push people out of their comfort zone, or she saw something she wanted a closer look at," Peyter shrugged, sitting straight in his seat.
Aldric had wondered the same thing. Had that really been a demonstration? Or merely a ploy for Aves to size him up? Both questions he didn't have time to answer before a frail, but heavy hand rested on his shoulder.
He gazed above him to see the architect hovering over him.
"A word Aldric?" He asked, his voice much softer than it had ever been. Aldric glanced around before quietly standing and following the architect out. They slowly strolled along the corridor and into a door Aldric hadn't been in before.
It was an office, nothing large or overly lavish, but an office nonetheless. It was lit by a single flickering lantern, and the light poked through the only window.
"I was hoping to discuss warding and abjuration this morning," the architect spoke up.
"Sure, sir, what about it?" Aldric asked curiously.
"I heard you and Harden left quite an impression. I was quite pleased to hear my phoenixes are doing well. Tell me, what was it you awarded?" The architect asked, leaning forward curiously.
Aldric had a perplexed look on his face as he fumbled for the correct response. He then reached into his pocket, where the rough texture of sand in the shape of a boat scraped against his hand.He breathed deeply before pulling it out and sliding it across the desk they sat at.
The architect grasped the creation in his hand and inspected it closely with his fingers. His expression dropped slightly as he placed the ship back on the desk.
"What is it you've created here, Aldric?" he asked, his voice still quiet and reserved.
"Well, Harden made it, but I think it's what we saw o-outside," he hesitated. It was silent as the architect buried his head in his palms. His fears had become more than a distant memory. Aldric hadn't just seen the outside world; he'd touched it, and in return, it touched him. Aldric watched as a look spread across the man's face he'd never seen.
"Is everything okay si-".
"What did we discuss about your curiosity, Aldric?" The architect interrupted, shooting a blazing glance through his milky eyes.
"Y-yes sir I know but-"
"No!" Aldric was taken aback as the harsh shout rang out and faded with an echo.
"It seems that your curiosity has exceeded that of your current level," the architect sighed heavily.
Aldric, from this day on you will serve as my apprentice. You will be taught directly by me and instructors that I see fit to place you with. You will learn directly from me, and you will surpass every other boy within these walls. Today marks the start of your journey," he said, calming his nerves and focusing heavily on saving face.
"I understand your yearning for more, Aldric. I've spent my entire life trying to fill that void. Now, I can teach you how to do the same before you get yourself killed," he added, placing an apologetic hand on his apprentice's shoulder.
"Do you understand what I've just told you, my boy?" He asked. Aldric looked shocked, scared, and confused all at once. He didn't understand; a moment ago he was being reprimanded, but now he's being promoted.
Then he met the architect's hollow gaze. He felt a spark of life ignite within him.
"I will not let you down, sir," he said, bowing appreciatively.
"Good, I'm counting on it,"
End of volume 1, volume 2 coming soon!
Stay tuned here to continue reading after a short break to continue the story. Rest assured, Aldric's story is merely just beginning.