Page 48 of The Song of Sunrise
“You are a natural!” Leaf exclaims and swings me into a hug.
“I don’t know how to explain it, but it just makes sense to me.”
Leaf kisses my forehead before setting me down.
“I’m so proud of you, Kem. I knew Torvi would find you something. I’m only jealous that I didn’t think of it first. Throwing stars haven’t been used for years by Watchers.”
“They are dangerous weapons, Akemi. You will be a formidable opponent to anyone on the other side of that ring. A forceful throw can pierce through metal sheets,” Torvi explains. “Be careful.”
My bubble of elation begins to burst thinking about how I’m going to afford taking these back with me. What was I thinking?What if I’m caught using them on Watch grounds? And how am I to pay for them? I only have a few coins rubbing together in my pockets and nothing substantial enough to trade.
“Thank you so much for the stars, Torvi, but I’m afraid I’m going to pass.” I try not to let the disappointment flood my voice.
“But you have to get them, Kem! If it’s a matter of coin…” Leaf begins patting his body, searching.
“Hmm. Hold on,” Torvi pauses and looks at me, tilting their head slightly. “You are a Teller, yes?”
“Prentice Teller,” I correct, though not sure how much that really matters anymore. “How did you know that?”
Torvi smiles but doesn’t answer my question. “I’ll trade the stars for a Telling. Preferably one of the ancient Giants of Westland?”
For the third time since joining the Watch, I find my skills as a Teller coming in handy. First, finding patterns with the obstacle course. Second, memorizing Elder Markus’s conversation about the Summit, and now this, trading a weapon for a tale.
“I know just the Tale.”
18
A Glimpse of Darkness
Ijerk my head up quickly, trying to shake off the sleep threatening to overtake me. The library is dark this time of night, which does not help my cause. Normally, a good book would keep me awake all night, but after training rigorously with Leaf for the past two days, the exhaustion has hit. Hard.
Especially on these cozy leather chairs. Why did the librarians do that to us? You would think they would select less comfortable pieces to ensure their patrons stayed awake.
I turn the page of the book,Wild Creatures of the North. Surely I would come across rocs or kelpies soon, anything from the Elven realms rather than page after page of illustrations of different types of ugly fish. I grunt in frustration and slam the book shut, about ready to give up for the night until something warm and fuzzy brushes up against my leg.
I yelp and jump, but then I look at the perpetrator. Relief floods my system. “Sun burn me. It’s just you, Miki.”
The extremely large, striped beige cat just sits and looks at me. I swear his eyes roll before he trudges off into the stacks.
Solstice break will soon be over, and I am no closer to finding out more about these magical creatures I overheard Elder Superior Markus mention. If they are going to be in the first Summit task, I want to know as much as possible to help prepare. Surely I should be able to find literature on at least the Elven creatures by now. The closest information I can find about the Underworld is a brief mention of the once High King’s preference for hounds, but his reign has long since ended.
I let out another huff of frustration and rise from my chair.
Ouch.
Never again will I undervalue the amount of pain and effort it takes to train like the heroes I share in my Tellings. I make a mental note for next time to give more credit. Perhaps write in an additional verse about their training regimen? Though it might be hard to find a word that rhymes withstrenuous.
I admittedly feel more awake but glare in Miki’s direction.Thank you, dear cat, for making my heart practically pound out of my chest.I roll my eyes as I shelveWild Creatures of the Northand continue downward another level into the depths of the library. Each floor is expansive and sprawling with shelves. The amount of books and scrolls is staggering.
Since the Breaking, books have become a treasured item. Only the wealthy and other establishments, such as this, have books in their possession. That is why Tellers are such an esteemed profession. They are charged—Iam charged—with retelling the histories so humans remember and learn from past mistakes.
Has my identity changed already from Teller to Watcher so quickly?
Only a few months ago, I was apprenticing under Marrow, peeling apples for Rosie, and joking with Bane and Row.
My chest aches from the familiar pain I feel every morning as I scratch another line in the wall next to my bed.
I miss them and hope they are okay.
