The Scepter of Marahuyo

Chapter 043

I walk into the Academy towards the siphoning device at the centre. I no longer feel the pain from the night of giving myself to Aaron, thanks to my blessing, but the emotions that rose from that are difficult to forget.

As always, there are very few people giving their blessings today, but it's less than expected. Is it because it’s early in the morning on a weekday? Or maybe because by this week, the eighteen years old will have their graduation rites? Meaning, those who haven’t received an invitation from another country yet will either try their luck in the Benia Scepter selection, or become a regular mage under the existing Scepters in Benia or in other nations. 

I touch the device and give my three days' worth of blessing to it. I’ve become more used to it. After weekly discharge of that amount into the crystal, three days or even four days do not affect my connection with Anitun Tabu.

Once I detach my hand from the device, I can feel the sadness in the air. I look around. It doesn’t seem to be because of the coming graduation rites. Not also because it's Monday. I approach one of the mages. He’s sitting alone on a bench facing the siphoning device. His eyes are on the floor as if deep in thought.

“What’s wrong?” I ask. “Why is it so quiet?”

The male mage looks at me as if I am talking nonsense. “Haven’t you heard? Madame Maitane died during the weekend.”

“Maitane?” I ask, then a memory flickers in my mind. “The one with clairvoyance?”

The male mage nods. 

“How?” I ask.

“Same as Master Orson.”

“But Aman is in prison.”

“Yes, that’s why they are clamoring to find the actual suspect.”

“Did they let go of Aman?” I ask.

“From what I’ve heard, not yet. They are still drilling him for more information.”

“Who?”

“The Quill.”

“And is Axel also there?”

“No, he left after that farewell party at the Quad's residence.”

“How do you know all this?”

The male mage raises his head. “Maitane is my teacher. She--” The male mage bursts into tears. “She’s the only friend I have,” he wails.

“Why are you making a boy cry, Holly?”

I look up to see Ethan and Cara together, just in time to see Cara hitting Ethan on his arm. Cara kneels before the male mage and whispers, “Let’s go back to the infirmary, Liano.” 

“Since he’s immobile out of sorrow, we thought it's safe to take our eyes off him for a while,” Ethan whispers.

I turn to look back at Liano while Cara supports him. Ethan should not joke about it. This is an actual loss of a loved one. 

“Why are you guys at the infirmary?”

“Cara insists. Since Madame Maitane died last Saturday, students are getting depressed. She’s a favorite because, you know, of her blessing.”

“More than Sir Philip?” I ask.

“As per Cara, Madame Maitane is more personal with her dealings with the students.”

I keep quiet, but can’t help to compare the student’s reaction with Master Orson’s death. This scale never happened before. Then realization hits me. I gasp and look up at Ethan.

“What?” he asks.

Is this what Senyor Pablo’s afraid of? That the deaths will not stop at Master Orson? That whoever it is, they are just waiting to strike. I feel cold sweat on my back. I lean on the back of the chair and feel dizzy. I close my eyes for a moment.

No. This is just a coincidence, probably a serial killer on the loose in the Academy. This is unrelated to the power struggle that Senyor Pablo is talking about.

“Holly?” Ethan interrupts my thoughts.

“If there’s a killer on the loose, what’s the teacher doing? For security?”

“They asked for help from the warriors and mages to patrol during the night.”

“But if this is the same person who killed Master Orson, then they’ll be outmatched.”

Ethan places his arms around me and squeezes my shoulders. “Don’t worry, they require the graduating class to help, so you’ll be safe.”

“That class also includes me,” I say and remove his arms around me.

“How’s the others?” I ask as I follow Ethan, Cara and Liano back to the infirmary.

“Hmmm, Al and Aicelle, as part of the graduating class, are patrolling during the day. You know where Denise is. And Olivia is still safe in the library.”

“What will happen to the graduation? Will they move it?”

“Nope, still the same day. Are you gonna invite Aaron?”

I raise my brows at him. Since when has he been interested in him?

“You got that thing going on with him, huh? Didn’t know you have it in you,” he adds.

I remember the night I kissed him in front of everyone. I redden at the thought. “That’s to tease the people at our table.”

Ethan laughs and I look around before I ask him to stop. We are in a somber environment and I hope that the mages looking daggers at him can forgive him for his apathy. 

“Stop laughing like a madman!”

He wipes the tears forming in his eyes. “I just found out that your man is the son of a concubine of a previous Caltra Ruler and Senyor Pablo is one of the warriors guarding the previous Ruler. Did you know?”

I nod.

“Is that why they are close friends with Master Orson? Is it in Caltra they met?”

“That, I am not sure.”

“Are you going to join the Scepter selection?”

“No.” Because I want to spend my life with Aaron and not with another man, even if it's for political reasons. 

Ethan stops me and observes my face. He lets Cara enter the infirmary and then he whispers, “You do know that I am preparing to become a Scepter, right?”

I nod.

“Since our current Ruler is a male and our country doesn’t allow same s*x marriage even between Quads, I am planning to try my luck on other nation. I have already received multiple invitations.”

I glower at him. “Are you boasting?”

He shakes his head, more vigorous than usual. “I get invited to a lot of parties around Benia these days, even in towns outside Marahuyo. I even got to see the new Ruler, Lemuel, when I was invited to the capital.”

I cross my arms in front of my chest. Of course, they are expecting Ethan to be an influential Scepter on another nation, and they needed that power. 

“If this is not bragging, I don’t know what this is,” I comment.

Ethan looks around and leans closer. “Senyor Pablo is in most of those parties.”

I grimace. That shouldn’t be. Every time I visit the inn, Senyor Pablo is there to train me. 

“You might not believe me, but I sense something is about to happen.”

I raise my brows. Emotionally, Ethan is insensitive. That is why he didn’t realize the depths that Cara loves him, the things she’s willing to sacrifice to support him. But politically wise, he can be quite perceptive.

“That old man is not as innocent as he looks, Holly. I initially thought he’ll force you to become a Scepter, but when you said you won’t, then it might be a return of their family into Caltra’s political circle.”

I clench my jaws. Ethan really gets on my nerves a lot of times. Yes, he is a good friend, and he will protect his friends if needed, but he’s callous. He knows I am with Aaron, but to insinuate his involvement, I just want to punch him in the face. 

“Holly, Aaron is of Caltra’s noble blood.” 

“So what?” I ask, raising my voice. Aaron will not aspire to be a Ruler, I’m sure of it. Besides, he hates the Quads.

“I want you to prepare. He’s invited to the party, right? I’m sure there are multiple parties they have invited him to already. That means nobles are expecting something from him, especially when Senyor Pablo is running around Benia.”

“Why does that matter to me?” I ask for the sake of hearing it from him. I know why he told me. I can sense Cara’s influence on it.

“I’m wondering how deep your connection is with him. It’s not the skills that you need to improve. I might tease you a lot, but I know you’re quite strong. What you need to prepare for is your heart. You’re not like me or Cara, or all the other mages, who can give up anything for ambition. That’s why we worry the most about you.”

I swallow. My anger subsides, and I take a deep breath. “Thanks for the concern, but I know what I am doing,” I say, but do I really know? 

To be continued…