Olga McArrow - Hot Obsidian стр 10.

Someone knocked at the door. Hard. Probably with a boot.

And here goes the hero that will solve our rent money problem, guessed Orion. That said, he stood up and headed toward the door.

The late visitor turned out to be Oasis. The teams urban jungle specialist was tired, bruised, sweaty, and angry (for being left behind the door for too long) but glad at what he had found.

Hi, pal! Orion greeted him cheerfully. I've cleaned your sword. Take good care of it from now on.

Whos beaten you up? asked Jarmin, his eyes wide with worry.

Ah, that Oasis waved his hand and made a bored face. Local street urchins. A whole gaggle of them, strength in numbers and all Well, I think Ive taught them a lesson. Knocked down five of them; the rest ran away. Scum.

Another ambasiath elephant made a jingly run through a pottery store. Just great

I hope you havent killed anyone? frowned Juel.

Of course not. Oasis sprawled himself on the soft carpet, pure joy on his dirty face. To tell the truth, I almost grabbed my knife when they started throwing stones but I managed without it. Ah, its been years since Ive had a proper street fight. I used to be good even before my apprenticeship; now, its all childs play. Oasis rolled to the side, his face suddenly serious again. Almost forgot: I found us a cheap place to live. No carpets there but its still cosy.

Juel and Orion exchanged glances. Pai watched them both with burning hope in his eyes.

Fine, yielded the Faizul. Well stay here to learn about the No Mans Land and Transvolo.

Huzza! Orion winked at Pai, Do your thing, mage!

Chapter 5. Child of the night

Our food tastes like ashes to them, it allows them to survive but they can not thrive on it. Often, they hibernate for centuries to conserve energy but they can not remain in that state forever. Once in a while, they have to hunt. The only food that can satisfy the hunger of a child of the night is human flesh

Helga-Vlada and Sereg, Tome of Dark Creatures

The Order of Hot Obsidian is an elusive thing. You will never find it unless you know exactly what to look for. And even then, all you can see is just the tip of the iceberg.

There is a famous ambasiath, known to Omnisians as Hansai Donal, a rebel, a romantic, and a powerful speaker. There are his ten children and their apprentices. Twenty one members in total. There used to be twenty-two when Gerdon Lorian, Sainars step-brother, was alive, but that was a very long time ago

After having been scattered around Omnis for many years, the members of the Order had reunited again, ready to fulfil their oaths, but there was no unity among them. Instead of being a single ray of light meant to slash through the darkness, their moods were a swarm of wandering fireflies, harmless in their disconnection. Only Abadar and Orlaya remained unfased, the rest of Kangassks were full of doubts and worries rekindled by their fathers strange behaviour: after his latest speech, Sainar barely talked to anyone and averted his eyes often.

Had they known about the true purpose of their apprentices mission, it would have been the end of the Order, indeed. But they didnt know. Soothed by their ignorance and by the enchanting beauty of the diadem forest, Sainars eight younger children did worry about their boys, of course, but, most of all, they were glad to be together again.

***

Mornings were still chilly, the kind of mornings that only poets and artists might enjoy.

That morning, two people met at the Temple balcony to watch the dawn together: Eugenia and Lar, the youngest of Sainars children, if, of course, you dont count one Kuldaganian boy he had left and forgotten along with his mother

Eugenia was twenty-three, Lar was thirty-one. They had been best friends since they had first met, one bright, sunny summer, when Sainar took little Eugenia from her mother and brought the little girl here, to the Temple of Life. Magrove forest was golden with ripe fruit; when the fruit fell on the ground, they sometimes burst, scattering their sweet, ruby-red seeds around.

Sainar and Gerdon went inside the Temple to talk about some important matters in private and left three-year-old Eugenia all alone in the yard. The unfamiliar place scared her even more than the unfamiliar man the father Eugenia had never seen before he had appeared out of nowhere and taken her away from her home. No surprise that the little girl started to cry. But she stopped the very moment she heard Lars kind, lively, and very concerned voice say, Hi! Im your brother! Did someone hurt you? Just tell me and Ill beat him up!

Lar was eleven Oh how long ago that day seemed now!

Good morning sis! Lar smiled at her, spreading his arms for a hug.

Morning, answered Eugenia, embracing her brother.

Why are you up so early today?

I wanted to speak with a trader from Firaska, to learn something about our boys.

Any luck? Lar looked her in the eyes. I just know it: youve learned something interesting! Your eyes are shining.

They must be having a problem with getting a Transvolo or maybe theres some other reason why theyve decided to stay there for a while said Eugenia.

Lar noticed that his sister was shivering, so he held her closer to himself and threw his cloak over her shoulders.

Youre so caring, Eugenia smiled, just like I remember you.

I know, grinned Lar proudly, Im a good big brother. So, how are the boys?

Like elephants in a pottery store! Eugenia laughed.

Oh well! Lar raised his brows in a silent exclamation. Father must have foreseen what a TEAM of ten ambasiaths could do. Even though it has been over twenty years already since his last visit, the people of my city still remember him and his epic misadventures.

Brother and sister laughed together, just as carelessly and wholeheartedly as they did when they were children But, suddenly, Eugenia fell silent.

Father Hes a good man, she said, looking her brother in the eyes. Why does he need that war? Whys he doing all that to us and the boys?

I dont know Lars face turned grim as well. I hope that he truly wants a better future for the whole Omnis and isnt just mad with the thoughts about revenge.

Revenge for Erhaben! said Eugenia bitterly. Its been poisoning countless lives all those centuries Why keep the hate alive?

They were silent for a long time watching the world turn dawn-red and golden like a fallen diadem fruit.

Ill tell you one thing, sis, Lar finally broke the silence. I taught my Orion that hes a free man and that once his education is finished, he can decide whether he stays in the Order or not. I think you should talk to your Jarmin about this as well.

I will, nodded Eugenia and hugged her brother again. And now, she smiled shyly, as if being afraid of scaring the new hope away, lets hope that our boys wont do anything stupid or

Dangerous? Lar sniffed. Cmon, sis, youre an ambasiath yourself. You well know they have a right to their own adventures. And that they need some danger and mistakes in their lives to grow up