Five
Lai's eyes snapped open and he looked around his room carefully. Something was wrong, it had been for a while, but he could not put his finger on what exactly was bothering him. He'd tried meditating, tried to do other things to distract him, but nothing worked. Even now sleep eluded him. He sighed and sat up. Something was decidedly wrong with him. He got up and paced the length of his room. What could it be? He turned back to bed, ready to ask Hartia and stopped, paling slightly.
Hartia, that's what was missing. Where was he?
Lai hadn't seen him for some time. With his students approaching their examinations, Hartia had put all of his effort into helping them out, running himself ragged while doing so. Lai had missed his presence at nights and looked away guiltily at the admission.
Since Majic's leaving, Hartia had taken to staying with Lai every night, not being able to sleep anywhere else. Strangely enough dreams did not haunt him when he did. Lai had become less nocturnal because of it, finding himself often lying down beside the contentedly sleeping redhead and falling asleep. Lai loved seeing him so tranquil and content. It put him in mind of earlier days when Hartia was not so troubled by things.
That seemed like such a long time ago, not a few weeks.
Lai sighed and sat down in a heavy armchair, pulling his knees up and making himself comfortable. He always did this when he was troubled, though not when anyone else was around. He stared out of the window into the lighting sky and contemplated things.
He wished Hartia was here, his presence alone was more than enough to calm him. But that was what scared him. For so long he'd been something of a loner, aloof, his friends barely more than acquaintances. Except for Hartia. Even then, his solitude had been more preferable to his company.
So what was so different now? Why did he pine to see Hartia so much that he could not even concentrate on his divination?
Lai stared for a long time, until the sun was well above the horizon. Only when the light caught upon a crystal hanging from the ceiling, sending diffracted rays of colour into his vision did he blink and get up again.
Whatever was bothering him he was sure to discover the reason behind it sooner or later. He walked into his bathroom running his fingers through his hair with a wince, pulling them away sharply feeling the oily sensation. It had been a few days since he'd washed his hair properly. He turned on his shower and undressed, letting the warm water wash over him soothingly. His mind drifted, as it usually did.
Suddenly though he was jolted out of his relaxed state with a sudden flash of emotion. He couldn't quite place it, guilt mixed with fear and disbelief, denial in there also and pain. Even anger.
It was rare that this happened. It was more of an empathetic reaction than a psychic and more uncertain. Lai couldn't tell what was going to happen, just that something dreadful would. He didn't even know if it was that serious. There was no danger, but that did not mean much.
He shook his head. These flashes were more draining on him than his divination, for he could not prepare for them properly, they just came to him when he was dwelling on things. Usually they dealt with someone close to him, or even himself at times. The last time he'd gotten this flash was just before Azalie had frozen him, but he didn't realise what was going to happen until it was too late.
It was useless to dwell on things that could not be changed. Years of experience had told him this. He was not meant to interfere with things he did not understand, he was just a guide.
Sometimes it was a hard burden to bear.
Lai turned off the shower, still feeling drained, but physically refreshed. His strength would return once he'd eaten and walked around for a bit, it always did. He was about to walk out when he heard someone bang sharply on the door.
"Come in," he called out, walking through the door to the main room.
"Lai? I was wondering …" Hartia trailed off as he saw Lai walking towards his wardrobe wearing nothing but a towel. He blushed slightly and turned away. "Sorry." He made sure the door was closed properly.
Lai smiled amusedly at Hartia's embarrassment and quickly pulled on a pair of pants. "It's all right Hartia." Hartia glanced around and smiled weakly Lai shook his head at his friend and continued smiling. "You wanted something?"
"You know you really should eat more," Hartia told him, looking at him critically. "You're a bit too thin."
Lai narrowed his eyes. "Don't mother me Hartia, I've always been thin, you know that. Again, didn't you want something?"
Hartia noticed his slightly annoyed tone and changed the subject back. "Uh, yes, if possible would you be able to help me with my classes until the examinations? I want to give my students every opportunity to pass and having two people there to help might be an advantage."
"Of course." Instead of his usual robe, Lai pulled on a coat similar to Hartia's and sat down to lace up his boots.
"I'll just wait for you in the library then."
"I shouldn't be too much longer." Lai smiled at him. "I haven't had anything to eat yet either, but I'm sure you can mange the class on you own for a while."
Hartia frowned at Lai's jibes. "This is serious Lai."
"I know, I was just teasing."
Hartia sighed. "Sorry, I'm just on edge."
"You seem more nervous than most of the students I've seen, but then Childman was like that also."
Hartia grinned. "I know, though he never showed it. You'd know better than anyone else I'd assume."
"I'm surprised he didn't tear out all his hair in worry." Lai looked at Hartia seriously. "I hope you don't do that, else you might drive me to the edge on insanity with you. Sometimes you and he are so alike, I'd be very surprised if I manage to survive both of you."
Hartia sent Lai an affronted glare. "And on that cheerful note I'll wait for you in the library. Perhaps by then your humour will have worn itself out and you'll be the distant mysterious Lai we all love."
Lai chuckled as Hartia left his room and finished getting ready. He quickly tidied his belongings and moved to the door when suddenly he felt very odd. Recognising the sensation he rushed over to his crystal ball and waved his hand over it, concentrating hard on the feelings.
He gasped suddenly as an image of Hartia came to him followed suddenly by images of Childman and Azalie. But that was all. Lai broke away from his trance, panting heavily. Thoughts and emotions all jumbled together and with a sudden realisation that only training like his can teach he knew what was going to happen.
"Gods, I've got to find Hartia." Lai got up and dashed outside.
* * *
Hartia was with one of his students, helping him with a rather difficult passage in one of the books when Lai entered the library looking around almost frantically for Hartia.
Hartia noticed the movement out of the corner of his eyes and looked over curiously. He excused himself from his student and walked over to Lai, wondering what had him so worked up.
"Lai?" he asked as he approached.
"Something terrible is going to happen, Hartia," he whispered, running his fingers through his hair nervously. Hartia watched him apprehensively. "I had a vision just now."
"What is it?" Lai stared at him with pain-filled eyes and Hartia took a step back, swallowing hard. "It has to do with me?"
"A scandal, like—"
He was cut off by the approach of two of the tower guards. The students were looking over at them curiously, wondering what was going on. Lai looked suddenly fearful while Hartia stared at the guards coolly.
"Yes?"
"The Elders have sent for you." The guard's voice was cold.
"I have a class," Hartia informed him.
"That is of no consequence, you are to speak with the Elders immediately."
"My students are preparing to take their examinations soon, I will not forfeit their time on something that can wait a few more hours." Hartia was adamant about this, and Lai recognised the stubborn set to his jaw. Hartia seemed rather easy to get along with and very deferential, but he had a rebellious streak to him, which seemed to be showing itself right now. He hated whenever something interfered with his activities.
The guards seemed to be taken aback by his attitude. None refused the Elders, and Hartia seemed the least likely to disobey direct orders. But then again, he was Childman's student and protégée ...
Lai watched all of this happening with apprehension. He knew that Hartia would get into a lot of trouble if he refused to see the Elders. He placed a hand over Hartia's clenched fist and the redhead looked up at him in surprise.
"Go with them Hartia, I'll make sure your lass is taken care of." Lai hoped Hartia saw the concern in his eyes and went along with it.
Hartia narrowed his eyes angrily, then he studied Lai closely and nodded. He glanced back at the guards. "I shall be with you in a moment," he said coldly, his tone not leaving any room for argument. The guards glanced at each other than nodded and waited outside the library.
"All right Lai," Hartia hissed as he walked back to his class, "You'd best have a very good explanation for that."
"The Elders may well believe you're involved in a scandal," Lai whispered to him, glancing nervously at the class watching them.
"What sort of scandal?"
"Childman and Azalie."
Hartia froze, paling slightly. "What?" He shook his head, suddenly fuming. "How dare they think such a thing?"
"It may well be something else, but my vision seemed to precise."
"You came to me first?" Hartia looked worried. "Lai, you know what they could do to you if they find out others were informed about your visions before they."
"I had thought it worth the risk."
Hartia was stunned. "Lai," he whispered, looking lost for words.
Lai shifted uncomfortably. "They're waiting. Don't worry, I'll look after your class for you." He grinned. "I may well do a better job than you."
"I very much doubt that." Hartia grinned back then sighed and walked out of the library, steeling himself for one of the worst possible meetings since his rise in the Tower to a teacher.
