Six

Hartia was rather annoyed at the fact that he had to go and visit the Elders again. No one else had been to see them as many times this year as him and talk was starting to sprout up.

            He'd heard some of the rumours, that, like Childman, he would start to put his own agenda before the Tower. He understood also the scandal that Lai was talking about. A student and a teacher, a relationship absolutely forbidden by Tower law, as well as outside laws. They were still children after all and Hartia was furious that they would believe something like that of him. He knew first hand the anguish such a forbidden thing caused to parties involved.

            There were some areas in which he and Childman differed.

            "The Elders are expecting you," a guard said opening the door. Hartia ignored him and strode in, standing tall and proud. And none could mistake the anger on his face.

            "You wished to see me Elder?" Hartia asked in a tone that was almost, but not quite impertinent.

            They looked taken aback by his abruptness.

            "You will address us with the proper respect Hartia," one admonished him, recovering from the shock quickly.

            Hartia made no reply at first, then asked, "You sent for me, Elders?"

            His attitude was having the desired affect on them. They were beginning to grow angry. "You try our patience with your impertinence, Hartia."

            "You try mine by continually pulling me away from my students," Hartia replied sharply. "If this is not something of the direst proportions—" He was cut of with a furious thunderclap that echoed through the room. Hartia suddenly bowed his head, his mouth still tight with fury, yet he had to remember who he was addressing. "My apologies Elders."

            "We have heard things, Hartia." They ignored his apology and spoke as though nothing had occurred before, but the anger behind the words told him that all was not forgotten. "Rumours of grave import."

            "They are?"

            "That you are involved in a relationship with one of your students."

            Hartia turned his head and tried to force his feelings back under control. How dare they even think that! Suggest such a thing! He did not say any of this, instead pausing to calm himself and saying instead, "This is of course preposterous. You would believe rumours? When I was a child here, I heard a rumour there was some sort of huge monster in the lower dungeons that had the power to 'eat' a sorcerer's power. Not everything we hear is truth."

            "You deny this?"

            "Of course! And who is the student that they would dare slander is such a way?"

            "I believe her name is Eris. There are reports of her entering your chambers alone."

            "All of my students have been in my chambers at one point." Hartia was still furious and he couldn't care what they thought of him now. Eris?!

            "But why so many more times has this girl entered your chambers?"

            Hartia frowned. "She is still rather distraught that Majic has left. They were close friends."

            "Why seek solace with you?"

            "I'm her teacher!" Hartia snapped. "Someone she would look up to and turn to for help. Why not come to me? I have known Majic a while, it would be easier to talk to me than to anyone else about her feelings for him."

            There was a long pause and the Elders glanced between each other. "You shall still have to be watched, despite what you say."

            "Watched?" Hartia's eyes opened wide. "You would only be confirming that something wrong is happening, the rumours would grow in strength and things would get even worse!"

            The Elders were firm in their decision. "You will be watched, though not overtly. We do not want the situation to get out of hand any more than you do, so we shall prepare as we see fit."

            Hartia looked away again, trying to gain control over his raging emotions. They would not be swayed from this. "Yes, Elders," he agreed through clenched teeth. He bowed to them. "If that is all …?"

            One of them waved him away and Hartia turned and left the huge chamber. The guards took a step back seeing his face and did not try to detain him in any way. Hartia did not lose his temper often, but when provoked enough, it was rather famous.

            Hartia barely noticed this, caught up in his own thoughts. He didn't head back to his class and Lai. He knew he couldn't teach his students in this state, instead he headed out to the western wall of the complex. He climbed up through the lookout tower and continued along the wall until he'd reached the very middle.

            He remembered coming up here as a child with Krylancelo. They used to love watching the sun set out here. Dusk was one of the few times they could be alone, without having to worry about studies or Childman or anything. It was peaceful and soothing. They used to sit and talk over things together, problems they were having, emotions they were feeling, or sometimes they would just sit in silence and enjoy the beauty around them.

            But he had no Krylancelo here to comfort him, to joke with him and tell him that everything would be all right. Hartia hadn't been up here since he left, he'd never really needed to. After the debacle with Azalie, things had been too hectic with Childman and the others students, even that short amount of free time they had was taken. After a while Hartia just never came back.

            He needed some comfort now though, at least some solace from everything. He'd forgotten that life could get overwhelming at times and he wished for simpler days when problems were solved with laughter.

            Sitting down, Hartia pulled one knee up towards him, resting his chin atop it. He stared out at the declining sun. He hadn't realised just how much time had passed today. It was already past noon. Yet he didn't stir, just continued to watch, letting his thoughts and emotions flow away. He closed his eyes and hoped that things would soon be better.

*           *           *

"I almost forgot about this place."

            Hartia opened his eyes and glanced to his left. Lai was sitting beside him, looking out at the setting sun with a calm expression. His eyes turned once to Hartia then he looked back out. "A rather beautiful scene."

            "It is." Hartia watched as the sun sank lower. Neither said a word for a while.

            "They're worried about you," Lai told him quietly.

            Hartia bowed his head slightly, knowing Lai was talking about his students. "I know, but I'm more worried for them. Lai have you heard what they said?" Lai nodded and Hartia winced. "They're going to be watching me constantly now, but it's not that I care about. The very insinuation that I …" He looked away again.

            Lai understood his distress. Without saying a word he moved closer and put an arm around Hartia's shoulder. Hartia looked surprised for a moment before smiling and leaning against Lai, wrapping his arms around La's waist and taking comfort from the other man.

            "I know you would never do that, and your students are laughing at the very possibility. You know that you would never do that, so it should not matter what others say of you."

            "It still hurts," Hartia whispered.

            "You cannot please everyone with your actions and it's pointless trying to." Lai drew him closer.

            "You're right," Hartia sighed. "Admittedly your advice isn't as fun as Krylancelo's but it makes more sense. Laughter and jokes don't always solve everything, especially not now that I'm so much older." Hartia looked up at Lai. "Did I mention how much I don't like responsibility and maturity?"

            Lai smiled at him. "Unfortunately you can't escape them."

            "I know, but sometimes I just want to escape it all for a time."

            Lai studied him for a while before asking, "Do you think next time I could come with you?"

            Hartia smiled. "Lai, you are my escape from everything."

            "I'm glad, I'd hate to think I was part of the life you try so hard to escape."

            "I'd never want to run from you," Hartia told him firmly.

            Lai didn't say anything, he just continued to sit with Hartia on top of the western wall and watch as the sun sank beneath the mountain horizon before them.