Chapter Thirteen
Picard watched as the sun began to rise. It had been a long time since he'd seen a sunrise and the colours here seemed so magnified, deep pinks and purple shone through low lying cloud and a slight frosty mist. "Mr Data, how long have we been waiting?"
"It has been one hour, six minutes and thirty-four seconds since she physically entered the academy."
"Thank you, Data - it feels a lot longer."
"Whist time may not be recorded in the same manner that Starfleet records it, the lapsing of time would still be…"
"Thank you, Data, I am aware of that." Data cocked his head in speculation.
"Tell me, how can the passing of time feel different to the actual amount of time passed?"
"Data," offered Deanna, "you are right in that time is a constant, however our feelings can have an impact on how we perceive the passing of time. For example, if you are really enjoying yourself, time can seem to pass quickly. If you are bored, or waiting for something, time can seem to drag on longer."
"Hmmm, interesting Counsellor. In that case, Captain, which is it for you? Are you bored?"
"I suppose I am a bit, but I'm also impatient and hoping nothing has gone wrong."
"Tarya will be fine Captain. If there were to be any trouble, I'd be worried about the other person. I'm sure she won't be much longer," smiled Christoph reassuringly.
"Tell me Christoph, what relation is she to you?"
"She's no relation Captain."
"Sorry, I guess I meant, how did you meet?"
"I was a small boy when we met. My mother was a servant in the castle kitchens. I was put to work there too. When my mother was killed, Tarya tried to take me under her wing, but it was very hard for her. She looked out for me as best she could."
"Did Tarya work in the kitchen too?"
"No, she was the Queen. Don't tell her I told you though, or ever call her a queen, it wasn't her choice. It was none of our choices. As I grew, I joined the resistance. All of us here were in the resistance, including Tarya."
"Don't worry I won't mention it," uttered Picard reassuringly.
"Is that where you learnt to fight – in the resistance?" Asked Beverly. "Tarya said you were a very good warrior."
"She did?" He seemed taken aback. Beverly smiled warmly whilst nodding affirmatively.
"It was she who taught me to fight, her and everyone else in the resistance, though it was hard for all of us to meet together at once." Just as they were speaking, the sound of a large door could be heard creaking in the distance. They stood as they saw who they assumed to be Tarya returning, though this time on foot.
"She's done it," said Doone. "Come on, she's asking us to join her."
"Tell me Doone, are you all able to use telepathy?" Asked Deanna.
"No, only the older generations. The First is the strongest. I am the third generation and last generation to be able to communicate with my mind. Christoph is one of the youngest and belongs to the fifth generation. They do not share this ability.
"That sounds complicated." Said Wesley.
"Yes, it can be complicated. We have now reverted to acknowledging the time or era in which someone was born to apportion their generation. As you can imagine, the Second generation were those born of the first. The third generation were born mostly from the second, but the fourth were born from more of a mixture of earlier generations and so on – getting more complicated as the generations progress."
"Do you know why the telepathic abilities have decreased with the generations." Wondered Beverly.
"It's linked to our equanime," replied Guss. "So, Tarya is of the first generation and has the greatest amount of equanime in her system. She is the strongest on all counts. It's also why she only appears more middle aged and someone like me looks older or similar in age than she does, the greater the amount and quality of equanime, the longer your lifespan. She is projected to live to approximately one hundred and twenty thousand years old. Young Christoph here will age faster. His projected lifespan is around seventy thousand years. His equanime amount and strength is a lot less than Tarya."
"Fascinating," pondered Deanna, "Is she the only member of the first generation left?"
"No there is another in the South, Valan, but he prefers to keep himself to himself. There maybe one other too, but he went off the radar thousands of years ago and no-one has seen him since, we wondered if he travelled North, but no-one knows? He could also be dead."
"What generation are you and Doone, to me you look around the same age?"
"I am of the second generation," explained Guss, "Doone is of the third." He confirmed, just as they reached Tarya.
"How did it go?" Asked Guss.
"Fine, it took a bit of persuading, but they are going to welcome you. It's time for breakfast, so the Fumus Master suggested we join them in the great hall."
"Great," said Doone, "I'm famished."
They entered the academy through the elaborate and ornate wooden doors that were adorned with imagery of nature and wild beasts. The vestibule led to a grand staircase that split into two. Hung along the back wall of the staircase were pictures of what looked to be warriors. Picard instantly noted Tarya and Doone were amongst the warriors hanging on the wall. Both were clad in armour, and it looked as though the pictures had been drawn by a battlefield artist. Picard didn't recognise any of the others on the wall.
Tarya took them through a corridor that wound off towards the right, they ignored many a closed door before entering a vast hall. Rows and rows or tables were occupied by students eating their breakfast. It wasn't long before their presence was noted. What had been a busy hum quietened and the many heads turned to face them. Deanna could sense they weren't used to having visitors, but they weren't scared or even weary, more intrigued.
"Welcome." An elderly man with a long beard approached the party. He reminded Picard of a Cistercian Monk, though his robe was dark green. "I am head of this academy, known as the Fumus Master, but please call me Arn. Tarya has explained why you are here. Please join me for breakfast then afterwards I thought you could have a brief tour, if that sounds acceptable?"
"That would be very kind. Thank you," replied Picard. After seeing their Fumus Master address the visitors, the students returned to eating and minding their own business. It wasn't long after introductions and pleasantries had been concluded that they began their tour.
"The basement houses the kitchens. The first floor the new students, the second the mature, the following three the masters of the academy and the top floor the Academy Masters." Arn informed as he walked his guests through the academy.
"How many Academy Masters currently reside here?" Doone seemed intrigued by the décor. It was surprisingly bright and fresh, and the centre piece was a very large, winding staircase. He'd only been once before and had no memory of it being this pristine. All the woodwork was dark and well-polished, and the walls appeared freshly whitewashed. "It's very clean in here too," he mused.
"There are presently twelve Academy Masters living in, not including the me. Every student spends the entire day thoroughly cleaning the building at the start of each new moon, and standards are consistently maintained by all throughout. It's part of our discipline. Whilst we focus a lot on learning, we also pay a lot of attention to the disciplines of cleanliness, presentation and riding. After completing the foundation phase, a ten year course that covers all subjects and more, you can choose to specialise in your first master course. It's only when you've completed the foundation phase that you become a mature student. As a mature student you can then choose to focus on sorcery, alchemy, combat, science or music. Those who choose not to specialise, tend to complete the foundation phase, gain the mature title and leave to live their lives elsewhere. If they so wished, they could return at any time to complete a master course. Those who stay on, either complete a master course, then leave, or start another. Several students here are mastering their fourth discipline and one is on her fifth. They're likely to be the ones that will complete all of the disciplines and stay on to become Academy Masters and begin to teach. We're also looking to create a research department in the hope of increasing our knowledge and developing our learning further. We've a disused dungeon below the main building that would be perfect. Those who do not wish to become Academy Masters could find a place there and work towards our future."
At the end of a corridor they approached the new students common room. Tarya became unnerved. Something around felt too familiar, like a mind she'd not sensed for a long time, though it was hard to distinguish.
"I'm sorry, what's through that room?" She asked. Deanna could sense her unease.
"That's just the new students common room," stated Arn.
"May we be introduced." Whilst he thought her suggestion odd, he agreed.
"Of course." He knocked the door before entering.
Three young boys were playing a game of Prysm. As soon as they recognised the Fumus master they stood to attention.
"Please meet Serl, Tonan and Eidolon. They are several years into their studies." Tarya briefly looked them in the eye. Eidolon, what was it about him? She didn't recognise him, but somehow, she knew him, Deanna sensed that Doone and Guss now shared her concern.
"Boys, these are guests from elsewhere. They are having a tour of the academy." Arn turned to Picard. "Perhaps Wesley could remain here for a while and get to know the students a bit more?"
"No," Tarya said firmly, "we will stay together."
"As you wish. Thank you, boys, carry on."
The third floor led to the first and lowest room in the tower. This was the Fumus Masters study. Surrounding the walls in his study was a spiral staircase that ran to the top of the tower, connecting all the rooms. Doone was struggling to work out how the upper rooms were adequately supported, though he knew that sorcery still lived and thrived within these walls. Forming the inner rail, or barrier, was a series of purpose-built bookshelves. They too spiralled upward, in line with the stairs, and a mechanical balcony allowed ease of access to all the books. He thought on how fun it may be to take the balcony all the way to the top and allow it to roll down.
"This is my office. We will conclude the tour here. Are there any questions you would like to ask?"
"Thank you for the tour, it was most kind." Picard said as Arn gestured for them all to take a seat.
"Yes, I was wondering if you could confirm what you mean by alchemy and sorcery and how they differ from one another?" The Fumus Master shot a look to Tarya who nodded surreptitiously.
"Alchemy is the term we give to the art of utilising the properties in our natural environment. For example, rocks hold a record of everything that happens around them. It's difficult to accurately pinpoint a specific time to recall when utilising them, but in theory, rocks hold a record of everything that's happened around them. You can tell if one has been moved as a result. There is an understanding that very large rocks are never to be disturbed. Certain gems and stones have unique properties too. Tomainen stones for example have the property of protection. Set them into something, activate them and that object will be protected from damage. They are very rare though - not easy to come by at all. Scorcery on the other hand is technically band. It's our ability to influence the world around us utilizing equanime. The darkest of spells can cause great harm and because of them being used in time of war, we agreed with the North to no longer practice. It was a mutual agreement. However, we soon learnt the North were not holding to that arrangement, therefore we decided to keep the tradition alive within the academy for security purposes, though I have known of harmless spells being utilized by those who can on occasion. Naming no names…" He threw a look to Tarya and Guss.
"Sounds like you really have an affinity to your world that most don't." Noted Picard.
"World?"
"He means our Orb," confirmed Doone.
"How does this equanime integrate into your technology?" Enquired Data.
"That is not something I can help you with. We long turned from technology. That is not to say when our research facility is constructed that we won't dabble in that direction again. I'm sure at some point we will again. You are best talking with the Caucus about that."
"On that note I suggest we head off to Bramble. Thank you for your time Arn," said Tarya.
"You're welcome and it was a pleasure meeting our new friends." She turned and they all followed suit.
"Oh, by the way Arn," Tarya threw out on her way out, "that new student of yours Eidolon - he's not who he says he is."
"Aye", confirmed Guss. "We can't decide who he is, but our best guess is one of the exiled. I'd restrict his access and figure out his purpose for being here. It can't be good." Arn looked horrified.
"I will investigate that matter straight away. Thank you."