Cala Arrives at the Mazan'theileian
A mere week later, the boy came, accompanied by an elf who was apparently a relative of the boy's mother, close enough to be prevailed upon to travel with Cala so far and at such expense, but distant enough that he left the boy at the public gate of the Mazan'theileian with only an awkward pat on the shoulder in farewell once it was opened for him.
Cala was a scrawny child, tall for his age, rather fearful and wide-eyed as he took in his surroundings, clutching tightly a small bag that was the entirety of his luggage. His simple clothes were well worn and travel-stained, and had clearly seen a few owners before they were handed down to Cala.
"Welcome, young man," Sehalis said gently, putting his kindest expression on as the boy's attention snapped to him. "We are Sehalis Athmaza, Adremaza of the Athmaz'are. You are Cala, we presume?"
"Yes, Adremaza." It was a firm voice, though still the voice of a child.
"You may call us Sehalis when we are within the gates of the Mazan'theileian."
"Sehalis," he repeated dutifully.
"You need not fear us, Cala." The Adremaza knew perfectly well that the words meant little by themselves, but thought it best to say them, regardless. "Come—we will show you to your room." A few introductions were made to older mazei they passed along the way, but none made attempts at conversation. They climbed the stairs in one of the large, irregularly curved buildings bordering the Mazan'theileian, eventually reaching the level Sehalis wanted.
"You will sleep here, with the other novice boys around your age," he said. "You may choose your cot, Cala, and leave your things there so we may continue the tour."
He selected an empty cot from the half dozen lining two walls of the long, currently vacant room. Then, at Sehalis' invitation, they made their way to the Ulimeire within the great hall of the Mazan'theileian. Cala had never seen such a large hall, nor such a large Ulimeire, as was clear from his awe-filled expression. But the boy turned a curious glance at the Adremaza after a moment of observing the vast walls and faded paintings.
"Cala," Sehalis said, "did you know that the abilities of mazei come from the gods?"
The boy's eyes widened further.
"Yes," the Adremaza continued. "Here, you will learn of how the gods breathed their power into your spirit. You will learn how better to commune with them and receive their gifts of peace within you."
Sehalis knew it was a great revelation to many new mazei. He also knew it meant very little to children as uneducated as Cala was. In such remote villages as his, there was likely only a small chapel in the largest town close by, half a day's travel or more from his homestead, where it was difficult to maintain a prelate consistently, let alone attract a regular congregation.
Cala followed obediently when Sehais gestured, and they walked over the tiles illuminated by gas lamps, to another hall that was the tallest and clearly the best maintained of the whole compound. The library contained many stories of shelves. The space was interspersed with tables and chairs, as well as a few comfortable lounging areas. At present, only a few blue-robed mazei were there, none of them even looking up from their books as the newcomers took a few steps in.
"This is the library," Sehalis told Cala, not bothering to quiet his voice. "Here, you will learn the practical and theoretical components of maz, along with a better understanding of the rules governing how the world works, which is essential for efficient use of mazeise powers."
Cala's face held a look of shame and some mild fear. "Sehalis," he said in a whisper, "I…we cannot read."
"Oh, of course not," the Adremaza said matter-of-factly. "No need, where you're from. But you will learn here. We will teach you."
The boy seemed doubtful but at least no longer ashamed.
"We venture to guess you know how to write your name?" Sehalis probed. At Cala's hesitant nod, he walked over to one of the instructor's desks and pulled out a slate board and a piece of chalk. "Let's see it, then," he prompted in an encouraging tone.
Cala did not hesitate to write his first name in the inelegant but sure symbols of the secretarial hand, though he dropped his face very close to the board as he did so. He stepped back showing resignation more than pride.
"Very good," Sehalis said, then quickly walked over to a shelf and pulled out a book he knew to be there. "Here. You know the letters and sounds contained in your name. Now I will show you another set of letters. Their sound is 'estho.'" He wrote them below Cala's name on the slate, attempting to match the size though his own writing was rather more spidery. He indicated that Cala read them, and watched as he bent low again over the board to do so. Sehalis made a mental note to recommend that he be seen to get spectacles. "Now," he continued, "can you read this word?" The Adremaza used his hand to cover up the first part of the book's title ("Medicinal Properties of Herbs Found in the Region of") and looked at Cala expectantly.
"Calestho," the boy answered slowly, surprise and pleasure obvious in his tone and in the rise of his ears as he realized what he'd done.
"Very good," Sehalis said. "You see? Learning to read is not so very difficult. Soon, all the information that any book can hold will be yours for the taking."
Cala took a more contemplative look around the library. This was often the part Sehalis loved best when introducing people to the Athmaz'are. The Ulimeire gave the young newcomers peace, but the library gave them a thirst for possibilities that rarely ceased in any maza. But now was not the time to linger.
"Come along, now, Cala," Sehalis said. "We are late for dinner."
Predictably, the boy's ears flicked in interest and he eagerly followed the Adremaza towards the door.
"Sehalis," Cala ventured once they had shut the library door quietly behind them, "when will…our lessons begin?"
"Are you so eager to start?"
"Yes," the boy answered immediately, honest despite the Adremaza's teasing tone.
"Well, your first will be tomorrow," Sehalis said, taking pity on him. "We will instruct you on the rules and expectations of the Athmaz'are. These include taking a vow of poverty, and dedicating the powers of your spirit and your mind to the service of the empire. There are also guidelines regarding maz that is and is not acceptable to use. Besides those rules, there are also skills in which you would be required to show proficiency before gaining specific privileges. If you agree to the conditions, you will become a novitiate of the Athmaz'are. While you would no longer be permitted to work toward supporting your own family financially, you will also require no material support from them. Your meals, lodging, and education will be provided for. And if you reach a certain level of scholarship, your research and experiments will be sponsored, within reason. And your mazeise talents will ever be developed and refined."
"I wish to become a novitiate," Cala burst out, his lapse into the informal first an indication of his earnestness.
"Do you, now?" Sehalis said, not in the least surprised, and taking the opportunity to drop formality, as well. "In that case, my boy, by this time tomorrow, thou wilt be Cala Athmaza, michenmaza of the Athmaz'are of the Ethuveraz."