Chapter Fifty: The Sand Weavers
Entering the building, Zain gave a quick explanation of the initiation day. Men and women spend five years of training in the art of Sand Weaving, learning the three teachings of the Weaver.
After their training is completed, the new crop of Weavers gather before the most powerful Sand Weaver, the Grand Priest, who bestows them their Staffs and allows them to pursue one of the three career paths they want.
The path of Guardian, Artificer, or a Healer. The mixed emotions Zain got overwhelmed with was the excitement of the new Weavers, who were ready to move up to serve their city.
Walking down the red carpet between the many rows of the Weavers, all took notice of the prince who slowly approached an alter where the Grand Priest stood talking with the three leaders of the Weaver factions.
Each of the leaders had come from one of the three large buildings in the city, each to see the new crop of Sand Weavers as well as keeping an eye out for potential cases.
The first leader was Captain Reyes an older greying gentleman with a modified staff made into a weapon, he oversaw the Guardians teaching the new soldiers how to properly use the Stone Guardians to their fullest potential as well as ensuring they were prepared in battle.
The Guardians reside in the first of the large buildings called 'the Barracks,' despite its name it operates like a military base, and the Guardians act as the police of the city, making sure the laws are obeyed and peace is upheld.
The second leader was the Priestess Lihua, a kind Japanese woman entering her forties who studied medicine before becoming a Sand Weaver. She oversaw the Healers of the Sand Weavers; under her teaching, she oversaw the day-to-day of every clinic and emergency care in Lemuria.
The Healers reside in the main Hospital known as 'the Garden,' there Lihua oversees her new Weaver's teachings in medicine and healing before sending them out in shift changes to the clinics and emergency care of the city.
The last leader who oversaw the production of Lemuria technology as well as the development of new inventions and repairs of Sand Weaver staffs was Senior Tech Overseer, Karol. A white-haired elderly man with scrolls and tools attached to belts on his body with a pair of goggles resting on top of his head.
He led the artificers inside the last large building of the city called 'the Workshop,' some have said the Artificer have the easiest job, but this was far from the truth. The artificer saw to the daily repairs, maintenance, and care of all of Lemuria.
Without them, the transit, monorails, and power the city used on a daily basis would crumble.
While the three leaders oversaw their respective groups they all answer to a single higher power. The Grand Priest, who acts as a mayor of sorts for the city.
The Grand Priest was a graying man by the name of Jean, standing out with decorative robes and wielding a staff where the floating box was now opened illuminating a bright blue light.
Many years ago, during the reign of Emperor Lion, he had sent out a request to Jean to become the official Grand Priest of Lemuria after the former Priest had stepped down to retire. Jean, who was a Healer at the time refused, wanting to devote himself to his path.
It was only after Emperor Lion offered the position for a second time in person that the people of Lemuria spoke up, encouraging the kind man to become the Grand Priest, and he accepted.
Since then, Jean used his new position of power to better help the people of the city he cared for, overseeing the temple and the training of the new Sand Weavers.
Turning Jean gasped upon seeing Zain, before bowing his head, "My prince, what an honor to have to join us on this fine day."
Bowing back Zain smiled, "Sorry for the unannounced visit but I was sent by my brother, I am afraid something has happened in Lemuria."
Stepping forward Reyes bowed, "We have received your brother's message, I assure you, your Highness, we are looking into the matter."
"Oh my," Jean spoke noticing Zain's appearance, "my prince, your aura, have you become a hero?"
"I suppose I am," Zain chuckled still not used to being called a hero.
"That explains why the emperor sent his brother to investigate the rumors," Lihua spoke checking the time, "oh it's time!"
"Please have a seat, my prince," Jean smiled watching his three companions take a seat on the stage while he approached the podium.
Joining the leaders Zain leaned in to whisper to Karol, "Any interesting new weavers this year?"
"Hmm just one," Karol spoke pointing to the rows of seats filled with graduating Sand Weavers, where Zain followed Karol pointed finger to a blonde girl in tan ropes with a long blonde braid hanging behind her smiling when a friend sat next to her.
It was then Zain noticed why the three leaders were interested when the blonde woman friend began to talk and sign at the same time.
"Are you excited Bree?" the Sand Weaver girl spoke while signing.
"I am! Are you excited to join the Healers Nicole?" Bree signed excitedly with a smile.
"She deaf?" Zain asked looking at Karol.
"No, just mute, the girl's hearing is just fine, what interests us is when we get Sand Weavers some show a stronger interest in some subjects than others, take all the Guardian candidates," Karol pointed to a group.
"They excelled in Sand Guardian training however a majority barely passed their healing and artificer courses, Captain Reyes will be giving them a rude awakening when they arrive at the Barracks," Karol spoke.
"Damn right, slacking on those other important courses is unacceptable," Reyes glared with his arms crossed.
"Now Bree Summers is a very rare gem," Karol spoke leaning in, "she passed all her courses with flying colors, potential to be an apprentice to take over any of our roles."
"Bree shows much promise, she will make a fine addition to the Healers," Lihua smiled getting a scoff from Reyes.
"Not if she joins the Guardians, she will be a damn fine soldier to protect our city," Reyes spoke looking over when Karol chuckled.
"That if she doesn't become an artificer old friend," Karol laughed looking to Zain, "of course while others showed their interest they wish to follow right off the bat, Ms. Summers hasn't expressed what path she wishes to follow."
"So, none of you know what she wants to do yet?" Zain asked.
"We will today," Reyes spoke looking to Jean when he touched a microphone.
"Good afternoon citizens of Lemuria, it is with tremendous joy that I welcome the graduating Sand Weavers into one of the three great houses of our great city!" Jean spoke getting cheers from the graduating class, "be it the path of a Guardian, Healer or Artificer, I know each and every one of you will do this city proudly, now when your name is called you will approach the podium where you will receive your Sand Scepter."
Turning a Sand Scepter came out of a hole in the ground next to Jean floating up, "you will be responsible for the care and maintenance of your scepter, as Captain Reyes will tell you, your scepter will be an extension of your body, losing your scepter will have dire consequences."
"Like death?" Zain whispered to Karol.
"Not that extreme, the Sand Scepters are an important piece of Lemuria, if the technology were to be lost and our enemies got a hold of it, we could doom our kingdoms, death used to be the punishment, if you lose your scepter you're banished from the city," Karol explained.
"What about someone exposing the city location?" Zain asked seeing Reyes turn to him.
"Can't talk with no tongue," Reyes spoke making Zain gulp.
This punishment seemed harsh but Zain knew it was a necessary rule, the technology of Lemuria should never fall into the hands of some like Tirich in Albion.
"Step forth Avery Lang," Jean called reading from the list of names, and looked down to the seats of new Sand Weavers where a red-haired boy with glasses stood up and approached the stage.
Approaching the podium Avery bowed to Jean and then to the three house leaders before standing at attention before Jean who approached, "Do you solemnly swear to serve, protect, and maintain the safety of Lemuria and its good people my child?"
"I swear," Avery spoke placing his fist over his heart.
"Now Avery Lang, take your scepter and declare to Lemuria and its people your path," Jean spoke watching Avery taking the floating scepter.
"I walk the path of a healer!" Avery spoke holding up his staff in the air with his class all clapping.
"Welcome to the Healers Avery," Lihua smiled watching the young man walk off the stage to join the healers who came to watch the graduation.
Sitting and watching Zain observed several more Sand Weavers his attention being drawn to Percy whose ears perked, "Something wrong Percy?"
"I sense something Zain," Percy spoke as Zain stood up looking towards the entrance to the temple looking out to the city sensing something off.
"Step forth Bree Summers!" Jean spoke noticing Zain standing up and descending the stairs walking past Bree who looked confusingly back to Zain before approaching Jean and bowing.
"Do you solemnly swear to serve, protect, and maintain the safety of Lemuria and its good people my child?" Jean asked Bree while Zain walked down the rows of seats reaching the doors and narrowing his eyes.
"I swear," Bree signed with a smile taking her staff.
"Now Bree Summers, take your scepter and declare to Lemuria and its people your path," Jean spoke looking away from Bree and narrowing his eyes also sensing something off.
Before Bree could announce her path an explosion in the city made all at the temple jump and turn to the entrance where the Workshop had been attacked.
"The attack happening!" Zain yelled watching Percy transform into a massive Eagle allowing his Prince to climb on his back and fly towards the city.
Running to the doors Reyes turned to his Guardians who attended the graduation, "Guardians! Secure the permitter! No one goes into the Workshop!"
"Oh dear! I am gonna get the Garden ready! I hope there were no casualties!" Lihua spoke rushing off the stage, "Healers! We are gonna have burn victims coming in! To the Garden!"
"Jean! Look at this!" Karol spoke showing the Grand Priest a live feed inside the Workshop where a hooded figure walked past Sand Scepters ready for use, "he's ignoring the scepters."
Narrowing his eyes Jean turned to Bree, picking up her bag while sneakily slipping something inside, "I am so sorry Bree we will have to postpone the ceremony, please return to your home."
Nodding Bree watched the leaders of Lemuria leave the temple to make their way to the city down below.
Looking down at her staff Bree exited the temple looking out to the smoke in the distance of the city Workshop.
Narrowing her eyes Bree quickly ran down the steps making her way to the Garden where she pushed open the doors to see many Healers running around quickly pushing many burn victims to the burn unit.
"Hurry up everyone! We have more victims coming in!" Lihua spoke looking to Bree, "Bree what are you doing here?"
"I came to help," Bree signed her face showing her determination, "tell me how I can help our people."
Seeing more people being wheeled in Lihua nodded, "You can start with these new burn victims! I hope your healing magic is ready!"
Nodding Bree set her bag on a chair and rushed over to a burn Artificer seeing the burns to the groaning man's arm Bree quickly rushed to a large jar taking out a handful of sand that she made float and spin in the air where she made it fly through a stream of water turning the sand into mud that she used with her magic to cover the man wounds.
With the burns covered Bree held her hands over the mud cover wound with her hands creating a golden glow making the mud slowly harden.
This was the Healers Magic, using the strange properties of Samarkand Sand to heal wounds, while there are some limits to the Healing Muds the Healers use, for burns as great as this, it will get the job done.
Meanwhile outside Percy landed in front of the burning workshop where Zain looked up in horror seeing people coughing and rushing out of the building some helping others to escape the blaze.
"Hurry up and get some water on that fire!" Captain Reyes yelled.
"Captain there are many stuck in the Workshop!" an Artificer man yelled.
"Whew," Zain spoke letting out a breath overwhelmed with the flood of fear he felt, "Right, let's see if I can put out this fire."
"Do you know a spell that can help?" Percy asked transforming into a ferret and climbing onto Zain's shoulder.
"There's no water spells so maybe a combination spell?" Zain spoke forming Ice Storm in his hand and Inferno in another slamming the two spells together with his Will Marks glowing along with his eyes.
Watching Captain Reyes stepped back watching the winds pick up around Zain with his red kaffiyeh blowing around him.
"Ice Storm – Inferno!" Zain spoke, keeping the spells between his hands till the two became water he smashed into the ground sending a wave of water through the Workshop and pouring out every window.
With steam and smoke sizzling from the building, Zain looked over to Captain Reyes, "Captain! Get your men in there! Find any survivors! Get them to the Garden immediately!"
"You heard the prince! Guardians! Get in there!" Reyes ordered while approaching the prince with his tablet, "My Prince, you need to see this."
Looking at the tablet, Zain and Percy watched the culprit who set the fire as his distraction entered the workshop and appeared to be looking for something but left as soon as Zain arrived."
"He wasn't after the scepters? What would he be after then?" Zain asked aloud looking to the building, "It will have to wait! If there are any serious victims bring them to me, I'll use my magic to heal them!"