BDS: Chapter Sixteen

Malik and Kesól awaited Gyan's presence at the top of the cliffs that same afternoon.

Kesól turned to Malik and studied his pale face closely. So, were you going to tell me that your starlight was fading, or did you just plan to disappear forever in a burst of light?

Malik smiled and looked out over the falls. I had planned on just disappearing. I did ponder leaving you a note, however.

Kesól smirked. That would be just like you.

I am ready, Kesól, but I won't leave until Akila is stripped of her power even if I must destroy her to do it. I can't leave her behind. His eyes turned serious. I want you to stay and work for the Order after I am gone—take my place and teach the upcoming warriors, as well as finish apprenticing Marcile. You know almost all the knowledge of the Mysteis, and I will reveal the rest in the time we have left. I have already spoken with Elder Master Syam about this.

Kesól nodded. Is there anyone else that knows?

Besides the elder master, just Priestess Ayuvana.

You wouldn't have been able to keep it from her.

No, Malik agreed, she knew immediately. I want to keep the information just between the four of us for now. It will be hard on the other Order members, especially for the masters. He sighed and looked to the stone steps leading to the cliffs. Your student is here.

Gyan appeared at the top of the cliff.

It is quite remarkable that he has balanced his energies enough to merge given what he is going through, Kesól stated.

There is more to his existence than I can detect from this vantage point. Elder Master Nyhra claims his future is veiled, which always means that it is key to an important event—for light or for dark, I do not know.

Kesól narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as he watched Gyan approach them. Master Gyan, he greeted as Gyan bowed to the two.

Master Gyan, I have brought you the greatest instructor I know, Malik said. He will explain everything as I leave you in his care.

Gyan nodded, and Malik disappeared in a burst of starlight.

Master Gyan, let's move into the grove, where the roar of the falls is lessened by the trees. We will have shade there also.

Kesól sat on the ground and indicated for Gyan to sit across from him. "There, that's better. So, tell me how your urges have been since class this morning."

"There has been one more since. I used the same technique and it worked again. It's still hard to…" Gyan looked away.

"To what?"

"…to be away from her."

"That urge, my friend, will never go away. I am on a different planet and I still feel the urge to go to her."

"When did you become a Shanlo, and what is it, exactly?" Gyan asked.

Kesól explained to Gyan what being a Shanlo meant and how the assignment is granted before going into detail about his own personal experience.

"The high priestesses approached me after most of my tribe was killed and told me what I was. They said I was assigned to protect a princess destined to rule a large kingdom in Tridaun at the dawn of a new age. As she begins her rule, my role as her Shanlo will be released."

"So, there can be a time limit to the assignment?"

"Yes, the desire dissipates after you have fulfilled your duty. I just know when my role ends specifically because I badgered the priestesses until they revealed all knowledge about my duties and what it meant to be a Shanlo. However, being more arrogant at the time, I declined their offer to train me in managing the role."

"Then, you had no other guidance?"

"No. All that I will teach you, I have learned on my own. It came at great cost, however. I imprisoned the princess and killed her uncle because I thought he would take her from me."

"How did you learn to control it?"

"I was forced away from Tikana—the princess I am to protect—after I was imprisoned for years by a group of creatures known as the shadow hunters. At the time, I thought it best that I was locked away so I couldn't hurt her or anyone else." Kesól sighed. "During that time, my urge to go to her had almost peaked and the pain I experienced was unbearable. With patience and time at hand, I experimented with various techniques until I discovered what worked."

"Does she now know that you are her Shanlo and that you just didn't know how to control it before?"

"Yes, according to Sir Malik."

"Have you seen her since you were released?"

"Yes. I could not leave Tridaun without doing so. She did not see me though, but she knows I am alive. It seems that there is a connection between a Shanlo and their assignment that is felt by both parties."

Gyan squinted his eyes. "I thought about that, but Master Jalena is so good at mastering her emotions that it is hard to tell if she feels the connection."

"Sir Malik claims that you have been romantically involved."

Gyan dropped his gaze. "Yes."

"Then that is your evidence."

"But, is the reason she is attracted to me due to me being her Shanlo or just because of me?"

"I am unsure, just as I am uncertain that being a Shanlo isn't what drives the love. I love Princess Tikana, but is it because I am her Shanlo?"

"I have loved Master Jalena since the day I saw her, so I do not know."

"The only way to know then, Master Gyan, is if you still feel the same the day your role as a Shanlo ends. Until then, I would not ruminate on what justifies love between two people. It can be a complex enough subject as it is without being one's Shanlo."

Gyan smiled and nodded.

"The waves of desire that you feel will increase in length, number, and intensity, so be prepared," Kesól stated with a serious look. "When that happens, begin with the same procedure I showed you and then force yourself to engage in physical training that is certain to exhaust you. Believe it or not, engaging in an action that drains your energy as you experience the highest intensity of the transformation is the best treatment. Drugs or potions will not help—believe me, I've tried everything. The only thing that I have found to best manage it is some type of hard labor that consumes your focus.

"As your episodes heighten, it will become more difficult for you to manage, but do not, under any circumstances, contact your assignment. Do not come out of your chambers, if you can manage it, other than when you train to manage the intensity. I will accompany your trainings to make it more…" Kesól's eyes held a gleam, "…well, to make it more interesting. I need to sharpen my own strength and skills, and I can provide you with the practice of fighting against spells. So, from now on, call for me as soon as your episodes begin. I will find you and lead you directly to the simulation room. Go nowhere else. If I am not nearby when you have an episode, take an unusual route to the room so that you avoid as many people as possible.

"I'll remind you again, that you must not ever go to your assignment. One glimpse at your assignment will cause your mind to black out. Then, you will have no direct control over your behavior and that is when…" Kesól furrowed his brow. After several moments, he cleared his throat and spoke again, "…it's when you become most dangerous, especially to anyone that is near your assignment. It will not matter if they are friend or foe."

Gyan's eyes widened. "It will become that dire?"

"There is no need to fear who you are, Master Gyan," Kesól said strongly. "It will only make it worse. Embracing being a Shanlo and respecting the role, rather than fighting and fearing it is how it will best serve you."

Gyan sighed. "I think you're right about that. It's harder when I fight it."

"The period just before your Shanlo power stabilizes, which I expect to be soon for you, is the toughest part. Once your body has acclimated to the powers of a Shanlo, the peaked periods will disappear. However, you will still find it difficult to control the urge to be near Master Jalena."

"I had that problem even before I knew I was a Shanlo."

Kesól chuckled. "Then it will not be a surprise, although I imagine the desires will be more intense."

"What powers should I expect?"

"I do not know if they are the same for all Shanlos. With you being a warrior, I am even more unsure what it will gain for you. Generally, there is an increase in mental ability, strength, and endurance. It may create a boost in your ability to manipulate light in different ways. We will have to be patient in learning what will come until the full transformation takes effect."

Gyan nodded.

"Sir Malik is meeting with the elder masters now to reveal that you are a Shanlo and what that means. He will mention my part as your mentor, so expect support from them. The next step now is for you to tell your teammates, so they understand the situation entirely."

"I know," Gyan replied as he picked at the grass before him. "I told Master Valora what happened in Aikon but was hesitant in telling the others for as long as I could because I knew so little. Some, especially Master Hoshi, worry about me already because of Aderes, so I didn't want to burden them so soon after his death."

Gyan heard Aderes chuckle. I'm not dead.

Gyan smiled. Yeah, yeah.

"It's best they know soon," Kesól instructed.

Later that evening, Gyan sat before his teammates in the shared common room of their chamber quarters and told them about being a Shanlo.

"Well, now some of your weirdness makes more sense," Jarek said. "I can't speak for the other strange behavior you possess, though. Make sure you tell us when you figure out the reasons for those too."

Hoshi pushed Jarek lightly in the head and turned to Gyan. "We will all watch out for you, Gyan."

"Hoshi's right," Brogan said in a serious tone. "You let us know what to do when you need support. It doesn't sound like your periods of adjustment are going to be easy."

"Why does Master Jalena need a Shanlo, anyway?" Lorcan asked. "She's the strongest warrior in the Order."

"It means her survival is key to a significant event unfolding. That's all I know," replied Gyan.

"As opposed to yours?" Valora said with sudden irritation.

"I don't think it works like that, Valora," Gyan said quietly.

"How's that, Gyan?" Valora retorted, her anger surfacing. "If you are assigned to protect her and her life is at stake, do you fail in your duty as a Shanlo if you can't save her?" She stood quickly from her place on the sofa. "Or do you die too as some sort of punishment for having the connection? If you can save her at the expense of your own life, then I guess you succeed!"

"I'm not sure of any rules, Valora, but the priestesses claim that it was something I agreed to before this incarnation."

"Of course, they would say that!" Angry tears started to leak from the corner of her eyes.

The rest of the warriors remained silent as they looked from Valora to Gyan.

Gyan faced Valora directly. Defensive anger heightened within him as he realized the truth in what she spoke. "You think I haven't already thought of all that? I have no choice, Valora, except to trust them! Besides…I—" He broke off as he crossed his arms and looked away.

"You what?" Valora demanded.

"I want to do it!"

Valora glared at him. "That's the Shanlo inside you saying that!"

"The Shanlo is me! I would have sacrificed my life for her even before the role surfaced! I don't care what it costs me!"

"And what about what it costs all of us?" Valora's reply cut sharp through the air, thickening the silence that had settled around the warriors.

Gyan finally spoke after several minutes. "There is nothing I can do about it now," he said softly. "Thank you for caring about me—my life, Valora. You know what you—" he looked at his teammates in turn,"—all of you— mean to me even without me reminding you. Nothing like that has happened yet, so giving energy to a dark ending will just amplify the difficulty."

Valora wiped her eyes and walked out of the common room without responding.

"Like Brogan said," Danika said quietly, "we are here for you in whatever way we can be, Gyan."

The rest of the warriors murmured their agreements.

Brogan put a hand on Gyan's shoulder. "Don't worry about her. I'll talk to her," he said reassuringly. "In the meantime, don't do anything stupid…at least without me there."

Gyan's responding smile did not reach his eyes. He gave Brogan a small nod. He knew he would never hesitate to do anything for Jalena, but he didn't want to do anything to cause separation or heartache in his team either. This left him only one option. He had to stay alive while keeping Jalena safe at the same time.

***