Tuesday, April 19, 2005

   Chapter 2: Falamarana (part 3)
The walls of the hall were white, like the room she had just left. There were many other doors on the right-hand-side, making it look a lot like a hospital, but it lacked the strict stench of antibiotics.
She started to the only door on the left, which she guessed led to outside. But just then, the door next to her own opened. Out stepped a boy with frizzy brown hair and robes that were black and long-sleeved.
“Hello Blues,” she said as he also turned in the direction of the door at the end of the hall, not seeing her. Blues jumped, his right hand seeming to squirm up into the sleeve until he realized that there was no threat meant.
“W-who are you?” he asked, surprised.
“I’m Falamarana, but most people just call me Fala,” she answered, smiling kindly.
“Well, how d’you know my name?”
“You just pulled me out of that fire.”
“No, it can’t be. That was a bird.”
Fala suppressed a sigh. She knew how strange her answer would sound. “I was the bird.”
“But you’re a person now.”
“Yeah. I dunno, turning into an animal is not really a common talent, is it?”
Blues shook his head thoughtfully. Seeing that Fala was watching him, he continued. “You mean, you were a person to start with?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have mage-blood?”
“What?” Fala was taken aback: what kind of question was that? What was he talking about?
“She has much besides,” said a new voice. A short, long-legged man stepped into the hall. He was wearing orange robes, and had a youthful, smiling face with straight eyebrows that lined kindly, gray eyes. His hair was an odd blonde color; it seemed to have a slight green tinge to it.
“You…” Blues started. “I’ve seen you before somewhere...”
“I’m Predicus,” the man said, his eyes twinkling.
Blues’ face lit up in comprehension. “You’re the Welding Watcher,” he replied.
“I know I am,” said Predicus, smiling.
“What’s that?” Fala asked. This whole thing sounded very strange, indeed.
“Explain later, Blues. I’m in a hurry. Could you show Fala around a little? Go to the Three Walls before you do anything else. You can show her more in the morning.”
“Fala,” he continued, turning to her. “You might want to use Jet to send a letter to your parents, so they don’t worry. If they want to see you to be sure, tell them to send a time when they can come to visit.”
“Blues, I need a private word,” he added suddenly, beckoning toward the door of Blues’ room. As soon as it behind them, Fala pressed her ear against it.
Deep inside the room, she could hear Predicus speak.
“Fala is the Warden,” he said, in his cheerful way.
There was silence, then: “No way.”
“She has the Ring. The Legend is true.”
“Damn!” Blues exclaimed, surprised.
Fala didn’t hear anymore. She had suddenly noticed that she was eavesdropping, and that was not the right way to find out the truth. But she couldn’t stop her thoughts: so this had to do with a ring, but which? Fala never had a ring, besides the one around her ankle. If it was the one, why was it so important? She knew no more than that she held the title of the Warden.
Predicus left silently. Blues looked at her with curiosity, but he seemed shyer, also. After a minute of quiet, Fala finally managed to speak.
“So, what is a Welding Watcher?” she asked.
“Huh?” he started, caught off guard for a minute, his thoughts lost elsewhere. “Oh, Welding is a place where you learn to use magic.”
“So it’s like a school?”
“It is a school. Except on weekends, apprentices walk around in Welding and go to whatever lessons are available. The teachers are none other than some people from the village. Of course, there are certain requirements and that stuff. We’re actually in Welding right now.”
Fala imagined a large school building, with a bunch of classrooms with schedules on the doors. Kids walk down the halls in friend-groups, thinking and talking about the next class to go to. But magic... what’s up with that? Magic doesn’t exist. And who were apprentices? Was she going crazy?
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