Mark of the Fool

Chapter 246: Getting to Know Someone

The festival of ghosts will be different this yearI think. Khalik poured himself a third cup of wine before sliding the pitcher back across the table.

Thanks, man, Alex said, picking it up and pouring himself a second cup. It was a bit of a struggle with one arm in a sling, but hed rather help himself as much as he could. He was also glad he could call on his Wizards Hands when he needed them. For a moment, the moon peaked out from behind dark clouds above them and shone across the jugs polished surface, reflecting off the table. Yeah, I think well feel it even more than last year. Theres gonna be a lot of people to say goodbye to, even thoughI mean, it couldve been a lot worse, I guess.

He couldnt count how many times hed said and heard, it couldve been worse since the demon summoners attack. Other people had been repeating those same words too, often sounding like they were trying to console themselves.

What had happened was an awful thing, but if there was one thing that the people of Generasi were good at, it was finding the positives in dark situations and walking forward.

True, Khalik said. Few in number did die, when all was said and done. And the truth is, if it weren't for your and Baelins warnings and if The Watchers hadnt been ready, then it would have been much worse. but I am sure that is little consolation to those who had people they cared about die. When it is a loved one, onedeath is too many.

Images of his home in flames worked through Alexs mind.

He took a long sip from his cup.

The prince and Alex had been sitting on Khaliks balcony, passing the pitcher back and forth for a while. Selina, Theresa, and Brutus had fallen into a deep sleep, while hed tossed and turned until finally giving up and going to look out the window. A light was on in Khaliks apartment and since Alex knew he was alone, he wondered if he might like some company. So, hed paid his friend a visit.

There was a lot that had been keeping both of them awake. For Alex, it was-

You know, theres still a big part of me thats having trouble believing Amir knew who the summoner was and didn't say anything, he said. I mean, the thought had crossed my mind that something was going on with him. It definitely had, buthearing it announced, was kinda like taking a hard punch to the gut.

Maybe you hoped youd be wrong, Khalik suggested.

Yeah, I definitely did, and thats the truth.

Were you two friends?

Alex paused, taking another long sip of wine. II dont know. I probably wouldnt say friends, actually. We just talked while he was supervising me in Potions, and like a handful of times after that. I mean, we were friendly enoughugh.

There had been some bad momentsafter hed found out about Amirs connection to the demon summonerwhere hed blamed himself for the last attack. Hed gone through different scenarios over and over in his mind, imagining himself telling the investigators his suspicions about Amir and preventing that final attack.

but then hed always come back to the same conclusion: his mind was looking at things with the advantage of hindsight. Hed done that beforea lot. After his parents had died, for the longest time, hed keep coming up with a bunch of possible options and means that he couldve used to save them that night, or ways he could have noticed the fire before it had spread so much.

For the longest time, hed lived with a bunch of what-ifsbut eventually, he had to just make peace with the fact that there was nothing he could have done. Time and Mr. Lu had helped him get to that place.

It was the same with the Amir situation.

Nowafter Amirs arrest and confession, it had suddenly seemed perfectlyreasonable to think that he should have gone up to the nearest Watcher and shouted, Amirs suspicious! with all the conviction in the world. Hes the summoner probably! he wouldve, said, but at the time, he had no evidence; he hadnt even been convinced that Amir was the summoner. And hed also thought about the damage an accusation without any proof could have caused.

What-ifs could drive a person crazy. The truth was: there was nothing he couldve done, and no amount of hindsight was going to change thatand even if there was something he couldve done, no amount of hindsight would let him go back in time and make different decisions.

There is nothing you could have done, Khalik said, echoing his thoughts. Often, the only person who can save someone is themselves. We did well. We saved folk and we fought demons. That is good enough, I think.

Yeah

How have Mr. and Mrs. Lu, and your sister been taking things?

All in all? Surprisingly well, Alex said. Theyre a little shaken upall three of thembut theyre doing alright, all things considered.

That is good.

And what about Sinope? Alex asked. How is she doing?

Ido not know. Khalik took a long drink of wine. She isalright, I think. The dryads live in the wilderness and are not strangers to violencebut it is just that

Just what? Alex asked, facing his friend.

Khalik was wearing a look hed never seen him wear before. Normally, he was always comfortable ifnot outright brimming with confidencebut now, he almost looked a little lost.

Iam not sure what to do. What we are, the prince admitted.

What do you mean what we are? Youre a prince and shes a magical forest lady: thats like something right out of a fairy tale.

And that is exactly-well, part of the issue, the prince sighed.

How so?

Bah, Khalik said. Think of what just happened, now is not the time to bring up relationship troubles.

No, no man, now is the perfect time for that. Alex leaned over the table. We just had an apocalyptic battle against shithead demons and watched people die andit was rough. I kinda want to talk about something normal for a bit.

Hmmm, a fair point. Khalik put down his glass. Iwell, we aream not sure if you could call it courting, but we were having fun visiting each other. Something likefriendship with the promise of more, I suppose? It is hard to describe, but then what happened after The Grand Battle put things Do I go and support her? Does she do the same with me? Do we not speak to each other and leave one another alone? I know what I would do if she were my lover, butwe were not quite there yet.

What do you mean: not quite there, yet?

You knowthat in-between place where you are sort of courting, butmore just feeling each other out.

I think your experience with women is a hell of a lot different than mine, Khalik. Alex shrugged.

well, suffice it to say I do not know what to do, the prince said. And thenshe is different from me. We are different from each other. Did you know that dryads do not even need lovers? When a dryads tree becomes old enough, they seed, and a baby dryad might be born from one of the sprouts. There is no need for men: courtship, loving, marriage isit is just for pleasure for them. But for me, there are politics to consider: I am a prince, even if I am not heir. Who I marry is more a matter of state. And what happens when I graduate? Let us say we are in love, then. Do we transplant the tree she is bound to all the way to Tekezash? Do I stay here? I do not know. He shook his head. Ah, my thoughts chase themselves fruitlessly.

Well, that might be a later problem, Alex said. I dont know anything about dating dryads, but I do know about overthinking problems that you cant really do anything about right now. Leave that later stuff for later. For now, me and Theresa talk all the time abouteverything. Maybe talk to her about what youre thinking.

Khalik paused. I do not want to push if such a conversation would beless than welcomed.

Well, askings a lot better than letting it lie there, I think, Alex said. The worst that can happen is she says: not now.

Thatis a good point, Khalik finished his wine. Thank you, you helped clear my head more than the night air and the drink. But speaking of talking about thingswhat of this Hannar-cim thing? Did you speak to Baelin, yet?

Hes been busy, Alex said. Im going to see Mangal during her office hours tomorrow. Kinda wish classes werent delayed like the closing ceremony for The Games is. But, I get why they have to delay everything. Oh right, get this: the day that the closing ceremonys held? Thats Theresas birthday.

Truly? I shall have to get her a gift. As for the timingI am not sure if that is good or terrible timing, Khalik said.

Yeah, and then its mine soon after that. Then it looks like the beginning of the expedition will be soon after. Lots of things are coming fast.

They tend to, Khalik said. They tend to.

I would not recommend searching for demons, Alex, Professor Mangal said as she inspected a summoning circle drawn on a piece of parchment. Especially so early in your studies in summoning.

Well Alex said quickly. Im not planning to go after it like next week.

Unless Baelin offered to go after it next week.

But hypothetically, he continued. How would one track down a demon if they dont know its name?

Professor Mangal gave him a look over the summoning circle. Are you joking, Alex?

Not even a little.

revenge?

Pardon?

I am asking if you are searching for vengeance.

A little, he didnt bother lying. But like I said, not yet. Sohow would one find a demon?

What did it look like?

Alex described Burn-Saw carefully: detailing his horns, build, three eyes and the scars along his body.

Hmmm, Mangal tapped her chin. It sounds to me like you are looking for a Tiashiva: a minor demon of marauding and enlightenment. They roam the hells in packs, much as common bandits do in our world.

Marauding and enlightenment? Alex asked. They dont sound like they go together.

Enlightenment can come in many forms, his professor said, turning to a painting hanging below a window on a nearby wall.

Her office was a lot like the summoning tower: a bit on the creepy side. Statuettes, paintings, and other artworks of pretty horrifying looking otherworldly creatures filled the room, and her desk top had demon faces carved into it and leg supports of bleached wood engeli, and elementals. The window was of stained glass, and its coloured light fell on a painting below it.

It was a scene with a horrifyingly ridiculous amount of violence: demons and monsters were tearing each other apart in a fiery wasteland that resembled flesh, and blackened clots of blood. Bodies lay everywhere.

Do you see this? She pointed to the painting. It is called Slaughter in the Flesh Fields of Avernus. At first, it only looks like senseless violence.

No argument there. Alex said, squinting at the painting. He shuddered, looking away. It was a little too soon to be looking at demons ripping up any living thing. His lunch felt like it wanted to escape his stomach suddenly.

But there is a rhythm and sense to the art piece, Mangal said. Its paintera former soldieronce said that all violence in the universe follows a certainrhythm, and that great warriors and killers understand that rhythm, much as a great musician understands the rhythm and melodies that make a good song. He found he reached a higher understanding of the universe by being immersed in violence, just as one might by viewing a still pool of water and the moonlight it reflects.

The pool sounds a lot nicer, Alex said sourly.

I agree, but the point is that it's been theorised that the third eye of Tiashivas represent their higher understanding of the violence they commit. It is their way of connecting to the universe much as you or I might engage with it through philosophy or art. The third eye also grants them sharp senses beyond that of the physical.

Dont I know about that last part, Alex said, adjusting his sling. Okay. So how would I find one of these things?

Finding one of them? Easily? That would be a hard task. They are numerous. More numerous than we can comprehend. Which is why finding a single onewithout a nameis next to impossible.

Alex fought the urge to curse. Okay, but wizards are always making the impossible possible. How would I try?

you really are set on this, arent you?

Itd help me learn? he offered.

She sighed, then pointed down to the summoning circle. His eyes followed her finger, studying the spot on the parchment she was pointing to.

Is therea spell that can locate it? One that uses summoning circles? he asked hopefully.

No, she said. But if I were going to attempt to even begin to do thiswell, Id take into consideration that the best way to find a demon?

She glanced back at the painting. Is to get to know other demons.