Chapter 4 – Decision

Harks’ acceptance as an apprentice in the Academy was done in a quiet manner. Headmistress Corelle had decided he should be tutored separately from the girls.

Perhaps the one person who was most pleased with the news was Telerine, Harks’ sister. She had been studying for two years when Harks reached ten. She had been denying her kinship with Harks to her peers. She was not ashamed of him; on the contrary, she was ashamed of herself. She had seen her brother weave when he was five and she still could not match what he did then. Not that she should be, though, since no one she knew could match it either. As long as Harks was kept apart from the her peers, they could only trust the words of the seniors who had seen Harks’ show of magic a few years ago. She felt better without the comparison.

While Telerine was pleased with the ongoing situation, Harks began to doubt his decision. Learning to weave was not as interesting as he had imagined. He was not taught any magic in the first year. Rather, it was spent solely on following discipline. The next two years were even worse, for they were all about the theories of weaving. Harks had never dreamed that weaving was so…so academic. He learned that the primal matter in all things was the thread; threads were woven to form patterns; and different patterns were combined to form everything. Weaving was the art of breaking the patterns in the air, rearranging them or unraveling them back to threads and then re-woving the threads to form other patterns. It was too structured for him. Then he learned of the Planes of weaving: the Vertical Plane, the Horizontal Plane, and the Orthogonal Plane. He learned in detail the first two Planes and were able to weave two dimensional patterns. However, most of the interesting magic lie on the Orthogonal Plane. The only comforts he had during all these years were Thoron and a pendant from King Bola, a token of encouragement when he was accepted. King Bola had been visiting him from time to time, and they had been corresponding in letters. But none of these made his life any more interesting. That carried on until his fourth year.

It happened during the middle of the year. Thoron had acted like his usual self throughout the day. Then, when it was time to close the library, he asked Harks to stay.

“Harks, we haven’t talked for a while now, have we?” Thoron asked. “I know you’ve been busy with your school, now that you’re beginning to learn what Weaving truly is.”

“Thoron, you know I’ll always be here for you, just like you for me. You seem preoccupied, though. I thought you wanted to be alone for a while.”

“I have been doing some thinking, haven’t I? I’m sorry if I’ve been ignoring you, Harks. I have some tough decisions to make.” Thoron’s eyes were bitter and distant.

It pained Harks’ heart to see his friend in this situation. “What’s wrong? Can I help you? You’re not sick, are you?”

“No, no, no, I’m not sick my young friend. I’d  rather look forward to that day, you tell you the truth. I’ve been living for far too long.”

“Don’t say that, Thoron. You’d have to live to see the day I revive Weave-Crafting. And then I’d weave a Live Picture and show you wonderful new worlds you’ve never seen.”

“There are no other worlds!” Thoron snapped. Harks was startled by his violent respond. He forgave Thoron though. Probably an old man thing. I hope I won’t be like that when I grow old.

“I’m sorry, Harks. I didn’t mean to shout. Anyway, we’re straying from the subject, aren’t we? Harks, suppose you know a friend in whom you’re fairly sure some kind of danger that he’s not aware of, what would you do?”

“I don’t know any friends other than you and Bola…you’re not in any danger, are you?”

“No, I’m not. It’s a hypothetical question, Harks. And no, neither is the King in any danger.” My goodness, one almost has to adore his stupidity.

“I get it. Well, I would let my friend know, of course. What danger might that be?”

“That’s the problem. You don’t know what danger it is.”

“You’re losing me, Thoron. I know a friend’s in danger but I don’t know what danger it is. How then, am I suppose to know he’s in danger in the first place?”

“You just know, Harks, you just know. Call it a hunch, an instinct, whatever, it’s not important.”

“Whatever, then. So I let my friend know, now what?”

“Would you try your best to get him prepared to defend himself should anything happen to him?”

“Of course I would, I’m surprised you even asked this question, Thoron.”

“Be patient, I’m getting to the real question. Would you unleash an evil that others have so painstakingly banished if you think that can help your friend?”

“Thoron, you’re giving me headaches. How can something evil help anyone?”

“It’s evil only in the wrong hands.”

“Well, then, that’s easy. Do I trust my friend?”

Thoron sighed. “Harks, do I trust you?”

Harks was taken aback by the realization. Thoron was talking about me all along! “Am I in danger? What danger am I in?”

“As I said, lad, I don’t know.” Thoron padded Harks’ shoulder to comfort the boy. “But it is obvious, isn’t it? For a hundred years the Academy has not had a male apprentice. Then you came along. But you’re the only one. The Academy has not accepted another male. Hang me if the Academy or the Crown doesn’t have anything planned for you. And, I know you’ll not like to hear this, the King’s just treating you too good. Granted, you two are like brothers to each other, but kings betray their own siblings for their own good. I have never told you this because I didn’t want you to worry. You’re old enough now, lad, to handle the news.”

“Thoron,” Harks said with displease, “how dare you say such a thing about Bola! He’s been nothing but good to me. If he’d wanted to use me, surely I would suspect something. The reason I was accepted as an apprentice is because High Queen Viona had a fight with Kolana and won. My presence here reminds the Academy of Her Highness’ influence. If I’m being used, that’s where it is.”

“Harks, lad, listen to me. You’ve been living in a protected environment. Everyone to you has a good nature only. This is not always the case. It’s possible that His Majesty is nothing but a pawn in this game. That’s beside the point. Regardless of what King Bola’s intentions are, if I’m right, you’re being manipulated in the middle of a power struggle. No, don’t say anything, let me finish first.

“Ever since the Mage War, the Crown has wanted to renounce the Academy. What keeps the Academy whole today is the marriage between a weaver and a king or crown prince. Prince Bola has not taken a Queen. He’s not even looking. Count the years, lad. What happens when he turns thirty? That’s the year His Majesty has to take the Mistress Weaver then as Queen. That’s also the year you take the Final Test. What if you turn out to be the Master Weaver? The Crown would have every reason not to honor the Pact, without which the Academy’s existence will be in danger. It might seem too coincidental. That your arrival here then could not have been planned. Yet this is the best explanation I can find.”

Harks shook his head. He suddenly began to hate Thoron. Or do I just hate the fact that he might be true? Thoron, how could you make me feel I’m not worthy of my place here? His body began to shake the more he thought about it. He rubbed on the pendant, hoping for support from the King.

“Lad,” Thoron said in a soothing tone. “Calm down. I might be wrong. After all, as I said, my speculation is based on a coincidence. I’m sorry I’ve gone crazy about the possibility of its being true. I’m just too concerned about you. I’ve only wanted to ask you one question, really. Should there be a difference between the Academy and the Crown, which side will you stand?”

It was a tough choice for Harks. Betraying the Crown meant betraying King Bola, a friend who was more like a brother to him. No, I’ll never betray Bola. On the other hand, he had been in the Academy virtually all his life. Granted, the Academy had not exactly been treating him equally. However, he could not imagine the day when the Academy ceased to exist. The Crown had made a mistake of destroying Weave-Crafting. She would not make the mistake of destroying the Academy. But that meant opposing King Bola, which he would not. “Thoron, I don’t see why the Crown would not want the Academy.” He tried to find an escape to his decision.

“As long as the Academy is here, there’s always a chance that there’ll be a second Riyis Ebeno. Even without Riyis, what if the Academy decides to take over and run the Kingdom? We can’t tell for sure which side is stronger. The Academy is like a thorn on the Crown’s side. Sooner or later it’s to be taken out. They’re only trying to find an excuse not to upset the people.”

“Even if what you’ve said is true, Thoron, I still don’t see what excuse the Crown can come up with to banish the Academy with or without a marriage.”

“That’s what I can’t figure out. But your talent smells trouble. If the worst happens, whichever side you belong would have an advantage over the other.”

“Then I refuse to take part in it.”

“You’re too naïve, lad. When the time comes, they’ll make sure that you have to choose, trust me on that one. For now, just tell me which faction you will support. Don’t answer me just to get this subject over with. I want you to tell me the truth.”

“If I must choose, defending the Crown is mostly out of my own trust in Bola. Defending the Academy, on the other hand, means much more than that. It’s a matter of continuation and extinction of an art. I will choose the Academy.”

Thoron nodded of approval. “I hope you remember this day and never eat your word, lad. Follow me.”

Thoron led Harks to a dusty corner of library. Thoron did clean the area from time to time, but somehow it was always being ignored. Removing the necklace he had been wearing, he pointed it toward a section of the shelves.

“Hold my hand, lad.”

What happened next was impossible for Harks to explain. Thoron began to walk right into the shelves.

“Such is the power of Weave-Crafting,” Thoron muttered aloud.

When Harks passed the shelves, he was surrounded by more. The room was dimly lit. The only light source was the entrance, where when Harks turned about to look at, was definitely a doorway. He could see clearly what lied beyond. It was a strange feeling to have just walked through a shelve and found that it had disappeared from the other side. The area was not very big; there were only two shelves lying side by side, but each towered twice his height. Books and scrolls lied sparsely on them in a somewhat orderly manner. “What is this place?”

“Behold the secret tomes of Battle-Weaving.”

“What? How?” Harks was so awestruck he could not form a complete sentence. He walked to one of the shelves and tried to pick a book from there. His hands, however, trembled so much that he decided to wait. “Are there books on Weave-Crafting too, Thoron?”

Disappointment was an understatement to describe Thoron when he heard Harks’ last question. “Lad, is that all you think about, Weave-Crafting? No, forget about Weave-Crafting. You need to learn Battle-Weaving. See, with its power, no one will dare manipulate you. With it, you can do whatever you want.”

“And then I’ll be free to pursue the lost art of Weave-Crafting…” Harks muttered aloud.

—

It was not Telerine’s fault to ask Harks for a favor at this time. The sad fact remained that she did. History might have to be rewritten if she had done it before the conversation Harks had with Thoron. Then again, it was not likely to change.

After the discovery of the secret room, Harks returned to his hut. He had a lot to think about. His peace was short lived, however, as a knock on the door broke the silence around him. Harks wondered who the person might be. Only Thoron, his mother, and the King ever visited him. They were at best occasion peeks through the window from some curious apprentices. It could not be his mother or Bola, for they were not in the Academy. Thoron was unlikely, since Harks had just finished talking with him. There was another knock.

“Harks,” a voice  whispered loudly from the other side, “it’s me, your sister.”

Telerine? What’s she doing here?

As soon as Harks opened the door, Telerine ducked in. “Close the door.”

“Come here, sis. Sit down.”

Telerine looked at where the chair was and then looked at the window. There was a perfect view of the outside from the chair. “I’m fine where I am, Harks. I don’t want anyone to see me here. I…I mean you might get into trouble.”

“Suit yourself. Want some tea? I can boil some water.”

“No, Harks, I won’t be long. Do me a favor.” Telerine had never been polite to Harks. Even when she was asking for a favor, the tone was commanding.

“Yes, sister.”

Telerine took a deep breath. “Introduce me to King Bola.”

“What?”

“It’s not for the title, Harks. I just found out today that he’s my dream lover.”

“What are you talking about sister?”

“Didn’t you learn the weave? Headmistress came and taught us all today. Anyway, when I wove the magic, the image of the King appeared. Look.” Telerine moved her hands in artistic gestures. She had been working very hard on weaving. What she lacked in talent, she made up for practice. Her gestures had a graceful look that clearly marked her experience. When she had finished the weave, a haze appeared in front of her and moved slowly to form the face of King Bola.

“Look, Harks, isn’t this wonderful? Your best friend will be my husband. The Tabuta family is truly blessed.”

“No!” Hark yelled before he knew what he was doing.

Telerine had never known Harks could be so angry. She did not know how to react.

“I’m sorry sister, but you can’t be the Queen.”

“Why not? Someone else has asked you already? Who? Trillia? Hydinor? Georsa? It must be Trillia! Her dream lover looks like King Bola too! How could you choose to help an outsider over your sister? Did she promise to introduce her sister to you?”

“Shut up!” His temper returned. He was not used to be angry, and the feeling frightened him. His heart was pumping hard and he could feel his body trembling. Suddenly he wanted to cry. Images of Bola holding his sister hostage to threaten him to serve the Crown occupied his mind. “Please, sister. I can’t help you. I can only promise you that I won’t help anyone.”

“Why? Answer me, Harks!”

Harks shook his head no. He opened the door and gestured his sister to leave. “Please leave, sister. Or I’ll make sure someone sees that you’re here.”

Telerine left his hut without turning back. “I hate you, Harks, I hate you. Wait till mom hears this.”

—

For a short while, Harks’ lack of enthusiasm worried King Bola. Thoron was worried too. If the King suspected Harks to know anything about the Crown’s plans, he might change tactics. Thoron’s knowledge of the Crown’s plan was their only element of surprise; Harks must not betray this knowledge. Thoron was able to convince Harks that if he got on good terms with the King, the Crown’s plan might never execute. Harks was very eager to agree.

This problem solved, Harks had to deal with another one. The more he studied Battle-Weaving, the more he hated it. Battle-Weaving was based on a different principle. Where Weaving wove threads together, Battle-Weaving cut and burned threads to achieve the desired result. At its very best, it tied threads so tight the patterns formed could never be unraveled. Simply put, Weaving was reversible, Battle-Weaving was not. It was only his promise to Thoron that had kept him going.

As it turned out, Telerine never told her mother about Harks’ rejection to help. She was still Harks’ sister and did care for him, perhaps in a slightly different presentation. She was fairly certain Harks had his reasons for not helping, and if he did not want to share it with her it was his decision. And so it was, two years after that incident, Telerine achieved the title of the Mistress Weaver but was not wedded to King Bola. She had then decided to stay in the Academy to teach the young.

The years went by. As Thoron had expected, two years after Telerine’s graduation, Harks became the Master Weaver of the year. Harks was not really unhappy about the arrangement. If they can use me. I can use them. With the Title of Master Weaver, Harks was allowed to enter the Treasure Vault and pick an item as a gift. He was determined to spend a long time there to look for anything that might help him revive the lost art of Weave-Crafting. Before he had a chance to visit the Vault, however, he got an invitation from King Bola to visit Castle Wevis. The King joked in the invitation that it was a summons for Harks to serve Avonova as the Queen of Centa. Very funny, Harks thought, I’ll get you for that, Bola.