Burning Shadows (Chapter 3)

“You must let him stay. It is imperative that he trains further.” The headmaster squelched in his seat, uncomfortable with refusing the pleas of his senior.

“He is powerful . . . gifted. But he cannot stay. He has been the cause of many . . . problems - and now this.”

“I understand, Mal.” The two fell silent for a moment. “Well, I suppose I should go talk to the boy.” The tentacle that rested on the desk twitched in sudden arousal then lay still.

“Don’t do anything rash Akuta.” The small lizard-like creature leapt onto the headmaster’s desk and gently stroked his appendage.

“Old friend . . . I will do what I must.” He turned his sandy head skyward and smiled benignly as the headmaster towered over him.

“That does not reassure me.”

“I did not expect it to.” Those words signaled the end of the conversation for Akuta, and he slithered down the leg of the desk, onto the floor, and out of the headmaster’s office.

* * *

Notek’s hair was clean now, and it hung in long, bright lengths over his white robe. His forehead rested gently on the dark wood of the long box in front of him, and with his eyes open it seemed as though the marble room might swallow him whole in righteous fervor.

“I thought you might be here.” Not even the familiar ring of Vertigo’s voice could disturb Notek’s mourning, and he ignored her when she sat by his side. “It’s not your fault you know.” Notek’s chest heaved with self-restraint. The two were quiet for some time, Vertigo wondering at her friend’s state of mind, Notek swallowing the cyanide of bitter regret. Neither noticed the soft sound of gentle footfalls until a third creature joined them at the coffin. Standing upright on its hind legs, the gecko-like creature bowed its head, sandy skin complemented by the oaken finish it faced. Despite its minute stature, it seemed to exude a presence and authority that wrenched even Notek from his reverie.

“Kra Li’l was a gentle soul, gifted with the spirit of peacemaking. He would have had an enormously positive impact on the council had he survived.” The lizard slowly waved its hands back and forth across the surface of the wood. “He will be sorely missed.” Notek, nonplussed, turned his head back towards the coffin.

“And what of his murderer?” Now his head jerked up violently, and was met by an icy reptilian stare. On all fours, the sandy creature glared down at him from atop the coffin, hissing. “What shall be done to him?” Vertigo prepared an indictment of the lizard’s coarse words, but Notek’s glance muted her in an instant. His stomach knotted, but his voice betrayed none of the remorse that he felt.

“I could not have known that the sludge in that tunnel was poison to his species! Toxin identification is a talent that very few have!” The snake reared up, poised to strike.

“Is that all you have? Excuses?! Excuses are meaningless. Excuses will not resurrect the dead. Excuses will not prevent your expulsion.” Notek choked on a tear.

“I would not have stayed . . . I will not be responsible for any more deaths.”

“No . . . you will be responsible for the deaths of many, for the blood that you refused to spill has crippled you.” Notek’s confusion tied his tongue momentarily. “When you are prepared to leave, seek me out. I make my home to the west of this dome.” With those words, the creature agilely skittered out of the room.

“What a rude person,” Vertigo opined. “I can’t believe he’d say those things to you. It obviously wasn’t your fault!”

Puzzled, remorseful, frustrated, and no longer desiring any sort of companionship, Notek stood to his feet and stalked out of the room, leaving Vertigo’s cries of consolation behind.