Chương 52: Vision (of Discoveries)

It takes a few days before Lennick declares Minx fit enough to move back to her own quarters, and I spend that time mired in strengthening not only my resolve but my abilities. Getting stronger is of paramount importance because with everything clicking together in this weird and frightening way, I'm going to have to be ready for anything. Understanding my own connection with the elements and how I can communicate with them is vital.

All the books, all the diaries I have, and nothing goes sufficiently into depth for my liking.

"Your wit isn't as acerbic as usual," Xan notes as they come to sit next to me in the alchemy lab. I glance up at them.

""I don't have time to keep up with our banter right now. These datura blossom roots aren't affixing properly, and we need this flower to grow." There, that was a very solid reason, right? Scrying has been going haywire lately. So many incoming messages and the Nightshade utilizing it as a communication tool far more than usual.

"Well I know we need the plant." Xan pouts for a moment.

"But the loss of our banter wounds me." But there's a twinkle in their eyes that tells me they're not all that upset about it.

"I'll wound you in a minute if you break my concentration again," I mutter, focusing a delicate sliver of power into the plant's system. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Xan theatrically acts like they've been stabbed. It's all I can do to maintain concentration. I work the leaves and the roots, making sure the circulation of the plant's system is ideal. We went all the way to Mirrati to get this damned thing.

We need to be able to make our own scrying reinforcers instead of importing them from another Enclave. Even in the artificial environment we've created for it, everything we contributed should be making growing easier for it. But there is a lack of nutrients in the soil we're using, and I frown. There are multiple ways I can import those missing elements, but I should be outside for that. Xalin still sits next to me now, watching me silently. I don't think I like an audience; it's invasive. Somewhat unsettling.

"What are you thinking?" Xan asks quietly, leaning forward to fold onto their arms as they lay them on the table.

"Thinking?" That's an odd question. To be fair, just as odd as Xan bending themself like a pretzel.

"Obviously, I'm thinking of the plant in front of me and how best I can make it thrive. What else would I be thinking?" Xan chuckles again and I get the distinct feeling I've irritated them. Wouldn't be the first time.

"However," I say, pushing myself to standing and grabbing the pot the plant is in, "I do need to continue this in the atrium to achieve the best results." Xan proceeds to follow me out there. Silent. Almost glowering. I've probably misunderstood something again. The atrium is humid right now. Moreso than the dry air outside would have us believe. It's deliciously hot when the outside is cold. So much that there's condensation against the glass walls.

It runs down in slow patterns, the droplets hitting each other with glee as they pass on through. I'm often taken back to how much beauty there is in something so simple. Not to mention the fact that I can hear the life in that water and the humid air I'm standing in. From the hydrated plants below me. Being in the atrium is being surrounded and encapsulated in the very three elements I can use. It's nothing short of invigorating for me. I might have to make this where I come to study my connection in the future.

"Have you talked to Minx yet?" Xan asks, finally coming out with whatever has been bothering them. I shrug.

"Only what you saw the other day. As soon as Lennick is done settling her in her room, I'll go visit then. He'll come take over the lab…" Oh, that's right. I was supposed to stay in the lab and keep an eye on it. Forgot about that. The datura is far more important. Xan seems to be breathing easier. Maybe the humidity in here is good for their lungs; I'm not sure. I turn my attention back to my plant, getting ready to settle it into the ground it needs to thrive in.

The plant has taken much better than we initially anticipated. It's growing strong and healthy so far, and with the little boost from me every few days, it's going to be ready for the first harvest shortly. Korrien Enclave will finally have its own datura plants to provide it with scrying serum variations. I'm a little proud. Even if I do say so myself. But in my pride, I've missed what Xan is saying to me.

"Sorry. Can you repeat that?"

"Seriously?" Xalin actually looks irritated. Which is not something they do often with me. Usually, their patience with me and my lack of social cues is endless.

"You haven't been listening to anything I've said?" I shake my head.

"Sorry. There's a lot involved in taking care of this plant. Lots of elements I have to pull on, nutrients I need to nurture. It's a lot of work. Much concentration." Xan sighs.

"You can tell me now. I'm done," I say, resisting the itch inside that wants me to go back to the lab like I promised Lennick. The alchemist should be back shortly.

"It's nothing. Just…remember that you can never know when the Vessel is talking, or what it really wants. It makes me a little wary of Minx." Xan's eyes hold an earnestness I've not noticed before. A fervor almost. Like they're trying to convince me of something they're not entirely sure of I. Interesting. And slightly worrying. Why on earth are they concerned with that?

"Of course. I'm always wary. No matter who I speak to." And with that, I head inside, only to find Lennick tapping his foot impatiently, glaring mildly at me.

"You weren't supposed to leave the lab." I shrug.

"Well, I had to go reposition the datura. It's safe and flourishing, though. You're welcome." Lennick laughs.

"Well, I'm glad you're your usual self. You've had me worried the last few days." Cocking my head to the side, I watch him for a moment.

"How so?"

"You've been even more monosyllabic than usual." This time he shrugs.

"Just a little off. It's worried me."

"Oh. Well, I'm fine. Just have a lot on my mind. I always have to have my elemental senses tuned in, and it means I'm always concentrating on more than one thing." There. That's a good explanation, right?

"Can Minx see me now?" The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Of course. She might be napping, but if she's not, just go on in." I nod and flee the room, faster than I've ever exited it before. Xan isn't far behind me, and Lennick just continues to stand there watching after us. I wasn't lying when I said I have to engage my elemental senses all the time. Considering they're engaged, I may as well use them. And so I spy on everyone I can. Including the tapping I leave on the stone walls that surround my teacher. One can never know when someone might say something pertinent.

Minx's room is just down the hall from mine and it doesn't take me long to get there. She's already sitting up in bed when we get there, and her bright eyes turn toward me just as I enter the room. Her smile is still vibrant and I wish I could pack her away so she doesn't get hurt. No matter what, I'm still certain her being attacked is all my fault. Somehow.

"Hey," I say, sitting down at the edge of her bed. She smiles at me, eyes wide and nods.

"Hey. You've been worried about me."

"Yes. I have," I say, and there's no sense in denying it. Even if I'd like to. She can see right through me, or at least, the Vessel can. That's when the shift happens. It's so subtle it's difficult to see, but a sense of being watched settles over the entire room, and suddenly I know we're not alone and this is definitely not a flippant being. I'm uncertain how I know this, but whatever it is that gives Minx Vessel capabilities, it is ancient and strong. And some part of it is dangerous.

Her eyes have that glazed, blank look over them that I'm used to from the time before this. And I want to speak, but I hold my tongue. It didn't like that last time. Suddenly, though, Minx is back. The heaviness is gone and she's there, just grinning up at me.

"Sorry. No can do right now. Not with two!" Whatever does that mean? Not two? I glance over at Xalin and that's when it hits me. The Vessel hasn't shown itself in their presence yet. Not even once. Everything they've believed has come from me. The next revelation hits me like a surprise attack. Right in the gut. The Vessel isn't sure about Xalin. If it were, it wouldn't hide from them. Was I supposed to keep information about the Vessel to myself?

If it distrusts Xalin, that makes me question everything I've ever thought.

"Later, Taria." Minx suddenly pales and seems super tired.

"I'll talk to you later. I think I need to sleep right now." Without shooting a glance at Xalin, I nod.

"That's okay. We'll do this when you can spare some energy. You were badly hurt, after all. Let's just get you rested first." We leave the room and for the first time in a long time, I'm unsure of what to say to Xan. There are so many thoughts whirring around in my head, I'm almost dizzy. It's usually never difficult for me to talk to them. But right now, all I want to ask is what they're hiding. A feeling of foreboding is taking a hold of me, and I have no doubt, for the first time ever, that I'm right about this.

Sure, I'm usually right. But Xalin has always exhibited this air of mystery that I've just dismissed as being ornery. However, with the Vessel's reaction… I'm suddenly sure that's not quite what this is anymore. Xan is hiding something and they need to tell me. Or else, I need to figure it out. I follow them to the sparring area that the trainees use.

"You're observing today?" Xan asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Sure. Why not? You watch my alchemy lessons all the time. Why can't I watch this?" They laugh.

"Of course you can. Considering it's your weakest point—I'm sure you could do with a refresher anyway." They wink at me and walk over to put on their gear. That devious twinkle to their eyes usually makes me quip back. However, right now, it's only putting me on my guard. I watch, only half paying actual attention while my mind works in overdrive. I can't help but feel I'm missing something big here. First up, I know Aarron is hiding something else to do with the Blood Sect.

Secondly, after my own observations and the Vessel's outright statement, I know that Xalin is hiding something too. Now I just have to figure out how to coax that out of them. I guess I could straight up ask. But not now. Xalin pulls on padded vests and arm guards. It's what the trainers use to help the trainees get a grip on close-combat fighting. Xan has always been good at it. Excelled, really. Although I've never quite caught where they grew up, or how they're so proficient.

To be honest, I've never cared enough about my year mate's origins. It didn't matter to my goals. I run over every conversation we've had that I can remember and realize, with a start, that I've never actually found out just where it is Xan is from, nor what their family status is. Suddenly, it hits me. Despite all of my own evasion when it comes to personal matters, Xan never actually speaks about themself. Do they have sisters? A brother? Parents? A lover?

I know not one thing about the person I've loosely called my only actual friend. Nothing. There's a chuckle in the back of my mind that sounds suspiciously like a waterfall. That element can be so sneaky sometimes. Has everyone else picked up on this? Every thing else, perhaps? I sit down abruptly. It's not a fall; it's just that all the information is clashing in my head, and I need a moment to balance myself. It's unlike me to be this negligent.

Now I'm going to have to figure out how I allowed something like this to get past me. I watch Xan and how they move. The way their dark hair occasionally falls into their eyes and they have to blow a shot of breath up to keep it at bay for another minute. They move with a lithe grace that speaks of years of training beyond what we've learned here. Which I've noticed before, but never pieced together quite like this.

"So you noticed too, then?" Minx is suddenly beside me, and I didn't feel or sense her coming. Which is when I realize it's not Minx, but the Vessel parading around with her body. She's rugged up in a robe at least, sitting next to me as if I'm holding her up.

"Yes," I grit out through clenched teeth. I'm wont to admit that I've only just now realized my so-called best friend has been keeping things from me. But it's a truth I can no longer deny.

"Xan is not the problem you're assuming. But they are a problem in themself." Oh, fantastic, here comes the cryptic again. I take a deep breath and count to five before speaking.

"Meaning the way they're a problem has nothing to do with the Blood Sect directly, but is still a secret that I need to unravel before you'll let me talk to you in front of Xan. Is that correct?" Minx's face lights up.

"That's perfectly correct." Great. One to thirty-five cryptic indecipherable remarks for me for once.

"Who tried to silence Minx?" The body next to me is quiet as they watch the sparring bouts. That year is Novice Fourth-Blade I think, and they're really coming along and giving Xan a run for their money. While I watch, I keep an eye on Minx next to me, watching as emotions and memories flit across their face. But the eyes. They're still blank. Still the Vessel." Who isn't important as much as why. Not everyone knows why, but if you look closely, you'll figure it out. There are too many people so close to this."

They gesture in a way that encompasses all of the Enclave in a vague sort of motion.

"They are close to you, but not as close as some, nor as knowledgeable as you might fear." The words make me want to scream. Riddle me this, riddle me that. I want to stab something. But I don't. I take a breath instead and persist.

"Is Minx still in danger?" And I ask that because, strangely enough, I find that I'm worried about Minx's wellbeing. She wormed her way under my skin somehow.

"Are any of us safe?" it asks, making that same wide and encompassing gesture again. I blink. That's a loaded question. No one is technically safe. But there's a difference in the levels of danger I would face versus someone who sells fruits from an orchard in town.

"How does the Prefect link into all of this?" Another moment of silence, and I glance over to see Xan watching us. Just for a few moments, emotions that I can't read flicker over their face, like they wish they could come over right now. But they're busy. Reluctantly, they turn back, and I can see that Xan has now set their jaw in that stubborn line. The one that says they're uncomfortable with a situation. Notably here: myself and Minx. I wonder if Xan can tell that I'm talking to the Vessel and not our year mate?

It's entirely possible. Since I've already proven that I know nothing about them.

"He is everywhere and nowhere all at once. Be cautious. Do not anger him. But you must come to understand him before you confront him." It takes a moment for me to realize the Vessel is talking about Aarron. Okay. I can deal with that bit of trivia. It's never a good idea to get on Aarron's bad side. Understanding him might be difficult, but I'm sure I can do it.

"Okay. Is there a traitor here?" Because that's the one thing I've wanted to concentrate on. Something outside of myself. Whoever is passing the information along to the sect is more than a traitor in my eyes.

"There is and there are. You might be surprised just how many eyes are inside of Nightshade." The pause is brief, but the Vessel speaks again before I can.

"You have to get stronger. Right now, you are no match for anything you want to do. Grow. Get powerful. Or you'll die." A shudder passes through Minx before I can ask anything else, and she's back, suddenly shivering. I pull her in giving her a squeeze with my arm to try and lend her some warmth, as the Vessel has left her sitting on the slightly damp ground. She leans against my shoulder with a small sigh of relief, and I can tell she's tired.

"Thanks," she says, and I feel guilty for the Vessel making her come out here in the first place.

"Yeah," I say, pushing us both up to standing so I can usher her back to her room. I have to get her back before Lennick realizes his patient is gone and rains down anger on everyone. She's so pale and feels so slight as I try to guide her through the corridors. Right now, this has to take precedence because I think, if I wasn't guiding her, she might just slump down in the drafty corridor and promptly fall asleep. I'll have to figure out Xalin's deal later.