The door of the library creaked open. Ianus waved at Daru as she skipped down the stairs, clutching a book in her hand.
“Hello, Ianus,” her voice cracked, “What are you up to?”
“I was just working on the Valkyrie with Ihy. Did you see him?”
“Yeah, he was quite out of sorts. He and Maya ran off to his office. What happened? He was very pale and I thought he looked somewhat blue.”
“We ran into a wraith… a specter,” Ianus took a deep breath, “He said it was Panthera… but he’s dead, isn’t he?”
Daru glanced from the book in her arms and to Ianus, “I, I don’t know. Maya said some pretty strange things. I’m… well… I’m planning to do some research on my own.”
“Research?” Ianus became distant, “The Bahn Se’leen central net would surly have information on this wouldn’t it?”
“I guess, but it would probably be heavily encrypted, why?”
Ianus circumambulated Daru, muttering under his breath, “You’re right of course. Yes, of course, you’re right.”
“Could you please stop that, you’re making me dizzy! What’s gotten into you, you are acting rather strange. Hey! Where are you going? Come back here!”
Ianus didn’t hear her. He ran as fast as he could up the dormitory stairs to his room. Throwing the door open, he ran over to his computer and began to type feverishly.
He opened the network connection and logged on to the Jade Moon Central Network. He began to search for Ihy Khem, and Karu Panthera. He didn’t read the information he found, he simply downloaded it to disk and went on to the next article.
A knock on the door. Ianus started the download of a very large file called, “The Panthera Controversy: The Rise and Fall of the Black Moon.”
Opening the door, “Hello Daru.”
“Boy, you need to get your eyes checked!” Aashen Fallon and his Ceeri Azi chuckled, “I saw you run past my room and I thought you looked troubled. I had no Idea you could no longer tell people apart!”
“Sorry, Aash, I thought Daru…”
“O, are you expecting her, should I go?”
“No, no! Nothing like that. We were just talking before I sprinted up here to— do some research.”
“Really, do you need any help?”
“O, no— I can, uh, do— handle it myself.”
Aashen cocked his head, and gave Ianus a sly grin, “You know I am a very good ‘Researcher’. I help Ihy when he can’t ‘get’ the information he is looking for, you know.”
Ianus bit his lip, “Would you have to tell him you helped me?”
Aashen smiled, and Azi laughed, “My boy, I also make a great alibi.”
Ianus nodded, “Come on in.”
“Do you have a periapt node?” Aashen asked, “O, I see, Azi?” His Ceeri leaned back and unzipped a backpack between him and Aashen. He pulled out a small black box with an egg shaped depression on it, and a long matching cable. “Plug this in will you?”
“Is that legal?” Ianus raised his eyebrow.
“What do you mean by that? It is a beautiful piece of decorative art, resembling ancient Tech. Besides, we’re on Al-Benu. They don’t have the strictest laws here.” Aashen winked, “We have friends in high places.”
Shaking his head, Ianus took the node from Azi, and plugged it into his computer.
“Now,” Aashen inserted his periapt into the node, “Hold on, don’t think I can’t see the way you are looking at me. I have to settle into the connection. There we go.”
The screen flashed and an input box appeared on the screen. Ianus gasped and sat up straight, “I can’t read the screen. I don’t recognize the language.”
“It’s a Sen/Ceeri interface, my boy, don’t worry about it. I’ll translate for you, just type in what you are looking for.”
Ianus did as he was told. The screen flashed again, Sen/Ceeri words scrolled up the monitor. “I can’t down load or translate any of the documents. The encryption is too good. Wait a minute.”
Aashen closed his eyes. Less than a minute later, “Got it! I can down load them, but I won’t be able to break the encryption.”
“What good will that do me?” Ianus watched the down load meter appear.
“You have a prescience book don’t you?”
“Yes, but…”
“It will be able to read the files, it won’t be able to display them, but I’m sure you will be able to get your questions answered.”
“Thank you,” Ianus patted Aashen on the back.
“No problem. Just don’t tell Ihy I helped you out, all right?”
They said their good nights and Ianus rushed back to the computer to retrieve his disk. Slowly, he walked over to his bed, not sure that he wanted to know the answers. He picked up his prescience book from the nightstand, and stared at it. He inserted the disk into the spine, and opened the book.
The waxen page scrawled a prompt in scarlet letters, “Open public or private archives?”
Taking out his stylus, Ianus circled public. The book’s pages again went blank. Suddenly words filled the pages.
Ianus scanned through the pages quickly, and came to the last written page and looked away in terror.
“Why! He can’t die!” Ianus screeched, “I won’t let Ihy die.” Panicked he wrote, “Open private archive as well.” The pages changed again. Now two columns ran down the page. One was written mostly in cipher, the other in Shedu.
Flipping back through the book, he found the page were the two columns started. Atop the column written in Shedu were the words, “Ianus Akeru takes on the Order of the Cenobite.” Atop the one mostly written in code: “Ianus Akeru takes on the Order of the Predicant.”
Scanning through the page that followed, Ianus came across the phrase, “Ihy Khem dies.”
“So Ihy will die if I become a cenobite,” Ianus muttered under his breath as he turned his attention to the other column. After a couple pages of pure code, he found the phrase, “Ihy Khem survived…” but couldn’t make out the rest of the line.
“Then I will become a Predicant.” He said.
Ianus didn’t sleep well that night. He tossed and turned, anxiety eating at him.
When his alarm rang, he got up and ran down to the courtyard. Ihy and Maya were practicing.
“Father! I have decided it is time for me to take the initiation,” he shouted.
Ihy turned, and gave him an approving smile, “You are ready to take on the Order of the Cenobite?”
“No, I will take on the Order of the Predicant.”
“I’m afraid not,” Maya almost tripped over her own feet, “We have discussed this. You will become a cenobite.”
“No,” Ianus paused and thought for a moment. “I want to serve like Daru, Pryor, and Aashen do.”
“You don’t want to end up like your grandfather and parents did! It will be safer for you, here!”
“I will die as my fate dictates, but I will follow my heart while I live!”
Ihy raised his hand, “He is quite right. He must follow his heart.”
“But Ihy! We’ve already decided.”
“We cannot stand in the way of his calling. If that is what this is?”
“It is!” Ianus barked.
“Then, I will perform the initiation myself. The temple is free at the end of the week that is if you can wait five days.”
“I want it in the shrine of Uma Nari at the library.”
Ihy smiled, “Very well in five days then, you will become a Predicant.”
Daru hadn’t spoken to Ianus for the last five days. Every time she had seen him, he was practicing his art, or studying in the library. It was obvious he didn’t know what he would be facing at his upcoming initiation.
When she entered the dining hall that morning, she held out hope he might be having breakfast, but he was not to be seen. The room was empty except for the Fallon brothers, their Ceeri, and Tara.
Aashen and Tuun were, as usual, arguing. It was at times like this that she wished she spoke Sen/Ceeri. She caught what she thought were names she recognized, but not knowing any Sen/Ceeri words. They could have as easily been cursing at each other.
Tara sat, fascinated by them. Their dispute was quite animated, almost lyrical. “I see you’ve decided to take in the Fallon song.”
Tara jerked around in her seat, “O… you mean them.”
“Yeah, they make it almost an art form don’t they.”
“Akin to opera,” Tara gave a feeble laugh, “Do you understand a word their
saying?”
“No, but I could say the same about them when they’re speaking a language I do
understand.” They both laughed.
Tuun shot them both a dirty look, “You shouldn’t laugh about things you have no
hope of comprehending!” He barked.
“Would you care to enlighten us, O great and exalted Master Fallon?” Daru
smirked.
“No, I would not! If you were half as wise as Pryor seems to think you are, you
would not be looking into things that do not concern you!” Tuun glared at her. “Now, now Tuun,” Aashen spoke up, “She has always been curious, even when
she was a little girl getting lost in the streets of Shiloh.”
“That’s not fair! You know that only happened once.”
“Please stop fighting!” Tara screamed, her hands held tightly over her ears,
“Please! I can’t take this. Not now. Please!”
The bickering ended. Aashen and Daru looked at each other, pain on their face.
Tuun just sneered at Tara.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause you any distress,” Aashen said, sounding like
he had a lump in his throat.
“That’s okay,” Tara whimpered, “I’ve been under a lot of stress lately.” Tuun laughed, “Don’t lie! You are worried about something, but you are not
stressed. I can read you like a book!”
“Tuun!” Aashen yelled, “Don’t do this to her.”
“He’s right!” Tara announced, “I’ve been worried about Ianus, about his safety
tonight.”
“That’s better!” Tuun snarled, and then scowled at his brother, “At least someone
at this table has been honest!” Tuun stood up, and for a moment loomed over Aashen, as
if contemplating a duel. Turning, he stormed out of the refectory.
“I’m sorry about that,” Aashen reached out a hand toward Tara, “He’s mad at me,
and you took the brunt of it. I’m terribly sorry.”
“O, don’t worry about it. I’m used to it.” Tara’s head hung low. “Master Barami doesn’t…” Daru began.
“No!” Tara said brightly. “Master Barami is a great man— he treats me better
than he should. No, I’ve… let’s just say I’ve had a rough life.”
Daru looked over at Aashen. She realized that this was not the time to push the
subject. She stared at Aashen and nodded at Tara. He sighed and looked back. Maybe
later they would ask about her life, but not now.
“Will you be going to Ianus’ initiation tonight?” Daru asked.
“No,” Tara sighed, “I have work to do this evening. I wish I could attend, but I
can’t.”
“I could go ask Master Barami to give you the night off, if you would like?” “No! O no. Please don’t. I have to do my duty. Even if Barami were to say
otherwise, I must serve.”
“I understand,” Daru lied, not wanting to trouble Tara anymore.
“Well, if you will excuse me.” Tara stood and bowed. “I should be about my
master’s work.” Turning, she walked away.
“What was that all about?” Aashen asked.
“I don’t think I want to know. What were you and Tuun fighting over this time?” A grave look fell over Aashen’s face, “He thinks I made a mistake with Ianus. He
thinks I shouldn’t have… Anyway, it is not important. At least, I hope it isn’t. I don’t
want to talk about this, okay?”
“All right. Will you be at Ianus’ initiation tonight?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world— anyway, he’s like the happy little brother I
never had. I have waited for this day for a long time.”
Ianus stood in the dark, torch lit corridor outside the shrine of Uma Nari. He was wearing his snow white robe and jade green surcoat with the seal of the Jade Moon emblazoned on its chest: a marbled, Jade Moon in a waxing crescent; rays of silvery light filled the circle of the moon like a star rising from behind the crescent.
Ianus tried to calm his mind. Singing echoed from the shrine, Aashen stepped out. Azi’s wings framed his jade robes and surcoat.
“Are you ready?” He said solemnly. Ianus nodded. “I will stand with you.”
They entered the shrine, which was lit only by candles. An unfamiliar incense burned on the altar, making Ianus a bit uneasy. Ihy stood behind the altar. The congregation was small: Daru, Maya, Tuun, Pryor, and a couple of people Ianus had never met before. Aashen led Ianus to the altar, bowed, and stepped to the right. Ianus approached the altar, bowed, and then knelt onto both knees before the dais.
Ihy raised his arm and turned his palms up. After a brief pause, he said, “Our strength is in the name of the Holy One, the Maker of all that is seen, and unseen.”
“Blessed be the Holy Name, forever,” the congregation responded.
“O Holy One, hear and answer our petition. May the light be with you.”
“And with your spirit in all the places you must go.”
“Let us pray— Blessed Sustainer, may your blessings be upon this periapt, and your servant Ianus Akeru, who through the mystery of your Providence has come to this place to accept it. Protect him with your guiding hand, preserve him with your presence, and lead him through the troubles that may come his way. Through Tien Shaa, our messenger.”
“Amen.”
Ihy took water and blessed it. Besprinkling the periapt with water, “Take this periapt, in the name of the Holy one, and of his messenger, and of his holy Mother. Use it to defend all those in need to the best of your ability. Never use it unjustly or without cause. Do not burden yourself with more than is your capacity to bear.”
Ianus bowed his head, and said, “Amen.”
Ihy walked around the altar, and stood before Ianus, “What do you seek?”
Ianus lowered his head, “I seek admittance to the Cynath Bahn Se’leen, The House of the Jade Moon, serving in the order of the Predicant.”
“This may be done, but what you ask is difficult, not to give, but for you to accept. You must not walk blindly. If you truly understand the life that you are now choosing, and vow that you will heed the wisdom past down to you, and if in your vital spirit you desire to aid the afflicted, the oppressed, all to whom you may go, even should your mortal life be imperiled in the course of your work.”
Closing his eyes, Ianus nodded, “I pledge what power is at my disposal in service of the light.”
Ihy handed Ianus the jade periapt, “At your word, you embark on this path to wherever it may take. As all of Predicant makers before you will have five guides with you on your journey. Honor stands before you, announcing your coming and going. On your right, prudence will give you advice. Temperance stands on your left, guiding you faithfully on your way. Justice stands behind you, prodding you forward. Like your own shadow, Fortitude will preserve you until the end. If you choose to walk this path, now you must show yourself approved.”
Ianus closed his eyes, “I chose to walk this path, as Tien Shaa did before me. May I be found worthy.” Placing his hand with the periapt onto his left arm, he held his breath. The sound of chimes resounded from the stone. Like a ripple in a pond his robes turned jade, starting under the periapt until they all changed. Pleasantly surprised, Ianus looked up at Ihy who was taking a candle from the altar.
With a broad smile on his face, Ihy handed Ianus the candle saying. “Take this flame, this flickering hope, and listen to the commission of our messenger. As it is written in Tides and Seasons, penned by Tien Shaa himself:
“Seek neither peace, nor safety, for both are illusory promises that yield nothing but pain and suffering, as does the path of war.
“Peace is preferable to war, and safety is better than trepidation, but none of these is greater than freedom and justice.
“So, my child, in all your ways; know the truth, stand for justice, and fight for freedom. Never choose the blade when diplomacy will win the day.
“Be peace makers in all your works, reserving your blade until all else fails. War brings with it much suffering, but not as much as an unjust peace.
“May we hear the words of our Messenger.”
All of those assembled responded, “May his memory ever be blessed.”
Ihy turned to face the altar. There he blessed a paten of bread, and a chalice of wine. Turning to face Ianus he said, “Water of life.”
Ianus took the chalice and drank.
Returning the chalice to the altar, Ihy came back with the paten. Three wafers sat upon it: One pure white, another half white, and half black, the third pure black. “The bread of life” Ihy said, “Choose wisely.”
Ianus chose the black and white one, and ate it. Reaching over his head, Ihy pulled up the hood of Ianus robe over his face.
Able to see nothing but the faint glimmer of the candle in his left hand, he felt Ihy take him by his right. Stepping carefully up onto the dais, he knew he must have passed the altar. They stopped.
Ihy whispered into his ear “There is no coming back.”
“I know.”
The room fell silent. In the distance a form flickered into the light. “I am Kahlil Vamu Shaa, come with me. The messenger awaits you.”
Kahlil Vamu Shaa stood silently before Ianus. The candle light highlighted his chiseled features; compassion radiated from his childlike, blue eyes. “We have been waiting for you a long time, Ianus Akeru.” He said, stepping forward into the faint light of the candle in Ianus’ left hand.
“Vamu Shaa?” Ianus couldn’t move, “It can’t be you. You’ve been dead for more than four thousand years!”
Kahlil nodded, “I have served the Light. I learned at the feet of Tien Shaa himself, and I have slept for so long. O, Ianus, what dreams I’ve seen, since my body passed to dust. Prepare yourself, you will meet many dreamers this night. Guard your heart against the nightmares that may come.”
“What Nightmares?”
“You must be awake now, one day your sleep will come. Now is the time for living. Be alert,” a lamp and a red periapt appeared in Kahlil’s hands.
“Now listen well,” Kahlil said sternly, “Be sure to see into its heart.”
Kahlil handed Ianus the crimson periapt and the lamp. The candle that was in his hand had disappeared. Ianus stared at the rich, blood colored stone of the periapt.
“I don’t understand,” said Ianus, “How do I see into its heart?”
“Be open to it and it will be open to you,” Kahlil smiled. “Patience opens many locks.”
Out from the shadows behind Kahlil, a beautiful woman with olive skin, green eyes, and curly black hair walked up to Ianus. She carried a leather wine skin over her shoulder.
“Seraphin?” Ianus exclaimed.
The woman nodded, “Follow me.” She led Ianus off into the darkness. Ianus smiled tentatively as he walked past Kahlil.
“What is in the wine skin?” Ianus asked.
“The sky,” lightning flashed. A lamp flickered to life in the hand of a red haired girl, standing beside a golden throne. On the throne sat an older woman with a kindly face and a brilliant glimmer in her eyes.
“Uma Nari!” Ianus stared at the throne. Slowly, he looked back at the younger woman by her right side, “Phaedra?”
“Yes, my dear,” Uma said softly, “I have been pleased by the devotion you have shown to my son, and the service you have paid to the Light.”
“O holy Mother!” Ianus face brightened, and tears welled up in his eyes, “I have done what I’ve had to do, to save my father.”
Uma turned and looked at a raven that stood on her right shoulder, “I know, but that is not why you have come here. You have always wanted to walk this path, your vision gave you a reason to defy the expectations that have been placed upon you.”
“Do you mean this will not work?”
“O no, my child, you must pay attention to what is said. Your father must walk his path, and you must follow yours.” She motioned to Seraphin, who approached Ianus, and offered him the wine skin.
Ianus drank. Suddenly, he felt lighter. A peace draped over him. Opening his eyes, a lady in shimmering white dress and luminous, pale blue skin walked toward him. “Atarah!” He muttered.
She raised her hand and blessed him.
Everything went black, save for the small perimeter illuminated by the lamp in his right hand.
“Holy Mother?” Ianus squeaked, not sure if he had done something wrong. “I can not see anything! Where am I supposed to go? What am I suppose to do?”
Slowly, he began to walk toward the throne. There was nothing there. The throne was gone. Ianus was alone. Glancing around, he scanned the darkness, then the floor. Again, nothing, he had hoped to see some mark, some sign to guide his stumbling through the blackness, he began to pray. He reviewed what he had said and done. He had not done anything wrong that he could tell.
A light flashed. An elderly man with long, white beard and hair stood smiling. “You have found your way, my boy. Surely you know me.”
“You are Omer Yul, the uncle of Tien Shaa and one of his most devoted disciples.”
“Good! Good! I don’t know about that most devoted part, but you do indeed seem to know me. I am proud of you, my boy. Very few could have found their way to me.”
“You honor me. I do not deserve such praise from you.” Ianus lowered his head. “I have done nothing to get here.”
“You breathe,” said Omer, “You had the courage to walk when you could have run. You have chosen to stand when you could have remained silent. Your humility is refreshing, but you do not understand the power you hold in your hands.”
“Master Yul, I have no power in my hands.”
“You lack but one thing,” holding up his periapt, “You must learn to see.” Light, brighter than the sun burned Ianus’ eyes.
Electric tingling stormed around his body. It was hard to breathe. A cold pressure beat down on him. His body seemed suddenly frail, and he feared he might just snap.
Relief was followed by an icy chill. Blue lightning swirled by like ominous storm clouds. Twisting, Ianus felt the ground give way under his feet. Thunder crashed, and air rushed past. Ianus resisted the urge to scream.
In his room in the dormitory, Faroh Raanan looked out of the glass door past his balcony at the library. He couldn’t stop thinking about what Cythraul had told him. Opening the door, he walked onto his balcony. The brisk night air welcomed him. Something was wrong, something was out of place.
“How astute of you to notice,” Panthera’s artificial voice pronounced behind him. “Master,” Faroh quickly turned and bowed, “I was not expecting to see you this
evening.”
“Plans change. We may be having a problem with Tara.”
“Do you think she’s getting cold feet?”
“I’m afraid she may not have the courage of her convictions. Her faith has
wavered recently. She may not be able, or willing to carry out her purpose to its logical end.”
“And what would you have me do, my Master?”
“Follow her, and do what she will not. Make sure that everything that must happen, happens.”
“Of course, my Lord, but…”
“What? You are not becoming lost as well?”
“No! No, my Master. It is this young Akeru. He may not turn as easily as we thought. He may be more of a problem than we planned.”
“Then kill him! He cannot be a problem if he’s dead!”
“Yes, it will be done.”
“Is there something wrong?”
“No. I know the truth. Obedience is required. Not only mine, but all others.”
Lost in the coruscant nimbus, Ianus craned his neck toward each shadow he caught out of the corner of his eye.
“Hello,” he screamed, “What am I to do now?”
“Can’t you remember?” A voice said on his right.
“I do believe he has forgotten,” came a voice on his left.
“It is a shame. Omer must not have thought him ready.”
“A great shame, too bad we cannot show him.”
Ianus thought quickly, he did not wish to loose his chance. “He told me… he said I needed to learn to see.”
“And that you do,” said the voice on the right.
To the left, “Lost in the cloud? Seek, and you will find.”
“Seek what?” Ianus asked.
“The Light of course,” the voice on his right grew closer.
“No, No,” came the voice on his left, “Not the light in the cloud.”
“O, no, the one that hides itself in darkness.”
“What better place to hide the light than in the shadows?”
“Who would think to look for it there?”
“I know who you are!” Ianus exclaimed, “You are Rohan and Makarios, the attendants to Tien Shaa.”
“Very good,” said the voice on his right.
“Yes, Yes, very good indeed.”
“But I am afraid, one problem remains.”
“You only see with your eyes.”
A raven blacker than a moon and starless night flew over Ianus’ head, and stopped right before his eyes.
“This belongs to one of us,”
“Choose wisely. You get one chance,” the voice on his left said. “If you are wrong, you can not stay.”
Ianus paused for a moment. “May I have a clue?”
“One clue you’ve got,” came the voice on his right.
“You will get no more.”
“Unless we give you another.”
“Which we were not supposed to give.”
Ianus focused on the raven. “You are Rohan and Makarios, twins, telepathic from the womb. You are identical in every way but one. Master Rohan, you were marked by the Raewyn. They made you immortal. You cannot die. So, Master Makarios, this raven belongs to you. But which one of you is which.”
Ianus paused for a moment and thought. Bowing to his left, “Master Makarios, this raven belongs to you.”
“Are you sure?” said the voice on his right.
“Certainty is a fleeting thing.”
“I am sure,” Ianus smiled. “I listened to your words. Master Rohan, you stand on my right. Your words are unencumbered by time. Master Makarios, you are to my left. You told me that I have but one chance, and that I would get no more. These are words that limit. What did you just say? ‘Certainty is fleeting.’ Those are not the words of an immortal. Master Makarios,” Ianus bowed again to his left, “This raven belongs to you.”
The nimbus cleared to a light mist. Two men with black hair and jade robes came into view.
“Very good,” said Rohan, bowing on Ianus right.
“Now you can see,” said Makarios. He waved behind Ianus.
Ianus turned and saw the glowing center of the nimbus. Radiance surrounded a kindly old man who stood motionless with his arms out stretched.
“Tien Shaa!” Ianus exclaimed, running toward the old man.
“What do you seek?” Tien Shaa asked.
“I seek the truth.”
“O no you don’t, you seek to save your father’s life. You seek to stand in the face of prophecy and strike it down.”
Ianus froze; he didn’t know what to say.
“You remind me of myself, when I was younger,” Tien Shaa continued, “What you seek may be done,