Contemplation

Nexus was the oldest and wisest of the fae Sentinels. He had been in service of the monarchy longer than any of us. My adoptive father - King Malgus, told me that Nexus’s great ancestor had been part of the first grand revolt before the fae monarchy was formed and had effectively dismantled the entire idea of the wild fae ruling everything and everyone in Nuvaru.

His bloodline had been one of seers, but at the same time, they’re different from common seers, Nexus and those past special ones in his family could see paths to different futures - not predestined fates but possibilities that existed in the void of the unknown. These paths had guided the decisions of rulers and sentinels for many a lifetime. Helping them to choose the path that would lead to balance.

When I first heard of him, I was quite intimidated. I had often thought about what he thought of me. But then I came to him for advice myself and his demeanor was quite different from what you usually expect of seers, he was quiet but also kind and contemplative, he doesn’t overwhelm someone with what he has seen. He’s just always there like a presence, listening to your problems until he feels it’s appropriate to speak. After that, I found it easier and easier to come and talk to him whenever I felt burdened by the weight of responsibility.

This time too, I found myself standing in front of the door to his chambers. I was no longer in the Nanari Royal Palace, I was standing in the halls of Kala’amachi - The historian’s tower. This was not a library, rather an archive filled with generations of fae history.

Much of the tower itself had been damaged in the war when the dark fae overran Haru, but thankfully all the historical records were moved beforehand and kept safe elsewhere thanks to Nexus’s foresight. After the war ended, all the records were safely moved back.

I knocked on the simple bronze door twice and the door opened on its own as expected.

I walked inside, the room was well lit and there were pools of sparkling water running in three directions. The water itself also felt special, it had a different sort of energy running through it and I often found Nexus just staring into the water completely still which was also the case now.

Nexus was standing at the end of the room where the three pools were intersecting. I knew he was in a deep meditative state so I just walked up and sat down beside him cross legged on the cool marble floor.

“Greetings Nexus.” I said softly looking up at him through my helm, my right hand on my chest. He was wearing a red velvet robe and his long silver hair was falling neatly over his shoulders while his black eyes were slightly dilated while he narrowed them studying the pool of water. I scooched closer to the pool, dragging myself forward and looked down.

I, of course, could not see anything significant but I liked to join in anyway. It felt calming in a way and being near life peacefully usually replenished my magic and energy.

“Anything interesting happening in the unknown today?” I asked curiously, but he didn't answer.

I sighed and continued.

“Well, things have been really difficult for me, it feels like no matter how much of the land I heal, the scars of the Darkest war just don’t disappear.” I said with a hint of sadness, “and of course there are places where there’s not a single thread of life left. It feels so heartbreaking, seeing that my magic and all the power I have, cannot restore something that has nothing left to nurture back to health.” I paused then remembered the village I had come across, “there was also this human village at the edge of the border, it looked normal, but there was clearly something wrong, like a darkness that’s slowly spreading.”

He turned his face to look at me, his expression was unchanged but he gave me a tiny nod to acknowledge me, I took it as a sign to keep speaking.

“Well, everything seemed fine, but there was this sense of unease I felt in my chest like a physical pain that got worse the closer I got to the village. I tried talking to my brother about it, but he said I need evidence if I want to convince the monarchy.”

My shoulders drooped and my voice took on a quieter tone, “that’s the thing, I don’t know where to start looking for such evidence, I’ve never been in this situation before. Sentinel Danari usually guided me when we would need to investigate something, but now that she’s not here, I just feel lost and I do not know how to approach this.”

“What do you feel you need to do in your heart?”

His deep rumbling voice made me look up at him. It was gentle but it also had that strange quality which made you feel if more than one person was speaking.

I hesitated then spoke up slowly, “Well… I feel like I need to go back.” I said and gestured my hand vaguely, “if I wait too long I feel as if something terrible might happen to all those people. But Sentinel Danari always told me to think carefully before I did something and if someone found out I crossed into human territory without prior approval, I might lose what trust I’ve gained from the other Sentinels.”

Silence fell between us. Only the sound of the rushing water filled the room

Finally Nexus spoke up again,

“Have you tried connecting with your sword?”

I stiffened,

“It’s not my sword, it’s my teacher’s sword… I don’t want to touch it until I feel I am worthy.” I said in a quieter voice.

“Even if it means neglecting your duty?”

I fell silent, in hindsight connecting with my teacher’s blade could give me the answers I needed. After all, a life weaver’s true abilities could only be harnessed through long term connection with their blade. But just picking up her sword because my own shattered in the war, it felt wrong in more ways than one. But if it was the only way…

“I suppose I could try.”

Nexus gave me a nod of approval and turned back to look into the water.