The Buried Symbol (The Ruins of Issalia Book 1) (54 page)

“
There are two key items to note. First, it
’
s far easier to see into your own future than the future of others, because it
’
s tied to you. Second, the near future is much easier to determine than a more distant future. Your thread of
Order
extending in the past has been defined and is singular, but your future is an array of possibilities, fanning out wide from the present. The closer you are to now, the less variability there is to your future and the easier it is to foretell.
”

“
There is also a far more rare manifestation of prophecy. This is true prophecy, where a person will experience a vision of some critical event in the future, possibly a distant future. In this form of prophecy, one must connect to the more broad force of
Order
that exists in all living things. How this occurs is unknown, though many theories exist. In all documented cases throughout history, though there are few, this type of prophecy has served as a warning used to guide and prepare for some critical event.
”

“
You won
’
t find this in any books, for it is only handed down verbally.
”
She paused, scanning the room.
“
Without a doubt, mankind would not have defeated the Banished Horde if the Ministry hadn
’
t followed the guidance of such a prophecy. Ignoring that prophecy would have resulted in our utter defeat and in the extermination of mankind.
”

The class was silent, considering the message she was sending.

“
Now that you understand the basic concepts, it
’
s time to begin some exercises designed to develop your skill in prophecy.
”

She turned and waved Ashland over. The girl handed a stack of cards to Varius, who held one of the cards up.

“
These cards each have a common rune marked on them. With them, you will be asked to perform a simple task. Your partner will stand behind you, flipping a card up to face your back. Your job is to call out the rune on the card just before you spin around to see what it is.
”

She surveyed the room.
“
I see the looks on your faces. Yes, this is like a trick street performers might use to impress an unknowing crowd. The secret is that it
’
s not a trick. They cannot read minds, and they don
’
t have a mirror. This is something made possible by a close connection to their own force of
Order
. Through it, they can see a moment into the future, much like glancing around a corner just before you walk around the bend. They see what
’
s on the card in their mind, then spin to see the same image with their eyes, a moment later.
”
Varius smiled.
“
It
’
s quite simple.
”

She began handing cards to tables on one side of the room. Ashland followed, handing cards to tables on the other side. As she passed him, Brock whispered to her.

“
Will you be my partner?
”

She smiled, giving a small nod.

With the cards distributed, Varius called for everyone to find a partner. Brock wasted no time seeking out Ashland. Seeing them together, Varius raised an eyebrow, but made no objection.

Brock shuffled his cards.
“
I
’
m assuming you
’
ve tried this before.
”

Ashland sighed.
“
Yes. I
’
m not good at it. Healing and divining come fairly easy. Prophecy has eluded me thus far.
”

He smiled.
“
Yeah, but this time you have my support. Love conquers all. Right?
”

She smiled back.
“
Right.
”

“
I have the cards, so you go first. Turn around.
”
He told her.

She turned her back toward him. He stared at the back of her neck, past the stray curls hanging from her bun. He felt an urge to kiss that neck, but he resisted. Picking a card, he saw the rune of
Artifex Altus
. He flipped it so it faced Ashland
’
s back and waited. He found himself thinking about the rune on the card, expecting her to say it.

“
Artifex Altus
,
”
she said, and then spun to see the card. A small squeal of excitement slipped out before she covered her mouth. She whispered.
“
It worked. I could see it. I knew what it was!
”

Brock smiled.
“
I knew you could do it. Now, it
’
s my turn.
”

He handed the cards to her and reversed direction. He calmed, harmonizing with his source of
Order
. He cleared his mind and let it fill. Amazingly, it did.
“
The rune of
Laboris
,
”
he said aloud.

He spun to see that exact card facing him. A grin spread across his face, matching Ashland
’
s.
“
That was amazing. It was so clear. I could see it in my head.
”

Ashland nodded.
“
Let
’
s try again.
”

CHAPTER 85

Benny spread the map-sized sheet of paper on the table. On it was a sketch of some crazy looking contraption.

“
This is it, Brock. I
’
m going to be famous,
”
Benny said, excited.

“
Okay, but what is it?
”
Brock asked as he inspected the drawing.

“
This is like a carriage but with only two wheels. It
’
s smaller and lighter and doesn
’
t need a horse to pull it. Instead, it uses a crank that is pedaled by your feet.
”
Benny smiled proudly.

“
Why would this be better than walking?
”
Brock asked.

Benny sighed.
“
See the crank? How it
’
s smaller than the wheel? Every time your feet rotate this crank around, the big wheel turns a full revolution, which multiplies the result. In addition, wheels roll. They roll, Brock!
”

Brock laughed.
“
Okay, Okay. What if you tip over?
”

Benny sighed again, pulling a copper from his pocket.
“
Watch.
”

Benny rolled the coin across the table, continuing until it slowed and tipped over.

“
If you
’
re moving fast enough, you won
’
t tip over, like the coin. If you stop, you can always take your feet off the crank pedals and put them on the ground. It
’
s simple.
”

Brock smiled at Benny
’
s energy and optimism.
“
Okay. I believe you. What
’
s next?
”

Benny smiled.
“
Why, you guys help me build it. I will be famous, of course. You two will be famous for helping me be famous.
”

Brock laughed at the serious way Benny made the ludicrous statement.
“
Yes, I
’
ll help. Cam?
”

Cam replied from the nearby sofa.
“
Sure. As long as there aren
’
t any wine casks involved. I
’
m still recovering from the last one.
”

Benny grinned.
“
Great. We
’
ll get started in two days, right after dinner.
”

Brock nodded.
“
Sounds good, Benny.
”

Satisfied, Benny changed the subject.
“
What about the translation, Brock? Have you made any progress?
”

Brock shrugged.
“
Yes and no. I
’
ve been trying to figure out a new symbol. It
’
s something that I
…
had some experience with in the past. But I
’
m not getting a clear translation.
”

Benny raised an eyebrow.
“
What have you found so far?
”

“
Well, this symbol means something like
life
or
move
or maybe
alive
. I can
’
t tell for sure.
”
Brock responded,
“
But I think that
…”

“
Brock.
”

He turned to see Parker standing at the doorway to the lounge.

“
Brock, can I speak with you?
”

Brock nodded.
“
Excuse me, guys.
”

Once in the hallway, Parker waved him into the room he and Benny shared. Brock stepped inside and turned as Parker closed the door and stepped close to address him.

“
Brock, I apologize for not spending time with you guys since the tower repair.
”

Brock shook his head.
“
Don
’
t worry about it, Parker. I know you
’
re caught up in politics that influence your situation.
”

Parker nodded.
“
Thanks for understanding.
”
He paused before continuing,
“
But that
’
s not why I pulled you in here. I wanted to warn you.
”

Brock
’
s brow furrowed.
“
Warn me? About what?
”

“
About Corbin,
”
Parker said.
“
For some reason, he
’
s hated you since his first day here. But since
…
since the Arena Championship, he
’
s gotten worse. It used to be almost amusing, as if you were just a pawn he would attempt to manipulate. Now, it
’
s as if he
’
s possessed or something. He mentions things he wants to do to you. Bad things. I
’
m not the only one in the group who is freaked out. It
’
s scary, Brock. He isn
’
t right in the head. I
’
m afraid he
’
ll do something. Something horrible.
”

Brock nodded.
“
Thanks for letting me know, Parker. I
’
ll be sure to be careful.
”

Parker let out a sigh.
“
I hope there
’
s nothing to worry about, but I
’
m afraid that isn
’
t the case. I thought that I should let you know. You
’
ve always been a friend to me. In fact, you
’
ve been great to everyone anytime I
’
ve been around you. Who knows, maybe that
’
s why Corbin hates you. Issal knows he hasn
’
t treated others well at all.
”

He put his hand on Parker
’
s shoulder.
“
Thanks again, Parker. You take care, too. If Corbin is becoming dangerous, you may want to keep a distance.
”

Parker nodded, pulling the door open.
“
Take care, Brock. Watch your back.
”

CHAPTER 86

“
Okay. This is good,
”
Benny said, stopping at the side of the road.

Brock and Cameron stopped pushing the contraption, holding it upright on the narrow road that wrapped around the Girls
’
Wing.