Awakening by Benjamin Sperduto

Author:Benjamin Sperduto [Sperduto, Benjamin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

After meeting the Lady Helize, Hemerhein led the changelings to a tall building located a short distance from the training yard. It had several floors, each one constructed from a different material. There was one of pieced together stone, another of woven vines, another of gnarled wood, and so on. The bottom floor had been carved out of one of the heartwood tree’s roots, giving the impression that the building grew from the tree itself.

“This,” Hemerhein said, “is the Sanctuary. All the changelings who come to Caer Brinn are brought here. Everything you will ever need can be found in this place. The upper floors are for living arrangements, with quiet rooms for those of you who still need sleep. Food and drink can be found just below them, along with fresh water until you grow out of your human stink.”

That comment prompted Tavik to sniff at his tattered clothing. Surrounded by the pleasant, flowery air of Caer Brinn, he supposed he probably did stand out a bit after all that hard traveling.

“You’ll get to know the lower floors well. There are libraries, alchemist labs, smithies, armories, training areas, lecture rooms; all you’ll ever need to prepare you to survive in this dark earth.”

“Doesn’t look big enough for all that stuff,” Ashal said.

Tavik had to agree. The Sanctuary was a large building, but not that large. Each floor looked like it couldn’t contain more than a few rooms.

Hemerhein snorted and jabbed his cane in Fenore’s direction. “As your little redcap friend here has already learned, it’s a mistake to judge things by their appearances alone.”

When they reached the main door, which was made of brightly colored wood and covered with thin, green vines sporting tiny blue petals, Hemerhein pulled it open and ushered them inside.

The changelings gasped when they stepped into the vast space, which was at least ten times bigger than it appeared from the outside. There were hallways and staircases leading off in every direction, each one branching out from the main common room. A riot of sounds echoed off the walls and ceiling, the clanging of metal upon a distant forge, heated discussions, and the even-handed voice of a patient instructor.

Tavik also heard a moment or two of laughter, something they’d found in short supply of late.

Even Fenore couldn’t stifle her amazement at the sight.

“H… how?” Mur asked. “It’s so big…”

“All things in time, child,” Hemerhein said.

Tavik’s attention quickly moved from the space itself to the people within it. Scanning the common room, he saw changelings everywhere, more than he could quickly count. Some, he guessed, were about his age, but there were others who were older, ones who looked more fully Fay than human. Most of them seemed to be hurrying through the room on their way to someplace down one of the branching halls, but a few sat at tables either sifting through stacks of paper or chatting excitedly.

Hemerhein snapped his fingers at two changelings seated nearby.

“Lilyan! Ellera! Come here.”

The girls sprang from their seats so quickly they almost crashed into each other.

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