Mourning Ember by Odin Oxthorn

Author:Odin Oxthorn [Oxthorn, Odin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780999834923
Publisher: Odins Musings
Published: 2019-10-30T22:00:00+00:00

##7.1##

“When our final battle has ended, we return to nature.” Garrett traced a finger on the line as he recited. “The pressure of our actions pave a path behind us. We hope to guide the future, but even our greatest intention is wrecked with folly.”

“That was perfect!” Prism clapped their hands together, the sound bouncing against the glass of the cell wall. “Your studies are proving to be quite effective.”

It’s not like I have anything else to do, Garrett thought. “Thank you.”

He pushed away the bitterness from his tone, grateful to have visitors despite their busy schedules. Even Fariem stopped by from time to time, passing him small assignments as well as teaching him about the plant life—what to avoid, what can result in a tasty snack. They even drafted experiments for him to construct, often leading to delightful trinkets to decorate the cell. Fariem still never used his real name, consistently referring to him as Ahm’Xant.

He had asked Prism what the word meant, and they told him that it had roots in Xannat, with Ahm a nondescript honorific title. Loosely, it meant ‘Luck Charm.’

Prism closed the menu from their tablet. “Do you have any questions?”

“Nothing I can think of.” Garrett shook his head.

“Very well. Would you like an assignment, or would you prefer to continue on your own?”

“I think I can manage to get a little further.”

“Absolutely!” They stood up and scooted their seat under the desk. “I will see you next time.”

“Prism…”

“Yes, Ambassador?”

He hesitated, unsure of what he was trying to convey in words. “Thank you for your patience.”

“It’s no trouble at all.” They regarded him oddly. “You are quite an adaptive learner.”

“I am not speaking entirely about academics.”

“I know.” A smile graced their features. “Loremaster had told me of your trials before you arrived. You adapted to your situation to the best of your ability, and I adapted my teaching style to coincide. I think we came to a functional relationship, don’t you think?”

Garrett looked at the table, knitting his hands. “My short temper was not excusable.”

“Ambassador, if my skin were as thin as you imply, I would not have been made a Chief Scribe.” Prism winked and bowed. “Think nothing more of it. Until next time.”

“Sure.”

The wall blended back to solid, dissolving the last trace of the scribe’s shining smile, leaving him to simmer on the conversation.

He closed the reading applications, mind too full to focus on learning. His time imprisoned gave him ample opportunity for self-reflection, but it was not a pleasant experience. The mind was not a fruitful place to be left alone, and the house arrest made his cabin craze itch.

He started pacing about the room, tangles of his ennui brushing with loneliness. Though often incarcerated in his ivory tower whenever his antics impeded the progress of Galavantier business, it only took a few lines of code to break him free. Here, it was a near impossibility. The attempts to crack into the Ara’yulthr network left him frazzled and defeated.

He eyed the console hungrily, forcing his will against the imaginary deities controlling the machines.

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