The Chosen 4
Just as I suspected, Zemus is in on all this.
After the talk with the boy called Fisk, FuSoYa returned to his room and scribbled down everything he remembered in his notebook. Though they didn’t have a lot of time to talk, the child provided enough information to build the start of a case against the Master.
I wish I had a recording device. I did not expect to find so much so suddenly. I will have one this time.
The Journeymaster already made plans to meet up with Fisk again, later that afternoon. It was risky to request such a thing, he knew, but one more time was all he’d need. Once he nailed down a few more facts and got it recorded, Fu would be able to take action.
Only, he wasn’t so sure what that action was.
Which is the reason why I must find Anarchy.
Fu by himself wouldn’t be enough to expose the Manor and Zemus for what they were. If Fu went head to head with the dark mage, it would be pitting his word against the Master’s. Even if he knew he was right, that wouldn’t turn out well.
Anarchy, on the other hand, was a group of professionals who knew how to spread and use this kind of information. If anyone had the ability to pull Zemus off his perch, it was them.
And if my information is useful, maybe they will allow me to join.
That’s why everything hinged on his ability to keep Fisk talking. The more, the better.
Packing the last of his equipment, Fu made his way out of his room to the place that he and Fisk would meet. It was almost supper time, and he could smell the food cooking in the great cafeteria not far away. This would be the typical time for people to sit and talk, Fu knew. Nothing about their discussion would seem out of the ordinary.
Fisk wasn’t there when Fu arrived. He sat down to wait, fingering the recording device hidden in his robe and rehearsing the things he’d say when the boy finally came. But as time crept by, the sounds of supper came and went, and there was no sign of Fisk.
Fu’s claim to glory and revenge slowly faded with the setting sun.
Perhaps he forgot. Or maybe he could not leave to meet me.
The Journymaster began to curse himself for having let the boy walk away to start.
I should have brought him to my room and got the information I needed the first time.
As night stole the last of the light, Fu gathered his equipment and began to walk back towards his room. Whatever happened that night, he would try to meet Fisk again the next day, even if that meant hunting the boy down on campus.
“You look disappointed, FuSoYa,” a smooth voice echoed across the street. “Did someone not come to meet you as you expected?”
Fu could feel the hair standing on the back of his neck. He turned to find himself face to face with Zemus. Surprise and anger flushed the Journeymaster’s cheeks, both keeping him from answering.
The dark mage began to walk very slowly, very purposefully, in a conversational way. “Do you really think that my student isn’t going to tell me all about the new ‘friend’ he made yesterday?”
He pursed his lips in return. Zemus always seemed so stand-offish that Fu didn’t think he would have much in the way of conversation with anyone. Even his own students.
“You’re wrong then,” the Master gave a malicious grin. “I heard all about it. And I didn’t even need to use mind magery… unlike someone.”
“I know the truth,” FuSoYa hissed under his breath.
“Do you?” Zemus answered coolly.
“You took that boy away from his parents, just like you did me,” the mind mage’s brows lowered.
“Oh, Fu,” came a half-laughed response. “Are you still hung up on that? It happened turns ago.”
He balled his fists in return.
“And you’re wrong,” Zemus’ steps were light and teasing. “The boy was taken by Manor soldiers. The same as you. I had nothing to do with his separation from his family. If anything, I’ve bettered his status by taking him under my wing. The alternative would have been a waste of potential talent.”
“And what is the alternative?” Fu asked, trying not to let his worry show.
The Master stopped walking and turned on him quickly. His eyes were sharp, nothing more than wicked slits, “My, my. They give you a tiny little rank and you think you can throw your weight around.”
“Families are being destroyed,” the mind mage clamped his teeth shut in opposition. Zemus was scary… terrifying… but he couldn’t let the man know.
“Let me give you a word of advice,” he stepped closer. So close that Fu could feel his hot breath against his ear as he leaned forward to whisper, “This is not a game you want to play. Walk away before you find out about the alternative first hand.”
“Is that a threat?” FuSoYa snarled.
“Oh, no,” Zemus answered, stepping back again. “If I was threatening you, you wouldn’t have to ask.”
He lowered his brows. Then, he changed tactics, “You don’t care anything about Fisk. I bet he hasn’t even told you anything about the bullies who make him miserable every day… because he’s your student.”
“Kids will be kids,” the Master answered, unmoved. “My student is smart enough to know that I have better things to do than deal with playground politics.”
“You’re just using him,” FuSoYa glowered.
Zemus flashed his unnerving smile, “So are you.”
The mind mage’s breath caught in his throat. He didn’t know if it was because the man didn’t deny his claim or because the man was correct in his accusation. Fu was really no less guilty than Zemus.
“I won’t repeat myself again,” the Master said in a low voice. “Keep away from my student.”
Zemus walked away, greeted by the shadows of the night. Left alone, Fu let out a long, frightened breath. Trying to calm his composure, his hand brushed against something in his pocket.
Pulling it out, FuSoYa realized that the recording orb had been running that whole time.