The essence of the world
“Do you still protect the old knowledge?” Mary asked.
“Yes, we do. This whole building, the sanctuary, is devoted to that task.” Tariana told her. “What do you know about magic?” she then asked Mary.
“Not much, the church told us that magic isn’t real and that saying that you use it is a sin against God” Mary said, feeling uncomfortable.
“Hmm, if I ask you about miracles, what do you know about those?”
“Oh, the bishops and the cardinal can preform miracles by praying to God. It’s because they are the most holy of men, so God listens to them. I once saw a bishop turn every flower in the castles ballroom white.” Mary told her excitedly.
“What if I told you that miracles are magic? And that it doesn’t come from God but from withing us and from nature?” Tariana said, watching Mary to see how she would react.
Mary looked at her as if she didn’t understand what Tariana had said. Then the gears started turning and as she processed the new information she chewed on her bottom lip.
Mary knew Tariana wouldn’t lie to her, she trusted her more than anyone, except for Kopa. But if she believed the Lady, that would mean that the church had been lying to her, her whole life. That was a hard truth to accept. The church had been such a major part of her life. Would father Link have lied to her?
“So all the priests and the bishops have been lying to us?” Mary asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe not all priests are aware that magic and miracles are the same thing. If I were to make up such a lie, I would make sure that as few people as possible knew about it.” Tariana mused. Mary nodded, that made sense and it made her feel a bit better.
“Then what is magic? Does it have to do with the old knowledge that you are guarding?” Mary asked. Clever girl, Tariana thought and gave Mary a radiant smile.
“It does” she confirmed. “Magic is hard to explain. We study it for years to understand it but let’s go with a somewhat simplified version for teatime” she smiled.
“Magic is the essence of the world. It’s the foundation energy that is in all things. It is divided in to five branches or elements: fire, earth, wind, water, and life. The old knowledge is the knowledge on how to manipulate and access these energies, and that is how we use magic.” Tariana explained.
“Most people could, with some practise, learn to manipulate the elements. For some it’s more difficult than for others. You usually have one or two elements that you bond with on a deeper level. Those are easier to manipulate as you naturally understand them. But some people have a bond with all five”
“The requirements to become the Lady, you have a bond with all of them?” Mary asked.
“I do, but air and water are my stronger elements. Even if you have a connection with several elements, one or two is often stronger then the rest. To have a connection to all five is a rare thing. We usually find four or five people per generation with that ability” Tariana said, sounding proud.
“So why is it more common for women to possess them all?”
“That’s a good question Mary, one we don’t really have a good answer for. We have some theories, but it’s the focus of much research and debate. The fact is that men very rarely have a connection with the element of life. It’s speculated that it’s due to the fact that women grow life in their bodies or that it’s to do with the chemical balance in our bodies.”
“Truthfully, we don’t know. That is why a man with connection to all five elements are so rare. Men with connection to four elements are about as rare as they are for women. But in the last two hundred years we only know of two men with a connection to all five elements.”
Mary was surprised that it was so rare. She tried to wrap her head around the information the fact that magic was real.
“So aari are people who use magic?”
“That is part of it” Tariana smiled. “But we also study it, try to learn more about it and how to manipulate it. And then we take our mission to help people seriously. So, in some cases we act like diplomates and mediators. Or as advisers. We don’t just help our own people. We help those who asks unless the task puts people in danger or if we think that the aari sent won’t make it back”
“That is commendable work” Mary said in awe.
“Thank you dear. It’s an interesting path to walk” Tariana said.
“There are so many things I need to learn” Mary sighed. “I need to get better at Salamis, I need to understand the customs, learn about your history and how to navigate in the city”
“That is true, it’s not an easy task moving as far as you have. But give yourself some credit. You have only been here for two weeks, and you have come so far already. You will learn all these things, and more, in no time. And then you can see what you want to do with your life” Tariana smiled at her.
“Thank you. I have had so many people who have helped me, and everyone have been so nice”
“I’m happy to hear that. And that brings me to the second part of why I wanted to meet with you. I wanted to see if you were ready to get some extra help with adapting and learning about the city. We both love dear Kopa, but we also know that he is a tad bit overprotective when it comes to you my dear” Tariana said and laughed.
“As good hearted as he is, he might not be the one to teach you about the city. And I also think it would be nice for you to be around people your own age, not just us old people” she winked.
“Oh I don’t mind at all” Mary quickly said.
“I know my dear but let’s just be a bit adventurous and go outside your comfort zone for a minute or two.” Tariana insisted. Mary swallowed hard.
“Okay, what are you suggesting?” Mary asked nervously.
“I have someone in mind that can take you around city and introduce you to other people. He is trustworthy and Kopa has known him for a long time so I don’t think he would be to worried to let you go out in his company. It’s been harder than you think to find a person that I think Kopa would approve of”
“He?” Mary asked.
“Yes, it’s a man. But you don’t have to be nervous about that. He would not do anything to make you uncomfortable. You are perfectly safe with him, otherwise I would not have suggested it”
“Okay” Mary said hesitant.
“Trust me when I say that he has to much respect for both Kopa and myself to give you any trouble” Tariana ensured Mary. Mary nodded.
“His name is Tenac and he’s my son. I have sked him to come by so I can introduce you two”
Mary was surprised to hear that Tariana had a son, she had never talked about him before. Despite Tarianas reassurances Mary was hesitant to trust a man. But she was afraid that Tariana would take offence if she refused the help she offered.
There was a knock on the door.
“Your son is here my Lady” one of the guards said.
“Right on time, please let him in”