The Shadow Of What Was Lost by James Islington

about Talean’s efforts to help; as more time
passed, he became increasingly sure that a reprieve would not come. He would
face his Trials tomorrow, the same as everyone else of age. And he would face
the consequences of failure as stoically as he could.
    Finally the sun dipped below the
horizon, and the gentle sea breeze soon became unbearably cold. When they
reached the bottom of the wall, Talean was waiting for them. One look at his
face told Davian all he needed to know.
    “It seems I am saying this a lot
today, Davian,” said Talean, voice rough with emotion, “ but I am sorry. They
refused.”
    Though Davian had been expecting
it, the news still felt like a punch to the stomach. “Thank-you for trying,” he
said, doing his best to sound calm.
    Talean inclined his head. “El be
with you tomorrow,” he said, a hint of sadness in his tone. Davian blinked;
he’d never heard an Administrator invoke the Old Religion before.
    Talean looked as though he was
going to say more, then spun on his heel and walked away.
    Wirr and Asha both gave Davian a
questioning look, but he just shook his head. “It doesn’t matter now,” he said
heavily. His last sliver of hope gone, tiredness came crashing in. “I think
perhaps I should get some sleep." He forced a smile at the other two.
“It’s a big day tomorrow.”
    His friends smiled back, though
he could see the pain in their eyes. Wirr nodded, and Asha gave him a lingering
hug. “We will see you in the morning, Dav,” she said, looking close to tears.
    He gave them one last, tight
smile, and headed back up to the North Tower. As soon as his door was shut he
collapsed into bed, not even bothering to undress.
    Oddly enough, now his fate was
sealed, he had no trouble sleeping.
     
    ***
     
    The soft, insistent tapping at
the door pricked at Davian’s consciousness.
    He lay there for a few seconds as
the events of the day came flooding back, settling like a physical weight on
his chest. He rolled onto his side, staring out the window into the darkness
beyond. It was still pitch-black night – he wasn’t sure how late, exactly, but
there was dead silence from the courtyard below, a sure indicator that it was
at least past midnight.
    The gentle knocking at the door
came a second time, finally rousing him. He frowned as he sat up. It didn’t
sound like Wirr’s usual confident rap, but perhaps his friend was just
exercising some extra caution. Being caught out this late, the night before the
Trials, would undoubtedly bring down the wrath of the Elders.
    He crossed the room and opened
the door, blinking in the sudden torchlight. Ilseth Tenvar stood in the
hallway, looking nervous.
    “Elder Tenvar!” Davian said
bemusedly. There was an awkward pause. The Elders conducting the Trials
normally stayed overnight in Caladel, making Ilseth’s presence doubly
surprising. “How can I help you?”
    Ilseth glanced around, clearly
uneasy. “May I come in?” He clutched something small in his left hand, but it
was covered in cloth, concealed from view.
    Davian shrugged. “Very well,” he
said, trying not to sound too reluctant.
    Ilseth entered, shutting the door
behind him. Noting the open window, he crossed the room and shut that, too.
Looking around and apparently satisfied, he took the chair at Davian’s desk;
Davian perched opposite him on the bed, still trying to deduce what was
happening.
    Ilseth paused for a moment,
composing himself. Then he made a few gestures in the air; streams of energy
flowed from his fingertips, settling into the walls around them.
    Davian frowned; he’d seen this
done before. Ilseth was Silencing the room.
    Once he had finished, Ilseth
stared at the cloth-covered bundle in his hands. “Before we begin,” he said,
tone grave, “ you need to know that I am sorry to put this burden on you.” He
scratched his beard, then took a deep breath. “There is no easy way to say
this. I know you’re an Augur, Davian.” He paused for a moment to let that