Magnum Imperium: The Candidate

     Before Neopia came to be, everything was dark and empty. However, there was energy, a magical current that flowed throughout. It was wild and dangerous. It was also unstable; it’s temperature would soar to scorching heights one moment and plummet to frosty depths the next. Nothing could stop it.

     One day, something extraordinary happened: the energy separated into fire and ice.

     Phwoosh! Jahbal exhaled noisily from his beak and pushed his hands outward. His audience, a group of young children, oohed and aahed.

     Thump

     “Excuse me.” He bent down and retrieved the book that had fallen from his lap. “Now, where was I?”

     “Fire and Ice, Mr. Zhavid! Fire and Ice,” a Yellow Hissi piped up.

     “Right.”

     These were no ordinary elements; this was magic. From fire and ice, life arose.

     “Life magic! I bet that was Life magic!” a Red Grarrl interrupted.

     “Don’t interrupt, Mr. Zhavid,” the librarian chided. The Grarrl recoiled with a mumbled apology.

     “Yes, Fire and Ice magic created Life magic,” Jahbal confirmed.

     Living things emerged as Life magic filled the cosmos, green plants and animals of all shapes and sizes. All filled with great power. Jahbal paused as he saw the tension. The children leaned forward in anticipation. He smiled. He needed to volunteer for the Imperial Library’s story hour more often.

     However, things weren’t done. Electricity surged through the air as lightning bolts slashed through the sky. Some creatures made that power their own. Others developed the ability to twist what others saw. They made copies of themselves and learned to reflect attacks back at their opponents. These powers filled Neopia and still do. They are the stitching in the fabric of our world. The Red Eyrie stopped, “Can anyone tell me what kind of magic I’m talking about?”

     “Uhm, uhh…” a Blue Elephante hesitated.

     “Go on,” Jahbal encouraged.

     “I think it’s Shock and…Spectral, right?”

     Yes, that’s right.”

     The Blue Elephante beamed in satisfaction as she raised her trunk.

     “Ah, ah, ah,” the librarian interrupted. “Trumpeting isn’t allowed!”

     Jahbal chuckled. “I’m finished with my story, Constance. The library is yours once again.”

     The Pink Lenny smiled dryly, “I never yielded it to anyone.”

     Jahbal chucked again and turned to walk towards the exit. That’s when he felt a tug on his dark brown robes. The Red Eyrie looked down and spotted the Blue Elephante. “Yes, little one?”

     The Elephante frowned and stomped her foot indignantly, “I’m not little! I’m almost seven years old!”

     Jahbal smiled, “I’m sorry, miss. What’s your name?”

     “Amaya, Mr. Zhavid. I have a question.”

     “What is it?”

     “My mum told me most of us have Fire and Ice magic. Is that true?”

     “That’s what scholars say, Amaya. They think it’s because fire and ice created Neopia,” he answered.

     Amaya scrunched her face in confusion, “Scholars?”

     “Smart people,” Jahbal clarified.

     “Oooh, got it! One more question.”

     “Yes?”

     “What about you? What do you have?” Amaya asked.

     “Fire magic,” he answered.

     “You don’t have two?”

     “That’s enough, Amaya,” Constance interceded. “Mr. Zhavid has other things he needs to do.”

     Jahbal sighed as he tried to tune out the raucous sounds of the marketplace. Children were tiring. “It’s worth it. The next generation needs to be educated,” he reminded himself.

     The Red Eyrie absentmindedly hummed to himself as he perused the fish stalls. Baba had a sensitive stomach. He’d need a mild-tasting filet.

     “Oof!” Someone thudded against his midsection, causing him to drop some figs, artichokes, and a wheel cheese he had been carrying with under left arm. “Spell and spears!” he shouted as he saw the cheese roll away. His copper eyes flashed with anger as he stared at the offender.

     “P-please forgive me, sir. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” It was a Speckled Bori. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she clenched her olive-green robes.

     Jahbal’s anger subsided as he saw her fright. “No, please forgive me, miss. I was in the wrong. What is your name?”

     “My name is Fiore, sir,” she answered.

     “Please, there’s no need for formalities. My name is Jahbal.”

     “Jahbal,” Fiore repeated. “It’s nice to meet you.”

     The Red Eyrie nodded, “Likewise. Can you hold out your paw for a second?”

     Fiore’s ears flattened as she eyed him, “Why?”

     Jahbal shook his head, “I mean no harm, Fiore. I promise.”

     The Speckled Bori reluctantly did as she was asked.

     Jahbal placed the figs he hadn’t dropped in her paw, “Take this as an apology for my outburst.”

     “You don’t have to—.”

     “I insist,” he interrupted.

     Fiore smiled, “Then, I accept. Thank you.” Her ears twitched, “My sister is calling for me. I need to go soon.”

     “I have things to do, as well. My Baba is waiting.”

     “Babaa? Do you love Petpets, Jahbal?” Fiore asked.

     “No, I’m referring to my grandfather,” Jahbal corrected. He glanced behind him, “Your sister’s voice is getting louder. I don’t want to be on the receiving end of a misunderstanding, especially considering what happened earlier. Goodbye, Fiore.”

     “Goodbye, Jahbal. May our paths cross again.”

     “Certainly.” I doubt that will happen, he thought.

     Jahbal stepped across the threshold as quietly as he could. Despite his advanced age, Baba was a light sleeper. The Red Eyrie allowed himself a weary sigh.

     He didn’t understand why, but Baba had taken to sleeping during the day for several years now. He’d taken his grandfather to two physicians. Both had told him it was a consequence of aging. However, there was one thing the younger Eyrie didn’t understand: why Baba? Baba was in his mid-eighties, but Jahbal had studied under a few professors at the Neopia Potentia who were close to his grandfather’s age.

     Jahbal smiled to himself. They had been as sharp as a newly wrought blade. Their steps had been halting, but these grizzled mages could summon searing walls of fire, crystalline daggers of ice, and conjure phantasmic copies of themselves. It had left their students, himself included, in awe. Even more astonishing was their magical stamina. They had barely broken a sweat!

     The training grounds would be littered with patches of burned grass. Static electricity permeated the air, and the tips of tree leaves would be dipped in frost. However, it was nothing a few bursts of Life magic couldn’t fix. He had found it difficult to concentrate on the subsequent lecture as they explained the details of their drills’ inner workings because his wonder took a while to fade.

     Then, there was Xantan, the Circle of Eleven’s leader. Wasn’t he in his seventies? Jahbal didn’t know much about him, but he was reputed to be a formidable scholar. Not to mention a master of Fire and Ice magic.

     When he asked the physicians about these discrepancies, they told him they didn’t know. It affected some but not others. At least they had been honest.

     Click, click, click

     Jahbal broke himself out of his reminiscences at the sound. Baba must have been walking around again. The Red Eyrie stepped into the atrium. He approached carefully; he had accidentally scared the elder Eyrie before. Jahbal’s copper eyes softened, “Hello, Baba.”

     The Shadow Eyrie started briefly. “Caspar? Why were you out that long? You were gone too…” his words trailed off.

     Jahbal put a hand on his grandfather’s shoulder. “Caspar is my father. I’m Jahbal.” He smiled. The Red Eyrie reached down and stroked the top of his grandfather’s right hand, which was balled in a tight fist. “It’s time for dinner. We can go for a walk around the park later if you want. Would you like that?”

     “Jahb-Jahb?”

     “Yes, that’s right.”

     “Where is your father?”

     “He’s not around right now.”

     Baba’s face contorted in horror at his grandson’s words. “Where is he?! Where is he?! Tell me!” The Shadow Eyrie flung his arms as he resumed pacing.

     Jahbal cringed; he had phrased that wrong. His father was still alive, but Baba obviously thought otherwise. He hurried over to the Shadow Eyrie’s side. “Father is living somewhere else. That’s why he’s not here.”

     Baba rushed over, shoving his face close to Jahbal’s. The latter’s heart cracked as he saw tears. I screwed up big time. “He’s alive? Right? He’s alive?” The Shadow Eyrie glued his arms to his sides.

     Jahbal nodded as he patted his grandfather’s arms. “Yes, Father is fine,” he answered in a tender tone. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” The Red Eyrie inwardly sighed in relief as he felt the Shadow Eyrie relax.

     “Jahb-Jahb. You’re Jahb-Jahb?”

     The Red Eyrie nodded, “Yes, I am. Are you hungry, Baba? We can go for a walk later. You always enjoy that.”

     The Shadow Eyrie smiled at his grandson, “Hi, Jahb-Jahb.” He frowned a few seconds as his stomach growled.

     Jahbal took his grandfather’s hand in his, “Let’s eat. I bought fresh river fish, your favourite.”

     The next morning

     Jahbal’s eyes fluttered open as sunlight filtered in through the nearby window. The Red Eyrie rose slowly, stretching his arms as he yawned loudly. Okay, need to fix some quick breakfast and return that book to the Imperial Library. If there’s any time left, I should get some training done.

     His mental checklist was interrupted by the sound of soft snoring coming from the room across his. He smiled. Baba slept through the night. Thank goodness. It was unfortunate, but Baba often had disturbed sleep.

     Whether it was waking up in the middle of the night, sleepwalking, or even acting out dreams.

     Knock, knock.

     “Spells and spears!” he exclaimed. He’d overslept! Hastily donning dark grey robes, Jahbal ran to the door and opened it.

     “Good morning, Jahbal,” an older Purple Vandagyre greeted. Her silver hair was in an unkempt bun and smile lines surrounded her beak.

     “Good morning, Cassia,” Jahbal replied. “Baba is still asleep, but he’ll probably wake up soon.”

     Cassia smiled, “Don’t worry, Jahbal. I’ll take good care of him.”

     Jahbal dropped a small bag of gold in her left claw, “You always do. Please come in. I haven’t fixed breakfast yet, but would you like some when I do?”

     “I ate earlier, but thank you,” Cassia answered. The Purple Vandagyre stepped over the threshold and stared at him briefly.

     Jahbal swallowed. “Is something wrong?”

     “You look tired. Have you been sleeping well? Eating enough?”

     “It’s…it’s hard to get a good night’s sleep when Baba wakes up in the middle of the night,” he admitted.

     Cassia patted his arm, “Poor dear. I’ll fix you breakfast. I bet you’re hungry.”

     “I would appreciate that.”

     Jahbal adjusted his satchel as he prepared to walk out the door. Cassia would take care of Baba’s groceries today, but he still had some errands to run. The sooner he got them done, the sooner he could take time for himself.

     Knock, knock

     The Red Eyrie growled. Who could possibly need him now? Didn’t whoever-it-was realize he was stretched thin? He stomped over to the door and threw it open to glare at the intruder.

     The perpetrator, a Pirate Ixi, shrank back in surprise. “Forgive the intrusion, sir,” he appeased. “I see I’ve arrived at a bad time.”

     “You think?” Jahbal retorted. “State your name and business quickly.”

     “My name is Aidan Casey. I am the assistant to His Excellency, Xantan Azcal. I am here to inform you of your invitation for a preliminary interview with him.”

     “A preliminary interview? For what?” Jahbal crossed his arms. “Am I seeking employment?”

     “No, sir,” Aidan answered. “I am offering an opportunity. Please let me elaborate.”

     “Fine, you’re already holding me up anyway,” the Red Eyrie snarked.

     Aidan resisted the urge to fidget. Maybe his recommendation had been wrong. The Jahbal he remembered was kinder. Let’s try it this way… If that doesn’t work, I’ll explain my piece and go. I’ll let Xantan know he was…not agreeable. “Jahbal Zhavid?”

     “Yeah, that’s me.”

     “You may not remember me, but I was in the Neopia Potentia at the same time you were,” Aidan said. “You were three classes above me, and I was one of your ‘little brothers’ in the Brothers & Sisters program.”

     Jahbal softened. He remembered the Ixi’s cheerful and sincere attitude. “I…” Sigh. “You seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place you.” He put a hand over his face and sighed again. That was the second time in the span of a day he had unnecessarily snapped at someone. “I apologize for my behaviour. I’m 36; I know better.”

     Aidan smiled. He could feel the agitated fire within the Eyrie subside. “I accept your apology, Jahbal. Let’s start over.”

     Ah, there’s the attitude I remember. Jahbal unfolded his arms, “You said the leader of the Eleven, Xantan, sent you?”

     “Yes, sir. I am his assistant,” Aidan confirmed.

     Jahbal saw the Pirate Ixi’s red and gold robes, “You’re also an imperial mage, I see. And don’t call me ‘sir.’ I’m not much older than you.”

     “It feels a bit weird to address you thus, but if that’s what you’d like.”

     “Yes, that’s what I’d like. Why does the leader of the Eleven want to interview me?” Jahbal asked.

     “As you know, His Excellency has been searching for another member to join the Eleven. He’s been interviewing candidates, but all of them have failed,” Aidan answered.

     Jahbal’s stared blankly past the Pirate Ixi’s shoulder.

     “Are you okay, sir? I mean, Jahbal?”

     “I’m…I’m fine,” the Red Eyrie answered. “Are you saying I have a chance to sit among the Empire’s ruling body?”

     Aidan nodded, “Yes, that’s what I’m saying. You’ll have to pass two interviews first.”

     Jahbal blinked, “I see…”

     “What’s wrong, Jahbal? Please let me know. I don’t want to pressure you, but I need to relay an answer to His Excellency by the end of today.”

     Jahbal cleared his throat and shifted his weight between his feet, “I would be honoured at the opportunity, but…”

     He glanced back through the open door. “I am the sole carer for my elderly grandfather. He can’t be left alone for long.”

     Aidan’s smile fell, “I see. Am I correct in assuming this is a full-time job for you? Are you also on the imperial dole for your services to him?”

     “Yes to both questions,” Jahbal confirmed. “I have another carer who helps me a couple days a week, but it’s mostly me.”

     “Does this mean you are turning down the invitation?” the Pirate Ixi asked. “His Excellency would understand.”

     “No!” Jahbal exclaimed, causing Aidan to jump. “I accept His Excellency’s invitation.”

     Aidan scratched his head, “What about your grandfather?”

     “I can inform Cassia right away and pay her extra.” The Red Eyrie answered. “I’ll need a day to get everything situated. Is that okay?”

     “Yes, that is acceptable.”

     Acceptable? I suppose Xantan does have all the power here. Fitting enough. “I’ll leave early 2 days from now.”

     Aidan grinned, “I’m happy you accepted the invitation, Jahbal. I’m not supposed to say this, but I’m sure you’ll do great.”

     To be continued…