A dull throb pulsed at the back of Kaelen's skull as his eyes fluttered open. His eyes responded to the sudden light rays, snapping shut. Managing to lift his eyelids again this time, he was starting to get more accustomed to the light fracturing through the high, vaulted windows, scattering across the pale alderwood ceiling. His chest felt like molten iron had been poured into it.
The ceiling above him was familiar, vaulted beams etched with vines, the scent of lavender and juniper drifting through the air.
He recognized the soft rustling sound of robes, the gentle clink of glass vials. Eliryn, the Matriarch healer, hovered at his side. She had that calming, clinical air around her, as though she was five steps ahead of his pain.
Kaelen blinked against the warm glow of light and tried to sit up. Pain bloomed across his sore chest and back muscles, spirit still drained. Her hand gently pressed him down again.
"Not yet, young flame," said Matriarch healer Eliryn, her silvery braid gleaming under her hood. Her eyes were calm, wise, but deeply curious. "The fire in your veins runs deeper than we thought and so did the damage."
"How long have I been out for?"
"A day and a half," she said simply. No sentiment. Just fact.
Kaelen looked up, sweat-dampened hair clinging to his forehead. His throat rasped. "I…passed?"
Eliryn offered a ghost of a smile. "More than passed. You shattered old records. You steamed through the trial core. Not since Grandmaster Roen has anything of the sort happened."
Kaelen looked away, mind spinning. He knew he'd unleashed everything in his arsenal, flames taller than him but never expected such reverence.
She said with a faint smile. "We haven't had someone burn through the trial core like that in decades. And command the trial flames. Do you remember anything after the trial?"
Flashes came to him. It was as all coming back to him in bits and pieces.
"I… remember the flames," he said finally.
Kaelen exhaled, his fingers flicking against the coarse wool.
The curtain parted with a rush of footsteps.
"Kael!"
Darien strode in, his usual composed demeanor thrown off by pure, unhidden relief. The older brother's armor clinked faintly, though his weapons were left at the door. He crossed to Kaelen's bedside and pulled him into a one-armed embrace, mindful of the healer's glare.
"I thought you were going to sleep through the season," Darien said, smirking, though his voice carried a tight edge. "Damn near gave me a heart attack."
***
By mid-morning, Kaelen had dressed and slipped out of the infirmary against healer orders after his brother had left. His cloak light over his shoulders and his steps slow but steady. Outside, the training hall's curved stone corridors opened to soft sunlight. The whole compound seemed… different. Quieter. Or was it just him?
As he walked past students and adepts, heads turned. Whispers followed him like ripples. Some bowed their heads. Others simply stared, wide-eyed. For once, Kaelen didn't wish to shrink from the attention but neither did he bask in it.
Heads bowed. Whispers gathered.
"He has been asleep for more than a day."
"I heard the High Flame bowed."
"They're calling him ..."
At the bend near the east archway, he could see two figures approaching.
Kaelen spotted Syllara at the archway. Behind her, was a lady whom he recognized to be Velvet, though he was not as close to her. Her gaze silent, evaluating. He noticed Velvet first, standing tall right about the same height as Syllara. silver earrings dangling and sharp bronze colored slit eyes.
Syllara rushed forward.
"Kael!" She wrapped him in a hug, breath warm, worried. "You scared me."
"I'm fine," he said, though his voice shook slightly.
Syllara pulled back. "Congratulations," she said evenly. "I'm sorry I wasn't around for your trial, duty calls. I heard you passed out."
"Please," Kaelen muttered. "It's fine. Nothing out of the ordinary happened."
Syllara rolled her eyes, smiling. "Whatever. I'm proud. I did tell you you would ace it."
Velvet nodded once, expression reserved
"Congratulations Kaelen."
Kaelen responded with a nod. "Thanks Velvet."
Before he could speak further, a loud voice rang out behind them. "Well, well, well…"
Footsteps echoed,casual, strolling. Heads turned to him. A flash of emerald green vest, saffron accents showing he was not of the Aetherwrought clan. An elaborate feather earring swaying from one ear.
"Fancy meeting the star of the hour," said a voice smooth as polished jade.
Kaelen raised an eyebrow as a tall youth dragon who looked to be about same age,approached with a mischievous smile, relaxed posture and emerald colored irises matching his emerald colored vest. "And you are?"
"Name's Jasper." He bowed theatrically. "You set fire to the sky. I'm here to witness the aftermath."
Syllara rolled her eyes as she groaned. "He's insufferable."
Velvet snorted. "He's insufferable with purpose."
Jasper winked. "Purpose is good. Now, Kaelen, is it? can we talk? Over tea? Or something stronger?"
Kaelen stiffened. "May I know why?." His eyes cautious as they darted between Jasper and Syllara and back to Jasper.
"Nothing to worry about. Heard nothing but good things about you." Jasper shrugged one shoulder. "Figure someone's gotta see the Aetherwrought talent that has everyone raving. I've been poking about. Nobody's said it aloud, but the look in their eyes…"
He trailed off, letting it hang.
Kaelen glanced at Syllara. She nodded. "Jasper is the son of Chief Gaston of the Rudgar clan."
"Ouch, hurts that you didn't think to introduce me as one of the strongest warriors of the Rudgar clan." Jasper responded, a tad dramatic, with a smile on his lips.
"If that's true, makes you question how many wimps must be in Rudgar clan." Velvet muttered, slightly below her breath.
"What did you say?" Jasper slit pupils were dilated slightly as he turned to look over at Velvet.
"You heard me." Velvet continued.
"She's such a delight, isn't she?" Jasper laughed as he diverted his attention back to Kaelen.
"Okay. Jasper, what is that brought you to the Aetherwrought clan today?" Kaelen inquired, his cautious eyes trained on the man in front of him.
"I'm here on official business. Boring paperwork. Blah, blah, blah….Sitting with the Aetherwrought prodigy is a good reason too. Most intriguing to me, might I add."
"All right then, follow me"
Jasper grinned, gesturing. "Lead the way."
As they turned down the winding path toward the southern archives, Kaelen glanced back once. Velvet and Syllara watched them go, both with unreadable expression.