“You're really going to take more classes?” Sabina said. She leant her head back to look as Celeste, pouting. “If you fill up your schedule we can't spend as much time together.”
Celeste dropped her book to the side, letting it bounce on the bed. She'd been thinking more than she had been reading anyway. She looked at the book Sabina was reading for a moment, a collection of personal notes from Taoanid administrative documents. It sounded dry, but Sabina was insistent that since many of the words lacked known translations, she could work out what Taoanid swear words were.
“You could always take the same classes as me?” Celeste suggested, moving to sit up. “What have you got against learning?”
“Nothing, I just don't see the point in the classes here. I mean, when am I gonna need to know when some battle happened or the finer points of some made up God's powers. Until they teach a class with practical value, I'll pass.”
“They do teach economic theory. Hang on, why are you going all those language classes then? You can already speak every language. Fluently!”
“Learning languages is a great way to soothe my spirit,” Sabina explained. “I only pay attention when I need to soothe, otherwise I'll just glaze over in those classes.”
“Do they not notice you staring off into space?” Celeste asked.
“If they do, they haven't stopped me yet,” Sabina said, shrugging as she moved to sit up too. “What is the point of all this anyway? When are you going to find all that information useful?”
Celeste didn't have a strong answer to that question. In all honesty, she didn't know if she would ever find what the school could teach her useful. She loved growing stronger in her powers, but she didn't know what she was ever going to do with them. She still sometimes dreamed of removing the spirit, were such a thing possible.
“I don't know, really. But I've got to leave the school eventually. I mean, we've got what, two-hundred years ahead of us?"
“Only if you're unlucky.”
“Exactly. What do you want to do with that time? Run around robbing people and causing trouble?”
“Not the worst plan, if you ask me. An unstoppable thief. I could be a proper legend type.”
“I just don't see the point to that,” Celeste admitted, feeling a little guilty. “We've got all this...This power, shouldn't we do something bigger?”
“I think you've listened to your spirit too much.” Sabina laughed, falling back and resting her hands behind her head. “It's all about power, right? Life is about doing the best to take it easy and enjoy yourself. I thought your whole belief was about taking it easy?”
“Not exactly,” Celeste said with a sigh. She moved to lie on her side, looking at Sabina, her beautiful face sparkling in the evening light. “The Wind will take us where we need to be. You can't force some destiny to come your way. Just prepare yourself for whatever is meant for you.”
“There you go then!” Sabina cried out. “Stop obsessing with what we're supposed to do and just live for what you have now. Can't you be happy now?” She rolled onto her side, and the two lay, staring into the other's eyes for a moment.
“I am happy now, idiot.” Celeste reached out to affectionately shove Sabina, wanting to break the silence. “But the future will bring what it wants. Taking more classes isn't about happiness. It's about being prepared. I will be patient to see where I'm supposed to be. But if I can speak five languages and recite the history of the whole continent then that leaves me prepared for most things that might come my way.”
“Alright, fine, have it your way. But don't come back to me begging to know the Taoanid swear words.” The girls broke into a shared laugh.
Although Celeste was eager to begin her new classes, she would miss spending so much time talking to Sabina. Since her Taoanid had become passable, she'd been stuck using it with everyone else. She ended up taking an Ofprovian class with Sabina, but other than magical training, they saw nothing of each other in classes.
Her historical studies began, as all education seemed to, with an overview of Taoanid history. The empire had once spanned both sides of the impassable Taoan mountains, stretching all the way between the Esset Sea and the Great Vinid River. It stood for nearly three-hundred years from its capital that remained hidden deep within the Taoan mountains. The imperial libraries had, unfortunately, been in the lost capital, so very little was truly known about how the empire operated.
A fierce debate raged in class, as much as the twelve-year-olds Celeste had to take the class with could effectively debate an issue. A huge range of theories flew around about how the Taoanids had maintained trade across the mountain range. The general consensus was that it was the collapse of cross-mountain trade that caused the various provinces to abandon the empire in favour of local warlords. Laociena had stayed the most stable of the post Taoanid states thanks to its incredible agricultural output. So, the question remained, what allowed for the trade routes that hadn't been attempted since, and what changed? Hidden mountain passes and collapsing tunnels were fairly popular theories. Of course, then came the suggestion of magic.
Celeste felt her cheeks burning with self-consciousness as the eyes of the room turned on her, and even their teacher encouraged her to give her view on the possibility.
“The Empire lasted for three-hundred-years, which isn't an impossible length of time for a wizard to live. And it isn't impossible to think that someone might bind to a mountain spirit and have a power that would allow their traversal.”
She could see the confusion in the faces of the children around her, who likely knew nothing more than rumours about magic. She considered for a moment, trying to find the counterargument to this. On first consideration, it seemed like it was a feat only possible through magic.
“But it would take a lot of soothing to maintain that level of power usage by this wizard. Plus, they would have to be kept loyal to the empire for an incredible amount of time. I don't see that as being possible at a human level, unless the empire was some true bastion of civilisation. We don't really know anything about the treatment of wizards in the empire either and I think...” She thought of Wolfram briefly. “Well, they would have to have treated them better than any nation since then. I just don't see it as possible. It's an easy answer to a more complex question.”
The teacher chuckled, shaking his head. “You know, that surprises me. Normally wizards are so confident it can only have been achieved with magic. But no matter. Now, it is time we moved our attention to the tax policy of the second century...”
Celeste quietly let out a breath as she was left off from being the centre of attention.
You know, we could find out. The spirit said softly. We could soar over the mountains, find the lost capital ourselves. It would be so easy for a wizard. Just like it was easy for a wizard to build that empire.
She did her best to ignore the spirit's words. It tended to be monumentally wrong about the historical claims it made. She preferred it sticking to helping her with physics calculations. Although she had to ignore the other whisper in her ear that was Sabina suggesting the exact same thing as Celeste told her about the lessons. That was more tempting, but Celeste didn't feel she was being led to that. Besides, she had more classes to attend and an extended break to travel across two countries would really slow her down.
Taoanid history was all very well, but Celeste quickly found it grating, and wanted to move onto more recent, and more important, issues. So, she soon found herself burning up her nights in the library, exploring the bookshelves for the best tomes she could. Soon her essays were becoming genuinely impressive to her teachers, and they accepted her request to move into more advanced classes.
Her time in the library thought her a lot more than just what was in the books. The library was a massive complex stretching over several floors. The shelves seemed to hang suspended over the first floor, only narrow walkways alongside them. Celeste had marvelled at it for a while but soon found solace in it. The tops of the ground floor shelves were under the shadows of the shelves above, creating the perfect place to tuck away from sight.
And so, she hopped up there on her late-night sessions, a lantern in hand and several books under her arm. One night, as she lay idly flicking through books, she heard voices approaching. Plenty of people passed through the library even at a late hour, but few were there talking.
She shut off her lantern and began to shuffle along the top of the shelves, seeking towards the sound. She had to hop over a gap and was worried she might be noticed by the sound, but she seemed to be safe. She was quite surprised to hear it was Tristan who was speaking in the library. She crawled to the edge of the shelf and looked down to see Tristan standing over Melanie. She was fortunate, Melanie had her back to Celeste, so Tristian was looking down and wouldn't notice Celeste.
“I am just saying, al-Rahim's writings are very commonly available, it should not be hard for the school to source them.” Melanie's voice sounds more animated than Celeste had ever heard.
“I respect that, Miss al-Masri, and I would love to see our library expand even further. But none of his work is translated into Taoanid and so it would be of no use-”
“Because he was busy translating texts out of this dead language!” She threw up her hands in exasperation. She muttered something under her breath in a language Celeste didn't recognise. “I don't see why you can't introduce more language lessons, then the texts become accessible. It would be better for everyone.”
Tristan sighed. “I don't disagree with you, I really don't. But, if we can't find anyone to teach it then that's the end of it really. The school is prestigious, however, as you have noticed, our influence isn't all that great east of the Taoan range. A windswept mountain, days away from the rest of civilisation isn't the most inviting offer.”
“More like months away. You have plenty of wealth at your disposal. How much can it cost to persuade someone to move here?”
“We don't have infinite money, you do understand that, correct? Besides, most of the parents, our patrons, wouldn't be pleased with us spending more money on something that they see as of no use.”
“But it is of use!”
“I know, I know.” Tristan rested a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off. “I do wish there was more I could do to improve matters, but these things are outside of my powers. We do still have a fair section on Beythonda, be sure to make use of it. Now, if you will excuse me, I want to get back to my work.” The headmaster lingered for a moment, his pupils flicking between a few runes, before he left.
Celeste watched as Melanie just stood there. Her arms wrapped around herself. Celeste bit her lip before deciding to slip out of her hiding spot. She let herself glide down, gently landing on the desk below her and dropping into a crouch.
“How long were you listening in then?” Melanie said, without turning around.
Celeste was so startled she nearly slipped off her perch. “Not long. I think. I don't know how long you were talking so I'm not sure if I listened for all that long.”
“You probably heard enough.” Melanie turned slowly to face her. She rubbed her face, but the streaks of tears on her dark skin were still clear.
“Why do you want al-Rahim's texts anyway?” She asked softly, cocking her head slightly.
“That's not how you pronounce his name. He's an ancient scholar, revered back home, but barely noticed of here, as you proved.”
“In my defence, I hadn't heard of any scholars here until a few months ago. Still struggling to get my head around them all.”
“You are awfully quaint, peasant girl.”
“I try my best not to let the school get to me. Why do you want al...that guy's texts specifically though?” Celeste asked, not wanting to mess the name up again and earn a cold look from Melanie for it.
“I was just using him as an example. He's well known, he would be a great addition to the library.” Melanie kept her voice level, but she was trying more than usual.
“Somehow I don't buy that.” Celeste rocked back and forth on her heels for a moment.
Melanie sighed. “Fine. As well as his impressive volume of academic work, al-Rahim was an accomplished poet. I brought a few books with me from home, but I didn't know how bare this library would be. I just felt like reading some of his work again.”
Celeste smiled softly, nodding slowly. “You're feeling homesick then?”
“What would you know of it?” Melanie said, suddenly growing more aggressive. “You are here amongst your own culture.”
“I...” Celeste paused, shaking her head. “There are people who speak my language. But I haven't met a single other highlander. No one here believes what I do, no one celebrates my rituals. Wind, I wouldn't even know how to celebrate some things. The New Wind starts when lambing ends and there's no sheep up here.”
“Lambing? Sheep?” Melanie repeated.
Celeste realised she'd used the Laocienan for them, having learnt no word for either in Taoanid. “Ah, um...Produces wool.”
“Oh, right, I never learnt that word. Sheep,” She repeated, smiling at the sound of it. “Your religion is at least native to this land though. You could head home at any time. Nothing compels you to be here.”
“Nothing compels me to leave, either. This is where the wind has brought me. Religion isn't tied to the land though, it's tied to its people. And I'm the only one here.” Celeste's voice lowered and slowed as she realised that fact. In the months she'd been at the school it hadn't quite hit her before how alone she truly was.
“I guess we're both heretics here then,” Melanie said. “Heretics in a foreign land.”
“Nothing does compel you to stay though. You're a wizard you're...the most amazing person I've seen. The way you move is...” She paused, embarrassed by her own words. “You have the strength to go anywhere, do what you want. What really keeps you here if you hate it so much?”
Melanie's voice grew quiet and cold again. “You wouldn't understand, peasant girl. Our lots in life are not entirely the same as you wish you think.” There was a long pause before she continued. “You're not supposed to stand on these tables.”
“Don't worry, they're my indoor boots,” Celeste said, trying to raise a foot up to show her clean soles. She lost balance and fell backwards, catching herself with magic before she crashed into the hardwood. She hung there for a moment, righting herself, before she gently fell onto the desk, sitting comfortably.
“You really are bizarre,” Melanie said with a small smile.
Celeste smiled back. “You are odd yourself.” Her eyes widened at her own words. “I didn't mean that in a bad way. I meant, like, personality. I really don't get you.” There was an awkward pause before she continued. “Teach me, something in your language.”
“Why would you want to know something so useless to you?”
“Nothing I've learnt here is distinctly useful to me. I found my way to right here, right now, it feels like maybe I was supposed to learn this.”
Melanie sighed but nodded. “Fine, I'll teach you greetings. But you'd better be careful with your pronunciation. First I want you to get al-Rahim correct.”
It must have been hours later when Celeste finished up her studies and headed back to her room. As she lay in bed, she repeated the words she learnt, feeling the sound move around her mouth. She was careful, getting them just right, just as Melanie taught her.
You're wasting your time with that one. Her ambitions are weak. You must be stronger than that.
“Oh, shut up, I don't care about power and ambition like you.”
She will lead herself to ruin. You will ascend higher than her. You must trust in me.
“I've never trusted you. Anyway, you can only feel my own feelings, what do you know about her, really? You can't know more than I do.”
I know so much more.
The spirit didn't feel the need to elaborate on that, and Celeste didn't complain because it let her get to sleep.
Though they interacted little, she was sure to use the greetings she'd been taught when she saw Melanie. Even if their interactions didn't last much longer than those words.
Celeste had to wait for a few blocs before she could start her modern history classes, so she signed on to a few others to occupy her time, most importantly to her, a theology class. She had heard plenty of what seems like meaningless prattle from the missionaries in her youth, so it would be interesting to know what they even meant by it all. Plus, her reading on the late Taoanid state religion had made her realise that understanding beliefs might make the world make more sense.
To her dismay, *Christian* beliefs were largely incoherent. Furthermore, most nations had developed their own orthodoxy, so you couldn't make any kind of blanket statement without having to clarify it. It hurt her head even more than the Taoanid lessons, but she stuck at it. She was eager to get further on and discuss her own beliefs.
And so it was that she was back in the library in the dark of the night. Sabina seemed to be getting increasingly annoyed that she was being left to hang out with Wolfram instead. But that was her own problem, Celeste decided. Besides she knew that once she got over the initial hump of these classes, she could spend more time with Sabina.
Spending so much time in the library led to her learning the schedules of its other users. Most important, Tristan. He came regularly, always sitting and making notes into the depth of night, sometimes later than she was there. Other students passing through would often stop in shock when they saw the headmaster there. Celeste smirked from her vantage point, watching them bluster as they apologised for disturbing the headmaster. He would always take on a severe tone with them, only to laugh to himself once they left.
She would often lie on top of the shelves over his workspace. She didn't really understand what he was doing. He would write huge amounts of notes on tiny cards as he worked his way through stacks of books.
One night, finding that watching him work was more engaging to her than the book she was trying to work through, she hopped down on the other side of the shelf and went to talk to him. She took a breath as she decided what to say first, before getting onto the real topic she wanted to discuss with him.
“Oh, headmaster!” She said, acting startled. “I didn't mean to disturb you.”
“Celeste, I have seen your loan history,” He said bluntly. “I know you're in here more than any other student. Don't pretend you stumbled across me for the first time just now.”
She smiled, laughing awkwardly at him. “Alright. I really didn't want to disturb you though.” She admitted, moving to sit on the desk beside him. She idly ran her fingers along the books he was currently working through.
“What is it you really want? Are you regretting that Ofprovian class now? It is a fickle language,” Tristan said with a laugh.
“Oh, no. No! It is a frustrating language, but I didn't want anything like that,” She said. “I was just curious what you're doing here?”
“In the school or right now?” He asked, sounding weirdly serious.
“Well...Right now, obviously.”
He laughed at her awkwardness. “I was only joking. I'm writing up index cards. It's my way of soothing. It's strange that working in a library should soothe a library spirit. But as you saw, my office also helps to soothe me.”
Celeste picked up one of the cards, eyeing up his delicate writing. “And these help you to find books again?”
“It helps to find the information you're looking for. My intention is to one day have ones that should cover the entire library. They will be a great resource for everyone else. Then I will start over.” He smiled, turning back to scribble a few last words on a line.
“So, you can silence people, which is soothed by noise, what does doing this soothe?” She asked.
“It's similar to your friend Sabina. Learning the languages her power lets her understand is soothing,” He explained, leaning back in his chair with a loud creak.
“So, you can...Find information?”
“Exactly. Like I said, spirit of a library.”
“Those are your only powers?”
“Sadly, I have but two. But I wouldn't want to exchange them even if I could.”
Celeste nodded thoughtfully, then asked. “So, could you find something particular for me? If I asked?”
“Of course. When I think of the information I want, my body basically guides me to the location of it.”
“Can you find me some of the writings of al-Rahim?”
He had looked ready to spring up and look for whatever she asked, but only sighed as she said the name. “I hadn't thought you'd make such a good spy, Celeste.”
“I wasn't trying to spy on you!” She said hurriedly. “I just couldn't help overhearing things. There's not many other sounds in the library.”
“Well then I hope you heard my response and you know why it's not possible.”
“I heard your response but that doesn't mean I understand it. Why can't you just buy a few books?”
“Other than the difficulty of retrieving books from the other side of the Taoan range and the costs? Well, the biggest issue after that is the resistance from my employers.”
“You're headmaster, what should that matter?” Celeste asked, exasperated.
Tristan sighed, shaking his head. “I know this is difficult to understand at your age, and well, maybe this is a thing of the Wind Worshipers. I always thought you are too disconnected from wider issues. We aren't just drifting in the wind. Destiny is what we make it. But we make it in the conditions we have.”
“What's the point in being a wizard, what's the point in the power, if we're bound by these things?”
“Being a wizard doesn't stop you being human. We live and work within systems beyond any one man's control. One person is still one person, even if they can fly or shoot fire. And I am very much not as powerful as someone like you,” Tristan said with a snort.
Celeste sat quietly for some time, thinking over what Tristan said. Perhaps he was right. But she wasn't looking to change the world. She just wanted to be free to live as she was meant to. That's what the Wind wanted, that is what the Wind represented to her.
“If you can't do all that, can you try and do one thing for me?” She asked quietly.
“I can see what is within my power.”
“Could you get just one book of al-Rahim's poetry?” Celeste looked at him with a worried expression.
His face softened and he smiled at her. “I will see what I can do.”
Theology progressed and she started to realise they might never get off talking about Christianity. A few rows ahead of her she noticed Melanie sat stiffly, waiting for the lesson to start. Next to Celeste, Teodor blew out their lips as they leant back on their chair.
“Aren't you worried you're going to fall off?” She asked.
“Eh, I've already put precautions in place,” They said, pointing to the corner of the room where there was a wet patch on the floor.
Celeste blinked at it for a moment before realising what it was. “You're just going to teleport out of harm's way? Don't you stay in the position you were in before you blinked?”
Teodor stopped their swinging for a moment then drop their chair down to sit properly. “Might not have thought this all the way through.”
“I'm feeling that about this whole class. I thought we might get to discuss something more interesting.”
“You didn't really think they were going to waste time on Wind Worship? You know you're just those mountain heretics to most people.”
“You say that as though it's a meaningless group of people,” Celeste said, narrowing her eyes.
“I'm not saying I've got a problem with your beliefs or anything. I'm not the Ofprovian government. But you're not exactly a widespread group.”
Celeste opened her mouth to respond when Melanie spoke up. She didn't bother to turn around. “Nearly eighty percent of the Laocienan population still lives rurally, and most of that in the highlands. Despite both Lacienana and Ofprovian efforts, there is no evidence to suggest any major shift in belief even in recent years. Given the country's estimated population of twenty million, do you really think sixteen million people's beliefs are that unimportant?”
Teodor flapped their mouth hopelessly for a moment before sighing. “You're both right. But I see why they focus on Christianity here, that's all I'm trying to say.”
There was a loud cough as the teacher appeared and they began the class. Even though she found the content confusing and stupid as always, Celeste couldn't wipe the smile off her face. Her eyes drifted to the back of Melanie's head, admiring her beautiful blue scarf. She only wished for the Winds to bring that book as soon as possible.