Umber

Alban tries to make Bane understand his actions. (sab)

While Bane is studying the contents of Blastir’s library, he feels a tugging on his sleeve. The source is Alban, who looks up at him with a strange mix of bravado, shame, and, though he hates to admit it to himself, fear. He hands him a folded note. “Here. Read this. I… –  ”

Alban stops and listens. Bane hears voices, not loud, but somehow tense all the same.

“Blastir and Achomed,” Alban says. “They’re going to argue now. They always do when the subject of us, you, or the prophecy comes up. Afterwards, they say they were ‘training’, but no one really believes them. I’m going to my room now, I have a lot of study to do.” He turns and leaves you in the hallway.

When Bane returns to the party, he says, “Alban slipped this note to me in the library.  Perhaps we have not given the children enough credit to think on their own…”

I’m sorry that I left without talking to you, but I wasn’t sure when you’d be back. And there’s so much that I can learn here. My parents were hurt, but I think they understood that I couldn’t stay. I think Callie wanted to leave as well, but her parents, well, they’re still having trouble with all that has happened, and I don’t think they could handle having Brin leave with her.

It’s interesting. I used to think that I was the only one on the outside. I never really fit in anyplace. My parents always said that would change as I got older. Maybe, but maybe not. I mean, look around. Just about everyone here is a misfit of some kind. I guess that’s why we all get along so well.

I didn’t know why Svengali picked who he picked, or why. But I think I’m beginning to. The others here aren’t like Callie. She knows she’s different, and she can handle how others deal with that. But not many of the others are like that. If they’d stayed, they wouldn’t really know why they were unhappy. They just would be. They’d grow up to be farmers, or smiths, or whatever, and not really be any good at it. I probably would have been like that too, if it hadn’t been for you.

I know you guys think it’s mean or unfair doing what he did. I know you think that he doesn’t trust you. That’s not true. Actually, he probably acts that way because it’s the other way around – I mean, you don’t really trust him, do you? I know, I know, he hasn’t given you much reason. The problem is, I don’t think he could if he tried. He’s pretty smart, but I don’t think that even he knows why he’s doing what he is. It’s some weird kind of intuition, like what you taught me about how spellcasting works. Sometimes, you just have to do, right?

And this – being here – is what I have to do. But I have to ask – are the others right? Are you going to become gods? On the other hand, don’t tell me. Some people in town think you already are. After all that has happened, can you blame them?

“Thanks, and good luck,

            – Alban”