Ascended

Master James was packing.

Interfering with a Potentials mission was a good way for them to be disqualified. There were so many things that he had tried to change since he’d become a Bokor and learned what they were all about. He’d tried to do the little things that he could, but nothing was changing. In fact, things felt like they were getting worse.

There was a chance that the Grand Council would take exception to what was going on. He wasn’t sure that it would work, but he had to know. If the problems were prevalent in the entire kingdom, there were six other kingdoms that he could go to. He could get to any of them from Port Town, so if things were as bad here as he was afraid they might be, he’d take Max and leave. He didn’t think that the Council would care if he took a Potential out of their mission. Especially if he was right and they were hoping that Max and Byler would fail.

He walked out of his room and almost ran into an apprentice.

“Master James!” The teen was staring at his feet, “The Council wishes to speak with you.” The apprentice didn’t wait for him to reply, he just ran off.

There was a part of Master James that was afraid that the Council knew what he was planning and they were about to forbid him from going on his trip. He thought about just leaving, but that would give them an excuse to send the Hunters after him.

He walked out of the apartments and headed down the path, everyone was in a tizzy.

Master James grabbed an apprentice. “What’s going on?”

“They found a cure!” The teen pointed at the Council Hall.

He hadn’t been expecting that. Given his misgivings lately, he wouldn’t have thought that would be something that they would have been working on.

Master James walked into the lobby of the Council Hall and the apprentice behind the desk jumped up.

“The council is expecting you!” He motioned for the Bokor to go in.

Master James almost skipped as he walked into the room. He’d been waiting for this day for too long.

“Master James.” The head councilwoman glared at him.

He’d always found it odd that out of all the members of the Council, including the new ones since he’d ascended to a Bokor, everyone always looked older than Master Zere. In fact, she didn’t look like she’d aged a day since he’d been aware of her.

He tried to keep the anticipation off of his face. “I was summoned?”

“I take it you have heard the rumors?”

“I have…” He looked at the other council members. He had expected there to be a little more excitement, instead all he saw was disappointment and sadness. “Is it true?”

“Sadly, the sample that was brought was inconclusive.” One of the councilmen on his right shook their head.

“Which is why we are sending you.” Master Zere crossed her arms. “We want you to go to Gher and talk to their scientist. Learn what you can about their process and the formula. We may be able to modify it…” She let the implications hang in the air.

Gher was the second town on the route, which meant he’d be able to check in on Max and Byler if he got there fast enough.

“When do I leave?” He looked around the room.

“Their runner will be rested within the hour.” The Councilwoman sighed, “Try not to spread this rumor.” She glared at him. “Until we have found proof, there is no cure.”

He’d have to see about that once he talked to their scientist, but this conversation filled him with hope for the first time in way too many decades.

“I’ll be back with my report.” He gave the room a small bow and walked out. There might not be a cure right now, but maybe, just maybe, there would be.