The Sage Thief

PROLOGUE

A LONELY FIGURE FLOATS around the surface. The world seemed surreal. The figure looked at its hand—it still was as it had been for lots of decades; transparent and immaterial. The figure felt a wave of extreme sadness and despair. The most difficult moment was upon the world. I suppose should I make my arrival. They need me now. The figure thought. The greatest trouble is upon the world.

The air seemed to conflict itself; the wind from opposite directions antagonised each other. There seemed to be disorder in the atmosphere. The figure knew what was going on. It nemesis was in its presence.

You would dare reveal your essence before me? the figure said.

The conflicting air gathered to make a sound.

As nature would have it, the era compliments me. A voice from the surrounding said.

I see you do not fear my influences anymore. The figure said.

The world honours me these times. The voice said.

I prepare to make my journey. The figure said.

I suppose the mage has been chosen then? the voice said.

The figure waved it immaterial hand in front of it—a moving image appeared before it. It showed a man walking about with books in his hand. The man in the image looked determined to accomplish something. He was focussed on getting to somewhere.

You take one from an ignorant world. The voice said.

I hold knowledge of your quest to me. The figure said.

So I suppose, your choice was forced by my aim then. The voice said.

As nature would have it, yes. The figure said.

Well then I suppose we get on to the business here. The voice said.

I know you will have victory over me. The era really does you honour. I do actually feel your power, however, make no mistake—Order shall not be subjugated for long. The figure said.

The air began to accelerate in its movement—it created a wind. The wind moved to the figure and engulfed it. There were struggles between the two beings. The figure confirmed it fears—it knew it wasn’t going to win the battle in that state. It turned away from its opponent and began to head for the other direction.

Nature would have order weak. Stay and face destiny. the voice said between roars. Then the wind went after the figure. The figure wasn’t fast enough. The wind was closing in on it.

CHAPTER 1

M EMORIES FLOODED HIS mind. The idea of your life flashing before your eyes—seeing a number of events that transpired in his life: his regret, pain, happiness, victory, loses. These entire thoughts flooded Adam’s mind, however, in this case, he wasn’t dying—it felt like he was being reborn. He woke with a start. He sat up—looked about his surroundings. He realised he was in a small building of primitive architecture. He tried to remember how he got there, but his mind couldn’t make any memories. That was disconcerting.

He looked more to his environment. He couldn’t make out anything familiar in a sense that would liberate him from his confusion as to how he got in a cabin-like house. He tried to go further back—think about distant events, perhaps would help him remember. Then the realisation hit him; he was confused and surprise that he hadn’t even thought about it. It felt strange for him to have been calm since he woke up, with his realization as a factor. How could he have not even imagined it? How was it even possible that he didn’t even freak out about the idea of it in the first place? Worst, why was he not freaking out about it now? He had just realised that he couldn’t remember anything at all.

He couldn’t remember who he was, the kind of person he was or even anything in his life, yet he was mentally equipped with knowledge about how the world operates and the basic things one should know about life.

He ventured to survey his surroundings; he turned left and was amazed by the phenomena on the wall. There was a sketch of a man in strange clothes. (Apparently he knew what the normal clothes should look like) he squinted to the image. The man on the wall was wearing multiple clothing; one on top of the other, with a tiny piece running from the neck to the stomach area. His head hurt. It felt like memories were trying to surface but then nothing. He looked to the image again. Somehow the dressing began to make sense to him; however, he couldn’t comprehend why.

Adam was a little confuse about the image so he decided not to focus much energy to it. Urgently, he was in dire need of an understanding of ...well everything; a rudimentary orientation of sort. He ventured around his surround to elicit some answers.

The door opened. A shadow fell through. It elongated into a figure of indiscernible sex. The figure halted a little bit. It appeared to be in a strategic delay. Maybe examining a confrontation plan of sort. He waited apprehensively as the shadow seemingly contemplated coming in. Then he got tired of the anticipation and tried to forge ahead to get an idea who it was at the entrance. He took his first step and then the shadow moved. He stopped on his tracks and waited.

The shadow kept on advancing and it enlarged as the figure got closer, however, the shadow then returned to normal size. He could now see the object of the shadow. It was a lady, and she looked pale and slender. He focussed on her face and he noticed she had a serious saccade movement in her eyes. She looked like she was eagerly looking for something within him as she regarded him. He felt a little frightened and then began to withdraw from her slowly. She must have noticed the foreboding aura she emitted. She then seemed to relax and her eye movement were back to normal.

You should sleep. She said.

He stood like he would try to run if she made any sudden movement.

Where am I? he asked.

The farthest part from the public area, She replied.

She sauntered over to the part of the wall holding the strange painting, opposite him. He gathered his composure.

What do they call you? she asked.

Adam. He said. The word came out of his mouth instinctively; he had no time to consult his memory for the answer.

She turned to him, looking at him suspiciously.

What is that?

That’s my name, he said, I think.

She advanced closer towards him—with a curious look.

What kind of a name is that? she asked.

I…

What do you mean by you think? she added.

I don’t know how I got here, He said. Where is this place again?

Be quiet!

Adam was startled by her abrupt command. He remembered that he didn’t trust that she wouldn’t harm him. He obeyed. She turned her back to him, and slowly walked to a corner. She surveyed the area like she was looking for something.

As he observed the uncanny behaviour of the strange lady, Adam contemplated running out. Then she resurfaced—holding two long pieces of fabric. She held them up as if to see more clearly with the light. She looked down at her legs and grimaced. She moved like she was uncomfortable—a small part of the bottom of her gown seemed to obstinate in contrary to the movement of the rest of her clothes—like it was impeded by a sort of weight differential probably caused by it being wet. She took another look down again and made a disgusted scowl.

Adam didn’t understand the reason for her behaviour; he just stood where he was and watched—too afraid to even move as he was unwilling to attract her attention.

She disappeared back into the tinny corner. Adam heard movement, it seemed like she was changing. He listened to the sound of her struggling to do something with little motivation to offer his assistance. In a few minutes she was out of the tinny corner. She was wearing another plain gown much like the one before; it was simple, old and it ran from her shoulder to halfway pass her knee. The dress really looked old. He began to get the sense that she was poor. He was so lost in his thought that he forgot his eyes were fixed on her.

He kept at looking with scrutiny, till his eyes caught hers. Once again, they were filled with a lot of jerking—they look wild and frightening. He turned his look to areas beneath her eyes. She meandered towards him.

What name are you called, stranger? she said.

I don’t know, I think its Adam.

She sighed.

That does not sound like any name from around here. She said. Where is your birth place?

I don’t know.

She gently close her eyes and shut her eyelids tightly together, at the same time pressing her lips hard against each other. He figured she was frustrated.

Okay how did you get in the water?

What water? he asked.

"I dragged you out of the lake when you were drowning—how did you come to be there?

I don’t remember. He responded.

Do you know anything?

No actually I don’t.

She said, anything at all?

"No?

She pressed her lips together again—looked at him intently.

Okay then, you should go.

What’s wrong with my name? he asked now feeling a sudden unwillingness to go.

It is unheard of. It holds no meaning I can think of.

What’s your name?

Siah She said.

There was a racket outside. They were both startle and turn facing the door. Adam was a tad timid to go see what it was. He figured Siah was too. They just stayed were there were and stared to the door. There was another sound; this one was just a single loud noise. Adam put his foot before him and ran towards the exit.

Outside, there was a little crowed forming around a cart. From Adam’s point of view, there seemed to be an old woman sitting on the floor. Most of her was obscured by the people around her so he could not see much. There was a little stick on the floor beside her.

The old woman looked sad. It was like she had lost hope and meaning of the world. Adam could feel a wave of empathy just by regarding her. It was like he could feel her pain as much as she did. He walked over towards the crowned, gently pulling a few people away from his path and knelt down before the old woman.

Adam was working on some unknown instinct. He touched her cheek, lifting her face to him. He had no idea what he was doing; all his actions were guided by some blind instinct. A little light began to return to the woman’s face. She looked like she could almost smile but yet it was still a far cry.

You are here. She said.

Adam didn’t make anything of what she meant. He just knew he could feel a strong empathic connection between them. But then again, that wasn’t all. It was like he could feel another connection. One separate from the empathy he initially felt. It was the kind of feeling people get when they’ve known each other for a long time. He couldn’t comprehend his emotions he simple just affirmed with a nod.

Have you really come? she asked.

He didn’t know what to say to her. He felt like he should tell her he didn’t know what she was talking about, yet at the same time he felt like it would be a lie.

Then she took her face off his palm and focussed on him. She looked like she might smile but she didn’t.

You are not here yet. The old woman said.

Adam felt like those were the adequate words to use.

No. He said.

There is no hope. She concluded.

A man from the crowd got impatient; he came forward and kicked the Adam away from the old lady.

You pessimistic witch, you really anger us all with you negative talks. He said.

You will die if you say anything depressing again, another man said. These are things one should not say in this era.

Adam tried to get up to face the man who pushed him. Someone pushed through the crowd and helped him get up. It was Siah.

You folks need to stop this, she said. You know it is her nature, she cannot help it

Mind what is yours to mind. Someone said from the crowed.

Adam got to his feet. He looked at the people and saw fear in them and behind the fear he saw sadness. He got the same empathic reading from them as he did with the old woman. He felt their emotions and understood their actions.

People please, he said. I understand that you are all afraid but that doesn’t mean you should take it out on an old lady.

He turned to the old lady and felt more hopelessness from her. She looked down and her lips seemed to be muttering words to the ground.

The muttering became louder, and everyone turned their attention to her. She was shivering. She moved her hand to the stick beside her and picked it up quickly. Without warning, she lifted her head up, looked directly at Adam with her unblinking eyes and pointed the stick to him.

There he is—the one I told you about. The awaited is here. Do not bow for he has not yet arrived.

Now she is not making sense. Someone in the crowd said.

He is here yet he has not arrived, the lady has gone mad. A woman from the crowd said.

It is to be expected from the witch. Another person said.

She claims her art direct these strange actions, another woman said. But I say it is madness she listens to.

Quiet! a hoarse voice said from behind the people. Everyone turned around to see who it was.

You know the sad oracle never says that which is not true the man with the hoarse voice continued. The old lady speaks the truth. That man there is the awaited.

Lord Arzid. Everyone chorused. Then knelt on one knee and got up immediately.

I expected my people to be more sensible in this era, Arzid said. It saddens me that I lead over people who beat old ladies.

Lord Arzid’s cloak danced as the air hits t.

Lord Truth the witch would not give up speech about hopelessness. The man who kicked Adam said.

Arzid smiled briefly, and then regarded the man.

What are you called? He asked.

Ashur my lord. The man answered

How old are you?

My lord? Ashur said.

I believe you should be aged enough to know the faults in your words.

But my lord she…

She spoke of what her role deemed, Arzid said. Or is it that you are ignorant of her role?

No, my lord truth. Ashur answered.

Arzid turned his look to the crowed and began to saunter slowly around them.

This is the era of the wave of despair, he said. Every man, the women and their offspring should know what this means. What other effect should the presence of the sad oracle bring? Happiness? Are you all foolish not to know this?

He stopped for a while as if waiting for their response; everyone was looking at their feet. Then he continued.

Do you not see that she is more affected by this era than you all? Where are your senses people, you seem to have left them someplace.

Adam was a little puzzled by what was going on around him but at the same time, he felt like he knew what the man talking, was saying. It all sort of made sense to him even though he couldn’t conceive any reason to support his confidence in the man’s words.

I will forgive you because the era is still new, you all need time to get accustom to your sentiments. Arzid concluded.

We are thankful for your clemency lord truth. Ashur said then knelt on one knee and the others followed suit.

Arzid waved them off and the crowd dispersed leaving the old woman, Siah and Adam. Adam was amazed at the level of influence the man with the hoarse voice had on the people. He stood where he was next to the oracle as Arzid advanced. He helped the woman up and Adam felt arzid’s presence as a symbolic empathy of free openness,