“Are you alright?”
Nektara didn’t know what she was. She had been in the dark awaiting illumination when the floor dropped out from under her. But rather than fall, she just hung there in the nothingness, allowing that sick feeling in her stomach to linger and grow, until finally her whole body felt numb.
“What are you thinking?”
Nektara blinked. She was not hanging in darkness, but rather in the study of the owl she respected more than anyone in the world. Rather than seated behind his desk as she had always imagined he would be when she met him, the venerable bird stood not four paws before her, eying her closely for her reaction. He had just broken the news to her: She would not be going to the Academy.
“Nothing,” she answered in a dull voice.
Crismus’ bushy eyebrows rose, “Is that so? If I were in your place, I imagine there’d be a million things running through my mind.”
There was one thing, a question she was thinking harder than anything else, “Why?”
“The most natural question,” Crismus admitted.
Emboldened by his response, she continued, “Why did the Academy reject my application? Was it that bad?”
Crismus replied simply but evenly, “I never submitted your application to the Academy.”
“What?” A flicker of anger shone through Nektara’s eyes. She felt betrayed. “Why not?” What reason could Crismus possibly have to justify such an action? It was unthinkable!
The old owl did not flinch. This was the reaction he had expected and he was ready for it. “It is not what I see for you,” he replied.
Nektara was still angry, but she was also curious, “What do you mean? What is it that you see, exactly?”
Crismus stared unblinkingly at her. It was the same look he had given to the young fox whose hopes he had also had to dash earlier. “I see a storm brewing.” He permitted himself a wry moment, “And it is not the fury rising within your breast, if that is what you are thinking. Dark times are coming to Pelaria and I see you at the centre.”
The bear was taken aback by the revelation. “At the centre? Me? I swear I’ve never had a dark thought in my head! I couldn’t possibly be involved with what you see!”
Crismus smiled wanly, “As to the former, I have my doubts. As to the latter…” he paused for a moment, “…it is what I see.”
The sick feeling returned as Nektara asked, “So that’s why you withheld my application? Because I’m a bad fur?”
Crismus shook his head, “Dear Six no, child. It’s quite the opposite in fact.”
Nektara was confused, “But you said…”
Crismus interrupted her, “I said you would be at the centre of the dark times. However, I never said you would be the cause. You will have your part to play, as will the young companion who arrived with you.”
Her young companion? “Todrick?”
The old bird smoothed the feathers beneath his chin, making it seem as though he were trying to remember, when in fact he knew precisely the fox’s name. “I believe that was his name, yes.”
Nektara grew hopeful. She had only known the young fox for a short time, but there was something comforting about him. If they were in this together, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad! “You told Todrick to return to Verdant. Is that where I should go too? To meet up with him?”
Crismus shrugged his shoulders, “Your path may lead you to Verdant, but I should very much doubt that you will meet up with the fox there. I suspect he will be gone by the time you arrive.”
This was maddening. Why wouldn’t he just give her a straight answer? “So all you can tell me is that I’m going to be involved in some very bad things and that I’m going to have to face them alone?!”
“You put words in my beak, young bear,” Crismus replied calmly, “I never said you would face your destiny alone.”
That was something. “Okay, so I won’t be alone, but bad times are in my future. Isn’t there anything else you can tell me? Where I should go maybe?”
Crismus sighed, “Would that I could, young fur. But while I see many things, I do not see all things. I do not see your path, only the destination.”
“If you don’t know what path I’ll take, why are you so sure that it doesn’t involve me going to the Academy?” Nektara asked glumly.
The old bird smiled sadly, “A valid question. I do not know…” He drew himself up to his full height, which was not quite as tall as his guest, “…but I suspect. The dark times are coming and you will be needed out in the field. It is there that you will do me the most good, not with your nose buried in a book.”
“Then I’ll be working for you?” Nektara’s voice cracked. Working for Crismus was something she could take solace in, even if it was at the cost of her dreams.
“In a manner of speaking, yes,” the old bird allowed. “I have ever been an agent of good for Pelaria. Those who work for the cause, work with me.”
Nektara felt a little better, but not much. She had so many more questions to ask the old bird, but she didn’t think it was likely that she would get any answers…not any that she would find satisfactory at any rate.
“So that’s it, then?” she asked Crismus.
“Almost…” The owl circled around his desk and opened one of its drawers. From it, he withdrew a parchment which he then handed to Nektara. “I think you should have this. It’s the letter of recommendation I would have given to the Academy in your name had I not seen other things in your future.”
Nektara looked down at the parchment. Tears of sorrow mixed with joy rolled down her furry cheeks as she read the words. Crismus thought she was good enough. It couldn’t make up for the disappointment she felt knowing that she would never go to the Academy, but it was the next best thing.
“Thank you.”
Crismus shook his head again, “It is I who should be thanking you, young fur. You have taken this better than I could have imagined. Better than I would have in your paws,” he added. “But then I should have suspected. It’s there in your application. You are a bear of duty. I hope that our paths will cross many times more.” Sadly, he knew that they would not, but he could not bring himself to tell the young bear. She had received enough bad news for one day. Today, he could allow himself to enjoy her company for a little while longer.