“Swordslinger,” Tymo said in astonishment. “I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
“What can I say? I’m fast on my feet,” I said. “I ran into a problem with your missing monks, actually, and I wanted to hear your thoughts.”
Tymo folded his arms into his sleeves. “Of course. Were you successful in locating any of them? Are they on their way back with Princess Kumi and Master Faryn?”
“No, they’re helping a brainwashed pack of villagers return to society,” I said.
Tymo tilted his head. “I’m afraid I don’t follow.”
“One of your brothers went apeshit,” I said bluntly. “He summoned demons in the depths of Danibo Forest, had them slaughter the local monsters, and told the local villagers to eat the corpses. Demon worship, if I’m not mistaken. I guess the guy ‘restored’ the Shrine, but it wasn’t in the way you intended.”
Blood rushed out of Tymo's face. “You must be joking.”
“No joke,” I said grimly. “I killed him. I thought you’d want to hear about it.”
Tymo swallowed, composed himself, and met my eyes with a grateful look. “You did the right thing by informing me of this, Ethan. I can’t think of how one of our order would fall in such a way.”
“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” I said. “But before I drowned him, the monk said something about exploring all aspects of the various Paths in order to bring others to the ‘true’ one. Is that a common practice at Dying Sun? Or didn’t I read the brochure properly?”
I knew I was acting like a bit of an ass. After all, there was no indication Tymo had anything to do with the rogue monk’s demonic practices. But my short time in this world had given me a serious hatred for cultists.
“Of course not,” Tymo said sharply. “We would never consort with such tainted creatures. Nor would we seek to enslave the poor and disaffected to worshipping them. This is unprecedented, Swordslinger, I assure you.”
I met his eyes and believed that what he said was true. But Tymo's manner was too controlled, too good to be true. There hadn’t been so much as a blink when I’d told the Archpriest that I’d killed his fellow monk. He had simply accepted the loss, like a man might do to a piece on a chessboard.
“It might be unprecedented,” I said, “but the others are still out there. I followed your directions and found one of them. But the others seem to have vanished into the aether. Do you know where the others are? Or where they were?”
“If what you say is true,” Tymo said carefully, “then your training is of utmost importance. The Hierophant said that something dark was brewing at the heart of Flametongue Valley. Your search for our brothers must be postponed.”
“And if more of them are setting up little demon armies throughout the Valley?” I asked. “What then? Are you going to clasp your hands and pray that it goes away on its own?”
Tymo's eyes flashed with anger. “Of course not. But your abilities, while impressive, are not sufficient to combat those of our order. Especially not in force.”
I thought back to the fight with the monk and had to admit that Tymo had a point. I could fight any monk in single combat. With my friends at my back, I knew I could end them. But if there was a conspiracy, and the entire contingent of missing monks had banded together, then fighting them with my current powers wouldn’t end well for me.
“I want to speak to the Hierophant,” I said. “Inform him personally.”
“Impossible,” Tymo said. “His meditation is of the utmost importance, Swordslinger. To interrupt it now could spell disaster. Your training should be your primary focus before all else. It is, after all, why you came here, is it not?”
“Is he lying?” I asked the Immense Blades wordlessly.
“The spiritual realm is a dangerous one,” Yono said. “His Grace, King Beqai is a past master at the art, as are many who pursue its secrets. But Tymo speaks truly. You should not interrupt the Hierophant. To interrupt a conversation with those on another plane is to open the floodgates to a host of spirits.”
“I’ve seen such spirits, Master,” Choshi said with a shiver. “Yono’s right. Not all of them are as friendly or helpful as we are. If they’re allowed to seek out hosts, unbound from an item or a place—”
“They’d wreak destruction never before seen,” Nydarth finished. “Your power is great, Master, and you learn quickly. Take what you can from the monastery, and once your power is sufficient to match that of an army of monks, then proceed with your desired path.”
I nodded, convinced. Tymo's training had given me the edge I’d needed to take down the rogue monk.
I pushed off the pillar, caught myself with Flight, and glided to the floor beside Tymo. The Archpriest’s face was a mask of calm authority, but I wasn’t fooled by it. My news had shaken him to his core. I didn’t know what Tymo's game was, but he was right. I’d come here to train, and I’d be damned if I let the opportunity slip through my fingers.
“I did come here to train,” I said to him. “So, let’s resume where we left off.”
“Are you sure you are not fatigued from your journey and your battle?” Tymo asked.
“I’ve had worse,” I said.
Tymo raised an eyebrow in mild disbelief. “Very well. Let us begin. Take up your place by the altar. Today, Swordslinger, I will begin your training in Environmental Augmentation.”
Chapter Nineteen
I assumed my usual posture by the altar, and Tymo joined my side. He settled down beside me, crossed his legs, and gazed up at the enormous
