INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

She didn’t like cities. She didn’t like tall buildings and silent neighbourhoods. She hated the absence of trees and plants near the homes. As she walked behind Tessa in the cold town of Cornerstones, she felt that she missed Woodland terribly. She missed the flowers and the cheerful community. The trio passed a vehicle when she noticed a family walking towards the car, both parents wore suits and the well-behaved children followed without a word nor a smile. The people here seemed like robots, Lei thought. A couple, who also wore suits, emerged from a corner and looked at the three travellers. Lei could see the disgust in their eyes. She suddenly felt embarrassed of her muddy clothes.

Lei was thankful to Tessa. The girl seemed self-reserved when they met her but she was actually warm. Lei couldn’t be like her. She was not good with comforting others. It was a miracle Skhy wasn’t bored with her company, Lei thought. This made her sad, especially because of his expression after one of the men in suit asked him if Tessa was his girlfriend. Sad? Why?

Do I like him?

NO WAY.

She stared at Skhy, who was blushing, as these thoughts haunted her. Tessa was busy helping the man on the floor that she did not notice Skhy’s expression.

Skhy’s face grew redder when the three men in blue, green, and golden ties grinned at him.

“Please stop. She is a… new friend,” he muttered and looked at his muddy shoes. Lei sighed, relieved. As for why she was relieved, she didn’t know.

He was the first guy she knew from Academy. He is a skilled warrior, a good guardian. All throughout their journey, he had been the person who protected and comforted her. That’s all. She told herself not to confuse their friendship.

“Eliot,” she heard Tessa said. Upon hearing the name, Lei gasped and stood. It can’t be.

She walked behind Tessa and asked, “Eliot?” It was her father’s name. But it could be anyone’s name.

“What’s happening?” Skhy asked behind Lei. No one answered him. Lei noticed that the three men were silently watching the interaction with trouble expression. However, she was more interested on what Tessa knew.

Tessa looked at her curiously.

“Yes, Eliot,” she replied. “Do you know him?”

Before Lei could respond, Tessa looked back at the man who was on the floor earlier. He had a red tie. His clenched jaw told her that he did not expect to hear the name again. He eyed Tessa carefully. It seemed like he was thinking what to say.

“Are we talking about the same person?” Tessa asked and glanced at Lei then back to the man with the red tie.

“Let’s see,” the man with the red tie replied with grim expression.

“Haha. We should sit first before discussing anything, right Ever?” the man with the golden tie said then look at the man with the green tie, who smiled at Tessa and Lei.

“Yes. Let’s go upstairs then talk,” he said and started towards the stairs. Lei looked at Tessa who sighed and nodded. Lei followed Tessa upstairs while Skhy was behind them. They were greeted by an open elevator with three paintings of mountains hanged on every wall.

“Come,” the man with the golden tie directed them. The man with the red tie, Karl, Lei remembered, was the last one to enter.

“Let’s go,” the man with the green tie, Ever, said and clicked the 30th button. The elevator shook and heaved them upwards. When the elevator stopped and the door opened, Lei and Tessa gasped. Lei could see the whole city and the forest. She stared at the setting sun and red clouds. She then scanned the room and found three grey long couches around a short wooden table in front of a glass table and a leather chair. There were two doors on two wall. A silver chandelier with five crescent moons in different sizes hanged above.

“Please sit,” the man with the blue tie instructed. Lei was suddenly aware of everyone’s eyes on her. Tessa and Skhy were already seated, as well as the four men. Skhy had removed his hat and coat, and placed them neatly beside him. Embarrassed, she rushed towards Tessa’s side; she sat beside Skhy. Karl and the man with the golden tie sat together in a couch, while Ever and the man with the blue tie sat together on another.

“Where’s our manner. We should introduce ourselves first,” the man with the golden tie started. “You can call me Den.”

“I’m Ever.”

“Blue,” the man with blue tie said.

“Oh stop,” Den told Blue. “I’m sorry he’s not really a talkative person,” Den told Lei and Tessa.

“That’s fine. Please call me Tessa. It’s nice to meet you,” Tessa said and smiled, finally. The men looked at Lei, waiting for her to speak.

“Please call me Lei,” she stated.

“Alright, there are things to discuss but I think everyone wants to know first about our little incident earlier,” Karl said. This time, he gave a small smile.

“Yes, and I’m terribly sorry about my…attitude earlier,” Tessa stated and bowed slightly. The four men chuckled. Skhy and Lei smiled at her.

“Who taught you to fight?” Karl asked Tessa. Lei felt that he already know the answer to his question because the humour left his eyes.

“Ste- Eliot,” she whispered. Her protector. “I knew him as Steve until…weeks before I came here.” Lei remembered Tessa’s stories about Steve’s heroism. However, Tessa failed to mention his real name, his Concordian name.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you his real name. I just want him to be Steve,” Tessa looked between Skhy and Lei.

Karl nodded then looked at Lei, expectantly.

“Uhm I just knew that it is my father’s name. But I never saw him,” Lei replied.

“We both know the two Eliot,” Ever said. Two?

“Yes. I’m afraid that the one Tessa is talking about is not your father,” Karl told Lei. She nodded slowly. She felt Tessa patting her back. Lei offered a small smile. They are not the same person.

“So you knew our Eliot?” Tessa asked Karl. He sighed, put his elbows on his knees, and pressed his hands together.

“A long lost brother,” he replied. Lei heard Tessa gasped. There were tears forming in her eyes. She was probably thinking about her father and guardian’s death. Lei remembered her foster parents who had been good to her but suffered the same fate.

“Brother? He…never told me anything about his family,” Tessa whispered but low enough for everyone to hear.

“We separated in childhood. If he was tasked to protect you, he was also asked to keep his identity a secret,” Karl stated. “I apologize for…what happened.” He looked down.

“No. I should be the one to apologize,” Tessa said. Karl frowned at her.

“It was my fault that he’s…gone.” A tear left her eyes but she quickly wiped it with her palm. To this, Karl offered a sad smile.

“I have no idea what his mission is, Tessa, but he is a loyal warrior and will do everything to finish his task.” Karl suddenly stood up, the sadness did not leave his face.

“I need to attend to some business. I will be back shortly,” he said then looked at Ever. “Bring refreshments.” He tipped his head slightly and entered a door to their left. Ever stood up and entered the elevator.

“He doesn’t want to be rude,” Den said.

“He is mourning,” Tessa whispered. Of course. Despite the distance and time apart, they were brothers.

“As for your father,” Den started but stopped. Lei looked at him, urging him to continue.

“You didn’t ask Skhy about him?”

Lei looked at Skhy who kept his eyes on Tessa but seemed lost in thought. Everyone was remembering the death of their love ones.

“No,” Lei replied.

“Eliot Thorneridge is the only Concordian who maintained his family surname, an ancient family surname.” The house of Thorneridge, Lei remembered, was uttered by Ashley Levvi.

“So you already knew that I’m one of the Seven?” Lei asked. Den and Blue’s confusion was evident.

“One of the Seven?” Blue asked. Lei panicked. She did not know what to tell or not to tell them. These men did not know that the seven ancient families were related to the Seven Regalis. She looked at Skhy to ask for help and was grateful that Skhy returned to himself. He nodded at her. It’s okay, he seemed to say.

“It’s not my story to tell.” She glanced at Tessa but she was still lost in thoughts. “But Tessa’s mother’s diary said that the Seven are descendants of the seven ancient leaders.”

Den scratched his chin while Blue crossed his hands near his chest.

“We don’t know if we should trust the diary since we still don’t know the identity of her mother,” Skhy said. “But we think that there is a connection between the families and the Seven.”

“If your information is correct, it is an honour to meet you,” Blue said to Lei. She was flattered but just nodded at him.

“Also, I found a book in the Genesis written by dad,” Skhy continued.

“I didn’t know he write. What book is that?” Den asked.

“Abecedarians. There are two papers inside with seven circles and seven initials. One of the circles showed Lei’s insignia after I met her.” If Skhy did not talk to her in the garden, Lei was sure that she won’t come with him. She would probably live safely with her aunt. But that won’t make you contented, right?

“Who is Tessa’s mother?” Blue asked after minutes of silence.

“Her name is Margarette,” Tessa suddenly said. Lei noticed her puffy eyes and slightly red nose. Skhy offered her a white handkerchief, which she accepted without a word. “Do you know her?”

“Hmm I think Blue can help you,” Den said to his friend.

“What did Eliot said about her?” Blue asked Tessa.

“Just that she was a water elemental,” she replied. Blue nodded then turned to Den. It seemed like they were communicating silently. Then Blue looked back at Tessa.

“We know her, at least before she had you,” he started. Tessa gasped and placed her hands near her mouth.

“Are… are you sure?” she stuttered.

“She didn’t stay in Academy because she usually travels with the Sentries, so we didn’t know she knew about the Seven,” Blue stated.

“But she was there in the recent war,” Skhy informed. The three men frowned, expressing that they didn’t know.

“We weren’t there. But it was chaos. Knights weren’t trained in the Academy alone so no one really knew everyone,” Den uttered.

“So there were more missing persons than we know?” Skhy questioned, wide eyed.

“Probably,” Blue replied. Ever entered with a tray of jug of cold orange juice, finger sandwiches on a white plate, and three blue glasses. He placed the tray on the wooden table then sat down.

“Please eat,” he instructed the guests. Even after hours of hiking Lei wasn’t hungry, but the smell of the sandwiches enticed her. “What are we talking about?”

“Tessa is Margarette’s daughter,” Den informed. Ever raised one of his brows, amused.

“That’s interesting. So you’re also from the Forskleigh family,” he casually said. Forskleigh? That must be her mother’s family name.

“You knew her?” Tessa asked.

“I think I heard that name somewhere. Are they from the Academy?” Skhy added.

“Yes. I was a Sentry before I came here and I encountered her twice before the war. Margarette loves to travel so people don’t usually know about her family,” Ever answered Tessa. He looked at Skhy and said, “It shouldn’t be familiar since it’s an ancient family name.”

Lei was suddenly nervous. She did not like the word ‘ancient’. To her, it is always connected to the Seven Regalis.

“Ancient?” Skhy looked at Tessa and frowned. He looked tense.

“Yes. We all have ancient family names because of our ancestors,” Ever replied. He began to tap his right knee with his fingers.

“Ah yes.” Skhy looked relieve. Why?

“It isn’t her present family name, of course, but we joked around that she should behave like a princess.” Ever laughed. Lei was confused. She looked around and saw that Skhy, Tessa, Den, and Blue mirrored her expression.

“What do you mean by acting like a princess?” Tessa questioned.

“Did she come from a rich family or something?” Lei added. She could be an heiress of a company who ran away.

“Well, one of the seven ancient leaders is her ancestor so it somewhat makes her a royal,” he replied casually like what he revealed was something normal.

For Lei, and her two comrades, it was beyond their imagination.