The Nine Bishops

Mika’s first thought was to go back inside the guild house and tell Master Beng the contract couldn’t be done. But then, it was supposed to be a test, she realized. If I tell him I can’t figure it out, then he certainly won’t let me join the guild.

So, maintaining hope was the only option. Mika made up her mind to do everything in her power to accomplish the task, no matter how ambiguous it was. If I’m going to fail, I’m going to do it on my own terms.

She re-read the contract carefully to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. At the very top, in boldface, were the words Fifth Class Contract. That was the first issue: Mika had never heard that a fifth-class contract even existed. There were only supposed to be four levels.

Below those words, the subtext read: Please help alleviate mage-Filth relations. Filth youth are being harassed by mages relentlessly. Any help would be extremely appreciated.

And there was the second problem: The contract was a vague request to keep the peace between mages and Filth. Mika felt overwhelmed by the suggestion that she alone could change such deep-rooted social norms, though this was a subject that pricked her conscience like no other.

After all, she was an Arcane—and heir to the throne! Throughout her long journey, her struggle to survive, and her quest to master her magic, Mika had begun to realize that there was a deeper purpose in all this: That she was meant to change Seemos for the better, to make it a place where no one was demeaned or oppressed.

But her immediate goal had to be joining the guild. And this contract felt too vast a focus. How could she undertake such a thing single-handedly? It would take the queen of Seemos to accomplish it! she thought, shaking her head grimly.

At the bottom was a signature block that normally would show the name of the issuer. But it was filled in simply as Anonymous. To complete the contract, Mika would need to find Anonymous and have him or her sign it. But how was she to find that person, let alone obtain a proper signature?

The contract did denote Monsoon as the distress location, so she could at least isolate the problem somewhere within the city. Many contracts required mages to travel all over Seemos to complete them, so she was fortunate in that regard.

Contracts were also supposed to spell out the reward for successful completion, but this one offered no reward, and stated so plainly. Why would anyone ever complete a contract that had no reward? Mika wondered. The only reason she felt obliged to try something so impossible was her ambition to join the War Eagles.

Perhaps the secret lay in deducing why the contract was written the way it was, she realized. Master Beng might well have given it to her so she’d be destined to fail. It was also possible he knew it could be completed.

But why was it written so ambiguously?

Mika reasoned that the issuer wanted (or needed) to protect his or her identity—which might mean the issuer was a Filth. A Filth who had dared to write his or her name in the signature block, she reasoned, might be targeted by mages. By staying anonymous, the issuer could at least call out for help without fear.

Another detail that supported that conclusion was the “fifth-class” designation. Mika had read a book about mage contracts in her studies and was certain fourth-class contracts were the lowest level a mage could issue. It would make sense that a fifth-class contract had to be a Filth contract. That had to be the obvious conclusion.

Still, why would Master Beng give me this specific contract? Mika wondered. Though she’d narrowed down some of the details, she still didn’t know what she was going to do about completing it. Sure, deduction had painted her a smaller picture, but she needed a lot more to bring that picture into focus.

Mika re-read the description. The reference to “the youth” suggested she should start with somewhere children could be found: a school. She pulled Zaya’s map out of her bag and surveyed the locations of all the schools, especially those in areas where Filth lived.

Luckily, the guild was close to one of the schools adjacent to Filth housing district, based on Zaya’s map. She decided on it as her first place of investigation. It was the best lead she had, and even if it turned out to be a dead end, she figured she might learn something along the way.

Glancing at the sun’s position in the sky, Mika realized she would be reaching the school right around dismissal time. She wasn’t sure she’d even find Filth there. Filth didn’t go to school at all in Southie, and surely, even here in Monsoon, Filth would not go to school with mages.

Mika knew she had arrived without looking at the map; the large building, with its courtyard, fence and gateway, was unmistakably a place of learning. Since school was just about to get out of session, Mika found a spot where she could observe from a distance. A bell rang and the courtyard immediately flooded with students, none of them older than ten. Jostling together in cheerful packs, they left through the gate and rambled down the streets in various directions.

Since Mika had no innate sense as to whether they were mage or Filth, she paid careful attention to their behavior. They were laughing and running together, seemingly without a care in the world. They all must be mages, Mika thought. They were too confident to be Filth. Not one child in the crowd, as far as Mika could see, was acting as though they didn’t belong.

The school grounds were emptied in minutes, except for a group of boys who lingered around the courtyard gateway. Mika released a sigh and prepared to leave without having learned much when she spotted one more group of students exiting the school building. Their behavior was unlike the rest of the students.

There were five: three boys and two girls. Though Mika was some distance away, she could see fear in the face of the youngest of the girls. The group proceeded cautiously to the gateway, watching carefully for movements around them, as though fearing an ambush. Mika noticed one of the boys by the gate pat one of his friends on the shoulder and motion toward the group coming toward them.

As the cautious children got to the gate, the loitering boys surrounded them. Mika didn’t wait to see what would happen next. She sprinted towards the gate and into the courtyard.

“What do you think you are doing?” Mika yelled furiously at the boys, quickly drawing all eyes to her. She knew exactly what was about to unfold.

Everyone looked at Mika fearfully, even the mage children. She’d expected them to back off a little, but not to look at her as if they had just witnessed a murder. One of the boys spoke in a trembling voice. “How did you get the through the gate? There is supposed to be an Incantation that only allows students and faculty to get into the courtyard,” he said, nervously.

Mika looked over her shoulder at the gate. She was surprised now, too. So that’s the true purpose of the gate? How did I get through it?

She didn’t linger on that question for long, but quickly refocused her attention on the children.

“I said, what do you think you are doing?” she repeated, more slowly and sternly.

“Don’t worry about it, miss; we have these Filth under control. We won’t just sit here and let their kind overrun our school,” the boy said more confidently, turning his attention back to the group and grabbing one of the Filth boys by the collar of his shirt. The Filth boy did not even attempt to fight back.

“You will let go of him immediately,” Mika demanded, trying to regain control of the situation.

Both the mage children and the Filth children gaped at Mika. The mage boy let go of the Filth boy’s shirt.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but my father will be hearing about this. You have no right to be in here and stop us, no matter how powerful of a mage you are,” the boy protested, as if he were superior to Mika.

That made Mika so angry, she did something she knew immediately she would come to regret. She pulled out the Bishop’s medallion and held it in front of her for all to see.

“I don’t care who your father is or what you think you can do. None of you will ever lay a finger on any one of those Filth again. And if I so much as hear of it happening again, I will be paying all of you, including your father, a visit,” Mika said intensely.

Somehow, her words had the intended effect.

The mage boys quickly dispersed in all directions. Mika calmly put the medallion away and subdued her anger. She wasn’t sure why her first impulse had been to take the medallion out, but it had worked. Even so, she wasn’t sure she’d made the Filth children’s lives better or worse in the end. But she was glad they were safe and, at least for the moment, not in harm’s way.

Mika turned back and noticed the Filth children were standing stock still, their eyes on Mika, as if they were too afraid to move. Still frustrated about what had happened, Mika said gently, “You all need to get home.”

They were gone in seconds.

Mika had turned toward the gate and was about to head out herself when she heard a door open behind her. She looked back to see an older woman, perhaps close to sixty, sprinting toward her.

“I don’t know what you just did, but thank you,” the woman said, panting a little as she reached her. “I’ve watched those children get harassed for so long now that my heart could scarcely bear it anymore,” the woman finished, looking flustered.

“Who are you?” Mika asked, wondering why someone else who had been watching the scene did not intervene.

“I apologize for not introducing myself immediately, ma’am. I’m the Filth’s teacher.”

“I meant your name,” Mika replied.

“Oh I’m sorry; I assumed you were a mage. I never expected those children to listen to a Filth. That makes sense, too, I guess, because no mage can get through that gate. My name is Marie,” the teacher responded, more relaxed now.

Again, Mika had made the mistake of assuming the woman was a mage. I need to get better at distinguishing them soon, she told herself. I may find myself in a tough spot if I don’t.

She did her best to take control of the situation so she could learn more about the contract.

“I am a mage. Why aren’t mages supposed to be able to get through the gate?” Mika asked.

“Oh, I apologize if I offended you then, ma’am. It’s just that most mages never ask for our names. And to answer your question, ma’am, there is an Incantation on the boundaries of the school grounds. It’s for the children’s protection. The Incantation is a barrier against any mages who are not students or faculty. It is a preventative measure so magic can’t be used on the school grounds.”

That made sense to Mika. She didn’t have to ask why the barrier did not affect Filth. No adult Filth would ever step inside the gate of a mages’ school. That was not only against the law but dangerous. Teachers were authorized to use their magic on any intruders to protect the children. Stepping onto school grounds would be a pretext for attacks or even branding. Mika knew that much. But then, why are there Filth children and a Filth teacher here?

“How is it possible that you and those children go to this school?” Mika asked.

“Well, ma’am, these particular Filth are children of some of the most elite Filth. They are elite in regards to the people they serve. For example, three of them are children to the Filth that serve the Lord of Monsoon. The Lord of Monsoon has authorized that Filth children can go to school with other mages so they can receive a proper education. However, they don’t share a classroom; they are taught by me. It’s part of a plan to stabilize Filth and mage relations in the city.”

“So, then, what can you tell me about the situation that I had to get involved with today?” Mika asked, more interested in the social aspects than the political ones.

“The children? Sadly, nothing unusual. Being kin of an elite Filth doesn’t mean they’re not subject to prejudice. If anything, they are treated more poorly than the rest. The mage instructors are not allowed to lay a finger on them, which is why the mage children have decided to take matters into their own hands. The mage instructors turn a blind eye to the harassment, while I am left to watch. If I got involved, the mages would feel free to get involved, which is why I watch idly. The would be involved right now, but they are in a teacher’s conference,” Marie acknowledged, her eyes downcast in shame.

Mika, empathizing more than Marie could have imagined, felt her heart sink. “How long has this been going on?”

“Ever since the Filth children were admitted into schools with mages. This isn’t the only school that has Filth in it, ma’am. In fact, the harassment gets worse when they get older. In the more advanced schools, where they focus on magic use, things can get out of hand.”

Mika understood the dynamic enough to fill in the gaps.

She decided to change the subject to that of her contract. She realized it had been written so vaguely because the event she’d just witnessed wasn’t an isolated incident. She fished the contract out of her pocket and asked, “Any chance you know anything about this?”

When Marie read it, she laughed in disbelief. “Of course. I’m the one who issued it, ma’am. How did you ever get this? I put this contract up months ago! I honestly never expected someone to take it; I just wrote it so I could tell myself I had done something. This was my sorry excuse for not actually taking action,” she said, looking ashamed.

“Well, this is a stroke of luck. I never expected to find you. I just came by on a hunch. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to really make a difference, given how deeply rooted this issue is.”

“Ma’am, you are the first mage to ever help those children,” Marie said, tears glistening in her eyes. “I don’t know what will come tomorrow, but I do know they had peace today, and for that I thank you. I will gladly sign that contract if you would like me to.”

“Really?” Mika asked, surprised by this turn of events.

“I owe you that much, ma’am. I wish I had a reward to give you, but I hardly make it by with what I am given already,” she said, regretfully.

“Don’t worry about the reward. Knowing those children are safe is a reward in itself,” Mika replied, realizing immediately what a cliché that was.

“I must ask, ma’am, why did you even take this contract? Mages hardly ever take up fifth-class contracts, especially not ones without a reward.”

“I’m trying to join the War Eagles and that was the task I was given to do.”

“I see. That makes sense, then. Master Lawrence Beng is the only guild master I know of who takes fifth-class contracts, despite what they can do to a guild’s reputation. We Filth owe him a great deal.”

“What do fifth-class contracts do to a guild’s reputation? The War Eagles are still considered the best guild in Seemos!” Mika said, a bit defensively.

“To some they still are, ma’am, but most mages do not respect them. True, they hold the title of number one guild in the rankings, but it is commonly accepted by the mage community that they are the worst guild of them all,” Marie said. “Beg pardon, ma’am!” she said, suddenly realizing that she was insulting the guild Mika hoped to join.

That’s impossible, Mika thought. Everything she had ever read about the guild suggested otherwise. But then, in conversations, both Zaya and Jacque had laughed at the fact that she wanted to join the War Eagles. At the time, she’d thought they were simply laughing at the idea of an unattainable goal. Were they laughing at me as if I was joking?

It was possible, Mika realized. Even the mysterious Lancel had something unpleasant to say about the guild, calling the master a drunk and a fool. Mika knew Marie had no reason to lie about the matter, especially if she was sympathetic to the War Eagles.

Even if all of this was true, Mika decided, she still wanted to join the Eagles. It was a childhood dream. And if what Marie said was accurate, Master Beng was kind to the Filth—a reason in itself to respect the guild. Despite the naysayers, she would follow her dream and join the War Eagles. She owed Sam that much.

“No offence taken,” Mika said with a smile. She thanked Marie for her signature, and Marie quickly reciprocated, thanking Mika for her kindness and wishing her good luck. As they parted ways, Mika made a promise to herself to periodically check on the school to make sure the Filth children were not being abused.

It was dusk when Mika returned to the guild house, stunned and relieved to have come back so quickly with a job completed. She wondered if the contract would be the only thing she had to do to join the Eagles. In any case, the prospect of being a step closer to being a War Eagle gave her butterflies in her stomach.

Mika banged on the door knocker made in the shape of an eagle’s head and, after a short delay, Tink opened the big wooden doors.

“Oh, you are back, ma’am. I’m surprised. I wasn’t sure you were going to return. But I’ve prepared you a room, by the master’s request.”

“Why are you surprised? And what do you mean you’ve ‘prepared a room’ for me?”

“Well, most people don’t come back after Master Beng gives them a task, ma’am. Master Beng said if you returned, you were an Eagle,” he said, shrugging.

Mika was dumbfounded. She followed Tink through already familiar rooms, not saying a word. She had so many questions but decided they were best suited for Master Beng. Tink led her into a small room, a mirror of the inn rooms where she had stayed. However, instead of a candle, it was lit by one of the glowing orbs she’d seen on the streets.

“Consider this your room now, so you can get comfortable, ma’am,” Tink explained.

“Can I speak with Master Beng?”

“You can if you can find him, ma’am. I think he is somewhere drinking the night away, so I would advise you to just wait until tomorrow.”

“Oh, I see. And you can stop calling me ma’am, by the way. My name is Mika. Please don’t call me ma’am ever again,” she said with a grin.

“Okay, finally. I really do hate the whole ma’am thing. Mika it is,” Tink said with relief, as though he’d been waiting for Mika to tell him that for a while. “Mika, I’ll bring you dinner a little bit later. You are free to do whatever you want in here. Just don’t go into the master’s study or chambers.”

Mika thanked him for his hospitality, and Tink left, closing the door behind him. Left alone amid the comfort of her new room, she found herself surprisingly exhausted. It had been a very long day, and she had been on her feet for most of it. She should have been used to the feeling by now, especially after her long journey, but she still craved rest. She fell into bed, intending to get up after a short rest and explore the rest of the building. But she was soon asleep.

Mika was at the highest point of her life. Everything was falling into place. Her dreams were coming true. Except perhaps for the next one, in which she would die yet again.