28 Chapter 22 (1/2)

The days in Sekania has passed according to the schedule so filled up that students rarely could rest. The opportunity to try dynamite wasn't showing up for a long time, but Galaspiael didn't want to do it alone, so they were still waiting.

A large part of the Sekanian quarters was located underground, but like the room hidden in the prince's house, they were not cold and damp basements. Kalena, like most guests, lived in a specially rented house but saw underground rooms during sightseeing. Apart from the lack of windows, there was no difference from normal rooms, but could hardly imagine living in such a place. Sekanian apprentice explained to her that usually, they spend free time somewhere else. Underground they only keep their personal belongings and sleep. Education always took place upstairs.

The first swimming lessons could not take place on time, due to a sudden change in the weather, so the students got a few hours off. It was the chance Kalena and Galaspiael were waiting for.

For the first time then Kalena had the opportunity to see the city and the worldwide famous Astinian lookout tower. Climbing to the top was arduous and the girl had the impression that the winding staircase would never end, but as she later admitted, the view was worth it.

The Astinian lookout tower, the greatest achievement of the Sekanian architecture, was, in fact, a great lighthouse. People said that its light could be seen standing on the other side of the ocean on a cloudless night, but Galaspiael told Kalena not to believe it.

From the last floor, not only the whole city could be seen, but also the isthmus and the mountains behind which Yagn-Sho was hidden. When they stood there, it seemed that everything was nearby and you could get there in a few minutes.

”The secret is the big beams you saw as we climbed the stairs. The whole building is held on a special skeleton, thanks to which they could build it so high. It has always impressed me, although I have been here one time in a row,” Galaspiael admitted, looking at the reaction of his student, who was walking from window to window in a trance, soaking up the view.

”It's beautiful,” she said finally.

”Someday maybe I will take you with me to the palace of King Sekania. There are probably ten towers, but they are not as high as this one. I hope the guards would let you see them.”

”Why would they want to stop me?” The girl asked with undisguised surprise. ”Look at the people! How tiny they are!”

”Because Sekanian girls are forbidden to enter here. To be clear they're forbidden to enter any tower. This place is known for being a favorite destination of unhappy brides and wives who have had enough of their lives. A jump from here is certain death.” Galaspiael leaned on the windowsill and leaned out. ”You can see people there? Great ancestors, I didn't think I have such broken eyes.”

”You really can't see?” Kalena pointed her finger. ”Here they are! Right there. The blue coat.”

”I don't see very clearly,” he admitted, ”is this a coat? For me, it's just a blue spot.” Galaspiael smiled when she looked at him anxiously. ”Well, knowledge has its price. I don't know a Scribe who can see well in old age. I suspect that someday I may lose my sight completely.”

”How can you talk about it so relaxed, it's terrible!”

”Maybe if I was an archer, it could be difficult,” he nodded. ”But I will have other senses. I would not see the beautiful view anymore, but I will feel the wind on my face, hear the sound of the sea... Something that you do not pay attention to when you have healthy eyes.”

”You won't be able to fight...”

”I won't?” Galaspiael repeated in surprise. ”Haven't you heard that the greatest Scribes-warriors were blind?”

”I heard,” she admitted, ”but they are legends.”

”So it's not true?”

”No, I just...”

”You just never met someone like that,” he finished. ”And I met and I know it is possible. Take a look and come down. A storm is coming, it's a good time to blow something up.”

Before they went to the beach, they had to go down the steep and winding stairs, which was as hard as the way up. When they went outside, the rain began to sprinkle.

”You have to save yourself,” Kalena went on again. ”Light up a second candle or don't work so much in the dark at all.”

”I will,” he said in the tone of the child, who nods to his mother before leaving the house so that she would let go faster. He wasn't going to listen to her at all, at least until he could see the letters clearly on paper ”Come faster! I am excited. Today is high tide, so all the traces will be taken by the sea. Water spirits favor us.”

It was not far from the beach. Kalena saw the sea from the tower for the first time, but when she came closer she seemed quite different. Bigger. She trembled with excitement thinking about trying a new invention.

”I made a mechanism that starts the whole thing,” said Galaspiael, putting the bag on the ground and taking out a long black tube. ”Here you break and remove the lock so that the two liquids mix. And now...” He ripped the string from the bottom end.