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"It was given to Khan. I figured out it was poisoned and stopped him," Fen explained.
Asten's eyes widened. "How did you do that?"
"With a rune. A type of magic from Midgard. I mean, Geb."
"How extraordinary. You definitely saved his life because the dose was extremely high." Asten turned to frown at Kemes. "Why didn't you tell me that Khan was almost poisoned? I would've analyzed it quicker."
"What?! Ididtell you!" Kemes spluttered. She stepped towards him, but Kash grabbed her by the arm. Asten wasn't even paying attention to her, making Kemes even angrier.
Khan wondered if Asten knew that ignoring Kemes was the fastest way to offend and infuriate her.
"You can communicate with the gods through your magic." Asten was smiling excitedly down at Fen. "Would you like to see how my god communicates with us?"
Fen looked over at Khan, who only winked at her. He shouldn't have been surprised that Asten had liked her.
"I would love that," Fen told Asten, who was almost bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"Okay, follow me." Asten grabbed her hand and began walking off, not caring if anyone followed.
"Look at that idiot fawning all over her. I swear I told him you were almost poisoned, Khan," Kemes grumbled, staring after them.
"I know. It's okay. He knew what it was, and we got our answer. Untraceable." Khan turned to Kashmet. "Looks like your serving girl is the only lead we have."
"I'll go and see her tonight. I found out where she lives in one of the central districts. I can take your donation to the shelter while I'm there if you like," Kashmet replied.
"No need. I'm going to take Fen there today."
"Speaking of." Kashmet gestured to where Fen and Asten were disappearing in the crowd of scholars. "You better go after them before he runs away with your girl."
Khan laughed. "No need to worry. I know exactly where he's taking her."
The temple of Thoth had many wonders, but nothing compared to the Emerald Tablets. They had been a gift from the scribe god to his first priest in Aaru. Asten was one of the few magicians entrusted to care for and handle them.
Khan found Asten and Fen in front of the glass cases in the Tablet room. They never stopped filling Khan with a strange awe. The tablets were as tall as Fen and were arranged vertically in their glass cases.
"Then Thoth gave the priest these three tablets so that he always had a way of communicating with them," Asten explained to Fen. "Everyone who looks on the tablets and can read the language will receive a different message. Sometimes it's a new invention or form of magic, sometimes a task that the god wants you to do, or it foretells of something you have to do."
"They are like oracles. I've never seen anything like them," Fen said, studying the tablets. A little sadness clouded her eyes. "I don't know how to read."
"You will soon, I promise," Khan replied, resting a hand on her shoulder. "I can bring you back and see if Thoth has a message for you."
Asten smiled widely at them. "I can help you learn how to read Hieratic too. The fascinating thing about the tablets is that they change their messages for the readers. So one day, you might read about a design for something, so you go and make it. Once it's accomplished, you could return and reread the tablets and have a whole new message. Isn't that incredible?"
"Not really," Kemes said. "If my gods want to talk to me, they'd just do it. They wouldn't leave messages carved on a bit of stone."
Asten only rolled his eyes at her. "Like you would listen even if the godsdidwant to speak with you. You're just too afraid to read what's on them."
"It's because I don't care," Kemes replied.
"I think it's a miracle," Fen whispered, not looking away from the brilliant stone. She blinked a few times rapidly and turned to Asten. "Thank you so much for showing me."
"You can visit me whenever you like, Fen. I would love to understand more about your magic and how you wield it."
Fen smiled at him. "I'd like to come to visit again. Especially when I have learned to read."
Asten beamed. "We have a great library here. Khan, I'm sorry someone tried to poison you, but congratulations on finding a most excellent concubine."
"She's not…oh, never mind. Thank you, Asten. I'll just have to look for my would-be assassin somewhere else."
