Chapter 22 On The Other Side

Chapter 22 On The Other Side
The evening wind in the Vashen City can be unpredictable at times. On certain occasions, it can be a soft caress that reminded you that comfort was possible in a world driven by systems and strict laws. On other occasions, it was chaotic motion that reminded the inhabitant of the city that it trived on systems and no one could question it.
The later was the kind of chaotic wind that drove the city as Davan Rell walked towards the elite side of the city with purpose, hands shoved into his pocket. His pristine white rippled violently in the wind like wild leaves as the air threatened to rustle his well combed hair with reckless abandon. 
He walked on still, eyes pinned ahead, his desires that once spun out of control to entertain every acquaintance during walks tucked away with a seriousness beyond human comprehension. 
When he arrived at the Evaulation Spire, he was not surprised that his reputation preceded him. Everyone who saw him wanted to interact, to have a little chat, because having a two second talk with a man like Davan Rell meant social validation. On a normal day, Davan Rell would accommodate the lust, the drive to listen, and the accomplishment that came from making people who were not exceptional as himself feel worthwhile.
But today was not a normal day. It was something else.
Davan walked past the handful of people, guards and guide evaulators like they were objects as he headed into the main hallway of the evaluation Spire, making his move to see someone whom he would necessarily not be strolling to visit on a normal day.
But nothing about this day was normal.
He had received a letter from Sel Voras, demanding his immediate presence at the Deep Repository with the need to discuss matters with difficult consequences, or face the threat of being considered as a rebel of the system. 
With a huge reputation to protect, Davan knew this wasn’t the kind of meetings you put off so you can talk to the keeper first. He knew too well that his very existence hinged on whether or not he honored the invitation.
And he did.
He got to the end of the hallway where two double doors and two guild evaluators were waiting for him.
“You can’t access there,” the first man said, stretching a hand to stop him from continuing. 
“I’m here on orders,” Davan replied, a scowl taking over his once straight face.
“Whose orders?” 
Davan was the man who would rather fight than follow the rules. He saw every challenge opportunity as his time to shine, to prove himself, and to revalidate that he was better than everyone else.
But he didn’t know the cause of alarm that had the Grand Evaulator needing his presence. He can’t say that he had been particularly law abiding for three years, after he got evaluated by the same person. He knew better to cause chaos at this time.
With a glare, he produced the sealed envelope that came to him 24 hours before.
“See? I have been summoned,” he huffed.
The two men stood apart, one of them pressing a button. The doors flung open of their own accord and walked into the small cubicle. As the door shut closed, he heard a hum for a moment. When the doors flung open, he was in another hallway.
He walked down the stretch to a single door. Before he could knock, the door flung open to reveal the face of a blonde, female guard. 
“You’re late,” she said.
Davan ignored her and walked into the Deep Repository, his hand clasped behind his back. He was in awe at the balls of light around him. He was looking at the power of the system, the control house that determined the fate of every single person in this city, whether they liked it or not. He stared, his head turning slowly from one ball to another, his face wrapped in pure wonder.
“Davan Rell,” a voice called him from the space. He turned, looking for the source of the female voice.
Sel Voras sat reclined in her chair, watching Davan Rell with narrow eyes. She was the one who recorded the evaluation test that Davan Rell was exceptional, and three years after she made that record, she had not encountered anyone else who beat that record. 
For Sel Voras, being exceptional meant being meticulous, and she believed that no one else would be able to handle the gravity of the task she had at hand except her… or Davan.
“I got your invitation,” Davan said, walking towards her desk.
“Stop,” she said, and Davan froze on the spot, his hand still behind his back. 
“I believe we can have an effective conversation from where you stand,” she added.
“Of course,” Davan replied. “Why am I here?”
“For three years, you’ve maintained an unchallenged record for being the most outstanding practitioner in the last three years,” Voras began, rocking her chair lightly. “And in all these years, would you say you’ve had an opportunity to prove your true worth?”
Davan thought hard. He didn’t know where Voras was going with her question, and that meant he had to be careful of his answers. Sel Voras may not read into his answers, nor do anything serious about it. But as far as Davan Rell was concerned, the other person in the city of Vashen whose word was law apart from the Keeper was Voras.
“I don’t suppose I have gotten the opportunity to prove my true worth,” he replied. The experience at the market with Jorren Thale came to his head and he forced it out.
“Perhaps this might be that moment,” Sel Voras stood up from her desk chair and paced the length of her desk. “I do have a task for you. It is one that would require you to push to your limit, while doing a very simple job.”
Davan perked up. “At your service.”
“I supposed you have heard of the Thale boy who broke the soulstone. I do have my reservations for the boy, but I need someone to watch him.”
Davan’s chest sank, and he didn’t know why. He hesitated one moment, then took a step forward with his head bowed. 
“What do you need me to do?”
Sel Voras smiled.