Bacorium Legacy by Nicholas Alexander Page A

had made her cheeks burn red.
    They followed the path, nearing the gates of the temple. As they drew closer, the walls seemed to grow larger, until they finally stood above the height of ten men. The gates themselves were a set of wooden double-doors, guarded by a pair of young soldiers in armour. The insignia upon their armour was not that of the Torachi nation, but rather the crest of Allma itself.
    The kingdom of Torachi would often hire warriors trained by the temple, but Allma had always been neutral in times of conflict.
    “Halt,” ordered the guards once they were close enough. “State your business.”
    “My name is Luca, son of Lodin,” he told them. “I've come to see Dori.”
    The guards exchanged glances.
    “Better let him know,” said one of them.
    The other guard nodded, and knocked three times on the heavy wooden gate. A moment later, there was the sound of chains being pulled, and with a deep groan the wooden gate slowly swung open.
    Luca and Emila started to step inside, but the first guard raised his hand.
    “Just wait there.”
    The other guard left, vanishing into the temple interior. A few minutes later, he returned, in the company of a tall man with black hair and a leather coat.
    “Greetings,” this man said, offering his hand to Luca. “You may call me Tranom. What did you say your name was?”
    “Luca,” he repeated. “The son of Lodin.”
    Tranom looked him up and down. “Yes, you certainly look like one of Lodin's kids. You may enter the temple. Who is your companion?”
    Emila bowed politely. “My name is Emila. I'm - well, just a girl from Saeticia.”
    Tranom stared at them for a moment. “Are you two...?”
    Emila's cheeks burned, and she shook her head. “Oh, no. Not at all.”
    “It's complicated,” Luca said. “But we need to be together for the time being.”
    Tranom shrugged. “Very well. We don't let just anyone through our gates, but your father was one of us, so you are welcome here. As long as you swear by the girl, she may enter too, but she is your responsibility.”
    Luca glanced at Emila, catching a bit of irritation in her eyes, but she kept silent.
    Tranom then beckoned, and led them into the temple. Once they passed the threshold, the gates closed shut behind them.
    Allma Temple was filled with many teenage students in white robes, who were busy going from place to place. Others were paired off in small sand circles, sparring with wooden weapons, while older instructors supervised.
    Tranom led them through the centre of the temple, towards the sanctum at the far end. On the way, they passed one of the small arenas, where two students were donning wooden armour. As they passed, several of the students spotted him, and pointed out Luca's white hair and spoke amongst themselves.
    “My father trained here,” Luca said to Tranom. “I remember he spoke of it from time to time. And I believe he brought me here once.”
    “He was one of our best,” Tranom replied. “He has quite the reputation.”
    “Did you know him?”
    “No, but I've heard the stories,” Tranom chuckled. “We all have. I'm guessing your being here means something has happened?”
    “He's dead.”
    Tranom stopped walking.
    “Is that right?” Tranom asked after a moment. “By whose hand?”
    “A man named Zinoro.”
    Tranom turned and looked at Luca with a contained surprise. Behind him, Emila had stopped dead in her tracks, and drew in a sharp breath.
    “I can see there's much that needs discussed,” Tranom said. “But it's not my place to say anything. Masters Allma and Dori will meet with you, and you can speak with them about it.”
    Tranom then continued walking, not making any more conversation. Luca followed behind him, and tried to ignore Emila's wide-eyed stare. There was something in her eyes that made him very uncomfortable.
    They reached the sanctum, and stepped inside. The inside was carved of smooth stone and was cool and dark. A young man in robes was waiting for