(art by kabeone!) Canon in T is my favorite Bright novel. It is about a girl dealing with research, power, and love while mired in the politics of a religious order that has no room for her. It was informed by my experience in a male-dominated profession, but I never had a Phinean Draconis.
Tarina does.
The seizures of uncontrolled magic that drove Tarina Karth to seek the protection of the Order of Tayzel are unprecedented and wildly dangerous. When she reaches the Blue City, where petitioners go, she finds herself caught between the schools not publicly recognized: the Blue Hall of priests and historians, and the Red Hall of scientists and firebrands. And the side that welcomes her can barely shield her from herself. She studies with the Red Hall’s leader, Phinean Draconis, and he finds in her the student he most wants, and the teenager he must disappoint.
A canon is a song with a repeating theme; a body of work considered authoritative; a priestly authority. It’s everywhere.
Excerpt (I’ll just give the first chapter):
Though Tarina never asked whether Phinean Draconis found it notable, she herself never forgot that she met him in the middle of her exorcism.
The priest called Sair did something behind her that made his hideous cat o’ nine tails thump together. Tarina held still on her knees, lit only by the magic-engorged candle in front of her face, knowing that the least move would only make it worse. “Admit,” he howled, “to the Deep One’s mark!”
“I don’t—” he swung again and her back’s nerves screamed— “I don’t understand! It was an accident, it just happened!”
It was true, or near enough. She didn’t understand. That was why she had asked his Order for help.
“Assassin!” Strike. Tarina’s vision whited out. His voice filled the small room like the wrath of the god he invoked. “Whore for the dark powers! Admit that you attempted murder!”
The door clicked open and it got worse. In a sight sharper than vision she saw an inrush of gray mist, from the doorway to the full height and breadth of the room. The mist that had caused the other attacks. She swallowed hard and retreated into an awareness of her own breathing, praying to avoid the mist’s notice.
“An exorcism, Brother Sair?” said a deep voice.
She looked up to see a brightly colored vision. The man who stood in the doorway was robed in scarlet, with the usual Tayzellian bands embroidered at cuffs and hem. He had a lot. He was clean-shaven, thin-faced, with fine, cruel features. His hair was gold and cleaner than anything she remembered since it all started.
The mist felt her, she was sure of it. Things started moving in it, obscure shapes, little bumps drawn and drifting in gray.
Sair took a ragged breath. “Never you mind, Speaker. I’m sure you have a celebration party to get to.”
“I needed to run a test. This room wasn’t signed out in the registry.” Tarina squeezed her eyes shut, trying to stop her own perception, not knowing what else she could do. The newcomer sounded amused. “But then, it must be an emergency indeed, to neither reserve a room nor summon the witness the books call for.”
“Close the door.” Her voice came out weak.
The newcomer looked at her. “What was that, my lady?”
At least it wasn’t a shout. But he would regret his kindness soon if she didn’t do something. “Close the door,” she said thickly.
It gathered, grew dense. Shaking, she willed herself to stop it—but as the golden-haired wizard reached out towards the door, the mist snapped tight around his elbow and his arm jerked back. He made a throaty startled sound. The storm built as though these walls were no shield at all, and madly colored flames were beginning to dart here and there, obvious to Tarina’s normal vision. One slashed across the exorcism candle’s stem, sending a splash of hot wax beside Tarina’s knees.
During her first attack in this city, a structured blue shield had formed in her awareness and sought to cage the wildly reproducing figures of light, pressure, and flame. Here the shield came again and was joined by a wall of fine golden tracery. The mist pounded and sent lashes of light and heat against the pair as they closed in around her, separating her from the storm. She saw the newcomer reaching for the door again, and then in a glaring flash the mist shattered both walls and rushed at Sair, crackling and sparking like floodwaters through a channel.
Between breath and despair the storm died. Tarina took a few ragged breaths, blinking against the pain in her head. The door was closed, and the terrible mist had nowhere to go. It faded in place, and it was over.
“Did you see that?” said Sair. “Those transients were strong enough to affect solid matter if she put her mind to it.”
“Then it is strange that she did not.” The newcomer was eyeing her with no sign of emotion. She had to say something before he fell in with Sair and finished this ritual. She wrenched herself to her feet. And she knew she would sound weak, and she knew she had to speak anyway.
“My name is Tarina, Lady of Karth. And I ask sanctuary, if you will grant it.”
Sanctuary from the priest of a sanctuary city. It was a wonder that one or both wizards didn’t laugh.
“Madam. Lord Phinean Draconis.” The crimson wizard shook his head and murmured, “If you have come to Alavea for sanctuary, I fear you will be deeply disappointed.” He shot Sair a meaningful glance. Tarina clenched her teeth and struggled to remain upright. “Come. I think we can find you more comfortable accommodations—nothing very impressive, not while you require a shielded room, but we can improve on…this.” He broke the circle of salt with one toe and stepped in to extend his arm. Just like the previous weeks…five? Six? Just like they hadn’t happened, like there was something normal to be seen. Tarina laid her hand lightly on his elbow. The human contact was slight and dizzying, but she did her best not to lean. She had to walk herself out of here.
Sair’s eyes rounded. “Where are you taking her?”
“To a more comfortable room,” the Lord said coolly. “Is there a reason the lady should remain here?”
Sair rattled his torture implement. “She is my charge!”
“And look what good it has done you. What did your exorcism save her from, old man? What spirit did you see?” He turned to Tarina, his dark eyes narrow. “Lady, you are welcome to remain here if you wish. Or come with me.”
She raised her chin. Darkness circled her wobbly vision. Forcing a deep breath, she walked with Lord Draconis into the hallway.
I alternately slaved over and buried this story for twenty-five years before it came to fruition. It has changed with me. I have done my best to refresh the language throughout.
I serialized Canon on Tumblr; I had an .epub but WordPress won’t let me upload .epub files.
Leave a Reply