The Last Sin

As I entered, I found Sin in a rigid handstand; her long skirt fell over her head to reveal baggy red pants tucked into her knee-high boots. Upon hearing the door open, she fell forward, landing on her feet in a half cartwheel. She smoothed out her skirt and took a seat behind the rectangular table.

"I didn't expect you for another month."

She ran her fingers along the familiar forward-bent knife resting on the table. I closed the door and stepped forward. In the dim lantern light, more things were visible on the table: a red cloth bundle and a dagger with a broad triangular blade.

My fingers tightened around the worn poetry book.

"I read the poem at breakfast today."

"That must have ruined the mood."

"I-I know what utility means now."

"Alright, tell me."

She slid her weapons under the table and kicked up her feet.

"Utility is about being useful. The poem you told me to read boiled down thousands of years of history into a few sentences."

"True, what else?"

"The poem also helped me understand the past and why people treat me the way they do."

She gave me a dismissive wave.

"A decent start, nestling. You're halfway there."

"I also asked everyone why you asked me to read the poem."

Sin cocked her head.

"And what did they say?"

I listed the different explanations on my hand.

"Mrs. Dulldrey said it was to make me tough. Mr. Reeves said it was to help me understand my place in the world. Cynthia thought it was to teach me something new."

"And?"

"They were all right. That's utility: one thing with many uses."

She slid her feet off the table and leaned forward.

"Exactly! Anything can be useful. The real value of something is how many uses it has. The same is true for actions. It's always better to kill two birds with one stone."

I grinned from ear to ear.

I was right! I knew I was right.

Sin steepled her fingers as she fixed me with her veiled gaze.

"You’ve impressed me, Jacob. I was right to take you in. You will be useful.”

I blushed at her praise. She continued.

“There were many reasons for you to read that poem. The most important reason was to teach you about language. There is no skill with greater utility."

So, Cynthia was right. I would have to tell her later.

"Why?"

"When the elves came to this plane, they brought their language with them—not the watered-down Low Elvish Mr. Reeves is teaching you but the original High Elvish.”

I mouthed the words.

High Elvish...

Sin nodded.

"High Elvish is the heart of every magic system in the Abyssal Lands."

"Every... there's more than one?!"

"Yes. Learning High Elvish will be your sword and shield in the future. Beginning tomorrow, I will teach you High Elvish after your time with Mr. Reeves."

My heart fluttered.

"You… You mean I'll get to learn magic!"

Sin raised a hand.

"Don't be so quick to spread your wings. This is only the beginning. Which reminds me..."

She reached for the bundle of cloth on the table and tossed it at me.

I stumbled forward to catch it in the crook of my elbows.

"You're ready for the second lesson: Misdirection."

I put the book on the table and pulled the bundle's string. The ends of the blood-red fabric rolled onto the floor. It was a long coat similar in style and colour to Sin's clothing.

"I asked Mrs. Dulldrey to make it for you. It's your clue for the second challenge."

I grinned, flipping the coat over my head and stuffing my arms through the sleeves. It fit me like a second skin, cutting off below my knees.

"Thank you, Sin. I love it!"

She scoffed as she leaned back into her chair.

"Thank Mrs. Dulldrey and don't forget why I gave it to you."

I hadn't forgotten. I repeated the word in my mind until it sank in.

Misdirection.

If this challenge was like the first, her definition would have more than one part. I ran my hand along the coat's lining, feeling the smooth edges of hidden pockets across the chest. If I figured out the second challenge, could I get to the third lesson in one day? That would impress Sin even more.

"Can I do the challenge now?"

She shrugged.

"Why not?"

Sin pulled out her forward-bent knife and balanced the hawk’s head pommel on her index finger.

"Misdirection is judging a book by its cover. People look at me and see the crimes of the Old Elvish Empire. They look at you and..."

"And?"

"They see a freak."

She laughed, flipping the knife in the air and catching it in her hand.

"That's one word for it.”

She cocked her head.

“Why do you think I dress the way I do?"

"To get attention."

She nodded.

"That's one reason."

Right... utility.

I scratched the back of my head, thinking of the first thing that came to mind.

"Um... to hide?"

She clapped her hands, the right hand still closed around the handle of the knife.

"Bravo, nestling. To get attention and to hide. The two are opposites, yet I do both at the same time. How is this possible?"

I took in the vision of Sin. In the ominous lighting, she stood out in all red, yet I knew nothing about her, what she could do or what else was concealed on her body.

"You hide in plain sight. They look at you and see the feathers, not the fangs."

"Very good! That is misdirection. This world is a collection of lies. Our eyes lie, our ears lie, we lie. Those with strong will shape the lies and bend reality.”

She pointed her knife at me.

“You pass."

I grinned wider, my chest swelling as I stood straighter.

"Does that mean I'm ready for the third lesson?"

She laughed.

"No, not even close… Utility and misdirection. You understand what these words mean, but you must master them. Live these two principles so completely that you see them everywhere. Do you understand?"

I nodded.

"Yes!"

Two lessons down and one to go. It was only a matter of time until I was Sin’s equal.

She nodded back, accepting my words.

"One more thing..."

She placed her knife on the table and slid it across, pommel first. It knocked the poetry book onto the floor at my feet.

"Your real training begins now."

I picked up the knife; my smiling face reflected on the surface of the blade.

"Finally! I had some time to kill."