Incorrectly? Alex asked. What do you an by that? I rember you saying that divinity works by channelling a god's power through a gate in the soul. That ans it could be channelled out in the sa way, couldnt it?
It is possible, rzhin said. But I do not think that the way you are going about this is going to work. You are treating divinity too much like mana. They are different. Divinity cos from faith. Faith is not bound by circuitry or machines; it is faith, and is far more intangible. It does not require magic circuits or spell arrays, or alchemy or machines or formulae. All it requires is belief, and I do not think a machine could control it.
Alex frowned. With respect, rzhin, people once looked at mana in the sa way. If you go back far enough, then the only way people beca wizards and sorcerers was by making contracts with otherworldly, magical beings. People didn't think there was a science to it in those early days, but there was. We know the science very well now. I bet you divinity is the sa: life enforcent has been studied a lot, for example.
rzhin raised an eyebrow. I know very little about life enforcent, but I did so reading on the art after our encounter with the First Apostle. I know there is a lot of theory to it: how divinity mingles with lifeforce, flowing through ridians and pathways in the body and soul. But I ask you this: what is the basic thing you need to beco a wizard?
Mana, Alex said. A mana pool.
Alright, and what stops people from being able to practise life enforcent? Everyone has a life force, so shouldnt everyone be capable of the art? rzhin asked.
They might be, Alex said a little defensively. My blood magic process mimics the first step of life enforcent: that's how it made Hart and stronger.
And tell , are you and Hart able to continue down the path of life enforcent? rzhin asked.
I don't know, Alex said. I've never grown any stronger when I've been doing ditation, and I can't feel my own life force in the sa way that Theresa can.
Neither can Hart, rzhin said.
It suddenly struck Alex that rzhin had stopped referring to Hart and the other Heroes by their titles alone.
He wondered what that ant.
Hart has tried learning the art from Grimloch but could advance no further, rzhin said.
Well. That's alright, there's lots of different paths to power, Alex said.
But what stops one from being able to practise it, even after your process has transford them? rzhin asked. What specifically? What makes one incompatible?
Alex shrugged. I don't know.
Precisely. We also do not know why so mbers of a faith can beco a priest who wields miracles, yet so are never able to do so. rzhin said somberly. There are so within the clergy who study for decades, and never manage to channel a single ounce of divinity through their soul. Their faith is no shallower and their dedication no weaker than those around them who can call upon miracles. And we still have no idea why that is.
We will one day, Alex insisted.
But when will that day be? rzhin asked. Divinity is a force that actively avoids understanding. Faith is power, and faith exists completely independently from knowledge. Sotis, knowledge is the enemy of faith: after all, the faith of a child is often purest of all.
Knowledge didn't weaken you, rzhin, the General said to him. You learned all about Uldars revolting deeds, yet you can still work miracles. Tobias Jay stopped being a follower of Uldar, even in private from what I understand, and has lost none of his powers.
rzhins eyes turned sombre through his mask. Another mystery. Are you aware of the tale of Forr Father Gerard?
No, Alex admitted.
The Saint took a deep breath, like a preacher standing before his flock. It is a tale not usually told to those outsidetheclergy, so it is not well known. It is said that Gerard wasonce a dedicated priest to Uldar, praying incessantly, preaching of his deeds and doing his works. He conducted himself with utter dedication. His faith was insurmountableuntil one dayafter a great tragedyhis faith was shattered. And yet he still continued to be able to work miracles. He cursed Uldars na with every breath that he took, and scread at how he had beenforsakenbut yet his power did not diminish at all. Counter this with the story of Simon of Sin. Simon was a priest as well, one who lived much later than Gerard. He grew weary of the burdens of priesthood, and began performing his duties out of obligation, not any true dedication to Uldar. Over ti, his ability to work miracles faded and he left the clergy behind. There have been many philosophers within the church who have suggested theories as to why one kept their power, yet the other didnt. But the point is, it is still a mystery.
Right Alex mused. So you're saying that divinity and faith aren't tangible enough to be easily channelled through a machine. I dont buy that; I think one day we'll understand it.
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As I said, it defies understanding, rzhin said softly, his voice a mix of reverence andsothing else. Disdain, perhaps? To understand it, how long will that take? Would we be able to understand how to channel faith so we can finish the Ravener when the ti cos?
Alex paused.
He thought about that for a ti. In a way, rzhin had a point: a lot of the books on divinity that hed read to translate Uldars notes werefor lack of a better wordhazy. There were lots of theories, but few solid facts about how divinity worked. Even Keldas notes were vague and sowhat mysterious: there were a massive amount of notes on how divinity interacted with the soul, but only theories on how divinity itself could be channelled.
Let's say you're right Alex said. What would you suggest instead?
Faith should be t by faith, rzhin said. Uldar laid down purpose and order for the Ravener. That must be countered by similar purpose and order. An interdiction would suffice.
An interdiction Alex thought about the First Apostles power. Gabrian had used interdictions to stop mana from being channelled at Uldars Rise. The Third Apostle had also used an interdiction to stop him from channelling his power, which the young archwizard had eventually overco. So, could an interdiction be used to stop the Ravener from thriving on fear? Sothing like The Ravener shall no longer be able to channel the power of fear?
Probably not. I dont think that would work, rzhin said. Uldar crafted the Ravener himselfthe Ravener is one of his mightiest servantsI dont think I or anyone else could order it not to take in fear. I think the command must co from the opposite direction. Sothing like Thalands fear shall no longer touch the Ravener. or Thaland shall forevermore sever its connection with the Ravener. Thaland is Uldars divine realm in the material world; an interdiction could cause it to cut all connection with the Ravener and stop fear from being channelled into it.
Right Alex considered what the Saint had said, growing excited. Thatsjeez, I feel kind of stupid for not thinking of that. Weve been so busy trying to solve problems by using the thods we know best, that it never occurred to anyone to try the simplest solution. An interdiction.
I am glad you see it now, rzhin said, with relief in his voice.
Alex thought about the Saints words. He shook his head. The young wizard had been thinking too much like a modern mage. Like an alchemist.
In part, the Ravener was crafted with magic that predated most modern theories of wizardry, along with divinity. It made sense that the solution was more arcane, and not as easy as simply being able to alchemy the problem away.
Keldas machine for removing the Mark had so esoteric components to its power as well.
Honestly, I'm a little disappointed that I didn't see it earlier, Alex said. I'm supposed to be the guy who pulls together different disciplines in order to solve problems. Instead, we kept trying to use one discipline to solve a problem it wasnt suited for. This is great!
rzhin looked at him with sad eyes. I'm glad you think so. But I would like you to keep this between u
As he spoke, the door opened.
Ah, early as always, Baelin said, leading Professor Jules and Isolde into the room.
Good morning, Mr. Roth, Professor Jules said. She looked at the Saint of UldarAlex noticed a hint of hostility in her eyes. We et again, St. rzhin.
Oh, er, a pleasure to et you again as well, rzhin said, shaking her hand.
rzhin, nice to see you again, Isolde called, already crossing the room to set up her station.
Yes, the Saint said flatly.
Then he turned to Baelin, craning his neck to look up at the goatman wizard.
The chancellor was staring down at him, his expression completely unreadable, even to Alex as his eyes bore into the Saint.
He suddenly grinned, extending his hand to rzhin. So you are the famous Saint of Thaland? It is good to finally et you.
Er, um, yes. rzhins gloved hand shook Baelins. Er, good to et you as well...sir. Alex was just filling in on your work, and I'll be glad to help today however I can.
Indeed, Baelin looked at him thoughtfully.
Everyone! Alex called, once the introductions were made. I've got news! rzhin here is absolutely brilliant!
Erm, Alex. The Saint held up a hand. Perhaps we
But the General of Thaland was much too excited about the Saints solutionand more than a little ashad that he hadnt thought of it himselfto hold back.
We mightve been going about trying to counter the Raveners power over fear and its connection to Thaland all wrong. The young archwizard continued. Let tell you what rzhin said.
And so Alex did just that.
He spoke of rzhins ideas on their plan to counter the Raveners fear, as well as the Saints idea about using an interdiction.
Right, right, Alex caught himself when hed finished explaining. I'm probably stealing a bit of rzhins thunder here, so maybe he should tell you more about his idea. I an, even if our original plan could work, it's not the most simple solution. rzhins is sort of brilliant
He paused.
The Saint was looking away from the others, one hand clasped over his other wrist and his feet pointing toward each other. His shoulders had slumped and his eyes were squinting, as though he was either in great painor anticipating so.
What's wrong? Alex asked.
Nothing, rzhin said. You're right, though, I should explain myself.
Of course, go ahead, rzhin, Isolde said.
This is a fascinating idea, Professor Jules encouraged him to keep going.
rzhin went on to explain so of what he knew of divinity and why their solution might not be as efficient, or as simple as his.
Isolde and Professor Jules nodded along, just as Alex hadbut the young archwizard had begun to feel uneasy. Sothing felt off. He couldnt quite put his finger on it, but there was sothing too easy about what rzhin was saying.
Sothing thatcombined with the Saints obvious discomfortthe small Hero might have been purposefully omitting.
It was obvious that he wasnt the only one feeling uneasy.
While Isolde and Professor Jules nodded along with rzhins explanation, Baelin watched him with the stillness of a statue. He hardly moved. He hardly breathed. His eyes never left rzhins masked face.
When the Saint finished, the ancient wizard was the first to speak.
Young man, it would seem that your plan is well thought out. Very well thought out, Baelin said. As though you have been considering this option for a while: an interdiction, you say?
Well, I have been giving it so thought rzhin began.
And you have not shared all of those thoughts with us, have you? Baelin asked.
I-I have, rzhin stuttered. His body language scread; lie.
Really? Then tell this. Baelin clasped his hands behind his back and leaned forward. How do you plan to power such an interdiction? One strong enough to cover the entire kingdom?
Alex froze.
Thats what had been bothering him!
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