And each of them will stand, because they cannot conceive of a life such as mine, a bent and cowering life. They will stand and soak the world in their blood. And then they will die, Michael, because they oppose you.
I know you dont have the heart of a monster. You are not the doctor, as much as I feared that end. I know that you would not use your soul as he did, and that you strive to remain above its temptations.
Yet I do not think you are perfect. It will be easier for you if the path is clear. I write this now on the deck of a ship, bearing down on Ardalts coast. When I land there I plan to make my power known, and find the n who swarm to it like maggots on at.
I dont imagine Ill have a hard ti finding them, not in Ardalt. I know the n who worked with the doctor, and with Claude; and Ive heard enough about the Assembly to know that theyre not far different. They will march to the drumbeat of their greed and ambition, and I will face them with like evil until none of them can pretend to be anything but what they are.
It is not what you wanted, I know. You would see the good in evil n, and bear a scar on your heart for each of them you killed in necessity. Those scars would twist you, and if you should collapse under their weight I fear that the world could do nothing but burn.
- Annals of the Seventeenth Star, 693.
They kept on to the south, sticking to major roads. Absent any concrete guidance on the beachhead, Sobriquet led their march towards those directions that felt most chaotic, most unsettled - most like Luc, and the nebulous unrest he brought to the world. It was not a precise direction, but it was a direction.
That did little to salve Sobriquets mood, however. She remained quiet and taciturn as they walked. Michael dropped back to walk a few paces behind, leaving her undisturbed.
Eventually, though, she paused with a foul look on her face. Its not just Luc, she muttered. They have Fades up, or Id have a clearer picture of where theyre at.
Michael nodded. It makes sense; they wouldnt want to have the ndiko stumbling on them before theyre ready. He looked up, squinting into the evening sun. Not particularly convenient for us though. Do you think when he said two days, he was including today? Thats not so continental thing, is it?
You can go back and ask if you like, Sobriquet snorted. Its not like it makes much difference. We either find them in ti, or we dont.
He nodded grimly, turning to survey the landscape; they moved on, and did not stop until the last traces of orange were gone from the sunset, and the first stars hung against a bruised sky. Michael found himself in the numbing tedium of camp work; tasks presented themselves until all that remained was to eat the steaming plate of whatever Richter had managed to cook.
Michael took his and moved to sit beside Sobriquet, who was already half-through her portion. He ate in silence. It was only when he was mopping up the remainder of the al (a version of rabbit stew, it erged) with one of their last hard crusts of bread that Sobriquet raised her head.
Theres going to be space for that sa conversation, she said, once we co up against the Ardans in force. She set her dish aside and turned to face him, her eyes glittering in the firelight. I dont think I need to emphasize how crucial it is that we not have it. Not there.
Dont worry, Michael said, leaning back. I know what we have to do. Its not going to be Gharic farrs swept up in it this ti. Most of the n in the Ardan ranks are already as good as dead, or were complicit enough in that cri that I dont mind helping them along.
She raised an eyebrow. What if one of them has a sad look on their face? she asked. Perhaps theyre carrying a kitten, or a letter from their mother-
Stop it, Michael laughed, shoving her gently; he was much-improved at making such gestures actually gentle, these past weeks. She stuck her tongue out, and for a mont the two smiled at each other, and saw nothing else.
Michaels smile faded first, and he looked up at the stars. Ive made my peace with death, he murmured. More than once. I wont shy away from it, because it will co no matter what I do. Ill even use Spark to that end, if I must. But Im not going to- He made a frustrated gesture. To erase people. To remake them as I see fit. Its not even that Id have to destroy Clair, although that alone is enough to stop . Its hard to explain unless youve felt it. Unless youve realized you werent you, and had no mory of what you were supposed to be.
I may understand better than you think, Sobriquet said. She leaned to the side, resting her head on his shoulder. I wont press you on it. Youre not wrong. Its frustrating to have sothing within your grasp and stop short. To gamble, when we could be certain.
It would be easier, Michael agreed. But every day the world looks a little different from how I think it should be. Its important to keep so things steady. Stable. To let people remind you if you stray far. He turned his head, kissing Sobriquets brow. And to give you a reason to stay close.
Sap. She snuggled closer to him. Thank you for taking care of my sister.
Michael smiled. I think youve got it backwards, he said. But - always.
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