I am increasingly irritated at my illustrious predecessors for handing the problem of Ghar. The worst of the bla must fall on the Tenth Star, of course, for precipitating the entire ss with his indulgence of spite and petty grievance. I shall allow so sympathy for the pressures of the ti; its not as though Ive had to contend with Gharic aggression personally. Nevertheless, I should like to think that if Saleh Taskin were to present himself asking for aid, Id have the good sense to offer a simple denial.
But that is not what happened, centuries ago. ndian swore its damnable oath, and now we must grin and pretend that we will really spill the blood of our sons if so Safid idiot decides to test us on that particular matter. In truth, I doubt that we could make good on that threat. Certainly, I could wander around the peninsula casting death about , and our n would give a good accounting of themselves.
The difficulty is that there is no secret in our motivations. Everyone knows it was spite that drove us to that end, and none of us now feel such a spite. We have only managed to pass it off to the sad remnants of that once-great empire, and I cannot bear the thought of asking soone to go die for a people who will spit on his corpse.
- Leire Gabarain, Annals of the Sixteenth Star, 689.
The walk turned out to be a halting, circuitous exercise. The streets of Ghar were narrow, and narrowed further where debris had blocked the path. This would ordinarily not be a problem, save that those streets were now choked with revelers. Borrowing strength from Zabala wasnt enough to let the n jump clear over the crowds, as Michael would have, and the crowd was too tightly-packed to slip through without revealing themselves.
Tempting to just go unveiled, Michael muttered.
Sobriquet gave him a flat look. Im sure that wouldnt be an unmitigated disaster, she said. Sibyl would task n to our position - or artillery. At the very least, the elent of surprise would have fled.
She has to know were here already. Simple inference would tell her that, to say nothing of the blind spot your veil causes - at this range, shell be able to detect it even if she cant tell precisely where we are. Michael shook his head. Even so, we may still manage to surprise Luc. Whatever Sibyl may think of , I dont think its a given that shed warn Luc. She may even hope that we et, since its probably her best chance of seeing killed.
Thats a lot of presumption on your part, she sniffed. She could warn Luc and Friedrich both, for all you know. How would you fare against both of them in concert?
Michael paused, then shook his head. Probably not well, he conceded. Although I cant see the two of them working in concert. Friedrich holds Luc in contempt, and Luc hates Friedrich. He grimaced. More likely Luc would sit back and watch, then strike at the victor while they were weak.
That does sound like him, Sobriquet agreed. I dont think we should risk it. We - damn. She drew up short, nodding at another festive crowd blocking the way ahead. Maybe today isnt our day.
Its not like we have anything else to do while the Ardans are encamped here, Michael sighed, turning down a side street. They made their way closer still, circling back twice until they reached the periter of the Ardan forces, ringed by dull-eyed sentries - and a thick crowd of cheering Gharics who had chosen to welco them to the city. They pressed close to the obruor-touched soldiers; one man wobbled under the attentions of an inebriated woman who clung to his shoulder and waved a skin of wine under his nose.
None of the soldiers reacted. The locals seed to take it as a ga rather than the troubleso sign that it was, offering drinks, jokes and bared skin to try and crack the stony facade. The sight would have been comical in other circumstances. As it was, Michaels stomach twisted to see it.
Youre right, he murmured. Todays not our day; theyll be like this all around the periter. We should head back and wait for things to calm down.
Lars cleared his throat. Slight problem, he rasped.
Michael turned to follow the Ardan captains gaze and saw that another crowd was streaming onto the street behind them, intent on joining the party. The way back out was blocked, and growing more so with every passing mont. Damn, he spat, surveying the street around them. There were no doors to duck into; the structures in this part of town were largely collapsed, impassable rubble.
He let his breath out and shook his head. Just unveil us, he said. Sibyl will see what she sees, but well be gone before she can do anything of note. Well make our way through the crowd, slip back into the city, and try again another day.
Sobriquet nodded; their party stepped to the side of the road and she released her veil before the oncoming press forced the issue. A few in the crowd blinked and rubbed their eyes when they noticed a group of strangers where there had been none before, but by and large the cheering masses stread past in oblivious joy. Sweaty, rank bodies knocked into them. Michael served as a sort of breakwater, since the crowd couldnt move him; there were a few piquant Gharic curses flung his way as n bounced off his unyielding stance. One man swung a drunken punch at him and reeled away clutching his hand.
Another reached past him to seize Sobriquets shoulder, bleary eyes widening. I know you, he slurred, squinting. Know your face.
She jerked out of his reach, scowling; Michael shifted to interpose himself between the two. Shes just got one of those faces, he said.
Seen you on a poster, the drunkard said, frowning. Michael felt dull heat begin to pulse from the man, the stirrings of nascent anger. Sobriquet. He leaned to the side, his eyes fixed on her. Its Sobriquet!
Michael watched with a sinking feeling as a few more faces turned to look at them, their expressions shifting from joy to confusion, then to anger.
Sobriquet? soone shouted. Where?
A young man stepped forward with squared shoulders, staring daggers. ndiko whore, he spat. We wont go back-
Sobriquet lifted her chin. The man t her defiant glare and cocked a fist; before he could swing the air rippled next to him. His eyes rolled up in his head, and he dropped to the ground twitching. Outrage spiked from the crowd around them. Michael swiveled his head in alarm as more eyes turned to focus on them, anger building upon itself-
The air rippled again. Sobriquet raised her arm and slashed it viciously sideways; every local within ten paces of them dropped to the ground save for two n and a woman who stayed groggily upright.
Potentes! Lars warned. He raised his hand. Michael felt the crescendo of violence building, ready to crash down on them-
Peace, he whispered, closing his eyes and seizing the flood of anger with Spark. He tore it away, hid it, buried it. The crowd stumbled to a stop. The vacuum held for a bare mont before uncertainty and fear flooded into the gap; Michael let that build unchecked. Grim-faced, he led the group quickly away down the street, roughly shoving a few confused, tottering people from their path. Others scrambled hastily away.
Before long they were in the clear again. Michael felt Sobriquets veil settle on them; he released his grip on the crowd in turn. Screams echoed through the maze of streets, shrill and panicked. They ran without speaking, weaving their way clear of the busiest areas - nor were they the only ones moving at speed. More than once they saw Gharic potentes or durentes running with bloody-minded focus.
We need to get out of the city! Zabala shouted. Get clear of the mob. Its not safe here.
You think? Sobriquet retorted. Her voice was tight, her face pale; Michael could feel more than re anger from her. Soone seems to have told them all what I look like; even those farrs down south recognized .
Michael pressed his lips together. We can stay veiled, he said. Make our way as far from the crowds as we can, then lay low until they disperse - at night, perhaps.
Youre presuming that they wont search for us, Zabala grunted. Those runners we saw werent out for their health; theyre calling people to this district. We can pick a place and hide, but if enough co, or if they enlist the aid of the Ardans
Then well deal with it, Michael said grimly. With so ti to discuss strategy we can settle on a subtle use of our souls - sothing like what I did in Rouns, perhaps. That should be less likely to draw them down on us.
Casting about with his sight, Michael found a building with a partially-obstructed doorway; they squeezed inside and arranged for it to be fully-obstructed, laying chunks of debris so that it matched the countless other impassable entrances around them.
There, huddled out of sight, they waited for dark.
The sounds of roving crowds filtered through gaps in the stonework; they sounded less rry than before. There was no cheering. Rapid, purposeful footsteps swelled, sotis pausing for long and tense monts before continuing on their way.
Mostly, though, the afternoon passed in quiet boredom. As the sunlight turned golden, Michael leaned his head back against the wall and turned to Sobriquet. She had been uncharacteristically quiet since they went to ground. Granted, they were supposed to be keeping stealth - but that had never stopped her from comnting before. Her face was blank, staring into a dusty corner of the room.
How are you holding up? Michael asked.
She snorted quietly. Bored, she replied. Irritated.
Nothing out of the ordinary, then, Michael said. He offered a slight smile with the comnt; she didnt react. His smile fell slowly away. Its more than that, though.
She gave him a withering look, but it lacked in commitnt. After a mont she shook her head and let it thunk back gently against the crumbling brick. I have sympathy for you, she said. Its extrely annoying when soone can tell youve left more unsaid. I must have been a right horror to talk to back when we were first getting to know each other.
Your words, not mine. Michael edged closer to her. So are you going to tell , or are you going to hold the secret in reserve to secure my good behavior? Turnabout would be fair play.
As funny as that would be- She shook her head wearily. Im too tired for that. I miss the old days. We knew where we stood then - with respect to the people, and to our oppressors. It was simple, or simple enough. She closed her eyes. I miss Charles, and Clair. Gerard. Others you didnt get a chance to et. We should have all made it through, and stayed to enjoy what we built. Instead were - here.
We did build it, though, he said. Daressa is still free, and thriving under Emils guidance.
And so our job is done, she muttered. You know, back in the resistance we used to despise people who couldnt think outside the confines of their little village. The Ardans are treating us well, so why should we get involved? Selfish and cowardly - but look at us. Throwing our lot in with the ndiko, blind to all of this.
This is hardly the sa as the occupation in Daressa, Michael protested.
Sobriquet shook her head. Its the sa in the ways that matter. They certainly thought it was the sa. They looked at us and saw kindred - looked at and saw hope. Then we turned around and threw our lot in with the ndiko. She looked up at Michael. I understand why they hate . Id hate , for that.
Michael nodded slowly. You know, he said, Ive had cause to think about my impact on others, lately. About the Michael that they see, which is their truth. Its a version of , but not one that I have any control over. I expect there are plenty of people that hate their Michael. Theyre all justified; he's horrible.
She mustered a small smile. So its not that Im horrible, rely that Ive behaved in a way that causes an entire city to see as such. As reassurances go-
You never made any promises to them, Michael insisted. You never asked for their hope. They imagined you saving them, and never thought once about the ans by which you would do it. Now your true self is in conflict with the Sobriquet theyve built, and they hate you - not for harming them, but for destroying their pleasant fiction of you.
My true self is so disappointing that it drives n to violence, she said, deadpan. I feel so much better.
He grimaced. That wasnt what I ant. Theres always so friction. Always so points where what they see doesnt match up with your truth. And where there is difference, one of the two must yield. Youre under no obligation to change the truth of yourself for n youve never t.
And yet when we do et, they tend to insist, she sighed.
We all shape ourselves around the world as we see it, Michael said. So of them clung to a version of you, crafting a space in their lives for a person theyve never t. It doesnt matter what the truth of you is, or if you ever et - they still shape themselves to- He broke off, sitting upright with wide eyes. Oh.
Sobriquets eyes narrowed, her head coming up. What is it? she asked. Trouble? She frowned. I dont see anyone nearby.
No, I- Michael laughed, running his fingers through his hair. Sorry. I just realized how affinity works. Or - why it works, I suppose.
She blinked. Does understanding it give you so modicum of control? she asked.
I dont think so? Michael made a face. Probably not. But its sothing thats weighed on for a while. Even if I cant control it, understanding - helps.
Sobriquet gave him a long, considering look. Eventually, she let her head rest against the wall once more. Im happy that it works like that for you, she sighed. I-
She stopped, her eyes opening once more. There is soone coming, she said. Three n. Theyre heading straight for this doorway.
Only three? Michael asked, rising to his feet; he sent his sight outside and quickly found the trio. If theyre intent on searching here we should be able to - ah. He frowned. Its Marcus.
From the rally? she asked. Why is he out here?
To speak with us, Michael shrugged. Apparently. He walked to the door and began to shift a few pieces of rubble, enough to make a gap for passage. He stepped back from the opening he had made; Marcus ducked inside shortly thereafter, followed by his two companions.
Hello, friends, he said brightly, casting a smile around the ruined interior. An eventful day in Gharon, Id say.
The n looked at him warily, Zabala with undisguised suspicion; Michael smiled and offered his hand. Its been interesting, he said, as Marcus shook it. I hope youre not here to make it more so.
Marcus laughed. Depends on definitions, Id say. The people are in sothing of a frenzy over the news that not all of the ndiko forces have left the city. He held up a hand before anyone could speak. Not strictly true, Im aware. Youre welco to have a debate on semantics with the next mob you run across.
Zabala made a derisive noise. Why dont you tell them, then? he asked. Its not like they have anything further to fear from the ndiko.
That may be true, Marcus agreed. But thats not what the Ardans are saying. Theyre taking quite an interest in fanning those flas. Its making my position sowhat tenuous. To contradict them now would force a conflict, and that would be - poor timing. He waggled his hand. Politics. So Id rather obviate the need for that conflict, and get you out of the city. It will deprive the Ardans of their goad and make my life much easier.
You know a way clear? Michael asked.
Marcus gave him another sunny smile. Gharon is my city, he said. Despite his disposition, the words had a granite solidity to them; they hung in the air for a mont before he continued. I see everything that happens in it, and know all of its secrets. This includes quite a few safe paths outside the city, although if you had hoped to move south Id advise that you reconsider. There are currently several Ardans hanging about the south road.
Wed noticed, Michael chuckled. He looked towards the outside, then back at Marcus. No, we need to go north.
Then north you shall go. Marcus turned to the door. This way, please.
Michael turned montarily to ensure that everyone was up, then followed Marcus out the door. The Gharic leader walked quickly across the street, then down a narrow alley choked with a thick carpet of evergreen ivy across its bottom.
Have the Ardans given you much trouble? Michael asked.
Marcus shook his head. Not as such. Oh, theyre botherso, particularly in how they infla the people with their proclamations, but theyve had a light touch. Theyre not here for us, after all. He turned to give Michael a significant look, then continued on.
Therefore, now is not the ti to make them concerned about . I am happy, grateful, and fully cooperative with their forces. In return, my people are fed and given their liberty. I expect that Ill shortly have the opportunity to make a few trade missions, which will be a nice luxury. Marcus turned a corner, then ducked through a doorway; Michael scrambled to keep up.
By the ti he had made it through the low doorway, Marcus was already contemplating an ancient wooden door. It was rotten and crumbling, and the ivy had grown up to impede its path. He shook his head, then looked back at Michael. I think the last ti I used this path, I was only a boy, he said quietly. The door still swung freely, and the floor was not so overgrown. It didnt occur to that any part of it could change, it had not done so since long before my birth. Yet, here is a change.
He turned back to Michael, his eyes twinkling. The city still has lessons to teach , he said. In this case, about complacency. A tily reminder, dont you think? He grabbed the door and roughly yanked it open, tearing the ivy free from the stone beneath. Cold air blew up from a staircase; Marcus walked into the unlit space without hesitation.
Michael followed him. There were no lights as they picked their way down the stairs, which didnt trouble him; he did hear a few muffled curses from the n as they followed, though. After a steep descent, they arrived in a room with a hole in one wall. Marcus led them through the hole and into a long tunnel that stretched out into the darkness. There was a depression in the center of the tunnel, encrusted with ice atop a slight trickle of running water.
This path is entirely straightforward, Marcus said. By which I an you may proceed straight, forward, and arrive at a cistern which sits just inside the northwest wall. That wall has, alas, largely fallen. You should be able to find a clear path across it and thence to parts north.
I dont suppose you have a suggestion on which parts, Michael said. Wed like to intercept the Ardans as they move towards Saf.
Then go to Saf, Marcus said, very seriously. You will find that Ghar has lost its tolerance for friends of ndian. If you stay within its borders, then you will inevitably co into conflict with my people. Id rather they not die from such an avoidable cause, so - please. Go to Saf.
He paused, and his tone slid back into his usual neutral affability. There was an old road, long ago, that wound its way up the coast to a low pass. Its an easy crossing, and the best way to get into Saf from our lands. I expect that the Safid will have that pass well-guarded, and that the Ardans will nevertheless march right into the teeth of it.
That does sound likely, Michael agreed, extending his hand again. Thank you, Marcus. I know youre not doing it for us, but I appreciate it all the sa.
The other man smiled as he returned the handshake. I dearly hope our best interests continue to coincide this pleasantly, he said. Until next ti.
And then Marcus was gone, along with his two guards. Michael stood in the damp, cold tunnel, listening to the flow of water, then shook his head. All right, he said. Weve been shown the door. Lets go to Saf.
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