n are largely insignificant. This is not to say they are unimportant, but rather that the impact that any one man may have on events is minimal. This is because it takes only one man working in opposition to his efforts in order to thwart him, and the observant will have noticed that there are more than a few contrarian n in the world.
There are, however, so few n who may not be quieted so easily. It may take two, or three n to push back against him, or an army led by similarly-remarkable n. Such scenarios quickly escalate to beco a contest of armies, whether the field is one of politics, society or literal war.
In a contest of armies, focus lies chiefly upon the generals. They are the ones who provide direction and purpose to the rest, so they are naturally held to be more significant than the rest; in so respects they are. Leaders of n are remarkable, almost by definition. Yet their power derives largely from those who have chosen to follow them, who have let that remarkable will suborn their own.
May we still call them insignificant n? Logically, practically, they are. They are grains of sand against the weight of a mountain - but only a fool thinks dunes are any easier to summit.
- Saleh Taskin, On Reclamation, 687
There was not much to plan, as it happened, but considering the importance of the mission they nevertheless ran through a variety of scenarios and hypotheticals to ensure that everyone knew their roles. The ndiko contingent would operate the airship, leaning heavily on Amira to ensure that the craft was able to withstand the force of the storm. Sobriquet was tasked with helping them approach without drawing ire from whatever remained of Luc.
But at every stage of the conversation, at each step, eyes turned to Michael. Nothing was asked of him in particular, and no ntion was made of his souls, but certain segnts of the plan were left open, vague, with a significant look from Lekubarri to Michael.
Michael left the briefing with a leaden weight in his stomach; his anxiety did not abate as they waited for the all-clear to take off. His focus consud him, made him strain against the tantalizing pull of future paths that waited just out of sight. He resisted letting his mind drift along them, because he knew there was nothing to see. The airship ca to the storm by various routes, approached the roiling clouds - then his sight dissolved into fragntary impressions. Sotis it was Michael that broke the flow, other tis the churning storm, but no path survived the transition inwards.
His concentration wavered as he dwelled on it; he saw blood dripping down Zabalas face, tracing by his fierce smile. The airship shook around them. Lekubarri was behind him, laughing-
Milord, there you are! Ricard said, shuffling over as fast as his old legs would carry him. Helene was in his wake, beaming as she carried a giant basket stuffed to the brim with neatly-wrapped parcels. Richter and Zabala looked up from their conversation in the corner as she passed, both transparently wrestling with the impulse to help the tiny, rotund woman carry the basket; Zabala sighed and sent his soul quietly outward to bolster her.
Michael managed a weary smile and got up to embrace both of his forr servants, the contact doing much to shake off the disquiet that ca with dipping his toe into the endlessly fracturing future. For a short while the three of them sat and talked of inconsequential things, though Helene was frequently distracted by Michaels injuries. More than once Michael caught her staring, felt the mix of horror and sha as she failed to tear her eyes away from his scarred flesh.
After the third ti, Michael reached out and took her hand in his, smiling softly. Its okay, he said. Im fine.
She shook her head, flushing and turning away. I only - Im sorry, milord.
Dont be sorry, I know I look frightful, Michael chuckled. Listen - I have a favor to ask you. He straightened up, looking across the room. Richter! A mont?
The Ardan soldier blinked, then nodded to Zabala and walked over. Boss? he asked. Whats up?
You rember Helene, right? Michael asked.
Richter grinned, sketching a half bow in her direction. Of course. Best damn cook I ever ran into - and considering I wake up to my own ugly mug every morning, thats saying quite a lot. A pleasure, maam.
Shes been cooking for the Grand Marshals senior staff, Ricard said, conspiratorially. I half expect to wake up one morning and find that shes been deployed in the field, because I doubt theyre ever going to give her up.
Hes got quite a few officers working for him, Michael said. Thats a lot of work for one woman. Seems like you could use another set of hands. He looked at Richter, then inclined his head towards Helene. How about it? Feel like joining the Grand Marshals staff?
There was a pause. Richter frowned. You dont an after the trip south, he said. You an instead of it.
I asked the lot of you to follow with the promise of an eventual paynt and peaceful retirent in the countryside, Michael sighed. I feel like at least one man in the company should get what I promised. Besides, these two are very dear to . It would set my mind at ease to have soone I trust nearby, soone a little less foreign than the ndiko - for all that they an well.
Richter took a breath, looking off towards the airfield, then let it out with a rueful smile. You dont have to spare my feelings, boss, he said. Ive been feeling awful small compared to the stuff weve been coming up against, lately. Wondering when my ticket would co up. If you want to sit this one out, Ill stay here and man the soup pot.
Thanks, Richter, Michael said, extending his hand; the other man shook it. Im sure Antolin will be throwing the party when we return, so dont think this is a chance to slack off.
Wouldnt dream of it. Richter chuckled - then sobered, taking a half step back and giving Michael a formal salute. Michael returned it as best he could, though he felt sowhat silly aping the motion. He felt the resonance from Richter, the sa as he had felt from Ricard earlier; a truth expressed upon the world, shining outward like sunshine through clouds.
The mont passed, and Richters hand ca down. Michael exchanged a few more words with Helene and Ricard before bidding them farewell, and before long he was alone in the foyer with Helenes basket - and Zabala, who walked over to inspect it.
She doesnt do things by half-asures, he murmured, picking up a loaf of bread neatly-wrapped in a kerchief. He replaced it in the basket. You going to ask to stay back too?
Michael looked up, surprised. No, he said. Why would I?
A fortins on the sa ship as Sustain is superfluous, Zabala said. You certainly dont need my soul.
Perhaps not, but I cant imagine doing this without you. Ive seen you there, with us. Michael frowned.
Have you? Zabala asked, smiling faintly. Good. Saves the trouble of telling you Im going anyway. He looked towards the door the others had left by, his smile fading. But it seems wrong to tell a man to sit out, so close to the end.
Michael winced. He had anticipated more resistance from Richter, in truth. I know. He deserves to see this through as much as anyone. I just - I dont know. He slumped against the wall. I just didnt want him to die.
But Im fine to go, Zabala asked, deadpan. Youve made your peace with the possibility of dying.
Michael laughed, despite his mood. Youre a fortins, you ass, he said. You can handle yourself.
Against what well be facing? Zabala asked. Maybe. He looked at Michael, no hint of a smile on his face. Are you going to tell Antolin and Lekubarri they cant go?
I really should, Michael grimaced. But Ive seen them too. With you, actually.
Presumably you could change that if you wanted, or whats the use in having sight to begin with? Zabala muttered, making an exasperated gesture. Isnt the entire point of what were doing that we get to change the path were on? Shove things towards a better future? Dont we all get our chance to push, even just a little?
Michael paused, taken aback. I hadnt thought about it like that.
Zabala gave him a strange look, then sighed and shook his head. Sotis its easy to forget how young you are, he said. Youve got this mass to you, this gravity, but at the center of it all- He paused. Dont let yourself get into the habit of disregarding people, even to help them. A man who hands you his life is giving you everything he has.
There was a pause, where the weight of what Michael had done settled onto him. And I just told Richter I didnt need it. Shit - he cant have gone too far-
Its fine. Zabala shook his head. Hes all right with it; he chose to be all right with it. If I know him at all, hes quietly relieved. It was a good offer made for the wrong reasons.
Shit, Michael said again, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Zabala patted him on the shoulder. My soul to the one, he said, quietly, smiling when Michael looked up in surprise. Youve heard enough people saying it. Theyre not asking to be saved, or protected. Theyre hoping that, if all else fails, they can make a difference. He shrugged, then turned to walk towards the airship. Sothing to think about.
Michael watched him exit the room, quietly - then sat back down, and thought.
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