The raven derided the mockingbird daily for lacking its vision. How could it feed its children, limited as it was? The sun rises and falls. Still the raven boasts over its growing children. The sun rises and falls. It tells the mockingbird that it pities the family who must rely on such a parent. The sun rises and falls. The raven feeds its children with pride. The sun rises and falls. His children lose their down and grow in mockingbird feathers.
- Pre-Gharic Ardan manuscript, vellum, c. 500 PE
A branch jabbing into his side woke him; he rolled to the side and fell unceremoniously from his platform into the dirt. Michael looked up to see Sobriquet holding a long piece of deadwood, standing well-distant of him.
Her cautious stance raised an unexpected sting of betrayal in Michaels chest. I thought you werent worried? he said.
Prudence costs nothing, she said airily. Even the best of us have our ill monts when roused from sleep. I should rather your wrath be visited on the stick than my favorite hand, as I am rather low on spares.
Michael grunted and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, standing to look around. It was well into the morning, and sunlight slanted painfully bright through the canopy overhead. I suppose that will have to be enough sleep, he said. You said a quarter-day of travel?
A bit less, in truth, she confird. If youre feeling up to the task?
He nodded and pushed his soul outward, reacquainting himself with the forest. Which way? he asked.
Sobriquet pointed; Michael turned. He fixed the idea of a path through the woods in his mind, smiling as mories of his hunting trip with Jeorg mixed their way in. Its not quite the sa, he murmured, but - Ill set a course to steer us forth.
The words settled easily on top of the mory, the woods shifting aside to define a trail that stretched off farther than he could see into the undergrowth. Sobriquet lifted an eyebrow and peered down the path, then turned to Michael. Youre getting better at this, she noted. That wasnt even a proper rhy.
Its not- Michael bit his tongue, realizing that he was being baited. I can always undo it, if youre dissatisfied.
She laughed and did not reply, walking ahead onto the trail. Michael followed. Their walk was a pleasant one but for the dissatisfied hunger gnawing in his belly; he had not eaten in most of a day, and his augnted endurance had been sorely taxing him.
The sun slowly ground its way across the sky, and still they walked. Michael only had to extend their cleared path once more, finding that using his mory of Jeorg as the seed of his effort greatly lessened his own burdens. Was it that he had seen it done with an experts hand, or that he still assigned that part of his soul to Jeorg? Either way, Michael was not feeling nearly as strained when they exited the woods just past noon.
They erged into a broad, fallow field with a decrepit fence, across which lay a road. Sobriquet took to it happily. Not far now, she said. Honestly - if all you could do was lay trails through impassable terrain, I would still count you as one of the most useful souls among the partisans.
Michael stared back absently, and Sobriquet frowned; her words had provoked so disquiet in him. You still dont consider yourself as one of us, do you? she said.
Am I? he asked. Im not Daressan. And - as much as I believe your cause is just, Im not doing any of this for Daressa. Im doing what I have to do, because of what my father and my countryn have done.
Sobriquet laughed. I dont have the luxury of accepting only the pure patriots, she said. Charles would be the first to go in that case, he just pairs a hatred of Ardans with a love of violence. Your aim and mine might diverge in the future, but while they are aligned Im glad to have you by our side. She paused. Although, after yesterday - I believe youll find it harder than you might like to shed your association with us.
It was an eventful day, wasnt it? Michael grimaced. Ghars bones. Did we really face down two of the Eight and walk away?
Imagine how they must feel, having faced three. Sobriquet tapped a finger to the side of her cheek. Though - how many know you bear Spark as well as Stanza? I can feel it is more than us alone, but you still carry too many secrets for to see any part of it clearly. She shook her head, giving him an exasperated look.
Vera knows, Michael said. And so its likely Sofia does as well. I cant imagine shell keep that to herself for long, not if she wants to enlist help in catching us. Aside from them, I dont believe anyone more than you and Luc have surmised the truth.
Luc, Sobriquet murmured. An odd inclusion. I wonder at his role in all of this.
Innocent bystander, for the most part, Michael shrugged. Sothing I empathize with. His part amounts to not much more than I told you back at Severs camp.
Sobriquet humd. Do you know, I thought you two shared a burden of secrets, she said. And that he would be my fallback option were you to run or be killed. But now I know more of what you had kept hidden from , yet his truth remains obscured.
Glad to know Im not so easily discarded, Michael said, frowning. He could know more about Spark and Claude than he has shared, I suppose, or things he learned while on the island. He did not strike as soone in their confidence, though. He didnt even seem to know the full purpose of the island he lived on.
One doesnt necessarily need to know the importance of sothing for the secret to be important, she said. But whatever it is, hes made no ntion of it to Emil or the others. I believe we will have a conversation about it before we allow him to accompany us north to Esrou.
Michaels response was cut short as they rounded a bend in the road to reveal a small, squat building with a stable to one side. The pang of hunger in his stomach intensified suddenly as he saw the smoke rising lazily from its chimney, and he fancied that he could sll cooking food even at this distance.
They both sped their pace in silent agreent, reaching the door scant minutes later. Michael walked inside and was hit with the welco sll of baking bread. He tried not to let his hunger show too plainly on his face as he looked around; the interior was clean and well-kept, with a few patrons taking their midday al.
Every pair of eyes was on him, including those of the woman behind the bar. Her expression was unfriendly, though Michael smiled at her. Hello, he said, feeling distinctly out of place. We were hoping for so food
The womans stony expression didnt change. Im afraid we dont have food fit for Ardan tastes here, she said. You might have better luck at another inn.
Michael blinked, then turned his sight around the taverns main room. There was definite hostility from the other patrons, and he - ah. He was still dressed in the shirt and trousers he had stolen to masquerade as an Ardan infantryman. Michael grimaced and looked down at Sobriquet, who seed to be enjoying the spectacle.
You said you knew the owners, Michael muttered. Say sothing, or theyre going to stab before we can eat.
Only because Im hungry, she replied, stepping forward. She smiled prettily and leaned on the bar. Dont judge him by his dress, hes an adventurous sort. My fourth cousin, in fact.
The woman behind the bar looked at Sobriquet with mild surprise. Your fourth cousin? Hes, ah - the one that ca up from Is last winter?
Precisely, Sobriquet said. Although the passphrase was ant to be last autumn, Annette.
The woman, presumably Annette, frowned. Do I know you, girlie? she asked. Because I dont rember you.
Sobriquet sighed. I looked a bit different the last ti we t, she said, waving her hand impatiently. A dizzying twist of light cut into the air, forming into her familiar avatar. Better?
Annettes mouth dropped open, and Sobriquet dismissed the apparition. So youre - oh, Ghars dusty grave, Im so sorry. I didnt realize-
Its fine, really, Sobriquet said, holding up her hand to forestall further rambling. Were just passing through. If you have any food, though-
Yes, milady! Annette said, perking up. We have stew, bread, a bit of cheese- She disappeared into the back, still talking, and Michael walked up to join Sobriquet at the bar.
You seem popular, he murmured. Milady.
She turned to glare at him. Dont start, she said. Im no sneering aristocrat.
Thats hurtful, Ive never sneered at anyone. Michael coughed. In my fathers case you may have an argunt. Its sothing of a permanent - oh, heres the food. He leaned back to appreciate the view as Annette unloaded a loaf of bread, two bowls of stew, a tray heaped with sausages and a rather obscene amount of cheese onto the bar top in front of them. The bounty was joined monts later by two mugs of ale, although neither one of them had waited for their beverage to arrive before attacking the feast.
Annette seed pleased at their enthusiasm, at least. Michael forced himself to chew deliberately. The hunger spurred by his durens soul had an edge to it that he had seldom felt prior, urging him to wolf down everything he could reach. His first bowl of stew turned into a second, and midway through that he heard the creak of the taverns door behind him.
Sobriquet was already up from her chair, having seen Clair and the others coming; Michael turned just in ti to see the two sisters hug. He stood to greet the others. Vernon ca through the door, followed by Charles, Luc and Emil.
He waved to the auditor and took a step forward, but Clair moved to stand in his path. She stepped forward quickly and hugged him, awkward and crushingly tight. Thank you, she said, stepping back just as fast. For both of us.
Michael felt her sincerity, her jubilation - and that sa note of fear, pulsing along underneath. He smiled, though his heart sank; it was likely that he would have to grow accustod to fear, now that his secret was spreading.
It was nothing, Michael said. Clair inclined her head and pushed past him to talk to Sobriquet once more, leaving him facing the others. He exchanged shorter greetings with the others, wearing the mask of Michael while he felt beneath their expressions.
Vernon was genuinely happy to see him, which brought a warm glow to Michaels chest. He liked the introspective, unassuming auditor. So too was Charles, which was a bit more surprising even if his reaction to Michael felt more adversarial than Vernons; Michael had not thought that Charles enjoyed anyones company.
Emil was predictably indifferent, shaking Michaels hand out of rote social obligation. Luc, though, was easily the most frightened of the bunch. He did not show it outwardly, but bearing Spark had destroyed Michaels faith in external signs of emotion. The fear was unmistakable, sharp and almost painful to focus on.
Yet Luc shook Michaels hand with a smile, still wrapped to the elbows with his prisoners rags.
Good trip up? Michael asked, feeling thrown off by the other mans intense emotions.
Better than my last, Luc said.
Michael could hear it in Lucs voice, slight enough that he wouldnt have recognized it without Sparks confirmation. He leaned closer. Luc, whats wrong? he asked.
Luc swallowed, looking nervously at the others. Tell the truth, yes? Are we heading to ndian?
Thats the plan as I understand it, Michael said. Why, whats the matter?
Can you make sure they bring ? Luc asked.
Michael frowned. I had assud you wanted to co with us to Esrou, so you could return ho.
To where, the orphanage? Luc laughed, quick and bitter. No, I dont have a ho. They like you, this group youve found. Help persuade them to let co with you, and not keep here in Daressa.
Luc, youre not making any sense, Michael said. Why would they keep you here?
Luc held up his hands, and a fresh surge of fear spiked through him. Because I have Claudes soul, he said. His eyes flicked to Michaels dumbfounded face, then to the ground. I suppose there was so truth amidst his lies. I thought I could hide it but Charles and Emil suspect. They think its odd that I never take off my wraps. I dont want to hurt anyone.
You - why didnt you say sothing? Michael hissed. Youre an anatons?
Hsst! Luc whispered, motioning for Michael to be quieter. Im not properly trained, and I - its Claudes soul. He looked up at Michael. His fear was nearly incandescent, but still little of it showed on his face. He did things to , at the end. Things with his soul that hurt more than anything Id ever- He paused, the words catching in this throat.
I cant use this soul, Luc whispered. Its monstrous, its tainted. Evil. But if they know I am an anatons they will insist, and be angry when I refuse. Angry that I did not tell them sooner. Help talk to them, please.
Michael looked at him, feeling unsteady. Sobriquet had said Luc bore his own secrets, different from Michaels - but not so different after all. In the pained admission had been the echoes of his own struggle with Spark. Bereft of opposing souls to restrain it and the calming presence of an old ntor, could he have borne up?
Evil. He shook his head. I dont need to help you talk to them, he sighed. Both Sobriquet and Vernon heard everything you just said.
Luc froze. After a mont, he slumped forward. I really miss my life from before I knew you, he muttered, turning to face Sobriquet.
She smiled at him.
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