The white wolf ca upon the black hound. It spoke and boasted that it was mans constant friend, running ahead of him morning until evening every day. The black hound could not hope to compare to the white wolfs natural majesty, its shining coat and eyes of ice.
The black hound replied that this was so. The white wolf asked him - why, then, does man let you sleep by his bedside?
The black hound shook his midnight coat and looked at the white wolf with his eyes of fire. He replied, saying that man preferred a friend who would co when called.
- Pre-Gharic Ardan manuscript, vellum, c. 500 PE
The carriage rattled to a stop before too much ti had passed. Sobriquet made a warning gesture as the veil slipped from around them, and monts later the door opened to reveal a stone-faced soldier who stepped neatly out of their path, holding the door wide. He wore a small cloth veil below the rim of his hat, hiding his eyes from view.
Sobriquet jumped down from the cart, Michael and the others followed wordlessly. They had arrived at a proper military camp, with rows of tents receding interminably into the fog. Like Severs camp, this one was based around a repurposed structure - a humble farmhouse. It had no more than a few rooms topped by a single crooked chimney.
Another pair of soldiers stood veiled and ramrod-straight outside of the door to the farmhouse. Sobriquet walked toward them, not acknowledging when one bent to open the door for her. The door was low; Michael and Charles had to duck their heads to enter. When they were inside, however, the space was warm and cozy, with rushes laid over the floor and a few lanterns arrayed to push the darkness from the corners of the room.
There were three n talking in low tones; two in the garb of Safid officers while the other was bald and wearing a robe of an oddly-stiff white cloth. At their entry the robed man glanced up, then murmured a quick command to the others; they nodded once and moved to exit the room.
The robed man smiled and spread his hands wide; Michael noticed that the skin on his palms was scarred and mottled. Great Seeker, he said, his voice hoarse but deep, each word delivered with firm diction. Im glad to finally et you in person.
Sobriquet inclined her head, just a bit. Great Fla, she said. Thank you humbly for your assistance in evading our shared foe.
He laughed and clapped his hands together once, beaming. Impeccable, he said. But theres no need to stand on ceremony - I read so much about your exploits these days that I feel like were old friends. Please, call Saleh - and I hope that I might call you Serafina?
Sobriquet stiffened, but kept most of the tumult from spreading to her face. Most call Sobriquet, she replied evenly.
Then I shall follow their example, Saleh said. Sobriquet. And then we have - Emil, Charles, Vernon. He pointed to each of the n in turn, his eyes crinkling at the shocked expression on their faces. All old friends of my brothers near Azim Alsu. And two new faces!
He turned to Luc. Im afraid that I dont know your na, young man, he said. May I have it?
Luc looked up, then over at Sobriquet. She nodded. Luc, he said quietly. Luc Flant.
A pleasure, Luc, Saleh said, extending his hand. Luc tugged at the wrappings over his hands in a near panic for a few monts, then shook the proffered hand in a quick, panicked motion.
If Saleh found it strange he made no ntion of it, only turning to look at Michael. And you, he said. You must be Michael Baumgart.
Michael blinked. Standing this close to the man it was hard to get a read on his emotions; his soul hung about him like the folds of his robe, furnace-bright. His focus was intense, joyous, radiant.
I am, Michael said, shaking the offered hand. His skin was smooth, shiny in patches. He seed to have no hair anywhere that Michael could see, not even eyelashes. You seem to be well-inford.
Sobriquet shot him a warning glance, but Salehs eyes twinkled. I try to keep abreast of significant events, he said. And how else to describe your exploits but to call them significant? After Leik, I waited to see what would erge from the trial we had been given. Imagine my surprise when it was you - an Ardan, the son of Karl Baumgart, and the Great Caller besides.
Michael blinked again, unsure of how to respond amid the smothering exuberance rolling from Saleh in waves. Sobriquets burgeoning panic made a poor liferaft to seize amid the storm, but it did help to lend him focus. Um, he said. Great Caller?
Stanza, in the Gharic classification, Saleh replied. Although my sources say that even the Institute isnt quite sure about you. He chuckled and clapped Michael on the shoulder, then turned to smile at Sobriquet. Oh, relax, secret-keeper - I havent told the various Orders about your presence here, and I dont intend to. The respect you pay to our faith does you credit; I dont mistake that for a desire to associate with it.
He turned to walk a bit farther away, settling onto a cushion laid against the wall; he gestured toward other cushions around the periter of the room. Sobriquet walked woodenly toward one and sat. The others followed her example, although Charles seed as if every mont of it pained him.
Saleh peered at them, folding his hands in his lap. I believe that the Seeker acts within you to form the other half of a balance, the world correcting the wrong that was done to us at Leik. I know you have your own reasons for what youre doing, and that we may find ourselves at cross purposes when this is over. He spread his hands. But let us not fight tomorrows quarrel today! You want to deliver the docunts youve stolen to ndian. I would very much like to see this happen as well.
Sobriquet stared at him for a long mont, then exhaled. Good, she said. What are you proposing?
That we help you on your way, Saleh said. Nothing more, nothing less. I would put you on a boat out of Siad and see you in Goitxea before the week is out, but I fear that too much help from Saf will cast suspicion on your motives, at least in ndians eyes. I gather that your original plan was to move through Esrou, and from there to the crossing at the locks?
It was, Sobriquet confird. And we would also prefer to maintain our independence in this matter.
Salehs eyes held a glimr of amusent; he had not missed her choice of words. Splendid, he said. That will be more palatable to the ndiko, certainly. I can arrange passage by rail to the Esroun border, and I believe we have so capability to see you across it. From there, Im sure you can arrange to find your way to the crossing - I assu youve given so thought to the matter of convincing the ndiko to speak to you?
He paused for barely long enough to see Sobriquets nod in response. Perfect, he said. You can always tell when youre in step with the worlds desires. Everything has a way of falling into place. He flashed a smile at them.
It seems to, at that, Sobriquet said.
Saleh laughed. It is a point of philosophical difference that has always left wondering. You Gharics are always so suspicious of good fortune, as if the world will punish you for daring to be happy. I find it is the opposite; that in rare monts of sorrow life bends all the more back towards joy.
How lucky for you that your monts of sorrow have been rare, Charles rasped. Sobriquets eyes sharpened on him, but he said nothing else.
Saleh shrugged, then grimaced as a cough took him. He turned to the side until the coughing fit had passed, holding up a hand in appeasent.
It is true, he wheezed. I apologize. I know very well that the testing can push one past their limits. He looked at Sobriquet; Michaels teeth were on edge from the pain rolling off her. I received the report on your conflict with Sibyl and Sever just a short while before you arrived. Im so sorry. By all accounts your sister was a remarkable woman, and I was very much looking forward-
Sobriquets fist clenched hard enough that her nails drew blood; her pain forced a shudder from Michael, his eyes fluttering closed. Saleh looked between the two of them for a mont, his eyes opaque, then touched his fingers to his lips. Michael felt genuine sympathy from him, but also a asure of sothing else that ca and left before he could properly glimpse it.
Saleh shook his head. Again, I apologize. It is too soon. I will have soone show you to quarters where you can rest while I arrange for transport. Please, rest. You have my word that no harm shall co to you while we walk together.
He made a small gesture; a soldier entered the room and beckoned them onward. They were led out of the farmhouse and into the omnipresent fog, past rows of tents until they arrived at a building of rough wood and salvaged brick, hastily thrown together from what materials were available. It was deceptively sturdy, however, and when they were led inside there was no hint of water or draft to be found.
The soldiers left as quickly as they had arrived, leaving them in a small central dining area ringed by private rooms - an officers quarters, or similar. Luc imdiately retreated to one of the rooms, and Sobriquet turned to stand in front of another. She paused, her hand on the door, and turned to look back at the others.
What I said before still applies, she said. Watch your words. Especially you, Michael. She paused, wavering. If soone cos-
Rest, Michael reassured her. Well wake you.
She nodded, then stepped into the room. The door shut behind her, and almost imdiately Michael felt the dagger of her grief twist in his belly. Charles sat at the low table, and in a mont the rest joined him. They did not speak; after eting with Saleh the rest of the world seed cold and empty by contrast. After a few minutes a woman ca by with a basket of bread and a jug of water, a small black veil laying over her eyes.
She bowed to the four n, placed the food on the table, bowed once more and left.
Charles looked askance at it, then ripped off a chunk and began to eat. I dont think theyd feel the need to poison us, he muttered.
That would be rather roundabout of them, Michael sighed, taking his own chunk and chewing slowly. The four n ate sparingly, wrapping a cloth around the remainder for Luc and Sobriquet before excusing themselves to their own rooms.
Michael sat on the cot and found it unyielding, but clean. He laid back without removing his boots and closed his eyes.
After a while, he opened them again. It was as if he sat inside a large hall, the ceiling tall and broad - and filled with screaming. Sobriquets anguish echoed and built until it filled every recess of his mind. He sighed and swung his feet down to the ground, then walked to knock lightly on Sobriquets door.
The grief stuttered, and a mont later the door swung open.
What? she rasped.
I need to tell you sothing, Michael said. About Clair.
Her eyes narrowed. Michael felt the shiver of her veil settling around them. She stepped back inside the room and sat on the bed, glaring at him. Youre going to tell what you did? she asked.
Michaels thoughts tumbled into a heap. What?
When Clair died, Sobriquet grated, you walked away with a secret. One that makes all the rest look like nothing in comparison.
Oh, Michael said. He was at a montary loss for words, his mind spinning at the implications of her statent. I - yes. When I knew Clair was dying, when I knew I couldnt save her-
He clenched his fist, feeling the panic from those frantic seconds in the cart surging back, choking and tight. When Jeorg died, he said, I asked my soul to save him. It gave his soul instead. I dont think it knew that there was more to him besides the soul.
Michael paused, eting Sobriquets eyes. They were red again, bloodshot and haunted. I asked my soul to save Clair. It - tried. I have sothing of hers, sothing that feels like Clair. Sothing that saved , when I was fighting Sever. Gave the strength to do what I did, bend his blades away and bring the storm down.
Sobriquets eyes hardened. My sister didnt have a soul for you to take, she said. What is it that you did to her?
I - dont know, Michael admitted. I dont know anything. I wanted to heal her, I tried. I just - I turned to the only soul I had left. It gave this. He sat on the bed beside her and held out his hand.
She looked at it for a mont, then took it. Michael guided her hand to rest over the center of his chest, where the fire burned - then stoked it, bent his will to grasping the world around him. Its light burgeoned within him, radiating outward from his core.
Sobriquets face went slack, her eyes widening, brimming with tears. How? she whispered. I can feel her near . Sll her hair. How is this possible?
Michael shook his head. I dont know anything, he said. Im sorry.
The gemstone that had been compressing down smaller and smaller within her sloughed away to sand, fracturing in a storm of grief and pain that would have toppled Michael had he not already been sitting. Sobriquets fingers curled, grabbing his shirt; the grief bent her double until she was sobbing into his chest, pressed against her sisters fla.
Pain hamred at him, almost too much to bear but for Clairs light shining within him. More than strength, more than the leverage to stand against the monstrous scale of the world unflinchingly - it was the knowledge that he did not do so alone. He pulled Sobriquet close and let it flare brightly.
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