A man grows to love the ground he stands on. Many phrase this as a blessing, but it is a sickness of the worst sort. It is the human impulse to accept stagnation, a comfortable lack of progress that works against the path of the divine within us all.
Land is divine, as everything is. Unlike n, however, land may only crumble and wear. It is always lesser than what it was, even if the progress is too slow to reveal itself over the life of a man. Crops leach their life from the soil, rains bring the hillsides tumbling down, and ice breaks the mightiest rocks.
To tie yourself to this decaying edifice is folly. n are ant to reach, to strive and explore. Travel broadens the mind and throws it into contact with new challenges. War seeks challenge directly, refining those within its maw into purer n than those who entered.
What then of those who do not reach beyond their borders? Who sit, year after year, content in their hos without knowing the broader world? It would seem a kindness to end such a squalid life, if one can even term it that - to end it, and free the stifled divinity within to seek a better path.
- Saleh Taskin, On Reclamation, 687
The door to Leires office swung wide; Michael followed Sobriquet in. Leire was already on her side of the barrier, deep in conversation with a man Michael hadnt seen before. The man said sothing quiet and rapid in ndiko as they entered, then rose to face them. He was older, with iron-grey hair and a shaved jaw. Although shorter than Michael, he boasted broad shoulders and well-muscled arms under a uniform jacket.
Ah, excellent, Leire said, rising from her own seat. I dont plan to detain you too long, but I wanted to make so early introductions. Sera, Michael, this is Antolin Errea - Grand Marshal of ndian.
Antolin raised a thick eyebrow, walking over to greet them. My pleasure, he said, sketching a short bow to Sobriquet and extending a hand to Michael; he shook it, watching as the marshals grip enveloped his own entirely. He did not grip with crushing strength, however, only a brisk, firm clasp while his eyes burned dark and clear between them.
Leire has been rather mysterious about her guests, Antolin rumbled; unlike Leire and Unai he had the trace of an accent, though it was not pronounced. I suppose now is when youll let in on the secret?
I always do, Leire said reproachfully. When the ti is right. Youre already familiar with Sera, here; shes more commonly-known as Sobriquet.
Ah! Antolin said, his face lighting up. He turned to face Sera and extended his hand with an apologetic smile. Shes correct, Ive followed the accounts of your work in Daressa with great interest over the years. You seem to have a talent for constructive havoc.
Sobriquet returned the smile and handshake. I believe thats the nicest thing anyones ever said about , she replied. Pleasure to et you.
The marshals eyes turned to Michael, questioning; Michael felt a pulse of anticipation as they waited for Leire to speak.
This is Michael Baumgart, Leire said. His circumstances are the subject of the rest of this eting.
Antolins look turned evaluative, his eyes darting across Michaels face. Baumgart, he said. I see it, now that you say the na. Karls son?
He might deny it, as Id like to, Michael said, his mouth twisting. But yes.
Hm, Antolin said, looking him up and down. Ive never t your father in person, but I know of his - work.
Michael grimaced; Leire motioned for them to sit before he could think of a proper reply. Antolin moved back to the opposite side of the table, while Michael and Sobriquet took nearer seats.
Now, Antolin, Leire said, her mouth quirking into a smile that robbed twenty years from her face. I plan to bring these two to the Batzar when it next ets.
Antolin went very still. You do, he said. I imagine your presence there will cause a stir. Half the mbers werent seated the last ti you made an address.
They should be sufficiently entertained, Leire said, her eyes twinkling. I plan to declare that the situation in Daressa is a humanitarian crisis under article five.
You what. Antolin tensed, as if about to rise; he cald himself a mont later. It was like watching a tempest rage behind one of Leires crystal barriers, a contained maelstrom. Leire, if you invoke the charter youre calling for military intervention. It would be war.
I suppose it would be, at that, she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. Shall we skip past the part where you question my sanity? There is more you dont know, and I can assure you that I am in earnest.
Antolins eyes sharpened on her, but he gave no answer past a nod.
Leire smiled at him. I do love working with professionals, she said. Now, lets go over your objections. I am old as the Batzar oak and likely to topple far sooner. This would be a horrible ti to commit to war - save that this young man has a rather unique talent. She turned her eyes to him; Michael kept steady as Antolin did the sa, steeling himself against whatever reaction the marshal might have. He had the distinct feeling that he was in danger, in this mont, and Sobriquets tension showed that she felt the sa.
Let save a mont of ti, Leire said. I have verified what I am about to tell you with a variety of thods, so please spare any objections regarding its plausibility: Michael carries multiple souls.
There was no objection from Antolin, per Leires request, but Michael could see the impossibility of the statent written in his face. He sympathized; he rather felt that way himself so days. Instead, the marshal furrowed his brow. His thoughts shifted to a rapid clockwork murmur that reminded him of Sobriquet.
Which? he asked. And - how?
Leire held up a finger. The how is easiest; it operates via affinity. As for which - a spector, durens and a calorigens are the minor three. More of interest is that he bears the Gardener.
Antolin drew in his breath sharply, looking first at Michael - then at Leire. Are you-? he asked, trailing off; Michael could feel his concern tight and sharp against his senses.
Im fine, Leire said, waving her hand dismissively, though Michael heard differently from behind the radiant cloak of her soul. She paused and took a breath before affecting a nonchalant look of rembrance. Oh, and he bears the Sculptor as well.
At this, Antolin did rise from his seat, glaring down in shock at Michael as though he had suddenly sprouted fangs. A mont later, his eyes narrowed; the emotions he had sensed from the marshal before vanished.
Michael blinked in surprise, which only darkened Antolins expression. The marshal hissed sothing clipped and angry in the ndiko tongue at Leire. She laughed and shook her head.
No, Ive not gone mad, she said. Relax, Antolin. Hes stable. As ever, you have more to fear from .
Antolins teeth ground together. How can I trust that? he hissed. Im compromised, as are you. Well have to undergo decontamination, screening-
Shall we? Leire asked. Im confident it will yield nothing. Give your mind a few monts to breathe. I know the precautions. This is not the monster that killed Jeorg; this is the man who killed the monster. Gizon berria, arima berria.
The marshal nodded tightly, his shoulders relaxing - but his glare did not relent. He could kill us both, right now.
So could I, Leire said mildly, jerking her chin towards Sobriquet. So could she, for that matter, and you greeted her readily enough. Its a hazard of working with the pri souls. Step past fear into opportunity, old friend. I have not lived this long by luck alone.
Another tense silence flowed between them; Antolins jaw clenched - and then loosened. So Jos is dead, Antolin sighed. We had suspected, given what weve seen of the Institutes movents. His brow furrowed. And you want - no. His eyes widened in realization, his head turning to Leire.
Oh, yes, she said. He solves the problem of inheritance. Its not possible to study, of course, but his record so far shows that he has a far better chance of affinity-based retention than the standard. Possibly enough that chance is removed from the equation altogether.
You want to make Karl Baumgarts son the protector of ndian, Antolin said, his voice flat. After embroiling us in a war on the continent. And the Sculptor of Hearts - erona, Leire, youre talking about the destruction of ndian as we know it.
She nodded, no longer smiling. I am, she said. And the survival of ndian in any form at all. Im talking about ensuring that my soul does not go to Saf. That alone should be rit enough, but- She pursed her lips, then looked at Michael. Frankly, I fear that mine is no longer the soul that must drive ndians path into the future.
Antolins eyes darted to Michael, then back to Leire. You said multiple, before, he muttered. You were trying to break it to softly.
He has had the soul in question for no more than four months, Leire said. And he has made no effort to draw souls to him. What is our other course? To toss him into the War and see what erges, hm? She shook her head, then looked up at Michael. Step past fear. Talk to him.
Antolin turned to glare down at Michael; Leire clicked her tongue against her teeth.
Not the soul, she chided. The man.
The man, Antolin muttered. And what does the man have to say? Is this demand for intervention in Daressa your doing?
Michael nodded, forcing himself to look directly at the other mans glowering eyes. Not mine alone, he said. But yes, I set that condition.
Youre not Daressan, Antolin said. Why, then?
Im human, Michael said, regretting the unintended bite in his words until he saw Leires mouth quirk into a smile. More than that, though, the deception at Leik was my fathers doing. I thought that telling ndian the truth would be enough to secure justice for his victims, so I ca here to do that. He narrowed his eyes at Antolin and saw the barb land, a minute tightening of the marshals lips.
So you ca with the intent of using ndian as your weapon, Antolin said. Like father, like son.
Michael felt Sobriquet brim with vicarious irritation beside him; he stood to face Antolin directly. I ca here because I thought it was the right thing to do. Because a man I respected spoke highly of your country. Because youre one of the few nations left that might effect so change in the War.
Its not our war to change, Antolin retorted.
Isnt it? Sobriquet rasped, looking up. How long ago would it have ended, but for you?
The marshal looked to Leire, his features hardening. What did you tell them? he asked.
She shrugged. What they deserved to know, Leire replied. Theyre not wrong. Our actions have extended the War greatly, and the price has been paid in lives - Ardan, Daressan and Safid.
Antolin turned back to Michael, frowning. Youre not incorrect, he said. The War would have ended long before this - with a Safid victory. You would have been born into a world where Safid ships naced Ardan shores, and Daressa was a footnote in the history of Safs newest pashaluk.
You could have fought, Sobriquet said. You could have helped us.
We did help you, Antolin said, terse and clipped. Weve been tipping the scales against the Safid for decades now.
But only enough that you dont get drawn in, Michael said, clenching his fists. Otherwise you were content to watch the dogs fight in the pit, is that it? To watch millions die while you stayed safe in the north?
We deserve no less than safety, Antolin growled. What has ndian to do with centuries-old grievances between the squabbling brats of Ghar? Your ancestors tornted us as much as they did the Safid; unlike them, weve forgiven those cris and ask only to be left alone.
But the Safid wont leave you alone, Michael shot back. Not if they win, not if the rest of the world fails to hold them back. One of those dogs youve been playing against each other is beyond your control, and the fault for that lies with the master. The one with the power to prevent the harm.
Antolins face went stony. And you wish that to be you? he asked.
No, Michael said, with more conviction than he had thought he could muster. With all my heart, no. The opportunity is mine, though, and if I let it pass by then I am responsible for what follows.
The marshal regarded him for a long mont, then turned back to Leire. You realize that you cant bring him into the Batzar, he said. Debekatuta dago, the sa as Jos. The batzarkideak will refuse to convene if you try.
Theyll have to eventually, Leire said. As old as the prohibition against the Sculptor is, the Stars privilege of address is older. She shrugged. Im sure nobody thought the two would co into conflict, but such is the world we live in.
Antolin looked down at her, the hard lines of his face softening. Is there truly no other way? he asked. This will cause pain. Death. So will choose to fight you rather than the War.
I am the Sixteenth Star of ndian, Leire said, standing from her seat. I will not be the last. I will not. Were too close to ridding ourselves of these shackles and grasping the world with our own hands, human hands. She pressed her hand against the glass, fingers splayed. ndian will rise into the future on wings of its own creation. Michael can ensure that were given the chance.
She sat heavily back in her chair. It would be easier if he had soone to count on, when Im gone.
You plan to vex even in death, Antolin muttered, giving her a quietly-exasperated look. Emaku izugarria. But if you say this is the way forward, then that is the way I go.
Leire smiled. Thank you, old friend, she said. Now, if youre done being obstinate-
Tch! Antolin grunted. Ingrate. He looked at Sobriquet and Michael, then shook his head. So you plan to bring these two before the Batzar. ndoza will object.
Leire snorted. Let him. He cant deny , and we will be under the oak before he knows why he should object.
But the problem of the Sculptor? I trust you, Leire, but I must be screened after this eting. You must as well, before the address. Antolin sat back in his seat. The soul makes him a pariah, and you cant keep this a secret.
True, Leire said, the corners of her mouth twitching. But he didnt co here alone. Her eyes shifted to Sobriquet, as did Antolins.
Michael blinked. It was the first ti he had seen Sobriquet visibly nervous.
I dont think you want to use my soul on the Batzar, she said, her voice steady despite the trilling nerves Michael felt rolling from her. Not unless you want them unconscious and vomiting.
Tempting, Leire chuckled. But no. Youve done admirable things with your soul, but I daresay we have so things to teach you. She stood and walked stiffly to a bookshelf behind her, sliding a thin book from it. The Drear, the Storyteller. She sat, opening the book. The Whisperer. Your soul is in many ways one of the most versatile we know, though its bearers are infamously difficult to study.
I view that as an advantage, Sobriquet said. Her hand dropped down to her side, clenching and unclenching with restless energy; as surreptitiously as he could, Michael brought his own up to clasp it. He felt her tense, then relax.
Leires eyes twinkled. It is an advantage to be unseen, she said. But that is only half of what you can do. She paused, then looked to Antolin. This could take so ti, she said. Im sure you have preparations to make.
If you an that I must have one of my n confirm that my mind is still my own, then yes - I have so, Antolin scowled. Past that Im sure I rely have to wait for things to catch fire in your wake.
As ever, Leire said, her lips twitching. Michael, why dont you walk the marshal out?
Michael blinked. But I dont know where-
I do, Antolin sighed, rising from his seat once more. Just accept it and move forward. Its how Ive lived my life for years. He waved a hand at Leire without looking in her direction. Agur. Let know before the session if Im needed.
He looked down at Michael, still seated, and twitched his chin towards the door. Michael gave Sobriquets hand a hurried squeeze and rose to follow him out, looking back one last ti to see Leire leaning in conspiratorially towards her glass barrier.
The door cut off his view, and Michael reluctantly turned to follow Antolin as he strode down the hall. Let them sche, he said. Better if youre not involved. People will distrust you enough. He grimaced. I shouldnt even be in the sa room with you.
Believe , I understand, Michael muttered. I t Spark. He pulled my head apart more than a little.
Antolin made a strangled noise. Never tell anyone that, he said. Its grounds for confinent - usually, but apparently not for you. Leire knows this? He grimaced at Michaels nod. Of course she does. Who pieced you back together?
Michael paused. I did? he said. I wasnt exactly spoiled for choice at the ti.
It was Antolins turn to blink. You - of course. The Gardener. He sighed and shook his head. This will take so getting used to.
Let know if you figure it out. Michael raised an eyebrow at the marshal, and the older mans lips briefly turned up at the corners - before pressing together.
You were there when Jos died, I take it? Antolin asked.
Michael grimaced. With my hand around his neck, he said. My mory of that day is a bit scattered, that part stands out.
Antolins eyes widened fractionally. I didnt think she was speaking literally, he said. I can tell youre not a fighting man, despite what you said.
Im really not, Michael sighed. I know what I told you in there, and I ant every word - but Id take any other option first. I just dont see that there are any to be had.
Against Saf, there seldom are, Antolin grunted. If a man wants a contest to the death dearly enough, then you may be obliged to give it to him. The sa is true for nations. I expect you faced a similar lack of options with Jos.
He didnt want to kill , Michael said. Quite the opposite. He wanted to feed souls, fatten up into so sort of monster. His feet stuttered, and Michael looked down for a mont. I killed him to escape, but it looks like he won in the end.
Antolin paused; they had arrived at the buildings elevator. He pressed a control on the wall, then turned to Michael. Are you doing this for his sake? he asked.
Of course not, Michael said.
The marshal shrugged. There you have it, he said. His power was drawn from the sa source as Leire - that of an existence so great and terrible that n have no choice but to act with it in mind. Put it from your mind, and there is no power. It is why the role of the Star is so important - why you will be important, if this sche of Leires works.
Michael grimaced. That isnt terribly reassuring, he said.
Its not ant to be. Antolin crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. Its no an feat to impress yourself upon the mind of a man like Saleh Taskin or Friedrich Kolbe. Theyre n who resist the authority of others, seek their own path at any cost. To deter them, you must assert yourself as a force they cannot help but acknowledge.
Im not sure its possible to deter Saleh, Michael said. Hed view it as a challenge if you tried. Sa with Amira. Theyre impossibly focused on what they think is their correct path forward.
Antolins eyes narrowed. You talk as if youve t them, he said.
We did, Michael replied. They helped us get across Rul and Esrou from Daressa. We spoke with Saleh a bit at the beginning, mostly over breakfast, but Amira ran with us for several days. He shook his head. Shes an alarming woman. More than Saleh, Id say - hes at least personable.
Michael straightened up, a thought occurring to him. Oh, that reminds . I have a book he gave , his personal copy of the Book of Eight Verses. He annotated it rather heavily, Sera said it would probably be of interest to a military commander. Would you like to take a look?
There was a slight twitch by Antolins left eye. That would be very interesting, he said, sowhat woodenly. Thank you. Perhaps you could bring it when you attend the Batzar.
Michael nodded. I will. Unfortunately, Amira and Friedrich werent so courteous as to leave a gift - and I think you already know from others that theyre terrifying, so I dont know that I can give you much additional insight there.
Another tremor disturbed Antolins face. Leire didnt ntion that you had t Kolbe as well, he said.
On the front between Daressa and Rul, most recently, Michael said. He and Sofia - ah, Sibyl. They caught us out at the Ardan lines, he tried to stop us escaping.
Sib- Antolin coughed. That was you? When Kolbe was injured?
I really wish it hadnt been, Michael sighed. Im not sure what youve heard, but he nearly killed - Sibyls n did kill Seras sister, Clair.
I had heard that he was injured in an explosion, Antolin said. Among other things. The elevator door chid softly, the doors sliding open to reveal the interior. Antolin reached in sowhat jerkily to touch a control; the doors chid again, staying open.
Michael waggled his hand. Lightning, he said, trying not to make a face at the mory. I suppose its similar enough. Not sothing Ill be trying again soon, it ca closer to killing than Friedrich did.
Antolins eye shuddered again, and Michael frowned. Is everything all right? he asked.
It never is, when Leires involved, Antolin grated, stepping into the elevator and turning to level a flat look at Michael. Please stay inside until its ti to attend the Batzar. Dont leave the facility. Try not to talk to - anyone. Or interact with anything. He pressed the control, and the doors began to slide shut. But do bring that book!
Michael stared at the doors as they shut. How in Ghars ashes am I supposed to leave? he muttered. I dont- He twisted to look down one hallway, then the other. I dont even know how to get back to the room.
He sighed, picked a direction, and began to walk.
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