The white wolf passed through the forest, making no noise as it traveled. It approached the boar, who was surprised at its silent approach. The boar jumped up and ran squealing through the forest. The wolf watched it go into a bramble patch, then continued on.
Next it ca upon the black hound, who went quickly towards the town where he lived with n. The wolf watched it go past the towns edge, then continued on.
Afterwards the white wolf ca across the tortoise. Though it was surprised and frightened to see the wolf, it was too slow to run from it. It watched as the wolf considered it for a long while, then continued on its way.
Later, when the tortoise, the hound and the boar t, they talked of the wolf. The boar and the hound spoke of their flight away from the wolf, and asked the tortoise if it, too, ran.
The tortoise said that the wolf had only looked at it before continuing on.
The hound and the boar praised the tortoise for its courage, and though it had felt no courage in the mont it raised its head high in pride. It talked of its bravery, and of the cowardice of the wolf for fearing to confront it. It talked loudly, its voice carrying far through the forest, and when it left to go about its business the tortoise walked with pride.
A short while later the wolf crossed its path again. The tortoise faced it, unafraid - until the wolf attacked it. It cried out and tried to retreat into its shell, but the wolfs teeth began to crack through its shield. It pleaded with the wolf to stop, and to walk away as it did the day before.
The wolf said that it could not. It had not deigned to pursue the boar through the bramble, nor the hound into the domain of n, nor had it troubled itself with the tortoises hard shell. The wolf had no need to suffer such hardship in pursuit of prey.
But the tortoise had stopped acting as prey.
- Pre-Gharic Ardan manuscript, vellum, c. 500 PE
So then of course he finds the one bar where a bunch of Esroun sailors are drinking, Michael said, exasperated.
Sobriquet smirked, nudging him with her hip as they walked along the market street; Michael scowled back at her. Nothing you could have done, she said. If Charles wants a fight he gets one. I could never keep him in line, why do you think you should do better?
Its only because I was there- Michael frowned, shifting his sight backward. Behind them, Zabala was following at a short distance. You have us veiled, right?
From your friend? Sobriquet asked. Yes. Bad enough that I cant get a mont alone with you, Im not going to let him listen in.
Michael forced a smile. He probably prefers it that way, to be honest. I imagine hes none too happy with either; he told not to get involved and I did. He sighed, shaking his head. When Charles started yelling about the Esroun armistice I tried to step in between them. One of the sailors punched .
Sobriquet blinked. I imagine he regretted that decision shortly thereafter.
Imdiately. With Zabala there, he broke his hand on my cheek. Michael rubbed at his cheekbone. I was too shocked to even try and dodge. It at least got Charles out of the fight, he was laughing so hard he could barely stand upright. It got less funny when Zabala drew his sidearm.
Hes a soldier, Sobriquet said. A soldier specifically assigned to protect you. Hes not going to stand by and watch soone attack you without dissuading them.
Michael looked off down the street, feeling suddenly very tired. Dissuading, he muttered. Sera, when he pulled that gun I felt it. He tapped himself lightly below the sternum, eting her eyes. He had decided to kill that man. Im not sure if it was or the barkeep that got the sailors to back off, but I was monts from seeing soone die today.
She humd, frowning, then squeezed Michaels hand. What do you think the ndiko would do if soone attacked Leire? she asked.
Leire? Michael asked, nonplussed. Probably sweep up the ash that was left when she finished, Id imagine.
Dont be clever. She looked up at him, her face completely serious. If soone went after Leire, even if they didnt have a chance, and a ndiko soldier was in between - what would that soldier do?
Stop them, Michael said.
Sobriquet pulled Michael to a stop, turning to face him. Youre the one that doesnt like euphemisms. What would the soldier do?
Exasperation seized Michael. Theyd stop them by any ans necessary, up to and including death.
Correct, she said. Her emotions twisted subtly; Michael could not pick out any single strand aside from a strong vein of sorrow that trilled out from amid the tangle. Do you think its so strange that theyd protect you with the sa ferocity?
Michael shook his head. Im not Leire. Im not Stellar. Im just-
Just? Sobriquet hissed, cutting him off. Just who? Leires presumptive heir, for one, and that should be enough by itself. Lets not forget that youre Stanza, and Spark, and your own soul besides. Any one of those is sufficient to make you worth killing for - or dying for. She jabbed a finger at his chest. You are quite possibly the most important person in the world.
A smile ca to Michaels lips along with half of a wry response; both faded when he saw the look in her eyes.
You think Im not being serious, she said. Or that Im exaggerating. In a handful of years you will have more personal power than anyone Ive ever heard of, and the backing of the most powerful military and economic force in the world besides. She held his gaze for a long mont, then let her eyes soften.
If I didnt know you, you would terrify . She gave his hand another squeeze. But because I do, I know you dont believe a word of what I said, not really. You cant see yourself as anything but Michael.
Michael swallowed against a sour taste in his mouth. Thats what I am, he said. Its all Ive ever been.
She managed a small, quiet smile. I know, she said. Ive only ever been Serafina. A convoluted twist of feeling shuddered through her, and she looked away. And in so ways Ive always felt like a girl wearing shoes a few sizes too big for her. But as soone who lives her life wrapped in the secrets of others, I can confidently say that were all playing that ga. Every single one of us, children walking around terrified that soone will realize our shoes dont fit.
After a mont, Michael looked back out at the street. Not everybody, he said. There are so people who manage. Leire. Saleh. He gave a soft, coughing laugh. Charles.
All fine examples of well-adjusted humanity, Sobriquet retorted. Is that what you aspire to be? Youre better than us because you havent forgotten yourself under the trappings of who the world demands you to be. If we ever get out of this war, it will be people like you that keep us from finding a new one.
Michael laid a hand on her shoulder, looking down with no small amount of concern. You know I dont like it when you talk as though youre beyond hope, he said. Since coming to the continent, Ive t people who have abandoned their humanity; youre not one of them.
Nice of you to say. She reached up and laid her hand over his. But simply because Im not starting barfights with sailors doesnt an that theres a place for in polite society after all this is over. Im a child of the resistance. I want to build Daressa back to sothing peaceful, a place where people can live lives untouched by violence. She let her hand drop down. That may an that I cant be part of it.
If you get to tell who I am, then I should be permitted to return the favor. Michael gave her his best stern look, though from her expression it wasnt coming off quite as such. And I say you can and should be the core of new Daressa, because anything they build cos from the dream you carried for them.
She flushed. Bold words.
You have to listen to , Michael said, stepping in close and smiling. Im quite possibly the most important person in the world.
Sobriquet stared at him, then shook her head and looked away, a smile fighting its way onto her lips. I should never have said that.
Its too late, Michael said. I believe you. My ego cannot be stuffed back into the- He broke off as Sobriquet jabbed him in the ribs. Ow, careful. Zabala is going to shoot you.
Sobriquet made a face. He wouldnt dare. Id make him dream about swallowing his own teeth. She glanced back at where Zabala stood, stoically watching them amid the crowd. Dont judge him for what he did. Or Antolin, or Leire for that matter. Sotis she can be a hateful old bat, but for her your safety is a matter of life and death.
She frowned. More than that, actually. I do believe she would die for you, if she thought it was warranted.
Michael shuddered, feeling the truth in her words. Lets not test that anyti soon, he muttered, shifting with sudden nervous energy. He rocked back on his heels, then winced and swore as the motion pulled at his stiff hip.
Sobriquet moved back to arms length to peer at him. Is that still bothering you? she asked. I thought you went to Luc to have him clean it up.
I tried, he was occupied, Michael said. Hes been working at the clinic, theres a lot of people in the city that need treatnt-
Well, hes not there now, Sobriquet said, her eyes defocusing as the jitter of her soul crawled montarily over her skin; Michael hastily slipped his hand back to keep from brushing against it. Hes at the barracks for dical staff a few blocks south of here. Lets pay him a visit. She shot Zabala a dirty look. Its not like well be able to enjoy ourselves properly with him around.
Didnt you just say not to judge him? Michael shot back, nevertheless letting her pull him down the street. It was beginning to grow truly crowded in the denser parts of the city, with carts jostling for space with market stalls and a surging tide of pedestrians.
Many of the latter were overflowing with the sa excited energy that had been building within the town ever since its liberation. Michael didnt doubt that this night or the next would see a city-wide party to beggar all festivals. Their conversations surged around him, lding with the thrum of adrenal optimism that seed to vibrate the very air.
one of those ndiko armored vehicles, ran right through the fence-
killed that bastard before he could retreat, I swore hed get his for what he did-
walking around town after he took out that Ardan Bulk commanding them-
Michael stopped in his tracks, his ears sharpening on two won talking a short distance away. A smile crept over his face. I think the two of them are talking about Charles, he murmured. Word gets around.
He let his sight drift over to better-see the talking pair; they were two won in their middle years, each holding a bundle of assorted goods. One was gesturing emphatically with her free hand as she narrated her tale.
ca up as part of the resistance, milady Mockingbirds personal cell as I hear it. One of her right-hand n. The woman nodded emphatically. Was them that picked up the truth of how they destroyed the Low City, and carried it up to ndian so theyd co back here and see justice done. Of course hed have the spine to stand against that Ardan.
Her companion shook her head. Its all very admirable, but I still cant believe anyoned stand against a Bulk that werent one themselves. You rember what that one did, the Ardan with the lazy eye? And he werent even that strong compared to so!
The first woman leaned back, a smug look on her face even before her friend had finished talking. Theyre strong, aye, but not the strongest. This man, hes got a soul like no other. They say he can fight with the souls of all those who support him, great and small.
Michael froze; his heart seed to take a great, lurching beat in his chest even as the other woman scoffed at the assertion. He pulled his sight back so quickly it made him stagger, turning away from his eavesdropping. Sobriquet shot a glare at Zabala, who had co rushing closer, then looked at Michael with a pained expression.
I told you, she said. You an more to everyone than you know.
They walked the rest of the way to the dical barracks in silence.
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