What, then, is a path? the priest cried. If every creation bends towards destruction in the end, what is the result save for despair?
To destroy is to create, replied the Great Sword.
To create is to destroy, replied the Great Shield. There is nothing that exists without purpose, and nothing that fails to leave its mark upon the skein of the world. With each footfall upon the path, the divine grows and learns.
But we shall not see the wisdom of the divine, the priest objected. We will live and die, contributing only a grain of sand to a greater work.
This is true, replied the Great Seer.
But the truth is more, replied the Great Seeker. For you are already the wisdom of the divine, lacking only the sight to appreciate it.
How cruel, then, is the spread of ti? the priest asked. To deny us the sight of our own form?
Ti cannot be otherwise, replied the Great Light.
Through ti, we separate the unknowing divinity from the wise, and draw the path between them, replied the great Fla. This separation is a gift you provide, for the world knows all ti and none, and cannot walk the distance without your guidance.
Then our lot is to suffer for the divine? the priest wailed. How, then, is the divine worthy of our devotion?
The divine cannot be otherwise, replied the Great Speaker.
You are the divine, replied the Great Caller. And the divine is you. Do not despair in your quiet mont of ti, small and insignificant against the vast world. Have faith that the vaults of the sky shudder with each footstep you take, and the foundations of the land shudder beneath that grain of sand. You do not lack importance. You only lack vision to see your importance, and where vision fails faith may serve.
- The Book of Eight Verses, the Verse of Division. (New Kheman Edition, 542 PD)
A short while later, they found themselves standing on the rocky coast west of the port as one of the battleships squat landing craft puttered close. Its ramp swung down to reveal flint-eyed ndiko soldiers, their rifles leveled at the trio; Unai raised his hand and called out sothing in ndiko.
There was a pause; one of the soldiers yelled sothing back. Unai frowned and replied, his tone growing sowhat irritable. The soldiers relaxed after this second exchange, though, and one of them beckoned that they should board the craft.
What was that about? Michael muttered.
Unai shook his head. Just nerves, I expect, he replied. He didnt accept my usual passphrase, he asked for my contingency response instead. Its an extended countersign that can be modified to indicate the speaker is under duress.
He thought we were holding you hostage? Michael asked incredulously. We were part of the main ndiko force until last week.
As I said, I expect its just nerves, Unai shrugged. But keep your eyes open, nevertheless.
They boarded the landing craft, taking free spots on the benches lining either side of its bay. The soldiers aboard said nothing as the boat pulled back into the water, making its way ho to the nearer of the two ndiko ships in the harbor.
Despite their silence, Michael read volus from the n. He did not intend to; indeed, he tried not to. Spark remained irrepressible, though, still niggling at the forefront of his mind after he had gone wading into the funerals maelstrom of grief and loss. Every pang of recognition from the soldiers, every frisson of worry or fear at their presence reverberated through him unpleasantly, setting his teeth on edge. Michael spent much of the ride sitting quietly, trying to redraw that invisible border between his mind and the world.
Just as he had it mostly settled, a clang from the outside announced their arrival at the battleship. Curt words beckoned them onto the pristine grey decks of the ship, and from there to a small, windowless eting room.
They had scarcely enough ti to take in the undecorated walls and rude tal furnishings before the bulkhead door swung open to reveal a short, frowning man. He stalked up to Unai with a question in ndiko, to which Unai replied; this went on for a few sentences before the man turned his attention to Michael.
You want to go to Ardalt? he asked. Why?
Michael weighed his responses only briefly; he did not know what Unai had told the man during their brief exchange. He decided on honesty. Were in pursuit of the man currently holding the Star of ndian. We believe thats where hes gone.
The man considered this for a mont, then nodded. Petro Yaben, he said. Im captain of the Enpresa.
Michael Baumgart, he replied. Im-
I know, Petro said irritably, making a shushing gesture. And the Whisperer. Co.
Michael followed bemusedly as the squat captain led them through a series of narrow hallways out onto the ships fore deck, stopping abruptly next to a guardrail on the port side.
Its my duty to assist in recovering the Star, when its lost, Petro said. I have a ship you can use. He scowled at Michaels delighted smile, making a sharp gesture. Not this one. Erona. Cant bring a navy ship to Stahm - no, theres one in impound. Picked it up recently-
The captain squinted, then pointed to a small ship tied up to a buoy just off their port side. That one. Caught it two days ago. Not a local ship, not Daressan or ndiko, so we didnt let it dock. Captain took exception, made a passable attempt to fake ndiko clearance. I didnt like the odor of it, though, so hes in the brig.
Ah, Unai said. Hence the oddly-strict security. He looked at the boat. Seems big enough for our purposes. Have your n made sure its seaworthy?
Petro snorted. No. But its the boat I have for you, and it looks to be in decent enough shape. So cargo aboard, no contraband. Even had a valid passphrase, Petro said, taking his cap off to run his fingers through short, bristly hair. Couldnt pronounce it to save his life, though. Idiot. Were going to hand him over for questioning when we rotate back to the Strait next month. The Directorate will want to know who leaked their clearance to him.
Michael peered out at the ship gently bobbing in the harbor, his heart beating faster as his sight drew near, taking in its boxy hull and soot-marked stacks, the deck which had been scrubbed clear of any trace of the blood which had marred it-
Dont bother, Michael said, his mouth feeling suddenly dry. I can tell you what happened.
None of the n was unhappy to see Rouns behind them, though Voss proved to have a powerful fear of open water that left him quivering belowdecks as the Helga set out across the bay. The rest of the n took whatever space they could in the mostly-empty cargo holds - though there was an undercurrent of nervous energy that underlaid their idle chatter.
Technically they had all committed treason by allying with the ndiko, and then with Michael, though it seed unlikely that Ardan authorities would be on the lookout for these particular n. So seed almost eager at the prospect of returning to familiar shores, others closed and sullen.
Michael could sympathize with either case. Ardalt held little appeal for him, but nevertheless he felt his nerves sing with the thought of seeing it again. It was irrational, or perhaps just nostalgic-
He shook his head, clearing his spinning thoughts away and leaning against the railing as the water slid by. The evening air was chill over the bay, but he could not feel its bite. No fatigue gnawed at him from the busy day, no aches or pains from crouching through the cramped bulkhead doors.
The world was finding it hard to gain purchase on Michael Baumgart as of late, and he wasnt yet sure how he felt about that.
Soft waves against the hull didnt hide the tremor of approaching footsteps, and Michael turned to see Unai walking up along the rail. He nodded and shifted to the side, making space for the old man to join him. A span of ti passed where the two n said nothing.
You know, Unai said, I hadnt realized how long it had been since I last sailed on the water, rather than over it. Traveling with Her Radiance ant that the airship served at our pleasure, and it was by far the easiest way to cross the strait when the need arose.
Michael chuckled. Wed find it hard to escape notice if we showed up in that beast, he said. Ottos ship is a aner form of transport, but it shouldnt raise any eyebrows.
You could arrive on a raft and still attract notice. Unai nodded in Ardalts general direction, the horizon lost in golden haze. Well need to remain veiled for the duration of our stay. From what I know of your history with Sibyl, she is unlikely to overlook you.
Ghars bones, I had almost forgotten about her, Michael sighed - then frowned. But she knows Lucs face, or at least should. She had plenty of opportunity to sight him as a mber of our party during the trip north. If youre right about her - and I think you are - then Luc will earn her attention almost as quickly as I would.
Unai nodded, leaning down to rest his elbows on the rail. I imagine Lucs whereabouts are already known to her, he said. But knowing and doing are two separate things. She may inform the authorities of his presence - or she may wait, and watch. Involving herself directly is a risk; letting your father stumble into it is a different sort of risk, and one more removed from what remains of her power.
Michael furrowed his brow, dredging up dusty mories of Assembly politics. She has no great love for my father, Id say, he muttered. And if Luc does an to go after Sever - Father has little real relationship with him, but Friedrich is the core of the militarys image.
Just so, Unai agreed, a smile touching his lips. Ardan politics has always been a ga of introducing knives to backs. Even during my ti in the directorate we were warned not to involve ourselves; our local contacts had a nasty habit of subverting ndiko intervention to wrest power in the Assembly.
His smile died. It never ends well. I fear this ti will be no different. If she informs the Assembly of Lucs presence theres a chance they might prepare adequately to slow him, or at least mitigate the damage he would cause. If she leaves them unaware - then by the ti she realizes the true danger he poses, it may be too late for the Ardans to mount an effective response.
Michaels mind unhelpfully supplied images of Leires light scything through stonework, only this ti it was the sooty brick of Calmharbor lting under the relentless torrent of brilliance, clouds swirling around the Iron Bay, the Assembly building engulfed in flas-
She would tell them before it went too far, Michael murmured. Sofia - we have our disagreents, but shes not a monster.
Is she not? Unai asked. Hasnt Ardalt behaved monstrously under her watch? The attack on Leik, the abuse of their own soldiers, the pillaging of Daressa - she knew of those, and what did she do? Nothing, and I submit that she will do the sa again.
Everyone is justified in their own mind. Sofias voice echoed in Michaels head, quiet and sad as they rode together. We cannot compromise the end in order to make the journey more pleasant.
Shit, he muttered. She might at that. To hamstring the Committee of War, to keep Ardalt isolated and peaceful - she would watch and say nothing if she believed it necessary.
Careful, even so, Unai warned. Predicting motivations is a trap; only actions reveal a persons true aims. Sibyl is embroiled in Assembly politics, by dint of her soul and family both. When she does sothing that gains her no advantage in that battleground, then you may presu ulterior motives.
She helped , Michael said, feeling sowhat mutinous. Despite my father, not because of him. Im not defending her, I dont think shes so paragon, but neither is she a political animal like you seem to think. Shes a woman with a vast, cold soul, yes, and Id be worse than dead without her.
Unai nodded, keeping his eyes on the ocean. Theyre all humans, in the end, he said quietly. Even Sever, or your father. Even Her Radiance - Leire. But if they prized their humanity over their title then they would have given up the latter when conflict arose. He gestured behind them, his smile returning. Like the young mistress did, back in Is. Leire would have loved to see that.
Really? Michael said, nonplussed. I find that surprising.
The smile left as quickly as it had co. There were tis when she would have wished the sa for herself, Unai said. But the Star doesnt permit abdication.
A chill finally made itself felt, worming its way beneath Michaels skin in a way that the sea air had not yet managed. I suppose I may understand her better, he said. In the fullness of ti.
I wonder, Unai said. In many ways you are more trapped by your fate than she ever was, yet it has not managed to confine you. This ti, the smile reached his eyes; it remained there. I dont believe wagering against you would be productive or wise, where your desires hold sway. You have been most singular in pursuing them.
Michael blinked, straightening up from the rail. I - thank you? he mumbled. I dont know that Ive ever considered myself to be a particularly driven individual.
Gharics, Unai laughed. I often wonder if it was you or the Safid that inflicted that particular malady upon the other; it seems a fitting curse either way. He turned to face Michael, laying one hand gently on his shoulder.
Do you know why an oak grows at the center of the Batzar? he asked. Not a statue of our great leaders, or the Stars from years past; only a tree. It has no grand ambition, it does not know or care about the nation of ndian. It only seeks to be more of itself with every passing day. Rocks splinter beneath its roots, wind cannot topple it, winter passes each year leaving it renewed rather than defeated.
Unai let his hand drop from Michaels shoulder, taking a step back. It cannot be denied, slowed or stopped. It will be as it is ant to be, greater each morning it arises. Not all ambition manifests in n slain or commanded, columns of numbers increasing ceaselessly to no apparent end. Power exists, yes - but it is not the point.
His eyes twinkled for a mont before he sketched a shallow bow, turned and walked back inside.
Michael turned his eyes back to the water, watching the dark waves play with the reddening highlights of dusk. The light waned and shifted; stars began their dance over the ink-dark bay. He turned towards his cabin - the sa one he had shared with Jeorg, a few months and a lifeti ago.
Sobriquet raised her head blearily as he walked in. You were out for a while, she said. Id have thought you would jump at the chance for so rest, with the day weve had.
Not really that tired, Michael admitted.
She levered herself the rest of the way upright. Anxious about going back ho? she asked.
Michael sat down beside her on the bed, leaning in for a kiss. Not really, he said. Calling it ho is a bit of a stretch. I have - mories, there, but not much else.
Mmm. Thats what ho is, silly. She flicked her finger ineffectually at his forehead. The place where you build those mories.
He smiled. I recently heard an alternative theory, he said, leaning in closer. Would you like to hear it?
Id say Im all ears, but thats manifestly not - mmph. She broke off as Michael kissed her again. When she broke away, her cheeks were flushed, her voice low and soft.
I thought you had resigned yourself to living alone in a cold glass palace, she murmured. What changed?
Nothing. He smiled at her. I was just reminded of an old lesson about fools and chains.
Ghars blood, Im in love with a crazy man, she muttered. Stop talking nonsense and kiss .
Michael laughed, and did as she asked.
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