And the Speaker saw that the mans heart had turned against his family in the ti since they had last spoken, struck through with pain from their perfidy. To this he said nothing, since a truth understood by both requires no words.
At length, though, the man raised his head and lanted that he was an orphan, a man of no family while those who should have given him succor still walked in the world. He turned to the Speaker and asked him how this injustice could be part of the path.
The path is pleasant or dire as it must be, and so must walk a path of suffering, the Speaker said. But do not resign yourself to pain in this early day of your life. You may yet find a family beyond blood, and even those who have spurned you may find their own paths bending back towards humility and reunion.
The man protested that he did not wish reconciliation with such family as he had, and that the pain of their insults would endure until his dying breath.
The Speaker nodded and said: That may be, but do not harden your heart needlessly. n are as a river, changing with the shape of the monts course. The sa waters flow fast or slow, clear or turbid in accordance with the land beneath them.
This did not please the man, who said that so deeds lay so foul upon their makers that forgiveness could never cleanse the stain.
That is also so, the Speaker said, just as so things foul a river from its headwater to the sea. But water is life, and not so plentiful that we may pass it by on a whim. Do not let your pain forbid you from waters that would be sweet and pure but for the taint in your mory.
- The Book of Eight Verses, the Verse of Blood. (New Kheman Edition, 542 PD)
Zabala and the rest of the n returned in the evening with a mixed bounty of food, water and other essentials, and they set out towards Korbel before dawn the next morning. Between Michaels easy paths through woodland and Zabalas subtle reinforcent of the ns strength, they made excellent ti through the frozen landscape.
Were well past the Institutes front by this point, Sobriquet noted. Just a question of how close to Korbel we want to get, to ensure weve got a chance of intercepting Luc on the approach.
Michael nodded. Ive only been to Korbel once, when I was very young, he said. And not on this side of it. Im afraid Im sowhat useless at the geography in this region.
At this point it might be easier to list the subjects your tutors did cover, Sobriquet grinned. Flatware arrangent and cravat-tying, I expect. Not doing it yourself, of course, just enough to spot when soone else has done it wrong so you can express the proper amount of disapproval.
Michael gave a long-suffering sigh. Nobody even wears cravats anymore, he muttered. Only old n and the sartorially-challenged.
I like a good cravat every now and again, Lars said. For parties only, you understand, but it can add a nice splash of color.
So youre in the latter category, sir? Richter asked innocently.
Lars gave him an arch look. Perhaps our dear captain is simply a traditionalist, he said, and hasnt kept up with fashion trends outside of Calmharbor. Cravats are all the rage around here.
Seeing as this is your old stomping grounds, Michael said, giving Lars a thin smile, maybe you have a suggestion on where we might lay low?
Ah, Lars said, looking discomfited. Well. Its been so ti since Ive lived in the city, of course. Theres a port to the northwest, along the coast, but further inland along our route the land is mostly farming villas. He paused. My father keeps a country house a half-days ride from Korbel.
Michael raised an eyebrow. Any reason you didnt ntion this straightaway? he asked. That sounds like an ideal destination.
Ideal in many respects, save for the possibility of interacting with my family, Lars sighed. Theyre a mite difficult at tis, and if I were to co tromping in with you lot - no offense, youre lovely, but we are engaged in treason and trespass and all manner of problematic affairs at the mont.
I suppose I can sympathize, Michael sighed. Its not as though Im rushing to reacquaint myself with my father. We can find another place to operate from.
Lars bit his lip, then shook his head. Unfortunately the house I have in mind is frightfully ideal for our purposes, with a proper stove and plenty of spare beds. Id be remiss not to ntion it.
You didnt ntion it, Zabala said. Michael asked.
Were still quite distant, there was plenty of ti, Lars shot back, sounding nettled. And I did ntion it. There are simply - complications that I had to consider. I dont expect that you know what its like.
Owning a villa? Zabala replied. Actually, I have a nice cottage that looks out over the strait, just a bit north of Untzi.
Charles took a deliberate step away from Zabala, a disgusted look on his face. I didnt know you ca from money, he said. You seed almost decent.
Im not from a wealthy family. Zabala gave him a bland look. My country is just better than yours.
Yes, yes, ndian is superior in every aspect, Sobriquet sighed. Youve ntioned. Give us a mont, we just got ours back - hasnt been ti to hand out villas and cravats and such to all the suffering Gharic barbarians yet, although Im sure Emil has drawn up plans.
Do we get villas, then? Richter asked. As part of our pay for all this?
Villas for everyone, Michael said tiredly. Sure, why not. Well start with this house of yours, Lars - can we reach it today?
Lars nodded, peering up at the lightening horizon. I should say so, he muttered. If we step to. Zabala, my good man, could you - oop. He stumbled as Zabala flared his soul, causing half the n to trip as their muscles gained sudden vigor.
Zabala smiled. Lead the way.
True to his estimate, by the ti the sun had risen to its peak they found themselves walking up a well-laid path on a hillside. At its top sat an attractive country house, done in stained wood with no small amount of polished stonework.
Charles gave a low whistle. My, my, he said. Do you think your pop would notice if so of the fine silver were to wander off?
Honestly, no, Lars sighed, although Id take it as a kindness if we didnt utterly ransack the place.
No promises. Charles tapped one of the wrought-iron gates as they passed through, coming away with a tiny ball of tal that glittered in his fingers; Sobriquet rolled her eyes.
Lets not forget why were here, she said. We can rob Lars later, if we have ti.
Lars looked as though he wanted to protest, but was distracted by their arrival at the opulent front door of the house. The ns eyes settled on him expectantly; after a mont of hesitation, he tested the handle. Finding it locked, he raised his hand to the heavy knocker and rapped it smartly upon its plate, three tis.
Do you think anyone is actually here? Michael asked, deciding a mont later to answer the question for himself. He stretched his sight into the foyer, managing only to dazzle himself against an array of polished wood and mounted antlers before Sobriquet spoke.
Soones coming, actually, she said. Just one. He-
The door swung open, whisper-quiet on oiled hinges; standing in the doorway was a short, well-dressed man in formal clothes, his face twisted into a dour expression. His eyes flicked from Michaels ragged, stained shirt to the soldiers firearms, finally landing on Lars.
Master Lars, the man said, his tone a perfect match for his unimpressed expression. How novel to see you here. And your - companions, as well.
Before Lars could reply, Michael stepped forward with a smile, inclining his head the barest amount. Good day, he said. And my apologies for the imposition.
The servant slowly turned to face him. And you are? he asked.
Michael, Lord Baumgart, Michael replied pleasantly. Along with Lady Sobriquet, and our personal guards. If our presence is an inconvenience
It would have been kinder to punch the man, Michael suspected, though to his credit the servants face did not budge an inch. A flurry of panicked calculations rampaged behind his stoic eyes, subsiding into a quick, resigned exhalation.
No, Milord Baumgart, he said, his voice sounding only sowhat strangled. No imposition at all. Might I inquire as to the nature of your business here?
Unai stepped up behind them with a frosty look. What a remarkable man Master Webel must be, to permit such terity in his help. I wasnt aware it was customary in Ardalt to interrogate guests on the front step.
The servant regained so of his haughty look, though Michael suspected the veneer grew thinner with every passing mont. And you are, Milord?
Unai Goikoetxea, representative of the ndiko Batzar, Unai said smoothly.
Michael couldnt help but feel a twinge of sympathy at seeing the servants dignity annihilated so thoroughly; the man paled and stepped aside to clear the doorway.
Wont you please co inside? he rasped.
Unai gave him a thin smile and strode in, followed by Lars and the remainder of the n; Michael did not move, however. Sobriquet noticed his reticence, giving him a curious look.
Are you not going to enjoy Master Webels hospitality? she asked.
In a mont, Michael said. He looked out over the countryside; the estate had a magnificent view of rolling fields and hills, with Korbel a distant mirage half-lost in the haze. I was thinking on the way back about what you said. About letting things catch up to you.
She took a step closer to him. Are you okay? she asked.
Michael smiled. Im fine, he said. But I think you were right. If we want to catch Luc quickly, if we want to put a stop to the suffering hes causing, then we need to do so things that we dont like. He pursed his lips. I want you to stop veiling us.
Sobriquet blinked, then scowled. Michael, when I said that I didnt an-
I know, he said. But its the right thing to do. Let the veil drop, then - give a mont alone.
If youre sure, she muttered; Michael felt the subtle pressure of her soul slip away from around them - and then another presence shortly after, like hot sumr sunlight glaring from an impossibly distant star. He squeezed her shoulder, then watched as she walked inside after the others.
A mont later, he turned to face that epheral radiance, feeling the hostile light play over his skin, under his flesh, peering within his very bones.
Hello, Sofia, Michael murmured. We should talk.
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