One day the black hound ca to the white wolf, complaining that the raven had been taking its fill from the fields. He said that he had been tasked with guarding the grain from the raven, but with its sharp eyes and broad wings it fled before the hound could draw close.
The wolf said that the hound should stop hunting the raven. Further, the hound should gather so grain and present it to the raven every day as a tribute.
The hound refused, saying he would not cede victory to the raven so.
The wolf laughed, then, and said that the raven who was being hunted would never be caught, canny prey that it was, so the hound should not hunt it. The raven who had won would be a much easier quarry.
- Pre-Gharic Ardan manuscript, vellum, c. 500 PE
They were back at Korbel before the sun had risen far. Snow blanketed the city, and the trip would have been slow save for Michael and Zabalas souls lending them the strength to essentially ignore the heavy, wet snow blocking their path.
The snow had also extinguished the fire on the hillside, though the discontinuity in the trees was still visible underneath. Michaels eyes stuck on it for a mont, wondering if the bodies of those they had lost were still there, cold under the snow.
Sobriquet elbowed him in the side. If you run through a tree while youre distracted, youll alert them to our presence. Itd be hard to veil.
I was just looking, Michael sighed. And wondering. He never attacked with that much force before. He certainly could have, but he didnt.
If youre trying to wring logic from his actions youll need to work hard. Sobriquet slowed, turning to face him. Could be he was holding back so as not to draw too much snow ahead of his advance. Could be hes laboring under the presumption that youre still friends, you said he was surprised when you tried to kill him. She shrugged. Or maybe hes just gone absolutely fucking crazy, and theres no use in trying to determine what he thinks.
There is a logic to his actions, even if its askew, Michael frowned. And if were hoping to intercept him, we should invest so thought into understanding that logic. Otherwise were limited to guesswork, and look where thats got us thus far.
Sobriquet sighed. Id say that hes been restraining himself so as not to have an undue impact on the weather. Troops are vulnerable to cold, and his more so than most. She gestured ahead, her hand taking in the snowbound valley. He may still be able to advance on Korbel, but he wont be able to do so at speed - and if he doesnt advance, hell have to deal with the toll of attrition on his n, who cant take care of themselves well. He took a loss last night, despite appearances.
I dont disagree with any particular point, Zabala said. But this isnt just about the movent of troops in Ardalt anymore. This is about Lucs overall behavior. His assault on the Star, then on Saf, then his flight to Ardalt. Zabala frowned. And his obvious antagonism against the Institute, despite aligning with them. It doesnt add up.
Sobriquet laughed. So were back to insanity, then.
Not necessarily. Zabala tapped his chin. He attacks the Safid, in what is arguably a loss. Yes, they pulled out of the War, but he was driven off well before that was certain and never attempted to reengage with their forces. Instead he sails across the ocean to Ardalt. He seeks out the Institute, kills their leadership and assus command of their forces.
Michael humd, his vision again straying to the massive scar on the hillside. If a trend jumps out, its that hes attacking leaders - Leire, Saleh, Amira, the Institute director. Or perhaps the director was just a show ant for , and he was going after mbers of the Eight instead?
A chill went down his spine. And if we follow that line of logic, Sofia and Friedrich are easier prey than Saleh and Amira. Theyre vulnerable. He turned to look at Sobriquet. And Sofia is in Korbel, thanks to us.
She paled, but a mont later shook her head. If that was his goal he didnt need to suborn the Institute. He could have found them easier alone, with less forewarning. Sibyl might have even sought him out, if she recognized him from our travels. But - he didnt go to Calmharbor, where they both were. He stayed in Stahm instead, and chose to integrate himself into the Institutes plans. Why?
Zabalas steps slowed; his brow furrowed in thought. The obvious answer is that he needed support, and the Institute was one of the few groups left where he had an avenue of entry. Of the three major powers, ndian and Saf are closed to him; hes attacked both. He pondered for a mont more, then shrugged. Still an open question what he wants their support for, though.
To save lives, Michael muttered. The others looked at him, and he spread his hands helplessly. Its what he said. That he wanted Ardalt to spend their war, whatever that ans.
There was a pause. That doesnt make any sense to , Zabala admitted. Saf is the threat, not Ardalt. Consensus opinion was that the Ardans were going to be confined to dostic issues for the next decade at least while they sorted through the aftermath of their participation in the War.
So, Sobriquet said. Once again, insanity. Ill continue to extol the virtues of the simple, reasonable explanation over so convoluted plan. She gave them both an exasperated look. So n build a world in their head that resembles ours very little, yet they act according to its rules.
But there are rules, still, Zabala insisted. Were not trying to justify him, only to predict him - and to , it seems as though hes engaged in- Zabalas brows knit together; he gave an exasperated sigh. Reconnaissance. Thats probably the closest word. Hes trying different things to get him closer to his goal, variations on a the.
And what is his goal? Sobriquet asked.
I have no idea. Zabala raised an eyebrow at her. The goal doesnt have to obey logic; it doesnt even have to be possible. But his actions must be, so we may extrapolate from there.
Sobriquet opened her mouth as if to speak, then frowned. Well, gentlen, I think were about to get another clue. A small party just erged from the woods in front of Korbel - Luc isnt close, or I wouldnt be able to see them this clearly. A dozen n, no more. She looked up at Michael. Theyre holding a white flag.
Hes sending a delegation? Michael asked. Theyre hardly going to surrender the city to him without a fight. He sent his own sight up, barely able to make out the minute forms of n marching down the snow-laden road to Korbel. The garrison at the towns gates was present, but for the mont there was no great stir of activity from within.
After so ti, they stopped.
Theyre speaking, Sobriquet murmured. Saying that - oh, Ghars ashes. The Institute is requesting a peace conference with the Assembly in Calmharbor to discuss the cessation of hostilities and the reintegration of the Institute as an independent arm of governnt.
Michaels heart began to race. Theyll accept the conference, he rasped. If only to buy ti; they can position more troops to Korbel, let the weather work against Lucs forces. He looked at Sobriquet. Stop veiling us; I need to talk to Sofia.
Sobriquet made a face, turning to him. Shes made it pretty clear that she doesnt want to talk to you, she said.
She just needs to listen, Michael said. Please.
For all the good it will do. Sobriquet sighed, then gestured irritably; Michael felt the veil slip away. For good asure, Zabala withdrew Veras radio from his pack. She had been loath to part with it, but Zabala had insisted - partly because it made good sense, but Michael had felt Zabalas inordinate satisfaction at reclaiming the scrap of purloined ndiko technology. He turned it on and waited for Michael to speak.
Sofia, he said. The offer is a trap. Im not sure how, yet, but you know its not a good move for them to make unless theyre getting sothing else out of it. You may have seen parts of this, but I dont want to leave anything to chance: Luc is like , he carries multiple souls. Currently he has at least an auditor soul and several potentes within him, in addition to Stellar. Any soul the Institute has access to, he could potentially have.
He paused, but only silence ca over the radio. Michael licked his lips.
Advise the Assembly against eting him, Sofia. He could have Shine souls, more than a few. He could kill them all silently with Stellar, or rampage through them - Ghars blood, Sofia, the Assembly has so of the most powerful ensouled in Ardalt aside from you and Friedrich. This could turn into a disaster.
The radio sent back only a mocking hiss of static. Michael cursed and turned towards the city. Co on, he said. We need to get to Korbel.
Sobriquet broke into a jog to keep up, glaring at his back. And do what, precisely? Youve already pointed out how good of a deal this is for the Assembly, theyre hardly going to reject it on your advice alone.
I know, Michael snapped. But what else can we do? Should we sit back and watch? This isnt just about Sofia or Ardalt anymore. There are powerful souls in the Assembly, and hes shown hes not averse to killing in the na of strength.
She had no reply for that; they ran on until they erged from the treeline not far distant from where the delegation still stood waiting for their response. There were none of the obruor-led soldiers among them; most of the n present had the look Michael associated with Institute n - an odd saness in their stance, a bland manner that made the eye slide away from them with unnatural ease.
So, now what? Sobriquet scowled. Theyve made their offer, I doubt murdering the peace delegation is going to pose a convincing argunt in our favor.
Michael shook his head and began to walk out towards the waiting n. When have I ever had a plan going in? he muttered. Co on. We can at least insert ourselves into the conversation.
So of the n turned to look at Michael as he drew closer, though they did not seem concerned at his approach. One of them, a portly fellow who bore sweat stains on his jacket despite the chill, turned to face them as they approached.
I should warn you, he said, his voice quavering slightly, that we have the ans to detect ntal tampering. If you use Spark on us, it will be detected and reported to the Assembly during negotiations as an attempt to interfere with the peace process.
Michael drew up short, looking bemusedly at the sweaty man. You know who I am? he asked.
Of course I do, the man retorted. Youre Baumgarts son, the one who killed the director - and the director before him, I might add. His tone was sowhat at odds with his pale face and the shaking of his hands; Michael could tell the man was terrified - but resolute, for the mont. You can tell your father that no number of assassinations can slow the work of progress. Well continue our mission regardless of his attempts to destroy us, and see him cast out instead.
The absurd tirade left Michael at a montary loss for words. Im sorry, he managed. You think I killed Spark on my fathers orders? Have you gone entirely mad?
Its certainly led to a convenient political situation in Calmharbor for him, the delegate sniffed. He looked behind him to the other Institute n, as if for support; they stared ahead, their eyes disinterestedly focused on Michael.
Yes, well, the man said, mopping at his brow with his sleeve. The truth will out on the Assembly floor. He nodded smugly towards the city.
Michael followed his gaze and saw the doors partway open. A few soldiers were coming across the field to et them under a small white banner. At their head walked Isolde Altenbach.
Isolde was different than Michael rembered, her fine, sharp features now unpleasantly severe. She was rail-thin, her skin drawn tightly over the bones of her face and her hair bound up at the base of her neck. She wore a voluminous white fur, and as she drew close her eyes fixed onto Michael.
Even at a distance he felt the stab of her hatred, red-hot and acidic. It was like staring into an open furnace door; Michael imagined his eyebrows crisping away as she drew closer. The delegation from Korbel ca to a halt so distance from their group.
If it is agreeable, Isolde said in a clipped, brittle voice, I would propose holding discussions inside the city to prevent interference from undesirable parties.
I concur, the Institute representative replied. Well be in your care.
Dont do this, Isolde, Michael said, taking a step towards her and spreading his hands. Theres no peace to be had with them. If you let Luc into the Assembly, people will die.
She turned to him, glacially slow. I died two months ago, she said. If you wanted to intervene, it should have been for Vincent.
Michael balled his fists. Isolde-
Fuck you, Michael, she hissed, taking a step towards him. Take your murdering friends and go back to ndian. You shed enough blood getting there, you should enjoy it. Ardalt doesnt need you. She made a sharp gesture to the Institute delegation, who began to walk forward. The soldiers with Isolde kept a wary eye on them until their charges had advanced a good distance away, at which point they followed them back towards the gate.
Michael watched the gates of Korbel swing closed.
He couldnt rember the last ti he had been this angry - perhaps the last ti he had t Isolde, and had found Vera toying with his mind. He wanted to barge through the gates, grab Isolde by her brittle shoulders and make her see-
And he could. Spark stood there, ready; he did not have to flail against the barriers of anger and confusion while Isolde and Sofia led themselves to certain destruction. He clenched his fists, straightened his back-
Michael let his breath out in a slow rush, feeling the blood thundering in his ears. A mont later, he turned and began walking back towards the lodge.
So? Sobriquet said. Now what? I presu were not going to let that scarecrow lead Luc straight to the Assembly floor.
No, were not. Michael looked back at her. Its going to take so ti for them to organize the conference; nothing ever gets done right away when the Assembly is involved. I figure we have a week, at least, and thats only if they start organizing before the Institutes representatives arrive in Calmharbor. More likely, itll be two weeks.
Sobriquet nodded slowly. Okay, she said. So we have ti before Luc kills everyone in the Assembly. She swept her hand to the side, palm up. I doubt were going to make any headway with Sibyl.
Were going to Calmharbor, Michael said. Were going to warn anyone who will listen.
Sobriquet snorted. Sohow, todays showing doesnt inspire with confidence. Will anyone listen?
Michael turned, raising an eyebrow. Didnt you hear what the man said? he asked. Im obviously in league with my father. My father, who is effectively leading the country at the mont. I am Michael, Lord Baumgart.
Youre stealing my bit, she noted. And not very well.
He let his arms drop to his sides. Its not really my style, I admit, Michael sighed. But yes, there are people who will listen - even if its only out of self-interest.
Sobriquets eyes narrowed. Youre thinking of going to your father.
Perhaps not imdiately, Michael winced. Im hoping that if we make ourselves known in town, using his na, that he might co to us instead. That would be preferable for - a few reasons. He paused, his feet crunching against the snow for several steps.
But, yes, he said. I think well probably have to.
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