Look at the lamps fla. All n will agree that there is light as it burns, but when standing in night with thoughts of day, a single lamp is little different from darkness.
Feel the lamps fla. All n will agree that there is heat, but it will not save the man freezing in the depths of winter.
Yet fire is among the simplest threads of life. None may live without it, and all know its touch. Its scent grasps us more than any other, its flickering motion calls to the spirit in the sa voice as n. Among the aspects of the divine, the Fla stands proudly.
Many stand confused that a thing so dear to us should hold such difference when viewed through the myriad eyes of n, but it is a natural consequence. The lever pulls at its utmost close to the fulcrum. The baker and the woodsman both dwell upon fire; the man ablaze thinks of little else.
And still, it is only fla. Pity those with greater sight than yours; for they see things closer and greater than your eyes shall ever know.
- The Book of Eight Verses, the Verse of Truth. (New Kheman Edition, 542 PD)
This is the place? Sobriquet asked, peering through the wrought-iron bars of the fence. Ghars bones, Ive been in villages that took up less land. She squinted. And were built with fewer bricks. You really lived here?
Michael nodded, feeling an odd mix of emotions as he looked at his fathers house. His ho, for most of his life. He squinted at the carriage house. There was only one set of tracks, and it was buried under a decent layer of fresh snow. Is my father in? Its early enough that I wouldnt expect him back.
Sobriquet paused, then shook her head. Just a woman in the kitchen, she said. And an older man, but hes dusting - I dont think thats your father.
It would be very surprising if it were, Michael said, reaching his hand out to the carriage gate; it was locked, but a firm twist of his hand wrenched the lock aside enough to open it. He swung the gate open and began to cut across the lawn towards the estates front door.
Do you keep horses? Sobriquet asked.
Only for the carriage, Michael replied, giving her a quizzical look. Why?
She gestured to the broad expanse of snow-covered grass in front of the house. Why the pasture, then?
Its a lawn, Michael said. He managed, through great force of will, to keep from smiling. Its decorative.
Decorative. Sobriquets eyes had glazed over a bit as she took in the expanse of the estates grounds. Ghars blood. So this is what the discomfort of the War was for Ardalt. She looked as though she had more to say, and Michael felt the words percolating within her, but their arrival at the door ca before she could speak them.
Michael paused. Do you need a mont? he asked.
No. She shook her head. Its nothing important. Just another reminder that Im smaller than I think, in the grand scope of things. She gestured towards the door. Go ahead.
He knocked, mindful of his strength; the door reverberated with the noise. A few monts later he heard the sound of footsteps from the other side. The latch clicked, and on oiled hinges the door swung wide to reveal Ricard.
Good afternoon, he said, squinting against the blast of cold and snow. Master Baumgart is out at- He paused, his wrinkled old eyes widening as he took in the man standing in front of him.
Milord Michael? he croaked.
Michael smiled, feeling buffeted by the emotion roiling off of the other man; he felt no small amount of it himself, seeing Ricards face again. He had changed little in the intervening months, though he looked as though he had not slept well recently.
Hello, Ricard, Michael said. Im - ah. He broke off as Ricard lurched forward to wrap him in a hug, his old arms trembling with the force of his embrace. A mont later, Michael gently put his own arms around his manservant. Im back.
I didnt think wed see you again, Ricard said, his voice tight with emotion. After your fathers injury, and the terrible things we heard from the Institute- He trailed off, hugging Michael tighter still, then pulled back to hold him at arms length. Tears streaked down to the corners of his smile; his eyes never strayed from Michaels face. But here you are. Im so glad. I-
He broke off as he noticed Sobriquet beside them; an embarrassed flush spread over his cheeks. He let his hands drop back to his sides. Sorry, milord, he said. And you with company, too-
Sobriquet stepped forward and wrapped Ricard in a one-ard hug. Wonderful to et you, she said. Im Sera. Michael has told all about you.
Ricard looked helplessly at Michael; Michael inclined his head towards Sobriquet. After a mont, Ricard tentatively returned the embrace, patting her lightly on the shoulders. Welco, milady Sera, he said, pulling away to clear the door. And co inside, both of you - this weather, milord, I cant believe youre walking around in such clothing.
He ushered them inside, shutting the heavy door behind them - then turned to take in Michaels appearance once more. My word, have you been living outside all this ti? In the mountains? You look like a wild man, milord.
You caught at a particularly disheveled mont, Michael grinned. Ive been living rough for the past couple of weeks; we were, ah- Michael paused. It was one thing to say it to Sobriquet, but here in the foyer, with Ricard expectantly listening, the words sounded absurd. Weve been on the front fighting the Institutes rebels for the last while.
Ricards eyes widened fractionally. Ah, he said. As excuses for appearance go, that is a good one. His smile made its way back onto his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes. So you did figure it out. Your soul.
I - yes, Michael laughed. Its hard to know where to begin. He took a deep breath, looking around the foyer. Why dont you fetch Helene? Im not sure when my father is due back, but I doubt I have ti to tell the story more than once.
Ricards eyes sharpened. Were avoiding your father? he asked.
For the ti being, Michael said. I have business in Calmharbor, and - I will speak with him, but not right away. And probably not here.
It wont be a problem, Ricard said. Hes been kept late at the Assembly offices nearly every day since the Institute began their attacks, and I doubt if hell be back before dark. He dismissed the thought with a gesture, beckoning Michael forward to the sitting room. Wait right here, Ill go let Helene know- The old man disappeared down the hall, still muttering excitedly to himself.
Well, hes delightful, Sobriquet said. You never said- She paused. Michael?
Michael shook his head, still smiling at the hallway Ricard had taken. I think Ive been taking him for granted, all these years, he murmured. He touched his chest lightly with his fingers, feeling the warmth resonating there; the old man had no soul, yet he shone with an ecstatic radiance that was easily Salehs equal.
Sobriquet smiled. I like him. You make more sense now.
A mont later Helene burst into the room with flour still dusting her hands. Michael was again thoroughly hugged, with Sobriquet in the bargain by virtue of simple proximity. Ricard managed to extricate them from her grasp before too much ti had passed, dusting white handprints from the back of Michaels shirt almost by reflex as he steered the group of them towards seats.
So, Michael said, smiling despite a sudden bout of nerves. Ive had an eventful few months.
Michael walked back down the stairs shaven, shorn and clad in an impeccable suit that sohow fit perfectly despite Ricards worries; the old man had confided that he had kept a few spare suits in larger sizes in case Michael developed a sudden interest in sport, or Helene beca too liberal with her servings.
Whatever the motivation, Michael descended to the foyer looking every inch the young Ardan statesman. Sobriquet had not reerged yet from Helenes ministrations; Michael contemplated sitting back down and decided not to risk the suits fabric against his physique quite yet. He leaned against the wall instead.
My father, he said. Hes been busy.
Ricard pressed his lips into a thin line. Been keeping busy, milord. Its always been a silent old house, but the silence agrees with him less than it did last year. Weve seen less of him, as of late, and- He paused, looking suddenly nervous; his voice dropped. Im thankful for it, milord. Hes been angry since his injury, angry and spiteful.
Did he hurt you? Michael asked, his expression darkening.
Not as such, Ricard said, holding up his hand. A few scratches here and there, a few jackets for Helene to nd. But Lord Baumgart has been angry, make no mistake. So unkind voices have remarked that hes tidying one house to distract from the other. The injury he gained in your - well, I cant call it a kidnapping any more. He hasnt had the endurance to walk far, nor stand for long. The coachman pushes him in a bath chair most tis.
I had no notion, Michael said, surprised. What little news Ive heard of him never ntioned difficulties.
Ricard smiled, and for the first ti the expression had no joy in it. Hes prevailed upon the news to ntion it very little, and always stands for speeches where hes able.
Hm. Michael tapped his chin. What do you think his reaction will be when he learns Ive returned? he asked.
Difficult to say, milord. The manservant frowned. Im sorry to say that he hasnt ntioned you once since you left. Not in public, and certainly not to . Its difficult to say what a man might do in those circumstances, if confronted with a truth he doesnt want to see.
Michael sighed, then scratched at his newly-shaven cheek. I suppose Ill just have to deal with that right along with the rest of it. He paused for a mont. It cant have been easy for you and Helene, alone with him all this ti.
We managed, milord, Ricard chuckled. Its no small skill to be nimble underfoot, but its one weve practiced for years.
When I leave here, Im going to return to ndian, Michael said. If you two want to co with there, or travel on to Esrou, I would make it happen. The last words he spoke carried force that he did not intend, one that shivered the windowpanes and sent snow fluttering down from the tree branches outside. Ricard arched an eyebrow at the disturbance, then smiled.
When your lord grandfather brought us here, we promised to serve the Lord Baumgart, Ricard said. And we have, and will. He nodded firmly, then smiled up at Michael. I should think hed have no objection to us serving the greater of the two. Of course well co.
Michael found himself grinning again. Wonderful, he said, clasping Ricards shoulder. Speak nothing of it until our business in Calmharbor is concluded, but before I leave-
He broke off as the door to the far hall opened and Sobriquet strode out in a slender, uncomplicated dress under a leather and fur coat with a heavy lapel. It had obviously been intended as an understated outfit for formal or somber occasions, but Sobriquets bearing transford it into sothing more militaristic. Helene had given her a half-cloak draped neatly over her left side, obscuring where the empty sleeve had been pinned back. Her hair was washed, and pinned to fall artfully over her scarred cheek.
She gave him a look, lifting her chin as if daring comnt.
You look fantastic, Michael said.
I do, she laughed. She twirled a bit, making the hem of the dress flare out. I admit that its not the most practical, but its much less restrictive than I imagined such clothing would be.
Lady Liesl always hated clothing that bound too tightly, Helene said, coming up beside her with a handbag.
Sobriquet took it, then frowned and looked inside. She sniffed. Are these biscuits? she asked.
Scones, Helene replied happily. For the road.
I think Im in love, Sobriquet sighed. She winked at Helene, then offered her arm to Michael. Not that you dont look dashing. Shall we go to the Assembly, Lord Baumgart?
Michael raised an eyebrow, but took her arm. I thought the plan was to have you stay back, so that we didnt involve the constabulary?
And waste this? she asked. Ill just vanish if need be. Besides, if I showed up at the safehouse looking like this, Charles would actually die.
Im not seeing the downside, Michael said. But all right. He kissed her hand, then pulled away to face Ricard and Helene again. Thank you both, so much, he said. For everything.
Ricard smiled; he sketched a short bow. Helene curtsied beside him, her cheeks dimpled and eyes twinkling. Always, Ricard said. Good luck.
Michael nodded, feeling tears welling in his own eyes; he let himself look a mont longer then turned back to Sobriquet, the door, and the snowstorm outside.
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