by R. M Garino
“The Fiftanu have come, as we have been summoned,” he said, his attention directed at Thenaria. “We have read the Techt, and noted our observations in the Xith. We have much to tell you.”
Thenaria waved him back to his seat without disguising her impatience. She remained seated as she spoke.
“There will be time for that later,” she said, “unless there is an immediate threat you wish to inform us of?”
The Fiftanu shook his skeletal head as he sat. She could not help but scowl as the Seer’s gaze passed over her and wandered about the room. He seemed to note all those present at the great table, and continued on to the graduates lined against the wall. He spared little more than a glance at each. When he spied the small, skinny one, he tilted his head to the side in contemplation, and moved his index finger with slow, meditative movements. Thenaria studied the strange little girl as well, wondering a moment what had caught the Fiftanu’s attention.
“Very well then,” she said. “Gavin, have the wardings been set?”
“Aye, Matriarch,” he said. “I but await your word to activate.”
She waved him on, and he bent his head in response. His sin’del blazed and expanded, a thin tendril reaching out and touching a point upon the table. A glyph appeared, glowing brilliant white. Another appeared, and another after that, bursting to light all the way down its length. The air around those seated shimmered and thickened. A moment later, the effect softened and vanished.
“We are inaudible, Matriarch,” Gavin said.
Thenaria addressed them. “There have been seven major breaches in the past year, and each has been of a greater scale than the one before. Your thoughts.”
“We have begun mapping the incidents with the Magi’s assistance,” Arrolyn said after receiving a signal from Thoreau to take over. “And cross referencing them against previous occurrences. We think we are starting to see a pattern.”
“You think you are starting to see a pattern?” Thenaria said.
Arrolyn frowned at the Matriarch’s tone, but Thenaria was glad to see that she kept her words professional.
“Yes, Matriarch,” she said. “We are still in the early stages, but we believe they are following the same tract. They are moving back and forth along the same line, if you will.”
“How do you account for that?”
“Our current theory is orbital drift,” Gavin said. “The Sur is tethered to the Quain through the temples. We know from the records of the E’ine that the tethers allowed for great flexibility, a combination of attraction and repulsion from the separate temples, that kept the Sur in a fairly constant orbit.”
“But the Temple of Night was destroyed shortly after the war,” Thenaria said. There was a note of bitterness in her voice, as if she was unhappy having to dredge the memory.
“Yes, Matriarch,” Gavin said. “The Lost Child Rastef killed the Keeper and destroyed the font in an effort to be rid of the Sur’s influence.”
“I am aware of how history views the event, Gavin,” Thenaria said.
“My apologies, Matriarch,” he said, bowing his head. “I digress. With one temple destroyed, one tether is gone. That leaves the Sur attached by a single point, which would drastically affect the movement of its orbit. It is no longer fixed at a stationary locus, but rather sways back and forth in an arc according to the position of the tether. We believe that the tract follows the arc of the Sur’s sway.”
“That accounts for the trajectory,” Talon said. “How does that account for the actual breach of our boundaries themselves?”
“There must be an entrance point,” Thoreau said. “The Apostate must have found a way to bore a hole through to the Quain.”
“Or the bore may be a natural occurrence,” Gavin said, holding up a finger to help make his point. “We have only scratched the surface in our understanding of celestial mechanics. There are subtleties that escape us still. It may be natural erosion, or a weakening of the wardings that guard against him. We have already discovered three such bores here at the Gates. Thankfully, we were able to stabilize them before they were utilized. Those, however, had fixed points. This new one does not, and we cannot account for it. The division of the Sur was intended to operate with two tethers. For over six thousand years it has existed with one. We have no way to calculate the extended repercussions of such a thing.”
“Can we predict the next event?” Thenaria said.
“Not with any certainty,” Gavin said. “Unless the Fiftanu can aid us.”
Attention shifted to the three hooded figures. The one in the middle moved his head from side to side in slow denial. Useless as always, Trenton thought.
“Then, no,” Gavin said.
“So what do we do?” Thenaria said.
“Based on the Magi’s explanation, it seems we have no choice. We mount an expedition to locate the Temple of Night and resurrect it,” Kolsch said, rubbing the table top with his finger. For most of the proceedings, he had been looking away, staring at the graduates around the perimeter of the room.
Discussion opened around the table, as several individuals tried to speak at once.
****
I am so fecking bored! Thomlin sent to the Third as they stood waiting along the wall. I can’t hear a bloody thing, and it finally looks like it’s getting interesting.
Well, the wardings ensure secrecy, Angus sent, eager to explain the procedure. They magnify the Magi’s sin’del and allow him to set up a static field where ever he wants. He could even walk away if he wanted to.
Great! Thomlin moaned. It’s bad enough we’re serving drinks, but now the only sound we have is my cousin’s blather.
Thought I’d civilize you lot and extend your education, Angus sent.
Then find something interesting to talk about, Hironata sent.
Are you all trying to get sent to the Ledge? Arielle sent. You’re lucky no one is watching.
Why would they even see us? Thomlin sent. They’re all so much more interesting. Looks to me the Matriarch is saying, ‘No, no, I don’t do that on the first date.’
The squad groaned inwardly, which was translated back to Thomlin.
That’s just disgusting, Angus sent.
No its not, Ossian sent.
Your grandma’s still hot, Hironata sent. Just saying.
What’s disgusting is that no one is talking, Thomlin sent. They’re in disbelief. They know she puts out.
That’s enough of that, Angus warned.
Angus felt Arielle fight to contain her laughter.
What are you doing? Gwen sent. Kolsch is staring right at you!
Sorry, Arielle sent, knowing she was putting the Twelfth in a potentially precarious position. Thomlin is just very funny.
Patch me in, Gwen sent.
****
“The Temple of Night is not a viable option,” Thenaria said. Even though she did not raise her voice, all discussion ceased when she spoke. “We do not know where the Temple is. We have mounted five separate expeditions in the past to try to achieve this very suggestion. All ended in failure, two with the deaths of the searchers.”
“What of the child Rastef?” said Cyril. She occupied a space near her sister, Arrolyn, and pushed her long-stemmed glass of juice away as she spoke.
“Rastef De’Veldrin is older than anyone at this table save myself,” Thenaria said as the hummingbird alighted on her shoulder. “Is it appropriate to continually refer to him as ‘child’?”
“We only know of him from the histories, Matriarch,” Arrolyn said in her sister’s defense. “Her question is sound. If he destroyed the temple, he would be able to reveal its location to us.”
A general murmur of agreement filled the table.
“Rastef is not so easily found,” Thenaria said. “Even if he was, his mind is fractured and fragmented from his eternal life. If he could be found, and he was lucid, there is little we could do to entice him to give us the information we seek. He cannot be killed. Believe me, many have tried
. It would seem a fool’s errand to me.”
“But it is within the realm of possible approaches,” Cyril said. “With your permission, Matriarch, I would like to begin the search for him.”
****
You can’t even claim someone slipped a little something into your drink, Thomlin mimicked Cyril in a high-pitched voice as she spoke behind the soundproof barrier. You were naked before you got to the bar.
Gwen’s mental laughter joined that of the Third. Denuelle nudged her mind, and asked what was happening.
We’d go at ya together, Thomlin sent. Spoon ya from both sides at once.
Hey now! Arielle protested.
But I’m the one wearing the penis, Gwen added, her voice shrill and high mocking the Matriarch.
You wore it last time, Thomlin sent, not missing a beat of the interaction.
No, I’m the one wearing the penis, Ossian sent. Mine’s bigger, anyway.
But I have one picked out special, Denuelle joined in. It’s got ridges.
All of you, stop this, now! Ba’ril warned them all.
Have I told anyone about my hemorrhoids, Demona sent, making her voice deep in an imitation of Dugal. They’re ripping the ass outta me.
I just have my lo’el rip mine out with its teeth, Nessah sent in her best Trenton impression. I’m bad ass that way.
I usually just ram a stick up my ass to push them back into place, Demona said as Dugal spoke behind the shield.
That is my father you’re making fun of, Arielle sent.
Oh yes, Ossian sent, devoid of emotion. Harder.
That works all the time, Darrien sent as he patched in.
A big fat one, Hironata sent.
Just like mine, Nessah said in a gruff imitation of the Matriarch.
If you take the stick and jiggle it around, it also aids in the digestion we old folk have such problems with, Enid sent, beating Denuelle to the joke.
Both squads sputtered, trying to hold in their laughter.
I’m too old for things like that, Caradoc said. My shit is already fossilized inside me, and I’m so mean that it just falls out as diamonds.
You’re full of shit! Ti’vol attempted, yelling louder than the rest. She forgot her place and bounced on her toes, pleased with having got a comment in. Those on either side of her chanced giving her a sidelong glance.
That’s why I’m the boss, Gwen said. More diamonds than anyone.
****
Thenaria considered the request a moment. “My apologies to you, Cyril, but I cannot grant my permission.”
Cyril bowed her head, accepting the proclamation, though her sin’del revealed her disappointment. “Then it is back to the libraries, and the maps.”
“And what do we do while we await Cyril’s return from the archives?” Thenaria said.
“We try to locate the source of the breach.” Dugal sat with one arm on the table and the other on his chair. “Not here in the Patresilen, but at its source. We have a group of Yearlings set to enter the Sur in less than a year. We can task them with locating the bore.”
“I would not trust Yearlings with such a task,” Trenton said, pausing to take a drink. “I would be hard pressed to recommend Mala’kar to undertake it.”
“Logan is one of the Yearlings,” Dugal said. Around the table, murmurs of understanding escaped as they absorbed the information. “He is the finest Blade we have produced in generations, and he has certain talents in defense against magic.”
“Such as?” Thenaria said, resting her chin on her knuckles.
“It does not touch him,” Dugal said. “It’s hard to explain, but we have tested him extensively. He seems able to sense its approach and move out of its way. He is highly clairvoyant, so that might account for the ability. Whatever the reason, it works. I doubt there is anything short of the Apostate that he cannot defeat.”
“Do not be too sure of that,” Thenaria said, lifting her head. “You have walked the Sur, and spoken to a Lo’ademn, but do not fool yourself into thinking you know the extent of the dangers we face from the Apostate. There is much yet that stands to be revealed.”
“I stand corrected, Matriarch,” Dugal said, bowing his head. “Forgive me. I did not mean to presume.”
“There is nothing that needs to be forgiven, Dugal,” Thenaria said. “The idea may just be audacious enough to work. How do you propose to have him seal the bore?”
“Not seal it,” Dugal said. “Just locate it. If we know where it is, me may be able to determine what is causing it.”
“And then we can take steps accordingly,” Gavin said.
Thenaria considered the suggestion. She did have to admit that it had its merits, though it was dangerous on several different levels.
“This is a consensus that must be reached by the Conclave,” she said. “There is prodigious hazard involved, and not just for the Yearlings. By tasking them with isolating the location, we are not just risking their lives, but bringing it to the Apostate’s attention.”
“If it is a natural weakness,” Gavin said, “he would be able to exploit it.”
A mug was raised at the table, signaling to the graduates that a drink needed to be refreshed. Arielle hurried to retrieve it. She returned a moment later, having fulfilled the order, Kolsch’s eyes following her the entire way. The Matriarch also tracked Arielle back to her station.
Another cup was raised, and Enid rushed to fill it. Nessah moved to take the next. With each order, the line against the wall tightened.
In the interval, Angus had shifted several spots to his left, and Arielle found herself standing next to him. Thenaria, meanwhile, continued to stare, her ruined eyes opening wide.
****
Don’t look now, Thomlin sent to Arielle. The diamond hoarder is watching.
Arielle shot a glance to Angus as Thomlin spoke, and then back at the Matriarch.
Go back to your post, Arielle sent.
Nope. Too late now. With her watching like this, it’d be a violation of protocol. We’re supposed to be invisible, and I’m not giving her any reasons.
Then stop talking. Everyone shut up. I’m not going back up on the Ledge in front of my family and yours.
Blame it on me, Angus sent. Everyone here would believe it.
Or me, Thomlin sent. Just as guilty.
I can take the heat, Gwen said. Blame me.
****
“Matriarch?” one of the Magi called, his voice bearing the tone of repeating a question, and rising concern at having to do so.
“Mother?” Chrysies said, reaching out and laying her hand on Thenaria’s arm.
The touch of her daughter roused her, and she frowned at her in alarm, not able to utter the terrible, impossible truth she beheld.
“We’re adjourned,” Chrysies said, leaving her seat and moving to her mother’s side.
The gathered host stood without further prompting and exited. Gavin touched the glyph with his finger, and the warding vanished. The Matriarch’s family remained, gathering around her. The Twelfth and the Third executed a smart right face, and marched from the room.
“They stay!” Thenaria said, pointing to Angus and Arielle. Thoreau, Arrolyn, Dugal and Cyril paused at her instruction, letting the other guests flow past them. Arrolyn snagged her son’s sleeve as he went past, halting his departure.
“Who, Mother?” Chrysies said.
“Those two,” Thenaria said, the hummingbird twirling in maddening circles above her. “The children.”
Angus and Arielle exchanged a concerned expression, and stepped out of their formation. The members of their squads sent them wishes of luck, regardless of their affiliation. Under the Matriarch’s continuing gaze, they approached the gathered family.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Unexpected Introductions
Angus took hold of Arielle’s hand as they approached the far end of the table. He had planned on introducing her to his grandmother later in the day, but now that the opportunity had presented itself,
he was glad to get it out of the way. Arielle’s breathing was quick, as she struggled to maintain her composure. No doubt she wanted to make a good impression with such an august personage as the Matriarch. She tried to pull away at first, but after a second, she held tight.
You’ll be fine, he sent. You have done nothing wrong. She’s just old, and has more idiosyncrasies than most. She wouldn’t adjourn Conclave just to yell at us. Me, maybe, but not someone she has not yet met.
Thenaria’s expression as they approached filled him with dread, despite his flippant assurances. She wore a stricken mien, almost frightened. What was more, she was staring at him; it was the most direct gaze she had ever given him. She seemed fixated on them, and did not glance away for the briefest moment. It was more than enough to put him on edge.
They stopped before the family, unsure how to proceed.
“Where are your manners, lad?” Talon said after an uncomfortable pause. “Introduce us.”
Angus was thankful to his father for the chance to interrupt the tableau. His family was waiting on Thenaria to say something, but she did not. Arielle’s family stood off to the side, watching the scene, and evidently uncomfortable.
“My apologies,” he said. He lifted Arielle’s hand and, with his other, pointed at her. “Grandmother, allow me to introduce Arielle Rhen’val, daughter of Dugal and Arrolyn.” He waved to indicate his family. “Arielle, may I introduce my grandmother, Thenaria Tu’renthien, Matriarch of the Lethen’al.”
Thenaria did not so much as blink as he spoke.
“My mother, Chrysies,” Angus said, “the Regent, Heir and Headmistress of the Occanium. My father, Talon Kal’Parev of the Elc’atar Guard. My sister, Melinah, the Heir Apparent, and Companion to the Matriarch. And my Grandfather, Brocco of the Magi.”
“No House,” Brocco said. “No family name. Neither of them is worth mentioning, so no one does. On my insistence, that is. It makes for easier introductions. Welcome, Arielle.”