by Alan Baxter
Cai Wu made a noise under his breath, a sound of thoughtfulness. ‘But you are still willing to use her for information. You said yourself that these people are laying traps in her mind. They are onto you, no? Does that not contradict your explanation? You should leave her well alone, by your own set of rules.’
Isiah shrugged. ‘I’m an imperfect man. While there is a chance to learn something from her, I want to take that chance. But removing her is too big a chance to take. I told you, it’s a value judgment on my part and I don’t know if it’s the right one. I think that by now we, myself, you guys and the ONC, are all aware of each other. At least to some degree. So we play a delicate game of chance.’
‘Perhaps it is time to consult your... acquaintances again?’
Isiah was aware that Cai Wu was trying to nudge things in a direction that would gain them all more information. He had already considered this himself and had every intention of challenging the Balance again. Something was awry. ‘I intend to. But I don’t think it will do any good.’
Cai Wu nodded, sitting up a little straighter in his seat. The movement was like a punctuation mark in the conversation. A full stop. A new paragraph began. ‘A number of cult members are moving in a seemingly similar direction, but they are being very careful. Meera?’
‘Many of us have been following the movements of the cult cells around Australia. They are all over the country like lice on a mangy dog, but they are starting to move. We can follow them up to a point, but they guard themselves with ever increasing vigilance. As they move away from towns it begins to get much easier for them to spot us should we follow. Perhaps this is why they are heading into the outback.’ She pronounced it like two words, out back. ‘Apart from the added seclusion for whatever they are planning, they can ensure they are not followed there too.’
Another Magus raised a hand to attract attention. ‘I must agree.’ His expression was embarrassed. ‘I tried to follow and thought my skills up to the task. But they are being incredibly thorough. I was spotted and run down and I tried to escape without a fight. But a fight was inevitable. I injured one or two of them quite badly before having enough time and space to slip away. They are taking their privacy very seriously. Physically and magically.’
‘And they’re onto you but don’t care.’ The group turned to look at Isiah when he spoke. ‘Whatever is imminent, nothing will sway them from their course of action. They will run you down and kill you if they can, but if you get away, they will ignore you and continue with their primary purpose. They are focussed on their goal as it’s obviously the most important thing to them. I mean no offence to anyone here, but who is really capable of remaining undetected? How many of you really have the skills to get close?’
The people around the table remained quiet. Isiah recognised humility in them. None of them wanted to admit that they might have what it took. He looked to Cai Wu. ‘Perhaps you could speak for your disciples?’
Cai Wu nodded. ‘Everyone here, and many other Magi, have the ability. We have moved undetected among all manner of people for centuries. Any of us has the potential, but those most versed are those that have lived and trained among us the longest. Petra, Meera, Vincent, Aloysius. There are others.’
Isiah looked at Cai Wu, awaiting something from the old man he knew would not come without prompting. ‘You?’ he suggested.
‘I am an old man, Isiah...’
Isiah laughed. ‘So am I, by mortal standards.’
Cai Wu made a rueful face. ‘I am old by your standards.’
‘But you have abilities unrivalled still. You could organise your people. You could lead them ever closer to this group and perhaps discover where they are planning to have this event of theirs.’
‘As could you, I venture.’
Isiah paused. ‘Perhaps. But I intend to watch the house where Faith is and stick close to her. That is perhaps the most dangerous place to be and the most dangerous place to be found. Those among the ONC that are less talented are leading these groups around Australia. Find one that has the least talent and follow him. Leave other Magi to watch other groups from a distance. If you get found out, escape at high speed and start on with another group. They have to keep moving towards their goal. Can you take a group of your stealthiest Magi and keep tracking, one group to the next?’
Cai Wu nodded almost imperceptibly. ‘I could. It has been a long time since I was in the field.’
Isiah smiled. ‘I bet it’ll do you good. Meanwhile, I’ll watch the group in Sydney and try to determine more of their intentions. We can stay in contact.’
One of the Magi at the table sat forward. He was muscular and hard looking, as if carved rather than born. ‘This may sound like a dumb suggestion,’ he said, his voice deep. ‘Why don’t we just start to get a bit more brutal?’
Cai Wu shook his head. ‘Violence is sometimes the answer, Arthur, but very rarely in the first instance.’
‘We could simply start reducing their numbers by intercepting these groups along the way. And a little painful coercion could reveal the location of the final destination in no time.’ Arthur’s face was defiant as he spoke.
Isiah smiled. He had to admit that there was a certain sense of rightness about Arthur’s suggestion. Then again, Isiah himself was a warrior at heart and the method appealed to him. He understood very well the path of peaceful resistance and the path of observation, but sometimes the only thing that would do was a good, solid thrashing. ‘Arthur, I wish we could do as you suggest,’ he said, still smiling. ‘But it’s not the starting point. Don’t worry. I think that before this is over, there will be violence. From what little I know of the methodology of this group, bloodshed is usually quite high on their agenda. For now we have to play it as softly as possible.’
Arthur sat back with a grunt. He was displeased but would submit to Isiah. For now, at least. Isiah was quite convinced that, at the earliest opportunity, Arthur would be running to the front of the line, a can of whoopass held high before him.
‘I’ll go with you.’ Petra put a hand on Isiah’s arm as she spoke. Her eyes were hard, defying him to deny her.
But deny her he had to. ‘You need to stay close to your Master. When I asked him who was capable of staying close to the ONC, it was not without reason that your name was mentioned first.’
‘Don’t flatter me. I want to be with you. You might need my help.’
‘Not as much as Master Cai. Your first priority is to your own people.’
Petra stared hard at him. ‘You don’t consider us all as one people yet?’
The question ran deeper than alliance or allegiance. Isiah took an easy route out. ‘I have worked alone for centuries. I’ve never had a family like you have here. For now you must stay with your family and I must work alone. Believe me, I would have you at my side if it were possible.’
Petra shook her head. ‘Your reasoning is flawed and your suggestions unsatisfactory.’
Isiah smiled. ‘And your tone is very formal. I’m sorry, but you must stay with your people. Watching Faith might lead us to information and that is something that I can do best alone. Watching the rest of the ONC is something that absolutely will lead to more information and that is something that you can do better than others. We will join up again with the ONC before us.’
Petra’s eyes softened. She was not happy, but she could see Isiah’s reasoning. ‘You and I will stay in contact. Consistent contact.’
‘Of course.’
Cai Wu stood. Another full stop had been placed in the proceedings. ‘Let’s go,’ he said, authority evident in his voice. ‘Isiah, talk to anyone you can for guidance, and fates protect you.’
Isiah nodded. ‘And you.’ He looked at Petra. ‘Listen for me. Where I’m going you cannot stay in touch, but I’ll call to you on my return.’ Without waiting for an answer he Travelled.
He stood surrounded by nothing, refusing to feel the usual sense of peace he got here. ‘Talk to me. Now.’
Sile
nce. He had had enough of this. For hundreds of years he had followed the orders of the Balance. He had worked in so many ways, some of which he strongly disagreed with, yet did so out of a sense of respect for the greater knowledge held by the Balance. Experience had taught him that, in the long run, there was always good reason for the things he had been asked to do.
Now things were different. Certainly he had gone out on a limb, following his own will on a subject that the Balance had advised against, but he felt strongly about it. He was determined to do something and, in the back of his mind, he had expected the Balance to either begin helping him or hindering him. If what he was doing was not going to cause great upset, then he had expected the Balance to aid him, at least in some small way, out of a sense of debt if nothing else.
On the other hand, if his plans were likely to cause great upset to the Balance, then certainly the powerful entity would step in and shout him down. Isiah had never actually crossed the Balance before, but he was sure that if he did there would be ways that could be employed against him. He had even suggested as much when they had first talked about this. Was it possible that the Balance had no sway against him? He held no gods or beliefs personal as his own, knowing full well that they all existed on behalf of all their followers and they were, to a man, woman, creature or ball of light, a royal pain in the arse. Was it possible that Isiah was in such a position that nothing could touch him directly? The Balance could direct him, but it certainly couldn’t direct gods. That’s what he was for. Did the Balance have no one else to stand against him? He often wondered if there were any others like him in the world, other agents of Balance.
But all this was academic. Even if the Balance had no agent to challenge him, the Balance itself would surely be shouting its opposition to him, or worse. The thing that really bugged him was the complete lack of contact, any help or hindrance. He was alone in this in every way and that was a new experience for him.
AND THEREIN YOU REACH THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.
‘So, you’re listening in then.’ Isiah always chose to converse aloud, the human way. The Balance usually did the same even if it listened to his thoughts as well. To keep the conversation a linear thing was important. Too often his mind and the Balance would have a conversation without him realising it and knowledge would simply blossom in his brain. That always left him feeling like an outsider to his own life. ‘The crux of the matter, eh?’
He waited for more explanation, nothing was forthcoming. ‘What exactly is the crux of the matter, you giant pain in my rectum? Why are you being so conspicuous by your absence?’
THINGS ARE CLOUDED AND UNCERTAIN. WHEN NO SPECIFIC COURSE OF ACTION PRESENTS ITSELF, ACTION IS UNWISE.
Isiah couldn’t help but take that as a mild rebuke. ‘I have to do something. I’ve told you before, these people are evil bastards. And now they’re trying to raise a god. How can this be a good thing?’
GOOD OR BAD IS IRRELEVANT. ALL THAT MATTERS IS BALANCE.
This was old ground and Isiah knew he would get nowhere challenging the basic principles. He tried a new angle. ‘What do you mean things are clouded and uncertain?’
GREAT MAGICS ARE AT WORK, GREAT MOVEMENTS OF PEOPLE ARE OCCURRING, FATES INTERTWINE. BUT NOTHING IS CLEAR.
‘So?’
SO ANY ACTION IS UNWISE.
Isiah had a sudden and enlightening thought. It was more than a little frightening to consider, given his previous experience of the Balance’s knowledge. ‘Are you suggesting that you can’t tell what’s happening? Is this potentially something bad that you can’t read?’
NOTHING IS EVER CERTAIN. NOTHING IS EVER REVEALED IN ITS ENTIRETY UNTIL IT HAS COME TO PASS.
‘Bullshit! You always know where you’re pushing me, where you’re making me push others. You twist and manipulate. But here it sounds like you don’t know what’s happening.’
Silence.
‘You’re not going to try to stop me from continuing? Or help me?’
YOU HAVE SET YOURSELF ON A COURSE OF ACTION THAT YOU MUST SEE THROUGH, REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME. YOU ARE A PART OF THIS NOW, WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO BE OR NOT.
‘And you’re not going to help me? After all I’ve done for you?’
THE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE ARE IRRELEVANT. ALL THAT MATTERS IS WHAT YOU DO OR WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO.
‘Very philosophical. Can you tell me anything? Can you at least tell me where this big meeting of the ONC is going to take place?’
ACTION AT THIS POINT IS UNWISE.
Isiah shook his head. This was bloody frustrating. ‘Is a new god going to rise?’
THE ONC INTENDS IT TO BE SO.
‘This new god is going to slot in without any great upset to the Balance then, is it?’
THE FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN.
‘What if it turns out that this event really is as world-changing as the ONC suggest it is? You’ll have egg on your face then, won’t you?’
NOTHING IS CERTAIN. SOME THINGS WILL ONLY BE REVEALED IN THEIR OWN TIME.
‘And you’re okay with that?’
THE WORLD WILL PROCEED AS IT WILL PROCEED. BALANCE MUST BE MAINTAINED, BUT ONLY WHEN BALANCE IS EVIDENT.
Isiah shook his head. ‘You know, I don’t like this tone of yours. I don’t like to hear the suggestion that you don’t know what’s going on.’
WHAT YOU LIKE OR DISLIKE HAS LITTLE BEARING ON MUCH AT ALL.
‘Yeah, I love it when you get all sentimental on me. You know what I think? I think that you know far more than you’re letting on, but I’m too close to be told. You know why I think that? Because any alternatives are too distasteful or frightening to consider. I think that there’s great risk here and perhaps I’m right at the centre of it and you’re playing me. But whatever. Fuck you. I’m planning to carry on. I plan to bring this ONC down and finish up every last bloodletting bastard I can.
‘I realise what a big task that is and I realise that it might not be doable. But I have some friends on side and we’re going to give it a go. If you decide that you might like to offer any assistance or suggestions along the way, please feel free to invade my fucking brain.’
Without waiting for a response that probably would not have been forthcoming anyway, Isiah Travelled again. Leaving the serene whiteness behind, he slipped back into the mortal Realm in Herb’s living room.
Herb coughed, wide-eyed, into a bong, water and tiny glowing coals making a sudden fountain over his hand, dowsing the lighter he held. Swirls of thick smoke swam around his head, spinning away with his coughs. ‘Fucking hell!’
Isiah smiled. He did enjoy messing with Herb’s head. He had often wondered what the guy would have amounted to if it wasn’t for the pot. Then again, there were a lot of people out there that were destroyed by the world, broken by its injustices and impartiality. Those people were often the most intelligent. Herb was one that dampened the horror with weed. ‘How are you, mate?’
Herb’s eyes watered as he patted out the coals on his legs and brushed them to the floor. He suppressed a few more insistent coughs. ‘You could have fucking killed me!’ He laughed. ‘Still, what a way to go, eh?’
Isiah nodded, smiling. ‘I suppose so.’
Herb cleared his throat, gathering himself. ‘What can I do for you? Haven’t seen you for years, then you pop up three times in quick succession. Why are you impersonating a bus?’
‘I’ve been a bit busy around your neck of the woods lately, that’s all. I just needed somewhere quiet to arrive. I’m off to Paddington.’
Herb nodded. ‘No worries. You wanna borrow my car?’
‘Yeah, thanks. I’ll get it back to you later. When do you need it?’
Herb shrugged. ‘Doesn’t matter. Keep it as long as you like. People can come to me if it’s important.’ His eyes narrowed slightly. ‘When I say as long as you like, I don’t mean years. I’ll need it at some point in the next few days.’
Isiah smiled. ‘No problem. Thanks.’
‘Cone?’ Herb held up the dripping bong w
ith a broad smile and a twinkle in his eye.
‘No thanks. See you later.’
Isiah got up and headed out, leaving Herb studiously repacking the cone that had been so rudely disrupted. As he walked out the front door he sang out across the ether for Petra.
There you are! Everything ok?
Yep, but we’re still on our own I’m afraid. No matter, we’ll stick with the plan. You?
We’re about to move on. We’ve picked a cell of the ONC that is being led by an Optimates that’s a little bit green. Hopefully Master Cai and I can evade his wards. The others are off to watch various cells around the country.
Cool. Stay in touch. I’m heading back to the Paddington house.
Be careful.
You too.
Isiah unlocked and started Herb’s car, hopping into the driver’s seat as he did so. He drove the few kilometres to Paddington and parked the car a couple of streets away from the house. Locking down his presence he strolled along the pavement in front of the large house owned by Lars. He glanced into the front garden as he passed. No one was there. The place looked locked up tight. A sudden sense of unease gripped him. He let his guard down slightly and felt out with his mind. There were no wards in place. He released his own guard a bit more, feeling out further and deeper. Nothing. Nothing at all.
‘Oh, fuck it!’ He jogged up the pathway to the front of the house. The door was locked tight. He ran around, checking in all the windows that he could see through. The house stood still and empty. Some windows were blacked out entirely. He let his mind seek out further, risking his detection by letting his senses roam right through the house. Nothing.
He ran to the back and looked left and right. Nobody in any neighbouring houses seemed to have any view of him. With one powerful front kick the back door sprang out of its frame, across the kitchen. He walked in, angry. His presence was altogether different now. He had wards and protections of his own buzzing around himself. Like a cat with its back arched and its tail puffed up in readiness, tense as a piano wire, he stalked through the house, feeling out every corner. They couldn’t be gone, surely. All at once like this? Foolish! Why hadn’t he put a Magus on watch while he was away. To lose them now after all this was ridiculous. To lose Faith was unforgivable. For all his talk of letting her walk the path she had chosen, he was still hoping to be able to protect her.