“Grab the foresail’s rope Sempai, hold onto it and haul it to your left when I tell you to.”
“Why?”
“That is an order, Sempai,” Kyp said with a smile on his face.
“This is to get back for what we did in Benny when you first started to get taught, isn't it?”
“Never Sempai. That would be petty,” Kyp said, still a bright smile on his face.
Pieter let out a sigh and did as he was told. It wasn’t like he could actually steer or pilot this ship without him. And with Seven and Nine locked away in the Embassy, he was short on allies that knew how to maneuver any kind of æther ship.
“Pull it hard to starboard, now,” Kyp shouted.
Pieter did as instructed, the ship snapped to his right hand. It banked around a floating buoy and cleared the small docking yard that they had bought the ship from. The ship started to move a bit faster, and Pieter could hear the core under their feet growling with more and more power.
“It almost sounds alive,” Pieter said.
“They are alive, Sempai.”
“What do you mean?”
Kyp looked at his mentor with a shake of his head. “You know nothing of the æther ways?”
“Not really something I had to study while in my own family. Or when I went to the Embassy. What do you mean they are alive?”
“They have a spark. They are grown in the large plants of Earth; a place most are forbidden to see.”
“Yet, there are what, three, four families that own all of the core plants?”
“Three now. With Thalis gone, only three are left. I am sure that the plants of the Thalis family have been picked over like a carcass.”
Pieter didn’t like the analogy, though it fit. There had to be something about the Thalis family that had caused them to be targeted more than the other houses. He shook his head. He knew that he and Kyp were out of their depth. Even Sarena was, even though she didn't show it.
Pieter found it odd that he missed her. The brazen way she strutted around, the way she shouted him down. He shook his head. Stop acting like a lovesick fool, he thought. She hates you. You are an Emissary. Very few Emissaries ever found real love. Most were bred with other families that had strong connections to the Void. Though some women, and men, did choose to marry an Emissary to forge a stronger tie to the Embassy for the family they were part of. Even if the offspring wasn’t able to channel the Void, the tie was still there. His own mother was never truly at peace with herself when home at the Strahd family home. He remembered her, though in vague memories. It had been twenty years since he had been home. And it isn't like you can just go and visit. Not after what happened. He did regret not being able to visit her or see his father laid to rest. He’d had a duty to perform and wasn’t able to be there for the funeral.
“Sempai, we have a problem.”
Pieter looked at Kyp, shaking his head out of his reverie. “What?”
“There isn’t a way to get past atmo at the moment.”
Pieter was about to ask why when Kyp pointed behind him. Pieter turned to see a large dreadnought looming in their path. “Can’t we go around it? Or something?”
“No, not that. That is an Imperium dreadnought. We have to heave to and let them board us.”
“Why? Can’t we—”
“Sempai, this isn’t an Embassy ship. This is a ship that was purchased, probably illegally, and they are the ones in charge. And,” he said while letting the core slow them, “they are the ones with guns.”
“Very well. Heave to.”
The dreadnought waited for their small sloop to hevae to, a cutter was already cruising towards them. It wasn’t like the small cutters Pieter had seen before. This one was enclosed in the same kind of metal as the dreadnought. He thought it strange since metal was corroded easily in the æther. Yet, the massive dreadnought was as well. Pieter assumed there ws some protective measure made against the effect of the æther. His eyes counted fifty cannons ports, then his eyes strayed to near the top of the superstructure of the huge ship. There, he saw dozens of the barrels that looked like extended rifle muzzles.
“What are those, Kyp?”
“You don’t know, Sempai?”
Pieter looked at his apprentice and arched an eyebrow. “Consider it a way to give your Sempai knowledge.”
Kyp rolled his eyes. “Alright, Piet--I mean Sempai. They are beam weapons. They are for repelling boarders and in atmo combat.”
Pieter looked back at the muzzles. There were dozens arranged around the ship. Piter knew that energy weapons caused the æther to boil, which could cause all ships to burn. “Seems a rather idiotic measure.”
“Sometimes, the Imperium prefers to do things idiotically,” Kyp said with a shrug.
The cutter arrived a few moments later. A ramp extended down to reveal men in the olive drab of the Imerpium Navy. All held plasma throwers, not trained on Pieter and Kyp. Though the threat and menace was plain. A lieutenant, short and with a thrust out lower jaw walked onto the ramp. “I need to see some paperwork on this sloop.” He held out a gloved hand.
“We don’t need to do that,” Pieter said. He touched the navy man’s mind. It was tricky, yet he tried the best he could to push the man to let them go. He felt the tenuous hold on the Void slipping while he spoke to the lieutenant. He was not skilled at this.
The lieutenant frowned at Pieter for moment. “You need to show me the paperwork for this ship. Or I will have it seized and you thrown in the brig.”
Pieter opened his moputh to speak when Kyp stepped forward. “Let me handle this, Master.”
Pieter stepped back. I know what I am doing, Sempai.
Very well, let’s see what you can do.
The lieutenant’s frown turned into a glower when he came eye to eye with Kyp. Pieter hid a smile thinking the lieutenant didn’t like being the same size as Kyp. Kyp gave the lieutenant and smile. “Liuetenant Redding, it is a pleasure to meet you by the way. My Master and I have recently purchased this sloop. We were heading out on a small voyage to Io and back, to see if the ship is worth a damn. You know how it can be.”
“However--“
“My Master is from House Strahd. You know who they are, correct?”
“Aye, but--“
“And, with the recent turmoil of the noble houses, the troubles caused by certain groups, you can understand why we have to remain anonymous and do not wish to be put on an Imperium record of leaving here.”
“Everyone needs to give a--“
“Of course, of course we do,” Kyp said, smiling even broader.
Pieter was suspect of something and focused, feeling that his apprentice was using the Void to push the lieutenant. The Emissary bit his lip. He would reprimand later. If they were to get off this planet and find Benny, it would be worth it.
“Therefore, I suggest you put the name Stanely Ipswitch as the name, plus one. And, we shall return soon.”
“How do I--“ Lieutenant Redding’s face lost the glower completely. He looked a bit dizzy. He then nodded and said, “Very well, Master Ipswitch, youth. Please have a pleasant trip.”
After a handful of moments of the lieutenant shaking hands with Kyp and Pieter, pleasantries passed amongst the three, the lieutenant walked back across the metal ramp to his cutter. He nodded as the ramp went up and Kyp turned to Pieter, beaming.
“How did you--‘
“You need to know how to soothe some people, Sempai. It was easier than trying to explain everything and hee is going to be friendly to his men for a time too. He is a--“
“Apprentice, that was a gross misue of the Void,” Pieter did not wag his finger or look cross. He went about his duties that Kyp had given him before they were stopped. Yet, he filled his words with a measured cold tone. “That wasn;t the way to do it.”
“You were going to do it.”
“I was tyring to push him a little. This soothing you speak of it to much. That cold leave lasting scars on his mind.”
/> “But, Sempai--“
“Never again, understand apprentice?”
“Yes Sempai,” Kyp said, his shoulders sagging and looked sullen for a time as they traveled.
Pieter and Kyp took turns reaching out to find the large Ilvan ship. Pieter tried to sense Sarena, though something blocked him. Pieter was surprised how soon after they entered the æther that they discovered Benny. It took hours of casting out to sense the large ship, feeling the unique sensation of the ship befreo Kyp said he had found them. Envelope created by the core of the ship was thin and soon Pieter spotted the large cigar-like shape of the Ilvan.
“How are we going to get aboard? This ship doesn’t have an ansible,” Kyp asked.
“I am sure we will find a way.” Pieter looked at the rapidly growing form of Benny and reached out. Come on Sarena, where are you? Hell, I’ll talk to Toth if I have to.
It was fint, but Pieter thoguth he felt something. Pieter, is that you?
Sarena, yes. We found you. We are coming--
I know where you are. Come in through the docking station on the port side.
Pieter repeated her instructins to his apprentice. The two moved with haste to get aboard Benny. Though, when he looked at Kyp, he saw that the apprentice enjoyed sailing on the sloop.
“Do you want to see if we can keep it?” Pieter asked, looking at Kyp.
“Sempai?”
“You seem to be enjoying it.”
“I’ll sail again, I am sure.” The youth looked out around the riot of colors that expanded all around them in the æther. “I was born out here in the æther. I’ll probably die out here.”
Pieter gave Kyp a lopsided smile. “Perhaps. But, let’s not talk of that. Right now, we have a more important mission.”
“Yes, Sempai?”
“We have to head to Titan to retrieve a witchwood sword for you.”
“Am I ready for that?”
“No, not at all. But, we are facing an enemy with great reach. You will need to learn how to defend yourself.”
Kyp looked a little sick. But he nodded and said, “Yes Sempai.”
When they entered Benny, there was something that felt off to Pieter. His hand strayed to his sword. “Sarena, Toth you two around?”
The hallwasy were dimmer than usual. A small pulse of light starting to move down the hallways away from them. Pieter looked to Kyp and the two walked down the hallway, moving a little faster than a walk. Then, a trot as the light moved faster. It led the pair into the medical bay of Benny. On one of the exam tables and beds was Toth. His small furred body held in place by vines. A thin flexible vine was attached to his nose and he looked at the two with unfocused eyes.
Sarena? Where is--
“I’m here,” Sarena said then groaned from another doorway. She walked in, gripping her head. “Owww. Damn my head hurts. Where did you two come from?” She asked, looking at the pair.
“We were going to ask where you went,” Pieter said. “You took off without us.”
“Thought you didn’t need us anymore.”
Pieter let out a small cough. “I was wrong. We need to hitch a ride to Titan, and then Callisto.”.”
“Gonna cost you, Emissary,” Sarena said. “It’s a long way to Saturn’s system. You have coin or food?”
“Just our wit,” Pieter with a smile.
“Then, get out.”
“We have a sloop,” Kyp said. “Not the best. But we have something. Take it and sell it.”
Sarena looked at Kyp and then at Pieter. She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know. Not exactly working with my ship guy now.”
“Then, I will show you something greater. A withcwood grove on Titan.”
“You are insane. Witchwood only grows on Cantauri. And those little copses are hardly a ‘grove.’ I think you’re insane, Emissary.”
“Try me,” Pieter said. “If I’m wrong, strand us on Titan. If I’m right, take us to Callisto as well.”
Sarena looked at Pieter, then Kyp and then Pieter again. “Alright. Fine.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
“You keep saying there are witchwood trees on Titan,” Sarena said, throttling back the small jump craft over the swamps of Titan. “You are crazy, Emissary. The only witchwood is on Centauri. I’m a merchant. I know these things, it’s my job to—”
Kyp was in the back of the craft and wasn’t sure why Sarena stopped speaking. He closed the manual that Pieter – Sempai, he corrected himself - had given him to read as part of his training. It was old and convoluted. The breathing exercises were hard without some kind of example. He stood up when he noticed the craft started to descend. He saw why she had stopped talking.
He had seen witchwood groves on Centauri. Small copses of ten to fifteen at the most in patches here and there on spits of dirt of Wormwood. Here and there but never in bigger clumps. The Centauri, who knew about all things tree related, could never make them grow more than a handful in a patch. Kyp had heard they tried everything and failed.
Before him was a forest of witchwood trees. Some had bark of dull gray, some saplings of light gray. He saw one huge sprawling witchwood tree that had a massive black trunk and thick branches of dark gray bordering on black. Everyone in the craft was stunned by the sight. Except his Sempai who had a grin that told Kyp everything he needed to know.
Pieter clasp Kyp on the shoulder. “Feel it yet?”
“Feel what?” Kyp asked, looking back.
“Open yourself to the Void.”
“Are you sure, the last time—”
“I will help guide you.”
Kyp closed his eyes and sought out the small furled knot that was the Void in him. He gave it a mental touch, and it unfurled like a flower. There were voices that slammed into his head: Sarena, Toth, Pieter. And there were more. Murmurs, whispers, and other vocal sounds. A few shouts, something that he couldn't make out, and something that hissed in his ear.
“Stay away from that. That hissing,” Pieter said, clutching Kyp’s shoulder. “That is the Rift.”
“I thought it was part of me.”
“It is, yet each person has their own, and it feeds off each other.”
Kyp closed his eyes again and felt the half-heard voices were calling to him, begging him to come to them. He reached out to them and felt Sempai shield him. “You told me to—”
“You need to be on the ground before you do more,” Pieter said. “We need to find our tree first. Shut it off, otherwise it will be difficult for us soon.”
“Why?”
“Do as I say.”
“Yes, Sempai.”
When they landed, he was the first one off the jumper. He heard Sarena and Pieter arguing about something. Toth was waiting at the ramp of the jump ship, looking bored.
“What do you mean, ‘we can’t go?’ Do you know how much we could make with this forest? Why that big black one over there—”
“Sarena, you can only come along if you stop that thinking like that. This is a sacred place. It is something that Kyp needs to do. Especially since we can’t return to the Embassy, not yet at least.”
Sarena let out a huff. “Fine. I’m still going. I’ll be good, I swear.”
Pieter gave her a look as they stepped out of the ship. “Why do I not believe you?”
Sarena shrugged her shoulders and walked into the murk. She slapped Kyp on the shoulder. “Come on Kyp, let’s find your tree.”
Kyp waited until Pieter… Sempai, left the ship. “When can I—”
“First, you have to promise me you will focus. Listen to what I say. And when I tell you to do something, you do it.”
“I swear,” Kyp said.
Pieter nodded, and the two set out with Sarena and Toth following behind. The place oozed out a reek worse than that of Wormwood where there was only a small whiff of sulfur in the air. This was a swamp full of it. The forest was on a big raised piece of land, yet as Kyp walked, he kept feeling something strange underfoot. He reached for the Void to delve when P
ieter stopped him, slamming a shield around him again. “No. Do not touch the Void yet. We need to be in the forest proper.”
“Yes, Sempai.”
The foursome reached the edge of the forest. The saplings swayed in the warm breeze, and the smell grew worse and worse as they moved closer. Sarena even put her hand to her nose to pinch it closed. “Wonderful place you brought us to.”
“You can go back if you want,” Pieter said while rolling his eyes. “This will be a strange place for you. Do not believe things you see in here. They are phantasms created by the Void.”
“Uh huh,” Sarena said.
Kyp looked down at Toth, yet the Lasha kept moving his head around on a swivel. “What do you hear, Toth?”
“Voices, many voices.” He shook his head and started to move forward. He then turned his head to look at Pieter. “You knew I would feel this way, didn’t you, Emissary?”
“Perhaps,” Pieter said with a smirk.
“Should we go back to Benny?” Sarena asked Toth.
“No. I’m fine. Let’s go.”
They walked for a dozen paces when Kyp looked up and saw Flynn. “Flynn? What the hell are you doing here?” He started to move after him, seeing his friend duck behind a tree. He tried to move when Pieter touched his shoulder. “It isn’t real, Kyp. Focus. And open yourself to the Void.”
Kyp did so. He always felt the rush of power from the Void, and it was even more intense here. He took a step and felt the voices crash into his head, louder and more than on the jumper. He closed his eyes and sank to the ground for a minute.
“Focus,” he heard Pieter’s voice cutting through the din. “Focus on the one voice that called your name.”
Kyp shook his head. “It’s too hard. I can’t do this.”
“Yes you can,” Pieter said. “Focus.”
Kyp stood up, his legs weak and his muscles feeling like rubber. He gritted his teeth, concentrating. He pushed at the voices, but they crashed back onto him. He felt himself slipping away, the sound growing louder and louder. He wanted to cry out and shut them out. He tried to close off the Void. He couldn’t. Terrified, he clawed at the unfurled part of him, trying to close it. He tried with all of his might, but he couldn’t make it budge. A scream came to his lips.
Void Emissary: The Book of the Void Part 1 Page 12