“I see.” Kevin looked up at the mystic. Something beneath his precise appearance cracked. “Where to begin …”
“At the beginning. To the end. Please.” HuanJen didn’t sound angry; he was almost pleading.
“Well it starts with all that crap with Guild medical and Guild Esoteric combining services. Well, you know mixing pharmacology and herbology and the rest requires … monitoring. Yeah, sure, it saves a lot of trouble, but you know how people are.
“Yes. I do read the Guild newsletters.” HuanJen acknowledged. “Go on.”
“You know the Guild Council was looking for qualified people. Harkness, she and I . .. well Green and she did go back. Your name came up for one of the monitors, and she asked me about you, and … one thing lead to the other. I figured you’d like a holiday surprise. I was thrilled to find out she wanted to extend an offer to you. I mean … ah hell. I thought it’d be funny.”
The silence of the library rolled over the two. Thoughts swirled beneath HuanJen’s infinity-dark eyes.
“It did not look good,” the magician-priest said finally.
“I’m … sorry.” Kevin threw up his hands, his expression miserable. “Look I told Harkness what I thought, good and bad. When I found her decision, it was a … for fun. She really does have a sense of humor …”
“I’ve met her apprentice. I know.”
“Yeah.” Kevin looked around the vast library. “I am sorry. I hadn’t realized, I thought ‘what a special Christmas present,’ and it’d be something non-typical not all the … memos and charts and crap that the Coucil of our Guild has to wade through. A surprise for … my friend. A friend finally getting some recognition, and I damn well know you deserve it after what you did for me.”
“I …” HuanJen smiled and la a friendly hand on Kevin’s thin shoulder. “I did it because .. . I did. Don’t ever involve politics in these things. Don’t involve any traditions in things like this. Do not appear to do either. And, yes, I am glad you and the council think I could help with the changes, but do you understand my concerns, Kevin?”
“Yeah. It looked like a payoff, and … it involves guild politics like the merger and … whatever happens with the Communicants. What are you going to do?”
The Magician-Priest stood, drew himself to his considerable height, and said with full authority, ” I have no idea.”
“And Jade?” Kevin smiled knowingly, but humorlessly.
“She has plenty of ideas. And shares them. Constantly.”
December 28, 1999 Xaian Standard Calendar
The Crosspoint apartment complex was one of several “building communities” in Metris; apartments where residents worked together to maintain them. Some people did maintenance, others did the books, still others provided security or cleaning. It reduced rent prices, built a community, and let people know each other. Everyone had a job, everyone had a way to contribute, everyone had a way to be known.
The population of the Crosspoint were happy to number a Zone Cleric among their residents - actually a Zone Cleric and his apprentice, sort of a two-for-one deal in the occult/spiritual sense. They had had HuanJen and Jade, which did make the residents feel a bit more secure.
Or, in the case of that afternoon, they had Jade, and a rather unhappy one. She wasn’t making anyone feel secure at the time.
The Vulpine sat on the fluffy couch in the living room of the apartment she shared with HuanJen. She was brooding, an aura of almost palatable unhappiness seemed to manifest around her.
Jade concentrated on a strange device hovering before her; a black staff topped with a greenish orb and a curved blade. Slowly, she passed her hands around the device, never touching it. Her emerald eyes stared, unblinking, into the obsidian curves of the object …
… and her hands moved and seized the staff out of the air like a snake’s strike. Still staring straight ahead, she pointed the odd device at an angle, there was a whining sound, a ripple in the air, and a pillow sitting on the couch behind her flew into the air and bounced off a wall …
… and the patio door behind her slid open.
“Jade, I thought you weren’t going to practice with the Lakkom in the living room.” Neatly spoken words slipped into place behind her ears, creating a sudden outburst of guilt.
The Vulpine appeared to deflate slightly, something flowing out of her mind and evaporating. She tossed the staff, the Lakkom, towards the doorway, where it tumbled lazily through the air, catching itself on a coatrack. Jade stared at the floor, not even watching its odd trajectory.
“Sorry, I had … to focus, HuanJen.”
“I see.” HuanJen closed the patio door behind him. All the months they’d been together, there were still moments where Jade forgot the unusual abilities his training had produced. Whether you called it “teleportation” or “The Knife with no Substance,” HuanJen still tended entered his tenth-story apartment in a most unusual way when he had the energy.
“Yes.” Jade felt words struggling to break the chains of good taste. “You thought things over. About the offer. Like you said.”
She couldn’t forge the words into questions.
“I did.” Huan-jen walked into the kitchen, which was really just an extension of the living room, and began rummaging through the refrigerator.
“Good.” Jade took a moment to glance at her lover before returning her attention to the floor. “Good.”
HuanJen sat next to her, placing a glass of water on the magazine-covered cofeetable and dropping the pillow back onto the couch. “I …”
“Look.” Jade whirled around, placing a furred hand on her mentor’s shoulder. “I have something to say, and you’re going to listen and you aren’t going to fortune cookie. I love you but you’re going to listen.”
HuanJen nodded, his usual not-totally-serious expression leaving his face, the light in his eyes dimming. “I’ll listen, dear.”
“OK.” Jade gestured expressively, her hands a blur of white fur, contrasting with the black on the rest of her body. “The Guild Esoteric council wants you to be one of the monitors for that whole pharmacology thing with Guild Medical. OK, you hate it because of Kevin’s stupid little stunt and you hate politics, and this seems real political.”
“Correct.” A slight smile peeked around HuanJen’s seriousness.
“Yeah, well, you don’t want to do it ‘cause of politics and being a good little Taoist you hate that stuff. Well in this case …” Jade bit her lip. “In this case you are full of shit because you want to do this. You’re going to worry about people, you’ve seen, what, a third of your clients deal with the fact they got to get their medicines from the Guilds now. You want to help, and damn it monitoring the manufacturing and policies and all that’ll do it. Forget the money, forget the politics, you not being involved in peoples lives is not you.”
The Fang-Shih looked into Jades green eyes, her emerald gaze reflecting in the dark pits of his own. Jade leaned forward, resting her forehead on his.
“You’re holding back like you did with me. You … are a well, you are the place so much comes from, my love. Don’t hold back, its not you. You won’t get involved in politics because you aren’t that dumb, but you can make sure people are OK. Don’t seal yourself off or go away inside your head, because that’s not you.”
“Thank you.” HuanJen touched Jade’s neck gently. “But I’d already decided to say yes. I thought, and … your words are mine, dear.”
“What?” Jade pulled back.
“Very simply, with the changes in my life, I hold back. I restrain myself, and that is dishonest. When I am myself, I abide in non-action, but to hold myself back is to be as flawed as to force myself. Restraint is falsehood, false action.”
“Well, Crap.”
HuanJen raised an eyebrow. “What?”
Jade shrugged. “I figured we were headed for some big argument. Kinda got ready for it.”
“Well, I did leave the toilet seat up yesterday. We can argue over that.” HuanJen
offered, the twinkle in his eyes coming back.
“Yeah, but that happens what, every month or so? Not worth it. Crap, you went and got reasonable on me, you little shit.”
“I’m sorry.” HuanJen’s voice was mocking, but not malicious. He planted a quick kiss on Jade’s lips. “My irrationality is sadly limited at times.”
Jade laughed lightly, and ruffled HuanJen’s short hair. “Well, look, you can be kind of frustrating at times when you’re not wise, and kind and gentle, and loving and stuff.”
“True, just as you are when frustrating when you are not strong and smart and brave and caring. Then, those rare, rare moments, you are almost hard to tolerate.” The mystic winked.
Jade smirked. “Back to normal. Well . . for us. Our normal, at any rate.”
“Oh, yes. It should be nice. Now, I just need to talk to Solomon Dell …”
“What?” Jade’s voice was an arctic wind.
HuanJen produced a letter from the depths of his belt pouches, usually the domain of mysterious elixirs and esoteric writings. The letter looked neither mysterious nor esoteric, but was obviously on Rancelman Stationary (“The Guardians of Travel”)
“He heard about the offer and wants to meet at Shard Tower for a discussion.”
“Good,” Jade griped, “It’s a chance to push him off. Try and make it look like an accident.”
“Is this still about coffee? Biologics are strictly regulated, and they were smuggling …” HuanJen’s voice was slightly paternal. Jade’s recent complaints about Xai’s coffee supply were a source of annoyance to him.
“No. Not much. Look, its gonna be the same old same old ‘Please join up with us, I’ll appeal to civic duty and toss money at you, and by the way its a chance to join the most continuously reorganized part of the Travellers..’ If you don’t want politics, stay away from the Rancelmen.”
“I’m still talking to him, Jade.”
“Why?”
The smile that split HuanJen’s face was a slash of humorous white. “It’s what I do.”
“Oh, bugger. Here we go again …”
December 31, 1999 Xaian Standard Calendar
Shard Tower.
No one was sure who built it originally, or more likely it was a secret concealed by the Historians. It pierced the center of Metris as it had done for decades upon decades, despite fires, remodeling, and occasional outbursts of architectural genius and incompetence. The Guild Council met there, representatives of other Earths engaged in their discussions, the Outlook served the finest food they could simulate in Xai’s diverse economy and ecology.
It was where things happened, it was the axis of Metris.
Solomon Dell stood on one of the various balconies that dotted the erratically-built structure. It was raining, not the strange reality-ripping cross-storms that occasionally accosted Metris, but a kind of gray-sky continuous downpour. It was the kind of day to write sappy poetry and think over life.
The Head Rancelmen wasn’t inclined to the former, and the latter was a depressing proposition. Winter days like this made him miserable. At least he could have hoped for some snow, but that was a rare thing in Metris; whole winters went by with barely a hint of a cheery white covering on the rooftops of the city.
“Mr. Dell?” The voice seemed to slide into his ears without him having to listen.
“HuanJen.” Dell slumped, armor creaking. Armor; he wore his armor a great deal in public because the felt naked without it. Without it he was indistinct except for what he considered a disturbing lack of height. There was something about commanding a specialized security force and being one of the shortest members that rubbed him the wrong way.
The Zone Cleric stood behind him, a strangely calm and serene figure. Dell was, despite what a few thought, not a man without social skills. He knew HuanJen wasn’t comfortable around him, but it was a not-comfortable that didn’t radiate.
“Yes. I hope I’m not late, I left my watch at the apartment. Busy day. New Years Eve party tonight.” HuanJen strode forward.
“I understand.” Dell nodded, looking over the city as HuanJen rested his arms on the balcony. “Big one?”
“Hard to say. We did our Christmas eve party at the Nax, very crowded, so I’d like something simpler Jade’s planning it anyway, giving me some time”
“Good. Good. Things well between you and Jade? It seems you two are quite the couple.” The Rancelman asked conversationally. “Certainly when I saw you last.”
“Very well. She’s something special. It seems you’ve been paying attention to us.”
“You know how rumors travel,” Dell said soberly. In Metris, rumors gave the speed-of-light thing serious competition.
HuanJen nodded, his voice resigned. “I know. I heard about the Christmas Party.” There was no malice in his tone.
“Gods of Xai.” The Rancelman’s head dropped into his hands. “There are still photos up on the lunchroom message board.”
“Oh, and the web page. Your wife is quite understanding. Who was that …”
“Our Quartermaster,” Dell answered curtly. “She’s really very good, just overly friendly when she drinks. Or plans to. Or thinks about it.”
“I see.” The cleric smiled, and took a deep breath. “Anyway, to business?”
“Yes. To business.” Dell’s manner shifted to a more businesslike poise. “You’ve been offered a new position with Guild Esoteric, I hear.”
“Partial, one day a week to be one of the monitors of our shared services with Guild Medical. I accepted it.”
“Good. Good. Nasty business that service merger.”
“Not really … well in the small. At least the Guilds have compatible goals. People will be better off in the long run.”
“True.” Dell looked out to the hazy horizon. “You know what I’m going to ask next, don’t you.”
“Yes. Why not join the Rancelmen, why not lend my skills to your endeavor.”
“I am nothing if not predictable.” The Head Rancelmen crossed his arms, looking down at the floor of the balcony. “I’m not going to try and sell you on anything …”
” … since last time it didn’t work.”
“Tell me about it.” Dell snickered. “Our HR department asked me kindly to reduce my recruiting work to select individuals due to my, ahem, ‘enthusiasm.’”
“That, no offense, was understandable.” HuanJen chided gently. “I think Jade expected you to attempt to sell us a used car last time you talked.”
“Almost what they said. Anyway. Seriously. I know you are reluctant to leave your Zone, but, it appears you are open to changes in your focus. I’d like to think maybe you could work for us. For me.”
“I see …”
“Wait.” Dell raised a gloved hand, warding off feared rejection. “No … bullshit. Having Shelby on the team was … enlightening. I understand Schwartz got a new apprentice?”
“Yes. Please. Go on.”
“Yes. Huan, I’m serious. Very serious. I’m tired of the Rancelmen being the joke, I’m tired of people thinking our latest … let’s be honest, latest incarnation is just because the Pharaoh A killed the right people. And I don’t like what’s happening on Xai.”
“The Guilds.”
“Yes.” Dell tapped his fingers as he listed off factors. “What happened with your Guild. The vote to make the Commuicants public and cede control to the other Guilds. The rumor Helena Hixx is going to resign as President of the Travelers’. All those little tales and worries; immigration, commerce, and more … esoteric worries.”
“Obsidians. Ziggurat Jack. The Watchful Dead. The usual outbreaks. I know.” HuanJen smiled slightly. “I still need to make sure Jade is properly trained for what outbursts may occur in the upcoming political climate.”
“Yes, and with these concerns …” Dell drummed his fingers on his armored thighs. “I know you have much to do, but we need the right people. Travel is what this city, this world is all about. We protect it despite what the pundits
think. We guard. We ensure. It’s just what you do, making sure things run smoothly. Do more. This isn’t easy for me to ask, but … we need as many people as we can get who can handle any situation.”
“Do more.” It wasn’t a question.
Enthusiasm glowed in the Rancelmen’s eyes. “I can give you more, HuanJen. You want a gift? Let me give you a chance to serve the world. Reach for more.”
“I see. As I thought.” HuanJen stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Think of your future, you’ve obviously started to.” Dell’s voice hinted at a cat’s purr.
“I have thought about the future.” The Fang-Shih turned his attention to the city and the pouring rain. “I have thought for some time, especially since I met Jade.”
“Yes.” Dell’s aura of salesmanship vanished. “Yes I understand that completely. And?”
HuanJen extended a long fingered hand over the balcony, letting his palm fill with raindrops. He then held up his hand in front of the Rancelman, the water flowing between his fingers.
“Flows between the cracks, wears down stone, changes between forms, knows no self, gives us life, always low, always there. Think of it as my role model.”
“You will adapt.” Dell’s smile held the slightest glint of self-satisfaction. “Very deep. Pretentious …”
“It’s not intentional.” HuanJen said wearily. He was often accused of pretention simply for speaking his mind. Being raised among mystics and clerics all ones life tended to skew ones communication skills terribly.
“… but deep.” Dell added civilly.
HuanJen grinned. “I try.” He shook the remaining droplets off of his hand. “I must go. I appreciate the time. Be careful in the months to come, Solomon. It will be a strange time.”
“Wait.” Dell held out a hand. “So, what do you think? You never gave me a straight answer, HuanJen, unlike last time.”
“You’ll have my answer. Take care.”
HuanJen vanished into the depths of Shard Tower.
Solomon Dell stood, staring into nothingness, listening to the rain fall and flow away.
“What … a damned lovely day …”
The Rancelmen of the Travelers’ Guild feared few things. When you had to confront Techrunners, stand near the Portals as weirdness entered and left, and listen to the tales of the Navigators, you became hard to frighten. The fears of myriad Earths were known to you, there was little that could bring terror after a time.
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