Aware

by Andy Havens

  Monday shrugged. “I do not use these devices. My staff assures me that they are integral to their personal efficiency. I trust Mrs. McKey and others to make these various tools do what they need to do. But I would no more direct her in this than I would recommend Wallace write with a pen rather than his beloved, pedestrian, chewed up pencils.”

  Wallace looked up, horrified.

  “He’s teasing you, Wallace,” McKey assured the clerk. “He likes pencils, too.”

  “Be that as it may,” the Warden said, “I would now like to invite my associate here directly. He has intelligence that may be important. I feel that, going forward, it is essential that we compare and combine notes. There are pieces of this puzzle scattered all over and it behooves us to cooperate to our mutual benefit.”

  “Behooves,” said Vannia, drawing the “oo” sound out.

  “Yes?” Ezer asked, a bit peeved.

  “It’s just. Come on. ‘Behooooooves.’ Srsly. Who talks like that?”

  “Clearly I do.”

  She nodded. “Right. Never mind.”

  At that moment her phone buzzed and she looked down.

  “Damn it all!” she shouted.

  Cries of “What?” and “What’s happened?” “What’s wrong?” all around, Kendra jumping up to stand by her friend.

  “Somebody has beaten my high-score on Monkey Match!”

  Silence.

  Which Monday broke by saying, “Contact your associate, Gareth. We’ll take a break and reconvene when he gets here.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Question for you, though.”

  “Yes?”

  “How sure are you that only Blood and Earth are involved in this plot we’re discussing?”

  Ezer tapped his fingers together in thought. “There may be individuals from other Domains. I couldn’t eliminate that possibility. But I am quite certain that the other Houses themselves are not involved. Not in any way that would constitute a breaking of the Law. Why do you ask?”

  “You made the excellent point that we should be combining our resources,” Monday answered. “As we have representation here from Sight, Chaos and Increase, It may be prudent to invite some trusted individuals from Flux and Release into our discussions.”

  Ezer’s face hardened and she could see him making a physical effort to reply calmly.

  “Lady Percy will not respond to any such request,” he said stonily. “Not if I am in any way attached to it.”

  “That is what I’ve been led to believe,” agreed Monday. “But in the case of that particular House, we might learn as much from any other member as from its Mistress herself.”

  Scowling deeply, Ezer nodded. “That’s true. They do not often share intelligence internally. It would interfere with issues of succession.”

  Once again, Kendra was startled to find that she understood the implications perfectly. Of course Release doesn’t work together well or pool information. Keeping everything to yourself is essential when it comes to hiding and escape.

  “I could call my Uncle Bran,” Kendra suggested.

  Ezer shook his head. “He deeply distrusts Increase. Remember, he doesn’t even believe that Morgan is your actual father.”

  “And he would not, I think, enter back into the Library willingly,” Monday added.

  Kendra nodded.

  Wallace raised his hand and McKey shot him a look that clearly said, You don’t need to raise your hand, you goober. But yes, please… Go ahead.

  “There was a fellow from Release that the greenman, Kaolyn, and I visited. We were trying everything to locate Kendra. It was the period after Ms. Vannia rescued her from the café.”

  McKey held up a finger, quickly consulting a Way and replied, “Yes. Niles Fayton. I remember reading about that visit in one of your reports.”

  “I know the name,” Ezer said. “He is involved with some Mundane institutions. Museums, symphony orchestras, the ballet. That kind of thing. Some educational and health initiatives, I believe. There’s some overlap with a few of my non-profits.”

  “Why would a Reckoner of Release be involved with Mundane stuff like that?” Kendra asked.

  “Why do any of us do anything?” Vannia said, hopping down off her chair. “He wants to.”

  “My guess,” Monday offered, “Is that they provide him access to people or places that would otherwise be difficult to access. Or that, contrariwise, he is assisting other Reckoners in denying access to those people or places.”

  Ezer nodded. “I’d say that’s reasonable.”

  They sat quietly for a moment, contemplating the idea.

  “We could bring him in and you could bind him in a Way of Silence,” Ezer finally suggested. “If he’s in here, it will certainly hold.”

  Monday waved that idea away. “Those aren’t much good except about very specific issues. Used more as the ‘fine print’ on some of our agreements than the actual contract itself. If it were broad enough to be truly binding, it would probably greatly limit his usefulness to us.”

  “Ah.”

  They thought some more and Kendra, feeling foolish for making a suggestion in the presence of two Domain Lords, said, “What about meeting in a Sanctuary? At least to begin the discussion?”

  Ezer and Monday looked at each other and then back at Kendra.

  “Not a bad idea,” the Librarian offered.

  “Could get the ball rolling,” the Warden agreed. He continued, saying, “Besides… this is going to be a long, drawn out investigation. Which will then require even more long, drawn out negotiations between the Houses before we make any real accusations or moves against Blood and Earth.”

  “If we do so at all,” McKey interjected. “In the open.”

  “Indeed, Mrs. McKey,” Monday agreed. “For while we may find evidence of any number of… shenanigans… unless it is a true and premeditated attempt to subvert the Law, it may be that more subtle, private methods of correction are preferable.”

  “Indeed,” agreed the Warden.

  Vannia mimicked his tone almost perfectly, if an octave or two higher: “Indeed.”

  Which actually made the Warden smile. Which made Vannia giggle.

  “What?” asked Kendra.

  “It is just good,” Ezer admitted, looking down for a moment, almost timidly, “to have allies in this. I have kept my suspicions to myself for so long.”

  Looking up, he stared at each of them in turn while he said, “I am glad to have you by my side in this.”

  He is so good at that, Kendra thought. Mostly because he actually means it.

  Moving to the door to take the short break he’d mentioned, Monday stopped as Kendra said, “So one of us will contact this Niles guy. That leaves only Flux, then.”

  The Librarian turned and frowned, looking a bit at a loss for words. “Flux has long been a hard House to pin down. We can perhaps proceed without their involvement. Unless any of you have a specific Reckoner you’d, uh… put forward.”

  Monday left the room hastily and Kendra looked a question at McKey and Wallace: What was that about?

  McKey waited a moment until the sound of Monday’s steps had moved all the way down the hall.

  “Short version? Flux was largely responsible for the Great Reckoner Wars that almost broke the Earth. When Monday and his allies separated the House into Increase and Release, they diminished the power of Flux to the point where it is, well… very limited. Almost all Reckoners born into the Domain end up shifting allegiance to Increase or Release before fully awakening. In fact, giving them that choice is part of the arrangement by which the House bargained for its survival.”

  “Really. It’s that extreme?”

  “You have to remember,” Wallace said, using his best young-professor voice, “that Flux’s power was based on causing widespread change. That meant building up a person or a region or even another House and then causing their downfall. Those who stay in the Domain still do that, but on much smaller stages. Personal, usually. Lots o
f petty drama. But nothing that could really impact any major power. That was the point of creating the Law.”

  Kendra nodded. “So nobody knows any good people from Flux?”

  “I think,” Ezer said, “I could simply ask Hahang Su to send someone. We don’t need to be very specific. Depending on what she’s in the mood for these days, there may be a price to pay, but it won’t be anything we can’t meet.”

  “Just like that? You call her up and say, ‘We need someone from your House to help us tease out the details of what may be a world-breaking conspiracy?’” Kendra shook her head. “Sounds a bit abrupt.”

  The Warden waved away her concern. “As I said. I’ll be vague. She may be thrilled that we asked at all. We don’t see much of Flux nor they of us.”

  “Do we need her?” Vannia asked. “I mean, like you said… Flux is kinda lame.”

  “If there are two houses arrayed against the rule of the Seven, then needs must we have representation from the other five, I believe.”

  Vannia chuckled. “’Arrayed.’ ‘Needs must.’ You’re a hoot, Warden.”

  Ezer shook his head, frowning seriously. “Apologies. I occasionally revert to arcane forms when discoursing on momentous undertakings.”

  “Do you even hear yourself?” the little blonde assassin groaned.

  Ezer grinned at her and she realized she’d been had.

  “Pfft. Nice,” she said, holding up a finger to recognize that he’d won that point.

  Kendra helped herself to a piece of now cold bacon from the tray. “What’s next?” she asked. “Who does what?”

  Ezer stood to refill his coffee from the carafe on the sideboard. “We wait for my man to arrive. We decide who makes the most sense to visit Pendulum Hall and who should go see this fellow in Release.”

  “Wallace, you met him. Would it make sense for you to approach Fayton?” McKey asked.

  Wallace shrugged. “I’m glad to do whatever makes the most sense. But I also know that there’s work to be done, here, too. If the Warden can share details about the evidence he’s been collecting, I can do some research to see how it matches up with our archives or related resources. And I’ve been waiting weeks to test that mark on Kendra’s shoulder.”

  “Yeah,” Kendra agreed. “You were going to tell me about the book I gave you to study, too.”

  Wallace looked chagrined, blushing a bit.

  “You haven’t started on it, have you?”

  “No. I’m sorry. I haven’t.”

  “Well, no poking my pretty, blue birthmark until you at least take a quick look at the book.”

  Wallace nodded, conceding the point. “We can go take a look together at some point soon. Unless Mr. Monday and the Warden end up deciding to send one or both of us.”

  “I suspect,” McKey said, “That we’ll send one of the Warden’s retainers to Flux. Doesn’t that seem about right, Mr. Ezer?”

  He nodded. “Yes. One of my chief lieutenants is actually dropping by here soon. I’ll touch base with him out front and send him along to talk to Hahang Su.”

  “That leaves me to visit Fayton in Release,” said McKey. “Maybe with Wallace, since he’s met this Niles person. And since neither of us would be very welcome in Pendulum Hall.”

  “Why’s that?” Kendra asked.

  “Because she won’t be very receptive to any direct overture from Sight. Especially if it’s from the Librarian himself or one of his inner circle.”

  “Why?”

  “She’s afraid they might kill her,” Vannia interjected before McKey could answer.

  “Why?”

  “Because Monday killed all the other Queens of Flux.”

  “What!?”

  “Only two of them, Vannia,” McKey said quietly.

  “Right,” Vannia agreed. “There have been three Queens of Flux. Including Hahang Su. So, like I said. He killed all the others.”

  “Enough witty banter,” said the Warden, buttoning his coat and heading for the door. “We have some time. My man will go to Hahang Su and either or both of you can visit Mr. Fayton of Release.”

  He got half way through the door before turning back and saying, “As soon as they’re on their way, Kendra, I’d like to talk with you and the Librarian. In private. I have a couple of questions.”

  “Not if she doesn’t want to,” Vannia said quietly.

  “Of course not,” Ezer said. “But I think she’ll want to.”

  He let the door shut and Vannia looked at Kendra, her glare clearly asking: what questions?

  Kendra shrugged as if she had no idea.

  But I’m pretty sure I do…

  The problem is, I’m also pretty sure I don’t have any answers.

  * * * * *

  Ezer stood next to the fountain in front of Library. He saw that a few early Mundane patrons were waiting on the nearby benches to enter the building when it opened in about ten minutes. They looked up expectantly as the Warden came through the door, but he shook his head, “Private meeting,” he said simply and they went back to waiting.

  The two lions flanked the low, wide steps that led from the street where Charlous was waiting, just outside the exterior Ways protecting the Library proper. Ezer walked between the two lions, still within official Sight territory, but close enough to talk to his man on the outside. In this configuration Ezer could stay within the Ways that Monday had set around all of them to make sure nobody leaked any information to the outside.

  The Warden had no intention of leaking any information. But from where Charlous was standing, various devices on his person could ensure that what he said—outside of Sight—would not be picked up by anything other than Ezer’s ears.

  Rules can be very specific sometimes, he thought. If you know them well enough, you retain more options.

  It wasn’t that Ezer was paranoid. He was just very good at what he did. And a lot of what he did revolved around balancing information with attention and action. He had a great deal of respect for Sight. But, as was proper for the Lord of Increase, he felt that they didn’t leverage what they knew anywhere near well enough.

  “How was your night?” asked Ezer. Nonspecific. Informal. Nothing given.

  Charlous, who understood the situation perfectly, replied, “Could have been better. The conclusion was definitive, though not ideal, but it was within acceptable parameters.”

  There were casualties. But Damon was killed.

  Ezer nodded. “It sounded, from your text, like we’ve got new opportunities.”

  “Yes. They’re being examined.”

  So, Damon isn’t the end of this line of inquiry. Good.

  Ezer didn’t have to know all the details right away. It was enough to know that Charlous had removed Mohz from the board. More confusion sewn among our enemies.

  When he’d first discovered the plot between Blood and Earth, he’d realized that the main players on the Blood side were all Clan Chiefs. Not Reckoners who worked on a daily basis with the Bloodlord—the Talismae—but the next level down. That gave them plenty of power without putting them within Senbi’s direct influence.

  Smart. That’s how I’d set it up, too.

  He was sure that the Bloodlord was at the heart of the plot. He and a number of Earth Lords like Rain Vernon. Had Senbi worked directly through the Kin Masters and Kin Mistresses of the Talismae, though, he wouldn’t have had direct access to the actual fighters and workers among the tribes; the Clan Chiefs did have that access.

  Also, the Talismae tended to work more with the other Houses on various projects. They might be less likely to favor their master’s grand design, he thought.

  The Warden nodded at Charlous in appreciation and thanks. He’d get a full debrief later. For now it was enough to know that he was making progress on two fronts. Direct action against the Bloods and gathering better intelligence through Sight and the others. Which reminded him…

  “I need you to go to Pendulum Hall.”

  Charlous didn’t ask why. He just
replied, “Understood. What’s the objective?”

  “Escort. We’re putting together a kind of think tank here,” Ezer replied. “The Librarian has some good ideas about how to proceed. We’re at the point where if we do too much more without his sanction we might end up facing the Law ourselves.”

  Charlous nodded. “Who’s the client?”

  Ezer shook his head. “We don’t know yet. Part of the mission is to get Hahang Su to appoint someone.”

  “How much do you want me to tell her?”

  “As little as possible,” Ezer replied. He looked around the area to remind Charlous that he, Ezer, couldn’t say everything he wanted to. “You should be honest. But direct and brief. Understood?”

  “Clearly, sir.”

  What he means, Charlous thought, is that I should only tell Hahang Su things that we’ve already decided to share with the Librarian.

  “Do you need time to rest?” Ezer asked. “This can wait a day, I think. We’ve got plenty to do here at the Library.”

  Charlous shook his head. “I’m fine. I had to drop one of my team off at the Denmark facility and I got a shower and some coffee there. I’m good to go.”

  “Your call,” said Ezer.

  He reached across the border to shake Charlous’ hand and imagined he could feel a slight tingle as his hand passed outside the express Way of Sight.

  “Thank you again, Charlous.”

  “Thank you, sir. I’ll be back with Su’s pick as quickly as possible.”

  Ezer nodded. “I doubt you’ll need back-up. But don’t hesitate to call it in if things get hairy.”

  “Will do, sir. My regards to the rest of the ‘think tank.’ I think you were right to expand the circle of ‘need-to-know’ at this time.”

  “I do, too. Trust comes hard between the Houses. In this matter, I think Monday is the main one we need on our side. Although he comes with some unavoidable strings.”

  Charlous released the Warden’s hand. Outside and protected from the Ways of Sight, he said, “I want to be there at the end, sir. Morgan was a good friend.”