The Aether of Night

by Brandon Sanderson

  “What?” she asked.

  “When the Vo-Dari Send someone, they also Send whatever he’s carrying,” Raeth said.

  D’Naa paused. Then, shrugging, she jumped up into his arms.

  “I’ll be right back,” he promised Darro. Then summoned the Night within him, formed a picture of his rooms in his mind, and released the power.

  The black chaos ripped around him, pushing him along like a leaf before a mighty river. All was dark—he couldn’t even tell if D’Naa was still in his arms.

  And then he was there, D’Naa’s arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her eyes squinted closed. “D’Lum!” she said. “That’s worse than the other one!”

  “Wait here,” Raeth said, dumping her quickly, and rather unceremoniously, into a chair and Sending himself again.

  Darro still stood, swinging around himself in all directions in wild, massive sweeps. D’Naa’s wall of vines had hardened now that she was gone, and the creatures on the other side were making short work of it.

  “Darro!” Raeth said, jumping toward his brother.

  Darro nodded, catching Raeth’s eye. He let out one final swing, throwing the hammer and jumping toward Raeth. Raeth stumbled to a stop, realizing for the first time what was about to happen.

  Darro practically tackled him, and Raeth fell backward, trying to hold his brother’s massive bulk. Just before they hit the ground, he used the Night to Send them.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Raeth was crushed by the enormous weight, his chest pressed tight, barely able to breathe. “Get off me,” he wheezed.

  Darro opened his eyes, blinking in surprise. “Oh,” he said, looking around. He stood awkwardly, still trying to use an am that wasn’t there to steady himself. D’Naa tried to help pull him back, though the size differential was laughable.

  Raeth took a deep breath, his heart still thumping from the excitement.

  “I hope the Shentis will be all right,” D’Naa said nervously, leaning down to help Raeth up.

  “I don’t see why they wouldn’t be,” Raeth said, standing. “The creatures obviously knew about them before and left them alone.”

  “Why did you bring us back here?” Darro asked, sitting down in one of Raeth’s plush chairs. “Why not back to the city—now the Vo-Dari are going to keep looking for us there.”

  “This was the first place I thought of,” Raeth said. “Don’t complain—I could have left you behind.”

  Darro snorted. “Not complaining,” he said, resting back. “Even fighting a few Forgotten is worth not having to ride those horses all the way back to Tessin.”

  Raeth smiled slightly, settling into a chair, D’Naa seating herself beside him. “All things considered, Darro, I think the trip was worth your discomfort.”

  “Probably,” Darro admitted.

  “Your Twins are real,” D’Naa said, her eyes thoughtful. “I didn’t expect that.”

  “Of course they’re real,” Darro replied. “I don’t curse by them for nothing.”

  I wonder which one I am, the voice in Raeth’s head said.

  Raeth paused. The voice had remained silent during the entire conversation with the Former.

  What do you mean? Raeth asked.

  Am I Slaughter or Despair? The voice asked. Neither title sounds very appealing.

  You’re Makkal, whichever one that is, Raeth replied.

  It is odd to hear my father’s words, Makkal said. Odd…and disturbing. To know the things I have done… .

  You don’t remember any of it? Raeth asked.

  No. The things He said feel familiar. They feel right. But my mind is empty. The first thing I remember is an empty void. Nothingness, occasionally split by the taint. Then you.

  “Raeth?” D’Naa asked, slightly concerned.

  “I’m speaking with him,” Raeth said, realizing he had been staring off unfocusedly. “Makkal.”

  “He’s in your head,” Darro said, obviously displeased by the concept. “One of the Twins.”

  “Yes,” Raeth said. “The Pool of the Forgotten—it was his prison. He fled into me when I Bonded Night.”

  I was a horrible creature, Makkal said, his voice unsettled. I destroyed. I can feel the hatred in me now. It is strong.

  “That’s it,” Darro said.

  Raeth frowned, turning toward his brother. “What?”

  “The solution!” Darro said, standing slightly, his eyes determined. “Raeth, we know that its one of them inside you—one of the Twins. We can’t trust it. We have to Bond our Line to Night—that’s the only way.”

  “A clever plan,” said a rasping, familiar voice.

  Raeth jumped, spinning in shock. It stood a short distance behind them, barely visible in the shadows of Raeth’s bed chamber. Raeth peered through the open doorway into the lightless room, trying to make out the multi-legged creature beyond, but it was too dark.

  Fool! Raeth thought. You saw them form from the shadows of the Verdant temple. They don’t have to come from the pool. We aren’t safe here just because we’re in my chambers!

  “You could all Bond Night,” the voice said, almost speculatively. “But tell me, Prince Darro. How would you fight an enemy that can appear from the shadows while you sleep? Even if you could destroy them by touch, how long could you stand against an army that can regenerate itself after every battle? Eventually you would tire. Weaken. You are, after all, only flesh.”

  “You’ve been playing with us all along,” Raeth said quietly. “The appearance at Saedin, the slow advance south…it was all a ruse. A means of wearing us down. If you’d wanted, you could have brought your army to Vae Annitor immediately.”

  “Yes,” the voice replied.

  “Why?” Darro demanded. “Why play with us?”

  “Because,” the voice said. “There are those of us who hope that you might still see reason. You cannot win, Son of Makkal. The great war is finally at an end. Give into my terms. Pass quietly from this world and leave its rule to the victorious God.”

  No! Makkal said in Raeth’s head. The power of his voice was so strong as to make Raeth shutter. Do not give in to him.

  Yet, despite the denial in his head, Raeth found himself considering the offer.

  “This is the last time we will offer,” the creature warned quietly.

  What is my duty? Raeth thought. When is it better to surrender? The price was unbelievably steep, but he would save lives, at least. The men of his Line would live out the remainder of their days in shame, but at least they would live. He was Emperor. Wasn’t it is duty to protect as many of the people as he could?

  “Raeth,” D’Naa said, laying a hand on his shoulder.

  “We cannot fight them, D’Naa,” he said, looking down.

  “Yes you can,” she said quietly. “You can always fight. You might not win, but you can always fight.”

  Darro nodded. “Die now with bravery, or die a few years from now in shame, leaving no Line behind. I know what I’d chose.”

  You can always fight. D’Naa’s words repeated in his mind. Raeth looked up at the shadowy form. “Return and tell your master that we’ve considered our options. Given our choice of gods, we’d rather not have either of you. There is no deal.”

  “Very well,” the creature said, sounding disappointed. Then it vanished.

  Raeth exhaled deeply. I just signed the execution order for two entire Lines.

  Find a way to free me, Raeth! Makkal said. You heard what my Father said. I must have been powerful, once. Agaris fears me—he fears me so much he would slaughter all of you on the chance that it will prevent me from returning. Free me, and I should be able to help you!

  Raeth sighed, shaking his head. Would you become what you were before? He asked. Would you throw the world into chaos again? Your father said that you two nearly destroyed the world once. How long before you decided to exterminate your brother’s followers just to be certain?

  The voice in his mind fell silent again.

  Suddenl
y, Raeth heard screaming. All three of them perked up, looking at each other with concern. The yells were coming from outside Raeth’s doors, in the hallways beyond.

  “Come on!” Raeth said, standing and dashing toward the door. D’Naa and Darro followed, Amberite crackling. Raeth stepped outside onto the tiled floor and saw several servants running in terror. A group of guards stood at the far end of the corridor, in the direction of Darro’s rooms. Their weapons were drawn, and they fought against a mass of dark Forgotten. Even as Raeth watched, the tide of black bodies swarmed over them, dropping the soldiers in a spray of blood and yells. The servants screamed as well, Forgotten jumping out of every shadow to fall upon them.

  “Twins!” Darro said.

  We just ran out of time, Raeth realized, pausing in his dash as the last servant fell. They were beyond his help now.

  “Time to leave!” Raeth said, spinning. The Forgotten moved incredibly quickly—the time for playing and intimidation was over. It was time for the slaughter.

  Darro and D’Naa stood behind him, their faces apprehensive as the Forgotten dashed toward them. If he took one, would the other be able to stand long enough for him to return? This time the creatures were already formed, they were surrounded on all sides, and Darro hadn’t even had time to form his armor.

  Darro met Raeth’s eyes, then raised his hammer, nodding. He understood.

  Raeth nodded, reaching for D’Naa. The girl, however, slipped out of his grasp. “Stupid men,” she snapped, ducking beneath a Forgotten blade and leaping for the window. “I’ll meet you below.”

  Raeth blinked in surprise, but there wasn’t time to think. He grabbed Darro, and Sent them both as the Forgotten blades began to descend.

  #

  One thing was certain about these last few days—they had been exciting. D’Naa rushed down the side of the palace tower. The thrill of the moment—the closeness by which they had escaped—set her heart and her mind racing. Raeth had been right. The creatures could appear anywhere. The Imperium was in some serious danger.

  But, what about Kavir? She felt selfish considering such a thing as she climbed, but a part of her was relieved that her attempt at stealing Raeth’s Amberite had failed. Agaris would have no reason to hunt down her people. Kavir would be safe.

  Or would it? What would the world be like if such a hateful creature gained dominance? What if it decided her people weren’t pure enough? Or, what if it decided that all of the kingdoms should worship it? Her people would not quickly give up their belief in D’Lum—in fact, they would probably rather fight than be forced to abandon their religion.

  Raeth and his people weren’t the only ones in danger. A win for Agaris could only end poorly for Kavir. She reached the bottom of the tower, then crossed the domed roof of the palace’s southern wing, then dropped the short remaining distance to the ground. There was no sign of Raeth.

  I suppose I could have been a little more specific, she realized, crouching beside the palace wall, her Verdant twitching nervously. The still streets proved a haunting contrast to the chaos of the palace—she could hear screams and calls coming from within. Fortunately, she also saw streaks of light shooting away from the fifth floor. Some of the people, at least, were escaping via Sending.

  Should I go in and try to help them? Was there anything she would be able to do?

  A sudden motion made her jump—a shifting in the pools of darkness. D’Naa yelped slightly, letting out a torrent of vines.

  The form grunted, then fell sideways into light cast from a palace window, revealing blonde hair and annoyed eyes.

  “You know, this relationship is never going to work if you keep doing that to me,” Raeth mumbled.

  D’Naa raised a hand to her mouth in chagrin, then rushed over, touching the vines and commanding them to uncoil. Raeth brushed himself off, standing.

  “Darro!” D’Naa asked with concern.

  “I already dropped him off,” he said, holding out a hand. “Here, come on.”

  D’Naa blushed slightly, but let him pick her up. She gritted her teeth as the world rocked, and they were once again cast into the roaring dark chaos. Her Aether squealed in pain, its vines all across her body writhing.

  Then it was over. D’Naa blinked, looking around as Raeth set her down. They stood in another darkened street, apparently still in Vae Annitor. “Come one,” Raeth said, hurrying down a side street and onto a main thoroughfare where several Corpate pillars glowed brightly. A crowd of people stood huddled in the light, watching the darkness with fear. Raeth hurried past them, leading her through an open door into a building D’Naa realized she recognized. She had been to this place before, during the day, but they hadn’t let her enter because it had been too busy. The Counsel room.

  She followed Raeth inside, entering a room with a large table-like map in the center of the room.

  “Report,” Raeth demanded instantly of the generals who stood, with Darro, speaking to messengers. A group of guards stood placed throughout the room stood, watching corners and shadows with nervous eyes.

  “They’re everywhere, sir,” one general said. “Every major city in Aedinor and En Mahall. They’re searching out anyone with an Amberite or a Bestarin Bond and killing them instantly. They ignore everyone else, unless they try to fight.”

  Raeth cursed quietly. “What about our location?”

  “Secure, for the moment,” the general said. “They appear to be concentrating their efforts on the rest of the city first. Perhaps they fear the soldiers. Fortunately, Vae Annitor is mostly empty.”

  D’Naa could see the pain and frustration in Raeth’s eyes—and the guilt. I bear part of that guilt, D’Naa thought resting a hand on his shoulder. I am the one who told him to fight. It seemed right at the time, but…he was right. How can he fight these creatures?

  “We have to leave,” Raeth decided. “Go somewhere they won’t think to look for us. That’s our only hope.”

  “And if this Agaris is omniscient?” Darro asked pointedly.

  “Then we have already lost,” Raeth said. “But, I don’t think he is. He didn’t know were to send his creatures to catch me when I picked up D’Naa.”

  “He saw through all of our battle plans,” Darro said.

  Raeth shook his head, sighing. “I can’t think of anything else right now.”

  “Come to Kavir,” D’Naa said. “We have a lot of small villages—most aren’t even on the maps. It’s a perfect place to hide.”

  Raeth paused, then nodded. “To Kavir,” he told the soldiers. “Do we have any Vo-Dari who have been there?”

  “Probably,” the general said, waving to his men. There was a bustle as the soldiers and aids realized they were leaving, and the entire group followed the generals and Raeth as they stepped out of the room and onto the dark street. Outside, a large group of people had collected, most of them soldiers, but quite a few scribes, and even regular people as well. There was a group of a about twelve Vo-Dari in their white robes. The general approached them, speaking quietly, then returned with a single priest.

  “He says he’s been to the cities of Dareen and D’livik, sir,” the general said.

  “My sister married a man from Kavir, my lord,” the young Vo-Dari explained.

  “D’livik is perfect,” D’Naa said eagerly. “I’ll bet half of Kavir doesn’t even know where it is.”

  “Very well,” Raeth said, motioning to the other Vo-Dari. “This man will Send the Amberite and Bestarin to Kavir,” he explained quietly. “The rest of you Send the rest of the people someplace safe—one of the northern abandoned cities. The creatures should leave them alone.”

  “Yes, my lord,” the Vo-Dari said.

  #

  “I don’t like this, Raeth,” Darro confided as they stood, waiting nervously as the Vo-Dari did their work. “You’re splitting us up too much. We’ll barely have a hundred soldiers with us in Kavir.”

  Raeth watched the Sendings with consternation, a pit in his stomach. It was finally
happening—the final evacuation of Vae Annitor. The Imperium’s power was broken.

  “I know, Darro,” he said. Most of the remaining military men were beyond their reach, either in camps outside the city or in other towns. Hopefully, they would find a way to hide. “If only there was more I could do!”

  Darro nodded understandingly. “Back to that cold again, I guess,” he grumbled.

  Raeth nodded. The night was very dark around them—it felt odd not to be able to see the lights of the palace in the distance. The tall building always had at least a few lit windows. For the first time he could remember, it was completely dark.

  He shook his head, shivering and looking across the remaining group of people. There weren’t many now; the Vo-Dari had done their work quickly.

  Raeth froze. He frowned as he looked closer. He recognized one of the faces in the dwindling group of waiting people. He cocked his head to the side. He felt like he should know the man for some reason. He was a nondescript balding man, probably regular Aedin or even Shorriken. He met Raeth’s eyes, then immediately turned away.

  Where have I seen him before? Raeth thought with confusion.

  “Looks like our luck just ran out,” Darro said, nodding down the street. The darkness was moving and shifting, and several of the remaining people cried out in fear. There were only a couple left, however, and the Vo-Dari were making short work of them.

  “My lord, time for you to go,” the young Vo-Dari said, approaching Raeth.

  “I don’t need to go yet,” Raeth said. “Take care of everyone else first.”

  The Vo-Dari paused, looking uncertain—even nervous—about something. “I’m sorry, my lord,” he said, reaching out to touch Raeth.

  Raeth opened his mouth to object, but it was too late. He felt himself pulling away from the Vo-Dari, falling into the Sending. His body shook with sudden pain, the way it had ever since he Bonded Night.

  The Vo-Dari watched with go with guilty eyes. Too guilty.

  What is going on here! Raeth thought with confusion. Then he realized something. Perhaps the feel of the Sending jogged his memory, but he suddenly remembered where he’d seen that man’s face before. He’d watched it disappear, like he was watching the young Vo-Dari’s solemn face disappear. It had been standing alone amongst a hoard of Forgotten.