nyslfriends Chapter 112: The Shield
Chapter 112: The Shield
Chapter 112: The Shield
The raven and the mockingbird sat on a branch, watching the boar root through the underbrush below them. The raven boasted that he could see all the boar was looking for from his lofty vantage, and expressed his pity for the others limited sight.
The mockingbird replied that the boars sight enjoyed a lower perspective, but was not limited. It was a different view, and saw things the raven could not. This irritated the raven, who demanded to know what else the boar could see.
Only the boar would know, the mockingbird replied.
In his frustration, the raven flew down to land in front of the boar, asking what morsels the boar could see that he could not. The boar answered this question by eating the raven.
- Pre-Gharic Ardan manuscript, vellum, c. 500 PE
The guns started before they had completed their evacuation. They were shepherding a long line of wounded and civilians when the building to Michaels right exploded, collapsing atop three Safid soldiers unfortunate enough to be standing against it. The other shells went wide at Michaels frantic urging, Stanza conspiring with the air to see them explode a block to either side of their column.
It did not mean that none died from the attack; fewer did, though. Michael grit his teeth and tried to focus on the living, pushing the next volley of shells aside. They exploded, and his face came up - towards Sofias unblinking gaze, staring out from Stanzas lattice. This time, it was fixed entirely on Michael.
Youre going to kill children? he rasped, baring his teeth at it. The elderly? Cripples? Hate doesnt suit you, Sofia. You used to at least pretend at morality.
There was a shuddering twist; the eye stayed fixed on him. Another volley of shells came in, arriving all at the same time. Michaels eyes widened, then shut. He discarded his brief moment of panic and settled on a new image to guide Stanzas work, one that would affect the volley as a whole. It wasnt easy, as the shells were spread over quite a distance in the sky; his mind struggled to contort itself into the proper shape.
His success was limited. The quartet of shells thudded into a neighboring building in quick succession, flashing brightly in the smoky gloom. A cloud of dust and rubble swept outward to choke the air and pepper their column with shards of hot stone. Children were crying and coughing in the dust, tears streaking wet and dark through the thick white coat of it on their faces.
Michael spat grit from his mouth and glared upward, real anger bleeding into his voice. Theyll say Sibyl like you said Spark, he said. The name of a murderer. I wonder if one of them will gain their soul and come for you. He straightened up, wiping a hand across his mouth. Or I might. Ill remember these deaths, and if our paths cross again-
The eye winked out. Michael straightened up, bemused, as Sobriquets voice sounded from beside him.
As promising as your diatribe was, I thought youd prefer being veiled, she said dryly. Veiling this many people is tenuous at best, but I can confuse your position enough to foul her aim.
Much appreciated, Michael said, not taking his eyes off the sky; the guns certainly had not stopped, but true to Sobriquets word they required less of a nudge to fall clear of their position. They began to head out of the besieged village in earnest, moving faster now that they could light their path freely, and soon the thunder of shellbursts was behind them - then gone entirely.
Michael let out a breath of relief and ran his hand through his hair, shaking loose a cloud of stone dust. Amid the stunned mass of refugees he found an unveiled face; Michael walked over to the officer, trying to tell if it was the one he had spoken to before. The dust made it hard to discern. After a moment he decided that it didnt much matter.
The man nodded wearily as Michael approached, making the standard genuflection. My thanks, Great Caller, he said. Without your help, many more would have died.
Without my help, I doubt shed have been as insistent on killing them, Michael muttered, casting one last angry look back towards the Ardans. But Im glad I could do something. Do you anticipate any trouble when we get back to the lines?
The officer blinked. Trouble? No. He looked up. Are we being hidden at the moment?
By - the Great Seeker, as it happens, Michael said, hearing Sobriquets faint snort of amusement as the man went pale under his coat of dust. There was another reflexive movement of his hand to his mouth, then his brow.
Were fortunate, the officer murmured. I wouldnt presume to impose upon the path of one of the great souls, but it occurs to me that the men at the main trenches may mistake her grace for hostility, and strike in their ignorance. If the Great Seeker wishes to impose a test upon us-
Nope, Michael sighed. Sera, no testing - please. He looked to the officer as the sensation of the veil faded away. Theyll be able to see us now. You dont anticipate any trouble when they see me in particular?
The officer looked, if anything, even more befuddled than before. Do you plan on attacking the men? he asked.
It was Michaels turn to look confused. No? he said. I only want to talk with Amira. Ah - the Shield.
Then theyll be overjoyed to learn youre here, the officer said. Many of them never thought to see a foreign great soul in the flesh, much less two.
Michael hummed, and said nothing; the officer took it in stride and fell silent beside him. It was disconcerting to have the Safid accept him so immediately. He found it welcome, but he didnt understand it, so he could not trust it.
He murmured as much to Sobriquet, who laughed quietly in his ear. You saved their lives, that goes a long way, she said. Even with zealots. They also might think that your intentions dont matter, since Amira will be able to paint a wall with you at need.
Thank you for that image, he murmured. I feel so much better now.
True to the officers word, there was no great commotion when they arrived at the lines; they had been spotted some distance away, and riders came to speak with them before they were within sight of the trenches. The officer exchanged a few hushed words with the scout, who darted his eyes at Michael - then nodded at the officer and rode away.
Well keep our distance for now, Sobriquet said. If they decide theyd rather kill us than talk, youll have the easiest time fighting clear.
Michael nodded, humming his agreement; he did not say more, for they were at the fourth line.
The Safid fortifications proved to be much more solid than their advance lines, with a robust trench system and several artificed pillboxes. Behind those there was an earthen berm; Michael sent his sight up higher to peer behind it. The camp was well-established, with more artificed stone buildings set up for its barracks and mess, along with a few scattered outbuildings. One of these stood larger and more centrally than the rest, and the officer led Michael there promptly.
These are the Shields quarters, he said, bowing his head.
Michael returned the gesture. Thank you, he said. Youve made - my path a great deal easier than it would have been, otherwise.
The officer smiled, nodding again, and excused himself elsewhere. Michael was - not alone, since he felt several sets of staring eyes upon him, both physical and ethereal. But he was unaccompanied, so the initiative fell to him. He turned to knock on the door, finding it pleasantly solid in construction.
Moments passed. In one smooth motion, the door opened to reveal Amira standing within. She looked much-improved from when he had seen her last, with no remaining trace of the wounds Leire had given her. Her lips curved into one of her well-practiced smiles, and her eyes burned brightly as they took in Michaels form.
Welcome to my camp, she murmured, Great Holy One.
Michael made a face; he had nearly forgotten that Saleh had branded him with that particular epithet. Just Michael will be fine, he said. For brevity, if nothing else.
She laughed lightly. I suppose weve earned a degree of familiarity. Michael. And I shall be Amira. She stepped aside with languid grace and gestured for him to come in.
He did, taking a few tentative steps indoors; it was surprisingly well-lit inside for an artificed structure, with lanterns hanging on the wall and a light breeze blowing through the windows. It was cold, though he supposed that Amira cared even less than he did about the temperature. The only furniture was a wooden table with a few chairs, as well as a cot buried under a pile of thick blankets. He wondered briefly at those before turning to face his host.
She shut the door behind her and smiled. The months since I saw you last have been eventful, she said. More so since we had a chance to speak. In Rul I saw a boy who knew more of himself than he would admit. In Daressa I glimpsed a man striving forward along his path. And now your path meets mine once more. Who are you this time, I wonder?
Michael was keenly aware that she stood between him and the only exit to her quarters. Still a man striving forward, he said. Or at least onward. Whether Im making any progress is a matter of some debate.
Not all paths are measured in progress, she said. Her eyes lingered on him, intent. I see the mark of it on you. Youre harder. Stronger, too, which is more difficult. You master your fear of me well.
He raised an eyebrow at that. Youre presuming a lot.
Michael licked his lips, his tongue still feeling dry. And what name would you give me now?
Why - thats your task, Caller, she said, leaning back in her chair. Your name is not mine to give. I wouldnt dare. There are few enough unclaimed titles in our book, and none of them of a sort to be given out lightly. Her voice had lost its levity entirely. I only hope to know it before everything is done, so I might taste the truth of you on my tongue.
He found himself edging towards the door. Then well have to see what tomorrow holds, I suppose.
One way or another. Her eyes found him, boring into him with bright intent - then crinkled in a smile. Until we defend Saf together, Michael. Ill let my men know that youre to have your liberty in the camp. Your compatriots, too, wherever they might be hiding. I expect that the Seeker is among them?
Michael nodded slowly. She is.
Mmm. Amira said nothing else, only staring at him fixedly.
He took the lack of response as a dismissal, whether it was intended as such or not. It was an effort to keep from running out of her quarters. He forced his gait into something slow and unhurried. Only after he had walked some distance away in the cool night air, around the corner of a large mess hall, did he slump down to the ground, his hands trembling.
Well figure it out, Sobriquets voice came from beside him. The Safid can be reasoned with! Oh, theyre so reasonable! Dont be silly, Sera, theyre just perfectly normal psychopaths-
Point made, Michael rasped. In my defense, I was thinking of Saleh when I said that. He let his head thunk back against the cool stone of the mess.
Like hes much better, she snorted. Hes even more twisted than she is, hes just less direct about it.
Michael glared at the approximate direction of her voice. Less direct would have been ideal, he muttered. I think fighting Friedrich was safer. And where were you? I could have used some support in there.
Doing what, being a chaperone? Her avatar shimmered into being. Shed have gone after you even harder. At least this way she accepts that it was your will rather than my presence that foiled her. Now shes going to try to resolve the problem of the former rather than the latter.
Wont that be fun, Michael groaned. A moment later, he blinked. Wait, you knew she was going to come after me like that?
Sobriquet cocked her head to the side. Michael, she said. She as much as announced her intent the last time you two met. Please dont tell me that you missed that.
Shes very hard to read, Michael protested.
A long moment of quiet passed. You went in there expecting nothing more than a friendly conversation? she asked.
No, I expected her to be alarmingly strange, Michael said. Just - not like that. It caught me unprepared. I knew she would grant me some leeway on matters of her faith, but I wasnt at all sure how far that extended to her personal - requests. He peered at her. I would have appreciated some warning.
Next time, I will tailor my advice to reflect your perception, she deadpanned. Be sure to talk with me first if Saleh requests a private meeting.
Michael snorted out a laugh, despite everything. Stop it, he coughed. Thats not even- He paused, squinting at her. Youre serious?
No, I am Sobriquet, she said, flourishing her arms. Her avatar bent down to laugh gently in his ear, phantom lips buzzing softly. And youre too gullible by far.
She straightened up, peering at him; he had laughed again in response, but it had been decidedly halfhearted. Michaels heart still raced, and he was sweating despite the cool night air.
She really unsettled you, she murmured. Didnt she?
Michael pressed his lips together, then nodded.
Sobriquet drifted down to rest beside him. Im sorry. I shouldnt make light of it. Ive never had to seriously worry about such things, given my soul and situation - and my appearance. She grimaced. But its always unpleasant, even if there was never much of a threat.
Its not - well. It is that. Michael ran his hand through his hair. Ill admit that her threats got to me more than Friedrichs. But theres another part to it that I cant clear from my head. He paused, ordering his words. The wind gusted lightly through the camp, ruffling the fabric of some nearby tents.
Before she went after me, Michael said, she spoke about the Safid concept of a path. It was a teaching from her faith - from Saleh, actually - but her words described something I came to naturally, something I had to contend with after Charles died. Theyre right about so many things, Sera. Saleh and Amira understand their souls better than I do, just like Friedrich. Yet each one of them is twisted by it. Im beginning to wonder if knowledge of the soul really does lead men to evil.
He looked over at her. Because that would mean that Luc understands better than I do, as well. Hes been trying to convince me of that from the start, and I never wanted to hear it.
Sobriquet gave a low hum. Perhaps, she said. But what about Jeorg? From what you said, he had a deep understanding of his soul.
Jeorg would be the first to tell you that hed done more evil than good, Michael said wryly. If that evil hadnt killed him. His solution was to choose neither. Thats one of the things that frustrated Sofia about him. He was so afraid of doing harm that he withdrew to his garden, only intervening when some wayward ensouled fell into his lap.
I think youre wrong, Sobriquet said. Her avatar circled around to look at him from the front. He may have made his mistakes in the past, as we all have. But he did well with you. She leaned back. Did you ever ask him about this sort of thing? If a soul could drive someone to evil?
Michael thought, then frowned. Yes, actually.
She motioned for him to speak.
He said that evil is a thing that man makes, Michael sighed. That the soul reveals and amplifies what you are.
Well, there you have it, Sobriquet said. Men arent evil because they know their souls.
Yet consistently, those who know theirs most are among the worst people Ive met, Michael retorted.
She cocked her head to the side; Michael could almost see the exasperated expression on her face. Michael, thats what power does, not a soul. You see the same thing when you elect the wrong man as mayor, or raise him to command a company of men. Power avoids consequence, and without consequence people may do whatever enters into their evil little heads.
So then Luc was right, Michael muttered. With a soul comes power, and power leads men to evil.
Seems that way, Sobriquet agreed cheerfully. Unless you could find a man who doesnt have a single evil impulse within him, and somehow arrange for him to gain that power.
Michael laughed bitterly. We should be so lucky, he said. But the Eight dont seem to have much interest in men who spend their time freeing kittens from trees and feeding the poor.
Or helping the helpless, Sobriquet said. Or inspiring the downtrodden, standing up to the powerful, showing mercy to his enemies, trying to negotiate in good faith with them against all sense and reason-
He groaned, letting his head sink down into his hands. That all doesnt count, he muttered. I just keep finding myself without any better options.
None that occur to you, at least, she said, bending close enough by him that he could feel the numb tingle of her apparition close to his cheek. Never change, Michael. You are the best part of my world.
She straightened up. Well let ourselves into the camp. Ill see you soon.
Her form faded. Michael stared at the air where it had been, then let his head rest back against the wall. The stars wheeled overhead, and under them he sat, and breathed, and tried to find a calmer beat for his heart.