Peculiar Soul

Chapter 74: As Dawn Breaks

Chapter 74: As Dawn Breaks

Multiple sources have now confirmed that Leire Gabarain has died under violent circumstances, and that Mendian knows the identity of Stellars new bearer. A reliable single source indicates that the bearer is outside of the Mendiko power structure and hostile to them.

This represents an unprecedented opportunity in the domestic and foreign arenas. Cohesion in the Batzar will suffer greatly as long as Stellar remains with a hostile foreign force, potentially compromising the ability of Mendians military to project beyond its borders. Every effort should be made to identify the new bearer and ensure they remain free of both Mendiko and Safid influence.

Unrest will present an opportunity to remobilize recently-arrived military forces. Deployment of emotional state management personnel is largely as-expected as we approach the planned handover to Assembly control; continue under plan variant 3-A-Defensive until clearance is given to commence 3-B-Aggressive.

- Institute Circular #3551, 37 Gleaning 693.

Michael knocked twice, then worked the newly-repaired handle to the bulkhead door. The Mendiko artifices had been thorough; there was no trace of conflict in the immaculate entryway of Leires suite, the crystal walls restored to their usual unbroken state. There was a certain lack in the air, however - a stillness and torpor that would have seemed at odds with her radiant soul. He did not know if empty houses truly did have a distinct ambiance, or if his mind forbade him from seeing Leires home as complete without her.

More likely, it was the pervasive note of sorrow emanating like the peal of a deadwood bell from the man he had come to see.

Unai emerged from his quarters as Michael entered, a smile on his face. Good morning, young master Baumgart, he said. Im glad to see you up and about.

Entirely thanks to you, Michael said, smiling in return. I meant to come by earlier to tell you how grateful I am. Things have been - busy. His smile faded. How have you been?

The valet pressed his lips together. As well as circumstances permit, he said. There was a long, painful pause that followed. I wonder if youve heard any news?

Michael shook his head slowly. Nothing, save that the forward elements should reach Agnec later today. No further news on the Safid. No messages from Goitxea. He paused. No sightings of Luc.

Unais expression tightened. I see, he said. I suppose it is early yet. He rubbed a hand across his jaw, then let it drop to his side, looking at Michael. May I ask a favor of you, master Baumgart?

Anything, Michael said. As I said, I quite literally owe you my life.

You were not so far gone as all that, Unai said. And it is largely my fault that you were injured to begin with.

Michael frowned. It isnt, he said. Or you may as well blame me for bringing Luc along in the first place. Someone - important to me, he told me that its hubris to take all the responsibility on yourself and folly to accept none of it. We can all find fault with ourselves.

A quiet smile pulled at the corners of the valets mouth. Wise words, he said. Yet the fact remains that it was my - blindness, my incaution that permitted this travesty to occur.

There was nothing you could have seen. Michael leaned against the wall. I have more sight than most, in this regard, so I can speak with some authority.

I suppose I cannot argue with that, Unai laughed. So I shall desist, and ask my favor. Will you convey my sincerest apologies to Grand Marshal Errea?

I dont mind, but why? You know that Antolin would make time for you. Michael looked at him, puzzled. Has he not?The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Unai looked away, towards the reformed crystal dividers. I think youll find that not everyone is so magnanimous as you when it comes to forgiving my role in events, he said. I bore a solemn duty to Her Radiance, and I have lapsed grievously. I doubt the grand marshal would appreciate my presence, and I dont intend to remain overlong on the airship in any case. Rather than bother him, Id ask that you convey my apologies at - whatever moment you deem appropriate.

If thats what you want, Michael replied, still frowning.

Unai bowed deeply, raising his head in a smile. Thank you, master Baumgart, he said. Now, if youll excuse me - Im nearly finished packing Her Radiances personal effects, and my own. Its something Id like to finish before we land once more.

Of course, Michael said; his impulse was to offer assistance, but something in the tone of Unais voice warned him away. Perhaps it would offer some sense of closure, or an outlet for the grief - in either case, the valet seemed more peaceful when he talked of it. Youre always welcome to come to me, if theres anything you need.

The offer earned him another smile and nod; Michael sensed it was time for him to leave. He shut the door, rubbing idly at his breastbone as he began to walk down the hallway; it was not until he had rounded the first corner that the pain swelled, and Michaels face went pale. Unais words echoed back at him, their meaning twisting into something darker. I dont intend to remain overlong-

Michael wheeled, gritting his teeth against the burgeoning ache in his chest. Unai! he called out. Wait! For the second time that week, he mangled the doors handle as he burst into the room, his chest heaving in great gasps. Michaels vision swam with the pain; he pitched forward, slamming a hand against the wall to keep his balance. The scream of metal blurred in his ears, his mouth worked to form words that he could not hear.

There was vague motion in the corner of his eye; darkness took hold.

A small boy played in a flat, pushing a wooden horse across the floor. His focus was only halfhearted; his parents were yelling in the other room, tense and frightened voices seeping under a closed door. The argument ended when his father stormed out, sparing a glance for the boy before continuing through the door. It was the last time he would see his father.

The boy remained with his mother, who grew wan and pale; there was work in town, but none of the Safid would hire a nonbeliever. She fought with-

Michaels mind detached from the stream of memory for a dizzying moment, the impressions blasting apart into inchoate sound and color. His thoughts were sluggish, but he knew this wasnt right; he had felt Unais death coming. What he saw was not Mendian, however. The boy was Daressan by birth, and apparently Safid by nationality. Had he been mistaken? Was Unai originally from the continent? Was this even the life of Leires valet?

He looked back at the roiling mass of light. It was, in the end, irrelevant what Michael had expected. The skein of a mans life was before him. It demanded respect. He calmed his thoughts, marshaling the other flames within him to steady him, ground him against the flood.

Light seeped through him; in his minds eye it coursed in a radiant stream through his veins, shoring up what was Michael against the tide of unrelenting other that pressed in around him. His head cleared. Just before the tide bore him upward to the waking world, though, he turned.

Whatever this was - whoever - he wanted to see. Slowly, it began again.

Im fine, Michael rasped.

Unai raised an eyebrow. You came running back in here in some distress, he said. And then collapsed into unconsciousness on my floor. Perhaps in Ardan Gharic the word means something different.

Its not whats important right now, Michael grunted, rising to his feet. He met Unais eyes. I need to talk to Antolin. Luc is at Agnec.

There was a pause; Michael felt the shock of the news as Unai registered it. The old man was nodding moments later, however. Then we should go, he said.

It was Michaels turn to raise an eyebrow, but he did not comment on Unais sudden shift in attitude. He only nodded, and turned towards the door.

Sobriquet was already there when they arrived at the bridge, pointing emphatically at a map of the region; Antolins staff was gathered around, making notes from her commentary or hastily transcribing radio communiques. Antolin himself was standing away from the fracas, looking as though he had slept at least a little bit overnight. His eyes marked Michael, then Unai. He strode over in a few brisk strides.

I take it youve heard, he said.

More than heard, Michael replied. I received the soul of a Safid spector before I came here.

Sobriquets head came up, and she abandoned Antolins staff to walk over. Are you well? she asked.

Well enough. Michael shook his head. I saw glimpses of the battle when the soul came to me. Luc was fighting close to the eastern city wall. Hed managed to wound Saleh, and I think I saw Amira running towards him. Shes still injured, though, and the Safid were taking heavy losses. He paused. I havent felt anything further from Luc. Id know if he died.

So either hes won, escaped or the Safid have captured him, Antolin sighed. If you had told me a few days ago that a third force would break the Safid fortifications, Id have thought it good news.

Its hard to picture, Sobriquet said quietly. No matter how I try, I cant imagine Luc standing up against Saleh, never mind Amira.

Michael shook his head. I barely recognized him. His face is the same, but his eyes - there was nothing behind them. Not even the fear that he always carried. He turned to Antolin. You told me yesterday that Saleh, Amira and Luc all needed to die; I think Luc would agree with you.

There was a moment of quiet, broken when Antolin raised his head. Accelerate the advance, he said. We have an unexpected advantage over the Safid, and I mean to press it. Make certain the forward elements know the current appearance of all three major ensouled at Agnec; if the Star is spotted he should be killed on sight. Under no circumstances should the other two be harmed.

Sobriquet gave Antolin a sharp look as his staff burst into motion. You think theyll pass to Luc if theyre killed? she asked.

I cant rule it out, Antolin said. Given his actions thus far, our first priority should be limiting his access to powerful souls. Over Mendians history weve seen a few cases where the wielder of the Star escalated to indiscriminate violence before we retrieved them; none of those wielders could be safely rehabilitated.

He turned to Michael. Spector, you said. Can you see within Agnec?

There was a quick intake of breath from Sobriquet, her eyes widening; Michael shook his head. Not nearly that far, he said. But farther, and better. Perhaps twice the diameter of our camp back at Imes. He let his sight soar upwards to test, feeling the faint pressure as he reached his limit - high, high overhead.

In the distance, the clouds still circled around Agnec, though there was no light from within. I think Luc has stopped attacking, he said. At least, I dont see evidence of it. Sera?

Not a chance, she said. With three of the Eight clashing, and Lucs particular vintage of chaos muddling things - Id be lucky if I could spot Agnec itself, much less anyone in it.

Theres no substitute for a presence on the ground, Antolin said. He walked around the table to stand in front of Michael, looking unflinchingly into his eyes. If he gains the other two souls we dont have anyone but you to face him. I need your word before I send my men forward; I wont send them to their deaths. Tell me youre ready.

Michael licked his lips, then nodded. The man who died, whose life I saw - he knew within moments of watching Luc that he was looking at a man capable of destroying the world. He named him Heart-eater, as Saleh tried to do to me. He believed it, though. He knew. And so do I.

He looked at Sobriquet. The thing he was most afraid of, more than anything else, was that he would succumb to the evil of his soul, the temptation of that power, and - somewhere in the man I saw, I think hes still counting on me to find him. To stop him.

He turned back to Antolin, nodding once more. So my answer is yes. I wont let any of us down.

Antolin held his gaze for a long moment before returning the gesture. Hala izan bedi. He turned to his staff, beckoning them around the strategy map; another shouted commands into an intercom. Far in the distance, Michael heard the airships great engines pitch higher, straining against the air.

Sobriquet walked over to thread her fingers into his; he returned a gentle squeeze, looking down at her. There was a question in her eyes, and Michael found that his answer hadnt changed from moments before.

You didnt see him, he murmured, closing his eyes to recapture the image of Lucs face contorting in rage. I know he killed one good man today. Probably a lot more than that. He didnt even notice. Michael let his sight drift out from the airship again, looking at the blot of darkness shrouding Agnec. To him, theyre all Saleh.

An uncomfortable look spread across Sobriquets face; she withdrew her hand and glanced away. I dont know that I disagree with him on that point, she muttered. Good or not, they still put on the Safid uniform. They still marched against Daressans on our own land.

He was Daressan, Michael replied. Born in Agnec to Daressan parents. He was exactly the person youve been working to save. He paused, then shook his head frustratedly. But now its done, its simple. Thats what Lucs doing, hes - a rod for the fucking storm, just like he said. Taking the short path with the strength of his souls so that nobody else has to.

Michaels fists clenched; his sight snapped back into his body as rage bloomed - then quieted. He took a steadying breath. I hate this. I hate all of this. It has to end.

The word rippled out with undue force, drawing glances from a few nearby officers; Sobriquets hand touched his arm gently. Well figure it out, she said. It wont be easy-

It will, Michael said grimly. Lucs making sure of that.