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Book 5: Chapter 15 - What to Do (RAW)
🕑 Added 2025-01-03 01:01:28 +0000 UTC"Prudence is not the path of hesitation nor the refuge of delay. It is not the wavering line of moderation, nor the safety of indecision. True wisdom walks neither in fear nor excess but chooses the way of clarity and resolve."
- The Book of Wise Tellings from the Land of Streams.
A list of demands had been drawn up, and a plan of attack was in place. Yet despite all that, I still had obligations in this city—chief among them the irksome task of locating Elwin, wherever he might be. Of course, that might be easier said than done, and I had a sinking feeling that if the Rogue wanted to find me first, he would.
I didn’t truly need him, but it was the proper thing to do. In many ways, I had outgrown my original companions long ago. Still, that left Cordelia somewhere in the Deep Desert, spreading the word of her Goddess among the tribes.
She was a beautiful woman, and for that reason alone, I might have made a token effort to find her. But the more pressing draw was her magical longsword, “The Weight of Justice,” which I had yet to see matched by any other weapon. I suspected, from Cordelia’s descriptions, that it held power over the force of gravity.
Then there was the thankless duty of informing Naira that her daughter was dead. The truth—that her daughter’s soul now resided in a dagger—would surely not go over well. My only solace lay in knowing that I had kept my word, or at least attempted to, and had done my best to save her. It was a tragic turn of events for everyone involved.
That left the question of where to go next—assuming I could even find Cordelia. I might secure one of the key ingredients for immortality, Distilled Dust, but I had no recipe. The Necromancer had mentioned that such a recipe could be found at the University of Quas, which sounded like as good a destination as any.
I almost smiled at the thought of enrolling in a university again after such a very long sabbatical—it would be interesting to see what passed for academic knowledge in this world.
With those vague ideas in mind, I sent word to Aelayah, asking for an audience. About thirty minutes later, I was informed she would meet me in her private rooms in an hour.
A knock sounded on my door. By its strength and meter, I knew it could only be the girl, Larynda.
“Everything alright in here?” she asked, peeking around the door.
“Is there a reason for anything to be amiss, Larynda?”
She hesitated as she entered. “No, no. I just needed someone to talk to, now that, well… everything’s sort of done.”
The girl was wearing loose-flowing indoor robes that would not have looked out of place on a minor noble in the quality of their fabric and cut. It was strange how easily one could get used to luxury. She of course brought her twin staves with her, as much a part of the Mage now as any part of her body, at least if the books I had read on the arcane were correct.
I settled into a low-backed chair, feeling strangely exposed without my armor. I tried to ignore the feeling, but it lingered.
“Things are far from done. Aelayah still has to solidify her power, and there’s the Alim to deal with. No doubt I’ll be sent to make an example of them. More will die. That’s how I see it, anyway.”
Larynda pursed her lips. “You always do have a grim outlook.”
“I tried giving people the benefit of the doubt. It never ended well for me. Make of that what you will,” I said with a shrug. The world was what it was.
“But so many have already died,” she added softly.
“That’s what happens when there’s a revolution.”
“Al-Lazar had a revolution?” she asked.
“A civilized one, by a certain stretch of the imagination—but a revolution nonetheless. Aelayah has taken power in the most dramatic way possible, and it will be interesting to see how she keeps it. Unfortunately, I have no intention of staying to find out. Things could get messy around here.”
“So we’re leaving, then?” She crossed her arms.
“That’s the plan. I’m thinking we at least try to find Cordelia in the desert—fool’s errand though that might be—then head to Quas. With Vincenzio gone, I’ll need someone else to make the potion I want…”
“Errr… about that…” Larynda twisted a strand of her hair.
“What is it, Larynda? Spit it out,” I said, a bit too harshly.
“Well, good old Vince had me memorize a formula that involves crystallized and distilled Dust, a Dust Tear, and a few other fancy-sounding ingredients…”
I laughed in disbelief. “He planned for things beyond his death, after all—that was his specialty. Death to him was something to schedule, not to fear. Of course, he told you. The game wouldn’t have it otherwise.”
“Game?” Larynda asked, puzzled.
“A figure of speech,” I said, brushing the question aside.
She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “You could ask for anything right now, you know. Why leave while the going’s good?”
“That’s exactly why,” I replied. “The gratitude of the ruling class never lasts. Given enough time, inconvenient truths and debts get forgotten—or set aside. Better to leave now, while fortune still favors us.”
“But here and now, no one can deny that you basically gave the city to her. That you…” she tried to counter.
I sighed at her naïveté. “And that may indeed be one of the inconvenient truths Aelayah would wish to revise—or it could grow into a source of resentment. It’s better to leave on good terms, while I can still enjoy the full support of her House. Better still if I promise to return at a later date—a promise I won’t actually keep. That way, all the proper forms are followed, and everyone saves face.”
“For example, heading off on a fool’s errand into the desert,” I added as an afterthought. “A good final chapter for Gilgamesh in Al-Lazar.”
She “poured” herself a cup of water, the liquid defying gravity as it flowed almost directly into the cup. I couldn’t help but wonder why she bothered with the cup at all. Why not just guide the water straight into her mouth?
“I see where you’re going with this,” Larynda said. “Honestly, I don’t blame you for taking the safer route. But you have a chance to make something of yourself here. I’m not entirely convinced, but I want you to know: I’m with you, no matter what happens.” She smacked her chest for emphasis.
A smirk tugged at my lips, then turned into a genuine smile. “I’m touched.”
She plonked herself down on a cushioned chair, placing her staves across her lap. “Also, didn’t you have a thing for her? Weren’t you trying to marry her or something? Wasn’t all of this for that purpose? It’s… romantic, I guess, in a very clichéd way,” she said, gesturing to the opulent furnishings of the room.
“Not really, Larynda. Everything I did was part of my accord with Vincenzio the Necromancer. Do you really think she’d have believed me if I told her I wanted to kill a single woman—a fabled Visitor from another world—and that it would take such a long, complicated plan? I’d have been laughed out of her court. Still, I won’t deny it would’ve been a bonus if things had turned out that way,” I admitted, rubbing my chin.
“But are you sure Aelayah would have seen it like that?” she asked.
I nearly laughed. “Are you seriously suggesting that Lady Aelayah—now Sultana Aelayah—might have feelings for me?”
“Well,” Larynda said, “judging by the looks she sometimes gave Elenora—not that I’m an expert—she might. And let’s not forget you actually did what you said you would. That alone puts you among the handful of people she can probably trust. I mean, you made an outrageous claim and followed through. That sort of grand gesture only appears in old ballads and histories. I’d be surprised if her heart didn’t move at least a little.”
It was unsettling food for thought. Had I misread everything? Had my bitterness skewed my view of the objective truth? No—that couldn’t be it.
“A girl like Aelayah is much more in love with power and control,” I said, trying to dismiss Larynda’s intrusive arguments.
Larynda sighed, an expression more fit to a character twice her real age. “But… she is still a girl, you know. And, I am not saying that she isn’t in love with power and all of that… just want to say that you shouldn’t be too surprised if she ends up being a little disappointed with your decision.”
“Why do I have a feeling that you have suspiciously grown and matured, Larynda? Where is the girl that had the sticky fingers? It seemed to me like just last week you were a precocious little brat,” I laughed.
She looked down for a moment. “I hear time flies faster as you get older…” she replied snarkily. It was said jokingly and so failed to draw any real ire from me.
Still, I had reached my limit of what I could take for one encounter.
“Enough now, Larynda. You have given me more than enough food for thought. We will make our way from the city into the desert to search for Cordelia. We owe her that much at least. It will also give you the opportunity and chance to practice the basics of your Path,” I concluded, my tone firm.
“How exciting…”
“Remember, I am still sworn to Aelayah. Until she betrays me, or at the very least works against my purpose, I am ultimately beholden to her commands. And with that in mind, I do not think the Lady will be kept waiting any longer,” I said, dismissing Larynda.
“Guess, I’ll go and see if I can find where Elwin’s been hiding out,” Larynda answered with a shrug, excusing herself. She got to her lightly to her feet.
“Good luck with that,” whispered in a soft voice as she closed the door.
Not leaving, perm. Gets given lamashtu
