yasinovel Chapter 23: Sins of the Father
Chapter 23: Sins of the Father
Chapter 23: Sins of the Father
What should arise from possibility? Every stone contains within it a thousand stones, yet only ever appears as one. Chip the stone; countless possibilities have vanished and countless remain. Place it in the ocean; the water grinds it to sand.
The thousand stones were no less real than the sand. The sand is no more real than the stone that was. The world is water, ever flowing. Men despair of this, but impermanence does not deny meaning. A brick need not be eternal to build a house.
Do not despair of the thousand men inside you that shall never be, nor dwell on your own end. Instead, rejoice; you are endowed with life and may carve your own shape. Wield your chisel and strike with conviction.
The Book of Eight Verses, the Verse of Union. (New Kheman Edition, 542 PD)
The wind blew and buffeted Michael as he ran, the light from overhead dimming under the ring of stormclouds that had sprung into being around Leik. Hard pellets of snow whipped into his cheek and brow; he closed his eyes and pressed forward.
Gerard emerged from the storm ahead of him, slower than Michael - his eyes, too, were squinted closed against the wind. For Gerard, however, that meant blindness. Michael took his arm and helped the man forward. The snow turned to sleet, then at once a torrent of rain as they emerged into the late-summer air on the far side. Sudden humidity assaulted Michaels lungs, his chilled skin flushing with pinpricks as warm rain sluiced down from above.
A laugh escaped Michaels lips, he found himself lost in the exhilaration of it, the sodden mess of his clothing and their stumbling flight from the battle that still resounded behind them. There was no joy in it; not all laughter is joyful. It was only the recognition that they had brushed close to titanic, uncaring forces and somehow come away whole. The light still flickered from the clouds behind them where Stellar pressed her assault against the unfortunate Safid navy.
The adrenaline began to taper with the rain, and Michael shivered. Jeorg had spoken so fondly of his time in Mendian and of the country itself that Michael had imagined it a land of rest and peace, of calm and knowledge. Perhaps it was. What he had just seen was raw power cast into the sky and sea, though, metal turned to slag as the storm of its summoning raged over Leik.
Were these the people he had been striving to meet? Suddenly Michael felt unsure. It was difficult to reconcile Jeorgs tales of enlightened civilization and science with the irresistible brutality they had fled.
Gerard stumbled to a halt, his chest heaving as he doubled half-over to catch his breath. Ghars ashes, he panted, wiping rain from his face. And the Emperors fucking corpse. I never want to see anything that beautiful again. He straightened up and looked around, then began to trudge wearily forward. Did you see the others while we were running?
Michael shook his head. They were ahead of us, he said. I think Charles and Clair are together, Vernon took off on his own.
He was smart, he didnt stop to look, Gerard chuckled, doffing his cap to wring it dry. Ghars bloody bones. Its one thing to read about the Judgments of the Star throughout history, but I had never imagined - Im used to thinking of the Eight like theyre more of Sobriquet. He plopped the cap back on his head and gave Michael a rueful grin. It seems I was mistaken. That woman was a storm made flesh.
I apologize for being so underwhelming, Sobriquet murmured. Michael managed not to jump this time, the chill shock of surprise lost amid the tapering rush from their flight. Instead he turned until the edge of the blur began to shimmer in his vision and gave his perhaps-ally a tolerant look.
From your levity, I assume the others are fine, Michael said.
Quite so, though none so much as you, Sobriquet said. Youre not even out of breath. Are you sure youre a spector and not a durens?
Michael pressed his lips together. He hadnt been thinking of hiding his preternatural endurance, and Sobriquet would surely spot a lie this closely-tied to matters of his soul. I should think it would have been obvious were that the case, back in Leik, he replied.
Sobriquet only hummed in response, though Michael once again had the impression that the shimmering figure was smiling at him. After a moment Gerard stretched and walked to stand next to them.
So where are we headed? he asked. Regroup, or just meet back at the safehouse?
The others have already left for the safehouse, Sobriquet said. Lingering here would be unwise. That storm will eventually spread, and the Ardans will be in a foul mood for dealing with it.
Gerard nodded and set off, evidently having regained his bearings; Michael fell in behind. After several steps, however, he looked to the side and found Sobriquet still floating alongside him.
Youre going to accompany us? he asked, looking away from the shimmer. I thought you said that would draw attention.
Sobriquet laughed. I stand out rather less now, I think. What spectors or auspices the the Ardans have are undoubtedly drawn to the forces of Mendian rather than our little party. Besides, I had rather hoped to hear your thoughts on the matter, as one so closely-tied to events.
Michael felt a small chill once more. Oh? he asked.
Your travel plans, Sobriquet said, sounding amused. Obviously. You intend to visit Mendian, and here they are visiting you first. It moved to drift along on his other side, brushing close behind him. I tend not to believe in coincidence. What we call coincidence is often just a veneer of happenstance over obscured intentions - dont you agree, Michael?
Sometimes things just happen, Michael said, gritting his teeth. Its difficult to argue that there were obscured intentions in this event, since most parties involved were fairly overt - with you as the exception.
Sobriquet floated a bit closer, bobbing along beside Michael as he walked. I cannot help but be who I am, it said. Nor can anyone, I suppose. Still - ones origins and nature can weight preference, but it is ultimately our choice what to become. I wonder if you have thought closely on the subject, given - recent revelations. It drifted closer still, its voice dropping low.
I wonder if you will tell me what you want, Michael Baumgart, it murmured.
People keep asking me that, Michael said, his brow furrowing in irritation. Must I always have an answer ready?
Sobriquets form spun further away, though its voice still sounded close to Michaels ear. They only ask because the answer threatens to be relevant, it said. Noteworthy. Potentially problematic.
Then what is it that you want? Michael asked. I rather prefer when we keep our exchanges of secrets balanced.Visit for the best novel reading experience
But that is no secret at all. You already know what it is that I want. There was a pulse of light around the blur, illusory and faint. Daressa for Daressans, free from the boots of Ardalt and Saf on its soil. And yes, even free of Mendian. I wish for my country to exist in quiet prosperity and fear no aggressor.
Michael smiled. And I wish the same for myself, he said. To exist quietly, content and without fear.
Ah, Sobriquet said, twirling slowly in place. Such a simple request, yet so hard to achieve. There are so many who insist on being intrusive.
He could not see his peace yet - but whatever form it took, Michael did not think he could find it alongside his fathers war.
Michael stared up at the darkened roof of their shelter until sleep began to show him dreams of endless dead with his fathers signature dripping bloodred from each corpse. He woke amid the ghoulish spectacle, heart pounding and sweat soaking his clothes. Michael did not sleep more that night, nor did he want to.
Gerard and Michael returned to the safehouse as the rains diminished the following morning, gratefully dropping their packs and washing up in the cramped living quarters. The underground space was bustling with activity, full of quiet conversation and dim metallic sounds as partisans stripped, cleaned and reassembled rifles.
Took you long enough, Charles said, punching Gerard roughly on the shoulder. Did the little lord make you carry him?
Closer to the opposite, Gerard replied cheerfully. How long have you been back?
Charles made a face. Since late last night. Clair wouldnt hear of waiting out the storm, charged right on through the dark like a maniac.
Gerard gave Michael a smug look, then coughed and glanced around the room. Wheres she at? he asked.
Giving Sobriquet an earful, the metal artifex said with a grimace. Shes been behind the screen for over an hour now - the boss is keeping it from leaking through but I guarantee shes been shouting the whole time-
The last panel of the screen swung aside to reveal Clair, who stormed out with murder written in every line of her face. She veered towards the living quarters without a sideways glance at those who had stopped their business at the clamor. A moment later she had vanished into the darkened sleeping area, and the safehouse slowly buzzed back to life.
Michael turned to Gerard with an inquiring look, but the artifex only shrugged. Happens, he said. Clair has never withheld her opinion. The boss, the Ardans, us - it matters not a bit, if she has something for you to hear then youre damn well going to hear it.
Ill take that under advisement, Michael said. I expect shes got some things to say to me.
Charles snorted. Dont flatter yourself. Youre not the first Ardan weve worked with, nor the first with a title. If she had something to say about that, youd have heard it already.
At this point Im wondering why Sobriquet bothered with that lie at all, Michael said, raising an eyebrow. It seems like none of you were convinced.
Gerard sucked in air through his teeth, shooting a glance at the dividing screen. Its something you get used to after a while, he said. The boss will tell obvious lies or avoid answering when the conversation draws too close to certain topics. Its a hint to stop pushing. Their soul works in secrets, and sometimes that means certain things stay unspoken.
So in the tent, Sobriquet lied knowing none of you would believe it? Michael asked.
There was a quick, flinty grin from Charles. The words were a lie, he said. The message was that your identity wasnt a problem. True in generalities, and wrong in particulars.
Michael looked back at the artifex; there had been an unsettling tone to his voice as he spoke. And just like that, its not a problem? Michael asked.
Oh, it matters, Charles said, idly drawing a strand of metal from one of his armbands. It flowed between his fingers, amorphous and shimmering in the dim light. Its just not a concern for the moment.
Gerard rolled his eyes and gave Michael an apologetic look. We dont worry about spies or saboteurs here, he explained. We dont need to. If youve been vetted by Sobriquet, youre either an asset or youre dead.
Clair still seems to worry, Michael pointed out. At least in my case.
Charles gave Michael an unkind smile. Clair has her own reasons for not relying on-
He cut off with a gasp as a fist slammed into his kidney from behind, then staggered sideways. Clair stepped forward into the space he had occupied and gave him an arch look. Gossip is a filthy habit, she said, kicking him lightly in the leg; the strike deflected off of hard metal under his clothing even as the impact sent him down on his rear.
Charles shot her a murderous glare; she had already turned away to face Michael. So, my lord, it would seem youve fulfilled the initial part of your bargain. Unfortunately, we must act first on the leads you helped obtain before sending you on your way. Youll be safe here until were ready to move you.
Michael nodded, feeling an oddly hollow ache that had nothing to do with his soul for once. The bloody scrawl of his fathers handwriting lingered in his mind, the dream-images all too persistent. Clairs words were a dismissal. He could simply wait and go to Mendian.
Mendian, land of pragmatic butchers. Michael thought about revealing his soul to them, of explaining to Leire Gabarain that he held two of the Eight within him. She would teach him to control Spark, and perhaps Stanza as well. He would have nothing to fear from his soul - and Mendian would have gained a powerful asset.
Another image drifted into his mind, of an airship like the one from the previous day. Michael stood on the platform at its fore, and on the side was emblazoned a great tree with its roots wrapped snakelike around a human heart. A city sat below him, indistinct in the haze but buzzing with alarm as they espied the airship, heard the deafening voice informing them of Mendians judgment. Michael stretched out his hand and saw Stanzas light limn the distant edges of the city-
He shook himself, feeling faintly sick. Michael noticed that Gerard was giving him an odd look; he had no idea how long he had been lost in thought but it had apparently been noticeable. Clair had not changed her expression, looking at him with detached disinterest.
Youre going to the western front first? Michael asked. You think you can find the proof youre looking for there?
Clair shrugged. It is the lead we have. If we can prove to Mendian that Ardalt made fools of them, their vengeance should be swift and comprehensive. It is the best chance I can see for clearing the War from Daressan lands. She tilted her head to look at Michael. Why? You think it isnt worth the risk?
Michael bit his lip, feeling the thready chill of adrenaline in his chest. Jeorg had wanted him to go to Mendian, so Michael had tried to go. It was safe there, at least against the more immediate dangers that he could perceive. A part of him screamed to sit quietly in the safehouse and let Sobriquet whisk him to Mendian, let Leire shape him into whatever she pleased. That path was clear and bright in his mind, all the way to its eventual end.
Michael shuddered as the image of the airship once again intruded into his mind. Yet, there was no sure footing if he stepped off the path. The only other ways forward he could see were twisted and murky, choked with the bodies of his fathers victims - and perhaps Michaels own.
Jeorgs amused voice sounded in his head. Never fear risk, or change. But - only seek it deliberately.
For things that matter.
Actually, Michael said, raising his head to look Clair in the eye. I was wondering if you could use a spector.