Turn 115

"Knowledge is in the hands no less than the mind. My people do good work, but so do many humans," he shrugs. "They have learned a great deal from us. What other materials have you in mind?"
    "Well, that depends on what the client may need. We can get almost anything. It's a big universe out there, and someone once told me of whole planets made of iron..."
    Steelhand cocks an amused eye in his direction but does not press further just then.
    In camp that night Emmett and Alais point out those other planets that are currently visible in the Rigolian sky. The dwarf listens and nods and skillfully conceals his bafflement at some of Alais' more esoteric commentary.
    Emmett, for reasons known only to him, scores this bafflement as an infinitesimally minor win for his team.

    * * *

    "And what did you see?" the brown little priest inquires.
    "Master, I saw great horrors ahead and Albin's influence seems obvious. I fear that betrayal and war are the ill-omens that were revealed to us all and that it will take great resolve to turn the tides which are against us."A sigh escapes him as he considers the future before continuing. "For myself I am humbled that Gerik himself appeared to me, though I know not why I have been singled out once more." It does not occur to Lynden that he might choose not to reveal his personal revelation and he awaits Father Ziven's response to his disclosure.
    "Ah." He does not seem altogether surprised. "And yet singled out you have been. And it seems that we are to have war once again, and that whatever is to unfold in this year, you must have a part to play." He looks at Lynden with seeming compassion. "You are young, yet your faith is strong...." He trails off thoughtfully. "We will speak again upon our return to the city. In the meantime, should any further revelations occur as to the meaning of what you have seen, please inform me at once."
     * * * "The tanners, sure, but I'll do the other work myself. I have a pretty fair hand for these things, and I need to keep practicing the skills or I'll lose them." He gives a brief, overinflated wink "Besides, it'll be an excuse to measure Inez *very* carefully to make sure it fits as snugly as possible."
    His claim to have needlework skills prompts a gasp of astonishment from Lynden. "The men here wouldn't recognize a needle let alone know how to use one but as for your other plans I'm sure you know best," he adds.

    * * *

    The following night, therefore, when the excursion has begun its return toward the city and the crew of the _Distraction_ are gathered around their own fire, the matter is put to them. They appear to have gained the trust of at least some of the key governmental figures. The choice at hand is to visit the heart of trouble on this ill-omened world, or to do what business they may in the capital now that the hunt is concluded and sail on.
    "The answer to the question of what that dread god is up to may be there," ibn Fadil observes. "Unfortunately I don't see how we could find it out, given how most of us stand out around here. Still, the least we could do is swing by and see what size of an army this Durrell seems to be gathering."
    Nyala shrugs, seemingly indifferent to their course, although ibn Fadil knows from their previous conversation that she is intrigued by the mysteries here.
    "Oh, we'll find it out - it'll likely involve getting captured and listing to Durrell rant to us about his plans, of course, but we'll find out."
    The half-elf stares at him, as if he can't quite believe he's real.
    Emmett pokes the fire a couple of times with his stick. "I figure we need to do this, not just for any personal reasons but to set Three Trees up. I'd like to see something of the contract in writing first, making it clear that this form of activity isn't something that TT normally provides and that it costs extra, but I figure from how the acting cap'n described the discussion he got that across.
    "I'm for it, as long as we don't take any stupid chances."
    "I am greatly relieved to hear you say so," Pham sighs. "For I fear that I at least _must_ go." He sinks back into silence, looking unhappy.

    * * *

    The journey back to Narain is without incident, though the company as a whole is subdued. Only one odd thing happens, and ibn Fadil is the only one who notices because it happens to him; one night half-way through the journey, he wakes up a couple of hours into the night feeling entirely rested as if it were morning. And by the time the sun comes up, he's not hungry--nor still by the time it sets again, and again a bare few hours of sleep seem to suffice as if a whole night's worth.
    

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