* * *
Ebrellin-i
* * *
I haven't been able to speak for quite some time.
Speech just isn't allowed where I am - or where my mind is. I'm sure my body is somewhere quite safe. I'm sure the Radians, even dear Luciprochoros, think they've got everything regarding me well in hand. And while I am in someone's hands, it is not theirs. I can feel my Master quite close.
I'm not sure how he managed to bring me here. I don't remember coming here. Surely there's no way to get to Nul from the Judge's cells? But here I am, sure as anything - or at least here my mind is.
And there is Nul. Above me, as always. As it should be, for I'd certainly not aspire to be above him, would I? No one could. Mother taught me that much at least - that when you find something that would rule you, you either find a way to surpass it or find a way to keep it happy.
And I, well, I keep Nul happy for her.
The first grumble from him is probably an observation, or a question. I can't really tell. Usually Cade will translate for him, but for some reason the Herald isn't providing illumination. I almost prefer it this way. There's nothing I can do about the Nul's decrees, so why would I really care what he's going to say? It's merely my signal to ready myself - not to shield, no.
That only makes him angry.
He hurts me. He's good at that, and I know he enjoys it. Usually he just does it at the beginning to get my attention - for I am a lazy follower, as Cade has always informed me on the Nul's behalf before. I do not step in time to the Nul's orders, I merely toe them vaguely while I go about my own dance. It's no lie, really - I am loyal, but I don't so much care to be all that devout about things. I am not a religious man, as it were.
Nul detests this, and so I am sent into a convulsion. Worship is something he demands, and I am always a fool not to give it to him. The convulsions usually pass, though - they're typically just long enough to shake me into my senses, to jog my memories. These don't pass. They become more excruciating than usual, in fact - my vision a blur, everything in my mind clenching up and twisting upon itself, and every bit of sense in me turning itself inside out and then rambling on like a madman. It is an intriguing sensation, to be sure - to be driven into madness at another's will.
It finally passes, very slowly does it pass. I can feel Nul's regard on me as the torture slows, as he drags it out enough that I can be aware of him dragging out. This is a pointed sort of torture, then - a punishment. I have been a bad pet. I have been the very worst of pets.
But he will not kill me - not yet. I still have a use. This is something that a new voice intones - not Cade's, but a Poet's. A Poet I recognize and, in fact, admire. Jhe Edward? Whatever is he doing here? I manage to catch a flash of his face as he intones the words - his face is blank, his pupils white, and his hair...
His hair has gone silver in streaks.
I feel an odd coil of revulsion upon seeing that - with all the danger that is here for me, with all the ways that Nul could hurt me, I'm afraid he'll hurt my hair. Or mar my beauty, or strike me lame. All of these things I fear, but I don't fret for my mind. That was very much destroyed some time ago, after all - at least in part. We don't fret for the things that are already broken.
I have a use.
I have a purpose.
I am only to lie in my cell and wait, and earn myself a good death.
* * *
Camden
* * *
I am tired of talking to this imbecile who calls himself a leader of men. What crazy Clan would ever decide to live on a boat all their lives is another question - perhaps it explains Captain Jules's type of madness quite adequately! But it's nothing to do with me and nothing he's talking about has much to do with anything I care about. This man's words are worthless.
I tell him just that, and he only laughs and grins at me. It is then that I realize my error - I have let him get under my skin.
Well, Geillg'a knows just what to do about that. Get under his.
I do manage to pull her back before too much of him leaks out onto the floor. The Judge probably wants him for further questioning. Probably. I can always kill him later.
Tchae, what are ye on about? The mental feel of my hair being smoothed over by a blade that should well shave me clean bald betrays Geillg'a's concern. She knows me well, aye - knows me fair better than even Jenny. Yer raw inside, as provokable as a teenage boy. What is amiss?
What is amiss? I could say that it's just that - teenaged energy, a certain type of rage and joy that Jenny's managed to work into me with her own special ways. That would be a lie, though. I realize that it must be Poetry. I almost curse aloud. What a stupid reason to be sloppy with my Arms.
Tis not a bad reason at all. Your Poetry gives you a foolish sort of clarity that you even find useful in the men you guide. Now if ye'll pay heed to it instead of barking yer head off like some fool pup...
She's right. I realize I need to be done with this. I grin and finish my business. "That will be all, Captain Jules." He replies with a gargled foreign insult and a rude gesture - something that oddly makes me fee accomplished. I'll probably have to send a healer in to fix him - not for now, though. Jhe h'Akribastes has noticed something in the air as well - he's looking down the hall, and up a bit. Katherine's looking that way too.
Someone's arrived in the courtyard, and I need to be there now. It's as if my life depended on it.
* * *
Lyric
* * *
Gerude's probably the smartest among us - he has Jhe Haari'se stand farther in the back. Otherwise someone out here in the Armed Hall courtyard would probably mistake her for an assailant, which wouldn't be good... right? I'm so sorry she's just so creepy! I know it's not her fault. I just keep thinking of Thelea when I look at her. Ugh, Thelea. I barely escaped being stuck as her servant.
When I shudder, Elric puts his hand on my shoulder. Cheer up, he says in the strangest mental voice. Like he's bracing for something himself. Hold on to things while they last.
I give him an askew glance for that one. What's he going on about? I don't have the time to ask, though - someone's running up towards us, and Daddy just appears out of nowhere right beside the whole party. I feel a bolt of panic run through me upon seeing him, then remind myself that there's nothing to fear - I've done nothing wrong.
Then that someone's running towards Elric, and Elric sort of pushes me forward between him and... the Peacekeeper?
"Elricht! You're alive! In one piece!" I've never heard Jhe Camden so happy. I never knew he could grin so much and not look absolutely frightening while doing so. I wish Elric would let me get away from him, though - but I'm held firmly between the two of them.
Brother. I'm so happy to see you. Elric does sound happy, but he also sounds a bit... shaky. Forgive me, but I've got to keep a bit of distance, just in case--
"Elricht! What are ye goin' on about? Ah haven't seen you in ten years, stop shoving people in the way of me!" Camden looks determined enough to cut past me to get to Elric - I let out a squeak upon realizing that.
Ten years. And do you know what might've been done to me in all that time? How dangerous I could be for you? I can't even speak aloud, brother! Please... please don't try to--
Camden's had enough of that, and shoves me aside into the dirt so he can properly welcome his brother with what I'm going to assume is a traditional Rhivendish tackle. They both land in the dirt as well-- small consolation for me. Elric's eyes are squeezed shut. He's wearing a grimace as if the world's going to end while he's on the ground - when it doesn't, he opens one eye warily. There's only Camden's grin. The Armed punches the Poet in the shoulder.
"Stop worryin'! Tell me where ye've bee-- great mother of the rolling hills, is that a SPIDER?"
I hear a few explanations being batted back and forth, ["She's really quite social!"] but it's sort of in the background for me while I'm hauled to my feet by... Father. He's got an unreadable expression on his face. Then I realize it's that one he wears where he's trying not to show--
He hugs me. Tight. For a brief moment I can't breathe. I still feel, somewhere deep down, like I should be cherishing this moment before it's over with. So I do.
Then it ends, he lets go, and he looks over Stevane. He sees Stevane's Arms. He sees the whole mess that our group is.
"I'm sure one of you has an explanation for all thi--" his words cut off as Stevane takes one step forward, wavering in her stance. She holds something up - a rolled up scroll of paper which looks like it has some drawings and writing on it. A map? She hands it to Daddy. Then she falls over, clean unconscious, like she's given out.
After that, it's all a bit difficult to keep track of.
* * *
Katherine
* * *
The great thing about a few hours of time in which nobody can account for all of what's going on is that it gives me the opportunity to not be accounted for.
The few hours of time was really all I needed. It's annoying when I have to start from scratch again - takes a couple weeks to really get my proper age back. But it doesn't take very long at all for my body to grow enough to be able to walk dependably. I guess I'm about five now, physically. And, like I said, it's all I need.
Daddy needs me, after all. Nobody's paying any attention to him. They've just thrown him in a cell and forgotten about him while that other stuff happens. And well, I'm not doing anything useful right now while I wait to be 'big enough' to do something important. I'm the Advocate, no matter what size I am.
Daddy needs me.
It takes awhile to walk down to where he is, especially with me having to be all sneaky about it. I'd teleport, but there's no telling if 'Sy or someone else is paying attention to those kinds of energy fluctuations now that I've gone and done it a couple times already. During the trip I grow an inch. It's so strange. I always feel so awkward when this happens.
But here Daddy is. Weird - the cell looks bigger and more ominous with me this tiny. He looks bigger too - it's like I'm a child again, for real. I feel that warm ache in my chest, that longing I've had to deal with all through my youth - Daddy was never around very much. I got to travel and stay with him now and then, yes, but Radia was my home, and so I always missed my Daddy who stayed in Audiva Rocale. Now he's here, and nothing's right, and if I'm going to have any sort of family at all--
Heck, if I'm going to have any sort of peaceful world to live in--
Then I've got to fix him.
I hear a rustle around a corner - probably someone in a nearby cell. I'll need to keep this quiet. No matter - Nulspeak isn't a loud language, really. In certain ways, it's not a language at all.
I look at Daddy, lying there in his prison bed. He looks so peaceful, and so helpless. He was always so big and strong - the tallest man I've ever met, really - and now he looks frail... almost old.
He doesn't have much time. I have to do this. I have to unlock him.
My mouth opens and the syllables fall out. Nul's language flows and chants more than it is spoken - and you can't think about it, can't try too hard to do it, or you'll sing your tongue right out of your mouth. You can unmake yourself entirely--
Katherine, darling? You haven't drawn. Gevurah's voice is patient and sweet, a sing-song imitation of Gedulah's. I keep my concentration - or lack thereof - and draw both blades out from midair as I Unspeak.
This is difficult. Your form is unstable, young one. You would do better to wait.
She says she has to press ahead, Gedulah. What else are we to do but aid her? Do we try to intervene and make her slip in the middle of her foolishness? Gevurah's tone is angry. It reminds me of 'Sy.
No, don't think about that now, don't think about him right now. It'll only make me angry. I can't lose concentration!
Daddy's not responding yet, and I'm getting afraid for my tongue. My mouth is numb, my throat nearly the same. Daddy hasn't moved. I can't even feel his mind.
Katherine! You need to stop this. It isn't working this time.
After Gevurah speaks, Gedulah sighs. My dear, he has to fight this on his own. You can't win it for him now.
I stop. There's silence for awhile - real silence. It has a sort of purity to it. In it, I look upon my Father.
He looks almost as if he could wake. If I just went a little further...
If you try it again I'll cut your tendons at the ankle and then call for the Judge. Gevurah's voice holds no mercy in it - and Gedulah doesn't peep up to intercede.
Later. I could come back later. I'll be stronger then. Things will be better, then.
"Hold on, Daddy. Just a little longer. Everything will be alright." I swear he heard me, because he opens one eye then. It's rolled back in its socket, though - either that or the iris and pupil have gone white. I think it's the latter, really - he does seem to be staring at me. I open my mouth to say something, but then his brow creases and his eye closes.
No, he's asleep. Just an odd twitch. I feel a chill go over me and decide that it really is creepy down here right now and I should go upstairs. So I leave and try not to think about it.
* * *
Gerald
* * *
It's the truth and I can't deny it - I just heard Kathe trying to speak Nul to the Peacock King. And, well...
I check to make sure she really is gone, stifling down the urge to just scoop her up and plant her right in front of Daddy, who'll keep her safe and out of these shenanigans. I know that won't work. I know Kathe, after all. And Father's too overrun right now to have her dumped back into his lap.
No, I'll just let her go, let her think she's doing a good job or... whatever she thinks she's doing. And once the coast is clear...
I sigh. Safe. I lean back against the bars of an empty cell around the corner from the Peacock King's. "Do you know what she was trying to do?"
The animism's face crumples a little, like he's a very sad puppy. And, well, I guess he is. "Revive him? I did hear she had the tool at her disposal. I had a hunch... that she would be seeking him out at this most dangerous of times." He sees my questioning look. "I can smell trouble on Ebrelle. It's getting more and more rank as moments pass. Had she stayed longer..." He shrugs. "Who can tell what would happen, considering what language she was speaking? It's very foolish. He's practically a gate to Nul himself." He grimaces as if he's scented something putrid in the air.
I just take it all in. This is not where I expected to be this evening - had all the commotion not happened, I sort of planned to take Jhe Rachella aside and share more of her company. But, well, things didn't go as planned today. Oddly enough, I was forgotten in the rush of everything - which gave our friend animism the opportunity to pull me aside and make me his errand-boy.
But it turned out fortuitous, didn't it? Someone really did need to be watching Katherine while she decided to come down here and endanger her life. And what if something really had happened? What would I have done, then? I shudder.
Faun gestures for me to get up as he stands. He stays in a crouch - which could just be his natural stance, it's hard to tell. Then he approaches the King. I follow behind him and, answering some inner cue, draw Bruce and Wagner.
The animism walks right up to the bars, coming up just short of touching them. His nose wrinkles - it's as if he's sniffing the cell out. I notice his hair's puffed up as if it's standing up like a cat's fur. I can't really blame him - the hair on the back of my neck is starting up some crazy dance.
I watch the King for a moment. Is there anything amiss with hi--
I freeze. My body locks up, even my lungs. I don't breathe. My heart may well have stopped because I don't hear it. Faun's lightly-clawed touch along my forearm is the only thing that wakes me out of it. I double-check what I saw.
The Peacock King's eyes are closed. I shake my head. "Were his eyes closed a moment ago?"
"No." Faun's voice is as deadpan and nonchalant as ever. "I thought we were going to lose you, Jhe Gerald. Don't slip again - this man is every bit as dangerous as he was upon his thone." He frowns in contemplation. "No. Now, even more so. It's as if what has him is no longer afraid to move boldly... but then, why not? The piece is all but lost, so why not be rash when moving it?" His yellow eyes flick up to mine. "Your Father taught me chess when I asked him for advice on the ways men make war." At my surprise, he simply flicks his glance back to the King. "Quite long ago, in fact. When I was still making my first tentative steps into the world of man, of learning it... when Ebrelle had left me and the forest, and thus barred the path of compromise between him and nature."
If he weren't an animism, I would think he sounds sad about it.
"The only way to reinstate that compromise, I always mused, was to bring him back to that forest. But he never came, would never listen to me. He tried to bring me to him instead, to use me and train me as perhaps he has been used and trained. Now he is the one in the cage."
I nod. "It really is a shame." I feel like I have to say something in reply.
"It can be rectified, Jhe Gerald." Faun backs away from the cell and looks down the hall where Katherine walked to exit. "How would you get him out of this cell? We'll have Jhe Lyric to help us. He owes me his life, after all - and he's my Poet, though it's quite unofficial."
"Hm." I perch my fingers on my chin and think. "Well, it's a good time for it - Father's really distracted and overworked, and there's nobody on guard duty here because there's too much that needs doing to waste a few men right now on a prisoner that might as well be a corpse. The wards are still gonna scream about it, so that's gonna be tough--" I glare at him. "I can't take the Peacock King out of here, you moron!"
The animism's baleful look is as much as he needs to tell me exactly who he thinks is the idiot in this hall. "You will remove him from this cell or seek help in doing so. We're taking him to the forest in Audiva Rocale that I have guardianship over. There I will clean him to the best of my ability, and then perhaps we can regain what he should be. It is either that or watch the Judge's Advocate destroy herself trying to do the same thing. She should have the ability - and perhaps she does. But it will take time we don't have for her to grow enough to do so, and in the meantime whatever lurks inside that man in that cell that used to call himself Ebrelle will finally spill out of him and consume her when she's trying to do her job."
I have to admit. It's a strong argument.
"Besides, Jhe Gerald, back in Audiva Rocale you promised to aid me. You swore your Arms and your Quill to defend me." Faun's yellow eyes glitter with too much cunning for my liking. It's like staring down at a fox. "I call upon that now. It is the Law, is it not?"
I close my eyes and exhale. "So it is."
"Good, then I'll fetch Lyric."
I open my eyes. The animism is already gone, curse him. I'm left here with the creepy corpse-like King, and the task of figuring out how to get him free. The task is so flagrantly stupid that my mind balks at the contemplation.
Still, I start making plans.
