x
Note: The map provided here is incomplete but should serve to give an idea of some of the locations mentioned in this chapter.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1GWyJRp0B
The Priest I
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeEezCEOkV
Every step Abdol took was agony. From the moment the ship left the port of Saumír to his arrival at Greenhaven, his right foot gave him trouble. The pain was sharp and would strike upward from heel to knee. Before departing from his home city, he had seen a physician about this ailment.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPhLA3pPb8
They could not track the source of his discomfort. Their best advice was to prescribe bed rest and coca leaf for the pain twice daily. A useless prescription as duty compelled him to travel. Yet he did take heed about the coca leaf and was chewing it now. It tasted bitter in the way only wild greens could, with a hint of tea leaves. His gums grew numb, and his heartbeat quickened. Spitting over the guard rail, a passage from the Quadon Keíbbith came to mind. ‘Pain is deliverance. I can not hate you for the hurts you cause me. I am free, and you are forgiven.’
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6sxMAINac
The deck of the riverboat swayed underneath him. It took a bend in the river hard, jerking all its passengers to one side. When the vessel righted itself, Abdol put the brunt of his weight on his bad foot. The shock of pain was a lightning bolt, white-hot and sudden. A groan escaped him. ‘Pain is deliverance,’ he thought again. Yet he reached into the pocket of his robe and retrieved a handful of the tacky leaf. Chewing on the new batch ebbed the pain away but didn’t stop a new one from cropping up- the pain of being a hypocrite.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaUHSmtTuy
In the past, that passage would have guided him. It had molded him into the man he was today. The last words of Ramiel En Yosif were of love, acceptance, and forgiveness despite his suffering. God’s final prophet on Aultar had endured much and more. Could this old man not handle a pained foot? Evidently not, and that fact ate away at him. ‘Some servant of God I am.’
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF2wIObK6K
“How fares, my blessed friend, this dusky morning?” Jazpur said, giving the Priest a slap on the back.
Abdol grimaced in pain yet managed a smile all the same for his friend.
“All Mighty Yeud has given me better days and worse. This one I can do without.”
Jazpur let out a dry chuckle and spoke.
“This fog, I like it not. Makes the going slow. I long for my cushions and pillows and books back in Allalanté.”
“Too much comfort is the sign of one half-dead, Jazpur. It is good you are stretching your legs beyond the borders of your city.”
“Cross the face of Aglo-Kosh Priest, and you will know that I have done enough stretching,” Jazpur replied, eyes lost in the morning haze, reminiscing on times past.
“Ho-ho! Discomfort is good for one's fortitude. You will love this town we go to,” Abdol said with a bright smile. “The people are queer, but the music they make, the food they cook, the songs they sing! HA!” He slapped his belly to emphasize his point. “You will see nothing like it, oh, and the woman! I can no longer partake, but I am guessing you will not be disappointed!”
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScDR5r5rU4
Jazpur tilted his head to one side, ruminating on the mental picture. A slow smile etched itself on his face. He looked down, his course, coiled hair concealing his mirth.
“You speak to me as if I am still a young man Abdol.” Jazpur’s smile faded, and he grew earnest. “No, these things are moot to me. I desire to seek out their Master of Lore. I hear the Pieadrras have a sizable Library. I would like to visit.”
“I shan't think you should find it disappointing,” Abdol said, spitting over the guardrail again. “Their tomes date back even before Yeud’s last prophet sacrificed himself. A bit dry for me, so they should be thrilling for your eyes.”
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ6K2oQ2CQ
Jazpur nodded his mind clearly elsewhere.
“What troubles you, my friend? When I look at your eyes, they seem to see anything but The River Mother. Where is your mind?” Abdol questioned, assuming a Priestly posture, placing both hands in his sleeves.
“I should be asking you. You grimace and groan like an old man.” Jazpur said, sniffing the air. “And this leaf you chew….” He paused before continuing, “What hurts are you nursing?”
Abdol turned away, swatting away Jazpur’s question with a flick of the wrist.
“I sound like an old man because I am an old man Jazpur. I turn fifty-and-five four moon cycles from today. My pains are of too many years on a ragged body, is all.”
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWGkZa65mD
Jazpur looked down at Abdol’s lousy foot, trailing upward to lock eyes with the priest. His hair came down to his shoulder, the coils bound with gold sleeves and brass jingle bells throughout its length. His skin was dark ebony, his eyes narrowed from years of squinting in the bright sun, and his nose was hooked. The younger man’s countenance told the Priest he knew he was deflecting. Yet Jazpur was not one to pry into the affairs of others, so he said nothing. Abdol felt he was suddenly on display or in front of a tribunal, being reprimanded. Jazpur’s silent judgments had that effect on people. Hooking his large, calloused finger into his mouth, Abdol grabbed the coca leaf and tossed it overboard.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhBYR71DG2
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjrhTgx4Dn
“I have recently come into possession of something remarkable,” Jazpur said.
“Hmm, is this so?” Abdol said, spitting the remaining bits of coca out of his mouth. “You are often coming across remarkable things in your line of work, no?”
“Not like this. I believe it to be something extraordinary.” Jazpur said, looking around the deck of the boat. The sail picked up on a gust of wind, expanding outward.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCahyppfuF
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XnmplfheW
The sails were made of undyed linen, with a red zigzag pattern painted across its face. Those same zigzags looked like teeth now that the breeze gave body to the sail. Mother’s Adept was a sleek, long, curved vessel with both bow and stern coming to a sharp point. Mouth agape, teeth greeting the world, the bow curved upward and was carved to look like a river serpent, roaring in defiance. Men tended to the sails in front of them, and others manned the rutters behind them. Abdol and Jazpur stood alone portside, their other travel companion and fellow Wisemaster sleeping in the ship's cabin.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqBqXx7tnA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk140u9z1T
“Have you spoken of this thing with Komuna?” Abdol asked.
“No, what are an astronomer’s thoughts about relics to me?” Jazpur said, dismissing their colleague outright. “I tell you because I trust you and because you are one well-traveled and well-learned.” Jazpur reached into a pocket and produced a small red pearl. “What I hold here is of great importance if my assumption of what it is is correct.”
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1oB5nayFu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGAy7lxp4c
Abdol reached out to grab the small jewel but stopped short of grabbing it, seeing his friend tense up at his approach. The pearl was a deep crimson and shone like a beacon of red light. Sitting still in Jazpur’s palm, it seemed to shift ever so slightly in place, leaving after images of itself as if it were vibrating at a high frequency. It felt like Abdol was looking at the thing through drunken eyes. The illumination was dim but noticeable once you focused on the jewel. The light emanating from the pearl would periodically dim, regaining intensity in time with the rhythm of his heartbeat. ‘It mirrors my pulse. How is this-’
Jazpur placed the pearl back in his pocket and continued to speak.
“I bought it off a Koshman some months ago. He said it came at the hazard of his body. Apparently, he fought rival tribesmen over it. Even slew a fabled Rukshaka for the damned thing. Had no idea what it was or even could be, the poor bastard.” Jazpur said.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6VsuGMTIW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJolvIx8p1
Abdol tried to focus on the topic at hand but could not. ‘It was glimmering to the rhythm of my heart, yet it seems Jazpur has not noticed.’
“What is this thing?” Abdol asked.
“I believe it to be a Palantirí. Yet I have been calling it the Crimson Pearl. If I am correct or activate its powers, the nature of the Mysteries and their related arts would have changed forever.” Jazpur said, a closed smile creeping its way in.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RIa9dTPqu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQzQmu6b0x
The art of Divination, even among the Star-singers, involved a level of interpretation no matter how vivid the premonition was, or so said the soothsayers themselves. Some saw this as a convenient excuse for the charlatans amongst their ranks. Yet as one Windchaser explained to Abdol many years ago, the future is a series of probabilities only collapsing into a single option once it is time for their happening. The Palantirí, a relic from a bygone age, was said to peer into the future with utmost clarity. No interpretations needed, and no biases interfering.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28tCFCRRyN
Something within the Priest told him this was not that thing. Yet, what objection could he meaningfully provide to an Infuser, enchanter, and collector? His apprehension and skepticism would mean very little to Jazpur without evidence. Infusers tended towards philosophical materialism. An ideology Abdol thought was shallow and underdeveloped but frustratingly impenetrable when against metaphysical arguments. No, if he were to introduce any doubt within his friend's mind, he would need to do so with deft cunning.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwldlT7Ty4
“And what if your Crimson Pearl is not this thing? What will you do with it?” Abdol asked.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d5wbpd1nU
“Reexamine my thesis, do more reading, more experimentation. The Pearl has power. There is no doubt of that in my mind. Either way, it will be very lucrative for me in the end.” Jazpur said, content with himself. ‘It has power indeed, yet what kind of power is the real question, and even better than that, should it be pursued?’
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt11lO81Kie
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW5LPyRIlj
“Dysúlpe mi Eñyoros, té yaji certio teú nos abeto yasala en Del Ryo Ija,” Said a skinny boatman to both Priest and Infuser.
“Ye Grasya,” Replied Jazpur, bowing shallowly. The boatman departed, heading toward the bow, assumably for the cabin.
“What did he say? Apologies, my mind was elsewhere." 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExgC7rNFD4
“We are now at The River Daughter, making good time. We should be at Clara Luna by nightfall at this pace.”
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYNF3A9w9y
Abdol said nothing and looked at the river banks, the morning fog slowly dissipating. Tall reeds lined the bank, framing the green pastoral lands and, beyond them, the hot, dry sands of the desert. He could see the small folk busying themselves with tasks, women at the river bank collecting water in woven baskets carried atop their heads. They paid little to no heed to the riverboat. ‘Simple labor for a simple life, how I envy them sometimes.’
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipLHAveBlc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUIF0hPMBW
Someone yelled from below deck loud enough that it carried across the water, frightening the women at the river bank. Jazpur and Abdol turned around in unison, searching for danger. The skinny Boatman rushed up form the cabin, out of breath and panting. Curses from a strange tongue filled the air with their vitriol and venom.
“He must have awoken Komuna, the fool,” Jazpur said.
“Hahaha, you never awake an Aümunian from their morning slumber, my friend!” Abdol called out to the boatman. The boatman turned to glare at the priest but said nothing and returned to his duties.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN9sFw8DP7
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JQ9F2l2sL
A thought came to Abdol suddenly. If Komuna remained awake, even for a little while, perhaps her assessment of the Pearl might dissuade Jazpur of its nature. Komuna was an astronomer, a discipline firmly rooted in the material world. A mind like hers might be better suited to examine the Pearl and provide feedback. The more he ruminated on his experience, no matter how brief, the more he felt a sense of unease take hold of him. The jewel was wrong.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUvsdg4XwP
“Perhaps we should see if Komuna has seen such a thing before?” Abdol suggested.
Jazpur sighed, chewing on the suggestion. ‘He doubts her abilities. In truth, he doubts everyone's abilities that he does not know.’
“Jazpur, my friend, she is now a colleague. If you are to ingratiate yourself amongst your peers, you’ll need to do some reaching out.” Abdol said, leaning in. “I, too, must maintain open lines of communication with others of The Order. Even ones I have significant disagreements with.” ‘Namely, that damnable Blue Witch.’
“Fine, but you are going first. I’d prefer her to attack you, should she be resting again.” Jazpur said, resigned to the idea.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxvi4eVPgL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj6EBoXXdS
The going was unsteady down the steps as the boat swayed. The wooden stairs creaked as they descended to the cabin of this ship. At the far end of the vessel, rays of daylight peered through the floorboards. A shawl dyed black was hung on the ceiling to diminish the sunlight getting through, but it did little to halt the light from actually entering. It was a feeble attempt to shroud the cabin in complete darkness.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1qvJR3XU0
“No closer,” Komuna said, her voice a hoarse, high-pitched whisper.
Both men stopped in place. Abdol had rarely seen her without her veil and headdress on. Komuna's head was massive in proportion to her body, which gave her small stature an awkward, top-heavy appearance. Her eyes shone like the reflective surface of a mirror.
They were larger than average humans, colored amber flecked with gold and dark yellows. They looked like a forest floor in autumn. Her pupils dilated as if by command. Her skin was a pale shade of nutmeg, streaked with ash brown. Each Aümunian was born with a different pattern, and Komuna was no different. Large slender ears twitched and rotated individually at the sound of the ship moaning and creaking against the river’s water. She brushed her hair over her shoulder with a slender finger. It was long, black, and completely straight.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjVXt3niSw
“Why do you disturb me, Mainlanders?” Komuna said, still whispering.
“We have need of your analytical mind, Great Çikleen,” Abdol noted, once again assuming his best priestly stance.
“Spare me your honorifics, Abdol. Speak plain. I am very tired.” Komuna said.
“Very well, may we approach?”
“NO!” Komuna screeched, her voice ringing out like a yowling cat. The hammock she sat in swayed back and forth as she rushed to grab her traditional garb. “I apologize for my outburst, Mainlanders. But you are men and have already seen too much of my face.”
“The apologies should be ours, Komuna,” Abdol said, averting his gaze. Jazpur remained silent but followed the priest's lead.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYVk66kCMk
There was a deluge of shuffling fabric and pants of exasperation. It felt as if Abdol had his head down for a long while. His eyes fixed on the pocket that held the Crimson Pearl.
“You may approach,” Komuna said, quiet but poised.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pEM7vZFhP
They made their way to her side of the boat, careful not to trip on any raised beams on the floor. Each step sent a shock of pain through Abdols leg, yet he remained stoic. He wished he could chew more Coca leaves now but decided against it.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjYczKOGZZ
The astronomer's face was now obscured by a black veil. It connected to a tall headdress flat on the top, a single green eye emblazoned in the center of the garment. Though she was covered in layers of her cultural garb, her eyes still shone like reflective disks, the way a cat might in the dead of night.
“What is it that you wanted to share with me?” Komuna asked.
Abdol awaited Jazpur to speak and gave him a nudge with his elbow when he did not.
“Apologies again, Great Çikleen. We will not take up too much of your time. I have recently come across an artifact. I have yet to confirm what it is, though I have my suspicions.” Jazpur said, rushing along to end the interaction sooner than later. “Our mutual friend here thought it pertinent that you give your opinion.”
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE9yl7ApJq
She remained silent, saucer-like eyes peering from behind her veil, awaiting Jazpur to continue. He cleared his throat and went to retrieve the Crimson Pearl. There it stood in the center of his palm. Komuna made a curious sound, half coo and half purr. Long spindly fingers reached out for the jewel, snatching it up. She held it close to her face, turning it this way and that, examining every inch.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ6klv3HjH
“Where did you come across this?” She asked, never taking her eyes off the jewel.
“Bought it off a Koshman.”
“And where did he obtain it?”
“Came across it during his travels in Aglo-Kosh.”
“The desert consists of quartz-rich sediments and black silica. This is not a naturally occurring thing for that environment. Where did he get it?”
“I will tell you but know that Koshmen are tellers of tales,” Jazpur said, clearing his throat. “I wouldn’t put much stock in the stories they tell but-.”
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bbD3nN9RZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi585xzG6u
Komuna cut him off, her voice rising above a whisper for the first time.
“I spent four years in that desert, away from Aü'munré, missing my colleagues and family,” Komuna started. “I learned much and more while there and was awarded the title of Çikleen from the knowledge I gathered in that desert. My efforts would have been in vain without those Koshmen and their tales. I find them to be reputable people. Do not speak ill of them in my presence.”
‘He is making a feeble first impression.’ Abdol thought.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHtAlYmNDn
Jazpur backed away slightly to make room for the discomfort growing in the cabin.
“I apologize. I didn’t mean to.”
She cut him off again, swatting away his apology with her absurdly long narrow hand.
“Enough. What did this Koshman tell you?”
“That it came from the heart of a fallen star. Said he tracked it down for a day and a night after it landed. This was at its heart.” Jazpur said, looking around, clearly uncomfortable.
“What did the Koshman guess it was?”
“He didn’t say. Just wanted to sell it. So I bought it.”
“What do you think it is?” Komuna asked, handing the Pearl back to its owner.
“A Palantirí. It matches the descriptions of all the available-”
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJS8X1aIrJ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdlTbQDTJI
Cutting him off for a third time, Komuna spoke, slipping back into her high-pitched whisper.
“You are mistaken, I am sad to say,” She slipped a thin elongated forefinger under her veil and scratched her chin, “I have seen its like before in my line of work. The Koshman spoke true. It is the heart of a meteorite.”
Jazpur snorted, placing the Pearl back into his pocket.
“With all due respect Komuna, you are out of your depth in this matter. I am an infuser and collector by trade. I know man-made relics when I see them.”
The tension in the air was palpable. ‘Perhaps this was a poor idea on my part.’ Abdol held out an arm, placing it between both of his colleagues. Chuckling awkwardly, he interjected.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDOkiY4a1v
“Jazpur forgets himself. He is passionate about his field of study and excited about his recent purchase.” Abdol said, trying to relieve the stress of the situation.
“It is quite alright, Abdol. I, too, would take my own comments as an affront to my intelligence.” She shifted her weight on the hammock and continued, “I never stated that this object was naturally occurring, though I might have implied it to be so. It is a construct though one not made by human hands.”
“This is outrageous!” Jazpur exclaimed, his shout echoing throughout the hollow cabin. “She mocks me to my face and diminishes my achievements!”
The Infuser turned to leave.
“Jazpur, my friend, please be more civil. Komuna is a renowned astronomer and well-traveled. Perhaps her opinion could give you perspective even if you disagree with her?”
“HA!” Jazpur bellowed contemptuously, “The only perspective I require is above deck. I’ll leave this nocturnal fiend to her daytime slumbers.”
Jazpur stomped off, heading for the deck.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXxX8gPuq6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBYWUc651k
“I apologize for my friend's crassness, Komuna. He is not used to being challenged so brazenly.” Abdol said, assuming a priestly posture once more.
“All is forgiven, Priest. He is young and will grow out of it; if not, his time as a Member will come to a swift end. And his name will be forgotten in history.” Komuna said, letting out a slight cackle.
The sound of her mirth sent shivers down Abdol’s spine. The boat swayed violently. The priest fell over to one side, hand outstretched to break his fall. He landed on the curved wall, slamming his shoulder hard. His bad foot twisted awkwardly, and he groaned in agony.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntbMzzPYCv
“Are you hurt?” Komuna asked from her swinging hammock.
Abdol thought about maintaining pretenses but decided against it.
“Yes, but not by this fall,” Abdol said, through shallow breaths. “I am getting old, and my foot has troubled me since before I left Saumír, the damned thing.”
He arose slowly, grabbing whatever he could to aid in his rise. Komuna jumped down from her hammock, landing ungracefully. Her headdress and the boat's momentum almost spilled her face first, but she righted herself in time.
“Take a seat, old man. Rest your foot some.”
“No, no, I have imposed myself long enough.”
“It was not a suggestion, Mainlander. Now sit. You may leave once you are able.”
“You have my thanks,” Abdol said, wiping beads of sweat from his brow.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcSBY9JZju
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6qsrd3OoJ
Though Komuna stood at a height to his belly, not counting the headdress, her demeanor was grander. He took a seat in the hammock and lifted his troubled foot. It felt good, the pain slowly fading away.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H9YfDxtVD
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXho1Ry7SOA
“Komuna, might I ask you something?” Abdol asked, rubbing at his ankle.
“Of course Priest.”
“Did you notice anything odd about the Pearl? Feel anything strange about it?”
Komuna giggled like a young girl, her hand covering his mouth and veil.
“You Priests see demons in every shadow. No, Abdol, a Maulkith does not lurk within the gem if that is what you are asking. No need to draw your blade on the jewel.”
Abdol held his head down and laughed along.
“Well, I would not be a very good Quadean if I did not try to seek them out.” He cleared his throat and continued, “So what is that thing?”
‘Either she is lying or as blind as Jazpur, yet I cannot tell which.’
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLq4RSO1fb
“We use those gems as one-half of an ingredient for Vurtí. My people have tales of these jewels in our lore. Though I do not expect Mainlanders to understand.” Komuna said, looking directly at Abdol, her shining eyes seeing through the man. Even behind the veil, Abdol could see she was expanding her pupils. The larger they grew, the more reflective they became.
“You can try me. Listening is one of my many duties.” Abdol said through a pained smile.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTjC04Rgyn
She remained silent for a long while. The only sound came from the lapping waves beating against the vessel's hull. Komuna yawned, revealing long, pointed incisors, and searched for a box or barrel to rest on. When she found one to her liking, she sat down, cleared her throat, and spoke.
“In a time before the Terrible Anchiornis’ stalked Aü'munré, before Ah’kahten erupted, and even before the lands of Aultar rose from the very sea. When this earth was a ghostly vision in the dreaming unconscious mind of the Aether, They ruled the void.” Komuna shifted her seat to lean in closer, “My people call them the Dekunuahute. The Invisible ones. Our lore teaches us that this world is but a layer stacked in the middle of other layers. Some of which exist below us and some above. The Invisible exist somewhere above, alone, lamenting in their solitude.” She placed her hands atop one another to demonstrate what she was talking about and continued.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHgF9D5qIJ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RdQE4TRRp
“When our layer came to be, when the Aether grew from the void, and the waters of Aultar formed, The Invisible longed to be here. They saw the waters and knew that they were good. They saw the sun and knew that it was warm. When Humans grew from the bubbling pit of Ah’kahten, they saw us and knew they loved us. Yet they could not come here, so they embedded some of their heart, soul, and mind into the many celestial bodies that populate the Aether, hoping we would find them and use the wisdom stored within.” Komuna said, animated and pointing up at the ceiling.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuYx0dm4B4
“What your friend has there is one of those constructs, a tome of knowledge and lore, granted you know how to use it. However, a Palantirí it is not.”
Abdol lowered his leg and placed his hands on his knees, rubbing the sweat from his palms on his trousers.
“And what is it that your people do to these Pearls? Or gems, rather?”
“We grind them up and mix it with the root of a Black Ash tree, milking it for its juice. Mixing the concoction together gets you Vurtí. We use it to calculate the comings and goings of the heavenly bodies. Those not accustomed to the drink tend to….relieve their bowels on themselves.” Komuna cackled at that last part.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1WFfO6g9i
‘She is half-mad, this one. I must needs leave this place before I have to listen to more blasphemies.’
“Well, thank you for your time, patience, and story. Your people have some….uh…. fascinating lore. I shan’t disturb you any longer. Please get some rest.” Abdol said, leaving the comfort of the hammock. The little woman bowed in response and climbed back into her resting spot.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XMoppZ86M
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv8ZWsng4V
When back above deck, Abdol noticed the fog had vanished entirely. The sun now held dominion over these lands. Jazpur rested his back against the guard rail, book in hand.
The younger man looked up from his reading and noticed Abdol approaching but said nothing.
“You are lucky she is the forgiving kind, Jazpur,” Abdol said sternly.
“And she is lucky I did not remove that ridiculous headpiece from her bulbous head,” Jazpur said, snorting.
“She is a colleague and equal. If you are to have a future in the Order, you will have to conduct yourself with a bit more poise.”
“Since when did I consent to be lectured by you, Priest? If a man claimed to know the Quadon Keíbbith better than you, knowing they never read a page, would you grant them any courtesy?”
‘He is testing my tolerance, the damned boy.’
“Now, Jazpur, that is a matter of faith. The two are not analogous.”
“I have studied for my craft for years, yet that creature below deck presumes to know more than me on such matters? And to claim it has no human origin, what a farce!
“From what she told me, her people are intimately aware of gems like yours. They use it in their potions.”
“Ah yes, the Star-Gems. And did she tell you that they are usually not symmetrical? That they often resemble crystal quartz?” Jazpur rebutted, slamming his book closed. “I have done my due diligence and can confirm that this was crafted and not by any Koshman. Its make and color match all our available descriptions and-” He stopped short, looking around. Abdol followed suit and saw the crew was now staring.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgQNSoIrBR
“You know what? I am done. Leave me be to my book, Abdol, before I make a fool of us both.”
“Jazpur, my friend,” Abdol said, reaching over to place a hand on his shoulder. The younger man turned away at his touch.
“Fine, I will leave. I beg of you not to follow. Give me some time to relax.” Jazpur said. He walked away to the stern. The crew returned to their allotted tasks, and Abdol was left alone to dwell on what had just happened. ‘Pain is deliverance.’
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuGAFk5kBy
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiCAKdGABZ
