Crimsoncrest (The Weirkey Chronicles Book 10), page 26
"I don't know if any of these restaurants have names," Nauda said as they approached the floating flower, "but this is the best one I've found. The sublime food here should be strong enough to join our Nine Worlds Feasts."
"Oh, that is very thoughtful, Nauda." Fiyu beamed and began examining the building with her senses. "I do not have any Siatan food..."
"Actually, it's hard to find food food, but this will have to do..."
When they arrived the Siatans seemed somewhat disturbed, looking about for chairs, until the group made clear that they could hover. They were given a table on the edge of the flower, which was just a crystalline disc that hovered between them. Soon the first course was delivered: flower cups filled to the brim with blue liquid.
"Is this... sublime water?" Fiyu asked.
"Not quite." Nauda took a sip of hers and shivered at the thick flavor. "They say this stuff is filled with all the nutrients you need to survive, and it seems true. Normally I can only drink a cup or so at a time, but try to absorb as much as you can."
Theo took an experimental drink, then nodded appreciatively. The foodwater was only the first course, to be followed by berries, bubbles of rejuvenating air, and confectioneries shaped like flowers. As much as Nauda intended to enjoy the meal with her friends, however, she knew that this meal was primarily for discussing strategy.
As soon as Theo set down his drink, it began.
~ ~ ~
"We can't treat this as a war we can fight on our own," Theo told them, "and there are no mechanisms to control the violence like the convocations on Deuxan. There are just too many factions involved with too many different motives. All we can do is try to push the variables involved to a position where we can have an impact."
He didn't expect the others to object to his framing, but Theo still paused a moment in case they had something to add. As he did so, he poured a second flowerful of the "foodwater" and slipped it into his soulhome for later. It seemed that Nauda and Fiyu were generally in agreement, just anxious about the facts arrayed against them.
"We have two big obvious threats," he continued. "Tymetron wants to destroy the crest - they tried once and they might try again. The Salebrante wants to steal it, and they're probably using House Crimson to do it. Given that they've managed to get the Asplundat Movement to trust them somehow, that's a problem."
"It's infuriating that we can't do anything about that," Nauda said. "I talked to Homez the last time he was here and he thinks Wiltur has gained favor with too many people. And given how they actively fought against Tymetron, it's hard to accuse them."
"I suppose we need to consider that our only evidence of their connection to the Salebrante is that Tythes said so, which shouldn't be taken at face value. It seems unlikely that they really changed sides, but could Tythes be trying to manipulate us with a lie?"
Nauda grimaced and took a long drink as if it could clear the taste of the idea. "I don't trust him either, but I don't see what good lying would do him here. And I don't believe that Wiltur actually turned over a new leaf for a second. This is his big gambit to establish House Crimson."
"What about the non-obvious threats?" Fiyu asked. "I agree about the clear concerns, but you implied that there were others."
"Right. There are also..." Theo was distracted when the Siatans brought them the next course, which appeared to be plates of berries.
He popped one into his mouth and was surprised: it had almost no flavor, but he felt a spark of joy in his mind. Testing others, it seemed that each berry contained a slightly different emotion, though they were all positive. Theo knew that he should probably revel in the experience, but he could enjoy the wonder and mystery later: the rush of finally addressing the real powers of reality after so long was stronger.
"There are also two other aeon-class organizations," Theo said once they were alone again. "I've just uncovered another link: the Eternal Spectrum is working through the House of Coin. They claim they want to purchase the crest, though we can't trust that they'll do it fairly or reasonably."
"We need to talk about that more later," Nauda said. "And the last one?"
"The Orphic Cabal. So far it seems like they aren't working through anyone, or at least we don't have any evidence of that. Dave described them as a more scholarly organization, generally above-board compared to the others. So they may be holding back from direct involvement."
"Would we prefer them to be involved?" Fiyu asked. "It seems to me that attention from the aeon-class organizations is forcing each to limit themselves, so more might be better."
"It's hard to say. Their attention might be limiting Tymetron, but it goes the other way too." Theo popped another berry into his mouth - elation - and chewed as he thought. "Plutalgion is powerful enough that they don't want to risk fighting him, so they won't step in to defend us if he attacks."
"Could we change that?" Nauda shrugged when they looked to her. "I just mean... could we get one of these larger organizations directly invested in defending the entire continent? I imagine they'd want to take the Asplundatcrest or demand some other significant price, but is the cost lower than a war with Tymetron?"
"That's a good idea, but if the House of Coin hasn't managed to get the Eternal Spectrum involved, I doubt the others are willing to fight either. They all seemed to be locked in a cold war with Vistgil and the other major powers."
They remained silent for a time, even the berries not enough to improve the mood given what faced them. Theo scooped up a portion of them and placed them into a sublime leaf while he thought. He had one solid idea for a step they should take, but before he could start, Fiyu spoke up.
"Is a battle inevitable?" she asked. "Other than Tymetron, the others want the Asplundatcrest to be finished, so that they can take its power for themselves. Could we ensure that this all ends in negotiation instead of violence?"
"I like the idea," Theo said, "and we should try to contact them to set up whatever we can. The problem is, the aeon-class organizations want the crest in neutral form. If a battle happens, it might be right after the crest is complete, before it's infused with cantae. I think the best case scenario is for the Asplundat Movement to use it to buy favor and support for the war."
Nauda immediately shook her head. "The Movement has been pouring cantae into this mountain for centuries and it's an important part of their culture. They won't want to just give it up. To my mind, the best case scenario is that they tell the aeon-class organizations to get lost. They keep the crest for themselves and wait for Citizen Dominion to ascend, then they can be a real power instead of getting knocked around by all these other organizations."
"That just extends the problem further," Theo objected. "Dominions have been the limit in Norron for ages, so they're not ascending any time soon. And until someone here can use the Asplundatcrest, it's a target that enemies across the Nine Worlds will be aiming to steal."
"Can we play the organizations against each other? Promise it to several, get them to watch one another, then buy time until someone native can soulcraft it?"
"I am sorry, Nauda," Fiyu said, "but I think Theo is correct. My relative has said that the ascension between Dominion and Ophaon will be very difficult, even for him. The crest has already caused such trouble in a short time, I do not believe it could be defended for an extended period."
"There's also an increasing possibility that Tymetron would attack just to target it," Theo agreed. "We're on the same page here: we want to support Norron and even the Asplundat Movement. But I think the best path available to them is to make a deal and get everything they can from the crest."
After a moment looking between them, Nauda sat back and sighed. "I don't like it, but maybe you're right. If that's our goal, what can we actually do?"
"The safest path would be to sell it to the Mercury Court, but I don't think there's much more Dave can do for us. Then we have the easy path: work with the House of Coin and the Eternal Spectrum. But I think we have a better alternative, and you can actually help. The Orphic Cabal has resources and information, we just need to contact them. After we're done, go back and squeeze Tythes until he gives up everything he knows about them."
That idea seemed to mollify Nauda slightly. Meanwhile, Fiyu's mind seemed to be moving in an entirely different direction.
"I agree that this is the best we can do in the short term," she said, "but in the long term surely we must improve ourselves until we can deal with such threats directly. Can we soulcraft enough to make a difference?"
"Glad you asked!" Theo turned to her with a smile. "For a start, I think we need to leverage our current advantages as much as possible. What can you tell me about that shadowlamp?"
~ ~ ~
Once Fiyu explained the capabilities of the shadowlamp, they discussed the mercantile possibilities for some time. As a Stronghold-tier armament that had played a large part in the battle, it attracted the most attention after the Asplundatcrest. Fiyu liked Friend Nauda's idea of giving it to House Blacksilver but also agreed with Friend Theo's argument that they should get more materials from the Asplundat Movement.
"In the short term," Friend Theo was saying, "our goal is to make Fiyu a major threat. Do you think that you could manage to open your basement and ascend before the deadline?"
She misliked having so much attention on her, but that was expected of her friends, so she nodded. "It may be possible. I have been getting closer on both fronts for some time." Though there was still the matter of Associate Senka's troubling emotional lessons, as Fiyu struggled to ignite her cantae properly.
"Sounds like we're going to split up again," Friend Nauda said. "I'll take care of things here, Fiyu has a lot of work to do... Theo?"
"Senka allegedly has another cache," Friend Theo said, "and I'm overdue on searching that. Hopefully that will have some valuable materials, but we can't base our plan on them."
"Seems like a good enough plan. We'll have to... oh, definitely try these, they're good."
Their conversation was interrupted by a new dish, composed of delightfully elaborate confectioneries. As they ate, the conversation also became sweeter, and Fiyu was glad. Discussing plans and tactics was all very well for companions, but she dearly loved these quiet moments together.
Thankfully they had some time to enjoy together before the meal was over. Fiyu was simultaneously eager to get to work and reluctant to leave the group. No matter where they were, even atop floating flowers in a strange column of light, when she was with her companions she felt that she was secure.
Eventually, however, they needed to part. They dragged things out a little longer while flying back together, to the work site where Friend Nauda would hopefully soon finish her task. Fiyu stepped up beside her and took her hand gently.
"I will not forget your kindness," Fiyu said. "As soon as I reach Stronghold, I will do everything I can to help you."
"Don't be too selfless," Friend Nauda told her. "We need to survive this coming month first, after all."
They shared a pleasant moment together before they finally had to part. When Fiyu turned away, she was surprised to find that Friend Theo was kneeling down beside Ally Krikree, displaying the food items that he had been taking during the meal. She had thought that he was stockpiling them, as was his wont.
"Food?" Ally Krikree asked, her antennae tapping cautiously.
"Siatan food," Friend Theo reassured her. "You should be able to absorb it into your soulhome."
"Siatans what?" Ally Krikree looked toward some of the nearest floating Siatans suspiciously, as if she still couldn't categorize them in her view of the world. Fiyu had to admit that they were strange in some ways, and regretted that she did not have more time to know them as people.
It seemed that Friend Theo sensed Fiyu's readiness, because he cut off the conversation and straightened to look at her. After the entire meal together, somehow they had consumed their words as well, leaving nothing for them to discuss. She would take them back to Fithe, then hand over their weirkey so that he could go on his own journey.
They returned to Outpost #127, taking Ally Krikree with them. Even though they had been using it as a base of operations for some time, Fiyu felt no affection for the blocky buildings, and their chambers were only a hollow space. She left them to their work and floated skyward, to make her next connection.
Relative Guchiro hovered near the clouds, arms folded and back tense. He appeared impatient until she actually appeared, which made him relax slightly.
"Done with your planning?" he asked.
"Yes, the two of us now have much to do." Fiyu took his hand, and for a time she was secure again, but this was no time to relax. As she had just learned, this security needed to be defended.
Chapter 28
The dominant part of Theo was doing his best to remain invested, to help House Blacksilver and all the other Fithans who had given him a leg up in the world. That was the reason he had stayed in the Asplundat Movement's territory and coordinated with the others. But there was a smaller part of him that had been hungering for the sublime materials in Senka's cache ever since she had mentioned them.
Now that it seemed clear that Tymetron wouldn't attack in the near future, he thought he could justify some time away. So as soon as he caught up with Fiyu and Nauda, it was finally time. Even though Senka had been training Fiyu lately, she still seemed fresh and ready to go.
Just one or two more details. Theo touched the weirkeys in his pocket, but resisted the urge to use them and instead headed back to their room at Outpost #127.
Krikree crouched there, in the middle of soulcrafting. This time she didn't try to hide anything, though, and instead emerged to peer at him. "Krikree still experiment bricks."
"Sometimes that's what you have to do," Theo told her, scratching between her antennae. "It sounds like you're on the right track, so I'm sure you'll have it figured out by the time I get back."
"Not like bricks. Krikree want soulcraft big things, queen things."
"I like that too, but sometimes you have to focus on the fundamentals. You can't get lazy and start creating shoddy bricks or your whole soulhome could collapse. I could be making bricks at twice this speed, but I can't let my standards slip."
She perked up at that. "Theo-sister soulcraft bricks?"
"That's right. I'm still hunting for materials, but making bricks is honestly my highest priority right now."
"Krikree master bricks!" She crouched down, antennae vibrating intensely. "After, Theo-sister and Krikree soulcraft bricks!"
"Sounds like a plan." Theo gave her head one more rub, then left the room to join Senka.
Truthfully, he was a bit troubled that Krikree hadn't come to him with her doubts. An edgy old part of him thought that sounded mushy, but he pushed it back: he cared about Krikree. Whether or not they were truly "sisters" they were a part of each other's lives. It was hard to say if he could have done something better, or if this was just how she processed her own unique issues.
Speaking of unique issues, Senka appeared unusually restless when he met her in the sky. "Sporping finally," she muttered. "I promise you sublime materials and untold riches, and you say, 'No, I have to go make friends and pat a bug on the head.' "
"If I had left, the Asplundatcrest might have been destroyed," Theo pointed out. He wasn't particularly invested in the argument, but bickering came naturally when he was with Senka.
"Not like we can even use the thing. Besides, if the Asplundorks infuse it with their cantae, it will probably be unusable anyway."
"This is a sublime material that all the aeon-class organizations are fighting over and you're convinced it will be unusable?"
Senka snickered as she moved to grip the back of his robe for the transport. "Get moving first, but I have a story to tell you about that."
She'd already given him the exact location: an undersea city on the other side of the planet. It wasn't the city itself that held what she needed, rather it contained a gate that would put them close to her old cache. Since it was on Aathal and they still lacked an Aathali weirkey, this was their best option. She promised that it wouldn't be too long a trip and he hoped she was right.
When he came out in the undersea city, Theo was immediately on edge. Wearing his armament coat and looking like an outsider, he wasn't likely to be mistaken for a dust Fithan, but these cities could be xenophobic for obvious reasons. He saw blue skin and horns in every direction as he moved from the weirkey platform to the edge of the city.
It was a shame that he hadn't been able to spend more time in the oceans of Fithe, considering that they covered half the planet. He had gotten a much clearer understanding of Fithan politics than he had during his first life, but what other details was he missing? There were entire wars going on that he'd never touched, continents and oceans that hadn't even heard of Tymetron.
The undersea city was essentially a giant glass bubble on the ocean floor, filled with multiple layers of housing. As an outsider he wasn't allowed to venture into most of them, but he also didn't need to: there was a direct path from the entrance point to one side of the sphere. A gate was embedded in the glass wall, circular instead of the usual arch. It was made out of a different sort of glass, actually, one that was dark green even in the strange light, which was a bit odd.
"How do you think that came about?" he asked Senka. "Did the gate start out underwater and they built the city around it?"
"I don't know about this place in particular," Senka said, "but that's not usually how it goes. Somebody a long time ago, a soulcrafter way sporping stronger than all of these, probably built the entire sphere including the gate. City-sized spheres aren't exactly found lying on the bottom of the ocean, you know, so they try to keep reusing them as much as possible."
In their place, Theo would have been more nervous knowing that the sphere that kept out the water's crushing pressure was ancient. Then again, he didn't have Fithan psychology: they all seemed to be going about their business happily enough, ignoring the benthic darkness on the other side of the glass.
