The Brightest Shadow, page 30
"Fascinating, fascinating. Tell me, do they have flowers there? I understand there are no seasons, of course."
"There are flowers. Corans - one of the largest human groups on Breilin - consider them to be weeds, so they aren't valued. But of course there are flowers. You could answer many of these questions if you visited yourself, you know."
"Oh, possibly, but voidwalking is so expensive and I hear it's beastly hot there."
Sitting there watching Lanavin finish off another cup of tea, Kolanin started to remember another of the reasons why he had left Ith Silvaros. The familiar sights and sounds had been comforting at first, but he'd had more than a few reasons. Kolanin gave the scholar a flat smile. "I'm afraid that I must prepare myself for meeting with the Senate, so I don't know how many more questions I can answer."
"Always so business-like, you military types!" Lanavin sniffed, then began running a finger along the rim of his cup. "Let me see... oh! Is it true that humans tell each other stories about some sort of special human who will rise up and kill all of us?"
"Mostly." Kolanin didn't have it in him to say any more. Lanavin looked disappointed, but at that moment the young aide entered and indicated that it was time for him to go.
Down the hallway again, this time through the doors at the end. Kolanin took a deep breath as he entered the massive Senate chamber. He kept his gaze forward, using his peripheral vision alone to examine the seats around him. Not so many in attendance today, which was better than being surrounded on all sides.
At last he came to stand in the center of the chamber, in the circle of silver laid into the white stone. Seats of white wood curved around him on all sides in six rising levels. The curves were interrupted only by the walkway to the entrance and by the row of individual chairs that sat atop a block of white marble before him. At least the primary Senators were in attendance, four men and two women staring down at him.
"Please wait a moment, Feinan Kolanin. We are finishing another discussion."
"Of course, Senatorios." They continued to speak to one another in low voices, likely of nothing.
Just another delay. Since he had greeted them properly, Kolanin was no longer quite so bound by propriety. While he waited, he looked upward, wondering if the new trends would even have replaced the fresco that had once covered the ceiling of the Senate chamber.
No. The Dark Lord still loomed overhead, pitch black in the mostly white chamber. Ornate white and silver gilding and the peaceful sky painted around him could do nothing to blunt the impact of that enormous visage, or those eyes. Red, but not mansthein eyes, just pools of crimson...
"Apologies, Feinan Kolanin. We would now hear your report on your activities in Breilin."
He lowered his gaze, refocused, and began giving his report. This was nothing but theater, as none of the Senators cared in the slightest about the details of his assignment or rebirth requests. Or his work at all, if he was honest with himself. This was the first time he had been called back in years, and it was only because he had gotten involved with the incident...
His voice faltered as he thought about the man in white, but Kolanin regained control and finished. What followed was an unnecessary set of exhortations, a mix of instructions to do what he would have done anyway and to do things that were completely impractical in the field.
What was the deeper game here? As he listened and nodded, Kolanin looked carefully at Senator Ildariel. The old man had been an influential Senator for a very long time and still appeared focused and alert. Not the sort of man who would waste time with pure ceremony. Kolanin saw that his silver hair was thinner and he had applied heavy makeup. Perhaps his skin was growing discolored and so he worked to maintain a pure Seinan gray.
At last they concluded the formalities and let him go. Dismissed, Kolanin bowed and departed the room. He walked out swiftly, yet uncertainly. Would they truly bring him here just for some game of their own and then simply let him go home? Surely it would not be so simple.
Just outside the door, his suspicions were confirmed when the aide spoke to him in a low voice. "Seinan Kolanin, Senator Ildariel would like to speak with you privately."
"I would be honored to speak with Senatorios Ildariel."
"Then step this way, please."
He was led down a small hallway to a spiraling stone staircase that the aide took at a familiar pace. They went up two floors before exiting into another corridor. Kolanin looked around curiously, never having been in this part of the Senate building, but it was all white corridors and closed doorways. In any case, he was quickly taken to one specific door, which opened onto a balcony.
"Senator Ildariel will join you shortly. May I bring you anything while you wait?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
With that, he was left alone. Two chairs and a table had been set out on the balcony, no doubt for this very meeting, but Kolanin ignored them. Instead he walked to the edge, set his hands on the ornate rail, and looked over Ith Silvaros.
From above, it was beautiful. Resplendently white in the sunlight, but also filled with natural greens and the silvery movement of crowds. Further out from the central district, larger regions were cast in the yellow and pink of spring. His heart ached as he remembered time spent under those branches, so much larger than the gnarled trees of the Chorhan Expanse. Before he left, he would have to visit those areas of the city.
Ith Silvaros ended with the great white walls, of course, with no sprawl of shanties outside the city limits. But to his surprise, he saw construction at multiple points along the wall. Apparently they were building new spires of some sort that curved in toward the city like claws. The exteriors were pure white, though judging from those under construction, the cores were far darker stone. While the effect wasn't terrible, it didn't match the city he knew and Kolanin felt vaguely dissatisfied at seeing the change.
"Feinan Kolanin! It has been some time."
Brushing such thoughts aside, Kolanin turned to bow to Ildariel. "I'm honored to meet with you, Senatorios."
"Let us sit down. I may not be old and tired yet, but we have heavy matters to discuss."
They sat in the two chairs, for a calculated moment staring out from the balcony. Up close, Ildariel did look much older, more lines in his face that couldn't be hidden. While all the laws about challenge by combat had been done away with centuries ago, his age would still be viewed as weakness by those below him. Kolanin reminded himself of what Ildariel must have needed to do to maintain his position for so long.
"Now, before we start talking, perhaps we should cool our throats with some neth? Just the thing for difficult conversations."
"Of course, Senatorios."
A different aide entered and set down another tray with a neth pot and two cups. Ildariel took his and began drinking eagerly, so Kolanin had little choice but to do the same. It was lukewarm and tasted of weak sein, even worse than purely tasteless neth. Kolanin drank it wordlessly.
"Ah, that is quite good. But I fear my schedule can afford no more delays." Ildariel's eyes turned to him, piercing beneath his bushy silver brows. "I apologize for the orders you have been given as of late, soldier. You are rather like the aurochs desired by four men." All of whom wanted to own it, so each pulled on a leg until the creature was torn apart. Not a good start.
"I do my best to obey, Senatorios. But have you brought me here to explain the situation?"
"Yes, quite. For all that some scorn Breilin, many interests have come together there. As a Senator, of course my only interest is in pacifying the region under our control. To that end, your strategy of negotiation is quite agreeable. But there are other concerns."
"Military commanders focused on East Corah?"
"For a start, yes. Their only concern is bringing down the human kingdoms and they consider you and your forces an accessory to that goal. But they are not the only ones." Ildariel took another sip of tea and hummed pleasantly. "Another concern is mercantile. Reports suggest that the region contains deposits of stone that could be used to manufacture voidlinks - quite a lucrative trade, I assure you. Were such an industry to be developed, I would be grateful... and not only as a Senator."
So that was what this was all really about. Kolanin had suspected the military conflicts, but not this. Ildariel would never state it directly, but he no doubt had the rest of the business set up, ready to make a tidy profit on the side.
"Well, Feinan Kolanin? Do you think the political situation could accommodate such a development?"
"Most likely." Technically he could refuse, since this smacked of corruption, but who could he report a Senator to? "But the region is rather unstable as of late. The humans are restless, telling stories of-"
"So I read." Ildariel dismissed them with a wave of his hand. "This is not about heroics, this is about business. Unfortunately, you are not the only one concerned about such things. That is the last of the men pulling you in a different direction: the Zeitai are interested."
Kolanin's hand shook and some of the tea spilled onto the balcony. "The Zeitai are involved?"
"Don't let the grand title fool you, the Zeitai have grown weak during your absence. Well, Zeitai Terza is proving an obstinate military force, but they are becoming irrelevant outside of the frontiers. Recently, several of the candidates to become the next Zeitai were actually slain in southern Fareshel - no new Zeitai was chosen at all because the ascension was such a failure." Ildariel shook his head. "It is shameful, but they are not what they once were. Even the Dark Lord on high is disappointed, I am sure."
"I see." Kolanin set down his cup carefully. "But what is their objective in my region?"
"It's all rather vague, I'm afraid. They are interested in these human myths, for one. I believe they also have some kind of agreement with the military to plant a spy in the human resistance and finally destroy it. Frankly, none of that is so important to me, and neither should it be to you."
"Meaning that I should attempt to comply with everyone, so long as it doesn't get in the way of setting up a mine for voidlink material."
"I am glad to see you are not a fool, Feinan Kolanin. I will have your cooperation?"
"Yes, Senatorios."
"Wonderful! I already have some idea of the best deposits, but better scouting must be done. You will receive further instructions marked with my personal seal." Ildariel put a hand on his shoulder as if they had become good friends. "You will not regret this, Kolanin. As an early token of my thanks, I have arranged for you to spend the night at the House of Violet Twilight before you return. You must be very tired after having gone so long without seeing a real woman, hmm?"
Of all the ways the conversation could have ended, that was not one he had been anticipating. Kolanin felt very old, though he was talking to a man who was even older and now wiggling his eyebrows. "Thank you, Senatorios, but I-"
"Not women, then? Hmm, I had thought - but no matter. A House as established as Violet Twilight can no doubt find a few men, or whatever else you may desire."
Kolanin wanted to say that it wasn't that, but didn't truly have the option to refuse. Even if the old man didn't take it as an insult, it would come off as refusing the agreement. Instead, Kolanin thought about the fact that the house would have at least a comfortable bed, a real bath, and some decent neth. He managed a smile. "Thank you for your generosity, Senatorios."
"Nonsense, this is just the beginning of the profits we can make together! Enjoy yourself, Kolanin - you are not so old yet!"
That was a clear dismissal, so Kolanin rose. He gave a respectful bow and then followed the aide, who was already opening the door for him. After glancing back once to see Ildariel sitting and looking over the city, he followed.
Once outside the Senate Hall, he was offered a guide, but the House of Violet Twilight was well-known enough that he didn't need one. Besides, he preferred to walk alone. Kolanin moved at a brisk pace, this time taking little pleasure from the sights of Ith Silvaros.
There was a time when he would have thought little of visiting a house of courtesans, but that time was many years ago. Before he had seen a great many sights he could not forget. He told himself that all the women there would be drinking childbane, that it would be nothing like the Pits of Spathor or the poor butchered woman. Another part of him wondered what Iralin would say about the situation. He suspected that she would laugh, but the laughter wouldn't reach her eyes.
Instead of thinking about any of that, Kolanin tried to focus on the simple luxuries. The army did not approve such expenditures, and he would never have been able to afford anywhere so expensive before. He had a feeling that the luxury would soon make him uncomfortable, but he would not refuse one night. It might be a good reminder of the reasons he preferred life in Bundlin.
Sooner than expected, he stood before the House of Violet Twilight, staring up at the many-tiered eaves. Each white on the top, but violet underneath. Newer houses built in lower regions of the city were treated more shamefully, but the House of Violet Twilight was old enough that it inherited an air of respectability. Of a sort.
Kolanin took a deep breath and entered, resolving to remain completely focused. To his surprise, the first room was empty. Tasteful paneling on all walls, alcoves with cushions, violet silks hanging from the ceiling... but no customers. He didn't normally visit such places, but that surprised him.
A single woman stood in the center of the room, bowing deeply when she saw him. "Welcome, Seinan Kolanin. Welcome to the House of Violet Twilight."
Surely Ildariel would not have rented the entire house for him? That would have been absurdly extravagant, even if the Senator aimed to impress him. But when the woman straightened, Kolanin caught a hint of tension in her body. Her face held a perfect false smile, but he was sure he had seen the tension. Furthermore, her robes were wrapped so that they could potentially show off much more skin, but she had them drawn conservatively around her.
"Please come this way and relax, Seinan."
More of that tension. Surely she wouldn't be this way about her normal work, so Kolanin was far from relaxed. As he let her lead him deeper into the building, he did his best to smile. "I am very tired. All I want is to bathe myself and sleep."
"I am deeply sorry, Seinan. But we cannot give you any of the services that were paid for." She stopped beside a door, her eyes flickering toward it nervously. "I... I do not think he likes to wait."
Not bothering to hide his frown, Kolanin readied himself and opened the door a crack. No visible sign of life and he sensed no one. The door appeared to lead to a room with one open wall that looked out into a garden. Beautiful, but he had no time to look at it.
When Kolanin opened the door and stepped through, the scent of neth hit him like a wall. It smelled like pure sein was boiling, more intense than he had ever felt it. A cup like that would not be soothing or revitalizing - he wondered if neth that intense would kill.
The smell came from a single cup, sitting on a small table in the center of the room. Kolanin would almost have thought that he was meant to enter and drink the cup, if not for the high-backed chair that sat beside it. From this angle it was impossible to see if there was anyone sitting in it, though he still sensed no one.
"Seinan Kolanin." A slender hand reached from the chair and picked up the cup. "We should talk."
Chapter 21
-
"Master Heri struggled mightily against her own shadow, and it seemed that she would be victorious. But no man or woman can defeat themselves. As the battle continued, her shadow smiled a pale smile and raised one hand. With that hand she tore the very stars from the sky, rending all that lay below."
- excerpt from an ancient Nelhae story of unclear provenance
-
The rain blanketed the world. It was worst inside the caves, a constant pattering that leaked in and soaked the floor despite their best efforts. The stench of so many living together, obvious at the best of times, had become overwhelming. Tani had moved to the entrance so she could at least see the sky, but that wasn't much better.
Instead of golden grasses in all directions, the world had become a gray sky over shadowed land. The rain had beaten down all the grass. A gust of wind sent a spray of drops against her face and Tani ignored it. Hopefully this rain would end soon and the clouds would part at least a little. The sunlight seemed all the more beautiful for being rare.
It wasn't like the rainy season at home, playing in the rain as a child and later training in it. Partially because she wasn't home, but also because her circumstances were so different. The rainy season trapped them here, yet it also protected them. When the rains ended, they would need to leave and fight. Then they would see if their work had been enough.
She was still working even though she wasn't thinking about it, sein circulating within her. Instead of flowing naturally, it seemed to heat up inside her. Though Veron said emotions weren't necessary, Tani focused on her anger, thoughts of Efeinas and those who had died and a dozen minor annoyances. Sein boiled and she boiled with it.
Her nostrils burned with mint and her mouth was filled with spices, yet Tani kept pushing. Instead of gathering all the sein within her naturally, Tani forced it into one arm. It tried to flow back into her body again and her instincts rebelled, yet she pushed on.
As she maintained her concentration, her arm began to burn. It was almost pain, almost pleasure, not truly either. Closing her eyes, she tried to force the burning further down her arm, into just her hand and wrist, but it became more difficult. Veron said that for practice she should try to concentrate it into one finger, but that seemed completely impossible to her so far.
All at once it was too much. Tani flinched back, wringing her hand as the sein recoiled. The smells and tastes mixed for a moment while she reeled, completely off balance, so Tani breathed deeply and centered herself. That wasn't part of Veron's training, but it struck her as appropriate. An old exercise her master had taught her when she first learned to control her sein, now returning to deal with intense and intentional unbalancing.
