The Liar of Partinel Chapter One
“Never forget, my son, that men are not fools.”
The
old master coughed, raising his handkerchief to his lips. t came !ack stained "ith !loody spittle.
#fter long months
of fighting, the old man "as finally losing his !attle "ith the poison. “Please,” $idius said, laying a hand on %oid&s arm, trying to make him lay !ack in !ed.
The old 'esk, ho"ever,
shrugged off the touch and shot $idius a stern look. $idius sighed and sat !ack on his stool.
The one(room
hut "as lit only !y a single lamp, running lo" on oil.
)ven
in the uncertain light, $idius could see the tendrils of !lack poison !eneath the skin of his master&s face. “Never forget it*” %oid said, voice surprisingly strong.
“+ou must have faith in people, $idius.
"orry
a!out you still.” $idius met the old man&s eyes. !elieve lies. foolish-”
“$en are uick to
%o" do have faith in those "ho are so
%oid sat up a little !it more.
$idius kne" from
eperience ho" uncomforta!le that !unk of a !ed "as/ he had slept on it "hile the master 'esk "as out on long forays. +et, it "as all they had.
$idius& o"n sleeping spot "as a
simple rug on the corner of the dirt floor. “Lad,” %oid said, “son.
f a man !elieves a lie, it is
rarely !ecause of stupidity.
t is !ecause of hope.
f he
falls for a thief&s tricks, it is !ecause he hopes for great returns.
Take advantage of him, and it is !ecause he hopes
that you are a man of honesty. “$en seek for that "hich is !eyond themselves, even "hen they kno" that it is too good to !e real. most no!le of attri!utes*
This is our
Our a!ility to !elieve that "hich
is false does not make us fools, !ut kings.” %e !egan coughing again, and $idius had to look a"ay. %e turned !ack "hen he felt a hand on his shoulder. “They "ill !elieve your lies,” %oid said. are precious to us.
“0or lies
Tell them of !eauty "hen all they see
is dirt, and they "ill love you for it.” The old 'esk fell silent. and $idius turned.
%e glanced across the room,
1pon a peg on the "all hung a large
overcoat, covered "ith pockets.
t "as a deep !ro"n.
“+ou are not like any apprentice &ve ever had,” %oid said.
“Take it.”
$idius stood. “$y other students "ere afraid of the coat,” %oid said, coughing.
“Or, at least, "hat it represented.”
$idius took the coat off its hook, then carried it !ack to the stool.
%e sat do"n.
“+ou kno" "hat you "ill do net-” Theus asked. “ "ill go to Partinel,” $idius said firmly. “2ood,” %oid said. $idius fro"ned.
“+ou "ill go ans"er the summons.”
“The summons-
No.
go for. . .other
reasons.” “+ou "ill find no 'oy in revenge, my son,” $idius "hispered. $idius shook his head, looking at his master. no need for revenge.
“ have
The one "ho poisoned you is already
dead.” “Then take the summons,” %oid said. king&s reuest.
“#nd ans"er the
The people of Partinel, they need you.”
$idius opened his mouth to o!'ect again, !ut looking at his master&s dying eyes, he could not do it. said.
“ "ill do as you ask.
“0ine,” he
3ut "ill also confront the
king a!out "hat he has done to you.” %oid laughed, !ut it turned to a cough.
$idius laid
another hand on %oid&s arm, "atching, gro"ing increasingly frustrated.
“ should have((” $idius !egan. %oid suee4ed his arm.
“This "as not your fault, lad.”
$idius turned a"ay. “3e sure to !ury the !odies !efore you go,” %oid said. “$ine, and the assassin&s.” $idius couldn&t look !ack.
%e clenched his 'a".
“+ou are the Liar no",” %oid "hispered. #nd then, he fell silent.
No "ords.
“5erve "ell.”
No movement.
No
!reathing. $idius !o"ed his head and let himself cry. 6 $idius didn&t !ury the !odies.
%e !urned them.
5kullmoss could infest even the dirt, and he didn&t "ant to think of it creeping across his master&s corpse, gro"ing "hite, alien fu44. %e stood for a long time, "atching the flames consume his master.
%is master, and another.
The assassin "ho had
carried simple letter, from the king of Partinel, demanding that the old 'esk((last of his kind, only kno"n Light"eaver((report to the city.
%oid had refused.
#nd had died for it. Part of $idius felt it a !etrayal of his master to go, no", and do the king&s !idding.
7hy had %oid asked it of
him-
7hy demand that his apprentice go "here %oid himself
"ould have !een a!le to serve much !etter don&t kno" that &ll ever understand you, $idius thought, "atching the flames trickle a"ay. "ere still did he finally thro" on the coat.
Only "hen they t "as almost
more like a ro!e than a true coat, !ut it "as lighter than he had epected it to !e. %esitantly, he reached into a pocket and pulled out a handful of dust.
Then, he thre" it into the air, imagining
his master&s face. t appeared in front of him. That had al"ays !een so odd. clean(shaven.
#ged, "ise, !eardless.
Only "arriors kept their faces
%ad his master considered himself a "arrior-
$idius had never asked. $idius reached out, almost !elieving his o"n illusion for a moment.
%o"ever, as soon as he touched the face, it
shattered !ack to dust and sprinkled do"n to the ground. $idius had only 'ust !egun to learn ho" to Light"eave.
Not
a "eek had passed since %oid had revealed its greatest secret and key. #nd no", $idius "as the last 'esk.
Light"eaver.
felt as if he should think himself unprepared, !ut that "asn&t really his "ay.
%e faced "hat came to him, had
%e
al"ays lived day !y day, focusing on the no" and not the future.
%oid had tried to change that in him.
# man "ho did not plan for the future told very poor lies. $idius "atched the smoldering ashes, feeling frustrated and sorro"ful.
The Cluster, and its struggling settlements
of human life, had lost a great asset this day. "ould never kno".
#nd many
$idius !o"ed his head, closing his eyes
for a moment. Then "ent !ack into the hut and prepared a small pack of food.
%e set it aside, then picked up a reflective
ceramic plate and inspected his !eard.
%oid had al"ays
called him 8lad& or 8son,& "ords that hadn&t !een applied to $idius for years.
3eing the old man&s apprentice had !een a
surreal eperience for him, a man in his late t"enties. %e shaved off the !eard "ith his master&s !ron4e knife((the most valua!le, at least monetarily, of %oid&s possessions. !lade. No.
0inished, he regarded himself in its polished
%e looked so different. No he didn&t.
This "as him.
%e told himself that
forcefully. On his "ay out, he took the rolled parchment summons off the ta!le and slid it into his pack along "ith the !ron4e knife.
#nd then, he left the hut((smoldering pyre
and all((!ehind.
%e "ouldn&t !e returning.
0ainlife "as
getting too close/ living outside the protection of a trune ring "as dangerous, and most homes had to !e temporary. may not understand you, $idius thought, !idding silent fare"ell to his master, and might not !e a!le to have faith in people as you did. 3ut can try to do as you "ish. f he could help the people of Partinel, he "ould. 9espite the fact that they had assassinated the greatest man $idius had ever kno"n.
The Liar of Partinel Chapter T"o
t&s a !ad day to kill, Theus thought.
Too cloudy.
#
man should !e a!le to see the sun "hen he dies, feel the "armth on his skin one last time. %e marched do"n the dusty path, crops to his right and left, guards !ehind him.
The men of his personal guard "ore
"oolen cloaks over !ron4e !reastplates/ the epensive, polished metal "as a sym!ol of their station.
5everal
pulled their cloaks tight against the morning&s spring chill, their !reath puffing. 3ehind them to"ered the grand city state of Partinel, circled entirely((lake and all((!y a rough stone "all reaching some fifteen feet high.
The "all had !een
commissioned, then finished, !y the previous king((the man Theus had eventually killed in order to take the throne. Crops gre" close to the "all, !ut that "as a necessity. Partinel&s trune ring "as one of the largest in the Cluster, !ut it still provided a relatively small area in "hich to gro" food.
Theus finally emerged from the fields, "alking out onto a road that circled the city, its earth packed flat !y constant guard patrols.
On the other side of the road, the
land !ecame "hite. This "as it.
The !order, the edge of Partinel&s trune
ring and the !eginning of fainlands.
Theus stopped, looking
out at the hostile, !leached landscape.
7hen he had first
taken Partinel, the city had !een surrounded !y a good mile of lush, trune forest.
No", those trees((once !ro"n and
green((had !ecome a !one "hite. "ilderness.
0ain.
Claimed !y the alien
#nd in !eneath those trees, covering the
ground, lay the skullmoss.
The simple, mold(like fu44 "as
the herald of all fain life.
t died off 'ust !efore it
reached the road. The fainlands hadn&t advanced in years. the forest, they had fallen dormant.
#fter claiming
1ntil recently.
Theus turned to "here a group of soldiers(("ith leather vests and skirts((stood guarding a fe" huddled people: one man, his "ife, and t"o children kneeling in the dirt, their linen smocks tied "ith sashes.
The father looked up as
Theus approached, and his eyes "idened. Theus&s reputation preceded him, and he "as apparently recogni4a!le !y sight.
The 3ear of Partinel, some called
him: a !urly, clean(shaven man "ho "ore no cloak against the
chill.
%e stepped up to the kneeling father, then knelt
do"n on one knee, regarding the man. The peasant had a face covered in dirt, !ut his sandaled feet "ere a dusty "hite.
5kullmoss.
t "asn&t
really a danger, no" that it "as "ithin the influence of Partinel&s trune ring, though Theus avoided touching the dust any"ay. “)veryone has a place,” Theus finally said. The outsider looked up at him. “The people of this city,” Theus continued, “they !elong here.
They "ork these crops, hauling "ater from the
stormsea to the troughs. defend that "all.
Their fathers !led to !uild and
They "ere !orn here.
They "ill die
here.” “ can "ork, lord,” the man "hispered.
“ can gro"
food, !uild "alls, and fight.” Theus shook his head.
“That&s not your place.
$en
"ait upon dra"n lots for the right to "ork "hat land "e have and gain a little etra for their families. room for you.
+ou kno" this.
“Please,” the man said.
There is no
This land isn&t yours.” %e tried to move for"ard, !ut
one of the soldiers had his hand on the man&s shoulder, holding him do"n.
Theus stood. sack.
;end, his lead guard, handed him a small
Theus 'udged the "eight, feeling the kernels of grain
through the canvas, then tossed it to the ground !efore the outsider.
The man looked confused.
“Take it,” Theus said.
“2o find a spot of ground the
fainlands have relinuished, try to live there as a chance cropper.” “The moss is every"here,” the man "hispered.
“f
clearings open up, they are gone !efore the net season !egins.” “Then !oil the grain and use it to sustain you as you find your "ay to
don&t care.
“They take in
;ust take the sack and go.”
The man reached out a careful hand, accepting the grain.
%is family "atched, silent, yet o!viously confused.
This "as the 3ear of Partinel-
# man giving a"ay free grain
to those "ho tried to sneak into his city“Thank you, lord,” the man "hispered. Theus nodded, then looked to ;end.
“=ill the "oman.”
“7ha((” the outsider got half"ay through the "ord !efore ;end unsheathed his !ron4e gladius and rammed it into the stomach of the kneeling "oman.
5he gasped in shock, and
her hus!and screamed, trying to get to her.
The guards held
him firmly as ;end pulled the s"ord free, then he cut at the
"oman&s neck.
The "eapon got lodged in the verte!rae, and
it took him three hacks to get the head free.
)ven so, it
"as over in 'ust a fe" heart!eats. The outsider continued to scream.
Theus stooped do"n
again, 'ust out of the man&s reach, !lood trickling across the packed earth.
Theus nodded, and one of the guards
slapped the outsider, interrupting his yells. “)veryone has a place,” Theus repeated.
“$y place is
to look after the people of this city.” “3astard,” the outsider hissed.
%is children((the !oy
a young teen, the girl perhaps a fe" years younger(("ere so!!ing at the sight of their mother&s death. “+ou kne" the penalty for trying to sneak into my city,” Theus said.
“)veryone does.
Try it again, and my
men "ill find the rest of your family(("herever you&ve left them((and kill them.” Theus stood, leaving the screaming peasant !ehind to yell himself ragged as he cursed.
Theus&s guard moved
!ehind him as he returned to the corridor through the "heat, ;end cleaning his gladius and sheathing it.
Over the tops
of the green spring plants, Theus could see a man "aiting for him !efore the city. %o" do the
visitor.
The man&s dark ro!e "as colored so evenly, and so
deeply, that it frustrated Partinel&s dymakers.
Of course,
Theus didn&t allo" many of those to "ork in the city(("ho had time or resources for dyes "hen the !u!!les of human life "ere gro"ing so small7ho had time and resources-
#pparently, the
people did. “nteresting sho",” the man said as Theus passed him. “;esks give 8sho"s,& Naysho,” Theus said.
“ 'ust do
"hat is necessary.” “#nd you aren&t "orried-” Naysho asked calmly, "alking !eside Theus.
“That man hates you.
%ave you not 'ust
driven him to return and seek revenge-” “%e still has his children,” Theus said. reali4e that, and go.
“%e&ll
Others he meets "ill hear his story
and kno" to stay a"ay.” “#nd the "oman-” Naysho asked.
“+ou feel no guilt for
her death, assume-” Theus hesitated, stopping amidst the s"aying grain, looking !ack at the so!!ing man, "ho "as no" holding his children.
3eyond him, the "hite forest "aited, deceptively
still and peaceful. +es.
2uilt, Theus thought.
9o feel guilt-
;ust enough of it to !e dangerous.
“%e has a !etter chance of surviving "ithout her,” Theus said.
“The children are old enough to "ork a plot of
land, and "ithout a "ife, he "on&t !e foolish enough to spa"n more mouths to feed. $ay!e.
$ay!e they&ll survive.”
0rom the look on Naysho&s face, he didn&t
!elieve it much more than Theus did.
Living outside the
cities((outside of a sta!le trune ring(("as dangerous and unpredicta!le.
One never kne" "hen one "ould "ake up and
find one&s entire crops((indeed, one&s entire house((covered in skullmoss. 3eyond that, of course, there "ere the Corrupted.
Out
there, some"here, slinking through the !one("hite trees. Perhaps it "ould have !een more merciful of Theus to simply kill the children and !e done "ith it. “nteresting,” Naysho said, "alking "ith his customary smooth gait, hair stark red, skin slightly darker than that of a man from Partinel. to that man.
“ noticed that you suggested
# good thought.
7e can al"ays use more hands
to "ork.” %o" do they do it- Theus thought. shrink.
The rest of us
7e !urn the land around our cities, line the
!orders "ith dead fain creatures, everything lore says "ill keep the skullmoss a"ay.
#nd still, my city dies.
+et
Naysho, am!assador of the city state of
%e simply
"alked, eyes for"ard, smiling slightly to himself. “+our city is in danger, you kno",” finally said. Theus didn&t ans"er. “ could offer help, should you desire it,” Naysho continued.
They reached the "alls, then follo"ed the path
to"ard the gates.
“#n #etherlin, perhaps, to help "ith the
certain. . .trou!les that have !een occurring lately in Partinel-” “ don&t need your help,” Theus snapped.
Or the
strings that come attached to it. “s that so-” Naysho said.
“#re you certain-”
Theus turned to respond, !ut stopped as he noticed soldiers leaving the gate.
They looked a!out a !it, spotted
Theus, then rushed to"ard him, their !ron4e !reastplates glistening. Theus glanced immediately at Naysho.
The am!assador
simply let his smile deepen, his eyes satisfied.
7hatever
net"ork of spies he had in the city, it kept him informed of things far !etter than even Theus&s o"n city "atch.
Theus "ould get nothing from the man. no".
%e kne" that !y
nstead, he hustled for"ard to meet "ith the
messengers.
“7hat is it-” he demanded.
“#nother. . .distur!ance,” one of the soldiers said. “n the city.” “7here-” “)ast court,” the man said.
“Cooper&s ro".”
“5ho" me.” They entered through the city gates, and the soldiers uickly retrieved Theus& chariot, and !rought another for Naysho.
#s usual, ;end stepped up to drive Theus& chariot((
Theus liked to have his guard captain close.
The rest of
the soldiers formed out in front and !ehind the vehicles. The chariots "eren&t for speed, in this case, !ut for presentation.
They "ere terri!ly epensive((reuiring !oth
"ood and !ron4e, not to mention feed enough to keep horses. %o"ever, the advantage provided should he need to flee "as simply too great to pass up. “7hat do you think-” Theus asked as ;end "hipped the horse, and the chariot !egan to roll do"n the muddy street. “#!out-” “The family.” “There&s nothing else you could have done, Theus.”
Theus sco"led. decision, ;end. the city.
“ don&t care a!out the morality of the
&m annoyed that they tried to sneak into
%o" many do have to kill !efore they stop
trying to get through our !orders-” “The skullmoss kills too, Theus,” ;end said, eyes for"ard.
“They&re 'ust trying to do the !est for their
families, Theus.
;ust like "e have to do.”
Cousin to
Theus, ;end "as thinner of !oth face and frame.
%is ans"ers
"ere soft(spoken, and lacked his normal 'ovialness. ;end made good points, and Theus kne" the guard captain didn&t like having to eecute people "ho tried to sneak in. 5till, the fact remained that Theus had !arely managed to sta!ili4e the population of his city. feed outsiders.
%e couldn&t afford to
%e needed those outside to fear trying to
get in even more than they feared the fainlands. )veryone had their place. for his people. "ildly unpopular. didn&t care.
Theus&s place "as to care
)ven if that meant doing things that "ere %e kne" "hat the people said of him.
%e
%e "ould not let Partinel !ecome like $uns, a
city so overcro"ded and full of filth that great plagues claimed its population at regular intervals.
$uns ate
itself to starvation every fourth or fifth year. "ould !e different, even if it reuired sacrifice.
Partinel
n five days, the ne" year "ould start.
# +ear of
5acrifice, the fifth one since the !eginning of his reign. 9uring this year, if a "oman gave !irth, she "as given a choice.
)ither she could give up the child to !e killed, or
she((and her family((could leave the city and a!dicate their citi4enship. t "as a la" that Theus enforced strictly, even for his guards and immediate family.
#cross the Cluster((the some
t"enty city states in the area((he "as kno"n as Theus, the 3ear of Partinel, the man "ith the !lood of a thousand children on his hands. 3ut Partinel survived. long as he "as in control.
#nd "ould continue to do so, as t "as a fine city.
The streets
"ere narro", of course((not 'ust !ecause the city had to hold as many people as possi!le, !ut !ecause more room for !uildings meant more roof space.
#nd more roof space meant
more gardens((and there "ere thousands of these.
)very
availa!le space, rooftops, "indo"sills, plots !et"een homes((everything gre" food. 3ro"n and green.
They "ere the colors of trune life,
sym!ols of virility and health.
The homes reflected this in
their mud(!rick "alls: suare, straight, even, most reaching t"o stories.
The nicer sections of city((such as "here his
palace stood(("ere stone, rather than !rick, !ut his "orkers
kept the stone do!!ed "ith mud.
Theus "ould never admit
superstition, !ut the truth "as that "hite((even "hite stone((!othered him. fain colorings.
)ven gray "as a little too near to
%e preferred the mud"ash.
The chariots rolled past flocks of people a!out their daily !usiness.
7omen "alking to the 5tormsea for "ater,
'ugs on their heads, clothing a spring linen, most of it various shades of healthy !ro"n.
Potters selling their
"ares((ceramics, made from the muds of the river, "ere a specialty of Partinel.
They passed some pens for livestock,
mostly goats for cheese and "ool. n all, the city "as a !ustling, packed place, even "ith many of the men out "orking the fields.
Theus "ould
have liked to have the city "alls themselves etend far enough out to surround the fields as "ell as the city, !ut he reali4ed the "isdom in the "ay it "as.
f the skullmoss
"ere to advance any further, he "ould not "ant to risk losing his fortifications to it.
Though they&d still !e
a!le to use the "all, of course, it "ould !e terri!le for morale to send the soldiers into the fainlands each day to patrol atop it. The !usy streets meant that his soldiers had to sometimes force a "ay for him through.
t "asn&t that the
people didn&t respect him((indeed, the 3ear of Partinel "as
kno"n to !e a man one did not offend. heads "hen they sa" his chariot.
$ost !o"ed their
There "ere 'ust so many of
them that it made moving difficult. 5o many.
Too many.
may have to etend this year of
5acrifice, Theus reali4ed as ;end yelled at a herdsman "ho "as too slo" moving his flock across the street from one pen to the other. )tend the year of 5acrifice.
t "ould !e an unpopular
move((many people remained celi!ate during the first half of such years, only to pursue child!earing "ith vigor during the latter half.
The result "as a !oom in !irths the
follo"ing spring, 'ust after the ne" year !egan((a practice that some"hat undermined the purpose of the year in the first place. %e had long suspected that he "ould have to !egin surprising the people "ith etended months of sacrifice, slaughtering children that everyone had assumed "ere safe. t "as either that, or !egin killing slaves.
#nd yet,
slaves "ere his people too((men "ho "ere "orking off de!ts, or the children of men captured in !attle years ago.
3egin
slaughtering them, and the economy((including the city&s a!ility to produce food(("ould suffer. Common pro!lems, and Theus seemed to have fe"er and fe"er options.
7ith the fainlands on his !orders, there "as
no place to epand.
%e had sent settlements do"n the river,
"here a fe" more pockets of trune life had sprung up, !ut they "ere no" as full as the city((and anything too much further a"ay "ould !e far enough outside his 'urisdiction to !e autonomous. %is procession rounded the city, the stormsea 'ust !arely visi!le through the line of !uildings to his right. The east court looked much like the rest of Partinel, and Theus stepped do"n from the carriage, pulling his goatskin gloves tight as his soldiers led him to a !o(like, !ro"n( !ricked !uilding at the end of the "ay.
The engravings on
the do! facing of the outside "all depicted a !arrel. People had gathered.
t "as difficult to keep secrets
in a city as packed as Partinel. accompanied !y ;end and Naysho.
Theus made his "ay inside, # "orried man in an apron
"aited in the room, his family locked and guarded in a room near!y. “This is the man "ho sa" them-” Theus asked, turning to his soldier. The man nodded.
“3ut. . .there is something you should
see up a!ove first, Lord.” Theus fro"ned, !ut nodded.
%e ignored the soldier and
his family, instead follo"ing the soldier up the steps, past a second story home, also occupied, and onto the roof.
The garden "as "ell(maintained, likely "orked !y the second family.
They "ould !e freemen or slaves, kept and
fed !y the cooper.
The men he "ould rent out to "ork the
fields, the "omen "ould care for his garden.
%e got to keep
t"enty percent of "hatever his garden gre"/ the rest "ent to Theus.
#fter all, Theus "as the one "ho provided the dirt
and the seed. The offending patch "as near the center of the rooftop. Theus crossed packed soil, sprouting "ith vegeta!les, her!s, and even a patch of !arley.
T"o soldiers stood guarding a
section t"isting tomato vines curled around sticks. One of them "as covered in a "hite fu44. Theus cursed uietly, kneeling !eside the plant.
t
"as skullmoss for certain: those little spines, sticking up almost too perfectly, that puff of "hite dust that sho"ered do"n "hen one tapped the plant. 5kullmoss.
This "as no common mold.
n the middle of the gods(forsaken city.
%e looked up at his soldier.
“The man sighted a
Corrupted, too-” The soldier nodded.
“t took one of the cooper&s
children, a five year old !oy.
The cooper says he "oke to a
sound, and sat up to see a Corrupted floating on the far side of the sleeping cham!er.
%e claims to have !een fro4en
"ith fear, and could only "atch as the Corrupted fled "ith
the child.
The cooper&s description of the thing matches
"hat "e&ve heard !efore.” “s he lying-” “Possi!ly.
Not likely, though.”
Theus looked do"n at the patch of skullmoss. supposed to !e possi!le.
t "asn&t
Partinel&s trune ring had stood
solid for hundreds of years.
True, the fainlands had crept
for"ard, claiming the forest((!ut nothing fain had ever gro"n in the city.
That "asn&t supposed to !e possi!le.
Cities like Partinel thrived !ecause they eisted "here the skullmoss and the fainlands could not. t "as the "ay that humankind survived.
0ain plants
"ere poisonous to humans and trunelife that ate them, and skullmoss t"isted anything it gre" on, changing it to !ecome fain.
3reathing the moss, stepping in it, even living among
it did nothing to a man.
+et, eating plants that it had
tainted "as deadly. 5ometimes, Theus "ished the skullmoss 'ust killed people on contact.
Then they "ouldn&t have to deal "ith
this "asting a"ay.
This choking suffocation of trune life.
“The dirt,” he said.
“7here did it come from-”
“t&s pure city dirt,” the soldier said. s"ears !y this, and our records agree. in the "aters of the 5tormsea itself.”
“The cooper
5ifted and purified
Theus stood.
“0ire the !uilding,” he said.
“3urn the
garden and everything inside of it, including the clothing of the people "ho live here((as "ell as your o"n clothing, and my o"n.
5et up a changing station on the street and
have soldiers "ho haven&t entered the !uilding fetch us ne" clothing.
Then, take the cooper, his family, and his slaves
to the dungeons and make certain that "hat they&re telling you is true.” The soldiers nodded.
Theus left hurriedly, !ut stopped
at the stair"ell as he sa" Naysho standing on the steps do"n. “+ou kne" a!out this,” Theus accused. “Perhaps.” “+ou caused it.” Naysho snorted.
“%ardly, your ma'esty.
n truth, Lord
#ronack((king of
%e does not like the thought of
his friends !eing in danger” Theus snorted. “Think "hat you "ill, Theus,” Naysho said. his ma'esty kno"s of your pro!lems.
“%o"ever,
5kullmoss gro"ing
inside the !oundaries of your trune ring-
Corrupted passing
into the city, someho" ignoring "ards and protections-”
Theus looked !ack as his soldiers knelt, removing flasks of oil and pouring them on the contaminated plant. “+ou need an #etherlin to investigate these happenings, your ma'esty,” Naysho said.
“# real #etherlin.
$y Lord
#ronack has !een training a group of dedicated men "ith fresh #ether slivers.
They have a skill in digging out
information, and their #ethers are sharp(minded and understanding of fain life.
They can tell you things that
you "ill not !e a!le to learn "ith regular men.” Theus glanced do"n at his hand, !ut felt almost nothing from the tiny 9uskr sliver !eneath his glove, attached to his "rist.
t had !een years since he&d felt even an
emotion from it, and it had trou!le putting out even a small puff of #ether pulp. 5kullmoss in the city.
%is population !ursting, eating
up all of his food, approaching starvation.
%is crops "eak
!ecause of cramped confines and poor rotation schedules. Corrupted stealing children out from !eneath his nose. “ "ill accept your help,” he said, meeting Naysho&s eyes. The am!assador smiled. sent for it.”
“2ood.
3ecause &ve already
The Liar of Partinel Chapter Three
n order to reach Partinel, $idius had to travel through fainlands. %e traipsed along the road, trying not to focus on the too(still "hite forest around him.
# forest that((like all
fainlife((seemed too uiet, too still.
Occasionally, he
"ould see a !ird or small fo among the "hite.
The trune
creatures searched through the forest for patches of life like their o"n.
#nimals kne" instinctively not to eat fain
plants, and trune predators kne" not to feed on a corpse that had !egun gro"ing skullmoss. The forest road !efore $idius "as !lack and dusty. 5omeone had passed this "ay during the previous year, laying do"n dead fain plants, then !urning them a"ay to leave the ground seared. soil.
That "ould have !een follo"ed !y salting the
Other"ise, the road((rarely used(("ould have !een
claimed !y the fain "ilds, for fainplants gre" much more uickly than trune ones. The road maintenance "as pro!a!ly the "ork of king Theus.
No city(state really had claim on anything outside
of its !orders, !ut it "as in his interest to keep roads open, if only to encourage the arrival of Chan tradesman.
7hy send me to Partinel- he "ondered.
7hy did you deny the king&s "ill !y not ans"ering the summons, there!y getting yourself killed-
7hy do all this,
only to then ask me to do the very thing you "ere un"illing to5urely %oid hadn&t epected $idius to go and !ecome court pet to the 3ear of Parinel-
# 'esk to provide
entertainment, after the old tradition-
0rom "hat $idius
kne" of =ing Theusin, the man "ould not look favora!ly upon there !eing a Light"eaver in the city. $idius fro4e. on the road.
%e((
5omething "as standing in front of him
t looked some"hat like a stag, though the
legs "ere too long, and there "ere si of them. "ith glistening pink eyes "atched him. mouth.
# head set
t had no visi!le
#nd its !ody "as a pure "hite.
0ain. $idius&s !reath caught in his throat.
The not(stag
stared at him, its head !earing antlers that "ere someho" too rounded and !ul!ous.
They "ere covered "ith a "hitish
fu44.
5kullmoss.
The rest of the creature&s !ody seemed
slick, almost scaly. t took off into the forest, !ounding on si legs, and for some reason, $idius found himself charging after it.
%e
had rarely seen fain creatures/ they tended to stay a"ay from the edges of trune lands.
)ven living "ith %oid, deep
"ithin the forest, $idius had rarely seen fainlife other than plants.
%e had !egun to "onder if reports of larger
creatures "ere simply eaggerations. The not(stag, ho"ever, proved differently. ma'esty a!out it, something transfiing.
There "as a
$idius follo"ed
for a short time, !ut the creature "as far faster than he. t !ounded through the "hite forest, sending up puffs of skullmoss dust, disappearing into the distance.
$idius
slo"ed, puffing, "hite ferns and !rush rustling as they !rushed against his 'esk&s coat. %e "as surrounded !y "hiteness. %e hesitated, then turned !ack to"ard the road.
%e
kne" that he shouldn&t feel odd !eing among the fainlife. 3ack on the road, he&d !een surrounded as "ell. !urned and scarred, it "asn&t trune land.
Though
Not really.
#nd yet, !eing a"ay from it left him anious. enveloped !y the strange, surreal landscape.
%e felt
t "asn&t
uite right, and not 'ust !ecause of the colors.
The trees
nearer the road had looked like trees should, despite the "hiteness.
%ere, 'ust a little distance in, they "ere. .
.different.
Their !ark had mostly fallen free, and other
!its of life "ere !eginning to sprout out.
Trees, gro"ing
out of other trees. These ne" sprouts "ere unnatural in a "ay he couldn&t uite eplain.
The grain seemed to t"ist in contorted "ays,
and the places "here !ranch met trunk "ere too fluid, too smooth. "ater.
The leaves !ent in long, oval shapes, like drops of The trees almost seemed to !e melting.
$idius stepped !ack"ard.
The general stillness only
seemed to highlight the occasional sound. something cracked, and he spun. he could see, at least.
To his right,
There "as nothing((nothing
0ain creatures "ere "hite.
%e
could !e surrounded and not !e a!le to pick them out from the foliage. #nother crack, distant, yet ominous.
%e felt a
thousand eyes on him, and suddenly the forest seemed a dangerous, foreign place. and hateful.
#lmost as if it "ere conscious
7hy "ere the trees near the road more normal,
"hile the ones here(('ust a fe" yards in(("ere so alien$idius dug in a pocket and thre" out a handful of dust. # pair of spear(holdings soldiers(("earing gleaming !ron4e !reastplates and leather sandals((formed from the dust
!eside him.
The illusions "ould !e meaningless if he got
attacked, of course, !ut their presence might serve to "ard a"ay predators. Or, at the very least, make him feel a little less nervous.
“Come on,” he said to the soldiers, retreating
!ack to"ard the road.
They follo"ed, figures fu44ing
slightly((glo"ing dust shimmering to the ground from their forms((as they passed through plants.
+et, they sta!ili4ed
as they reached the road, and even !egan talking to each other as they follo"ed $idius along the road. Company did make him feel !etter.
%e "as a!le to turn
his mind !ack to his pro!lems, a comforta!le chatting coming from !ehind, as he continued his "ay to"ard Partinel. 6 #fter a solemn night spent !eside the road((his soldiers taking turns on "atch(($idius finally reached the end of the road and stepped from forest.
The fields of
Partinel etended !efore him. 0or a moment, his eyes "ere shocked !y the colors of dirt, crops, and the !ro"n, mud(do!!ed city "all.
#nd the
scents. . .dunged soil, pollen in the air, not to mention the sound of "orkers yelling to each other. so different from the sterile fain forest.
They "ere all
5oldiers ran up to him almost immediately.
They eyed
his guards, apparently taking him for someone important. %o"ever, the Partinel guards "ere still hostile as they cut off his approach to the city. “#re you a merchant-” one of them asked.
“7here are
your goods-” $idius held out the rolled parchment summons.
One of
the soldiers accepted it((!ut, of course, couldn&t read it. 5till, he "as apparently literate enough to recogni4e the king&s mark painted on the !ottom.
The soldier glanced at
his companion, spear in one hand, parchment in the other. “2et the king.” “+ou sure-” his companion asked.
“0etch him t"ice in
three days. . . -” #t that moment, $idius released his illusionary guards, and they shattered.
No longer necessary, they !roke !ack
into dust, "hich sparkled slightly as it floated do"n to the ground. 3oth guards paled. “2o*” the lead man said, handing the parchment to his companion.
The man needed no further prompting.
$idius sat do"n on the dirt to "ait.
“7hat is "rong in
the city-” he asked the nervous soldier, "ho "as urgently "aving several of his companions over to 'oin him.
“The king summoned me,” $idius continued. didn&t tell me "hy.
“3ut he
The summons only mentioned that "as
needed to help Partinel "ith a pro!lem it "as having.” The soldier gave him no response.
5o, $idius simply
sat, thinking, "aiting, until a large group of soldiers left the gates up ahead.
These "ore the !ron4e of the official
king&s guard, and so $idius stood, dusting off his coat. The troop of soldiers arrived. front si4ed up $idius.
# lean soldier at the
“Come "ith us,” he said.
“7e are going to the king-” $idius asked. The man gave no response. $idius shoved do"n his annoyance.
+ou&re going to have
to get used to !eing treated like this, he reminded himself. +ou&re not an important person here.
%oid had tried to "ork
on his patience, and $idius liked to think that he&d learned something.
5o, as the soldiers surrounded him, he made no
further complaint, instead follo"ing them do"n a corridor in the crops to"ard the city. Partinel.
One of the most successful cities in the
Nam!rian Cluster.
Only
influence and reputation. "ar.
The t"o cities had never !een to
$any people found that very odd, considering their
respective influences.
$idius kne" this.
%e kne" many things, not 'ust "hat
he&d learned during his time "ith $aster %oid. Partinel thrived off the !rutality of its king.
%e kne" that )very third
year, all infants !orn "ithin the city "ere slaughtered. made !rutal, effective, sense.
t
That "as ho" the 3ear of
Partinel "orked. #s the soldiers led him into the city, $idius sa" other signs of the 3ear&s !rutal efficiency. cages along the "alls outside the gate. looking up at them.
$en hung in rope $idius stopped,
$ost of the "retches "ere naked, though
one poor man "ore the tattered remnants of a guard&s uniform.
They s"ung in the afternoon heat, hands tied a!ove
them, !odies "rapped in the rope caging.
5ome of the rope
cages held only corpses((or, at least, the pieces of those corpses "hich hadn&t fallen free to form rotting piles at the !ase of the "all. The soldiers prodded him to continue, and they passed through the gates, entering the !ustling city of Partinel. $idius "alked "ith his escort, "atching the cro"ds, seeing(( as if(("ith ne" eyes.
%oid&s training had changed him.
Once, $idius "ould have looked only at the money changing hands, the goods !eing sold, the num!er of people on the streets.
%e "ould have !een satisfied "ith the thriving
economy.
No", he looked at the faces.
%e "asn&t as practiced as his master had !een.
$idius
couldn&t read epressions as easily, and couldn&t decide the thoughts of a man !y the look in his eyes.
+et, he could
sense the feeling of desperation a!out the shoppers.
The
edge of "orry, and of fear. “5omething is "rong,” he found himself "hispering. The guards ignored the comment.
# the net
intersection, they led him right, along another street lined !y mud(!rick houses and carefully maintained gardens.
That
road ended at the !anks of the 5tormsea. $ore a lake than a real 8sea,& the !ody of "ater "as "ide enough to look daunting, !ut not so large that you couldn&t see the other side.
3oats "orked the "aters,
scouring for fish in the depths.
Though it "as narro", !y
"ater(!ody standards, the 5tormsea "as incredi!ly deep.
ts
sheer sides led straight do"n, like an enormous god had cut a long cylinder out of the rock, then filled it "ith "ater. #nd, perhaps that "as eactly "hat had happened. $ay!e, !efore they died, one of the gods had cut the 5tormsea out and shaped it like it "as.
$idius&s mind !egan
"orking, searching myths, stories, tales, and legends.
%e
"as a 'esk no", a purveyor of stories, a teller of tales. Lies and hopes.
5o often, they "ere the same thing.
different from "hat he had once !een.
t "as
#s they approached the end of the road, the 5tormsea lit up, lightning crackling deep "ithin its depths, illuminating the !oats from !eneath.
People along the docks
paused, some of them looking to see if danger "ould follo". %o"ever, the surface of the "ater !ody remained still and uiet.
t al"ays seemed more calm than a lake its si4e
should, the surface almost mirror(like. The guards turned, leading him south. in the road.
5outh.
$idius stopped
That "asn&t the "ay to the palace.
“+ou&re taking me to the dungeons,” he reali4ed. %e shouldn&t have said it out loud. The guard 'ust to his right immediately s"ung the !utt of his spear for $idius&s head.
$idius snapped his hand up,
catching the !utt, shocking !oth the soldier and $idius himself. No, he thought. The net spear !utt(("ielded !y the guard captain((took $idius on the !ack of the head.
%e fell, di44y, and !lacked
out. 6 Not surprisingly, $idius a"oke in the dungeons. up, holding his head. !lo", and a !it di44y. of the earthen "all.
%e sat
%e felt sick to his stomach from the %e groaned, leaning against the side %e "as in a dug out pit in the ground,
a "icker cage door on the top. dirty, earthen smell.
t "as dark, and had a
There "as a room a!ove, constructed
from the u!iuitous clay !ricks. %e leaned "ith his !ack against the side of the pit. %is 'esk&s coat had !een taken from him, leaving him in his smock and sash.
%e touched his hands to his head, !reathing
in and out, calming himself.
Then, he reached to the ground
and pulled up a handful of dirt po"der. %e tossed it in front of him, "eaving the light.
9ust
fell in a sho"er, forming into an image of his master. “7hy-” $idius asked. %oid sat do"n. pocketed 'esk&s coat.
The old 'esk "ore his !ro"n, many( Clean shaven, "ise.
9ead.
Only an image, true, !ut even lies could provide truth. “7hy "hat, son-” the aged 'esk asked. “7hy send me here-” $idius said. “+ou "ere coming any"ay.” “Not to this,” $idius said, "aving his arm to"ard the cage a!ove. summons.
“ came for my o"n reasons, not to ans"er that
+ou kno" it "as only sent to !ring you into the
city, "here you could !e eecuted.” “The people of Partinel need you,” %oid said.
“7ell, they can need me all they "ant,” $idius replied. “f their king !eheads me for !eing a Light"eaver, then "on&t !e a!le to do much.” “The people of Partinel need you,” %oid repeated. “They can get their stories from someone else,” $idius snapped, ru!!ing the !ack of his head. “#h, son,” %oid said.
“This isn&t a!out stories.”
“7hat is it a!out, then-” $idius asked. 3ut, the illusion couldn&t ans"er. more than $idius himself did.
t kne" nothing
#s he considered that, the
image shattered, flakes of dust sho"ering !ack do"n to the earthen floor. “2ods dead and gone,” $idius cursed to himself, resting !ack against the side of the pit. “%ello-”
# voice echoed in the room a!ove.
$idius sat upright. “%e. . .hello-” the voice repeated.
“s someone
there-” “&m in the pit,” $idius said. “&m in a different one,” the voice said. them put you in.
“ heard
There are t"o of you-”
$idius hesitated.
%oid&s voice.
“+es,” he said.
“+ou are fortunate,” the voice said. here alone.
“They left me
$y family. . .. . . don&t kno" "here they
are.” “7ho are you-” “9elides,” the man said.
“Cooper.
9o you kno" "hat
day it is-” “Tevent” $idius said, naming the day of the "eek. “3y the 3etrayer,” the cooper said softly. days have passed-
“Only t"o
felt it to !e a "eek.”
“7hat did you do-” $idius asked. 5ilence. “Nothing,” the man said. Of course not.
#nd yet, "hat had $idius himself done
to earn himself a place in prisondust, the illusion&s corpse.
%e glanced at the fallen
Never forget, my son, that men
are not fools. “ !elieve you,” $idius said. “+ou don&t even kno" me,” the voice snapped. “+ou seem honest enough,” $idius said, though the comment sounded flat, even to him. response. “9elides-” #gain, no response.
9elides gave no
7hat does it matter to me- $idius thought, thumping his head against the !ack of the "all((an action he immediately regretted, as it still hurt from the !lo" he&d taken.
%e
ru!!ed it, shooting a glare through the dirt in the direction of the voice. 9elides didn&t say anything further, and $idius didn&t really care.
7hat "as another prisoner to him-
1nimportant.
$idius had to "orry a!out himself.
#nd yet. . . . Never forget, my son, %oid seemed to "hisper.
3ecome
!etter than you "ere. . . . “&m sure your family is all right, 9elides,” $idius found himself saying. No response. “+ou kno", there is a story, often told to children,” $idius said out(loud.
“Of ra!!its and "olves.”
%is "ords echoed in the clay room up a!ove. “No",” $idius continued, “many men have not seen either of these !easts. !oth.
They are trune animals, ra!!its and "olves
t is important to remem!er a!out them, for they are
a piece of our past. “The ra!!it is a furry little thing, large of feet and uick to flee from a "olf.
#nd yet, the story is told of a
ra!!it "ho had no mind for fleeing.
# "arrior among
ra!!its, he "as.
Though the other ra!!its called him a
fool, he decided one day that he "ould not flee "hen the predators appeared.
This ra!!it planned to fight, to
resist, and to prove that not all of his kind "ould scurry to their holes the moment danger appeared.” %e fell silent, and "aited.
%e left the ending untold.
%oid had promised that. . . . “#nd "hat happened-” the cooper&s voice came. No!ody could resist a story. “%e "on,” $idius said, smiling as he stood up. !ecause he "as stronger than the "olf. more clever. surprised.
“Not
Not !ecause he "as
3ut, the story says, !ecause the "olf "as so
The shock of !eing resisted !y a mere ra!!it "as
too much for the "olf&s mind, and he sat there, staring, even as the ra!!it !eat him do"n "ith a rock.” The small cham!er fell silent once again. 'ust told my first story, $idius reali4ed.
5uch a
small thing, a simple morality tale "ithout much drama or involvement.
#nd yet, even that had an effect.
%oid&s voice seemed to remind him. !ecause "e are fools.
7e love them.
Not
3ut !ecause of the opposite.
“7hat does it mean-” the cooper asked. this-”
Lies,
“7hy tell me
“Not all ra!!its "ill die "ithout a fight,” $idius said, staring up though the "ooden !ars.
“#nd not all men
"ho you find in a prison are there for a good reason.
"ill "ithhold 'udgment on you, my friend, for &d rather not !e the "olf "ho finds himself dead, simply !ecause of his !iases.” The cooper snorted softly, the sound amplified !y the room&s acoustics.
#nd yet, he did speak.
storyteller, !ecause told the truth. &m cursed, apparently. child three nights !ack.
“ am here,
am here !ecause
The Corrupted took my youngest $y little 1lede.”
“+ou live outside the city-” “Of course not.” “3ut Corrupted((” “Can&t enter a trune ring,” the man snapped. kno".
#nd skullmoss can&t gro" in Partinel.
“+es,
f that&s
true, &d like to kno" "hy found a patch of "hite fu44 of it in my o"n garden.
#nd, &d like to kno" "hy the king "as
so scared of it that he !urned the entire !uilding. “)veryone tells me it can&t !e true.
They claim must
have !rought the moss in, and that must have made up the story of my son&s disappearance in order to distract from "hat &d done. !reak.
They thro" me in here, "aiting for me to
#nd so sit, trying to decide if should 'ust lie
and chance eecution for !ringing skullmoss into the city, or if should "ait until they torture me.” The cooper fell silent again, and this time, $idius couldn&t !lame him. $idius rested !ack against the side of his pit. Corrupted, in the city-
t couldn&t !e.
Corrupted #ethers,
like fainlife, couldn&t enter a trune ring. that.
)veryone kne"
This man had to !e lying. Or perhaps the poor man had simply !een deceived.
5omething is going on, $idius thought. couldn&t have kno"n of it. decades "hen met him.
3ut %oid
%e&d !een gone from Partinel for
7e had no contact "ith the city
during my training, save for the assassin. #nd yet. . .he said that the city needed me.
That it
"as urgent. #nd it had to do "ith the summons.
The reason that the
3ear of Partinel had sent for, then killed, %oid the 'esk. 7hy$idius sat !ack against the "all of the pit.
#s %oid
had !een so fond of telling him, some ans"ers simply "ouldn&t come until one "aited long enough for them.
The Liar of Partinel Chapter 0our
Theus grunted, ducking a"ay from the !lo". his shield up, taking the !ackhand and shoving. opponent stum!led a"ay.
%e !rought %is
The man "ore long hair "ith a
scruffy !eard, and s"eat glistened on his !are chest.
%e
!ello"ed, hurling himself for"ard, s"inging his gladuis for Theus. Theus stepped !ack, taking the !lo" on his shield. "ood groaned, chips flying.
The
)ven the finest shields could
take only so much punishment.
There "ere stories of his
fathers going through three or four in a single !attle. Theus grunted, hand firm on the hilt of his gladius. %is soldiers and guards "atched in silence.
)veryone
stopped their o"n matches "hen the king chose to spar.
That
"as, of course, !ecause the king&s 8sparring& often involved a fight to the death. Theus thre" his opponent !ack again, then moved in to attack.
2ladius fighting "as !rutal, close(com!at "ork.
Not like a spearfight, "here you often had t"o friends at your side and "here you killed in formation.
No, "ith the
s"ord, you got in close.
Theus could smell his opponent&s
s"eat as he shoved aside a !arrage of !lo"s, thro"ing himself !odily against the other man, counting on his etra "eight((augmented !y !ron4e helm and !reastplate((to give him the advantage. #nd it did.
%is opponent stum!led, and Theus struck,
sheering the man&s arm free at the el!o".
t "asn&t the
s"ord arm((his opponent had !een smart enough to pull that arm !ack. !lood, and
3ut, it "as good enough.
The sliced arm spit
Theus !acked a"ay to let the man !leed out.
Then, ho"ever, Theus hesitated. %e deserves !etter, Theus thought. 5o, as his opponent stum!led, Theus moved in again and stuck the man through the stomach. free and stepped a"ay.
Theus pulled his s"ord
%is !are(chested opponent fell to
the dirty ground, t"itching a !it as he died. Theus dropped his shield, feeling the familiar let do"n((mied "ith eultation of the "in((that came at the end of a fight.
%e "iped his !ro", then thre" his s"ord do"n so
that it stuck point(first into the flesh of his fallen foe. %e "alked a"ay, accepting a cup of mead from one attendant and a fresh, clean s"ord from his armoring !oy.
Theus drank
the mead, then slammed the ne" s"ord into his sheath.
;end "as "aiting at the !ack of the courtyard.
%e
dropped a !it of charcoal as Theus 'oined him. “That "as "ell done,” ;end said. on the stones !eside him.
%e&d !een scratching
# charcoal sketch of the contest.
t "as, Theus noted, rather good.
+ou&ve missed your
calling as an artist, my old friend.
3ut, the t"o of them
had missed out on a lot !y taking over the city as they had. %opefully, Partinel "ould !e the !etter for it. “The man died "ell,” ;end continued. Theus glanced !ack"ard.
The event had taken place in
the eastern courtyard of his palace(("hich "as one of the most "ell(guarded sections of the city.
The "ealth of
s"ords, spearheads, and armor held in the eastern "ard "as a larger pri4e than any king&s coffer. The dead man lay in the dust, Theus&s "eapon sprouting from his !ack.
%is name had !een >eol.
%e had once !een a
mem!er of Theus&s guard, !efore he&d 'oined "ith a faction planning to assassinate him.
$ilitary men, ho"ever, deserved something
!etter((even the ones "ho had tried to form a coup against the king.
To men such as >eol, Theus gave a choice((either
they could go to the cages, or they could fight him to the death.
t "as terri!ly unfair.
Theus "ore a !ron4e
!reastplate, matching helm, and a leather skirt.
%e carried
a shield, and his s"ord "as of the finest uality. prisoner "as only given a simple gladius. fight offered them a chance.
The
%o"ever, the
# slight one, true, !ut still
an opportunity. t "as dangerous, perhaps foolhardy. that.
Theus recogni4ed
+et, "hat he did gained him some measure of respect,
even from those "ho "ould oust him.
Plus, it not only gave
him a chance to practice his s"ordsmanship in a deadly com!at situation, it gave him a chance to sho" that((despite age((he "as still a dangerous opponent. reminder.
t "as an important
There "ere al"ays a do4en factions in the city
planning to kill and replace their king.
Theus himself had
!een part of one such group, years ago. 9eath, fighting, fear. po"er.
That "as the "ay to maintain
Part of him mourned such realities.
%e kne" that
the philosophers do"n in the understreet tavern spoke of theories and promises, dreaming of peace.
$idius kne" that
the ne" king in
#nd
Theus had enough
trou!le controlling, feeding, and ruling one.
%o" "ould any
man keep more than thatTheus turned a"ay from the dead corpse, and sat do"n on a stool, holding up his arms so his armoring !oy could untie the !ack clasps of his !reastplate. “+ou verified the identity of the prisoner-” Theus asked.
“This supposed 'esk Light"eaver-”
“t&s not the master,” ;end said. !elieve him to !e authentic.
“#n apprentice, !ut
%e carried your summons, and
men trust spoke of him making images in the air.” 7hat of the master, then- Theus thought. Teraos-
#nd "hat of
f the old Light"eaver didn&t ans"er the summons
immediately, Teraos "as supposed to kill him. The armoring !oy got the !reastplate off, then carried it.
The piece of armor "as almost too heavy for him.
;end
"atched fondly/ the !oy "as his eldest. “%e&s a good lad, ;end,” Theus said. duty, even uicker to learn. guard to my o"n sons, hope.
“?uick to do his
%e&ll !e a good soldier.
#
+ou should !e proud.”
;end turned a"ay from the !oy.
“ am.”
That "as all
the affection he ever sho"ed the !oy, and Theus hoped the lad "as clever enough to see it for "hat it "as.
2ood
natured though he "as, ;end couldn&t !e seen giving too much
favoritism to his son, lest it undermine his authority "ith the other soldiers. “Theus,” ;end said, stepping closer, speaking uietly. “ don&t like this.
0irst "e invite a foreign #etherlin to
the city, and no" one of those Light"eavers is here. #pprentice or no, that man is dangerous.
7hy did he come-
%e had to kno" that "e&d imprison him.” Theus didn&t respond. thoughtful as he sat.
nstead, he tried to look
The truth "as, no" that the thrill of
the fight "as "earing off, he simply felt ehausted. )hausted, sore, and old. “ don&t like this, old friend,” ;end "hispered. “$agics and curses.
$ay!e that&s "hy these spirits in the
night kill our people.” Theus met ;end&s eyes.
“That&s foolishness,” he said.
“9on&t let the men hear you say things like that.
The
Corrupted started taking our children long !efore sent for the 'esk.
3esides, you kno" as "ell as do that #etherlins
aren&t cursed.
am one myself.”
;end fell silent, then turned a"ay.
Theus tried to
shrug off his fatigue and focus on the danger at hand. least he "as out of the sun, sitting in the clay(!rick courtyard arming room as he "as.
#t
5uperstition.
%e taught against it, tried to get his
people to em!race the ideas popular in the north.
There "as
one thing
#s long he feared fain ghosts and dark
mysteries, man "ould remain oppressed.
f Theus couldn&t
feel it, if he couldn&t taste it, touch it, or kill it, then he couldn&t afford to !ase policy on it. 3ut "hat to do a!out Corrupted "ho came, consistently, in the nightnot-
7hat of skullmoss that gre" "here it should
%e couldn&t keep every man "ho sa" such things locked
in dungeons. Theus stood up, sending ;end to prepare his chariot. Theus left the arming room, "alking out through the gate. %e glanced !ack at his place.
Once, he had thought the
!uilding to !e among the finest of structures/ much of it "as made of stone, "ell do!!ed "ith mud.
t "as spacious
and ornamented, "ith ma'estic pillars and open courtyards. #nd yet, he "as !eginning to see it in a more and more critical light.
+es, it had a lot of room((t"o courtyards,
three "ings, and a massive rooftop garden.
#nd yet, it "as
in a cro"ded section of to"n, "ith no real fortifications of its o"n.
#ll of those open rooms and pillared courtyards
"ere difficult to defend.
Perhaps if Theus& predecessor had
spent more time fortifying his palace, rather than the city itself, he "ould still rule Partinel. Theus didn&t intend to make that mistake.
%ence the
construction of the ne" palace keep, complete "ith stone "alls of its o"n, t"enty(five feet high, "ith its !ack to the stormsea and its front facing do"n a slope.
t "ould
provide an ecellent fortress of retreat, should the city itself !e !reached.
Theus "ould feel a lot more secure "hen
it "as finished. #ssuming that day ever came. their ecuses, he thought.
Cursed stonemasons and
3etrayer take them.
;end arrived "ith the chariot, and Theus stepped on. %is customary guard of soldiers formed around the vehicle as it !egan to move. “ don&t see "hy you sent for that 'esk,” ;end said. “ never liked them in the city, Theus.
3anishing them "as
the right thing to do.” Theus kept his thoughts to himself. for the ;esk-
7hy had he sent
can&t fight Corrupted, he thought.
$onsters from stories and legends.
t had seemed to him
that a person "ho kne" those legends and stories might kno" ho" to com!at the creatures. %oid, half out of desperation.
#nd so, he had sent for old
%e couldn&t speak those things out(loud, not even to ;end.
Theus, the 3ear of Partinel-
The man "ho denounced
even the )ddau and their religion, calling for aid from a storyteller-
t "ould undermine his reputation.
#nd Theus, more than anyone, understood that a king such as himself ruled solely through force of reputation. 5o he&d sent, then "aited, and ste"ed. had arrived.
0inally, a 'esk
Perhaps if the man had come a fe" days
earlier, Theus "ouldn&t have !een forced to accept aid from Naysho and his foreign #etherlin.
Of course, did he really
"ant to rely on the 'esk any more than he did Naysho and his
The am!assador stood in his deep !lue ro!e, self
satisfied. +es, "e !oth kno" you have the !etter spy net"ork, Naysho, Theus thought, clim!ing do"n from the chariot. “Come to ask the 'esk for a performance-” he asked out(loud. “ "ould see this. . .Light"eaver, Lord,” the man said. “#ssuming am allo"ed.”
Theus "aved indifferently, stomping into the prison cham!er.
# half do4en pits lay in the ground, covered in
"icker traps.
They "ere enclosed !y a !uilding((partially
!ecause that allo"ed for yet another garden on the top, partially !ecause the shade kept his prisoners from dying !efore he "anted them to. “0ourth pit, Theus,” ;end said. Theus "alked over, eyes ad'usting to the shaded interior.
%e suatted do"n, peering into the pit.
The
8apprentice& "as far older than he had epected((at least in his t"enties.
9ark hair, "ith a lean face that might have
made the man seem older than he "as.
%e "ore no !eard.
“+ou think you&re a soldier, do you !oy-” Theus said, amused at the lack of facial hair. The young man looked up.
Then, he raised a hand and
tossed a handful of dust into the air.
mmediately, the
!its of dirt shimmered, forming into an image of a face. man&s face, !urning in fires, the eyes dead.
#
# familiar
face. . . . t "as the face of Teraos.
The assassin "ho had !een
sent to either retrieve the 'esk or kill him.
Teraos:
Theus&s son. “Lies,” Theus said. Light"eaver.”
“+our tricks "on&t fool me,
“%e poisoned my master,” the apprentice said, hidden !ehind the image. dead.
“3ut my master killed him.
3oth are
!urned the !odies myself.” The image faded, seeming to !reak, the individual !its
of dust sho"ering !ack do"n on top of the apprentice.
%e
stared up at Theus/ fe" people had looked on him "ith such defiance and lived. This apprentice "ould not !e one of them.
n a moment
of decisiveness, Theus decided that sending for the 'esk had !een a !ad move.
Naysho&s #etherlin "ould !e a!le to help,
!ut this youth((not even the master, 'ust a !ase apprentice(("ould !e of no use to him other than to undermine his rule. “=ill him,” Theus said, turning a"ay from the pit.
%e
stopped up short, face to face "ith Naysho. “Lord, Theus,” Naysho said smoothly.
“f might have
a "ord.” Theus paused, then "aved a hand, stilling ;end, "ho had pulled out his gladius to kill the 'esk.
Theus turned !ack,
and the t"o of them stepped to the side. “Lord,” Naysho said uietly, “ have a !oon to reuest of you.
Call it. . .a favor "e "ould like in echange for
the time of our #etherlin agent.” “7ho has yet to arrive.”
“The #etherlin "ill !e here soon, do not fear. %o"ever, in the mean time, "ill need something of you(( lest our lord, the king of
# king "ho
still has the t"isted idea that all of the cities of the Cluster should 'oin together.
1nder his !anner, of course.
“7hat is your !oon-” Theus said through gritted teeth. “Leave the Light"eaver alive,” Naysho asked.
“#t least
until our #etherlin arrives to study him.” “7hat "ould !e the purpose-” Naysho spoke even more uietly. Theus-
“9on&t you see, Lord
These 'esks do unnatural things.
They hold no
#ether upon their arm, yet they create magics. 1npredicta!le, false magics, true((!ut magics no #ether can replicate.
This is something "e must understand.”
Theus folded his arms.
“ thought your king denounced
all magics that do not come from #ethers.” “%e does.
Lord Theus, the. . .thing you have in the
pit there is not a human.
t is fain, promise you.
Other"ise, it could not do as it does.
9oes that not
indicate even further "hy "e should study its po"ers-” Theus glanced to the side.
“ make !ut a reuest,” Naysho said.
“+ou need not
consider it a demand, of course.” &m sure.
“@ery "ell,” Theus said.
“t "ill !e as you
ask.” Naysho smiled.
“)cellent.
7e "ill return here to
inspect the Light"eaver once our #etherlin arrives.
7e are
most interested in this opportunity.” Naysho smiled disarmingly to"ard Theus, o!viously "orking hard to look thankful.
%e must have reali4ed ho"
little Theus liked !eing shoved around, and "as trying to soften the !lo". 7hat "ill happen "hen that #etherlin of yours comes, Naysho- Theus thought. source of our pro!lems-
7hat if your agent does discover the 7hat "ill it cost me to get the
ans"er from youOr have you !een the pro!lem all alongfaking the appearance of the Corrupted-
%ave you !een
+et another string,
t"isting a!out me, trying to make me stum!le and fallNaysho apparently took his silence as a dismissal, and the am!assador retreated from the !uilding. his fists in frustration at the manipulation.
Theus clenched %e glanced at
the pit, then "alked over. The 'esk still stared up at him, arrogant. !oy "ish to die, or is he 'ust ignorant-
9oes the
The !oy&s claims a!out Teraos "ere, o!viously, lies. Theus&s son "as more than skilled enough to deal "ith an old man and his storytelling apprentice. #nd yet, %oid had proven surprising on more than one occasion.
Theus leaned do"n.
“7hat really happened to the
assassin, !oy-” “ tell you the truth. “Truth-” Theus said.
$y master killed him.”
“+ou are a 'esk, a self(
proclaimed liar.” “5ometimes, even the liar must speak true.
Other"ise,
his lies hold no "eight.” %is instincts told $idius to kill the young man. then.
3e done "ith it, to earn
their #etherlin and let Partinel rest upon its o"n resources. 3ut he did not.
#s he&d said, he had 'ust enough of a
conscience to !e dangerous. he "as king.
The city "ould not fall "hile
%e might have taken the throne through lies,
!loodshed, and treachery.
3ut he "ould not fail its people.
Not if there "ere a "ay to save it.
Not if there "ere a "ay
to "iggle out of Naysho&s ploys. 2ods dead and gone, he thought to himself in annoyance. t really is the !est "ay.
“9o you kno" "hy summoned your master here, 'esk-” he asked. “To kill him, assume.” “To offer him a chance to redeem himself,” Theus said. “$y friend from
Let him "ait
for a fe" days in here, then "e&ll see ho" silent he is. Theus !egan to "alk a"ay. “+ou "ant me to do something a!out the Corrupted in the city,” the apprentice said from his hole. Theus fro4e.
“5o you do kno" of them.”
“ kno" they are taking your children.” Theus returned to the pit.
“+ou can stop them-”
“ don&t kno",” the apprentice said.
“ certainly
can&t do anything inside this pit.” Theus knelt do"n. your life, !oy.
“+ou stop them, and "ill give you
f you don&t, "ill eecute you.”
The apprentice met his eyes, then nodded. deal.”
“t is a
“+ou run,” Theus said, “and "ill find you.
#nd
"ill kill you.” “ "ill not run,” the apprentice said.
“+ou have my
"ord.” “The "ord of a liar-
No, think not.
One of my
soldiers "ill accompany you at all times.” “ pick him.” Theus raised an eye!ro", amused. negotiation, 'esk.
“This isn&t a
+ou do as say.”
“ pick my guard,” the apprentice said, “from among your men, any one "ish.
#nd, "hen this is done(("hether
solve your pro!lem or "hether you decide to eecute me((and promise to tell you "hat really happened to your son. lies.
No hidden shado"s or illusions. Theus felt a chill.
assassin.
%e kno"s.
Only the truth.”
The identity of the
Of course %oid "ould kno".
7hy hasn&t Teraos returned homeon %oid-
No
s he still "orking
t shouldn&t have taken so long.
Could he really trust a 'esk to make a promise+es, he thought.
+es, can, unfortunately.
There "as
one thing that had seemed true of %oid, no matter "hat. %e&d lie, tell "ild eaggerations, make up "hatever stories he "ished.
3ut he never !roke a promise.
)ven if that promise
had !een to help Theus overthro" a king and take control of Partinel. )ven, apparently, a promise vo"ing never to return from his eile. “@ery "ell,” Theus said, standing.
“7e have an
arrangement, 'esk.” “Theus,” ;end said, taking his arm.
“7hat are you
doing-” “5aving our city, ;end,” Theus said, slapping the hand a"ay.
“+ou trusted me to take the throne "hen "e overthre"
%ollistar.
+ou&ll have to trust me on this as "ell.”
;end hesitated, then nodded.
“ do trust you, Theus.
3ut. . .this is asking a lot.” “ didn&t ask,” Theus said.
“No", get him out so "e
can get on "ith letting him choose his !odyguard.”
The Liar of Partinel Chapter 0ive
“They&ve !een attacking fairly consistently for the last three years,” Theus said uietly. first reports as nonsense.
“7e dismissed the
7e spent months scouring the
city, setting traps, looking for a murderer "ho "as dressing up like a 8Corrupted& as cover.” $idius "alked uietly.
No mention "as made of the
hours he&d spent in the prison pit, and the king gave no offer of food or drink.
$idius "as epected to keep up,
"alking !eside the king&s chariot as they made their "ay to the city gates. #t least they returned my coat, he thought, though he "asn&t looking for"ard to "earing the heavy garment in the gro"ing afternoon heat. “7e have kept the disappearances uiet,” the king continued.
“3ut there are rumors.
#nd, "e still can&t even
confirm that Corrupted really are getting into the city. could !e a hoa !y any num!er of forces.”
%e hesitated.
t
“+et, &ve seen skullmoss gro"ing "ithin the !oundaries of our trune ring.” mpossi!le, $idius thought immediately.
Then, ho"ever,
he forced himself to !e open(minded.
%adn&t he 'ust given a
story a!out the ra!!it and the "olf-
;ust !ecause it hadn&t
ever happened !efore didn&t mean it couldn&t happen. Theus "as frightened.
%e didn&t sho" it, of course,
!ut $idius could think of no other eplanation as to "hy the 3ear of Partinel "ould have spared him.
#s ridiculous as it
sounded, it seemed that the king really "as "orried a!out the rumors of Corrupted in the city.
7orried enough to "ork
"ith a 'esk, despite the fact that he had eiled %oid((and all of his kind((some fifteen years earlier. That eile had, essentially, meant death.
$idius&s
treaties and influence across the Cluster had gained the 'esks eile from every ma'or city in the region.
0inding
food outside of a city((outside of its trune ring(("as nearly impossi!le, particularly for a group of aging storytellers and 'esters.
Only %oid had survived.
s that "hat this is all a!out- $idius thought.
%oid
trains me, then sends me !ack to the city !ecause of the opportunity it presents-
5ave Theus&s throne, and earn the
'esks a life in society again-
Then "hy not come himself-
7hy die, and send his
apprentice“The kidnappings are !ecoming more and more freuent,” the king said from his chariot. this month.
“This is the second one
They&re also penetrating further and further
into the city.” “#nd someho" &m supposed to do something a!out this-” $idius asked. The king&s chariot pulled to a stop as they reached the gates.
Theus glanced at $idius, then pointed.
0ive
heart!eats later, t"o of Theus&s soldiers had $idius slammed up against the rough, patch"ork stone city "all.
Theus
"alked up a fe" moments later. “Listen, 'esk,” he hissed. against my !etter 'udgment.
“ sent for your master
3efore cast them out, the
'esks nearly overthre" my rule "ith their talk of stories and legends.” 5tones from the "all dug into $idius&s !ack.
%e
!linked against the pain. “3ut,” the king continued, holding up a finger. thing "ill admit a!out the ;esks.
They kno" things.
“One %alf
of "hat "e understand a!out the Corrupted come from those !lasted stories your master told. help to me.
dou!t you&ll !e of much
dou!t this city needs you.
highly suspect
that, "hatever is "rong, my. . .other agents "ill !e a!le to fi it long !efore you.” %e fell silent, $idius still held up against the "all. $idius met the king&s eyes, reading the implication in them. 3ut you can&t pass up the opportunity, he reali4ed.
f
there are Corrupted in the city, if the 5kullmoss is gro"ing inside, that means your trune ring is failing. #nd if that happens, the entire city "ill fall. Thousands "ill die, and you "ill lose your throne.
+ou
can&t take that chance, even if it means letting a 'esk help you. Theus "aved, and the soldiers let $idius do"n. “7e&re here,” Theus said. there.
“2uard station is over
+ou can pick your soldier from among them.”
$idius turned, glancing to"ard a !rick hut !eside the inside "all of the city.
%o"ever, instead of heading to"ard
it, he "alked through the gates themselves. # solder, at Theus&s command, gra!!ed $idius& arm a fe" moments later.
3ehind, Theus chuckled.
“0leeing, little
'esk-” $idius turned.
“+ou agreed that could pick any
soldier "anted.” “+ou "ant one of the ones on patrol outside the city-” Theus asked, fro"ning.
$idius shook his head, then pointed up"ard.
To"ard the
rope cages hanging from the top of the city "all.
“%im,” he
said. “7hat-” Theus snapped, pushing his "ay through his soldiers, looking up.
There, in one of the cages, "as the
man $idius had seen earlier. the cages "ore rags.
)veryone else !eing held in
One person, ho"ever, "ore a ragged
!ro"n soldier&s uniform. “+ou can&t pick that one,” the king said. “#ny soldier "ant.
+ou gave me your "ord.”
“ did nothing of the sort.” “+ou implied it,” $idius said, stepping up to the king. “7e had a deal.
+ou let me live, assuming can find out
ho" those Corrupted are getting into your city.
keep a
soldier "ith me to keep an eye on me((!ut only one of my choosing.
+ou "ant to !ack out on our deal, fine.
=ill me
no" and !e done "ith it.” The king stared him do"n.
“+ou reali4e &ve already
killed one man today.” “ don&t dou!t your ruthlessness, king,” $idius said. “Trust me. human life.”
&m "ell a"are of ho" careless you are "ith
“That man isn&t "hat you think,” the king said.
“+ou
epect that !y taking a prisoner as your guard, you&ll gain an ally.
5omeone !itter at me for imprisoning him.”
“ think any person you thought "orthy of hanging from one of those cages is likely to !e a !etter man than the ones you keep close !y you.” The king snorted.
“0ine.
%e&s yours.
One condition.”
$idius raised an eye!ro". “Tell me "here you learned to !e so !old. fool %oid teach you to act like this"ho are your !etters-
9id that
$eet the eyes of men
Provoking kings, instead of !egging
for your life-” “ haven&t al"ays lived in the forest, king,” $idius said.
%e turned a"ay.
“Cut him do"n.”
The king "ave a hand, and a couple of guards ran for the "all.
$idius "atched in silence as they "orked.
7here did you learn to !e so !old%oid had chastised him for that.
# storyteller "as
supposed to !e a man of humility, the master had taught. $ake people hate you, particularly important people, and your stories and lies "ould find no ground to gro". $idius clenched his fists. thought.
&m trying, master, he
3ut it&s difficult, around a man like Theus.
he looks at me, &d rather die than look do"n.
7hen
3ut could he really continue to feel that "ay)nraging the 3ear of Partinel himselfdo-
7hat good "ould that
$en like Theus did not respond "ell to !eing !ullied. should never have come to this city. The soldiers returned a fe" minutes later, !earing a
"eak, scraggly prisoner !et"een them.
%is uniform "as
nothing more than the !ro"n tunic soldiers "ore !eneath their leather and !reastplates, se"n "ith the sym!ol of Partinel on the shoulder.
The guards dropped their prisoner
!efore $idius and their king.
The man slumped do"n, his
!eard thick, eyes do"ncast as if in parody of $idius&s o"n refusal to hum!le himself earlier. 0ortunately, there appeared still !e a taughtness to the man&s muscles.
%e knelt, !ut he did not fall over.
skin "as !urned, !ut he "as not emaciated. up there for too long.
%is
%e hadn&t !een
# fe" "eeks, perhaps, assuming rains
had fallen to give him drink. “$y king. . . .” the man "hispered. $idius started.
%e hadn&t epected to hear respect in
the man&s voice. “=ail,” the king said.
“ have a duty for you.”
“ deserve it not, my king,” the man said, voice ragged.
“
“No,” Theus snapped.
“ need you to guard this man.”
The prisoner, =ail, looked up.
%is lips "ere parched,
yet his eyes "ere keen as he regarded $idius. “f he tries to leave the city&s trune ring,” Theus said.
“=ill him.
me, kill him.
f you think he is "orking to overthro"
5tay "ith him, no matter "here he goes, and
!e prepared to report on his activities.” “t "ill !e done, my king,” =ail said, coughing slightly. Theus unstrapped his o"n s"ord and thre" it to the dust !efore the kneeling soldier.
“5erve "ell, and may 'ust
forgive you enough to let you die on my !lade, =ail.” “)ven the "alls "ere too good for me,” =ail "hispered. Theus looked at $idius, looking self(satisfied. gods, $idius cursed to himself.
9ead
That "asn&t ho" this "as
supposed to go. Theus nodded to his soldiers, leaving $idius standing alone on the field "ith the kneeling prisoner. 6 “5o, =ail,” $idius said, "alking through the dusty Partinel streets.
“7hat is your story-”
The tall soldier "alked !eside him, king&s gladius held in one hand.
%e didn&t ans"er.
“+ou "ent up on the "all voluntarily-” $idius asked. “ thought that condemned soldiers "ere allo"ed to fight Theus to the death-” “ "ould not harm my king,” =ail said, staring ahead. “0ighting him "ould have risked causing him harm.” 2reat, $idius thought.
%e had thought himself clever
for picking the soldier off the "all((he&d assumed that any soldier unfortunate enough to end up in the "all cages "ould !e !itter against Theus. They stopped in an intersection, $idius putting his hands into the pockets of his coat.
To the side, =ail
rested one hand against the "all of a near!y !uilding, "o!!ling slightly and putting the other to his forehead. “=ail-” $idius asked. “&m sorry,” the man said, voice cracking. need to get him some food and "ater, $idius thought. %e looked across the suare, one of the many marketplaces in Partinel.
The day "asn&t particularly !usy,
!ut in Partinel, that still meant that a lot of traffic moved !ack and forth through streets, stalls, and !uildings. $erchants stood sua!!ling, arguing over the value of certain pieces of !arter.
$uch of the food they traded had
originally come from the king&s store, out of "hich soldiers
and farmers "ere paid each day.
5ome fe" carried "rits of
value given !y merchants. $idius, ho"ever, had neither "rit nor !arter.
%e took
a deep !reath, staring at the shifting cro"ds, his heart !eginning to pound. 5top that, he told himself. nervous.
There&s no reason to !e
+ou&ve faced things far "orse than a suare full
of people. #nd yet, he&d never really !een in front of people !efore.
%oid had trained him in the privacy of the forest
hut, teaching him to memori4e stories and tales in rapid succession, giving him lessons in the art of the storyteller.
#ll so that he could stand up and make his "ay
as a 'esk. They&ll "elcome my stories, $idius told himself. That&s "hat %oid said.
No man is more loved than the goodly
liar. %e picked a corner, out of the "ay enough to not !e in anyone&s "ay, and !egan to speak in a hum!le voice. “Tales are diverse regarding the founding of Partinel,” he said.
“#ncient city, older than our grandfathers and
their grandfathers.
%ome to thousands, haven from the fain.
$ost agree that in the Cluster, Partinel is the eldest of
the cities.
Only
history as long.” 5ome fe" stopped to listen, though they looked more confused than they did anything else.
$idius !o"ed to them,
setting a cloth handkerchief on the ground !efore him as he did so((a place for gifts of food. “Of these stories a!out Partinel, one stands out.
n
other cities, it is o!vious "hy trune life can survive. These cities eist in places "here the landscape is harsh, and gro"ing food is difficult.
#ll kno" that fain life is
less hardy than trune life((even the skullmoss cannot live at too high an elevation, or "here "ater is scarce.
$ost
cities in the Cluster eist in such places. “#nd yet, Partinel sho"s none of these signs.
The land
here is relatively fertile, "ater plentiful !ecause of the 5tormsea.
+et, fain life "ill not approach.
it gets too close.
t dies out if
7hen men first discovered the trune ring
here, they assumed((like many((that the ring "ould fade over time, and that fain life "ould encroach. “+et, that did not happen.
9ecades, then centuries,
passed, and this area "as al"ays safe. for humans, their plants, their animals. gro".
t !ecame a haven # city !egan to
Other locations have since !een discovered "ith
similar attri!utes((land "here fain life refuses to gro" for
no eplaina!le reason((!ut Partinel "as the first. first kno"n sta!le trune ring. !lessed.
The
n this "ay, "e kne" it "as
)ven the #ethers themselves agree on this point.”
The people "ho had !een "atching !egan to trail a"ay. $idius reached for them, surprised, feeling his courage falter((for "hich he felt ashamed.
7hy in the "orld should
something as simple as !eing in front of an audience !e so nerve("racking-
%e forced himself on"ard, stum!ling
slightly. “7ell. . .um. . .Partinel. 7here had he !een going-
t has a trune ring.” There "ere so many stories
a!out Partinel, and its origin.
7hich should he use-
The
more fanciful ones, or the more truthful ones%e reached into a pocket, pulling out a handful of colored dust.
%e thre" it in front of himself and used
Light"eaving to make an image of a group of men in foreign clothing, !earing dark !lack #ether 5livers upon their forearms.
This dre" some attention.
“Partinel,” $idius said.
“#nd #ethers.
They say the
first men "ho lived here "ere among the very first #etherlins upon the land.
3ack then, 'ust after the 2ods
died and nearly took the "orld "ith them, these men had very little to rely upon.
They "ere cast out from other men
!ecause of their #ether, "hich "as called dark and evil. The men of 9uskr "ere led to this trune ring. “#ll kno" that 9uskr #ethers are among the most clever and the most intelligent.
They helped their men found this
place.” “+ou contradict yourself, storyteller,” a voice said from !ehind. $idius glanced to the side.
=ail "as "atching him,
seated on the dust, king&s s"ord across his lap. “)arlier,” =ail said, “you claimed that "hen men first found the Partinel trune ring, they epected it to disappear.
+et, no" you claim that the 9uskr #ethers led
man here, and presuma!ly told them that there "as a sta!le trune ring.
7hich is it-”
$idius turned a"ay, !ack to"ard the people, his confidence "avering and his llusionary #etherlins shattering. training-
Part of him "as amused.
7hat of all his
%e&d !een a!le to tell the stories smoothly to
%oid, !ut no" that he had to give an actual performance, he can&t get them out "ithout tripping over his o"n tongue. None of them are paying attention any"ay, he thought, stilling his nerves.
0ocus.
%e closed his eyes.
“Partinel,” he said, starting for a third time. must men have first thought, discovering it-
“7hat
# sea of glass
in the center of a patch of vi!rant trune life-
# sea that
sparks "ith lightning, and a "ide ring of soil ready for crops.” %e thre" out dust, creating an illusionary image of Partinel from a!ove, sho"ing images of men standing on the !anks of the 5tormsea "hen no !uildings had yet !een made. crafted illusions, imaging them in his mind, forming a grand s"ath of vi!rant green gro"ing around the perimeter of the lake. “Partinel*” he said.
“The "ord means paradise.
the land, men stum!led, they die, they starve. there is life.
%ere, "e fight.
#cross
3ut here,
0or "e kno" that the land
"as not al"ays fain. “%ear*
Listen*
%ave hope*”
%e thre" out another
handful of dust, "eaving the light to form an enormous vast landscape, full of trees, plants, and animals. tell you of the coming of fain life. !efore the founding of Partinel.
“Listen "hen
t "as long ago,
9uring those days, "hen
the gods "atched over men, humans could live any"here they "anted.
#ny soil "ould gro" trune life.
“$en lived in great tri!es, moving a!out "here they "ished, like the Chan people still do.
Life "as not hard,
!ut peaceful.
There "as no "ar, for if men offended others,
they could simply move.
There "as no fighting over land,
for men could live upon any !it they "ished* %e pulled from another pocket a third handful of dust. %e "ove light into the form of tri!es moving across the landscape, living in peace, feeding off the land. “#nd then, the 2ods died,” he said, softening his voice as %oid had taught him, his illusion sho"ed a tempest in the sky, follo"ed !y a "ave of creeping "hite covering the landscape.
“#nd "ith their death "as !orn the 5kullmoss,
cra"ling from their corpses, slinking across the land. tried to fight it, to !urn it a"ay. !egan to gro" from it.
$en
#nd yet, fain creatures
5trange, t"isted creatures.
“$en fought, and men lost.
The skullmoss gre" too
uickly, and it fed off of the fallen corpses of the dead, sprouting on them even "hen no fainlife "as near.
$en fled
!ack, and humans "ere pushed further and further to the "est.
#ll "as despair, for they kne" fain "ould soon claim
all.
#nd "hen it did, their families "ould die.” %e stopped, letting the "ords hang, then changed his
illusion !ack to an image of Partinel, a lone ring of life in the middle of the "hite. city.”
“#nd then, they found this
%e opened his eyes.
5ome fe" had stopped to "atch,
mostly children. “This, this is "hat Partinel means. named it paradise. important.
That is "hy they
That is "hy it(("hy you((are so
This land, here, meant life to our ancestors.
t meant hope.
They could not fight fainlife, and could not
live amongst it, for its plants "ere poisonous to man. here "as a place "here mankind "on.
3ut
# place "here he could
survive, "here he could thrive, "here he could live.” $idius smiled to the people !efore him.
The children
stared up at his illusion, captivated !y the image that hung a!ove $idius in the air.
%e knelt do"n to continue.
%o"ever, as he did, several adults noticed him and shooed the children a"ay.
They shot him sco"ling looks, and soon
he "as((once again((left "ithout an audience. distance, people grum!led, epressions dark.
n the They did not
at all look like %oid had promised they "ould. $idius stood up, fro"ning. “They "on&t listen to you, my godless friend,” a voice said. $idius turned, fro"ning to"ard =ail. "asn&t the one "ho had spoken. small figure.
%o"ever, =ail
7atching from !ehind "as a
Perhaps three feet tall, the figure "as stooped, leaning for"ard like a very old man.
+et, $idius "as
familiar enough "ith )ddau to kno" that the creatures all "alked that "ay((half"ay !et"een "alking on t"o legs and "alking on four.
Like all other )ddau $idius had met, this
one "as "rapped completely in gray cloth((mouth, nose, arms, !ody.
Only its !lack, pupiless eyes "ere visi!le !eneath
the cloth, and it "ore a yello", hooded ro!e. “ thought your kind "ere for!idden in the city,” $idius said. “Not for!idden,” the )ddau said, moving for"ard in a shuffling gait.
t had a harsh, raspy voice, muffled !y the
cloth covering its mouth.
“;ust despised.
Like your kind,
actually.” “$y kind-” “The king looks do"n on stories of the past,” the creature said. fantastical.
“Particularly ones that sound "himsical or +ou "ant an audience-
Tell them a!out taes,
or farming techniues, or "here to fish. a!out gods, though.
9on&t tell them
They don&t like that.”
“+ou are a godspeaker-” “$ost of us are, these days,” the )ddau said.
“Our
population responds to shifts in !elief among the godless. Come, storyteller.
+our friend needs food, and you need to
leave this place.
Those merchants "ill not react "ell to
your Light"eaving scaring a"ay their customers.” “Come-” $idius asked.
“7here-”
“7here take you, of course,” the creature said.
“The
'esks "ere friends to my kind once, and "e have long memories.
Let us go.”
The little creature !egan to "addle a"ay, its !ack sho"ing a small, cloth "rapped tail poking out !eneath the !ack of the ro!e.
$idius stood thoughtfully for a time,
then nodded to =ail.
The soldier stood(("ith some effort((
and follo"ed as they trailed the )ddau into the city.
The Liar of Partinel Chapter 5i
Theus "asn&t certain "hat to epect from the
%e&d heard, of course, a!out =ing #ronack&s
training program.
#lready, ne"s of the skill and "isdom of
the
Theus
stood atop the !rick to"er 'ust inside his city "alls, "atching out over the fields. messenger ahead.
The #etherlin had sent a
%e "ould arrive soon.
The Order of #m!erite, a group of soldiers made up entirely of #etherlins.
7here had =ing #ronack found enough
#ether 5livers for such an endeavoran #ether "as a sign of no!ility.
n Partinel, !earing
Theus had pried his o"n
9uskr sliver from the "rist of the dying king !efore him. #ethers, ho"ever, lost something each time they "ere moved from one human to another.
Theus&s o"n had !een moved so
many times that it !arely seemed sentient any more.
The Order of #m!erite, ho"ever, "ere said to !e etremely po"erful "arriors, "ith vi!rant, deadly #ethers. The order "ore !lack, reports said, and "ere dreadful to cross.
They could t"ist the truth out of those they met,
and kne" the secrets "ithin the hearts of all men.
Their
#ethers gave them a distinct advantage "hen it came to understanding others or spying on them.
The Order "as said
to !e !arely human any more, their !odies and minds t"isted !y the #ethers they !ore. #nd &ve invited one into the city, he thought, feeling a !ree4e play "ith his cloak.
The "ind carried the scent of
fain life.
The !one "hite forest circled
5terile, inhuman.
his city, etending in all directions, cut only occasionally !y the !lack scar of a road. The "ooden to"er ladder groaned, and ;end crested the to"er lip a fe" moments later.
%e clim!ed up onto the top,
and Theus&s other guards made room for him. “The 'esk tried preaching stories in a market suare,” ;end reported. him.
“%e used his po"ers, !ut the people re'ected
Then "as contacted !y an )ddau and traveled "ith him
to a local tavern.” “7hich tavern-” “0laen&s place.” 0igures.
“9id you identify the )ddau-”
“Those creatures all look the same,” ;end said, shaking his head.
“7e have men "atching the tavern to see "hat the
Light"eaver does net.” Theus nodded. “There is more,” ;end said.
“The cooper finally !roke
do"n and admitted to fa!ricating the story a!out the Corrupted.” “9o you !elieve him-” ;end shook his head.
“%e&s 'ust trying to get out of
prison.” Theus nodded, still looking out over the forests.
“Put
him in one of the "all cages for five days as punishment for lying, make certain everyone kno"s of the crime, then let him go and give him a ne" shop.” ;end "as silent. “7hat-” Theus asked. “Theus. . .&m sorry.
n his confession, the cooper
admitted to dro"ning his child in the 5tormsea. soldiers heard((a lot of people did.
The
%e started screaming
it from his pit, trying to get someone&s attention.” Theus closed his eyes.
diot fool, he thought.
Cooper "as, of courses, lying.
The
%is story a!out a Corrupted
stealing his child "as too authentic to have !een fa!ricated((it fit in eactly "ith the a!ductions over the
years.
#nd yet, the cooper had o!viously assumed that(("hen
making things up((he had to 'ustify the child&s disappearance. %e should have made something up that didn&t imply he "as a murderer. “)ecute him, then,” Theus said, gritting his teeth. ;end looked a"ay, !ut nodded. %e makes me give the order, Theus thought.
)ven though
he kno"s "hat needs to !e done 'ust as "ell as do. al"ays the "ay it had !een.
That&s
;end and Theus had overthro"n
the city together, !ut the younger cousin had never "anted the throne.
%e couldn&t make the difficult decisions.
“#ny"ay,” ;end said, “Naysho is "aiting for you do"n !elo".
%e&s. . .not very happy.”
Theus gritted his teeth, half tempted to let Naysho sit !elo" and ste".
%o"ever, it didn&t seem a good idea to
antagoni4e them man "hen his #etherlin "as so close to arriving.
7ith a sigh, Theus nodded to ;end, then "alked
over and clim!ed do"n the latter. Naysho "aited !elo", arms folded.
“Lord Theus,” he
said, even !efore Theus&s feet "ere on the ground. this unaccepta!le.” “Oh-” Theus said.
“ find
“+ou let the Light"eaver free,” the am!assador continued.
“9id "e not have an understanding-
+ou "ere to
keep the thing prisoner for me.” “#ctually,” Theus said, “you made me promise not to kill the 'esk, not keep it in prison for you.” “+ou understood eactly "hat meant, your ma'esty,” Naysho said.
“ can only conclude that you deli!erately
tried to aggravate me, "hich is entirely unaccepta!le.” Theus dropped to the dirt, then gave the am!assador a direct stare.
The am!assador started, as if reali4ing that
his previous comment had crossed an unseen line. “Of course,” Naysho said, “ could !e mistaken a!out your intentions.” “+ou are,” Theus said.
“+ou kno" ho" "orried am
a!out. . .events in the city.
released the 'esk to see if
he could provide any assistance to me in this matter.” “+ou already have assistance,” Naysho said.
“Our
#etherlin is a!out to arrive.” “One can never have too much in the "ay of help,” Theus said.
“Perhaps the spirit of competition !et"een the 'esk
and your man "ill keep them !oth focused. for his life.
The 'esk "orks
f he fails, &ll give him to you.”
“#nd if he succeeds in finding the secret-” Naysho asked.
Theus turned a"ay. you.
“&ll pro!a!ly still give him to
#fter all, &ll still !e in your de!t for !ringing in
the #etherlin.”
;ust not as much in de!t as if that
#etherlin had solved my pro!lems. “Lord,” a voice called from the to"er a!ove.
“Chariots
approaching*” Theus nodded, "alking over to the city gates.
%e left
them open most of the time to accommodate farmers moving in and out of the fields((the real city !order "as the edge of the trune ring, "hich his patrols "atched "ith care. #s soon as Theus reached the gate opening, he could see a cloud of dust rising in the distance.
%e stood, arms
folded, "atching as three chariots((t"o horses each((!urst from the forest and road do"n the road through the fields. 0armers stood up, "atching.
7hile t"o of the three
chariots !ore four people each, the one in the middle had only one rider.
# person in !lack, "ith a cloth "rapped
a!out the face to protect from the dust and "ind of riding. #nd so, "e "elcome the asp in through our front door, Theus thought as the riders approached.
%oping that it "ill
kill our pests, !ut not gro" hungry for our o"n flesh. The chariots pulled to a stop, thro"ing up dust in a cloud around them. had seen !efore.
The horses "ere larger than any Theus %orses in general "ere small, "eak things,
"ithout the strength of an o or !ull co".
Their only real
use "as pulling chariots((they couldn&t even carry a rider on their !acks "ithout risking harm. +et, these
Taller !y a hand than any horse Theus had seen
!efore, "ith dark !lack coats and "ide hooves.
The rider in
!lack leaped from his chariot, then pulled free the head "rap.
# head full of !right red hair spilled out.
5"eat(
slickened and tangled from the etended ride, it "as long enough to reach all the "ay do"n the rider&s !ack The hair had a !right !lue !o" in it.
The #etherlin,
it appeared, "as female. “7ell,” the "oman said.
“Partinel at last.
assume
you&re the king-” Theus nodded. “9elightful* for dinner.
+ou&ll have to invite me to the palace
%o"&s tomorro"-”
“1h. . .that "ould !e accepta!le,” Theus said, fro"ning.
The "oman had !ro"n
almond face.
5he had a strong((if slightly short((figure,
indicating that she might !e a "arrior of the reputation Theus had epected. +et, he&d never met a "arrior "ho seemed as. . .!u!!ly as she "as.
“&ve "anted to come visit here for ages,” the "oman continued, pulling off her gloves. things to say a!out Partinel. ?uite marvelous.
“)veryone has such nice
#n ocean inside a city.
Then, of course, there&s the 3ear of
Partinel.”
5he hesitated, glancing at Theus.
more hair.
#h, "ell.
“ epected
Naysho, "here&s the em!assy-
&m
!eat*” Naysho raised a hesitant hand.
“. . ."ill lead you,
lady #etherlin.” Not "hat you "ere epecting either, eh Naysho- Theus thought.
0or some reason, that made the "oman&s arrival
even more odd. “#re you certain you "ouldn&t like to talk "ith the king some more-” Naysho asked.
“9iscover more a!out his
pro!lem-” “Of course &ll talk to him more,” the "oman said. “That&s "hat dinner is for.
%onestly, Naysho, you should
try harder to pay attention to "hat people are saying. #ny"ay, if &m forced to chat any longer, &ll likely die of starvation, thirst, fatigue, and sore feet.” “5ore feet-” Theus asked.
“9idn&t your horses !ear you
here-” “+es, !ut &m very empathetic,” the "oman said, clim!ing !ack onto her chariot.
“Coming, Naysho-”
The am!assador sighed audi!ly, then moved to comply. %e paused !eside Theus, then leaned in.
“ "as hoping for
someone else, your ma'esty, !ut do not let Lady +unmi&s personality distract you.
5he is very good at "hat she
does.” #nd "hat is that- Theus thought.
#nnoy people-
%o"ever, he said nothing further as Naysho clim!ed onto the chariot and led the #etherlin a"ay. 6 The em!assy "as a three(story !rick !uilding "ith a garden on top.
+unmi eyed it critically as she clim!ed from
the chariot. “
“Oh,
=ing #ronack sends
you commendations((he&s very pleased "ith the "ork you&ve !een doing here.” Naysho nodding.
%e "as a !it stiff for her tastes, !ut
he "as "ell regarded !ack in
t "as
light and airy, like a voice carried on the !ree4e, and felt lethargic.
. . .king. . .
+unmi glanced do"n at the rose(colored crystal em!edded into her forearm 'ust a!ove her "rist.
=ing Theus- 5he
thought. #ether. . . the voice responded, dull, slo", like a large !oulder shifting in place. 5o Theus does have one.
9id you speak to it-
. . .not. . .respond. . . her #ether replied.
. . .is
too old. . .should !e allo"ed. . .death. . . +unmi considered that, then hopped off her chariot, "aving to her attendants. the area.
“>asho, make certain to secure
2o check those !uildings across the street((three
of them have a good vie" into "indo"s of the em!assy, and "ant to kno" "ho is living in them and if they&ve ever allo"ed people in to spy on the em!assy. 5haikan, hit the markets.
Tanman, Crednah,
"ant to kno" anything and
everything people are saying a!out the kidnappings and the Corrupted.
The rest of you, !egin setting up my things
inside the em!assy.” “Lady +unmi-” Naysho asked as her men !egan to move. “9on&t you "ant to rest, like you told the king-” “&m feeling remarka!ly invigorated,” she said, striding into the !uilding. conversation, Naysho.” %e flushed again.
“$ust !e your eciting
. . ."hy. . .taunt him. . . - 2limmer said from her hand.
+ou. . like him. . .you said. . . t&s a human thing, she replied. #h. . . The interior of the !uilding "as as she had epected.
Partinel "as a po"erful city, !ut one that((like many in the Cluster((eisted !y !alancing on the very edge of collapse. There "asn&t room for things like ornamentation and frivolity in Partinel, for every space had to !e used for gro"ing food.
)ven in the small em!assy, there "ere garden
!oes hanging from each of the "indo"s, and the corners of the rooms held pots gro"ing small fruit trees.
+unmi
clim!ed the clay !rick steps, moving to the second floor. Naysho follo"ed. “Lady,” he said.
“There is more that didn&t
disclose, not even in my letter to the king.” 5he turned, reaching the second floor and raising an eye!ro". “5kullmoss,” he said. myself.
“n the city.
sa" it gro"ing
inspected it !efore =ing Theus even heard of its
eistence, and do not think it "as fake.” Naysho stepped for"ard, ecited. opportunity.
“7e have a perfect
f you can discover the reasons for these
distur!ances, then "e "ill have a po"erful grip on Theus and
his people.
#ssuming things gro" !ad enough in the city, "e
"ill !e a!le to force them to accept Lord #ronack&s rule as a su!'ect city "ithin the kingdom.” +unmi raised an eye!ro", then hopped up on a "indo"sill, sitting do"n, s"inging her legs as her men inspected the !uilding, checking for suspicious hollo"s or doors that Theus&s agents may !e using to spy on Naysho. “+ou don&t really understand "hat is going on here, do you, Naysho-” she asked idly. “)cuse me, Lady-” “This isn&t a!out dominating Partinel,” she said. 7ait, 2limmer asked.
t. . .isn&t. . .-
7ell, not completely, she said.
%ush no".
&m making
a speech. “7hat is it a!out, then-” Naysho asked. “9o you kno" anything of the city Tshor-” “Certainly,” he said.
“t used to lie do"n the river
from here, a "ealthy and reputa!le place.” “1sed to-” +unmi asked. Naysho fell silent for a moment.
“t fell to the
fainlands some years !ack.” +unmi tapped her fingers against the clay "indo"sill. 5he felt an empathetic uestion from 2limmer, a uestion if
she "as all right.
Not "ords((he "as "eak at those right
no"((!ut 'ust a feeling. &m fine, she told him. Tshor. . . he said. 9on&t !e ridiculous.
7hy "ouldn&t !e-
$akes you. . .sad. . . !arely even remem!er the place.
2limmer didn&t reply. “Lady-” Naysho asked. “&m talking to my #ether, Naysho.
9on&t interrupt((
he&s t"ice as interesting as you are, if far less attractive.
Comes from not having arms, legs, a head, or. .
."ell, even a !ody.” ;oke. . .- 2limmer asked.
. . .don&t understand. .
.human humor. can still dream, +unmi said to him.
“#ny"ay, his
highness((=ing #ronack((is uite "orried a!out "hat happened in Tshor.” “3ut that&s many years past*” “#nd !efore it fell,” +unmi said, “there "ere reports of Corrupted infiltration and fain !easts pro"ling the streets.” Naysho fell silent. “%uman !eings are a dying !reed, Naysho,” she said. “t&s like "e&re foreigners in our o"n land((flo"ers in a field gro"ing only "eeds.
The fainlands continue to choke
us out, one at a time.
Partinel might not !e our city, !ut
every human settlement that falls to the fain is one less potential ally.
t&s time "e stopped sua!!ling among
ourselves and focused on the real danger.” “3ut, Lady,” Naysho said. fainlands or the skullmoss.
“7e can&t fight the
There&s simply no "ay.
f "e
!urn and salt the land, "e can&t gro" anything on it either. f "e kill fain !easts, skullmoss simply gro"s out of them and pollutes everything near!y.” %e lies, 2limmer said.
They can. . .!e !eaten.
%e isn&t lying, +unmi replied.
That&s simply "hat he
thinks. %e. . thinks "rong. t "asn&t a ne" argument.
#ethers al"ays maintained
that defeating the fainlands "as possi!le. they didn&t seem to kno" ho".
1nfortunately,
No!ody did.
+unmi had !een sent to change that.
f there "ere any
place to learn the secrets of ho" the fainlands, and the Corrupted, "ere infiltrating trune rings, it "as in Partinel. %o"ever, !efore she got do"n to saving the "orld, there "as something she needed to do. Naysho to 'ump slightly.
5he stood up, causing
“#nd no",” she declared, holding up a hand dramatically.
“ shall take a nap.”
