Page 80 of Requiem of Silence

Relief warred with disappointment. Part of her had hoped… What? That the stone would allow her to be the hero instead of the villain for once? She tried to shake off the dismay. But who could gainsay the Breath Father? He’d called her wise to avoid the death stone’s power.

Slowly, his figure retreated back toward the far edge of the lake. “Your path is your own, Kyara, but remember what I have said. Balance is the key to the universe. It is all we truly need, and you must find it or create it both within and without in order to succeed. The scales require a sacrifice. They are waiting.”

The steam began to retreat, reversing its course as if it was being sucked back into the water. The man of air and mist joinedwith it to sink down beneath the surface of the once-again tranquil lake.

The intense sense of power retreated with him until she no longer felt it constricting her. She turned to find that she was no longer on an island in the middle of the lake but once again at the entrance to the Origin caldera. She retreated on shaky legs, hoping she could find her way back, but for the moment, not caring if she did.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Dance with unhalting steps to share

your joy.

Offer it to the ground.

Stamp the soil down.

And let it echo across the land.

—THE HARMONY OF BEING

True to her word, Zeli told stories while they traveled across the country in the great mechanical walker. Stories of the land of Varten’s father, a place he’d never seen and hadn’t really thought much about before. But he hung on her every word.

She painted a picture of a childhood that was so different from Varten’s as to be unrecognizable. She did not speak of her parents or of losing her Song—except for a brief mention that it had happened when she was just six years old.

Mostly she spun tales of walking barefoot around a picturesque lake near her home, enjoying the quiet moments of sunlight on her face in between chores, the taste of kinnifruit juice dribbling down her chin or the pies and tarts the staff would share after some big celebration or other, when food was unusually plentiful.

He wondered at the spaces between her stories, the things she left out. There was no talk of school, though she’d learned to read and write in order to better serve her mistress, a girl of the same age who sounded as selfish and spoiled as any Elsiran aristocrat. (And people thought their two races were so different.) She did not speak of having friends or time to wander and play and cultivate her own interests. She talked around so many topics that Zeli’s Lagrimar was a tapestry full of holes.

The Tinker was largely quiet as he operated the vehicle, shining a sweeping light out before them to illuminate the countryside at night. Varten had a thousand questions he kept inside, not wanting to interrupt or bring up things that may be painful. He was happy to listen and imagine what it must have been like, growing up the way she did.

She talked until her voice grew raspy, and then she fell asleep. At some point during the night, her head slipped onto his shoulder. He was wide awake, holding himself very still, eyes closed, not wanting to jostle or move her. Enjoying the weight of her against him, but knowing he did not deserve the simple act of trust.

He must have also fallen asleep at some point because when he next opened his eyes, sunlight streamed in through the tinted glass and Gilmer City rose up before them.

The city was at the edge of a large lake, partially bordered by mountains.Leggsyrounded the far side of the lake, traveling between its sparkling green-blue waters and a busy roadway. Themetropolis they approached was much larger than Rosira, but unlike in Melbain City, giant buildings didn’t poke out across the skyline.

This place was constructed differently. Spread out across the north of the lake, the structures were lower, six to ten stories for most, with many shorter than that. Snowcapped mountains loomed up behind it to the north and even the air inside ofLeggsyhad cooled considerably during the trek.

Though they hadn’t used roads for most of the trip, as the vehicle approached the city, the Tinker was obliged to merge onto the highway. The streets were clogged with people evidently headed into Gilmer City and toward the Rumpus. They traveled at a snail’s pace, along with everyone else, but soon enough the highway turned into a wide avenue bordered by brightly colored boxy buildings painted in vibrant blues and yellows and reds. Some were brick, some stone, and others of a material Varten had never seen before, solid, yet porous with odd striations in it.

“Ye’ll want to get to the city center,” the Tinker said, eyes alight. “That’s where everything happens. I’ve a spot to set oldLeggsydown that isn’t too far away.”

His “spot” was actually the flat roof of a wide building, painted a shade of green that did not occur in nature.Leggsyclimbed the structure easily and then hunkered down into its resting state, where its legs were jumbled and looked like nothing more than a junk heap.

This time, they climbed out the top hatch of the contraption and then down a ladder bolted to the side. Once they were all firmly settled, the Tinker got his bearings.

“City center is down there, just past that domed building. I’m going to head over to my favorite pub, out of the madnessand whatnot. All that’s for young people.” He grinned and Varten wished they didn’t have to part. There was something so warm and calming about his manner, his strange accent, even his metal ear.

“We can’t thank you enough,” Zeli said. She knelt to where Ziggy stood at her feet, wagging his articulated tail. “And I will miss you, too.” He yipped, and ran up to give her face another licking for good measure.

“Thank you,” Varten said, holding out his hand. The Tinker enclosed it in a warm grip and shook.

“I hope ye find what yer looking for,” he said, eyes twinkling. “If it’s anywhere, it’ll be in the Rumpus.”

A wooden staircase led from the roof to the ground, five stories below. They climbed down with Lanar bringing up the rear. He had been quiet for the entire trip, barely saying a word, to the point that Varten had nearly forgotten the man was there. Now his expression was so occluded Varten wasn’t sure if he was still angry or completely indifferent.

The feeling of deep shame returned as they stood on the corner, saying their good-byes and then watching the Tinker’s retreating form. Zeli peered up at Varten, her concern more evident than ever. He dug up a smile for her and then turned in the direction they were supposed to go. “We’d better get started.”

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