19th Anticipation (cont’d)

There’s a knock at Perdix’ door. It’s the Finger. He wants to see Perdix. Ishkin tells Perdix; Perdix tells Ishkin to tell the Finger that Perdix is deep within their research and not to be disturbed. He opens the door and asks the Finger if there’s a message. The Finger’s taken aback at the size and state of the room: the tree, the open ceiling, the flooded garden, the castle. The Finger asks if Ishkin pretended to have a conversation with Perdix, as it’s quite clear Ishkin’s the only person in the room. Perdix is in the castle, says Ishkin. Do I look like an idiot? says the Finger. I don’t know, says Ishkin. Did you take into account the fact that Perdix is a dragon-wizard? No, says the Finger. Who are you? says the Finger. His, uh, acolyte, says Ishkin. How long does my cousin expect his researches to keep him busy? I don’t know. Probably days. The other Perdix has been gone for days as it is. The other Perdix? Ishkin stumblingly explains what he can of the fact that there are two Perdices, Shotik and Abakoshi, and how they seem much closer to each other than other magi. He is asked to explain how he met them; Ishkin describes the advent of the Judge, and his condemnation, and Perdix’ rescue of him, and their promise to train him in their religion. Which one said this? Both, probably. They talk in unison a lot. I see. Pass along my greetings.

The Finger, followed by his spymaster, heads to the Scarecrow King. Which room? He orders something strong and goes up to beard Perdix in his den. Ah, family. After much discussion, he walks out with an appointment to see them after the Day of Knowledge. Mena, who went downstairs to drink some water during the altercation, is brought back by Ilba. Her eyes are bloodshot. She looks a little haggard.

Ishta’s sleeping in. Nil has Lhimpat memorizing the ten-and-five. Ishtaalhlhi’ asks Kline if he has a first name. Just Kline, says Kline. I see, says Ishtaalhlhi’.

There’s another knock on Perdix’ door. Nil hands Ishkin a note and tell him he’ll be in his chambers if there’s a response. Ishkin opens the note when Nil’s gone, but it’s in Cholæic. He can’t read it. He sighs and trudges through the swamp and tracks mud through the castle. Will you be needing me this afternoon? says the note. Tell him no, says Abakoshi. Ishkin goes and knocks on Nil’s door. He says no, says Ishkin. I mean she says. I mean they say. Nil closes the door in the midst of Ishkin’s conjugation.

Calvus describes Aponta’s daily routine for the next fifteen years of his life. (See Matt’s notes.) Ndapé takes great pleasure in elaborating on Calvus’ outline. If you are to succeed in killing that servant, says Calvus, you must work hard. You know about that? says Aponta. Did you think your conversations were private? says Calvus. Nothing is private, says Ndapé.

Stand and recite, says Nil. Lhimpat goes and stands on the chalkmark on the floor and tries to recite the ten-and-five.

Abakoshi calls Mitahaffi over and begins her spell. Do you hear something? Cats? says Mitahaffi. You hear cats? Does this spell make cats? says Mitahaffi. Can you do that? Yes, says Abakoshi. Now, be quiet. If I don’t get this right, we could die. Actually, the chance of death is rather slim.

Do you hear something? asks Shotik. Cats? says Mina. No, says Shotik. I taste copper. Copper? says Shotik. My mother had a copper pot. She used it to make soup.

I taste soup, says Mitahaffi. Then he tries to draw his sword, frowns, and falls on his face. Mina goes into a grand mal seizure. Perdix is reconnected. They tell Ilba to get someone to help Mina. They tell Ishkin to get Nil. Ilba tries to help Perdix walk; Perdix’ sea-legs are gone. Ilba tells Gieron to get help for Mina. Gieron’s appalled. He runs for Tishkilla and tells Jerry on the way that Perdix did something horrible to the Weaver’s assistant. Tishkilla and Heshe (who’s wiggy from Monkey-shit) go to help Mina; Gieron goes to assemble the rest of the priests to discuss what will be done about this.

Nil goes in and Perdix tells him they’re back. What is to be done with him? Get him as far away from me as possible. Nil gets Ishkin, tells him to get Mitahaffi into the town, tells him to tell Gi after that.

Jerry tells Gi that Perdix has fucked up the Weaver’s assistant. What? says Gi. Gi tells Jerry to go warn Ishta, because the priests will react angrily; then he goes to tell Sonata, who did hear the shouting earlier. Gi’s going to the Scarecrow King; Sonata goes to Perdix’ room.

Jerry goes to warn Ishta, and Ishta immediately tells Nishoba to get Tully’s healing kit. Nishoba’s pissed. He’s going to lose this entire day’s worth of work. Fine, says Ishta. I’ll do it. But there’s no answer at Tully’s door; she grabs her own kit and drinks a levitation potion, floating out of her tower to head to the Scarecrow King.

Perdix is within the Great Hall, now; the spell collapses. Mina’s seizure stops, suddenly. Mitahaffi sits up and tries to say something, but his words come out of Mina’s mouth. The priests are surprised and try to answer her. Mitahaffi starts yelling. He can hear his voice from outside; the guards help him over to the Scarecrow King.

Much discussion in the Scarecrow King. When Mitahaffi and Mina are apart, their voices swap. (Mina says something as Mitahaffi tries to drink his much-needed beer). Arguments about whether it’s to be expected when you get involved with dragon-wizards that dragon-wizardry will be involved, and how they seem to be mostly okay, but reparations ought to be demanded, and anyway there’s that thing with the voice. —Gi briefs Murry. Ishta lands as they’re speaking. Ishta heads into the Scarecrow King and buys food and drink for everybody.

Murry and Gi discuss the situation. Ishta’s sitting quietly at the same table. Murry’s annoyed, since Perdix didn’t warn him about this, and he wants the voice thing resolved. Gi gives Murry a parma ring to try; it doesn’t work. It might just end at sunset, says Gi. I’m not panicking, I’m not calling for Perdix’ head, says Murry. Of course, says Gi. The priests are going to be much more angry. Want me to behead any of them? says Murry. What? says Gi. Never mind.

Tishkilla discuss reparations with Ishta. Ishta doesn’t argue. Tishkilla also wants a public apology from Perdix. I’ll see what can be done, says Ishta. We’ll sort it out by the Day of Knowledge. And the voice thing? Does Perdix have to do that? We’ll investigate, says Gi.

Ilba leads Perdix to their room; Perdix comes out of the castle; they walk towards each other and crash into an embrace in the middle of the muddy garden, muttering to each other, unwinding all the conversations they’ve had while apart. Sonata assembles into herself on the balcony, and asks Nil how things are going; it all seems all right now, says Nil, but it’s Perdix. Cameron and Hoopoe are watching through the open door; Ishkin steps in and slams it in their faces. Oh, says Cameron.

Sonata offers to keep an eye on Perdix. Nil asks Perdix if there’s anything he can do, should he begin his own inquiry? I don’t want to think about it, says Perdix. Nil takes this as permission.

Murry passes Nil on the way out. Murry has a message for Perdix. Should I tell Ishkin your message? says Nil. No, says Murry, I should deliver it myself. He knocks on the door. Ishkin opens it. Is your master indisposed? Yes, says Ishkin. In that case, says Murry, would you pass this message along to them? Murry punches Ishkin in the nose. Ishkin sits down, heavily, in the mud. Murry gently closes the door and walks away. Nil opens it; what was that? says Ishkin. I want to speak with you, later this week. Nil goes back to his room and instructs Lhimpat in drawing designs on parchment: lines, circles, angles.

Sonata’s sitting on Perdix’ balcony, watching the clouds.

Perdix asks Ilba what she saw or heard or felt or tasted. Did you hear cats? No, says Ilba. But my brother used to. When we were apart. Perdix tells Ilba to go down for melos. Ishkin’s barred the door, and tells her he won’t let her back in; how will he know it’s her and not someone who’ll punch him in the nose again? —He lets her back in, regardless. So, says Perdix. Am I your brother now? No, says Ilba. But I would expect this sort of thing to happen if we’re married. We can’t be married, says Perdix. I’m your apprentice, says Ilba. You’re my parens. That’s like being married. No it isn’t, says Perdix. Well maybe to Monkey, says Ilba. I see.

Gi’s more than happy to speak with Perdix on Ishta’s behalf. He looks down at the beer. I’ve already broken my fast.

Calvus and Palpebra discuss training, which has nothing to do with Perdix at all. Hans is summoned to describe his magic for Calvus. I can control things, says Hans. People? I haven’t tried, sir. Animals, though. —Palpebra discusses the relative strengths of Hans and Claudio. Claudio’s much better. If he were magical, I’d drop Hans in an instant. Hans has heard all this before. If Claudio were magical, he’d drop Palpebra in an instant.

Ishta goes to speak with the priests, but the Weaver doesn’t want to deal with this. She speaks to Tishkilla, and asks for a list of reparations, and if it’s a luxury item, they’ll need some time, and they want it wrapped up by the Day of Knowledge, so could it be soon? Keep bringing gifts and we’ll tell you when we’re satisfied, says Tishkilla. Oh, it should be a definitive answer, says Ishta. It doesn’t have to be something small, but it must be something definite. Mina, says Tishkilla, I think you owe enough to allow her to set up her own household.

Nil’s training Lhimpat; the lines are moving and shifting and changing. A lesson I’m not sure you’ll understand, says Nil. Always do more than you’re asked. The magus Perdix has been having some difficulties, and I’ve been keeping track. I haven’t met Perdix, says Lhimpat. I’ll introduce you, says Nil. Stand and recite, and then we’ll learn what those words mean.

Gi knocks on Perdix’ door; Ishkin’s nervous. Are you going to hit me in any way if I open this door? Why should I? Ask Murry. I will. Ishkin opens the door, hiding behind it. He points toward the castle with his stick. Gi and Perdix speak in low, measured tones about what has occurred. Perdix promises to be contrite, and to repay the covenant personally, if Gi will not yell at him. Gi wants it in writing. Gi wants to know what Perdix will do to repay the magi for the lost time, calming madames, and crowds. What would you like? says Perdix. I’ll think about it. Maybe I’ll wait to see what the priests leave.

Nil discusses the concept of joint instruction of apprentices with Gi. Nil then goes over his notes with Gi. Nil’s been running checks twice a day; Gi wants to know if Nil let Perdix know about the dampening effect the doubles were having. I assumed, says Nil; a generous assumption, says Gi. A cord’s been opened, even if it is a minor cord. That’s troublesome. Nil’s pointing out the shell around Ilba, and whether it’s mimicking Shotik’s echo, or a snapshot of Perdix at the moment it appeared, but it’s combining elements of both, which is why it’s gibberish here, and here. You think this has to do with her background? says Gi. Oh, of course, says Nil. It’s complicated enough that I doubt she could do it consciously. So she’s not been released by the Monkey, has she. She’s still tainted. And she’s connected to Perdix? Yes. Who, by the way, has promised contrition. But not a public apology. That would make things worse, Perdix speaking publicly, says Nil. Did I ever tell you how he apologized to Tully? says Gi. —Some discussion of personal reparations. Ah, well, says Nil, Perdix is my primary experiment. That’s your own lookout, then, says Gi. Nil then points out an odd line on Perdix’ mentem profile. He isn’t sure if it’s something Perdix is stealing from Ilba or Ilba is stealing from Perdix. This is a tangled, tangled mess, says Gi. Ilba arrives with a note from Perdix for Gi; he quizzes her about what happened. —Nil suggests Gi and Sonata interview Ilba each to attempt to discover more about what’s going on.

There’s a knock at Murry’s door. It’s Calvus. Murry runs through his understanding of what happened. Murry gives Mitahaffi a note that says It’s okay, Murry ordered it, and sends him to wait behind the door to the barracks and hit over the head whoever walks through the door, since everyone knows to expect an attack when they go into Murry’s office now. —Calvus goes to speak with Perdix.

Nil goes to speak with Sonata about learning more about Monkey-magic, just to get a better picture of what might be involved. Sonata apologizes; she’s blind to it, now, and her notes would be incomprehensible to Nil. Too much Lemmitism.

Gi and Calvus bump into each other in the hall, Gi leaving Perdix, Calvus on his way to speak with Perdix. Some discussion of contrition, and the inevitable council meeting. As well as the military. And the priests.

Gi goes to speak with Ishta, down in the Great Hall. Want to go to a parlor and talk? —Tishkilla wants us to keep bringing gifts until they say it’s enough, says Ishta. Some discussion of how to arrive at the proper level of reparations.

Calvus knocks at Perdix’ door. Ishkin tells him Perdix is indisposed. Ishkin and Ilba argue about who will open the door and who will wake Perdix and Ishkin goes to wake Perdix and Ilba lets Calvus in. Calvus walks through the spell with his parma up high and bellows at Perdix through the window. Perdix agrees with Calvus’ essential points: Mitahaffi is to be healed; the reparations paid to the military must match those paid to the priesthood. If you could walk back through the reflecting pool? says Perdix. You’ll do less damage that way.

Sonata goes through her Monkey-notes, rewriting them for public consumption.

Calvus finds the parlor where Gi and Ishta are speaking. They share the results of their various conversations. Some discussion of Lætitia’s apology, from back in the day. What’s prudent and what isn’t, in terms of reparations. This is gonna bleed us, says Ishta. Badly. I’m tired, says Gi. I want to be tired from studying, says Gi.

Tully goes to investigate the soldier; he sends Marzipan with a magnifying glass to inspect the Weaver’s assistant.

Calvus updates Circumcessor with a quick note. There’s a comment about the bad storm, without an actual inquiry.

meta

“I told you about the whore, right?”