names
13th Communion (cont’d)
scenes
The bugs are trying to figure out whether to make Waakimbala really strong and powerful, to negotiate with the magi as an equal, or really weak, so he doesn’t seem to be a threat. Maybe a four-foot tongue that can shoot through a person’s skull? That would impede his speech. Who needs to speak when you have a four-foot tongue that can shoot through a person’s skull? Now, now, says Waakimbala. No need to rearrange the storefront if the product’s still selling. We should kill our emissary and take over someone the magi respect! Who do the magi respect? The enormous burned one! Yes! Would you go get the burned one and tell him to put insects in his ear? Waakimbala points out the flaws in this plan. What about antennæ? Yes! We can’t have a blind emissary. Grow antennæ!
Murry and Calvus are looking for each other. Calvus goes to Murry’s office (“Stop,” he says, to the guy waiting in the corner with the stick) and waits, while Murry goes to Calvus’ rooms, where he finds Ndapé, who tells him meeting with Murry was on Calvus’ agenda for the day. Murry heads to his office.
Gi tells Perdix’ apprentice that Perdix is sober now, and that he will have the Chatelaine make up a room for her; she can’t sleep in the library, or with a male apprentice. I’d rather not sleep alone, she says. Any reason? I can think of several. I haven’t slept alone since before I came here, and I don’t like to think of doing it. Do you have any objection to sharing a room with one of the female magi? Utchka, perhaps? I don’t know who that is, says Ilba. I’ll introduce you, says Gi. Or perhaps Ishta? Her head’s solid, says Ilba. That would be fine. —Gi goes to talk to Ishta; once he’s left, Cameron advises her not to “accidentally” drop one of Ishta’s vials. They can be very violent. You write a lot, says Ilba. Yes, says Cameron. So it’s your way of making things happen? It can be, says Cameron. I don’t have to write to cast spells, but it makes it easier. In what way? I don’t have to strain, says Cameron. I’m used to things happening almost on their own, says Ishta. I’ve gotten that impression, says Cameron. So you make things? You’re not a channel for things? In a way, says Cameron. I’m channeling something, but I’m consciously choosing to channel it. It’s not accidental. I don’t get the impression it’s entirely accidental with you, says Cameron. It’s more like you cook by stirring things together so you see what they’ll do. —Some discussion of emphasizing the energies that are already there. (“I couldn’t curse this table,” says Ilba.) Could you bless something that was good? Monkeys don’t specialize in blessing things, says Ilba. Aren’t you trying to become not a Monkey? says Cameron. Easier said than done. Would you like a backrub? says Cameron. No, says Ilba. Too bad, says Cameron. A lot of people really like that spell.
Gi knocks on Ishta’s door; Ishta and Nishoba are both there. Answer the door, says Ishta. Do you wish to see the maga Vitreus Illuminata? Yes, says Gi. She’s wearing an apron. May I speak with you alone? Nishoba leaves (to go right outside and listen). I don’t know if it’s a new development, says Gi, or if it’s been coming for a while, but Perdix and their apprentice have had a bit of a falling-out. Is this the dream-stuff? says Ishta. Dream-stuff? says Gi. What dream-stuff? Ishta does her best to fill Gi in on what happened while he was out. —There’s a dream-Monkey: you met the dream-Monkey, right? Insomnium? No? Oh, Love and Reason. Some Monkey that has similar affinities as Somnex. Apparently Ilba was supposed to be a Monkey princess or queen or something. And then Sonata heard a big boom, and Ilba was, well, that’s how Ilba got her head got shaved, because she was talking to this Monkey—Ilba invited this Monkey in? says Gi, thinking of Sonata. But this really upset Perdix, who took her down and sheared off her hair, and that was it. I mean, I know there’s more to it than that, but that’s what I know. Oh, says Gi. I’ll ask Ilba for more information. But this is another incident. What’d she do? says Ishta. Gi thinks for a moment. And I’m not sure if she did this inadvertently or on purpose, he says. But she did something to Perdix’ hash. Seems a little petty, says Ishta. Magically? Or did she smoke it or something? Monkey-curse, says Gi. Oh, shit, says Ishta. So Perdix has sent Ilba away for three days, says Gi. You want me to beat her? says Ishta. No, no, says Gi. I don’t think she’s in a good place, and she needs somewhere to stay, and it shouldn’t be by herself, and I think you would be the most appropriate choice. So long as she knows it’s not a free ride, says Ishta. I’m not going to have her just sit around. Nishoba’s been working on communication rings, making those. Ilba could help. Wouldn’t be bad for her to understand the workings of a lab, says Gi. No fucking around with Nishoba, either, says Ishta. No fucking around? says Gi. You know how apprentices are, says Ishta. Keep her away from anything you don’t want broken. Broken? says Ishta. She’s volatile, says Gi. She’s not—I don’t want to say she’s not clean, but she’s tainted. She’s fifteen, says Ishta. Gi explains Perdix isn’t coming to the council meeting, but Gi intends to convince them to come. They can’t just dump an apprentice on a covenant like this. Too many magi don’t think about the effect their actions have on the covenant as a whole. —They don’t have a plan for her, says Ishta. I mean, Tully, my whole life with him was about nothing but being an apprentice. Rote learning and memorization and routine, that was my life. I got it down. I don’t think Perdix was looking for an apprentice, says Gi, to be fair. She needs to be beaten, says Ishta. She needs discipline, says Gi. Thank you. Send her here straightaway, says Ishta.
Gi informs Ilba of the arrangement. And he’d like to meet with her the next morning. Ishta insists Nishoba will not fraternize with Ilba. What she’s done is too serious for them to fuck around. I want her too busy to mess around with anything, says Ishta. Sorting the sand, maybe, says Nishoba. I want the note tablets put away where she can’t get at them.
Calvus and Murry are meeting to discuss the various issues facing the covenant.
Ishta asks Tully for a very basic 7 or 8-year-old apprentice lesson. You’re too old for that! says Tully. Teach them to light a candle. Sort the beads, says Nishoba. Tully comes in with his boots. Here. Have him tie these boots together. It’s not for Nishoba, either! says Ishta. Don’t throw the boots at him. I need him undamaged. He’s already damaged! says Tully. Look at him! I told you to get a two-eyed one, but no, you have to go with the devil-spawn. I should have you here to talk to Ilba. The Monkey-girl needs a babysitter? says Tully. These are perfect! Actually, says Ishta, yeah. She takes the boots. Tully zaps Nishoba with a sharp shock; Ishta tells Tully there’s orange muffins downstairs. Tully cheers, and bounces down to the Great Hall.
Calvus, Waakimbala, and the bugs are negotiating. —When this person was unconscious and in a coma, says Waakimbala, they put an insect in his ear, and apparently the thing in his ear is now dead. But when people are in that sleeping state, it’s easier to get in. Well, says Calvus. I will be meeting with the other magi, and we will get back to you at the latest tomorrow. Tell him we will wait, says the bugs. And we will not eat any four-limbed creatures while we wait. Tell him!
Itti’s laying plates in the Great Hall, where Tully is eating orange muffins. Ilba comes in and asks Itti for wood ash and tallow grease. Wha you nee da foh? says Tully. He swallows. What do you need that for? She’s in mourning, says Itti. For herself. Oh, says Tully. So you creatures are intelligent. Do you expect the freak will get tired of you and throw you out? I’ve learned not to have any long-term expectations, says Ilba. You didn’t answer my question, says Tully. I don’t know, says Ilba. Well, if you do get kicked out, says Tully, I’d run before I find you. He walks off. —I hate him, says Itti. You sure he doesn’t have magical hearing? I don’t care, says Ilba. So what did Perdix do this time? says Itti. I’m not sure I should be telling you, says Ilba. But I’m sure you’ll hear it from someone else. Yeah, right, says Itti. She fetches wood ash, and a bottle of good oil. Thank you, says Ilba, seeing it. First one I saw, says Itti, shrugging.
Heshe’s looking for Ibaa, who’s at home, making stew. Smells like death, snaps Heshe. It’s vegetable soup, says Ibaa. Are you ever going to become a Lover-priest? says Heshe. I mean, stop being an apprentice. You ever going to do anything? Yes, says Ibaa. Good! Because there’s a job happening that’s below either me or Tishkilla. There’s a birth happening, out in the Wolf camp. It might be nice if you actually did one, solo. You come back to my place, and you don’t have much time. You live upstairs! snaps Ibaa. Yes! You don’t have much time! Heshe takes her upstairs and hands Ibaa several small bags, which all smell awful. This is different than Tish’s kit, says Ibaa. This is what Wolves get, snaps Heshe. Heshe briefs Ibaa on the uses of each bag. —I hate her, says Ibaa.
Ilba, raccoon-eyed with grief (and oil and ash), shows up at Ishta’s lab. Ishta tells Ilba not to speak. One. I was a young Gætani girl too. Very talented in magic. Still am. Two. Not Perdix. Not going to put up with whatever it was you were doing. You fuck with me, you’re dead. Got it? You can nod. You better nod. Ishta grabs a washcloth. Wash that shit off. (Tully idly shocks an eavesdropping Nishoba on his way to his lab.) Ishta hands Ilba some lab clothes. She waves a wand over Ilba, whose hands light up. What’s that, your magic? Ilba nods. The only time I ever want to see those light up is when you’re doing Cholæic magic. Anything else—first warning, I’ll beat you within an inch of your life. Second you won’t have to worry about; you’ll be dead. Understand? Nod. Nod. Okay. You’re starting from the beginning. Like you were a seven-year-old. I had to do it, Nishoba had to do it, your parens had to do it, you’re gonna do it. And you’re not fucking around with Nishoba while you’re here. No sneaking off into closets. I know. You don’t need it, he doesn’t need it. Your parens doesn’t need it. Right? Nod. Okay. You can talk to him. Just don’t fuck with his head. You fuck with his head, again, you’re dead. Okay? Ilba’s nodding. Unlike Perdix, just so you know—I mean, I like Perdix. But I’ve talked to Somnex. I won’t hesitate to have Somnex get into your head. You are a Cholæic apprentice. Both Nishoba and I have been where you’ve been. You aren’t special. You’ve got to start keeping that in mind. And you’re gonna be grateful. Ilba’s nodding. Any questions? says Ishta. You can talk now. No questions? Nothing about all this neat shit I got in here? Okay. Nishoba will take you on a little tour of my magical creations around the covenant, so you get an idea of what I can do, and then we’ll get started.
Gi’s informing Calvus of what’s happened between Perdix and their apprentice. Did she compromise the covenant? Not intentionally, says Gi. She could have, but that was not her intention. Intention matters very little, says Calvus, when the covenant is in danger. Gi explains the arrangement he’s reached with Ishta.
Ilba, says Ishta. What you did was stupid. If he did what you did then he would be dead. Understand? And I’ve known him and loved him much longer than your parens has known you. Be glad your parens is a, well, a pacifist or whatever. Okay? And don’t mope and say maybe you ought to be dead or anything like that. —Ilba’s got growing pains in her legs; Ishta gets Nishoba to set her up with a mild healing potion. Ishta leaves. So, says Nishoba. Here are some lamps.
Tully tells Ishta she should kill Ilba. If she gives me a reason, says Ishta. Has she killed herself? No, says Ishta. Reason enough, says Tully. Of course, there’s the slippery slope. He shows her an image of Nishoba swinging at the end of a rope. He’s still diabolic, says Tully. I don’t think you can say that. He’s a poseur, says Ishta. He’s still diabolic and you should kill him, says Tully. If you were diabolic, I’d slit your throat.
There’s a knock on Nil’s door. Gi informs Nil of what’s happened with Perdix and their apprentice. And Ishta. I really only have one question, says Nil. Who allowed Perdix to acquire an apprentice? I wasn’t here, says Gi. I imagine it’s because Perdix was the only mage without an apprentice. And there is the Gætani twin connection. Perdix is an impressive mage, says Gi, but he’s not in a position to take on an apprentice right now. Gi explains Perdix’ intention to skip the council meeting, but how that’s a bad idea; Nil offers to intercede.
There’s a knock on Mens’ door. There’s some scrabbling noises inside. Mens, it is Calvus. I’ve come to speak with you. Later, says a screechy voice. Are you all right? Fine, says the voice. Go away.
Gi intellegoes the library for Ilba’s vim; nothing much. Cameron’s still there. He has a mild headache.
Calvus sends missives to Robert at Okla Lokchok, asking Robert to stay in the capital to do further research into the new Finger; Robert’s been hating the covenant lately, and is only too glad to stay away.
Ishta and Circumsessor sit together at dinner. Gi sits with them to discuss the bugs. Utchka also comes down for dinner as well; Ishta’s showing off the prototype of her tunnel-digger.
The bugs are poking at Waakimbala to find out what the magi are doing because someone’s leeching from them and if they knew what the magi were doing then they would stop it and if they don’t get some idea now they will assume it’s an attack and stop it. Waakimbala tells Ishkish, the guard, that the bugs are worried and he needs to speak with someone about what the magi are doing.
Ishkish shows up at the mages’ table at the Great Hall to deliver the bugs’ message. He picks Gi, since Ishta’s busy. Gi allows as how it’s his turn, anyway. How’d you get beat up? asks Gi, as they walk back to Waakimbala’s cell. Oh, I was down there for the Choosing, says Ishkish.
Gi puts up his parma before they get to the cell.
Here’s a mage, says Ishkish. You’re one of the mages? says Waakimbala. We like this one, say the bugs. Does this solve your problem? No, say the bugs. The others are probably going behind this one’s back! Waakimbala explains the situation. Our essence is being sucked, the bugs keep saying. Someone in the Great Hall. Or maybe the stables. The bigger one. Gi asks for time to find out. He promises to return when he finds something out. Tell him that we need him to tell the big stupid person to not be a decider. Any guard. The guard must not be convinced to get do something for you. This might take me a while, Gi stresses. Tell the horse to hurry, snap the bugs. You have a horse out there? says Waakimbala. What? says Gi. The horse magus, say the bugs. Tell him to hurry.
Nil goes to knock on Perdix’ door; Ishkin tells him the magus is indisposed. Nil insists; Ishkin also insists. I outrank you, says Nil. Do you outrank the magus? says Ishkin. That’s up to debate, says Nil. He opens the door. I didn’t catch your name, says Nil. Okay, says Ishkin. It’s just, you’re doing such a dogged job, says Nil. I thought I should ask your name. Okay, says Ishkin. What’s your name? says Nil. Ishkin, says Ishkin. —Some discussion of how he came to work for Perdix. Nice handiwork, says Nil, of the castle. How long until it’s finished? Maybe a month, says Ishkin. And what will you do when it’s done? I don’t know, says Ishkin. He was teaching me about your religion, or whatever, before he took a student. But now he’s busy. Oh, says Nil. —He tries to rouse Perdix, but cannot; he intellegoes the trunk, then hands his spectacles to Ishkin. If anything happens to them, you will be executed. Nil goes into the trunk. He crunches on something and slips and falls on a tumbled book. Chittery watches him make his way carefully through the darkened trunk, past spilled wine, the dead fireplace, up the narrow stairs, past the tumbled hookah. Nice decor, he says. We weren’t expecting guests, says Perdix. Some banter back and forth; Nil accuses Perdix of self-pity, Perdix insists it is not: if they can’t think of a way to handle Ilba, they’ll have to kill her, and they can’t think of a way to handle her. You do live in a Plenilunial covenant, says Nil. You’re not alone. Actually, you’ve never been alone. I kind of envy that. I suppose that was a bit much. Go away, says Perdix.
Gi and Nil meet in the hall; they agree to leave Perdix alone for the night. Gi explains the situation with the bugs, and the Great Hall; Nil agrees to help. They go to his room to look at the map, and Nil says he needs to talk to Mens; he tries to get hold of Mens, but his connection’s dead, so he finds a letter from Mens and burns it to open a link and gasps and falls over, unconscious. Gi goggles.
Downstairs, the bugs tell Waakimbala that it’s stopped. Whatever the magi did, it worked.
Gi drags Nil’s body to his bed and bellows down the hall for a servant. The map’s going mad. Gi sends servants to fetch Calvus and Ishta. Then he lights candles.
Calvus and Circumsessor knock on Mens’ door. There’s no answer. There’s the sound of something heavy being moved. Mens? cals Calvus. Circumsessor intellegoes the door; no magic; Circumsessor opens the door. It’s filled with dust. Choked with dust. Difficult to breathe. Calvus follows Circumsessor, who clears the air; Calvus regoes some light into the room. The furniture has been shattered. The mattress ripped apart. Mens’ luggage is shredded, his clothing scattered. No sign of Mens. The windows are open. Who was moving the furniture? says Calvus, looking up. A hole’s been torn in the ceiling. Calvus floats up to it and pokes his head through. It’s dark and dusty. There’s something moving around the duct- and pipe-work in the crawlspace, far away.
Ishta hands the apprentices some protective gear and tells them not to leave; there’s problems with the bugs.
Ishkish goes to the Great Hall to let the magi know it’s all okay now; he only sees Utchka. She tells him where any of them might be, and he heads off to find someone to tell.
Nil’s stirring. Thank Love and Reason, says Gi. Nil sits bolt upright. There’s a brief burst of musical noise. Gi hands Nil a glass of water. I’m going to kill him, says Nil. There’s a knock. It’s Calvus, who tells Nil that Mens has changed himself into a monstrous vermin. Gi drinks the water. What’s up with your map? says Gi. Nil eats half of one of the bugs and says he needs to go to Mens’ room. Perdix would be useful right now. Really? says Gi.
Ishta describes the basics of the apprentice situation to Calvus.
[Business in the basement; discovering Mens, who joins the bug collective.]
Hoopoe’s in the Great Hall as the magi come up from the basement, and he informs them he speaks with her voice. He follows them into the council chamber, where he tells them that if the magi break the former Wolf Priest’s word with the bugs, then all his treaties would be broken, and everything held at bay would come down on their heads. Meanwhile, he speaks with her voice and can cast her vote. Tully pulls an enormous ring with teeth and gripping hands and tells Hoopoe to stick his head in and say that. If he’s telling the truth, he’ll have nothing to fear. Hoopoe refuses.
Perdix and Nil take their time coming up from the basement. At least I have good news for father for once, says Nil.
[Council meeting, which hinges on whether Mens is still a mage, and a member of Manu Tenere; the bugs offer to hand Mens over in return for a new treaty; the Manu Tenereans want to avoid an Order crisis; the Nemans want Mens and the bugs out; Perdix is appalled they can’t even argue for a mage, how can they argue for Ilba?]
meta
“This you will rub on her ‘privates,’ as you so eloquently put it.”
