20th Anticipation
Palpebra sends Hans to fetch Bloody-back. Palpebra’s plan is to institute a circuit of flying machines, passing messages and shipments daily between the six or seven villages about the covenant. They’ll start tomorrow, with Hans and Claudio, but Palpebra wants to start thinking about which soldiers to phase into the plan, and how, and when.
Nil gives a Lhimpat a note for Perdix. She brings it to Perdix’ room. Ishkin wants to know what the message is. I don’t think I’m supposed to read it, says Lhimpat, and anyway I’m not good with Cholæic. It’s written? Can you slide it under the door? says Ishkin. No, says Lhimpat, I have to give it to them myself. Ishkin opens the door. Lhimpat’s dismayed to see the castle, but strides resolutely on. Ilba leads her to Perdix, who receives her in bed; they read the note (“I am available whenever you are ready”), and sigh, sure, yes, whenever. Ilba leads Lhimpat to the door, and Lhimpat takes the replay to Nil. —Nil admonishes Lhimpat: there is one sure way to remove yourself from my service, and that’s to make someone disappear. How would I do that? says Lhimpat. Or ignore them, says Nil. Here’s your list. You have twenty minutes.
Gi is doing his penance, for breaking his fast: he’s in the chapel, on his knees, praying. Jerry comes in. Hey, sinner. You need to confess anything to me? Gi flips him off. Now, if this was tomorrow, you’d be screwed, says Jerry. But let’s not talk about tomorrow. Let’s talk about yesterday. Can we do this in a few hours? says Gi. Let’s talk about what you did to yourself yesterday, says Jerry. You think I don’t know the people at the bar? I’ve mentioned that faithful people—which my cousin is supposed to be—fast, before certain holidays. And I’ve told them that if any of the faithful, but especially my cousin, breaks their fast, I’m to be told. Is there a point to this? says Gi. Not really, says Jerry. Hey! I’m a priest! It’s my job! —Gi’s only about an hour in; he’ll have to start all over again. Did you want to officiate at the meeting with the priests? says Gi. Are you kidding? laughs Jerry. They’re pissed!
As Jerry leaves the chapel, a flock of birds assembles into Sonata before him. She wants to know how preparations for the Day of Knowledge pageant is going. I’ve tried to teach the kids a couple of songs, says Jerry, and I had to get one of the songs from the guy with the lamb, from the other place, the other Ægidian, a better Ægidian than Gi. Leonis, says Sonata. Yeah, says Jerry. And I’ve employed them to capture as many, well, I wanted doves, but I had to settle for whitish birds, that we can release when it’s time. How many do you have? Maybe a dozen or so. I can help with that! says Sonata. There are a couple of species around that I can gather. Would you like me to take the children out? I can bring the birds to them so they can gather them. It will be more enjoyable for them. Gi, says, Jerry, I really shouldn’t be telling you this. Gi broke his fast yesterday, so he could really make up for it by playing the Priest-King. I think there’s an even better mage, who’s screwed up far worse, says Sonata. I think I know who you’re talking about, says Jerry. You talk to the mage, says Jerry, and I’ll ask the new Finger if he’ll play Reason. —They discuss incorporating Honey’s engagement in the ceremony.
Sonata actually comes to Perdix’ room through the hallway. She submits to the spell (stepping onto Ishkin’s stick, to keep out of the mud) and flies across as a (tiny) flock, reassembling on the front step. Ilba lets her in. Sonata asks if they might speak later today; Nil asked her to speak with Ilba. If Perdix says it’s okay. Of course. Is Perdix available? They’re hiding under the covers, says Ilba. —Some discussion of the idea of playing the Priest-King. They won’t do it, says Ilba. I’d pay money to see it, but they won’t do it. We should ask, I guess, though. —Perdix says no. When they come with the torches, says Ilba. We’ll be in Okla Lokchok, says Perdix. We’re going to the city? says Ilba, excited. The hills above the city, says Perdix. Ilba goes to tell Sonata, who’s sad; she asks when Ilba wants to meet with her.
Jerry goes to speak to the Finger. Mrs. the Finger is very interested in the idea of playing Love to the Finger’s Reason. Jerry’s sent to examine some swag samples in another room while the Finger and Mrs. the Finger discuss this idea; Mrs. the Finger sends Lalli to secure Tishkilla, and then when Jerry leaves sends Hoyopa, the Master of Disguise, to distract Jerry. She hustles to the Lover’s house when Jerry leaves.
Jerry is set upon by fourteen beavers wearing mustaches.
Mrs. the Finger is told that Tishkilla is at the Weaver’s. She heads there, passing Jerry on the way. Just on my morning rounds, she says. Ah, says Jerry. —Lalli and Iba and Honey conspire to lead Jerry astray. Honey volunteers to lead Jerry to the Scarecrow King, which is where they tell him Tishkilla is; on the way, he tells Honey that Mrs. the Finger is trying to downgrade her wedding announcement, and he needs to meet with Tishkilla right away about that, and where is she? —Honey tells her.
Honey goes to Heshe to take out a curse on Mrs. the Finger.
Mrs. the Finger and Tishkilla discuss the niceties of ecumenical pageantry.
Jerry is distracted by a burning building. He heads to the chapel and tells Gi about it.
Tishkilla goes to explain to Iba and Honey and Heshe how the Finger and Mrs. the Finger will play Love and Reason, and distribute gifts to the priests, and allow the priests to stand for themselves and announce Honey’s engagement. Iba will still play Love’s “little sister,” and the Finger will give them lace for their dresses for the ceremony.
Hoopoe goes to tell Sonata about the spy who’s spying which is his job. And this spy set fire to a building! And did you tell anyone? says Sonata. Yes! You! —Hoopoe checks; no more smoke. He promises to mark the spy so she’ll know who it is.
Calvus is teaching his apprentice the facts of life, laying down the law as to which apprentices he might associate with, and which not (Ndapé; everyone else), and throwing dirt at him.
Nil arranges a meeting with Perdix, which begins as a nervous discussion of theory, and turns into the sort of heart-to-heart in which Perdix is as genuinely contrite as they can be, and Nil mentiones Loreatus three times, once as “Lorrie.”
Perdix asks Sonata if using imaginem as the Priest King would be a problem, since there should be only one Priest King, but as they say it out loud, the idea appalls them, and they say no, never mind. Gi will be the Priest King, says Sonata. Or Calvus. He’s done it before. Sonata tells Perdix that there’ll be a council meeting in a few hours. They go downstairs to wait in one of the parlors.
Sonata asks Jerry if he got the fire put out; Gi did it. I’m on my way to talk to Tishkilla. Sonata informs Jerry that Perdix isn’t willing to perform as the Priest King—really, they’re in no shape to do it. Gi will do it, then, says Jerry. What will you talk to Tishkilla about? Possible casting change. The Finger’s wife wants to play Love. Why? Oh, she wants to make herself really important and drive herself as a wedge between whatever power structures are already in place. I see, says Sonata. Well, whichever plays Love, it will offend someone. Who would you rather not offend? Well, I work for you guys, so you decide, says Jerry. —Sonata ponders. Okay, here’s my thought, says Jerry. I’d rather have Tish on our side. But if it’s too late and it looks like Nipi’s going to win, then we explain our side to Tish so she comes to see Nipi’s a raging bitch. All right, says Sonata.
Hey! Earlier, Heshe sent Iba to figure out why a weaver-husband couldn’t get it up. Now she’s back! Bitching about the whole deal, and how he wouldn’t wash, and how he likes to hit her, and how she’s never going back. Jerry shows up to speak with Tishkilla. Tish explains how Mrs. the Finger is playing Love, and how the priests will be on the stage, and how she’ll announce Honey’s wedding. Oh, says Jerry. So you’re okay with this. Yes. Well, says Jerry, I was hoping you’d still play Love. It’s always been odd, says Tish. It’s not our religion. We do it because it’s the Prince’s religion, and the Finger’s the Prince’s representatives. You’re right, says Jerry. And it’s important that the priests be up there as the priests of the village. Am I still Love’s assistant? says Iba. Shouldn’t I be the Lover’s assistant? —Gieron come home, bitching loudly; Honey retires to loudly braid flowers. The youngest Scarecrow brother arrives, bringing an enormous tray of food for everyone. Tell Honey, he says loudly, that I brought food for everyone, and you should all enjoy it, and he leaves, looking up for a glimpse of Honey. Heshe empties her chamberpot on him. —Was it him? says Honey. She won’t eat. She might get struck by lightning. But it’s so sweet.
Notes are delivered, from the Great Hall, to Tish and Jerry, requesting their presence at the pageant stage; Tish goes; Jerry refuses. (“Wait,” says his messenger, “I’m trying to remember what she said to say if you said that.”) Jerry says he’ll get to her and her husband’s lines later; he’s got to talk to the Priest King.
Jerry knocks on Gi’s door. Hey! We need to talk. You need to play the Priest King. What? We tried to get Perdix, but that didn’t work. Why not Calvus? We thought it would be best if it was you. Sonata and I discussed it. The whole drinking a beer yesterday thing. I thought you absolved me of that! Yeah, but that came after the discussion. What do I have to do as the Priest King? You know, abase yourself, then pass on Love and Reason to the people, and some kids will let loose a bunch of off-white birds. You get three lines, and maybe a paragraph. Who’s Love and Reason? says Gi. That’s the other thing, says Jerry. Reason is the Finger, and that’s okay, but Love is Mrs. the Finger, and that doesn’t work for me, and she’s also trying to drive a gigantic wedge between me and the priests. What did she do? says Gi. Right now, she’s trying to plan the pageant, says Jerry. That’s your job, says Gi. She can have her pageant somewhere else. Okay, says Jerry, what are you saying? She can have her pageant wherever she wants, says Gi. And we’ll have our pageant. So you’re saying I should recast Love and Reason? Yeah, says Gi. Shit, says Jerry. Ishta warns Jerry not to piss the priests off. If you don’t piss them off, says Ishta, I’ll pay you. They view everything as an insult and a slight. Then there’s nothing we can do, says Gi. Okay, says Ishta, so can I pass this off to you? Because I’m busy enough carrying Perdix’ shit. Well we’re having a council meeting about that, says Gi. Which is why I wanted to go have a drink, says Ishta. So we can officially absolve me of this whole casting thing? One reason for Gieron pounding on my door is more than enough for me.
So who should I get to play Love and Reason? Well, Cameron could play Reason, says Gi, smiling. Nil’s too nerdy, says Jerry. Ndapé could do Reason, says Gi. Or Calvus. Ndapé works, says Jerry. And Love? says Gi. There’s that soldier who has that pretty, pretty girl voice, says Jerry. Maybe that cute wife of one of the former lumberjacks. She’s been pretty interested in Love and Reason. So that’s an idea. But if we’re sticking with mages—I always liked having the priesthood involved, says Jerry. Me too, says Gi. What about the other tradesmen? says Gi. Not just the priesthood. The glassblowers, the silversmith, the kitchen staff, even. Wait! says Jerry. I’ve got it. We’ve got the Princeling! Ta-dah! So he’s Reason. And we still need a Love. There’s your wife, says Gi. Too much nepotism, says Jerry. Aren’t you impressed I know that word?
Meanwhile, down in Cliffside, an exhausted runner arrives with the message that the Western villages have gone into revolt.
meta
“We don’t have douche-bags yet. When we do, one of them will be called a Perdix!”
requested detailing
After Jerry speaks with Honey, she briefly hears Mrs. Finger massaging Tishkilla's brain, and, fog of war descending, beelines back to Heshe's house. She asks Yba for a clay jar nobody would miss - Yba gives her one of Gieron's - and then she heads to the pickling hut and has the jar filled with Woochi's best vegetable oil.
She then waits outside the house for Heshe; Honey holds out the jar and asks "Where do you go for this sort of thing?", whereupon she is led up to Heshe's room. She deliberately drops the jar on the floor, where it shatters, and tells Heshe that the Finger's wife needs to be taken down a notch. Then they part ways without further ado.
The oil jar-dropping is one of a number of standard overture offerings when you're dealing with Monkeys. Heshe's floor is probably a little slippery.
There was some discussion as to how one would know that Heshe's the local Monkey crone, the formal response to which is that if there's a cantankerous, off-putting older woman who works as a Lover priestess in town, you can save yourself the effort of too much thought.