Emily, in transit to Foskos, Planting Season, 5th rot., 7th to 8th day.

My talk with Tom was short. When I returned, he was still in bed sleeping. I swear that man could sleep through a tornado.

When I told Tom that Kamagishi wanted to leave as soon as possible, he said, "Just be back in time to sail. "

"What?"

"Kamagishi pointed out something I missed. You've been fulfilling everyone else's expectations but your own. You need some time off to do something just for yourself. You've not had a vacation since the Queen rescued you two years ago. Go enjoy your friend's wedding. Just get back before we leave."

I plopped onto the sleeping pad next to him, feeling gobsmacked. This was not what I expected.

"Don't forget to wear warm clothes," Tom added. "It's still cold up in Foskos this time of year. Bring some veggies when you come back. Nips would be great."

When I went to find Kamagishi, she was in bed asleep.

"I would let her sleep," Sutsusum told me outside Kamagishi's guest room. "She used the charms of levitation and motion to find you and bring you back, and that's exhausting magic, even for a high priestess."

"Why didn't she go with Pibl?" Pibl was her eagle, formerly property, now free and under contract.

"I don't know," Sutsusum said, sounding apologetic. " Sister Kamigishi is sleeping the sleep of Gertzpul's gardens, and she likely needs to for a few bells. She's too tired to leave today. I'm a little surprised she wants to, and I'm unsure why."

"She said she wanted me to have a few extra days to socialize before the Chem fleet sails for Mattamesscontess," I divulged.

"Now that sounds like a good idea," Usruldes interjected as he entered the hallway from his bedroom. "You could use some levity right now, Great One."

Was I that bad off that all the Cosm were picking up on it passively?

The three high priestesses and I left the next morning. Kayseo's wedding was in seven days. I asked Kamagishi if she would leave me off at the Healing Shrine. I could pick up my wedding clothes and see Lisaykos, who I missed.

Usruldes and Cadrees stayed in Sils'chk. Usruldes had some diplomatic negotiations with the five shaman Caretakers, unrelated to the ice charm gems, precognitive visions, and Spot.

We spent one night in the wilderness beside a river on a high plateau with high glacier-covered mountains to the west. These were the same mountains along the coast that we saw sailing to Sussbesschem. Given that we saw several volcanoes, with one actively erupting, I guessed an oceanic crust was subducting under the continental crust. I was confident that the volcanic rocks would be andesitic. Still, I couldn't convince the three high priestesses to detour so I could confirm my guess. I wondered if I would have had a better chance to persuade them if Raoleer was with us. After all, she's the one high priestess who appreciates rocks.

I was fascinated the next day as we left the plateau and the high mountains behind us. The landforms transitioned to long parallel ridges with all kinds of classic scarps one sees along an active strike-slip fault. I felt like I was looking at the San Andreas fault system because the resemblance was strong. I spotted displaced streams, vegetation scarps, faceted spurs, and all sorts of fun-looking ground displacements. I had a great time rubber-necking. Kamagishi had me explain why I was so intent on looking at the ground that Pibl flew over. I gave her a lecture, with examples, on faults. She looked a little overwhelmed when we landed to eat mid repast. Serves that overgrown overpowered brain suck right.

I do get it. It was clear to me that Galt wound her up to come look after me. He used the precognitions to have her travel to Sussbesschem, which I found really vexing. It struck me as odd, too, because Galt usually acted directly. This sort of indirect action, especially with his own avatar, struck me as not his style, and that unnerved me. What were the gods trying to pull this time?

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Emily, the Salt Desert, Planting Season, 5th rot., 8th day.

"I see plumes of smoke," Pibl said within the sound bubble that Kamagishi liked to fly with. She and Pibl usually talked a lot when they flew together. Having freed him, I could tell their amiable relationship had gotten closer.

"It's too early in the year for forest fires," Kamagishi sounded concerned. "Is it a range fire out in the Great Cracks?"

"We are too far away for me to see exactly where," Pibl reported. "It's not Black Falls. I can see the new city, and it is fine. I think it's either Gunndit Town or Aybhas."

Kamagishi said something undignified, which surprised me since I had never heard her use foul language. It sounded weird when uttered in her impeccable aristocratic accent.

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"I need to consult with my sisters," Kamagishi said and then was silent. I couldn't see her face because I was sitting in front of her, but if I could, I was sure she was in the usual magic trance with the eyelids down halfway.

After a while, Pibl spoke again, "The fires are in Abyhas. There are multiple fires. Garrison girls are in the streets in force. I can see mounted garrison guards flying in from the north, and they are armored and armed."

After another long moment, Kamagishi said, "We will stop in Black Falls for news before proceeding further."

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Emily, Black Falls, Planting Season, 5th rot., 8th day.

"I have sent half of my garrison with my daughter up to Aybhas," Lord Skalta haup Black had met us at the gare to the Black Falls garrison citadel. "A mob of spoot slaves tried to break into the granaries this morning. The slaves had some kind of grenade that exploded and started fires that magic couldn't put out. But first, before we continue, won't you please come inside, Great One, Holy Ones? It is too chilly out to converse outside."

He led us to what I assumed was his daughter's study. Captain Sertfos haup Black was the commander of the Black Falls garrison. He wanted me to sit in her big chair at her work table because it was the most prominent seat in the room, but I refused.

"The situation in Aybhas is not good," Lord Skalta continued his report. "When Sertfos left, it was not yet under control. Small bands of slaves have popped up around the city to throw their nasty bombs, mostly along the main roads. Then they vanish. Battle mages have succeeded in tracking these groups, but the number of battle mages in Aybhas was meager this morning. Most are with one of the two armies preparing to march into Impotu. We and the surrounding communities have sent all the battle mages we can to Aybhas to help root out these bomb-throwing bands."

"Is the shrine unharmed?" Moxsef asked. "Is the Blessed Lisaykos safe?"

"I don't know," Lord Skalta said.

"I think you should stay here for now, Great One," Lord Skalta told me. "It's not safe for a little one such as yourself to be near such violence."

The irony was rich. The concerned Lord Holder advised me to avoid a riot when I would help start a war with the Chem in Mattamesscontess in just a few more rotations.

I leaned forward in the too-tall chair, "Tell me what you know of these grenades or bombs the spoot slaves are using, please."

"From what we can deduce," Lord Skalta replied, "they appear to be similar to the devices used during the Impotu slave riots in Salicet and Suapsepso last year."

That made my stomach flip. I had taught the Coyn in the slave pits of Salicet how to make calcium phosphide bombs. That knowledge had now crossed the Blue Mountains, and rioters were using them in the one Cosm city I really cared about. My efforts at helping Coyn slaves had come back to bite me where it hurt. I was not happy. The folks in Aybhas would need help getting the fires out. Unlike white phosphorus, which water could extinguish, calcium phosphide fires were made worse by adding water. Adding water also releases highly toxic phosphine gas.

A feeling of certainty settled on me that came from the knowledge I knew the gods had placed in my head. Was this one of my destinies? It annoyed me. I was so weary of being a plaything for the deities. Regardless, I knew I had to respond to what was happening in Aybhas. More lives would be lost and more property destroyed if I didn't go. I didn't want to go but knew I had to go. Damn gods.

"No, I need to be there," I stated. "Do not argue with me on this. Even if one of you refuses to take me there, I will buy a pony or walk if I must."

"No, Great One," Sutsusum said, "you should stay here. You should not endanger yourself."

"We will not take you," Kamagishi added, deciding to call my bluff. "The situation should stabilize by tomorrow.

"I will go to Aybhas, and I will go now," I stated in my best no-you-can't-have-a-raise voice.

"You are so difficult when you get like this," Kamagishi glowered at me.

I hopped off the chair and walked to the door, only to discover the lack of a foot latch or latch pole.

"Please, Great One, be reasonable," Lord Skalta urged, smiling at me with sympathy. "Come back and sit down. I promise we will get an update on what is happening immediately."

I took off my belt and lassoed the door latch. Leaning back with all my weight, I used leverage to pull the door open slowly. I only needed a crack to slip through, and I was out into the corridor before anyone could catch me.

"Emily, NO!" Kamagishi bellowed from the room I just left.

"Don't worry, Holy One," I heard Lord Skalta say. "She can't get far on those little legs of hers. Let her run and tire herself out, and we can pick her back up with ease."

He had a point. I had no advantages to help me escape. All it took to stop me was a charm of levitation or deep sleep; however, they had to catch me first. I ran for the stairs.

As I descended the steps, which were double height from my perspective, I racked my brain for what to do next. Then, a memory played itself inside my head.

"Prayer could be useful to you," Giltak said on the day that androgynous god gave me their revelation on slide rules. "You may want to consider it next time you get stuck in a tight spot."

Well, now I was in a tight spot. I had nothing to lose by trying.

"Alright, you lousy gaggle of goofball gods," I said, "I could use a lift to Aybhas. I can help put out the fires. The Cosm don't understand how to deal with chemical fires."

I exited the stairs and ran out into the courtyard, where the mounts landed and took off. Then I waited. I gave up after a while and started walking toward the gate. I had to get around the gate sentry somehow.

A large shadow fell over the courtyard, and the sentry screamed in terror. I heard several other screams around me. Then I looked up at the undersides of a purple dragon who was beating his wings to land.

The dragon settled to the ground and put his head down. *Hello, little Emily,* the god Landa said. *I will take you to Aybhas, though it will bring you grief.*

"And if I don't go to Aybhas today?" I asked.

*That will bring you more grief.*

"Thank you for the ride, Landa," I bowed my head with gratitude for the favor.