“I’m coming!” Riven yelled.
Another knock sounded. Or rather, hammered on his poor door, which had to be moments away from breaking off its hinges and crashing down on his floor. And that too after all the work that had gone in repairing Riven’s little apartment. He threw off the blankets, pulled on some clothes, then thumped his way to the front door.
He was about to open it when the knocks came in. Riven jumped, and so did his door at the force of the knocks. “I said I was coming, didn’t I?”
Riven pulled the door open, heart wrenching at the thought he might wrench his door out of its frame too. But no, it swung smoothly to reveal the completely expected intruder at this ungodly hour.
Viriya.
“Good morning,” she said. Her eyes held all the brightness her rigid face refused to.
Riven scratched the back of his head. A yawn was building, but letting it out would be impolite. Though, she did deserve the rudeness at this time of day. “I imagine you want to come in?”
“That would be lovely.”
“Not for me.”
“Well, I don’t need to care about that, do I? Step aside, will you?”
Riven sighed, then stepped aside. Viriya nodded, waving a blue file in his face as she passed him and took a seat on his couch. The newer, plusher couch after Nory the Phantom had ruined the last one. Entertaining houseguests wasn’t one of Riven’s many fortes. Especially when they were a Deathless.
“Take a seat.” Viriya indicated the sofa opposite her like this was her damn place, not Riven’s. “This might take a while.”
“Can I at least get ready?”
She inspected him like prize cattle. “I see no difference from how you normally look.”
Riven plonked down on his sofa, peering at her. She was back in her regular Essentier uniform, hair pinned up in a bun. “Same here.”
“Well, let’s get this out of the way, then.”
Viriya placed the bag she had brought to one side, then opened the file on the little tea-table between them. The next two hours were spent poring over every line in the sheaf of documents with it, and Riven learned all the particulars of being an Essentier of the Realm of Resplend. All the rules, regulations, and codes of conduct with respect to the various entities of the nation—the public, the enemies and the allies, the military, the leaders, and so on—remuneration, what duties were expected, future career prospects—he could actually become one of the Council members one day—and even a retirement plan. The whole works. Were Arnish Essentiers given the same “here you go, you’re an Essentier now” treatment?
Last of all, she gave him his shiny, new bronze badge in the shape of a three-limbed star. The insignia announcing that he was a Fourthmarked.
“Are we finally done?” Riven placed the badge on his unform and rubbed his temples. It was a lot to take in, like cramming a whole dictionary in one night. Why couldn’t they have some sort of class about these kind of things, instead of learning differential equations?
“Well, with this, yes. We have to go soon, though.”
“Okay, now I need to get ready then.”
Viriya was readying for another retort, but Riven didn’t give her the chance. He rushed to his room with the bag and closed the door behind him. The Essentier uniform in the bag was much the same as Viriya’s except sized up a little so it fit him, though it didn’t have certain particulars. He had to make do with his own belt and socks, and the undershirt beneath the black one with a little breast pocket.
Riven remembered to take the Sept crystal with him. It was dull and dark on his table, and it looked too big to fit inside his jacket. Thankfully, there was a little pocket where he nestled it on the inside, pressed right up against his kidney without creating any suspicious bulges. Wouldn’t do to let anyone know he had it with him.
He was about to get going, but Mother’s letter locked his sight. She had sent another letter sometime last night while he was away at the Monastical, and Riven had left it alone. He wasn’t sure why. Something about it scared him. A letter from Mother, at a time like this? He ought to be glad for the correspondence, happy to see that he was still in her thoughts, but unbidden had come the notion that it might not even be from her. That it might be portents of news he had no wish to know.
That lettering on the front wasn’t her handwriting in the least.
He sat down at his desk and tore open the envelope, a single page falling out. His heart skipped a beat. It too didn’t have Mother’s handwriting. No, he didn’t need to make himself worry overmuch. Maybe she just needed someone else to write it for her, though the letters looked more typewritten than handwritten.
Riven began reading.
Dear Riven,
Congratulations! I heard the good news! You’re an Essentier now! A simple letter can’t ever express just how proud and happy I am so hear that, dear. But tell me, how are you feeling?
The thudding of his heart only got worse. Mother knew he was an Essentier now. Did that mean she and Father were really still corresponding? Though, that wasn’t the important bit. Riven had wanted to be the one to tell Mother, and he would have explained everything as well, in such a way so as not to make her worry. Who knew what Father had said.
I am feeling a little ill at the moment, and I might have waited to send you this, but I didn’t want to. My excitement knows no bounds! So much of the world has opened up for you now, dear. You know I always said you had the potential to surpass your siblings, and look at you now. But please don’t tell them I said that.
This time his heart wrenched. She was ill? More than usual? Chasm, while he’d been running around getting his hindquarters handed to him by various Deathless, Mother’s condition had deteriorated. The letter shook in his hands, but he kept going.
But please remember, your health, safety, and mental wellbeing comes first. Yours, and that of your family’s. Never lose sight of that, Riven. Let them drive you, and you shall be successful in all your endeavours.
Family. Faith. Maybe he ought to shove this letter in Father’s face as well.
Dear, I understand how momentous and amazing it must feel to have this new power in your hand. Just know, however, that the greatest lesson power isn’t when and how to use it. It’s when not to resort to it. Responsibility is key, and I know how responsible you are. I know you will remember that, and succeed.
Go out there and do your best. I am already proud. And don’t worry too much about me. I will get better, and we might even meet one day, perhaps one day soon. Give my love to Rose and Glaven.
Eternal Love as Always,
Mother
On a sudden impulse, Riven thrust the letter into his jacket’s interior pocket too. It felt proper to keep it there so close, like Mother was with him right alongside, watching over him and.
Riven got up, ready to leave. He’d made Viriya wait long enough after disturbing him this early in the morning. He checked himself in the mirror. What a dashing figure he cut! Well, maybe not as much as Glaven, but he looked good enough. The grey jacket fit him well, the black shirt beneath was snug, and his trousers were tucked into his shiny black boots.
And bronze though his Fourthmarked badge might be, it still shone brightly.
Viriya wasn’t very impressed. “Come on, you’re making us late. I wanted to do a training session with you, but it doesn’t look like there’s any time for that now. ”
“The sun is barely up, Viriya. There’s no such thing as late yet.” Riven pointed out through his balcony, where the first sounds of the morning were sneaking in. The low hum of conversation, the rumble of distant motor cars, the clip-clop of horses. Providence city was coming to life. “And what do you mean, training session. I’ve got a good grip on my Essence, I’m pretty sure. Did you have something else in mind?”
She didn’t reply, only holding the door open for him to pass out through. Riven gave her a little mock bow before getting out, Viriya closing the door behind him.
#
“Are we there yet?” Rio asked for the dozenth time.
No one replied.
Riven had a horse of his own this time, thank the Scions. He should have died the last time he was on a horse with someone else—that someone being Rio made it a thousand times worse—but thank the Scions a million times over that he didn’t have to share with Viriya.
His bay charger was a work of art. A white streak ran down its head, one that Riven was constantly having to hold himself back from stroking, and its four legs were also white. It walked like Riven was a non-entity, barely there on the horse’s back, which was great. He had al the freedom to remember the little tips and tricks of riding lessons.
Riven was gentle with the reins, back straight and shifting his arse on the saddle until he was in a comfortable position. Good posture was key to a successful long ride.
Viriya was on a black charger, and Rio beside her on Balustrade, the chestnut Sept horse sparkling whenever sunlight caught the crystals embedded on its body.
They kept up the ambling pace. The three of them had driven the horses hard from the Invigilator’s office for a while, Rio daring to see if the regular mounts could keep up with his Sept horse. It hadn’t been much of a race. Lightspeed was far superior in terms of speed and durability. They had finally slowed as they approached the northern edge of Providence city, where the Pumps stood tall over all else.
“Are we there yet?” Rio asked for at least the twentieth time.
“We wouldn’t be riding still if we were,” Viriya replied.
“Riven, are we there yet?”
Riven kept quiet. Rio stared at him, eyes growing huge and watery like a forlorn puppy. It would have been easy to ignore but people were staring, just like they’d been staring when they had ridden together on Lightspeed. “I’ll let you know when we arrive.”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“I’m sorry, all right. I apologize for leaving you to fend the Deadmage on your own. I shouldn’t have done it, and I promise I won’t repeat my mistake.” He leaned from horseback like he was about to jump into Riven’s arms. “I didn’t know you cared so much about me leaving you, Riven.”
Riven’s face burned. Subtle was the last thing Rio could ever be, and people were definitely staring now. There weren’t a lot of them so close to the end of Providence city, but still. Damn the bastard. “You’re forgiven. Now please, in the name of the damned Chasm, shut the fuck up.”
Rio laughed quietly but didn’t say anything more. His last glance was piercing, like he was seeking out where exactly Riven had hidden the Sept crystal upon his body.
Viriya ignored them. Her eyes were fixed forward, and she stayed poised on her mount like she’d charge off on her own if Riven and Rio hadn’t been there.
The Pumps of Providence, used to clear the water off Sept and other impurities for reuse, was built like a larger version of the refinery. Long buildings with large water towers at either stood side by side. The whole structure was enclosed by walls on every side, iron spikes and an iron gate only enhancing its intention of keeping intruders out. Though the gate was open this time.
A guard nodded at them as they passed. Two more riders were waiting within, and despite all his previous lessons hammering to the contrary, Riven jerked his horse’s reins to stop.
Rose had come.
“What are you doing here, Rose?” Riven asked.
The other one faced him first. Tamallow, that young Essentier Father had assigned to their mission. He gave Rose a sly little look like he’d expected this to happen.
“I’m a part of this mission,” she said. “Why else would I be here?”
“You’re not supposed to be here. I mean, look at you.”
“I’m fine.” Rose looked down. “I see nothing, what are you talking about?”
Riven stared. Her left arm was still sheathed in bandages from shoulder to wrist, and though her headwrap of bloody gauze had been removed, her right eye was covered by a black patch like some damn pirate from a fairy tale. He stared harder. Was she trembling? She tried to appear straight and unaffected on her grey charger’s saddle, but there was that ever so slight quiver about her. “Fine my arse. You’re pushing yourself for no reason.”
“Not no reason. We have an assignment on our hands. Who’ll find the Spectres if we don’t?”
“But—”
“Riven.” Her lone eye had grown hard as dots of jet, her lips an uncompromising line. “That’s enough. Don’t make me order you to be quiet. We have more important things to worry about.”
“And besides,” Tamallow said. His smile was greasy slick. “I’ll make sure you won’t have to extend yourself. Too much.”
Rose flashed him a brief smile. Riven stared harder than ever. Were those two….? No that line of thought didn’t bear thinking about.
Viriya dismounted and stepped forward. “Municipier. What are your directives?”
“Municipier?” Riven asked.
Rose nodded, not meeting Riven’s eyes. “I am acting Municipier of Providence Demesne while Glaven is incapacitated.” She looked on Viriya, a queen regarding her subject form her throne on a raised dais. “The collected Essentier force of Providence have been sent out and spread throughout the Demesne to scout out all Deathless and take appropriate measures. Which means, we’ll have to split up too. No sense in all of us going in the same direction. However, where we differ is that most of us were present at the Consulate. So that is where our investigation will begin.”
“Most of us,” Rio said, smiling at Tamallow and eying the silver pin on his shoulder. “Excuse me, sir, but I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of your introduction.”
“Ah of course. How rude of me.” Tamallow got off his brown horse, patted its flank, then stepped forward into the little circle that had formed. Tam’s eyes flicked over their badges too, and Riven resisted the urge to cover his bronze one with his hand. “I am Tamallow Lorris, Thirdmarked Essentier born and bred on Providence Demesne. Feel free to call me Tam. Pleased to make all your acquaintances.”
“As I was saying,” Rose continued. “Our search begins at the Consulate. But several of the military personnel have already covered the ground and tracked the Spectres to their hideouts. Our job will be to complete the search and recapture them.”
“Weren’t we supposed to find the Deadmages?” Rio asked.
“They are related. We need to understand why the Spectres are consorting with the Deadmages and attacking human settlements. I suspect the Deadmage you three encountered near the Haven would have targeted a Monastical.”
Riven stared past them at the central vault of water, where the main purification took place. Enormous pipes falling from the top like hair, horizontal along the flat roof and vertical along the walls. He could hear the water if he focused. A huge pressure, thrumming along the pipelines. One small poke, and the whole contraption would burst, spilling all its precious contents and wasting all the effort. As disparate as it looked the Deadmages attacks might be, there was some inner connection among all of them. They all kept talking of this Sundering.
“It’s the Sundering,” Riven said, recalling last night’s library visit. “Are we going to have another meteor land on us with a broken god?”
“That’s the old Sundering,” Rose frowned at him as though she hadn’t expected him to know. “Don’t you remember your Tenets? Our old Monast used to say them all the time. His favourite pastime was to painstakingly find a parable that fit literally any situation.” They were all staring at Rose, and she pressed her lips together. “Anyway. The Sundering was one of those myths. For the upcoming on, it’s said that at some point in the future, all mortals will face a grave choice that will decide the fate of the whole world and that this choice must be made collectively. Most take this choice to be something along the end of the world. An apocalypse if you will. It’s interesting to think about though. Maybe the Deathless gain some preternatural knowledge once they pass beyond life.”
“You think the Deadmage attacks are related to one another?” Riven asked.
“They have to be.” Viriya pulled herself back on her horse, which nickered. She patted it on the head. “At least, the pattern suggests some deeper level of connection even if they aren’t exactly planning things out with each other, ridiculous as it sounds.”
Rose placed on hand over her eyepatch, fingers curling as if she was about to itch. She dragged her arm away. “I think there is definitely a degree of planning involved.”
“Riven.” Viriya stared straight at him. Her eyes were unnerving, green dots that threatened to go fully dark depending on his response. “That Spectre we saw at the hospital. Where did it come from again?”
Riven swallowed. The urge to place his hand on his jacket, right where the Sept crystal was pocketed, was so strong he nearly fell off his horse trying to hold his hand back. “Like I said, I fell during the earthquake and when I got up, one of the patients had become a Spectre.”
Rio was staring intently at him. Well, so was everyone else, but his gaze was harsh and seeking, like he could smell the Sept crystal and was waiting for the slightest sign from Riven that might indicate where it was. A flytrap waiting for the fly to land on its petal, patient before its trap shut closed.
“So random,” Rose said. “Maybe that explains why there were so many Spectres under the Deadmage. They had formed on their own and joined him voluntarily.”
“I doubt that, Municipier,” Rio said. “I have looked into the Deathless and there is no precedent of people turning into Deathless on their own without some Sept stimuli. As far as I was able to gather, there wasn’t near enough Sept close to the patient in the hospital to trigger his rejuvenation as a Spectre. So I have to wonder…”
“Of course. But these are extraordinary circumstances so perhaps regular don’t apply.”
Riven was petrified. What in the Chasm was Rio playing at, revealing such important information so casually? Wasn’t he all about keeping the crystal secret? He stared at Rio, who stared back, pale eyes baleful, gem studded on his earring twinkling bright enough to blind.
Oh, so that was it. This was petty revenge to see Riven sweat. He had no real intention of revealing the truth, and was only playing with Rose to get back at Riven for earlier. Damn the bastard.
“But that does beg the question.” Riven stared at them in turn, lingering on Tam before settling on Rose. “Before he died, the Deadmage at the Consulate said all Essentiers turn into Deathless after they die. Is that how they get their Sprit? Is it their Essence?”
Nobody answered. It made sense. Spirit and Essence were the different sides of the same coin, after all.
“Can’t be,” Viriya said. “Essence requires the presence of Sept externally, remember, and Sprit needs it inside. Besides, what about the non-Essentier people becoming Deathless? They can channel Spirit too. Those Phantoms we fought hadn’t been Essentiers.”
Rose’s eyes widened. Riven knew that look. That was the point of no return for Rose, and now she was about to steamroll into her final point that would end the whole conversation. “But there was a huge stash of hidden Sept near the destroyed Haven at Welmark. A huge stash that the Deadmage stole and brought with him wherever he went. He had all the Sept he might ever need for Essence.”
“And the Spectres too,” Tamallow added.
“No way,” Riven interjected. “I’ve seen the Sept inside Spectres and they’re rotten and mostly destroyed. They fade and die as soon as they come out of the Spectres’ bodies. He couldn’t have gotten the time to use it.”
Viriya shook her head. “Or maybe, they fade because they are being used up by some other force beyond their control. By the time they exit, they’re spent.”
Rose was nodding along like she was hearing her favourite music. “Which would explain why they need so many Spectres. All those potential sources of Essence.”
Rio was still staring at Riven, and he tried to appear small. Revealing the existence of the Sept crystal in the middle of this little crowd didn’t seem like the best of ideas.
“But enough with the discussion,” Rose said. “We need to divide into teams and start.”
Tam, barely visible in the conversation so far, coughed a little for attention. “I suggest the three kids can get together for a little party.” He grinned conspiratorially at Rose. “The two of us can form the other party.”
For just a tiny second, Rose’s eye twitched. Then she smiled back. “Agreed. You heard him, kids. Run along and play, but stay safe.” Her smile disappeared as she nodded at Viriya. “We’re going southeast from Welmark. Your target will be northwest. I understand that takes you closer to the Sundering Pit, so I want you to be cautious. Safety is your number one priority, whatever else Father might have said. Is that clear?”
Rio gave a lopsided smile. “I’ll keep an eye on these kids for you, Municipier.”
Viriya scowled at him then nodded back at Rose. “Understood, Municipier.”
“Good.” Rise nodded back. “We’ll be on our way then.”
“Er.” Riven raised a hand, then quickly brought it down. He wasn’t at school anymore, damn it. No point in raising hands. “Can we talk? Privately?”
Rose considered him, and so did everyone else. All curious, suspicious, wishing he wasn’t making it private, and Riven tried not to cow under their stares. Rose eventually agreed, jerking her head to one side to indicate a more secluded spot near the huge pipes.
The closer they got, the wetter the ground became. Hard clip-clops turned to soft thumps, the horse’s amble giving way to a plodding gait, threatening to slip. Riven’s heart clenched hard every time his charger seemed to lean one way too much. Damn horse must never have gotten any training in mud. Despite knowing better, he gripped the reins tight in his hands and wrapped as far as his legs went around the mount’s midsection. He hadn’t brought a spare change of clothes, and it’d be an awful shame to dirty this new uniform needlessly.
“What did you want to talk about?” Rose asked, her voice sceptical. “This had better not be about how I’m not supposed to be here.”
Riven frowned. “Well, you’re not. But,” he added quickly when Rose opened her mouth to argue, or as was more likely, tell him to shut up, “I’m not here to discuss that. Just curious, is there anything going on between you and this Tam?”
“You don’t think that’s a little personal?”
“I mean, I am your brother.”
“My dear, little brother, you don’t see me asking how your little harem with Viriya and this Rio is going, now do you?”
Riven choked. “The Chasm are you talking about?”
Rose rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, brother, there’s nothing going on from my side.”
Riven’s frown didn’t abate. Whatever she meant, it wasn’t worth thinking too much over. “I could tell, actually.”
“Really?”
“Little signs, yes.”
“So then…”
“Just a brotherly express of concern to take care of yourself. In your condition, it’s not exactly the brightest idea to go alone with some…” He shrugged, not even sure what Tam was supposed to be. An Essentier, but what was he in relation to any of them? “Also, where is the Sept research happening?”
“What?”
“Father said you were involved with the Sept research and that you’d let me in on it.”
Rose was silent, considering him that one eye that was as dark as the patch that covered the other. Behind, the water thrummed in the pipes, big enough for them to ride in it single file. “Rennervation Demesne.”
“That’s huge. Where exactly in Rennervation?”
“Riven, your plan isn’t going to work. It’s… Mother’s illness isn’t something that can be fixed just like that. Don’t you think we’d have tried if it were possible?”
Riven’s face was burning again. It was getting closer and closer to winter, yet he was warmer than a glowing brand now. “I’m not really interested in your definitions of possible.”
“I said we’d try, didn’t I? I’m just cautioning that you shouldn’t get your hopes up. Any research is incredibly difficult and breakthroughs on the level you’d need to actually find a cure is hard. I don’t want to say impossible, but it’s not far from that. Look, I just don’t want you to become too depressed.”
“Did you know I’m the reason Glaven is still alive? I healed him. My Essence, it’s Survival. I know there’s something I can do for Mother, and I don’t need anyone to believe in me to do it.”
“Wait, what do you mean you healed Glaven?”
Riven didn’t answer. The heat was burning his thoughts to ashes, and he pulled his horse away. Rose could find her own answers, just as Riven would.
“Riven! Wait. What did you do to Glaven?”
Rose’s voice was really annoying, so Riven relented and gave her a shrug. That was it. He didn’t stop, not even when he reached the others. The Spectres were waiting north, where no trains or rail carriages went beyond a certain point, which was why they had brought their horses. He whipped the reins and rode on.