"Agreement! The matter is therefore settled."

He snorts and shakes his head briefly.

"I have been considering what to do with the civil war that is escalating. It doesn't seem the Disfavored and Chorus are going to break off the hostilities. I - we - could support the Disfavored as they expect, but there are other options."

"Such as?"

"Stay out entirely. Persuade Tiersmen to join Kyros under me or the Court, who haven't been killing them. Go looking for paths into the Spires to see if they respond like this one."

"I would favor looking to control other Spires, myself."

"The same. Though it mixes well with any other."

"Except, perhaps, for staying out of the conflict."

He raises a hand near his face and picks them out on his fingers.

Index finger: "Sunset Spire: Lethian's Crossing, north Haven. Forge-Bound, sworn to Tunon. Neutral."

Middle: "Ocean Spire: western Blade Grave. Disfavored present, thinly, attention elsewhere."

Ring finger: "Aurora Spire: west end of the Stone Sea. Chorus base exists; Earthshakers present somewhere. Cairn's Beasts around. Likely tricky."

Pinkie: "Dawning Spire: east end of the Stone Sea. Closer to Chorus; probably further from Beasts and Earthshakers. Also tricky."

"Two of four not entangled. Good starts."

"The Sunset sounds like the best starting point."

"Definitely. I expect to head there regardless starting tomorrow afternoon, after I see whether Tunon has orders for me."

"What will you do if the orders are to surrender control of this Spire?"

He shakes his head dismissively. "Don't borrow trouble."

"You ought to consider it."

"It might be impossible, and Tunon ordering it would shock me. And planning for it seems likely to incite trouble."

"You would know the Archon's mind, I suppose."

"Moderately; he is not hasty. Order me to account for myself? Possibly. And if my account was not good enough, maybe then."

Hum. "Time to react, then."

"Tomorrow. Tonight? Soldier's wisdom. Never skip a chance to sleep, or to eat."

"Fair enough."

She's earned a bit of a break.

They all have. And most of them need one more than her.

And by the next noon, a number of messages have arrived.

Kohl is sitting in a study-like room off the kitchen, looking at one on less fine parchment, in a precise but informal hand. It reads

My dear Kohl,

The Court is all abuzz with the news of the civil war. Representatives from the Chorus and the Disfavored are having little shouting matches in front of Tunon, the petitioners to the Court seem swept up in talks of who will crush whom and if and when Tunon will bring down the gavel and stop the fighting.

What has me more intrigued is the OTHER story out of Vendrien's Well... Tunon sends you on what I thought was going to be a one-way trip to the Well and not only do you live... you somehow claimed the Mountain Spire. And you broke Kyros's Edict too! Such things make a little civil war seem so trivial in comparison... at least to those who can separate the message from the noise.

Tell me, what was it like to break the Edict? And how it is you took control of the Spire?

-Fatebinder Rhogalus

 

"Jealous admirers already?"

"Curious ones, at least. Tunon's also ordered me back for an honest accout of what happened. Considering his other sources, I'm not concerned.  Yet."

"That does seem to constrain your options somewhat."

"We should have time for the Sunset Spire without judgment for tardiness. If nothing else interrupts. Irritating to Tunon, but not in violation." 

"Satisfying Rhogalus's curiosity, though... I am unsure what is wise."

"Always leave them wanting more. And perhaps a guard on the Spire."