Of Truth and Beasts

Was she alone or with others? he finally asked.

Three companions. A tall human male, a male dwarf, and a wolf ... or what the Lhoin’na call—

A dwarf?

Yes, Domin, but I know nothing about him as yet.

Ghassan moved on to details over which he had more control. Is the human called Chane?

Yes.

This troubled Ghassan deeply. Wynn Hygeorht’s choice of companions had always been a concern and an unpredictable influence. How in all of Existence had Chane Andraso walked into the Lhoin’na forest?

Do not allow yourself to be alone with that one, Ghassan warned, and then paused in thought. Do you know why Wynn is there?

Not yet, but ... the Lhoin’na Premin Council has shut the archives.

What? Why?

The territorial Shé’ith—their Serenitiers—guard all entrances rather than sages. Domin Safir and Journey or Marwan were physically barred from entering.

This was too much, so drastic it could not be about Wynn alone. No branch dared deny access to ranking sages from another branch, at least not in such an obvious way. Something else was happening in the upper ranks of elven sages.

They claimed it is for restructuring, Mujahid went on, but I have not seen one archivist or assistant enter access points that I have watched. Only once did anyone pass the guards ... only premins.

Ghassan had no notion of what purpose this severe action served or what had caused it.

When did this happen?

Mujahid paused before answering. I took Journeyor Hygeorht to see Premin Gyâr, as she had an official communication for High Premin T’ovar, who is not present. I left her there, as I did not think it pertinent.

Likely neither had Wynn. Ghassan’s suspicions were already working. There was little chance to learn what that letter contained, but it must have come from the Numan Premin Council if it was for T’ovar—perhaps directly from Sykion. Was there something developing between the Lhoin’na and Numan sages? If so, would they leave Ghassan’s own branch out?

Domin ... how am I to continue if I cannot access the archives?

Ghassan slouched upon the bunk’s edge. Mujahid’s assignment was critical, but more critical was why Wynn had shown up at the Lhoin’na branch. Likely she sought those same archives for good reason, but the message she had brought had cut off both her and Mujahid.

What should I do? Mujahid asked.

Keep me appraised of Journeyor Hygeorht’s activities. Without access to search for what we need, you will continue reporting to me, and only to me, so long as your group remains there. You will report anything you learn concerning the Lhoin’na Premin Council.

Yes, Domin.

And especially, Ghassan added, everything you can learn concerning Premin Gyâr.

Mujahid fell silent.

Is there a problem?

The journeyor of Metaology did not answer immediately. When he did, Ghassan felt the trepidation carried by two words.

No, Domin.

Ghassan let the medallion fall against his chest and sat silent.

Mujahid was frightened of Gyâr, as he should be, though there was no real danger. The Lhoin’na premin of Metaologers was manipulative, ambitious, cold, and cunning, and a bigot. But Gyâr would never overstep guild protocols too far if he caught a “foreign” journeyor snooping about.

Ghassan tucked away the medallion and returned to the open deck. He leaned over the rail, looking ahead for any sign of a harbor along the coastline. As yet, there were none, and he traipsed back toward the aftcastle.

“Captain,” Ghassan called out. “Please make landfall at the first opportunity. I must disembark.”

Chapter 13

Chane awoke to scuffling and hushed voices. He swatted off the blanket and sat up.