Stone of Tears

Richard studied the other’s blue eyes for a long moment. “I am fuer grissa ost drauka. Warren, I know what it means.”

Warren clutched his fingers to the sleeve of Richard’s red coat. “You know? You know which is the correct translation?” His fingers trembled. “Would you tell me?”

“If you promise not to tell anyone else, for now.” Warren nodded eagerly. “No one has been able to figure out which one of the three is the true translation because in trying to justify one, they invalidate the whole.” Warren frowned. Richard leaned toward him. They are all true, Warren.”

“What?” he whispered. “How can that be?”

“I have killed people with this sword. I am the bringer of death in that sense. That is the first meaning of drauka.

“In order to prevail against otherwise impossible odds, such as defeating the mriswith, I use the sword’s magic to bring forth the spirits of those who have used it before me. I have called the dead forth, called the past into the present. In that way, I am the bringer of spirits. That is the second meaning of drauka.

As for the third meaning, bringing forth the underworld, I have reason to believe that I may have somehow torn the veil. That is the third meaning of drauka.”

Warren gasped.

“It’s very important that you find out the information I asked you about. I don’t think I have a lot of time.”

Warren nodded. “I’ll try. But I think you put too much faith in me.”

Richard lifted an eyebrow. “I have faith in a man able to break Jedidiah’s leg.”

“I did nothing to Jedidiah. Jedidiah is a powerful wizard. I would never dare to oppose one of his powers.”

“Oh, come on, Warren. There are ashes of the burned carpet on the shoulder of your robe.”

Warren brushed frantically at his shoulder. There is no ash there. I see no ash.”

Richard waited for Warren’s eyes to come up. Then why are you brushing at your robes?”

“Well, I… I was… I just…”

Richard put a reassuring hand on Warren’s back. “It’s all right, Warren. I’m a believer in justice. I think Jedidiah got what he deserved. I won’t tell anyone. And you must not tell anyone about any of this.”

“I must warn you, Richard, you did a very dangerous thing yesterday when you told all the Sisters that you were the bringer of death. That is a well-known, and hotly debated, prophecy. There are Sisters who believe it means you are one who kills. They will try to comfort you. There are others who think it means you will bring forth the dead, call the spirits. They will want to study you.” He leaned a little closer. There are others who think it means you will tear the veil, and bring the Nameless One to swallow us all. They might try to kill you.”

“I know, Warren.”

Then why would you let them know you are the one in the prophecy?”

“Because I am fuer grissa ost drauka. When the time comes, I will kill any of them I must in order to get this collar off. I had to give them fair warning first, give them the chance to live.”

Warren touched his fingers to his lower lip. “But you wouldn’t hurt Pasha. Not Pasha.”

“I hope to hurt no one, Warren. Maybe with the information you help me with, I won’t have to hurt anyone. I hate being fuer grissa ost drauka, but that is who I am.”

Warren’s eyes teared. “Please, you wouldn’t hurt Pasha.”

“Warren, I like her. I think she is a lovely person, inside, like you said. I only kill to protect my life, or the lives of innocent people. I don’t believe Pasha would ever give me cause, but you must understand that if I am right, and the veil is torn, then more is at stake than any one person’s life. Mine, yours, or Pasha’s.”

Warren nodded. “I have read the prophecies. I understand. I will search for the things you need.”

Richard tried to reassure him with a warm smile. “It will be all right, Warren. I’m the Seeker; I’ll do my best. I don’t want to harm anyone.”

“Seeker? What is the Seeker?”

Richard slapped his hand to the metal plate. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

Warren glanced down at the plate as the door slid opened. “How are you able to do that?”

Pasha was standing calmly, waiting, her face making a good effort at not showing her anger.

“And just what was that all about?”

Richard stepped through the doorway. “Boy talk.”

Pasha stopped him with a hand to his arm. “What do you mean, boy talk?”

Richard looked into her warm brown eyes. “I was twisting Warren’s arm, making him tell me about the test of pain. You failed to mention it, so I had to ask him about it. Or were you planning on waiting until you came to do it, before you told me?”

Pasha rubbed her bare arms, as if to warm them. “I do not do that, Richard. I’m only a novice. Full Sisters must do it.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about it?”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “I don’t like to see people hurt. I didn’t want to frighten you about what may not come for a long time. Sometimes the waiting can be worse than the actual experience. I didn’t want you to have to wait in fear.”

“Oh.” Richard let out a long breath. “Well, I guess that’s a good reason. I apologize, Pasha, for what I was thinking of you.”