A deal worth making

Returning as the sun sets I also arrive at the change to the evening watch. So I meet Branislava and Hildegard. „I am glad that I see you again.“ Hildegard greets me. „I am glad that I come home again.“ I answer. She asks „Would it be pleasing to you if we talked among ourselves about a thing of my parents, the edible stuff having been extracted?“. I certainly agree to that.

As I announce that I have dried vegetable and some fresh supplies in addition to cheese in my backpack, Branislava abruptly leaves telling me that she’ll be in the kitchen. Well, by telling her that I revealed that the cheese makers didn’t just peacefully leave. In theory I may not have admitted that I murdered them, as somebody else may have done the murdering and then left, but that is ridiculously unlikely. „That we get edible things I have killed them. I say this publically.“ I tell Hildegard. She nods. „I doubt that she does not know that the end of the gods is a time of the wolves. Why she left abruptly I do not know.“. Promising her again that I’ll return after depositing the food I leave for the kitchen.

I can hear three ladies in the kitchen. I feel like something is wrong with me. I am heading to the showers first. The warm water is clearing my head. What was so odd about today? That I used the scientific method? It strikes me like lightning. I should have already know that I can make things cold! That means that I cannot trust my memory.

I lean against the wall ignoring the needlessly running water. What am I to do with this revelation? I cannot trust myself anymore. I need to put leadership of this group into somebody else’s hands or establish some kind of council system, where we can vote on decisions., at least temporarily.

I will start by listening to Hildegard. Clearing out the backpack is unnecessary in terms preserving the food. It just means that we cannot use it as well for something else.

Hildegard is alarmed at Peregrinus’ facial expression. „What have you done?“ she asks. „Now I know that some memories have left my mind after I had come here. Today something which I did a few days ago was new to me. I believe that it is necessary for us all to talk about my mind.“ he confesses.

She contemplates this. He has no reason to say this without meaning it, as alarming as it is. A mad wizard is a horrible possibility. But they have very little they can do about it. So she agrees.

We walk into an assembly. „You are already here. That’s good. I need to talk to you anyway.“ I kind of rush out. Zewrepa makes a complicated four-armed gesture and flutes out a calming melody. She points to a chair and pours me a cup of tea at the same time. She is also wearing a piece of wooden body armor. Where has that come from?

She starts out „First I should tell you that I’ve taken Melo as my familiar“. She pauses as if expecting an objection. I shrug. She continues „I am happy to see that this is no point of contention. Frankly, Peregrinus, I saw a need to take some actions. And I want to say that this was a decision I took especially because we are bonded by a common fate. You have been wounded spiritually and I have no confidence that these wounds will heal on their own.“ I force down my first reaction which would have involved snorting and pointing out that rushing into things one does not understand is a bad idea.

Anjali speaks up „We do understand that you are cautious by nature. We will need that given the times we are living in. It is precisely because we support and value you that we need to have as much information available as possible.“ „You could have asked“ I retort.

Zewrepa takes over „I admit that a dryad familiar was tempting. And, tell me the truth, would you have taken a familiar in your mental condition, not knowing how the bond would affect the natural recovery you are still hoping for?“. Temper makes me want to protest „What is so important about making Melo a familiar that it could not wait?“. Zewrepa has been waiting for just that question judging by her instant answer „A dryad without a bond is limited in her mental faculties. In particular she does not understand many abstract concepts, number and human planning, especially the young ones. We need her to understand what she knows about Marental’s plans and secrets.“ After a slight pause Anjali takes over „What did you want to talk with us about“.

I hang my head. That question takes the wind out of my sails. „I’ve noticed certain failings in my recollection. Not just for stuff that happened before Marental summoned me, but for what happened after that. I can no longer trust myself. I wanted to ask Zewrepa to take charge for a few days while I write journals of what I remember and compare them.“ Anjali covers her mouth with a hand. I go on „I suppose you have a concrete proposal. Let’s hear it.“

Zewrepa takes up the conversation „I have learned from Melo that the vessel we found searching Marental’s stuff holds his mistress. We propose that we face her and either force her to divulge his secrets or make a deal with her leading to the same results.“ I didn’t expect that. The surprise must show on my face. Anjali remarks „You probybly want to think it through“. She puts a hand on one of Zewrepa’s elbows. Zewrepa remains silent.