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The Steel Orb
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Dull, empty day passed after dull, empty day. Fortress tried to teach me things, and I really had no doubts that he was a fine man, but... whatever the great Illusion was, he not only believed it; he couldn't think to question it. I found Silver from time to time, and had comfort by her, but... I didn't understand why she wouldn't take me in to the group. And the rest of the world grew bleaker and bleaker.
Then it happened.
I snuck behind her one day, never giving a hint of my presence, until I found myself led into the chamber, the meeting place. They were chanting; there was something elusive about the chant, and I remained hidden in the shadows. Then Clamp himself saw me in the dark, and said, "Welcome. You have made it." There was a wicked grin on his face.
"Why did you not call me back? Why did Silver not lead me here? Was I not worthy?"
"You were not. Or, I should say, you were not worthy then. We were testing you, to see when you would make your own way in--then you were worthy. That you have come is proof that you are worthy--or at least might be. It does not speak well of you that you took so long. Look at me. Your very face tells me you have been drained by things unworthy of you--dull people, trivial lessons, a warhorse being taught the work of a mule.
"Or at least that's what I could say being generous. I think you are still enmeshed in the Illusion--it is still quite strong in you. So strong that it can probably affect what you see, make what is before your eyes appear to be what it is not.
"There is another test before you. Take this dagger."
He placed in my hand a stone dagger with a serpentine curve to it. It was cold; a coldness seemed to seep through my body and my heart began to pump the icy chaos of a sea at storm. I felt sick.
"There is a clay dummy in the next room, exquisitely fashioned. Place this dagger where its heart would be. You will cut through the illusion, and be ready to drink of the Well of Secrets."
I walked. Aeons passed each footstep; each footfall seemed like a mountain falling and beginning to crumble. And yet it seemed only an instant before I was in the next room.
My stomach tightened. I could not say what, but something was wrong. There was something like a body that was deathly still.
I could see the feet only; the face was covered. Some Wind blew in the recesses of my heart, and I tried to close it out.
I walked over, my stomach tighter. The Wind inside me was blowing louder, leaking, beginning to roar. And then I smelled a familiar smell. How could they make clay smell like--
I twisted the dagger and tore the cloth off the dummy's face. It looked like Fortress. Then Wind tearing through me met with the breath of his nostrils.
I gasped.
I threw up.
There was a sound of laughter around me--or laughing; I could never call it mirth. It was cruel and joyless, and tore into me. And still I retched.
"Do you need help? Or are you really so weak as that?
"Maybe you didn't belong here; not all who merely force their way in are truly worthy."
I looked around on the ground, and saw Fortress's staff.
In a moment I snatched the staff, and cast away the dagger.
I stood, reeling.
"I am not worthy. I am not worthy to be here, still less to be with Fortress. And I'd like to take a heroic last stand, and say that if you're going to kill him--if whatever black poison you've used won't already do so--you'll have to kill me first, but I would be surprised if I could achieve any such thing against you. I cannot call myself Fortress's disciple; that illusion is broken to me. But if I may choose between reigning with you and being slaughtered with Fortress, I can only consider being slaughtered with Fortress an honor that is above my worth and reigning with you to be unspeakable disgrace!"
Clamp looked at me with a sneer. "I don't know why I ever let you in, disciple of Fortress." He grabbed a sword, and made one quick slice.
I felt hot blood trickling down my chest.
"Go on, to your fascinating gears and your deep, deep lessons. Carry your Teacher. We'll meet again. Now I don't think you're worth killing. I don't know what I'll think then."
The blood flowing down my chest, I picked up my unconscious Teacher and his staff.
"The path out is that way. Never mind the drops of blood; you won't reach us this way again."
As I carried his heavy body towards the marketplace and then his home, I panted and sweated. Fortress seemed to be regaining consciousness. I staggered across the threshold and then laid him on the bed.
Pool looked ashen. "Are you all right, Salt?"
Fortress looked at her. "Never mind me; the poison they used is short-lived. I'll simply need more sleep for a few days, and life will go on. Look at Unspoken. I have not been that stunned by a man's behavior in many years."
I collapsed on the floor, then rose to my knees. "Fortress. I have sinned against Heaven and before you. If you have any mercy, show one more mercy that I do not deserve. Give me money that I may return to my island, and no more inquire into things too wonderful for me."
Fortress turned to Pool. "Get one gold sovereign, a needle, and thread."
I looked at him. "One gold sovereign? But that would buy more than--"
"Bite this," he said. "I'll try to make the stitches small."
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The Steel Orb
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