Key of Stars

CHAPTER EIGHT

The Year of the Secret (1396 DR)

New Sarshell, Impiltur

Japheth paced the guest room. The bottle green rug ate the sound of his footfalls. The wide mirror reflected the back and forth sway of his midnight cloak. He had only to pull the cord by the entrance, and someone from the Marhana mansion staff would soon be knocking respectfully at the door, wondering what he required.

But a meal, no matter how well prepared, or a bath, regardless how hot the water-or any number of other distractions he might ask for-were hollow substitutes for what he really wanted.

He’d worked a true wonder, creating a vessel to house the mind of Anusha’s friend Yeva. Then Neifion had ruined his surprise.

“By the Nine, I wish I had killed that bastard when I had the chance,” muttered Japheth.

He doubted Anusha or Yeva were any less grateful for what he’d accomplished. But he’d imagined the moment he would reintroduce the two friends. The scene hadn’t included a vengeful archfey. He’d hoped his gift would, in its reception, break through the unwelcome formality that had sprung up between him and Anusha after they’d returned to the mansion.

It was unnerving how much Anusha had changed since he’d met her. Or, at least, changed in his perception. She’d been a cipher, the younger half sister of his employer, and of little importance. He could still remember being vaguely aware of her watching him as he’d made his way to talk to Berhoun about some bit of business.

Later, she’d followed him out onto the Sea of Fallen Stars, a stowaway fleeing her brother and the responsibility of her name.

But now, she was the one trying to create a plan. It was Anusha who wouldn’t let him or the rest forget the threat they’d helped create. Anusha, in the absence of leadership from Raidon, Seren, or himself, was taking charge.

She was wonderful.

Should he seek her out? It was getting late …

It wasn’t like him to be so indecisive. Maybe it was because his normal routine was a shambles. He’d managed, despite the thought of it constantly hovering just below his awareness, to avoid taking a single grain of traveler’s dust for several days. Without it as a crutch, maybe an irresolute nature he hadn’t realized he possessed was coming to the fore.

The thought galled him.

“Don’t be such a child,” he said, and left his room.

He walked the hall to its end, where the door to Anusha’s chamber stood closed. A yellow glow spilled from beneath it.

He knocked.

“Yes?” came Anusha’s voice, faint through the wood.

“It’s Japheth.”

A moment of silence, and the door opened.

Lantern light shimmered on Anusha’s skin, and seemed to spark in her eyes. Her hair was mussed, having come partly free of the leather strap holding it in place, as if she’d been lying down. The wild strands enhanced and accented her beauty; he wanted to reach out and carefully unlace the leather strap restraining the rest of her hair.

Her nightdress was green, and her feet were bare. Japheth caught her familiar scent-a delicate musk he’d always presumed must be some sort of perfume, though he didn’t know for sure. He associated the odor only with her.

Suddenly his surety of purpose wavered.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her smile encouraging him.

“I thought we could, I don’t know, talk,” he said. “Take a walk. Read a book together.”

“Seriously?”

He grinned. “Sure.”

One of her eyebrows went up in question.

“You know how to read, don’t you?”

“I’m a fabulous reader,” she said, and looked directly into his eyes.

Japheth’s heart suddenly kicked into a louder tempo. “And I love a good book,” he said.

Anusha stepped back from the door, motioning him to enter.

Her room was warm. Or maybe it was him. He removed his cloak and hung it on the stand.

When he turned, she stepped into his embrace.

The smell of her redoubled, making his head whirl. He felt her arms go around his waist.

“You feel good,” she said.

“I’ve missed you,” Japheth replied.

She looked up at him with her head cocked to one side. “How are you doing?” she asked. “I mean, after Neifion showing up here today?”

The Lord of Bats was the last thing on his mind. But he said, “That old poser? He caught us by surprise is all. Anyway, I’m great, now that I’m here with you.” He winked.

Anusha chuckled. “Good,” she said. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you for helping Yeva. It’s amazing. You saved her, you know. Not many could have pulled that off.”

He shrugged, affecting nonchalance. “I’m just glad it worked,” he said.

She pulled back, but kept a light hold on his wrists. He allowed her to lead him to the edge of her bed. Then she sat, crossing her legs beneath her. Her nightdress rode up to just above her knees, showing shapely calves over slim ankles.

Anusha patted the coverlet next to her in invitation. Her nails were painted the color of the sea.

Japheth sat.

“Anusha,” he began, just as she said his name.

They laughed.

“You first,” he said.

She nodded. Then, “Japheth, we need to talk. About many things. Important things. About us, and about what we face.”

“All right. Of course,” Jepheth replied. “So …”

“The thing is, now that you’ve entered my lair … I don’t know. The world is a burden that will always be there. Our troubles too. Maybe both can wait, just a bit. What do you think?”

Her lair?

“I think I like the sound of that.”

His arm went around her shoulders, but before he could pull her closer, she crushed herself to him. The pressure of her body through their clothing warmed him like a fireplace hearth.

He cupped Anusha’s face in his palms and found her lips with his. Her skin was smooth and soft, and the first feathery touch of her lips jolted through him like a rogue spell. The touch became a kiss. She leaned against him with a delicious softness. The kiss slowed, becoming more intense, more sensual. Time seemed to stop.

Breathless, he was only able to whisper her name.

When she pulled her nightdress over her head, Japheth’s heart thundered so violently he felt dizzy.

Her feminine curves and lines were burnished with lantern light, as a painter might lovingly depict on canvas. Her silhouette branded his mind, setting his entire body on fire. Her touches were like the rolling sea surf, pushing him back and pulling him forward.

It seemed to Japheth they measured their heartbeats together, twining their sighs and caresses, moving in concert with the power of mutual need, tenderness, and a sweet intimacy that finally left him without words or thoughts.

For a few moments after she woke up, Anusha couldn’t recall where she was. Early morning light filtered into the room under the drawn shade, casting a pale glow on the wall.

She saw Japheth. He lay next to her, his limbs half-tangled in the coverlet. Then she remembered.

The man’s breath buzzed softly, and his eyes were closed. An old scar puckered a line up his thigh onto his hip. She reached out and lightly traced it.

Japheth’s eyes opened. He smiled, and his hand enveloped hers with a firm grip.

“ ’Morning,” he said.

“I’m glad you came by last night,” she replied.

He chuckled, “I wanted to come by ever since we returned,” he said. “I would have earlier if …”

She nodded, then sat up, drawing a portion of the coverlet around her.

“Japheth, now it’s time to talk,” she said. “Do you mind?”

“Of course not,” he said. But his smile faded as a line of worry creased his brow.

Anusha pressed on. “I like you,” she said. “A lot; that’s obvious. Problem is, I just don’t know if I can allow myself to fall for you. Anyhow, I’d like to-”

“I understand,” Japheth said. “It’s my traveler’s dust; you’d be crazy not to be worried about that. And my new pact. You’re wondering if you can really be with someone who …”

He trailed off when she touched a finger lightly to his lips.

“Yes,” she said. “But, let me finish-that’s something we absolutely need to discuss. Before that, though, we’ve got something even more important to attend to.”

Japheth’s eyes narrowed in thought. “Xxiphu,” he said.

“Yes,” she replied. “Because of what you did to save me, not allowing Raidon to destroy the Dreamheart when he first had the chance-”

His face hardened.

“I’m not saying you should have acted differently,” she continued. “Thank Torm you didn’t! But, because of that, we have a responsibility, both of us, to take care of the problem.”

“You said we should try to sink it,” Japheth said,

She nodded. “If possible,” she said.

He cupped her face with one palm, leaned forward, and kissed her. “I agree. It is our responsibility.”

Anusha smiled. If Japheth was with her, convincing the others would be easier.

“Maybe there’s hope for you after all, warlock,” she said.

“I’d like to think so,” Japheth replied.

Anusha glanced around the salon. How different it looked with everyone assembled. The table was so full that Raidon and Yeva deigned to stand. The scent of smoke stung the air; it curled up from the bowl of Captain Thoster’s pipe.

Anusha cleared her throat. “Thank you, everyone, for being here,” she said. “I’d like to discuss our next move.”

“Our next move?” said Seren.

“Yes,” said Anusha. “What are we going to do about the fact a petrified aboleth city followed us to the surface?”

“Bah. What can we do?” replied the wizard. “You know what lives in Xxiphu-we barely got out alive, and that was before Raidon decided there wasn’t a vintage or spirit in the city he didn’t like.”

Anusha glanced at the monk. The half-elf scowled at a spot on the floor only he could see.

Anusha began again. “If we decide-,” she said.

The captain interrupted. “The city is looking for something,” he said. The swagger was gone from his voice, replaced by a nervous conviction.

“It is?” said Seren.

“Yes,” Thoster replied. “I remembered yesterday. When it came up out of the Sea of Fallen Stars, it sent out a call. We all heard it, that terrible music …”

“I don’t remember any music,” said Seren.

“Well, that ain’t important,” said Thoster. “I heard it. And I finally figured out the command woven into the tune. The city, or whatever controls it, wants something called the Key of Stars.” The captain inhaled smoke from his pipe.

“Key of Stars?” said Japheth.

“Yes,” said Thoster. “And as awful as Xxiphu is all on its lonesome, I get the impression that if this Key of Stars is found, a whole new meaning for awful would have to be invented.”

“How so?” said Anusha.

“I can’t say; just a feeling I get,” said the captain.

Seren rolled her eyes.

“Why does that name sound familiar?” Japheth said. “Sounds like something I heard in a dream … Something about a Key anyway. Anusha was in it.”

Anusha clapped a hand over her mouth. “I had a dream like that!” she said.

“You know, I think I did once too,” said the captain.

Raidon stepped forward. “And I,” he said. He pointed to Anusha. “You stood in a realm of twilight mist. You were trying to tell me something about a key, though I couldn’t understand what you wanted of me. Something that made you sad.”

Everyone looked at Anusha. She felt her face grow warm. The reactions of her body were much harder to control when she wasn’t in her dreamform.

“The fact all of us have shared a similar dream is incredible,” she said. “I don’t know what it means. But I’ve had variations on it too, from the same perspective as you described; I saw myself. I just thought it was a recurring nightmare.”

Japheth rubbed his chin. “I’ve dreamed it on at least three occasions, maybe more,” he said.

Raidon nodded in agreement.

“I’ve only had it once that I can remember,” said Thoster.

“Well, I’ve never dreamed anything like that,” Seren exclaimed.

Raidon frowned at the wizard. Then he turned to the faux golem. “How about you?” he asked.

“Actually-yes,” Yeva replied. “Just before I came awake and saw you trying to stab Japheth … I recall fragments of seeing Anusha standing in a many pillared temple, crying …”

“What does it mean?” said Anusha.

“That Seren didn’t have the dream?” said Thoster. He blew a smoke circle at the wizard.

“No-well, maybe,” Anusha said. “But that most of us did share the same dream? I don’t recall seeing that misty expanse beneath Gethshemeth’s island or anywhere inside Xxiphu.”

“Maybe because what all of us saw in our dreams hasn’t happened yet,” said Japheth.

Seren snorted. “That’s a leap,” she said.

Raidon addressed the warlock. “How could we see the future without some sort of ritual of divination?” he said.

“If a future event is significant enough, who’s to say rumor of its approach wouldn’t echo into the past ahead of its occurrence?” Japheth replied. “Such things have happened before. And besides, Anusha seems to be at the heart of this-her connection to the realm of dreams is obviously important.”

Seren affected a dubious expression, though Anusha noted she didn’t gainsay Japheth’s theory.

“What event?” Anusha said.

Japheth shrugged. “I can’t really tell what’s going on in the dream; it’s just fragments.”

“To be so significant, it’d have to be pretty terrible, I’m guessing,” said Thoster.

“Very likely,” replied Japheth.

“I have some experience with psychic phenomena,” Yeva said. “I agree with the warlock. We are sharing the same dream because we are all entwined in what may happen. We all have some stake in the outcome, more so than others, anyhow. Anusha especially, since we’ve all seen her in the vision. She at least will survive to transmit her dream warning from the odd location we all saw.”

“I wonder where that is?” said Thoster.

Anusha shrugged. “Nowhere I’ve ever visited,” she said.

“By what you all describe, it doesn’t sound like any place on Toril,” said Seren. “More like one of the echo planes; either in Shadow or even a remote corner of Faerie, where things become wild.”

“I thought you didn’t believe any of this,” said Thoster.

“I didn’t say that, you cantankerous pirate!” Seren said. “I-”

“Stop it,” said Anusha, raising her voice. “Let’s not fight, please, not in my house.”

Seren raised a hand in acquiescence.

“Well, regardless of anything else, Xxiphu is looking for something-this Key of Stars,” said Thoster. “I’m fairly certain we don’t want to let Xxiphu find it. If we’re going to do anything, it might do to find this Key before Xxiphu or Malyanna.”

“Wait,” said Seren. “Why us? Saving Faerun from these aboleths isn’t just our problem. We should ask for help!”

“From who?” said Japheth.

“The old Sage of Shadowdale, who else!” Seren replied.

“He’s missing,” said Anusha.

“Come on!” Seren said. “I doubt-”

“My old tutor told me,” Anusha continued. “Elminster dropped out of sight after the Spellplague. People say they’ve seen him here and there since then, but my tutor didn’t think those reports were reliable.”

“Great,” Seren said. “I guess that explains why he hasn’t already blasted the damned thing out of the sky.”

“How about one of the Chosen?” said Thoster.

Anusha could only shake her head.

Japheth said, “If Elminster is out of the picture, the other Chosen might be too. Besides, aren’t the Chosen empowered by Mystra? If she’s dead, I doubt the Chosen are up and at ’em.”

“It’s true,” Seren said. “I got my magic back early, but those with years more invested in the Weave had it harder. Some still can’t cast a spell reliably. It’s possible the Chosen … are all dead.”

Silence chilled the salon.

“We’re the ones who’re already involved, and partly responsible,” said Anusha. “We should clean up our own mess. We can’t turn our backs on it and hope it goes away.”

“Yeah,” Thoster said. “Only children would do that.”

“And we’ve got Raidon, with his Sign and sword,” Anusha said. “Right, Raidon?”

Everyone looked at the monk.

Raidon’s face was a pallid mask. “I … want to find the inspiration to care,” he said. “I know I should.”

“What’s that mean?” asked Anusha. Her stomach clenched. “You’re the one who warned us we had to destroy the Dreamheart in the first place, and kill the Eldest-”

“Neither of which we managed to do,” observed Seren.

Anusha ignored the interruption, “And now you don’t care?” she said. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I can try. That’s all I can offer,” said Raidon. His expression didn’t betray the least hint of shame.

Anusha blew out her cheeks as she regarded the man. He was as unreadable as ever. At least he was drinking tea that morning, not wine. But could she count on him the next time aboleths threatened?

Aloud she said, “Well, good!”

“I’m in,” said Japheth. “As I said this morning …”

Was he blushing?

The warlock continued, “I accept some blame in this. Moreover, Neifion’s made it clear he’s never going to stop hunting me. He’s working with Malyanna, who’s behind Xxiphu’s emergence and search for this Key, I have little doubt. We saw her with the Dreamheart as we disembarked from the city. Little good it’ll do her.”

“Well, count me out,” said Seren. “I’ve got my own troubles to deal with.”

“What? You can’t leave! You’re part of this,” Anusha said.

“Thay knows I’m alive,” Seren explained. “Morgenthel is hunting me. He’s traced me here to New Sarshell.”

“The wizard taker-the one from Valtelar?” asked Thoster.

“Yes. He set an ambush for me,” Seren said. “Fortunately, I discovered it before falling prey. His presence means he’s not going to give up. I need to deal with him before he takes me by surprise.”

Anusha didn’t much like Seren. Truth be told, she thought the woman was a little too familiar with Japheth. But aloud she said, “We could use your help.”

“If I end up dead or carted off to Thay, I’ll be little use to you,” replied Seren.

“But-,” Anusha started.

“And you’ve already got enough trouble with enemies popping up out of nowhere trying to kill you,” Seren added, gesturing to Japheth with her chin. “If I’m with you, Morgenthel is one more idiot on the list looking for us. Think of me leaving this way-I’ll be the distraction that keeps a powerful enemy off your flank. The displeasure of Thay is not something you want to contend with.”

“When you say it like that,” said Thoster, “it almost sounds noble.”

“You know me better than that, Captain,” Seren said. She and Thoster chuckled.

Yeva clapped her hands together. The sound rang through the chamber like a gong. “Very well,” she said. “What is our next move?”

Japheth cleared his throat. “We have to find Malyanna,” he said. “She’s got the Dreamheart. As I said before, it doesn’t have the power to wake the Eldest. But she must have used what strength remains in it to trigger Xxiphu’s breach.”

“I suppose she’s in Xxiphu-although, maybe not, if she’s out looking for this Key of Stars,” said Thoster.

“I can find her,” said Japheth. “With the power of my new pact, which she and I share, I can find her.”

Anusha smiled at him. He returned a wink.

“Well, where is she?” said Thoster. “Probably in some nightmare realm, eh? Or, is it Xxiphu after all?”

“Not in Xxiphu, it turns out, but in the world,” Japheth replied. “I need to conduct a rite, perhaps with Seren’s aid before she leaves, to nail her location down exactly. But from what I was able to discern this morning, she seems to be somewhere in Aglarond.”

Everyone was quiet for a moment, processing, wondering what the eladrin noble could possibly want there.

“That does not bode well,” Raidon said, his voice quiet.

The monk watched the others debate. It seemed he stood in a room separate from them. Their voices were muffled, and their expressions hard to read, as if they moved through shadowy cobwebs only he could see.

The image made him apprehensive, even slightly angry, though he couldn’t say why.

Raidon wanted to stalk from the room, the mansion, New Sarshell, and out of Impiltur altogether. He’d head north, perhaps all the way to the empty white expanses of the Great Glacier, where a man could be alone with his thoughts, and not be dragged down by the travails of the world.

And yet …

When Anusha had reminded him of the dream, the one they had apparently all shared, his resolve to leave crumbled. A fleeting familiarity with the odd scene depicted in the dream touched a chord in him. For some reason, it brought to mind the image of his mother, Erunyauve.

It was the second time in two days that he’d thought of her.

Raidon’s hand went to the spellscar on his chest. He recalled how the image had once been contained on an amulet. The amulet had been his mother’s forget-me-not, the only thing she’d left him before she vanished when he was still a child. At that time, he hadn’t known any name for her other than Mother. And until he was older, he hadn’t appreciated the oddity of a Shou man, his father, and an eladrin woman bringing a child into the world together.

When his prospects in the city of his childhood had soured, he’d tried to find her. He had used the amulet to trace her. Eventually, he’d discovered her name, and more-

Raidon was startled from his reverie when he heard Japheth say “Aglarond.” He quickly reviewed the conversation he’d been mostly ignoring. Malyanna was in Aglarond? His heart skipped a beat.

“That does not bode well,” he said.

Everyone looked at him. Seren raised an eyebrow.

Raidon continued. “If Malyanna is in Aglarond,” he said, “it’s possible she is looking for a secret place called Stardeep, an eladrin citadel.”

“What’s that?” said Thoster.

“Stardeep was a secret prison-dungeon hidden in the depths of the Yuirwood forest …,” Raidon said. “Well, actually in a splinter of Faerie accessible only from certain points in the Yuirwood. It was hard to find and even harder to escape from.”

“Who are these eladrin, and whom do they imprison?” said Seren.

“They were called the Keepers of the Cerulean Sign. They watched over someone so perilous that killing him was deemed too dangerous. So they kept him, isolated and alone, impotent. They called him ‘the Traitor.’ His crime was preparing the way for the Aboleth Sovereignty.”

“You’re speaking in the past tense …,” Seren said.

“Because Stardeep is gone,” Raidon said. “So is the splinter of Faerie where it was built, a realm called Sildeyuir. The Traitor either escaped, or more likely died in the Spellplague, and the Keepers and their golem warden are dead. The Cerulean Sign burned into my chest is all that remains of their order.”

Raidon saw each person around the table digest his news in their own way; quietly, with a raised eyebrow, and in Seren’s case, a tiny shake of her head.

Thoster poured himself more tea. “So if this place is gone, why’s Malyanna interested in it?” he asked.

“Stardeep is destroyed … but its ruins remain,” said Raidon. “If she discovers their location, she might unearth the Traitor’s remains. I don’t know what the Key of Stars is that Xxiphu and Malyanna seek, but if it has to do with the Sovereignty, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Traitor knows.”

“You said the Traitor died when Stardeep was destroyed,” said Anusha.

“Remains can be reanimated, and questioned,” said Japheth.

Raidon nodded. “Just so,” he said.

Anusha frowned.

“So,” said Thoster. “There’s the hoary old aboleth city itself, hovering off the coast. And then there’s Malyanna, digging around somewhere in a ragged tatter of the Feywild near Aglarond, looking for the Key of Stars, or news of it. If we’re really serious about doing something about the situation-”

“And we are,” said Anusha.

Thoster nodded. “Then we need to deal with both,” he continued.

“Which first?” said Japheth.

Anusha stood up. “We need to split our efforts,” she said. “One group needs to monitor Xxiphu in case it does something awful, while the rest of us try to catch the eladrin noble in Aglarond before she finds Stardeep.”

“Well, I want to keep an eye on Xxiphu,” said Thoster. “It’s what’s sending out the call.”

“Good-I was thinking the same thing,” said Anusha. “With Green Siren, you can follow it around the Sea of Fallen Stars-for some reason, it seems to want to stay over water. Yeva should go with you; she can use her mental abilities to keep tabs on the aboleths’ intentions perhaps, or see if Malyanna puts in an appearance. And, with my dreamwalking, I can send a dream up to take a peek at what’s going on.”

“Hold on,” said Japheth. “You want to go with Green Siren, and spy on Xxiphu?”

“Yes,” Anusha replied.

The warlock frowned. “Which means, you’re suggesting that Raidon, Seren, and I go after Malyanna,” he said.

“Not me, remember; I’m out of this,” said Seren.

“Yes, I guess that’s correct,” said Anusha, ignoring the wizard.

Japheth’s face reddened, and his brows drew together. Words seemed to escape him for a moment.

“Look,” Anusha said, looking directly into Japheth’s eyes. “We can’t afford to let either the city or Malyanna slip away from us.”

“But your dream form is vulnerable to the Eldest!” said Japheth.

Seren raised a hand. “And, sorry to be blunt,” she said, “but isn’t anyone concerned that Raidon isn’t going to go after the warlock again once they’re alone? Raidon looked like he was hell-bent on killing Japheth down in the cellar. Seems like a dangerous idea.”

Raidon stirred himself to raise a conciliatory hand. “It was a lapse I don’t plan on repeating,” he said.

“All right,” said Seren, looking at him with a slightly disbelieving expression.

“I can take care of myself, and I certainly trust the monk,” said Japheth, interrupting. “What I don’t understand, Anusha, is how you think it’s a good idea that you get anywhere near Xxiphu? You should … come with me.”

Anusha turned to the wizard. “Remember how you gave the captain a charm to help him resist the call of his blood?” she asked. “Could you fashion something like that for me to wear to keep my mind anchored safely in my body?”

“Maybe,” said Seren.

“Would you?” said Anusha.

Seren smiled. “Of course,” she replied. “You might not guess it, but I do feel a little guilty leaving all of you in the lurch; it’s the least I can do. Shouldn’t be the work of more than a few hours. And Hells, then I can help Japheth with opening a way to Aglarond, should he require my aid. I recall a sequence or two for portal endpoints out that way. After that … I must hide away from Thay before Morgenthel finds me.”

“And what of our contract?” Raidon said to Seren.

“It was fulfilled when I ventured into Xxiphu with you, half-elf,” Seren replied. “If anything, I should be asking you to hold up your end of the bargain.”

The monk couldn’t bring himself to argue. Seren was partly right in any event.

“If you can find me when this all ends, I will do so,” he said.

The wizard sniffed. “Do you really think you’re going to live through this?” she said. “If you had any sense at all, you’d run and hide with me until it all blows over.”

Seren’s words made Raidon sad. But only a little. Because her words also sparked a memory of nobler days, and a protest. Raidon hadn’t been trained to give up when things got hard. No. He’d been taught, and he believed somewhere in his core, that the true mettle of a person was revealed in how they ultimately faced a difficult or even an impossible situation. Since returning from Xxiphu, he’d failed to be his best. But there was a chance to try one more time.

“I am pledged to this fight, whatever the outcome,” Raidon said. “It has taken so much from me already, I hardly begrudge giving up the rest.”

A weight seemed to lift from his shoulders, and he stood straighter.

Japheth, Anusha, and even Thoster frowned at his statement. His ability to read others was returning. His hallucination of gauzy webs filling in every empty space in the room had evaporated. The air in the salon was sweeter than when he had first entered, and the colors were more vibrant. He was feeling … relief?

Yes.

“Anusha Marhana,” Raidon said, “thank you for your intent to see this disaster through. You have my gratitude; you’ve kept us together since we returned from Xxiphu, you gave us a place to rest and recover from that horrible place, and now, despite our reluctance, you have brought us together long enough for a plan to be forged.”

“Here, here!” Yeva said.

Anusha blushed. “Thank you,” she said. “I only did what needed doing.”

“Exactly,” said Raidon.