Chapter 13

Finishing up breakfast the following morning, Vaysh and Moon were almost equally silent. Apollo was the one showing the most enthusiasm for the day he and his hostling had anticipated for so many months.

Vaysh, upon waking, had decided he would do his best to come across as unabashed when dealing with Apollo, acting as if he was utterly confident in pursuing whatever had begun during their late-night drinking session. To reveal his true feelings so openly would be unthinkable, perhaps even a turn-off, and strangely, although he still felt fear, Vaysh was not ready for things to end before they began. The longing inside him was still there, leaping up in his chest the moment Apollo emerged in the dining room for breakfast.

Unfortunately, as the meal proceeded, Vaysh's ability to carry a conversation rapidly diminished. The more he spoke, the more he felt his voice sounded strangely awkward. Inside a voice kept telling him he ought to be showing more poise and focus. Twice he'd had to ask Apollo to repeat himself, his mind wandering back to his dreams, which had confounded him -- alternating images of Thiede and Apollo, interchanging, alternately, both sadistic and gentle but finally, in the end, gentle and, Vaysh knew in his heart, close to Apollo than Thiede. Finally, cursing what he had to admit was nothing more than the utter foolishness of nerves, he simply concentrated on eating and let Apollo expound on his own.

Moon meanwhile, did not have much to communicate. That day his words were meant for Thiede, he explained, and he was saving as much of his energy as he could towards their meeting later that day. Vaysh was far too preoccupied to point out that there was a chance the meeting might never materialize, as the Triad had made no promises. Thiede might not be able to grant an audience or even if he could, he might not be so inclined.

Finally, as Vaysh's servant cleared the table, all three of them prepared themselves for their trip to the Sanctum. First thing that morning, Vaysh had found a note slipped under the door. Signed by Pell, it contained a meeting time but again, no promises. After some minutes, Moon and Apollo emerged from the bedroom looking resplendent, all disguises discarded. Recognizing the excitement in Moon's pale eyes, Vaysh once again wanted to issue a warning towards too much hope. Instead, he opened the door and invited them to follow him along to the Sanctum.

The Triad met them on the white steps leading down into the temple. None of them had enjoyed a restful night's sleep, Vaysh quickly judged. Still, after a few minutes of small talk, Pell announced that they were prepared to make the attempt. Apollo asked if he and Moon would be able to accompany them.

"You can watch," Rue replied. "It can be beautiful."

"Only watch, however," Pell warned. "I think you must be aware of this, but we can't have you making any entreaties of your own while we are attempting our own summons. Let us do our own work and voice our own request on your behalf. Honestly, I would almost ask you to remain here on the steps, to alleviate any problems, but I know you couldn't bear it."

"No, we couldn't," Apollo agreed, hugging Moon about the shoulders. "We would very much like to watch, however. We promise to be patient. I know the request is unusual."

"Unprecedented," Cal remarked. "But that's no reason to back off. It's good to know just how Thiede will behave himself in any given situation."

Pell approached the arched entrance and beckoned them forward. Apollo and Moon followed behind Cal and Rue.

Vaysh, meanwhile, remained on the steps.

Apollo turned and with a look of surprise, headed back while the other four proceeded inside. "Aren't you coming?"

Vaysh shook his head. "No, I think I'll wait here outside. There's no place for me in there."

"Nonsense, Vaysh." Apollo's eyes were lit with excitement. "You've been in there before, haven't you?"

"Yes, of course," Vaysh replied quickly. Not wanting to delay the summoning, he wished Apollo would simply head in on his own. "Just right now, I don't see the point of it. This is a private matter. Just go on in."

Apollo reached out and took his arm. "No, I won't. You're coming with me."

"But why?" Vaysh protested, attempting to drag his heels on the pure white stone without much success.

Apollo managed to take Vaysh's other arm. "Because I'd like you to be there. I've heard it's beautiful. Meeting my father like this... if we can do it... it will be beautiful. And we'll have you to thank for it."

"Coincidence," Vaysh said firmly. "If I hadn't seen you in the market, you'd still have made it here."

Apollo slipped his hands down to Vaysh's and squeezed. "I don't care. You're coming with me."

Thus the matter was concluded and the two of them descended the slope to the archway and into the blue light of the Sanctum, full of its swirling magic energies. It barely had substance, seeming to be composed more of imagination than stone, the light having no source, the floor shining and perfect white, like a sea of milk. At the far end, next to the Dais, stood the Triad, obviously waiting, while off to the side, Moon stared around him in wonder. Vaysh and Apollo joined him without comment.

The summoning was not instantaneous, but required a ritual, all three hara sliding into synchronization, becoming one with each other in thought, in spirit, and finally in intention. Vaysh had seen this before, on that first day, before the Hegalion, and on occasions since then, but there was no diminishing the wonder and beauty of it. Soft lights flickered about the ceiling and walls, Thiede's body, Thiede's nerves. At last light fell down about the dais, where the Triad sat on the floor, hands locked, eyes clothed. Bodies bathed in light, they put forth Moon's request, or so Vaysh assumed.

Moon was wringing his hands as the lights gradually diminished. Apollo took his hostling's hand and squeezed it, trying to look encouraging, although his tightly pressed lips revealed that he was worried himself. Vaysh simply waited, aware the Triad liked to take their time stepping away from the communion.

Pell was the first to open his eyes. Turning around, he slid to stand on the floor before the dais. Cal and Rue eyed him from behind, apparently having willed him to speak on their behalf.

"Thiede agrees to... commune with you," Pell announced.

When Moon immediately stepped forward, Pell raised his hand. "No, wait, I'm not finished."

Moon halted abruptly. "He agrees to do this, Moon and Apollo, but only on one condition."

"What is it?" Apollo demanded, stepping up beside his hostling. "Whatever it is, we'll do it."

"You shouldn't make such promises blindly. No, let me tell you the condition." Pell glanced back to Cal and Rue, likely still communicating with them in thought. "If the two of you are to meet with him, you must be joined by a third, completing the group."

Vaysh caught Moon's response through his mindvoice, which was functioning like a very loud open channel. "A third? Who? You? Cal? The Tigrina?"

"No," Pell replied before walking towards them, brushing past Moon and looking down at his long-time aide. "If you want to talk to Thiede, you have to do it with Vaysh."