Chapter 6

Vaysh fixed his eyes on the upstart. "You really want to go there?"

Apollo stood with his hands on his hips. "Yes, of course I do. So does Moon. It's what we're here for. What, don't you think it's a good idea?"

Moon rose to stand beside his son. "We want to go to Phaonica, Vaysh. We want to meet the Triad. We want to go to the Sanctum."

The Sanctum. In all the thoughts that had ricocheted through Vaysh's brain in the time since he'd come to, the notion of Moon and Apollo making a pilgrimage to the Sanctum had never occurred to him. Presented with it now, Vaysh could only stare blankly.

"What is it?" Moon asked. "Something surprise you?"

Vaysh slowly stood up from his place on the bed. "Going to the Sanctum. Do you think that's really wise?" He caught Apollo's eyes and held them. "Do you think it's even possible?"

Moon didn't waver. "Of course it is. He promised me."

Apollo stepped in. "He told us -- told Moon -- before the end, he told us he might never really be gone, that we could talk to him, his spirit, even after death. Going around the city, asking questions, I'd heard the Triad do in fact have contact with him, that they talk to him in the Sanctum."

Vaysh crossed his arms and nodded. "They commune together. I've seen it."

"Have you ever taken part?" Moon asked.

"No."

Seeing Moon's all-too-knowing eyes, Vaysh turned and headed vaguely for the door.

"He will talk to me -- and my son also. If you like, I could--"

"No."

Apollo cleared his throat. "Well, perhaps we can work this out later." Vaysh didn't turn, although he knew Apollo had come up beside him as he spoke. "For now... can we just go? Or get ready to?"

"Yes," Moon replied silently. "Although you simply must have a bath before we go. Change your clothes, too! You can't go to the palace looking like a vagabond." Moon gestured to Apollo's linen robes. "This is fine for blending in, but now you must be splendid. You will wear the yellow silk?" Apollo assented. "Good. Wash your hair?" His son agreed. "We may need to cover your head up, though. What do you think, Vaysh? Do you think we'll attract too much attention if he appears just as he is?"

Vaysh didn't have to think about the question for long. "Yes, he'll attract too much attention. It might cause a panic. I'd advise covering his face at least. You must be careful."

"It's very good you found us," Moon observed.

Suddenly Apollo's mouth dropped open.

"What is it, son?"

It seemed he'd finally had a realization. "You followed me here!"

Moon smiled and shook his head. "You just realized that?"

Apollo was sheepish. "I just only now thought about it. He was so busy telling us who he was and finding out who we are, I never thought of why he was even here, except that he passed out."

"For the official record, I did not pass out," Vaysh asserted, his voice flat. "If anyone asks... you approached me."

"Ah, I see, Vaysh -- so dignified," teased Apollo, winking.

Vaysh felt his stomach flutter, thinking of Thiede and how much he had been teased by him. "Yes." He looked to Moon. "Now he ought to bathe and...?"

Apollo sighed. "Yes. I ought to." He moved towards the far door, not glancing back. "You two talk. You probably need to. Don't worry, I won't listen in." The door closed behind him.

Thus Vaysh was left alone with of all people, someone who had been, for all intents and purposes, Thiede's lover.

For a few moments, neither of them moved or communicated a single thought. Finally: "I'm glad I've got to meet you, Vaysh."

"I'm still rather shocked, I will admit."

"I know, Vaysh. Of course I know -- even skimming, I can feel it."

"I wish we didn't have to communicate like this," Vaysh said.

"This is my way. It is what I have."

To Vaysh, Moon's face appeared serene. He didn't move his lips at all, his words were pure thought.

"Come and sit," Moon offered. "Finish the drink."

Vaysh followed him over and sat in the chair formerly occupied by Apollo, while Moon sat on the bed.

"Ask me a question, Vaysh," Moon said suddenly.

"What sort of question?"

"How about one of the thousand bobbing about in your head?"

Cagey, this one. More and more, Vaysh could see how he had managed with Thiede. They were not unequally matched.

Vaysh considered all the things he might ask. It occurred to him to ask something related to Apollo, since he was out of the room, but then his mind came up with something similar, only more intriguing. "What was Thiede like as a father?"

Moon sucked in air through his nose. "He was a good father, better than I suppose you might imagine. He wasn't around very often..."

Was it possible for a mindvoice to sound wistful? "No, I suppose not," Vaysh said.

The albino nodded. "He wasn't around often, but when he did come, he was good. He was very sweet with Apollo."

Vaysh waited, a vague pain flickering inside him. "Sweet? I can't imagine."

"He played with him, Vaysh. He'd... he'd make dancing balls of light. One time he made some dolls dance. During Apollo Feybraiah, he made him feel better -- wasn't even there, just sent him dreams."

All these images were bewildering to Vaysh. It spoke of a side to Thiede that had not been all that evident. He said this to Apollo.

"This is why we're here, Vaysh. We want to show all sides."