Page 82 of Gryphon in Light

“The others tell me that there is no sign of the smoke demons for as far as they have been able to fly,” he said. “I was afraid that since one of them got a bit of itself across the Gate, they would be able to trace that bit here—but there is no sign of them. So either they can’t move any faster than a human can walk, or they don’t care about us now that we are gone from their territory. I think,” he added. He shook his head. There were things that had occurred to him that he didn’t want to talk about to just anyone. Nightwind, perhaps, Silverfox definitely, but . . . that “hostile” behavior from the smoke demons could very well have been simple territorial reactions from non-sapient animals that were top predators and had perceived them as different sorts of predators moving in on their territory. They were no more to “blame” for Uglik’s death than a bear is “to blame” for killing a human. The bear is just obeying his instincts. That might have been the case with the smoke demons.

But Kel knew very well that such an explanation would not fare well with his comrades right now. They wanted an enemy; they wanted something to blame. So I had better talk to Silverfox about this later, when we are alone.

“The bondbirds haven’t seen a thing, either,” said Firesong. “But there is a concern. Have things worsened at our destination? Is there any indication that we can’t rest a day or two?” He looked from Serenshey to Jak and back.

:Well . . . gods don’t talk to me. Not directly,: Jak replied, and leveled his own gaze on Serenshey.

:I am not much different from Jak, but . . . : Serenshey paused, and flattened his ears. :They don’t exactly “talk.” I just know things. I know that conditions have not changed much at our ultimate destination. I know those conditions are deteriorating, but not rapidly. I know that we can probably afford to take some time for ourselves before we move on, especially if you elect to do so via a Gate.:

“That’s a start, at least,” Silverfox observed. “When did you ‘know’ all this?”

Serenshey lifted his ears. :I didn’t know these things before those smoke demons appeared. I did just before they attacked us, but at that point, we were rather busy.:

Hallock looked as if he wanted to say something—probably a demand about why the gods weren’t more forthcoming. Silverfox forestalled that.

“We’re fortunate they are giving us that much,” the kestra’chern said, looking weary and melancholy. “This is very close to what we would be able to see for ourselves, if we had the best scryer in the Vales, and Kel could fully fill his Heartstone, and the scryer could take power from Kel. It’s skating very near to violating free will.”

“Hurrr. But you’re right,” Kel agreed. “And they aren’t literally asking us to do anything, just giving us information.” He swiveled his head to stare at the Firecat. “But I feel you have not told us everything yet.”

The Firecat flattened his ears again. :I was waiting to see if you would decide to rest. Yes, I know one more thing. There is a place, right on the coast, and on the way, that they want us to go to first. But I don’t know why. I only know it doesn’t have anything to do directly with our quest, but they seem to feel it’s important.:

Jak shook his head and neck. :It might be an opportunity . . . :

“Sometimes they can be infuriating,” Firesong muttered. “I was perfectly content before gods directly entered my life.”

Serenshey flattened his ears again and looked miserable.

“No, you weren’t,” Silverfox chided. “You were restless and looking for a reason to enter the Valdemaran internal conflicts. I know. We discussed it often enough.” Kel knew the look that Silverfox gave his partner. It wasn’t an out-and-out accusation, but it certainly was a reminder that the kestra’chern had a remarkable memory.

“Well?” said Hallock. “Destrier in the room. Do we follow the gods’ ‘advice’ and look into this location they want us to go to or not?”

Kelvren answered. “What I was taught about gods: the gods don’t give solutions, they give mysteries to solve for rewards to be earned. The gods choose who they think will grow from the challenge. The names we revere are those who were enlightened by their journey. The journey is what teaches.” Kel twitched his left ear. “We are on a journey.”

:The place they want us to go is on the way,: Serenshey prompted. And then—Kel could scarcely believe his eyes when the Firecat did this—somehow Serenshey widened his eyes so that they seemed to take up half of his face, dilated his pupils, and made his eyes glisten as if he was about to shed tears. Kel knew that look. Gryphlet-begging.

I cannot believe you are doing that, he thought to the Firecat, knowing that Serenshey would pick it up.

:Hush.:

“It’s bound to be something that will complicate our task,” Firesong grumbled.

“But what if it leads to something we need?” asked Silverfox reasonably.

Serenshey’s lower lip quivered.

You’re shameless.

:I use the weapons I have.:

Firesong glanced at the Firecat and threw up his hands. “All right. We’ll do it. Rest for a few days first, and then we’ll do it. It’s on the way, so we won’t have to make some sort of excuse for a detour.” But he glared through his mask at Serenshey. “This had better be worth it.”

Shameless, Kel repeated—secretly envious. If only he could make his eyes big and tearful! There had been so many times that would have been useful!

:Effective,: the Firecat replied smugly. :And don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.:

:There is another thing to mention,: Jak mindspoke to everyone there.

:I felt something that has stayed with me about the smoke creatures. I would like your thoughts on this,: he continued. :I think we could not detect them because they were very weak, and not “all there,” if that makes sense. As in, not entirely in . . . reality. What came to my mind was minnows on a streambank trying to stay hidden under leaves.: