Chapter 58 – Teller of Fate

Teller of Fate

Sixth Movement: The Fate of Stars

Chapter Fifty-Eight

* * *

Having bridged the conversational divide, Jane and Elian talked of other things in a more relaxed manner as they waited for the end game.

Jane spoke of her twin more frankly than she had with anyone.

Elian was completely unfazed when she told him she and her brother had been lovers since early adolescence. Dwarven sexuality ignored such things, he’d told her. Elian’s preference for males raised no eyebrows, though his affection for non-dwarven women was a matter of some comment.

The dwarf was more intrigued by Erahndira. “I know there are a few Miu in Glyph, but they keep their heads down. I’d never met one until you brought Erahndira here.” They were still looking out over the city, focused mostly on the square where tiny figures still dashed about. Something like order seemed to be emerging. Soon now, they would begin.

“You like her, do you?” Her smile had a bit of mischief in it.

“She makes an impression. I’d not poach where you have a claim, though.”

Jane shrugged. “I don’t own her. She’s free to do as she pleases.”

“Would it bother you if she took another lover?”

“Maybe a little. It would depend on who and how serious. Then again, maybe not. We never talked about where we were going.” She laughed. “We had an odd start for sure and there’s not been time to think about it, much less talk.”

“Hmm,” the dwarf rumbled. “Strange where the mind goes in times of crisis. In a few hours, maybe much less, we’ll be facing something that has swallowed entire galaxies. We have no right to think there will be an ‘after’ for us. Yet all I can think about is love.”

Jane looked down, eyebrow cocked, lopsided grin in place.

Elian met her stare for a surprisingly long time before smiling himself. “Alright, sex.” They shared a chuckle.

Jane looked away again toward the tower and her lovers. “I wonder what they’re talking about.”

“Much the same, I’ll wager.”

“I’m a bit worried about John, to tell the truth.”

“Why? He seems a robust fellow to me.”

“In many ways he is. But we’ve only had each other for so long. Now Erahn’s in my life and he feels threatened.”

“It could be as you say. It’s hard for me to grasp; I was raised with dozens of siblings and cousins. Children are a communal endeavour for us. In any case, your Erahndira is quite disarming. I’m sure she can reassure him if reassurance he really needs.”

Jane hmm-ed. “If she has a mind to. She’ll do more than reassure if she’s a mind to, come to that.”

“You mean…?”

Jane nodded.

“Surely that’ll solve any problems.”

“Could.” Left unvoiced was her own sudden jealousy at the thought of Erahn with John. What she couldn’t reason out was who she was jealous of. It was quite a mess. She could only smile at the silliness of it.

They were silent for a time; each alone with their thoughts; each content to share the other’s company in silence.

The sparkles atop the other tower seemed just part of the ever-changing sky at first. Then it looked like something was happening on the tower top itself. But no, it was far above city arcing left and right over Nonspace. What the hell? Jane said, “Elian…?”

“I see them.” He was looking behind them. Jane followed his gaze. There they were, too.

Bright, shining silver things streaked from left to right around the city.

They had a shape, but at their considerable distance, it was impossible to make out. There were hundreds of them above was well as all around now, in every quarter of the sky.

Jane stayed where she was as Elian crossed the top of the tower and looked down the side. “They’re below as well. Whatever they are, they’ve encased the entire city.” He had to raise his voice to cover the distance.

Several Magsmen who had joined them atop the tower in the last few minutes, turned to him from their own gawking.

He came back to stand with her. The orbiting whatever-they-weres began to get closer and to slow down. Over the next few minutes, they slowly became more defined until it was impossible to pretend they weren’t what they appeared to be.

“Silver horses,” Jane said. They were galloping on the air, or whatever passed for air out there.

The strangers had evidently been noticed by those busy in the Plaza of Dying Suns as well. There was a distinct increase in the rhythm of movement, and she could swear she saw pointing arms.

“No tails; no manes.”

“Any idea what they are?” She hoped they weren’t harbingers of the White God. Hell, they could be the White God, for all she knew.

“None.”

“What should we do?”

“Keep waiting. Nothing else to do,” Elian said, “unless they take a personal interest in us.”

— Gideon Jagged
Innsmouth, August 2026

© Gideon Jagged
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