The Emperor of Everything

“Then tell me… what are we to you that you should help us as you have? I know you are fond of the Noble Person… this is written in your face. But the rest of us? Forgive me for saying so, but you don’t seem the sort of person who often performs capricious acts of charity.”

Ruiz was also fond of Dolmaero, and was growing to like Molnekh’s cheerful energetic personality. Still, Dolmaero was essentially correct. Why had he undertaken to rescue the others?

He made a successful rationalization. “I expect your help in return.”

Dolmaero spread his hands. “But what can we do? We’re not trained in violence, we know nothing of this world.”

Ruiz considered. “Here’s the first thing: We must set a watch, so that one of us is always awake. I don’t know what predators live in these woods, or what sort of people. In any case, we mustn’t be taken by surprise. So… Molnekh, perhaps you’ll stand the first watch?”

“Of course,” said the skinny mage, beaming.

Ruiz looked up. He saw that the threatening clouds had blown away, and that patches of starry sky showed through the branches overhead. “See that bright star?” He pointed to an opening in the canopy. “When it hangs above the white-barked tree, call me for my watch. I’ll call Dolmaero, who will call Nisa.”

“And what shall I do?” sneered Flomel.

Ruiz pushed Nisa gently away and got to his feet. He picked up the self-securing leash he’d brought from the wrecked airboat. “Come with me, Master Flomel. I’ll tuck you in.”

Flomel followed him slowly to the tent farthest from the fire. “Must you hobble me like an untrained striderbeast?”

Ruiz set the leash, activated its mechanism, watched it corkscrew its taproot into the stone. “I must, until you’re better trained.”

“I know I’ve spoken roughly to you, but I’ve done you no real harm. Why do you so distrust me?” Flomel smiled a crooked smile, an expression of alarming duplicity, even in the dim light.

Ruiz snugged the leash around Flomel’s neck, sealed it. “Instinct, let us say.”

“I’ve learned much this night, Ruiz Aw. How may I earn your trust?” The smile trembled on Flomel’s thin mouth.

Ruiz laughed. “At the moment, I have difficulty with the concept. Perhaps you’ll think of something.” He tugged at the leash, found it secure. “Good night.”

Molnekh had taken his post at the side of the shelter and stood motionless against the gray stone. He was hard to spot in the darkness, and Ruiz felt a degree of approval. Molnekh was intelligent and adaptable; he might actually be of some help.

Dolmaero had gone to bed, and only Nisa remained by the dead fire, huddled over, arms clasping her legs to her chest. He went to her, lifted her to her feet. “We should rest,” he said.

She looked up at him with a curiously unreadable expression, and for a moment he thought she would tell him she no longer wished him to share her tent. He could hardly blame her, considering the unpleasant things he had revealed about her world and about her life.

But then she took his hand and led him to the tent.

They lay pressed together, bodies touching from head to toe. Though there was no passion in their embrace, Nisa clung to Ruiz tightly, apparently taking comfort in his closeness.

Unexpectedly, Ruiz was comforted too. He found it good just to hold her, to feel her heart beating against him. Her scent, her warm breath, the tickling touch of her hair; all these were pleasures more than adequate to the moment.

After a while her breathing grew regular, and she slept — but Ruiz felt no such urge. Who knew when, if ever, he would come across this species of delight again?

Two hours passed in a long sweet instant.

When Molnekh came to call him for his watch, Ruiz felt a deep pang of regret. He unwrapped himself from Nisa’s arms as carefully as he could, hoping not to wake her. She stirred, made drowsy wordless sounds, then seemed to settle back into sleep.

Outside, a low ground mist lay knee-deep beneath the trees. The forest was almost unnaturally quiet, except for the snores coming from Dolmaero’s tent.

“Everything’s well?” Ruiz whispered to Molnekh.

Molnekh nodded, showing a flash of white teeth in the darkness. “I can say this much: Nothing has happened. Is that good?”

Ruiz grinned back. “Time will tell, mage.”

Molnekh chuckled. “I’m tremendously reassured, Ruiz Aw.” He reached out one skeletal hand, laid it on Ruiz’s shoulder. “We all have great faith in your skills. Even Flomel, though his admiration is unwilling and pains him.” Molnekh chuckled again, then seemed to grow serious. “Our lives are in your hands, but all things considered, I feel sure matters could be worse.”

Ruiz was oddly moved. “I hope you’re right, Master Molnekh. We’ll do our best. Who knows, it may be enough.”

Molnekh patted his shoulder again, then turned away and crawled into Dolmaero’s tent. The snores stopped for a moment, then resumed.