The Silver Sphinx

 

“The Revolutionary League is a festering sore at the heart of Sigil. If it is not swiftly and quietly eliminated, it could be our undoing."

decurion Guin Rhond, reporting to legate Tonat Shar

 

 

Third Lower Day of Savorus, 126 HR

Sarin handed his aide, Amariel, a stack of notes and a few brief instructions before sending her to the Hall of Speakers. There were a few meetings to be held with representatives of other factions in advance of the next session – Prophecy or not, everyday politics in Sigil did not come to a standstill. Then the factol took a quick glance at his clock and sat down behind his desk. He was expecting a certain soldier for a private conversation ... Almost exaggeratedly punctual, there was a knock at his door and one of the officers on guard outside announced the arrival of Kiyoshi. Sarin gave permission to let the soldier enter and the young man struck his gloved fist against his breastplate while bowing his head. He remained in this position. Sarin looked at the soldier, not outright chastising but with a certain sternness. He let him wait for a few moments before addressing him.

“At ease, soldier. Come in.” He waved him over with his left hand.

Kiyoshi approached the desk and looked at Sarin with a motionless expression. The factol recalled the remark of his soldier that this would have been unthinkable in Kamigawa. But since he had once explicitly ordered him to look him in the eye when he spoke to him, the young man had dutifully complied with this order ever since.

Sarin's expression remained unchanged as he scrutinized Kiyoshi. “I have summoned you to discuss what happened yesterday. Do you have anything to say about it?”

Kiyoshi seemed to straighten up even more than before. “Honorable factol Sarin-gensui, I would like to humbly apologize for being captured. It won't happen again.”

Sarin couldn't quite hide his annoyance when the conversation turned to this topic. A slight vertical wrinkle formed between his dark eyebrows. “I'm not exactly happy about what Mallin has done. Admittedly, I was surprised that he went so far. But I should know him better. However, that's not what I mean. There was nothing you could have done in that situation, caught off guard and unprepared, against a group of highly trained elite Red Death warriors. I don't blame you for that, Kiyoshi. I'm concerned about something else. When Lady Morânia informed me about the incident, she also told me that you tried to take your own life. Is that so?” His voice became harder with this question.

“Of course, honorable Factol Sarin-gensui,” Kiyoshi replied with utter conviction. ”Firstly, an arrest by the Mercykillers, in which I would not have resisted, would have brought shame and dishonor upon me. And secondly, I was sure that they would leave us alone because of this threat, since they needed us alive.”

“What now, soldier?” Sarin replied impatiently. ”Was it a serious attempt to take your life, motivated by honor and the loss of it? Or was it just an attempt at deception to mislead the Mercykillers? Did you seriously want to kill yourself or not?”

Surprisingly, Kiyoshi's face showed something like unease and worry – an unusual emotion for the young soldier. “Honorable Factol Sarin-gensui,” he said, “I wish this question were easier to answer. Of course, this attempt was primarily due to the knowledge that they wanted us alive and that the death of even a single one of us would be a disaster. However, I was also aware that if they were not impressed by this maneuver, my honor would force me to commit seppuku. But in the end, it would otherwise have been nothing more than an empty threat that certainly would not have had any effect. When the amazon disarmed me with kami-like speed, I no longer had the opportunity to commit seppuku and I also had to protect my companions. So now I am in an awkward position. I have to commit seppuku because my honor demands that I follow up my words with deeds. At the same time, however, I see that something important would break by my death. I would destroy a prophecy that might bring salvation. And so I ask you, honorable Factol Sarin-gensui, who is the trusted champion of a kami, to guide me with your wisdom.” With the last words, he knelt before Sarin and held his naginata, which he had carried on his back, with the handle pointing towards the factol and the blade towards himself.

A certain hardness faded from Sarin's eyes at these words and gesture. “I actually summoned you here to give you a lecture,” he replied with a sigh. “But now I see that even you yourself don't know exactly where you stand.” He stood up and stepped towards Kiyoshi, who was kneeling before him. “Soldier, I am aware that there are cultures where ritual suicide serves to preserve one's own honor, sometimes even the honor of the whole family or community. There are realms on different planes and also in the past on Ortho that are shaped in such a way. And I try to respect your culture as much as possible.” He looked at Kiyoshi seriously, then reached for the naginata with his left hand and took it. “But here in the Harmonium, both under my command and in your particular situation, that is not an option. You will never again attempt to take your own life. Is that clear?” With the last words, a certain sternness flowed through Sarin's voice again.

The young soldier nodded. “As you command, honorable Factol Sarin-gensui. I will have to find another way to restore my honor, then.” He didn't sound happy with Sarin's order, but the factol was sure he would follow it.

“Very well,” he replied. “I know I can rely on your word.” He turned slightly to the side to place Kiyoshi's naginata on his desk, across various documents. Then he looked at the young soldier again. ”And now I would like to know what happened in Elysium.”

Kiyoshi nodded, stood up and then began to describe the events in Elysium in his own detailed way. Sarin sighed inwardly. The fact that the soldier still found it so difficult to limit himself to the essentials when reporting was a little exhausting. As so often, he had to interrupt Kiyoshi several times and ask him to be more concise. When he had finally heard everything, from the journey to the Conclave Fidelis to the encounter with the Guardians of the Balance, to the meeting with the phoenix and the events in the Labyrinth of Accord, Sarin shook his head gently. As wondrous and moving as the process of Abaiel's creation were, he found the information that Terrance had been a proxy of Mishakal in the past inconceivable. This made the actions of the Athar's factol even more incomprehensible than they already were in his eyes. But then the young soldier revealed that he had yet more important information, and he seemed unusually hesitant, even cautious, about it. When Sarin asked him to report, he told of Sgillin's contacts with Shemeshka and his confession of being a member of a group called the Razor Angels, as well as of an amulet that served as the gang's identifying sign. Sarin could hardly believe his ears when Kiyoshi described the symbolism of the pendant.

“What?” he interrupted him abruptly and energetically. “Just a moment, soldier, not so fast ... Are you sure? Are you really sure that this man is an Anarchist?”

Kiyoshi thought about it and then answered confidently and with conviction in his voice: “Indeed. The honorable Naghûl-san and the honorable Lady Morânia-sama recognized the amulet Sgillin-san was carrying as a faction symbol of the Anarchists. Furthermore, he himself explained that he had joined a group that the honorable Morânia-sama and the honorable Naghûl-san identified as Anarchists because of the pendant. I fear that all these facts leave no other conclusion, honorable Factol Sarin-gensui.” Kiyoshi reported all this with a relatively emotionless voice and a stony face. But at the end, something like regret crept into his expression.

Sarin had grown more and more angry as his soldier reported these outrageous news to him. At Kiyoshi's last words, he stood up abruptly and slammed his left fist down on his desk so hard that two inkwells, a glass and a carafe began to clink nervously. A fierce curse in Iirondian came over his lips. “An Anarchist, yes?” His voice was loud, effortlessly filling the entire room. “Here! In our ranks! In the Barracks!” His anger made his dark eyes sparkle, was like blistering lava, about to overwhelm him. ”A man with whom we shared everything! In whom we confided! A damned Anarchist! And right under my nose!”

Almost at the same moment, the glass and carafe flew off the table and shattered into a thousand pieces when Sarin hit them, filled with rage. At that moment, his sometimes fiery temper burst through unbridled. Again, a curse in his native language came over his lips. Kiyoshi hesitated, but then raised his hand as if he wanted to say something. The paladin closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath. His left hand was still clenched into a fist on his desk. When he opened his eyes again, he glared at Kiyoshi, almost as if the young soldier were the Anarchist. “What?” he asked impatiently.

The young man spoke carefully, choosing his words with great deliberation. “Well, in his defense, it must be said that Sgillin-san did not consciously join the Anarchists. He said that he joined this gang because he was afraid of trouble with the oni Shemeshka. They claimed that they could protect him. I believe him that he only knew that it was an Anarchist cell since our mission in Elysium. When the honorable Naghûl-san used very colorful language to make him understand who he had joined, Sgillin-san was at least surprised, if not frightened.”

Sarin's expression changed from angry to incredulous. Again, he closed his eyes briefly, rubbed his temples and shook his head. “Are you saying that this leatherhead has joined the Revolutionary League without knowing it? Or at least claims to have done so and convincingly pretends ...” At the last words, his expression darkened again.

Kiyoshi seemed to be seriously considering the question. “I might not swear on the kami,” he answered with an honest expression. “But as far as I got to know Sgillin-san, he is indeed someone who could stumble into membership of the Revolutionary League by carelessness or rashness. If I had to describe him, I would say he is one of those men who try to escape from the rain and fall into a well instead.”

Sarin shook his head again. “Unbelievable! And now I have to find some way to deal with this ... That's all I needed! As if I didn't have enough problems, now I've got an Anarchist on my hands too! But he will justify himself to me for this.” His short but fierce outburst of rage had subsided and he had calmed down again. He looked at Kiyoshi, scrutinizing him. “What is your opinion on this matter, soldier? I would like to hear your thoughts on this.”

Kiyoshi seemed to compose himself briefly. “Honorable Factol Sarin-gensui,” he replied, ”Fortunately for me, I have not yet had too much experience with the so-called Revolutionary League. As for Sgillin-san, I can only say that he has always refused to join a faction. Therefore, I cannot judge whether and to what extent he will integrate into the faction, or whether he sees his membership for what it is: an accident.”

“An accident. Great.” Sarin snorted dismissively, but then sat down again and turned to Kiyoshi. ”The very fact that Sgillin has always refused to join a faction made him attractive to the Anarchists. They don't see themselves as a faction at all, you see? On the contrary, they want to smash the factions. Ironically, the Lady apparently regards them as a faction nonetheless because they officially belong to the fifteen factions of Sigil. They also take part in the Day of Pain. Nevertheless, Anarchist activities in Sigil are punishable by very harsh sentences, including death. I know how paradoxical that sounds. It's probably best if you don't even try to understand it. That's just how Sigil is. Unfortunately, it is our duty to track down and arrest members of the Revolutionary League so that the Guvners and the Mercykillers can mete out Sigil's justice to them. And that's exactly what puts us in a very difficult position now.”

Kiyoshi nodded gravely. “Well, if it is our duty, then we must fulfill it. Is it a crime to be a member of the faction or only to take concrete action? If it's the former, that would indeed be a problem. If it's the latter, I'll keep my eyes open and will carefully note every violation by Sgillin-san and keep a record of it to bring him to justice. Furthermore, I may be able to gather more information about the activities of this alleged faction. Once enough evidence has been gathered, a large-scale arrest can take place, which may also include Sgillin-san if he has behaved … anarchistically. To that end, it would of course be helpful to know when an act is considered anarchistic. Would that be a solution you could live with, honorable Factol Sarin-gensui? You see, we have proverbs in Kamigawa that describe this situation: 'If the falcon dives and snaps the body of its prey, it is by striking at the right time.' or 'Know your enemy and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will never be in danger'.”

Despite the precarious situation, Sarin couldn't help but smile. “You're unusually talkative, soldier. Is that because of your dragon blood transformation, or are you just warming up?”

Kiyoshi became a little thoughtful. Finally, after a pause, he replied. “Please excuse my ignorance, honorable Factol Sarin-gensui, but I cannot answer that question. If I have behaved improperly, please do not hesitate to punish me for it.”

Amused, Sarin shook his head. “You didn't, soldier. Don't worry, at the moment I really see no reason to punish you for anything. I'm just a bit surprised, since you've always been very hesitant to express anything other than a precise report in so many sentences or to offer a specific opinion. I take that for something positive. Not that I always want to hear the opinion of my soldiers. But when I ask, I expect an answer.” He leaned back. ”Back to the Anarchists: You received the legal code of the City of Sigil from decuria Amariel and I'm sure you have read it. But admittedly, it says quite a bit, so I will cite the relevant paragraph: Anarchy is defined as any conscious act that directly or indirectly aims to or tends toward destabilizing or damaging the governing institutions of Sigil, that is, the factions. Each faction represents an important aspect of Sigil, so an attack on the factions or on one of the factions is an attack on Sigil itself. This is punishable by death without the possibility of appeal or pardon.” He quoted the legal text fluently and without hesitation – he had used it often enough. “Do you notice anything, soldier?”

Kiyoshi repeated the text silently to himself and then raised his head. He seemed confused. ”This text is problematic. Since the Lady-sama obviously regards the Revolutionary League as a faction, the Revolutionary League is an important aspect of Sigil. However, since the faction's goal is to destroy the other factions, the faction's existence is an attack on Sigil. So the faction must be fought. But that would be an attack on a faction and thus on Sigil, so the faction must be left alone. However, this in turn allows other factions to be attacked. I have to admit that I see no way out of this situation and I fear it is a task for scholars and wise old elders to find a solution to this problem. I don't understand the will of the Lady-sama here.”

Sarin sighed. “I have to confess that I don't understand it either. I have often wondered why the Lady created such a paradox. But to want to fathom the will of Her Serenity is not only futile, it is also sacrilegious. Therefore, I accept what She determines and of course I bow to Her will in the performance of my duties. And the Harmonium's duty is clearly to expose Anarchist activities in all their forms and to arrest those responsible so that they can be brought to justice. Our Dread Majesty has never left any doubt that this is a task that we must carry out to Her satisfaction. But there is something about the wording of the text that is interesting for us, soldier. It is written: Anarchy is defined as any conscious act that directly or indirectly aims to and so on. That is a very interesting point, because otherwise the laws of Sigil rarely grant leniency on the grounds of ignorance.”

“If stupidity were a punishable offense,” Kiyoshi replied with an unflappable expression, ”then the Prison could not be expanded fast enough to keep up with the demand for cells. And the Harmonium and the Mercykillers would never have enough members to fulfill their tasks, honorable Factol Sarin-gensui. But it is indeed surprising. Wouldn't that mean that Sgillin-san is not to blame for his membership in the Revolutionary League?”

“I wouldn't go that far, soldier,” Sarin replied seriously. “Sgillin may be a prime, but he's not quite as clueless as he likes to act, I'm sure of it. Besides, he spends a good part of his time in the Cage. That means he has to bloody acquaint himself with how things work here in Sigil. If you live in a place, you have to be aware of its laws, it's as simple as that. You said he joined this gang to protect himself from Shemeshka.” Sarin shook his head disapprovingly. ”Even if we believe him that he unknowingly contacted the Anarchists, one still has to wonder why he got into these criminal circles in the first place, right? And joining some obscure gang doesn't sound particularly law-abiding either. He would have been better off calling on those who are responsible for exactly that – us! Instead, he joins forces with people who are most likely breaking the law themselves. Soldier, I understand that you are close to this man after everything you've been through together. And I appreciate that you obviously incorporate a certain human perspective into your judgments. But don't let too much leniency influence your point of view, or you'll end up no longer being able to fulfill your duty. I know what I'm talking about, believe me.”

The young man nodded. “Honored Factol Sarin-gensui, I want you to know that I would be ready to arrest Sgillin-san at any time, should I catch him committing a crime or should I be convinced that he has broken the laws of Sigil. The same goes for any other members of my group, even if it were likely to result in defeat.” A clear determination burned in Kiyoshi's reptilian eyes at those words. ”Duty comes before personal feelings. Always.”

“Good, soldier,” Sarin replied. “I'm glad to hear that you know what your duties are.” Of course, he knew all too well that this was not always the case. There were moments in life when one was so torn between duty and heart that it was impossible to reconcile the two. Not in every case did duty win. And although he would never admit this to a simple soldier, sometimes that was a good thing. His gaze had briefly drifted past Kiyoshi, into the distance as he thought about this. But it only took a few blinks of an eye before he turned his attention back to the young soldier. “Overall, I am very satisfied with your mission in Elysium, Kiyoshi. I think you all handled the situation well. And you even found who you were looking for. Or should I say, they found you? Anyway, I assume that you still have a few questions. Regarding the events after your return. Am I right in assuming that?”

Kiyoshi seemed to think about this for a moment, then nodded. “Forgive my ignorance, but what will the Harmonium do about the Mercykillers' interference in our responsibilities? Surely this is punishable?”

Sarin smiled, albeit forced. “It pains me to have to say this, soldier, but there are many things in Sigil that are punishable by law, but that some people still get away with. What a factol or a Golden Lord does, for example, is not punished the same way as when an ordinary citizen does it. We may not like it, but that's the way the multiverse works – and so does Sigil. Of course, there have been cases in which even very high-ranking persons have been held accountable for certain offenses. But these have to be significant incidents and a lot has to be set in motion. Take Shemeshka, for example. She's one of the crime queens of Sigil, and I would have taken her out long ago if I had something on her. But you can only get her henchmen - if you're lucky. She herself is far too clever, too cunning and too influential to let herself be proven guilty, even though everyone basically knows what's going on. To tell the truth: It wasn't the first time that the Mercykillers took over our competences. Every now and then they try that. Then there are disagreements or a conversation between the factols. But they are still an allied faction and breaking with them would be politically unwise, since the Harmonium has numerous opponents in Sigil anyway.”

“I understand, honorable Factol Sarin-gensui,” the young soldier replied earnestly. ”That Sgillin-san accidentally stumbled into the reach of the criminal oni Shemeshka is, of course, all the more unfortunate.”

Sarin leaned forward a little in his chair. “It is very interesting what the honorable Sgillin-san accidentally stumbles into all the time,” he remarked disgruntled. ”All of this is taking on proportions and turns that I do not like at all. We need to meet again as soon as possible. By the way, that's another thing that annoys me: that I constantly have to discuss things with Terrance, Erin, Ambar and Rhys, at least on this issue. I would much prefer to be able to decide more things on my own. I recognize that it is wise in this particular and sensitive situation to consult with our allies - but the Lady grant that our trust in each of them is justified.”

Sarin studied his soldier for a few moments, then stood up and walked around the large desk so that the piece of furniture no longer stood between him and Kiyoshi. He took the naginata, which was still lying across various parchments and letters, and handed it back to the young man, handle first. Kiyoshi knelt down again and took the weapon with both hands before standing up and placing the naginata next to him.

Sarin was sure to see a certain relief on his face. “Soldier,” he addressed him. ”As I mentioned, you did very well on the mission in Elysium. Your report leaves me in no doubt that you made the right decisions and always acted in accordance with the principles of our faction. You did your job well.” He turned to his desk, opened a casket and took out a small, shiny object.

“Domo Arigato,” Kiyoshi replied. ”I mean, thank you very much, venerable Factol Sarin-gensui. It is an honor for me to serve the honorable Harmonium and you in this way.”

Sarin nodded contentedly, stepped up to the soldier and raised his left hand, bringing the sparkling object to the young man's shoulder. With a soft pling, the narrow bronze strip immediately nestled up to the armor. It now sat right next to the identical-looking first bronze badge that identified Kiyoshi as a soldier of the first rank.

“I hereby award you the second rank of soldier,” Sarin explained. ”Continue to serve the Harmonium sincerely and with a pure heart.”

Kiyoshi struck his right fist on the breastplate, directly over the heart, which produced a metallic sound. As he did so, he bowed his head and lowered his gaze. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this honor and the trust you have placed in me, honorable Factol Sarin-gensui. I will not disappoint you. Neither my determination nor my conviction to serve you will falter.”

“Very good, soldier,” Sarin replied. “Keep it up, and you will undoubtedly achieve success in our faction. I expect you to be a triarius in a year at the latest. You do realize that, don't you?”

Kiyoshi nodded solemnly. “I will endeavor to achieve this noble goal, venerable Factol Sarin-gensui.”

“That's what I wanted to hear,” the paladin replied with a slight smile.

He released the young man with a brief gesture, whereupon Kiyoshi saluted again and then left his office. When the heavy door had closed behind him, Sarin sat back down in his chair and allowed himself a deep sigh. The confrontation with Mallin the day before and now Kiyoshi's report on Sgillin's activities had been a bit much for a period of less than twenty hours. The paladin glared at the shards of the water carafe, which were now scattered across the floor of his office, glittering prettily but with unpleasantly sharp edges. He hoped to himself that they would not be a symbol of the near future – but an uneasy feeling told him that, on the contrary, they were downright prophetic ...

 

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played September 20, 2012