The Silver Sphinx

 

“In the Gymnasium, you don't just train, berk. - You find yourself. You practice harmony of body and mind and multiverse.

Here, a Cipher lets the Cadence of the Planes drum through his very being.”

overheard at the Portico of Learning at the Great Gymnasium

 

 

Fourth Clerk's Day of Sakrilegion, 126 HR

While Naghûl was sitting on one of the soft carpets in the crystal meditation room of the Great Gymnasium, he let his thoughts drift back to the Day of Pain a week ago. Together with Lereia, Jana, Sgillin and Morânia he had stood in the crowd in front of the Hall of Pain to witness the spectacle. Kiyoshi had been on duty and, together with many of his comrades, had been responsible for keeping the crowd away from the square in front of the hall and from the factols. The events surrounding the Ritual of Submission and Devotion had unfolded in much the same way as they did every year: one after the other, the factols and their ritual aides in white and black robes had arrived in front of the Hall of Pain. All had proceeded to the fifteen mosaics surrounding the hall, and each factol with their ritual aide had stood in the center of one of the signs. They had recited something that couldn’t be heard in the crowd, and then the portal had activated, opened only once a year by the Lady herself. The factols had entered the large building and from then on, blade-like shadows had flickered over the facade again and again. After a while, the sky had darkened and thunder had begun to rumble in the distance. The thunderclaps had come closer and closer until lightning finally had struck and hit the mosaic where Factol Rhys had been standing. Then the lightning bolt had vanished and left behind a blood-red flame. One after the other, fourteen more thunderbolts had struck into the mosaics, until finally fifteen red flames were burning around the Hall of Pain. The female statues surrounding the building, who had buried their faces in their hands, had been eerily illuminated. After a while, the square had been deathly quiet, the sky almost black and a feeling of fear and death had fallen onto the bystanders. When it had become a little brighter again, the female statues had spread their arms wide and looked up to the sky. Sometime after that, the portal had reappeared and the factols had left the hall in bloodstained robes. The tension in the crowd had been almost unbearable before it had become clear who was the “chosen one” this year: Factol Mallin stood in the Lady's Gaze with sixteen cuts of Her Blades – an unusually high number. His ritual aide, this year the young Alisohn Nilesia, had only been able to help him into his carriage with the help of Amariel and Sarin, who had not been as badly wounded. The factols, injured to a greater or lesser extent, had then returned to their respective headquarters, and soon after that the crowd in the Square of Pain had also dispersed. But anyone who had dared to look back had seen Her floating above the domed roof of the hall ...

After the ritual, the streets always emptied very quickly, because on the Day of Pain the Lady was always visible in Sigil. During those hours, She was often seen floating through the alleys. And to the horror of the Cagers, the images of the Lady that adorned many a facade in Sigil also seemed to develop a life of their own. Many were sure that the eyes would move and follow passers-by. While it was otherwise strictly forbidden and punishable by death to worship the Lady, on this one day things were a little different. Although it still wasn't allowed to pray to Her, a significantly increased amount of respect was expected. All residents at least bowed deeply before every image of the Lady, from statue to reliefs of Her bladed face to simple pictures. Most, however, preferred to be on the safe side and bent the knee, for it was widely known that those who showed disrespect often ended up flayed. The death rate on the Day of Pain was particularly high among the clueless. For this reason, the streets were deserted and all faction headquarters closed their gates, even the Festhall and the Gatehouse. The next day, even after the Collectors had done their work, one could still discover many a bloodstain in the streets. The day always ended as grimly and unpleasantly as it began. For anyone who fell asleep that evening dreamt of Her. All inhabitants of Sigil knew that the Lady of Pain would haunt them in their dreams that night – and some woke up with bloody cuts. For this reason, most tried to stay up and spend the night without sleep. Children, in particular, were kept awake. Naghûl knew from his factol that Sarin and Faith always sent their children to Arcadia on this day. Only the oldest remained in the city, this year Marinda and Sirian, as well as the soon-to-be adopted daughter Yaëlla. All in all, the residents of Sigil breathed a sigh of relief when the Day of Pain was over, and so did Naghûl and Morânia. They had known this day for decades, had experienced it dozens of times – and yet one never really got used to its macabre horror.

The Day of Pain, however, was not the reason for their current meeting at the Great Gymnasium, but rather a discovery Naghûl had made. He had used the weeks that had passed since Elyria and Lorias had revealed the Prophecy to take a closer look at the headquarters of the other factions. According to his role in the Prophecy, he had been searching. He had searched for numbers like the ones he had found in the House of Visions, but also in the Great Foundry, the Mortuary and at the entrance of the Gatehouse. And he had indeed discovered something. Not sequences of numbers separated by hyphens as in the mysterious house or the Foundry, but other single- and double-digit numbers, one each per faction headquarters. At least, as far as he had been able to examine the domains of the other factions, because, of course, he had not been allowed to enter everywhere. Or, in the case of the Anarchists, he didn't even know where to look. But he had noted down all the numbers he had discovered, pored over them again and again, and ultimately developed a theory. It was this theory that he now wanted to share with Erin and Rhys.

The Ciphers' factol had offered their headquarters for a meeting, and so Naghûl was now sitting together with Rhys and Morânia in the Moon Crystal Room. The small hall was lined with light marble and served the Ciphers both as a place for meditation and for smaller gatherings. In the middle of the room, in an artfully ornamented frame made of star silver, stood a large crystal that radiated a soft light. Soft carpets were spread all around, on which the tiefling, his wife and her factol had taken a seat while they waited for Lady Erin and her consort Da'nanin. Rhys had been lucky on the Day of Pain and had received only three cuts, one on her right shoulder, one on her left forearm and one on her back, between the shoulder blades. Only the wound on her forearm had been deep and was still wrapped in a bandage; the other two cuts had almost completely healed by now. Naghûl let his eyes quickly and furtively wander over the white linen bandages, but then immediately looked back at the large crystal in the middle of the room. As macabre as the Ritual of Submission and Devotion was, it was also exciting. But openly staring at the slashes that the factols suffered during the ritual was inappropriate. Rhys had obviously noticed his glance, however fleeting it had been, because she smiled gently but said nothing more about it. Instead, she concentrated her attention on the door, as if expecting someone at any moment. And sure enough, the door swung open shortly thereafter and Erin's consort Da'nanin appeared in the frame. He held it open for his lady, yet she didn't walk through immediately, but instead remained standing in the doorway for a while, scrutinizing the golden inlays, which showed a stylized tree against a dark blue background. Her right arm was in a sling – the only two cuts she had received had been on her right shoulder and upper arm. She gently traced the contours of the branches and twigs on the door with the fingertips of her left hand.

“Really, dear Rhys,” she remarked. “I am always impressed by the incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail at your headquarters.”

Her colleague rose with a smile as Erin entered the room. “If the Factol of the Sensates says so, I am honored.”

Naghûl and Morânia had also stood up and bowed deeply, while Rhys stretched out both hands towards Erin, palms open. “The Lady's Grace, dear friend.”

Erin placed her left forearm on Rhys' and clasped the crook of her arm, while Rhys closed her hand around Erin's elbow. “Lady's Grace, dear Rhys.”

Then Da'nanin also entered and the Ciphers' factol greeted him in the same way, just as warmly.

Meanwhile, Erin turned to the tiefling and the bal'aasi. “Naghûl, I greet you. And of course, you as well, Morânia. How lovely that you're accompanying your husband today, as you and Rhys are so kind to act as our hostesses.”

Morânia took another slight bow. “Thank you, Lady Erin.”

“I would like to thank you all once again for accepting my invitation,” Naghûl said. “It is about my latest findings.”

His factol smiled and sat down next to Rhys on the soft carpet.

“We are all very curious, Naghûl,” Da'nanin said, as he took a seat next to his consort.

The tiefling nodded eagerly and pulled some sheets of paper out of his bag. “I've prepared something to accentuate my theories,“ he explained, handing out the papers - rough sketches of Sigil, onto which he had scribbled the numbers known so far.

“Oh, how exciting!” Erin accepted the sheet with pleasure and examined it inquisitively.

Rhys looked at the drawing a little more matter-of-factly, but nevertheless with interest.

“On the back of the sheets, you will find the relation between the numbers I discovered and the faction headquarters,” Naghûl explained. ”There are still three factions without a specific association: Free League, Anarchists and Xaositects. The same applies to four numbers: 1, 3, 9 and 16.”

Erin listened carefully, turning the map occasionally to better follow the explanations.

“I would like to add something in advance,” Naghûl continued. ”I draw my conclusions based on a thesis by Lereia, who considers the Keeper and the Proclaimer possible Chosen.”

Rhys nodded. “Since they didn't have a soul signature at the beginning either, that would make sense.”

“Exactly,” the tiefling agreed. ”Now for the numbers: Thanks to my cryptography lessons, I've actually been able to see some connections. We have fifteen factions in Sigil, and that would mean there are the numbers 1 to 15. I'll jump right into the math and ...” He hesitated briefly when he heard himself talking. He didn't sound like himself at all, and he couldn't help grinning involuntarily. “I feel a bit strange right now.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his wife Morânia smirking, but she said nothing. “If you add up the numbers,” Naghûl then continued undeterred, ”you get a total of 123. If you were to combine the factions into certain categories, there would be a contradiction because one faction would be missing. Or the numbers would only make little sense because the constellations do not form a reasonable pattern.”

“Aha ...” Da'nanin frowned. ”By the Lady, Naghûl, did you consult a Guvner or is this all the result of your own research?”

His question sounded impressed, which filled Naghûl with a little pride, as he had to admit to himself. “It is indeed my own research,” he explained with a smile. “And it is quite interesting to learn how Guvners think.”

“I'm sure.” The half-elf laughed. ”Well, excuse the interruption. Please continue.”

Naghûl nodded. “I won't go into the individual steps of how I came to my insights, as that would take up unnecessary time. So I'll get straight to my result: I included the Keeper and the Proclaimer and added the number 16. Then I went through my sketches and one caught my eye: the image I saw in Elysium in the water of Lake Serene. Three circles in the middle – gray, white and black – around which four further dots revolve, which in turn each have four spots surrounding them. A small sketch of this can be found on the back of the maps.”

With a smooth movement, Rhys turned the parchment and looked at it, nodded briefly and then concentrated her full attention on Naghûl again.

“So I came up with the idea of arranging the sixteen numbers in groups of four,” the tiefling continued. ”The new sum is 136. It can be divided by four, equals 34. This led me to think that perhaps four factions that have a certain connection could also add up to 34. I tested this theory with the factions that stand for order in a way: Harmonium 5, Mercykillers 7, Guvners 10 and Signers 12 – 34.”

“Hm ... interesting.” Da'nanin now put down the map, leaned forward and eyed Naghûl expectantly.

“I tried to find the second quartet,” the tiefling explained. ”Ciphers 2, Godsmen 13, Athar 15 and Sensates 4 - that's 34. Now it gets a bit more difficult because I can't clearly assign all the numbers. The next group I formed from Bleakers 11, Dustmen 6 and Doomguard 8 - but now a faction and a number are missing. The number would be 9, and in my opinion the best fitting faction would be the Anarchists. That would bring us back to 34 for four factions.”

Erin nodded slowly. “Yes, the combination would be fitting.”

“The last quartet,” Naghûl said, ”would be the Fated with 14, the Free League, the Xaositects and the Keeper and the Proclaimer. If you add all the remaining numbers, the sum is 34.”

Then he fell silent to give the factols and Da’nanin time to think about his theories. Indeed, all three stared thoughtfully at Naghûl's sketches. Only Morânia sat quite relaxed on the carpets, since he had, of course, already let her in on his reasonings.

Finally, Rhys looked up. “I understand your considerations and they sound quite valid. However, I have a question: We have fifteen factions. Since you now include the Keeper and the Proclaimer in this numbers game, to which faction would they belong?”

Naghûl had already asked himself this question, yet without finding a satisfactory answer. “You're right,” he replied. “But unfortunately I don't have a theory yet. This requires more in-depth research. However, another thought occurred to me. It's about the faction constellations. I still suspect that it doesn't necessarily have to be a hundred percent cooperation between all of them .”

“That would suit me,” Erin interjected, which Rhys countered with a slight smile.

Naghûl slightly bowed his head to his factol. He usually agreed with her anyway, but especially on this issue. “I think it's quite possible that at some point we may have to take action against each other. Or at least protect ourselves. If we look at the quartets again ... At the moment, Harmonium, Ciphers, Godsmen, Athar, Sensates ... and Anarchists are united in one group of Chosen.”

“Yes, that's not quite harmonious, admittedly,” Morânia remarked with a certain amusement.

Naghûl grinned briefly before continuing. ”Now to my biggest problem: What do we do with this knowledge and this rather explosive theory? Do we use it to our advantage, to be one step ahead if we should part ways at some point? Or should I pass everything on to the other factions?”

“Personally, I would prefer to keep this between the five of us for the time being,” Erin explained seriously. ”Not because I don't trust my colleagues. But I don't want to do anything that would encourage Sarin to turn to Mallin instead. Not even in the slightest.”

With his own factol, Naghûl had been almost certain that she would make this decision. As for Rhys, he couldn't quite assess the situation. However, the tiefling woman nodded to Erin's words. “I agree with my esteemed colleague. It could cause unnecessary insecurity. And some people think too much. They would brood too much instead of acting.”

“I agree,” Da'nanin stated. ”It would probably be better to keep it to ourselves for now. I have fewer concerns about Ambar and Terrance than about Sarin. But to leave him out as the only one would be risky – and also immoral, to be honest.”

Erin nodded in confirmation of her deputy and lover's words and apparently had nothing to add.

“Good.” Naghûl was quite relieved by this decision. ”Besides, it might not be a bad idea to be one step ahead in terms of knowledge and to keep an eye on the Anarchist.”

At these words, Erin gave him a somewhat more intense look. “I also wanted to address this point. Tell me: do you trust Sgillin?”

“I trust Sgillin, yes.” Naghûl nodded gravely and looked his factol straight in the eye. “But I know him, and in my opinion, we are currently on the verge of losing him. On the one hand, the dispute with factol Sarin - even though I understand the factol very well. On the other hand ... well, Lereia. It is clear to see how the relationship between her and factol Ambar is deepening.”

“Yes.” Erin ran her left hand gently over the soft carpet. “I've noticed that, too. I tried to talk to Ambar about it. But he avoided the subject as skillfully as only bards can.”

Naghûl sighed. “But Sgillin and Lereia are still a couple.”

“You fear that a crisis or even a breakup might occur.” Rhys' tone made it clear that this was a statement and not a question. “And that, at the same time, Sarin's behavior is deterring Sgillin and thus distancing him from the group.”

“That's right,” Naghûl confirmed. ”He is a very emotional half-elf.”

“I do take into account that he is clueless,” Erin explained. A certain severity now flowed through her voice, although the tiefling wasn't quite sure whether because of him or because of Sgillin. ”He probably didn't really know what he was doing. But ultimately, he joined the Anarchists, and we can be glad that Sarin reacted as moderately as he did.”

“I don't want to attack Factol Sarin in any case,” Naghûl assured. “But I don't want to lose Sgillin as a friend, nor do I want him to end up somewhere in the Hive. I prefer to have him with me. Therefore, I have a request.”

Da'nanin looked at him carefully. “Now I'm curious.”

“I've known Sgillin for a long time and I could always rely on him,” Naghûl said. ”But this was only possible because of his openness. If he gets the feeling that I'm distancing myself from him because he's an Anarchist, it's only a matter of time before we lose him. That's why I'd like to commit myself to him a bit more – if you can put it that way. Not only for practical reasons, but also for personal ones.”

“That sounds like a reasonable decision,” Rhys stated calmly. ”What do you plan to do?”

“I'll try to revive the personal bond between him and me – in an artistic sense.” He took a deep breath and then looked at Erin. ”Hide and seek or not – I think it's time to lift a little secret. What do you think?”

“That's your decision.” The look in her green eyes revealed that she was curious to see what would follow, that she enjoyed it at least as much as a good theater performance. ”I don't want to take away your fun or an important experience.”

Da’nanin frowned questioningly, but with a promising smile she signaled to her companion to wait.

“Oh, it will still be very funny,” Naghûl said. He hesitated briefly before he took the plunge, looking at Rhys and Da'nanin. ”I am the Blue Jay and Sgillin is the Oriole, the guitar player of Aucupium.”

He held his breath to watch the reactions of the two carefully and out of the corner of his eye he could see that his factol was just as excited. Astounded, Da'nanin looked at Naghûl and even Rhys couldn't hide her surprise.

“This is unexpected, I have to admit,” she stated with arched eyebrows.

Naghûl shrugged apologetically. “A silly idea of Raralia and me during Rock in the Ring.”

“Yes, my sister is involved in that, too,” Morânia stated dryly. “You're all barmy.”

His wife had acknowledged this shenanigan with a slightly uncomprehending but indulgent shake of the head when it all had begun. After the complications with Sarin's daughter Marinda, she had found the whole thing less funny, though. They hadn't argued about it – Morânia knew him too well after all these years to really get annoyed at his “Sensate affectations”, as she sometimes jokingly called it. But she hadn't been thrilled about it either.

“Oh, come on, you know me,” Naghûl said, nudging her a little. ”I'm always up for a bit of nonsense. And this nonsense may be very important now, to keep us from losing Sgillin.”

Da'nanin, who had recovered from his initial amazement, now shook his head and laughed heartily. “You're even more of an oddball than I thought.”

Naghûl couldn't help but feel a certain pride at these words. “Of course,” he replied with a grin.

To his relief, Morânia had to laugh a little, too, while Rhys just watched quietly, although a slight smile could be seen on her lips.

“I would like to bring Aucupium back into play,” Naghûl explained, now that the cat was out of the bag. “A performance would do Sgillin good. Perhaps the Festhall could become a kind of safe haven for him, even if he only bustles about there as a captive bird.”

“Nice pun,” Erin replied, amused. ”Well, that would be conceivable. I agree, if you personally avouch that he won't turn stag, spy on us or betray us to whomever.”

“I am convinced he won’t,” the tiefling declared. ”And should the Anarchists try to brainwash him, I will recognize it and can take steps against it.”

Erin nodded. “All right. I trust you, Naghûl. Do everything that is more or less morally justifiable to bind him to us.”

He nodded, but out of the corner of his eye he saw Morânia turn her head to his factol almost unconsciously and a little too suddenly at this remark.

Erin noticed her glance, of course. “You know what I mean. I'm sorry, it’s not always easy in the kriegstanz.”

Morânia nodded and smiled, immediately raising her hands in apology. ”Forgive me, it is not for me to doubt you.”

The factol of the Sensates waved it off in a placating manner. “No, no. You are right that we should always critically examine our own methods if we don't want them to lead us to dark places. And as for dark places ... There is one more thing I would like to address.” She glanced at her colleague, and the factol of the Ciphers nodded gently. “A few weeks ago, Rhys and I discussed with Ambar and Terrance that it would be important for us to forge certain alliances. We had considered the High Houses of Loranóv and Arabani, but I think we should focus our efforts on just one of the houses for now. After weighing all the pros and cons, I have decided on House Loranóv.”

Naghûl nodded. Erin had chosen one of the oldest High Houses of Sigil. Although a house was actually characterized by having several members and this also applied to all the other High Houses of Sigil, House Loranóv apparently consisted of only one person: count Mikal Loranóv, an old and powerful vampire who had been living in Sigil for a long time. He was the head and apparently only member of the house.

“I must admit that I often shudder when I am near Loranóv Mansion,” Morânia confessed. ”But politically and tactically, it is certainly a good choice. You want to meet with the count soon, Lady Erin? Or will you send factor Da'nanin?”

The half-elf smiled. “Neither, dear Morânia. Your husband has been chosen.”

“Oh.” Naghûl looked up in surprise. “Really? That's a very responsible task. But I'm happy to take it on!” Although House Loranóv and the count himself had been the subject of many rumors and had always been shrouded in mystery in Sigil, the tiefling felt a certain enthusiasm. It would be an exciting and rewarding experience, that much was certain.

Erin smiled knowingly. “Very well. I will let you know further details as soon as I have them. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”

Naghûl nodded eagerly, and although he could tell from Morânia's expression that she was less enthusiastic about his assignment, he couldn't hide his own excitement. On the one hand, he was keen on the experience, but on the other hand, he was also pleased that his factol had entrusted him with such an important task. After that, they talked about the current situation in the gate town of Sylvania and the rumors of an upcoming wedding between the houses of Equoveda and Aroët. But Naghûl's thoughts revolved only around one High House, and he could hardly wait to pay his respects to the ancient, mysterious vampire.

 

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played November 12, 2012

The pun Erin mentions refers to the fact that “aucupium” means “captive birds” in Latin (in the setting: Olympian), which in turn is an allusion to Sigil's nickname “the Cage”.