behold, yet it left me with a sense of foreboding.
In the center of the city, rising up with majestic grace, stood the royal castle. Inside this massive stone structure stood a smaller building. I studied the capital building from a distance. I didn't want to just walk in through the front gate. That would catch Gaza’s attention. After all, it wasn’t every day that Sam’ Dejal, the god of reason, popped in for a visit.
I circled the building and decided to go in through a barred window of what looked like a large empty storage room. I melted the bars quickly, climbed in, and silently moved across the room to the door. The door gave a faint creak as I carefully opened it and peeked out. A man passed by and I made a quick mental note of what he was wearing. Energy leaked from my hands as the threads twisted and bent to form the image of the man’s clothing. Piece by piece the shapes formed in wire frames and then material was added. When I was finished I ran my fingers across the odd fabrics. Each item had its own distinctly different texture, weight, and smell. They couldn't have been any more real.
I was still a little slow at making things from the blue threads, but given time I was sure I could make anything no matter how complex. All I needed was a vague idea of shape and material and the web did the rest. I closely examined the cotton shirt. I had simply thought: cotton and it had appeared out of nothing. Every pore was present, every stitch in place. Fascinating.
Now all I needed was a way to hide my eyes. It took a moment but then an idea came to me. I created a handkerchief and a white cane. I would be a blind man. Using a trick I’d learned from Kitaya I made the cloth visible from only one side. To everyone else it was a thick covering, but to me it was as transparent as plastic wrap.
I stepped through the door and started walking down the hall casually tapping the cane for effect. A woman passed by giving plenty of room, but she took little notice of me. It was the same with the two soldiers standing guard at the next intersection. I continued following the hallway around in a large arc and passed by several more intersections. Each had two men standing guard, but no one paid any attention to me.
For several minutes I searched up and down the long corridors. I couldn’t put my finger on it-- but something was wrong. Like the architecture of the city the objects and people here didn’t seem to fit together. Paintings of all sizes littered the walls, some ornately framed in precious metals, others surrounded by brightly painted wood. In some areas images were carved directly into the finely sanded surfaces and in other spots crude cave drawings could be seen. Soldiers, statesmen, and an assortment of employees rushed about their daily tasks wearing suits and swords. Some carried briefcases, others held rolled up scrolls.
After awhile the corridors began to blend into one another, but then I saw a man who looked like he might be able to help me. He wore a security badge. I waited until he finished speaking with two guards then followed him down to the next corridor. I checked in front and behind. All was clear.
“You, sir, could you help me please?” I stated loudly.
He stopped and coolly replied, “What do you need? I am very busy.”
I moved closer and revealed my face.
His eyes widened. “I am sorry, your holiness. I-I did not recognize...”
“I do not wish to be recognized. Will you help me?” I asked gruffly.
“Y-Yes. Yes of course.”
“I am looking for Sajin Barrows.”
“H-he is in the council chambers. I am not authorized to go in-- b-but I know someone who is.”
“Can we trust this person?”
“Yes.”
“I will emphasize I do not want it known I am here. I am trusting you will keep this in confidence.”
“You can count on me, lord.”
“Go then. I will wait.” I tapped him on the shoulder, attaching a thread. He quickly departed and I brought up the web to keep an
In the center of the city, rising up with majestic grace, stood the royal castle. Inside this massive stone structure stood a smaller building. I studied the capital building from a distance. I didn't want to just walk in through the front gate. That would catch Gaza’s attention. After all, it wasn’t every day that Sam’ Dejal, the god of reason, popped in for a visit.
I circled the building and decided to go in through a barred window of what looked like a large empty storage room. I melted the bars quickly, climbed in, and silently moved across the room to the door. The door gave a faint creak as I carefully opened it and peeked out. A man passed by and I made a quick mental note of what he was wearing. Energy leaked from my hands as the threads twisted and bent to form the image of the man’s clothing. Piece by piece the shapes formed in wire frames and then material was added. When I was finished I ran my fingers across the odd fabrics. Each item had its own distinctly different texture, weight, and smell. They couldn't have been any more real.
I was still a little slow at making things from the blue threads, but given time I was sure I could make anything no matter how complex. All I needed was a vague idea of shape and material and the web did the rest. I closely examined the cotton shirt. I had simply thought: cotton and it had appeared out of nothing. Every pore was present, every stitch in place. Fascinating.
Now all I needed was a way to hide my eyes. It took a moment but then an idea came to me. I created a handkerchief and a white cane. I would be a blind man. Using a trick I’d learned from Kitaya I made the cloth visible from only one side. To everyone else it was a thick covering, but to me it was as transparent as plastic wrap.
I stepped through the door and started walking down the hall casually tapping the cane for effect. A woman passed by giving plenty of room, but she took little notice of me. It was the same with the two soldiers standing guard at the next intersection. I continued following the hallway around in a large arc and passed by several more intersections. Each had two men standing guard, but no one paid any attention to me.
For several minutes I searched up and down the long corridors. I couldn’t put my finger on it-- but something was wrong. Like the architecture of the city the objects and people here didn’t seem to fit together. Paintings of all sizes littered the walls, some ornately framed in precious metals, others surrounded by brightly painted wood. In some areas images were carved directly into the finely sanded surfaces and in other spots crude cave drawings could be seen. Soldiers, statesmen, and an assortment of employees rushed about their daily tasks wearing suits and swords. Some carried briefcases, others held rolled up scrolls.
After awhile the corridors began to blend into one another, but then I saw a man who looked like he might be able to help me. He wore a security badge. I waited until he finished speaking with two guards then followed him down to the next corridor. I checked in front and behind. All was clear.
“You, sir, could you help me please?” I stated loudly.
He stopped and coolly replied, “What do you need? I am very busy.”
I moved closer and revealed my face.
His eyes widened. “I am sorry, your holiness. I-I did not recognize...”
“I do not wish to be recognized. Will you help me?” I asked gruffly.
“Y-Yes. Yes of course.”
“I am looking for Sajin Barrows.”
“H-he is in the council chambers. I am not authorized to go in-- b-but I know someone who is.”
“Can we trust this person?”
“Yes.”
“I will emphasize I do not want it known I am here. I am trusting you will keep this in confidence.”
“You can count on me, lord.”
“Go then. I will wait.” I tapped him on the shoulder, attaching a thread. He quickly departed and I brought up the web to keep an
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