215: The High Place

Saunak’s next words would determine his fate. It’d mean the difference between obtaining his help with the Artifact consensually, or by force. If the thaumaturge knew who he was, he’d no doubt have some plan to exploit it.

But why did he reveal that information now? Vir thought anxiously. Surely, he must know how suspicious it makes him look?

Saunak regarded Vir quizzically. “You have your mother’s face and your father’s unruly hair. I’d recognize you anywhere.”

“My mother? You knew my mother?” Vir asked, looking to Cirayus, who relaxed slightly. This wasn’t the explanation either of them had been expecting.

Saunak had been exiled from the Demon Realm for a hundred years. If all he knew about Vir was that he was Maion and Shari’s son, and not the Akh Nara, then there wasn’t much of a need to fear the Thaumaturge’s knowledge.

Wait. That means my parents were together for nearly a century before having me? Vir realized. Demonic lifespans threw his mind for a loop. After thinking so long on human time scales, it’d take some adjustment. He’d have to question everyone’s age upon arriving at the Demon Realm. Someone who looked like Vir might very well be sixty years old.

“Hang on. My mother was a gray demon?” Vir asked.

Saunak froze. “Well. Now that is curious, isn’t it?” he said, gazing quizzically at Vir.

“Sorry?” Vir asked, panicking.

“See, I’d figured you’d come out here from the Demon Realm on a training mission. I wondered how Shari would let her child venture this deeply into the Ash, even with a guardian like Cirayus. She wouldn’t have. But now… She’s dead, isn’t she? And she died when you were very young, for you to not have known her. You… I see. Cirayus likely guarded you while you grew up. Perhaps in secret. Which indicates turmoil. Unrest. Something happened to the Garga. Something bad. And knowing their past… Hmm. The Chitrans. Yes. And, by your expressions, it appears I am correct.”

Vir glanced at Cirayus, but only saw his normal, stolid expression. Only the slightest furrowing of his brow gave away his concern. Which meant Saunak was either very good at reading peoples’ faces… or he was familiar enough with Cirayus’ mannerisms to read him.

Saunak calmly returned to his meal, as casually as if he’d been commenting about the weather.

How could he have figured out all of that, though? All just from a single thing I said?

Either he was lying and knew all about Vir’s history already… or Saunak was truly a genius of logical deduction. He hadn’t mentioned anything about the Primordial, or Greesha’s prophecy, which made sense—if he’d known about them, it’d have been obvious he was using prior knowledge to come to his conclusions.

No, Saunak had read the subtext of Vir’s words, then rebuilt a historical timeline. It was… frightening.

Vir immediately thought he would not want this man as an enemy. But as an ally? He’d be invaluable.

Cirayus regarded Saunak with a grave expression. “I would have told you when the time was right.”

“You failed to protect her,” Saunak said, ignoring him.

“I did.”

“Then Maion failed to protect her. Is he dead, as well?”

“He is,” Cirayus admitted. “As you suspected, it was the Chitran.”

“Hardly surprising. In fact, I’d predicted they would act sooner, what with the encroaching Ash. Only so far you can bend a kingdom before they snap.”

Vir thought of Matali… they hadn’t snapped, but broken instead. It seemed the Chitrans had the opposite reaction. Was it because of a difference between humans and demons? Or simply one of national strength? The Chitrans seemed more powerful than Matali had been before their downfall.

“So… you knew my mom,” Vir said softly, his thoughts returning to his deceased parents.

Saunak nodded. “And one of the most beautiful demons at that. She was breathtaking. Wouldn’t you agree, Cirayus?”

Cirayus stiffened, though not out of caution. He looked distinctly… uncomfortable.

“Wouldn’t know,” the giant said, prompting a scoff from Saunak.

Cirayus stuck a fork into his food, gingerly bringing it to his mouth.

“Wouldn’t know!? You wouldn’t know?” Saunak barked a hollow laugh. Then his eyes found Vir, and his expression turned even colder. “Ah. I see. Yes, that would be awkward, wouldn’t it?”

Small automatons trundling around on spherical bases brought out the steaming hot plates, and it wasn’t until they’d set all the table for everyone that Cirayus finally gave Vir the all clear to begin eating.

They’d looked nothing like Ashani—lacking skin, or even heads, though that didn’t stop them from working with masterful efficiency.

Vir assumed the Automatons had cooked the food, so he’d been expecting mediocrity, but he should’ve known better. They might’ve been more primitive than Ashani, but they were still Imperium creations nonetheless. The food was absolutely divine, making him salivate despite himself. It was the tastiest food he’d had in a very long time.

So much so that he had to force his mind back to the conversation.

“What did you mean earlier? What would be awkward?” he asked, sensing there was something to Saunak’s words. The way the demon talked about his mother seemed familiar. Too familiar.

“Why, your guardian over there had the biggest crush on Shari of anyone I’ve seen! He even proposed to her, you know?”

“What a load of Ash’va shit,” Cirayus roared. “Conveniently forgetting to mention your proposals, aren’t you? All five of them?”

Vir suddenly felt his food go sour in his mouth.

Saunak was one thing—creepy, perhaps, but that fit with his character. Cirayus, though?

Vir looked at his guardian, who looked away in embarrassment.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Vir asked. He now saw Shari’s existence in a shole new light. How difficult must it have been for Cirayus? To have loved someone, only for them to choose someone else… And now she was gone. Was he angry? Guilty? Vir couldn’t know.

Cirayus shook his head, seeing Vir’s worried expression. “This is a tale of a century ago, lad. Maion was my closest friend. I was truly happy Shari chose him. Happy they had you. Besides, Shari had no end of suitors. Believe me, we certainly weren’t the only ones to approach her.”

Vir thought back to how hard his father had fought to win his mother’s love. Knowing so many others had failed made it sound like so much more of a feat.

“He definitely takes after his mother,” Saunak said with a fond expression.

“Oh, he’s got plenty of Maion in him, too,” Cirayus replied warmly. “And, after our time in the Ash, myself as well, I think.”

Cirayus was one thing, but Vir didn’t know how to feel about the Thaumaturge looking at him like that.

Maybe I can use this to my advantage, Vir thought. If the demon regarded him favorably, then maybe he’d also be willing to help.

“So? How did she pass?” Saunak asked. “It must have been in the line of duty, knowing her. Sacrificing her life for another.”

Vir looked at Cirayus for guidance on how to respond, but the demon had balled his fists, staring at his plate.

“In a way,” Cirayus said. “I’d rather not speak of it. Maion died fighting off the Chits, buying time to allow me to escape with young Vir here.”

“Hmm? I see,” Saunak said, eyes flitting between Cirayus and Vir.

Vir wasn’t sure what exactly the demon saw, but a part of him wondered if Saunak understood that his mother had died during childbirth. He shook off the thought. It was too much of a stretch, even for a genius like him.

“So. What kind of research do you do here?” Vir asked, hoping to shift the topic. “Do you work with any Artifacts?”

Saunak flashed a broad grin. “Oho? A curious mind, I see. You get that from your mother. But, yes. I have been able to perform all manner of experiments in my time here. As for Artifacts… look around you, boy. Everything you see here is an Artifact. Now, let’s see. A boy your age… Hmm, why don’t I tell you about my airship bluepri—”

“How did you survive, Sau?” Cirayus asked, interrupting the demon’s monologue. “The Demon Realm exiled you, but everyone knew it was just a death sentence by another name. How did someone as weak as yourself come to posses this place?”

Saunak sneered at Cirayus. “Oh, please. Don’t you think I noticed everyone’s hatred of me in the years leading to my banishment? I’d planned to flee to the Ash all along, should anyone make an attempt on my life. I didn’t think you’d all band together to oust me, though. Didn’t think you lot had it in you.

“Nevertheless, I’d laid the groundwork for decades. I built safe houses, I located the least dense areas of the Ash, and used my inventions to help me survive the acclimatization process.”

“You have inventions for that?” Vir asked.

Saunak grinned. “But of course! Admittedly, even with them, the survival rate is just fifteen percent, but that’s still fifteen times better than what it normally is!”

Vir blanched. “You had a fifteen percent chance of survival?”

And most people only have a one percent chance?

Vir knew that wasn’t right. It might’ve been the case for a weaker demon, but only the strongest demons braved the Ash. The survival rate would be far higher for them.

The thaumaturge gestured to himself. “I survived. That’s really all that matters, don’t you think?

“As for how I found this tower, that was by sheer dumb luck. I only happened upon it forty years ago. Took me another twenty to figure out how to crack its secret, but few magics hold up to the pressure of time. Its secrets fell to my efforts, as sure as the falling Ash.”

Vir rolled his eyes. It was an extremely verbose way of saying that he wasn’t about to divulge his secrets.

“Now! I’ve been a terrible host. How about I give you a tour and show you to your quarters?” Saunak said, winking at Vir. “Perhaps you’ll even get to see an Artifact! Or, ten.”

Cirayus rose as well, but shook his head. “No. Fix our navigation Artifact and we’ll be on our way.”

“Come now, Cirayus. Recalibrating your guidance beacon will take some time. Why don’t you enjoy my hospitality in the meantime? Besides, look at the excitement in the boy’s eyes. You’d deprive him of his happiness?”

Cirayus growled, not falling for Saunak’s bait. “Hospitality? You’re more likely to imprison us than host us.”

“How rude. Why don’t we let the boy decide?” Saunak asked.

Vir paused for a moment, weighing the benefits against the risks. “Show us to our quarters. I’m honestly tired after everything recently, and I think Cirayus and I could both use a little rest.”

Cirayus was about to say something, but Vir spoke before he could. “After that, I think I’d like to see more of Saunak’s tower. If there’s still time.”

A grin crept upon Saunak’s face. “Excellent.”