Sally stopped moving and turned her eyes on Lucy, still seated in stunned silence. “And then, afterward, we’ll make the Circuits anew! Together!” Sally decred with no small bit of theatre. She extended her arm to Lucy, offering her a hand, a pact, an ambition shared.

  For a moment, Lucy stared numbly, before starting to grin. “Together!” Lucy decred, reaching for Sally’s hand. Sally pulled her up, cementing their shared ambition. Then, after sharing a grin, Lucy hugged her, Sally returning it after a brief moment of surprise.

  “By the way, Sal?” Lucy asked, tone teasing, “Did you just call me Luce?”

  28. Conspiracy – September 6, Year 216

  Lucy’s home was on the second floor in some remote alley far away from both the Praesidium or other important areas, like the business, caravan, market or governmental quarters. Instead, it was on the located somewhere between the city’s gunmakers and metal refineries. If it weren’t for the fact that it was still nighttime, Sally imagined it was a noisy – and thus likely a cheap – pce to live.

  The interior of her home was simirly unimpressive, especially for a woman of her status. There was a living room with the barest of furniture – a table and cushions to sit on surrounding it, and nothing else – a toilet room and a bedroom. The walls were left undecorated, there weren’t even any shelves and the only closet she saw was a small one in her bedroom. It wasn’t even that it felt impoverished; it felt barely lived in.

  Sally didn’t quite know what to think. It wasn’t as if her former home back in the Vil was anything special. Hell, to call it a ‘home’ was being generous; it was a room with a bed. Which was fine, since she spent the vast majority of her time outside and so only needed an occasional resting pce when spending a day at the Vil.

  Still, Sally had imagined her friend to be, if not rich, at least somewhat well-off. She was a Praeses, after all, and at the time a ‘Six-Times-Blessed’ one before joining the Most High. Basically, baring the step she took just yesterday – midnight had surely passed by now, so yesterday should be correct – she’d already been one of the highest functionaries in the Circuit-spanning Dekantist faith.

  I should’ve known better, Sally thought. Lucy might not have been as accustomed to the outside as Sally had, nor possessed the speed or stamina of a Circuit-runner or caravanner, but she’d kept up during the journey admirably well. Perhaps her perceptions had been tainted by her own circumstances? After all, Sally always felt ‘slowed down’, for ck of a better term, by Lucy during their journey, but that was because of her abnormality, not Lucy’s.

  Still, it was nice to see where her friend lived.

  “Nice house,” Sally began. “Though, I don’t know… a bit bare?”

  Lucy snorted, then took a sip of her water. “Spent most of my time going from one Anteer city to the next, so why bother with it?” Lucy replied, confirming some of Sally’s suspicions. “And whatever guests I have I take to a temple or a restaurant or something, not… here,” she gestured at the unimpressive surroundings. “Doesn’t quite make a good impression, does it?”

  “It’s fine enough if you only spend time here sleeping”, Sally replied. “At least you have some room. I either spend the night outside or in a glorified closet with a bed.”

  Lucy raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Wardens not treated well in the Vil?”

  “No, no, they treated us just fine. Same reason as you, never needed anything more,” Sally expined with a smile. She found it somewhat funny. Seems we both thought the other should have more, huh.

  “Ah,” Lucy agreed, following the logic. “Shall I get us something to drink, and then we can start pnning?”

  Sally gave a nod in response, and Lucy went to their bags to fetch their canteens, then went to the closet in her bedroom and retrieved two mugs. At least she does have some tableware.

  She accepted the water-filled mug and set her mind to pnning. That was why they were here after all, to y the foundations of their grand designs for the future of the Circuits.

  A conspiracy, Sally had called it on their way here, and both of them had ughed. It was funny in a way neither could describe, but both saw the humor in it. Maybe it was that the word didn’t suit either of them, really. Sally was a fairly blunt, direct person most of the time and Lucy’s own rants against the plotting and politicking of the Praesidium’s members made her stance clear on the subject. Under normal circumstances, neither of them would ever try their hand at political subterfuge. But they should call it what it is, and what it is was a conspiracy, there was no doubt about that. What else could one call this backroom talk?

  And yet, here we are, Sally thought, deciding the future of the Circuits in a crummy apartment. Needs must, I suppose.

  X

  The basis of their pn revolved around three pilrs: Sally’s obsolete visions, Lucy’s active yet vague ones, and the knowledge from their journey. Between the three of them, they could triangute what was going on in the Circuits and how to go about fixing them.

  In order from most to least ‘risky’ problem – with risky entailing a combination of immediacy, proximity, predictability, level of danger and level of impact – there were: the Leaguerans, the Grey Hives, the various Demons, Dakh Hiyn and the Hiynites, the Devourer and the Cannibals, the Merkahni, and stly, the Grandies.

  The Leaguerans were the easiest one to comprehend, but difficult to deal with and also, you know, already happened. They had – as far as either of them knew – practically annexed Cardinar, or at the very least led a coup there. That burned bridges everywhere in the Circuits, which meant they must’ve found something worth burning these bridges for. What that was neither of them knew exactly, but considering the whole episode with Caldwell, it must have something to with the magical currents and sources they were trying to find. This was worrying, not only for what such a thing might be used for, but how these things were connected with their other problems: Dakh Hiyn and the Devourer.

  The only ray of hope was that there was the question whether it was the whole of the League behind this, the doings of the Arcanist’s Guild themselves or the act of a few rogue Leaguerans. If it were one of the tter two, the risk they represented would be substantially less.

  Thus, their first was to try and find out what was going on in Cardinar and why, then figure it out from there. Unfortunately, Sally couldn’t really help here. What was she to do, sneak inside Cardinar and start interrogating? Sally knew subtlety, she’d been trained for it as a Warden, but it was the subtlety of the battlefield, of tactics and ambushes, not the kind that was useful for this sort of stunt. Thankfully, Lucy figured most of these questions would either resolve themselves soon enough considering the amount of attention the event gathered, or Lucy could figure something out by sending people through the Praesidium.

  The Grey Hives were next on the chopping block. They were a known entity, and had on occasion sent rger bands out against cities and had undoubtedly been responsible for wiping out numerous starting settlements since the New World’s inception. If Lucy’s or a portion of Sally’s less-defunct visions bore out, a rge army will one day come to threaten the entire Grand Circuit. The only soce was that the Demon behind it had been crippled centuries ago, and that so far there had been no indication of movement.

  Thus, their second step: gather a force that could deal with the Grey Hives. This shouldn’t be too difficult, in Sally’s opinion. Everybody knew what they were, nobody liked them and now they had the Erlings as precedent that Grandies, Gadeon, Wardens and Anteeri could work together to counteract a great enough threat.

  The problem was, of course, convincing people the Grey Hives were actually an active threat. Sally figured that she could persuade the Wardens to participate in this as long as the others did as well, but how to convince the Grandies and the Anteeri? Lucy said the Grandies might go for it by appealing to a combination of their own interests, their caravan companies’ interests and the goodwill they could gain for dealing with the Grey Hives, and Gadeon would follow. But the Anteeri? They’d need to deal with Cardinar and the Leaguerans first, and even then, the Grey Hives are far removed from them. Hopefully, Gadeon, the Grandies and the Wardens would be enough.

  Then there was the catchall: the Circuits’ supposedly many Demons, lurking in the dark. Most of whom had yet to awaken or might never awaken, but the uncertainty was part of what made it risky. Lucy spoke of man-eating worms, ‘dark miasma swallowing the sun’, melting waters and crawling horrors. Though the tter two were likely already disabled, considering they probably referred to Lake Dread – the thing that inhabited it being what Lucy saw as mountain-melting waters – and Lake Prior – due to the ‘words that ate’ likely referring to the thing the prophet destroyed. Still, if any the remaining Demons existence and were to wake up, it could spell disaster.

  Thankfully, the Ante had worked against them, and was hopefully thorough in him doing so. The Khispan Dalqa, the Silver half-Knight, was an excellent example of this. Without the ‘golden half’ the vision spoke of, it seemed the Demon was easily chased off with magic and only marginally active. Unfortunately, this was practically the only one they currently knew of wandering the Circuits. The rest were just unverified stories, jumbled together with stories of more minor demons or even animals.

  Simply put, there was no easy way to know what they were dealing with, let alone how to deal with it. How do you deal with something you don’t know exists, let alone where they are? Undoubtedly, this would be a hard task, salvaged only by the fact that most of them seemed to be inactive. For now, the best they could do was go around the Circuits and ask about peoples’ experiences, history or stories and figure it out from there.

  Dakh Hiyn, the Ashtree and the Hiynites as a whole was fourth on the list. Though whatever grand ambition it might’ve possessed had been locked away – meaning no armies of androids – Lucy had seen the Ashtree could, supposedly, still use the Dakh Hiyn to summon soul-eating ‘fmes’ to re-animate the dead and use them as an army instead. Along with the Hiynites themselves, whose numbers were unknown but skills were unquestionable, this was a formidable force. Still, the Hiynites were disloyal and so far, the Ashtree seemed unable to create the cataclysm Lucy’s visions spoke of.

  The reason this was lower than the catchall of the Circuits’ Demons was simply because a pn had been all but provided for them: free the Hiynites from the clutches of Dakh Hiyn. Hopefully, this would be enough to cripple the Ashtree to a point it couldn’t do anything, and if not, the Hiynites might know of a way to deal with it. Considering the oath they’d struck with the Hiynite and his compints about Dakh Hiyn’s shackles, this would hopefully be nothing too difficult.

  The Devourer and his cannibals were, ultimately, lower on the list than either Lucy or Sally had anticipated. It was sort of funny, in a morbid way, that the most active, known and reviled threat in the Grand Circuit was also one of the less dangerous ones. Lucy had seen the Devourer active – at least, if ‘people’s eyes eaten by emerging volcanic gss’ was anything to go by – but the obsidian beast had been very thoroughly split and shackled by the Ante. Ironically, so long as the cannibals existed, the Devourer couldn’t do anything and the cannibals themselves were a known threat, not an existential one.

  Unfortunately, there was one problem: the Merkahni Hunters. They either were or would soon be fulfilling their eponymous duty, that is, hunting them. If they succeeded at killing the cannibals without dealing with the thing behind it… that was a problem.

  So, before that could happen, they must get rid of the Devourer before the cannibals are dealt with, and then deal with the remaining cannibals. Seeing as the Merkahni were likely already busy with some of this and they were to be Lucy’s allies – formally or not – they could figure something out with the Hunters to enact this part of the pn.

  The Merkahn Republic and Grand Central Union fell roughly in the same category. Their influence was spreading, but they were also known, slow and for the most part unfocused. Unless they suddenly did something like the Leaguerans had – or whoever was really behind it – then it would take decades for them to do something like incorporating the Circuits into their empires. Hell, if they pyed their cards right, they might even become friends with them – or friendly, at least.

  Hopefully, their pns to include the Merkahni and the Grandies in the destruction of all other threats would build up enough of a cooperative spirit between the Circuits and the outsiders to stop the greater states from wanting to incorporate the cities of the Grand Circuit. And if that didn’t work, well…

  “What then?” Lucy asked in a slightly depressed tone of voice. “If it gets to that point, what can new even do?”

  “We use it as leverage. Unite the Circuits under one banner and cast the attacking outsiders out, hopefully with the help of the others.”

  “Is that our goal, then? A completely independent Circuits?” Lucy asked, unconvinced with the pn. “I’d say our goal should be to give every community a right to choose.”

  “Can they choose?” Sally countered. “It’s not as if Gadeon can suddenly say they’d rather be part of the Republic over the Union. Not a choice if they can’t say no.”

  “If it’s already too te for that, what hope do we have to build something new, something outside of what the great states are already building?” Lucy countered in turn.

  It was odd, in a way. The two they deemed the least dangerous, the least threatening were the ones most likely to succeed by far. Unlike every other threat, where they could at least imagine building some form of fighting chance, a do-or-die or st stand, this wouldn’t work against the likes of the Republic and the Union. They were too rge, and already too far imbedded into the Circuits. Hell, the Leaguerans as well. Even after what they did in Cardinar, Sally had her doubts of whether they would be cast out entirely.

  “So, that’s it then?” Sally compined. “We do all the work and then just give it to another? What’s even the point then?”

  “The point, is to try to build up the Circuits as much as possible, and rid them of the things that have haunted their dreams from the day they were born!” Lucy replied, getting more and more heated. “We get rid of the Demons, increase cooperation, gather strength and make connections. Then, when we are strong and safe and thriving, it’ll give the communities the leverage and confidence necessary to join on their own terms, not ones set by the outsiders.”

  Sally huffed in frustration. “If we can do that, why not try for something more? With everyone united, why not-”

  “United, really?” Lucy interrupted with a dollop of sarcasm. “Try herding skinners, you’ve got better odds.”

  “We can still try!” Sally insisted, locking eyes with Lucy.

  “And then what, Sal? How many people do you think live in the Circuits? A hundred thousand, hundred-ten, hundred-twenty at most? The Leaguerans, the Merkahni, the Grandies – Every. Single. One of them have dozens of cities containing that amount, let alone their entire country! Just one of their armies likely outnumber us two-to-one!” Lucy said with a look so intense she seemed on the verge of rising from her seat and hammer the words physically into Sally’s head. Then, she colpsed and all tension left her. “We can’t stem this tide, Sally, we can only choose when to swim and hope we don’t drown.”

  For a second, Sally’s heated gaze kept locked on her friend’s now exhausted form, before she unwound also. With a grimace, she accepted Lucy’s point, however unwelcome it may be. “I don’t like it,” she said, feeling powerless.

  “Nobody likes change, Sally,” Lucy replied, sounding tired. “We can only hope to channel it for the better – like you’re pnning with the Vils. Besides, ultimately, the goal is to survive – same goal it’s always been, and always will be.”

  Survival, is it? Such had always been the goal, the one thing that truly did unite everyone in the Circuits, no matter where they’re from. It was a lesson Sally had been taught, and taught well at that. But it was a bitter pill to swallow that that might be as far as cooperation went in the Circuits: mutual survival.

  Sally might’ve decided that the Vils needed to become more involved, more united in order to survive into the future. But to then make them subservient to some far-off empire in the name of that very same goal of survival? She hated it, even if she understood it.

  But needs must, I suppose. At least there was plenty to do before that became a concern.

  X

  Their talks of conspiracy had carried them far into the night. Lucy was starting to fg, so Sally felt it was time to go.

  There was little to exchange between Lucy’s and Sally’s bags, since Sally’s already contained most of what they’d needed. In fact, some stuff could be left behind; what point was there in bringing multiple bowls or a tent? Sally didn’t sleep and barely felt the need to eat or drink. Sally wasn’t even sure if she should bring anything like food or water at all, considering her ck of need and the possibility of finding some at the pces she’d visit. Still, Sally had never actually tried to stop eating and drinking and it wasn’t as if the weight bothered her any, so it was better to have than not.

  And that should’ve been it. But, while crouching in order to tie the string of her bag closed, Sally something was thrust into her field of view: a familiar wooden stock. Looking up, she saw Lucy standing over her, Scarab rifle in hand and eyebrows raised.

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?” Lucy asked, eyes pointing toward the rifle.

  “Never saw you as someone that would return gifts,” Sally quipped, stringing her bag closed and standing up.

  “Nice try, but you aren’t getting my hat,” Lucy joked back, pushing the rifle forward once more. “Take it. ‘Sides, was never quite sure I was meant to keep it.”

  “Course you were, wasn’t like I could use it.” Sally pointedly didn’t take the rifle.

  Lucy rolled her eyes. “Just take the damn rifle,” Lucy pushed the firearm in Sally’s arms, which she instinctively took.

  Sally hesitated, turning the rifle in her hand, examining it. She could use a rifle again thanks to her newly acquired metal arm, but what’s the point? A rifle was necessary in order to keep distance from whatever threat presented itself, but Sally was now practically built for close quarters. There was no need for taking shots from a distance and then hiding, especially since she neither had someone with her to take advantage of the opportunity nor any of the other tools Wardens often carried, like explosives.

  More than that, it felt wrong to go back to using a rifle again, like she was moving backwards instead of forwards. The past should remain in the past, metal arm or not. It wasn’t a logical reason by any means, but either through pride or stubbornness, it was one she couldn’t shake. Besides, in her mind, this particur rifle would be better off serving as a reminder for her friend, a symbol of their journey together.

  “Nah, just keep it, it’s yours. If I want one, I could probably get another from the Wardens anyhow,” Sally ultimately decided, setting the rifle down. “Fit it to the wall or something, if you aren’t going to use it. Make it a memory,” Sally looked at her friend’s empty walls. “Pce can use some decoration.”

  Lucy narrowed her eyes for a moment, before sighing in resignation. Then, she fished out one final thing from her own bag and thrust it towards Sally. Sally opened the pouch and found the leftover funding the Praesidium had given Lucy for the pilgrimage.

  Sally opened her mouth, ready to reject it, but before she so much as got a word out, Lucy was already speaking. “You can pay it back after you get the money from Ain,” Lucy said. That it was unlikely Sally ever would was left unsaid.

  All Sally could do was nod. “Thank you,” she said. She still wasn’t fully used to accepting gifts, though it hand thankfully stopped feeling as if she owed a debt.

  Throwing her bag over her shoulder, Sally looked at Lucy, trying to find the words to say. “See you ter, I guess?”

  Lucy immediately went in for the hug. “Good luck,” Lucy all but whispered. After some hesitation, Sally hugged back.

  Then, she went out onto the streets and, after a single look back, began her journey to the Vils. First stop? The former Vil Palters.