A Plague of Giants (Seven Kennings #1) - Kevin Hearne Page 0,129

thought I recognized some of the faces from my first visit, though of course they were all clothed differently now and I looked like I was only a generous step away from a pauper. One man in particular was reluctant to leave. He was a broad-nosed handsome fellow in the younger half of his fourth decade who adorned the world with the muscles in his arms and spoke in one of those deep sonorous voices that sounded heavy with gravitas. “Begging your pardon, Mistral, but if this regards the Bone Giant, might I remain to hear it?” he said.

“Should it bear any relation to your concerns, Zephyr, I will consult you right away,” she replied.

So that was Zephyr Bernaud Goss. He removed himself slowly not because he was incapable of speed but because there was no dignity in moving quickly. He wanted all the dignity. Or maybe his heavy voice slowed him down. Once all the doors closed, however, Teela moved with alacrity. She snatched the map out of my hand and stepped quickly toward the mistral.

“First is this,” she said, pointing to the circles on the right before handing it over. “Three more countries we’ve never heard of before, all populated by people with pale skin. Second, eighty-four Bone Giants, Saviič included, sailed for our shores because they were looking for a sacred ship that supposedly sails from an island in the west every seven years—their west being our east. It didn’t show up on schedule, so they got worried. They call it the Island of the Seventh Kenning. And that ship is crewed by pale people.”

Mistral Kira said, “You mean the Fornish?”

Teela shrugged. “I don’t know who else it could be unless we have a secret population of Hathrim living in the archipelago without our knowledge. Shall I call the Fornish ambassador back to ask about it?”

The mistral considered it, then shook her head. “No. If they have been keeping this a secret from us for all this time, we’d best not reveal that we know something about it until we know a whole lot more about it. Did Saviič tell you all this?” she asked me.

“Most but not all. I read some of his scripture, and the discussion that ensued was quite revelatory.”

The mistral pointed at Zanata Sedam. “Scholar Vedd, I would like you to make a complete, detailed copy of that book, including any scribblings in the margins. Then you can give it back to him and work together on translating it.”

“Certainly. Your instincts were correct: he made no effort to pretend he was a merchant once we discussed religious matters.”

“My thanks for your work, Scholar.” Mistral Kira shifted her eyes to Teela. “When was the last time anyone did a really good survey of the archipelago?”

“I would have to check. Certainly not in our lifetime.”

“It might be worthwhile to see what’s happening in there. A task to occupy the zephyr’s mind.” She smiled at me and raised a hand to the side of her mouth to whisper even though no one else was in the room but us. “I think being the military leader of a peaceful nation wears on him.”

We all chuckled at the poor zephyr’s expense, and I did feel somewhat sorry for him. All our culture and diplomacy was determined to make sure he had nothing to do. “Well, he certainly has the ships needed to carry out the task,” Teela said.

“Set up a private meeting with him later tonight, and I’ll get him to work on it. But not a word of this to anyone else. I don’t want everyone sailing through there looking for this and alerting the Fornish.” Her eyes flicked back to me to make sure I knew I was included in the silence order. “And say nothing about the three new countries, either, or any of it. We still don’t know which way the wind will blow. I’ll await your next report eagerly, Scholar.”

“My pleasure to serve, Mistral.”

“Do you have everything you need?”

“Well…”

“Yes?”

“Perhaps some cheese to go with that mustard you gave me?”

—

U početku je bilo sedam, a na kraju neče biti jed.

It is the very first line of Zanata Sedam, and I tremble at the translation.

If I am correct, it means: “In the beginning there were seven, and in the end there shall be one.”

If this refers to the kennings—and I believe it does—then it implies a very militant philosophy on the part of the Eculans, especially when taken in context with what else I’ve read.