The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure - By Storm Constantine Page 0,84

misguided. It’s some bizarre personal dream he has, and more than a few of us think it has the mark of insanity upon it.’

‘It’s obvious Thiede is a little insane,’ Seel said. ‘And perhaps Orien died for what he knew.’ He hesitated.

‘This abomination must be disposed of,’ Ashmael said quickly, ‘and you can do it.’

‘You’re asking me to throw away my life, I think. Thiede wouldn’t take kindly to losing his dream, would he?’

‘There are rumours,’ Ashmael said, ‘that this is not the first time Thiede has tried this procedure. It has failed before. Whatever he’s doing, it must be a risky process and the revenant is fragile. We believe that is why he keeps hara away. Dree managed to grill him for information and Thiede told him the entire process takes several years. We don’t know how he does it, or what state the revenant is in during this time. I know what I’m asking you to do. I know the risks, and there’s nothing I can offer you in return, other than the Hegemony’s support. But we feel strongly this process must be aborted before it reaches fruition. Surely you agree with this. It is a crime against nature. If you won’t do it for us, do it for the friend you once had in Pellaz.’

Seel considered and a frightening image of an undead Pellaz flashed through his mind. Would Pellaz want Seel to end his life again? Would it be release rather than murder? Those were the salient questions. In Pell’s position, Seel would not want to live, not in the manner Ashmael implied, but until he’d seen Pellaz for himself Seel couldn’t know what was the best thing to do. ‘How would I do it?’ he asked.

‘I don’t know. I can’t give you any prior intelligence. You would have to use your initiative. It may be that you will find the task impossible. We know that. We just want you to try. If we leave it for much longer, it might be too late.’

‘Thiede would kill me if he found out. I don’t want to die just yet.’

‘We have faith in your creativity,’ Ashmael said, leaning back in his chair. ‘If there is a way to do it without arousing suspicion, we are sure you will find it. You need only to convince Thiede the reason you want to see Pellaz is because you are concerned for his welfare. Thiede will believe this, because he’ll want to believe it. You are the only har he knows who was close to Pellaz. Orien would have been better, of course, because he was always at Thiede’s beck and call, but that avenue is closed. He needs you, Seel, and none of us really know why. You are part of the process, clearly. And we know you have a good heart, that you will do what’s right.’

‘That is a big assumption. You hardly know me.’

‘We know enough.’

‘How flattering.’

‘Thiede has left you alone, but he’s jittery. I don’t think a day goes by your name is not mentioned in the Hegalion. He’s building you up, making sure the Hegemony think well of you. And we do, but not for the reasons Thiede might want. He will contact you soon, be sure of it. That is the time for you to make your request.’

‘Very well, I will ask him, but can make no promises other than that.’

‘It is all we ask. You know our thoughts and I think I know yours. Of course, should it ever arise, this meeting never took place.’

‘Naturally.’

‘I too am taking risks, Seel.’

‘I appreciate that, although perhaps you should have made a more covert approach to my house. I expect there isn’t a har in Saltrock who’s not aware of your presence here today.’

‘So? We are friends, aren’t we? I won’t hide the fact of my visit, only some of the content. The official story is that I have come to see you because I couldn’t get you out of my mind after spending time with you in Immanion. Is that unreasonable?’

‘No. How far am I expected to go to maintain this cover story?’

‘As far as you like. Thiede would be delighted if our friendship were to deepen. He would see it as a means to further his cause.’

‘Mmm.’ Seel considered the har before him, who was arrogant and confident, supremely attractive and determined to get his own way. It was amusing to be in such demand.

‘More than one har in Immanion has dreams,’ he said. ‘I’m