Dark Armor: Studies in Obsidian

The white gravel path wound gently beneath a staggered series of cherry trees, though it was too late in the season to see the blossoms. Soft, lush grasses spread beyond them to the right, while to the left lay a long, stone-edge pond; the path traced the edge of the pond, but far enough out to give the trees room to grow. 

"It is lovely," said the High Magister. "Are those koi, in the waters?"

"Goldfish," Pallian said, meeting her eyes and offering a respectful nod. "There's said to be an ancient one, twice as long as the height of man, who surfaces sometimes during the dark of the moon to whisper secrets or grant wishes."

"And does this beast exist?" asked second-princess Arwidden. 

Pallian considered, then said: "When I was a child I was convinced it did, but every child in the citadel knows the story; and the details of who saw it and what it said or granted seemed to vary according to who was telling the tale."

The High Magister laughed. "We have such tales in Edrias as well. Some of them may even be true."

At the end of the cherry trees they left the pond of the goldenfish behind, and now the path began to climb, albeit slightly. On their right was one of the statue-gardens, this one traced by cobblestone paths to mark its departure from the path they walked. "May we?" asked third-princess Ashmiren, motioning towards it. 

"Of course," said Pallian, and turned aside to lead them into it. 

The statues here were all of obsidian, but their pedestals had been inscribed with names and descriptions and the carved letters were filled in with gold to make them visible. The plantings behind each statue had been chosen to complement it with particular colors or themes that matched the nature of the subject. The poet and satirist Devolio was surrounded on three sides by roses, equal parts beauty and barbs; that of the famous mage-general Vokor was given lilies, for all the deaths he had caused. 

At the third statue, Queen Simirana the Deathcaller, Arwidden stopped and turned to study Pallian speculatively. "Even here..." she said. "Forgive the crudeness of my question, but... what is it with your House and obsidian?"

Lady Vathira drew breath, but Pallian held up a hand while he sorted through the memories of some of his earliest lessons. "Understand first, that the stone possesses certain qualities that the early House of Teres considered symbolic: born of the burning blood of the earth, and things like that. Many of the earliest knives and other tools were of obsidian, either sung into shape or painstakingly chipped to be deadly sharp." He paused to draw breath. "What really sealed it, though, as I recall, was that the princess Niza used her control of obsidian blades to slay an enemy whose initiations rendered him immune to fire and steel." He was fairly sure, at least, that the enemy champion had not belonged to the House of Edrias. If he was wrong about that...

"Tamor Verwind," said Arwidden. "There are still songs of that battle, and even a few first-hand accounts."

So the soldier-general is also a historian, Pallian thought, but simply nodded. He wasn't that surprised. "If you're interested in the details of the history, and what symbolism the early House of Teres associated with obsidian, I'm certain Lady Vathira could arrange to have some texts sent to your room. But to answer your unspoken question: yes, it does feel somewhat... ineluctable... at times."

Arwidden studied him for a long moment, then nodded and turned to Lady Vathira. "If you can provide as your prince promises, I would very much like to see those texts."

"Of course, second-princess," said Lady Vathira, without so much as a glance at Pallian. 

"Second-prince," said Ashmiren, looking at Pallian. "Am I correct in assuming that the statues here, however edifying the study of the figures they represent, are not the reason that you most favor this path?"

"You are," Pallian admitted. 

"May I ask where it is you intend to take us, or will that spoil the surprise?"

Pallian laughed. "It wasn't intended to be a surprise, as such. I was just hoping to offer you a pleasant morning's entertainment. I have a particular fondness for this path because it leads over the hill that looks down on the water gardens, and then descends into the grotto."

"The grotto?" asked Ashmiren, looking genuinely surprised. "You brought us out here into sunlight only to takes us down into a grotto?"

Pallian felt himself flush. No, he really hadn't thought this out as well as he should have. "I... perhaps you should see it first, and then I will explain my feelings for the place." Lady Vathira raised her eyebrows, and he added: "It is carved from the limestone below the citadel, and deeply enough to be cool and damp and drip water from the ceiling. If any of that displeases any of you, then I apologize in advance and suggest that we use the path at the end of the statue garden to cross to another path that remains above ground."

Pallian watched the three women exchange looks, and Lady Vathira watched all of them. 

Finally the High Magister said, "Perhaps it would be best if we all remained in the sun for now."

Pallian nodded immediately. "Of course. You are our guests. Take your time with the statues, and when you are satisfied we will cross to the next path."