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Page 4047

"If that's the criteria we're going by," said Damian, "then I have no problem with it. But it also means that there are at least two others who gained Jonah's approval. And we should probably make contact with them, if we can."

It took Parson a moment to realize who he was talking about.

Sermung and Tenebrach.

Yes. From the vision, it was obvious that Jonah trusted them more than perhaps anyone else in the world. Certainly more than anyone here, right now.

'Yet another thing that is easier said than done,' said Feromas. 'Unless, that is, our resident Vanguardians have some way of getting in touch with them.'

'There was a time when that was so,' said Overra. 'When Sermung handed out beacons left and right, telling people to call if they needed help. Parson had one for a good few decades. But no longer.'

Feromas tilted his faceless head. 'Beacons, huh? Can you get another one?'

'Wouldn't matter,' said Overra. 'He stopped answering them altogether.'

'All of them?'

'As far as I know, yes.'

'So someone else out there might still have the privilege.'

'Technically, yes, but I do not know who that could be.'

'Well, who is his favorite subordinate?'

'I don't think he plays favorites.'

'Everyone plays favorites.'

'Sermung is not like everyone else.'

'Tenebrach, then. He must have a favorite.'

"If you ask me, it seemed like Jonah was Sermung's favorite," said Damian.

Another brief silence arrived.

'Well, even if that's true, it's no help to us now,' said Feromas.

"We could always send a Courier," said Damian.

'That won't work, either,' said Overra. 'We've tried before. They just return the letters.'

"You're kidding. How badly does this guy not want to be bothered?"

'Judging from what we just learned in that vision,' said Overra, 'I don't know if that's the problem. Instead, it might just be that the Couriers are unable to reach him.'

'You think he's venturing out into other planes of existence?' said Feromas.

'Maybe. But it's just a guess. He's become very unpredictable over the years. By design, I'm sure. We'd have to ask him directly to find out the full truth of things.'

'You'd think your boss would be a little more forthcoming with his subordinates about such important information.'

'Not if he knows that unwitting saboteurs are everywhere.'

Parson had to add onto that. "And to be honest, I'm not even sure that he considers himself the leader of the Vanguard anymore."

'Excuse me?' said Feromas.

Page 4046

"I doubt it will be that easy," said Parson, standing to his feet again. "The Archivers have a long memory. They're reapers, after all. They'll remember our last visit perfectly. And when they see that we've returned, asking similar questions again, they'll be instantly suspicious of us. And if they have anything to hide, they'll work doubly so to make sure we never find it."

"So we don't go to Luugh, then," said Damian. "Or at least, not first."

"I'm sure the different groups talk to each other," said Parson. "But yes, that is probably wise. We should start with some other target, one that is less likely to turn into a fight."

'Archivers are not fighters,' said Feromas.

'So they say,' said Overra. 'But even if that's really true, there are other ways of combating one's enemies besides martial strength. As we've again just witnessed, no?'

'True,' acknowledged the other reaper. 'Moreover, we don't yet know who all is trustworthy. If the rest of them are as deceptive as this Ettol was, then there's no telling how many other people might be unknowingly compromised by their influence. In my opinion, the only ones we can trust right now--at least on this matter--are the four of us here in this room.'

Damian huffed. "Are you even sure of that much? It would seem we've all been unknowingly compromised before. Who's to say that's not still the case, somehow?"

An uncomfortable silence arrived as everyone looked at each other.

Parson was the one to break it. "Jonah. He's the one to say. He gave his life and left us that message so that we might have this opportunity now." Parson paused for someone to respond but when no one did, he kept going. "Jonah saw everything. He knew all of us. Understood us. And he knew the enemy as well. Knew the hold they had over us. And he still didn't give up on us. Even though maybe he should have."

'What are you saying?' said Overra. 'He should have abandoned us as Ettol's puppets?'

"It would've been the much easier path for him," said Parson. "He might still be alive, right now. In fact, he probably would be."

Damian nodded.

Parson went on. "If Jonah approved of us working together, then Feromas is right. The four of us here can trust each other. None of us are compromised."

'It may be a stretch to say that I trust Overra, though.'

'Hmph, right back at you.'