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Rezolo kept trying. ‘What do you mean? Why won’t we be here for much longer? Where is our next destination?’

‘No, no,’ said Kalikos. ‘You do not see. The Great Song is soon to be sung. And as such, many of these places shall be rent to dust. No way to know which may survive. Too many souls with too much gravity. And so communion must be swift. If any of these grounds be suitable, then they may be worth defending.’

What in the world? ‘You catch any of that?’ asked Lighteyes.

‘Uh, not really...’ Rezolo hovered closer to Loren. ‘But it sounds like we might be in for a fight soon.’

‘Oh yeah? What else is new?’

‘What is this Great Song you speak of?’ asked Rezolo, publicly again.

‘That is indeed the question,’ said Kalikos. ‘A turning point of the Age, perhaps. Or maybe just a footnote. Much is at stake, whatever the case. ‘Tis a wonder that the self-proclaimed protectors of this realm have not already given up the gambit, considering how much they have lost--and how much more they may yet. Fools, I say. But brave ones, to be sure.’

Loren squinted, feeling almost like he understood some of that. “Are you... talking about about the Vanguard, right now?”

‘To be a fool is a terrible thing. But to be a great fool--that may not be so bad. In fact, it may be necessary on the greater path. Judge them not too harshly, though they may deserve it. But if they be worthy, they will surely be able to endure such criticism, no? A curious matter.’

‘Yeah, he lost me again,’ said Loren.

Rezolo attached himself to his shoulder. ‘Let’s go do some scouting, shall we? I have a bad feeling.’

‘Is it okay to leave Caster and Kalikos alone?’ he asked. ‘What if someone attacks the reaper while Caster is busy talking to the dirt or whatever?’

‘I think they’ll be fine. I doubt Caster is that deeply incapacitated. Come on, now. Go put those eyes of yours to good use.’

Loren made no further argument.

This fortress, as he understood it, was one of the older ones on Eloa. It had traded hands many times between the Vanguard and Abolish--and likely others, too.