Permission to Speak

Whatever dreams I may have had were forgotten the moment I opened my eyes. There was the typical disorientation upon waking up in a strange place, then it all came back. I rubbed my face, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Yesterday had dragged me to the lowest point I’d ever felt. The one single piece of information from my journey to the Eternity Temple that had been worthwhile was that the gods had offered Gareth the ability to return home after completing his mission. This would imply the gods had the ability to send him back to Earth, but what if they were lying? Or what if they changed their minds once they had what they wanted? I had told Princess Mizuki I wasn’t doing anything without a guarantee, and I meant that, however what would happen if there was no guarantee?

I’d just need to trust them, as they would need to trust me. If I didn’t, I imagine they’d keep me in this cell, or find other ways to get me to do what they wanted. They were kind enough now, but how desperate would they get with the fate of their world on the line?

Distant footsteps trickled down into the dungeon. I sat up, wondering if they were bringing the man back or if they were here for me. Out of all the possible visitors, Seeker Len wasn’t the one I would have pegged to see me first.

“Good morning, my lady,” Seeker Len said. He was holding a tray with a small loaf of bread and a cup of water.

“Morning,” I said as I came forward to receive my meagre rations. I saw Seeker Len press a button and a small gap appeared at the bottom of the bars, just large enough for the tray to fit through. Another click and it was closed.

I fell on my bread like a starving wolf and drained my water just as quickly.

Seeker Len gave me an awkward smile. “It was never my intention to have you brought down here. A mark against you is a mark against me, as your Seeker, so I truly hoped this could have been avoided.”

“I was clear at every turn,” I said, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “I didn’t want to be here and you all dragged your feet in telling me anything. Unless you’re able to get me a guarantee that I can be sent home after preventing this End of Days, I don’t think we have much to say to each other.”

Seeker Len sighed. “I have received a message from the gods. They have given me permission to promise you, on their behalf, that you will be returned to your world once you successfully avert the End of Days.”

I folded my arms. “I see. Have the gods ever sent a Seer back to their own world?”

“Yes,” Seeker Len said. He coughed, a wet and unpleasant sound. “Do you not remember? You asked me this before. A handful of times, the gods have returned a Seer who did not wish to remain here to where they came from.”

I frowned. I had so many questions that they all blurred together and I couldn’t even recall what I’d been told before. Now that he’d said it, I knew he was right. At least I could be sure he was sticking to his story. Much as I disliked the man, he hadn’t lied to me outright, only by omission.

“You didn’t think to promise me this sooner?” I asked, my eyes narrowing..

Seeker Len wiped his brow. He looked his age more than ever, his face a mess of wrinkles that seemed deeper in the sparse lighting. “You have only been here a short time. Wosurei is, in many ways, like Earth. In others, it bears little to no resemblance. As a Seeker, I am given so much information that is known only to me. A safeguard of that is that I cannot make promises without permission.”

“Whose permission?” I asked, drawing closer to the bars.

“The gods, of course. And unless I receive that permission, my throat tightens up, my teeth become glued together.”

A chill ran down my spine. Seeker Len is on the most potent gag order possible, and for what?

“Why?” I asked. “Surely, it would have been faster to make that promise and then get permission afterward..”

“What does a god care for efficiency?” Seeker Len asked. It was the closest I’d heard him come to criticising the gods. Instead of letting that linger, he added, “With good reason. The gods are ancient beings, having seen the ripples of time float across Wosurei for a thousand years. Timing is everything. You were not ready to be promised these things until now, and so the gods have allowed you this promise.”

It wasn’t much of an answer, and suggested a troubling relationship between Seeker Len and the gods. I sensed it was the best I was going to get. “Fine. I agree to climb this mountain and speak to the gods.”

Seeker Len brightened. “Ah, wonderful. I am so glad to hear it. I will tell His Majesty immediately and we can set about getting you out of here.”

It took around an hour or two to get everything settled, and then I was free. My imprisonment was closer to sending a child to bed without supper than it was a severe sort of punishment. Digging my heels in had gotten me what I wanted, except it cost me a lot more than I bargained for. Could I do it again? Would I have to?

Seeker Len and three guards led me back to my room in Sparrow Hall. I’d grown so sick of seeing guards everywhere, like ants overrunning a house. I was left in my room to give myself a chance to change out of the Eternity Temple robes, after which I’d be escorted to a spot where I would begin my training. One did not climb a mountain unprepared, at least if they wanted to survive.

As I changed out of the robes, I made sure to transfer the mountain token to my new outfit. I wanted to keep it on my person at all times. Whatever it was, I didn't trust that someone wouldn't find it somewhere in my room.

I chose a sleeveless orange tunic and brown pants with a pale orange outer robe. I doubted I'd ever understand how to coordinate fashion here, especially given I barely understood it back home. Hopefully I didn't look too ridiculous, though I'd rather look bizarre than ask for advice.

Before leaving, I stared out the window, watching the pine trees sway. I had both won and given in. I took heart in one thing: I hadn't promised to save the world. I'd just promised to climb that damned mountain.