The Call of Crows

Chapter 37: Another Chance

"Men." Sila scoffed as Bjorn's eyes fell upon the heap of bodies in the common room of the house.

Najeem, Vai, Ruhak and Peng smelled like piss and the stench of something burning.

"Care to explain this?" Seang asked when Najeem was the first one to come to, "I thought you didn't drink."

"I don't," Najeem groaned, "I...ugh, I smoke."

"How is that different?" Seang mumbled to herself.

"The Knights!" Ruhak shouted himself awake, "Taya! Guanyu's Bane Knights! They're here in the city!"

"Gods and demons, calm down Ruhak." Taya said, "What is it?"

Ruhak went on a tangent about how they'd witnessed a secret meeting of Nikan spies and how they were supposed to be going after them so they could start and Operation Golden Storm.

"I'd say it was a hallucination of drunkenness," Shahla muttered, "If the story weren't so likely."

"We should let the Senator know." Seang said, "You four go wash the stench of urine off yourselves. The Senator's coming here in an hour."

All four seemed equally dismissive of the nun's command, but contrary to their attitude, obeyed.

"The rest of you, take a seat." Taya said, "I'm gonna catch you up to speed about the state of the world."

After a brief, yet detailed description of the Armageddon Event, most of the Easterners seemed to either take it in stride or have things on their mind more immediate than Armageddon.

"Whether it be to liberate nations or save the existence of mankind, the Companies of Man have to be revived." Taya said, "And given that we are now presumably the targets of a vast spy network, I don't think anyone should leave this place without a partner in tow. So Seang and I took some time this morning to figure out what companies you would most likely fall into based on your abilities and the bonds you've made with your Shedim."

"The Steel Fist is the Company of Idealism." Seang said, "Shahla, you and Kameko fall into this company, since you both have devoted your lives to something far grander than yourselves."

"Bjorn and I are in the Searing Breath," Taya sent a sly wink his way, sending blood rushing to Bjorn's cheeks. "We both used to bend to the whim of fear, but we're both on paths to finally defeating it."

"The Company of the Relentless Stride is all about progress and evolution. We believe Cecile and Orhan should fit into that one." Seang said.

"In what way do I have to evolve?" Cecile asked.

"Our opinion would be useless if you can't figure the information out yourself." Taya said, "Sila, you and Vai are in the Company of the Carver's Ear, which is all about the aspect of remembrance."

Sila furrowed her brow.

"You're free to disagree with us if your Shedim bestows the mantra of a different company onto you, but these are just for the sake of safety, anyway." Taya responded to her as though reading her thoughts, "Ruhak and Ricco are in the Starlit Eye, the Company of ambition."

"Najeem and Peng are in the Calloused Hand, the company of humility." Seang said, "Myself and Gustave over there are in the Sunlit Tongue, the company of cooperation. And Shakti and Lokapele are in the Quickened Heart, the company of Passion."

When the boys came back from washing themselves and getting into new clothes, they were informed about this partner system.

It may have been pure luck-to Bjorn it didn't matter-but as of now, both parties were still neutral with each other despite having fought the day before. So nobody was upset with who they got paired with, as it was still too early to make judgement calls, even for those who really liked to jump to conclusions like Gustave.