The King's Knights

Chapter Twenty-Five: Negotiations

They departed the next morning for the fortress of Nautus.

Saphra halted to pick up several precious objects. Among them was a necklace of blue seashells with a mesmerizing flicker. At the bottom of it was the metal emblem of a spider that hung just above the fur lining of her dress.

Saphra seemed to have a talent for moving over roots and trees without getting her dress dirty. However, it was still weathered and dirty at the fringes, where there had been many symbols once. By the time they got out of the swamps, Fate's clothes were soaked and muddy despite his best efforts. Fortunately, they began to go uphill at this point.

"Saphra, can I ask you something," asked Fate.

"You may ask," said Saphra.

"What is that pendant on that necklace you have there," said Fate. "The spider gem."

Saphra looked down at it and raised it. She had two necklaces, one of blue pearls and another a red copper collar. "It is a pendant afforded to Weavers of Rioletta.

"Influential practitioners of her arts who enact her will throughout the worlds."

"So you're a priestess," said Renfield.

"No," said Saphra. "Rioletta does not have temples or priesthoods. Those who worship her are those who practice her arts and ask her for guidance.

"One of the purposes of coming to this place was to identify notable beings and to alter the threads here more directly. Some of you have often noticed coincidences convenient for one side or another.

"These moments of luck form a tapestry, building on one another to alter the world. At a price."

"A price?" asked Fate.

"Yes," said Saphra. "Every thread that you pull pulls back. Each change made to the tapestry of fate shifts many threads you will never see.

"Those who wield their power unwisely pay the price.

"With fortune comes misfortune, and to bear misfortune worthily is good fortune. To deny a person misery is to deny them the chance to grow.

"There are also... more direct consequences."

"Like what?" asked Renfield, sounding interested.

His practice with his gun had not gone well. Virtually every shot he'd made had completely missed the mark. His shots had gotten a bit closer to said mark with some help from Arcturus, but they would not be winning any firefights.

"Imagine a horror born of the warped changes you have to reality," said Saphra. "Now imagine that others like it are drawn to you and you alone. There is no place in the cosmos they cannot follow. No ground so sacred they cannot reach you.

"They are fate eaters.

"Virtually unkillable. Those who weave for Rioletta know well to fear their attentions.

"Terrifying, isn't it?"

Her tone was detached, as though she were reciting a script. Arcturus wondered if she was. "Have you been making changes?"

"I have been making restorations," said Saphra. "The tapestry of this world has warped by outside interference. It must be set right, and the changes must be done well.

"The illusion of coincidence is the price we must pay."

"What did you mean by 'notable' before?" asked Renfield.

"Those who are great," said Saphra. "Those who may be great.

"And those disconnected from fate. Rioletta has many interests."