Sahshir's body began to fail him later that day.
Of course, he'd felt the pain as usual for a long time, but it had not bothered him as much since the Second War of Power. However, it began to grow to the point where he felt he needed to stop. Not that Sahshir showed this weakness; he merely halted by a tree and sat down as if to meditate.
"We will rest here for a time," said Sahshr, putting the Sword of Order across his knees. "Urus, head to the north of here and find a cliff face. It looks out over the Sea of Power. The spirits are focused there.
"I am relying on you to find it."
"Is something wrong, Sahshir?" asked Oresa.
"I must meditate," said Sahshir.
Urus nodded and moved off with his staff. Oresa sat down across from him and looked at him with concern. Sahshir wondered what it was like to find a woman beautiful. He could look at her and know many would find her attractive. Sahshir wondered if that was all there was. Then, he dismissed the subject as irrelevant to his duty.
His eyes turned to where Tuor had emerged. He wore a pair of nunchucks at his side and a white tunic. His eyes were faintly amused.
"Tuor, I'm surprised you are here," said Sahshir.
Tuor shrugged and sat down. "I thought you might need guidance. You've now headed in the opposite direction we'd planned."
"What use is the Heaven's Eye to Baltoth if we cannot get to him?" asked Sahshir. "If Sorn is hostile, we'll have far more difficulty."
"It was merely an observation," noted Tuor. "It is the way of things that small deviations lead to far larger ones if you allow them to."
"I would have thought you would have objected," noted Sahshir. "You have come all the way out here after us."
Tuor shrugged. "It is often in deviations that we gain the power to achieve our goals.
"This is a matter that cannot be put off. Our own mission, however, can. King Belosh will easily be able to handle negotiations in the meantime."
"Um, Master Tuor, may I ask something?" asked Oresa suddenly.
"What is it, girl?" asked Tuor, annoyed at the interruption.
"You, um, you mentioned we're going to steal the Heaven's Eye in the name of Baltoth. Won't um... won't..." Oresa faltered.
"Speak freely, Oresa," said Sahshir. "The ruler benefits from hearing alternate perspectives."
"Won't that start a war?" asked Oresa. "I mean, Father tells me that we're at peace with them now. My brother, Ashinin, led the army that fought alongside them in Khasmir to the far west."
"It is no longer to the far west, Oresa," said Sahshir. "Sorn is a comparatively small way south and east of Khasmir, just below the High Elves realm on the map."
"Well, yes, but we're at peace with them now," said Oresa. "Duke Vanion respects Baltoth; some say he is even a worshipper in spirit."
"Worshipper in spirit?" asked Sahshir, having not heard the concept before.
"It's a belief among the Medi," said Tuor. "To be a worshipper in spirit is to be a devout follower of a particular cause or deity. But you also believe yourself to be something else. Personally, I find the idea to be absurd. Ones' conscious choices are the only relevant ones; those you do not know you are taking are not yours."
"But what if this starts a war?" asked Oresa.
"War is inevitable," said Tuor with a shrug. "And I can see far afield through my agents. Even as we speak, powers are gathering to begin a new conflict.
YOU ARE READING
The Rival of Gods
FantasyAbdul Sahshir has won great victories and achieved many of his goals in life. Yet with the gradual encroachment of his disease, and the coming of the Heir of Kings, his work is not done. Now he must embark on mission alongside the Disciple of Baltot...
