The Years of Apocalypse - A Time Loop Progression Fantasy

Chapter 66 - Interrogation

When the dust had settled, Magistrate Ada approached Mirian. She still looked properly regal in her red coat of office, but the sleepless nights were apparent in her eyes. "The prisoner says he'll talk to you," Ada said. She paused, then added, "How did you know?"

Mirian looked past her, to the interrogation room where Idras was sitting, body still hunched. "I've seen other possible futures. They don't end well."

Already, her knowledge seemed to be otherwise inexplicable enough that Ada merely looked at her, and had no response.

"I'll see him." She was nervous with anticipation. How much would Idras tell her? And how much of it would be true? Was he truly shaken by the betrayal of his fellow spy, or was it just an act?

"We'll be just outside, if you need assistance. Torrviol will appreciate what you learn."

"My second home," Mirian said, smiling. She wondered what Ada felt. How much would she trust a stranger with knowledge of the future, if she were in her shoes? Mirian walked into the interrogation room. It was strange. It wasn't so long ago that she'd been sitting on the other side with Captain Mandez's cruel eyes staring her down. This time, she was sitting on the other side of the table.

"Hi," Mirian said, because she didn't actually know how to interrogate someone.

Idras didn't look at her, nor at any of the decorations around the room. He just looked at an unremarkable spot on the table. Finally, he started to speak. "You were right about one thing. I am a patriot. God as my witness, I have only ever served and loved Akana Praediar." Mirian heard the crack in his voice as he swapped to Eskanar and said, "And now here I am, in my colleague's room."

Mirian had to think about the Eskanar word for 'colleague' to make sure she hadn't missed a second meaning of it. "So Captain Mandez wasn't just taking bribes."

Idras swapped back to Friian as he said, "No. I may as well tell you his real name is Nathanial Hache. I don't know how he ever managed to pass himself off as south Baracueli." Idras winced. "He would have given the order for my assassination. I was at his son's wedding."

Mirian's mouth went dry. That was a kind of ruthlessness she couldn't even comprehend. She let Idras continue.

"It is not how the Republic Intelligence Division is supposed to act. Something has gone wrong. You say this all ends Akana Praediar. How?"

"It has to do with the Divine Monument," Mirian said.

"Is that what you call it? I'm not privy to the classified information, but I know the name. We call it the Ancient Weapon."

Mirian thought about what she'd learned from Nicolus about politics. "Powerful enough that Akana doesn't even trust an ally with one?"

"Of course we don't trust you with it. You're already using it on us."

"What? That can't be right. No one on the project can figure out how it works. You must know that—with all the break-ins, you must have seen all the reports."

Idras was still staring at that spot on the table. He ground his jaw a bit, lost in thought then said, "The reports didn't add up with the information we got from the break-ins. They were... mixed. I assumed that one group of researchers was being deceived by an inner circle that had made a breakthrough."

Mirian thought. "You know about the underground passages, but did you ever actually get into the room with the monument? Or Torrian Tower?"

"No, of course not. That would have been..." He trailed off. "Her code name is Specter, so that's what we call her."

"Adria Gavell. Or at least, her impostor."

Idras nodded. "Then I was a fool. Never trust a double agent; they've already shown they have no reservations about betrayal."

Getting Archmage Luspire on board sounded simple enough, especially with the support of several professors and the town's magistrate. However, if there was one thing Mirian had learned so far, it was that it would be nothing of the sort.

***

When Mirian and Jei were at last alone in the grove north of the gardens, it was a relief. Already, she was having nostalgia for the simplicity of being a student. The time loop had taken away the stress of classes, and she'd just been able to learn, and enjoy learning. It was the thing she was good at. This other stuff that involved talking to people, politicking, and stirring up the entire town for a war—it was absurd. Once again, she wondered: why me?

"What do you think of the Gods?" Mirian asked Respected Jei. She remembered her discomfort at a comment she'd made about blessings or something.

"In ordinary circumstances, I would never answer that," Jei said. "But I will tell you. I do not believe in their divinity."

That struck Mirian as strange. "But you believe in their... existence."

"One would be a fool not to. The evidence of their existence is well attested in the historical record, and in circumstantial evidence. How else do we explain things like the Monument? But why does their prowess make them divine?"

"The words of the Prophets. The first ones. They said as much. And the Gods created Enteria. The Labyrinth is proof enough of that."

Jei pulled out her orb and let the dappled sunlight play off it so that plants nearby glittered with the refractions. "Through the rise and fall of empires, we have already lost many great techniques. No one can create the ancestral orbs anymore, even as our knowledge in magic advances in other ways. Imagine an unlearned human encountering one a thousand years ago; it would seem an impossible feat. Perhaps so advanced they would consider it an Elder artifact."

"I think I get your point. But the Elder Gods—I mean, there's a qualitative difference, isn't there? They can manipulate parts of the world we can't even see. And time itself, if I'm any indication."

Jei shrugged. "I do not seek to change your mind on this. Only to answer your question. I will add one more thought: the words of the prophets have been changed. Through the centuries, the documents that exist in Zhighua are and the ones in Baracuel have diverged greatly. I cannot say if this is through deliberate interference, or simply chains of translation shifting meanings piece by piece, but there can be no doubt the difference exists. With the originals missing, whose word is true? There would be no schisms in the religious orders if that absolute truth were knowable. Religion becomes another tool, like crowns and laws and rifles, to be wielded by those who seek control."

Mirian considered that as she looked about. With winter's approach, the surrounding forest was a mix of skeletal branches and evergreen needles. Here and there, myrvite winterbloom flowers defied the seasons, pale petals resembling snowflakes. "So what philosophy do you follow?"

"One similar to yours, I imagine. We gain our ethical codes from family. From the society around us. And just because I do not believe the Elders were divine does not mean I cannot appreciate their teachings. Does this satisfy you?"

"I just keep wondering why I was chosen. Of all the people—why would I get sent back in time?"

"Perhaps you weren't. Perhaps it was chance. Many things are."

"A cosmic accident? Maybe. Maybe that would make more sense. I just... I guess it's all speculation at this point. I still don't know how to figure out how it all works, never mind the why of it." She shook her head to clear it. "Well, what's the curriculum? After I master your foundational techniques."

Jei picked up a dead leaf from the ground and examined it. "I wish I knew how much time you had. I must believe the time you have is finite. But I must also look at the task that has been set before you. I consider it must be impossible without an understanding of magic that exceeds anyone in the Academy. Therefore, I must prepare you to make discoveries. After you have mastered the foundations, we must expand your knowledge of the glyphs, until it becomes like another language to you."

"I bet Seneca can help with that."

"So I imagine. You must learn what you can from everyone who is worth learning from."

They were silent for a time. The wind rustled through the trees. A few birds tweeted out tentative songs. Mirian took a deep breath. "Well. Might as well get back to it. What exercise should I start with?"

"Twelve through twenty," Jei said. "You must work on introducing no oscillation when you displace energy. Doubly so when working with two energy types. I will demonstrate, and you will copy. Pay attention to the initial formation..."

And for a time, Mirian could forget all the things she needed to do, all the pieces on the board of life she needed to move about, and just—learn. She practiced until her aura was as bare as the deciduous trees, then quaffed a mana elixir and practiced more.