Page 29 of Guiding Reason
Col sat there for a good minute, mind racing. Then he dropped back onto the bed, tossed the clinic slippers. “We are more fucked than a single leaf in a Wild Hunt of Hounds.”
11
HYRAN
The G&C Voice is aiming to bring the latest of the developments at Starlit Stage to all Guardians, Conduits, and regulars. We know many are still waiting to hear news about their loved ones, those brave extras who were present at Starlit Stage when the attack happened, the Battle of Starlit Stage as we’re calling it, or those there for the event in celebration of Argentea’s Team Three.
In addition to contacting protectors if you have lost contact to a loved one, please also get in touch with the G&C Clinic AI.
Now, we got a chance to speak with Champion Shoda, who was instrumental in foiling the attack and reuniting Guardian Senlas with his Conduit.
Shoda, can you tell our listeners what happened and how you managed to bring the protectors and Conduit Orrey to Starlit Stage?
“Of course. The idea was Conduit Orrey’s. He saw me and my team bring people out of the zone of direct danger on an ice slide.”
Such a slide as you and hydromancer Vinora have often used to beat various obstacle challenges during the Games, correct?
“Correct. Vinora pulls the water from wherever she can get it, I make the slide. Conduit Orrey ordered us to make several to bring him and the protectors back to Starlit Stage, and one of Team Three’s Guardians was going to provide illusionist cover.”
That is quite an idea.
“I agree. Conduit Orrey would have been an excellent active member of a Guardian Games team, but of course he has earned his idol status as Senlas’s Conduit now. At the time, the protectors were also concerned about setting foot on the Grounds and keeping them on my ice would have been a workaround. This was before we knew the Op-AI was dead.
“There isn’t much more to say, really. We followed Conduit Orrey’s orders, and the protectors were instructed to fire as soon as the illusion broke, which we knew it would at some point. The shooting was going to be more of a distraction, given that ammunition that works well on regulars doesn’t always hold against Guardians. And yet, the protectors fought bravely for all of us. Not one of them hesitated. They showed how Ferrea can come together and do what is needed when it is needed.
“I urge all Guardians and Conduits who do not know what to make of the protectors’ presence inside the Grounds right now to remember that just yesterday, they faced a battle they knew they could not win by themselves without fear. They are Ferreaas much as all of us. Show them kindness and show them gratitude.”
(From the radio news cast G&C Voice.)
When Hyran saw Col walk down the hallway on bare feet, he raced to him.
His Conduit’s eyes widened in surprise. “Did you wait for me?”
Hyran shrugged and put an arm around Col’s shoulders. “You look tired.”
“I am. I really am, actually. You must be too.” He ran both hands through his hair, flinched when he accidentally brushed over the gel-covered wound there, and looked up at Hyran with those big, beautiful bi-chrome eyes. “The Argentean Op-AI should be working on fixing the transportation problem out there. Your mothers?”
Hyran felt heat rise to his cheeks. “I haven’t called them. I was waiting for you to finish.”
Col nodded. “Of course. It seems I’m being the insensitive Hound-fucker today.”
Hyran put both arms around Col, not quite hugging him, but close. He knew there were other Guardians behind his back, but he didn’t care. There was only Col now.
“No, of course you aren’t. You’re good at what you do. I think you managed to gather and organize more information in a few hours than everyone else has since the attack. You found out about the psionomancers.”
Col snorted. “Like you would know how much information anyone has gathered. You’ve just been sitting by my bedside.”
“No place I’d have rather been.”
Col nodded. “That room back there?” He pointed. “I’m moving my things over there. I think the one across from it is free.”
Hyran sighed but nodded. He wanted closeness with Col, but he would take what the Conduit allowed. “It’s fine.”
“Good. Help me move my things over, and then, if you’re open to it, I’d like to talk, just you and me.”
Hyran’s heart jumped a beat. “Of course. Nothing I’d rather do.”
Col’s lips crinkled with amusement. “Are you sure, Guardian? Really, really sure?”
