From Old Numa, the Ambassador and his companions sailed to Maykren. Aralim met a second time with Captain Yau, who continued his raft service. The man had expanded his business and now owned a few rafts, each staffed by a single crew member. His business model—of having the passengers of his rafts help crew them—seemed to be working for him. To Devran and Lerela’s chagrin, Aralim decided to hire one of Yau’s rafts.
It was about a ten-day voyage. Aralim occasionally trained with the guards, but spent as much time discussing philosophy with Nill. Her latest book, obtained in Old Numa from Ukanna’s collection, discussed some of the older mythology of Numa’nakres. Only a few details in the first chapter covered beliefs originating before the current pantheon. The book then outlined the gods as they were held in the West: the Great Smith who forged the Land, and who was of course Tag’na, the Eternal Emperor; the Tempest Ruler who reigned over the Sky and the Sea—and may be, according to the book’s author, the inspiration for Atmos Septi; the Serpent of the Sand, a personification of death that carried the deceased into the afterlife; and Athra of the Forest, who had sacrificed herself to give birth to humankind. Aralim wondered if Athra had influenced beliefs of Maga or vice versa.
One day, while Aralim piloted the raft with the guiding pole, Devran came to speak with him. The devout chronicler did not start by critiquing Aralim as he often did; instead he affably asked, “Well, it certainly has been an interesting trip—what stands out for you?”
“Truly? Ukanna saying I’m a household name,” Aralim replied. He pushed down on the oar once more. Going upstream was hard work, but he had never shied from such a thing. “I wouldn’t believe it from anyone else.”
“Why do you think His Ascendance sent me?” Devran asked, implying his own famous presence was only to follow Aralim’s own.
“For a similar reason he sent me,” Aralim decided. “He feels you have a unique way of communicating with the people, a way that he values.”
Devran nodded. “It’s true. But also, because people want to know about you. Does that make you feel proud or fulfilled? Or can you explain why that is a big deal for you?”
Suddenly aware that he was being interviewed, Aralim stood up a little straighter. He spoke more clearly and formed his thoughts carefully before airing them. “I’ve learned that the governing system of the Quebs is less capable of handling an emergency than the Three Courts. And I’ve learned that if you protect your livelihood, the world will help you do so.”
“The latter is referring to the bandits near the Eye, correct?”
Aralim nodded. “That’s a good example. The events in Tal’lashar are an example of the opposite. The First Queb was forced to pay most of the ransom personally. She didn’t stand up for her livelihood, so the world didn’t help her do so. She is suffering because of it.”
“I see,” Devran replied. “I suppose I never asked: what do you, as a Path-Walker, think of the rulers of Yarik sending their necrotic armies to exact tribute?”
Aralim considered his response carefully. Devran would write it in a book and apparently half the public was waiting to read it. “I have taken a rarer opinion as a Path-Walker, in that I like the idea of morals. So, I’m not a fan of Yarik. That being said, the rulers of Yarik were successful. I see no reason for them not to repeat the process.”
“Hopefully Dullah will be safe,” Devran said, slipping out of his academic tone. He continued thoughtfully, “I am curious if His Ascendance will comment on Yarik. After all, necromancy is prohibited by Numa’nakres law—and you did broker an alliance with the First Queb.”
“Technically, the Queb also disapproves of necromancy, but yes,” Aralim said, “His Ascendance and I will have a lot to discuss.”
Devran slipped back into his inquisitive tone. “Will you resume a seat in the Three Courts, perhaps reclaiming your position from your friend, Hayan?” He swatted at a bug and then rubbed his palm clean on his trousers.
“I suppose that would be natural, but I’m not certain of His Ascendance’s plan for me.”
Devran nodded, then shrugged, and crossed his arms. “Anything else you’d like me to record? I want to make sure I represent your side of things as well.”
“I came into this position because I view the world from a slightly different perspective,” Aralim said, offering his pondering for Devran’s reference. Though he often disagreed with Devran on religious matters, the chronicler loved Rema too much to use his writing to degrade Aralim or his opinion—even if Devran did write with an agenda, Tag’na might kill him for it. “All that I can hope is that that perspective has aided Rema. I trust your judgement, Devran.”
“Thank you,” Devran said, a little surprised. He smiled and said, “Want me to take a shift now?”
Aralim pushed their raft further and shrugged. “I can go a while longer,” he said. He was sore, but he was enjoying his recent foray into improved physicality. It felt like progress on the Path, in a certain sense.