Why?!
The moment my vision cleared up, I noticed almost everyone was asleep already, with only two figures still awake by the fire. So I headed toward them, knowing I wouldn't fall back asleep anytime soon.
Mar-Rukh was tossing thin branches into the flames to keep them alive, while Jesh was drawing some intricate symbols in the sand and smiling to himself. I didn't recognize a single one, and judging by how much fun he was having, I figured it was probably just some made-up game of his own invention.
I sat down with them and gratefully accepted the bottle of wine Jesh handed me, chugging nearly half of it before I felt even slightly better. Even with all that wine in my system, my brain somehow cleared up instead of getting fuzzier. Things became sharper. For instance, I could now see that the ex-carpenter had absolutely no intention of sharing his secret tricks with me. So it was about time I gave him a little nudge. Figuratively speaking.
Tell me, Jesh, are you ever going to explain how you pulled off that stunt back at the sawmill? We had a I'd do what you asked and find the two people you needed. And I did. So I'd like to receive what's rightfully mine, if you don't mind.
Polite but firm. Just the way it should be.
In theory, that could've worked — even though Mar-Rukh frowned and crushed a twig in her fist so hard it cracked. But Mori himself reacted totally calmly… even indifferently. And I hated that. I just sat there watching him lean over the fire, warming his hands and probably debating which kind of logic, if any, might actually reach him.
Then suddenly he pulled back his hands and placed one of his palms against my cheek. I screamed
it felt like a branding
Ow! Don't do That hurts. Although… I get it now. You're saying this isn't some divine gift, you're just heating up skin with fire sources. Fine, but why can't anyone else does that?
He shrugged and touched a water jug, which he handed to me. The liquid inside was incredibly warm — perfect for a chilly night.
Well, thanks for I needed to warm up anyway. But now, please explain how you turned water into wine? Is there some kind of hidden mechanism in the jugs? And how does Mar-Rukh always say exactly what you need when you're not even talking? Can she read your mind or something?
He didn't answer the last part — or rather, he showed me how it worked. Mar-Rukh touched the Keybone near her collarbone, and immediately began to speak:
Not every question deserves an You need rest, Thomas. Tomorrow we arrive at Lake Kinneret, where Mori intends to speak his word to those in need of it.
If you don't wanna talk, just say — I pouted, feeling kinda childishly hurt that Jesh once again dodged a straight answer. — But fine. We'll talk later. So what's this speech for? The people can hear — and Oh yeah? And how exactly do you plan on talking to a crowd? You think this is easy? Nobody knows you there. You're not local. You're not some big-deal You just plan to show up outta nowhere and start preaching? People won't even laugh — they just won't listen and move on.
They exchanged glances, and I saw Mar-Rukh's eyes narrow in confusion. Satisfied, I leaned in to build on my minor success:
First off, you need a People focus on whoever's standing on a platform — it's familiar, it signals that something interesting's about to happen. Then you need to warm them up before Jesh starts talking. In Rome they say something about bread and circuses, right?
Let's give 'em all free food and wine first. I see you've got plenty of supplies — probably thanks to Simon's hoarding — so let that miser share some of his stash.
As for the entertainment… well, that's trickier. You need material that can charm bored onlookers. And I've got a few ideas there too...