Page 96 of Guiding Reason

“We do. But we’re here tonight, and me and Senlas are looking forward to meeting people and thanking Ferrea’s protectors.”

“But no one is hugging my Conduit. Tell your viewers.”

“Ah, Guardian Senlas, you’re adorable. I think they all got that and won’t attempt to randomly hug Conduit Orrey anymore.”

“Maybe we can help you with your soup person?”

“Conduit Orrey, look at you trying to break my dry spell! Are you sure you will be leaving, and if so, can you take me with you?”

“We’renot taking a documentarian anywhere.”

“Sen! He just means that with two newly imprinted Guardians, too many unfamiliar people would be difficult to handle. And yes, we are really leaving, though we’ll keep Ferrea close to our hearts.”

“Well, viewers, ChannelPulse brings you the latest updates from the Grounds tonight. Later on, we’ll get you Shoda kissing—maybe you, dearest viewer? Now, Conduit Orrey, I think we should go see my soup person and have a look at what he has cooking in that big pot of his.”

32

COLDIS

After the extreme busyness of their last day, they reached a compromise. They had to, because Hyran loathed the idea of running Col anywhere, leaving him, and coming to pick up Taros.

When Col checked his screen and tightened the straps of his backpack just outside the doors of the Champions’ Tower underneath a cloudless morning sky, the others had been gone for hours already, and Taros with them.

“They should be about in position for the meet-up.” Col put his screen away and looked at Hyran in his Ferrean uniform.

“Then we’ll go and catch up. Goggles?”

Col waved them lazily. “You asked me three times already.”

“That’s because… Let’s go over it once more. First trip, to the Northern Entrance, then through the city and through the wall, then last trip to the Team Three convoy to pick up Taros. If you feel dizzy or sick at any point, we’ll stop.”

“Just like I told you yesterday, I’m ready.”

Hyran nodded and took out a short wide scarf he wound around his braided hair. Then he and Col went down the stairs where Hyran kneeled, back to Col.

“Hop on. After you put your goggles on.”

“It’s almost cute how you want to see me in goggles, Guardian Hyran, I’ll admit that.”

Col, like so many, had experienced many a Guardian’s power firsthand, but never extreme speed such as he was about to.I’m glad I opted for a small breakfast. I don’t want to puke on his shoes again.He climbed on Hyran’s back, wound his arms around the Guardian’s shoulders even as Hyran hooked Col’s legs under his arms.

“You’ll be grateful. Okay. Is that comfortable?” The Guardian stood.

Col found a grip on Hyran’s utility harness so he wouldn’t choke his Guardian, released briefly to fiddle with his backpack, held on again. Sitting on a Guardian’s back for high-speed travel felt very exposed, but at the same time, Col trusted Hyran to know what he was doing.

“Please go before I think about this too much.”

Hyran nodded. “Hold tight.”

And then, speed. The acceleration was so instantaneous, so complete, that Col’s body didn’t have the time to succumb to the tearing grip of inertia. He didn’t even have time to widen his eyes in amazement at how the world faded only to be scared by the sight, and he certainly didn’t have the time to bury his head against Hyran’s hair.

They were at the Northern Entrance before Col needed to take another breath. “Fuck.”

“Do you need to sit? Go back? We don’t have to do this.”

Col swallowed. Not bile. He was salivating with fear or some reaction, his body simply panicking maybe.

“No, I can handle this, and we have to do it. I’m ready. You can go.”