Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 266
He waved a hand dismissively. "It cost me energy to
perform that minor miracle. I have very little to spare, and no
time to recover any I lose now."
Galas leaned back. She felt betrayed, and suddenly
cynical. "So you have no more tricks? Is that what you’re
saying?"
"I am not a trick pony!"
"And I am not a fool!"
They glared at one another. Then Galas noticed that the
woman Megan was covering a smile with her hand.
Galas forced a grim smile of her own. "You know our
situation. This is not the time for frippery, or lies. Is it so
strange that I demand proof?"
Grudgingly, he shook his head. "Forgive me, Queen
Galas. I am much reduced from my former station, and that
makes me tactless and short-tempered."
"But unafraid," she said. "You are not afraid of me."
"He is not afraid of anything," said Maut’s companion.
Her tone was not boasting--in fact it was perhaps a little
apologetic. Or resigned.
Maut shrugged again. "It seems we’ve gotten off to a
bad start. I am very weary--too weary for miracles. But I am
what I say I am."
"But, you have not said what that is!"
He frowned. "There is an ancient word in your language.
It is not much used today. The word is god. I am--or was, a
god. I wish to be so again, and so I have come to you because,
of all the humans on Ventus, you are the only one who has
caught a glimpse of the inner workings of the world. You may
have the knowledge I need to become what I once was."
"Intriguing," said Galas. It was still unbelievable, on the
face of it. But... her fingers caressed the letter in her lap. She