Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 295
sum of human knowledge and can speak it directly into
people’s minds. But it’s only the sum of human knowledge. It
is only one perspective. Here on Ventus, something quite
different has come to exist. A new wisdom, you might say.
The sum of the knowledge of an entire conscious world,
unsullied by human perspective. Ventus, you see, is infinitely
precious."
"Then why aren’t they here? A trillion tourists from the
sky?"
"The Winds don’t permit visitors. Though there are a
few, I suppose--researchers vainly trying to crack the cyphers
of the Diadem Swans. Hiding from the Winds, of course."
"But you slipped in."
"I did. The Winds know something I must learn if I am
to survive. I cannot speak to them. So I must ask you, as the
one person on Ventus who knows them best, to help me."
"And why should I help?"
Armiger stood and walked to one of the tall windows.
"Outside your gates is an army. That army did not need to
come here. You need never have embarked on the path that led
you here. And you knew things would end this way, didn’t
you? It was inevitable from the moment you began to try to
change the fundamental beliefs of your people."
Below this high window he could see a crowded, hectic
courtyard. Beyond that, walls, then the hazy, unbelievable
crush of the besieging army.
"They had to kill you in the end," he said.
"Yes," said the queen in a small voice. "But I had to
try... to end this long night that has swallowed the whole
world."
He turned, and Jordan felt his eyes narrow, his mouth set
hard. "Then help me. If I survive, I may well be able to do