Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 487
tried to force confidence into his voice as he said, "Do you
know who I am?"
"Identity," said the desal. "It asks ancient questions.
Identity was abolished."
"I don’t understand."
"Wait. Mediation raids ancient language archives. I.
You are I. That is important."
Tamsin shook her head. "It’s senile," she whispered.
"Language comes like floodwaters," said the voice
abruptly. "You are human. I am desal."
"Then you do know who I am."
"Mediation knows only that the Heaven hooks and the
Diadem swans want it to give you up," said the desal. The
voice was smooth and steady now.
"And you won’t?"
"Not yet."
Jordan chewed on his lip. The next question was
obvious, but he didn’t want to ask it rashly, lest the desal begin
to wonder itself--
"Why not?" said Tamsin. Jordan groaned.
"You are the hostages of Mediation," said the desal.
Jordan was completely tongue-tied for a few seconds.
"Hostages? Why do you need hostages?"
"Hey!" Tamsin slapped the floor somewhere nearby.
"Can we get some light in here?"
"Yes."
Brilliance hit them like a flood. Jordan yelped and
squeezed his eyes shut. "Good idea," he said, as he slowly
pried first one, then the other eye open a slit.
The light came from dozens of brilliant lamps like small
suns, studded in the ceiling of a huge domed chamber. The
chamber was filled with towering blocks of white crystal, and