Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 583
The general held his gaze for a moment, then looked
down. "You’ve been pursued by the Winds because of what I
did to you," he said. "I apologize. And I’m flattered that you
sought me out. But as long as you are with me, the Winds can
find you--and me as well. Had you considered that in your
grand scheme?"
Jordan shrugged. "When I came to find you, it was to get
you to remove the implants. With them gone, the Winds
wouldn’t seek me anymore, right?"
"Is that what you want?" asked Armiger.
Thinking about it, Jordan realized that it wasn’t, not any
more. He had gained far more than he had lost from his
maddening and unpredictable ability to see through Armiger’s
eyes. Reluctantly, he shook his head.
"Then you cannot travel with me, I’m afraid," said the
general. "They will find us both that way."
Jordan scowled. He hadn’t planned on things working
out this way. But now that he could converse with Mediation-had
traveled the desal highways and commanded the mecha--to
go back to what he had been would feel like having a limb
amputated.
"Mediation can hide us," he said. "Or at least protect us
from Thalience."
"You don’t know that for sure," said Armiger. "If as you
say, Mediation and Thalience are two factions in a civil war,
then we are pawns in that war. Pawns can be traded or
sacrificed."
"Let’s go," insisted Megan. She seemed reluctant to look
at Jordan.
"Yes." Armiger crossed his arms and frowned at Jordan.
"If you found me once, you can find me again. I need to get
well away from here--somewhere the Winds aren’t looking.