Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 615
A Diadem swan, much like the ones who had dragged her into
the night, and plucked her into the sky while she screamed...
Calandria hung her head.
"We sought pathology," said the swan. Its voice was
clear and bell-like. "We found you."
Calandria cleared her throat. "I am not the one you
seek." Her voice seemed small to her, and uncertain. She
couldn’t seem to regain that fine control that let her mesmerize
her listeners so easily.
"You are not the one we seek," agreed the swan.
Surprised, Calandria looked up.
"You do not match the signal we have been pursuing,"
said the swan. "You are nonetheless a pathology."
"I came to Ventus to destroy the one you seek. That one
is here to overthrow the Winds. I have been sent to stop him.
The... modifications to my body, that you detected, were made
to help me find him."
"What are these Winds of which you speak?" asked the
swan.
"Ah. Y-You, you are. That’s the name we have for you.
Anyway there is a creature walking on Ventus, who’s come to
destroy you. He’s the one you are after. He is extremely
dangerous. I--"
"You are a hunter?"
"I-- Yes. Yes, I am."
"You hunt the pathology."
"Yes." She was afraid to say more. Afraid to move,
now.
"Have you been successful?"
"Partly. I, I encountered him during the siege. We
fought. I could have destroyed him, if--"
"We may use you."