Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 685
anger could destroy my world."
"Only my human side can be angry."
"But pardon me for saying so, my general--it’s your
human side that makes you do what you do."
He stood up abruptly and stalked a few meters away.
Encouraged, she said, "Listen to me. If you respect Megan,
you should follow her example too."
"By doing what?" He sounded indifferent, as though
intent on some task. Galas almost smiled.
"By letting it all in. All the pain, the sorrow, the anger.
You’ve got to let yourself feel it. Otherwise, it’s going to act
through you whether you know it or not."
He murmured something; she wasn’t sure, but it sounded
like, "That’s not what I’m afraid of having act through me."
Galas felt infinitely weary. Her own grief was raw and
close enough that she had little strength to fight his. She lay
down on her bedroll and gazed up at the few stars that were
visible through the perpetual dusk sky.
"I’m afraid," she heard herself say. She knew she was
not speaking for herself.
"Jordan Mason," said Armiger. "I need you to find me
now."
Galas rolled on her side and looked past the circle of
firelight. Armiger stood with his hands raised to either side,
and now lines of light flickered at the ends of his fingers.
These seemed to tear away and coalesce into rolling balls, like
tumbleweeds. She saw several bounce across the ground,
fading. A faint rustling sound came from the undergrowth
around her.
"What are you doing?" she whispered.
"I am building a larger body--more sense organs,
independent hands and eyes. The Winds or their slaves might