Mari shook her head. “That doesn’t make any sense, Calu. How can arts like engineering be based on the idea that nothing is real?”
“No, it’s the foundation, Mari. It’s what explains how everything works, like electricity and light and friction and everything else. Engineering follows the rules it does because of the way the universe is organized.” Calu grinned again at Mari’s baffled expression. “I know how weird it seems. It’s actually a whole lot weirder than it sounds when you get down to quantum level. I think if the Mechanics Guild had its way the whole thing would be banned, but it’s considered too important to completely suppress, so only a very few Mechanics are allowed to learn about it.” Calu frowned in thought. “But where could the Mages get the energy to do anything? The human body doesn’t contain enough to create rapid changes like that. Mechanics get our energy from sources like electricity or magnetism. Is that what you use, Alain?”
Alain shook his head. “I do not know these words. We draw on the power which exists everywhere in greater or lesser amounts around us. A Mage can sense and channel this energy into a spell to change the world illusion. It also requires some energy from the Mage, so that creating spells quickly tires any Mage.”
“Wow. Something like…heat transfer. Mari, remember those old plans for geothermal heating we found?”
“The ones the Senior Mechanics confiscated?”
“Right! There’s heat in the ground, everywhere, and with the right equipment you can use that heat. So the Mages can make use of some other kind of energy, I guess. I would so love to research this stuff.”
Alain studied the Mechanic, trying to understand Calu’s enthusiasm. “Mechanics are so much in and of the world,” he said. “Everything about it fascinates you and Mari. I was taught to ignore the world, but I find myself wishing I could feel so excited about what I saw and what I learned. I would…like to discuss these things more with you some day, Mechanic Calu.”
Another grin. “If you’re just Alain, then I’m just Calu.” The smile went away. “But there’s no way the Senior Mechanics would permit it. We’re not allowed to learn new things, do new things, build new things.”
Mari looked at Calu. “Maybe that should change,” she said.
He looked back at her, and Alain could sense the sudden tension. “Seriously, Mari? Alli told me something about you years ago. She said ‘Mari is going to change things some day, Calu.’ And a little while ago, Alain told me that’s what you were out to do. Change things. If anybody can, you can.”
She gave them both aggravated looks. “Everybody expects me to do it! This is too important to start without having some kind of…of blueprint. And to have a blueprint, I need to understand exactly what’s going on and why. I’m relieved that you two are getting along, but don’t gang up on me. I wonder if Professor S’san knows anything about this quantum stuff? Calu, I might as well tell you what I can about our plans. Alain and I are heading for Severun.”
“That means you’ll have to go through Umburan and Pandin,” Calu observed. “The Imperial road net always converges into a few big roads that go through the cities so the Imperials can track everyone’s movements.” Calu pointed to himself. “I’m at the Guild Hall in Umburan. Have you got Imperial identity papers?”
“Yes. Fake ones, of course.”
“Good. From what I’ve seen since I got here, the Imperials regard any common west of Umburan as especially suspect. Once you get to Umburan and onward south and east, Imperial security will relax a little.” Calu leaned back, furrowing his brow in thought. “We’ve got a coach taking us back to Umburan. How are you getting there?”
“Walking, I guess.”
“You might be able to get a horse.”
Mari flinched. “Don’t talk about riding a horse, please.”
Calu looked puzzled, so Alain explained. “Riding a horse hurts Mari’s butt.”
She flinched again. “Alain! Social skills! You don’t talk about my butt to anyone else!”
Mechanic Calu seemed to be having difficulty, covering his mouth and coughing even though he was smiling. “Um…all right, then. I’ll be in Umburan a few days before you two. That will give me time to see what I can find out.”
Mari scowled at him. “Calu, do not put yourself at risk by asking around about me.”
“I can be careful!” Calu said. “There’s a Guild alert out for you, and that’s a perfect reason to ask. ‘I was at Caer Lyn with her, so maybe I help the Guild figure out where she is.’”
“I don’t want you lying like a Mage!” Mari winced. “I’m sorry, Alain.”
“For what?” he asked. “I have heard the saying, though it is not accurate. Those who believe truth does not exist cannot actually be lying.”
“He’s got a point,” Calu commented. “Mari, when we were apprentices you used to say that we were all in this together. We still are. There’s a bookstore about five hundred lances north of the Mechanics Guild Hall in Umburan. I’ll be there around noon each day, starting a week after we leave here. It will take you at least that long to get to the city. Meet me in the bookstore and I’ll tell you what I found out.”
Alain could see Mari wavering. “I believe it would be wise to accept the offer, Mari. We must know as much as possible about what our opponents are doing if we are to reach Severun safely.”
She nodded in defeat. “All right. Please be careful, Calu.”
“Trust me. The blizzard is almost over. They’re talking about us maybe leaving tomorrow, if the road is clear enough.” Calu stood up, looking toward Alain. “You keep your eyes on her, okay?”
“I will.”
Mari made a derisive noise. “He doesn’t need any encouragement to look at me.”
After the other Mechanic had left, Mari sat gazing at the door. “You are sad,” Alain said.
“More worried than sad.” Mari shook her head. “I keep getting other people drawn into my troubles. First you, now Calu. I don’t have any right to do that.”
“Mari, you say that you trust Mechanic Calu and that you trust me. Does that not mean you trust our ability to make decisions? You did not order us to do anything. We choose to walk the same road, to be your allies.”
She thought about that for a while before shaking her head again. “You’re right, but I still feel guilty. I know I’m always pushing people to do stuff, but why do they follow me?”
“Because of who you are,” Alain said.
Mari rolled her eyes. “I just hope what I told him doesn’t get him in trouble. I keep doing things that cause other things to happen. I just don’t want anyone to be hurt.”
“Those who wish to kill us may move against your friends in time anyway. It is best that they be warned. And if you do not keep trying, the storm will sweep away all.”
This time, Mari glared at him. “Alain, have you ever heard the expression ‘no pressure’?”
“No.” Alain listened for a moment to the small sounds of the wind outside. “It is very late. We should sleep now in case travel is possible tomorrow.” Alain moved to spread his blanket upon the floor.
“What are you doing?” Mari scowled at him and pointed to the bed. “I want you here, next to me. With your clothes on, and watch where you put your hands. I trust you and I want you close, but let’s not press our luck.” She put out the lantern, then held Alain close as he laid down beside her.
He had almost fallen asleep when she whispered softly to him. “Alain, if Professor S’san says I have to leave you in order to make peace with the Mechanics Guild, I won’t do it. I just want you to know that. You’ll never be alone again, Alain. Not while I live.”