‘For most, the magic eventually opens a permanent channel between the eja and the spirit world. They give up the duty only when the spirits force them to, when they can’t stand the magic any more and their hearts and thoughts are permanently changed. We honour them and care for them, for they are living testimonies to sacrifice – their lives for ours – but to welcome the spirits now would likely kill them before they even reached the Swift Water. After a lifetime of sacrifice, who would ask them to give even more?’

Tayan’s heart was hurting as they reached the breeze and sunlight and bustle of the upper market again. ‘It was nice to see you both,’ Lilla said, as ever reading his husband’s mood perfectly, ‘but I’m afraid we are both still tired from our travels.’

When the Xentib had said their farewells and vanished into the market, Lilla wrapped big arms around Tayan’s shoulders and pressed a kiss to his hair. ‘Let’s go back to bed,’ he murmured. ‘I just want to forget about the world for a while.’

‘Mm. Don’t forget my snake on a skewer, though,’ Tayan said into his neck.

‘What? You didn’t even ask her about Toxte,’ Lilla grumbled. ‘That bet is—’

‘You really think if they’d started fucking in the last few weeks that he’d be anywhere but at her sickbed? You’ve just propositioned your innocent, unworldly husband in the middle of the day, after all. Which is scandalous, by the way. I am shocked. Really very shocked.’

‘Yes, I can tell,’ Lilla muttered as Tayan’s hands stroked down his hips. Tayan smiled and stretched up for a kiss, and then took his hand and led him home through the market and past the food vendors until Lilla laughingly gave in and bought them both snake on a skewer.

They ate it in bed.

ENET

The source, Singing City, Pechacan, Empire of Songs

122nd day of the Great Star at morning

The song was a brassy, contented rumble today, stroking along the nerves of every citizen who heard it, its ceaseless melody rippling through hearts and minds and bones and uniting them all in glory. Purpose. Triumph.

The song was their magic, their strength, never ending; it whispered its harmonies into the spirits of every person within the Empire’s bounds, from full-blood Pecha to the lowest slave. It was a sound that Enet had heard every day since her first breath, that made her not only who she was but part of a greater whole. For the song was eternal and soon would be heard across all Ixachipan to the Singer’s glory and the Empire’s triumph. And then, finally, they would have peace in which to attempt the great work – the waking of the world spirit.