The Shattered Land_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [102]
The third warforged was called Indigo, due to the dark blue enamel covering her body. Lei had grown up among warforged, and she’d seen a few “female” constructs, but it was still slightly unnerving; the male voice was far more common. Like all warforged, her body had no indications of gender, but she was lean, wiry, and remarkably graceful. Compared to the armored bulk of the typical warforged soldier, she did have a feminine appearance, and Lei could see why her creator might have given her a woman’s voice. She was swift and silent, and she and Pierce had quickly taken point and disappeared in the jungle. It was clear that she’d spoken with Pierce before. Lei had always thought of Pierce as a brother, and she’d never considered that he might have secrets; deception and treachery were human traits. Now she wondered what else he had been hiding and whether she’d been a fool to trust anyone.
You are weary. Harmattan’s words emerged from his body, ground metal carried on the wind. Why fight with your flesh? Your death is inevitable. Ask, and I will end your suffering.
“I’m fine.”
Harmattan rustled. You struggle with every step. How long until blood and bone collapse beneath you?
“I can stay on my feet as long as I have to.”
You know that’s not true. You walk toward your grave. Every step is more difficult than the last, and even if you survive this day, how many more do you have? In a century, your Pierce will still walk the earth, while you will be the dust beneath his feet.
Lei gritted her teeth and said nothing. Her stomach was knotted with hunger, and her knees and ankles ached—but she’d be damned before she admitted her weakness to this thing.
There is no shame in it, he said, as if reading her thoughts. Perhaps he was. It is not your fault you were forged of flesh instead of steel. You did not choose your design, and you are not to blame for your flaws. Why struggle against them? Death lurks within you, waiting to overtake your beating heart. Submit. Surrender. I can end it swiftly.
“Why do you care so much?” she snapped. “Or do you have this conversation with every human?”
Is that what you are? He rustled again. I suppose that it’s Pierce I am thinking of. He cares about you, that much is clear, and it holds him back. If I kill you—he’s not ready for that, but if you ask for death, if you choose to end your pointless struggle … it will be best for both of you.
“Well, thanks so much for looking out for us. I’ll make sure to let you know if I want to take you up on your generous offer.”
Do you remember Blacklion, Lei? The broken forge?
Lei stopped in her tracks. Blacklion was the forgehold where she’d spent most of her childhood—the Cannith workshop where she’d first manifested the Mark of Making. “How do you know about that?”
I was born in Blacklion, Lei, just as you were. I’m sure you saw thousands of warforged while you were there—It’s hardly surprising that you don’t remember.
She stared at him, trying to see the face hidden in the shadow. There was something gnawing at the back of her mind, but she couldn’t quite grasp it. “Somehow I think I’d remember you.”
It took time for me to reach my full potential … though Pierce is taking even longer.
“You—you’re saying that Pierce is like you?”
Keep moving, child of flesh. We still have far to go and no time for your weakness. He pressed a massive hand against her back and pushed her forward. Pierce has his own destiny, but we have been shaped by the same hands, and there is much he has yet to discover. He raised his voice, continuing over her question. The broken forge of Blacklion.