Wraithblood: The Elixir, Episode 9

You glance at Nasser, who nods.

Eight hundred forty-two heartbeats left.

“The mathematical puzzle,” you say. “I’ll solve it.”

“Very well,” says Samnirdamnus.

The djinn gestures, and letters and symbols of flame appear on the brick wall, hundreds of them, filling a space the size of a large table. You step forward, fascinated, forgetting both Samnirdamnus and Nasser alike. The symbols and numbers form an equation, an elaborate, intricate equation, and Samnirdamnus wants you to solve it.

“Frankly,” you say, “I never expected a supernatural creature to display an interest in mathematics.”

“Does that surprise you?” says Samnirdamnus. “For it is the key to perceiving the material world as it truly is. You think you are standing still, yet the world you stand upon moves through the icy voids at terrific speed, spinning as it does. You stand still, yet with every heartbeat, you travel thousands of miles, and yet you know it not. But you understand that. You know that the patterns of the numbers explain everything…and with those patterns, you might wrest secrets from nature itself.” He smiles. “Ah, Nasser…if only you could see the lines of fate surrounding this one. You are a simple man, seeker…yet her decisions might kill thousands, and hundreds of thousands yet unborn.”

You stop paying attention to Samnirdamnus’s echoing voice, gazing with fascination at the equation.

“I suggest, madame,” says Nasser, “that you discuss natural philosophy with the most noble djinn at a later date, and focus upon solving the equation.”

Oh, right. Eight hundred and nine heartbeats left.

You stare at the glowing symbols, thinking it through.

Seven hundred heartbeats left.

You stare some more, produce a bit of chalk from your robe, and begin writing on the wall, making notes.

Six hundred heartbeats left.

The equation is complex, as complex as any you’ve ever seen, but you can follow it. Yet it seems to curve back upon itself, producing an infinite answer. Like dividing the circumference of a circle by its radius.

You blink.

The djinni are cunning, Nasser had said. And Samnirdamnus seems to regard you as an amusing toy.

Five hundred heartbeats left.

“There isn’t an answer,” you say at last. “The equation cannot be solved. It’s a trap. You want me to stand here trying to figure it out until we fall over dead.”

The djinn’s fiery eyes blaze brighter for a moment.

“Well done,” Samnirdamnus murmurs. “Well done, indeed. So. You have your boon, Nasser. What would you ask of me?”

At all once you feel exhausted, disappointed. The equation is done. The puzzle is solved.

You badly want some wraithblood. It would be so easy, too. You could slip out the door, buy a vial in a matter of moments…

“I plan to steal Callatas’s Elixir Rejuvenata,” says Nasser.

“I cannot aid you,” says Samnirdamnus. “My pact with Callatas precludes that.”

“Quite right,” says Nasser. “However, I only ask that you do not interfere in any way. Or warn Callatas, whether yourself or by proxy.”

“Done,” said Samnirdamnus. “I shall observe your venture with interest, seeker. You will probably die, of course. Callatas was not foolish enough to place all his trust in me, and his mansion has many defenses.”

“I have found, noble djinn,” says Nasser, “that fortune favors the bold.”

“Perhaps it shall,” says Samnirdamnus. “Farewell, then.” His burning eyes shift to you. “And to you as well. I very much look forward to observing you when you finally learn the truth.”

“The truth?” you say. “The truth about what?”

Your father’s face smirks. “What is truth?”

With that, Samnirdamnus vanishes, and the glowing equation fades from the wall.

Three hundred and fifty-two heartbeats left.

Nasser lets out a long breath. “Well done.”

You shrug, indifferent. With the challenge gone, it is difficult to care. Still, you’re mostly sure that you didn’t want to die.

“I fear I must leave you now, madame,” says Nasser. “I have other preparations to make. However, my competitors…or your creditors…may still try to kidnap you. Therefore I have arranged a bodyguard for you. Go to the Temple of Minaerys in the Nighmarian Quarter. There a man named Khaenset is waiting for you. He is Maatish, of average height, with brown skin and green eyes. To make certain it is him, ask him for the greatest treasure, and he will answer with the phrase ‘heart in a jar’. Meet me at the Temple of the Living Flame in the Old City come midnight.”

Nasser bows and departs, leaving you alone in the little brick room.

You watch him go, and wonder if you would be safer back at your workshop, with your locks and traps. On the other hand, the thieving gangs and your creditors know where your workshop is. You could go to the priests of the Threefold King, who weaned you off wraithblood – no one would expect to find you there. But the priests bear no weapons and offer no violence, and would not protect you if your enemies found you.

You remember the burning eyes in your father’s pitiless face and shudder.

Or you could take a vial of wraithblood or two…

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