CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Back in the Marina District, sitting across the desk from Harold, I wondered why I’d thought this was a good idea. Harold still hadn’t said a word aloud. All the talking was done in our heads. Ranth had been exceptionally quiet, studying the man in green as if he were a complex puzzle to solve. Harold was dressed in the same coat as before, but today it was opened down the front, revealing a woven green shirt the color of lime zest. A golden pendant wrought with symbols rested on his collarbone, hanging from a gold rope chain.
“What is your affiliation with the Marahk, or is it the Ahknim?” I demanded.
“I’m not currently affiliated with anyone. Why did you come here?”
“Why did you show up? You know why we’re here. We need your help, or at the very least, the truth.”
“I came because you called. But perhaps my energy has been wasted.” He rose from the desk. I was about to get up, but Ranth covered my hand with his.
Ranth stood instead and then bowed at the waist. “Apologies for my partner’s rudeness, Eminence. I did not recognize you in your current form.”
Harold raised an eyebrow, and his lips widened into a grin. “This mortal skin is an uncomfortable necessity for my work here. How may I aid you, Collector?”
“I wish to return to my place, and without the Amum, I lack the understanding of the ritual.”
I looked between Harold and Ranth, as if they were both tripping on peyote. “Hang on, Eminence? Amum? What am I missing? Catch me the hellebore up, please?”
Ranth turned to me. “I didn’t see it before because I wasn’t looking, but when I recognized the symbol on his amulet, I realized how we were misguided. It makes sense now why Harold would assist in our rescue. In my time, Harold was Ushifar, the Vizier to Kafar. We suspected his mysterious death had something to do with his association with our Amum, our temple head.”
Harold covered the amulet with one hand. “It did, yes. Your Amum shared the ritual to open gates to the other worlds, and I was released from this constrictive body. But I can return for short times.”
“Why go back, Great One?”
“You know. I wish access to the Trees.”
Ranth focused on me. “Harold wishes to go to the Garden, and he’s been waiting for us to make the ritual for my return.”
Harold crossed his arms. “You are clever, boy. I expect that is why you were chosen.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to catch up. “And why does he want to… I mean, what good will it do him?”
“I seek knowledge and the ability to live as a man once more.”
Ranth shook his head, then bowed it. “I think if you are tested, you will fail. Your conscience is tainted with life-taking.”
“You killed someone?” I whirled at Harold.
Ranth replied, “He is responsible for the slaughter of thousands and the pillage of Aswan, enslaving thousands of men, women, and children.”
“That was for the good of our people.” Harold raised his voice as a king might to quiet a crowd.
I bristled. If Harold came from Ranth’s time but had been sentient since then, he would be ancient. The rules would be different then. I couldn’t judge without context, but it didn’t sound good. “I don’t get it, though. If Harold’s not dead and not in the Garden, then how does he have all this power?”
Ranth tucked some hair behind his ear. “That is another reason he would not be admitted. He made choices to walk other worlds, but he stayed and gathered power there, then apparently found a place in another world. Possibly even built a world?” Ranth turned to Harold.
Power rippled off Harold, and he released a huff of breath. “I didn’t build the archive, but I will admit I am its Keeper now.”
I rubbed my forehead. “The archive is in another world? Who was the Keeper before?” The concept that I’d traveled twice to another world locked into place. If that were possible…
Harold brushed his coat back and then sat on the edge of the desk. “There were many, but the last Keeper went to the Tene, who you call The Sisters. Since they were banished from this world, they have grown strong and still seek more power. One must be on guard around them. The archive that I took youto is an otherworldly sanctuary. Over time, I have become its Keeper and have learned much, but still, I seek to understand. To know.”
“And the Trees will give you that?” I asked.
“And eternal life.”
“Wait, what do you mean?”
