DESCRIPTION: Ghost Transmission
//TRANSLATION: VARIKS, THE LOYAL//
[1.1] It is young, my Kell.
[2.1] Can the dead age, Advisor?
[1.2] It is young, and it rages.
[2.2] As our people rage.
[1.3] It is young, and it rages, and it does not know why. It is dangerous. It has killed many of your Barons with its tricks.
[2.3] And we have killed many of its friends.
[2.4] What drives it? What compels the dead to rise?
[1.4] Who among us can unravel the mysteries of the Sky-Bride, my Kell? It is full of…they call it ‘Light.’
[2.5] I feel only anger from it. Only hatred.
[1.5] As you say, my Kell. Kill it. It is consumed with fury. It has no purpose left.
[2.6] I have questions for it.
[1.6] Why? You will learn nothing, for it knows nothing. Kill it, and let us be done. Its presence is…uncomfortable.
[2.7] Your tone displeases me, Advisor. You forget before whom you sit.
[1.7] I beg forgiveness, oh leader mine. But it has stolen a god, and our gods should be ours alone.
[2.8] I know what is written, wretch. Who but the Kings have kept the stories? Who but the Kings are worthy of their keeping? I, too, know the words. I, too, know the forms.
[1.8] Then destroy it! It is a foe, a broken thing, hollow of spirit and meaning. Its existence weakens the universe. It is worthy only of hatred.
[2.9] Hatred? Could you hate a doll, Advisor? I know something of hatred. Hatred is what broke our Houses. Hatred is what drove us to this place that is not our home.
[1.9] You do not understand. Destroy it, oh leader mine.
[2.1.1] Your words have betrayed you, Advisor. Prekis. Kepsis. Take him and bind him. He speaks with another mouth.
[1.1.1] What - what is this? My Kell! Remember my service! Remember your honor!
[2.1.3] You dare to speak to me of honor? You, who whisper with a worm’s tongue? What did you truly find in their tomb-warrens, I wonder. What pacts did you make in the deepness? What guest came uninvited back with you?
[1.1.2] Your words are madness.
[2.1.4] Perhaps. But once before, we were lead without knowledge. And now we are blind, as these creatures are blind. As my brother was blind, when he chased the great machine across the sky to his doom.
You would have me bow and scrape before you, Advisor. You would be my eyes, and you would lead me by a collar. But I am not so foolish as our ancestors. I have learned when not to trust.
[2.1.5] The Kell of Kings bows to no creature.
[2.1.6] Burn him. Feed his ashes to the void.
[2.1.7] Bring the Dead Thing before me.
[2.1.8] Now, creature. I offer you the hospitality due a worthy foe, and we will speak your language before the banner of Kings.
I am called Moon-Wolf in my tongue, He who Hates; but I do not hate you. I feel only pity, because you are no less lost than my wayward wolves. But do not mistake pity for mercy. You will tell us your secrets. And I - I shall keep them for you.
