54

Outreasoning the Irrational

A few minutes later, they were gathered back in the parlor, and Nick was making up for lost time on his hot seimei. For now he was willing to give Heidein and Weirhamatt a chance to explain how the statue of Hawk might help them find his parents.

"You see, Nick and Lottica,” Heidein began, “the Kareima began as one stone. Small pieces of it were used for the rings of the Lord and Lady Breima. And Kareima dust was used to coat the eyes of our friend Hawk here," he said motioning deferentially to the statue placed back on the table. Its eyes still glowed, but not with the same brilliance they had outside.

"In some way, the Kareima stone is still one. It somehow speaks to the other pieces. Ancient sources document this strange feature. Starlight is also known to energize the Kareima, as you have witnessed. And from what we’ve heard of your parents’ ‘return,’ it is clear that there is much more going on.

"Such as the Fareima interacting with Deilune and Linda when confronted by Beilla in America, as your bopei disclosed to me. He also told me that your father reacted strangely last night to the appearance of the Hawk constellation. These events make it clear that the Kareima, and Fareima are closely linked. Most likely, the Astreima as well. It is likely the three lifestones interact with one another in ways that create,” he paused searching for words, “unusual effects."

Lottica laughed. "I’ll say. And that might explain something for me and Nick. In our house in America, my father had an iron hawk cast. It sat atop our spiral stairwell, right under a skylight. Sometimes, I could swear the eyes glowed at night.”

“Yeah,” Nick said. “I thought so too. Was that from the Kareima hidden beneath it?"

An awkward but endearing smile took shape under Heidein’s sharp nose. "I am the one who cast that statue of Hawk for your father. With Deilune’s permission, I coated the eyes with a fine layer of Kareima dust.”

Lottica’s eyes widened. “You made our Hawk?”

”Yes. My ancestors cast the original statue of Hawk. We are a family of the forge. That is one of the reasons my brother, Beilla, was able to claim the Firestone, the Fareima, when Deilune forsook Lebreima."

"So, this statue of Hawk is talking to the Kareima? Could we use it as some kind of homing beacon or tracking device?" Lottica asked.

“Possibly,” Heidein nodded. "I believe Hawk's shining eyes indicate that the Kareima is not so far away.”

“Yes,” Wierhamatt agreed. “Proximity matters to the lifestones. The closer together, the more energetically they appear to interact.”

"So, how does that helps us?" Nick pressed.

"We try to anticipate Beilla's plan."

"How?"

"With the documents Weirhamatt has brought here,” Heidein said. “Beilla believes he knows what these sources reveal and that they will lead him to the Astreima. He also believes that the Kareima may serve as a magnet, a kind of compass, to the last lifestone. We know what Beilla knows. And more. So, if we are better scholars, we will outsmart him."

Trying to process all Heidein and Weirhamatt were suggesting, Nick took a big drink of seimei and then set down his cup. “So, you’re saying we’ve got to outreason the irrational. I guess that’s a plan I can get behind."