Dark Foundations by Chris Walley Read Free Book Online Page B

course.”
    Andreas shifted on his chair and toyed with his glass. “We theologians are perplexed. The references in the message to a range of evils are chilling. But they are consistent; in the old books evils rarely came singly.”
    â€œWhat about this idea of a corrupting spiritual evil?”
    â€œI have a team of research theologians working on it. The early suggestions are worrying. The Assembly is like a house built on pillars. Two of those pillars are trust and honesty. For instance, the three of us trust each other so much that we can be honest with each other. We take that for granted. But imagine if we weren’t either trusting or honest here today?”
    â€œExactly,” Eliza muttered, with a frown.
    Ethan struggled with the idea of having conversations with people he couldn’t trust and found the idea just too perplexing.
    â€œFriend Ethan the engineer,” said Andreas, “think of it like this. Consider Assembly society as being like a high tower. Strong winds from outside may bring it down—that’s your direct enemy attack. But so may corrosion from within.”
    Ethan nodded. “And the quickest way to destruction may be both at once.”
    A silence fell. The air was now chillier.
    Andreas was evidently listening to something. At length he spoke. “The noises here are wonderful. It’s as if there are layers of sound: there are birds singing, insects buzzing, and wind in the needles of the trees. And beneath that there is a deep and total silence.” A look of regret crossed his face. “Another time, maybe.”
    â€œ ’Fraid so,” Eliza said softly. “Eeth is seeking reassurance that he is doing the right thing. As I would if I had to do what he’s got to do tomorrow.”
    â€œTrue,” Andreas answered. “Very well, what else can I add? Only this: we have had a number of reports of dreams and visions of a growing evil.”
    â€œSince when?” Ethan asked.
    â€œIn most cases, after this message became public knowledge—” Andreas gestured at the sheet of paper—“but in some cases, before. And, in one or two cases, even before the Farholme Gate went. We are looking into all of them, but some seem credible.” He looked at Eliza. “Have your people heard anything like this?”
    â€œYes. The sentinels have always been alert for such things. After all, we were set up to watch for any evidence for the return of evil. We have tended to be skeptical, but in the last few weeks we have found these dreams and visions convincing and alarming.”
    Ethan sensed a hint of defensiveness in Eliza’s answer, as if she felt that the sentinels should have more clearly foreseen the crisis coming. He caught her eye. “What do you take them to mean?”
    â€œIt’s hard to pin down. But we feel there is . . . how can I put it? A sense of a shadow falling.”
    Andreas looked upward as if searching the sky for something. “A shadow falling? Do I agree? Yes and no. A shadow is neutral; a mere passive absence of light.” He shook his head. “I think, Eliza, among some of the custodians, there is a growing mood—a feeling—that what we face is an active force: a moving, living darkness up there, a darkness that hates us all.”
    â€œI see,” Ethan said slowly. He was almost getting used to the idea that he was quite out of his depth . “So what are you doing about it?”
    â€œWe are looking into how a return of evil might occur and how it might manifest itself.” Andreas tapped the table. When he turned back to Ethan, his eyes seemed perturbed. “And how it might best be countered and contained before it spreads.” Then, as if embarrassed, he looked away. “The theology of evil and sin is a neglected one these days.”
    There was a new silence. In it, Ethan suddenly had all the reassurance he needed.
    â€œThank you. So, neither