The Strength of the Few
by James Islington
Contents
LI
Overview
Ostius takes Vis and Diago through a crossing into Luceum, revealing a parallel world whose familiar geography hides a much harsher social order. Disguised as a druid, Vis gains entry to a settlement but undermines their secrecy when he intervenes to save a bound woman from three local men. The rescue confirms Vis’s moral instincts have not changed across worlds, yet it also alerts real druids and forces Ostius to act quickly before their mission is compromised.
Summary
Vis is abruptly pulled out of Ka’s sanctum by a violent crossing that feels like a brief fall and flashes red lanterns, blood, and screaming through his mind. He regains himself on a grassy hillside under a different sky with Ostius and Diago, looking down at a harbor whose shape resembles Caten. Ostius confirms that they are not in Caten at all but in Luceum, warns that crossings cause disturbances, and quickly disguises Vis in a stolen white druid’s cloak. When Ostius notes that a staff would complete the disguise, Vis shapes one from his metal.
As they descend toward the settlement, Ostius explains that this world is different enough that even the idea of ceding one’s Will does not exist there. Guards admit them once Ostius presents Vis as a druid, and the villagers part for the white cloak, the iron mask, and especially Diago. Vis soon realizes that the objects lining the road are not festival masks but severed heads mounted on poles. The display, along with Ostius’s warning that being exposed as a false druid would end very badly, shows Vis that Luceum’s version of this place is far more openly brutal than the Caten he knows.
While moving through the village, Vis hears a woman screaming inside a hut. Ostius orders Vis to leave the matter alone, arguing that Vis does not understand the local custom, but Vis refuses. Inside, Vis finds three large men standing over a bound, injured woman. Because Ostius will not intervene voluntarily, Vis drops his mask, forms metal daggers, and holds the blades at the men’s throats until Ostius translates a command for them to leave. After the men withdraw, Vis cuts the woman free and sends her away.
Ostius rebukes Vis for acting on instinct in a world he does not understand and warns that, although the villagers obeyed a supposed druid, they will spread word of what happened. That prediction is immediately borne out when Vis and Ostius spot the same three men speaking with two actual white-cloaked druids. Vis wants to pause and learn more about Luceum, but Ostius insists it is too dangerous. He grips Vis and Diago, his eyes turning black as he prepares another abrupt transition.
Who Appears
- VisProtagonist; jolted into Luceum, disguises himself as a druid, and risks the mission to save a captive woman.
- OstiusGuide who brings Vis and Diago across worlds, explains Luceum, and tries to keep their covert passage on track.
- DiagoVis’s alupi companion; unnerves villagers and dogs, blocks Ostius, and heightens Vis’s intimidating presence.
- Bound womanLocal captive found tied and threatened in a hut; Vis cuts her loose and sends her away.
- Three local menMen looming over the bound woman; they back down when Vis threatens them with floating metal daggers.
- White-cloaked druidsActual druids in the settlement whose appearance signals that Vis and Ostius may soon be exposed.