Knowledge had led to the foundation of this great civilisation. Knowledge separated people from the beasts, and knowledge lasted forever. It grew like a mighty tree, passing from generation to generation like a seed that became a stem, a trunk that branched and took it in unexpected directions. A mathematical novelty could become a weapon of war; a sundial could improve crop rotation. Even so-called lore paled beside the wonders of the physical universe. Zavros shared the Primate's vision for a world that had thrown off the shackles of magic. A world of libraries and universities, where the mysteries of the heavens were unravelled, and people were given the same opportunity to learn, rather than follow some archaic system of enchantment academies and builders' guilds.
Zavros wanted to know why blood could fill a human with life, yet take away the blood and he would die. Why did a babe die if it was never held — something Zavros had tested himself? Why did a man's temperament change when he was wounded in the head? And if more of his brain was taken out, how is it he could sometimes talk, but not move his hands, or move his hands but not talk?
As for lore, why was essence a poison, the deadliest poison imaginable, yet a substance that could fill objects with life? Did no one ask? And how could elixir rejuvenate a man's vitality and heal his wounds? What strange fluid now flowed through the Primate's veins?
Zavros burned to find out. Any more experiments though would require more essence. Essence that Moragon needed for the war effort. Essence he did not have.
"Destroyed." Zavros sighed, looking at where the refinery used to be. "Completely destroyed."
"Good to hear," a voice said. "That was my objective."
Before Zavros could react, a hand curled around his neck, twisting him and shoving him back against the wall.
Zavros looked through his oculars, down the length of his nose at the blue eyes that blazed in front of him. "You," Zavros said. "The one who is unharmed by essence." He nodded, looking pleased, even in the position he was in. "Ah, it all makes sense."
"I'm glad you remember me," Killian said. "I would say it's good to see you, Zavros, but I would be lying. Tell me, I want to know. How many did you kill before you got the elixir right?"
"Killian… Killian," Zavros tut-tutted, "what lies have you been listening to? Once we were friends, and you shared our vision for the world."
"Not any more," Killian said. "I stole for the Primate… I even killed for your cause. Not any more. Answer my question. How many have you used for your experiments? How many died for the knowledge?"
Zavros shrugged. "I keep only the statistics that are of interest to me. I can tell you percentages, but numbers?"
"I should kill you now," Killian said.
"Why don't you?" Zavros asked, raising an eyebrow. He sneered, even as he felt the grip around his throat tighten. Zavros wasn't an old man but Killian was strong, with the lean body of a dancer or an acrobat. Zavros was no fighter.
"There's something I want from you first," Killian said.
Zavros tried to laugh, but with the squeeze on his neck it came out more like a choke. "Why should I tell you anything? I have no fear of death."
Killian snatched the oculars from Zavros's face and threw them to the ground. Zavros blinked and tried to focus on the man in front of him.
Killian pulled something out of a pocket; a small white stone, vaguely cube-shaped and drawn over with black squiggles.
"What's that?" Zavros asked.
"It's one of the devices that caused the destruction you see here."
"Do your worst."
"Your library isn't far from here; just two floors up, isn't it?"
Zavros felt a chill. Knowledge was forever, and could last beyond the lifespan of any man, but books could be destroyed, and the knowledge could be destroyed with them.
"You wouldn't." Zavros knew the fear was written across his face.
"Why wouldn't I?" Killian said. "Tell me what I need to know."
"No."
Killian's shoulders moved with what Zavros's blurred vision said was a shrug. "You've seen what this can do. I'll go activate this now in your library, and then we can see what effect pain has on one such as you."
"What do you want to know?" Zavros stalled.
"The Pinnacle... What happened there? Did you find anything? Anything… or anyone?"
"What are you looking for?" Zavros was surprised. Killian had admitted to destroying the machines but evidently someone else was responsible for the Pinnacle. The Primate would be interested to know about this.
"Just tell me what you know."
"The light guarded a building, but it was destroyed, in an explosion like the one here. We found some runes on the blocks of stone and a mad pilgrim in the rubble. That's all."
Zavros felt he hadn't given away anything compromising. His mind worked furiously. What was Killian looking for? Killian must know about the book. This young man had information the Primate needed.
"You know, don't you?" Zavros said. "About the book. You're looking for it. Tell me, Killian. Tell me how to unlock its secret."
Killian's hand closed tighter around Zavros's neck. He hesitated, and then shook Zavros harder. "Of course I know about the book. Where is it?"
"Where do you think it is? The Primate has it," Zavros said, "but you'll never find him, he's left Stonewater and won't be back for a long time."