The assistants charted their last section of stars. Ziltai Saruq couldn't be prouder of the work they'd accomplished to complete his vision. For years he'd forged connections, giving passionate speeches on the import of his work. Now it was all coming together. He folded his arms over his light green vest, and scratched his graying beard. He wore this over a white kurta, a buttoning, long sleeved garment worn by hoffers that went almost to the knees. 

He watched his ex brother in law as he directed the other assistants. Yandis had out the likeness of the last quadrant of stars, a likeness they both had made several nights before while Kahton wasn't out to obscure their view. They had spent the next couple of days diciphering where this set of constellations were in regards to the previous allusions. Yandis turned the likeness towards them and enhanced the size, spacing out his hands as it grew bigger, then stepped away from the floating image of stars while they observed and took notes.

Yandis soon dismissed them, and headed towards Ziltai across the glassy floor. The assistants began working at a large table across the room to illustrate the constellations on translucent, black parchment. The likeness stayed in its place while they did so. Ziltai embraced Yandis, "We're almost there, Brother!" Yandis said, smile extending nearly to his eyes.

Ziltai allowed himself to relax, and sighed. "This is a step in the right direction. The real goal is up there."

"How much could there be to discover? We've not seen anything resembling Exagora. What if this is the most we can do for him?" he gestured to the architects working on the working replica of Kahton.

"That's true. But it makes sense that there are no other terrestrial bodies like ours. Zil had plans for this one, alone."

"Then what are you hoping he'll get from the experience?"

"What do you get out of it? Is it not the excitement of progress, of exploring the unknown? Searching for something in a vast expanse of nothing? Or are the stars just allusions, copies of our sun that Zil, being crafty, hung there to distract us? If it were, we will find his sense of humor, something he would have intended to be found, the same as all things."

"I wish Rulachen had this much enthusiasm about his work. The man never did care enough for his work."

Ziltai turned to him sharply, "Watch what you say about Hoffer Iadon Rulachen." He punctuated the deceased man's former title for effect. "The man cared about his patients. He has earned our respect, wouldn't you say?"

Yandis raised his eyebrows. "Absolutely, Hoffer Ziltai. I meant no-"

"You meant disrespect."

Yandis hesitated, then shifted his eyes away from him. "I meant disrespect, yes. I am sorry for being too lax with my words, Hoffer. It seems the architects are in need of some direction. Permission to be dismissed?"

Ziltai nodded, and they both separated. He sighed to himself. Then turned, walking out the back door. He stepped out of the spherical building out onto the rooftop. His workspace included two small buidlings on this rooftop. The first was the astrarium, in which he spent most of his time these days. The second was to house the telescope, which was always being revised. It also held the special rock they had found had to be stored in a physical safe, which chips failed to store, oddly.

He looked over Leevio from the museum side of the rooftop. It was getting cooler, transitioning into Fall. "It was all for you. Be grateful that you had someone actually looking out for your interests."

Hearing commotion from below, he decided to peak over the edge. A large group wearing black and white gathered in front of the building, confronting people on the street. Ziltai sucked in cool air through his nose. What new challenge has Zil brought me today?

He walked down the spiral staircase down into the library, three stories of bookshelves. Alcoves were set in between shelves, with booths in the corners for those wishing to speak to an hoffer specializing in certain fields of study. He nodded at several hoffers that he passed, but quickly headed out the double doors, not wishing to engage them. 

Stepping out onto the platform of columns, which descended smoothly down to the street, others turned to face him. These were ordinary citizens, some standing afar off on this platform, and others amassed around the group dressed in black and white. So far, he appeared to be the only hoffer to step up to them, being recognized by his headband. There might have been dozens within a couple blocks of them, but he inwardly smiled, having them all to himself, though he knew not yet what they were up to.

The people who recognized the headband parted to make way for him, and he approached them. "The way we conduct ourselves between one another is the highest calling a person can have. Do you not see why this is needful? How have we not given place for this worship of Zil before? We have played around with things to do, but not with the manner of doing things!"

"Morality. This is what you think Zil lacks?" Ziltai said. "What is morality to you?"

The man speaking turned to him, finally noting his presence. "Hoffer, good to speak with you today!" he chirped, pasting on a smile meant to assure Ziltai of his inherent goodness. "Yes, the ethical constitution we all cling to for our daily lives. The means by which we express Zil's good nature."

"So this is how you all feel?" he said, gesturing to all in their retinue.

They vigorously nodded their heads, men, women, and children alike. "And all of you seem to share this man's enthusiasm?" They nodded more slowly. "So I can ask any of you to explain this man's morals, and you'd be able to do it? You all share his every intention?"

"Daddy is a good man!" Ziltai heard from just behind the man. He peaked around the man. There a child stood, being held by his mother. "He'd never do anything wrong." 

Ziltai looked up at the man and gave him a smile. The man pursed his lips, shaking his head. Ziltai ignored him, kneeling and beckoning the child forward. He looked scared. "Your daddy is a good man?"

"Yeah, Mr. Hoffer. He gives me good stuff. I love him." 

Some in the crowd giggled. He gave a chuckle. "I'm sure he does. But if he didn't give you those fun things, would he still be good?"

"No."

"So he wouldn't be good? What if he gave them to mommy, and not you?"

"He should give them to me."

Two men stood further down the steps near the end column, listening intently to the conversation. One man was older, with wrinkled skin. His cloaked form hunched over his cane. The other was a taller youth, probably in his twenties. He had deep red hair, that had been shaven recently. Over his eyes he wore wrap around sunglasses. The left side of his face drooped, slightly. But his grin showed despite the droop, as if he enjoyed the confrontation as a show. Ziltai knew exactly what they were here for. Which was why he tried even harder to dissuade these people of their heresy.

"I see." Ziltai stood up. Directing the question towards an older woman several feet back, he said, "If a man tells a certain woman that he would marry her, and decides not to, is that immoral?"

"I suppose not." she said.

"But what if it was your granddaughter? Someone you actually were close to. Don't tell me that you wouldn't be angry for your granddaughter's sake? Of course you would. And if a group comes up to your doorstep saying that they are more moral than you are, when they are on the property of the greatest hospital on the continent, and of a place that offers anyone the chance to come and learn more to perhaps improve their living situation- would you say that this is a very moral group?"

They looked at each other, murmuring. "Hoffer, I see your point. We never intended disrespect towards Deallusrwydd. We came out to pose a question, nothing more."

"The question of why The Tercet doesn't include Morality as one of the attributes Zil may need? I will tell you plainly that he doesn't. I have already shown you one of the shortcomings of what you call morality, perspective. The closer you are to the party that something affects, the more strongly you feel about it. You cannot be objective with such feelings."

"Surely we could be?" the man said, worried look on his face. "If we detatch our emotions from the situation?"

"Then nothing would ever get resolved. Our morality is not objective. It is based upon social structure. What is good for a society. It is not good to detatch feelings from society. How else can we find out that which is ideal? How can we work for the happiness of the people, when they have cut themselves off from channeling happiness?"

The man hung his head. "Hoffer, I do not know. What you say makes sense."

"I know it, kind man. There is another reason that it cannot be included with The Tercet. The prophecy makes no room for it. The third line saying, 'His reasoning is undeniable, his beauty incomparable, and his strength matchless'. This is the way it must be. But there is something else that can be done, dear man."

They looked up at him, eyes troubled yet hopeful. He gave them a warm smile in the cool air. "Your zeal has moved me. You may have a place among Deallusrwydd. Come back tomorrow, and I will have spoken to someone about you joining the addoli, channeling good intentions for myself and your fellow man."

Stepping up to him, the man shook Ziltai's hand vigorously. "Thank you, Hoffer. This was excellent being able to speak with you today. I will be back to see you tomorrow." He turned to his family. His wife did not seem as enthused as he did, but it appeared most in the crowd had been convinced. He turned to go back up the slope, being met with reverent looks. His eyes turned back to where the two men had been. The man with the cane gave him a nod. Ziltai returned it. The young man pursed his lips. Ziltai couldn't tell whether his contemplative look was from not getting to confront the heretics himself or rethinking his enjoyment of the confrontation. The men turned and walked away. Ziltai continued his way back to his observatory.

A portly man and an older woman met him in front of the door, blocking his path. They were hoffers, their kurta being more lavish than his own. It didn't impress him, as ornaments had no bearing on intellect. But he knew these two.

"Hoffer Saruq, I bet that you thought no one would notice." the man, Ottilik, said. 

"It was more a matter of enjoyment, than of necessity." Nessen said. She had her gray hair, striped with red, up in a bun. "Was it not?"

 "You know that is an impossible way to phrase a question." Ziltai smiled. "I do not have to answer."

"You are quite eloquent, Ziltai." Ottilik began. "You speak even as if them becoming part of Deallusrwyd was your decision. One might even think that you rise beyond your station in doing so."

"An hoffer has the right to introduce a new facet of worship into the fold, does he not? And I did just take the highest position available."

"How so?" Nessen asked.

"The roof."

Ottilik chuckled. "How is that going for you? We have heard good things."

"I may have Zil back within the month." he laughed. "But it is going excellently. The astrarium will be done in two weeks. You should come see it when it finishes."

"I believe we shall. I think all of us are excited to see it. I never understood why Rulachen was adamant that it shouldn't happen."

"Hoffer Iadon Rulachen had our best interests in mind, Hoffer Nessen. The money to fund it simply wasn't there at the time, I'm sure."

"But a month after his untimely death, it suddenly is, then. The man was a fool, Ziltai. But you..."

"What are you saying?" Ziltai asked, feeling some fear of their intentions.

They looked at one another and nodded. Ottilik spoke first. "As you know, the both of us were tasked with finding a new Hoffer Iadon. The search has been difficult, as we are aware that all of the hoffers are intelligent. But they all seemed to follow a formula, a method of success passed down to them." They sighed. "They are utterly boring."

He smiled. "As you can see, I follow no code."

"We do see. You were the only one who dared to create instead of follow. Ziltai Saruq- will you take on the title of Hoffer Iadon?"

"I will. There is not a man more suited for the job, as you have said. Do I have a time frame?"

"You have said that you need two weeks to complete the astrarium? Taking into account a delay if something happens, make it a month."

"In a month's time, you will set out on The Flight. We will make travel arrangements, and call upon the other Hoffers Iadon." Ottilik said.

"You honor me. I will make the most of the experience." That he would. The Flight was the best event in any Hoffer Iadon's service. Some had gone on several, walking a new Hoffer Iadon through their first Flight. His predecessor had spoken with him at length of that first journey. A man who had enjoyed his life to the fullest, until his very last breath.

"Remember to enjoy it as well, this is not simply a duty to perform. Be careful, however. There is a special guest to appear at your first stop. We will be in touch."

"I will be. May his scales cover us all."

Taking his leave of them, he headed inside. Years of struggle, and it was all coming together, and more.