Every morning, Sten woke up earlier than all the others in camp to practise his swordfighting exercises. He liked staying in shape, so that even when nothing stretched before them than another long, dull day of walking, he could be sure that he would always be able to defend himself in a fight. Also, it was enjoyable to exercise in the morning, just as the sun was coming up.
He didn't even realize that Shale was standing there, watching him, until she cleared her throat. It sounded like rocks crashing together – which, he supposed, it might well be.
"I could watch it fight all day," Shale said, stumping towards him. "The excellent form it displays, the way the light plays on its muscles…ahem. Well done."
"Thank you, kadan." Sten laid his sword aside and dunked his head in the stream they were camped by. When he came up for air, puffing and blowing with ruddy-cheeked health, Shale was standing motionless, the sunlight delineating her crystals. He suddenly felt very sorry for her – she could never stick her head underwater and feel cool and refreshed, or even bend the same way that he could. It was a sad thing.
"The Warden said that you visited your thaig," he said. "I wonder how you found it. To return there after so many years…I imagine it was difficult."
"It was necessary." Shale suddenly spotted a bird in a nearby tree, and swatted at it. It flew off, squawking in terror. "I was able to recall many things."
"What kind of things, kadan?" Sten asked curiously. He could not blame her if she refused to answer. It was a rather impertinent question.
She regarded him with cool eyes. "I…I was once a flesh creature. A dwarf. I was once a woman. My name was Shayle, of House Cadash."
Sten had no idea what to say. "And now you are a golem." He could have kicked himself. That was something she was probably already aware of.
"I was a volunteer. I wanted to be a golem." Shale sighed heavily. "It is a hard thing to know. I once had a House, and I was once a squishy creature. I do not know what to think now."
"Perhaps you should think on what you are now and what you hope to be," Sten offered.
"It gives good advice." Shale paused. "I wish I could have met Caridin. I would have liked to see it. The Warden says that when it smashed the Anvil of the Void, Caridin threw itself into the lava."
"He did." Sten had been there. He remembered seeing the list of dwarves who offered to submit themselves to the Anvil of the Void. It was true dedication to a cause – not unlike the Qun in some aspects.
"Would the Qun take a golem? As a convert, I mean."
Sten was surprised. "I don't know. I don't think there has ever been a golem who wanted to convert."
"I think like it in many ways. Perhaps the life of a convert would suit me."
"If you want, you can come to Par Vollen with me. We could ask if a golem could convert to the Qun."
"Would it…you do that? For me?"
"I would, kadan." Sten hesitantly reached out and patted her shoulder; light contact was not encouraged in his culture, but it seemed inappropriate to not acknowledge this offer somehow.
"I do not think it requires a handshake, does it?"
"No, no, of course not," Sten said, hurriedly drying himself off and putting his shirt back on.
