Witch of Lurago Chapter 25: The Patterns
In Path of the Spirit Runner, Esfir has her eureka moment and comes to understand the nature of the Patterns, the second mindgift unique to the Firstborn.
“The Firstborn, Fedor. They sense it.”
“They sense what?”
“Probability,” she said as if that explained it all. “The patterns they keep going on about,” she said. “Hindsight provides input to complex statistical algorithms. Socioeconomic statistics, political demographics, population shifts, even weather trends. A form of synesthesia.”
“Fedor, I’m convinced they can recalculate a probability model with no more effort than it takes us to string together a sentence.”
“They sense probability—”
“As we hear a symphony,” she said. “Or see a lush landscape. The world around them is an unfolding pattern of potential.”
Sounds cool. Or dizzying. I guess it depends on how you feel about outliers and standard deviation.
Brynmohr’s mentoring has developed his grandchildren’s mindgifts far beyond where they would have progressed on their own, not understanding themselves or their potential in the least.
Of all his proteges, Ava is the most adept.
When she confides in him about the “jitters,” he recognizes her perception of the Patterns, and you know he’s pleased. He’s a proud, doting grandpa.
His explanation of how the Patterns reflect probability is the best ever.
“When what is doesn’t align with what ought to be, and if there’s no mistake and no misreading or undoing it, the patterns shift until they adjust to the new what is.”
“The new what is,” she echoed, trying to make sense of his explanation.
“The new likelihood of outcomes. Cause and effect. When the patterns calm themselves, you know whatever’s done is done. Settled. History. As long as they’re shifting, there’s a chance to influence the outcome.”
What would you give to be able to sense the probability of the future? And sense the impact of your choices the moment you make them?
Useful, no doubt.
But every mindgift has its limits.
The future can be nothing but what the now allows.
