Free On the Merits of Unnaturalness by Samantha Shannon Page B

the
Polyglot is actually controlled by a Spirit during their enchanting Eruptions of
Language, but rather that they are calling out to the spirit World, attempting
to connect with it through Speech, as if Language itself is their Numen.
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    GUSTANTS. These Sensors experience
a sudden Flavour when Spirits are nearby. The Gustants I have cross-examined
usually report a metallic or earthen Taste, one that sickens the Gut and burns
the Tongue. The Taste will be more bitter if the Spirits nearby are malignant.
Not a particularly useful Gift, by all Accounts.
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    WHISPERER. I classified this hypothetical Sensor only three
Years ago, but have not yet come across one for Analysis, despite my persistent
Search. I propose that a Whisperer may hear, but possibly not speak or even
understand, the pure Language of Spirits. This would result in the Whisperer
hearing a constant Stream of Voices, unheard by all but other Whisperers. It is
likely that many Whisperers are held in secure Facilities such as the HOSPITAL OF
UNFORTUNATES , as there is a certain
Stigma attached to hearing Voices. It is possible that they might be able to
channel the spirit-Language in ways that do not involve Speech, for example, the
dexterous Manipulation of musical Instruments through an ethereal Touch. Until a
Whisperer emerges in the Citadel, we can never know.

THE
 
    T he Guardians, one of the three High Orders, are
endowed with the extremely commendable Ability to exercise a much greater Degree
of Control over Spirits than other Clairvoyants. They are an Order that may
subjugate even the most violent of Spirits, placing them in a far superior
Category to both the Sensors and the Mediums. There are only two known Groups of
Guardians, but I have no Doubt that many more will emerge (see EXORCIST and NECROMANCER ).
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    BINDER. 19 The Binder is the greatest of the Guardians, and
one of the greatest Clairvoyants of all. Like the HAEMATOMANCER (see VILE AUGURS ), they use Blood in their Work, but never the
Blood of a Victim or Querent. The Blood is always their own, and used in small
Quantities. The Binder is able to forge a physical Tie between themselves and a
Spirit. To do this, they must know the Name of the Spirit (see EXORCIST ) and write that Name in their own Blood upon
their Skin. This compels most Spirits to remain within a certain Proximity of
the Binder. Once the Blood has washed away, the Binder’s Hold on a Spirit will
weaken. However, a Binder may scar his or her Body with the Name to make an
irrevocable Blood Bond, which may be broken only by the Death of the Binder or
the Banishment of the Spirit.
    19 A most important and
heartfelt Note to the Reader. Despite the Use of Blood, the Binder is not a VILE AUGUR and should not, under any Circumstances
whatsoever, be treated as such. The GUARDIANS are defined as those who exercise rigid Methods
of Control over Spirits. The Binder fits this Category far more neatly than it
fits that of the VILE
AUGURS , as the Intention is to Bind
and Control, not to Scry or to cause Harm. The Aura of a Binder is also a vivid
Orange, rather than the Blue of Augury. So, in Conclusion, there is no sound
Argument that the Binder could ever be placed into the Category of Vile Augury.
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    EXORCIST. 20 A hypothetical Strain of Guardian, as yet
undiscovered, but heralded in many Documents within the Library of the Spiritus
Club. I note first that all Clairvoyants have the ability to banish a Spirit by
articulating the THRENODY , adhering to the following
Mode of Address: ‘[Name], be gone into the Æther. All is settled. All Debts are
paid. You need not dwell among the Living now.’ However, this Method of
Banishment has two Weaknesses. First, the Clairvoyant must have Knowledge of the
Spirit’s complete Name. Second, the Threnody will not send any Spirit to its
final Death in the Heart of the Æther. It will merely send it, temporarily,
beyond the Reach of Clairvoyants. A Spirit may find its