Next Babel was introduced to Jims, the man who had welcomed him when he first entered the village. Jims had pulled his hair back into a ponytail and Babel thought he looked a bit like Sean Connery in the movie Highlander, only twice the size. Jims showed Babel to the small shack where he would be sleeping. “Thanks, Jims.”
“No problem. By the way, I would keep a tight tongue around Quentin if I were you. He has welcomed you to his village because of who you are. But he also blames you for the death of his family. He knows deep down it’s not your fault, it’s the Klopph. But all the same, he hasn’t worked it out yet.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
“Just doing my part to keep the peace, mate.”
“Who are you Jims?”
Jims smiled. “I’m his brother. Not his blood brother, of course, but he was sent to live with my parents. My parents died many years ago. He’s all the family I have left.”
Babel nodded in understanding. “What do you think about his claim that he dies and comes back?”
Jim considered Babel’s question before answering. “The Klopph don’t wound mate, they kill. If he was taken in by the Klopph, he was killed. They don’t make mistakes.”
“Could there be some other explanation?”
“Look, I understand your confusion. I was confused at first also. That was until I saw it myself. That Quentin is an unlucky fellow. It’s not often a man is killed three times and gets to live to talk about it.”
“Three times? When was the other time?”
“About two years after he first arrived. He and I were hunting in the forest; on the south side of the forest are several bluffs. He was stalking a deer but got too close to the bluffs. He missed his footing and fell thirty feet, landing on the rocks below. I watched him die. But by the time I got down there, he was up and fine.”
Babel and Jims spoke for a while longer before Jims excused himself to help with the dinner. Babel thought on Jims’ words after Jims had left. It appeared it would take some time sink in.
Babel walked back to the small one room shack that would house him. It was contained sparse furniture with only a low bed in the corner (Babel was thankful there was at least a blanket) and two crates of different sizes, designed to be a simple table and chair. Jims had told him that dinner would be ready in a few hours, so Babel took the opportunity to lie down and rest.
He was awoken three hours later by Jims. “Dinner is ready. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
Babel rose and shook the sleep from his head. “I didn’t sleep well last night. I don’t think I realized how tired I was.”
Jims nodded in understanding. “We’ll eat in the commons area. A meal prepared in your honor. This will also be your last meal unless you help with harvesting and hunting.” Jims winked at Babel. “Your status as a Chokka only goes so far.”
Babel smiled at but got Jims’ point. If he was going to stay with these people, he would have to chip in.
In the commons, Quentin motioned him over and Babel sat in a chair next to him. “This looks great.” A plate of food was brought over and sat in front of him. He was so hungry that he nearly started eating before noticing that no one else had their food. Quentin smiled slightly at Babel’s uncomfortable moment.
“Don’t worry about it. Go ahead and eat. I know you’re hungry.”
“I can wait.”
It took several minutes but finally everyone had their food. No one took a bite. Instead they looked up at Quentin who rose from his seat. “Today we are honored to have a Chokka among us. It has been many years since a Chokka was with the people. Now, I will simply say eat and enjoy this evening. Tomorrow we begin our preparations.”
The people of the village began to eat and Quentin sat back down. “I take it you found my letter?”
“I did.”
“You were a fool to go back to the house but I appreciate you coming to check.”
“In truth, I was looking for Triana. She left early to go to the market, before I rose for the morning. I came to your house to see if you had heard from her.” Quentin winced at the mention of Triana’s name and Babel felt his guilt rise. He leaned closer to Quentin. “I’m sorry about Triana. I shouldn’t have let her leave without me.”
“You were asleep, right? It’s difficult to keep tabs on someone under those circumstance. Triana is a grown woman. She lives on her own and knows the world. Even if you were there, there was nothing you could have done for her.” Babel could hear the pain in his voice.
“I could have done something.”
“Listen to me,” Quentin said harshly, “if you would have been there, you would now be dead and there would be no hope for the people of this world.”
Babel remained silent.
“Listen, Babel. There are no coincidences in this world. Triana was taken for a reason. My family was killed for a reason. I pray that you are that reason but I have not yet seen you act.” Quentin locked eyes with Babel. “It was no coincidence that you found this village. Of all the places in this world you could have gone, you walked straight here. Now, you already told me once that you were ready to lead the
