“Bullshit ya fool!” Nixon spat at the fire to hammer home his point, the action causing a brief flare-up.
“So you and Mother say, but answer me this: who, then? Who would save my home? Not my mother. She stopped caring about anything but her Haven long ago, seeing change as necessary in the course of things.”
“And she was right, Sho. Even my home will be restored one day, with or without anyone’s help.”
“But your home isn’t haunted by the ghosts of an evil action you caused. I couldn't leave it like that, Nix. I was the only one left with blame on his shoulders and the power to do something about it.”
“You were, and are, a fool t’ think tha’.”
“Yes, yes, so I've been told. Many times, thank you.”
“Not enough, it seems.”
Sho almost smiled. “Oh, how I look forward to getting you and Mother together again!”
The brief show of humor amused Aryu, though in truth he agreed with Crystal and Nixon. He couldn't see why Sho was responsible.
“I 'ave much more t’ discuss with her than you and yer foolishness.”
“Well, I do hope so. The both of you at once would be more than I could stand.”
Nixon wasn't as amused as Aryu seemed to be at the chiding. “Is she still in the same place, near the tower that once held her?”
“She is, but the tower no longer stands, a remnant from the destruction I wasn't keen on restoring.”
Sho saw the new look of confusion on Aryu’s face. “There was a time my mother chose self-imprisonment as a means of protecting the world at large from her volatile abilities. Now she no longer required it and left for her Haven. Though if you ask me, there's not much difference between the two. I need to continue my rounds. I'll likely see you two again at her home, though I promise nothing.”
He rose to leave, as did Nixon and Aryu to see him off. “Thanks for the workout, boys," Sho said earnestly. "It's been a while since I'd stretched the legs like that. Next time let's see if we can spare the trees. It takes a lot of work to make them as big and strong as I have.”
Sho shook hands and was ready to leave.
“Ya may be a damned fool, Sho, but I can't say I'm not glad t' see ya.”
Sho bowed deeply as their hands released. “I thank you, my friend. I am glad you are here as well. I hope we can still do great things together.”
With a nod and a wave of salute, the strange man vanished into the trees like a wraith, not making a sound as he evaporated.
“A damned fool he is, I'll tell ya, but there are worse people t' 'ave on our side.”
“Well, I like him,” Aryu said. “I have to know, though; why does he claim responsibility for what happened here? What did he have to do with it?”
“I’ll spare ya tha details for the moment, but tha shortest answer is tha’ Sho defeated 'is father in battle whichh triggered tha Third Fall of Man. I was awoken, met Sho and 'is mother, did as he described, and it was done. To see 'im here now is more than a little disappointing, I can tell ya.”
Aryu could see why. It seemed wrong that he must live to avenge his father’s mistake. “So why does he blame himself?”
“Because it was selfish pride tha' put him in tha’ battle in the first place. He 'ad defeated his brother and believed he was good enough to face Ryu at a time when Ryu felt he needed to die but couldn’t. Then Sho won, and the rest is 'istory.”
“Why did Sho fight Ryu?”
Nixon began to speak but held his tongue. After a moment, he tried again. “Because he is a good man, and sometimes Ryu was not.”
Nixon and Aryu sat in silence, saying nothing as the small fire died. Aryu wasn't sure he agreed with either of them, but he could say that any crime committed by a selfish act by Sho wasn't worth a lifetime of servitude to his father’s mistake.
Soon, Aryu slept again, the events of the day overtaking him.
Nixon, as was his way, did not. He sat, listening to the pain of the voices, each looking for a way to be freed.
Chapter 13
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Slipping in the Back Door
At first light, Nixon woke Aryu with more edibles than he could believe. Various fruits, some kind of small mammal meat, hot tea, and a large piece of honeycomb to finish.
“Eat all ya can, Aryu. Tha days ahead may be long.”
Aryu was still holding onto the unlikely belief that his part of this quest would end when Nixon met with Crystal. He thought of Johan as he ate. If he’d stuck to the plan, and if Esgona didn't slow Johan down too much, he should be nearing Huan very soon. Aryu wished he was with them, or at least one of them. Not just for the company but to see the things they were seeing. The Thunder Run in particular was legendary for its massive size and awe-inspiring beauty.
“From 'ere we walk,” said Nixon. “It shouldna' be much farther.”
The land was hilly and green, vast forests abounded, and the dampness was palpable. Nixon led the way like a pro, but Aryu was no slouch. He was able to keep up on the ground much better than if they were in the air.
Nixon filled the damp morning air with more stories, his supply seemingly endless. At times he asked Aryu about himself, the journey he'd just been on, and the years preceding it. It felt good for Aryu to talk about his family and home. He was
