by Gene Wolfe
If only Sinew had stayed with Seawrack as I had told him, I would have let the others fight, taking no part. He was there and would know, so I played General Mint for an audience of one, kicking off and hurtling toward them, yelling for him and the others to follow me, a big knife in each hand. I was so frightened afterward that I could not sleep, and by the time we broke into the nose it was too late anyway and we were bound for Green irrevocably.
Brother and Sister should have made me feel younger, as the girl did. I felt old instead. So much older! They see the Vanished People sometimes, they told me. Sometimes the Vanished People even help them. That is good to know.
I asked them about the Vanished Gods. They said there was one in the forest, so I told them about him. And a lot more, things that I should keep to myself. I tried to teach them how to pray, and found that they already knew although they did not have the word.
This is the last sheet.
Saw my own reflection standing in the water holding up my spear, wild white hair and empty socket, lined and worried old face. My wives in Gaon cannot have loved me, although they said they did. Chandi-it means “silver.” Chandi was playing politics, I know, yet it is no small thing to have a woman as beautiful as Chandi say she loves you.
“I’m old now, and soon must leave you, But a fairer maid I ne’er did see. Curse me not that I bereave you, I cannot stay, no more would she. These fair young girls live to deceive you, Sad experience teaches me.” I hope the Hannese girl gets home safely, and is welcomed by her family.
Little space left. I am ashamed of many things I have done, but not of how I have lived my lives. I snatched the ball and won the game. I should have been more careful, but what if I had been? What then?
THE END
Table of Contents
-1- HORN’S BOOK
-2- BECALMED
-3- THE SIBYL AND THE SORCERESS
-4- THE TALE OF THE PAJAROCU
-5- THE THING ON THE GREEN PLAIN
-6- SEAWRACK
-7- THE ISLAND
-8- THE END
-9- KRAIT
-10- SEAWRACK’S RING
-11- THE LAND OF FIRES
-12- WAR
-13- BROTHERS
-14- PAJAROCU!
-15- THE LAST SHEETS
-16- NORTHWEST