by ich du
Send must have heard the question behind her question. "The way of Chaos is like a snowball rolling down a mountainside. After a while, what began as a piece of fun started in boredom has become a juggernaut too huge to stop. It rolls until it breaks up against rocks, or smashes the village below." He touched one long finger to his breastbone. "Now my juggernaut is too great to stop. I try only to steer it to where it may do the least harm, and perhaps some good."
Ariel glanced at Cendenai.
"I came here," he said, "to say goodbye, and to tell you... I'm sorry your sister died."
Ariel bowed her head, then lifted it again. "What will you do?"
"Travel."
For a moment, Ariel caught a glimpse of that alienness she had first noticed aboard the Rosamund. Suddenly she understood what his life must be like, moving from one place to another, pitting his strength against Chaos. One day, his strength would falter. She looked at Cendenai again, then back to him.
"We intend to travel too." She wanted to share something of her life, if only her plans, with him. "Cendenai and I intend to start a trading line, independent of our families."
He smiled. It was the first time they had seem him smile. "River and coastal trading?"
Cendenai shook her head. "Cathay, the Southlands and the New World."
"I wish you both much luck." He stood and bowed. "My boat will be ready. It has been an honour meeting you."
After he had gone, they were quiet for a while.
"You didn't mention Helseher," Ariel said. Djellah was eying the bread. She gave her a piece.
"No. We're not sure he'll agree."
"He will. He and Marya are hungry for the ocean again."
And he knows that two ships offer more security in a harsh world, Ariel thought to herself. She remembered she and Bel swearing always to take the other's side, no matter what. She looked over her cup at Cendenai. Nothing seemed so bad when there were two of you.
"Can I come too?"
"When you're older, Djellah, when you're older."
Scanned, layouted and proof-read by Mon
Version 1.2