We continue our mission to find
Admiral Jin, a cloud of somber quiet clinging to us all the while. I ride next to
Arslan, and after a couple days of knitting his brows and remaining quiet, he speaks with me.
“I wonder how many men my father buried out here.”
My own brow knits together. “Was your father part of the troops the emperor sent to East?"
“No. He was not.” Arslan continues to look straight ahead. Is he still upset from our last conversation?
“Hmm. I thought you mentioned he was out this way. Did he come of his will?”
Arslan takes a deep, tired breath. “He did it out of necessity.”
“I see. But his necessity left you alone, didn’t it? Or was your mother around?”
“My mother… I…” He takes a second. “My loneliness was the price to pay. He was a great man. He fought giants and monsters. Saved burning villages and rode atop clouds. He wrestled lightning and broke bread with thunder.”
“A great man indeed!” I agree but give him a sorrowful look. “I would love any specific stories you have of him, if you would permit it. I am sorry to bring up such a sore topic. I just…” How to put it? “Thought it would be a cruel destiny for you to follow the same fate as your father. You’re young, and there are more ways to live other than being a hero.” I hope he isn't looking to try any great deeds that his father apparently achieved. It would mean death for this young man, who still has so much life ahead of him.
Arslan looks down. “I am no hero, friend. Comparing myself to my father is like comparing an ant to the moon. I cannot even comprehend what made him so great.”
So young indeed. “There is heroism in the small things, I hope you can see that." I purse my lips, aware of the burden he hefts. "Still, breaking this cursed sword is no small task.”
“I am aware of that,
Vae. If it were a small task, it would have been done ages ago.” I flinch at his tone. I hadn’t meant it to be a slight. “No. The task lies with me and me alone. Destroy it by any means. If I don’t, I will certainly join the rest.”
“I know you're aware. I didn’t mean to imply you didn’t know,” I apologize. “And by the rest, I assume others have tried to destroy the sword?”
Arslan gives a small shake of his head. “Not just that. Anyone that has come to these damned lands in order to find their resolution, like Zyon, like the others before us."
Ah, death and failure; the heart of his worries it seems. “For what it’s worth Arslan, I really hope you succeed.” I stay quiet for a second. “Do you know what’s already been tried in breaking the curse of that sword or destroying it?”
“Unfortunately not. I know not what can destroy it but I figure it must be something equally as accursed to destroy this sword.” Arslan looks at me. “And you? You hope to find the
city?”
I shake my head. “I’m not looking for the city. I’m looking for people to question. I need information.” I change the subject back to him. Hopefully, it’ll dissuade him from pressing further. “Have you tried…disobeying the sword? I’m not sure if you can, but I know that
cursed scythe I mentioned before disappeared when the wielder refused its order.”
“The sword does not compel me,” he answers, resolute. “It doesn’t care what I do. It knows in one year’s time it’ll be back to where it began.”
A little of my tension relaxes. It doesn’t sound like the sword can control or corrupt him at the very least. “I hope that’s enough time for you to figure out how to destroy it then.”
“I hope so too, Bard. So, what does a person living in a forgotten city have information that you want?”
Alas, he remembered to keep asking. “Legends. Myths. Rituals.” I shrug and glance at him. “Anything to fix my failure.”
“Your failures?” Arslan raises a brow.
“Failure. Not plural,” I correct him. I look away. “I… No, I can’t. You couldn’t understand.”
Arslan places a friendly hand on my shoulder. “The Wisest Chuluun once said that ‘What defines us is how well we rise after we’ve fallen.’”
Relieved he didn’t press any further, I give him a wry smile. “Non possum oriri quoadusque sanatur corpus mea,” I say to quietly. “But thank you, Arslan. You’ll have to tell me more about this Wise Chuluun sometime.”
“When we get back, the curse will be broken and then you can meet him yourself. You should teach me how to speak like you do. Your blade is sharp, but your silver tongue is sharper, Vae.”
A smile breaks across my face. “Well, I’ll see what I can get to sink into that thick skull of yours.”
Arslan raises a brow. “I would like nothing to be inserted into my skull, thank you very much.”
I sigh. “We’ll start small.”
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