After Rhysol had left him, Wren returned to the horse and the wagon. He mechanically went about his work, feigning the combat in the snow, the tracks, and finally took the horse back towards Sunberth. It was a quiet ride without the man he'd left dead in the field...too much time to think.
You blinded me.
I'm sorry.
Zan was quiet after for a time and Wren didn't press him, just bumping over the trail.
You're playing a dangerous game.
I know.
Rhysol will kill you. You know this.
I know.
Why?
Do I have a choice, Zan? The god singled ME out. I can't conjure him at will.
You did to give him the Windoak.
The Windoak...was a mistake. I am capable of those.
We hurt, Wren. You let that awful thing make you hurt us.
Yes. I know.
I don't get an eye back, Wren.
I know, Zan. I know. Gods...I'm...I'm so sorry.
You really are, aren't you? I mean...I can sense it. You're still shaking. There is remorse to you.
I never wanted this for you, Zan, for us. We have to keep serving. The Defiler watches, he hears, he knows. I want to live Zan. I can't create my vision if I'm dead.
Your vision. Rhysol will never let you.
Wren was quiet a moment... Then when the time comes, I'll have someone take control.
Fallon?
Maybe. If she shares my vision in the end.
Are we really going after the pigeon man?
Yes, Zan. We are.
Damn. I liked that guy.
In another situation, he'd do the same to us. Ignotus Everto is an opportunist, an ammoral opportunist and if he knows we're coming for him at any time, he'll deal with us.
Is that true?
What?
Is that true...Wren...or is that just what you need to make yourself believe? Ignotus is your friend.
I don't have any friends.
Not even you believe that.
And the rest of the way they went in silence, Wren moving only to correct the course and to take a piece of fabric and bind it around the changed eye. Till he could explain it better, to Fallon, to the others, it would not do to have it shown.
He didn't even consider the tactical advantage of appearing blind in one eye...at least not at first.
Not till Sunberth had risen into sight and his mind had fallen to plotting Ignotus' demise. Not till he had pummeled the grudging feelings of brotherhood the two had fostered. Not till he had choked his humanity to a stunned silence.
Not till he had made his peace with Rhysol's will.
You blinded me.
I'm sorry.
Zan was quiet after for a time and Wren didn't press him, just bumping over the trail.
You're playing a dangerous game.
I know.
Rhysol will kill you. You know this.
I know.
Why?
Do I have a choice, Zan? The god singled ME out. I can't conjure him at will.
You did to give him the Windoak.
The Windoak...was a mistake. I am capable of those.
We hurt, Wren. You let that awful thing make you hurt us.
Yes. I know.
I don't get an eye back, Wren.
I know, Zan. I know. Gods...I'm...I'm so sorry.
You really are, aren't you? I mean...I can sense it. You're still shaking. There is remorse to you.
I never wanted this for you, Zan, for us. We have to keep serving. The Defiler watches, he hears, he knows. I want to live Zan. I can't create my vision if I'm dead.
Your vision. Rhysol will never let you.
Wren was quiet a moment... Then when the time comes, I'll have someone take control.
Fallon?
Maybe. If she shares my vision in the end.
Are we really going after the pigeon man?
Yes, Zan. We are.
Damn. I liked that guy.
In another situation, he'd do the same to us. Ignotus Everto is an opportunist, an ammoral opportunist and if he knows we're coming for him at any time, he'll deal with us.
Is that true?
What?
Is that true...Wren...or is that just what you need to make yourself believe? Ignotus is your friend.
I don't have any friends.
Not even you believe that.
And the rest of the way they went in silence, Wren moving only to correct the course and to take a piece of fabric and bind it around the changed eye. Till he could explain it better, to Fallon, to the others, it would not do to have it shown.
He didn't even consider the tactical advantage of appearing blind in one eye...at least not at first.
Not till Sunberth had risen into sight and his mind had fallen to plotting Ignotus' demise. Not till he had pummeled the grudging feelings of brotherhood the two had fostered. Not till he had choked his humanity to a stunned silence.
Not till he had made his peace with Rhysol's will.
