Only the infrequent pop of a twig in the fire rose to interrupt the voices.
"You deny yourself a great many things, warlord."
"I'm not a warlord, I told you."
"A great many things indeed. You've come seeking a vessel, I can see that plainly. If this journey turns fruitless, was it worth the price you've paid to be here?"
A dry branch cracks in the heat.
"Silence, as the wheel turns. I told you the bird will recover. In time, of course, in time."
"If you foretold my arrival as you claimed, why was I fired upon? Your posturing doesn't impress me."
"Tribal disputes are not the business of warlords. Where you come from, it would be called 'politics.' We are not savages, and your bird will be cared for. In time, of course. In time."
"I don't have time. Days, at most. If you can't help me I'm wasting what we have left, and I-"
"-was never told that I cannot help you. You are chasing rumors and stories, legends told and told again. You expect everything to be so straight forward and simple?"
"It has been a long path to walk. I do not mean to be short with you, I just-"
"You chose the path to walk. Chase the sun and the moon and there is no time for rest. If you have chosen these things, you cannot blame them for your own shortcomings, you cannot."
"Is there truth to the tales, then? You're not responding to my questions, only-"
"This is so very your way, so very yours. Hear something you dislike, see something you dislike, and assert your considerable will to alter it, to change it. I will get to your questions, warlord, when I have arrived to them and not any sooner. No sooner."
A scrap of a wood, cut down before its time, explodes in a tiny noise amongst the flame.
"What price would you pay to save your world, what price? It must fit the exchange. Your eye, perhaps? They both surrendered one, so if seeing your mistakes is such trouble perhaps you should shoulder them yourself. Your sword arm? Your meddling desires to make use of it is what caused this trouble, so long ago. Perhaps your war? It makes up very much who you are, but so many have already been altered by this battle. Perhaps you should be the last one changed by it, perhaps."
"If you're looking for a sacrifice for this, just name it. I know what I need and I'm prepared to pay the price for it."
"Poor child. I am not a butcher, nor would I be inclined to take anything from you even if I were. Do you ever think on the things that have happened because of the things that have occurred previously? Where would we be if the snow never came to the north? Where would you be if the sun never rose? Where would you be if there were one less moon in your skies?"
"Is there a purpose to all of this?"
"By your tone I do not think you are being philosophical. Very well, child. Do you smoke? Ah, not you, but you are familiar with the way, yes? Come to this side of the fire. Share this with me, and perhaps when you have understood we will be able to communicate better."
Consumed by fire, a dead branch was the only sound that broke the silence that grew.
"You deny yourself a great many things, warlord."
"I'm not a warlord, I told you."
"A great many things indeed. You've come seeking a vessel, I can see that plainly. If this journey turns fruitless, was it worth the price you've paid to be here?"
A dry branch cracks in the heat.
"Silence, as the wheel turns. I told you the bird will recover. In time, of course, in time."
"If you foretold my arrival as you claimed, why was I fired upon? Your posturing doesn't impress me."
"Tribal disputes are not the business of warlords. Where you come from, it would be called 'politics.' We are not savages, and your bird will be cared for. In time, of course. In time."
"I don't have time. Days, at most. If you can't help me I'm wasting what we have left, and I-"
"-was never told that I cannot help you. You are chasing rumors and stories, legends told and told again. You expect everything to be so straight forward and simple?"
"It has been a long path to walk. I do not mean to be short with you, I just-"
"You chose the path to walk. Chase the sun and the moon and there is no time for rest. If you have chosen these things, you cannot blame them for your own shortcomings, you cannot."
"Is there truth to the tales, then? You're not responding to my questions, only-"
"This is so very your way, so very yours. Hear something you dislike, see something you dislike, and assert your considerable will to alter it, to change it. I will get to your questions, warlord, when I have arrived to them and not any sooner. No sooner."
A scrap of a wood, cut down before its time, explodes in a tiny noise amongst the flame.
"What price would you pay to save your world, what price? It must fit the exchange. Your eye, perhaps? They both surrendered one, so if seeing your mistakes is such trouble perhaps you should shoulder them yourself. Your sword arm? Your meddling desires to make use of it is what caused this trouble, so long ago. Perhaps your war? It makes up very much who you are, but so many have already been altered by this battle. Perhaps you should be the last one changed by it, perhaps."
"If you're looking for a sacrifice for this, just name it. I know what I need and I'm prepared to pay the price for it."
"Poor child. I am not a butcher, nor would I be inclined to take anything from you even if I were. Do you ever think on the things that have happened because of the things that have occurred previously? Where would we be if the snow never came to the north? Where would you be if the sun never rose? Where would you be if there were one less moon in your skies?"
"Is there a purpose to all of this?"
"By your tone I do not think you are being philosophical. Very well, child. Do you smoke? Ah, not you, but you are familiar with the way, yes? Come to this side of the fire. Share this with me, and perhaps when you have understood we will be able to communicate better."
Consumed by fire, a dead branch was the only sound that broke the silence that grew.
![[Image: yEROfKO.png]](http://i.imgur.com/yEROfKO.png)
