Book 2 - Chapter 29. Kah-Gash (1/2)
Beranabus is waiting in a surprisingly scenic spot, lying on a pile of deep green gra.s.s next to a waterfall, beneath the shelter of a leafy tree. The only hint that this is another universe - blood, not water, flows from the waterfall.
”I thought you might come looking for me,” he says, sounding more sad than smug. ”I decided to rest here a while.” He looks around. ”I come here often. My mother liked this place. I feel close to her here.”
”Was your mother a magician?” I ask.
”Not as such.” He stares at the waterfall, stroking the petals of a fresh flower which he's pinned to his jacket. ”She died not long after I was born. I used magic to find out about her later - that's how I learnt about this spot - but I never knew her when I was a child. As for my father...”
He snorts, then says with unusual softness, ”I know what it's like to be lonely. To have no family. To feel out of place in the world. I hate myself for what I did to Nadia and for what I'm asking of you. I know how wretched her life was and what you're suffering now, because I've felt that way myself. I'd have spared you both if I could. But the universe demands sacrifice and pain of its champions. When there's no other way... when the fate of billions hangs in the balance... what choice do we have?”
I stare at the ancient magician, not sure how to answer. Before I can think of something to say, he barks a laugh, pushes himself to his feet and smiles, more like his old cynical self. ”Come to be my a.s.sistant, have you? Couldn't fit in with the folks at home? Normal life not for you any more?
”You knew I'd return, didn't you?” I accuse him.
”I've lived and seen enough to know how difficult it is to settle for a small life when you're destined for greatness. The universe created you for a reason, Kernel Fleck, and it wasn't to waste your time in an ordinary job, among everyday people. Destiny is a determined opponent. Not many get the better of it.”
”So what now?” I ask. ”Do we go after Cadaver?”
”I don't think so.” Beranabus frowns. ”I'm angling more towards the idea of re-tracing the route he followed when he was on his way to Lord Loss'. Maybe we'll find something on one of the worlds he visited, or on a world we bypa.s.sed when you opened the window directly to him.”
”Or maybe...” I stop, not wanting to say it. The window behind me has faded, but I could easily build another if I wanted. Find my parents. Try again. It's not too late to change my mind. But if I tell Beranabus of my suspicions, I can never return. I'll be his - the universe's - for life.
Beranabus studies me with one eyebrow raised, smiling as if nothing I say can take him by surprise, like he's waiting for me to make a suggestion so that he can say he's already thought of it.