Chapter 307 - The Dream before Death (II) (2/2)
”I don't want your advi-”
”Glad you're alive, Aegin. For her sake, stay that way,” he said, then he turned and stepped to the side and vanished.
Aegin held his breath for a moment, expecting them to reappear, when they didn't, he exhaled, shaking his head. He paused for a moment, then with a roar he threw the spear to the side.
It embedded into the sandstone wall of the Arena, and a crack formed. Slowly, the Arena around him crumbled and gave way to darkness.
”Time to wake up now, Aegin,” he said to himself.
***
Sevis watched as his brothers sparred, their father overlooking the match and giving pointers. He clung to his mother's billowing skirt, his fingers nervously in his mouth. His mother, sensing his unease, place a warm and gentle hand on his head.
”It's okay, Sevis, they won't hurt each other, not too badly anyway,” said his mother.
”Is everyone so fierce when they fight?” asked Sevis as he looked up at his mother.
His mother chuckled, ”Not always, your brothers seem to be particularly passionate. But they've got something worth protecting”.
”What?” asked Sevis.
His mother looked down at him, then knelt down to his level, ”Well, you'll have to ask them, just as you'll have to find something that you wish to protect”.
Sevis frowned, ”Well I bet Kay will protect the Tribe, and Logos will protect Kay. But I…I'm not strong enough to protect either”.
”You will be, if you want to be,” said his mother, ”It just takes time”.
”But what if the things I want to protect don't need protecting?” asked Sevis.
His mother placed a hand over his heart, ”You'll find something worth protecting. One day”.
”You're not bad,” he grinned.
Aegin shrugged, ”We can't all be Tribesman, but that doesn't mean we can't all be fighters of some description”.
”What do you fight for?” asked Sevis.
Aegin chuckled, ”At the moment? Mostly myself. I'll find something eventually though that's worth more than that”.
”How are you so sure?” asked Sevis.
”I've got a long time to search,” Aegin replied.
Sevis rolled his eyes, ”Right, of course…”
”I also made a promise to myself to do just that,” said Aegin, ”So, if it takes a few years or a few hundred years, I'll find it”.
They settled into a stance opposite each other, ”Why do you ask?”
Sevis sighed, relaxing a little, ”I just…I love my home, but I've never really felt…I don't know…like I have a place here, I guess”.
Aegin shrugged, ”So look somewhere else”.
”I've never left the Tribe,” Sevis frowned.
”Doesn't mean you can't,” said Aegin, ”Besides, the Tribe will still be here, you've leaving it in capable hands, aren't you?”
Sevis gave a small smile, ”I hope so. I don't think I'm Chieftain material”.
Aegin shrugged, ”Neither to I”.
Sevis scoffed, then he grinned and lunged forward.