Snow took what little free time he’d been granted to take a look at the works going on in the waterfall cave.

After they’d finally decided on what to plant, the people of End of the World had quickly organized themselves and come together to plow the soft, fertile soil. It was kind of strange, seeing those big men with large, strong arms and hard, dangerous faces dedicate themselves to such simple and menial tasks. Some of them even had ugly scars on their faces, reminders of a time when they had used their hands to take lives instead of trying to actually grow something. But, at the same time, as strange as it might look, it was also kind of heartwarming, Snow realized with a smile. Above all, he was just happy he’d been able to find that cave. That he’d been able to help them somehow.

Even though he enjoyed watching everyone talk and squabble as they went about their work, he didn’t linger there for too long. By the time VinWei¹ Literally vin (hard) + wei (crystal) had released him from his studies it had been close to midday, and he knew ZaiWin²Literally zai (blade) + win (chaos). would want him back in time for their midday meal.

Returning to the largest hall of that cave system, Snow couldn’t help marvel at how bright it had become. He could still remember that he’d been completely lost in the darkness, the first time he’d been there. Since the huge stone hall was on the way to the waterfall cave, the people had made sure it was well lit at all times. They had even started keeping some tools there, Snow noticed, looking at the pile of sacks to one side. That huge space that had been abandoned, ruled by darkness and silence for so long, was now as lively and warm as any other part of the small village. Except for one place …

His feet inevitably led him to the only door in that cave. It remained closed, and one of the tall columns of stone cast a dark shadow over it. Still, unlike before, now Snow could actually see it.

Touching the old wood, Snow closed his eyes.

He knew that the small chamber beyond that door was empty, but he still felt as if there were someone in there. Someone lonely and frightened, and in pain. It was enough to make his throat feel constricted.

“This was my biggest failure,” a voice suddenly declared, making him jump and immediately turn on his heels.

For a moment he was afraid he would be scolded for being there, or for wandering around instead of heading back as he knew he should. But ZenTar³Literally zen (silent) + tar (wind).’s green eyes weren’t looking at him. Instead, they were staring at the door on his back. And they looked haunted and sad.

“Did he tell you about it?”

Snow wondered what he should answer.

“More or less,” he carefully whispered back. He knew ZenTar didn’t trust him, and that his distrust only got worse when he forgot himself and spoke like everyone else.

ZenTar took a step forward, making Snow take a fearful step back, against the door. And his heart couldn’t help beat faster, when he saw him raise one hand. But ZenTar simply placed it against the old, battered wood and sighed.

“He was just a small child, back then. We were still strangers in this forsaken land. And he was … so sick that he could barely walk.”

ZenTar sighed again.

“I was too young. Too angry. Too arrogant. He was supposed to be the Governor of Nox⁴Literally nox (night). Where Nox is the name of the Clan, also the name of a Province, after all. And I expected everyone to bow down and accept that. Even be grateful. How stupid of me,” he smiled bitterly.

“They took him from me in the middle of the night, and I only realized he was missing the next morning. The same people that had sheltered us, that I believed would help us, sold him off for two sacks of potatoes. Two sacks of potatoes! Can you believe that?”

Snow averted his gaze. Unfortunately, he could. He’d known hunger like that. And he couldn’t swear he wouldn’t have done the same exact thing, if someone had offered him so much food for mere information.

“It took me more than one month to find him. I thought I would go insane. The men who took him had heard rumors that he was supposed to be their new Governor. Of course, contrary to my naive views, they didn’t see this new arrangement with good eyes. Firstly, because a Governor would imply order and rules to follow, and everyone was used to do as they pleased, as long as it was profitable. The people of Nox had been left to their own devices for whole generations. They were used to solve their own problems and to fend for themselves whenever needed and however possible. They obviously didn’t like suddenly being told that they would have to submit to someone else’s wishes. And secondly, because he was only a child. They were mercenaries, thieves, and assassins. And they were told they would have to bow down to a seven-year-old boy.

“The man who took him was the leader of one of the biggest and most influential of such groups. They were also one of the few who actually had any financial power, selling their services to influential people from other Provinces. They were famous everywhere, and there was no small settlement that hadn’t at least heard of their criminal accomplishments. They were respected and, above all, feared. And so no one dared stand up against them, much less to defend some unknown child.

“Still, they feared that openly killing their Governor could lead to a charge of treason and to a military intervention from the Capital. And so they challenged him. If he could survive for a month they would admit defeat, recognize him as the Governor of Nox and bow down to him. They even put it in writing and made him sign it, so that they would have an official document to present to the Palace after his death. And then their leader stabbed him and threw him in this hole, to die,” ZenTar concluded with another sigh and finally stepped back from the door.

“When I finally found him he’d just been released. To this day I don’t know how he managed to survive. He’d been so weak even before they took him … But when I found him … he actually looked healthier. He also had changed a lot. Just one month had passed by, but the boy in front of me was no longer the child I had watched grow up since the day he was born.

“I stormed this place ready to fight to the death and take him away by any means necessary. But he calmly greeted me, and told me he wanted to stay for a few more days. He wanted to learn, he said. He wanted to learn how the men that lurked in the shadows fought, how they thought, how they hunted. I hated this place! I wanted to kill them all! Instead, I agreed with his request, and we lived here for more than one year after that.”

Snow looked at the closed door. He could still sense the darkness lurking inside. He also knew how ZaiWin had managed to survive. NimMai⁵Literally nim (gentle) + mai (hand). had somehow protected him, even though, like she had told him herself, she’d been unable to stop him from getting hurt.

“I should have watched him more closely!” ZenTar grunted between clenched teeth, his hands squeezed in tight fists. “I failed him. But he never blamed me. He never asked. When he saw me after all those days I could clearly see it in his eyes. He hadn’t expected me to come for him. He thought I had abandoned him. That finally freed from my charge I had returned home. He also didn’t care either way. I was there, in front of him, and so he greeted me. But it was all the same to him, even if I wasn’t. And so I swore I would never fail him again. I would never allow him to doubt me like that. I would always shield him however possible. I would always be on his side, no matter what.”

ZenTar’s green eyes turned to Snow and he couldn’t help feeling intimidated by the hard, cold gleam they held.

“When you suddenly disappeared from his sight it was as if I’d been thrown back in time, back to when we’d first arrived here. In the blink of an eye, he was completely empty again, as if his soul had just been sucked out from his body. I panicked. I urged him to follow you. To try and get back what he’d lost. I wish I hadn’t.”

Snow lowered his gaze, feeling as if he were somehow reprimanding him.

“He’s strong. Eventually, he would have gotten himself back together. In the end, I was just too selfish. I couldn’t stand seeing him like that, and so I sent him to his doom. And it’s not like I have anything against you. But he was free. You had set him free. And I told him to go and bind himself again.”

“I … never wanted that … I had no other choice …” Snow muttered and ZenTar took a deep breath.

“Yeah. I could more or less guess that far. He must have placed you in a position where you just couldn’t say no. Probably by doing something stupid, like stabbing himself to death in front of you and forcing you to reestablish your link or something like that.”

Snow looked up at him, eyes wide in amazement and disbelief, and ZenTar smiled, probably the first true smile Snow had ever seen on his face.

“What? Did I actually hit the mark?”

Snow couldn’t help blush in embarrassment.

“Yup, that’s just the kind of stupid stunt he would pull of. And that’s how well I know him.

“Oh well, what’s done is done,” he breathed. “It took me a while to come to terms with it, but VinWei is right. And I do not intend to go back on my word. So I will do my best and hold on to you as well,” he declared and Snow stared up at him, somewhere between scared and confused.

What was he talking about? Hold on to him? How?

ZenTar smiled and ruffled his hair, making him flinch.

“You have nothing to worry about. When all this started, I told him I only cared for his safety. That I already had my hands full watching over him. That there was no space to include anyone else. I guess I’ll just have to make space, that’s all. Even if I have to drop something else on the way.”

Snow blinked, still unable to understand what he meant.

“Never mind. Let’s go back before he decides to come and gets us.”

That Snow could clearly understand and he immediately nodded, willingly following him out of the huge cave.

Silvareiel

Apparently VinWei managed to open ZenTar’s eyes ? And I don’t know ... But somehow I have the feeling that Zen can be a lot bloodier and deadlier than ZaiWin, when protecting his charges ... ?