The figure enters the dwelling, locking the door behind him. It is dark outside and in, but he chooses to navigate through it rather than illuminate it.
Unsuccessfully. He bumps into one of the kitchen cabinets, shaking the jars inside and causing one to break and spill.
He casts some light on his surroundings. It’s been quite a while since he last practiced Sun magic, but the muscle memory hasn’t faded. The jar that shattered should have been one containing dried herbs, although the contents seem to have been replaced with salt.
More salt? Really? He thought he had gotten rid of the last of that years ago. Decades have passed since the time that Ssar had been so involved in his life. Or really, since he had seen most of the people on Kythara at that time.
He cleans up the mess, and makes his way up the stairs to the bedroom, trying to cause as little noise as possible, while also lost in thought. The mineral had offered a reminder of the war time. So much has changed in the period after that: his resignation from his post as Captain, a quieter involvement in politics around the Labyrinth, and a quiet life with his spouse. Well, quieter for him, at least. She remains busy and public as ever: it would be hard for her not to be. Indeed, on reaching the bedroom, he realises he is the only one home.
The day’s work has been exhausting, and he can’t keep his eyes open long enough to wait for her to get back. A light rainfall sets in as he drifts off, mind still turning over those years.
“To think that I used to care about you. Not anymore.”
“Are you actually ready to talk to me, or do you need another member of the Legion in your pocket?”
“You couldn’t accept the possibility that I was really here, and I needed your help, and…”
He wakes with a start. His spouse has arrived home, but even with her comforting presence, the memory of the past still haunts him.
She never reappeared after that confrontation in the Land of Endless Sky, and not for a lack of searching. Did he do the right thing? He is often left to wonder. And, often, he worries that the answer is that he did not.
Nevertheless, as he goes about his relationships in the present, those words still echo through his head.
This time, however, he’s not going to abandon anyone.
Zhi-Zhu Juglans lies in his hospital room, coughing. There is a knock at the door.
“Come in!” He attempts to shout, but he splutters through coughs.
A sparrow Wildborn enters the tent, and politely bows before Juglans. He thanks them for coming, and ushers them to sit beside him, speaking softly.
“I want you to have this.”
He pulls a golden ring from his hand, and hands it to the sparrow. They look at it closely, and notice that a drawing of a bee is etched onto it. Before they can ask why Juglans gave them his wedding ring, he says to them:
“I made a promise to that bee many years ago. A promise that I’d look after their Lady, no matter what. And now I’m older…”
He begins to tear up.
“As much as Lin doesn’t want to admit it, I don’t have long left. And she’s going to need someone when I’m gone. She’s a fantastic person, and she deserves nothing but happiness. I’ve had the honour of being the person that makes her happy for the last twenty years, and it’s been the greatest privilege I’ve ever had. But now, it’s my time to pass it on to someone else.
I guess, what I’m asking… could you be there for her, when I’m gone? She likes you a lot. We both do. Not many people can make her smile in the ways that you do, and not many people understand that she isn’t a god, just a regular person. But you do, somehow.”
Juglans slowly lifts his hand up to touch the sparrow’s shoulder.
“If times get tough, put that ring on a body. If a person appears, tell them that Juglans kept his promise, and appointed you to help Lin. They’ll understand, even if it doesn’t look like they do at first…”
He tries to laugh, but ends up coughing instead. The sparrow goes to comfort him, but Juglans pushes them away.
“It’s ok. I’m ok. Just forgetting my age, you know? But thanks for this – I’m at peace knowing Lin won’t be alone. Make sure she doesn’t grieve me for too long, ok? She’s got a whole million more lives to live, and I don’t want her being sad for any of them.
Don’t overdo the mourning either, please. I don’t have a legacy, and that’s ok. I never wanted one. I’ll live on through Lin, and the great things she does, and through you.”
He points to a dagger tied to the sparrow’s waist.
“I never told you this when I gave you that dagger, but one just like it was handed down to me long ago. If anyone recognises it and asks where it’s from, tell them the leader of the Lai-Chi clan gave it to you, and that he’s sorry for what he did.”
He starts to cough again.
“You should go. I don’t want you to see me like this. Tell Lin I love her, and I want her to be happy, ok?”
The sparrow stands to leave, turning away from Juglans. Before leaving, they look back, to see a gecko curled up on the middle of the bed. He is smiling.
— Written by Heather C.