Chapter Twenty-Eight

Invier

 

Since Tangor, I can’t go anywhere on the island without people stopping to say hello and ask me questions about mundane things.

 

It’s hard to adjust to my popularity. My whole life, I’ve mostly been a loner. Someone most people ignore. The one exception was when I was winning the Pursual. I have to admit; it was nice to hear the cheering in the auditorium. It’s the same feeling now. People know my name and want my opinion on more than just a legal matter. Now, I even have strangers pay for my drinks when I go to The Dairy.

 

I get to attend officer meetings which bring Karax and his commanders together. I only attend the ones that don’t conflict with my training but even there, my thoughts on proposed strategy are sought. And nobody calls me narl anymore. Not even Abi.

 

If only my newfound status would affect my training with Torin. Specifically, if he’d take it easy on me. The last six days, he’s put me through a round of rigorous training. What he calls the defensive arts. Personally, I prefer to call these sessions what they are—thrashings. Torin doesn’t care that I’m the Paladin or the Hero of Tangor. He continues to push me harder each time we meet. In the thirteen days I’ve been here, my body has already changed dramatically. I’m now able to duck out of the way of most of his moves though I still struggle to connect with his body whether I’m trying to land a punch or wielding some weapon or another. Our morning training sessions have become well-attended affairs with cheers whether I do well or get trounced.

 

It would be nice if he pushed our sessions back an hour though. Then I wouldn’t have to do what I’m doing right now—wake up at the crack of dawn to get a run in before seeing him. I asked and he made me do one hundred pushups with Aster and two of his friends on my back. Those little monsters were heavy. It also didn’t help that Emilia was there, squeezing my nose and poking my eyes for fun.

 

Still, I shouldn’t complain. Being up this early to run on the Savannah means I beat the sun and most of the people who would want to talk to me. These early morning runs provide quiet time to think about the most important thing to me—getting back to my family.

 

They’ve thought me dead for two weeks and its time I find a way to communicate with them. I also need to formulate my strategy for returning to my life be it as a spokesperson for Minim or otherwise. Whenever I bring it up with Karax, he tells me we’ll talk about that soon.

 

I’m tired of waiting and despite the fame, I still have niggling doubts about Minim and its objectives. Thoughts of the execution continue to trouble me. Then there’s Tangor. Those voices I think I heard…

Allowing those ideas to fade, I look up and note I’m close to the beach end of the Savannah.

 

My take in the school and I wonder whether Kande will need me to help Aster’s class with homework next week. She’s ‘put the hero of Tangor’ to work, having me help the kids with arithmetic and grammar. She’s not the only one putting me to work, however. Even Milkman, the owner of The Dairy had me come in a few times. He said it boosts business for me to be there.

 

I race past the shore picking up speed as I trudge through the sand. My feet sink with each step but I fight gravity and maintain my pace. Hooking a left, I return to the Savannah’s grass only to hear someone call, “Invier!”

 

Slowing down, I look over my shoulder. It’s Karax.

 

Gulping air to catch my breath, I stop running and pivot to face him. He’s just come out of the sea and jogs over to meet me with a towel in hand.

 

“I never took you for a morning person, Paladin.”

 

It takes a while to catch my breath and to say, “Mornings are my only quiet time.”

 

He dips his head in a nod and gives me a grudging smile. “Indeed.”

 

We walk in the direction of the camp and its white buildings. It’s only a few seconds before he says, “So, we haven’t been able to have a private moment since Tangor and it’s partly my fault. How have things been for you?”

 

I could respond with a story about my new fame or I could get down to the more critical issues.

 

Opting for the latter, I say, “We need to talk about a few things. It’s time I go home so my family stops thinking I’m dead. From there, I can act as an envoy for Minim. Also, despite my willingness to serve, I never want to be involved in a repeat of what happened in Tangor. That was … much.”

 

He’s quiet for a short spell then wraps his upper body in his towel. “I understand your concerns and I was very happy when you committed to helping us. It’s why I took you with us to Tangor, so you could get a feel for what we are about. But, I can respect the fact the demolitions were too much for you—”

 

“Minim has made its point, Karax. You’ve likely set profit back significantly for the nomes with the demolition. That, plus the strikes all over the planet—the nomes must be paying attention. Now is the time for me to approach with Minim’s requests. Don’t miss this opportunity for discourse.”

 

He’s watching the grass but I notice the corner of his right eye tighten and his mouth curves down.

 

The expression disappears and he says, “I value your opinions, Paladin and think you are the missing link Minim needs to influence the nomes and get all parties talking.” He wipes his face, wicking water away. “It’s time we polish ourselves up so we can take our place at the table.”

 

“Exactly,” I say, relief flooding me. I wasn’t sure how he would take my suggestion but I’m glad he sees reason. “We can work together to transform Minim’s image. The new message should be—change is necessary and it’s here to stay.

 

“I like it!” His enthusiasm evident. “‘Change is here to stay.’”

 

“I like it too.” I stretch out my hand and he grabs it in a firm handshake.

 

“How about we plan for your departure in about a week? Between now and then, I’ll get you some comm tech so you can call your family.”

 

“That would be incredible.” I can imagine the relief in my mother’s voice when we finally speak. “I’m glad I bumped into you this morning, Karax.”

 

“Indeed.”