FULL NOVELXO Chapter 13: Choose
661 standard years after the signing of the Alliance treaty
Mikhail was sitting at the table in the dining area, reading one of the books that Galor had bought for him at their last planet side stop. It was a history of the Shoiga royal court during the three hundred years leading up to the signing of the Alliance treaty. It was the first book in a three volume set.
Galor sat heavily across the table from him. Mikhail put his finger in the book to keep his spot and looked up. Galor had a serious expression on his face. He set set a small vial in the center of the table. It was attached to a fine silver chain so that it could be worn around the neck.
Mikhail looked at the vial for a moment. It was three quarters of the way full of black fluid. There was a metallic blue ribbon of liquid slowly swirling through the black. It reminded Mikhail of the way the silver in his irises swirled. As he watched, the metallic blue liquid turned red, then silver, green, then back to blue again. He swallowed and looked back up at Galor’s serious expression. He put a scrap of paper in his book to mark his spot and laid it on the bench next to him.
Galor cleared his throat. “I don’t know when you would be considered an adult, but…” He sighed and rubbed his face. “One day my people will find us. Their one purpose in tracking you down is to take you back to your master. He will pay them a very large reward for your safe return, because he will be able to sell you for a small fortune.
“Your kind, Durweh, are bred mostly for two things: their ability to protect and extend their master’s life span and their ability to take a great deal of-” Galor swallowed. “A great deal of punishment without permanent damage.
“Durweh slaves are prized by the more violent races in the Alliance. Having a Durweh slave is a way for them to let out their violent tendencies while still maintaining a respectable public face. Since Durweh are not granted sentient rights under-” Galor’s voice quivered. He squeezed his eyes shut, pinched the bridge of his nose and cleared his throat. “Under Alliance law, masters can do anything they want to their Durweh slaves and it’s completely legal.”
Galor sat there for a long moment stiff and silent. Finally he drew in a breath, dropped his hand back to the table, and opened his eyes. “Breeders claim that Durweh slaves serve their masters happily, since they’re emotionally and physically bonded to them. I don’t know, maybe it’s true. Durweh aren’t seen in public very often, they’re mostly kept hidden away on their master’s estates. When they are seen in public they are like living dolls. Beautiful, emotionless and silent.
“The point is, Miha…” Galor took another deep breath and leaned forward a little bit. “I don’t know when you would be considered an adult, but I think you’re old enough to understand this and make a decision.
“I think the purpose of life is to choose your path, choose what kind of sentient you want to be and to work to become that. I believe that the gods see everything, our choices and our efforts. They are constantly at work, weaving life and good things into the universe, and keeping things balanced. There can’t be too much good, or there’s no struggle to be good. There can’t be too much bad, or all life will be wiped out.
“I told you that I got to a point where I had so much pain in my life I thought my life wasn’t worth living, and then I found out I was wrong. The good part of my life hadn’t even started yet. It was just waiting for me to get there. After I that, I made a choice. I will not end my life no matter what happens. I am going to trust that the gods are at work, that they are busy bringing new life into everything. I’ll trust that whatever pain comes my way is an opportunity, it will help clear out the old stagnant parts of me and make way for new life and growth.
“That’s what I believe. But I don’t have to walk your path. I’m a free man. You were born a slave. Your master created you to suffer. I don’t think that you should be forced to take that path if you don’t want to.”
Galor picked up the little vial. He held it up between two fingers and looked at it for a moment. “This is Ir’Klahn venom. It’s one of the few things in the universe that can actually hurt you. I put it on a chain so that you can wear it around your neck, that way you’ll have it if you need it. When the Jurverians come for you, you can go with them, or you can drink this.” He clenched his jaw and closed his fist around the little vial.
“Miha, I desperately want you to live. I want you to experience all the joys that the gods have woven into the path of your life. They’re there already in your future, just waiting for you to get there. But that’s what I want. What I believe.” His voice shook again. He bowed his head for a moment then looked back up at Mikhail.
“Your master wants to take your freedom, the law wants to take your freedom, the Jurverians want to take your freedom. I’m not going to do that.” He reached across the table, took Mikhail’s hand and pulled it towards himself. His clenched fist hovered over Mikhail’s open palm for a moment, then he pressed the vial into Mikhail’s palm and curled his fingers closed around it.
“This is your life. Your choice, Miha. You have to decide which path you’re willing to see through and where you’ll put your faith. Just know-” he swallowed convulsively, “I believe you have the strength and grace to face anything that comes your way. I’ve watched you grow from just a little boy, to the young man you are today; and every one of those days has been a day that I have felt lucky to be part of your life. Whatever path you choose, I’ll always be very proud of you.”