Twin Duty, Chp 2
Kimarhi met the praetor of New Yevon right where the Calm Lands met Mount
Gagazet. Baralai bowed, performing the salute common to followers of Yevon.
To his suprise, Kimahri imitated the hand gesture perfectly. "Kimahri elder, and
greets you to Mount Gagazet," Kimahri said in that calm bass voice of his.
"Kimahri remembers yet another member of Yevon showing the same politeness
to High Summoner once. Kimahri hopes you do not follow in his footsteps."
Ouch, thought Baralai. "It is refreshing to meet someone so honest, Elder Kimahri,"
Baralai managed to say in a calm voice. "We mean no harm to the Ronso people."
"Kimahri hear this before," the Elder Ronso said, a touch of sadness and anger in
his voice. "Kimahri want to believe you, and you will have a chance to do so."
Baralai found himself growing more and more impressed by Kimahri. He may
seem slow with his way of speaking, but the Elder had yet to miss a trick. Kimahri
was cautious and dutiful in his duty to his people, and Baralai had the uneasy
feeling that the Ronso would make a horrible enemy if he ended up on the wrong
side of any conflict with him. "What would you have me do?" Baralai asked
respectfully. "New Yevon wishes to regain it's status as protector and help to all
Spira."
"Kimahri will take Baralai up Gagazet, climb mountain, hear voice of mountain,
climb Scar of the Fayth," Kimahri said calmly, as if this was a travel iternary
one did everyday.
Baralai blinked. Gagazet was huge, and what Kimahri was proposing was akin
to the summoner trials of the past generation. He was sure he didn't have the time
for this. "I must respectfully decline, Elder Kimahri. I have other places upon which
to go after I finish my diplomatic mission here--" Baralai was surprised Kimahri
cut him off.
"Baralai will climb mountain, or Kimahri must ask leave," Kimahri said with a
touch of chill. "New Yevon words pretty, but does New Yevon's actions please
as well?"
Baralai sighed. It was his duty to negotate with the Ronso, and it was high
priority. Spira had to be united, and the old structure was the best one to do
so. Still, he wished Kimahri knew was he was asking. No, wait, he was pretty
damn sure that the Ronso elder knew what he was asking. Kimahri was not
dumb, not dumb at all. "I accept then, in the hope of proving that your harsh
words against us are wrong," Baralai said. "We start now?"
"Baralai and Kimahri start in the morning, winds too harsh now, blow Ronso
and New Yevon off mountain. Enjoy rest." Kimahri lead him off to two other Ronso
to attend to Baralai's needs, in a tent off the road, and a clean sleeping roll.
Baralai noted that they were prepared for him, and was greatful for that. He ate
well that night, and was asleep before he hit the pillow of the bed roll.
* * * *
Kimahri shook his head. He didn't trust New Yevon one bit, and Baralai,
well, he could respect him as another warrior, but Baralai sounded like
well fed politican. A leader leads, not stands on shoulders of others,
Kimahri thought. It was easier when Kimahri was Yuna's guardian, he
thought. Kimahri only had to follow orders.
Kimahri curled up into a ball, and tried to hunt sleep. It was far after the moon
had reached its zenith before he caught sleep. Or it caught him.
Kimarhi met the praetor of New Yevon right where the Calm Lands met Mount
Gagazet. Baralai bowed, performing the salute common to followers of Yevon.
To his suprise, Kimahri imitated the hand gesture perfectly. "Kimahri elder, and
greets you to Mount Gagazet," Kimahri said in that calm bass voice of his.
"Kimahri remembers yet another member of Yevon showing the same politeness
to High Summoner once. Kimahri hopes you do not follow in his footsteps."
Ouch, thought Baralai. "It is refreshing to meet someone so honest, Elder Kimahri,"
Baralai managed to say in a calm voice. "We mean no harm to the Ronso people."
"Kimahri hear this before," the Elder Ronso said, a touch of sadness and anger in
his voice. "Kimahri want to believe you, and you will have a chance to do so."
Baralai found himself growing more and more impressed by Kimahri. He may
seem slow with his way of speaking, but the Elder had yet to miss a trick. Kimahri
was cautious and dutiful in his duty to his people, and Baralai had the uneasy
feeling that the Ronso would make a horrible enemy if he ended up on the wrong
side of any conflict with him. "What would you have me do?" Baralai asked
respectfully. "New Yevon wishes to regain it's status as protector and help to all
Spira."
"Kimahri will take Baralai up Gagazet, climb mountain, hear voice of mountain,
climb Scar of the Fayth," Kimahri said calmly, as if this was a travel iternary
one did everyday.
Baralai blinked. Gagazet was huge, and what Kimahri was proposing was akin
to the summoner trials of the past generation. He was sure he didn't have the time
for this. "I must respectfully decline, Elder Kimahri. I have other places upon which
to go after I finish my diplomatic mission here--" Baralai was surprised Kimahri
cut him off.
"Baralai will climb mountain, or Kimahri must ask leave," Kimahri said with a
touch of chill. "New Yevon words pretty, but does New Yevon's actions please
as well?"
Baralai sighed. It was his duty to negotate with the Ronso, and it was high
priority. Spira had to be united, and the old structure was the best one to do
so. Still, he wished Kimahri knew was he was asking. No, wait, he was pretty
damn sure that the Ronso elder knew what he was asking. Kimahri was not
dumb, not dumb at all. "I accept then, in the hope of proving that your harsh
words against us are wrong," Baralai said. "We start now?"
"Baralai and Kimahri start in the morning, winds too harsh now, blow Ronso
and New Yevon off mountain. Enjoy rest." Kimahri lead him off to two other Ronso
to attend to Baralai's needs, in a tent off the road, and a clean sleeping roll.
Baralai noted that they were prepared for him, and was greatful for that. He ate
well that night, and was asleep before he hit the pillow of the bed roll.
* * * *
Kimahri shook his head. He didn't trust New Yevon one bit, and Baralai,
well, he could respect him as another warrior, but Baralai sounded like
well fed politican. A leader leads, not stands on shoulders of others,
Kimahri thought. It was easier when Kimahri was Yuna's guardian, he
thought. Kimahri only had to follow orders.
Kimahri curled up into a ball, and tried to hunt sleep. It was far after the moon
had reached its zenith before he caught sleep. Or it caught him.