Another missing scene for an epic that I never finished.
swswswswswsw
"So what happened back there?"
His voice and posture are casual, but I know it is forced. What he wants to do is scream the answers out of me. He has learned, though, that this approach will garner more answers. He has come far from when he first came under my protection…
"What happened was a regrettable accident. Nothing more, nothing less."
He says nothing, which is a pleasant surprise. Always, always he insists on arguing with me. That he does not do so now shows the changes.
We sit comfortably in the cockpit, watching the maelstrom of hyperspace twist around us. I know some find it nauseating and disorienting, but with the right focus of the eyes, it is a wonderful meditation tool.
"Why haven't you ever replaced your arm?"
I sigh. Apparently, he's only learned to ask his questions when his prey is relaxed, not forego them altogether.
"It is a sign of weakness."
He waits for me to elaborate – in vain, of course. What I have said is enough.
"Well? That's it?"
I glare at him. Has he not learned that questioning me is forbidden?
"No, don't answer that. Lemme figure it out by myself. Hmm, when you were a kid, you were still into all that honor and strength stuff – and your grandmother wanted you to do it, which was reason enough to keep yourself, um…pure? Yeah, pure."
He pauses to let me speak. I ignore him, of course.
"But then the invasion came through and it became a matter of magnifying your chances if captured – not a chance at life, but a chance at an honorable death, of course. Then you became Queen and Jaina became whatever she is, and it became a sign – a sign that even one-armed, even weaker and less powerful than she, you could maintain your sovereignty. Am I right?" He waits a minute before barreling on. "Of course I'm right. I'm always right."
Now, only now, do I turn and look at him.
"Spit it out already."
He looks at me, wrinkled and white-haired, and he suddenly looks old.
"If you'd had two arms, Oluia wouldn't have had to protect you as you climbed up that ladder."
I narrow my eyes at him.
"You believe it is my fault – my lack of an arm – that she was captured by the Alliance Forces?"
Kyp stares at me impassively.
"I don't believe, Tenna – I know."