We exited the cave and had to readjust ourselves to light, which wasn't easy. Somehow we gained daylight coming through the tunnel, which Gilgamesh said was because this place was where Utu the sun god started and ended the day. We decided to make camp and get some sleep after finding something to eat even though the sun was still several hours from setting.
Tommy and Gilgamesh put their lion skins back on then went out to hunt for food while Nicky and I started a campfire on the shore. Once we had it going pretty good, we sat down on a blanket to wait.
"Your brother is like a different kid around the king," Nicky said to me.
"Yeah, I noticed," I agreed.
"Does that bother you?" he asked surprised.
"It's been great for him being with King Gilgamesh, but what's gonna happen when we get home. You and I both know the king isn't going to get immortality, at least not the kind he's hoping for. Not the kind that has him still alive after thousands of years," I said sadly.
"Maybe your mom…" he started to say when I stopped him.
"She'll never bring his dad into the picture and beside, he's a stupid model. There's no way in hell he'd ever compare to King Gilgamesh of Uruk. I mean who would."
"Hey, you okay?" he asked. I guess he was sensing the anger in my voice.
"Fine," I said wanting to leave it at that, but Nicky knows me better than anybody and knew I wasn't fine.
"You're mad at your dad," he says putting his arm around my shoulders.
"Am I so bad," I said trying not to cry.
"Dan you know it's not you," he said, "Your dad is just a selfish jerk. He has no excuse for dropping out of your life."
"I thought I had gotten over him, but being here with King Gilgamesh… I realize my dad was never as great as he is, but he was at least something," I said.
"My dad loves you," he says softly.
"I'm being selfish now. I'm babbling on about my dad when your mom…"
"It's not the same," he says. "Your dad left you by choice because he's stupid. My mom would have never wanted to go and leave me and dad. She'd be there for me if she could."
"I'm sorry Nicky," I said. "I never meant to bring all this up."
"I'm your best friend. If we can't talk to each other about this stuff, who can we talk too?" he said.
"Here they come," I said noticing Tommy and Gilgamesh on their way toward us.
"Great, I wonder what weird things we'll be eating tonight," he said with a chuckle.
As it turned out, we were eating fish. They had gone spear fishing. Tommy insisted that he caught the biggest one, and of course the king backed him up on that. At any rate, it was pretty good. After eating, it didn't take Tommy long to fall asleep. Just like the night before, he was right next to Gilgamesh. Nicky was the next to fall asleep. I guess I was still a little upset about what Nicky and I had talked about, so I sat watching the fire.
"You are worried," the king said softly.
"Not about the quest," I told him truthfully.
"No," he agreed, "You are worried about your brother."
"He loves you," I said.
"And I him," he replied.
"I know. It's just that when we get home…" I stopped myself because I didn't want to tell him that he wasn't going to be around.
"Maybe his father," the king suggested.
"It won't happen," I told him. "Mom doesn't want his dad around."
"It should be about what is best for him," Gilgamesh said.
"I agree," I said, "I've never met him. I guess she thinks it is best."
"You could all stay here with me," he told me softly.
"You would be an awesome dad, but it's not our time," I said trying not to hurt his feelings.
"You are right," he said, "It would just be nice."
I decided to lie down and close my eyes. It still took a little time, but I eventually fell asleep.