Jeff Inlo - Pure Choice

"Actually, it is a good time, because I don't think we were ever arguing about the same thing, and if we both realize that, then there wasn't really an argument between us at all."

"I think it's pretty clear we had a disagreement," Sy stated.

"Maybe it is, but I still want you to hear me out. I believe I owe you an explanation."

To the captain, it sounded as if the delver was prepared to make an apology. Sy wouldn't have rejected it, but he didn't quite understand it, either.

"Are you saying you were wrong?" Sy asked, revealing his confusion.

"Not really, not about everything. This was never about whether you were right and I was wrong, or even about killing or not killing. It was about sticking to what you believe in. You had your opinion and I had mine."

"Differing opinions is usually what causes arguments."

"Maybe," Ryson allowed, "but not when you see both sides. For what it's worth, I give you credit for doing what you thought you had to do. It has to be tough to be in that situation, trying to decide between life or death-not only for river rogues or even a sorcerer-but for an entire town. That's what's on your shoulders, and I get it. You believe in what you do and you stick to that belief."

The guard captain nodded in appreciation. The delver appeared sincere. More importantly, Ryson seemed to understand that every decision Sy made was with the best interests of the town in mind. Still, he recalled that it was Ryson's open defiance that got under his own skin. If they were going to resolve the issue, that had to be addressed.

"Then why did you fight me?"

"I didn't. I just didn't want to be a part of it. I knew you had your own perspective, one that other people valued. I guess it's why the people of Burbon put you in charge. They trust your judgment. I realize that when I go against you, I'm pretty much going against all of them as well. I'm making a tough situation that much tougher for you, and I don't want to do that."

"If you understand all that, then why did you get so mad at me?" Sy wondered.

"Things got out of hand. It was tense. I didn't like what happened with the large goblin. We were both upset at what happened that night. That doesn't change the fact that this is all still only about a difference in opinion. For me, it's not so much about agreeing or disagreeing. I understand your perspective. Like I said, I even respect it, but it's still different than mine. I'm hoping you can understand my opinion, because the only time I really got mad at you was when you tried to force me to give up my beliefs… to change my opinion of what was right."

Sy wanted to debate that assertion. He believed he allowed everyone their own beliefs and that he didn't infringe upon them. He wanted to say that he never attempted to alter his friends convictions, but he couldn't. The truth was that he did want to change Ryson's mind. Deep down, he couldn't deny it.

"You're right," Sy admitted. "I did want you to see things my way. I value you too much, both as a scout… and as a friend. I was afraid I couldn't count on you, and I wanted you on my side. I still do."

"I am on your side."

Sy frowned slightly. At first, he wanted to simply agree with the sentiment and move on, but it wasn't the complete truth.

"I know you're not against me," Sy acknowledged, "but when we don't agree on the best way to handle a problem, then we're not necessarily on the same side."

"But I won't get in your way."

"And that's how we leave it?" Sy wondered. "Because I'm not sure if this situation is any different than what it was before. I still have to give orders and I expect them to be followed. If a river rogue gets inside of the town again, I'm not going to risk my soldiers to protect its life. I realize you have your beliefs in what's right, but I can't let them interfere with what I have to do."

"Then don't let them. All I'm asking is for you not to give me an order you know I won't follow. And I won't put myself in a position where I might question your orders… like with Okyiq. I tried to make a deal with him for my own purposes. I was wrong. And then, I didn't like how you handled the situation. Wrong again. I'll try not to make those same mistakes. I know you don't want me to question your orders, but I still think I can help you, help this town… my home."

"What is it exactly you propose?" Sy asked.

"Let me do what it is I do best. Let me scout the lands around Burbon, let me find the threats for you before people are in danger. Just don't use me as a tool for unnecessary killing."

"And that may be our problem," Sy admitted. "That was our problem on the night we argued. Who gets to decide what's necessary?"

"I guess that's what we'll have to figure out. Maybe we can discuss things before they happen, work out a general idea ahead of time."

"I have no problem with being better prepared, so maybe we can work it out. Still, I need you to understand that the safety of this town is the most important factor, not my reputation, or even your beliefs. Nothing can get in the way of defending the people that live here."

"Like I said, let me help with that. I can be more active in my scouting. We can do more to keep threats out of Burbon."

"I can't argue with that."

There was an uneasy pause. They had seemed to find a potentially feasible solution, but both knew they would have to work at it and only time would tell if they would succeed. Ryson ended the silence as he didn't wish to delay his trip back to Connel any longer.

"So… when Linda is well enough to travel, we'll be back."

"You'll both be welcome. You've both been missed."

When Ryson returned to Connel, he met with Enin at the entrance to the Church of Godson. The wizard had made one last check on Linda and gave a glowing report to the delver. Ryson rushed inside to give the good news to his wife. After a much more joyful and affectionate meeting than they had had in the past few days, the delver bubbled with enthusiasm.

"Enin thinks you're fine," Ryson revealed to his wife. They stood in a back office of the church and were able to converse in complete privacy. "He said if there were any lingering effects of the arasaps, we'd know by now."

"I know," Linda replied. "He just told me."

"Did he also tell you we can go home any time you're ready? He said he would teleport us back to Burbon. He said he could send us right back to our house."

"That would be nice."

"Where's Dzeb?" Ryson asked. "I didn't think he was going to ever leave your side."

"He told me I was better before Enin did. He said it was time for him to go, but if I ever needed him, he'd be there."

"He already left?"

Linda nodded.

"I'm sorry I missed him," Ryson revealed. "I wanted to thank him."

"I thanked him for both of us."

"Well, I'm ready any time you are," the delver noted.

Linda was indeed ready to return home, but there was one thing she felt she needed to do before they left. The small office in the back of the church seemed to be the perfect place to deal with the tensions she knew were still standing in their way.

"Ry? I want you to know that I'm sorry for the things I said and did."

Ryson shook his head.

"No need for that. I understand."

"Do you?"

"Probably more than you know."

Still, Linda felt the need to explain.

"Those things inside me… every time Ansas purified one of his spell casters, they pulled something through me. It wasn't magic. I know that. The magic can't get inside me." She paused, but then willingly revealed her own perspective, and the unease that went with it. "That's why I knew we can never have children. Each time the magic was thrown at me, I could feel it just bounce away. For some reason, I thought of you and the magic that's always been a part of you. It all just became very clear to me, but that's not really what I'm talking about."