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Writing this quick excerpt while it’s fresh and I have the time to do so:
Bordel approached me and asked how I was holding up. “About the same,” I replied, giving a forced smile. He returned with his own warm grin. It was endearing, yet I hated how easily he could smile amidst everything that was happening. Clearly immune to the existential crisis I was enduring.
“Well, I know I mentioned I may not have a way of paying you all who took this job on, but I do have something I’d like to give you,” Bordel went on. He then handed me a strip of leather. It was made into a loop with a knot at the top. Actually the knot was more or less a series of loops because there was no start or finish. No tied ends. I marvelled at the simplicity wondering how he had accomplished it. I then realized I hadn’t said anything as I gazed at the gift.
”Thank you,” I responded. I felt more genuine in my smile, though my eyes couldn’t bare to look upon my boss. I couldn’t decided whether it was embarrassment or shame that went through my mind from how I acted earlier. He was more patient than anyone ought to be with me and there he was giving me a token of friendship- or appreciation?
I rotated the bracelet in my hand, not sure what else to say.
“It’s a called an eternity knot. Something from my home,” Bordel explained.
“How fitting all things considered,” I replied, my cheeks buzzing with warmth. We as Primordials, we were eternal.
“I really do appreciate you being here helping with all of this,” Bordel added. I forced my lips to maintain their grin. The man then sighed and added, “Believe me, I wish not to do this task.”
My smile faded as I returned my gaze. Did he have his doubts? Did Bordel want to go home and forget about all of this? I almost got to my feet to grab his shoulders, but remained sitting as I asked, “Then why not? We don’t need to do this. We can go home together!” I was earnest though I had no home to return to. However anywhere away from the horrors of recent would be a refuge.
Bordel’s eyes fixed upon me. There was longing and there was wisdom beyond my own that bore into mine.
“It’s not about what I want to do. It’s about doing what’s right.”
Like the strings on my lyre, or a the crisp chime of a bell in the morning hours, the words rang in my mind. My heart sank as I realized he wasn’t about to abandon the task of the cups and take me to safety, but how right he was to do so. Bordel was a good man but my disappointment stung. I looked down to the bracelet long and hard, but couldn’t deny the truth in doing what was right.
“Malaney,” he called to me. I looked up into his caring face, “I hope that you also understand that I’m not your boss. I never was and wouldn’t want you to think of me as such.” My lips betrayed me and smirked. He may not have seen himself as my boss, but Bordel was the leader.
“Fine then. I suppose Heqet Aj will have to do,” I informed him. Bordel pondered a moment and gave a nod, asking, “what does it mean?”
I beamed in spite of myself. “It literally translates to ‘the Boss.’” We both chuckled and I quickly added, “But it’s more of respect. You are my elder and I revere your leadership.”
“I think I can work with that,” Bordel replied. He then dismissed himself. As he stood up and left, I realized I hadn’t put the bracelet on yet. With a smooth motion of my hand, I secured the eternity knot around my left wrist.
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