straightened too. It was the bravest thing Malen ever remembered seeing. He smiled at the lad. Nodded.
Then the Leaguemen urged Roth back to their course. And Malen went the other direction in the company of the city-men, thinking mostly about the thin line a man walked as he tried not to disappoint his child. And the hell of it when he did.
Heâd told his boy not to worry. Heâd told his boy to trust him. That theyâd get through all this together. But in the end, heâd lost Roth anyway, even after being willing to gamble Martaâs nice things. His last things of her. And now the very last, very best part of them, Roth ⦠was gone too.
But even in that bitter moment, Malen felt a hopeful smile play at his lips. Yes, heâd disappointed his son. Heâd have to live with that for a long time. But the League would see to Rothâs schooling. The boy would never go hungry. Heâd have options when he reached his Standing, became an adult. And as for Malen himself, the stocks wouldnât hold him forever. Five years, perhaps. Maybe ten. And during that time heâd eat better than he had in months. Sleep more, too. He had the League to thank for that, since they believed a man could change, and made sure he had the strength to try.
Being away from Roth would be the true hell. But it was temporary. The city-men may have thought they were clever, deceiving the League about their bargain. And the League may have thought theyâd eased Malen down a bitter path. In reality, theyâd all given him and Roth new life. And when he finally made it back to his boy, each of them better for the years in between, no heaven or hell would part them again. That was a promise heâd damn sure keep.
He straightened his back further yet, and made the city-men work to keep pace.
Â
Copyright © 2015 by Peter Orullian
Art copyright © 2015 by Tommy Arnold
Then the Leaguemen urged Roth back to their course. And Malen went the other direction in the company of the city-men, thinking mostly about the thin line a man walked as he tried not to disappoint his child. And the hell of it when he did.
Heâd told his boy not to worry. Heâd told his boy to trust him. That theyâd get through all this together. But in the end, heâd lost Roth anyway, even after being willing to gamble Martaâs nice things. His last things of her. And now the very last, very best part of them, Roth ⦠was gone too.
But even in that bitter moment, Malen felt a hopeful smile play at his lips. Yes, heâd disappointed his son. Heâd have to live with that for a long time. But the League would see to Rothâs schooling. The boy would never go hungry. Heâd have options when he reached his Standing, became an adult. And as for Malen himself, the stocks wouldnât hold him forever. Five years, perhaps. Maybe ten. And during that time heâd eat better than he had in months. Sleep more, too. He had the League to thank for that, since they believed a man could change, and made sure he had the strength to try.
Being away from Roth would be the true hell. But it was temporary. The city-men may have thought they were clever, deceiving the League about their bargain. And the League may have thought theyâd eased Malen down a bitter path. In reality, theyâd all given him and Roth new life. And when he finally made it back to his boy, each of them better for the years in between, no heaven or hell would part them again. That was a promise heâd damn sure keep.
He straightened his back further yet, and made the city-men work to keep pace.
Â
Copyright © 2015 by Peter Orullian
Art copyright © 2015 by Tommy Arnold
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