Ruins (Pathfinder 2)

“If I don’t bring the two of you back to Leaky so I can prove you’re all right, my life won’t be worth a piece of bread surrounded by crows.”

“Why do we need anyone in charge?” asked Umbo. “Why can’t we just stay together as long as we feel like it, and split up when we feel like it?”

“Fine with me,” said Olivenko.

“Because you’re a scholar,” said Loaf. “I’m not picking a fight here, I’m just saying that one thing I learned in the army, either we’re together or we’re not. We need to know we can count on everybody who’s with us, or go it alone.”

Rigg buried his face in his hands. “You’re probably right but I’m just so tired of feeling responsible for everybody.”

“You’ve never been responsible for me!” Umbo said, leaping to his feet.

“Yes I have!” Rigg shouted back at him. “It’s my fault you had to run away from home. My fault you had to go to Aressa Sessamo, my fault you had to flee the wallfold, my fault you’re thirsty and under the power of this talking machine.”

“I made my own choices,” said Umbo stubbornly.

“It’s still my responsibility to make things right,” said Rigg, “but I’m not up to it, I can’t do it, I don’t even know what ‘right’ is anymore.”

“I know,” said Vadesh. “I tried to tell my people but they wouldn’t listen. I did what I had to do.”

“Param made a choice, all on her own,” said Rigg. “Without asking me. Which means she really isn’t my responsibility now.”

“She’s your sister,” said Loaf.

“She’s Knosso’s daughter,” said Olivenko.

“But not my responsibility,” said Rigg.

“I’m beginning to get the idea you don’t want to be in charge anymore,” said Loaf.

Rigg nodded wearily. “Communication is finally being achieved.”

“All right,” said Loaf. “Then I’ll be in charge. I say we follow this self-powered puppet to the water and drink up while we hear what he has to say. Everybody agree with that?”

“Yes,” said Olivenko. He shot a look at Rigg, as if to say, See? I can agree with Loaf.

“Fine,” said Umbo. “I’m thirsty.”

“No,” said Rigg.

They all looked at him in consternation.

“Oh, it’s the right plan,” said Rigg, “and Loaf’s in charge. It just felt good to be wrong and have it not matter. Param can follow or not, as she chooses.”

Vadesh, who was still standing close by, seemed a little perplexed. “So you’re going to do what I asked?”

“Yes,” said Loaf.

“Then what was all the discussion about?”

Loaf just shook his head. “It’s a human thing.”

“You’re not really very smart,” said Umbo to Vadesh.

“He’s just pretending not to understand us,” said Rigg.

“I think he never understood humans at all,” said Olivenko.

“Oh, you’re right about that,” said Vadesh. “But I know that if you don’t get water you’ll die, and I have water for you, as much as you want, so let’s go.”