The Old Ways

 Even after the others retired for the night Tex and the captain stayed up, the latter happy to reminisce about his life and perils made amusing by the passage of time. He talked about the routines that dominated his life, long days tending to the hundreds of little things needed to keep a ship going while living off of twice-baked biscuits and heavily diluted alcohol. Long stretches of boredom were punctuated by wonders and terrors few men had ever braved: he'd seen islands borne on the backs of great whales, outrun ghost ships off the Horns of Hyspaestos, carried Gamon the Apostate into exile and traced the same route back when the ruler retook his kingdom. Many times the captain had nearly died, a fact he accepted with the placidity of one who takes life for what it is.

“Had it been otherwise,” he said, “I wouldn't be here to fret about it. So what use is worry?”

“You would've missed out on everything since, though.”

“True. But I never thought that time belonged to me. If I live to a ripe old age, I'll take that gift for what it is. And if I die tomorrow I'll have lost nothing,” said Guozi.

“Don't count your chickens before they hatch, they say.”

“I hadn't heard that one before. That's good.”

And so their conversation slowly turned to the journey ahead, which intrigued the captain more than he let on. He looked over a chart upon which the arcs and whorls of currents swept past foreign shores like the branches of some titanic tree and the margins were embellished with four dragons representing the cardinal directions. He pondered that stretch of coast where in several days the passengers would take a pinnace ashore, there to part ways forever.

“Not many want passage to Nar these days.”

“Feels like everyone has it in for them.”

“Around these parts, they do."

“I don't really get it. I've heard of bad blood, but this is something else,” said Tex.

“I also found it puzzling when first I sailed these waters. It all sounded like superstitious nonsense. But memory runs deep and you can find truth even in things that sound absurd,” said Guozi. “Nar was once the center of a vast empire. Narakur. I'm sure you've heard of the atrocities.”

“History isn't my strongest subject.”

“Well, even among empires that rule by fear they are a stark example of excess. It's said that when Atar – which was where Anu Ra now stands – rebelled, the emperor had the entire population sacrificed. Even the ill and infirm were carried off. All to sate the infinite hunger of their god.”

“Must have been a hard fall.”

“So I've heard. No country stands forever, and when Narakur fell to pieces every cruelty they'd visited upon the world was repaid in kind. You see today the dying coals of an anger that burned bright and consumed everything it touched. That was centuries ago and some are still living with the pain.”

“Yeah, I know how it is. I've been to the res a few times.”

“The what?”

“Long story. My country also had an old enemy. Everyone hated their guts. Except we were probably more in the wrong than they were, so after we won we set aside a bunch of land for them to live on. Cold comfort,” said Tex, “but I guess it's better than nothing.”

“And kept the best land for yourselves, I imagine.”

“Anyone can feel bad about something,” said Tex. “Doing something about it is hard.”

Guozi nodded. The game by then was all but forgotten.

“My people have a saying: what's the difference between taxation and theft?”

“I don't know. What?”

“The recipient!” The captain smiled, but there was a contemplative cast to his features. “So it is with justice. That's what I think, anyway.”

“What does justice look like for a witch?”

“A witch? Ah, well...” Guozi stroked his beard thoughtfully. “In most places they're honored. Magic is rare, difficult, and requires sacrifice. One who gives of herself to heal the injured or purify water is to be treated with respect. Though of course there are others where they're no more esteemed than common laborers. There aren't many useless people, after all. The decision to place one above another is often more arbitrary than you might think. But you're not asking about most places, are you?”

“I'm not.”

“The witches of Narakur had many responsibilities that made them inseparable from the government others despised so much. One was to preside over the sacrifices. Rumor has it they still do in places where the old ways are strong.”

“Do they ever work for bandits?”

Tex could tell from the captain's expression it was a stupid question. To Guozi's credit, he appeared to consider it seriously.

“I've never heard of such a thing,” he said at last.

“So if you saw a group of bandits, and there was a woman from Nar with them, and she could use magic, you'd assume she's up to no good.”

“Or that she is spectacularly unlucky. I've seen a lot in my years. Never have I seen one of these witches obey an order contrary to her desire. They are willful. Willful and dishonest,” he said with a hint of humor. “I gave up haggling with them long ago.”

“Do they usually keep to themselves?”

“Almost always. It's rare for them to leave their homeland, much less meddle in anyone's affairs. Why would they? They're not welcome anywhere, they stand out, and they're generously provided for at home, at least to the extent Nar is capable of. It's not a rich land, not anymore, but if anyone lives comfortably it's the priests and nobles and those close to them.” He leaned back, absorbed in contemplation of some memory. “I did have one on my ship, once. She was an old witch who did something to offend the king of Nar, though she wouldn't say what. I took her from the city of Miz-Amel to a place across the sea where she went into hiding. Here is one of the items she used to pay her way.” Guozi placed upon the table a signet ring engraved with a complex sign that included a snake biting its own tail.

“I've seen this before. Or something close to it.”

“It's a national symbol of theirs. The royal family uses many variations with as many meanings: the unbroken line of royal succession, the ocean that encircles the world, the wheel of fate... you get the idea. It's a versatile thing, as symbols must be.” He picked up the ring and turned it slowly between his fingers. “I never learned what became of her. Few people travel to Nar and even fewer try to leave. Much less those who have status.”

“You've given me a lot to think about.”

“That's good. Or maybe not,” Guozi said with an echo of his former humor. “That's for you to decide. As for me, I think it's time this old man got some rest.”

“You're just saying that because I almost had you this time,” Tex said. He'd figured out his next three moves and thought he had a good chance of pulling it off, but Guozi moved his knight in a way that blocked the first of these.

“Don't worry, you'll have plenty more chances once we're underway.” And with that he was gone.