Ch. 40: A Drunk, A Cripple, And A Leading Man

'Have I ever considered that? Well obviously everyone had!' After the war, many of the women in our society tried to figure out what went wrong, why we were the race that was decimated all to no avail. A lot of the women gossiped that maybe it was a drawn out issue since we'd never been on great terms with the Empire, however we didn't have any detailed record as to why they would suddenly come and attack us . . . Well no records that they would disclose to me that is. I wasn't very well liked in my birth land, so it was rather difficult to obtain answers when you're the outcast. But I checked every nook and cranny to try to find answers but all were unsuccessful. I didn't want to admit it yet sometimes I felt as though the elder mothers were hiding something though I never got an opportunity to find out more. Feeling at the end of my rope and our race was steadily dying away, I had to make a change which is what put me in this particular position. That's the reason I left Eurosia . . . the reason I hid in a male-dominated society . . . It was all to find answers and to maybe correct the wrong that has been done - or maybe take revenge.

Shaking my head from these thoughts, I tried to focus on Kovin's first words that seemed to stand out - about the demon prince only taking orders . . . Could this be true? That Baymun was nothing more than a pawn for someone else at that time and that all my hatred toward him could be slightly misplaced? Impossible . . . Even if he was a tool, he was the one who lead the attack - he had every right to deserve my hatred as did the entire Empire! He had too . . otherwise I've been hating him for no reason, right? Wanting to seek revenge on someone who was just taking orders? What type of person would that make me?

I tried pushing that thought out of my mind for the moment as I asked, "What other explanations are there Kovin?"

Kovin's eyes that had temporarily focused seemed to lose their luster. He leaned even more on the tree and a lazy smile spread across his face, "That ale was sooooo good. Perhaps they have some more?"

Whatever brief stint of sobriety he had been under just a few moments ago seemed to vanish. This man was obviously out of it and needed to get to bed quickly. I sighed, regretting the fact that I couldn't get answers to my questions tonight. Why did this seem to happen every time I got so close?

"Good heavens how much did this guy drink?" At that moment, Richie came sauntering up with an amused expression on his face. Kovin leaned forward and nearly stumbled to the ground as Richie and I reached for either side of him.

"I'm gooood. You guys don't need to worry about me." Kovin's head rolled a little and his speech slurred.

"I didn't think he actually drank THAT much." I grumbled, annoyed that I didn't get answers and annoyed that I had to deal with this drunken mess of a man.

"Come on Ez, this guy's super drunk. He can't hold his liquor like you can - let's get him back before the others see him, eh?"

"Yeah, that's probably wise." I placed one of Kovin's arms around my shoulder as Richie did the same, however Richie noticed when I winced as we began to walk.

"On second thought, maybe we should get that boulder of a man Rodair to assist? Your wound hasn't healed completely and it'd -"

I cut Richie off, "I'm fine. Let's just get him back." I was kind of hoping that if Kovin sobered up a little he would say some more things about our homeland and I didn't want to miss out on any of it. Also, I didn't really want anyone knowing I had gotten injured - I was already considered weak among men and it just didn't sit well for me to have them worried about a woman's injury. The only person who knew I was injured was Richie - I didn't have to worry about Kovin since he was so drunk. He probably wouldn't remember half of our conversation tonight much less a small comment about me getting hurt.

"Girl, you're gonna have to start trusting some people, okay? Holding all this in is just going to make things worse for you. Let some other people bear responsibility and assist." Richie could see through me, which was expected. I mean we were family after all.

"Rich, don't start. It doesn't hurt that bad." We kept a steady walk heading out of the palace.

"Yeah yeah, sure a gaping hole in your side doesn't hurt. Hey Kovin, you think a hole in your side would hurt?"

My eyes widened as I heard Richie brazenly ask Kovin such a ridiculous question. I momentarily grew fearful that Kovin might actually retain some piece of his mind in this state, however my worries were easily dispelled when Kovin began mumbling while looking at his side, "Hole? I don't see a 'hic' hole. Where's the hole?"

"Good heavens!" Richie began laughing, "This guy's gone! My my, I bet he could be easily taken advantage of in this state. We'd better get him back quickly - all we need is to run into trouble when we have a drunk, a cripple and a dashing leading man, eh luv?" Richie winked at me over Kovin's slumping head with such a bewitching smirk that a mixture of wanting to punch him while simultaneously wanting to laugh at his obnoxious antics raced through my mind.

Richie turned serious for a brief moment and asked, "What were y'all talking about back there anyhow? I heard you asking him about some explanations?"

Trying to assist Kovin's unsteady steps was proving slightly more difficult than I had anticipated so I was practically huffing while I answered, "I don't even know. One moment this guy had me all worked up, the next he's saying that Baymun was only taking orders when he lead the attack on Eurosia. He said that there might be other explanations for our race getting decimated . . . It's almost like he knew something, but he's too drunk to even stay on topic. He probably doesn't even know what he's talking about . . . probably spouting nonsense."

Richie narrowed his eyes a little and seemed to consider it, "Yeah, maybe it was just nonsense. But I'm more concerned about you getting all worked up . . . what did he say to get you worked up?"

"Why would you be more concerned about that of all things?" I asked incredulously.

Richie shrugged his free hand exasperatingly, "Why can't I? Eurosia has already received it's untimely fate - there's really no need to beat a dead horse. I'm not like you Ez - I don't know why they attacked us and frankly I don't care. What I care about is in the here and now. I care about you, Corbin and the people who are alive today. I can't change the past Ezzie and neither can you. Why dwell on it huh?"

I closed my eyes to stop my anger from rising up. I'd heard Richie spout this nonsense before, so it didn't surprise me. He loved living in the moment and hated to dwell on history. But what I couldn't get through his thick skull was that it's OUR history - It's what makes us who we are. It's our foundation, our roots - and to just simply put it to the side drives me crazy. On this subject it was better to agree to disagree because no matter how many times we discussed it he would always stick to what he believed and I would always stick to mine.

"So . . . how'd he get you worked up huh? I thought you were gonna tame that wild tongue of yours, or did you lash out?" Richie calmly asked. We were nearing the edge of the palace by now and keeping our voices rather low so as not to disturb the residents. Kovin was quietly humming a tune, oblivious to the world.

"He asked me why I hated that demon prince." I replied. Even thinking about Baymun caused an unpleasant feeling in my stomach.

"Ohhoho - he did, did he? I bet you gave him what for huh?" Richie smirked and I could tell he was reveling in a fantasy of what he thought our conversation was like.

"I didn't give him anything . . . but it was odd though. Right after I got through talking he asked me if I knew what I was doing. It didn't make any sense. Remind me not to talk to Kovin when he's drunk in the future. The man is a plethora of riddles and lame open-ended suggestions. It's kind of annoying."

"Aww, but he looks so cute when he's drunk don't you think? Not as rigid and stuck up, eh?" Richie gestured to Kovin's drooping eyes and complacent smiling drunk face. While I looked at him, he kind of reminded me of a contented child. His features appeared so soft and even his scar seemed less overbearing.

I smiled slightly, "He does look pretty happy. I bet he'll sleep good tonight."

"Yeah, unless he throws everything up." Richie laughed.