"Me?" he breathed.
Zechariah looked at him. "You believe me?"
"No," said Justin. "But I think you believe this crazy story. And if you do, others might, too. If those monsters attacked us just because they thought I was someone I'm not, then... Then Ahlund is dead because of me. And the town at the gate was attacked because of me. And it's my fault Leah's stranded here, instead of on her way home. And if those things hurt anybody in Deen, it's my-"
"Now, hold on," said Zechariah. "You can't claim all the fault. Remember-"
"Why?" said Justin. "Why is this happening? Why am I here?"
"It's like the Cru proverb goes," said Zechariah. "A man can only view the world from the top of his own central mountain. I don't know why you are here, but I can observe the world around me. Fate has charged me with keeping you safe. I am not yet sure what fate has in store for you."
"What if I reject my 慺ate'?" Justin said.