(following Mathew and the Swamp Devils)
As I begin to light the fire I hear some clapping and turn to my left, “Well done, Mathew. Well done.” It’s Lu’I’enday. He saunters over, “Not something I would have ever thought of doing, but it did get the job done.”
Flatly I responded, “Go away.”
He sits down on the other side of the campfire that is now beginning to take. Almost singing it, “You didn’t call me.”
Again, flatly, “Please go away.”
Gently he says, “Mathew, you were nearly drowned and eaten, and then you electrocuted yourself and nearly drowned. You were very lucky today. How much longer do you think that luck will last?”
“Please go away.”
“Mathew. Mathew. What good does it do you or anyone else for you to die here in such an undignified way as to be eaten by a couple of big rodents? Hmm? You look like hell.”
I say nothing.
“You have been here long enough now to get a good, bitter taste of what this place can do. And this is just a taste, just a taste of it. It is not going to get easier.”
Quietly, “Go away.”
“You have great resolve. It’s admirable. But your resolve will not change what’s in this place or what this place is. My offer still stands.”
I focus on the campfire and feed it some kindling.
“You intrigue me, Mathew. And that is hard to do. I have seen many mortals come thru this place, better, more capable than you, die here because their principles and beliefs would not let them use their reason to make the wise decision. Will you be like that as well?”
I keep fiddling with the campfire.
Lu’I’enday, a bit exasperated sounding, “Do you not care about life that much? You look like a middle-aged human. Are you bored with life? Have you some idealistic notions of dying a ‘noble death’ and all that?”
I finally look up at him, and somewhat matter-of-factorily, and a bit tired, say, “The ride is gonna end for me at some point. Life is gonna end for me at some point. What’s the difference if I day here tomorrow, or I die home tomorrow? I’m just as dead.”
Lu’I’enday, seeming a bit taken aback, “What a sad sentiment. But what about life, the rest of the ‘ride’, Mathew? Surely you would rather be home than here?”
“Surely.”
“Then why in the name of all the gods would you not take my offer and leave this horrid place?”
Still matter-of-fact and a bit tired, “Because with whatever time had I left to live I’d know I set you loose to do who-the-hell-knows-what.”
“I said I will let you make the terms.” Sitting up, a bit less tired, and relaxed now, “I’m a smart guy. Pretty good businessman. And I don’t think, although I’d like to, I don’t think I’d ever come up with a deal that you couldn’t break. You been around a lot longer than me an’ you’re a whole lot smarter. Please go away now.” Lu’I’enday knowingly nods and smiles, then disappears. I add some more kindling to the fire.
