Energy enema? – I asked.
The very one, – Philip laughed. – And then someone cracked you on the head, so you're also nursing a nice concussion. Who won that brawl in the temple?
His face darkened, and he started dropping short, heavy phrases:
There were no winners or That wasn't why we went there. We went to show the failure of those who defile the core of what we believe in. And what is it you believe in? – I asked just out of formality, because really I just wanted food and water. That's all. In people, In people.
A specific one? With a ribbon holding up his hair?
Philip's usual pleasant look returned, and he smiled again:
I see you're on the mend. I'll bring you some grub and drink, and after that, I suggest everyone gets a good night's sleep. I've already slept for what feels like
As you wish, buddy, as you wish… just lie down, regain your strength, and If there's anything to eat… – I winked suggestively, and he was quick to deliver, practically dragging over a sack filled with everything imaginable.
Grunting, I lifted myself up and began devouring nature's bounty while the night finally claimed its domain — not by law, but by the right of brute force.
A little campfire flickered, around which the members of this hobby club had gathered, but I wasn't in a rush to join them. I was perfectly fine right where I was.
Because music doesn't need to come right up to you. It's not as clingy as petitioners — it roams where it damn well pleases. So I sat calmly, massaging my numb back and listened to Philip playing a melody on his strange instrument while his voice delivered those wondrous vibrations:
Roxanne… You don't have to wear that cloth tonight… Walk the streets for money… You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right. (The Police)
I understood the song's message perfectly, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable to hear. At some point I even started to hum along, silently apologizing to the universe for my total lack of musical ear. Alongside my pitiful efforts, Bartholomew leapt up and started dancing completely out of sync with the mood of the song — with a jug balanced on his head. It reminded me of something, though I couldn't recall exactly what.
My memory and coherent thinking had recently sprung a leak somewhere in my skull, and I'd need a bit more recovery time to glue everything back together. A lot more was bound to happen — of that I had no doubt — as I looked at all these marvelous, half-witted but undeniably united people.
I didn't know their purpose, but one thing was clear — boredom wasn't going to be a problem.
Once the melody faded out, the musician packed up his instrument and came over, sitting down beside me.
I honestly thanked him for the song. I liked it.
Don't mention it, It's what I love doing. Not for a calling, or fame, or money — just for the process itself. Besides, the song isn't even mine. It belongs to a young guy from a Germanic tribe.
We crossed paths once… right after he barely escaped his homeland, 'cause his tribesmen didn't like that he sang about women's fates and loving them — instead of guts spilling from—
Anyway, I got tossed around a lot after I left my home country.
And where exactly did you leave from? – I asked
Never heard of that
It's far from I wandered all over the world, saw a lot of things. One time I even ended up on a slave ship, where the local bosses, for fun, decided to… modify me a bit.
He quickly whipped off his silk cap, and my jaw dropped — life had definitely not prepared me for this. Neither had my parents. Not even old Raban.
On the top of this man-from-a-distant-land-called-China's head, there was no hair. No skin. Just a mess of grayish ridges... oh, damnation!
Even I, a seasoned soul, had my hands start to shake. I wanted to touch the wound, and lowered my hand. What a fucking nightmare!
All in the past, buddy. As you can see — it doesn't really bother It's called scalping.
Why the fuck would those bastards do something like that to you?
Thought it'd be Just a little joke, you know. I might've laughed too, if I hadn't blacked out from the pain. Lucky for me, there was someone on board with both a heart and some medical know-how. Kept me from dying.