Iruga looked at Chiyo for a moment. Then he sat down on the cave floor, elbows on his knees, and said what was true.

  "I've been a slave my whole life," he said. "So I'm not interested in your offer. The world is ending as it is and I'm just here to fulfill my duty as a son."

  Chiyo tilted his head. The combat deity of Nibbana studied him the way a man studies a map that isn't oriented the way he expected.

  "Then guide me in this new land," Chiyo said. "I have no idea where I am."

  Iruga considered this. It was, at least, a simpler request than slavery.

  "We'll go back to my place," he said. "I'll introduce you to the village head in Smardoh." He paused. "That's my father."

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  "Before that." Chiyo held up one finger. "I need to get something. My bird's life essence." His expression shifted into something more serious than anything Iruga had seen on his face yet. "If it falls to the wrong hands, shit will get real."

  Iruga looked at him. "Your glass pigeon had a life essence."

  "Everything has a life essence."

  Iruga decided not to follow that thread. "Fine," he said. "We'll get it."

  He stood, looked Chiyo over once from top to bottom, and then shrugged off his parchment jacket. He held it out.

  "Wear this."

  Chiyo looked at it. "Why?"

  "So people don't think I abducted some kid."

  Chiyo looked at the jacket. Then at Iruga. Something moved across his face that was not quite offense and not quite amusement. He took the jacket without another word and pulled it on. It was too large for him in every direction, swallowing his shoulders and falling past his hips.

  Iruga assessed the result. It was not a significant improvement, but it was something.

  They headed out of the cave into the light.