Only Human in Strangeville by Dakota Brown

Author:Dakota Brown [Brown, Dakota]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inkwolf Press
Published: 2024-05-15T18:30:00+00:00

***

“Is it safe to talk?” I asked sometime later.

“I believe so.”

“Tell me about yourself?”

It was dark, but I saw him give me a measured look. I’d managed to use my power to enhance my vision again. Not as good as last time, but it made wandering around in the woods at night a lot easier. My arms ached from carrying Nimbus and I thought about turning him over to Katsuro but couldn’t quite make myself do it.

Finally, he answered. “As much as I’ve lived a long life, I don’t know how much of it is truly interesting. The history, maybe, but I’ve had to live so much of it in the darkness.” He sighed and remained silent for a while. “I used to enjoy sword work. I still do, I suppose. My father had fought in a war and one day I found his sword. He taught me a little when he had time and energy. We were farmers, and I was an only child. The rituals and customs of my people were quite rigid. I do not think you would like it very much, but the rituals had their beauty, too. This was long ago, of course. In Japan. I thought being a mere farmer was boring and desired more, hence the sword practice. It was my life’s ambition to go to war and be a hero.” He snorted. “Now I would give it all up to return to the farm of my youth.”

“All of it?”

“I rule Beechworth alongside Davin. We do our best to make it a sanctuary, as you know. But the weight of the years, and the responsibility for the lives I protect, does wear me down.” Katsuro glanced at me again. “Though, I must admit, you’ve brought a fresh breath of life to our town. Despite all this.” He gestured broadly, and I knew he was referring to the current conflict. “And truly, it is an honor to use the power I’ve amassed through the years to protect others. Please do not misunderstand. While it is within my ability to do so, I will protect the beings of Beechworth. That does not dispel the longings for my relatively carefree youth. I didn’t know it until much later, but we had great privilege. My father had chosen the life of the farmer after all the honor he had won in the wars. Even in a hard year, we never went without because of that privilege, and he always made sure the people of his village had what they needed, too. He was a good man.”

“What happened?” I hoped he didn’t mind me asking after he trailed off again. I could see it being a sensitive topic.

“Ahh, forgive me. Lost in memories. As with most stories like this, war happened. Eager for adventure, I answered the call. I never returned home.”

“Boohoo.”

We both started at the derisive voice.

“Never returned home. Didn’t end up in service to a powerful vampire lord. Didn’t amass his own power base. Don’t let this one fool you, human.

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