Forget Where We Were (reupload!)

Chapter 8

As promised, Alhaitham arrived at his front door three days later, but he never thought this would be a scenario he would face upon his return.

There were two people waiting for him: the Flame Mane and the General Mahamatra. Both of their faces have said it all, and they were not here for pleasantries.

Alhaitham could say the same, so he walked past them until he reached his front door. He rummaged around for his keys, aiming to ignore them both as much as they would allow him. It did not take long for Cyno to let out a disappointed scowl.

"We're not happy with you," finally commented Dehya as the Scribe finally unlocked his door.

"I am not looking for people to be happy with me," Alhaitham replied. "You can depart the general location of my house if my existence displeases you so. Also, General Mahamatra, all my leaves were filed and approved properly. I do not think I have incurred any wrongdoings to have your presence at my door today."

"You left Kaveh in Fontaine," snarled Cyno. "You proved he's alive, but you did what? You talked to him for three days like you were on vacation meeting some cute blond guy for the first time. Then you left him alone like he was not the person you have been searching for the past two years. Have you finally lost your mind?"

So, they were doing this today. Of course, they were. Alhaitham took a deep breath and opened his door wide enough so his visitors could step inside. Cyno and Dehya walked right in, ready to corner Alhaitham as if they had planned this the moment they received the letter. Maybe they have, considering the expressions they wore from the moment they saw Alhaitham.

In a way, the Scribe could understand why they both feel a certain way with regard to his decision, but the decision was already made, already justified, and rationalized in Alhaitham's brain. When they were all settled inside, Cyno wasted no time.

Cyno glared at Alhaitham, "What happened that all we got was to cease all manner of search or recovery of anything related to Kaveh? That he was found healthy and unharmed in Fontaine? That you chose to leave him there?"

"He has lost all of his memories. He does not remember me or his own identity. He began to recover some of his skills through muscle memory over time, but even after two years, it was not enough. He could repair and work with little items at most. Mehrak was mentioned as a broken briefcase gathering dust in the house he had been living in," began Alhaitham. "At this point, he has been rebuilding his life in Fontaine, doing honest work. The locals like him and he has gained friends of his own. I believe that we have no place to intervene."

This silenced Cyno and was left deep in thought. Dehya, though, had other sentiments.

"Alhaitham, can I ask you a question?"

"Will it add value to our conversation?"

"Yes."

"Fine, go on."

"Have you no balls?" Dehya inquired. "Did they shrivel up and die like a pair of raisins? That was Kaveh, right there, and you spoke to him. You didn't even have one passing thought to haul him over your shoulder and bring him back home? After two years, you just treated him like a stranger, as if you never knew him for more than half your life, as if you didn't do so much to find any of him that's left in the whole country and more."

"I deny that I did not have such thoughts," replied Alhaitham. "It was challenging to have spent time with him in that way, and yet... He was bright, happy, and satisfied. Happier than he ever was when he stayed by my side. All he knew here was struggle and misery."

Alhaitham looked at Cyno, "Didn't he go to Gandharva Ville whenever our fights go badly? He must have complained to you a lot about his living conditions, his debt, his self-doubt, and his struggle for perfection. He was always working, burning himself for nothing. I was a major causal factor for a portion of his stress as well. He was not happy here."