"But what would I do with immortality ?" Said Mo.
Sikush had asked Mo to join him for the evening meal. On Mendera almost every meeting involved food and drink, it was almost an unwritten rule. Sikush hadn't spoken to Mo in private for some years and the answer impressed him. How many of The Damned had asked him that very question ? He could only think of Luri and one other. So many had begged for immortality over the years that it was refreshing to have someone who realised it wasn't always a blessing. Sikush remembered Nurigen offering anything for immortality, even perpetual service to the empire. There would be no demands on Mo, if he accepted immortality it would come without strings.
"You wouldn't have to work for Kittara if you didn't want to. You could be an immortal emporium owner, or anything else you might want to be."
Sikush liked Mo, the slum runner from Ixir had grown on him over the years. He saw Mo expressions and movements in Kittara and now Mo was looking at him with an intensity that was pure Kittara.
"Is it reversible ?" Asked Mo.
Again a good question, a sensible question, yet so few had ever asked it. He gave the answer he'd given Luri all those billions of years ago.
"I'll make you immortal not invulnerable, you'll will always be able to end your own life. If you have religious views against suicide ?"
Mo vigorously shook his head and seemed to be giving the matter a lot of thought. Sikush had told him he wasn't really suited to be one of The Damned, but he could be an immortal like Nurigen.
"If I quit at any time," began Mo, "even tomorrow I can just walk away ? No one is going to come after me for the information I have in my head, or to keep me quiet ?"
Sikush hadn't wanted to have Mo as a distraction while Kittara had Estrid to look after, but there had been no desire to see him put out of the way.
"No Mo, no one will come after you. You'll be safe, even from Kittara."
"Will it hurt ?" Asked Mo.
This was more familiar ground, everyone asked if it was going to be painful.
"It will fell like a very large demon is pushing a red hot poker up your backside Mo, it will be bad."
Mo started to laugh and reached into a bag and brought out a bottle of very rare and expensive Menuran strong ale.
"The advantages of owning the emporium, will you join me in a glass ?"
Sikush pulled his chair closer and agreed to a glass of the ale, which was truly excellent. After they'd both had time to savour the drink Mo asked.
"Did you ever find out what demon fathered me ?"
"Yes. Chlo worked it out some time ago. It appears you're about 55% human, 30% Dredger and the rest is Moullay."
Mo looked shocked.
"Moullay ? I thought they were a myth ?"
"No they exist and drift in from the 7th rift occasionally. Your father must have been a rare hybrid. It accounts for the healing of your bones, as long as your heart beats you'll survive just about anything."
They sat on in silence for a while, enjoying the view as two of Mendera's moons lit up the palace gardens.
"Alright, I'll do it, I'll become immortal." Said Mo.
"Good."
"You were joking about the huge demon and the poker though ?"
Sikush gave Mo a wink.
"A bit. Think more of a small demon with a red hot poker."
