Red Rock

Chapter 26: Pieces of Value (Part 2)

The next morning, Daire woke up with a toothy smile. The weather was slowly chilling to a late summer early fall cool and an early morning breeze circulated fresh air with every breath. Daire walked over to Jacob's cabin as he did most mornings to enjoy the smooth conversation of daily plans over a frigid cup of water from the well.

"I see you're happy with your work," Jacob said of Daire's jolly nature. "I thought Zack's dying would've done a number on you."

"It is amazing how you can bring any moment down a few notches," Daire replied, shaking his head.

Jacob laughed.

Daire felt little remorse for having Zack killed, as his treason didn't settle well in Daire's books. An overwhelming hate flowed through him every time the name was brought up. Zack had betrayed him. After he and Daire had survived such traumatic events together, Daire had falsely believed that there was an unbreakable bond between them. Zack had taken their deep conversation of their nation's massacre as an educational experience, while Daire had taken it as a unity of souls.

The next fifteen minutes were silent. A mutual appreciation for the rays of light bending over the horizon was all that occupied their minds. Each moment, one more beam travelling from millions of miles away would escape the endless odds and penetrate the retinas of Daire's and Jacob's eyes. The beauty was self-explanatory. There was no need for talking.

Suddenly, an unwelcomed shadow blocked their view. "Luke needs to speak to both of you." It was Cody. "He says 'it can't wait.'"

The relaxing was over, it was back to work. Daire looked at Jacob to show his intentions to go. Jacob returned the same look and they were off. "I also need to talk to you, Daire."

Daire already knew what the basis of the conversation was going to be. "Go for it."

Cody looked at him more seriously. "Alone."

"You can talk about anything in front of Jacob, you know that. So you better get talking before we get there."

Cody gave in to Daire's confidence. "I'm under a lot of pressure right now because of you!"

Daire knew exactly why. "Why's that?" he played along.

"You took all the gold! Luke was about to kill me! I'm scared for my future, Daire! You gotta talk to him!"

'If only you knew the alternative,' Daire thought. "He knows as much as you do that I'm allowed to withdraw as much gold as I want. He could've done the same thing."

"I know he could've!" Cody said, sounding more stressed. "But I didn't know you guys were having some sort of conflict. I wouldn't have let you take all of it. You tricked me!"

"Do you still have the gold I gave you?"

Cody desperately looked at Daire, not sure why he was talking about their secret in front of Jacob. "Yes," he said.

"Have you told anyone about it?"

Cody shook his head. "No."

"Then don't. Luke will have a reason to have your head if he finds out. The only people that know about it right now are you, Jacob, Sathu, and me. He's just taking out his steam on you. I promise you'll be fine."

Like a tamed dog, Cody whimpered down on command. "Yeah, OK."

"I'm sorry I put you in this position, Cody," Daire said sincerely, patting his shoulder. "But I gave you that gold out of our friendship. Once Luke has stepped down or has been removed from command, then you can spend your gold as you wish. You deserve it."