Arynthe's Story

Back at the station

(continuation)

"There you are again," Haik said.
"There I am again," I confirmed. "Is the hut still open for me?"
"Sure," Haik said doubtfully, "but shouldn't be on Ashiria right now? I heard it's not really going well there."
"I got exiled. The rebels are in charge now. It's no longer my responsibility."
Haik's eyes widened. "They exiled you? I thought you were their hero!"

I burst into tears. I buried my face in my hands and cried. I didn't care about the promise anymore: my task was done. I was 69 years old and my task was done. I would spend the rest of my life being exiled to this Torrayan station, finishing my autobiography chapter by chapter, until I would die, and no Ashirian would ever read it. My life from this moment would leave no trace. I felt like I was already dead. 

"Shall I call Zad?" Haik asked. 
"Yes, please," I cried as understandably as I could. 

Haik pressed a button on his desk that gave a beep. About a minute later, Zad walked in. 

"Arynthe!" he said breathlessly when he saw me. "What happened to you?"
"Exiled," I sobbed. 
Zad inhaled sharply through his teeth. "Ai," he whispered, "I'm sorry. How did it happen?"
"Rebellious young people..." I swallowed hard and tried to stay calm, so that Zad could understand what I was saying. "They said they were bored and wanted to go back to the time we were chased all across the galaxy. Obviously, I denied their request. Here I am."
"What?!" Zad spoke in utter amazement.
"You speak my thoughts," I mumbled.  Then I wiped the tears from my eyes and faced Haik. "I'm sorry if they end up breaking the Alliance. There was really nothing I could do. I tried everything within my power and the law."

Haik didn't respond. His eyes were fixed on the screen in his desk. He was reading something. 

"Master," Zad said, "Arynthe said something to you. Something I'd call rather important."
Haik looked up. "Well, they're not breaking the Alliance," he said slowly. "Have a look at this, Zad."
Zad walked around the desk and looked at the screen. "Ai..." he whispered. "This is bad." He glanced at me, and then turned to Haik. "What do we do now?" 
Haik took a deep breath. "As I said, they're not breaking the Alliance. I don't think we have a choice." 
"Are you also going to tell me what this is about?" I asked. "It's clear enough you're talking about my people." 
"It's worse than that, Arynthe," Zad said. "We're talking about you. We received an official request from planet Ashiria. You're considered an enemy of the planet, and if we find you in Torrayan territory, we have to put you in jail to prevent you from returning to Ashiria. They put a list of charges in there... You don't even want to know what they say you did."

My mouth fell open. I wanted to say something, but no words came to me, except one. 

"What?!" 
"Listen, Arynthe, we don't like it any more than you do," Haik began, "but this is official. I'm afraid I'll have to lock you up."

I stood up. My whole body was shaking, but my mind was determined. If they were going to let me rot away far from home, I would at least decide where I would rot away, and that would not be in jail. 

"I don't believe this," I said. "Are you actually letting the rebels get their way? Can't you see what they're doing? They're just going to use you until they no longer need you."
"Sit down, Arynthe," Zad said concernedly. "The stress is getting to you." 
This is more than stress alone, I thought. This is life. 
"Don't make this harder than it already is, Arynthe," Haik nearly begged. "I told you we don't like it."
My fingers curved around the handle of my blade. "You can't put me in jail," I hissed. "I'm not letting you."
"If I have to call security, I will," Haik warned. 
I laughed. "Security? You're better off calling a cleaner."

Before either of them could reply, I turned the blade in my hand and stabbed myself right in the stomach. The blood drained out from the wound. I fell to my knees, too stressed to feel the pain. If I would die, I wouldn't die in jail. If I would live, they wouldn't dare to put me in jail. Either way was fine with me.

Zad rushed towards me to catch me and he laid me on my back. He ripped a cloth from my cloak and used it to close the wound for the moment.

"Was that really necessary?" he asked. 
I opened my eyes, looking up one last time, and I growled: "Yes, and I hope that cleaner can stand a little horror!"