21: Serendipitous Negotiation
(Aun and Chax settle down, facing each other.)
Aun: Now I can rest...
Chax: Aun, I take back what I said about what you may accomplish. Despite your short name, you’ve done well.
Aun: Uhm... thanks.
Chax (thinks): I’ll starve to death before my arm can heal enough for me to hunt. If I can convince Aun to also hunt for me, it could save me. But that means going with him on his way to Botaram! Unthinkable for an Oistrem... Or so I thought a while ago.
I cannot ask him! What if he says no? I won’t beg him for help again! I’d die of shame!
Aun: Hey, uhm... Chuaxid Daistem? Did I get that right?
Chax (thinks): Ugh, that shameful tag! I forgot I told him that...
Chax: Well... that’s right, but why don’t you just call me... uhm, Chax? Shorter is better for you, right?
Aun: That works for me...
Aun: Chax... I don’t know what you’re up to out here... You could be trying to kill Strasmins. You do scare me... But it’s hard to do this all alone. I could use someone’s help, and I think maybe I could help you with some things...
Chax (thinks): Yes.
Aun: Uhm, I’m not talking too clearly... Too tired. But I’d like you to come with me for a while. Not all the way to Botaram if you don’t want. We c’n just help each other and try to figure things out...
An’ I’m sure you’ve got things you need to do and friends who would miss you so... uhm, I know you feel bad about attacking me, and you should, but I don’t want guilt to affect...
Chax (thinks): Yes. Just say yes.
Chax (very quietly): Yes.
Chax (more loudly): Hrm, Yes, I think that’s a good idea. Aun?
(Aun has fallen asleep waiting for an answer)
Aun (snoring): HHzzzHHHhh...
Chax: Okay... We can talk about it in the morning, if I’m not dead of hunger. Rest well.
