The Rhimodian, the one pushing the cart, and probably the largest, spun around. Charged toward the commotion. And looked ready to tear Kolvin apart.
He brought his guard up, ready to fight if he had to. One hand on the kid, the other hand up, shield extended and ready to fight.
Solkan and Marcin had followed and were now in positions of backup while Kolvin dragged the kid and the blue grass back to the Rhimodian.
"Let him go," the Rhimodian snarled.
Kolvin took a step toward him. "I am bringing you a thief, who stole your property." He shoved the kid forward, and he held out the container.
"Rine?" the large Rhimodian said.
"He just grabbed me!" The kid, Rine, pulled away from Kolvin. Not enough to get away, but he tried.
"You are not going anywhere," Kolvin said.
"Jedriek, call him off!" Rine said.
Jedriek sighed and looked at Kolvin. "Release him." He leaned into Kolvin, so his words were low. "We have an arrangement."
Kolvin let the boy go.
Rine darted through the crowds.
"What was that? You just let him take it?"
The Rhimodian stared at him. Blinked a couple of times. "Kolvin?"
Another Rhimodian came over, not as big as this one, but he had a stern expression that made him seem more intimidating. An older Rhimodian, a previous generation.
"What is the problem, Jedriek?" he asked.
"Harbin, it's Kolvin." Jedriek looked at the others behind him. "And Marcin and Solkan."
Harbin shook his head. "I am pleased to see you are still alive." Harbin came closer and held out his fist, pinky and thumb extended.
Kolvin hadn't seen that in a very long time.
He held out his hand, and mimicked Harbin's hand gesture. It hit him like a powerful punch, the emotions that overloaded him. It hit him hard, and he wanted so much to--to--
He wasn't sure what it was.
All five of them made the gesture, and held their hands out, small finger to thumb, so they made a circle. The circle, which had been incomplete for so long, was its proper shape.
It was completed. Kolvin felt more complete than he had in a great while.
The only thing that would have made this better was if Tina was here as well. She could have seen this. Logically, it may not have meant as much to her, but she would have been happy for him. He knew she would have been.
"How long have you been here?" Harbin asked.
"Our vessel broke down, and we wound up here. We have not yet left because we were determining transport," Kolvin said.
"Transport determined," Jedriek said. "You can come back to Sol with us."
Kolvin nodded. It was a simple solution, but it seemed like he felt this anxiety or whatever this was evaporate. It was the outcome he wanted, and it came easily.
Harbin blinked, and looked at him and the others, hard. "You have not been able to connect with Master System yet, have you?"
Kolvin shook his head.
