"What is it?" Kolvin said.
"There. Look.
The Empress held out her hand and took a large male hand. One with a gauntlet.
"Is that a Rhimodian?" Kolvin asked.
"Look who it is."
Kolvin watched as the angle panned out so he could see them both.
The Rhimodian turned to the camera.
He froze.
"Bahran," he whispered.
Tina, who was next to him, took his hand. "Bahran, who is that?"
"He is the reason we were in prison," Marcin said.
"He abandoned us and allowed us to be captured."
Kolvin took a deep breath.
"Oh my," Tina said.
Kolvin nodded and let go of her hand.
He needed to take a breath outside, alone.
He walked to the beach and stood, listening to the waves.
The past is gone, Kolvin.
The voice of Master System touched him, like a warm caress from a parental unit. It felt like home, but truly, he felt so disconnected from it now.
The nightmares still came.
But not as bad.
Tina seemed to be able to make them better.
But he still hurt.
"It still hurts, Master System."
If it does not invoke emotion, then how do you learn?
"Does it have to be pain?"
This time. Yes. But you still must let go of it.
"I will try, Master System."
Tina came outside. "Hey, big fella. Are you okay?"
He glanced at her and nodded. "It was a shock, is all. I assumed he had died."
