She asked me what I had to contribute to the world. Rather, she said "our world".. I hadn't ever thought about it, and I felt bad that I hadn't. I had never been more upset about a question I could not answer. It wasn't a simple matter of a fact I could learn. I had to think fast to answer, but to think fast about such a question would surely produce a terrible answer. I have never worked a real job, because of the world. I have murdered, because of the world. I have never had a friend or even acquaintainces, because of the world. I was assumed a fate, because of the world, and when I reasonably denied that fate, the world unreasonably denied my entire family. The world has shaped me, often unjustly, and at times fairly. The only thing I have ever done on my own accord was gather knowledge. No one has taught me what I know, but I know it.
Calhoon realized he had taken some time to think of an answer.  Seravance stared on, pleasantly surprised by someone who took the proper time to consider themselves.
"I have little to contribute to the world." Seravance's smile faded. "The world had little to contribute to me. What I have, however, is what I have learned. And, frankly, I have learned more by 25 than the old men of Orphan could handle." Half of her smile returned. Calhoon walked across the room to reach into his bag.  Having been swept with the festivities much of the food he still had had gone bad. The rotten smell of Philos' rations emptied into the room.  He had not realized the fragile state of his body until now. The Ghielrout left him uneasy, and the smell of his bag made him lurch over.  He nearly vomitted.  It took all his strength, and it was quite painful, but he did not want to ruin his impression on Seravance. When he regained his composure he removed from his bag his Grue and Bladd.
"Is that...is that an assassins gauntlet? What are you doing with a Grue?" She had not seen any signs of violence in Cal.
"For some years I was involved with a terrible organization. They would steal. They would kill. I never participated in this, but it would have been better than what I did do. I kept their ledger, recorded the bloodshed and unjust coin...I'm sorry. You must not want to know this."
"Tell me more." Calhoon was not happy to relive his time in The Entrusts. "If you never killed, then why do you have those?" She did not even know what the other weapon was.
"Well. My boss and I had a misunderstanding." He held back "I tore down their entire operation and rode off with a mount from their stable. I...I didn't...I didn't leave anyone alive." Seravance struggled to find the right answer.  Staying composed for Calhoon.
"Were you..." She knew that he was strong. She knew he was remorseful. She figured there was only one question. "Do you think your actions were justified?"
"I don't know if I am the right person to answer that. However, I would do it all again if given the chance." He could almost here his sister's laugh, playing Tagg with the other children her age. She was just a fucking kid. His rage had not died with Philos. His hands were suddenly hot, and he threw down the weapons.
"How long ago was this?"
"Not very. Little over ten Cornath's ago. Nearly two weeks."
"Calhoon." She nearly whispered. She did not know what to say.Calhoon did not hear her. He only spoke again.
"He told me to take care of them. His last breath was warm and drawn out, and with it he told me one thing. 'Take care of them.' And I couldn't. I couldn't and I didn't and because of him they're gone, but I COULD have taken care of them. I could have hunted that night, I could have stolen that night, anything but ask him."  A fifteen year old boy collapsed to the ground on Seravance's floor.  She moved to be near him.  Ten years replayed in his minds eye, and Calhoon raised his head to see just how much life had changed. And Seravance.
"Calhoon hear me. I know you know this is not your fault. Certain people have that conviction, and you are certain people. You're shaken and you've lost something personal. And some personality. I have hardly spent time near you, but I can already see so much. You were sheltered by evil, and your morality shone through." Calhoon took this advice but did not respond. "I should have simply told you what I do. I think you will be able to help me. To help us, and to help yourself. What would you say if I told you Olivia was in danger? If it had been for some time, and no one were the wiser?"
"Do you mean the Chard crisis?"
"Well, that certainly hasn't helped, but mean something far worse. The main point of contention. The eradication of our nations just system, and the usurption of the true king of Olivia."
"You must be confused. You couldn't possibly mean Cert Trubador. He is an older fellow but healthy."
"Not quite. You are right though, I'm not talking about Cert. I am talking about his son, Ektus." Calhoon was incredibly confused.  Did the prince and the king have a falling out? "Calhoon, this will be hard to believe, maybe impossible, but Cert Trubador is dead. He has been for nearly 10 years now." She gave him time to let it sink in. When it did not, she had to elaborate. "He was murdered in his sleep, presumably by some of the men on his own private guard. Few citizens actually know this, but Olivia has long been void of a true governing King.  Calhoon, we are in an urgent state of anarchy. There has been little question from the folk of Olivia.  The men currently in power have convinced them that Cert's dwindling health is keeping him in isolation. We do not understand why they have not taken full public yet, but we have more important questions to determine, like how to reinstate Ektus. We're certain that the men who did this were very close to the King, but we have not discovered anything concrete. Without proof, all we have are names on a blank canvas."  Calhoon was in a stupor. Who killed the king was far from his mind.
"I remember when I was just a little boy, and Cert Trubador visited Dravus to see the townsfolk. The town arranged for me to meet him. When I was introduced, I bowed down on one knee, and almost immediately he took my shoulders and lifted me back to my feet, and shook my hand instead. He was so nice. So realistic about the whole thing." Calhoon's emotions decided on somber for just a moment.
"Dravus ARRANGED for you to meet the king?! Calhoon-Why? That's incredible! Why?"
"When the king heard that I was of Cornath birth he insisted on meeting me."
"..." Seravance's lost all words. She sat on her bed looking up at a Man of Corna, one of the greatest honors in the known world, and he seemed as though he couldn't care less. When she finally spoke she returned to the state of Olivia, but her tone was different, and curiousity painted her face.
"Listen, Cal. Since the overthrow leaders in the Olivian Helm have either gone rouge, or gone into hiding.  Some of the Helmsmen are also here, helping our efforts, but we're too small a regime to make any sort of legitimate response.  Before the entire royal family could be brought down Ektus, his uncle, and mother were tipped off and protected by the fleeing Helmsmen.  I know how this all sounds, believe me I have told enough recruits. Ektus Trubador is the righful king of this nation, but he has been forced into hiding. And he is here. In Byyan'Carr. And I need you to meet him."
Calhoon had too many questions, and not enough answers, but if this were really happening he could not allow himself to say no. "If." Seravance was worried what would follow."If you are being dishonest, I will not hesitate to turn my back on you. I have never worked an honest, just day in my life, and I would be honored. But you still haven't told me what it is you do. And exactly how you have gotten involved with this?"
"We need to leave for the meeting, and those questions will be answered there. And in a much better fashion than I can. We're in a scramble, Calhoon. At times, I am not entirely sure what I am doing."
"Well, why are you doing it?"
"I was a Naturalist until my incident. However, long before that, I was born in Olivia, to an Olivian mother, and a father in the Mo'Nas. As you know, a Mo'Na was not and still is not respected by the other citizens of Olivia, but my caravan was not afraid to speak up for their equality. Before I was even born, Cert Trubador met with my caravan, my father specifically, to establish peace between the Olivians and the Olivian Mo'Nas. Since then my family has vowed to protect the Trubador crest, and until this all I never thought that would be a necessity." She realized they were getting caught up in talking again. "We need to leave now. Do not worry, it's a short walk."