"Stay here, manage a village, and farm in peace..."
The old Militia Chiwaco widened his clouded old eyes, looking at the scene before him. In the bright firelight was his confident son, and further in the background were the night fields and village. This moment's scene was like a dream he had while dozing off, warm yet somewhat unreal.
"Stay here..."
The old Militia pressed his lips together, falling into a dream, allowing his heart to be moved for a moment. But soon, he remembered his duties, recalling one after another of the people during voyages, the living and the dead...
"Tomato Priest, Priest Mekate, Huitu Puapu, Merchant Tikalo, Warrior Tawalu... Dark Snake, Didi, Tilan, Tidan..."
The old Militia was silent for a while, gently shaking his head in the face of Chipawa's expectant gaze.
"No. I can't stay here... I still have to go back, take the fleet's people home, bring back news from the Eastern Sea's Snake Island!... I must report back to the blind... Your Majesty..."
