Measure of a Man

JP between Lorem and LucianNepreen

Tarmen laughed. To voice his own reason when compared to Gonyaul’s, it really painted a picture of how different the two were.

“I felt trapped in the Burgh. Wanted more. Wanted more money too. Life had become comfortable and I didn’t want to go soft.”

To hear it again, actually voiced after so long since his departure, it all felt like a child’s tantrum.

“Besides, I didn’t really have a people to tie me down. No one but my old crew cared when I left…”

His speech faded to a whisper as he remembered those painful years. He used to meet often with his crew, but as years went by death claimed all of them. Mataz had been the last, hobbling in on her then famous peg leg and in charge after Traps finally failed at his job. The two had shared a quiet night, drinking in silence before Tarmen left. A year later he had walked onto the ship to his new life.
The memory opened something in him and he felt a wetness fall down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away in annoyance.

“Damn drink, stuff is still burnin’ me up and makin’ my eyes water.”

He looked back into space, avoiding Gonyaul’s gaze as he changed the subject.

“Figure that the world is a bit different than you thought, eh? Have to admit, I took you as a fool when we first met.”

Gonyaul had learned from his elders that vulnerability was the secret to courage. To see Tarmen show a sliver of it, reinforced his belief that the man had that noble trait. He didn’t have less respect for him, he now had more. Though out of kindness he pretended he didn’t see the tear, it was obvious Tarmen was trying to hide them.

“You took me correct then. No the first time I earn that title and no be the last. Sometime hard to tell if I am wise and the world a fool, or other way round.” Gonyaul admitted humbly.

“It has be large learning time. Filled with wonder and woe.” He concluded.

Gonyaul sized up Tarmen, making it noticeable that he was measuring his worth from the inside out. “I figure you man that has the making to set problems right. I see greatness in you that can be like fire and spread to others. We are fortune to have you with us.” Gonyaul felt sorry for those enemies that would cross paths with this man.

His brow scrunched at Gonyaul’s observation, one he felt was highly inaccurate. He dropped his head a little as he smiled slightly at the compliment.

“Kind words for sure, but my past would argue against them. I often tend to make more problems than solve them and have left better men to die to save myself.”

He chuckled, both at himself and at thinking of Gonyaul as he met his eye.

“Seems you’re more the inspirin’ type than me. Your good spirit is more infectious at any rate.”

Gonyaul chuckled. “I no say you were perfect. What you do before is gone. What you do tomorrow is mystery. What you becoming today is better than you were yesterday.”

Gonyaul bowed at the compliment. “Life is too beautiful to waste time no having a good spirit.”

Gonyaul arched a brow in curiosity, “May I ask why you choose then to be here with us? No sound like the man of your past would do such a thing?”

Gonyaul chuckled. “I no say you were perfect. What you do before is gone. What you do tomorrow is mystery. What you becoming today is better than you were yesterday.”

Gonyaul bowed at the compliment. “Life is too beautiful to waste time no having a good spirit.”

Gonyaul arched a brow in curiosity, “May I ask why you choose then to be here with us? No sound like the man of your past would do such a thing?”