Tuor was the last person Sahshir wished to speak with at the moment. He had stayed the same from when they had last met. His skin had been a bit more tanned by the sun. His white hair was a bit longer, and he wore a white vest and baggy pants with a rope belt. His muscular form was on full display with his arms, and he had nunchucks at his left side.

When Tuor had requested he set up this meeting, Sahshir had immediately wondered as to the reason. He had not been satisfied with Tuor's claim that it was to remedy relations. There was always a secondary purpose to everything the man did.

"Tuor, where have you been?" asked Sahshir. A glance at Alkela revealed that Narcissa's twin had already moved off. Kushina stood just behind, and Sahshir motioned for her to stay back.

"Engineering a great many things," said Tuor, walking forward. "It is the will of Baltoth that Kalthak be reunified in time. You seem to have interfered with his designs in your zeal to ensure his greatness."

"You're a fool if you believe Baltoth did not account for that," noted Sahshir, walking past him. He did not actually believe Tuor about any of that.

"Perhaps," said Tuor, moving to walk beside him. For a moment, they walked, with neither saying anything. Sahshir looked up at the sky as a cloud passed before the sun. "Let us say that I have had to work overtime to adjust the execution of his plans, then." Tuor might have some small idea of the difficulties he'd left for Sahshir. Though Tuor had not had to fear Asim might murder him for a skin disease.

"And what were those plans?" asked Sahshir. He was genuinely curious about what good Tuor thought could come from all this.

"Western Kalthak has always been the stronger of the two," said Tuor with a shrug, "the ground is more fertile. And it connects to many influential trade routes. Because of the desires of the Lords of Eastern Kalthak. Baltoth allowed you to maintain independence."

"And because of Asim's valor and the defeat of Belosh in many battles," noted Sahshir.

"Asim is a fool," snapped Tuor. "He started a civil war that killed thousands. His actions weakened both of us and nearly led to your death. And through your death, it would have been the death of us all. A reunification would have been to both country's benefit.

"You would have ruled as a vassal king and well protected. Without the endless feuding, the focus could have been securing the land. Roads could have been built, and all you have achieved here would have been done far sooner. With the fall of Zigilus, Calisha could have expanded into Dinis."

"You assume there would have been peace," scoffed Sahshir. "Eastern Kalthak would be enslaved, not reunified. Our Lords would bend the knee to Belosh as our people grew fat and lazy. We seek glory against the enemies of Baltoth. It is our purpose to bring destruction upon his enemies.

"And we will not suffer domination by foreign overlords who abandoned us once before. Where was the West when Safara was devouring the maidens she enchanted? Nowhere to be found."

"You speak as though the pursuit of valor is the only worthwhile one," noted Tuor.

"It is," said Sahshir. "Though valor may be achieved in all things. To strive to lead a virtuous life as a merchant. They charge reasonable pay and manage one's affairs with integrity? That is no less glorious than to behave as a samurai ought to. It is merely another aspect of a greater society.

"All men have their parts.

"To play them well is to become worthy of remembrance, even if the memory of you fades."

"You seem to have put much thought into all this," said Tuor.

"Of course," said Sahshir. "No one else was willing to do as much, so the task fell to me."

"Perhaps you are correct," said Tuor. "Perhaps you are not. We cannot know what would have happened, only what did. As things stand, you have made Eastern Kalthak far more powerful.

"You stand in a position to act as an equal partner to King Belosh rather than a lesser king. However, King Belosh and his associates still believe themselves to be superior. They do not like having to treat you as an equal. With your recent humiliation of Isamu, they may become hostile."

"Let them," snapped Sahshir. "I've endured as many insults as I am willing to. If they decide to flee back home and show themselves as cowards, I will be no worse than the wear for it. They would make a poisonous ally in any case."

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"I would be cautious about acting out of spite, Sahshir," said Tuor. "To ignore warnings out of anger benefits no one save your enemies. And you, as king, are obligated to act in the interests of Baltoth's plan, are you not?"

"And what do you suggest?" asked Sahshir, more annoyed by the moment. He had not seen Tuor in years, not since his training. There had been a point where he'd been ready to murder the man in a rage. That rage had fallen away to respect. Now, however, he felt more of a simmering fury.

He'd gotten what he needed from Tuor and owed him nothing. Their mutual cooperation benefited them, but Sahshir did not trust him.

"It might be well to instruct some of your warriors in the tournament to feign defeat," said Tuor. "To put as much effort to show their valor but forfeit out of respect.

"It would salvage King Belosh's reputation."

"King Belosh has dealt me only insult and, in his efforts, discredited himself," said Sahshir. "Why should I order my men to demean themselves for his vaunted pride?"

"Because I have asked you to," said Tuor.

Sahshir stopped and looked at the man. I just... looked at him. Tuor apparently realized that he had not won much favor with Sahshir. Tuor frowned at the realization, and their gazing battle continued. Drawing up his hands, he crossed his arms.

"Have I not been of great value as an ally?" asked Tuor. "Without my aid, you never would have subjugated Asim. Even if you had, it would have been a bloodbath, and you would have spent your reign putting down rebellions.

"I believe I have earned respect and gratitude."

Perhaps he had. Yet Sahshir remembered the fall of Zigilus after Garacel stole the Blade of Chaos. Tuor had contacts within and had known enough to open the gates for the legions of Dinis. How, then, had Tuor not learned of the attack sent by Garacel? It seemed a spectacular oversight.

Too spectacular. Tuor was never that careless, and if he had let Garacel through...

It raised too many questions.

"You put me in this position, Tuor," said Sahshir, looking away with a sigh. "Your betrayal of Elranor cursed me with this body. The abandoning of your responsibility nearly claimed my life. Do you expect me to forget that?"

Tuor fell silent for a long time, and the silence stretched between them. Several people walked in a wide birth around them. "There is a way you may be cured."

"What do you mean?" asked Sahshir.

"For some time now, I have been planning a mission," said Tuor after a moment, "a great quest, if you will. I might add one that has only been made possible by your recovery of the Grail of Immortality. Its goal is to seize the Heaven's Eye from Gel Carn."

"Gel Carn?" asked Sahshir. "That Dark Land where Anoa the Bright made his fortress? A place where the power of Elranor is at its zenith?"

"The same, I'm afraid," said Tuor. "And my homeland. It will be dangerous and will require only the greatest of warriors. The world's fate may well rest on this mission, in fact. For a time of destiny is now upon us.

"To achieve this, it will require one who has the blood of Elranor. For only they can touch the Heaven's Eye. You, Sahshir."

"What is that to me?" asked Sahshir. "I cannot leave my realm without good cause."

"There is a good cause," said Tuor. "The Heaven's Eye is a nexus of powerful, healing energies. Elranor forged it himself before he came down from the stars. In the days when it was being used, it was said that it could heal any sickness. Any injury or disease could disappear instantly.

"Once, King Anoa invaded the land now called the Dusk Lands. Laying siege to the castle of Del Gabor, he fought a gruesome battle. Yet, in the end, Anoa was forced to retreat south as King Anasar arrived with his elves.

"After a desperate flight, Anoa's men were exhausted, injured, and waning. The elves were nearing them, and all seemed lost. Then Elranor granted him the Heaven's Eye, and Anoa raised it aloft. In an instant, all the wounds of his soldiers were healed, and their strength restored. They fell upon the armies of King Anasar and fought a pitched battle.

"King Anasar met King Anoa in single combat, and Anoa was nearly overwhelmed. But his greatest knight, Sir Orson, stopped him. Anasar was worsted, and Orson struck his head from his shoulders. And so a great, if near, victory was won.

"Without the gem, Anoa would surely have been destroyed."

"What is your point by this tale?" asked Sahshir, finding the story interesting.

"If you were to be restored to full health. It is doubtful that King Belosh would have the same reservations," said Tuor. "You could have Oresa and any women you wanted. And your lifetime would be normal for a human, perhaps enhanced."

"So that's why you came here personally," mused Sahshir.

"That and you are a formidable enough power to be worthy of personal attention," said Tuor. "Once we seize the Heaven's Eye, it will be delivered to Ruscow. With the Grail of Immortality, Baltoth may finally achieve his designs."

"And when would this... quest be undertaken?" asked Sahshir.

"After the tournament, of course," said Tuor. "It would not do to cut it short. Such displays have a function of their own."

Sahshir drew off the glove on his remaining hand and looked at it. The flesh was blackened and cracked. Moving it caused him pain, a pain he was as used to as the air he breathed. If they could retrieve the Heaven's Eye, Sahshir could be healed. From the beginning, he could be restored to how he ought to have been. And by doing this, he would be advancing the desires of Baltoth.

It was said that miracles came unlooked for.

There was only one response Sahshir could make. Yet...

What if Tuor had some other plan here? What if Sahshir's fears proved true. And he considered how best to defend against such a possibility. At last, he found it.

"...Very well then, Tuor. I will join this quest," said Sahshir. "However, Isamu and his compatriots will go with us. I want Eastern Kalthak invested in this quest." To throw them into the mix would create an element of chaos in whatever plan was made. At the very least, they would be unable to aid Belosh should he invade.

Tuor shifted slightly. "I suppose they might well be helpful. Though I had hoped to bring Nayasha."

"And I will not be rigging any matches," said Sahshir. "They shall unfold as they unfold."

"Well, the strong should be known as much, should they not?" asked Tuor.

Sahshir had known he was condemned to die for his entire life. It had hung over him like a cloak on his shoulders. Now, however, that cloak had been lifted. He had...

Hope.

Yes, he would die. But to be given an average lifespan? To be freed of pain and death for a time?

What could he achieve if he was healed? He had already done much as king. But were he to restore his power, he might become the greatest king Kalthak had ever known. Sahshir might leave behind a Kingdom that none would ever surpass.

And he wondered if this had not been the plan all along.

All was, after all, as Baltoth willed it.