Night lay deep, and the bay was utterly still. Puapu's wild shouts carried to the edge of the camp, drawing the attention of the patrolling warriors.
Priest Tomatl stood calmly in the shadows outside the camp. He had long since sent away the others in this part of the camp, and now he waved at the patrolling warriors as well, signaling that they need not come closer. He listened in silence as the agitated shouting gradually quieted, and the anger in the voice slowly turned desolate. Only then did Priest Tomatl lift the corner of his mouth and nod to himself in the dark.
"Mm. A big fire for stewing fish, a small fire for sipping soup... Captain Chiwako's soup-making skill isn't bad at all..."
Before the bonfire, old Militia Chiwako lowered his eyes, looking at the fish soup beside the flames, listening to Puapu's yelling, and waiting patiently. He knew the other man needed time to face the truth he had never wanted to face.
Only after a long while did Puapu quiet down. He held his head high and pressed his lips together, like a child stubbornly refusing to admit fault. Only then did Chiwako glance over and see that the fury on Old Pu's face had vanished. In its place was a pair of hurt, uneasy eyes, slowly filling with tears.
"Old Qi, you know it! This is all... all Tikalo's treacherous scheme! I... I've never betrayed the Kingdom! Even if His Highness finds out, he should punish Tikalo severely, not punish me!..."
"Bullshit! Puapu, you dumb log, you're even dumber than that log Weizti!"
Looking at the weeping Puapu, Chiwako was angry, yet also somewhat unable to bear it. But even if he could not bear it, the words that came from his mouth were still